USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 31
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
Upon the home farm Dr. Bridges was reared and his early education was acquired in the public schools of Fayette county. He afterward became a student in the State Normal School of Indiana at Valparaiso, and subsequently he began teaching in Fay- ette county. following that profession for about four years, a part of which time was spent in Montgomery county. Deciding, however, to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered the office of Dr. WV. P. Gordon, of Carlisle, Illinois, who directed his reading for three months, at the end of which time he was taken ill with typhoid fever. He afterward continued his studies with Dr. Gordon for a year and in 1885 entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis and completing the regular course there was graduated in the class of 1888.
Dr. Bridges began practicing in Walnut Hill, Illinois, and subsequently removed to Aviston. Illinois, where he remained for fourteen months. He next established his home in Illiopolis, this state, where he re-
DR. W. T. BRIDGES
259
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
mained for five years and then, seeking a broader field of labor, he came to Stoning- ton, where he arrived on the 17th of Decem- ber, 1894. During the nine years of his residence in this place he has won the public confidence for his skill and ability and also by reason of his fidelity to the ethics of the profession.
On the Ist of May, 1891, Dr. Bridges was united in marriage to Miss Mammie P. Constant, a daughter of J. W. Constant. and a native of Illiopolis, Illinois. They held membership in the Baptist church and the Doctor became a charter member of the church in Stonington, in which he is yet act- ively interested, serving as one of its dea- cons, while in the Sunday school he acts as a teacher. His political support is given to the Democracy and he has served as town clerk for one term. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, with the Court of Honor, the Fraternal Army and the Royal Circle. Matters pertaining to the public progress and improvement elicit his attention and many times re- ceive his hearty co-operation. The Doctor owns the independent telephone system of Stonington which now operates one hundred and thirty phones. He is progressive in all life's relations and no more so than in his profession, in which he has made continual improvement and advancement. He is 110W a member of the County Medical Society, is serving as its secretary and treasurer, and was the original organizer. He also be- longs to the Decatur Medical Society and the District Medical Society, which holds its meeting in Pana, Illinois. He likewise is a member of the State Medical Association and the American Medical Association and he keeps thoroughly informed concerning any ideas advanced by the profession, read- ily adopting such as he believes will prove
of material benefit in his work of alleviating human suffering. The Doctor is examiner for the Court of Honor, the Royal Circle; Fraternal Army of Loyal Workmen, the New York Life Insurance Company, Frank- lin Life Insurance Company of Springfield, and Aetna Life Insurance Company, New York.
LOUIS SCHLIERBACH.
Louis Schlierbach was a young man of but eighteen years when he came from his native country, Germany, to America de- pendent upon his own resources. From that time he has steadily worked his way up- ward and is now one of the successful busi- ness men of Pana, as well as one of its most highly esteemed and respected citizens. He was born September 4, 1831, in Germany, his parents being Louis and Sophia Schlier- bach. His father, a native of Germany, came to the United States in the year 1855 and took up his abode in Madison county, Illinois, where he remained for ten months. He then came to Pana in 1856 and was one of its earliest settlers. He afterward worked in a harness shop with his son and his last days were spent in this city.
Louis Schlierbach acquired his education in schools of the fatherland and there learned the harness-making trade, which he followed in connection with his father until 1849. Be- lieving that he might have better opportu- nities in the new world, he then made ar- rangements to cross the Atlantic to America. Taking passage on a westward bound sailing vessel he landed at New York, where he worked at his trade until 1856. In that year he came to Pana and opened a harness shop, in which he was joined by his father. The business has since been carried on with- out interruption and Mr. Schlierbach is one
15
260
PAST AND PRESENT
of the leading harness dealers in this county. In 1860 he built a brick building, which he now occupies. He carries a complete line of harness and saddlery and seven years ago he added to his stock a line of buggies, wag- ons and farm implements. His trade is now quite extensive and his business there- fore yields him a good remuneration. He has won his prosperity through honorable methods, careful management and judicious purchases and there is much that is com- mendable in his business career.
