USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 40
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On the 21th of January. 1556. Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Lanter- man. who was born May 12. 1836, and unto them were born four children : Winnie, whose birth occurred December 18. 1856 : Charles II .. born June 3. 1858: A. J., born March 30. 1×60; and Charlotte T .. born August 25. 1862. The wife and mother died at the birth of her youngest child and on the 10th of September. 1863. Mr. Reed was again married. his second union being with Mrs. Elizabeth Wilcox. who was born Angu-t 15. 1835, and is a daughter of George and Mary Curry. There are three chil- dren by this marriage: Eleanor Frances, born July 15. 1861: George V .. April 9. 1866: and Wallace Ml .. August 25, 1825.
At the time of his first marriage Mr. Reed was engaged in general farming and is now the owner of a good tract of land well im- proved, which he has acquired through his own labor -. He worked hard and persistently. however. to gain this and he certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. In
MR. AND MRS. W. W. P. REED.
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Indiana his father lived on what is known as the Polk patch, ouer the home of Abraham Lincoln. At an early day Mr. Reed drove Mr. Lincoln three different time> from Springfield to Petersburg to hold court. He hauled hunber to build the first railroad in Springfield and ju many other ways has been identified with the carly beginning of central Illinois, its dovol- opment and progress. He was elected and served as judge of the Indian Creek precinet for sixteen years and his father was one of the first election judges of Menard county. Fra- ternally Mr. Reed is a member of Greenview lodge, No. 653. A. F. & A. M. He has passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey and looking back over the past he recalls vividly the conditions which existed in Menard county at the time of his arrival here. His mind bears the picture of a largely unsettled dis- trict. the homes being widely scattered, for much of the land was still unimproved. He bore a helpful part in the agricultural devel- opment of the county and in his business deal- ings was found reliable and trustworthy, while in all life's relations he gained the respect of his fellow men by his genuine worth.
CHARLES F. CANTERBURY.
Charles F. Canterbury, a well known and worthy representative of agricultural interests in Menard county. was born within the borders of this county. August 6, 1858, and is a son of Carlisle Il. and Emily ( Morgan ) Canterbury. His paternal grandfather, Asa Canterbury, was born in England. March 2. 1988, and lost his father in early boyhood. His mother afterward removed to Bath county. Kentucky, where he was reared and there he was married to Miss Peggy Hornback, who was born February 6. 1994. and resided in Fleming county. Ken- tueky. on the opposite side of Licking river from Bath county. As there was parental op- position to their marriage, the young couple made their way to Aberdeen, Ohio, and there their wedding was celebrated. As no license was required in Ohio at that time, a marriage could be solemnized on short notice and many runaway couples there secured the consununa-
tion of their hopes. Returning to Bath county, there were four children born to them during their residence there and subsequently they established their home on the Fleming county side of the Licking river. where three children were born unto them. In the fall of 1826 they removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, becom- ing pioncer residents of the state.
C'arlishe H. Canterbury, the father of Charles F. Canterbury, was born December 5. 1814. in Bath county, Kentucky, and at the age of twelve years was brought by his parents to this state. After reaching adult age he was mar- ried on the 11th of August, 1836, to Miss Emily Morgan, who was born in Sangamon county. They had thirteen children. four of whom died when less than six years of age. Of the other nine, Asa married Margaret England, who lives in Ford county, Ilinois: Sarah married Wil- liam Fuquay and also resides in Ford county ; William M., who enlisted in August. 1861. for three years' service in the Union Army as a member of Company F. Twenty-righth In- l'antry, was taken ill soon after he left Camp Butler and died at Camp Holt, Kentucky, No- vember 2. 1861 : Ruth A. is the wife of William 11. 11. Holland : Oliver P. resides in Sangamon county: Charles F. is the next younger: Now- ton C. resides new Petersburg: Lincoln &. re- sides in Buffalo, Wyoming: and Laura E. is the wife of John Evans, a resident of Victor. Colorado.
