USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 53
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On the 19th of June. 1856. Mr. Rutledge was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Clary. a daughter of Robert and Arrena ( E)- more) Clary, both of whom were natives of Illinois. Her father was prominent and in- tnential in public affairs and his fellow towns- men. recognizing his worth and ability, called him to serve in the position of sheriff and county commissioner. He was married Sep- tember 22. 1838. to Arrena Ehmore, who died October 15, 1811. and on the 22d of June. 1813. he welded Mary Jane Cox, who died
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
November 5, 1826. His death occurred Oc- tober 13. IST5.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge was blessed with five children : William Robert, who was born February 12, 1859, and died September 13, 1842; Edward Newton, who was born August 11. 1861. and died February 24. 1863: Mary S., who was born August ?, 1863, and is the wife of Charles L. Terhune: Charles Thomas, who was born September 2. 1868, and died November 2. 1869; and Anna ... who was born November 22, 1811, and is the wife of Pearl Thompson.
The parents are consistent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and Mr. Rut- ledge exercises his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of the Democ- racy. I'pon the party ticket he has been called to public oflice, having been elected county treasurer in December. 1886, while on the 19th of November. 1898, he was chosen for the po- sition of county sheriff. He discharged his publie duties with the same promptness and fidelity that characterized his business affairs and his private interests. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Petersburg and in the county where his entire life has been passed he has a wide and favorable acquaintance, winning the warm re- gard of many by reason of his reliability in all life's relations.
MRS. SARAH F. HITCHCOCK.
Mrs. Sarah F. Hitchcock is one of the es- termed residents of Athens, where she has many friends. She was born in this place April 29. 1839. her parents being John W. and Mary ( Loomi-) Little. Her father was born in Northampton. Massachusetts, and was edu- cated for the Presbyterian ministery in a theo- logical seminary of that state. Her mother's birth oreurred in Whately. Massachusetts, and she was educated at a female seminary at Am- her-t. Massachusetts. Mr. Little became one of the pioneer preachers of his denomination in the middle west. He made his way to Illi- nois Ia team and steamboat in 1837, reaching Menard county after a journey that covered six
weeks. He then engaged in preaching here. having a fifty mile circuit and though his labor entailed many hardships he never fal- tered in his work of carrying the gospel mes- sage into the pioneer homes. More than once in the middle of winter after a long cold ride on horseback he found his congregation con- sisted of but one person. He died June 2. 1812, and his memory is yet enshrined by tho-e who knew him, while his example has borne fruit in many upright lives. In early manhood he had married Mary Loomis. a daughter of J. (. Loomis, of Massachusetts, who was on his way to the United States when he met the lady who afterward became his wife. His business was that of a carpenter and contractor. The old home of Mrs. Hitchcock's great-grand- parents is now occupied by her uncle. Calvin Loomis. Mrs. Little, who was born January 9. 1811. died December 25. 1895. in Nebraska. but her remains were brought back to Menard county. for interment. J. W. Little. a brother of Mrs. Hitchcock. is now a resident farmer of Madison. Nebraska. Her uncle. Thomas Little, was at one time a neighbor of Abraham Lincoln, residing on South Fifth street in Springfield, Ilinois.
Mrs. Hitchcock was reared in Athens and pursued her education in the schools of this place and also at the North Sangamon Acad- omy, and one year at a seminary in Whately. Massachusetts. After leaving that institution the engaged in teaching school in Athens. fol- lowing that profession at a time when the primitive schoolhouse contained only -lab seat- and a slab desk resting on pegs driven into the wall. She taught for two years in Menard county. For many years she kept boarders and in this way she earned the money that enabled her to become the possessor of considerable valuable real estate. She is now the owner of two acres of land in Athens, on which are three houses which she rents but when the land came into her possession it was entirely unim- proved.
Mrs. Hitchcock has been twice married. On the PIst of July. 1851. she gave her hand in marriage to Thomas (. Orr. and they became the parents of seven children: Mary E .. who was born July 16. 1858, and died in December.
MRS. SARAII F. HITCHCOCK
MISS MARY LOOMIS.
. .
