USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 51
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On the 19th of December, 1895, was cole- brated the marriage of Mr. Williams and Miss Mabel JJ. Council, a daughter of Robert and Ellen (Cresse) Council. Her father, who was born in Sangamon county, Ilinois, in 1830. died in 1851, while his wife, who was born Aug- ust 11, 1811. is still living. They were married in 1862 and became the parents of eight children, six of whom survive: John W., who i- married and resides in Menard county : Mrs. Williams: Lillie, who is the wife of Will Cline. a resident of Sangamon county: Lula C., the
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
wife of Edward Lake, of Menard county; Robert C. and Frank. who are living on the old family homestead. The father spent his entire life in Menard and Sanga- mon counties engaged in the business of feeding and raising stock and cultivating his fields. He possessed excellent business ability and executive force and managed his affairs so ably that at the time of his death he left a valuable farm comprising four hundred and eighty acres of fine prairie land well improved. On the place is a nice residence and substantial barns and outbuildings, while shade and fruit trees add to the value as well as to the attrac- tive appearance of the place. Mr. Council was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his name was a synonym for honorable dealing in all life's relations,
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Willians, was blessed with three children: Ellen. born De- comber 30, 1892: Ed. born November 9. 1900: and Robert C. born September 25. 1903. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams have a wide circle of friends in the county and their pleasant home is noted for its gonerons hospitality. They favor the Cumberland Presbyterial church. although they are not members of any religious denom- ination. In his political view- Mr. Williams is a Republican and, while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day as every true American citizen should do. he has neither time nor inclination to seek public office, pro- ferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with signal success.
JESSE F. GUM.
ose F. Gum, who throughout his business career followed farming. winning both success and an honorable name. was born upon a farm tvar Talula. Menard county. November 29. 18:4. bis parent - being Jesse and Mary (Dill-) Gum, both natives of Kentucky, whener they Imoved to Ilinois at an early epoch in the development and improvement of the county. They settled upon a tract of wild land. the father becoming the owner of a tract of iwehe hundred Beres, which at his death was divided
among his children. Indians were still found in this part of the state at the time of Mr. Guns arrival. and every evidence of pioneer existence was seen. The land was largely un- cultivated and the farm implements were ernde, but stout hearts and willing hands over- came the difficulties of frontier life. and the labors of the pioneer opened up a district which is now one of the best agricultural see- tions of this great state. Unto Jesse and Mary ( Dill>) Gum were born twelve children but only one is living. Lydia Boll. a resident of lowa. After losing his first wife the father married Graco Flynn. One son. Charley Gum. was a soldier in the Mexican war and after being wounded was honorably discharged.
Jesse F. Gum was educated in the public schools and was reared upon his father's farm. early assisting in the labors of plowing. plant- ing and harvesting, so that he soon gained practical knowledge of the business which he determined to make his life work. Hle began farming on his own account after at- taining his majority and always followed that " pursuit. He was very successful, seldom. if ever, making a mistake in matters of business judgment and his careful control of his farm- ing interests, his energy and diligence won for him a very desirable measure of prosperity. As his financial resources increased he invest- od in land and at his death was the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and thirty-three acres, which has since been divided among his children.
On February 11. 1858, Mr. Gum was married to Miss Marthena Ott. who was born July 21. 1839. in Harrison county. Indiana. a daughter of Nimrod and Pearline (Gum) Oft, and who were also natives of Harrison county. Indiana. and came to Ilinois in 1852. settling in Me- nard county. Both have now passed away. They were farming people and lived a quiet. retiring life. Info Mr. and Mrs. Gam were born the following: Evaline, who died in in- fancy: Mary Agnes, who died at the age of three years: John Calvin, a resident of Pelers- burg, who married Cora Bell and has six chil- dren: Willie R. who resides on the home farm and married Elizabeth Davis, by whom he has six children : Edta, who married John Ailshic.
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JESSE F. GUML.
