USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 20
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For many years Mr. McBride was iden- tified with the Taylorville Coal Company, and for some years acted as president of the corporation, but in 1896 disposed of his in- . city attorney, he served several years with terest. He has also been a stockholder and satisfaction to the citizens of his adopted city. He also served as master in chancery for two years and some years ago was nom- inated by his party for circuit judge but was gerrymandered out. director in the First National Bank of Tay- lorville for many years. With five other gentlemen he is a large landowner in Missis- sippi, in one of the most productive parts of the great cotton belt. He has also ac- quired by his own efforts several hundred acres of very productive land in Christian county.
On the 17th of May. 1871. Mr. McBride was united in marriage with Miss Mattie Wheeler, of Lincoln, Illinois, daughter of Aaron and Almira Wheeler, of that city. She has been truly a helpmeet to him and encouraged and assisted him in all his un- dertakings. They became acquainted while they were students in the Lincoln Uni- versity. Their union has been an exceed-
ingly happy one, and four children came to bless it. Willis B., now the partner of his father, married Miss Rose Schultz, and they have one child, Katherine. He is a graduate of the Ada, Ohio, University, and has a bright future before him. Horace is now a resident of Carlinville, Illinois, and is manager of the Shale Brick & Tile Works. He married Miss Belle Wheeler, and they have one child, Clarabel. Elma is the wife of Adelbert Buckley and is the mother of one child, Helen Elizabeth. He is a busi- ness man in Taylorville. Marcella is at home with her parents.
In politics Mr. McBride espouses the principles of the Democracy, and is a fear- less advocate of them upon the stump. He has never aspired to, nor would he accept public office outside the line of his profes- sion, preferring to give his time to his busi- ness affairs. As a delegate he has been in many conventions and was one of the Illi- nois delegation to the national Democratic convention at Kansas City in 1900. As
Fraternally Mr. McBride is a member of Mound Lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M., of Taylorville; of Taylorville Chapter, No. 102, R. A. M., and of Elwood Command- ery, No. 6. K. T., of Springfield. He is now past master of the blue lodge. For many years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 1900 he received a veteran jewel for hav- ing been a member in good standing for twenty-five years.
Mr. McBride stands deservedly high among the legal fraternity, his ability being
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recognized by all. He is the peer of any man at the bar in central Illinois, and the ability of the members of that bar is un- questioned. He is able, painstaking and conscientious in his work, and to secure him as an advocate the man is indeed fortunate. He has many warm friends, and it is pos- sible some enemies. as what man has not that possesses any force of character. As a citizen he is ever ready to assist in any and every thing that will tend to the ad- vancement of his adopted city and county, and evidence of that interest is shown on every hand.
J. N. C. SHUMWAY.
One of the most prominent and influential citizens of Taylorville is J. N. C. Shumway, who has been and is actively connected with its business affairs. He belongs to that class of representative men who while promoting individual interests also advance the gen- eral welfare. Energetic and progressive in business life he has at the same time been active in public interests and has represented his district in the state senate. He is now the secretary of the Taylorville Savings & Loan Association, of which he was the organizer and of which he has been secretary from the beginning. In 1889 he was made secre- tary and manager of the Taylorville Electric Light Company, which office he still fills and he was one of the original directors of the First National Bank, with which he is still associated.