MRS. MARY (LOOMIS) LITTLE.
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1901; John T., a resident farmer of Oklahoma; placed his fields under a high state of culti- Cordelia, who was born August 5. 1862, and was successfully engaged in teaching in Mo- nard county at the time of her death, Soptem- ber 2, 1881; Albert AA., who was born October 16. 1864. and is now a minister of the Presby- terian church at Salida, Colorado: Nellie F., who engaged in teaching in the public schools of Nebraska for eighteen years and is now the wife of Benjamin Clark, a farmer of David City, that state : and Charles C. and Harry E .. both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Orr was again married July 16, 1888, her second uniou being with Isaac B. Hitchcock.
Mrs. Hitchcock is a member of the Presby- terian church and has led a consistent Christ- ian life, doing good to all and exemplifying daily her religious belief. In 1888 she went to Salina, Indiana Territory, where she taught for two years in the orphans' home and school. a Methodist institution, then under the superin- tendency of Rev. Thompson. She was forced to give up that work on account of failing health and then returned to Menard county. She has shown excellent business ability and through her capable management she has become the possessor of valuable and desirable property. She has in her possession as valued heirlooms a copy of the constitution of the state of Mass- achusetts and also of the United States which was published in 1805.
JAMES E. CULVER.
James E. Culver, interested in general farm- ing. is now operating three hundred and forty acres of valuable land in township 18. He was born in Menard county, July 15, 1860. his patents being John S. and Elizabeth ( Bras- field) Culver. Reared under the parental roof. at the usual age he entered the public schools and at a later date he attended a business col- lege in Jacksonville, Illinois, so that he was well equipped by mental training for the ro- sponsible and active duties that come in a business career. In the periods of vacation ho assisted in the work of the home farm and throughout his entire life he has followed the occupation to which he was reared. He has
vation and in addition to the production of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has been engaged in the raising and feed- ing of cattle and hogs. He now has forty head of cattle and about one hundred head of hogs upon his place together with thirty head of good horses. Ile is now farming three hun- dred and forty acres of as fine land as can be found in Menard county and his home is a commodious and beautiful residence surround- ed by splendid shade trees, which he has plant- ed. lle has tiled the land and, in fact, has made all of the modern improvements upon it and now has an excellent property in keep- ing with the ideas of a model farm of the twentieth century.
On the 11th of February, 1883, Mr. Culver was united in marriage to Miss lona Johnson. a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Gaines) Johnson, who are mentioned at length on an- other page of this work, her father being one of the representative agriculturists of Menard county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Culver have been born six children. two sons and four daughters. and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death, the children being yet under the parental roof. Their names and dates of birth are as follows: Harry W., May 3, 1881: Mattie A., May 10, 1881: Edna E .. May 21. 1889; Clara E., September 24. 1893; Margaret N., October 3. 1896: and Florence 1 .. December 5, 1899.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Culver are members of the Presbyterian church at Indian Point. They take an active and helpful interest in its work. are generous contributors to its support and as a church officer Mr. Culver is well known. Ile was one of the deacons for twelve years and at the present time is serving as one of the church elders. He has been a member of the Odd Fellows society and in all life's relations he has faithfully performed cach duty and won the respect and good will of his fellow men. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but while unfaltering in his allegiance to the party and its principles he has never sought ottico and though asked to become a candidate for county commissioner he declined. He prefers to con- centrate his efforts and energies on his busi-
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
nes affairs and his fine farm is to-day a monu- nicht to his well directed and honorable labor.
WILLIAM BLAIN.
