USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 42
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
JOHN R. LI'NINS.
After many years connection with agricul- tural interests John R. Lukins is now enjoying a well earned rest. living retired in Greenview. So active and honorable was he in his business career and so reliable in all life's relations that he is justly accounted one of the representa- tive men of this section of the state and is therefore deserving of mention in this volume.
He was born in Menard county. April 29. 18:31. and is a son of Gregory and Elizabeth ( Ritter) Lukins. His father, who was born in Kentucky, May 24, 1811. died on the 11th of January. 1892. He arrived in Ilinois about 1830. and was married here in October. 1831. to Mis- Elizabeth Ritter, who was born in Kentucky. November 24. 1903. and died August 11. 1851. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm of eighty acres. which Mr. Lukins had entered from the gov- ermment. Later he purchased forty acres ad- ditional and subsequently sold the one hundred and twenty acre tract for eight hundred dol- lais. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land where the Chicago & Alton Railroad depot now stands and lived upon that farm for eight or ten years. Ho disposed of the property in the spring of 1s18 for two thousand dollars, at which time he removed to Sugar Grove and bought two hundred and sixty-three acres of land at seven dollars per acre. continuing the further development and cultivation of that place until 1869. when he bought ten acres of T. D. Hughes, formerly the old Christian church property. He after- ward bought twenty acres on the west of a Mr. Brown. mest purchased twenty-one and a half deres on the southeast and later twenty acres on the northeast of his ten acre fract. Ile afterward bought ten acres additional and later four and a half acres, so that the different pur- chases aggregated sixty-six acres of land. Upon
MR. AND MRS. JOHN R. LUKINS.
GREGORY LUKINS.
STEPHENSON HOLLAND.
MRS. STEPHENSON HOLLAND.
365
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
this farm he carried on general agricultural pursuits and as opportunity afforded he added more from time to time to his place until it comprised two hundred and twenty-six acres at the time of his death. He also owned four lots in Topeka. Mason county. His life was crowned with a fair measure of success gained through his persistent purpose, indefatigable energy and honorable dealing. His religious views were in harmony with the teachings of the Methodist church and he contributed gen- oronsly to its support. Unto him and his wife were born two sons, but the elder. Thomas J., born May 26. 1835, died March 29, 1892.
John R. Lukins, the only surviving member of the family, spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farm lads, remaining on the old family homestead until twenty-four years of age, when his patriotic spirit was aronsed by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union and he offered his services in its defense. On the ist of August. 1861. he enlisted in Com- pany A. of the Twenty-eighth Ilinois Regi- ment for three years service and was honorably discharged Angust 26. 1864. being mustered out at Natchez, Mississippi. The first battle in which he participated was at Pittsburg Landing, or the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of April. 1862. There a brigade was sent out in order to determine the position of the enemy. General Hurtbut's division was put in line and moved toward the enemy's forces. The night was very dark and the roads very muddy. After some heavy firing. which, however, lasted but a short time, the rebels fell back and the Twenty- eighth Ilinois Regiment was called out by the long roll and marched a mile to the front, being assigned to a position on the left of the line in a peach orchard. The enemy immediately at- tacked, but was repulsed at heavy loss, the regiment holding its position under great odds from eight o'clock in the morning until three o'clock in the afternoon. At nine o'clock in the morning General Grant and his staff rode up and the Twenty-eighth was ordered to hold its position at all hazards, which it did until ordered back by General A. S. Hurlbut. who was in command of the old fighting Fourth Division. In this conflict the regiment of which Mr. Lakins was a member lost very
heavily in killed and wounded. Lieutenant- Colonel Kilpatrick was among the killed and Major B. C. Gillan was badly wounded in the left shoulder and his horse was shot from under him. Adjutant J. B. Meade was mortally wounded and his horse was also killed. On the morning of the 4th of April the Twenty- eighth Hinois Regiment hold a position on the right of the line and was holly engaged until the battle closed with victory for the Union troops. Mr. Lukins was wounded in this battle but remained with his regiment until after the battle of Vicksburg, when he was sent home on account of illness. As soon as he had sufficiently recovered he joined his regiment at Natchez and continued with his command until his three years' term of service had expired, doing his full duty as a valiant soldier.
