USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 36
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Mrs. Neff acquired her education in the public schools of Petersburg and remained at home up to the time of her marriage. Five children have been born unto our subject and his wife: Ellen H., born December 29. 188 !. attended the district schools. continued her studies in Petersburg and has engaged in teach- ing for two terms. Martin Luther, born June 23. 1881, was educated in the district schools and the graded schools of Petersburg and lived for a time in Argentine. a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, but is now at home assisting his father on the farm. Edna E .. horn No- vember G. 188%. is now in her second year in the high school of Petersburg. Matthew Park. horn May 16. 1893. and Annie C .. born An- gust 11. 1896, are attending school.
Mr. and Mrs. Neff hold membership in the Methodist church at Petersburg and he votes with the Republican party. Both are well known in the county seat and the surrounding
DAVID NEFF AND FAMILY.
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district and receive the favorable regard and good wishes of many Friends. Early realizing that perseverance will overcome all obstacles and that earnest and diligent labor will gain advancement in the business world. Mr. Nell' through those means has steadily worked his way upward until he is now one of the mois prosperous agriculturists of his community.
R. B. GODBEY.
R. B. Godbey. who is the owner of six hun- dred deres of the rich farming land of Menard county. and whose business capacity has been demonstrated in his successful control of his agricultural interests, was born in Rush county. Indiana. January 14, 1830. His parents. Rus- sell and Elizabeth ( Brown) Godbey, were na- tives of Virginia and in 1829 left that state for Ilinois, but stopped during the winter in In- diana, where the birth of our subject occurred. In the spring they continued on their way and located a mile south and a mile and a quarter west of where R. B. Godbey now resides. The father built a log house upon a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, which he on- tered from the government, and began the improvement of a farm, transforming the wild prairie into richly productive fields. He after- ward added to his property and at the time of his death was the owner of two hundred acres of valuable land. He took an active part in the pioneer development of this part of the state and aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present progress and pros- perity of the county. He located here when this was a pioneer district and he not only assisted materially in the upbuilding of the county, but was also acquainted with many of the prominent men of the time. He was a warm personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. who at one time surveyed a piece of land for Mr. Godbey and the latter paid Lincoln for his work with two dressed deer skins, which Lin- coln took to Anni Hannah Armstrong. who sewed them upon his pants to protect him while he was going through the brush. Mr. Godbey died December 25. 1885, at the age of eighty-eight years, his birth having occurred
November 2, 1800. His wife, who was born February 15. 1299, died in 1851.
R. B. Godbey pursued his education in the subscription schools, which he attended for about three months cach prar, and he also spent one winter in Jubilee College, in Peoria county, Illinois. He performed the strenuous labor incident to the development of a new farm and remained upon his father's place un- til twenty-thice years of age, when he removed to his present home in township 19, range 6 west. Here he broke the prairie and after placing his land under the plow he planted his erops and in due time gathered good har- vesis. Ile erected all of the buildings now upon his place, his home being built in 1864. and he has always kept everything in good re- pair, conducting his farm work along pro- gressive lines, In connection with the cultiva- tion of grain he has also engaged in the mis- ing of stock, principally feeding cattle, but in recent years he has largely left the active work of the farm to his sons. His landed possessions cover six hundred acres, the greater part of which lies in one hody.
On the 20th of March. 1854, Mr. Godbey was united in marriage to Miss Susan Mont- gomery, a daughter of Charles 1 .. and Eliza Montgomery, who came to this county from Virginia about 1821. Her father engaged in farming and died here about eighteen years ago. His wife, long surviving him, died about three years ago, at the advanced age of eighty- six years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Godbey have been horn nine children : Eliza Elizabeth, born Au- gust 19, 1855, is the wife of Clavin Crawford. now of San Bernardino, California; Charles R., born in 185%, died in infancy: Edward Ev- eret. born in 1859, resides near his father: Harry H .. born January 12, 1862, died in hitne. 1902: George, born in 1861. is living upon the home farm : Emma and John died in infancy: Bertha died at the age of three years : and Eva. horn April 26. 1ST1. is the wife of ,lohn Downey, a farmer of this county.