Charles F. Canterbury is indebted to the district-school system of Menard county for the carly educational privileges which he en- joyed. Subsequently he attended the Spring- field Business College, and after his return to the home farm be assisted his father in its cul- tivation until twenty-one years of age. when he assumed the entire management. He then con- tinned the work of general farming upon the old home place until 1599, when he went to Los Angeles, California. He afterward spent one year in Buffalo, Wyoming, where he was engaged in the sheep business. He purchased a flock of three thousand head of deep and on selling out after two years he had over four thousand head. In the first year he had also sold fourteen hundred head and in the second year five hundred and fourteen, clearing from
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
these sales in the two years a sum of six thou- life's journey. Throughout his business career sand. Four hundred and seventy-nine dollars he has been engaged in the construction of thatch roofs in the summer seasons and in the winter months he has made baskets for holding grain at the time the seed is being sown. He lost his wife when she was forty-eight years of age. They were the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom are living with the exception of the elder dangh- ter, who died at the age of five years. and fifty-six cents. After disposing of his sheep Mr. Canterbury returned to Athens and i- now conducting his farm, which is pleasantly located two and a half miles southeast of the town. It comprises two hundred and twenty acres of very rich and productive land, consti- tuting one of the best improved farms in the county. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance and indicates the careful supervision of a practical and progress- ive owner. He also owns a valuable residence property in Buffalo, Wyoming.
On the 18th of December. 1881, Mr. Canter- bury was married to Miss Anna Primm. a daughter of Carlin and Maria ( Hurt) Primm. Mr. and Mrs. Canterbury have become the par- out- of six children : Mand, who died in 1887 at the age of two years: Carl, who was born in December, 188t, and died in 1888 at the age of eight months: Lura May, born December 9. 1892. and is at home: Ruth Mildred. who was born August 21, 1893 : Margaret, who was born June 19. 1901 ; and Charles P., born May 8. 1901.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Canterbury give their al- legianer to every movement which tends to pro- mote the moral development of their com- munity. He is a member of the Christian church, while his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Repub- lican, has served as a member of the school board and is identified with Social lodge. No. 121. K. P. In his business carcer he has manifested strong purpose and laudable ambi- tion and careful management, and by reason of these qualities he has gradually worked his way upward to a position of allluence.
LOUIS PIERSON.
Louis Person, who is engaged in the sale of wines and liquors in Greenview. was born in Sweden, December 13. 1851. his parents being Peter and Sophia Pierson. The father is still living in Sweden and on the 10th of March. 10001, passed the eighty-fourth milestone on
Louis Pierson was reared in his native coun- try and attended its public schools. but his educational privileges were limited. as it was necessary that he provide for his own support from an early age, and whatever success he has achieved through his business carcer has come as the direct result of his labor and diligence. le was thirty-two years of age when he came to Menard county. arriving on the 1ith of March. 1882. He began working for Andrew Gaddie. by whom he was employed for four months and thirteen days, after which he entered the em- ploy of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Com- pany. He began work at the coal shaft Decem- ber 15. 1883. and continued in that line of business until May 5, 1896, when he made ar- rangement to go into business on his own ac- count and on the 15th of fine opened a saloon in Athens. There he remained until the 28th of Inue. 1898, when he came to Greenview. where he has since conducted a saloon with con- stanily growing success.
On the 12th of September. 1899, Mr. Pier- son was united in marriage to Miss Mary W. Pierson. a daughter of David and Julia ( Lun- delins) Pierson, Both of whom were natives of Sweden, the former born December 31. 1813. and the latter November 10. 1812. They were married in Sweden and are now living in Me- nard county, where the father is engaged in farming and stock-raising. They hold mem- bership in the Swedish Lutheran church. In their family are live children, a son and four daughters, of whom only two are now living: Mrs. Louis Pierson. born March 25, 1815: and Robert G .. born January 31. 1829, and now a resident of Menard county. Our subject and his wife have three children: Earl L .. born July 13. 1900: Harold T., born February 18. 1902 : and Conrad J .. born February 15, 1901.
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All have been baptized in the Swedish Lutheran .hurel.
Mr. Pierson incame a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at AAthens on the 6th of April. 1893. In politics he is independent, voting for the man whom he thinks best quali- fied for office. Since coming to this county he has steadily progressed in his business career and he has manifested the diligence and per- severance so characteristic of people of his nationality.
ELIJAH J. ARMSTRONG.