William Blain. now deceased. was for many years a worthy citizen of Menard county. He took up his abode here almost a half century ago and while he never sought public prom- mener in office he was always known for his reliability in citizenship, his trustworthiness in business life and his fidelity in friendship. lle was born at Warren Point. Ireland, on the inl of July. 1829, and in early life went to Canada. where he remained until after his mar- Page. It was on the 10th of September, 1850. that he was joined in wedlock to Miss Ann Me- Crudden, who was also a native of Ireland, her birth having there occurred in 1820. They began their domestic life in Montreal. Can- ada, where they continued to reside until about forty-five or fifty years ago, when believing that he might have better business opportu- nities in the United States with its livelier competition and therefore quicker returns for capable labor. Mr. Blain resolved to come to Illinois. He made his way to Menard county and never had occasion to regret his determina- tion to establish his home here for he pros- pered in hi- undertaking in this part of the country. Securing a tract of eighty acres of land he at onee began it- cultivation and im- provement and in course of time his harvests brought to him a sufficient capital to enable him to make other purchases. Thus from time to time he added to his property until he erame the owner of about four hundred and sivy acres of land. For a number of years In was in partnership with his two sons. Wil- iam and George, and this business relation Was continued with mutual pleasure. harmony and profit until the death of the father. He lov- came known as one of the leading and enter- prising agricultorist- of his community and that he led a life of diligence was indicated In the fine appearance of his farm, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. He also engaged in stock-raising and had upon hi- place high grades of cattle, horses and hogys.
I'mto Mr. and Mrs. Blain were born four children, two sons and two daughters: Wil- liam JJ., who is a resident farmer of Menard coumy and is mentioned elsewhere in this vol- umte: Annie, who died at the age of twenty years: George R., whose sketch is also given in this work : and Matilda JJ .. who is the wife of Frank Denton. of Conway. lowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Blain attended the Cumberland Presbyterian church and his political views were in accord with the principles of the Re- publican party. He gave earnest co-operation to all movement- which he believed would con- tribute to the general welfare, but preferred to do his duty to his county as a private citizen rather than a public official. Hle dis- played in his life many excellent traits of heart and mind and his good qualities endeared him to those with whom he was associated. All who knew him respected him and the circle of his friends was extensive. He was called to his final rest October 19. 1902. and after the funeral services, which were conducted at hi- home by the Rev. J. F. Rogers, the remains were taken to Rose Hill cemetery at Peter burg for interment. His wife died October 13, 1903, and was then laid to rest by his side. They have long traveled life's journey together. sharing with each other its joy and sorrows. it, adversity and prosperity. Like her hus- band she had the warm regard of many with whom she was associated and in their death the county lost two of it- representative pioneer citizens.
JAMES F. SPEER.
James F. Speer, who has traveled for many mile- along life's journey, but is still actively engaged in farming on section 36. Tallula township. Menard county, was born in Green county. Kentucky. near Campbellsville. June 21. 1827. His parents were dames and Eliza- beth ( Grant ) Speer. both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The Speer family is of Irish origin and the paternal grandfather of our sub- jeet emigrated from the Emerald Isle to the new world. establishing his home in Kentucky, where he conducted a plantation, but never
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owned slaves. The maternal grandfather was of Irish and Scotch lineage. Members of the Grant family were slave owners of Kentucky and Eli Grant, an unele of Mr. Speer, onco traded a horse for a little negro boy.
During his early youth James F. Speer was called upon to mourn the loss of both of his parents and he was afterward bound out to a farmer, whom he was to serve between the ages of six and twenty-one years and on attaining his majority was to receive a horse. He had very little opportunity for attending school. but he spent one month as a student at Camp- bellsville. With this exception his education was acquired entirely in one of the old time log schoolhouses common at that day in his locality. He came to Illinois on horseback in 1848. traveling alone all of the distance save when he had company on one day's journey. It required nine days for him to reach his destination, which was Menard county. Here be settled on land that his father had owned at the time of his death. He had one brother. Samuel, who also owned an interest in this farm, but sold it to James F. Speer. Our sub- jeet now owns a little over three hundred. acres of land, upon which he resides and his sons also live on this place and perform the active work of the farm. He formerly had over four hundred acres.
