USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 27
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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM GOFF.
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WILLIAM GOFF AND FAMILY.
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als sold mules enough at one time to buy fifty head of cattle. On another occasion he bought ten old sows for ten dollars each and after let- ting them run in a lot for six weeks he fat- tened them and sokt them for twenty-five dol- lars each. He continued to feed cattle and hogs for ten years and has had some very fine stock, his best cattle weighing as high as sixteen and seventeen hundred pounds. He has always made money in the stock business, for being an excellent judge of stock he was enabled to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. In 1860 he bought tifty head of cattle for fourteen dollars per head and after feeding them sold them for forty-five dollars per head. receiving payment in gold at a time when that currency was at a premium. These he bought in Knox county and drove them to Menard county. On another occasion ho purchased a herd of cattle for which he paid fifty dollars per head and after feeding them he received one hundred and twenty-five dollars per head. He also bought a joke of oxen for sixty dol- lars, which he afterward sold for two hundred dollars. Mr. Goff became very widely known as a very extensive and prosperous stock-raiser and dealer, and his business was carried on along progressive and profitable lines for a number of years, or until 1889, when he sold his stock to his son Fred and since that time he has practically been living a retired life, ho and his wife occupying their fine home in Sugar Grove precinct. which is surrounded by shade and fruit trees of his own planting. He here has two hundred and eighty-five acres of rich and valuable land. which is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Goff were born ten chil- dren, and the group picture here represented shows four generations of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Goff being the great-grandparents.
While business cares have largely ocenpied his time and attention Mr. Goff has also found opportunity to devote to public interests. He served as road commissioner for one year and was school director for fifteen or twenty years. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, believing firmly in the principles of Democracy. and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church and have long taken an active and help-
ful part in its work, contributing to its sup- port and doing all in their power to promote its progress. One of the venerable citizens of Menard county, Mr. Goff is honored as a pa- triarch of this community and it is with pleas- ure that we present to our readers the record of his career.
JOHN W. DONALDSON.
Among the younger and yet enterprising and successful farmers of Menard county John W. Donaldson is numbered. He was born August 9, 1876, and is a son of Walker Richard and Rebecca (Sowers) Donaldson. His father was born in Bath county, Kentucky, July 16. 1821. and was a son of Alexander and Sarah ( Power) Donaldson. who came to Menard county in 1850. settling on a farm on Salt creek. Their family numbered twelve children. W. Richard Donaldson. after arriving at man's estate, had come to Menard county six months before the arrival of his parents. In 1852 he made an overland trip to California with a largo flock of sheep, starting in the month of February and arriving in the Sacramento valley in Oc- tober of that year. For four years he remained on the Pacific coast employed in various ways and upon his return to Ilinois he engaged in the live-stock business, becoming an extensive dealer. widely known in this connection in Illinois and Missouri. About 1867, however. he concentrated his energies upon the develop- ment and improvement of his land and upon his farm he spent his remaining days. During and after the war. however, he made many trips into Missouri, which at that time was in a very unsettled condition and he bought and brought to this state many droves of cattle. which he sold to farmers. His life was often endangered by bushwhackers, but he possessed great courage and persevered in his business career. Ho ultimately became the owner of land in both Missouri and Ilinois. He had manifested his loyalty to the government at the time of the Mexican war by enlisting as a sol- dier of Company G. Third Kentucky Vohin- tver Infantry. serving under General Scott and participating in all of the engagements
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from the coast to the ancient city of the Monte- zumas. lle died in his sixty-eighth year after about a year's illness and was survived by his wife and four sons, who resided on the home- stead farm containing five hundred acres of valuable land. A local paper in speaking of Mr. Donaldson, said: "Ile was the soul of honor. His word was as good as his bond. and while he would rosent an injury or defend a friend with a vengeance that was terrible to opponents. there was no better-hearted. whole- -ouled citizen than · Dick' Donaldson. Politi- cally he was of the General Jackson type. He sought no office, int no Democrat in this county has been a candidate for or elected to an office until his recent illness that does not owe him a debt of gratitude. In all political contests the warmer the battle, there. in the thickest of the light. Diek Donaldson was sure to be, as can be attested by many citizens of the pres- ent day. There are few who have not their faults. He may have had his. but they were so overshadowed by generous and more noble traits of character that they were made insig- nificant. All who knew him can truthfully say that Walker R. Donaldson was an honorable citizen, a good neighbor, a true friend, and a kind husband and father."