Since Isto Mr. Godbey has been a member of the Masonic lodge of Greenview, and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. His wife is a member of the Christian church. Politically a Democrat, he keeps well
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
formed on the questions and issue of the ay. but has never been an office socker. Ile " red. however, for twenty years as a mem- Ver of the school board. His interest has cell- tired along lines of public activity which con- serve the general good and his co-operation has not been withheld from any movement which he believes will contribute to general progress and improvement.
JOHN W. TERHUNE.
John W. Terhune, an enterprising farmer and business man and one of the worthy and valued citizens of Menard county, whose in- fluence is ever on the side of right and prog- ress, was born in Fleming county. Kentucky. near Flemingsburg. January 20, 1853, his par- nt- being James and Ann Elizabeth ( Harri- -on) Terhune, who were also natives of Ken- ticky. The father, a farmer by occupation. came to Menard county in 1853. locating at Petersburg, but after a short time he removed to Indian Point and subsequently purchased and near Curtis. There he began farming und stock-raising and continued to reside near Curtis until his death, which occurred in No- vember, 1851. when he was fifty-six years of age, while his wife died in May. Isso. at the age of fifty-five years.
John W. Terhune acquired his education in the common schools of Menard county and remained under the parental roof until twenty- four years of age, when he removed to the farm on which he now resides. It was pur- chased for him and his wife by her father shortly after their marriage. In 1885 Mr. Terlume added to it a tract of eighty-eight Here's and has since bought other property until now hi- landed possessions aggregate four hundred and forty acres of rich and atable Innl. upon which he has placed many improve- ments. He has tiled the fields, erected sub- -tantial buildings and now has an excellent farm which. in it- neat and thrifty appearance. ndicat the careful supervision of a progres- .He owner. He also aided in organizing the telephone company and was it- president two war -.
On the 26th of March, 1St9. Mr. Terhune was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Smoot. a daughter of W. C. and Catherine ( Eingles Smoot. Both Mr. and Mrs. Terhune are caru- est and consistent Christian people and take a very active and helpful part in church work. For a number of years he has been and is now an elder in the Presbyterian church at Sweet- water, Illinois, is superintendent of the Sun- day-school and for twenty-two consecutive vears was a Sunday-school teacher. His wife is superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Christian church and has been for ten years. Mr. Terhune has also been a leader of the choir and has taken a most helpful part in vari- on- line of the church activities. For seven generations, with one exception. his family have ben represented in the church older-hip. Ile has been vice president of the Sunday-school Association of Menard county for a number of years and has attended many Sunday-schoo! conventions, taking a most active interest in the training of the young, realizing its importance as a preparation for after life. In politics Mr. Torhune is a Republican and has served as president of the board of school trustees for a mimuber of years. He has always taught temperance by both precept and example and has favored every movement which has for its object the betterment of humanity, while his labors and influence have proven no unimpor- tant factors in advancing the moral standard of his community.
EDGAR S. CITEANEY.
Edgar S. Cheaney is accorded a position in the front rank of the leading and representa- tive business men of Petersburg, his native city, where his birth occurred on the 13th of November. 1858. At the usual age he entered the public schools, where he pursued his stud- its until thirteen years of age, when he on- tered upon his business career as an employe in the lumberyard of Colonel C. D. Rourke, re- maining there for three years. On the expira- tion of that period he embarked in the gro- cory business on his own account and for five var- conducted his store. meeting with sig-
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nal success in the undertaking. He then sold his store and again became connected with the lumber trade, going upon the road as a travel- ing salesman. He continued in the business in that capacity for twenty-two years and gained a wide and favorable acquaintance with lum- ber dealers in the territory through which he traveled. He confined his business mostly to central Illinois and was a most successful sales- man. annually securing a large amount of business.
About ISst Mr. Cheaney joined his father. J. W. Cheaney, in the establishment of a lum- ber business at Petersburg under the firm name of E. S. Cheaney & Company, his father tak- ing charge of the local yard. while our sub- jest continued upon the road. He soon secured a large and reliable class of patrons, making the business profitable and extensive. The l'a- ther died February 21. 1902. at which time E. S. Cheaney purchased his interest in the business and has since been sole proprietor. Ile left the road January 1. 1904. and has since given his attention to the management of the business from the headquarters in Petersburg. The yard is one hundred and twenty-five by one hundred and fifty-two feet and the busi- ness is constantly increasing. At Athens Mr. Cheaney bought out the lumberyard of T. . 1. Swearingen & Company. in February. 1901. and is conducting thal in connection with the Petersburg business. He has comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the lumber trade. is familiar with the various kinds of wood and their value as a building material as well as a marketable commodity, and he is now classed with the most successful business men of Me- nard county.
