USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 29
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John A. Ridge spent the first ten years of his life in the state of his nativity and then ac- compand his parents on their emigration to the new world. His youth was a period of earnest and unremitting labor in which he had few advantages. His education, however, was required in the public schools. After arriving
SAMUEL AA. RIDGE.
MRS. SAMUEL A. RIDGE.
JOHN A. RIDGE AND FAMILY.
E. C. REED.
MRS. E. C. REED.
225
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
at years of maturity he was married to Miss Mary E. Reed, a daughter of Ephraim C. and Ann Elizabeth (Gibbs) Reed. Her father came to Menard county from Kentucky in 1834 with his mother and her family of children. his father being at that time in the Mexican war. Ephraim Reed was born in Kentucky, October 28. 1830, and when sixteen years of age he began work as a farm hand. When twenty- one years of age he commenced farming on his own account on what has now long been known as the old Reed homestead. He has added to his original purchase from time to time until he is now one of the extensive farm owners of the county. having seven hundred acres of arable land on which many improvements have been made. There are five houses upon this tract. all in good condition. There are also a number of substantial barns and other mod- ern equipments. On the 12th of November, 1853. he was married to Miss Ann Elizabeth Gibbs. a daughter of William and Margaret Gibbs and with her parents she came to Illi- nois from Maryland in 1839. Hler birth oc- curred in the latter state, May 31, 1827. The journey westward was made with team and they were six weeks upon the way. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have two living children : Mary E., born in September. 1858; and Edward C., who was born in December. 1860. and is now living in Menard county. Those deceased are Eliza- beth Jane. Katie Ann, wife of Gus Jones, and an infant unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are members of the Presbyterian church. contrib- ute generously to its support and take an active interest in its work. For nine years or more he has been a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. In politics he is a stanch Republican. believing firmly in the principles of the party. He ranks today as one of the most prosperous men of the county and he enjoys in high meas- ure the respect and good will of his fellow citizens, because he has always been found re- liable in all business transactions, nover taking advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any business affair.
The welding ceremony of Mr. and Mrs. Ridge - was performed by Rev. R. 1. Miller on the 24th of February. 1891, and four children
were born to them: Ephraim and Samuel. twins, born February 1. 1896, both died in in- fancy : Mary E., born April 28, 1899, also died in infancy : John E .. born June 22. 1901. is the only one living.
Not long after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ridge removed to their present home. They have a fine brick house surrounded by shade and fruit trees and everything about the place is in excellent condition. Mr. Ridge is one of the largest stock feeders in the county and during the recent strike at the stock yards in Chicago he shipped a carload of hogs to that market. He now has on hand about two hun- dred and fifty head of hogs, which he is food- ing for the market. He owns in Menard coun- ty two hundred and forty acres of as fine land as can be found in central Illinois and it is well known that there is no richer agricultural district in all the country than that of Menard county. Ile is very progressive in his business and he owes his success entirely to his own labors. He started out without assistance and has received no aid from any one, but has worked on persistently and energetically and is now the owner of valuable farming property. Mr. Ridge is a member of Floral lodge. No. 614. 1. O. O. F .. at Athens, and the Modern Woodmen camp at Sweetwater. He is iden- tified with the Republican party. politically, and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Presby- terian church, while his wife is a member of the Christian church and both are widely and favorably known in Menard county.
ELIAS WATKINS.
Elias Watkins, whose farming interests claim his time and energies and return to him a good annual income, was born September 29, 1870. his parents being Samuel and Mary ( Wool- ridge) Watkins. He was the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters. He began his education at Little Grove and was afterward graduated in the Tallula high school with the class of 1891, completing the course on the 29th of May. of that year. He has always engaged in farm-
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
Tro Pas ag :- sted in the work on the old fam- ontstond in his early boyhood days. He Can farming on his own account in confer- Im with his brother, Evan G. Watkins. upon Their father's place at Little Grove, and there he remained for two years. In the fall of 100% he located on his prosent farm. which consists of two hundred and twenty acres belonging to hi- father. He owns an adjoining eighty actes and is a very progressive agricultura.
