USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 54
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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Henderson was blessed with seven children: Elizabeth Ade- line. horn June 13. 1860, married James Stiltz. and they reside in Cass county. They had seven children of whom one is decreased. James A .. born in Morgan county, Ilinois, March 25. 1860, is now living in Menard county. where he follows farming. He is a member of the Knights of Putlias fraternity. Ho mar- ried Lida Hewitt, and they have three children. two sons and a daughter. Recia Bolle, born September Is, 1865, is now teaching in a gol- ernment Indian school a short distance from Fort Defiance. Arizona, her school, however. being across the Border in New Mexico. She was educated after attending the public school- in the Jacksonville Business College at lack- saville. Illinois, and the began the work of teaching in October. 1903. Charles W. born December 10. 1865, was a student in the high school at Tullala through one winter and is now engaged in farming on his own account. making his home with his parents. He, too. belongs to be Knights of Pythias fraternity. Mary E. born April 21. Ett. married Reuben Hewitt. now deceased. Mrs. Hewitt resides in
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Ashland, Illinois, where she is engaged in dress- making. Laura E .. born December 12. 1871, is the wife of Luther Noddingham. a resident farmer of Sangamon county, living near Pleas- ant Plains. They had five children. of whom two are deceased. Emma K .. the youngest member of the Henderson family, was born September 13, 1823. and was educated in the home schools.
Mr. Henderson exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party. He was road commis- sioner, has been judge of elections and has been a school director for fifteen years. The duties of all these positions he has discharged in prompt and capable manner for in all mat- ters of citizenship he is faithful and loval. His entire life has been spent in central Ili- nois and for more than a third of a century he has lived in Menard county, where he has worked carnestly and persistently in order to gain a good home for his family and as the years have passed his labors have been crowned with a fair measure of success.
JAMES T. SENTER.
James T. Senter. an honored veteran of the Civil war, has always been loyal to duties of as he displayed when on southern battle-fields to his country and her welfare in days of peace as he displayed when on southern battlefields he followed the old flag. He was born in San- ramon county. Illinois. December 19. 1811. his parents being James and Mercy ( Cole) Senter. both of whom were natives of North Carolina. where they spent the days of their childhood and youth and then married. The father was born December 13, 1800, and his wife's birth occurred on the 14th of April of the same year. They came to Sangamon county at a very early epoch in its history and with the material and moral development of central Illinois Rev. James Senter was closely associated. Hte fol- lowed farming in order to provide for his fam- ily, but he also preached the gospel as a cir- cuit mim-ter. traveling from place to place in order to proclaims the "glad tidings of great
joy." As a pioneer preacher he suffered many hardships and privations incident to the long rides across the new country. The Bible which he used in his ministry is now in possession of his son James T. and is undoubtedly about one hundred and twenty-five years old. He contributed in many ways to the improvement and upbuilding of the county, as well as to its moral progress. He aided in laying ont the streets in Springfield when the site of the cap- ital city was an almost unbroken prairie, hav- ing only a few houses. His death occurred September 2, 1845. but his memory is still cherished by those who knew him and remains as a blessed benediction to his family and
friends. He had eleven children : Aaron, who was born January 24. 1820, and died in January. 183; : one that died in infancy : Jane. who was born October 29. 1822. and became the wife of Mr. Owen and after his death married William Trenory, who is now living near Petersburg: William S .. who was born April 16. 1825. and died January 3, 1861; Mary Ann. who was born February 14, 1828, and died December 1. 1828; Rebecca C., who was born February 14. 1829, and was married in July. 1849. to Robert Green, while her sec- ond husband is Louis Van Tassell, with whom she is now living in California : Joseph II .. who was born March 1. 1831. and is now do- ceased : Sarah E .. who was born March 19. 1831. and died April 11. 1861: Enoch J .. who was born September 26. 1836, and married Lucinda Holland, their home being in Cali- Tornia : Louisa, who was born December 19. 1838, and is the wife of John Kirby, a resi- dont of Menard county : and James T., of this review.
Working on the home farm and attending the public schools, thus the days of boyhood and youth passed for James T. Senter until he was nineteen years of age. when an important went in his life occurred. The country had become involved in civil war over the attempt of the south to withdraw from the Union and Mr. Senter joined the northern army. hocom- ing a member of Company E. Eighty-fifth Illi- nois Infantry. The blood of patriotic ances- tor- flowed in his sein -. His great-grandfather had been one of the heroes of the Revolution.