In July. 1888. Mr. Cheaney was united in marriage to Miss Mary S. Miller, of Pekin, Illi- noi -. a daughter of P. J. Miller. now of Athens. This marriage has been blessed with five chil- dren: Edgar. now deceased: Caroline, Her- bert. Il., James W. and Francis.
Mr. Cheaney belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the lloo lloo. a national or- ganization of humbermen. He has a wide ac- quaintanee in central Illinois and wherever ho has gone he has made friends by reason of his
unfailing courtesy. his deference for the opin- ions of others, his social nature and his genial disposition. Throughout the greater part of his life he has been connected with the lum- ber trade and his recognition of a commercial possibility leading to success has been supple- mented by straightforward dealing that has gained him the confidence and the patronage of many with whom he has come in contact.
JOSEPH A. SMEDLEY.
Joseph A. Smedley was born May 2. 1850. on section 21. township IS, adjoining the one on which he now lives. His prosent place. comprising one hundred and twenty aeres, was traded in the early days for a shotgun. an en- tire section being given in exchange for the firearm. Cultivation, however, carried on by former generations of the family and by our subject have wrought a wonderful transforma- tion in the appearance and value of the land. which is now worth one hundred dollars per
The Smedley family is of English lima-" and the ancestry of Joseph A. Smedley can be traced back to Christopher Smedley, the great- grandfather, who was sent to sea by his older brothers, who were angry with him. He lived to the advanced age of one hundred and eleven years and six months. Becoming a resident of America, he was married in Pennsylvania and afterward removed to Kentucky. He had three sons, including Thomas Smedley. the grandfather of our subject, who, with his brother William. went to St. Louis, Missouri. at an early day and later came to what is now Menard county, Ilinois, then a part of Sanga- mon county. He settled at Clary's Grove and there reared his family. He had live sons and five daughters, three of whom were born in Kentneky. while the others were born on the old family homestead in this county. He pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 20. township 18, and was the first man to settle upon the prairie adjoining where Joseph A. Smedley now resides. He took an active and helpful part in reclaiming the wild land for the uses of the white man and assisted
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
materially in the early development of the county -a work which has simve been carried forward by the family in later generations. Thomas Smedley had ten children. as follows: Sarah married Spencer Merrill and they reside in Little Grove. William is the second of the family. Richard, who lived in Menard county on the farm which is now owned In Mrs. Marthena Gum. was a soldier of the One Ilun- dred and Fourteenth linois Volunteer In- fantry and died in the service. Trene. de- ceased. was the wife of John N. Osborne and lived in Jacksonville. Eliza became the wife of Barton Osborne and they resided on the old Smedley homestead, but both are now do- ceased. He was a member of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Minois Infantry in the Civil war. John, who was a member of the Four- tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was a quar- termaster sergeant and served throughout the war. lle was under Grant at Shiloh and Vicks- burg. He was educated for the ministry, en- gaged in teaching for a number of years and is now living in Case county. Illinois. Thomas. who resides in Bloomington, this state, was also a member of the Fourteenth Ilinois Regiment, was the regimental lifer and. being captured. was confined in Andersonville prison. Hau- nah. deceased. was the wife of David Bell, a resident of Dakota. He was an orderly in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois In- fantry and was with Sherman on the cele- brated march from Atlanta to the sea. Chris- topher, who was orderly sergeant in the same regiment and likewise marched with Sher- man's Army to the coast, is now living in Pitt-burg. Kan-as. Catherine married Anson Ferguson, whose military service was with the sane regiment, and who went to the sea under Sherman. He was wounded in the head. Int trouvered from this although he was after- ward killed by a mule.