In 1858 Mr. Schlierbach was united in marriage to Miss Louise Bucksenschutz, and after her death he wedded her sister, Minnie, the latter marriage being celebrated in 1860. There are four children of this union : Theo- dore, who is now living in Chicago; Louise, who is married and resides in Minneapolis; Henrietta, who is married and is living in Pana; and Fred, who makes his home in Springfield.
Mr. and Mrs. Schlierbach belonged to the Presbyterian church and socially he is con- nected with the Masonic fraternity and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Pana. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, having supported the party con- tinnously since its organization. He is one of the oldest settlers of Pana, there being nothing but a railroad crossing when he located here. He had to build a house to live in because there was none that could be rented. In fact, there was only one house in the town and grain was growing where beautiful homes and substantial business blocks are now standing. Mr. Schlierbach has always taken an active interest in every- thing which he believed to be for the wel- fare of the town. He had only one dollar and a half when he landed in New York and therefore all that he possesses has been ac- quired entirely through his own efforts. He
has earned for himself an enviable reputa- tion as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honor- able methods which have won him the de- served and unqualified confidence of his fel- low men.
E. A. HIGGINBOTHAM.
Over twenty years have passed since E. A. Higginbotham became a factor in mer- cantile circles in Clarksdale, where he be- gan business on a small scale as a grocer. He has steadily increased his stock to meet the growing demands of his trade and now has a store which would do credit to a place of much greater size. His business reputa- tion, too, is unassailable, for his enterprise and honorable methods have commended him to all.
Mr. Higginbotham was born in Christian county, Kentucky, December 24, 1861, a son of Aaron and Martha (Gladish) Higgin- botham. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in February, 1873, and the mother departed this life in 1863 when our subject was only two years old. On the 9th of February, 1877, he came to Christian county, Illinois, and was reared and edu- cated in Taylorville. pursuing his studies in the east ward school. At the age of six- teen years he began earning his own living. by working as a farm hand by the month and in this way gained a start in life. Hav- ing saved one hundred and fifty dollars he embarked in the grocery business at his pres- ent location in Clarksdale on the 7th of March, 1883, though the old store building has been replaced by a nice modern structure, sixty by twenty-four feet and two stories in height with a basement. This was built in April, 1903, and is stocked with a good line of general merchandise. He carries ev-
261
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
erything usually found in a general store, including hardware, and also conducts a meat market. Prosperity has attended his well directed efforts and besides the store building which he himself occupies, he owns the adjoining store and as a member of the firm of Larkin & Higginbotham has eight lots in the northern part of the village, three residences and an acre of land just at the edge of town.
On the 19th of May, 1884, Mr. Higgin- botham married Miss Minnie L. Clark, a daughter of Lee A. Clark, one of Christian county's most distinguished citizens. He served as county judge for some years and filled nearly all of the other county offices. Ile was a native of Kentucky but the greater part of his life was passed in this state, where he died in 1867. His widow is still a resident of Taylorville. Mr. and Mrs. Higginbotham have eight children, namely : Ida P .; Jessie M .; Eddie Lee; Edna A .; Rachel E., who died at the age of eleven months and twenty-four days; Byron and Laura, twins; and Hulda H.
Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Higginbotham favor the Methodist Episcopal church, and socially he belongs to Mound Lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M., of Taylorville, and also to the Fraternal Army of America and the Modern Woodmen of America. Po- litically he is identified with the Democratic party. He takes an active interest in educa- tional affairs, having served six years as school treasurer, and is now one of the school directors. His time, however, is principally devoted to his business interests and it is through his own industry and perseverance that he has succeeded in life for he had no capital with which to aid him when he be- gan his business career and the success that has attended his efforts is certainly justly merited.
A. P. ROCKEY, M. D.
Dr. A. P. Rockey, who, since 1886, has engaged in the practice of his profession in Assumption and is making a specialty of surgery, is so well qualified in his chosen calling that he has long since left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few, and is to-day one of the leading phy- sicians of Christian county. He realizes that the profession is continually advancing and close study and thorough research have en- abled him to keep abreast with the onward march.
