USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 51
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During his boyhood Robert Morrison at- tended the public schools of Virden and when not in school assisted his father in the labors of the farm, remaining a resident of Virden until 1875, when he removed to Christian county. For several years he was engaged in mercantile business in Assump- tion, first as a member of the firm of Foster, Hutchinson & Company, and later was in partnership with S. M. Coonrod and J. C. Henry at different times. Since 1891 he has held a position with the firm of Cushing & Sons, general merchants of Assumption.
In February. 1867, at Virden, Illinois, Mr. Morrison married Miss Bridget Cooney, a native of Connecticut, and they have be- come the parents of two children: Mary E., at home with her parents ; and Marguer- ite, wife of Earl W. Hight. Both are grad-
The family is prominent socially and they hold membership in St. Mary's Catholic church.
In his political views Mr. Morrison is a pronounced Democrat and he has been hon- orded with several important official posi- tions, the duties of which he has most cap- ably and satisfactorily discharged. He was a member of the old village board in early days and has since served on the city coun- cil. In 1888 he was elected highway com- missioner and two years later was elected county supervisor, which office he has since filled with the exception of one term. For four terms he has been chairman of the board and is now serving as such. He has also been a director of the Building & Loan Association since its organization about fif- teen years ago and has always been found true to every trust reposed in him. .
O. Z. HOUSLEY.
O. Z. Housley is one of the strong repre- sentatives of banking interests in Christian county and sustains an unassailable reputa- tion in financial circles in which he has won success as well as an honored name. His advancement to his present position has been continuous from a humble place in the busi- ness world, for he started out in life upon an independent venture with a capital of only forty dollars. His history demonstrates his force of character, keen discernment and recognition of business possibilities as well as a utilization of existing conditions in trade circles.
Mr. Housley is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred near Canton, in 1851. His parents were Henry and Charlotte (Uh- rich) Housley, the former a native of Mary- land while the latter was born near Lancas-
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ter, Pennsylvania. When their son was but five years of age they left their home in Ohio and came to Illinois. settling in Christian county in June, 1856, where he has since remained with the exception of a brief period. The father is now living retired in Taylorville. Our subject's educational privi- leges were limited to the opportunities af- forded by the common schools of the county and to one term's attendance in a high school at Mitchellville, Iowa, near Des Moines, when he was eighteen years of age. In the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons, and has progressed along intellectual lines as well as in the business world, as does every typical American citi- zen-keeping fully abreast of the times. Not desiring to follow the plow, he conceived the idea of entering mercantile life and formulated a plan which he proposed to his parents, hoping to gain their financial assist- ance. In this he failed, however, and here his resolute spirit and enterprising nature were manifest. Not deterred by the failure to gain his father's help, he embarked in the hardware business upon a cash capital of only forty dollars, which he had himself earned. Soon he was enabled to increase his stock and the enterprise prospered from the beginning. When the father saw that the son was accomplishing what he had un- dertaken to do, he joined him in a partner- ship and to the hardware store were soon added various other departments and the business became a paying one of Grove City. Illinois, conducted under the name of Hous- lev & Son. Later the father sold his interest to his brother and Dr. Harvey, of Louis- ville, Kentucky, also became a partner, at which time the firm name of Harvey & Com- pany was assumed. The business prospered but in 1881 the health of Dr. Harvey failed and Cornelis Drake, coming to the west, pur-
chiased his interest and the present firm of Housley & Drake was then formed. These gentlemen have since continued in business. At the time of the organization of the pres- ent firm the public demanded that they add a banking department to their mercantile en- terprise and this they did. In 1893 a similar business was established in Stonington and soon the business grew to such extensive pro- portions that the firm found it necessary to dispose of their store in Grove City, all ex- cept the banking department in order to give more of their attention to the Stonington bank and store. Their bank, known as the Exchange Bank of Housley & Drake, was organized in 1893 and capitalized for fifty thousand dollars. The volume of the busi- ness annually transacted over their counters has reached a large figure and the establish- ment is recognized as one of the leading financial concerns in this part of the state.
