USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 59
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WILLIAM WATKINS.
William Watkins, now deceased, was one of the most progressive farmers of Menard coun- ty. quick to adopt new methods and utilize new improvements in carrying on his chosen life work. He was born in Little Grove. Septem- ier 15, 1821, and at the time of his death, which occurred July 9, 1882, was the eldest native son of the county. His parents were Joseph and Nancy (Greene) Watkins, who had established their home here when this To- gion was being first opened up to the influences of civilization. He was reared under the pa- rental roof and attended school for only a short time. his educational privileges being extremely limited. His training at farm labor, however, was not meager, for as soon as old enough to handle the plow he bogan work in the fields and soon became familiar with the various duties which con- stitute the life work of the agriculturist. Hle began farming on his own account on a tract of eighty acres of land, constituting a part of the farm now occupied by his family. This had been given him by his father. Ile was married in 1816 to Miss Sarah Armstrong, a daughter of High and Frances (Greene) Armstrong, who were early residents of the county. Her father was a half-brother of Bowling Greene, with whom Abraham Lincoln at one time boarded and who was one of the first white settlers to locate in Menard coun- ty. Mrs. Watkins was born November 26. 1829, at the Armstrong home about three miles
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south of Petersburg, this property being now owned by G. W. Welch and occupied by Gaines Welch. She pursued her education in an old log schoolhouse which stood on the east side of a little stream that ran past her father's place. She was trained to the duties of the household and had good practical ideas of housekeeping when she went as a bride to her husband's home. They became the parents of fifteen children: Elizabeth, who married Will Covington. a farmer living in Oklahoma, by whom she has five children : Caroline, the wife of John Armstrong, a grain buyer and dealer in agricultural implements at Oakford, by whom she has three daughters ; Elijah, who died when two years of age: Kate, the wife of Elijah Thomas, a resident farmer living in Oakford, by whom she has two sons; Laura, the wife of Thomas Stith, a farmer residing a mile east of the Watkins farm, by whom she has one daughter: Charlie, living on the old home place : Mollie, the wife of George K. Ray, who is farming east of the Watkins property; George, who married Etta Shurtz, by whom he has one daughter and is a farmer living on the Watkins homestead; Hugh, a farmer of Oak- ford, who married Annie Mettling and has one daughter: Etta, who married E. C. Stith, a farmer, a half mile west of the Watkins home, by whom she has four children; Willie, who died when but two years of age; and four chil- dren who died unnamed.
Throughout his entire life William Watkins carried on general farming and as his financial resources increased he made judicious invest- ments in property and became the owner of a valuable tract of land of four hundred acres, which since his death has been divided among his children. lle always raised stock and fed the first steer that was over fed on the Sand- ridge. He also had the first sausage mill in this locality and as pioneer conditions gave way before the improvement and advancement of civilization he was always among the first to take up with new ideas and methods which promised to be of practical value. He always used horses in farming his land, although many of his neighbors had ox teams in the early days. His wife had the first sewing machine which was used on the Sandridge, but prior
to that time she had used a spinning wheel, spinning the yarn and weaving the cloth to make the family garments. This old wheel, an heirloom of pioneer times, was destroyed when the house was burned. They also had the first lamp used in this part of the county, it superseding the old tallow candles. Mr. Watkins ever led the advance in progress and his prosperity was well merited for he was ever honorable and straightforward in his deal- ings. He died July 9, 1882, and his remains were interred in the Petersburg cemetery. Thus passed away one of the most honored, respected and worthy pioneer residents of the county, but he is yet held in loving remem- brance hy those who knew him. His widow still resides upon the old homestead and throughout the county she has a wide cirele of friends.
ELISHA G. SPEAR.
Elisha G. Spear, who is engaged in the livery business in Greenview, and is serving as alder- man of the city, was born in Menard county. January 28. 1876. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this part of the state. llis father, George Spear, a farmer and stock-raiser who lived on section 20, town- ship 19, was born in Vermont, October 6. 1836. and was the third in a family of seven children born unto Elisha and Lucretia (Walker) Spear. who came to this state in the fall of 1838, and were therefore early settlers of the county. George Spear was then but two years of age and upon the old family homestead he was reared and has resided thereon throughout his entire life. In his youth he aided in the ardu- ous task of developing a new farm and in later years he has carried on agricultural pursuits along the most progressive lines, using the latest improved machinery and equipping his place with modern accessories.