Elijah J. Armstrong, whose valuable prop- orty of six hundred and eighty-five acres is the visible evidence of his life of thrift. labor and enterprise, was born July 18. 1841. in Jas- per county. Missouri, near the city of Carthage. his parents being Hyal and Allie (Jones) Arm- strong. The father wa- of Scotch-Irish and the mother of Welsh lineage. He was a farmer of Tennessee. from which state he removed to Kentucky, and in 1828 came to Menard county. Illinois, when it was a pioneer district. prior to the winter of the deep snow, memorable in the history of this state. He lived first near Lit- tle Grove and afterward near Concord church. In April, Isto, he removed to Jasper county. Missouri, where he purchased a farm. becom- ing the owner of a large tract of land. Later he sold that property with the intention of re- turning to Illinois, but became ill and died before carrying out this plan. His widow re- turned to Menard county about 1817, bringing with her her eight children. She then pur- chased a small farm, now owned by Henry Shirding and upon this place she reared her family. John, the oldest, was a farmer, but in bis later life lived retired in Council Bluffs. lowa. where his death occurred. He left a widow and seven children. Eliza is the widow of Isaac M. Watkins and lives with her dangh- tor Mrs. Joseph Bailey. Emeline is the third of the family. Bowling G. died in childhood. Nancy And became the wife of Heury Out and they removed to the west. Robert 1. married a Mis- Jenkins, who died in Texas, while his death occurred near Guthrie. Oklahoma. They
had seven children. Your boys and three girls. Elijah J. was the seventh of the family. Mary .. became the wife of Nelson R. Watkins. of San Marcial. New Mexico, a miner and pro- pector. They have three sans and three daugh-
Elijah .J. Armstrong pursued a common- school education in Menard county and began his business life by working on a farm by the month, receiving from fifteen to eighteen dol- lars a month for his service. It was his ambi- tion to become a landowner and he first pur- chased forty acres of swamp land, borrowing the money from William Watkins, better known as "Fiddler Bill Watkins," Mr. Armstrong then began farming in the spring of Isto. On the 20th of September of the same year he was married, thus gaining a companion and help- mate for life's journey. He wedded Susannah Watkins. a daughter of Samuel Watkins, a representative of one of the oldest. best known and most prominent families of this part of the state. The young couple began their do- mestie life upon a farm and here they con- tinned to live. laboring earnestly together, and as the years passel they prospered. Their first home was a log cabin. with a stick chim- ney daubed with clay, and slay was placed in the chink between the logs. There was just one door and four windows and the house was covered with clapboards. Later Mr. Armstrong created another house, which is still standing north of his prosent residence. The second dwelling was a frame structure, sixteen in eighteen feet. but it in turn was replaced by a more commodious and modern residence. le has also made other substantial improvements and has added to his original farm from time to time until his landed possessions now aggre- gate six hundred and eighty-live acres, This is indicative of a life of earnest foil, strong pur- pose and landable ambition. In former years he worked carly and late and in due course of time his labors were rewarded. He has raised grain and fed cattle and the products of his farm have brought to him a good income.
Into Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were born nine children : Matilda, who died at the age of eighteen months: Samuel, who died when about twenty-one years of age; Mary, who died
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
m infancy : Ryal. who married Martha Skaggs. In whom he has five children, and is a farmer. grain buyer and dealer in implements, living in Oakford: Kitty, who died at the age of fif- teen years: John, who died at the age of twenty- two years: George, who is a farmer residing on the old home place and who married Elsie Davis, by whom he has a little daughter: Joseph, who resides upon his father's farm, a half mile cast of the old home, and who mar- ried Maude Maltby, by whom he has three chil- dren: and William t' .. who married Fannie Boeker and lives upon his father's farm, a half mile east of the homestead.
Mr. Armstrong has always been a Democrat. supporting the men and measures of the party, vet never seeking or desiring office. He he- Jongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian church and his wife was also a member of that church. Her death occurred December 13, 1898, and her remains were interred in Concord come- tery. Many friends as well as her immediate family mourn her lo->. Mr. Armstrong has a wide acquaintance in Menard county. where al- most his entire life has been passed and his close adherence to the rules which govern in- dustry and strict unswerving integrity have made him not only a successful. but also highly respected business man.
GEORGE C. SPEARS.
