USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 45
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On the 17th of October, 1877, Dr. Milli- gan was united in marriage to Miss Eliza M. Firey, a daughter of Henry and Minerva Firey, of Christian county. They have three children : Edwin L., born October 20, 1879: Clarence W., born December 29, 1885 ; and Eulalia M., born May 4. 1890. Dr. Milli- gan is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his connection being with Edinburg Lodge, No. 631. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge of Edin-
burg, the Modern Woodmen and the Fra- ternal AArmy. He has been a member of the town board and was a member of the school board at the time of the building of the new schoolhouse. In politics he is an earnest Re- publican and is a citizen whose worth is widely acknowledged not only on account of the good he has done in professional lines, but also because of the active co-opera- tion which he has given to public affairs. He keeps well informed concerning the new ideas advanced by the medical fraternity. keeps in touch with the progress that char- acterizes the profession and is to-day a most capable and skilled physician, his large pat- ronage being an indication of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-townsmen.
L. F. PEEK.
L. F. Peek, a practical and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of May township, owns and operates three hundred acres of land on section 20, constituting one of the valuable and highly improved farms of the locality. His possessions have been acquired mainly through his own efforts and as the result of his consecutive endeavor he has won a place among the substantial citizens of his native county.
Mr. Peek was born in South Fork town- ship, January 21, 1853, and is a son of A. B. and Marian E. (Fry) Peek. His father, who was a native of Kentucky, came to Christian county, Illinois, in 1837, and was identified with its early development and im- provement. For a time he leased and oper- ated the land on which the village of Edin- burg now stands. He died at that place in 1894 and his wife in 1897, honored and re- spected by all who knew them.
In the district schools near his boyhood hoine L. F. Peek received his early educa-
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tion and later attended school at Taylor- ville. Having completed his education, he commenced teaching school at the age of twenty years and successfully followed that pursuit during the winter months for three years, while during the summer season he devoted his time and energies to farming. His first purchase of land consisted of forty acres, which he subsequently sold and then bought one hundred acres of his present farm in May township. As time has passed he has added to his property until he now has three hundred acres, which has been ac- quired through his own well directed efforts and careful management. In connection with general farming he is engaged in the raising of Poland China hogs and also feeds many head of cattle for market each year.
' Mr. Peek was married in 1877 to Miss Josie E. Coffman, a daughter of James D. and Margaret (Settle) Coffman and sister of William D. Coffman, whose sketch ap- pears on another page of this volume. She died in 1898, leaving five children, namely : Elbridge, who is now in Springfield, Illi- nois ; Jessie and Allen, both of whom live in Cleveland, Ohio: Nena, who is now keeping house for her father: and Leona, six years of age. Mr. Peek is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and is independent in politics. His life has been one of industry and usefulness and he has so lived as to gain the confidence and respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
SAMUEL N. HAVERFIELD.
Samuel N. Haverfield, who is now so effi- ciently serving as city clerk of Assumption. has spent his entire life in Illinois, his birth occurring in Mercer county, this state, on the 5th of January, 1855. His father, Will- iam S. Haverfield, was born in Harrison
county, Ohio, February 12, 1812, and was a son of a pioneer of that county, the family being one of the first to locate near Cadiz. The grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812 and died at quite an advanced age in Harrison county. In early manhood Will- iam S. Haverfield married Miss Ruhama Nash, who was born in 1824 and was a daughter of Samuel Nash. Her father, who followed school teaching in Ohio, died at the comparatively early age of thirty-two years. but her mother was ninety at the time of her death. Coming to Illinois in 1854. William S. Haverfield located in Mercer county, where he engaged in farming and sheep raising until 1859. and then removed to Randolph county. this state. There he fol- lowed contracting and building, being a car- penter by trade, but after his removal to Christian county in the fall of 1863, he again turned his attention to farming, oper- ating land west of Assumption. He subse- quently followed the same pursuit in Shelby county, Illinois, and from there removed to Macon county in 1874. Five years later he went to Kansas and was engaged in farming in Rush county, that state, until his death, which occurred on the 4th of March, 1888. His widow continued to reside upon the farm there until she, too, passed away in February. 1892. This worthy couple were the parents of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity.