On the 6th of October, 1870. George Spear was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Daw- son, who was born in Indiana. in October. 1841. They became the parents of three chil- dren: Flora, who was born August 2. 18:1 : Elsa, born January 26, 1873: and Elisha G.
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After his marriage the father continued farm- ing on the old home place and was the owner of a valuable tract of land of five hundred and ten acres. He was very successful in his chosen life work and because of his unremitting dili- gence became the possessor of a very fine prop- erty. He died April 21. 1900, and the mother passed away January 28. 1887.
Elisha G. Spear began his education in the district schools of Menard county and after- ward continued his education in Greenview. On putting aside his text-books he returned to the home farm, but in 1898 took up his abode in Greenview, where he turned his attention to the butchering business. A year later, how- ever, he sold his meat market and began buying and selling horses. He is also conducting a livery stable and both branches of his business are proving remunerative. He is an enterpris- ing young business man, reliable in his methods. and his efforts to please his patrons have se- cured to him a growing business.
On the 15th of March, 1898. Mr. Spear was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Gaddie. a daughter of Andrew Gaddie, They have three children: Harold E., Elisha G. and lloward F. Mrs. Spear is a member of the Presbyterian church and like her husband is widely and favorably known in Greenview. Mr. Spear is a stanch Democrat in his political views and is now serving as a member of the city council, where he is giving practical dem- onstration of his interest in the welfare and substantial improvement of the city by his sup- port of every aldermanie measure which he he- liew, will contribute to the general welfare.
ALVIN WATKINS.
Alvin Watkins, now deceased, was a farmer of Menard county, whose life was upright and honorable and won him the respect and confi- dence of his fellow men. Ile was born in this county, February 12. 1829, when it was still a frontier region, the work of improvement and progress being scarcely begun. Ilis pa- rents were Joseph and Naney ( Greene ) Wat- kins the latter a daughter of George Greene. Joseph Watkins settled in Little Grove. Me-
nard county, at a very early day, commg to this state from Green county, Kentucky. Ile was the owner of land in Little Grove that is now in possession of Samuel Watkins,
Reared under the parental roof Alvin Wat- kins attended the district schools and early became familiar with farm labor in all of its departments. Ho engaged in agricultural pur- suits throughout his entire life and began farming on his own account in Little Grove. There he resided up to the time of his mar- riage, which occurred March 22. 1853, Miss Nancy Potter becoming his wife. Her parents were Elijah and Elizabeth (Greene ) Potter. Her father was born in White county. Illinois, February 21. 1813, and when a little lad of only two or three years was brought to Menard county, his parents settling in 1816 upon what i- now the Edes farm. llis wife was a sister of W. G. Greene and the home farm upon which Mrs. Watkins resides was the old home- stead of William Greene. Bowling Greene. with whom Abraham Lincoln at one time board- od. was Mrs. Watkins' step-grandfather. Ile was among the oldest settlers of the county. The Greene family was established in this part of the state at a very early period in its de- velopment and they were among the most prom- inent and prosperous people of the locality. Her grandfather entered a large amount of land and her father was the owner of nearly one thousand acres at the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Potter had three children : Nancy, born in this county. December 20. 1831; Lonisa, who was born June 11, 1837, and is the widow of Greene Purvines. now living in Pleasant Plains, Sangamon county. with her three children : JJoseph W. Potter, who died before he had completed his first year. Mrs. Watkins pursued her education in the district and select schools and remained in her parents' home until her marriage.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Watkins were born eight children : Mary E. became the wife of Byron P. Henderson and is now a widow living in Petersburg. She has three children living. Gaines, who resides on the home farm, wedded Emma Swartz and they have eight children living and have lost one. He conducts the old homestead property covering six hundred
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acres. Alice A. married Thomas Armstrong and both are now deceased. They left six children, one of whom has passed away. Min- erva Jane is the wife of W. C. Roe, a resident of Nevada, Missouri, and they have two ehil- dren. Joseph Elijah died at the age of nine- teen years. John Brahm married Myra Hodg- son. a resident of Fort Madison, lowa, and they have four children. Beverly Scott. now deceased, married Bolletta Metzker in Alabama and his widow resides in Mobile. that state. Greeneberry died at the age of thirteen years.
