Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 172

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 172

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).

In politics Mr. Wilkin is a strong Prohibitionist and is a pillar in the Methodist Church, with which he united fifty-seven years ago, having been a class-leader for many years. He has never been a seeker for public office, but has filled most ac- ceptably the position of School Treasurer of the Township for the past thirty-one years. Possess- ing an abundance of this world's goods, he is now enjoying his declining years in retirement, though realizing that he is only the steward of what is his Master's. He sheds around him a benign in- fluence for good, and is loved and honored by a wide circle. Mrs. Wilkin has also been a devout member of the Methodist Church for many years. The bond which holds them together is stronger than any mere earthly bond. In their home the beautiful influence of their Christian lives is shown, and they make others better and truer for the way in which they live out their faith.

WILKIN, W. Ernest, M. D .- Coming of a good, old pioneer family of Crawford County, Dr. W. Ernest Wilkin, ot Oblong, Ill., was well known in Crawford County even before he commenced practicing medicine here in the spring of 1907, and although he has been in this locality but a short time, he has already firmly established him- self in the confidence of the people and built up a good practice. Dr. Wilkin was born on the Wil- kin farm, four and one-halt miles from Oblong, August 19, 18S0, a son of L. C. and Josephine (Voorheis) Wilkin. L. C. Wilkin was born on the same farm as Dr. Wilkin, which had been entered from the Government by his father. He was a Methodist minister and preached the gospel for sixteen years, when he retired. His wife was a daughter of Daniel Voorheis who came from Germany, and his wife came from Wales.

After attending common school, Dr. Wilkin went to the Noble High School in Richland County, Ill., from which he was graduated, and then attended McKendree College at Lebanon, Ill. In the fall of 1900 he entered Barnes University at St. Louis, from which he was graduated in 1904 with the degree of M. D., and was awarded the gold medal in the sophomore year for best scholarship, his generai average being 98 in a large class. Dr. Wilkin then went to Mt. Erie, Wayne County, Ill., where he remained three years, and then, in the spring of 1907, came to Oblong, where he has since remained. In that same year he bought the homestead of Dr. E. M. Cooley, and erected a neat office building adjoin- ing the residence. Dr. Wilkin belongs to the

Medico-Chirurgical Society of Barnes College, the Crawford County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Order of Modern Woodmen. In re- ligious affiliation he is a member of the Meth- odist Church, and earnestly supports that body. Politically he is a Democrat.

On June 26, 1907, Dr. Wilkin was married at Mt. Erie, Ill., to Miss Ina Bradshaw, danghter of James and Lizzie Bradshaw. James Brad- shaw is a retired merchant and stock dealer of Mt. Erie, who was a veteran of the Civil War, serving with credit in Company E. Fortieth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, from near the beginning to the end of the struggle. Dr. Wilkin is a close student, a conscientious worker, and a young man who not only is thoroughly conversant with his profession, but loves it and is devoting his life to it.

WILSON, David C .- Among the representative citizens of Robinson Township, Crawford County, Ill., is David C. Wilson, who, after many years of business activity, is now living a retired life in his pleasant home on South Cross Street, Rob- inson. Mr. Wilson was born in Crawford County, Ill., near Robinson, August 22. 1850, a son of Lewis and Margaret A. (Smith) Wilson, the latter a native of Pennsylvania. Lewis Wilson was born in Morgan County, Ohio, and came to Crawford County, Ill., in the spring of 1850. on- tering 160 acres of government land. Mr. Wilson was a man of energy and progressive spirit and lie became a man of substance, clearing his land and cultivating an excellent farm. Ilis death oc- curred on his farm in Robinson Township, in August, 1877.

David C. Wilson attended the Wilson School- house in his youth, and spent his early manhood in assisting his father on the farm. He was mar- ried in Robinson Township, by the Rev. Boyer of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to Emma C. Collins, born February 12, 1856, daughter of John and Phœbe (Thompson) Collins, the former of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of Virginia. John Collins came from Butler County, Oblo, to Crawford County, Ill., about 1864, and was for many years engaged in farming, owning a tract of 300 acres. and also being engaged in the mili- ing business until his mill in Robinson was de- stroyed by fire about 189S. He was Circuit Clerk for two terms, and his death occurred in April. 1902. He and his wife, who died about forty years ago, were the parents of nine children. and there are now living two sons and two daush- ters. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson there have been born three children: Ora, born August 23. 1SS0 ; Edna, born September 8, 1884; and Raymond C .. born August 27, 1SS9. Ora married Robert Stor- enson, a farmer of Robinson Township, and has two children, namely : Omer. born June 21, 1SOS, and Hazel, born August 14, 1903.