John W. Donaldson was reared under the pa- rental roof upon the old homestead farm, which is still his place of residence. He attended the public schools and was instructed in lessons of industry and economy on the old homestead. He early learned the best methods of produc- ing good crops and caring for the stock and throughout his business career has engaged in general farming and stock-raising. lle both huys and feeds stock for the market and in June, 1901, he shipped three carloads of cattle and two carloads of hogs to the Chicago mar- kot.
On the 26th of October, 1898, Mr. Donald- son was married to Ruth Armeling. a daughter of John Il. and Caroline M. (Pugh) Armeling. the former born in Badbergen, Hanover. Ger- many. March 2. 1811. and the latter in Nan- ticoke. Luzerne county. Pennsylvania, March 18. 1811. In his early childhood days the father was brought to America and his first lessons in walking were received on the deck of
the ship on which the voyage was made. With his parents he came to Mason county. Illinois, where he has made his home up to the pres- ent time. following the occupation of farming throughout the period of his manhood. He has been prominent and influential in com- munity affairs, has served as a member of the school board. gives his political support to the Democracy and religiously is identified with the Methodist church. In his family are eight children, five of whom have been school teachers, including Mr -. Donaldson. She holds membership in the Methodist church and in his political views Mr. Donaldson is a Demo- erat. He has worked earnestly and persistently since attaining adult age and is a worthy rep- Presentative of one of the honored pioneer fam- ilies of the county and is also classed with the successful agriculturists.
JOHN K. KINCAID.
John Kennedy Kincaid, one of the most in- luential factors in the moral development of Menard county, and one whose business record was alike creditable and worthy of emulation. resided for a half century in this part of the state and was respected and honored wherever known. A native of Kentucky, he was born in Bath county. June 30, 1808. and was the oldest in the family of eleven children born into An- drew and Anna P. (Caldwell) Kincaid. llis grandfather. Archibald R. Kincaid, was a na- tive of Ireland and in early life came to the new world. locating in Virginia, where he re- sided until 1280. He then removed with his family to Bath county, Kentucky. His son. Andrew Kincaid, was at that time four years of age. The latter remained upon his father's farm until 1802. when he was united in mar- ringe to Miss Anna P. Caldwell and established a home of his own. In 1834 he removed to Illi- nois, locating in township 18. Menard county, on land purchased from Ellis Branson. After a long. useful and honorable carcer he died in 1812 at the age of eighty-seven years.
John Kennedy Kincaid spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the state of his nativity. pursued his education there and came lo Illi-
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nous two years previous to the removal of the other members of the family, arriving in this state in 1832. He made his way up the Illi- nois river to Beardstown and walked from there 10 Springfield. Soon afterward he removed to Menard county and devoted his time and ener- gies to varions pursuits, following carpentering, farming and school-teaching up to the time of his marriage. He afterward gave his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits and placed his land under a very high state of cultivation. Viewed from a financial standpoint. he was en- timely a self-made man. for when he arrived in Illinois he had a capital of only fifty dollars. Is the years advanced and his financial re- sources increased he invested in land and be- came the owner of a valuable farming prop- erty. in the development and cultivation of which he acquired prosperity. He labored per- sistently, his efforts directed by sound judg- ment and strong purpose, and he became ree- ognized as one of the most successful, promi- ment and influential citizens of Menard county.
