USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 49
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Since the war Mr. Young has been identi- fied with farming and was also engaged in breeding and raising Shropshire sheep and fine cattle and hogs. For many years he was active in the operation of his farm, but has now turned it over to his sons, while he is living a retired life. enjoying a well earned rest. He has been prominent and helpful in church work for many years and is an elder in the North Sangamon Presbyterian church. He is president of the Indian Point Cemetery Asso-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
ciation and for sixteen years he has been a member of the school board. His political al- Jegiance has been given the Republican party since he cast his ballot for John C. Fremont in 1856, and since that time he has never wavered in his allegiance to the party. In 1852 he voted for John P. Hale for president. He belongs to Pollock Post, No. 200, G. A. R., at AAthens, and in all matters of citizenship he has been loyal. laboring for the best inter- ests of the community. His has been a useful, active and honorable career, and his record is indeed worthy of emulation.
ISAAC N. REDING.
Isaac N. Reding, now deceased, was born January 23, 1808, in Woodford county. Kon- tucky, and was the eldest son in a family of four children, whose parents were E. W. and Catherine (Conover) Reding. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and in early life emi- grated west to Kentucky, where he was mar- ried to Catherine Conover, a daughter of Major Conover, who won his title by active service in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Reding spent the first fourteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and in 1822 came to Illinois with his parents, the family home being established at Jersey Prairie. He obtained a good com- mon-school education and his training at farm labor was not meager for at an early age ho began to assist in the development and im- provement of the home farm. His youth in Illinois was passed amid pioneer environments and he helped his father in the arduous task of developing a new farm. Ilis entire life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and as the years passed he found good opportunity to invest in property and became the owner of extensive landed interests. Ho gave to cach of his children a farm prior to his demise and still retained possession of two hundred aeres of land adjoining the town. His widow yet owns a home where he setiled in 1852. In all of his farm work he was practical and energetic and he carried forward to successful comple- tion whatever he undertook, brooking no obsta-
«les that could be overcome by determination. persistent and honorable effort.
Mr. Reding was married twice. On the ?8th of February, 1828. he wedded Miss Mary Ann Hoagland, and they became the parents of nine children. five sons and four daughters, of whom Three are still living, namely: Mrs. Martha Whitenack, who resides in Edinburg, Illinois : Eli W .. who is married and makes his home in Tallula : and Mrs. Catherine Kenner, who re- sides about four miles east of Tallula. After losing his first wife Mr. Reding was again mar- ried, Angust 20, 1851. his second union being with Charry J. Houghton, a daughter of Elijah and Catherine ( Merrel) Houghton, who were Kentucky people and came to Illinois at an early day. They sellled at Rock Creek and there Mrs. Reding was born on the 26th of November, 1824-the autumn following the arrival of her parents in this state. Six chil- dren were born of the second marriage: Emma M. became the wife of Ephraim Green, who is now deceased. She resides in Tallula and has one daughter, Martha Jane, who is at home. Andrew F. married Ida Ragan and reside- near Virginia in Cass county. They have one danghter. Hazel. Mary J. is at home. An- nette O. is the wife of J. W. MeNaught. who resides near Thawville in Iroquois county. Illinois, and they have six children: Pansy R., Pearl. Roy. Ruby. Sadie and Edna. Char- ley .A .. who is employed in the government of- fice at Pekin. Illinois. in a clerical capacity. married Henrietta Spears, and they have one son, Ralph. Sarah HI. is the wife of Samuel N. Dewees, a resident of Tallula, and they have three children: Charley E .. Helen A. and Edith M.
When Isaac N. Reding attained his majority he became a stanch supporter of Whig princi- ples and upon the dissolution of that party he joined the Republican ranks and continued to follow Republican banners until called to his final rest. He was almost uniformly called Uncle Iko throughout the community. a torm which indicated a deep feeling of friendly ro- gard for him. He belonged to the Christian church, of which he became a member in 1830. and his entire life was aetnated by an honora- ble purpose and kindly spirit. He exercised
ISAAC N. REDING.
MRS. ISAAC N. REDING.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
charity in his opinions of his fellow men, was generous in his assistance to those in need and at all times was straightforward and honor- able in his dealings. He died on the anniver- sary of his birth, January 23, 1882, and his re- mains were interred in Greenwood comptery west of Tallula. During the long years he had been a resident of Menard county he wit- nessed its development from a frontier region and was classed with the honored pioneers of the locality.
