USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 26
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After his discharge Andrew Gaddie returned to Menard county and in 1862 he purchased a farm of two hundred acres in township 18, range 5 west. He then turned his attention to the production of the cereals best adapted to soil and elimale and also to the raising of live stock. He purchased his farm of Robert A. Creswell, of MeLean county. September 23. 1861. and as he found opportunity he added to his possessions until he now owns three hun- dred and twenty-six acres of very rich and arable land, which for many years returned to him good harvests and now yields him a gratifying financial income. In 1891. how- ever. he put aside the active work of the fields and retired to private life, removing to Green- view, where he purchased a home, which he has since occupied. He has continuously engaged in shipping stock since 1866 and follows this pursuit to some extent at the present time. In addition to his home farm he has two hun- dred and ninety acres of land two miles north of Greenview and one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the corporate limits of the city on the west, together with five acres of timber land in Irish Grove. He also owns the home that he now oreupies, together with four lots there and across the street he has a nice cottage sit-
uated on two lots. He also has a nice house and lot north of town and when he first took up his abode in the city he formed a partnership with G. G. Spear. now deceased, in the con- duct of a grocery and meat market, but not meeting with the success that he anticipated in this venture he sold out October 1. 1893. He has now retired from all business interests, save that to some extent he yet buys and ships stock.
Mr. Gaddie has been called to several public oflices by his fellow townsmen who recognize his ability and trustworthiness. He was first elected county commissioner in 1876, was re- elected in 1829 and 1882 and again in 1885, serving in all through twelve consecutive years upon the county board. He was also a mem- her of the school board for twenty-one years and was president of the town board of Green- view for one year. He has ever exercised his official prerogatives in support of the measures which ho deemed would prove of greatest hen- ofit to the majority and his interest in the welfare of his county is deep and sincere.
On the 20th of November. 1866, Mr. Gaddie was married to Miss Sarah Koene, a daughter of Thomas and Martha ( Warner) Keene. of Menard county. Unto them have been born right children: John T .. born February 12. 1868, is residing upon the old homestead: Cora Nellie, born November 8. 1869. is the wife of George A. Stevens and resides across the street from her father: Katie Gertrude, born January 27. 1842. is the wife of Frank Montgomery, now living on her father's farm north of Green- view: Charles Il .. born January 25. 1873. re- sides upon the old home place : Mary Emma, born March 11. 1846, is the wife of Seymour Sanders, of Greenview; Jessie Artamise, born January 26, 1818, is the wife of Ernest Tripp, a hardware merchant of Greenview; Mattie Ann, born December 5. 1880, is the wife of Elijah G. Spears, of Greenview : Elsie Marga- ret. horn August 31. 1882. is the wife of Charles Ramsey. and they resido with Mr. Gaddie. Mrs. Gaddie, who was born October 8. 1818. died April 22. 1887, and on the 13th of August. 1889, Mr. Gaddie was again mar- ried, his second union being with Eliza A. Con-
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ant, of Menard county, who was born November 10. 1812, and died September 26. 1901.
Mr. Gaddie attends the Presbyterian church and is a member of Hurst Post, G. A. R. His political allegiance has long been given to the Democracy. He certainly deserves the praise that is accorded the term of the self-made man. for he never inherited a cent nor does he owe a single cent. you he is the possessor of exten- sive and valable property interests, all of which have been acquired through his unfalter- mg enterprise, capable management and judi- con- investiment.
KIRBY S. JOHNSON.
