USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 53
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On the 19th of March, 1873. Mr. Nico- demus was united in marriage to Miss Cath- erine L. Fasnacht, a daughter of Edward Fasnacht, who was originally from Pennsyl- vania and who, entering the Union army in the Civil war, laid down his life upon the altar of his country. Mrs. Nicodemus learned the millinery business when a girl, and has followed the trade more or less since taking it up. In 1897 she opened a millinery store in Taylorville, which she still conducts. She started the business with only seventy-five dollars, but has been very successful in build- ing up a large trade. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Nicodemus was blessed with seven children, of whom five are yet living : Dora, the wife of Charles A. Rhodes of Taylor- ville : Wesley L., of Edwardsville, Illinois ; William W., a resident of St. Louis; and
W. K. NICODEMUS
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Daisy and Bertha, who are at home. Walter E. and Pearl both died in infancy.
In his political allegiance Mr. Nicodemus is a Democrat, and has been honored with a number of local offices. He served as town- ship collector for one year and for four years was alderman of the second ward. In the spring of 1903 he was elected mayor of Taylorville, succeeding Frank A. Zimmer- man, so that he is now the incumbent in the office. His administration is business-like, practical and progressive, and while he fa- vors all advanced methods for the benefit of the city he never encourages the needless ex- penditure of money, but manages the city af- fairs as he does his private business inter- ests, with great precision and fidelity. Pay- ing the city streets is an improvement start- ed under his administration, and forty-nine blocks were put in during his term of office. He is a man of good judgment, strong in his individuality and sterling worth and well may he be numbered among the representa- tive citizens of Taylorville.
LEVI ALDRICH.
Levi Aldrich, a highly respected citizen and representative farmer of Rosamond township, residing on section 26, is a native of New Hampshire, born in Franconia, Grafton county, May 30, 1837. Tradition has it that three of the name of Aldrich came to this country from Wales in colonial days, one settling in Mendon, Massachusetts, an- other in Maine and the third in Virginia. The first mentioned had seven sons, one of whom was the great-great-grandfather of our subject. The great-grandfather, Ed- ward Aldrich, was a prominent man in his day and served as justice of the peace in colonial times. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and after the close of the Revolutionary
war removed to Grafton county, New Hampshire, where in the midst of the wil- derness he developed a farm. It was there that our subject first saw the light of day. His grandfather, John Aldrich. married Sarah Kaylor and spent his life on the old homestead at Franconia. In his family were six children, four sons and two daughters. all of whom reached maturity.
Edward Aldrich, the father of our sub- ject, was the youngest of this family. He was born on the old homestead and was edu- cated in the first school established in Fran- conia township, it being near his boyhood home. He was married in Franconia, New Hampshire, to Laura Parker, also a native of that state, and after living on the old homestead for about six years removed to Caledonia county, Vermont, where he con- tinned to engage in farming throughout life. He died there at the age of forty-six years. and his wife, who long survived him, passed away in Lakeport, New Hampshire, when in her ninety-first year. Their family con- sisted of three children, namely : Caleb, who is unmarried and still resides in the Green Mountain state; Levi, our subject; and Laura A., wife of J. M. Drake, of Lakeport. New Hampshire, by whom she has three children. One of these is married and lives in New Hampshire, another is married and resides in New Jersey, and the other is still at home.
Reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys in his locality, Levi Aldrich re- ceived a good practical education in the pub- lic schools of Vermont, supplemented by a few terms at an academy. He is to-day a well-read man and possesses a wonderful memory, having been able to give the fore- going ancestral history without any refer- ence whatsoever. After leaving school he came west to Illinois at about the age of
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. twenty years, his object being to look up a location, and he was well satisfied with this state, although he did not locate permanently here until 1864, when he took up his resi- dence on section 26, Rosamond township, Christian county. At that time the farm was only partially under cultivation and prairie chickens and other small game were plentiful. He has made farming his life work and has met with success in his chosen occupation. He planted the trees and made all of the other improvements upon his place.