MRS. MARTHENA GEM.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
a carpenter of Pittsburg. Kansas, and has two children : Lucinda, who married Samuel Green- wald, a farmer living near Curtis, Minois, and has one child : Martha Anna, who was married September 29. 1903, to Oliver A. Carman. a carpenter and contractor of Petersburg : Charles and Preston, who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Gum was a Dem- obrat but had no aspirations for public office. preferring to devote his time and attention to his business affairs, in which he met with signal success. He died October IS. 1581. hi- remains being interred in Grove Hill cemetery. He was a member of the Baptist church, while hi- wife belongs to the Christian church. His interest in all matters pertaining to the mato- rial upbuilding and the intellectual and mora! advancement of the community was deep and sincere, and while he never attempted to in a leader in public movements. he gave his hearty co-operation and approval to many measures for the public good. His salient qual- ities were such as won him high regard and warm friendships and thus his memory is cher- ished not only by his immediate family but also by many who knew him throughout Menard county.
JOHN JOHNSON.
John Johnson, who has now traveled far on lite- journey. is one of the honored and vener- alle citizen- of Menard county and. moreover, he is especially entitled to mention in this volume because he is mnumbered among the native sons. Few indeed of her residents have longer resided within its borders and he has been a witness of almost its entire development since the first permanent settlement was made by white people, He can relate many interest- ing incidents of the early days and. moreover. he has taken just pride in what has been at- complished as the work of improvement and civilization has been carried forward.
Mr. Johnson was born September 5, 1825. upon the oll family homestead in this county, his parents being William and Cynthia ( Wil- liams) Johnson. They were both natives of
Bath county, Kentucky, and arrived in Menard county in October, 1823, the father securing a government claim of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he built him a log cabin sixteen fiet square. He also entered eighty acres of timber land from the government and with characteristic energy began to clear and de- velop his farm. living in true pioneer style. Ile left about four hundred acres of land at the time of his death, having acquired a good com- petence through his well directed energy. I'mo him and his wife were born seven children, but all are now decreased, with the exception of John of this review, and Jefferson, who was born October 3. 1828, and is now living on the old family homestead. The father died in Sop- tember. 1813, and the mother, long surviving him, passed away May 2. Issi.
John Johnson was born in the little log cabin which was the pioneer home of the fam- ily. Later that building was replaced by a larger house, which. however, was also con- structed of logs. He was reared amid the wild scene, and environment- of frontier life and assisted in the ardnous task of developing new land and transforming the fields into produc- tive tracts. His entire life has been devoted to general farming and stock-raising and as the wars advanced he kept pace with the progress that was made along agricultural lines. His seythe was replaced by the mowing machine and other modern farm implements were se- cured, so that his labor was greatly facilitated
On the 1st of December, 1846, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Harriet denni- som, who died on the 12th of October, 1855, leaving two children: Adelaide, who became the wife of William E. Hall and died soon after her marriage: and William E., who to- sides upon his father's farm. For his second wife John Johnson wedded Elizabeth Gaines, a daughter of Joseph and Eliza ( Meteor) Gaines, both of whom are natives of Kentucky. This marriage occurred March 1. 1859, and was blessed with four children: Cora. who was born January 18, 1860. is now the wife of Frank Whitney, of this county: lona, who was born September 12, 1862, is the wife of .J. E. Culver. of Menard county: Joseph, born September 19. 1865, married Nellie Clark and
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
i- now living in Athens ; Ella, born July it, 1869, is the wife of Henry V. Council, a resi- dent of Logan county. Ilinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are now living with their daughter. Mrs. Whitney, and both are enjoying good health. He retains his strength to a remarkable degree and each day walks about four or five miles. They have seen many changes in Menard county and Mr. Johnson has a fund of interesting reminiscences con- corning the early days. He saw the first rail- road built in the county, strap rails being used, while the motive power was furnished by mules. The Wabash line now runs upon the old grade into Springfield. Mr. Johnson drove hogs to the market at St. Louis when sixteen years of age and was two weeks in making the trip. owing to the condition of the roads on which the snow was found in some places, while in other places the mud was very deep. His pay for the work was fifty cents per day and his labor began ere daybreak. He would breakfast while it was yet dark and his supper was taken after night had fallen. The houses at that time were often twelve miles apart. There were fifteen hundred hogs in the drove and fifteen men and boys were employed to drive them. After this trip he took a drove of hog> to Beardstown over the prairie and through the timber. During the period of the Civil war. in connection with his brother JJefferson and Colonel Williams. be purchased mules, which he sold to the government. They continued in the business of buying and selling stock for more than fifteen years, dealing in cattle, hogs and mules. They had sixteen hundred aeres of land on which they fod their stock and their sales brought to them a good financial return. Mr. Johnson still owns three hundred and forty-three acres of fine farming land and ten acres of timber land in the county. He also has three hundred and twenty acres in Linn county. Kansas, righty miles south of Kansas City. His has been a prosperous career, owing to his close application and unfaltering labor and while his life has been quietly passed he has yet displayed many sterling traits of char- after which have won him the confidence of the business community and the respect of all with whom he has been associated. His polit-
ical allegiance is given to the Republican party and for twenty years he has served as a school director, but otherwise has held no public office. He was made a Mason in Petersburg in 1859 and afterward became a charter miem- ber of Greenview lodge No. 653, A.F. & A.M .. with which he is now affiliated. No history of Menard county would be complete without record of its venerable citizen, who for almost eighty years has resided within its borders. What to many people are matters of history are to him events of personal knowledge or experience and he has many vivid mental pic- tures of pioneer conditions in Menard county, as well as of its later day progress and pros- perity.