On the 13th of October, 1873, Mr. Hous- ley was united in marriage to Miss Victoria Reese, a native of eastern Pennsylvania, and they have four children : Maud, and Flora and Frances, twins, all living in St. Louis, Missouri : and Caretta M .. at home. In 1896 Mr. Housley removed to Stonington, where he has since resided. He is not only the president of the Exchange Bank but is act- ively connected with interests having direct bearing upon Stonington in other lines. As a citizen he is public-spirited and enterpris- ing and has been a co-operant factor in many measures for the public good. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist church, an exemplary follower of Masonry, belonging to Taylor- ville Lodge No. 122, and one of the chief officers in the Royal Circle. His genial man- ner, his kindly spirit, his unfailing courtesy and his deference for the opinions of others render him a popular citizen of his adopted county.
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T. J. PIERPOINT.
J. J. Pierpoint, who is engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business in Pana. was born in Morgantown. West Virginia. November 3. 1865, and is a son of Sylvanus E. and S. A. Pierpoint. His father was also a native of Morgantown and served in the civil service during the Civil war. In the year 1868. however, he left West Virginia and made his way to Shelby county. Illinois, locating in Oconee. He is a farmer and is still living at the place of his first location. his entire life having been devoted to the tilling of the soil, so that his record is one of usefulness and activity. His wife passed away in 1894.
To the public school system of Shelby county. Illinois. J. J. Pierpoint is indebted for the educational privileges he enjoyed. At the usual age he entered school and when he was twenty-one years of age he worked his way through the Gem City Business Col- lege, of Quincy, Illinois, earning the money to pay his tuition by worl: as a farm hand. The elemental strength of his character and his laudable ambition were shown in his de- sire for an education and gave promise of a successful career in later life. On the 27th of August, 1889, he came to Pana, where he entered upon his business career in the ca- pacity of bookkeeper for the Penwell Coal Company, which position he held for eight years. He then became secretary of the Citi- zens' Savings, Loan & Building AAssociation, which position he now holds. In 1897 he began handling real estate and doing an in- surance business as well. He has secured a large clientage, handles much property and has negotiated many important real estate transfers. He deals in farm lands in all parts of the United States and Canada, also handles some valuable coal and mineral
rights. Ile places and solicits loans and writes considerable insurance annually, se that his business has become important and remunerative.
On the 14th of December, 1893. Mr. Pier- point was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Orr, a daughter of John Orr. of Pana, and they have one son, John Orr Pierpoint. The parents are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Mr. Pierpoint is also a lead- ing and valuable member of the Masonic fraternity, the Order of the Eastern Star. the Fraternal Army, the Fraternal Aid and the Royal Arcanum, the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias, having become a charter member of the Royal Arcanum. His political support is given the Republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. For one term he served as city treasurer and although he has not been active in office he has been interested in public affairs in other ways and has co-operated in the work for the sub- stantial upbuilding and material develop- ment of the city and county. He is one of Pana's ardent advocates and aside from his business affairs has done much for the im- provement of the city. He has a large circle of friends here, many of whom have known him from his boyhood, and his social quali- ties render him popular with the great ma- jority of those with whom he comes in contact.
PHILIP EBERT.
Philip Ebert. a substantial and progressive farmer living on section 6, Rosamond town- ship, was born in Germany, February 4. 1831, and is a son of Michael and Katherine Ebert, both now deceased. On coming to America they settled in St. Louis, Missouri. By occupation the father was a carpenter. In the family were two sons : Philip and
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his brother John Henry, now a resident of California.
The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native land and after leaving school he worked on a farm, thus early ac- quiring a good practical knowledge of the occupation which he has chosen as a life work. He was fourteen years of age on the emigration of the family to America. In the fall of 1857, he removed to McLean county, Illinois, and in the spring of 1859 came to Christian county, where he has since made his home. After renting a farm in Locust township for one season he removed to his present farm on section 6, Rosamond township, the same year. When it came into his possession it was all raw prairie land with the exception of eleven acres which were under cultivation, and to its further de- velopment and improvement he has since devoted his energies, converting it into a very desirable farm. His first home here was a little shanty sixteen by thirty-two feet, which in 1873 was replaced by a good brick residence but the latter place together with most of its contents was destroyed by fire in February, 1900. Mr. Ebert at once re- built and now has a very comfortable and attractive home, together with good and sub- stantial barns and outbuildings.
