USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 21
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During his boyhood and youth Benjamin 11. Hailey lived on a farm in Sangamon county six miles from Springfield. When the country became involved in civil war he offered his services to the government, and at the age of twenty years enlisted in Com- pany A, Third Illinois Cavalry, with which he served for three years and fourteen days, taking part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou. Arkansas Post. Cham- pion Hills, Black River Bridge, the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, and in over forty skirmishes. For thirteen successive days he was engaged in the skirmishes of Green's cavalry. Fortunately he was never injured or confined in the hospital but has always been extremely healthy and strong and never applied for a pension. He was mustered out as quartermaster sergeant.
Returning to his home in Sangamon county, Mr. Hailey engaged in farming for one year and then, feeling the need of a better education to qualify himself for his future life work. he attended the Illinois State University at Springfield for three terms and also took a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton Business College of that city. Forming a partnership with George E. Stake, he opened a general store at Cot- ton Hill and was afterward appointed post- master, serving in that capacity for a year and a half. In 1869 the business was re- moved to Palmer and about two years later Mr. Hailey bought his partner's interest and has since continued in business alone, with exception of a year and a half during the panic of 1873. He soon surmounted all dif-
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ficulties, however, and is to-day enjoying an excellent trade.
On the 29th of June, 1871, Mr. Hailey married Miss Mary E. Wood, a native of Ohio and a daughter of George and Sarah (Hodge) Wood, of Blue Mound, Illinois. Her father is a native of Virginia, while her mother claims Ohio as her birthplace. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hailey, two, Frances E. and Elenora E., died in infancy. Those still living are Lil- lian C., wife of Ed H. Shake, of Spring- field: Stella May, wife of J. H. Hill, of this county; and Cora E., deceased, who was killed in a runaway in September, 1895.
Mr. Hailey is an honored member of Wil- liam A. Higgins Post, No. 400, G. A. R., and served as its commander for seven years. By his ballot he supports the Repub- lican party and its principles and his fellow- citizens recognizing his worth and ability have called upon him to fill several import- ant official positions. He was town clerk for two years and president of the village board at one time. For four years during Har- rison's administration he served as postmas- ter of Palmer, retiring from that office on his own accord in June, 1893. For several years he has been notary public and in 1887 was a popular candidate for the position of sheriff and only missed the nomination by one vote. He was again appointed post- master in May, 1897. and is still serving in that office. His public and private life are alike above reproach and he has left office as he entered it with the entire confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. He is emphatically a man of enterprise, indomita- ble energy and strict integrity and is thor- oughly identified in thought and feeling with the growth and prosperity of his town and county.
HENRY N. SCHUYLER.
Henry N. Schuyler, a well known banker and prominent and influential citizen of Pana, of which city he has been mayor for six terms, was born on the 4th of February, 1844, in Montgomery county, New York, and is a son of George S. and Clarissa ( Van Schaick) Schuyler, both of Holland descent. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, spent his, entire life in Montgomery county. New York. Politically he was identified with the Republican party from the time that General Fremont was a candidate for president, and religiously he was a member of the German Reformed church. In his family were seven children, namely: Sarah, now deceased; Jacob, a resident of Mont- gomery county, New York; Henry N., of this review; and Nettie, Frederick, Anna and Frank, all residents of Montgomery county, New York.
During his boyhood Henry N. Schuyler remained on the home farm, assisting his father in its operation, and his early educa- tion was acquired in the public schools of his native county. He was twenty years of age when he left the parental roof and started out in life for himself. In the fall of 1864 he made his way westward and after spending a few months in Iowa came to Illinois, locating in Hillsboro on the 7th of March, 1865. For three years he was in the employ of the American Express Company at that place and for one year was with the Merchants Union Express Com- pany. At one time he was associated with a partner in the establishment and conduct of a lumber yard at Greenville, Illinois, which proved a profitable investment.