Is a companion and helpmate on life's jour- nes Mr. Watkins chose Irene Louise Fischer. the wedding being celebrated November 1. 1595. Her parents were John C. and Berta 1. (Wright ) Fischer. Her father was a native of Germany and came to America in 1853 when metern years of age. selling at Petersburg. He had Im en educated in his native country and after his arrival in the new world he conducted the first drug store at Petersburg, an establish- ment which has had a continuous existence. it being now the property of George F. Luth- ringer. He married Berta D. Wright and they became the parents of eight children. all of who are living, three sons and five daughters. namely : Dora. the wife of Dr. J. B. Vaner. a practicing physician of Springfield. Illinois : Ella. the wife of E. B. Lyons, who is principal of Brown's Business College at Danville. Illi- not -: Catherine, the wife of Dr. Paul Newcom- er. a physician and surgeon living in Denver. Colorado : Trene Louise: Jon D. a rahma iving at Landers. Wyoming, where he has spent five years: George W., who is engaged in the telephone business: Francis B., who is at Gil- 1011. Wyoming, where he has been connected with the sheep industry : and Ethel B .. the wife of William Swift, a mechanic of Petersburg. , whom she has one son. Mrs. Watkins is a graduate of the high school of Petersburg of the class of 1994. and the following year she was married.
For subject and his wife have a wide and CO05350. acquaintance in Menard county, where nos Fe alwas Tesde and the circle of their Wordt constantly growing. In his political Brit and in November. ant commissioner by -neof der hundred and twenty On2. on November.
1001. is a candidate for re-election. He and his wife belong to the Episcopal church in l'e- tersburg and he is prominent in Masonry. being made a Mason at Petersburg in November. 1590. and now holding membership in Clinton Indge. No. 19. A. F. & A. M .: DeWitt chapter. R. A. M .: and St. Aldemar Commandery. K. T .. all of Petersburg. His wife is also connect- al with the Order of the Eastern Star and in his daily life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. which has made this the strongest fraternal organization of the entire world. llo is also venerable council of Atterberry camp. No. 11551. M. W. . 1.
THOMAS KINCAID.
Thomas Kincaid. one of the honored early settlers of Menard county, was born in Bath county. Kentucky. October 15. 1822. and was of Irish ancestry. His paternal grandfather. Archibald R. Kincaid, was born in Ireland and on emigrating to America settled near Carlisle. Pennsylvania. There he was married to Miss Townsley and be continued to reside in the Cumberland valley of Pennsylvania until 195. when with his family of ten children be re- moved to Bath county, Kentucky
Andrew Kincaid, the father of our subject. was at that time four years of age. He re- mained upon his father's farm until his mar- ringe in 180 ;. Mis- Ann P. Caldwell. a native of Bath county. Kentucky. becoming his wife. She was born in 1982 and remained a resident of Kentucky until many years after her mar- riage. In 1831 Andrew Kincaid came with his family to Illinois, settling in township 15. Menard county, on land which he purchased of Ellis Branson. His family then numbered nino children. but one died soon after the removal to Illinois. After a long. useful and honorable career, Andrew Kincaid passed away in 1512 at the advanced age of eighty six years.
In 1831 Thomas Kincaid accompanied his parent- on their removal to Illinois, The fam- ils home was established on a farm at Indian Point and there he spent his boyhood days. Party becoming familiar with the ardnon- task of developing a new farm. As the years passed
Thomas Fincard
229
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
he became an influential and prosperous farmer of Menard county, extensively engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, and by reason of his koon business ability he amassed a considerable for- tune previous to his retirement from active business life, which was necessitated by failing health.
In early manhood Mr. Kincaid married Mis; Lucinda Patterson. the wedding being cele- brated October 18, 1819. The lady was born in Hardin county, Ohio, and died April 13. 1824. In their family were seven children. of whom two died in infancy. Those living are Mrs. Hattie Johnson, the wife of Kirby S. Johnson, who is represented on another page of this volume: Louie, the wife of Harry R. Jones : Lucy. the wife of C. J. Hale, of Jack- sonville. Ilinois: Anna, the wife of Isaac Jones. of Aspen. Colorado; and Ler, whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this work.
GEORGE C. ROBERTS.