In addition to his comfortable home in Robin- son, Mr. Wilson is the owner of two residence lots, and a tract of 240 acres located In Robin-

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son Township, upon which are situated two pro- ducing oil wells. In political matters he is a Democrat, and he takes more than an ordinary interest in local matters. For forty years he has been a member of the United Brethren Church, while Mrs. Wilson has been connected with the Methodist Church since her sixteenth year. The family is very well known in Robin- son, and all of its members highly esteemed.

WILSON, Mrs. Mabel (James) .- Not every woman possesses genius, nor if she does, has it been developed until she is able to give expression to it in enduring works of art that will live after her. Mrs. Mabel (James) Wilson of Palestine, Ill., is a rare character, possessing the genius of an artist and the heart of gold peculiar to her sex. She was born in Seguin, Texas, January 29, 1877, and is the wife of Charles T. Wilson, and daughter of Edward James, who was a prominent physician of New York City. He was born in Richabueto, New Brunswick, in 1852, and was graduated in medicine with high honors, at Hali- fax, Nova Scotia. He became noted as a physi- cian, not only in New York City, but in Seguin, Texas, where he later located. Edward James was a son of William James, who was also born at Richabueto, New Brunswick, and was a law- yer. William James married Elizabeth Barlow, born in Hutsonville, Ill., October 30, 1829, and died in Robinson, Ill., December 11, 1905, at Star- rett Place.

Edward James married Sarah Harding Star- rett, who was born in Robinson, Ill., October 30, 1854, and died at the early age of thirty- eight, in February, 1892. Her father was Judge William Henry Starrett, who was Judge of the County Court of Crawford for twenty-one years. He was born in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, but moved to Illinois, and took up a large tract of land in Robinson. His death occurred in Nova Scotia in 1865.

Mrs. Wilson was educated at the College of St. Mary's of the Woods, four miles west of Terre Haute, Ind., from whence she was grad- uated in June, 1896. She undoubtedly inherited her musical and artistic talents from her mother, who obtained notable recognition as a musician and artist. In the beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson some of the exquisite canvasses from her brush are most tenderly prized. The very large painting "The Mountain of the Holy Cross," a scene in the canons of Colorado, is a rare piece of work. Mrs. Starrett's portrait hangs upon the wall, and it is one to study and admire. The face bears out the character she evinced to everyone. Her life was a lovely one, spent in tender consideration for others, and her disposition was exceedingly sweet. The pic- ture shows a high order of intelligence combined with self-sacrificing gentleness, and the love and devotion she inspired as well as the deep grief her early demise occasioned, are easily under- stood. Every accomplishment was possessed by her. Educated at a private female academy, and possessed of real genius, she became a musician of note, as well as an artist of rare ability, work-

in oils and on china. Her productions all show the same exquisite detail, and she also took a pride in her fine sewing. While Mrs. Wilson also inherits the versatility of her mother, she al- ways feels that she cannot equal her, so ten- derly does the devoted daughter reverence the mother who has been taken from her.

Soon after graduating, Mrs. Wilson married Charles T. Wilson, son of Guy D. Wilson and Harriet (Young) Wilson, of Palestine, Ill. Mr. Wilson is a locomotive engineer, and his father is one of the leading men of Palestine, owning large elevators in the city, and dealing extens- ively in grain. The marriage took place July 21, 1896, at the Presbyterian Church in Robinson, two clergymen, the Rev. McCoy and the Rev. Adams officiating. Mrs. Wilson has borne her husband the following children : Mary Eliza- beth, born April 25, 1897, and died the same date; William Starrett Wilson, born May 11, 1898; Mary Elizabeth (II), born February 1, 1900; Sarah Cecelia, born March 16, 1904; My- netta and Henrietta, twins, born August 7, 1906.

Simply a mention of the beautiful Wilson home is all that space will admit. The reception room is artistically furnished, and from it and the large porch is afforded a delightful view of the beautiful grounds. Paintings, bric-a-brac, statu- ary, the wide stairway leading up to the gallery overlooking this beautiful room, all are stamped with the artistic taste of Mrs. Wilson. She with her beautiful children forms a picture not easily forgotten by those who are honored as visitors to her home.