Coming to Pana, in March, 1870, Mr. Schuyler embarked in the hardware business with John A. Hayward, who sold out two years later and they then formed a partner-
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ship and entered into the real estate busi- ness and the loaning of money for three years. At the end of that time the firm opened a private bank, which was organized in 1876 under the style of Hayward & Schuyler and was capitalized for fifty thou- sand dollars with a paid up capital of forty thousand dollars. Two years later Mr. Schuyler purchased his partner's interest in the bank, which he has since carried on with marked success, it now having a paid up capital of two hundred thousand dol- lars. In 1896 he admitted his son to a partnership in the business and the firm name has since been H. N. Schuyler & Son. Although he gives his attention principally to his banking business, he is interested in other enterprises and is the owner of con- siderable valuable property, including lands in Kansas, Nebraska and Illinois.
On the 25th of February, 1874, Mr. Schuyler was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide H. Hayward, a native of Illinois and a daughter of John S. Hayward. Her father was born in Massachusetts and at an early day came to Illinois, being one of the pioneer settlers of Hillsboro, where he made his home until his death, which occurred May 3, 1869. For many years he was actively identified with business affairs and at one time owned fifty thousand acres of valuable Illinois land. The old Hayward homestead in Pana was built under his di- rection but was never occupied by him and now belongs to his son, William E. Hay- ward, a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. In his family were four children but only Will- iam E. is now living. Another son, John A. Hayward, was our subject's former part- ner. He died in 1879 in Pana, where his widow still resides, and left three daugh- ters. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler were born two children: George Hayward, the
elder, was born in Pana, January 8, 1875. and died of appendicitis in New York city, February 22, 1904. His early years were spent with his father in Pana, where the rudiments of his education were acquired. His college preparatory course was taken at the Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, and he was graduated at Yale Uni- versity in 1896. He entered the Harvard Law School in the fall of 1897 and received his degree therefrom in 1900. After a few months spent in Pana, he located in New York city the same year and began the practice of his chosen profession. He gave his constant and unremitting attention to its duties and was succeeding to a degree not only satisfactory to himself but which jus- tified the hopes of his friends that his efforts would be crowned with the highest success. He was endowed by nature with a vigorous mind, retentive memory and a strong phy- sical constitution, aided by habits of tem- perance. Planting his feet firmly at every successive step, he was led onward and up- ward by a laudable ambition to achieve hon- orable distinction through his own efforts, by industry, patience and the use of means fair and praiseworthy, but his career was cut short at its very threshhold. His death was a terrible blow to his father, whose hopes had long centered in his almost idol- ized son. The only surviving child is Ruth, the wife of Dr. Albert M. Cole, of Indian- apolis, by whom she had one child, H. S. Mrs. Schuyler, who was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church, died on the 10th of November, 1877, leaving many friends as well as her immediate family to mourn her loss.
For thirty years Mr. Schuyler has been connected with the Masonic fraternity, be- longing to the blue lodge and chapter at Pana. In politics he is a stanch Republican
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and has ever taken an active and prominent part in public affairs. He has been a dele- gate to all county conventions of his party since coming to Pana with one exception and was also presidential elector for Mc- Kinley in 1896. In 1876 he was first elected mayor of Pana and so acceptably did he fill the office that he was called upon to serve in the same capacity for four consecutive terms. Later he was re-elected and again in 1903 he was chosen chief executive of the city, making six terms in all. The reins of city government were never in more capable hands, for he is pre-eminently public spirit- ed and progressive and does all in his power to promote the general welfare. He stands high in both political and business circles and is regarded as one of the most promi- nent citizens of Pana.
J. W. MURPHY.
The occupation of farming has always claimed the attention of J. W. Murphy,' who is an extensive and successful raiser of grain on section 18, Taylorville township. He was born in Glasgow, Kentucky, in 1832, and has been a resident of Illinois since 1836. His paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland and was of Scotch-Irish lineage. He emigrated from the northern part of the Emerald Isle to the new world, being obliged to leave that country on account of religious persecution. Settling in America in colonial days he joined the colonists in their struggle to win liberty and valiantly aided in obtaining independence for this na- tion. During the Revolutionary war his wife killed a Tory, who had entered their house and was trying to overpower her hus- band. Grasping an old gun barrel she struck the man a blow which terminated his life.
