USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 43
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as equestrian director. This is the seventh annual tour of his own circus, known as Shipp's Indoor circus, which gives performances in the theaters of the large cities and is composed of first class performers.
In his political views Mr. Shipp is a Demo- erat and in his fraternal relations he is a Ma- son, having joined the order about five years ago and holding membership in Clinton lodge, No. 19. A. F. & A. M. of Petersburg. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Port Huron, Michigan, and the Knights of Pythia> and the Modern Wood- men of America. Mrs. Shipp is a lady of cul- ture and refinement and one would hardly recognize her in the tinsel and glare of the arena as she appears in her thrilling bare-back riding as the same modest. retiring wife and mother in the home. Notwithstanding her ex- tensive travels and the excitement of appearing before the applauding public she loves the quiet life of her little home in Petersburg and she and her husband have many friends here, bo- ing held in the highest regard not only by the citizens of Petersburg but by the people of Menard county in general. This has been the winter home of a great many people of recog- nized prominence in the cirens profession and this is largely due to the popularity of Mr. Shipp. Possibly no one in the Imsiness has a wider acquaintance or warmer friends than he. He is a man of shrewd. keen judgment and is evol and collected while handling performances. but he always has a friendly smile and a kind word for all. It is a noticeable fact that his presence in the arena is an encouragement to performers and should they happen to make a mistake in their daring feats or an unsuccess- ful attempt in the act. hi- kindly smile and word of cheer seems to imbue them with a desire to everl and hence his wonderful success.
I. V. SHORT.
One of the valuable farming properties for which Menard county is noted is in possession of J. C. Short, the most enterprising agricul- turist and our whose success is well deserved. for in him are embraced the characteristics of
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an unabating energy, inflexible integrity and October 17, 1817. The young couple removed strong purpose. He is, moreover, one of the to Mason county, where Mr. Short carried on general farming for fourteen or fifteen years. They then returned to Menard county and purchased the old Short homestead, upon which he vet resides. He is one of the honored pio neer residents of the county and is a great friend of Jeff Johnson, another venerable viti- zen of this part of the state. They were school- mates and playmates in youth and as they grew up became partner- in many business enterprises, buying stock in the north which they drove to this county. In business as well as in social life their relations have continued mutually pleasant and agreeable and few men are better informed concerning pioneer his- tory in this part of the state than Mr. Short and Mr. Johnson. oldest native sons of this part of the state. his birth having occurred May 12. 1824. upon the farm where he now resides. He is a son of William B. and Tabitha ( Manner) Short. both of whom are natives of Kentucky. The father spent his early life in that state, was reared to the occupation of farming and al- ways followed that pursuit as a life work. He Jeft Kentucky in order to become a resident of Illinois, settling in St. Clair county. where he remained for a year and a half and then removed in 1819 to a farm now occupied by his son J. C. Short. Upon this place he lived until his death and when he was called away it hore little resemblance to the tract of land which came into his possession. His farm was at first a wild and unimproved region. hardly Mr. and Mrs. Short became the parents of three children, but none are now living. John (" .. who was born in 1851, died in 1853, and one son died in infancy. The daughter. Mar. Clarinda, born August 22. 1852. married Joseph Kincaid and removed to California, where she died January 10, 1900. She had three chi !- dren. two sons. Harry E. and D. Roy, and a daughter, Ruth Eliza. The sons are now iden- tified with the mining industry of the west and the daughter is visiting Mr. Short. having come from California at his request, he desiring that she should make her home with him m his declining years, for in 1900 he lost his wife who, on the isth of October of that year was called to her final rest. They had long traveled life's journey together with marked devotion to each other and a most congenial companionship existed intween them. a furrow having been turned when it came into his possession, but soon the track of the shining plow was seen across the fields and in due course of time the planting of the seed was followed by the gathering of rich harvests. Mr. Short was a man of more than average education for his day and because of his in- tellectual force and his high character worth he exerted strong influence in his community. which was always given in behalf of justice. truth and improvement. He was numbered among the more highly respected of the old settlers of Menard county and his death. which occurred in 1865, was the occasion of wide- spread and deep regret in this part of the state. He married Miss Tabitha Manner and they became the parents of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are deceased with the exception of J. C. Short and his brother Wil- liam P. who is now living at the age of eighty-five years in the enjoyment of good health. making his home upon a farm in Mason county. Illinois.