At Sutton, Verment, October 16, 1860, Mr. Aldrich was united in marriage to Miss Ellen M. Bean, who was born at that place December 11, 1838, and is a daughter of Stephen F. and Emily ( Willard) Bean, both natives of New Hampshire. She is the youngest in a family of six children, all of whom reached man and womanhood. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich were born three sons, as follows: Edward, born in Sutton town- ship, Caledonia county, Vermont, now con- ducts the home farm and is a breeder of fancy stock, making a specialty of Duroc Jersey hogs, which he ships to Kentucky and other states. He was married June 1, 1899, to Anna Hersman, of Brown county, Illi- nois, and they have one son, Willard C., born August 11, 1902. William, also born in Sutton, Vermont, was married July 14. 1891, to Margaret Hare, of Sangamon county, Illinois, and is now principal of a grammar school in Keokuk, lowa. George F., born on the home farm in this county, is now living in Crosby, Texas. He was mar- ried September 7, 1898, to Minnie F. Carper and has two children, Justin and Olin.
In national politics Mr. Aldrich's views coincide with those held by President Lin- coln but at local elections he generally sup- ports the Democratic party and on that ticket was elected supervisor of his township
in 1808. He also filled the office of school trustee for a number of years and has done all in his power to promote the moral, edu- cational and material welfare of the com- mumnity in which he lives. He is a deacon in the Congregational church of Rosemond, to which his family also belong, and they are among the most highly esteemed people of the township. Their home is noted for its hospitality and good cheer.
JUDGE VINCENT E. FOY.
Among the prominent and honored resi- dents of Taylorville was numbered Judge Vincent E. Foy, now deceased. His life was devoted to labors wherein wealth or influ- ence availeth little, the measure of success depending upon mentality, ability-both nat- ural and acquired-and the broad culture of the individual. Possessing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, Judge Foy ad- vanced to a prominent position at the Chris- tian county bar and his reputation was not limited by the confines of this locality, as he ranked as the peer of the ablest lawyers and jurists of this portion of the state.
He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 31st of October, 1845. His father, Archibald Greenleaf Foy, was a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and was of Scotch- Irish descent. He became a farmer and throughout his entire life followed that oc- cupation in order to provide for his family. Hle wedded Emeline Brisben, who was also born in Belmont county, Ohio, and was of Scotch-Irish lineage, her parents, however, being natives of Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Foy were born ten children, seven of whom are now living. In 1865 the fam- ily removed to Christian county and sixteen years later took up their abode in Sumner county, Kansas, where the mother and one of the daughters died in the year 1891.
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CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
In the usual manner of farmer lads, Judge Foy spent his boyhood days, assisting in the work of the fields through the summer months, while in the winter season he at- tended the district schools, in which he ac- quired his education, save that he spent one term in the graded schools of Ullrichsville, Ohio. He left the home farm at the age of seventeen years, in order to make his own way in the world, and in 1864 he put aside all business and personal considerations that he might aid in the preservation of the Union, enlisting in Company E, One Hun- dred and Sixty-first Ohio Infantry. He was mustered in on the 2d day of May, 1864, at Camp Chase and after serving at different points in the Shenandoah valley he was mus- tered out at Camp Chase, September 2, 1867.
It was in March of the following year that Judge Foy arrived in Christian county, where he was variously employed as a farm laborer, stage driver and school teacher until he entered upon the study of law, in which he was destined to win prominence. Borrowing some law books of J. B. Jones. an attorney of Taylorville, he began read- ing in 1868, and devoted his leisure hours to the mastery of the principles of jurispru- dence until 1871, when he regularly became a student in Mr. Jones' law office. there con- tinuing his reading until 1874. when he was admitted to the bar. For a year thereafter he engaged in practice with his preceptor and was then alone until 1891. when the firm of Foy & Crafton was formed. At the bar be displayed the elements of the strong lawyer. careful preparation of cases, strength in argument and logical reasoning and he soon gained the favorable regard of the pub- lic and therefore won a good clientage.