In March, 1836, Mr. Kincaid was united in marriage to Mis- Vienna Williams, a daughter of James Williams, and for more than a half century they traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows. its adversity and prosperity. They became the parents of fourteen children, but only live are now living. Mr. Kincaid was most devoted to his family and his pleasure was not in the ac- cumulation of wealth, but in bestowing upon his wife and children the comforts that money could secure. He was also most generous in his support of the church and kindred move- ments. and the poor and needy found in him a warm and liberal friend. He was sixteen years of age when his parents united with the Proshy- terian church and at the same time brought all of their children under the holy ordinance of baptism. The impressive ceremony was never forgotten by John K. Kincaid and it was not. long before he made public profession of his faith in religion, remaining to the close of his life a most earnest Christian, whose faith was proven by his works. Almost immediately after uniting with the church he and a young cum- panion organized a Sunday-school, which met in his father's home, and later they did a most
meritorion- work lo forming a Sunday-school for the colored people. He was always deeply interested in the colored race and did much for the improvement of those who lived in his community. He rejoiced in the honor of he - ing personally acquainted with the great emancipator, Abraham Lincoln, and his work in behalf of the black race was attended with good results. He was a frequent and generous contributor in the work of the board of freed- men. On coming to Ilinois he joined the North Sangamon Presbyterian church, just two years after its organization, and on the 5th of June. 1832. he was chosen ruling older, which office he filled with marked fidelity and great ability for almost fifty years. He was active in the various departments of church work. was the teacher of the Bible class in the Sunday- school for almost half a century and labored not only for his local church, but also supported the various branches of church work. being a lib- oral contributor to home and foreign missions. The cause of education received his hearty en dorsement and he did much for the local schools. He was one of the principal founder- of the North Sangamon Academy, which for many years afforded the best preparatory propa- ration for college in the county. Reform, progress and improvement might be termed the keynote of his character. He departed this life February 16. isst. and his wife, who was born May 1. 1817. passed away March 29. 1855. Theirs was a most congenial married relation and they were not long separated in death. Some one who knew Mr. Kincaid long and well said: "In him the union of business and Christian life was most beautifully portrayed and lived. Ho improved his opportunities for material advancement. Det was never neglectful of his duties to his fellow men or his Creator. and he left behind him an example which is an inspiration lo all who knew him."
G. W. SPEARS. D. D. S.
Dr. G. W. Spears, engaged in the practice of dentistry in Petersburg, was born in Tallula. Menard county. Mas 1. Ist9, a son of G C. and Ebzabeth Spears, the former born m Kon-
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tueky on the 18th of April, 1822, while the lat- ter's birth occurred in Menard county. In their family were mine children, of whom G. W. Spears is the seventh in order of birth.
Reared under the parental roof, Dr. Spears devoted the greater part of his boyhood to the acquirement of a good education in the public schools of his native town, and when he had mastered the more specifically literary branches of knowledge he entered upon the mastery of the principles of dentistry, matrienlating in the Chicago Dental College, where he completed the regular course and was graduated on the 1st of May. 1902. Immediately afterward he came to Petersburg. He did not have long to wait for patients and his business has grown continually. so that he now has a large and gratifying practice. He is familiar with the latest methods known to the science, has his office equipped with the latest improved dental appliances. and his skill in performing the mechanical work connected with the profession has secured him a very desirable patronage, which indicates that he has found favor with the public.
On the 1st of January, 1902. Dr. Spears was united in marriage to Miss Florence Wood, of Petersburg, a daughter of H. A. Wood, one of the old settlers and prominent residents of Menard county. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Christian church, have many friends and occupy an enviable position in social circles here. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge. and in the line of his profession he is a member of the Alumni Association of the Chicago Dental College and also belongs to the Illinois State Dental Soci- ety. He is a Republican in politics, but cares nothing for public office.
OTTO F. LENZ.
Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Petersburg than Otto Ferdinand Lenz. who has been an important factor in business circles here, being connected with a number of industrial and commercial enterprises which have direct and important bearing upon the commercial activ-
ity and consequent progress and prosperity of his city. In his life work he displays many of the sterling characteristics of the German people from whom he came. He was born in Arnswalde, in the province of Brandenburg, Germany, on the 4th of January, 1862. His paternal grandfather. William Lenz, was also a native of that locality and was a carpenter and builder. There he reared his family, in- cluding William Lenz, Jr., the father of our subject. He, too, became connected with build- ing operations and was thus engaged through- out the entire period of his business career. Ile married Henrietta Martin. also a native of the province of Brandenburg.