In the early district schools of Menard con- ty . (. Short obtained his education and when he had put aside his textbooks he continued upon the farm with his father until he had reached the age of twenty-six years. He then made preparation for having a home of his own'and was married on the 24th of Decem- ber. 1849. to Miss Eliza Wilcox, who was born
Mr. Short has frequently been solicited to accept public office by his fellow town-men who have recognized hi- worth and ability. but he has always declined to serve. preferring to do his duty as a private citizen. Although he has reached the eightieth milestone on life's jour- ney he is still a hale and hearty old man. Old age need not suggest as a matter of course helplessness or want of occupation. Mr. Short is still deeply interested in affairs concerning his county and its welfare and throughout the long years of his manhood has endorsed every measure which he has believed would contrib-
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
ute to general progress and improvement. Ilis business affairs have been capably managed and he now owns a fine farm. although at a recent date he suffered the loss of his large barn and cribs through tire. He still. however. has a valuable property and it is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and energy.
THOMAS P. REEP.
Thomas P. Roep is actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any soc- tion or community and one which has long been considered as conserving the public wel- fare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights. In the practice of law in Petersburg he has demonstrated his ability to cope with intricate problems of juris- prudence and now has a large clientage.
He was born in Little Grove preeinet. Menard county, on the 3d of October. 1820. and is a son of Eli and Annie Beck ( Dowell ) Reep. the former a native of New Albany. In- diana, and the laiter of Little Grove precinct. His paternal grandfather, Philip Reep, was a native of North Carolina. The family is of Holland lineage and was founded in America by William Reep, the great-grandfather of Thomas P. Reep, who crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel and established his home in North Carolina in colonial days. He settled
in what is now Lincoln county and the town of Reepsville was named in honor of the fami- ly. Representatives of the name fought for the independence of the nation in the Revolu- tionary war, and loyalty in citizenship has ever been one of the salient characteristics of the family. Leaving the south. Philip Reep re- moved to Indiana during the pioneer opoch in the history of that state and followed the or- cupation of farming there until his life's la- lor- were ended in death.
Eli Reep, father of our subject. came to Menard county when seventeen years of age and followed farming in Little Grove precinct. He devoted his energies to the tilling of the soil until after the inauguration of the Civil war. when he put aside the plow and shoul-
dered the musket. The blood of Revolutionary sires flowed in his veins, and ho resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union which his ancestors had aided in establishing. It was in 1862 that he joined Company K. One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry. with which he served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and re- turned home with a creditable military record. He had done his full Anty as a soldier upon a number of southern battle-fields and was un- faltering in his allegiance to the old flag. After his return to Petersburg he was married to Miss Annie Beck Dowell and is still living in Little Grove precinct. where for many years he has successfully carried on agricultural pur- -uits. He has been active and influential in public affairs, and his fellow citizens have chosen him for the office of county assessor and treasurer, the duties of which were discharged by him with promptness and fidelity.
I'pon the home farm Thomas P. Reep spent the days of his boyhood and youth, working in the fields through the months of summer and tlms gaining practical knowledge of the va- rious departments of agricultural life. He at- tended the public schools, and when he had mastered the branches therein taught he en- tered the Northern Indiana Normal College at Valparaiso, Indiana. where he pursued the teachers' course. Subsequently he returned to Menard county. where he engaged in teaching for one term and for two terms in Mason county. He then returned to Valparaiso. where he completed the scientific course, being gradnated with the class of 1890. Again com- ing to Menard county, he resumed teaching. and his leisure hours were devoted to the study of law. Ile completed his law studies in the office of Hon. Edward Lanning, and in 1895 was admitted to the bar. He continued teach- ing. however, for three years, and was a capa- ble educator. imparting readily and concisely to other- the knowledge that he had acquired. On the expiration of that period he opened a law office in Petersburg, in June. 1895, and has since practiced. with constantly growing suc- ers. He has now a large and gratifying client- age, which connects him with much of the im- portant litigation tried in the courts of his
THOMAS P. REEP.