LEONARD K. GOFF.
Leonard K. Goff. who is engaged in farming and threshing in township 19. range 5, is a representative of a pioncer family of Menard county, and throughout his entire business ca- Hver he has been identified with agricultural interests in this portion of the state. Ilis birth occurred in Menard county, June S. 1856, hi- parents being William and Mary ( Westfall ) Gott. The Father, who was eighty-two years of age on the 19th of August. 1901. came to illinois from Kentucky when four years of age and has been a resident of Menard county for seventy-eight years. His father died when he was a small boy and he lived at home with his mother until he attained his majority. Hle then began farming on his own account with very limited capital, having one yoke of oxen. a horse and a cow. the entire outfit boing not worth more than seventy-tive or eighty dollars. but he possessed courage and resolute spirit and he determined to gain a comfortable living and a good larm property if they could be acquired through persistent and honorable effort. On the 24th of October. 1811, he secured a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey by his marriage to Miss Mary Westfall, who was born in New York and was eighty years of age on the 10th of October. 1901. She came to Illinois when twelve years of age, making the trip down the Ohio river on a raft to a point in Indiana and thence traveling across the coun- try to Illinois. The young couple began their domestic life in true pioneer style. When they started housekeeping they had a dry-goods boy for a table and their other furniture was equally
primitive. The bedstead was practically it swinging bunk, which could be turned up and attached to the wall in the day time. The house was built of logs, had nothing save the ground floor and there was one door and win- dos, while the chimney was made of sticks and clay. Thus amid pioneer surroundings Mr. and Mrs. Golf started out for themselves. labor- ing earnestly and untiringly to gain a good start in life. As soon as possible, Mr. Golf purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land and as the years passed he prospered in his un- dertakings. Subsequently he was enabled to replace the primitive dwelling by a comfort- able frame residence. He has led a very busy, useful and active life and his career has com- manded the respect and good will of all with whom he has been associated. Although now well advanced in years, he still superintends his farming interests and he has added from time to time to his original farm until he now owns two hundred and eighty-tive acres of very rich and arable land. which annually returns to him it good income. He has also been prominent in community affairs and has filled the posi- tion of road commissioner, while for many years he was school director. His political al- logjaner is given the Democracy and both he and his wife are consistent and faithful mom- bers of the Baptist church. In their family were eight children, five sons and three dangh- ters: Theodore 1. who was born November 20. 1818, and is now living in Nodaway coun- tv. Missouri: Commodore P. who was born August 20. 1850 and is now living in Colby. Kansas: Louisa, Who was born July 11, 1853, and is the wife of Robert Can- troll, of Menard county: Leonard K .. of this review : Frederick W., who was born December 30. 1858, and resides upon the old homestead farm: Murry M .. who was born February 21. 1860, and roides near Loveland, Colorado : Mrs. Emma Frye, who was born August 25. 186-4. and resides at Springfield. Ilinois; Mrs. Ella MeNeal. a twin sister of Emna, now residing at Campbell's Hill. Illinois.
On the old home farm Leonard K. Goff was born and reared. working for his father until about twenty years of age. He gained practical experience of the labors of field and meadow
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
and when not engaged with the farm work he devoted his time and attention to mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools. After leaving home he worked by the month for a short time in Menard county and subsequently he went to Missouri, where he engaged in farming on his own account for a year. He then returned to Menard county. where he also operated a rented farm for a year. On the expiration of that period he was married and accompanied by his bride he trav- eled by wagon to Nodaway county. Missouri, where he lived for four years, engaged in farm- ing and sheep-raising. Not being able to buy land there he had to go to Kansas in order to get land for grazing purposes. for he had one hundred and eighty-five head of sheep. As the ranch there was owned by others and he was de- nied the privilege of pasturing his sheep there- on, he bought cattle and later he traded his cattle for eighty acres of land. Afterward. however, he traded this land for sheep, which he finally sold to Jefferson Johnson and re- turned to Menard county. On again reaching this county he rented a farm. upon which he lived for seven years, or until the time of the death of his mother-in-law. He is now farm- ing one hundred and fifteen acres of his fa- ther's farm and for the past seven years he has also engaged in threshing. His business in- terests are well conducted and he is widely known as a man of enterprise and of careful management.
