USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 57
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at one end of the room. School was con- (lucted on a subscription plan, each pupil having to pay one dollar and a half per quar- ter. In the same school Nathan Bentz. afterward senator from Virginia, was also a student. On putting aside his text-books Mr. Johnson started out for himself and journeyed by stage across Ohio and In- diana, making his way to Greene county. Illinois, where he became superintendent of a farm of two thousand acres. He arrived in June, 1849, after eight days spent upon the road. The trip at the present time would be accomplished in about that number of hours. In 1858 Wade F. Johnson came to Christian county, where he hired five ox- teams and broke the first half section of land in the old homestead. From Assumption he hauled the lumber across all the sloughs in order to build a home. During the season it rained almost continually and, in fact. was the rainiest period ever known in the history of this state. After placing three hundred acres of his land under cultivation he rented his farm and returned to Greene county. In 1860, however, he made a per- manent location on section 21, Assumption township, taking up his abode at his present home. The first part of the building was erected in 1855, the north part in 1866 and the east section in 1877. Mr. Johnson joined his father and brothers in the formation of the firm before they made the purchase and he has since continued as one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of the county. As- sociated with his younger brother, he is now engaged in the raising of stock, handling about one hundred and thirty-five head of full-blooded stock annually. The corn crop yields from forty to sixty bushels of corn and in 1900 thirty thousand bushels of corn
In the public schools of Guernsey county. Ohio, Wade F. Johnson acquired his early education. The school building was erected of brick and was furnished in the primitive ' were sold from the farm. In 1902 two manner of the times, having a large fireplace thousand bushels of corn from a tract of
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seventy-five acres were sold. Oats average about thirty bushels to the acre. The old homestead farm, comprising six hundred acres, has been placed under cultivation en- tirely by Wade F. Johnson and other men- bers of the family. Every tree upon the place has been planted by them and there are now numerous fine specimens of maple and other forest trees. There is one maple nine and a half feet in circumference, which was planted after the war, and a cottonwood measuring twelve and a half feet in circum- ference was planted in 1860. When Mr. Johnson arrived in this county he found it largely a tract of wild prairie. Deer were still occasionally seen and ducks, geese, cranes, brants and prairie chickens were plentiful. When but a small lad Mr. John- son planted an acre and a half to corn and cared for the crop until it was harvested. He to-day owns ten hundred and eighty acres of rich land almost all in one body and in partnership with his brothers has several thousand acres of land. For five years he was president of the Assumption Fire In- surance Company and at the same time was its treasurer and is now the vice president of the Illinois State Bank at Assumption.
Mr. Johnson has been largely instrit- mental in the building of roads in Assump- tion township. He was the first commis- sioner of the township and was re-elected for three terms. For forty-two years he has served as school trustee and in the early days the Johnson family erected the school upon the home farm west of the house, fur- nishing the money for this purpose and giv- ing an acre of ground. He served for ten consecutive years as highway commissioner, during which time eighty miles of township roads were laid out and opened on the sec- tion lines. He has also been township trus- tee for several years and he cast his first
presidential vote for Fillmore. Most of the furnishings in his house are the handiwork of his father, who was an able mechanic in his day. He cares nothing for the modern improvements or for changes, but finds com- fort in his home, which is substantially built and supplied with furniture of good work- manship. The old fireplace which was built is still in use.
OSCAR H. PADDOCK.
Oscar H. Paddock is one of the honored citizens of Christian county who has passed the seventy-third milestone on life's jour- ney. For many years he has been promi- nently identified with the commercial inter- ests of this section of the state and is still at the head of the O. H. Paddock Lumber Company which has yards at various places. The firm also has a store in Pana, where they do a large business as dealers in hard- ware and house furnishing goods. Mr. Pad- dock's career has ever been such as to com- mand the respect and confidence of his fel- low men and he is always mentioned among the invaluable citizens of Christian county.