Samuel N. Haverfield, who is the seventh in order of birth, was reared on a farm and received his early education in the district schools of this state, afterward attending the Normal University for one term. His first step after leaving school was as a clerk in a store at Moweaqua for a short time, and after that he engaged in teaching school with good success from 1877 until the spring of
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1900. During this entire time he taught in Christian county with the exception of one winter term in Shelby county, Illinois. In the meantime he also served as township and city clerk of Assumption and for the past seven years has devoted considerable attention to the fire insurance business, rep- resenting the Home Insurance Company of New York and other reliable companies.
On the 17th of September, 1875. Mr. Haverfield was married in Moweaqua to Miss Nellie Snell, a native of Shelby county and a daughter of W. H. and Jane ( Washam) Snell, whose home was near Moweaqua. Of the nine children born of this union three died in infancy. Of those living Olive is the eldest. She is now the wife of William Truitt, a resident of Bloom- ington. Illinois, and they have two children, Carl and Muriel. Ira, who is acting as clerk for a grain firm at Assumption, married Laura Ella Carpenter, of this county. Or- ville, Maud. Lyle and Mabel are at home with their parents.
Politically Mr. Haverfield is a Republican and on his party ticket was elected city and township clerk, which offices he is still filling in a capable and satisfactory manner. So- cially he is an honored member of the Ma- sonic order. having served as clerk of the blue lodge for four years, and he has also been clerk of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since joining that fraternity. He also filled the office of noble grand in the lat- ter order. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is held in high regard not only by his fraternal brethren but by all who knew him.
DR. M. L. FUNDERBURK.
Dr. M. L. Funderburk, a well known vet- erinary surgeon residing on section 20. Mos- quito township, is a native of Christian
county, his birth having occurred in Mount Auburn township, on the 6th of October. 1861. His parents are S. W. and Angeline ( Warren ) Funderburk, the former of whom was born in Illinois, January 20, 1834, and the latter in Kentucky, January 23. 1831. About 1852 they came to Christian county and took up their residence in Stonington township, where they continued to make their home until February, 1900, when they removed to Blue Mound. Throughout his active business life the father engaged in farming, but is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest and the fruits of former toil.
Dr. Funderburk is indebted to the district schools of this county for the educational privileges he enjoyed during his youth and on the home farm he early acquired an ex- cellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He remained with his father until twenty- five years of age and then removed to one of his father's farms, which he operated until 1890. The following two years were spent in Mattoon, Illinois, where he was engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery and also handled draft and road stallions. From there he removed to Assumption, where he bought and sold stock for six months, and then went to Blue Mound, where he lived until September, 1897. For one year there- after he made his home in Lovington, and on the 20th of December. 1899, returned to the old home farm, where he remained until 1902. During that year he removed to his present farm on section 20, Mosquito township, which is a well improved place of one hundred and twenty acres. In connec- tion with his farming operations he contin- ues to engage in the practice of veterinary surgery, also buys and sells horses and does a good business as an auctioneer, his serv- ices being in constant demand. He is a man
MRS. S. W. FUNDERBURK
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DR. M. L. FUNDERBURK
RUBY FUNDERBURK
S. W. FUNDERBURK
WARREN R. FUNDER ERBURK
MRS. M. L. FUNDERBURK
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of good business and executive ability and has won a creditable success in his under- takings. His home is on a rural free de- livery route and is supplied with the Odell telephone, so that he is in direct communi- cation with those in need of his services along any line.
On the 23d of June, 1887. Dr. Funder- burk was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Gandy, a daughter of F. M. Gandy, of As- sumption, Illinois, who is a native of In- diana. Seven children have been born of this union, namely: Ruby A. : Roscoe C .. who died at the age of two months : Bonnie, who died at the age of one month : Samuel W .. who died at the age of seven months ; Marion, who died at the age of three weeks ; Hesoid, who died at the age of one month ; and Warren R., who was born April 6. 1903. The wife and mother is a consistent member of the Christian church and the doctor belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Since attaining his majority he has affiliated with the Republican party and he acceptably served as constable of Blue Mound for four years. Through his busi- ness he has become widely known and he has made many warm friends throughout Christian county.