Dr. Rockey was born in Baltimore, Fair- field county, Ohio, a son of L. L. and Sophia Rockey, both of whom were natives of Ohio and were representatives of pioneer families of that state. In their family were eight children, of whom the Doctor is the eldest. He attended the public schools of his native town and continued his education in Dela- ware and Pleasantville, Ohio, and also pur- sued a commercial course in Eastman's Busi- ness College, at Poughkeepsie, New York. A thorough preliminary training well pre- pared him to take up the preparation which would fit him for professional life as a prac- titioner of medicine and surgery. He at- tended his first course of lectures in the Co- lumbus Medical College, and afterward en- tered the Ohio Medical College, at Cincin- nati, where he completed his studies by grad- uation. He entered upon the practice in Hinton, Shelby county, Illinois, April 3. 1876, and in 1886 came to Assumption, where he has since remained, being now the senior partner of the firm of Rockey & Crow. He is a member of the County, District and State Medical Societies and through the in- terchange of ideas and experience in those meetings he adds to his knowledge as well as through extensive private reading and
262
PAST AND PRESENT
study. He makes a specialty of surgery and is most thoroughly conversant with the com- ponent parts of the human body, their uses and the onslaughts made upon them by dis- ease. In his practice his labors have largely been attended with success and he is there- fore accorded a very liberal patronage. He has served as a member of the board of health of Assumption.
On the 22d of November, 1879, Dr. Rock- ey was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Downs, the eldest of the three children of James H. Downs, a capitalist of Assumption and one of the most influential and promi- nent citizens of the county. Unto Dr. Rockey and his wife has been born a daugh- ter, Estella D. Rockey, who is a graduate of the high school of Assumption and is now pursuing a classical course and also a musical course in Indianapolis. The Doctor and his wife have a pleasant and hospitable home in Assumption and the circle of their friends is continually growing as the circle of their acquaintance widens. While interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the town, Dr. Rockey takes little active part in public affairs as the duties of his profession make constant demand upon his time. He and his partner now have a splendidly equipped office over the First National Bank of As- sumption-large and well furnished rooms, equipped with all the latest devices for sur- gery in its various branches. There is also an X-ray machine and the members of the firm are able to care for the most intricate surgical cases as well as those which de- mand the services of the general medical practitioner.
THOMAS SIMPSON.
Thomas Simpson, now deceased was for many years an honored and highly esteemed citizen of Rosamond township, his home
being on section 24, where his widow still resides. He was a native of Ohio, born in Harrison county, November 9, 1833. and was a son of Mathew and Susan (Orr) Simpson and a grandson of John and Mar- garet Simpson. Both his father and grand- father followed the occupation of farming. In the family of the latter were four sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters married and reared families of their own.
Thomas Simpson was only five years of age when, in 1838, he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Pike county, Illi- nois, and there he grew to manhood and was educated. During the 'Gos he made a trip to California and after spending two years on the Pacific slope again took up his residence in Pike county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until December, 1868, -the date of his arrival in Christian county. He first located four miles north and west of the village of Rosemond in Rosamond township, where he and his wife began to acquire a competence. Upon that farm he continued to live until 1885, when he sold it and removed to the place on section 24. the same township, at the edge of the vil- lage of Rosemond, now occupied by Mrs. Simpson. This is a well improved farm with a neat modern residence well furnished and beautiful evergreens adorn the lawn.