Mr. Shumway was born in Christian county on the 28th of September, 1850, his parents being D. D. and Emily R. ( Roun- tree) Shumway, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume. He acquired his education in the schools of
Taylorville and afterward spent four years as a student in the United Presbyterian Col- lege of Iowa. When nineteen years of age he went to Nebraska in company with his sister and brother-in-law, who journeyed in a covered wagon, while Mr. Shumway drove a sulky. They were five weeks upon the . road but ultimately reached their destination and our subject assisted in improving his brother-in-law's land there. At a later date he returned to Taylorville, where he re- mained up to the time of his father's death in 1870. He then went to Lincoln, Nebras- ka, and opened the first exclusive carpet store in that city. He spent three years there and afterward went to South America, but in January, 1875, he again came to Taylor- villle, where he took up the study of law un- der the direction of W. M. Provine, with whom he remained two years. For a sim- ilar period his reading was directed by J. G. Drennan, but because of ill health he was obliged to abandon the law and with Mr. Drennan engaged in the real estate and other business interests. In the year 1877 he was elected justice of the peace, which position he filled for twelve years, during which time he tried between five and six thousand cases. His rulings were strictly fair and impar- tial and his official career was one which gained him the high commendation of the public. In 1884 he organized the Taylor- ville Savings, Loan & Building Association, of which he has since been secretary. This company has been largely instrumental in improving the city, many houses having been erected through the assistance gained from the organization. In 1889 Mr. Shumway became secretary and manager of the Tay- lorville Electric Light Company and still acts in that capacity. He has also been one of the directors of the First National Bank since its organization. He has been engaged
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in the real estate and insurance business in Taylorville for the past twenty-six years.
In February, 1877, occurred the marriage of Mr. Shumway and Miss Lilly Rothchild, of Salem, Illinois. Unto them have been born two daughters: Nemmie R., the elder, at home; and Genevieve G., who is now at- tending the Forest Park University at St. Louis, Missouri.
In his social relations Mr. Shumway is a Mason, his membership being with the lodge in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and with the Red Men at Taylorville. In poli- tics he is an earnest Democrat and in 1898 he was elected upon that ticket to the state senate, where he was active in support of much important litigation, being largely in- strumental in the restoration of the old garnishee law, which had been on the statute books since the adoption of the first consti- tution of Illinois, but which had been greatly changed to the detriment of the working classes. In 1903 Mr. Shumway was ap- pointed Illinois commissioner for the Louisi- ana Purchase Exposition and served as a member of the committees on buildings, mines and minerals, and was chosen chair- man of the committee on grounds, interior and exterior decoration and furnishing of building.
Mr. Shumway purchased the corner lots in Taylorville where the old Long Hotel once stood and erected thereon a good brick building, in which he has his office. He also owns property on the west side of the square and other real estate in various parts of the town. He has ever been public spir- ited, taking a deep and helpful interest in that which pertains to the public good. In business he has been active, energetic and progressive and as the result of his carefully
directed efforts he has gained a place among the substantial and representative citizens of Taylorville.
W. J. SALING, M. D.
Dr. W. J. Saling, who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Stonington, was born in Marshall county, Kentucky, April 9, 1865. and is a son of W. J. and M. J. Saling. The father was born in Edmonson county, Ken- tucky, in the year 1819 and there followed farming and mercantile pursuits through- out his business career. He died in the year 1890, while his wife passed away in 1891.
Dr. Saling obtained his early education in the schools of Kentucky and prepared for the practice of medicine as a student in the medical department of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, where he was grad- uated with the class of 1892. Well qualified for his chosen calling, he entered upon the practice at Smithland, Kentucky, where he remained for three and a half years, gaining broad experience through the varied prac- tice that comes to a member of the medical fraternity in a small town. He afterward removed to Ellsworth, Illinois, where he re- mained until 1899, when he came to Ston- ington. It was not long before he gave evi- dence of his thorough understanding of the science of medicine and his correct applica- tion of his knowledge to the needs of suffer- ing humanity. A liberal patronage has there- fore been accorded him by the public and he has now a large practice which has as- sumed profitable proportions. He is con- tinually studying to enhance his proficiency and his broad reading, experience and in- vestigation have made him one of the able members of the profession in Christian coun- ty. He has been particularly successful in
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the treatment of typhoid fever and of chronic cases. He is now medical examiner for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company. of Boston, Massachusetts, also the Franklin Life Insurance Company, of Springfield. Illinois, and the Illinois Life Insurance Com- pany. He has written a number of articles for publication in the Medical World and he belongs to the Christian County Medical Society. His entire time and attention has been devoted to his chosen calling and he has a well equipped office, in which he does considerable microscopic work, taking a great interest in it.