When the war was ended Mr. Lokins turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, begin- ning farming for himself on eighty acres of land that belonged to his father. Later he became owner of that tract and he continued to successfully conduct his farming interests until having acquired a handsome competence he retired to private life and established his home in Greenview. In his business career he was energetic and progressive and whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion.
On the 6th of February. 1896. Mr. Lukins was united in marriage to Miss Julia .1. Hol- land, who was born in Menard county. March 23, 1853, and was a daughter of Stephenson and Frances ( Pace) Holland, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, the former born De- cember 24. 1813, and the latter February 6. 1818. They married January 21, 1819, in Menard county, where for many years Mr. Holland carried on agricultural pursuits. At the time of his death he left one hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land and twenty- five acres of timber land, a part of which ho had entered from the government at a dollar and a quarter per acre. He was one of the honored pioneer settlers of this county, taking up his residence here when the work of im- provement and progress seemed scarcely begun and as the years advanced he bore his full share in the upbuilding of the county. especially
366
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
along agricultural lines. Both wife are members of the Cumberland Presby- terian church and. rearing their children in that faith, had the satisfaction to see all of them become members of that denomination. Mr. Holland passed away March 1, 1825, and his wife died July 31. 1899. They were the parents of seven children: Martha L .. born November 1, 1849, was the wife of George Suy- der. and died May 13. 1886: May E .. born April 12, 1851. is the wife of William Mitchell. a resident of Sangamon county, Illinois; Mrs. Lukins is the third of the family: Eliza J .. born October 12. 1854. died October 11. 1811: Ellen F .. born August 11. 1856, is the wife of L. K. Goff, who is represented on another page of this work: Lonisa A .. born June 21. 1858. is the wife of R. Belt. who is living in Missouri ; Edward A .. born October 25, 1860, is proprietor of a hospital at Houston, Texas, and in his practice there is making a specialty of the treat- ment of the discases of the eye, ear, nose and throat.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Lnkins holl membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Greenview and he belongs to M. Hurst Post. No. 642. G. A. R .. in that city. Politically he is a stanch Republican. having supported the party since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He also voted for Richard Yates for governor and has never fallered in his allegiance to the party and its principles. In all matters of citizenship he is as trie and loyal to-day to his country and her best interests as he was when he followed the old flag upon the battle-fields of the south.
JAMES O MCKEE.
Kentucky has furnished a large number of citizens to Menard county, whose value in com- munity affairs is widely acknowledged, and to this class belongs James O. MeKre, whose birth occurred in Fleming county. Kentucky. on the 16th of March, 1859. his parents being Hiram and Sarah ( Ledford) MeKee, who were also na- tives of Fleming county. Kentucky. There the father was reared and upon one farm remained for many years. Both he and his wife died in
he and his the county of their nativity. his death occurring in August. 1882. while she passed away Feb- ruary 28, 1861. His political support was given to the Democracy.
James O. MeKee was reared under the pa- rental roof, remaining at home until eighteen years of age, during which time he acquired his education in the public schools there. He then left Kentucky and on the 28th of Octo- ber. 1822. he arrived in Menard county, Illi- nois, where he began farming. His attention has since been given to agricultural pursuits and with the exception of two years. passed in Labette county. Kansas, he has remained con- tinuonsly in this part of the state. His busi- ness career has been attended with a gratifying measure of prosperity. all dne to his own capa- ble business discernment and unfaltering en- terprise.
On the 31st of July. 1881, Mr. McKee was married to Miss Belle MeGary. a daughter of Jacob and Martha Jane ( Pierce) MeGary, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Fleming county, Kentucky. The father was married twice, his first union being with Sarah Adams, by whom he had seven chil- dren. His second wife was Martha J. Pierce, and there were five children by that marriage- Mrs. KeKre: James Edward : Anna E., who is called Lide: and two that died in infancy. Mrs. MrKev was educated in the district schools of Menard county, pursuing her studies in a lit- the schoolhouse about a mile from her home. After putting aside her textbooks she remained with her parents until the time of her marriage. when she went to her husband's home. over which she has since presided with gracious hos- pitality. I'nto Mr. and Mrs. MeKer have been born three children : Leslie. born May 27. 1882: Laura Edith. born July 24. 1886: and Pearl. horn November 1, 1889. The second daughter, who was born while her parents were residents of Labette county. Kansas. is now secretary of the Lebanon Cumberland Presby- terian Sunday-school. The other children were born on the home farm, where the family still reside.