Kirby S. Johnson, who for twenty-two years has been a resident of Menard county. where he has been very successful in the conduct of general farming and stock-raising interests, now makes his home in township 19. range 5 west. near Middletown, Ilinois. He was born in Fleming county. Kentucky, on the 23d of October, 1860, and is a son of John S. and Luellen ( Bradley) Johnson, who were also natives of Kentucky, the father born November 12, 1812. and the mother on the 25th of De- cember, 1818. John S. Johnson spent his boy- hood days with his parents on the old family homestead in Kentucky and after his father's death he began the operation of the old home. comprising three hundred acres of rich land. which he placed under a high state of culti- vation. lle was also extensively engaged in the raising of mules and hogs and found that a profitable source of income. His corn erops were among the largest produced in this section of the state. Ile bought mules and hogs for the markets of West Virginia and North and South Carolina, and drove his stock to those states, there being no railroads at that time to furnish shipping facilities. He made two The home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson has been blessed with five children, all sons: Harry D .. born July 17, 1886; Thomas K., horn Au- gust 4, 1889: Hugh F .. horn November 8. 1892: Vincent K .. born May 29, 1896: and George T ... born March 26. 1900. trips each year, walking the entire distance. At the time of the Civil war he became a mom- ber of the southern army and remained in the service until the close of hostilities. In 1841 he married Luellen Bradley and they became the parents of five children. four sons and a After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Johnson daughter. but two died in childhood. The removed to Jackson county, Missouri. where three now living are: Elizabeth. the wife of he carried on farming for a year. and they
James Shrout, a resident of Missouri: George T., who married Miss Josie Jackson and is now living in Kentucky; and Kirby S. The father long figured prominently in business life and publie circles in his part of Ken- tueky, and there he died on the Ist of April. 1901. respected by all who knew him. His wife had passed away July 1, 1894.
Kirby S. Johnson remained with his parents during the period of his youth and obtained his education in the public schools of Kentucky. In 1882. however. he bade adieu to parents and friend- and started out in life on his own ac- count, coming to Menard county. Illinois, where he secured employment with Thomas Kincaid as a farm hand, being thus engaged for eighteen months. Hlo then married the daughter of his employer. Miss Harriet Kin- caid. the marriage taking place on the 14th of January. 1885. Her father was born in Bath county. Kentucky, October 15. 1822, and mar- ried Miss Lucinda Patterson, whose birth of- enrred in Hardin county, Ohio. They became representative and prominent farming people of Menard county, where they spent their re- maining days. Mrs. Kincaid died April 14. 1822. and Mr. Kincaid's death occurred Feb- ruary 2. 1900. They were the parents of seven children. three sons and four daughters. but the first two died in infancy. The five now living are Lee, a resident of Athens, who was born February 2, 185%, and married Miss Susan B. Culver: Mrs. Johnson, born Decom- ber 31. 1861 : Lonie .J., who was born August 16, 1864. and is the wife of Harry R. Jones. who resides near Athens: Lncy B .. who was born October 30. 1867. and is the wife of U. J. ITale, of Jacksonville. Ilinois: and Annie S., who was born May 9. 1871. and is the wife of Isaac Jones, who resides near Ellston. lowa.
سيد
MR. AND MRS. K. S. JOHNSON.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
then returned to Menard county, where. in 1886, he began the operation of one hundred and twenty-six acres of land. He afterward purchased this property and he now has two hundred and sixty acres, on which he carries on general farming with good success. He has also been well known in connection with stock- raising. At one time he was extensively en- gaged for ten years in the raising of fine horses for driving and for the track, and he had a track upon his farm for training. He devel- oped some good racing stock and raised and sold many good roadsters. On the 8th of June. 1899. he held a publie sale and disposed of all the fine bred horses which he had at that time. lle had during that period several fine stal- lions, which he kept for breeding purposes. In more recent years he has given his attention to draft horses, and at the present writing, in the fall of 1901, he has upon his farm twenty head of horses, ninety head of cattle, two hundred hogs and fifty sheep. He is regarded as one of the leading stockraisers of this part of the country, and has handled many fine animals.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His political allegiance is given the Democracy and he has served for three years as county commissioner, but is not an aspirant for office and has declined to become a candidate for other official positions. He has been school director, however. for twelve years and the cause of education finds in him a warm and helpful friend. He and his wife attend the Presbyterian church. In his busi- noss career he has steadily worked his way up- ward, overcoming all difficulties and obstacles in his path and he now occupies an enviable position among men of affluence in Menard county.
JEFF JOHNSON.