JAMES L. DRENNAN.
James L. Drennan; formerly a member of the law firm of Hogan & Drennan, of Tay- lorville, has gained his present enviable po- sition at the bar through strong persistency of purpose, unfaltering diligence and the careful direction of his efforts by sound, practical judgment. In the trial of civil cases he has shown marked strength as a lawyer and an intimate knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence.
Mr. Drennan is a native son of Christian
county, his birth having occurred upon his father's farm in Mosquito township, Febru- ary 25. 1869. His parents were John L. and Henrietta (Wimberley) Drennan. Eli Drennan, the paternal grandfather, was a resident of South Carolina and his father, John Drennan, served his country in the patriot army in the Revolutionary war. In 1802 John Drennan removed to Caldwell county, Kentucky, and his death occurred in Princeton, that state. Eli Drennan died in 1875, at the age of seventy-five years. The family was early established in Illinois. It is said that William and Joseph Drennan. two uncles of Eli Drennan, settled in San- gamon county among its earliest pioneers and that they planted the first corn ever raised in that county. In 1820 Eli Drennan made his way to this state, was for two years a resident of Sangamon county, and helped to build the first house in Springfield. He was not favorably impressed with the county, however, because of the wild condi- tion that prevailed at that time, and returned to his old home in Kentucky. In the family were eight children, of whom the following are yet living: Eli W., a resident of Tay- lorville; Eliza, the wife of William Scott, of Missouri; and Ann, the wife of John Newberry, of Christian county, Illinois.
John L. Drennan, the father of our sub- ject, was reared upon the old family home- stead in the state of his nativity and there remained until 1856, when he came with his family to Illinois, locating near Mount Au- burn. Christian county. He there engaged in farming for several years and in 1864 re- moved to what became the homestead farm in Mosquito township, locating on section 22. He devoted his remaining days to ag- ricultural pursuits, and in 1882 he passed away at the age of fifty-five years. In pol- itics he was a Democrat and he cast his first
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presidential vote for Lewis Cass in 1848. He never failed to support each presidential candidate of the party from that time, save in 1856. when because of his removal he could not vote. In 1866-7 he served as as- sessor and in 1868 was elected a member of the board of county supervisors, serving for four consecutive years by re-election and he was filling the position at the time of his death. He was the candidate for county treasurer in 1872. He was most loyal and faithful in the discharge of his official duties and because of his fitness was many times called to office. As a school trustee he did much to promote the educational interests of the community and was commissioner of highways. His advice was often sought on matters of business and cheerfully given for the benefit of those who sought his counsel. His farm was one of the first developed in Mosquito township and there he carried on the cultivation of the soil for many years. He also engaged in the raising of roadsters and owned a number of valuable animals. His first home was a log cabin and in that he lived until 1873. His social relations connected him with Mount Auburn Lodge. A. F. & A. M. He married Henrietta Wim- berley, who was a native of Trigg county. Kentucky, and was one of a family of twelve children. By her marriage she became the mother of fourteen children: A. M., who is living in Los Angeles, California : Frank P .. of Taylorville: John G., of Chicago: Adelia J., the wife of John F. Cole, of Tay- lorville : Laura A. E., the wife of James P. George, of Princeton. Kentucky: Margaret E. the wife of C. C. Clements, of Decatur. Illinois : Henry E., who died May 21, 1902 : George R., who is living in Buckhart town- ship: Henrietta .A .; Cora A., the wife of Milo A. Scott, who is living on the home- stead farm in Mosquito township; James L. ;
Thomas M., who makes his home in Los Angeles, California: Oscar W., who died January 10, 1892, at the age of twenty-one years : and Carlotte O., wife of Francis M. Sniff, of Los Angeles. The father died in 1882, and in 1888 the mother left the farm and removed to Taylorville, where she re- mained until 1899. when she became a resi- dent of Los Angeles, California, where she is now living at the age of seventy-six years. She was a typical mother, ideal in her rela- tions with her family. Her interests cen- tered in her home and her kind and loving disposition prompted her devotion to her children and won from them filial gratitude and devotion. She belongs to the Christian church.