George C. Roberts, who is filling the position of postmaster at Greenview and is also engaged in dealing in harness and saddlery there. was born in Athens, Illinois, February 3. 1858. his parents being James T. and Alvira ( Hartwell ) Roberts. The father was born November 28. I832. in Winchester. Virginia, and lost his father when but five years of age. When a vonth of ten years he became a resident of Athens, Illinois, where he attended school for about five years and at the age of fifteen he was taken to the Mexican war as a bugler by his uncle. A. B. Backenstos. After seven months' servier he was sent home with two of- fivers. Captain Bradford and Lieutenant Bar- 1011. Mr. Roberts did not return to the scene of conflict, but soon afterward began learning the blacksmith's trade, in which he became an excellent workman. following that pursuit con- tinnously until the country became involved in civil war. On the 6th of August. 1862. he en- listed as a member of Company K. One Hun- dred and Fifteenth Ilinois Infantry, and par- tiripated in a number of very important en- gagements, including the battles of Lookout Mountain. Chattanooga. Chickamauga. Spring
Hill. the two battles of Nashville. Frank- lin. Resaca. Tunnel Hill. Buzzard's Roost and Dalton. Just after the battle of Chickamauga there was an order sent to hi- captain to have the regiment fall in line and a call was issued for a volunteer to go back to Bridgeport, Tennessee, a distance of twenty-five miles. for the pay rolls, which were in the desk of the company. No member of the regiment volunteered and the officers would not detail a man. Mr. Robert- then asked the cap- tain what the call had been made for, and when told he offered to go if they would furnish him at hose. He started that day and at night he was on top of the mountain. Seeing a cabin, he- made his way to it and found that it contained an oldl couple, man and wife, who were I'nion people. He gave them his rations and asked them to prepare supper for him. He then started in search of food for his horse. The old man sent him a mile and a half to get corn and told him that the rebel cavalry were in that locality each day and to be on the lookout. While Mr. Roberts was on one side of the corn- crib five rebel cavalry men were on the other side, and while they were getting their corn he made his escape by crawling through the grass on His hands and knees for a distance of two hun- dred yards. However, he returned to the cabin in safety and there partook of his supper, which was prepared of cold coon. hardtack and col- fee. The old couple offered him a bed at night. but he preferred to sleep in the woods and the next morning he started again on his journey. He reached the foot of the mountain at twelve o'clock and at Sequasiaville he saw a general and other officers at a cabin door. The general hailed him and asked him where he was going. and on replying to the question he was re- quested to show his pass. He was there delayed over a day and a half until the general found out where he had come from and such informa- fian concerning the road, for they were on their way to the camp which Mr. Roberts had left and had been misdirected. General Longstreet and his men were just across the river. and when Mr. Roberts rode along the mountain side he had to keep his horse between the rohel troops and himself. His horse was shot once, but he continued on his way. He traveled the
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
inner of that day and at night arrived Bridgeport, where he camped with seven mahd I'nion men. The next morning he over- hauled the desk, procured the papers that were wanted and he also found the company's flag. which he put in his knapsack. He then started to return to camp. slept in the woods that night and the next day about three o'clock reached his destination. He was discharged as a drum major and the flag which he brought back was given to him and is still in his possession. He was honorably discharged June 11. 1865, at Camp Harker, Tennessee, following the close of hostilities, and then returned to Athens. Illi- noi -. where he again engaged in blacksmithing. He followed that pursuit there until December. Istis. when he came to Greenview and estab- lished a blacksmith shop, which he conducted -nece -- fully until failing health caused him to retire from the business in 1884. In early man- hood he had married Miss Alvira Hartwell, who was born in Vigo county. Indiana, July 21. 1831. They had three children: Maria Ann. How the wife of 1. 11. Primm, of Mason City. Illinois: Marcie E., who married Thomas Brewer, and died February 22. 1898; and George C. The parents are members of the Christian church and they reside at Greenview. where they have many warm friends.
tirogo C. Roberts was educated in the schools of Greenview and at the age of sixteen years began learning the harness-maker's trade, which he followed as an employe until 1881. In that voar he began business for himself. a few doors north of his present location, and he has since conducted harness and saddlery making, scour- ing a good patronage, which makes his business profitable. In December. 1900. he was ap- pointed postmaster of Greenview and dis- charged the duties of that office in connection with his commercial interests. He has like- wist leen a member of the town board and the school board. and in his political alliliation he is a stanch Republican, never failing to exer- ois hi- right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party.