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Ilis father had served in the war of ts12 and his brother William had been a soldier in the Mexican war. Now he espoused the cause of his country and went to the front in defense of the Union. He served until wounded, when on account of his disability he returned home. Ile enlisted at Petersburg, July 1. 1862. and was discharged July 19, 1861. Immediately after the formation of the regiment the troops wore ordered to the front before they really know what dress parade meant and they opened the battle of Perryville by making the bayo- net charge at three o'clock in the morning. After the battle the regiment followed Bragg, who was retreating. proceeding beyond Nash- ville. Tennessee, and on to Mill creek, where the regiment was attached to General Sheri- dan's division. They were in the battle at Stone River for one day and participated in the engagement at Chickamauga, where Mr. Senter was wounded in the left foot. He was also wounded in the right thigh at the battle of Peach Tree Creek in Georgia. He lay in the field hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, for about a month and also at Jeffersonville, Indi- ana. for about two months. In addition to the battles mentioned he participated in the engagements at Missionary Ridge, Ringgold and Rome. After being wounded he was sent home on a furlough and was discharged through order of President Lincoln as a special favor to W. G. Green.
He was the only man in this locality that took advantage of the law that enabled ex-sol- diers to attend school after reaching the age limit, but. desirous of acquiring a good edu- cation, he continued his studies and is now a well informed man. having added largely to his knowledge through reading and observation in later years. Throughout his business career he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and for thirty-five years he has been a feeder. buyer and shipper of stock. In 1815 he re- moved his family to Hot Springs, Arkansas. where he opened a hotel, which he conducted for a year. He was also proprietor of a food store in the south for some time. having gone to that part of the country because of ill health and hoping to be benefited by the change. On his return to Menard county, however. ho ro-
sumed agricultural pursuits and almost his en- tire life has been devoted to general farming.
On the 18th of March, 1869, Mr. Senter was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Kirby, a daughter of George and Dorcas (.At- terberry) Kirby. Her father, who was born in Illinois. December 20. 1812. died March 15. 1904, while her mother, who was born April 22, 1816, died on the 2Nd of March. 1893. Her father had been reared to farm labor and continued at home with his parents up to the time of his marriage, when he began farming on his own account. He was always a lover of fine horses and engaged to consid- orable extent in breeding fine stock. He was classed with the extensive landowners and prosperous men of his county, having about thirteen hundred acres of land in his farm. I'mto him and his wife were born eight chil- dren : John. Daniel, Nancy, Samuel. William, Matilda. Mary Jane and George T.
Mr. and Mrs. Senter also had eight chil- dren, but the eldest died in infancy. Nora M. is the wife of Charles Frye, of Menard county : Etta D. is the wife of Charles Nance, also of Menard county: Mercy J. died in child- hood : James G .. John Harvey and Lorena M. are at home: and Inez P. died at the age of nine years.
Politically Mr. Senter is a Democrat, in- faltering in his loyalty to the party and its principles. He has served on the school board for seven or eight years, but otherwise has not sought or desired public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business pur- suits. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church and are interested in its growth and upbuilding. In all his private and public relations Mr. Senter has given his influence for social progress and for the elevation and wol- fare of mankind.
COLONEL C. D. MeDONALD.
Charles Il. MeDonald, a popular and well known citizen of Greenview, who as an auction- vor is conducting a very extensive and gratify- ing business, was born in Menard county abont a mile northeast of Greenview on the 1st of
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May. 1865. His parents were William P. and Martha ( Hornback ) MeDonald, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Illinois. The father served his country as a sollier in the Mexican war and after coming to Ilinois in 119 he turned his attention to farming. which he carried on with fair success until 1862, when again he responded to his country's call for military aid. enlisting as a member of Company K. One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry. After nine months of active service he was honorably discharged on account of illness and then returned to his farm, where- on he made his home until his death, which oc- eurred July 12. 1829. when he was fifty-five years of age. He had lived a quiet and un- eventful. vet useful and honorable, life and those who knew him respected him for his ster- Jing worth. His wife had died when their son Charles was but two years of age.