On the 1st of August. 1878, Leonard K. Goff was united in marriage to Ellen F. Holland. a daughter of Stephenson and Frances T. (Pace) Ilolland, both of whom were natives of Ken- theky. the former born December 24, 1813, and the latter February 6. 1818. They came to Me- nard county about 1846. Mrs. Holland making the journey on horseback from Kentucky. The first work which Mr. Holland did in this county was farm labor, for which he received six dollars per month. He afterward mar- ried and began housekeeping with limited means. Hle soon arranged. however. for the purchase of one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government and later he sold this property and bought another tract of one hundred and twenty acres, upon which he spent
his remaining days, successfully carrying on general farming and stock-raising until his life's labors were ended in death on the 4th of March. 1875. Mrs. Holland long survived him and died July 31, 1899. Both were mem- bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Irish Grove and were people of the highest respectability. During her long residence in Menard county. Mrs. Holland endeared herself to many friends by whom she was lovingly and familiarly called Aunt Frankie. When she passed away one who knew her well wrote of her : "Thus has ended another life which has mostly been spent in assisting in developing the great state of her adoption-Illinois. She has witnessed many changes, both in the de- velopment of the resources of Illinois and in the building up of society around her. She will be missed, not only by her children, but also by a large circle of old and true friends. Her life acts will stand as an everlasting mon- ument to her memory and her example is worthy of imitation, not only by her children, but also by all those who came under its in- fluence. May her mantle fall upon her daugh- ters and the far-away son be comforted by the thought that his dear old mother is at rest." Mr. and Mrs. Holland were the parents of seven children : Martha L., who was born November 4. 1849, and died May 19. 1886: Mrs. Mary E. Mitchell, who was born April 12, 1851. and now resides in Morgan county. Illinois: Mrs. Julia Lukins, who was born March 23, 1853. and resides in Greenview: Eliza J., who was born November 12. 1854. and died No- vember 11. 1814; Ellen F .. who was born August 18, 1856: Mrs. Louisa A. Belt. who was born June 27. 1858, and makes her home in Bates county. Missouri: and Dr. Ed- ward A. Holland, who was born October 25. 1860, and is now living in Houston, Texas, where he is engaged in practice as a special- ist in the treatment of diseases of the eye, car and throat. He is a self-made man and is the owner of a hospital in Houston. In his pro- fessional labors he is greatly assisted by his wife. who was formerly a trained nurse of New York city.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Goff has been blessed with three children: Mrs. Lotta F.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
J'aine, who was born December 26. Isso, and is account. He farmed about eight hundred acres living on a farm in Menard county : Edwin C., who was born September 25. 1881, and assists his father in the home farm: and Gilbert E., who was born October 13, 1891, and is also at home. The parents are earnest Christian peo- ple. Mr. Goff holding membership with the Baptist church and his wife with the Cumber- land Presbyterian church, and socially he is identified with the Court of Honor and the Modern Woodmen of America, while politically he is a stanch Democrat. He has a wide ac- maintance in Menard county, where the greater part of his life has been passed and he enjoys the confidence of the entire business com- minity.
CLEMENT W. SHIPLEY.