William Smedley, the father of Joseph .1. Similes. was born in Kentucky, but in his youth accompamed hi- father on his removal to Menard county. where he spent his remain- ing day -. Ile was reared among the will scenes of poncer life and assisted in the ardu- our task of developing a new farm. He fol- lowed agricultural pursuits throughout his en-
tire hte and was known as an ener the. rapalle business man, who carefully controlled his farming interests. His early political support. was given the Whig party and on its dissolu- tion he joined the ranks of the new Repub- lican party, with which he continued to affiliate until his death. He held membership in the Christian church. His wife bore the maiden name of Martha Hurd and they became the parents of seven children : Christina, who died at the age of eight years: Joseph A., of this review: John Thomas, who died at Coldwar. Florida. where he was following the ocenpation of farming; Edwin, who was a machinist and died at his home in Jacksonville, Illinois ; Martha, who married a Mr. Allen, but both died of yellow fever about 1889; Nancy, who died in infancy : and Hamden Jewett, who own- and operates a farm near Athens.
Joseph A. Smedley was reared in his fa- ther's home and pursued his education in a private school at Petersburg. He was trained to habits of industry on the home farm. assist- ing in its further development and cultivation until twenty-one years of age. when he began farming for himself. He makes a specialty of bee culture. He was married October i. 1815, to Henrietta Godwin, a daughter of John and Mary Ann (Truitt) Godwin. who resided in Missouri. where Mr -. Smedley was reared and educated. The father was born in Vir- ginia. and the mother in Baltimore. Maryland. where they were married. They came west about 1853 and settled in Mont- gomery county. Missouri, where Mr. God- win entered a large tract of land and was a -Jave holder. Mrs. Smedley ha- two brothers and two sisters living. three of whom are rosi- dents of Missouri, while one lives in Colorado. Four children have been born unto Mr. and! Mrs. Smedley: Charles Frederick. who Was born September 2. 1526, married Adriano Ma- line and resides in Jacksonville, Florida : Arthur E., who was born October 5. 175. married Daisy Gom and is now a student in the Chicago Veterinary School, but own- prop- erty in Menard county. where he makes hi- home: Harry R .. born Angust 11. 1882. mar- ried Clara Acre, and now resides upon the old homestead. It expects to remove to a fam
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near Athens in the spring of 1905; Marshall A .. born July 20. Issa, was educated in Peters- burg and is now at home.
Mr. Smedley first voted with the Republi- can party, but has since supported the cardi- dates of the Democratic and People's parties. and is independent in support of the politica! measures which he deems will bring the great est good to the greatest number. Both be and his wife are members of the Christian church and take a helpful part in its work. Having always lived in this county, Mr. Smedley has a wide acquaintance within it- borders and re- veives favorable regard and friendship from: the majority of those with whom he has been brought in contact. either through business in social relations.
WILLIAM ENSLEY.
William Endley, whose farming interests are represented by a good tract of land in the vicinity of Atterberry, was born June 12. 1828. in Pickaway county. Ohio, his parents being Christopher and Elizabeth (Gold) Ensley. both natives of Pennsylvania. the father being of Dutch lineage, while the mother was of English descent. Removing to Ohio, they settled in Pickaway county in 1828. their home being along the canal between Circleville and Cohun- bus. The father secured a tract of land on the Scioto river bottom and there began the do- velopment of a farm. The work of improve- ment and progress had been carried on for so brief a time that many primitive conditions vet existed. He afterward came to Illinois. settling in Babylon. Fulton county, where his death occurred in 1815. His wife. long sur- viving him, died at the home of her son Wil- liam. about a half a mile east of Atterberry. in 1872.
William Ensley. on pursuing his education. was a student in a little log schoolhouse. bat his opportunity even there was limited as his services were needed upon the home farm. It the age of twelve he began work for others. he- ing employed as a farm hand for five years at eight dollars per month. The last summer which he spent in Ohio he dropped broom corn
In hand over a tract of one hundred and fifty aures. Subsequently he came to Fulton county. Illinois, and established his home near the dam across Spoon river. the town being called Babylon. There be worked for one man for five years at eight dollars per month.