In March, 1892, Dr. Saling was united in marriage to Miss Alice Webb, of Litchfield, Kentucky, and unto them was born a daugh- ter. Edna, who now resides at home. On the ioth of May, 1900, the Doctor was again married, his second union being with' An- gelene Solliday, a daughter of Mrs. J. H. Solliday. The Doctor and his wife are val- ued members of the Reformed church and the hospitality of the best homes of Ston- ington and the surrounding district is ex- tended to them. He has recently completed a beautiful residence which cost thirty-three hundred dollars. It is heated with furnace, supplied with a hot and cold water system and excellent sanitary arrangements and is a most modern home in every particular. Fra- ternally the Doctor is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Frater- nal Army and the Court of Honor. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, but he has never sought or desired office, pre- ferring to devote his time and energies to his chosen profession, in which he has met with signal success. In manner he is kindly, in disposition genial and the sterling traits of his character are such as win for him the good will and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
ALLEN PEABODY.
Allen Peabody is the owner of an excel- lent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, Prairieton township, and the im- provements on the place are largely a monu- ment to his enterprise and business capacity, for he has developed the farm to its present prosperous condition. A native son of Chris- tian county, he was born in 1865. His parents were Dr. E. S. and Sarah Peabody, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Kentucky. The father was born in 1812 and came to Illinois in the early '30S. He was a physician and surgeon and prac- ticed his profession in Springfield for a time. after which he removed to Danville and in 1860 came to Christian county, where he purchased four hundred and eighty acres of land. Abandoning the practice of medicine, he turned his attention to the occupation of farming, which he followed until his death, which occurred in 1900. His widow still survives him and now makes her home in Taylorville.
Mr. Peabody of this review pursued his education in the schools of Decatur and of Taylorville and manifested considerable aptitude in his studies, so that, at the age of seventeen years, he was qualified for teaching. Securing a school he was identi- fied with educational work in this county for three years, after which he spent one year in Kansas and then returned to Chris- tian county. He has since been engaged in farming. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 16, Prairieton town- ship, where he now lives and began the im- provement of the property, carrying on the work of cultivation until he has to-day a very fine farm. The fields are rich and productive and yield a golden tribute to the owner for the care and labor he bestows
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upon them. He has tiled his land, built fences, dividing the place into fields of con- venient size and carried forward his work in a most progressive manner, resulting in making him one of the leading agricultur- ists of the township.
In 1888 Mr. Peabody was united in mar- riage to Miss Dora Oliver, a daughter of Michael Oliver, a native of West Virginia. Unto our subject and his wife have been born nine children, but only two are now living, Grace and Verna. Mr. Peabody gives his political support to the men and measures of the Democracy, and is now serving as supervisor of Prairieton town- ship. For one year he was tax collector in his township and in all public positions of trust and responsibility he has been most faithful, prompt and accurate in the dis- charge of his duties. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America.
HENRY DAVIS.
The present generation owes a debt of gratitude to the pioneers of the Prairie state that can never be repaid. The trials and hardships endured by them to make the state what it is to-day, one of the foremost in all the Union, cannot be realized by those enjoying the present comforts of an ad- vanced civilization.
Henry Davis was a pioneer of Sangamon and Christian counties, one who, in early life, knew nothing of present day comforts, and who. in his boyhood and youth, never dreamed that there was much else in this life but hard work and a struggle for existence. He was born within six miles of Nashville, Tennessee, April 24, 1817, and when three years of age came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Davis, to Sangamon county,
Illinois, the family locating on a farm near Mechanicsburg. Here he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the old log school- house so often pictured by the old pioneer in relating his life's struggles to his chil- dren and grandchildren, but from whose doors went forth some of the grandest men that ever walked the earth, and whose names are written high on the roll of fame.