Mrs. Wilson owns the Starrett Place of ten acres, and the old family mansion in Robinson. The latter is generally known as "Wilson's Grove." She also owns a three-story brick build- ing, occupied by S. M. Smith as a furniture store ; the Lyric Theater, a prospective building to be erected for the Red Bank Oil Co., the residence of Mr. Barnsdale, the new Catholic church which occupies a large lot, the residence of Mr. Wil- cox adjoining, the former Robinson Club House, now occupied by T. J. Cooper, the residences of George Finley and Mr. Bradbury, a lot and build- ing occupied by the Star Laundry. In addition she owns two additions known as the Mabel (James) Wilson first and second additions. where she has built a number of fine residences.

Mrs. Wilson comes of an old pioneer family, and may be well numbered among the fortunates of earth. Possessed of wealth, culture, genius, with a devoted husband, and charming children, she is surrounded with all that makes life pleas- ant. The center of the inner circle in society, her home is the center of many delightful events, and she makes a charming hostess to her count- less friends, who are located far and wide. Mrs. Wilson possesses literary talent as well. and is one of the most valuable members of the Literary Club.

WILSON, William, a farmer of Robinson Town- ship, Crawford County, is one of the representa- tive men of his locality. Mr. Wilson was born in

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La Motte Township, one and one-half miles north- west of Palestine, February 13, 1853, a son of Alvah James Wilson, who was born in Kentucky, December 5, 1819. He was a farmer all his life, and in 1831, believing that there was more op- portunity in Crawford County, he located there, at a time when the entire country was in a wild state, deer, wolves and prairie chickens be- ing more plentiful than domestic animals now are. His wife was Mary Jane Seaney, a daugli- ter of Bryant Seaney. Alvah J. Wilson died at his home southwest of Trimble on Sunday, Oc- tober 17, 1897, aged seventy-seven years and ten months. The funeral services were conducted Monday, October 18th, at the Grove Church by Brother M. V. Hathaway, in the presence of a large concourse of relatives and friends. He was one of the pioneers of the locality and was hon- ored for his honesty, industry and kindness of heart, as well as his devotion to his family and friends. His widow died Sunday, August 24, 1900, after a long and painful illness, and she was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery, Monday afternoon, Brother J. R. Wright of Newton offi- ciating. She was sixty-six years old, and was a good, loving mother.

William Wilson alternated attending the dis- trict school with work on the farm in Robin- son Township, and thus grew to manhood's estate. He owns 139 acres of excellent farming land, nearly all under cultivation. He makes a specialty of breeding pedigreed Poland-China hogs, and has shipped his stock to 23 adjoining States and as far south as New Mexico. He raises about 100 head of thoroughbred hogs each year and his hogs command good prices every- where on account of the superiority of his stock.

On March 23, 1871, Mr. Wilson was married in Robinson Township to Sarah E. Riegel, born near Dayton, Ohio, November 18, 1853, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Elizabeth Riegel. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of the following chil- dren : Rosa May, born August 2, 1872; Hiramn Hunter, born August 21, 1874, died December 26, 1874 ; Henry Arthur. born December 22, 1875 ; Mary Elizabeth, born May 28, 1878; Margaret Florence, born July 4, 1879; Edward Garfield, born February 7, 1881; Lena Belle, born De- cember 1, 1883; William Oscar, born March 19, 1885; Jacob Alvah, born August 19, 1887; Ora Luella, born July 8, 1888; Ralph Amber, born June 23, 1890. Mr. Wilson is a Prohibitionist, and has been Chairman of the County Central Committee of that party four and one-half years ; is a member of the Christian Church (New Light) and has been an active and faithful church, Sunday School and Prohibition worker for nearly forty years.