Jeff Johnson is one of the best known citi- zens of Menard county. few having longer re- sided in this part of the state. He is, indeed. an honored and respected pioncer settler and he receives the veneration and esteem which should ever be accorded those of advanced years whose lives have been worthily passed. He resides in
Athens precinct and the old homestead farm was also his birthplace. He was born October 3. 1828. his parents being William and Cynthia ( Williams) Johnson, both of whom were na- ties of Bath county, Kentucky. The father was born January 8. 1801, and was reared in the county of his nativity. After arriving at years of maturity he married Miss Cynthia Wil- liams and immediately afterward they started for Illinois, arriving in this state in the fall of 1823. They were among the first permanent settlers of Menard county. Mr. Johnson se- cured a claim. entering the land from the gos- ermment, and built a cabin, which was at the head of Indian creek, his farm being inchided within the borders of our subject's property. He continued to reside here until his death. which occurred about 1813. He was noted for his honor in all business transactions and in every relation of life, and he was a man of quiet and refined habits, unassuming in dis- position and yet whose genuine worth caused him to enjoy the regard and confidence of all with whom he was associated. He never sought publie office, in fact. always refused all offers made him for political preferment. llo en- joyed more the even tenor of farm life and do- mestie quiet and happiness. He reared a fam- ily of seven children, of whom only two are now living: Jeff and John, residents of Menard county. Those deceased were: Mrs. Hannah Bracken : Melinda, wife of Edward 1. Sweeney: Joseph : and Elijah, who was killed by the Indians in California in 1853.
Jeff Johnson, whose name introduces this record. pursued his education in an old log school house in Menard county, with a punch- con floor, slab benches and an immense fire- place and other primitive furnishings, Little was taught beyond reading, writing and arith- metic. but experience and observation have added greatly to his knowledge and he has kept in touch with the progress of the world through reading. After leaving school he began farm- ing on the old home place and throughout the greater part of his life he has carried on agri- cultural pur-nits and stock-raising. He was a breeder and buyer of hogs and cattle and made a specialty of raising what was known as short- horn Christmas catile. As there were no ship-
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ping facilities in Menard county at that time he drove his cattle to St. Louis to market. At the time of the Civil war he traded extensively in mules and horses and making judicious pur- clases he was also able to make profitable sales. llis business has been carried on successfully and what he has acquired has come to him as the direct result of his enterprise, careful labor and management and his keen business fore- sight. He now owns four hundred and fifty- five acres of land in this county and a section in Kansas.
On the 30th of December. 1858. Mr. John- son was united in marriage to Miss Mary Riley, who was born in Piqua. Miami county, Ohio. September 21. 1836. tler parents were Nathan Pratt and Bethany ( Jackson) Riley. the former a native of Middletown. Connecti- ent. and the latter of Findlay. Ohio. When she was eight years old the family came west and settled in Logan county, Illinois, but two years later removed to Beloit. Wisconsin. where they spent eight years. At the end of that time they returned to Ohio, where Mrs. Riley died. Sub- sequently the father again came to Ilinois and died at the home of our subject in 1898, at the age of eighty-eight years. In his family were ten children. of whom four are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one daughter, Anna, whose birth occurred on the old home- stead in 1867 and who is now the wife of E. G. King. a prominent attorney of Lincoln. Illi- nois. They have three children. Mrs. John- son is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. JJohnson has been many times solicited to become a candidate for office but has steadily refused. preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs and his leisure time to the enjoyment of the pleasures of home. He has always given a stanch support to the Repub- lican party, however, since its organization. ITe has contributed his full share to the ma- terial progress and upbuilding of the county and he takes a just pride in what has been ae- complished. His memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past with its pioneer conditions and environments and the progressive present with its modern civilization and splendid improvements. He can relate from mo- mory many incidents concerning the early
days and of later development and is consid- ered authority on all subjects relating to the pioneer history of Menard county, where for seventy-six years he has made his home, residing continuously upon one farm.
FRANK E. BLANE.