A native of Vermont, he was born in Woodstock, Windsor county, June 22, 1830, and is a son of Ormond and Harriet Em- mons (Howland) Paddock. On the ma- ternal side he is descended from John How- land, the last survivor of that little band of Pilgrims who came to this country in the Mayflower in 1620. The Paddocks were of Welsh origin. During the boyhood of our subject he accompanied his parents on their removal to lowa county, Wisconsin, locating near a new place called Peddlans Creek, now Linden. As his father was a farmer by occupation he was reared to agricultural pursuits and received but a limited education in the country schools near his home. He
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was the only son in a family of four chil- dren and he assisted his father in the oper- ation of the farm until seventeen years of age, when he went to Mineral Point. Wis- consin, and attended school for six months.
In the spring of 1847 Mr. Paddock be- gan his business career as a clerk in a store at Mineral Point and subsequently became part owner. After several years had passed this partnership was dissolved and he went to old Fort Hamilton, becoming bookkeeper and buyer for a grain dealer whose mill was at Argyle, about three miles from Fort Ham- ilton. About this time the Illinois Central Railroad was built through Jo Daviess coun- ty, Illinois, and he removed to Warren, where he was engaged in the grain business with W. K. Underhill for two years or more. Mr. Paddock was next in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad as local agent at Nora until the outbreak of the Civil war, and in 1863 came to Pana in the same ca- pacity, holding the position of agent at this place until 1876. At that time he embarked in the hardware and agricultural implement business on Locust street and five years later in partnership with his eldest son embarked in the lumber business under the firm name of O. H. Paddock & Son, but in 1890 when the business was incorporated the name was changed to the O. H. Paddock Lumber Com- pany. The firm has met with most excel- lent success and now own lumber yards at various places and are extensive dealers in hardware and house furnishing goods. the latter business being under the management of Charles O. Paddock, a well known citizen of Pana. Besides their business property they have between five and six hundred acres of farming land in Pike county, Illinois. Our subject is now president of the Pana Building Association, an enterprise which has proven of marked value in the improve-
ment and development of the city. In busi- ness affairs, he is prompt, energetic and no- tably reliable and generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes.
On the 22nd of December, 1852. Mr. Pad- dock was united in marriage to Miss Ann Threadgold, who was a native of Sheffield, England, and on her emigration to the United States became a resident of Wis- consin. By this union thirteen children were born, as follows: Fred O .. now an exten- sive grain dealer of Toledo, Ohio: Harriet E., wife of Charles W. Tomlinson, the di- vision general freight agent for the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad Company at Cincin- nati, Ohio; Frank, who died at the age of twenty-eight years: Mary, a resident of Pana : Porter, who is connected with the law firm of The Paddock. Johnson & Company at Toledo, Ohio: John H., who is in the wholesale grocery business at Toledo, Ohio, as a member of the firm of Paddock, Over- myer & Company: Charles Oscar, who is in the hardware business at Pana: Clara Augusta, wife of Rev. Gerrett Snyder, pas- tor of the Presbyterian church of Pittsburg. Kansas; Joseph W., who is in the lumber business at Pana and is represented on an- other page of this volume; Cornelia A., wife of Freeman Butts, assistant postmaster at Pana : Robert Terry, who is manager of the business of the O. H. Paddock Lumber Com- pany at Nokomis; one daughter who died in infancy ; and Alma R., who died at the age of three years. The mother of these children, who was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and a most estimable lady, died on the 19th of November. 1895, and was laid to rest in Linwood cemetery.
Mr. Paddock's paternal grandfather. Apollos Paddock, was enrolled as one of the minute men at the age of sixteen years
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and served throughout the war for inde- pendence, while his brother Gaines was eighteen years of age when he entered the service. With the blood of Revolutionary heroes flowing in his veins our subject could not remain inactive when the Union was threatened and although he was unable to enter the army, having lost the sight of one eye, he assisted in organizing companies and did all in his power to insure the successful termination of the war. His political sup- port is given the men and measures of the Republican party and he has been promi- nently identified with municipal affairs, serv- ing as councilman, school director and police magistrate. He is.still filling the last named office in a most creditable and satisfactory manner, his decisions being unbiased by either fear or favor. During his long resi- dence in Pana he has championed every movement designed to promote the general welfare, has supported every enterprise for the public good, and has materially aided in the advancement of all social, educational and moral interests. He is now living in practical retirement, having by a useful and well spent life gained a comfortable compe- tence as well as the respect and esteem of all who know him.