Mechanicsburg and Mount Auburn town- ships, within whose boundaries the greater part of the life of Henry Davis was passed. was not, in that early day the highly cul- tivated, the prosperous section now known, but was covered in greater part by a heavy growth of timber that had to be cleared away that in its place might be planted the corn and sown the wheat that has made Illinois famous throughout the whole civil- ized world. In that work the boyhood, youth and early manhood of our subject were passed, and those that were personally acquainted with him know how well he ap- plied himself to the work and with what re- sults. At the age of twenty-three years, on the 29th of May, 1840, he was united in marriage with Caroline Kipper, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, born near the beauti- ful city of Lexington, July 23, 1820, and daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Kipper, pioneer settlers of Christian county.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis began their married life with little of this life's goods. They waited not to acquire large possessions be- fore entering the matrimonial state, but with love in their hearts one for the other. and a steadfast determination to at least ac- quire for themselves a comfortable home, they commenced life's journey together. He had health and strength, ambition and great natural ability. Together they worked hard, lived frugally, sometimes even denying themselves what are considered the neces-
Hurry Jai .
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saries of life, but they had the satisfaction of seeing their possessions accumulate, the boundaries of their farm reach out, and to know that in old age they would be secure from want and have the means to secure the luxuries denied them in early life.
After living on a farm in Mechanics- burg township, Sangamon county, for some years, Mr. Davis acquired a farm in Chris- tian county, to which he removed with his family. In general farming and stock-rais- ing he became extensively engaged and suc- cess crowned all his efforts. In 1868 he moved into the village of Mount Auburn, where he remained for about six years and then moved to Springfield, Illinois. From there, in 1877, he went to Detroit, Michi- gan, where some years were spent and later took up his residence in Lafayette, Indi- ana, where his death occurred Sunday, Feb- ruary 3, 1901. His last moments were peaceful and his mind was clear until a few hours before he died, when he lapsed into unconsciousness. He was survived by his wife and two children, Henry Davis, Jr .. of Springfield, Illinois, and Mrs. David Hoover, of Taylorville. From Lafayette his remains were taken to Taylorville, and from the Christian church, which is a memorial to his generosity, he was laid away to rest.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Davis removed to Taylorville, where she made her home until she, too, "fell asleep in Jesus," Thursday, June 12, 1902. She was a faithful wife, a loving mother, and her life work, her untiring energy in deeds of righteousness, together with her beautiful character, blends well with the ever exem- plary career led by her husband. She was a charitable woman, a devout worker in the Christian church, and was imbued with all the characteristics of a noble woman.
In his political views Henry Davis was a stanch Democrat, and he was not only a life-long friend of Stephen A. Douglas, but was also an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln, Judge Logan, Milton Hay, Ninian Edwards and other prominent men of Illi- nois. As a citizen he was ever ready to discharge any duty devolving upon him, and while advancing his own interests he also materially aided in promoting the general welfare of the community in which he lived. His death removed a strong, commanding, unique figure from life, but while he has "passed on before" his memory will be held in lasting remembrance by those who knew him best, and his life is well worth emulat- ing.
W. W. MORRISON.
One of the most highly esteemed and hon- ored citizens of Pana is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He was born on the 8th of April, 1835, in Concord, New Hampshire, of which state his parents, Will- iam and Roxana (Wilson) Morrison, were also natives. By occupation the father was a farmer. In 1838 he brought his family to Illinois, making the journey in a covered wagon and located in the western part of Pike county, where he built a home on the prairie and converted a wild tract of land into a good farm. At that time there were many wolves and deer in this part of the country, while prairie chickens and other feathered game was very numerous. In those early days Mr. Morrison took a very active and prominent part in public affairs and served as supervisor of the county for about twenty-five years. He was born in 1799 and died at the age of eighty years, and his wife, who was born in 1800, passed away in 1875. They were most estimable people
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and were highly respected by all who knew them. Of their seven children only our subject and his older sister, Mrs. Mary Jane Corey, of Baylis, Pike county, are now living.
W. W. Morrison was only three years old on the removal of the family to this state and amid pioneer scenes he grew to man- hood upon the home farm, being educated in the public schools of Pike county. His early training well fitted him for teaching and he successfully engaged in that pursuit for several years, devoting his time and en- ergies to that occupation through the win- ter months, while he followed farming dur- ing the summer season. For two winters he drove three and a half miles to and from school each day.