On the foth of March, 1881. Mr. Roberts was unted in marriage to Mi- Hattie E. Cleveland. daughter of Warles and And Wood Che- land. the former a native of Vermont and the
latter of Illinois, but both are now decreased. Unto Mr. and Mr -. Roberts have been born nine children: Etta May. horn March 13. 1882. died April 2. 1591 : Pearl E. and Earl E ... twin-, born July 19. 1884. died on the 13th and With of August, 1885, respectively: Herschel. Lorn April 11, 1885, is in partnership with his father in the harness business : Harry F., born August 26, 1881, is at home: Fern. born De- cember 21. 1891. James T., born March 30, 1893. Dorothy Marie, born January 14. 1899. and Ann Louise, born April 2, 1902. are all at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert- hold membership in the Christian church and are deeply interested in all that pertains to the moral as well as the material development of their county. Fra- tornally Mr. Roberts is connected with the Modern Woodmen camp. No. HS : with Green- view lodge. No. 653. A. F. & A. M .: and al the Fraternal Life Reserve. He has spent his entire life in this part of the state and has be- come a substantial business man of Greenview. his snecess being largely due to the fact that he has continuously engaged in the business in which as a young tradesman he embarked. gaining a comprehensive knowledge thereof. which has resulted in excellent workmanship and secured a liberal patronage.
A. W. HARTLEY.
A. W. Hartley, who for fourteen years has been connected with the office of county clerk. twelve years as deputy and two years as su- perior officer, was born in Rock Creek precinct of Menard county, on the 20th of June. 1811. He comes of English lineage and represents an old English family that was established in America prior to the Revolutionary war. His grandfather. Eli Hartley, was born in Adair county, Kentucky, on the 29th of July, 1799. and in early manhood was united in marriage to Mis- Nancy Hamilton, a daughter of James Hamilton, of Kentucky. After the birth of two of their children they removed to Illinois. settling in Brown county. where two other children were added to the family. The mother died soon afterward upon the home farm.
MR. AND MRS. A. W. HARTLEY.
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
which was situated near Clayton. Illinois. At of the county clerk in the fall of 1890 and ris services were so acceptable that he was cont nued in that position until 1902. when he was elected county clerk, in which ca- pacity he is now serving.
a later date the grandfather removed to Garden Prairie. Menard county, where he established his home in 1850. there residing until his death, which occurred on the 13th of December. 1820. He was prominent and influential in public affairs and he served for fourteen years. from 1825 umtil 1839, as justice of the peace for Brown county. He was a man of unbiased judgment and his decisions were never reversed in the higher courts. He ranked high in the estimation of his fellow townsmen and he was particularly capable in office. having a logical and analytical mind. Had he confined his at- tention exclusively to the law he would un- doubtedly have attained notable success.
Nathan Hartley, the father of A. W. Hart- ley. was born in Kentucky, but was reared in Brown county. Ilinois. He married Artemisia Duncan, a native of Menard county. and they hegan their domestic life upon the farm on which their son. A. W. Hartley, was born. For many years the father carried on agricul- tural pursuits there with good success. con- tinning his farming operations up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 23d of Oc- tober. 1903. The homestead place is located about seven miles south of Petersburg and is still in possession of the family. Mr. Hartley was a public-spirited man, interested in the os- tablishment of the county and its further im- provement and he filled a number of town-bip positions in a capable and acceptable manner. In the family were five sons and three dangh- ters, and four sons and one daughter are now living. at this writing in the fall of 1901.
A. W. Hartley, the oldest of the family, ac- quired his elementary education in the district schools and by reading and observation has ad- ded largely to his knowledge. He engaged in teaching school in early manhood. but regard- ing this merely as an initiatory step for further professional labor, for it was his desire to be- come a member of the bar and in the fall of 1885 he began reading law in the office and
under the direction of T. W. MeNeely. Ho continued his studies until May. 1888, when he successfully passed an examination for ad- mission to the bar. He then entered the county building as deputy clerk in the office
On the 25th of June. 1891. Mr. Hartley wa- married to Miss Margaret A. Bone. a native of Menard county and a daughter of E. L. Bone. They now have one son, Paul Bone. Mr. Hartley is a member of the Masonic lodge and also of the Modern Woodmen camp at Peter -- burg. He is a representative of an honored pioneer family and because of this and also by reason of his personal worth he deserves rep- resentation in this volume.