CHARLES G. LOVERING.
Charles G. Lovering makes his home on section 32. Assumption township. He is not, however, actively engaged in farming. but practically lives retired. He devoted many years to educational work and his efforts in behalf of the schools have been of marked benefit. He is a native of New Hampshire, his birth having occurred on the 8th of March. 1827. He has, therefore, passed the seventy-fifth mile-stone on life's journey and now he can look back over the
past without regret because his has been an honorable and straightforward career. Hle is a grandson of Theophilus Lovering, who was a Revolutionary soldier, serving throughout the war, his valor and mer- itorious conduct in the field of battle win- ning him official rank. After that war he became a colonel in the state militia, acting in that capacity during the old training days. The parents of our subject were Gilman and Sarah ( Stephens) Lovering, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire, and spent their entire lives in that state. In their fam- ily were six children, all of whom reached years of maturity. The father of our sub- ject was a drum major in the war of 1812.
Charles Lovering obtained his early edu- cation in the village schools and later at- tended the academies at Kingston and at Northfield, New Hampshire, in which insti- tutions he prepared for advanced study. He then matriculated in Dartmouth College. in which he spent two years. His collegiate course, however, was interrupted by a severe attack of brain fever, which forced him to leave school and return to his home. AAfter his recovery Mr. Lovering engaged in teaching school in New Hampshire and in Massachusetts prior to his removal to the west. On coming to Illinois he first estab- lished his home in Greene county and he also continued teaching in Pike and Scott counties. In 1860 he came to Christian county and secured a position as teacher in a district school, while later he was con- nected with the town schools of this county.
In October, 1864, Mr. Lovering offered his aid to his country, enlisting as a mem- ber of Company B. Twentieth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry. He was on detached serv- ice, but took part in the battle of Nashville. Tennessee, and was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 16th of June,
CHARLES G. LOVERING
MRS. C. G. LOVERING
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CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
1865. At the close of the war he returned to Christian county, Illinois, where he en- gaged in general farming and also taught school in Assumption for two winters. He then settled upon the farm where he now resides, but has never been very actively en- gaged in farm work.
On the 30th of September. 1858, in the city of Decatur, Illinois, Mr. Lovering was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Sleeper, a native of New Hampshire, born on the 2Ist of February, 1829. Her parents were James and Susan (Cox) Sleeper, the former a native of the old Granite state and the lat- ter of Vermont. Mrs. Lovering pursued her education in Hampton Academy and was also a school teacher, following that profession before she attained the age of eighteen years. He taught both in the east and in Illinois. Uno Mr. and Mrs. Lover- ing have been born four children: Carrie, now the wife of W. S. Leavitt, of Man- chester, New Hampshire, by whom she has two sons, Charles and Arthur: Ella S., who died in 1903 : George Q., who married Mary Coonrod and died leaving two children, Glenn and Clara ; and Harriet, who has been a successful school teacher of Assumption township. She was educated at the State Normal University and is a graduate of the class of 1899. She then began teaching school and has since followed that profes- sion.
Mr. Lovering has seen great changes in Christian county during his long residence. in this state. When he came to the west wild game of various kinds was plentiful. There were many deer together with ducks. cranes, geese and brants. Prairie wolves were also numerous and there were many indications that this portion of the country was yet a frontier region. The first house in which Mr. Lovering lived was a story and
a half frame structure, but it was destroyed by a cyclone about 1867 at nine o'clock in the evening. Mr. Lovering, his wife and their two children were in bed in the west part of the house. The wind came from the west and carried off the roof of the house, depositing it in the garden. None of the family were hurt, although they were greatly frightened and it was an event in their lives that will never be forgotten. There were many strange and almost incredible inci- dents which happened in connection with that storm. A woman was seen standing about a mile and a half northeast of the Lovering home with a light in her hand. The cyclone also struck her house and much of it was blown away, but left her standing in the position in which she was first seen, the floor remaining. Immediately Mr. Lov- ering rebuilt his house, erecting a one-story home. AAbout 1888 he built his present com- fortable residence which is situated a quar- ter of a mile west of the main road and in the midst of a fertile tract of land of forty acres in section 32, AAssumption township. Here he has resided continuously since the Civil war. He is one of the best informed men of the county. Both he and his wife were popular and successful school teachers and have always kept up their reading, thus being in touch with the progress of the world in its advanced thought, action and invention.