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district, and in his practice he is noted for more land and at the time of his death was the thorough and systematic preparation while his presentation of his cause is lucid, his rea- son clear and cogent. He was city attorney for one term and was elected state's attorney of his county by the largest majority ever given to any candidate on the Republican ticket. He has also been president of the board of educa- tion and withholds his support from no move- ment which tends to advance the material. in- tellectual and moral progress of the county.
In May. 1895. Mr. Roep was united in mar- riage to Miss Laura Shipp, of Menard county, a daughter of Rolla Shipp, one of the carly and prominent residents of the county. There has been born to them three children: Alice. May. Anna Ruth and Philip T., but they lost their second daughter. Mr. Keep belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. In a profes- sion where advancement depends upon indi- vidual merit he has worked his way upward. developing his native powers, and through his close application and earnest purpose gaining a desirable position as a strong and forceful factor in legal circles.
TRUMAN C. POND.
Truman C. Pond, who has a wide and favor- able acquaintance in Menard county. was one of the honored veterans of the Civil war and in matters of citizenship is equally loyal at the present day. His birth occurred in this county, October 6. 1812, his parents being Samuel S. and Emily ( Dufer) Pond. The father was born in Oneida county, New York, August 9. 1816. and the mother was a native of the same locality They were married in the Empire state in 1832 and soon afterward started for Illinois in company with his parents, it being the desire of Samuel S. Pond to make a home for himself in the new west. Ho located in Menard county and his father entered land from the government and gave to him eighty aeres on which he and his bride began their domestic life. He applied himself with great diligence to the development of his property and subsequently, when his labors had brought to him a good finaneial return, he purchased
owner of two hundred and twenty acres. When it came into his possession it was wild prairie, but his efforts transformed it into a very rich and valuable tract. His first house was built from logs, which he hewed in the forest. and it was in that pioneer cabin that Truman C. Pond was born. In ante-bellum days Samuel S. Pond was a stanch abolitionist and his home was a station on the famous underground rail- road, whereby many negroes were assisted on their way northward to freedom. He voted with the Whig party until the organization of the new Republican party, when he joined its ranks and became a most earnest supporter of Lincoln and Hamlin. From the time of his removal to the west until within six years prior to his death. he continued to lead a strenuous life upon the farm, working earnestly and per- sistently in the requirement of a comfortable competence, He held membership in the Pres- byterian church and took an active part in its work, served as one of its elders and did every- thing in his power to promote the growth and extend the influence of his church. He died at Salt Lake City, Utah, June 9, 1904. His first. wife passed away November 2. 1858. Their children were: Adeline, who was born June 12, 1838. and is now deceased ; Charles H., who was born September 6, 1810, and died August 13. 1813: Truman C .: Henry K .. who was born January 2. 1815, and died November 4. 1518 : Jasper N., who was born March 28. 1848, and died February 26, Ists; Frances and Franklin, twins, who were born June 1, 1852. and died in infancy; and another child that died in infancy. After losing his first wife Mr. Pond was again married. his second umion being with Hester Darrell. and they became the parents of seven children. bul only two are now living: Mrs. Hettio Christianson, who re- sides at Duncan, Mississippi: and Samuel S .. who is now living at Salt Lake City, Utah.