The fitness of Judge Foy for ofice led to his selection for official position even in the
early days of his residence in Christian county. For more than eleven years he was treasurer of Taylorville township and for one year was city attorney. In 1876 he was elected states attorney and in 1882 was chosen by popular suffrage to the bench of the county court and by re-election filled that office continuously until 1894. He ranked among the best county judges in the state, his opinions being so fair and impar- tial and so in harmony with legal principles that he won the commendation of the bar and of the general public. His decisions . were never reversed in a higher court, which fact stands in uncontrovertible evidence of his broad knowledge of the law and his im- partiality in his decisions.
For four years Judge Foy was the editor and proprietor of the Taylorville Democrat, which under his guidance became one of the leading papers of this part of the state. with a largely increased circulation. In citizen- ship he was public-spirited and progressive, co-operating in many movements for the public good, and his influence was a public factor in enhancing the general welfare. He was a member of the Taylorville Coal Com- pany from its organization until 1891 and was a stockholder and director in the com- pany which built the Antlers Hotel.
Judge Foy was married on the 29th of November. 1877, to Mrs. Anna Crafton, a native of Macon county. Illinois, and of Ger- man descent. With her parents she came to Christian county in her early girlhood. To her husband she was a most able assistant and congenial companion and he attributed much of his success in business life to her wise and helpful counsel. her ready sym- pathy and intellectual insight into affairs. Since her husband's death she has become identified with business interests in Taylor ville, becoming a representative of ten insur
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ance companies in 1898. Two years later she sold her insurance business and is now engaged in the realty and loan business.
The Judge belonged to no secret or fra- ternal organizations save the Grand Army of the Republic. He was, however, a man of broad humanitarian principles and his in- terest in his fellow-men was deep and sin- cere. This caused him to put forth earnest effort to advance the public welfare and Taylorville benefited by his labors along many lines. While in the courtroom he fully sustained the dignity and majesty of the law. in his home and among his friends he was a most social, genial gentleman, of cor- dial manner and wherever he went he won friends. He inscribed his name deeply on the roll of honored and valued citizens of Christian county and although he has now passed away his memory is revered by many who knew him.
RICHARD JOHNSON.
Richard Johnson, now deceased, was for many years an honored and highly esteemed citizen of Christian county. He was born in Cadiz, Ohio, May 14, 1831. a son of Will- iam and Elizabeth (Orr) Johnson, both natives of Pennsylvania. In their family were six children, of whom Richard was the fifth in order of birth. The others were as follows: James died and was buried at Louisville, Kentucky: Margaret is also de- ceased : Albert went as a missionary to India and was killed in the mutiny in 1848 about seven hundred miles from Calcutta : Julius C. died in Ohio; and William. who spent a few years in India, was president of the Biddle Institute in North Carolina for about fifteen years and in 1901 went back to India. The father of these children died in 1837 and was buried in Cadiz, Ohio, and the mother passed away three years later.
Thus our subject was early deprived of a father's guidance and a mother's loving care, being only ten years of age when left an orphan. Being thrown upon his own re- sources for a livelihood, he obtained employ- ment in a tannery and continued to work at that business in Ohio for six years. It was in 1854 that he came to Illinois and took up his residence in Christian county. Here he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and in his farming operations he met with most excellent success, becoming the owner of nine hundred acres of valuable and well improved land.
In 1859 Mr. Johnson led to the marriage altar Miss Matilda Baker, a native of Penn- sylvania and a daughter of Henry and Mary ( Klinefelter) Baker, who were also born in that state. the former in 1802. the latter in 1804. From Pennsylvania the family re- moved to Clark county, Ohio, and in 1848 came to Christian county, Illinois. Here the mother died a year later, and the father, who long survived her. passed away in 1880. their remains being interred in the Clark cemetery of Johnson township. By occupa- tion Mr. Baker was a farmer. He had ten children, namely : Alexander, deceased : Isa- bell, widow of Thomas H. Berry and a resi- dent of Johnson township: Matilda, now Mrs. Johnson ; Savilla. Jacob, William, Hes- ter Ann, and Samuel, all deceased; Eliza. the deceased wife of Henry Ebert, a resident of California: and Mary, deceased wife of Matthew Stone. The parents of these chil- dren were of Scotch and Irish descent.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born nine children : Margaret E. now the wife of James Hawkins, of Johnson township : William Henry, who died at the age of thir- teen years ; Mary, the wife of Henry Dap- pert, a farmer of Johnson township: Dru- silla and Sophronia, who are at home with
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their mother; Rebecca, who married W. B. Hawkins and died in March, 1897; Harriet, who died at the age of seven months; Mat- thew, who married Evelyn Donaldson, a native of Michigan ; and Rachel, who died in infancy.