ROBERT CLAARY PANTIER.
James Pantier, the grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Boone's Fort at Boonesboro. Kentucky. February 2, 1729, and he continued to live at the fort until fif- teen years of age. He was married in the state of Ohio to Miss Susanna Murphy. In 1815 he came to Illinois and in 1826 settled in what is now Menard county. three miles north of Petersburg. There he entered the land on which the subject of this sketch now lives. lle was a very eccentrie man. though a good Christian. and a ruling elder in the Concord Cumberland Presbyterian church. He was a "Faith Doctor." as people termed it. and many remarkable stories are told of his won- derful power. Hundreds of intelligent people fully believed that by simply laying his hands on the subject he could stop the flow of blood from a wound. eure a malignant cancer, kill the poison of a snake or a mad-dog bite, in short. heal any disease. He lived and died a respected and honored citizen, passing away on the 19th of January. 1859, when nearly eighty years of age.
David M. Pantier, the father of our subject. was born in Hamilton county. Ohio. October 11. 1808, and came to Ilinois in 1815, settling in Menard county in 1826. In March, 1829, he was joined in marriage to Miss Eliza W. Armstrong, who was born April 25. 1812, and
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died in August. 1848. To them were born seven children, of whom Robert C. is next to the youngest and with the exception of him all are now deceased. David M. Pantier was again married in 1819. his second union be- ing with Mrs. Maria Harms. a widow whose maiden name was Hutchies. To them were born four children, of whom two died in in- fancy and two are still living. namely: Marion Partier, of Petersburg. Illinois; and Minerva Colson. of Nebraska. David M. Pantier died October 13. 1889, lacking four days of being eighty-one years ohl.
Robert Clary Pantier was born March :, 1841. in Menard county, and his early life was that of the average country boy, working on the farm in summer and attending school three or four months in winter. On the 13th of April. 1863. he. in company with others. started across the country to California, and having horse teams they reached there in the carly fall. While in California he was em- ployed as a general hand on a stock ranch and remained in that state until 1865, arriv- ing home on the Ist of December, of that year.
On the 20th of December. 1866, Mr. Pantier was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Jane Traylor, who was born in Menard county, March 25. 1842. and is a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth ( Robinson ) Traylor. Of this union were born three sons and one daughter. namely : David Ilarri, born December 6. 1867; William A .. born July 23. 1869: Marion Edward, born May 12. 1812; and Ollie L., born December 28, 1811. The second son. William A .. is married and lives on a farm near his father. The daughter, Ollie L., was married in December. 1890, to Eben Kirby and lives on a farm in an adjoining neighborhood.
Mr. Pantier is an intelligent successful far- mer and stock-raiser. He is a ruling elder in the Concord congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, as he has been for a munher of years. If he is like his father he will be a blessing to any community where he may dwell. While David M. Pantier was not a member of any church no man in this ser- tion of the country bore more of the practical fruits of Christianity than he. He and his wife. "Aunt Maria." as every one called her.
were on a constant mission of mercy as long as they lived. The poor, the needy. the sick. the orphan and widow were their especial wards, and unostentatiously and quietly they did their work. In the great day of account a great host will rise up to testify to their lammble and quiet deeds of love.