On the 11th of September. 1852. occurred the marriage of Mr. Speer and Miss Malissa Williamson, a daughter of William and Amer- ica (Brooks) Williamson, who wore Kentucky people who settled on land prior to the arrival of Mr. Speer. Eleven children were born unto our subject and his wife, of whom five are living, while six have passed away. America E .. who was born November 27. 1858. died January 1. 1860. Lewis C., who was born May 5, 1860. died May 17. 1865. Mary M .. who was born November it. 1861, married Romeo Bracken, making his home in Cass county. Illinois, near Nowmansville. They had one child. Pearl, who died at the age of one year. and Mrs. Bracken now resides with her father. Julia 1 .. born September 28. 1863. died January 12. 1861. George W .. born Oc- tober 18. 1861. married Nancy Wilhite, by whom he had five children, all living and they
reside upon his father's farm. Malissa H., born June 3. 1862. died December 1, 1871. Margaret J., born May 15. 1869. died Novem- br 25. 1871. Sarepta I., born June 22. 1872, is the wife of Price Shafer and they reside upon one of her father's farms in Menard coun- ty. They had four children, three of whom are living. James F., born February 4, 1814. married Nellie Stitch. and they reside upon his father's land. Ellie J., born AAugust 6, 18:5. died on the 24th of August, of the same year. Dora M., born June 8. 1812. is at home. The wife and mother died December 3. 1884.
Mr. Speer is a Democrat. supporting the party since casting his first presidential ballot for Franklin Pierce. Both he and his wife wore members of the Christian church. It was his desire in early life to enter military service in the Mexican war. but he had been bound out and had no opportunity of going to the front. His grandfathers and one of his great- grandfathers were soldiers of the Revolution- ary war and thus the blood of a patriotic an- westry flowed in his veins. When he came to Illinois he purchased land and at once began the development of a farm. for not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place, when it came into his possession. sive that a log cabin had been built. He has worked persistently and earnestly in reclaiming his land for the purposes of civilization and has developed an excellent farm property. His life has been in harmony with his religions pro- fessions and he has ever commanded the re- spect and good will of those with whom he has been associated.
CHARLES L. TERHUNE.
Charles Lommel Terhune. a native son of Menard county, was born near Curtis, on the Ed of February. 1861, and throughout the pre- riod of his manhood has been identified with agricultural and stock-raising interests in this portion of the state. He is a son of James and Ann Elizabeth ( Harrison) Terbune, who were natives of Kentucky. In 1853 the father became a resident of Menard county. estab- lishing hi- home at Petersburg. but after a
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brief residence there he took up his abode at is connected with the Court of Honor, while Indian Point and subsequently purchased land his political allegiance is given to the Repub- lican party. He has served as a member of the school board for six years. He is a prac- tical business man and brings to the discharge of his official duties the same element of strong common sense and business-like perception that are manifest in the control of his private in- terests. near Curtis. It was upon the last mentioned farm that Charles L. Terhune was born. Throughout his entire life the father carried on agricultural pursuits and devoted his en- ergies to the further development and improve- ment of his farm near Curtis until his death, which occurred June 15. 1881, when he was fifty-six years of age. His wife died April 6, 1885. at the age of fifty-five years.
In the Smoot district school Charles L. Ter- hune acquired a knowledge of the common branches of English learning and was therefore qualified for the discharge of life's practical duties. His farm training received under his father's direction litted him for the work to which he has given his energies through his entire life and in which he is now meeting with well merited prosperity. At the age of twenty-two years he rented a farm for a year and then became a land owner, making pur- chase of one hundred aeres, upon which he yet resides. He has precied here a good house and substantial barn and, in fact, all of the improvements upon the place stand as monu- ments to his thrift and enterprise. In his work he prospered and as his financial resources in- creased he added to his property until he now has two hundred acres of well improved land In connection with the tilling of the soil he is engaged in the breeding of line trotting horses. having the Tin Plate and Kennish breed of horses. Ile also raises white face cattle and Berkshire hogs and he has none but high grade animals upon his place.
On the 16th of February, 1886, Mr. Tor- hune was united in marriage to Miss Mary S. Rutledge, a daughter of JJ. N. Rutledge, who i- mentioned on another page of this volume. Their union has been blessed with three chil. dren: Robert E., born February 12. 1882; Mabel Anna, born September 6. 1892 ; and Paul Rutledge, born November 9. 1897.
Mr. and Mrs. Terhune are consistent Chris- tian people, the former holding membership in the Presbyterian church and the latter in the Cumberland Presbyterian church and their in- ilvener is ever on the side of right, progress. reform and justice. Mr. Terhune fraternally
WILLIAM P. HENDERSON.