Politically a Democrat. Mr. MeKco has firm faith in the principles of the party. He and his family are members of the Lebanon Cum-
367
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
borland Presbyterian church and he belongs to Greenview Lodge. No. 653. A. F. & A. M., and Greenview Camp. No. 118. M. W. A. His life has been one of continuous activity. in which he has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the sub- stantial citizens of his county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of the northwest. and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to any movement cal- culated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
JAMES M. EDWARDS.
James M. Edwards is classed with the lead- ing men of Menard county, and his history is one deserving of high commendation. Well may it prove as a source of inspiration to oth- ers for from early boyhood he has been de- pendent upon his own labors for a livelihood. Moreover he sustains an unassailable reputa- tion in business circles and in Menard county his name has come to be a synonym for hon- orable dealing. In public affairs he is also prominent and as a county official he has reis dered to his fellow men valuable service.
Mr. Edwards was born in Pennsylvania. De- cember 23. 1853. and was a son of John W. and Loretta ( MeCabe) Edwards, the former a native of Philadelphia and the latter of Maryland. The father was a cabinet-maker and carpenter, and devoted his attention to those trades during his active business life. In the family were six children, but James M. Edwards is the only one now living. When only three or four years of age he was bound out to Edmund Otto, of Pennsylvania. with whom he lived until eight or nine years of age. when he left Mr. Otto and began varning his own living. working in Pennsylvania and in Maryland. After a time he learned the sawyer's trade and operated a sawmill for five or six years. Later he came to the middle west. arriving in Menard county on the Ith of April. 1815. Up to the time of his mar- riage he worked as a farm hand and then rent- ed land and began farming for himself. As soon as possible he became a landowner. gain-
ing through his earnest labor and economy the capital that enabled him to purchase a small farm. From time to time he has added to this property until he now has extensive pos- sessions. He has continuously followed farm- ing and has also fed many cattle and hogs. He has stall-fed seven hundred cattle in three years for the Chicago market. His business inter- ests are conducted in a most practical way. and his sound judgment. keen foresight and unfal- tering energy have been the strong features in his prosperity.
On the 2th of March, 18;9. Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Trent. a daughter of Henry and Harriet ( Clemons) Trent, both natives of Kentucky, the former horn January 1. 1199, and the latter February 15, 1812. By his first marriage Mr. Trent had five children, but only one is now living. By his second marriage there were twelve children. of whom five are living, three sons and two daughters. Mr. Trent died June 4. 1883. at the age of eighty-four years, five months and three days, while his wife passed away April 1. 1893. at the age of eighty-one years. Offre month and seventeen days. Both died in Mer- ver county, Missouri, where Mr. Trent had fol- lowed the occupation of farming and stock- raising. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards has been blessed with five children : Mary E .. born December 1, 1829; William. February 21. 1885 : Harry M. November 25, 1891: Cecelia M., February 5. 1897: and Beatrice M .. Jan- mary 12. 1901.
Because of his capability and deep in- tesest in his country and her substantial prog- rose Mr. Edwards has been selected for pub- lie office. He is now serving his eleventh year as road commissioner and has been three times elected to that office on the Republican ticket. Twice, when he had an opponent in the field, he polled nearly every vote and at the other election the opposition party named no candi- date. When he entered the office there were only two steel bridges in the county and now there are ten. He favors substantial progress and permanent improvement and heartily en- dorses every measure which he believes will prove of practical benefit to the county. For seven years he has served as a member of
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
the school board and his present term will cover two more year -. His public record is alnie reproach, his service being actuated by the utmost devotion to the county and its wel- fare .. In private life be is equally reliable and his fairness in all business transactions is in- dicated by the fact that although he has rented land for many years he has never had a dis- pute over the matter. Thoroughly reliable, he commands the confidence and respect of all by his unfaltering allegiance to whatever duty de- volves upon him. and his example is indeed well worthy of emulation, for it proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
EDWARD SHIPP.