Frank E. Blane, a son of Captain S. H. Blane, was born near Greenview. this county. October 16. 1866. He obtained his elementary education in the public school of Menard connty and was graduated from the high school of Petersburg in 1884. He attended Eureka College at Eureka, Illinois, two years and sub- sequently matriculated in Knox College, at Galesburg. Illinois, where he graduated with the class of 1888. At Knox College he was a member of Delta Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He entered upon the study of law with his father as preceptor and on the 16th day of January. 1891. was licensed to practice law. He at once became a partner of his father under the firm name of Blane & Blane. This connection continued until the junior partner was elected county judge in the fall of 1898. the served on the bench until June. 1902. when. owing to his father's ill health. he resigned his official position to again breome his father's partner in the law business. this relationship continuing until the death of Captain Blane.
Frank E. Blane was twice elected city attor- ney of Petersburg. in 1891 and 1893. He is a member of the Christian church at Peters- burg and an active Mason, being a member of Clinton lodge, No. 19. A. F. & A. M .: Dewitt chapter. No. 119, R. A. M .: St. Aldemar com- mandery. No. 41. K. T. : and Mohammed Tem- ple of the Mystic Shrine.
ALMON G. HERD.
For many years actively engaged in farm- ing in Menard county and at an early day identified with the educational development of his district. Ahnon G. Hurd is now living a re- tired life, enjoying the fruits of his former
track & Beaul
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toil. He was born in Sunapee. Sullivan county, He had secured one hundred and sixty-right New Hampshire, on the 13th of March. 1838, acres before his arrival here, locating this with a land warrant given his brother John .A., who served as a soldier. Mr. Hurd continued to re- side in Menard county for many years and was respected as a worthy pioneer and upright citi- zen. His birth had occurred in 1800 and he was therefore eighty-six years of age at the time of his death in 1586. His wife passed away in 1891 and her remains were interred by his side in Oakridge cemetery. Both were con- sistent and faithful members of the Christian church and Mr. Hurd had given stalwart polit- ical support to the Democracy. his parents being Hiram and Esther ( Patten) Hurd. The Hurd family is of English lineage and was established in Massachusetts in early colonial days by Peter Hurd, the great-great- grand father of our subject, who settled in New Hampshire near the present site of Concord. There he carried on agricultural pursuits. He was accompanied on the voyage by two brothers, one of whom established his home in Connecti- eut. while the other went south to Virginia. Peter Hurd became the owner of land in the Old Granite state and there he resided until called to his final rest. He was also accom- panied to America by the great-grandfather of our subject, who likewise made his home in New Hampshire and there reared his family. The grandfather was a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war and participated in many of the battles that occurred in the eastern section of the country. Hiram Hurd. born and reared in New Hampshire, also carried on agricultural pursuits. He wedded Miss Esther Patten, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. Her father was also one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, serving as a private, and he likewise represented one of the oldest American families. Hiram Hurd was one of a family of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are now deceased. He had a brother, John A. Hurd, who came to Illinois in 1838 and settled in Beardstown, where he owned land and reared a family of one son and two daughters. The son died while serving his country in the Civil war. One of the daughters. Mrs. Celania C. Dickerson. now resides in Jacksonville, Florida.
Hiram Hurd remained in New Hampshire until after his marriage and the birth of several children. He came to Ilinois in 1851, bring- ing with him one son and one daughter. having lost five children during their residence in the Old Granite state, all of whom died in early life save Irvin, who was nineteen years of age at the time of his demise. Mr. Hurd settled upon the farm where his son Almon G. now reside- and he became one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of this county, adding to his landed possessions from time to time in- til he had acquired about eight hundred acres.