William P. Henderson, a representative agri- culturist living in Lallula township, was born September 21, 1833. in Morgan county, Illi- nois, near the city of Jacksonville. His parents. Aaron and Sarah ( Bowles) Henderson. were natives of West Virginia, where they spent the days of their childhood and youth. The father was a farmer by occupation, and after he had attained adult age he and his brother ran a flatboat on the Ohio river to New Orleans. In the summer of 1830 Aaron Henderson arrived in Morgan county, Illinois. This section of the state was then largely wild and unimproved. much of the land being still in possession of the government, and Mr. Henderson entered a claim about nino miles northwest of Jackson- ville. He afterward purchased an additional tract of forty acres, so that his form comprised two hundred and ten acres, which he owned up to the time of his death in 1814. He was one of the valued carly settlers of the community, contributing in indefatigable manner to the substantial upbuilding and improvement of his section of the state. At his death his remains were interred in Arcadia cemetery and many friends deeply deployed his loss. In the family were seven children. two sons and five daugh- ters, William P. being the third in order of birth. Mary Ann, the eldest, became the wife of John Smith and they went to California during the most prosperous epoch in the history of that state. They became the parents of twelve children, and three of their sons are now holding county offices, one being county sheriff. a second county clerk, while the third is county commissioner of Mendocino county. California. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are yet
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W. P. HENDERSON.
MRS. W. P. HENDERSON.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
living. Eliza Jane, the second member of the Henderson family, married John Bridgeman and lived on Indian creek. in Morgan county. near Kernsville, but both she and her husband are now deceased. They had two children. of whom one is living and is now county commis- sioner of Cass county. Virginia Henderson. the fourth member of the family, is the wife of Jaun - Bridgeman, who died at Memphis. Ten- nessee, while serving his country as a corporal in the One Hundred and First Volunteer In- fantry during the Civil war. His widow vet resides on the old homestead farm in Morgan county and she has three children. two sons and a daughter. James A. Henderson mar- ried and made his home in Arenzville in Cass county. His widow still resides in that vil- lage. Lucinda Henderson became the wife of Andrew Ognun and they reside upon a farm in Cherokee county. Kansas. They have four children. two sons and two daughters. Emma Henderson died in childhood and the mother passed away at the very advanced age of ninety- three years.
William P. Henderson is indebted to the pub- lie school system of Illinois for the educational advantages which he enjoyed. He has always followed farming and for a time he also on- gaged in carpentering, knowing enough con- corning the builder's art to erect an ordinary Imilding. He made the clapboards with which he covered his first house and he also built a house for his mother, which he covered with shingles that he made by hand. He first began varning his own living In working In the month as a farm hand in the home neighbor- hood and he afterward farmned for his mother up to the time when he was twenty years of age. when he rented a part of her land and con- tinned to thu- engage in agricultural pursuits until twenty-six years of age. At that time he was married on the 1st of September, 1859, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Ann Me- Fillin. a native of Morgan county. Ilinois, and a daughter of James and Mary Ann ( Haines ) MeFillin. Her father was born. reared and married in Ireland. and on coming to America in 1833 he was accompanied by his first wife and two sons, Michael and Bernard. He set- tled'in Pennsylvania but after the death of
his wife removed to Morgan county. Illinois. where he was again married. his second union being with Mis- Mary Ann Haines, by whom he had two children : Mrs. Henderson : and a son who died in infancy. For his third wife he married Mrs. Mary ( Patten) Henderson and to them were born four children. He was a distiller and engaged in the manufacture of whiskey in Jacksonville. He died at the age of eighty-one years.
In the fall of 1861 Mr. Henderson and his wife removed to Menard county, where he has since carried on agricultural pur-uits with good success. being classed with the capable business men and energetic agriculturists of his com- munity. He has one hundred and fifty-four acres of land and in connection with the culti- vation of his fields he has always raised con- siderable stock, making a specialty of cattle. He now has sixty head of cattle upon his place. many of which are being fed for the market. He also has one hundred shoals. His farm is kept in good condition and his stock-raising interests add materially to his annual income.
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