Charles H. MeDonald pursued his education in the country schools in the eastern part of Menard county. He was left an orphan when fourteen years of age by his father's death. after which he worked by the month as a farm hand until twenty-two years of age. Sub- sequently he rented the farm which his father once owned and continued to reside thereon until 1895, when he removed to Greenview and started in business as an auctioneer. In the spring of 1897 he also became connected with mercantile interests of the city as pro- prictor of a furniture store, but after three years he sold his stock. In 1901 he engaged in the livery business, but after a year disposed of his interest in that in order to give his en- tire attention to his auctioneer business, which in the meantime had grown to extensive propor- tions. He now has a very liberal patronage. crying sales in Menard, Sangamon. Mason. Logan and Tazewell counties. He is very sie- cessful at this business, having the ability to bring the owner and prospective purchaser to- gether in a manner that is profitable to both. Tle is well known among the anctioncers of the state and is now the viec-president of the Illi- noi- Auctioneers Association.
On the 3d of February, ISST. Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Allison. a daughter of James Allison, of Menard coun-
ty. They became the parents of one daughter, Nellie A., who was born February 1. 1888, and i- now attending school at Dixon. Illinois. Mrs. Jennie McDonald died on the 5th of July, 1893, and on the 12th of June. 1896, Mr. Me- Donald was again married, his second union being with Artio Bracken, a daughter of Thomas Bracken, of Indian Creek. Menard county. They have one son, Jack Il .. born January 25. 1891.
The family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and in his political views Mr. McDonald is a Democrat. He served as town trustee for four years and has filled other local positions, including that of constable, and for five years he was assessor of his town. Fra- ternally he is connected with Greenview lodge. No. 123. 1. 0. O. F. In public office, in busi- ness and in private life he is at all times found worthy of the trust reposed in him and the good will extended to him and he has gained a large circle of warm friends, who esteem him highly.
MRS. MARY J. STRADER.
Mrs. Mary JJ. Strader is one of Menard con- ty's native daughters, her birth having or- curred March 21. 1836. Her father, Benjamin Yardley. was born in South Carolina. Decem- ber 15, 1996, but spent his early life in Kon- lucky and afterward engaged in farming there. He was married on the 1st of March, 1821. to Miss Mary Earnest. whose birth occurred in North Carolina. February 9, 1800, but who was also reared in Kentucky. They began their domestic life in that state, residing there until their removal to Illinois. On settling in Mi- nard county they took up their abode upon the farm where their daughter Mary was born and Mr. Yardley carried on the work of tilling the soil and raising stock. Ho aided in the carly development of the county and was known as a worthy pioneer settler. He was noted for his honesty and his desire for peace and gool will toward all men and equal justice to all. and he was familiarly known as "Honest Ben." He died on the 20th of October. 1856. and his wife. surviving him ten years, passed away in December. 1866. They were the parents of
MR. AND MRS. I. P. STRADER.
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right children whose names and dates of birth wore as follows: Elizabeth, October 8, 1822 : Thomas, July 21. 1824 : Susan. December 20. 1825: James. December 11. 1822: John, July 3. 1830; Rebecca. March 9, 1833: Mary J .. March 21. 1836: and Hannah. August 2, 1838. All are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Strader: Susan, who is living in Tice: and Hannah, who also resides in that place.
Mary J. Yardley acquired hor education in the public schools near her father's home and was carefully trained in the household duties by her mother, so that when she was married she was well qualified to take charge of her own home. On the 28th of December. 1851. she became the wife of Isham P. Sirader, who was born in Green county, Kentucky. June 26. 1828, but was only two years old when brought to Menard county by his parents, John C. and Elizabeth ( Minor ) Strader. His father was born in North Carolina, August 28, 1296, and died September 9. 1822, while his mother was born February 21. 1991, and died November 12. 1843. They were married in Kentucky October 5, 1815, and were numbered among the earliest settlers of this county, having located here before the winter of the "deep snow." Here John C. Strader entered a tract of gov- ernment land and developed a farm. He was a soldier of the Black Hawk war.