Otto F. Lenz is indebted to the public school system of Germany for the educational privi- leges he enjoyed and remained under the pa- rental roof until eighteen years of age, when he resolved to try his fortune in the new world. Accordingly, in 1880, he came to the United States, making his way direct to Petersburg. Illinois. where he has since made his home. and in his business carcer he has steadily pro- gressed. making his energy and enterprise a commercial possibility, manifest in the suc- cessful control of various enterprises. For four years he was engaged in coal mining and in 1885 he began learning the bottling business. with which he has since been connected. In the spring of 1886 he established a plant of his own. developing the business now known as the Petersburg Bottling Works. Here he manufactures and bottles pure and high grade carbonated beverages. using none hut distilled water, and the superior quality of the product brings a ready sale on the market. Mr. Lenz is also the proprietor of the Edmunds Mineral and Sulpho Hygeia Springs, the waters of which are famous on account of their medicinal qualities as shown under careful chemical anal- ysis. These springs are located across the river from Petersburg. The bottling business is now very extensive. his plant being fitted up with the latest improved machinery and facilities in that line, and his trade is constantly growing. Mr. Lenz has not limited his efforts. however, to this line of commercial activity, but has been the promoter of other business interests and is now the vice president of the Petersburg Coal
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AttitLing
AGO FILL
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Mining Company and a director in the Virginia Canning Company, of Petersburg. He forms his plans readily. is determined in their exe- cution and his keen foresight makes his judg- ment of valne in trade transactions.
On the 26th of April. 1889. Mr. Lenz was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Speulda, of Springfield, Illinois, a daughter of William Speulda, who was for a number of years suc- cessfully engaged in the jewelry business in the capital city, where he died during the carly girlhood of his daughter Minnie. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lenz have been born five children. two sons and three daughters: Carl, Hattie, Bertha. Paul and Marie.
For ahnost a quarter of a century a resi- dent of Menard county, Mr. Lenz has figured in public affairs. He is public-spirited and in connection with the eity government has pro- moted publie measures of lasting benefit. He has never had occasion to regret his determina- tion to become an American citizen for in this country, where the road of opportunity is open to all, he has not only developed a profitable business but has also gained many warm and valued friendships.
JOHN E. WILITE.
John E. White. now living in Athens pre- cinct, opened his eyes to the light of day on the old homestead farm in a log cabin, his birth occurring October 15. 1851. Although the farm was then largely unimproved it is now a well developed tract of land, the fields being rich and arable and returning to the owner a golden tribute for the care and labor he be- stows upon them.
The parents of Mr. White were R. F. and Rachel E. (Roach) White. the former born February 21. 1819, in Laclede county, near St. Louis, Missouri. With his father. Robert White, he came from his native state to Illi- nois about 1823, the family home being estab- lished at Kickapoo, near Lincoln, where Robert White secured a tract of wild land and carried on farming for a short time. He afterward re- moved to within a quarter of a mile of the home farm of John E. White and there he
carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising until his death, being one of the carly prominent settlers of this section of the state. As a pioneer he took helpful part in laying the foundation for present progress and prosperity, assisting materially in reclaiming the wild land for the purposes of civilization. R. F. White was reared on the old family home- stead and assisted in the farm work, so that he gained practical knowledge of the labor inci- dent to the improvement of the fields. lle was also active in many public affairs, con- tributing to general progress, being one of the first trustees of the Indian Point school, his associate being Mr. Canby, a well known and highly honored old settler of Menard county. As a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney R. F. White married Miss Rachel E. Roach, who was born near Nashville, Tennessee, on the 28th of February, 1824. They traveled life's journey together for many years, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows. adversity and prosperity and upon the old homestead farm now occupied by their son John E. they reared their family. The death of R. F. White oc- curred December 2. 1893, when he was seventy- five years of age. and his wife passed away on the 19th of February, 1891. at the age of sev- enty years. The county thus lost two of its well known pioncer residents, people whose worth was widely acknowledged.