GEORGE KIRBY, SR.
George Kirby was the son of Cyrus Kirby. who was a native of Kentucky. In the year 1809 Cyrus Kirby emigrated from Kentucky to the territory of Illinois, and settled in Madi- son county. On the 20th of December, in the year of 1812. George Kirby was born. in Madi- son county. Illinois. In the year 1820, when the subject of this sketch was eight years oldl. Cyrus Kirby removed from Madison county to Clary's Grove in Menard county and settled there. Some years later George Kirby bought land in Sand Ridge. Menard county, and set- tled there and continued to live there till the time of his death. On the 23d of October. 1834. Mr. Kirby was joined in marriage to Miss Dorcas Atterberry, who was born April 22. 1816. To this union were born eight children : John Kirby, born September 8, 1835 ; Daniel. born December 20. 1836: Naney, born AAugust 31, 1838 : Sammel, born March 5. 1841 : William born December 31. 1812: Matilda, born June 29. 1811: Mary Jane, born October 11. 1816: George Kirby. Jr. born September 27, 1849.
George Kirby was a splendid specimen of that grand class of men. sturdy. honest and enterprising, who by their honesty. intelligence. devotion and industry made possible the rich inheritance that their posterity enjoy today. I fear that we can not properly appreciate the work of the men and women who carved out this rich legacy for us. No nobler band of men and women ever lived in any land than those who opened up this country and started it on the way to success. George Kirby was a man of sterling integrity and unwavering hon- este, ever ready to lend his aid in any good and righteous cause. He was not a member of any church, but he respected good men. rev-
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erenced God, and his influence was always on the side of right living and moral rectitude. Mr. Kirby lived within two miles of his life- long friend. S. D. Masters. for over fifty-three years. There was only twenty-three days dif- ference in the date of their birth, and only twenty-three days difference in the death. Mr. Kirby was one of the prominent factors in the development of this part of Illinois. No man was ever turned hungry from his door. and every good and benevolent enterprise found in him an ardent and liberal supporter.
He left one sister still living at the advanced age of ninety-six years, Mrs. Lucinda Watkins. Another sister. Mrs. Matilda Watkins, is still living at the age of seventy-nine years. These sister- are the oldest and youngest of their family. Mr. Kirby died at about ninety-two years of age. At the graves of these grand pioncer, we stand with uncovered heads, with gratitude contemplate the monument they ervet- ed to themselves in the development of this fair land, in which we see on every hand the impress of their genius, intelligence, industry and love.
JOHN E. BRASFIELD.
John E. Brasfield. who throughout his entire Bife has followed farming and stock-raising. was born in Menard county. March 10, 1819. llis father. Thomas H. Brasfield, was a native of Madison county, Kentucky, born on the tth of December. 1829. During his boyhood days he remained at home and through the winter months attended school. while in the summer -casous he assisted in the work of the fields. After leaving school he engaged in farming with his father until twenty-five years of age. Ile had accompanied his parents to Ilinois in 1831. the family homme being established near Athens in Menard county and he continued under the parental roof until 1854. ITis father had purchased land patents whereby he secured three hundred and twenty acres of land and upon a part of this land Thomas HT. Brasfield began farming and stock-raising for himself, devoting the greater part of his attention. how- over. to the latter pursuit. He generally fed a
carload of cattle cach winter, also many hogs, and likewise raised horses enough to do his own farm work. He built a comfortable and com- modious home after burning the tall prairie grass from a patch of land sufficient to enable him to have a clear space on which to pile his lumber. That pioneer home is still stand- ing and is one of the landmarks in the neigh- Torhood. It is surrounded with fine maple, ash and chin trees that were planted by Mr. Bras- field, and he also set out a catalpa grove and a black walnut grove. He made his farm one of the finest developed and improved places of luis locality and successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits for many years. He acted as a school trustee for twenty years and was a school director at the time of his death. Pub- lie interests that had for their object the wel- fare and progress of his community received his earnest endorsement and hearty co-operation and he was known as one of the prominent and influential residents of Menard county. He married Mis- Cynthia M. Camp, who was born in Fulton county, Ilinois, March 3. 181s. The marriage was celebrated September 19, 1826. and after traveling life's journey together for about twenty-four years Thomas Brasfield was called to his final rest on the 31st of December, 1900. His widow is still living and makes her home in Eureka. Illinois. They were the par- ents of four children : John E .. of this review : fleury 11 .. who died in boyhood; Laura C., who is now living in Eureka. Illinois, with her mother: and Bryant 1 ... also with his mother.