WILSON, William C. (deceased), who for many years was a prominent figure in the affairs of Crawford County and especially in the city of Robinson, was born in Palestine, Ill .. November 5, 1832, a son of William and Elizabeth (Kiteli- ell) Wilson. the former born in Virginia, Feb- ruary 11, 1790. He came to Illinois in 1816. and settling near Palestine became one of the pio-

neers of this locality. From 1845 to 1849 he was Receiver of the Land Office. His wife was born in New Jersey in 1799. Their children were: Eliza A., Robert C., Jolmn W., Jeretta, James, Hannah, William C., Martha, Asa W., and three who died in infancy. When William C. Wilson began working for himself he had 80 acres of land given him by his father. When he was twenty, he was appointed Deputy Clerk and served one year ; was elected County Treasurer in 1854 for two years, and in 1856 was made Postmaster at Palestine. Later he engaged In milling, but retiring from that business in 1861, was elected County Clerk and held that oflice for sixteen consecutive years. In 1879 he was elected State Senator from the Forty-fifth Dis- trict, and served on a number of important con- mittees. Mr. Wilson was an active Democrat and cast his first vote for James Buchanan for President. In religious faith he was a Presby- terian, while fraternally he was a Mason. De- cember 4, 1855, Mr. Wilson married Sue F. Waldrop, a danghter of Francis and Amella (Redmon) Waldrop, natives of North Carolina and Ohio, respectively. Mrs. Wilson also joined the Presbyterian Church.

WIMAN, G. H., who is recognized as one of the best informed men on the subject of farming In Crawford County, for many years a farmer of Licking Township, was born in the county, In 1847, a son of James Wiman, who was one of the carly pioneers of this locality, coming here about 1816. He was born in Kentucky in 1812 and at- tained to a ripe old age. Although he came to the county almost penniless, in time he became the owner of 1,000 aeres, part of which he divided among his children, who were: Jacob, Elizabeth, Margaret, Sarah. Emily, G. H., Albert, Lucie A .. and Rebecca. G. H. Wiman attended the early schools of his locality and was brought up on the farm. In 1872 he married Jane Barr, daugh- ter of Dr. Frank Barr, and they have had three children : Edgar, Louis and Martha.

WIMAN, Henry Milton .- The farming Inter- ests of Crawford County are represented by men of ability and high standing, who not only are interested in the development of their land, but also in the advancement of local affairs. Henry Milton Wiman, of Robinson Township. Is one of the progressive farmers who owe thelr advance- ment to their own unaided efforts and habits of thrift and industry. Mr. WIman was born in Sullivan County. Ind .. April 20. 1870. IIe Is a son of William Johnson and Sarah Ellen ( Hunt) Wiman, born in Indiana, the former In Sullivan County and the latter in Vigo County.

In 1872 William Johnson Wiman moved with his family to Crawford County, and settled near Bellair, where Henry Milton Wiman went to school until he was eighteen, when he entered the Central Normal Christian College at Danville. Ind. Finishing his course there, he taught school for eight years, when he purchased his present farm of fifty acres, on which there Is a com- fortable home. with modern improvements.

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in the fighting there for 123 days almost contin- uously. On a number of occasions, Captain Wood, as ranking officer, had command of the regiment. He was wounded by a bursting shell at Chickamauga. On December 9, 1864, he was honorably discharged on account of disability resulting from his service. Captain Wood had two brothers who served during the war, Albert Wood and Capt. J. H. Wood. The former en- lishted in General Grant's old regiment, the Twenty-first Illinois, was captured at Chicka- mauga and sent to Andersonville, where he died of starvation. J. H. Wood enlisted in Company F, Fifth Illinois Cavalry, and was promoted to the rank of Captain.

Captain William Wood is a Blue Lodge Mason and the second oldest member in the County, and is a member of the Albert Wood Post, G. A. R., which was named in honor of his brother who died in the Andersonville prison. Until the organization of the Republican party, he was a Whig, and has voted the Republican ticket ever since. He has been Collector of Taxes, for twenty years was a Justice of the Peace and his wise administration is still remembered with pride. Capt. Wood well remembers when Craw- ford County had very few settlers, instead of one of the most fertile sections of Illinois, being then barren land. Indians roved about in large bands and deer was very plentiful. Often were seen forty deer in a herd. Flocks of wild turkeys were everywhere, and there were many more wolves than was agreeable or safe. He also remembers one peculiar circumstance that his father used often to mention. About the time that the family settled here, in 1816 or 1817, a terrible epidemic, known locally as "milk sick- ness," broke out among the people and stock. Many died in the vicinity of Gordon, including the elder Joseph Wood, his maternal grandfather, and two or three of the latter's daughters. Those who survived felt the effects at certain seasons of the year for some years thereafter. The ma- jority of those who fell victims either died or moved away. Large quantities of stock also died. The trouble seemed only local, but was dreadful. In those early days Capt. Wood made five trips to Chicago driving cattle to market, and his reminiscences of them would fill a volumc. On August 7, 1906, oil was discovered on Capt. Wood's farm and he now has 30 producing oil wells. Capt. and Mrs. Wood are probably the oldest married couple in Crawford County, and they are universally honored and respected. Their many good deeds and kindly words can never be told. No one ever sought aid of them in vain. No matter how small their quarters, the wayfarer was always welcome in the olden days, and the visitor to their present home is re- ceived with the same cordial hospitality as found among the survivors of pioneer days. Nothing but good can be said of these two, who in their venerable age command confidence, es- teem and affection, not only from their family but from all who have the honor of their ac- quaintance.