George (. Spears, who, in his business and official life has ever been found a man of honor. worthy the trust and confidence of those with whom he has been associated and who is now living a retired life in Talhuda, was born in Green county. Kentucky. April 18. 1822. his parents being Jacob and Letitia (Ewing) Spear -. The paternal grandfather. Jacob Spears. Sr .. was born in Virginia. February :. 1:51. His son, Jacob Spears, was born in Lincoln county. Kentucky. January 11. 1285. and was married in that county on the 20th of December, 1516, to Miss Letitia Ewing, who was born in Frankfort county. Kentucky, June 13. 199. a daughter of Baker Ewing. who conducted the first land office at Frankfort. In the year 1811. Jacob Spears removed with
his family to Missouri, purchasing land in Lafayette county, where he carried on agricul- tural pursuits for a number of years. le then retired to private life and spent a part of his time in the home of his son George C. and the remainder of the time with his other chil- dren in Missouri. Thus he lived for fifteen years, but died at the home of his son George, January 1. 1865. Ilis wife. surviving him about ten year-, died in Missouri. April 26. 18:5. He was a Whig in his political views. but never held nor desired public office. His wife held membership in the Christian church. In their family were five children. all of whom reached mature years. but only two are now living, the sister being now the widow of Augustus Keller. She resides with her daugh- ters in Kansas City. Missouri, and in Higgins- ville. Missouri.
George C. Spears began his education in a log schoolhouse, which stood in the midst of the forest in Green county. The teacher be- lieved in the old adage. "Spare the rod and spoil the child." and there were no rules against corporal punishment in those days. Mr. Spears receiving his full share of such. His educa- tional privileges were somewhat limited for in his youth he largely assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, remaining upon the old homestead up to the time of his mar- riage, with the exception of the period which he spent in the army. Ile enlisted in Lafayette county. Missouri. June 6. 1816, as a member of the First Missouri Mounted Volunteers under Colonel A. W. Doniphon, one of the grandest men that ever crossed the plains. He was mistered in at Fort Leavenworth and with his command traveled across the plains to Santa Fe. New Mexico, whence the troops were or- dered to Chihuahua. Mexico. A battle oc- eurred at Sacramento and Mr. Spears after- ward went with his regiment to join General Taylor's forces at Walnut Springs. He was Jater at Satila and participated in the battle of Buena Vista. after which the regiment was ordered home. proceeding to the banks of the Rio Grande river and thence by boat to Now Orleans, where Mr. Spear- was honorably dis- charged. Inne 26. 1818. arriving home on the 1th of July. after which ho resumed work on
GEORGE C. SPEARS.
MRS. GEORGE C. SPEARS.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
his father's farm. He is now one of the live surviving members of his company which went to the front one hundred and fourteen strong and returned with ninety-two members. Four are now living in Missouri.
Mr. Spears continued to assist in the cultiva- tion of the home farm up to the time of his marriage, which occurred December 20. 1819. in Clary's Grove. Menard county, Illinois, Miss Elizabeth F. Spears becoming his wife. She was born in Menard county two miles northeast of Tallula, January 31. 1831. Her father. George Spears, was born in Green county. Kon- tueky, March 19. 1805, within two miles of the home of our subject. He married Maria Blenkenship, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia. December 15. 1802. their marriage being celebrated in Green county. Kentucky. August 19. 1824. They emigrated to Illinois before the lands were on market and settled upon the farm where occurred the birth of Mrs. Spears, wife of our subject. Her father was a very extensive landowner, having more than twenty-one hundred acres and he divided fifteen hundred acres among his children. Upon the homestead place he remained until his death and was then buried there, passing away August 22. 1892. while his wife's death occurred on the 23d of June, 1828. Mary Seeley, whose sketch is given on another page of this volume. was the grandmother of Mrs. George C. Spears. while Mrs. Spears' mother was a cousin of ex- Vice President Stephenson. Her father was a Whig in his political views and was a mom- ber of the Baptist church. Mrs. George ('. Spears belonged to a family of live children. all of whom reached adult age, while three are vet living. her brother being John Q. Spears. who is represented elsewhere in this work. while her sister is Mrs. William T. Beckman. also mentioned in this volume.