Clement W. Shipley figures prominently in business circles in Menard county. being an extensive stock dealer and also the promotor of many enterprises which have had direct bearing upon the material upbuilding and com- mercial progress of this part of the state. Ile was born May 6, 1861. in this county, his par- ents being Henry B. and Minerva E. (King) Shipley, both of whom were natives of Ken- tucky. The father, however, was only six months old when brought by his parents to Ilinois and the mother was a little maiden of nine summers when she came with her father to Illinois, her mother having previously died. Henry B. Shipley lived with his parents until he had attained man's estate and during that period he was trained to the work of field and meadow, becoming familiar with every duty that falls to the lot of the agriculturist. On leaving home he went to California with Wil- liam B. Williams and others, making the trip overland with ox teams. It was a long and arduous journey across the plains, taking six months. but he at length reached his destina- tion in safety and spent five years on the l'a- cilie coast. He then returned to Menard connty. but in the meantime both of his par- ents had died. He was called home to seitle up the estate and when this was accomplished I began farming and stock-raising on his own
of land and also conducted an extensive Isi- Dess as at stock-dealer. He traded largely in both land and live stock and was one of the representative business men of his locality. possessing keen foresight, eventive ability and indefatigable energy. Later he removed to Petersburg, where he conducted a flour mill and also gave his attention to the supervision of his property, which he rented. His time was thus occupied until his death, which or- curred on the Both of May, 1892. Ros. W. T. Ferguson conducting the funeral services. Ilis wife died at the home of Rev. J. M. Johnston, October 9. 1899, and again Rev. Ferguson had charge of the funeral services. Both Mr. and Mis. Shipley had a wide acquaintance in Me- hard county, where they had lived from early childhood and their excellent traits of heart and mind had endeared them to many friends. They became the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter: Wil- liam, who died in infancy: Zennetta F .. who is the wife of Rey. James N. Johnston and is now living in Petersburg: Clement W. of this review : and Dillard H .. who died at the age of thirteen years.
In the usual manner of farmer lads Clement W. Shipley spent the days of his boyhood per- forming the duties of the schoolrooms, enjoying the pleasures of the playground and when not occupied by his lessons assisting in the work of the fiells. After attending the public schools he continued his studies in the old Presbyterian College at Lincoln. Illinois, and afterward en- tered the business college at Jacksonville. The occupation to which he was reared he has al- ways made his life work and since the age of twenty-two years he has carried on farming for himself. In addition to the cultivation of the fields he has engaged extensively in buying. finding and shipping stock. purchasing live Stuck in Missouri and lowa and after fattening them making shipments to the city markets. About 1599 be rented his farm for four years. thereafter residing in Petersburg, where he was engaged in the manufacture of flour a- pro- prietor of the City mills. He then sold his milling business in 1896, after which he ro- turned to the farm. where he has resided con-
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
tinuously siner. His landed possessions are es- tensive. comprising seven hundred and sixty- nine and a half acres of fine farming land. He las at the present time one hundred and twenty- three head of fat cattle and about one hundred and seventy-live head of other cattle. On his place are one thousand head of hogs and seventy head of horses and mules. His farm is splendidly equipped with modern improvements and in both the raising of grain and of stock he is meeting with gratifying success. In addition to the home property he is half owner in four hundred acres of land in Cass county. Illinois. and he own- a brick residence in Peter-burg.
Mr. Shipley is a man of resourceful business ability, alert and enterprising and has extended his efforts to many other fields of business activity. He is financially interested as il stockholder in the First National Bank of l'etersburg. is a stockholder in the Virginia Canning Company at Petersburg and also in the Petersburg Marble Works and is a stock- holder and treasurer of the Sand Ridge Tele- phone Pole & Line Company, having nearly one hundred subscribers. It will thus be seen that his activity has been called forth along many lines contributing to industrial and commercial prosperity and his name is regarded as a re- liable one in trade circles and of much value on commercial paper.
On the 23d of June, 1885, Mr. Shipley was united in marriage to Miss Evelyn Nance, who is a daughter of Franklin C. and Eliza (Houghton) Nance. Her father, who was born in Kentucky in 1828, died in May. 1898, while her mother passed away in April. 1868. Later in that year Mr. Nance was again married, his second union being with Miss Jane Stitch. By his first marriage he had four children : Sivig- nia. Hardin W., Laura A. and Mrs. Shipley. By the second marriage there were eleven children: Caroline H., J. Frank W., Fannie E .. Edna J .. Mary. Effie L .. Harry W., Florence S. Clean (., Geneva and Louise ..
Mr. and Mrs. Shipley had nine children : Alta I .. who is a member of a sorority and is a junior in music in the I'niversity of Illi- nois: Henry E .. Pearl E., Ernest R., Com- ent O. Who died at the age of eleven months
and twenty-seven days: Caleb Glenn. Hah Donald. Evelyn lol, who died at the age of two years and five months: and Claremont. Wayne, who died at the age of eighteen months.