WILLIAM DE WOLF.
One of the most progressive and ener- getic agriculturists of Assumption township is William De Wolf, whose home is on sec- tion 16. He was born in Delaware county, Ohio, July 12, 1845, and is a son of Chain- cy and Elizabeth ( Rhoades ) De Wolf, na- tives of Connecticut and Virginia, respec-
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PAST AND PRESENT
tively. Extended mention is made of the family in the sketch of Joseph De Wolf on another page of this volume. Our subject was educated in the public schools of his native county and was reared on a farm. In 1871 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Christian county, Illinois, and in connection with his father he engaged in farming on rented land for a few years.
Having accumulated some capital Mr. De Wolf purchased his present farm in Assump- tion township in 1876. It then consisted of one hundred and twenty acres of only partially improved land with a small old house upon it. He has drained the land and placed it under excellent cultivation : has set out an orchard ; erected a nice cozy farm residence in 1883; and also built good and substantial outbuildings. He and his wife have worked hard to acquire a competence and as success has attended their well di- rected efforts he has been able to add an- other eighty-acre tract to his farm, so that he now has two hundred acres of rich and arable land, well tiled, fenced and thoroughly improved. Besides this property he also owns one hundred and seventy acres of good land in Texas, which brought him a nice in- come last year. Since 1888 Mr. De Wolf has given considerable attention to stock. purchasing at that time an imported stallion which he kept for several years. He raises Shire horses and a good grade of shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, his place af- fording excellent pasturage for his stock. Hlis corn crop yields on an average forty bushels to the acre but he has raised as high as eighty bushels to the acre from forty acres of land and in 1903 his crop averaged fifty bushels to the acre.
In Shelby county, Illinois, March 31, 1876. Mr. De Wolf wedded Miss Mary C. Cochran, a daughter of Isaac Cochran, who
was from Tennessee. Her mother who bore the maiden name of Nancy Henry, died when Mrs. De Wolf was quite small. The children born to our subject and his wife are as follows: Bertha, a popular school teacher of Stonington township, this coun- ty: Charles, who is married and resides in Chicago, where he is serving as bookkeeper. though he formerly engaged in school teach- ing : Lucy and John C., who have also taught school but are now attending the State Nor- mal at Charleston: Donald J., a student at the same institution ; and William and Stella. who are pursuing their studies in the dis- trict school. The children have been given good educational advantages and the three at normal will graduate with the class of 1904. All were born on the home farm in Assumption township.
The family attend the Christian church, of which Mrs. De Wolf is a member and an active worker and the children also be- long to the church. In politics Mr. De Wolf is a Democrat and is one of the standard bearers of his party in his community. He takes an active interest in public affairs and has served as township trustee seven years and school director about nine years. Pub- lic-spirited and progressive, he never with- holds his support from any object which he believes will promote the welfare of his township or county along any line. For twenty-seven consecutive years he has lived upon his present place and has not only wit- nessed the many changes that have taken place in that time but has aided materially in its advancement and upbuilding.
JOHN SIMPSON.
For thirty-seven years John Simpson has been identified with the agricultural inter- ests of Christian county and now owns and
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CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
operates a nice farm on section 9, Rosamond township. He is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Harrison county, that state. January 13, 1836, and he is a son of Mathew and Susan (Orr) Simpson and a grandson of John and Margaret Simpson. The grandfather, who was a farmer by oc- cupation, had seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom married and reared families of their own. Mathew Simp- son, our subject's father, was one of the pioneers of Harrison county, Ohio, and there he continued to make his home until 1838. when he removed to Pike county, Illinois, that being his home throughout the re- mainder of his life. He followed general farming and died at the age of seventy years. His wife departed this life in 1860. Of the seven children born to them, five reached maturity, these being John, Mar- garet Jane. Mary, Isabel and Thomas, but our subject is now the only survivor. All were married and had families. Thomas was killed by being thrown from a horse.