In taking up the personal history of Truman C. Pand we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Menard county, where he has long made his home. He was not yet nineteen years of age when on the 1st of August. 1861. he enlisted at Petersburg in defense of the Union
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as a member of Company A. Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry. He was discharged Septem- ber 1. 1862. on account of disability. having been wounded in the battle of Shiloh. On Fri- day, April 4, 1862. the enemy sent out a bri- gade to test the position of the Union troops. General Hurlbut's divisjon was then put in line and moved forward to meet the advancing rebel column. The night was dark and the roads were muddy. but there occurred some heavy firing for a short time, after which the rebels fall back. The Twenty-eighth Illinois Regiment moved out to the division for a mile and a half and then returned to camp. Early on Sunday morning on the 6th of April, the regiment was called out by the long roll and marched a mile to the front. where it was assigned to a position on the left of the line in a peach orchard. The enemy immediately fired upon this regiment, but was repulsed with heavy loss. The Twenty-eighth held its posi- tion under great odds from eight o'clock in the morning until three o'clock in the after- noon. When the battle had been on for an hour General Grant and his staff rode up and instructed the Twenty-eighth to hold its posi- tion at all hazzards. This it did until ordered back by General Hurlbut, who commanded the old fighting Fourth Division. The regiment lost heavily in killed and wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Kilpatrick being among the killed, while Major B. C. Gillam was badly wounded in the left shoulder and his horse was killed. Adjutant J. B. Meade was mortally wounded in that contliet and his horse was shot from un- der him. Mr. Pond was struck by a minnie ball and back shot pierced his left hand and wrist. He was also wounded in the left shoul- der, where the ball still remains. He lay on cornsacks on a transport in Tennessee river for about three weeks and was then taken up the Mississippi river to Quincy, Illinois, where he remained in the hospital until September. and because of his injuries he was honorably discharged and returned home. For three years thereafter he was a great sufferer as his wounds did not heal. At length. however. he recor- Fred his health and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits.
On the 8th of February. 1866. Mr. Pond was seven children:
united in marriage to Miss Catherine .l., a daughter of James and Sarah ( Hornback) Killion. Her parents were both natives of Kentucky and came to Illinois with their re- spective parents. Her father, who was born in 1820. died in 1888. and his wife, whose birth occurred in 1822. died October 31. 1901. In his boyhood days he accompanied his pa- rents to Illinois and afterward entered govern- ment land. breaking the wild prairie and fell- ing the timber with which he built a log house. It was in that pioneer cabin that Mrs. Pond was born. It continued the family residence for some time, but was afterward replaced by a substantial frame residence, in which Mr. Killion spent his remaining days. He suffered many of the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, but as the years passed prosperity crowned his efforts and at the time of his death he was the owner of three hundred and forty acres of valuable land. from which he derived a good income. Both he and his wife were active and consistent members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church, in which he served as deacon for many years. In their family were ten children, of whom five are now liv- ing: Robert H., who was born August 21. 1811. and is married and resides in Oklahoma : Mrs. Pond. born December 2. 1846: Maria, who was born October 26. 1851, and is the wife of E. P. Denton, of lowa: Thomas W., who was born February 21. 1853. and is now mar- ried and resides in Menard county : and Amery K., who was born April 21. 1862. and is mar- ried and lives in Oklahoma.
After his marriage Mr. Poml turned his at- tention to general farming and trading in stock. He made many trips to Missouri to buy cattle. which he drove overland to Menard county and here fattened for the market. He con- tinned in active farming operations until Isst. when he turned his attention to the butcher- ing business and the shipping of stock. in which he now continues, making Greenview his headquarters. His business interests have reached extensive and profitable proportions. making him one of the leading representatives of the stock industry in Menard county.
Into Mr. and Mrs. Pond have been born Francis N .. who was born
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
November 6, 1866; Theron Ellis, who was born August 21. 1822. and died January 1. 1813: Tuey E., who was born January 21, 18th, and is now married and resides in Menard county ; Bertha E., who was born March 28, 1825. and is married and lives in Utah : Henry E., who was born November 4, 1817, and is now at- tending law school at Champaign, Ilinois: Jennie E., who was born February 15, 1885, and died on the ith of August, following; and Phyllis M., who was born December 22. 1894, and died February 6, 1895.