In his political views Mr. Shipley is a stanch and earnest Democrat, but though he has been solicited to accept public office he has always refused to become a holder of any position of publie preferment save in connection with the schools of his locality. He is now a mem- ber of the school board of his district and has been its president for many years. He is prom- inent in Masonry. belonging to Clinton lodge. No. 19. A. F. & A. M .. of Petersburg and De- Witt chapter. No. 119. R. A. M .. and St. Aldo- mar Commandery. No. R. K. T. Keen and clear-headed. always busy. careful and con- servative in financial matters, moving slowly but surely in every transaction. he has few superiors in the steady progress which invari- ably reaches the objective point. The story of his achievement should inspire all young men who read it with a truer estimate of the value and super rewards of character.
WILLIAM R. GRIMSLEY.
William R. Grimsley, who is engaged in general farming and the breeding of horses. being one of the successful men in this line of business in Menard county, was born in Bath county, Kentucky, August 1. 1845, his parents being Nimrod G. and Frances ( Moreland) Grimsley, the latter also a native of Kentucky. The father was born in Virginia. August 30. 1813. and came to Menard county March 1 ;. 1865. He purchased land and began farming and stock-raising, and for a number of years was numbered among the well-to-do and re- spected agrienlturists of this part of the state. In his family were six children, five sons and a danghier: Elmore G., John G .. William R .. Samuel. Nelson and Elizabeth D. All are mar- ried with the exception of Sammel and all are living in the county with the exception of Nelson, who makes his home in Seattle. Wash- ington. Elizabeth married Ephraim Propst. of this county.
Reared and edneated in his native state.
1-
MR. AND MRS. W. R. GRIMSLEY.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
William R. Grimsley came to Illinois in early manhood and throughout his entire business career has carried on general farming and stock-raising. He was at first employed as a farm hand by the month and in 1869, at the time of his marriage, he rented a farm upon which he lived for four years. He afterward rented another farm for eight years and then purchased the tract of land upon which he is now living, consisting of three hundred and lifteen acres. He carries on general farming and he is a member of the Greenview Horse (Inb Company, of which he has been a director for ten years. He is also a member of the Sweetwater Horse Company and he owns an imported pedigreed Percheron stallion. St. Pachen, which is registered. He also has Satin- wood. a standard-bred and registered pedigreed animal, a half-brother to Nutwood. He has always bred the highest grade horses and has been the owner of some very fine specimens of the noble steed. He also owns a number of head of fine cattle, making a specialty of short- horns of the best grade. He has three hundred and fourteen acres of very valuable and pro- ductive land in his farm and he deserves great credit for what he has accomplished as his possessions have been acquired entirely through his laborions and well directed efforts.
On the ilth of Jannary, 1869. Mr. Grims- lov was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kinmell, and they became the parents of three children. Edward, born July 31. 1820, is now living in lowa. Clara, born April 25. 18;6. was married December 22. 1896. to W. T. Deatherage, and they have four children. May E .. AAmos. Hallen P. and Ruth. Alma born October 13, 1828. is at home with her father. The wife and mother died November 1. 18St. at the age of forty-one years.
Politically Mr. Grimsley is a Republican. and keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, is able to support his position by intelligent argument. He has been a member of the school board for nineteen years, and believes in the employment of good teachers and the utilization of every practical method that will benefit the school. He is what the world calls a self-made man. for de-
pending upon his own resonrees. he has. by honorable methods, risen from a humble finan- cial position to one of affluence.
DANIEL DIEHIL.
Daniel Diehl. an honored veteran of the Civil war who is equally loyal to his country in times of peace, and who is classed with the repre- sentative farmers of Menard county, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania. in 1831. He is i -on of Henry C. and Hannah ( Lease) Diehl. who were likewise natives of Books county. Pennsylvania. The father's birth occurred in February, 1809. lle was a son of John Adolph Diehl, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. and a grandson of Nicholas Dichl. a native of Germany. The last named came to America in colonial days and settled in Philadelphia. In his native country he had learned the bak- er's trade and after living in Philadelphia for a time he opened the first bakery ever conducted in Reading. Pennsylvania, where he remained until his life's labors were ended in death. When the country became involved in war with England he espoused the cause of the colonists and fought for the independence of the nation. His son John Adolph Diehl was a hotel keeper and became proprietor of the Black Horse tavern near Philadelphia. At a later date he removed to Oley Valley in the same county. where he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-live years of age.
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