John E. Brastield acquired his early educa- tion in the public schools and afterward sup- plemented his preliminary knowledge by study in the Springfield Business College. He worked with his father upon the old home farm until the latter's death and then took charge of the property, which he managed for three years, at the end of which time he began farming on his own account. Ile has also carried on stock- raising and he has now several head of regis- tered cattle. He also raises high grade horses and by improving his stock and thereby ad- vancing prices he has added to the prosperity of the entire community. Ile operates two hun- dred and forty acres of land, most of which is used for pastorage purposes, and in addition to
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MR. AND MRS. T. H. BRASFIELD.
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
this he owns one hundred and fifty acres, which to Illinois, establishing his home in Cas- he rents.
On the ed of September, 1903. Mr. Brasfield was married to Miss Aurelia Davis, a daughter of George F. and Lizzie D. (Layman) Davis. Her father was born in Sangamon county. III- inois. August 21, 1818. and the mother in Botetourt county. Virginia. October 19, 1855. They now reside near Auburn, in Sangamon county. Ilinois. During his boyhood he lived at home and worked with his father, aiding in the labors of the fields all through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he acquired his education in the public schools. He has al- ways carried on farming and stock-raising since attaining adult age and is an enterprising and progressive farmer of his community. He be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of America and both he and his wife hold membership in the Court of Honor. He was married October 19. 1881. to Miss Lizzie D. Layman, and they bo- came the parents of three children : Mrs. Bras- field, who was born November 3. 1882. in Au- burn township. Sangamon county, Ilinois: Hugh. who was born March 2. 1886. and died January 23. 1901 : and Gerald, born September 11. 1898. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brasfield hold membership in the Christian church and he gives his political support to the Republican party. He is a young man. possessing the en- terprising spirit which has dominated the west and been an important factor in its substantial upbuilding. Ile has already achieved credit- able prosperity, which will doubtless increase for him as the years go by.
SAMUEL LOWNSBERY.
Sammel Lowusbery is a representative pio- neer settler of Menard county and has taken an interested and helpful part in the upbuild- ing of this portion of the state. He was born in Chemung county. New York. March 1. 1825. his parents being Jonathan and Mary (Janes) Lownsbery. The father was a native of the Empire state and the mother was born in Pennsylvania, but their marriage was cele- brated in New York. It was in the year 1832 that Jonathan Lownsbery brought his family
county, where he lived for six months and then removed to the present site of the village of Oakford. He entered one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government and at once began breaking the wild prairie. for not a furrow had been turned or an improve- ment made upon his place. He built a log rabin and in true pioneer style the family he- gan life there, but in later years when hi- labor had brought him some capital he built a modern farm residence. Some of his children. however, were born in the little frontier home. To his original purchase he first added a tract of eighty acres and subsequently he bought sixty acres of timber land on the river bottom. As the years passed be placed his farm under a very high state of cultivation and also added many modern improvements. At length he was enabled to replace his second house with a brick residence and thus he carried forward the work of progress in keeping with modern ideas of agriculture. He split rails and fenced his farm in the early days and he used primi- tive machinery in cultivating the soil and harv- esting the erops, but as time passed the crude farm implements were replaced by those which more modern inventive genins had given to the world. There were very few people living here at the time of the arrival of the Lown -- bery family, the homes being widely scattered over the prairies. Game of various kinds. in- eluding deer, was plentiful. Many turkeys and ducks were shot by the early settlers and theme wore also wolves in this part of the state. James Watkins, an uncle of our subject. owned a mill on Clary's Creek, in which he ground corn and later James Robinson built a more extensive mill. in which both corn and wheat were ground. Sammel Lownsbery has turned the crank for bolting flour in this mill many a time and he also assisted his father in the general work of farming and stock-raising. Jonathan Lownsbery carrying on agricultural pursuits until about twenty years prior to his death, when he turned his farm. comprising iwo hundred and twenty acres, over to the care of his sons and they continued in the business. while he spent his remaining days in honorable re- tirement from further labor. He continued to
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