On the 8th of May, 1853, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Mr. Ebert was united in mar- riage to Miss Pauline Fisher, who was born in Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1832, and is a daughter of Frederick and Katherine (Krets) Fisher, also natives of Pennsylvania. For a short time after their marriage they lived in Ohio before coming to Illinois. Three sons have been born to them. Frederick C., who resides on section 5, Rosamond township, married Isabel Barker and has four children: May, now the wife of Walter Stevens, a resident of
Kansas, by whom she has one child : Minnie Belle ; William and Roy. Charles W., whose home is on section 6, Rosamond township, married Esther Johnson and has two chil- dren. Maud and Violet. B. F., who lives with his parents, married Eva Butterfield and has one child.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Ebert are members of the Buckeye Methodist Episcopal church and he also holds membership in Owaneco Lodge, No. 223. A. F. & A. M. During their early residence in this county they un- derwent many of the experiences of pioneer life. For a couple of years after their mar- riage Mrs. Ebert did considerable spinning and made a couple of coverlets. She made her first coverlet when only seventeen years of age. She has often sheared the sheep and then prepared the wool for spinning. Dur- ing her early married life she also did con- siderable knitting for her family. In those days Mr. Ebert hauled most of his corn to Vandalia, camping out at night on the prairie, and on arriving at his destination could only get twenty-five cents per bushel. He made the first rail fence on Buckeye Prairie. Being a man of progressive ideas. his farm has always been thoroughly up-to-
date in all its appointments. He owned the first reaper and the first binder brought to his locality and also bought the first sewing machine and the first coal oil lamp, paying fifty cents per gallon for oil at that time. His life has been one of industry and useful- ness and he has not only gained for himself and family a comfortable competence but has also won the friendship and high re- gard of all who know him.
CHRISTIAN WENZLER.
On the 17th of October, 1903, there passed away one of Bear Creek's honored and most highly respected citizens-Christian Wenz-
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ler, who had made his home here for over thirty years and was prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the town- ship. He was born in Wurtemburg, Ger- many, December 14, 1828, and was a son of Joseph and Monica ( Haller) Wenzler, who spent their entire lives in that country His paternal grandfather was George Wenz- ler, who was a cabinet maker by trade and was a fine musician. He reared a large fam- ily of children and died at about the age of fifty-five years. Joseph Wenzler, the father of our subject, was a musician in the regi- lar standing army of Germany, and by occu- pation was a wood-turner and cabinet-maker. He died in his native land at the age of sixty years, and his wife passed away some years previous. Their family consisted of the fol- lowing children : Christian and Panlina, both deceased ; Kate; Mary Ann, also de- ceased ; Magdalene ; Bertha, deceased; Lud- wig; Stephen, deceased; John ; and one who died in infancy.
Christian Wenzler was reared and edu- cated in his native land and under his father's direction learning cabinet-making and wood-turning during his youth. He continued to follow those vocations until the age of twenty-eight years, when he was obliged to abandon them on account of fail- ing eyesight. Resolved to try his fortune in the new world, he crossed the ocean in 1850 and first located in Pike county, Pennsyl- vania, where he worked at his trade. In the fall of 1853 he removed to Indiana and the following year located in Springfield, Illi- nois, where he followed various occupations for six years. In 1860 he commenced farm- ing on rented land in Pawnee township, Sangamon county, where he spent the suc- ceeding eleven years. Coming to Christian county in 1871 he invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bear Creek town-
ship and subsequently bought more land, having two hundred acres at the time of his death.
On the 19th of July, 1860, Mr. Wenzler was united in marriage to Miss Hester Ann Staley, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Thomas and Jane ( Fokes) Staley. By this union were born nine children : William T., Lonis C., Joseph E., Mary Ann, Ida Belle, Laura, Ella, Rosetta L., and one who died in infancy. All are now deceased, with the exception of Joseph E., whose sketch follows this; and Ida Belle, who married Sheldon Fitch and now lives in Michigan. The mother of these children departed this life in 1878.