John E. White pursued his education in the Indian Point school and then and now known as the North Sangamon Academy. Later he at- tended Lincoln University and when he had acquired a good education he put aside his text- books and returned to the home farm, where he has continuously carried on agricultural pur- suits with the exception of one year. when he farmed near Irish Grove. He has been very practical as well as progressive in his methods. "The field devoted one year to a certain kind of crop has the next year been used for the raising of a different coreal and thus the land has been kept in rich condition. The latest improved machinery has been used in carrying on the work of the farm and all modern equipments and accessories are found upon the White home- stead.
Mr. White married Miss Emma Jane Derry.
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a daughter of James Madison and Martha ( Pol- lock) Derry, both of whom are now residents of Petersburg. This marriage has been blessed with three children: Letta E., who was born February 20, 1886, and died August 25, 1888: Edith E .. who was born July 8, 1889; and Rob- ort F. born November 1. 1897. The two younger children are yet at home.
Mr. White is a trustee of the Lebanon come- tery and is an older of the Lebanon Cumberland Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Athens and he gives his political support to the Democratic party. as have his ancestors. He has nover sought or desired office. leading a quiet life in this re- speet, but in business he has always been found energetic and diligent, laboring earnestly to secure a comfortable competence that will en- able him to provide his family with all of the necessities and many of the luxuries of life.
HENRY S. HOUGHTON.
Henry S. Houghton is capably conducting important business interests and also carrying on agricultural pursuits in township 19, range : west. Ile is a native son of Menard county. born on the 15th of September, 1861. his pa- rent> being S. M. and Cherry ( Lemar ) Hough- ton, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father, who was born December 1. 1810. was brought to Illinois in his carly boyhood days and worked at farming in his youth, as- sisting in the arduous task of developing new land. His boyhood was largely a period of earnest toil. He helped to support the family and later. when he found opportunity, he bought land at Little Grove and afterward pur- chased the tract of land upon which his son. Henry S. now resides. This be improved. transforming it into a cultivable tract, which vielded to him good harvests. Ile owned three hundred and ninety-six acres at the time of his demi-e, having almost the entire amount under cultivation. He raised and fed many cattle and hogs for the market. He led a very busy and useful life, while in all his business trans- actions his dealings were characterized by the
strictest integrity. He was the owner of the first >pring wagon in Menard county and ever manifested a progressive spirit, which prompted hàn to use the latest improved machinery and to adopt new ideas that would prove of prac- tical benefit. His death occurred on the 15th of January. 1889, while his wife, who was born on the 18th of February, 1818. survived him for more than fifteen years, passing away March 30. 1904. They were married in Sanga- mon county. Illinois, and they became the pa- rents of ten children : John and Harriet, who died in infancy : Eliza and Catherine, also do- ceased : Anna, who died at the age of eight years : Emma, the wife of John Waring: Wal- ter. who is married and resides in Bradley. Illinois : Mary Ellen, who is married and makes her home in Missouri: Henry S : and Elvira. who is the wife of B. H. Hutcherson and re- sides in Petersburg.
At the usual age Henry S. Houghton ch- tered the public schools and when not engaged with the duties of the school room he performed such labor upon the home farm as his age and strength would permil. He continued to reside on the old homestead until his marriage, when he began working for himself and later he took charge of the old home property. being at that time' about twenty-five years of age. He has since carried on general farming and stock- raising and annually feeds and ships to the market about two carloads of cattle and two hundred head of hogs. lle owns as fino a team of Norman three-year-old colts as can he found in Menard county, bred by Gaines Green. He bought out the interest of the other heirs in the old home place and now owns three hundred and seventy-six acres of land. which is very valuable and productive. He administered his father's estate, acting without a Lond and in August. 1901. was discharged from that office. having settled up the business. His father trusted him entirely with the prop- orty valued at twenty Thousand dollars. ITo has always been progressive in his farm work and he introduced the first corn cutter and binder in the northern part of the county. In addition to his farming interests he is the superintendent of the Sand Ridge Pole & Line Telephone Company. In connection with C.
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