John Simpson was only two years old when brought by his parents to Illinois and he was reared and educated in Pike county, this state, when that region was largely wild and unimproved. During his boyhood he assisted in the work of the home farm and later learned the carpenter's trade but has made farming his chief occupation. It was in 1866 that he removed from Pike to Chris- tian county and became the owner of his present farm in Rosamond township. He had previously operated rented land. As the years have gone by he has prospered in his work and besides his farm he now owns town property in both Rosemond and Ston- ington.
On the 6th of October, 1859, in Pike county, Mr. Simpson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pence, who was born in
Preble county, Ohio, July 26, 1830, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Julia ( Berousman ) Pence. In early life she removed with her parents to Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, where she made her home until her marriage. After many years of happy married life she passed away on the 26th of October. 1901, at the age of seventy-one years and three months. In 1857 she united with the Methodist Epis- copal church and was a consistent member of that denomination up to the time of her death. She was a loving wife and tender mother and was beloved by all who knew her. A kind and helpful neighbor, she was always ready to help in time of sickness and trou- ble.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pence were born the following children: A. P., the eldest, mar- ried Rose Cochran, who died leaving two sons, George and Thomas, and he subse- quently wedded Mrs. Lydia ( Parkinson) Barrett, by whom he has one daughter, Mil- dred May. The second child of our subject died in infancy. Wilda May, the youngest. is the wife of Reuben Solliday, of Stoning- ton, and they have four children : Deborah, Horace. Reuben and Monroe Dale.
The Republican party finds in Mr. Simp- son a stalwart supporter of its principles and for four years he filled the office of tax col- lector in his township. As a public spirited citizen he gives his support to every meas- ure which he believes will promote the gen- eral welfare and he is regarded as one of the leading men of his community.
LLOYD BROTHERS.
Among the progressive and enterprising business men of Morrisonville should be numbered C. B. and J. F. Lloyd, who con- stitute the firm of Lloyd Brothers, now so successfully engaged in the livery business at that place. Both were born on a farm
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in Morgan county. this state. Their father was James Lloyd, who came to Christian county at an early dav and throughout the remainder of his life was successfully en- gaged in farming about three miles from Morrisonville. He died at the age of sev- enty-one years, honored and respected by all who knew him.
C. B. and J. F. Lloyd spent their early life upon the home farm, which they now own, and for the past four years they have given considerable attention to the buying and selling of horses and cattle, which busi- ness they have found quite remunerative. In April. 1903. they also embarked in the iivery business at Morrisonville, purchasing a barn which they are at present enlarging and which when completed will be the larg- est livery stable in the county. the main building being ninety-four by one hundred teet and the rear addition fifty by sixty feet. They keep about fifteen good horses and all the necessary buggies, carriages, etc .. needed in their business. They also run a feed stable in connection with their livery and have a sale department as they still en- gage in buying and shipping both horses and cattle. They are wide-awake, energetic busi- ness men and are meeting with marked suc- cess in these undertakings.
C. B. Lloyd married Miss Emeline Hill, and to them has been born a daughter, Elsie. Both brothers are members of the Presby- terian church and the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Morrisonville, and have the re- spect and confidence of all with whom they come in contact either in business or social life.
WARREN CORZINE.
Success comes not to the man who idly waits but to the faithful toiler whose works is characterized by intelligence and force
and has the foresight and sagacity to know when, where and how to exert his energies. Thus it happens that only a small portion of those who enter the world's broad field of battle come off victors in the struggle for wealth and position. Some lack persever- ance, others business sagacity and still others are dilatory and negligent. but the record of Mr. Corzine proves that he possesses all the requisite qualities necessary to cope with the complex conditions of the business world. He has been identified with a num- ber of prominent enterprises in Christian county and has so directed his labors that he is now accounted one of the prosperous and respected citizens of the community.
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