Mr. Wenzler took an active interest in public affairs and was called upon to fill the offices of commissioner of highways, school director and trustee for several years each. In his death the community realized that it had lost a valued and useful citizen, for he was highly esteemed by his neighbors and friends, and was unquestionably a man of high character and unblemished reputation.
JOSEPH E. WENZLER.
Among the young men of Christian conn- ty who are successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising is Joseph E. Wenzler, who is carrying on operations on section 35, Bear Creek township. He was born in the house in which he still lives, January 24, 1876, and is a son of Christian Wenzler, whose sketch precedes this. He was educated in the local schools and early acquired a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He is now the owner of one hundred and forty acres of fine farnı- ing land where he resides and also has an interest in the Palmer Brick & Tile Com-
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pany and owns a house and two lots in the village of Palmer. In connection with the cultivation of his farm Mr. Wenzler is en- gaged in stock-raising, breeding Poland China hogs and white faced cattle.
On the 23d of November, 1898, was cele- brated his marriage to Miss Edith B. Range, a daughter of Bruce and Elizabeth (Lemas- ter) Range; the former now resides in Tay- lorville and the latter died October 12, 1890, at the age of thirty-three years, ten months and seven days. Her father was born in Tennessee and came to Christian county in 1881, being for eight years proprietor of the Range brick and tile yard at Taylorville. He reared five children, namely : Bert G., Edith B., Wilbur N., Lucy I. and Charles S. Mr. and Mrs. Wenzler have three children, namely : Edwin Bert, Marcella Lucile and Roena.
Fraternally Mr. Wenzler is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors and politically he is identi- fied with the Republican party. He is a very progressive and energetic business man and is meeting with creditable success in his un- dertakings.
HENRY W. JOHNSON.
Henry W. Johnson is recognized as one of the most popular residents as well as en- terprising business men of Taylorville. As a real estate and insurance agent he is well known and annually does a large amount of business which has made him one of the sub- stantial residents of this city. He was born in Christian county, Kentucky, on the 18th of August, 1844, a son of John W. and Sarah Elizabeth (Hardy) Johnson. His paternal grandfather. William Johnson, was a native of Virginia, whence he removed to Kentucky, becoming one of the pioneer set-
tlers of the state. He was a farmer by oc- cupation and continued to engage in that pursuit in the Blue Grass state up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was fifty-seven years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Blakeley, was also a representative of an old Virginia fam- ily, and died in 1852, at the age of seventy years.
John W. Johnson, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Christian county, Ken- tucky, and first married Sarah Elizabeth Hardy, also a native of that county and a daughter of Lewis and Polly (Adkinson) Hardy, both of whom were natives of Vir- ginia. She died in 1857 and Mr. Johnson afterward wedded Hollen Hardy, a cousin of his first wife. His death occurred when he was sixty-six years of age and his second wife passed away in 1878. By the first mar- riage he had four children: William L., who is still living in Christian county, Ken- tucky ; Henry W .; George H., a resident of Henderson county, Kentucky; and John C. B., who was born in 1836 and died in 1868. There were two children by the father's second marriage: Sallie Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Nolan : and Thomas B., a resident of Fort Worth, Texas.
Upon the home farm in Kentucky Henry W. Johnson spent the days of his boyhood and youth and obtained his education in the public and the subscription schools. In April. 1867, he came to Christian county, Illinois, then a young man of twenty-two years, desirous of winning success in busi- ness through enterprise and strong deter- mination. He first engaged in farming in Johnson township, following that pursuit until the fall of 1870, when he removed to Clarksdale, this county. In the fall of 1890 he was elected county sheriff upon the Dem- ocratic ticket for a term of four years and
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in the office he proved himself most worthy of the trust reposed in him, by his prompt, fearless and faithful performance of the duties that devolved upon him. He had pre- viously served as constable for four years and justice of the peace for a similar period. and his official career has always been most commendable. On his retirement from the position of sheriff, he turned his attention to the real estate busines and has since nego- tiated a number of important property trans- fers. He also does considerable business as an insurance agent, representing a number of the old reliable companies.