Mr. Pond has been quite active and influen- tial in public affairs and his influence has ever been exerted in behalf of public progress and improvement. He has served as president of the town board for abont thirteen years, and was filling that position when the waterworks system was installed, he giving personal super- vision to that work in large measure. He has served as secretary of the board of education for two or three terms and endorses every move- ment which he believes will contribute to the genial good. while already his efforts along many line- cave proved beneficial to his town and county. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellow> Society, has passed through all the chairs of the local lodge and has been a delegate to the grand lodge. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, has filled all the offices of the post and has been a dele- gate to the state encampment. His activity along many lines touching general progress and improvement have made him a representative and valued citizen of Menard county and ho has contributed in no unimportant measure to the substantial improvement and to the com- mercial, intellectual and material development of this part of the slate.
JAMES S. MILES.
James S. Miles, a son of James and Anna Miles, who are residents of Petersburg and are mentioned elsewhere in this volume, was the fourth in a family of live children and was born January 16, 1859, upon the farm where his father now resides. There he was reared. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his youth.
He pursued his education in the Barclay school and Petersburg high school, and when he had completed the course he engaged in teaching. first in country schools and afterward in Pe- tersburg, being identified with its educational interests for a year.
At the end of that time Mr. Miles was mar- ried. March 1. 1882, to Miss Nellie Purkapile, a daughter of James Purkapile. Mrs. Miles came into possession of the farm on which they now reside and they still have the original deed to this land, signed by John Adams. Her grandfather, John Purkapile, obtained the land from the government and at his death his estate was divided among his children and a part of it was inherited by the Father of Mrs. Miles and in turn came into her possession. The land just across the road was formerly the prop- erty of Judge Harrison, who was born upon the place. The name Purkapile is of German lineage and the Family were Pennsylvania Vier-
in a very early period in its development. John Purkaple married Mary Ellen Boyer and died October 1. 1816. at the age of sixty-live years. four months and sixteen days. The grand- mother of Mrs. Miles reached the very advanced aged of ninety-three years. James Purkapile. the father of Mrs. Miles, was born in Green county. Kentucky. September 2. 1812, and was first married March 18, 1833, to Polly Gold-by. a native of Illinois, who died October 25, 1835. The children of that union are deceased. Eliz- abeth, born September 19, 1831. died May 21. [536. On the 5th of September, 1836, Mr. Purkapile married denette Nance, who was al-o a native of Illinois, and died November 2. Jais. There were ton children In this marriage: Elizabeth, born September 19. 1831. died on the 21st of May. 1:36. in her third war. William R. was born July 23. 1831. Nelson was born September IS, 1539. Sarah Jane was born January 12. 1812. John, born May . ISH. was a soldier of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ilinois Infantry and was wounded but recovered and is now living at. Waggoner. Montgomery county. Illinois, where he is filling the position of postmaster. Elon. born Angust 23, Is B. died while in the serl- ice of his country during the Civil war. Mari-
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etto. born June 2. 1819. died January, 23. 1850. Charles, born July 22. 1853, is now living in Nevada, Missouri. Emma, born July 25. 1856, is the wife of W. B. Spears and resides in Homewood. Kansas. Annette, born November 1. 1858. married Thomas Rutledge and died November 21, 1887. For his third wife Mr. Purkapile married Mrs. Catherine ( Houghton) Nance, who was also born in Green county. Kentucky, October 14, 1812, and died March 22. 1892. The only child by this union was Nellie, who was born December 25. 1860, and is now the wife of Mr. Miles. Mr. Purkapile lived upon the farm now occupied by our sub- jest and his wife and there died on the 19th of January. 1838. On coming to Ilinois Mrs. Miles maternal grandparents located on Rock creek.
Mrs. Miles acquired her education in the common school- at Walnut Ridge. By her marriage she became the mother of three chil- dren but the eldest died in infancy. James S .. born June 5. 1888, is now attending school at Petersburg, being in the second year in the high school. Anna Catherine. the young- est. was born June 5, 1902.
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