Mr. Watkins followed farming in order to provide for his family, but in 1811 his death occurred. He was a Democrat in his political views and he lived a quiet, uneventful but use- ful and honorable life, so that he left to his family an untarnished name. Mrs. Watkins was left with the care of eight children when the youngest was only eight months old. She always kept the family together and provided her children with excellent educational privi- loges. Alice and Mary were students at Beth- any, Pennsylvania, and Minerva at Jackson- ville, illinois, while Brahm was a student in Eureka College at Eureka, Illinois. Mrs. Wat- kins has certainly done a mother's full part by her children. counting no sacrifice too great on her part if it would enhance the happiness or promote the welfare of her children, and she has lived to see them become useful and respected members of society. Like her all hold membership in the Christian church and the highest esteem is given them by their friends and neighbors. Mrs. Watkins is one of the older native citizens of Menard county and its history is familiar to her through the period of three score years and ten, so that she can relate many interesting incidents con- cerning the development of the county and events which have marked its progress.
JONATHAN C. LLOYD.
Jonathan C. Lloyd has for fifty-one years been a resident of Menard county and his name should therefore be enduringly inscribed upon the records concerning the pioneer settlers of this portion of the state. He has been an in-
terested witness of what has been accomplished as the years have gone by and has borne his full share in the work of general development and progress along substantial lines. His birth occurred in the village of Waynesville, Warren county, Ohio. his parents being John and Martha ( Clyne) Lloyd, both of whom were na- tives of Burlington county, New Jersey. They were married about eighty years ago in the state of their nativity and about ten years after- ward removed to Ohio. The father had been previously married, his first wife having been a Miss Doran. of New Jersey. There were two sons by that union: Thomas, who died in the early '50s: and Franklin. who served for three years in the Union army during the Civil war and died soon after his return home from heart trouble. He left a widow and three sons, but his widow has since died. For his second wife John Lloyd chose Martha Clyne. a daugh- ter of Job Clyne. and they became the parents of four sons and three daughters: Benjamin E., who died in December. 1850: Mrs. Sarah .T. MeCay, a resident of Nebraska: Martha E .. who died in 1823: Anna M., the widow of Dr. N. H. Martin and a resident of the state of Washington ; Jonathan C .. of this review : Mrs. Mary I. Young, a resident of Mansfield, Ili- nois ; and Alfred H., who died December S. 1903. In early life the mother was a member of the Society of Friends or Quakers, but after- ward became identified with the Methodist church.
In his boyhood days Jonathan C. Lloyd at- tended the public schools as opportunity afford- ed. but his educational and other advantages were somewhat meager. owing to the frontier conditions amid which he was reared. Ho came from Ohio with his parents in 1853 and lived upon his father's farm until after the in- anguration of the Civil war. when. prompted by a spirit of patriotism. he enlisted on the 9th of August. 1862. as a defender of the Union, becoming a member of the Seventy- third Illinois Infantry, which was known as the Methodist ministers' regiment. there being twenty-six ministers of that denomination who responded to the roll call. Colonel J. F. Jaques was in command and the regiment went from Springfield to Louisville, Kentucky, and with
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
other troops proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio. to guard that city. Later an order came to return to Louisville and afterward the regintent par- tiripated in the battle of Perryville. Kentucky, thence went to Nashville, Tennessee, and was in the battle of Murfreesboro and at Stone River. Thousands of lives were lost in the last named engagement and there were many wounded Mr. lloyd was in all of these engagements, also in the battle of Chickamauga and in many skirmishes. He was wounded in a skirmish near Roaea, Georgia. and was taken to the hospital at Nashville, where he remained for three months before he was able to rejoin his command. le afterward took part in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, and on the 15th and 16th of December. 1861. was engaged in hard fighting in and around Nashville. Hi- regiment was in eighteen battles and skirmishes altogether during the terms of his service and he was continuously with his command save for the three months when disability compelled him to remain in the hospital. He was hon- orably discharged at Camp Butler, near Springfield. Ilinois, June 12. 1865. having done his full duty as a soldier. after which he returned to Menard county.
Mr. Lloyd has since been engaged in general farming and stock-raising. devoting his entire life to the pursuit to which he was reared. Ho makes his home in township 19. where he has one hundred and seventy acres of land and his labors have been discerningly directed to the further improvement and development of his farm, which is now a very excellent property.