WOODWORTH, Abner Palmer .- Few men have been more prominently associated with the finan- cial and commercial growth of Crawford County than Abner Palmer Woodworth, who from 1850 has been an important factor in the life of Rob- inson, and who contributed largely towards its rapid advancement. Mr. Woodworth was born at Palestine, Ill., June 20, 1829, a son of John Spencer and Elizabeth (Greer) Woodworth, the former of whom was born on a farm near Al- bany, N. Y., December 29, 1775, and was a farmer by occupation. His wife was born in South Carolina in 1779, and they were married in Law- rence County, Ill., where he died in 1850, his widow surviving him several years. John Spen- cer Woodworth came west to Kentucky in 1812, and having heard glowing reports of the land along the Wabash River from Gen. Harrison's soldiers who were home on a furlough, came with about twenty others to investigate the conditions in Illinois. Being well satisfied, they returned in 1814, as soon as the land was opened for set- tlement. This party was one of the first to set- tle in Crawford County, and Mr. Woodworth built a log house which he occupied until Abner P. was about five years old, when the first frame house was erected. At this time Indians roamed the prairies, and wild game of all kinds was very plentiful. To the north there was a settlement of Carolinians, and to the south a party of Ken- tuckians. Mr. Woodworth bought land near the present site of Palestine, and on this he resided until his death. He had the honor of being the second sheriff of Crawford County, and was. a man of considerable prominence throughout the county as well as the State during its early history. Crawford County at that time included Chicago, where Mr. Woodworth sold apples, ship- ping them there by team. At one time he owned 1,000 acres of land and cleared off a large por- tion of it and brought it into a high state of cultivation. His father, Roswell Woodworth, had served in the Revolution, as did the maternai grandfather, the latter being under Gen. Marion in South Carolina, and the family on both sides always took a prominent part in the upbuilding of the country.

Abner Palmer Woodworth was educated at Hanover College, Ind. During his early school days he worked on his father's farm, and learned how to farm properly. The first cook stove he saw was brought from Chicago when he was a small boy. After attending school for two years, he clerked in a store, and then, in 1852, bought a half-interest in the general store of C. B. Lagow & Co., in Robinson, which business was conducted under the style of Woodworth & La- gow from 1852 to 1863. At that time it was the only store in Robinson, which was then a ham- let of about 100 people. The stock of merchan- dise was eventually sold to Braden & Dorothy, and in 1863, Mr. Woodworth embarked in the mercantile business alone, thus continuing until 1868, when he started a small banking enterprise in connection with his mercantile business, un- der the name of Woodworth Brothers & Co., which later was changed to the Robinson Bank

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in 1875, and was reorganized and incorporated as the First National Bank of Robinson in 1896, with A. P. Woodworth as president, which hou- orable position he still retains. In 1875 he sold out his mercantile business to devote himself exclusively to his banking interests until the re- organization in 1896.

In addition to his other business enterprises, Mr. Woodworth was one of the organizers of the Paris & Danville (now the "Big Four") Rail- road in 1870 and 1875, is the founder of the Woodworth Hotel, and has always been inter- ested in whatever measures promised to advance the interests of Crawford County. When twen- ty-one, he cast his first vote with the Whig Party, and helped to organize the Republican Party in Crawford County, but through all his political life could never be induced to hold pub- lic office. Mr. Woodworth is a consistent mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is trustee. On August 18, 1868, Mr. Woodworth was married at Binghamton, N. Y., to Ellen King, daughter of Andrew King, who moved from her birthplace, Lexington, Ky., to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she resided until reaching her maturity. Mr. King was identified with a wholesale dry- goods business, under the style of King, Corwin & Co., and later in life removed to Leavenworth, Kan., where his death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Woodworth have no issue.

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Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 172

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