Dr. J. R. Murphy, the father of our sub-
ject, became a resident of Illinois in 1836. settling abont two and a half miles from Crows Mill on Sugar creek in Sangamon county. There he lived for two years and on the expiration of that period removed to Carlinville. He continued in the practice of medicine at Chesterfield up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1859. As one of the early pioncer physicians of the county he deserves great credit for what he did for his fellowmen. The practice of medicine at that time necessitated much hard work for the physician who had to make long rides in all kinds of weather. His sacrifice of personal comfort was frequently as great as that endured by the soldier upon the field of battle.
J. W. Murphy acquired his education in a private school in Chesterfield, which he attended through three winter seasons. On completing his education he began work as a farm hand, being at the time but sixteen years of age. He worked upon a farm which was held for him by his sister until he attained his majority. He remained near Chesterfield until 1867, when he came to the farm on section 18, Taylorville township, on which he now resides. He has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits and his labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success. His mother resided with him until the time of her death and now his niece, Mrs. E. A. Brayden, is acting as his housekeeper. His farm was unimproved when he took posession of it-a tract of wild prairie land on which not a furrow had been turned or even a fence built. With characteristic energy, however, he began its development and cultivation and in the course of years has made a splen- did property, now supplied with all modern equipments and accessories. He formerly devoted his attention to the raising of both
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grain and stock, but now gives his energies ing up to the time of his death, which oc- largely to the cultivation of the cereals best curred on the 22d of January, 1889, his wife surviving him until July 3, 1896. adapted to soil and climate. His place com- prises one hundred and twenty acres.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Murphy was a member of the Union League. He could not enter the army because of im- paired eye sight. The Union League was formed as an opposing society to the Knights of the Golden Circle, which advocated the Confederate cause. In his political views in early life Mr. Murphy was a Whig, but when the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks and cast his ballot for Lin- coln. He was well acquainted with the mar- tyred president and would often sit in the office of the law firm of Yates & Smith in Springfield and listen to Mr. Lincoln as he would entertain his auditors with stories.
HENRY T. GARDNER.
Henry T. Gardner, who is now serving as supervisor of Buckhart township, was born in Maury county, Tennessee, on the 12th of June, 1841. His father, Nathan Gardner, was born in the same state in 1817 and was a son of Briton Gardner, an old settler of Tennessee. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Frances Harris and was a daughter of Richard Har- ris, a native of Virginia. Her birth occurred in 1818 and in June, 1831, in Tennessee she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Gardner. They began their domestic life there and re- mained in Tennessee until ten years had passed, when, in 1841, they came to Illinois, taking up their abode in Fayette county, where they resided until 1856, when they came to Christian county. Here they estab- lished their home in Buckhart township and Mr. Gardner continued to engage in farm-
Henry T. Gardner is the third in order of birth in a family of eleven children, of whom four sons and two daughters are yet living. When he was an infant his parents came to Illinois, where he remained until he attained his majority. He obtained liis edu- cation in the common schools and acquired a good knowledge of the branches of learn- ing which fit one for the practical and re- sponsible duties of business life. His train- ing at farm work was received from his father and he early learned the value of in- dustry and perseverance in the active affairs of life.
Mr. Gardner was married in August, 1864, to Miss Clarinda Doak, who, how- ever, died the same year. He was again married July 18, 1866, to Miss Harriet Ward, a native of Macon county, Illinois, and a daughter of Lewis Ward, a prominent farmer of that county. Unto them have been born three sons: William, born April 19, 1867 ; Louis, March 5, 1869; and Frank- lin, June 15, 1871. The former married Ada Whitmer of this county and they have two children-Russell R. and Orelia Al- berta. Louis married Etta Young of Tay- lorville, and their children are Mervel L. and Ural H. Franklin married Grace Hed- den, of Buckhart township, and they have a little daughter, Nola Gladys.