On the 2d of April, 1868. in Pike county, Mr. Simpson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pine, who was born in that county, October 8, 1839, and was there reared and educated. Her parents were William and Nancy (Tedrow) Pine, the former a native of New Jersey and the lat- ter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Pine died July 25, 1878, and his wife passed away on the 6th of March, 1862. In their family were thirteen children, two of whom died in in-
THOMAS SIMPSON
MRS. E. P. SIMPSON
267
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
fancy, while the others reached maturity. Three of the five daughters still living are residents of Pike county, Illinois, but the sons are widely scattered, one being a resi- cent of Nebraska, another of Kansas and the third of Missouri.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simpson were born five children, as follows: Sylva M., the eld- est, died at the age of eleven months. Ella M. is now the wife of C. E. Anderson, of Rosemond, and they have four children : Lela E., Vera E., Harold E. and J. Everett. Mary is the wife of F. E. McKee, who now operates the home farm, and they have four children : Clyde, Paul, Ethel and Florence. Eva died at the age of four years Orpha Grace is at home with her mother. The children were all given good educational ad- vantages and the family is one of promin- ence in the community where they reside.
For over twenty-two years Mr. and Mrs. Simpson traveled life's journey happily to- gether but at length the husband was called to the better world, dying April 12, 1890, at the age of fifty-six years, five months and three days. As a public-spirited and enter- prising citizen he took an active interest in the upbuilding and development of his adopted county and never withheld his sup- port from any measure which he believed would prove of public benefit. He filled the office of school director a short time and was township school trustee for a number of years. In early life he was a Republican in politics but being a strong temperance man he became an earnest advocate of the Prohibition party and its principles. He was a member of the Good Templars So- ciety and by his honorable and upright life he gained the confidence and high regard of all with whom he was brought in contact either in business or social affairs. At the age of fifteen years Mrs. Simpson united
with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she has since been a loyal and devoted member and it was largely through her in- fluence that her husband was brought to Christ. She is prominently identified with the missionary work of the church and does all in her power for the uplifting of her fellow-men. She has divided the property left by her husband equally among her chil- dren and in the midst of her family and many friends she is spending her declining days in ease and comfort. Her cozy farm residence is on the hill just east of the church which she attends and of which she is such an active worker.
As a fitting tribute to the memory of Mr. Simpson we quote the following from the Budget, now the Baylis Guide, of Baylis, Pike county : "On Sunday morning, April 6, 1890, he was holding a colt for his nephew, Alex Hillman, to ride. The colt reared and striking him about the heart knocked him down and stepped on his stom- ach and bowels with both feet, injuring him internally. He lived until the following Saturday morning when death came to his relief. During his week of illness he ar- ranged all his business matters and made all the necessary arrangements in regard to his funeral. Above all he sought for and found peace with God, leaving a bright testi- mony behind him. He chose for the text for his funeral discourse Psalm XXIII, verse 4. 'Yea though I walk,' etc. He de- sired the pallbearers to wear badges express- ing their determination to meet him in Heaven. The only thing that he desired to live for was that he might do something for Christ in the way of exhorting the young people all around him to not live as he had done, but to consecrate themselves in youth to God and His cause. He said to his wife : 'Why do you weep, I think you ought rather
268
PAST AND PRESENT
to rejoice that my name is written in Heaven and that I am now walking in the channel where you always wanted me to walk.' He said he never knew before how easy it was to trust in Jesus when he have made a full surrender to Him of all we have and are. About two hours before his death he had his wife pass bread around to all who were present so that he could ask a blessing the way his wife had always wanted him to do. He said he always felt it his duty to return thanks at the table but never had the stamina to do so. The funeral serv- ices were held in the Methodist Episcopal church in Rosemond on Monday after- noon, April 14. 1890, and the immense throng present showed the high regard his neighbors had for him, over seventy-five vehicles following the remains to the Rose- mond Grove cemetery. Elder A. T. Orr, of Mattoon, delivered the discourse."
JAMES E. SHARROCK.
It is only under the stimulus of opposition and the pressure of adversity that the best and strongest in man are brought out and developed. The self-made man is largely a product of the new world and America has every reason to be proud of her sons who have through inherent force of character and indefatigable industry overcome obstacles and wrested fortune from the hand of fate. Mr. Sharrock is one deserving of much credit for what he has accomplished for with no special family or pecuniary advantages to aid him at the outset of his career he has steadily advanced until he now occupies a prominent position among the leading law- yers of Taylorville.