Almon G. Hard began his education in the schools of New Hampshire and continued his studies an Indian Point, Illinois. He left school, however, at the age of sixteen years and afterward devoted his entire attention to farm labor. He had assisted in the cultivation and improvement of the old homestead in the state of his nativity and after coming to the west he aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm. He began agricultural pursuits on his own account on the farm where he vot resides. and as a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Mary .. Miles, a daugh- ter of James Miles. She was educated in the common schools and in 1862 she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Hard. They became the parents of two children: Harvey A., who was born July 11. 1869, was educated in Peter -- burg and became a traveling salesman for the firm of Thomas & Clarke, cracker mannfactur- ers of Peoria, Illinois. He rose very rapidly in business, but in the midst of a very successful career he was taken ill and died on the 21st of August, 1901. at the age of thirty-two years. his remains being interred in Oakridge come- ters. lona O .. who was born February 13. 1821. is the wife of Hardy Peterson and they reside with her father. They had one can. Myron Dale, who was born November 1. 1902. In early manhood Mr. Hurd engaged in teaching school at Little Grove and Bruch Col- loge. also at Tice and at Little Brick, but the greater part of his time and attention have been devoted to agricultural pursuits upon the old homestead, on which he has now lived con- timmously since 151. He has promoted mod-
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ern improvements here, carrying forward the work of progress until he has a splendidly de- veloped farm property, and in his business deal- ings he is always just. fair and accurate. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party. He belongs to the Odd Fellows soej- ety and his wife is identified with the Rebekah degree. while both are members of the Christian church and take a helpful interest in the various church activities. A half century has passed since Mr. Hurd arrived in this county and its remarkable changes are familiar to him. for he has witnessed its development from pioneer conditions to a state of advanced civilization and improvement.
WILLIAM GOFF.
William Goff, who is now living retired. was once engaged extensively in stock-dealing in Menard county and he is now residing in town- ship 18 upon a time farm of two hundred and eighty-five acres, his attractive home be- ing surrounded by beautiful shade and fruit trees of his own planting. He has traveled far on life's journey and in the evening of life ho receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one of advanced years. whose career has been actuated by upright prin- ciples and honorable conduct. He was born in Green county. Kentucky. August 19. 1822. the second son of William and Amy ( Trent) Golf. His parents were also natives of Kentucky. and in 1825 they came northward to Menard coun- ty. Illinois, remaining for a short time in Clary's Grove, after which they removed to a farm five miles southeast of the present sito of Petersburg. Not long afterward the father died and the mother, who was a splendid type of the noble pioneer women, not only cared for her fatherless children but also succeeded in retaining possession of the claim, improving it and laying by some money. In the family were seven children.
William Goff spent his youth and carly man- hood amid conditions which are always found in a frontier district. His educational privi- leges were extremely meager and he earned hi- first money when twelve years of age by
riding horses, tramping out wheat. The sum thus gained he invested in a pig. thus enter- ing upon his first business transactions. lle sold this at a profit and as he found oppor- tunity from time to time he purchased other stock until he had quite a herd of young cattle. lle was a successful trader and he continued to thus engage in stock-dealing until about thirty years of age, when. thinking it time that he own property. he entered forty acres of land from the government in Mason county. Illi- nois. On the expiration of two years he sold the tract there and purchased eighty acres in Sugar Grove precinct of Menard county, trad- ing a horse in part payment for this land and giving also sixty-five dollars in cash. He then eut logs, which he hauled to a little sawmill and had them converted into lumber. with which to build his first house. This pioncer structure, which is fourteen by sixteen feet. is still standing and is one of the landmarks of the neighborhood. When he moved into the little home he had but fifty cents in money and an ox team. Ile had incurred indebtedness in order to complete the house, but he possessed a resolute spirit and strong determination and his unfaltering courage and willingness to work have been the means that have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and work his way steadily upward to success. He had been installed in his new home for only a brief period when he broke forty acres of prairie land for Mr. Brastield at two dollars per acre and with this amount he paid for the building of his house.
On the 24th of October. 1814, Mr. Goff was united in marriage to Miss Mary D. Westfall. who was born in Pennsylvania. October 10. 1821. Her parents removed to Des Moines county. lowa, in 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Goff re- sided upon a farm in Sugar Grove precinct and as opportunity offered he purchased more land until he had one hundred and sixty aeres This he mortgaged for one thousand dollar and used the money to buy stock. He often had as high as seventy-five head of fat cattle at one time. These he purchased for about twenty-six dollars per head and sold them for one hundred and six dollars per head, thus realizing a good profit on his investment. He
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