One of the best known men of Petersburg i> Edward Shipp, who has been connected with the circus for many years and has traveled the world over. He was born in Petersburg. Au- gust 26, 1864. and is a son of Role and Parthena" Jane ( Mellenry) Shipp, the former born in Kentucky. in 1828, and the latter in this county in 1831. The father 'made farming his life occupation, was a Democrat in politics and a prominent Mason. He died in August, 1821. The mother was twice married her first hus- band being a Mr. Lamkin. By the second union there were nine children. of whom only three are now living -our subject and two daughters: Alice Ann, wife of J. C. Buckley. a retired farmer of Petersburg: and Laura. wife of Thomas P. Roep, who is now serving as states attorney and resides in Petersburg.
During his boyhood Edward Shipp attended the public schools of this county and for one summer worked in the foundry at Petersburg. In 1882 he joined his half-brother. Harry Lam- kin, who was then with the Cooper & Jackson virens showing in Petersburg. Two years pre- vions to this time Mr. Lamkin put the first vandeville show upon the road and our subject went with him as doorkeeper, but they were only out a few weeks as that venture proved un- successful as that line of attraction was then too new for the public. On the 19th of Sep- tember. 1852. Mr. Lanikin secured a position
for our subject as bass drummer in the band with Cooper & Jackson circus, which was a wagon road show and traveled south through Arkansas and Texas. That winter they crossed the Rio Grande and traveled by train through Mexico and were the first to take an elephant into that country. This animal caused so much excitement among the natives that the troops had to be called out to keep them away from the animals. Returning to Laredo. Texas. the company traveled by wagon through that state and came north as far as Indian Territory but were not allowed to exhibit there. While in Kansas in the spring of 1883, the circus at- tracted many Indians in war paint, cow-boys and a tough element generally.
In December. 1883. Mr. Laikin built the present ring barn in Petersburg and that winter taught subject to
ride. The same old mechanical arrange- ment which he used is still to be found in the barn and has been used in teaching a great many prominent bare-back riders, in- cluding the Lowande Brothers. Creil and Alex. and also Oscar, who have become famous the world over. Here other noted riders. acrobats and aerialists have also learned the business. It would be impossible to give the names of all the prominent performers who have either learned or improved their aets under the guid- ance of Mr. Shipp.
In the spring of 1884 he went upon the road with the oldest showman in the world-P. . 1. Older, who was formerly a partner of P. T. Barnum and who afterward sold his cireus to that gentleman. George J. Crane, who is now a prominent insurance man of Omaha. was then a partner of Mr. Older and furnished the money to carry on the business. On the 6th of January, 1885, Mr. Shipp sailed with the Gardner. Lamkin & Donovan's Great American cireus from New Orleans to South America and landed first at Colon. Isthmus of Panama, work on the canal being then in progress. They remained there eight weeks and then proceeded to Kingston, Jamaica, where they spent two weeks, after which they went to Cienfuegos. C'nba, for two weeks. They next visited San- tiago and Mr. Shipp well remembers how Moro Castle looked. There the company was
EDWARD SHIPP.
..
MRS. EDWARD SHIPP.
313
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
disbanded and he sailed for New York, arrive ferent shows, one being the Huffman circus. ing there in the middle of March. 1885. That Returning to Petersburg in the fall of INST. he opened his winter circus, which he has con- ducted ever since with the exception of two winters spent in Mexico. In the spring of 1888 he joined Ringling Brothers at Baraboo, Wisconsin, and toured the western states by wagon. He rode with Al Ringling. In the fall he returned home. season he was with the Frank A. Robbins' cir- eus, and in the fall of 1885 again started for South America with the circus that he was with the previous winter. They visited Georgetown. British Guiana, where they spent two weeks, from there went to Port of Spain. Trinidad. and up Lake Maracaibo to the City of Maracai- bo in northern Venezuela, where they gave a performance on Christmas day. which Mr. Shipp said was the hottest day he ever experi- enced. They next went to Carthagenia, which is one of the oldlest cities in South America and is surrounded by walls, and from there they pro- cerded to the Island Cuarason and on to Colon on the Isthings, where they gave a special per- formance at the home of Ferdinand De Lesseps. the French engineer who was then the prime mover in the construction of the canal. There Mr. Lamkin was taken ill with yellow fever and after four days' sickness died in February. 1886, being buried in the noted cemetery at Monkey Hill. Becoming scared and disheart- ened the company then sailed for New York.