Mr. Johnson always took quite an active interest in public affairs and his influence was always found on the side of right and progress. He was considered one of the most enterprising farmers of his community and his death, which occurred June 10, 1903. occasioned the deepest regret through- out the county. He was a man of the high- est respectability and those who were most intimately associated with him speak in un- qualified terms of his sterling integrity, his honor in business and his fidelity to all the duties of public and private life, His widow now has charge of the home farm in John- son township and is successfully conducting the business. She is a most estimable lady of many sterling qualities and has a large circle of friends.
JAMES B. STEWART.
James B. Stewart, who is successfully en- gaged in farming on section 32, Mosquito township, claims Christian county as his birthplace, his natal day being August 28, 1863. His father, Francis Stewart, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1837, and spent two years of his life in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. Determining to try his fortune in the United States, he crossed the broad Atlantic in 1857 and first located in New York state, where he spent three years. In 1860 he came to Christian county, Hli- nois, and made his home here for many years, but finally he removed to Blue Mound. where he lived retired until called to his final rest in 1897. By occupation he was a
farmer. He manifested his love for his adopted country by enlisting during the Civil war in the One Hundred and Fifty- second Illinois Infantry, with which he served for one year. In early manhood he married Miss Isabella Irvine, a native of Canada, who continues to make her home in Blue Mound, Illinois.
James B. Stewart acquired his elementary education in the public schools of Christian county and later continued his education at Dixon, Illinois. He gave his father the ben- efit of his labors until 1896, when he com- menced farming on his own account upon the old home place, and is now the owner of a fine tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Mosquito township that he keeps under a ligli state of cultivation. The well tilled fields yield abundantly and he derives from his farm a good income.
In 1896 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stewart and Miss Agnes Carr, whose father, James Carr, was an old and honored citizen of Christian county. Unto them was born one child, Lena, who died at the age of one year. The Republican party finds in Mr. Stewart a stanch supporter of its principles, and he is now efficiently serv- ing as school director in his district. He is public spirited and progressive and is widely and favorably known throughout his native county.
O. O. CORNEIL.
O. O. Corneil, a hardware merchant of Owaneco, is but a recent acquisition to the progressive business men of that town, but his ability, enterprise and upright methods have already gained for him an enviable reputation. Although he is still a young man comparatively his popularity is estab- lished on a firm basis-that of his own well tested merit.
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Mr. Corneil is a native of Christian county, born September 16, 1869, and is a son of Samuel and Mary Corneil, who were born in Canada and came to this country in 1869, locating in Zenobia, Christian county, Illinois, but are now living in Shelby county, this state. After attending the pub- lic schools for some years our subject en- gaged in farming in this county. He re- mained at home with his parents until twenty-two years of age and then went to Canada, where he spent six months. On his return to Christian county he engaged in farming on rented land until March, 1902, when he removed to Owaneco and purchased a half interest in a hardware store in partnership with B. F. Corzine, but three months later he bought out his part- ner and is now sole proprietor. He carries a good line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, oils, paints, etc., and has built up an excellent trade, which is constantly increas- ing.
On the 1st of September, 1903, Mr. Cor- neil married Miss Peralee Clawson, a daughter of W. A. Clawson, of this county. Religiously they are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and socially Mr. Corneil is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has represented the local lodge in the grand lodge of the state for the past two years. His political support is given the Democracy and he is now efficiently serving as township school treasurer and was formerly collector of his township.
BENJAMIN BECKENHEIMER.