Mr. Gardner owns one hundred and sixty acres of land and continued its cultivation until 1897, when he removed to Edinburg, while his sons now carry on the farm. Their main products are corn and hay but they also feed cattle for the market. The farm has always been a very productive one, and from its cultivation Mr. Gardner derived the competence which now enables him to enjoy
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rest from further active labor in the line of of his close application, ready adaptability agricultural pursuits. In politics he is a and earnest purpose. He has built up a reputation that has made his name a synonym for integrity and probity in the business world, while the substantiality of the institution with which he is connected is everywhere acknowledged in banking cir- cles, the enterprise having made a most cred- itable record throughout the twenty years of its existence. stanch Democrat, never faltering in his al- legiance to the party and its principles and in various public offices he has served, being elected on the Democratic ticket. For fifteen years he was road commissioner. On the Ist of January, 1903, he was appointed to fill the position of supervisor left vacant by Henry Minnis, who had been elected to the state legislature. In April of the same year The Hight family has long been a prom- inent and influential one in public life and business circles in this part of the state. R. W. Hight, father of our subject, is one of a family of five brothers, three of whom are living in the village of Macon-Robert Hlight being seventy-eight years of age. His brothers, J. L. and William, are both retired. Another brother, B. F., the organ- izer of the first bank of Assumption, died December 18, 1899, and J. R. Hight died in Decatur in 1903. All became well-to-do Mr. Gardner was elected supervisor and is now serving in that capacity, being most faithful in the discharge of his official du- ties. For twelve years he has been the agent for the Mosquito Township Mutual Fire & Lightning Insurance Company. Fraternally he is connected with Blueville Lodge No. 647, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter No. 102, in Taylorville, while he and his wife belong to Edinburg Lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star. They also hold membership with the Bethel citizens and reared large families. The resi- dlence of Robert W. Hight is one of the finest in Macon county, Illinois. He is a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, as is his wife who bore the maiden name of Mar- tha J. Wonroe. In their family were six children. Baptist church and their influence is strong on the side of right, justice and truth. In all life's relations and under all circum- stances Mr. Gardner has been found true to manly principles and he stands to-day an excellent example of the highest type of our American manhood.
ERVEL W. HIGHT.
Throughout his entire business career Ervel W. Hight has been connected with the banking interests of Christian county and is to-day the efficient and popular cashier of the Illinois State Bank of Assumption, of which he is one of the leading stockholders. He entered business life as an employe in his uncle's establishment, having no special advantages because of his kinship; on the contrary winning his advancement because
Ervel W. Hight, the third in order of birth and the eldest son, was born, reared and educated in Macon county, save that he completed his studies by a commercial course in the Springfield Business College, of Springfield, Illinois. On the 15th of De- cember. 1888, he entered the employ of his uncle, B. F. Hight, who was associated with S. D. Moore in a private banking concern, the first enterprise of the kind in Assump- tion. He began work as a bookkeeper at a salary of one dollar per day, but gradually he was advanced as he mastered the busi- ness. He is to-day the oldest banker, in
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years of continuous service, in Assumption, and has made a record which reflects credit upon the banking circles of the state. The Bank of Assumption began business in the Chestnut street building now owned and oc- cupied by W. T. Wallace as a music store. This was erected by the banking firm and was occupied by them until 1889. In the meantime the site of the present building was purchased from the Illinois Central Railroad Company and a new two-story business block was erected, into which the business was moved. This building was oc- cupied by the bank for more than ten years, or until January 1, 1900, when it was de- stroyed by fire. It was quickly succeeded by the present handsome structure, one of the most commodious and best equipped modern -bank buildings in central Illinois. It has large vault space, also a safety deposit vault with a large number of boxes for the use of private individuals. The bank was reorganized on the Ist of July, 1897, under the name of the Illinois State Bank, with B. F. Hight as president ; D. Lacharite, vice- president ; E. W. Hight, cashier ; and J. A. Lacharite, assistant cashier. At the death of B. F. Hight, D. Lacharite succeeded to the presidency and R. W. Hight became vicepresident. He retained that position, however, only until January, 1900, when he retired and was succeeded by Wade F. John- son, the present incumbent, one of the wealthy farmers of Assumption township.