He was born in Towerhill, Illinois, May 15, 1858, and is a son of James and Ruth (Lawton) Sharrock. The father was a na-
tive of Pennsylvania, but long lived in Ohio and in 1858 came to Illinois, where he suc- cessfully followed farming. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in the Ninth Illi- nois Cavalry under Colonel Jesse Phillips, and died in the army when forty-five years of age. It is there that his remains were in- terred near Paducah, Kentucky. His widow afterward married again and died in 1897. at the age of sixty-nine years. In a family of five children the subject of this review is the youngest, the others being John W., David L., Anna A. and George A. The sister is now the wife of D. B. Russell.
James E. Sharrock received but little edu- cational privileges. He was forced to leave school when twelve years of age in order to provide for his own support and he fol- lowed various kinds of work. He was em- ployed for two years as a farm hand prior to the time he attained the age of eighteen years. Many hardships, trials and privations fell to his lot, but he possessed strong de- termination and resolved that he would win success if it could be accomplished through honorable effort and persistent purpose. His tastes lay along professional lines and, wish- ing to become a member of the bar he be- gan reading law in Shelbyville, Illinois, in the office and under the direction of Caleb R. Torrence. After largely mastering the principles of jurisprudence he was admitted to practice in 1886 and established an office in Cowden, Illinois. There he remained until 1893, when he removed to Taylorville and here opened an office, since which time he has engaged in the general practice of law in this city. For two years he was asso- ciated with ex-Judge Lyman G. Grundy un- der the firm name of Sharrock & Grundy. but the relation was terminated in August, 1903, and Mr. Sharrock has since been alone in practice. He is known as one of the most
269
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
able orators in this part of the state and in that connection his services are continually in demand. At the bar he has gained a dis- tinctively representative clientage and now occupies a leading position as a member of his profession in Christian county. His suc- cess came soon because his equipment was unsnally good. Along with those qualities, indispensable to the lawyer,-a keen, rapid, logical mind plus the business sense, and a ready capacity for hard work,-he brought gifts,-eloquence of language and a strong personality. An excellent presence, an earn- est, dignified manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles are factors in Mr. Sharrock's effectiveness as an advocate.
In his political views Mr. Sharrock is a stalwart Republican and an active worker in the interests of the party. His fitness for leadership has occasioned his election to po- sitions of trust and responsibility. He was a member of the state legislature during the sessions of the thirty-ninth and fortieth gen- eral assemblies and carried his county which is usually Democratic by a majority of seven hundred and sixty-four votes, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow men. He placed William E. Mason in nomination for United States senator, seconded the nom- ination of Edward Curtis for speaker of the house in the thirty-ninth assembly and in the thirty-eighth assembly seconded the nom- ination of Shelby M. Cullom for United States senator. He also made the presenta- tion speech when a diamond ring was pre- sented to John A. Reeves, the reading clerk of the house. A master of the art of ora- tory, he is especially happy in his way of pre- senting any subject and at times is a most forceful and logical speaker, while on other
occasions his addresses are most entertain- ing and interesting. At all times, however, there is a substratum of thought, feeling and strong purpose that is undeniable. He has held minor offices and is now the city at- torney of Taylorville.
Mr. Sharrock was united in marriage to Flora A. Christie, of Cowden, Illinois. Fra- ternally he is connected with Cowden Camp, Sons of Veterans, of which he is a charter member and he also belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mod- ern Woodmen Camp. He is a man of in- domitable will and firm purpose and these have been salient features in his work. He is, however, never bitterly aggressive and his (leference for the opinions of others together with his genial disposition and cordial man- ner have made him a popular citizen of Tay- lorville.
W. M. STATTNER.
W. M. Stattner, a well known blacksmith of Millersville, was born on the 8th of Oc- tober, 1867, in Shelbyville, Illinois, and is a son of Charles and Lucy Stattner. The father is a native of Germany and is now living a retired life in Millersville, honored and respected by all who know him. The mother of our subject died in 1883.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.