Benjamin Beckenheimer, a well known merchant of Pana. was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1846. His father, David Beckenheimer, was a native of Germany.
his birth having occurred in Baden. Cross- ing the Atlantic to America, he followed merchandising and in his business career won a fair degree of prosperity. His son Benjamin entered the business world as a clerk and was also a bookkeeper in a whole- sale house. In this way he gained a start in life and eventually he embarked in busi- ness for himself in Pana, Illinois, in 1876, under the firm name of B. Goldstein & Company, the store being located in the building now occupied by the postoffice. In September, 1876, the firm erected a business block of their own and stocked it with a line of dry goods and general merchandise. Later the firm was re-organized under the name of Beckenheimer, Goldstein & Com- pany and that relation was maintained for about ten years, when Messrs. Kleeman and Goldstein, of Shelbyville, Illinois, became partners. The new relation was continued until February, 1901, when the firm was dissolved and Mr. Beckenheimer became the sole proprietor. In 1892 he purchased of A. B. Corman the store known as the Golden Eagle Clothing House and for sev- eral years he conducted the two establish- ments. He now carries a very large stock of clothing, men's furnishing goods and shoes and is one of the oldest business men in Pana and is the oldest representative of his line of commercial activity. In his deal- ings he is very honorable and straightfor- ward and he has won the confidence of the public to a very great degree.
In 1876 Mr. Beckenheimer was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Goldstein, a na- tive of Baden, Germany, and they became the parents of four children, three of whom are now living: Eva, who is married and resides in Ohio; Mae and Hattie, who are still under the parental roof. Mr. Becken- heimer is a Mason, belonging to Pana
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Lodge, No. 226, A. F. & A. M., and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft, for he has thoroughly informed himself concerning its tenets and is imbued with its teachings concerning brotherly kindness and mutual helpfulness. His po- litical allegiance is given to the Republican party and while he has never been a poli- tician in the sense of office seeking he has never withheld his active aid and co-opera- tion from any movements or measures cal- culating to advance the general good. Well does he deserve to be classed among the self- made men of Pana, for he started out upon his business career without capital. He possesses, however, strong determination, marked executive ability and keen sagacity and with these qualities to aid him in his career he has steadily advanced until he to- day occupies an enviable and honored posi- tion in trade circles and is enjoying a pat- ronage which is indeed gratifying.
A. G. BARNES.
A. G. Barnes, the well known president of the Farmers' National Bank, of Taylor- ville, is to-day the oldest business man of the city and his name is inseparably con- nected with the agricultural and commercial interests of Christian county. His thor- oughly American spirit and his great en- ergy have enabled him to mount from a lowly position to one of affluence. One of his leading characteristics in business affairs is his fine sense of order and complete system and the habit of giving careful attention to details, without which success in any under- taking is never an assured fact.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Barnes was born in the city of Harrisburg, Septem- ber 4. 1835. his parents being Daniel and Margaret A. (Richardson) Barnes. The
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father was also a native of Pennsylvania and was a bookbinder for the state, securing the position by election. Coming to Illinois in 1840, he first located in Springfield. where he spent ten years, and then removed to Taylorville, being engaged in the hard- ware business at this place for some time. Both he and his wife died and were buried here.
During the residence of the family in Springfield, A. G. Barnes attended school and there the greater part of his education was acquired, although he was subsequently a student at Jacksonville for one year. He began his business career as a clerk at De- catur, Illinois, and in 1855 opened a clothing store in Taylorville, although his capital on coming to this place consisted of only one hundred and ten dollars. He carried on business along that line for five or six years and in 1861 turned his attention to the dry goods trade, being alone in business for nine years, at the end of which time the firm be- came Chamberlain & Barnes. After con- ducting that store for thirty-one years, he sold out to Slaten Brothers in 1902 and re- tired from mercantile pursuits. The build- ing now occupied by the firm was erected by Mr. Barnes. In 1900 he organized the Farmers' National Bank, of which he has since served as president, having previous to this time engaged in private banking busi- ness for thirty-one years. He owns a num- ber of business houses in Taylorville and also has a valuable stock farm of one thou- sand acres in this county, where he raises standard bred horses. including fine racers. He has one stallion with a record of 2 :1234 ; another with a record of 2:151/4; a mare with a record of 2:1414 ; and another mare with a record of 2:151/2. He has always taken a great interest in horses and he keeps a number of men to take care of his stock
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