The deposits of the bank now amount to more than a quarter of a million dollars and are continually increasing, while the surplus is more than twenty-five thousand dollars. The institution is thus placed in the rank of the most prosperous banking concerns in the state and now ranks seventh. From the day when B. F. Hight and S. D. Moore opened a bank in Assumption down to the present
time it has enjoyed an era of unbroken pros- perity and has the entire confidence and trust of the public. It issues letters of credit which are honored throughout the world and the citizens of Assumption are justly proud of this institution.
Mr. Hight is not only one of the largest stockholders of the bank, but is also inter- ested in many other business enterprises and is a wide-awake, energetic and thorough- going business man. As a citizen he is deeply interested in public progress and not alone by promoting prosperity through busi- ness interests, but also in many other ways has he contributed to the improvement and development of Assumption.
On the 16th of June, 1893, Mr. Hight was married to Miss Margaret Morrison, daughter of Robert Morrison, of Assump- tion, chairman of the board of supervisors of Christian county and one of its leading and influential citizens. Mrs. Hight was educated in the public schools and after completing her high school course engaged in teaching. They now have one child, Ervel Wayne. Mr. Hight is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Mod- ern Woodmen Camp, of which he is now serving as clerk, the Royal Circle and Court of Honor. Few men in the county are bet- ter known than is Ervel W. Hight, and none have the regard of their fellowmen in a higher degree. He has utilized his time to the best advantage, made the most of his opportunities and in business circles-as well as in social life has become prominent and popular.
J. S. EATON.
J. S. Eaton is one of the native sons of Christian county and throughout his busi- ness career has been identified with enter-
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prises which have not only promoted his in- dividual success but have also advanced gen- eral prosperity. Among the most energetic and public-spirited citizens and business men of Owaneco he is numbered, for in him are embraced the characteristics of an unabating industry, unfaltering perseverance und in- flexible probity.
Mr. Eaton was born in Prairieton town- ship, January 22, 1847, and is a son of Wil- liam K. and Elizabeth ( Peter) Eaton. The mother was a direct descendant of James Peter, a missionary who was sent to this country by John Wesley to preach the doc- trines of Methodism. William K. Eaton came to Christian county in 1845, when it was still a frontier district, the work of im- provement and development being largely in the future. He secured a tract of land and engaged in school teaching in addition to farming, leading a very active and useful life. He was the first supervisor of Prairie- ton township and a man prominent and in- fluential in public affairs, aiding in the early development of the county along lines that have led to its present progress. He died in 1867 and his wife, long surviving him, passed away in the year 1900.
In the district school of the neighborhood J. S. Eaton pursued his education and through the summer months he worked cn the home farm, carly becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When he had com- pleted his studies his entire attention was given to the farm work and he continued the operation of the old homestead with ex- cellent success until 1901, when he came to Owaneco and established the Eaton Broth- ers' Bank, a private banking institution with which he is actively connected, conducting it along lines that awaken public confidence and therefore secure the public patronage.
He is quick to see the business needs and possibilities and his enterprise has been of marked value to the community. He is now interested in the Eaton Telephone Company, affording telephonic communication with surrounding towns as well as with the dif- ferent homes of the city. He also has val- uable realty holdings, including part of the old homestead of one hundred and eighty acres in Prairieton township and one hun- dred and sixty acres in Macon county. He built a nice brick two-story building, in which his bank is located, and also erected a fine modern residence of nine rooms, sup- plied with a bath room, heating plant and a gas plant for illuminating purposes. I is a most attractive residence and would be a credit to a city of much greater size.
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