CHARLES T. ROGERS.
The old Rogers homestead in Menard county was the birthplace of Charles T. Rogers, his natal day being June 16. 1861. He is a son of S. T. and Melinda ( Trumho) Rogers, who were also natives of this county. a fact which indi- cates that both the Rogers and Trumbo families were established in this part of the state in early pioneer days. The paternal grandfather came from Kentucky to Ilinois and aided in laying the foundation for the present develop- ment and progress of the county. S. T. Rogers has followed the occupation of farming as a life work and both he and his wife are still residing on the old homestead.
In the district school- Charles T. Rogers ar- quired his education and when twenty years of age he began farming upon the place where he now resides, having here two hundred acres of land, which is rich and productive. He has since erected a good residence and other build- ings upon his place and, in fact, has made all of the modern improvements that are there soon. His land is under a high state of cultiva- tion and the well tilled fields return to him rich harvests. He is also quite extensively en- gaged in the raising and breeding of short- horn cattle, fine road horses and registered Duroe Jersey hogy, and as a stock-raiser he has met with excellent success, his annual sales of cattle horses and hoy- bringing to him a good financial return upon his investments.
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
On the Bagof August. 18Si, occurred the marriage of Charles T. Rogers and Miss Mat- the E. Estill, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Estill, the former a native of Menard county and the latter of Indiana. They are still re- siding in this county, their home being about a mile south of the Charles T. Rogers Farm. I'nto our subject and his wife has been born an interesting little son. Thomas E., whose birth occurred September 6. 1843. Mrs. Rogers 1- a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of Petersburg, and like her husband ha- many friends in her native county. Mr. Roger- belongs to Roland lodge, No. 69. K. P. and is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is serving as a member of the school board at the present time and in matter of citizenship is never remiss, but gives his earnest co-operation to the support of all meas- ures that he believes will promote general progress and improvement. He has a wide acquaintance in the county where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his efforts as to win the good will and trust of his fellow men.
AUGUSTUS KERR RIGGIN.
Augustu- Kerr Riggin, deceased, was one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers. as well as one of the most prominent citizens of hi- community, his home being five miles cast of Petersburg. He was the third child born in Menard county and his natal day was April 23. 1>22. His father. Harry Riggin, was a native of Tennessee, barn September 2. 1193, and was of Irish descent. Coming to Illinois in IST. Inc first located in the American bottom and then with his brother settled in Madison county at a place called Troy, they bring the principal parties m laying ont the town. There they epibarked in merchandising. but were unste- estut in that Tormes. On the ed of March. 1-20. Harry Bogen was united in marriage 10 Viss Miriam Lee Rogers, a native of New York and a descendant of John Rogers, who suffered martordons for religious principles. Her later. Mattres Rogers, was from Con-
nectiout and removed from that state to New York. He married Miriam Lee Morse, who was connected with the Morse family. of whom Professor S. F. B. Morse was a distinguished member. In 1818 Matthew Rogers came to Illinois and settled near AAthens, where he bnih a frame barn, which was the first frame imilding erected north of the Sangamon river. The Rogers family are connected with the Loes of Virginia, of whom General Robert E. Lee was the most noted. During his residence in Menard county Harry Riggin followed the oc- cupation of a farmer and possessed the con- fidence and esteem of the community. On ser- eral occasions he was a candidate for public favors, but was defeated, which was not sur- prising. as his opponents were generally such prominent men as Logan. Edwards and Lin- coln. le and his wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and lived to a good old age. The family has been distin- guished for longevity, some oven living to the age of one hundred years. Harry Riggin had six children. four of whom reached years of maturity, namely: Mary Ann. wife of Clai- borne Hall, of Athens: Augustus Kerr: Eliza Maria : and Arminda Priscilla, wife of Me- Kinley Jones. of Athens.
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