On South Prairie, Pike county. Mr. Mor- rison was married February 9, 1859. to Miss Eleanor Megaw. a daughter of James and Elizabeth Megaw. She was born in Harri- son county, Ohio, October 18. 1835, and was there reared and educated. By her marriage she became the niother of two children but George F. died at the age of eleven months and Mary Elizabeth died of consumption at the age of sixteen years after a lingering ill- ness.
Mr and Mrs. Morrison began their mar- ried life upon a farm in Pike county, where they remained until 1865, when they came to Christian county and located three miles north of Rosemond. For ten years our sub- ject continued to engage in agricultural pur- suits but in March, 1875, took up his resi- dence in Pana, where he engaged in the grocery business for two years. He then sold out and took his family to Wisconsin with the hope of benefiting his daughter's health. He did all in his power to prolong her life, employing the best medical skill and trying different climates. but all to no avail
and she finally passed away in her sixteenth year, leaving a vacancy in the home which never can be filled. Mr. Morrison still re- sides in Pana, where he owns property and where he is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil. He still has a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Rosa- mond township, another of two hundred seven and a half acres in Pana township, and a third of two hundred and forty acres in Fayette county, Illinois. He has a nice mod- ern residence at the corner of Maple and East Second streets, Pana.
While living in Pike county. Mr. Morri- son served as town clerk for several years but has never sought political honors. Both he and his wife are prominent and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take a very active part in its work. Mr. Morrison was secretary and treasurer of the building committee at the time the new house of worship was erected in Pana and is now chairman of the board of trustees and super- intendent of the Sunday-school. He has filled the latter office many years, being su- perintendent of the Sunday-school at Rose- mond and a member of the building com- mittee at that place while living in that local- ity. He is also greatly interested in mis- sionary work and does all in his power to promote the moral and social welfare of his community. Both he and his wife greatly enjoy the company of young people and are loved and respected alike by old and young, rich and poor.
BENJAMIN H. HAILEY.
For a third of a century Benjamin H. Hailey has been numbered among the pro- gressive and energetic citizens of Christian county and is at present successfully en- gaged in the grocery business at Palmer.
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Following in the footsteps of his father, who of this union were our subject and his was a soldier of the Black Hawk war, he brother Edward, who died in 1864 shortly after being discharged from the army on ac- count of disease contracted in the service. Hle was a member of Company .1, Third Illinois Cavalry. fought for over three years in the Rebel- lion, participating in some important en- gagements. In years of peace, no less than in those of war, he has bravely performed his duty and is justly entitled to a place on the nation's roll of honor.
A native of Illinois, Mr. Hailey was born in Sangamon county, January 9, 1841, and is a son of Thomas J. and Melvenia M. ( Higgins ) Hailey. His paternal grand- father was Edmund Hailey, who spent his entire life in Virginia and died at the age of seventy-six years. He was twice mar- ried and was a soldier of the war of 1812. William Higgins, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Vir- ginia and was twice married, becoming the father of eighteen children. In 1831 he came to Illinois and died in Sangamon county at the age of seventy-five years. He served in Anthony Wayne's campaign.
Thomas J. Hailey, our subject's father. was born in the Old Dominion and during boyhood removed to Tennessee with the family of the man to whom he was appren- ticed to learn the carpenters' trade, which he followed in early life. In 1830 he be- came a resident of Sangamon county, Illi- nois, and assisted in putting on the first shingle roof in Springfield. He took part in the first Black Hawk campaign in 1832. In 1871 he came to Christian county and made his home in Palmer until called to his final rest in 1887 when nearly eighty-two years of age. He first married Miss Nar- cissa Moore, by whom he had two children but only one is now living-Mrs. Emeline E. Thomas, who is now a widow. For his second wife Mr. Hailey married Miss Mel- venia Higgins, who died in 1885, at the age of sixty-eight years. The two children born
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