Following his marriage George (. Spears began farming upon the land given him by his father-in-law-a tract of three hundred and twenty aeres in Tallula town-hip. He continued to reside there for some years and he followed farming until 1891. placing his farm under a very high state of cultivation and making many excellent improvements
thercon. He was always progressive and prae- tical in his methods and in his farming opera- tions met with very gratifying success. At length when seventy-two years of age he de- termined to put aside further business cares and, retiring to private life. he established his home in Tallula, where he now resides. He sold his first property after improving it. He had made a part of the rails used in fencing and he added many modern equipments. After disposing of the property he bought one hun- dred acres elsewhere in Tallula township and he also has one hundred and eighty-four acre- in an adjoining township, while his home in Tallula is a good residence property.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Spears have been born eight children, of whom six are living: William B. born September 1. 1850, married Emma .V. Purkapile, and they reside upon a farm in Franklin county, Kansas. They have two son>. J. Glen. born January 21, 1832. and Richard D., born October 1. 1886. Maria L ... born March 11, 1853. is the wife of (. W. Green. of Homewood. Kansas, and they have three living children. John Q .. Katie Y. and Beulah W. Mary A .. born June 15, 185%. died May 21. 1859. R. Yates, born October 30. 1859, married Mary V. Washburn, of Marshall, Missouri, and lives upon a farm in Tallula township. Henrietta C., born Febru- ary 15, 1863. is the wife of Charles A. Reding who is now in the revenue office at Pekin. Illinois, and they have one son. Ralph S. John R. born February 17, 1865, died July 25, 1846. George W. born May 1. 1869, is now a prac- tieing dentist of Petersburg and married Flor- once Wood. Pauline B., born October 30. 18;0. is the wife of Evens J. Watkins, a farmer ro- siding in Little Grove, Menard county, and they have one son Robert B.
In his political views Mr. Spears was orig- inally a Whig, casting his first presidential vote for Henry Clay and since the organiza- tion of the Republican party he has been one of its stanch champions. He became a mom- her of the Masonic fraternity in Petersburg almut Ists and belongs to Clinton lodge. No. 19. A. F. A .A. M. and also to the Roval Arch chapter. For many years he has been a do- voted and faithful member of the Baptist
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
church and is now serving as one of the church trustees. Ile is a hale, hearty old gentleman. notwithstanding his eighty-two years, possesses a genial. jovial nature and has a remarkably fine voire. In years past his voice was most wonderfully distinct and clear and he could make himself heard for a distance of a quarter of a mile. Mrs. Spears, too. has many at- tractive qualities, is a pleasing and entertain- ing lady of sunny disposition. She united with the Clary's Grove Baptist church when she was fifteen years old and has remained a faithful and earnest worker both in church and Sabbath-school, being a teacher for the past forty years. Their home is noted for its gen- crous hospitality, and they are held in highest esteem by a host of warm friends throughout Menard county.
THOMAS WILLIAMS.
Thomas Williams, now operating a good farm of two hundred acres in Tallula township. which belongs to Mrs. Sophia Golder. and on which he has now lived for twenty-two years. was born October 30. 1816, in Laurel county, near Lexington, Kentucky, his parents being Campbell and Mary (Box) Williams. The father's people were from Tennessee, while the mother was a representative of an old North Carolina family that was established in Laurel county, Kentucky, at an early date. Campbell Williams also removed to that county in carly hfe and became a farmer there. He was of English lineage, while his wife was of German dissent, and for a long period they remained residents of Laurel county, being representative farming people of their community. Their family numbered live children. of whom Thomas is the oldest. The other- are: Sarah. who married a Mr. Watts and resides in Lanrel county. Kentucky : Eliza. the deceased wife of Wallace Sa-er : Elijah, who married l'asie Jones and died in Laurel county. Kentucky. where his widow is still living : and Annie, who I'm at the age of three years.
Thomas Wilham- pur-med hi- education in the cherries schools in the county of his na- tivity and remained a resident of Kentucky
until twenty-three years of age, when in 1869 he came to Illinois, settling at Pleasant Plains. in Sangamon county. There he secured em- ployment as a farm hand, working for Scott C'ar-on for six years. He was then married and hegan farming on his own account on a tract of rented land. it bring the George B. Welsh farm, near Tallula, in Menard comty. This was in about 1St and he continued to rent for a number of years and then with the capital he had acquired through his industry and perseverance he purchased one hundred and seven aeres of land, which he afterward sold. For twenty-two years he has occupied the farm where he now resides. With character- istic energy he began cultivating the fields and now harvests good crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the Jand. He also raises stock and has been quite success- ful in both departments of his farm work.
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