Isham P. Strader made farming his life oc- cupation and carefully operated his land so that the fields were made to return to him good harvests and as his erops found a ready sale on the market be added annually to his income and became the owner of about two hundred acres of land. He was interested in citizenship to the extent of keeping well in- formed on all the questions and issues of the day. In early manhood he gave his political allegiance to the Whig party, which he contin- ued to support in loyal manner until his death. le was converted at the age of thirty years and became a member of the Baker Prairie Baptist church, remaining true to his profes- sions throughout life and manifesting a kindly and considerate spirit, an unfaltering honesty in business and loyalty to friends and family. He took an active interest in the cause of ed- ucation and served as school director and road
commissioner most acceptably. He died upon the old home farm February 22. 1899. his death being deeply regretted by the many who knew him.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Strader were born eight children : Clara, born November 16. 1855. died April 2. 1851. Emma, born December 1. 1857, was married January 22. 1826. to Wil- liam A. Clark, a farmer of Menard county, and they have six children. Robert, Bertha. Effic. Della. Clinton and Ray. Luella Frances, boru January 19, 1860, was married October 16, 1818. to Charles Crawford, and after his death wedded Azel Terry. By the first union there wore three children : Edna, who was married in October, 1898, to Benjamin Derry and they have one child living. Thelma : and Verna and Iva. both at home. Mr. and Mrs. Terry are now living in Bedford, Taylor county, lowa. John W., born July 16, 1862. died September 11. 1866. Alice, born March 12. 1865, was married October 11, 1885, to Clark Hunter Knoles, now a resident of Taylor county, Iowa. and they have five children, Leta, Ruba, Carol. Blanch and Victor. Mary Elizabeth, born No- vember 1t. 1861. was married February 3. 1892, to Eli M. Gotf. a resident of Gentry county, Missouri, and they have two children, Gladys and Cecil. Laura Ellen, born April 4. 1820. died January 31. 1826. Charles Ed- ward, born February 8. 1823, now manages the home farm for his mother. He was married January 11. 1900. to Minnie May Overstreet. who was born near Little Rock, Arkansas, AApril 2. 1838, and they have one child. Maud Esther, born October 10, 1900. Mrs. Strader is a member of the Baptist church and a lady of many excellent traits of character and of heart and mind. She has always lived in Mo- nard county and has gained many friends by her kindly spirit and consideration for others.
JOHN WILLIAM KENYON.
John William Kenyon came to the middle west from New England, bringing with him the enterprise and business sagacity characteristic of the people of that section of the country and of his English ancestors, and to these qualities
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he has added the progressive spirit which has 1864, in Menard county. He was married ever been dominant in the upbuilding and de- velopment of the Mississippi valley. He has. therefore, prospered in his business career and is now one of the most successful farmers of Menard county.
He was born in Connecticut, March 12, 1848, Ilis parents being Eli and Sarah (Armitage) Kenyon, both of whom were natives of En- gland. The father spent his youth in that country and was there reared and married and two children were born unto them ere they left the mother country for the new world. Eli Kenyon was about thirty years of age at the time of the emigration and locating in Con- nectient he became connected with his brother in the conduct of woolen mills in Woodstock. Windham county. There he spent his remain- ing days. passing away in 1814 at the age of fifty-seven years, and his wife survived him until 1900. She also died in Connecticut. They were the parents of five children : Mary. now deceased ; Marshall, living in Connectient : Nancy and Angie, living in Connecticut : and John W., of this review. Marshall Kenyon left home at the age of eighteen years and enlisted in the Union army, serving throughout the war. He was twice wounded, first at the bat- tle of Antietam and afterward at Mission Ridge. He was with the Eleventh Connecticut Infantry and when the war was over received an honorable discharge at Washington, D. C .. and returned to his home in Connecticut.
John W. Kenyon obtained his education in the schools of his native state and when his course was completed he resolved to seek a home in the west, believing that he might en- joy better business opportunities in this greal and growing section of the country. Accord- ingly, he made his way to Williamsville, Illi- nois, when eighteen years of age, and in the west he began farming, remaining in that lo- cality for five years. Ile was married in 1871 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Clara M. Primm. of Menard county, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Tice) Primm, both representatives of old families of Menard county. Her father was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Primm and was born January 3. 1811. in Madison county. Illinois, while his death occurred October 21.