On the 21st of February. 1889. at Philadel- phia. Mr. Shipp married Miss Julia Lowande. who was born in that city. December 26. 18:1. and is a daughter of Alexander and Virginia (Guering) Lowande, the former a native of Boston and the latter of the Island of Jamaica. where they were married. Her father was an old virens man and became quite wealthy, own- ing a largo circus in Brazil. He was a personal friend of Dom Pedro the former emperor of that country. He died at Port-au-Prince, Cuba, in 1882. and was buried there, while his wife's death occurred in Petersburg. Ilinois, August 23. 1903, and she was laid to rest in Rose Hill cemetery. She always accompanied her dangh- ter on her travels up to the time of the latter's marriage. Mrs. Shipp has two brothers who aro now bare-back riders with our subject's cir- eus. When only seven years old she was also taught to ride by her father and with her parents she appeared before the public until her father's death, when her mother retired, but the daughter has continued to ride up to the pres- ent time. In 1881 she came to Petersburg to visit her half-sister Mrs. Lakin, who was the widow of our subject's half-brother and it was thus that the young people became acquainted. For two seasons they were together with Mr. Lamikin's cireus, but in 1886 Mrs. Shipp toured the eastern states with John O'Brian's cirrus. The following three seasons she was with Adam Forepangh and after her marriage joined Ringling Brothers, remaining with them during the season of 1590 and was next with Van Amburgh, touring the northwest as a wagon show. In November, 1891, they went by mail to the city of Mexico, joining Orrin Broth- er's virens.
Mr. Shipp was next with Gardner and Nick Roberts, of old Humpty Dumpty fame, and in the capacity of bare-back rider went with their circus to Nova Scotia on a sailing vessel from Yarmouth, stopping at the coast towns along the way, many of which places had never had a circus before, They went as far north as Sidney. Cape Breton, then to Charlottestown, Prince Edwards Island and back to New Bruns- wiek and down through Maine, touring the New England states and spending three weeks at Park Square. Boston. The following fall they again went to South America and Mr. Shipp rode the horses owned by Mr. Lamkin's widow. They gave performances all through the West. India Islands and at the city of Panama he con- tracted the yellow fever but having witnessed many cases before he was able to treat it sie- cessfully, though he was ill at the Grand Con- tral Hotel for five weeks, at the end of which time he rejoined the circus. While at Colon they were notified that a rebellion was about to break out and they just escaped before the town On the 9th of December, 1891. at Vera Cruz. Mr. Shipp broke his leg while riding in was burned. returning to New York in March. 1881. That year Mr. Shipp was with two dif- a jockey act, and a few days later, the log
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
being put in a plaster cast by a Mexican phy- sician, he started for the city of Mexico. but as he was forced to ride in the baggage car the rough jolting broke the east and also the leg in several places. He could feel the bones cutting through the flesh and the pain was terrible during the entire trip. The winter had passed before be recovered, during which time he remained in the city of Mexico. The following season he again signed with Orrin Brothers and toured the entire republic, show- ing in all the large cities. They took the first train going over the road between the city of Mexico and Oaxaca. In March. 1893. Mr. Shipp returned to the United States and joined the F. J. Taylor circus but the first day out. at Malvern, lowa, he fell and broke his leg again in the same place, thus ending his career as a bare-back rider forever. He also Jost both of his ring horses by death about the same time, His wife continued with the circus throughout the season and rode one of the com- pany's horses. The following winter was spent in Petersburg and in the spring of 189t they joined the Wood Brothers cirens. During the great railroad strike in Chicago that season. the strikers would raise the side walls of the tent and enter without paying. Mr. and Mrs. Shipp were with the Royal English circus and Water Carnival in Chicago and in the fall went to Milwaukee with a similar show. After the winter spent in Petersburg they joined Ring- ling Brothers in the spring of 1895 at. Tatter- salF's in Chicago, returning home in the fall. Their daughter. Virginia Jane, was born April 19. 1896, and that season Mrs. Shipp remained at home for the first time in her life, but Mr. Shipp joined Wood Brothers. The following fall he returned home and again opened his winter circus. In 189; they joined Ringling Brothers. Mr. Shipp going as assistant eques- trian director under Al Ringling, and he has remained with them ever since in the same capacity. In is9 he was with the Robinson virens, which was virtually Ringling Brothers property, being leased by theme during the sea- son of 1505. In 190% he was with Ringling Brothers and the following two seasons was with Forepaugh & Self- Brothers, with which -how he will remain during the season of 1905
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.