On the 25th of January, 1855. Mr. Ensley was married to Miss Chloe Helen Aylesworth, a daughter of Philip and Chloe (Goodell) Aylesworth. the former a native of Providence. Rhode Island, born April 20. 129. and the latter of New York. The mother died during the infancy of her daughter. There were two sous and two daughters in the family: Philip S., who died in 1819 at Petersburg, Illinois: ('harles, whose death occurred in 1835 at Mere- dosia, Illinois, when he was two years of age: Annie M. : and Chloe HI. The former married John 1. Roland. who resided at Grand Island. Nebraska, and died in March. 1904. They had three children, two sons and a daughter. and the sons are married. one now living at last- ings. Nebraska, and the other at Lincoln, that state. Mr. Avlesworth. the father of Mrs. Ensley. removed from Rhode Island to Penn- sylvania when sixteen years of age and had come to Illinois in 1822 and here he formed the acquaintance of Chloe Goodell. who had been brought to this state during her childhood by her parents. They were married in Sangamon county and Mr. Avlesworth operated a ferry at Meredosia. Ilinois. for seven years, while sub- sequent to his marriage be removed to Menard county. He was an old time surveyor and in this connection he assisted materially in the carly development of the state. laving out the towns of Beardstown and Meredosia. He also surveyed and laid out the state road from Meredosia to Quincy by way of Camp Point. At the last named place he camped out and called it Camp Point and this name has been retained down to the present. In 1835 he es- tablished his home in Fulton county, being the first white settler in Le township. living in an old Indian farm called Potato Hollow. He there entered ten quarter sections of land and was at one time the wealthiest man in the county. He not only carried on farming pur- suit- on an evens've schie, but also owned a mill which he rented. He entered most of
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
to mat of Atterberry and in course of business judgment and his energy has proven time ane the owner of thousands of aeres. a very effective factor in winning success. His life na- mdeed been a busy and nsofu! om and at all times it has been characterized by honor- able purpose, so that he receives the good will and respect of those with whom he has been associated. Von time he was the owner of the land on which the city of Jacksonville now stands. He was also promirent and influential in public affairs, hold the office of justice of the peace for a time, was sheriff of Morgan county, and he named the town of Babylon in Fulton coun- ty. His efforts were of marked benefit to the state in its development and substantial im- GEORGE W. HATCIL. provement. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and was familiarly known as I'nele Phil. His death occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Avlsworth, near Ellis- ville. December 22. 1883. It was largely through his personal influence that congress passed the pre-emption laws.
Willaim Ensley purchased his first land of his wife's father and afterward bought his pres- ant farm from John Stitch. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his property from time to time until he is now the owner of six hundred acres, which he has ac- quired entirely through his own efforts, save a tract of eighty acres that was inherited by his wife. He has lived upon his present farm since 1856 and has wrought a great change in its appearance because of the improvement- he has made and the high -tato of cultivation un- der which he has placed his fields.
Mrs. Ensley. who was born July 8. 183%. in Fulton county, has become the mother of eight (Inldren. but the eldest. Luella. died in infancy. There still living are Henry Ehmer. born An- THISt S. ISGI: Harvey Lee. born December 11. 1×20: and Nettie Alice, born March 12. 18SI. The elder son married Hartie Barr and they result at Waverly. Morgan county. Illinois. where he is engaged in business as a grain dealer. They have three children, one son and two daughter- and they are members of the Methodist church. Harvey Lee, residing on a farm near Atterberry, married Jessie Thorne and thes have one child a danghter.
Mr. En-les give- In- political allegianer to the Departner and has served as roadmaster. mit la ouver been very active as a politician. protect me to devote hi- time and energies to In- Home -- atlan-, which he ha- capably con- eldom at fault in matters of
George W. Hatch, figuring prominently in the business circles of Greenview. his business activity contributing to the general prosperity as well as his individual success, is now seere- tary and general manager of the Greenview Coal & Mining Company, as superintendent and manager of the Middletown Coal Com- pany at Middletown. Illinois, and is the senior member of the firm of Hatch. Jones & Ber- gen, general merchants of Greenview. \ Da- tive son of Menard county, he was born a mile and a half north of the city in which he yet makes his home, on the 15th of October. 1861. his parents being George W. and Amanda M. ( Martin) Hatch. His parental grand- father, who was a sea captain. followed the sen for many years and was at length lost at. sca.
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