On the 29th of November, 1866, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Saralı Angeline P. Pool, a daughter of Will- iam T. P. Pool, of Trigg county, Kentucky, and unto them have been born the following children : John William, Nora Etta, Lloyd Paschal, Ada Mabel and Walter Ross, but the last named died March 24, 1901, at the age of sixteen years. Since 1878 Mr. John- son has been a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp. He is also identified with the Court of Honor and the Fraternal Army. He became a charter member of Clarksdale Camp, M. W. A., and for three years he was its venerable counsel. He is also a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Tay- lorville. He is a man of fine social qualities, courteous, affable and genial in manner, and he has gained a wide circle of friends during his residence in Christian county.
GEORGE A. PARISH.
One of the honored and highly esteemed citizens of Mount Auburn is George A. Parish, who was for many years actively identified with the industrial and agricul- tural interests of this county but is now prac- tically living a retired life, enjoying the
fruits of former toil. He was born in Bloomington, Monroe county, Indiana, Sep- tember 22, 1838, and is a son of Eli HI. and Eliza (Reeves) Parish, both natives of Kentucky, the former born in Bardstown and the latter near that city. They were mar- ried in Kentucky and from that state re- moved to Indiana about the year 1827, the trip being made by way of the Ohio river on a flatboat. They were accompanied by their respective parents, the families locating in Owen and Monroe counties, Indiana. Our subject's father was a stone-mason and brick-layer by trade, but after his removal to the Hoosier state purchased a section of land in Owen county in 1832 and turned his at- tention to farming for six years. He then resumed work at his trade in Bloomington. Indiana, and as a contractor erected many residences, store buildings, churches and schoolhouses at that place during the follow- ing five years. His father-in-law having died he then removed to the old Reeves homestead and was engaged in farming until 1851, which year witnessed his arrival in Illinois. He first located six miles west of Springfield, where he carried on farming un- til September, 1852, when he removed to Mount Auburn and purchased property at that place. There the mother of our sub- ject died in October, 1854, but the father and children continued on the farm until 1855, when they removed to Taylorville. There the father lived retired until called to his final rest in July, 1856. He was official- ly connected with the Methodist Episcopal church and took an active part in its work. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican.
His family consisted of nine children, those still living being Benjamin, now a res- ident of Oklahoma; George A., of this re- view; Josephine, wife of Benjamin Fiefield,
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of Tacoma, Nebraska; Austin, a resident of Taylorville; Robert, who makes his home in Illinois ; and Charles, a half-brother of our subject, now living in Springfield.
George A. Parish began his education in the public schools of Bloomington, Indiana, and after the removal of the family to this state, attended the district schools of Sanga- mon county during their residence there. He was next a student in the Mount Au- burn school under Professor William Sharp. On leaving school at the age of sixteen years he began learning the blacksmith's trade, serving a three years' apprenticeship under Jacob Wise, and for his services he received fifty dollars per year and his board. Out of his three years' salary he managed to save ninety dollars. The following year he worked at his trade in the employ of others and then bought a shop on the top of Mount Auburn hill of Ezekiel Sargent. There he carried on blacksmithing alone for six months and at the end of that time formed a partnership with John Mitchell, this connec- tion continuing for two years, at the end of which time he sold out to Mr. Mitchell. He was then twenty-one years of age. After settling up his affairs he found that he had thirteen dollars remaining and on this cap- ital he got married. He next commenced the erection of a blacksmith shop, and through the fall and winter worked there without any roof to the building. having borrowed tools of Abraham Henshie, now of Taylorville. In 1860 he bought out the firm of Wise & Barnett, the senior member being his former employer, and he then formed a partnership with Ezekiel Sargent, who was a wagon-maker. This relation was maintained until 1872, when Mr. Par- ish accidently lost the sight of one eye, being struck by a piece of iron breaking from his hammer. Selling his interest in the busi-
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