June 1. 1843, to Elizabeth Tice, daughter of Jacob and dane ( Hall) Tice. They became the parents of ten children: James D., who was born January 22, 1815: Duleina, who was born June 11. 1852, and married John N. Cline; Thomas R., born JJune 11. 1854; Clara M., wife of our subject, born August 8, 1856; Vio- let L., born February 8, 1860; and Ninian O., born January 21, 1861. Another daughter of the family. Susan JJ .. died when about sixteen years of age and three children died in in- fancy. When young Daniel Primm had very little property, but he died a wealthy man. hav- ing worked earnestly and persistently in former years, and as his capital increased he made judicial investments in real estate, thus becom- ing the owner of valuable property. His fa- ther entered from the goverment the land upon which which Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon now resido.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon settled in Menard county upon the farm which is now the homestead property and he has de- veloped one of the best tracts of land in the county, his labors resulting in making it very attractive. The home is a beautiful and com- modious residence, situated in the midst of well kept grounds, and everything about the place indicates the careful supervision of the pro- gressive owner. I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon have been born eight children: Thomas W., who was born in November. 1822. is now super- intendent of a coal mine; Gilbert L., born in 181 1, is married and has one child : Clara, born in 1822. was married and at her death left one son. Kenyon Fonche: Estelle, born in 1881, and Eli, born in 1881, are at home: John. born in 1886. died in 1886: Joe, born in 1889, and Hope, born in 1892. are also with their par- ents.
Mr. Kenyon votes with the Republican party. having embraced its principles as soon as age gave him the right of franchise. His father was also a Republican and his wife's people were of the same political faith. Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon have a wide acquaintance in this county and enjoy the regard of all with whom they have been associated. In business affairs Mr. Kenyon is found trustworthy. betraying
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no confidence reposed in him and carefully meeting every obligation that devolves upon him. As a citizen he favors progressive methi- ods and while successfully conducting his busi- ness affairs he is every ready to aid in the promotion of any public cause for the general good.
JAMES F. SPEER, JR.
James F. Speer, Jr., better known as Frank Speer, was born in Menard county, on the 4th of February, 18:1. and is a son of James F. Speer, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. During his boyhood and youth he at- tended the Codington school in Tallula town- ship and assisted his father in the work of the home farm. In 1899 he began renting land of his father in Tallula township and now op- erates one hundred and sixty acres, which is highly cultivated. He is a progressive farmer and is meeting with good success in his chosen occupation.
On the 19th of April. 1899, Mr. Speer was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Stitch, who was born in Sandridge township, this county, May 16. 1871, and is a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Smith) Stitch, also natives of Menard county and now residents of Tallula. There were only two children in the Stitch family, Mrs. Speer's sister being Julia, wife of Edgar Dobbs. of Tallula. By his ballot Mr. Speer is a supporter of the Democratic party and he is a member of the Christian church.
ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY.
Alexander Montgomery, who carries on farm- ing and stock-raising in Menard county, is one of the native sons of this county, born October 16. 1833. Ilis parents resided here at an early period in the development of this part of the stato. He is a son of Charles L, and Eliza (Bracken ) Montgomery, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. His father arrived in Menard county. Ilinois, in 1820. when a young boy and was employed in various ways until 1830, when he was married
and began farming on his own account on land which he entered from the government. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy he began transforming the raw tract. into cultivated fields and in due course of time gathered abundant harvests. He experienced all the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life. but he bravely met these and as the years passed overcame all difficulties and obstacles in his path. Ile witnessed the wonderful trans- formation of Menard county from a wild re- gion to a thickly settled district. supplied with all conveniences and comforts known to mod- ern civilization. When his labors had brought to him a comfortable competence he put aside further business cares and spent his last days in honorable retirement from labor. His fel- low townsmen, recognizing his worth and abil- ity, called him to public office and he served as county commissioner for two terms or more. His carly political support was given to the Whig party, but in 1860 he joined the ranks of the new Republican party and continued one of its stanch advocates until his death, which oc- curred on the 4th of March, 1829. His wife long survived him and departed this life in 1891. Both were consistent members of the Christian church for many years. Mrs. Mont- gomery's father came to Menard county in 1826 and entered land south of Greenvien. There he developed a good farm, breaking the wild prairie and cutting the timber, He bore a helpful part in reclaiming the wild region for the purpose of civilization and his name should be enduringly inscribed on the list of Menard county's honored pioneers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery were born Ion children. who are now living and all are residents of Menard and Mason counties, Ilinois, with the exception of one daughter, who resides in Mis- sissippi.
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