James L. Drennan received only the edu- cafional privileges afforded by the country school and is truly a self-made man, owing his success to his own untiring efforts, laud- able ambition and diligence. Upon his father's death he took charge of the home farm. being then thirteen years of age. At the age of eighteen he began teaching school. which profession he followed for three years. In 1891. with a desire to become a member of the legal profession, he took up the study of law in the office of John G. Drennan and John E. Hogan. of Taylor- ville, and in 1893 was admitted to the bar. making the best grade in a large class, a fact which indicates how assiduously he had ap- plied himself to the mastery of the princi- ples of jurisprudence. In 1894 he was ad- mitted to a partnership in the firm with which he had studied, under the firm style of Drennan. Hogan & Drennan, but the fol- lowing year his brother withdrew and en- tered into partnership with United States Senator Palmer, removing then to Spring- field. The partnership of Mr. Hogan and our subject was maintained until January I,
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1904. Mr. Drennan served as chief deputy clerk in the circuit court for three years. after which he was appointed master in chancery and by re-appointment served in that position for three consecutive terms. He is now private secretary to Judge Ricks, a judge of the supreme court, having been appointed to that position in February, 1903. Although a young man he has attained an enviable place as a representative of the legal profession in Christian county, and has been entrusted with much important litigation. He is now the president of the Taylorville Building & Loan Association.
In 1890 Mr. Drennan was united in marriage to Miss Hattie M. Jones, of Mount Auburn, Illinois, who died in 1895, leaving a daughter, Margaret O. For his second wife he chose Miss Grace Clawson, of Tay- lorville, and their children are Ruth, John L. and Wayne C. Mr. Drennan is popular in fraternal circles. He was made a Mason in 1895 and is a member of Mound Lodge, No. 64, A. F. & A. M., while with the Knights of Pythias lodge, the Modern Woodmen Camp and the Red Men he also holds membership relations. His political views are in accord with the principles of the Democracy and he has labored earnestly to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He has served as alderman in Taylorville and in 1902 was nominated for county judge, on which occasion he was de- fcated by a majority of only thirty-six-a vote which indicated his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by the public.
O. F. GAUER.
O. F. Gauer is a leading representative of the business interests of Morrisonville. where he is now carrying on a furniture
store and undertaking establishment. Of excellent business ability and broad re- sources, he has attained a prominent place among the substantial citizens of this part of the county and is recognized as a leader in' public affairs. He has won success by well directed, energetic effort and the pros- perity that has come to him is certainly well deserved.
Mr. Gauer was born at Staunton, Illinois, November 20, 1867, and is a son of John L. and Hannah ( Ahlers) Gauer. The father. who was a stone mason by trade, was born in 1827, and died March 22, 1880, at the age of fifty-three years. The mother died on the 12th of February, 1874. She was a native of Bunker Hill, Illinois, and was of German descent.
Left an orphan at an early age, Mr. Gauer has been dependent upon his own resources from boyhood and has made his own fortune and character. For a time he was employed in a furniture store in St. Louis and also worked in a carriage and wagon shop, serv- ing a two years' apprenticeship to that trade. In 1889 he came to Christian county, Illi- nois, and the following year established a furniture store in Morrisonville, where he still carries on business with marked suc- cess. He occupies over five thousand feet of floor space and still has not room enough for his ever increasing stock. Mr. Gauer is also interested in the undertaking business and is a skilled embalmer, being a graduate of the J. H. Clark College. He has also taken post-graduate courses at several different .schools of embalming, studying under W. P. Hoeshue, of St. Louis, and Professor C. L. Barnes, of Chicago, and holds a certifi- cate of examination from the state board. Besides his store at Morrisonville he has branch houses at Palmer and Harvel, Illi- nois.
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Mr. Gauer was married in 1890 to Miss Katie A. Ochsner, by whom he has five chil- dren, namely : Joseph, John, Otto, Lucile and Helen. Mrs. Gauer is a daughter of Joseph Ochsner, who was born on the River Rhine in Germany and came to America in early youth. In business affairs he has met with excellent success and is to-day a large land owner. He makes his home in Morri- sonville and is now engaged in buying and shipping apples to the city markets.
Religiously Mr. Gauer and his family are members of the Catholic church. He be- longs to a number of secret societies, includ- ing the Camp of Modern Woodmen, No. 330, of Morrisonville, of which he has been clerk for seven years. He has also served as secretary and treasurer of the American Guild; is a charter member and has served as recorder and manager of the Royal Neighbors since its organization : is recorder of the Court of Honor. No. 105: is a char- ter member of General Thomas Post. Fra- ternal Army ; and belongs to the subordinate lodge. No. 1To. of the National Anti-Horse Thief Association, and also to the Bankers' Fraternal Union. He is also a prominent member of the Business Men's AAssociation of Morrisonville and takes great interest in all of these societies, in the work of which he is thoroughly posted. The Democratic party finds in Mr. Ganer a stanch supporter of its principles. He is public spirited in an eminent degree and national progress and local advancement are both causes dear to his heart. Kindness, amiability and cour- tesy not only characterize his social relations but are a marked factor in his business life.
W. H. ALEXANDER.
W. H. Alexander, proprietor of a first class meat market in Pana, was born in this city on the 24th of November, 1858, and is
a son of Robert and Mary Alexander. His parents were natives of Ohio and came to Pana in 1856. The journey was made across the country in a wagon, traveling thus after the primitive manner of the times. The father was a butcher by trade and es- tablished the first shop in this town. He did not only a successful and growing busi- ness, but was also active in public affairs in connection with all matters that pertained to the general welfare, progress and improve- ment. He was a member of the first city council, at which time Dr. Finley was mayor of the city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Alexander became charter members of the Presbyterian church, being associated with five others in the establishment of the congregation. Mrs. Alexander is now the only surviving one. and from the earliest history of the church down to the present has been one of its con- stant and active followers. Her husband died in Pana on the 23d of February, 18go. respected and honored by all who knew him.
W. H. Alexander is indebted to the public school system of his native city for the edu- cational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth. He entered upon his business career as an apprentice in the employ of R. M. Carr in 1877. thus learning the printer's trade on the old Pana Gasette. He afterward be- came an active factor in journalistic circles as manager and editor of a paper owned by Jacob Swallow, at Towerhill, remaining in that place during the year 1881. He afterward worked on the Palladium in Pana until 1883. The following year he went to Kansas City, Missouri, and joined the base- ball team known as the Kansas City Blues, of the Association Union. In 1885 he played with the ball team of St. Joseph, Mis- souri, and in 1886 he organized the Western League. The following year, however, he returned to Pana and embarked in the butch-
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ering business, which he has since followed. becoming proprietor of an excellent meat market here. In 1895 he erected the build- ing which he now occupies and he has the best equipped market in this part of the county. It contains a cold storage room forty feet long and twenty feet in width and capable of accommodating five hundred tons of ice. His business has grown to such ex- tensive proportions that he employs seven men to assist him in its conduct. He carries an excellent grade of meat and his earnest desire to please his patrons combined with his honorable business methods makes him one of the successful merchants of Christian county. He was also at one time a director in the Building & Loan Association of Pana.
In 1883 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Alexander and Miss Susie Moore, who was a teacher in the public schools of Pana. Unto them have been born five children : Amy, who is a graduate of the Pana high school with the class of 1902: Hal. Grace, Belle and Susie, all of whom are at home. Mr. Alexander belongs to the Court of Honor, in which he is now filling the office of recorder. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen, the Knights of Pythias. the Modern Americans, and the Improved Order of Red Men. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he strongly endorses its principles, believing that they contain the best elements of good government. In 1883-4 he served as collect- or of Pana and he has twice been elected to the office of city councilman, filling the posi- tion at the present time. He is also presi- cent of the Business Men's Association of Pana, an organization formed to promote the industrial and commercial development of the city. He has been a factor in advanc- ing every movement for the general good and is well fitted for leadership in political
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