On the 22 of January. 1829. Mr. Lloyd was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Austill. a daughter of Solomon and Margaret ( Botkin) Au-till. in whose family were mine children : Rebecca, born in 1852: John W .. who was born in 1851. and died in infancy: Solomon. who was born in 1856 and died in childhood : Mrs. Lloyd, born March 11. IsSs: Benjamin F .. who was born December 12. 1859, and died May 3. 1900: Sarah A., born November 11. 1801 : Mary A. horn October 11, 1561 : George Il .. who was born JJuly 15, 1865, and died in September. 1506; and Margaret A. horn An- ust 25. 1868. The parent - have also passed away. the father's death having occurred sip-
tomber 11. 1897, while his wife died May St. 1.598.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd have five living chi !- dren : Frank A., born October 2. 1879 ; Charles L., born on the 16th of April. Ess) : Margaret P., born February 9. 1883; John A., who was born May 16, 1886: and Florence I .. who was born November 15. 1559. and complete the family. The parents are members of the Pre- byterian church and are earnest Christian pro- ple, deeply and actively interested in various departments of the church work. In his pa- litical allegiance Mr. Lloyd is a stanch Repub- lican and has served as school director four- teen years, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. He is true to all duties of citizenship, being as loyal to his country and her welfare in times of peace as he was when in the blue uniform of the Union he followed the old flag upon southern battle- fields.
JAMES WILLIAM CHEANEY.
James W. Cheaney. deceased, was one of the representative and honored men of Menard county. connected with many lines of activ- ity and enthusing his progressive spirit into the measures which have resulted greatly to the benefit of town and county. In political, business and social circles he bore an unassail- able reputation in the community where he made his home, and his death was therefore the occasion of deep and sincere regret among his many friends.
Mr. Cheaney became a resident of Menard county in 1855. His birth occurred in Flem- ing county. Kentucky. February 1. 1830, his parents being Edward and Sarah t Neal) Chea- ney. The father was a farmer and miller, fol- lowing the two pursuits in Kentucky. The son was reared in his native state and educated in the public schools. After laying aside his text-books he worked on the farm for a time. He seemed to have imbibed his father's knowl- edge of carpentry and was a natural mechanic and imilder. Having become tired of farm work, one day while plowing he took the har- best of the horse and returning to the house
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he told the family that he could stand it no longer, as it was too slow for him there. He then went to Frankfort, Kentucky, where he hired out to a carpenter at full pay as a jour- neyman, his employer never knowing that he was not an expert carpenter, so skillful was In in handling tools. After a short time spent at that place he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained two or three years, and later spent some time in Fort Smith, Arkansas, but while there his health failed. In 1855 he came to Petersburg, Ilinois, and as a contrac- tor and builder formed a partnership with Messrs. Quinn and Anderson. They were asso- ciated in business for about seven years or until 1862. when Mr. Cheaney turned his attention to the lumber trade, in which he continued un- til elected to publie office. As a lumber mer- chant he was a member of the firm of Cheaney & Tice and later Cheaney & Hatfield, and upon his withdrawal from the business he sold his interest to Ewing Clark.
In 1869 Mr. Cheaney was elected county treasurer and assessor for a term of four years and proved a capable official. discharging the duties in a prompt and efficient manner. On the expiration of his term he retired from office as he had entered it-with the confidence and regard of all. He then went upon the road as a traveling salesman for the Chicago Lumber Company and represented its interests in that way for twenty years. His genial manner. cor- dial disposition. unfailing courtesy and thor- ough understanding of the business made him popular with the many patrons whom he se- cured for the house, and his capability as a salesman made him a trusted and valued em- plove of the Chicago Lumber Company. About 1894 he again engaged in the lumber business on his own account in Petersburg in partner- ship with his son Ed under the style of E. S. Chenney & Company, and in this enterprise he continued up to the time of his death.
Mr. Cheaney was married February 4, 1858. at the old homestead on Rock creek, to Miss Sarah Catherine Houghton, who was born in Menard county. November 11. 1836. Her father. Elijah Houghton, removed from Ken- tucky to Menard county about 1821 and pur- chased a tract of land. He married Catherine
Merrill. also from Kentucky, and both were members of old New Jersey families. Mrs. Cheaney's grandfather, Aaron Houghton, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and other members of the family served in the Black Ilawk war. Mrs. Cheaney is the youngest in a family of eight children, six of whom were born of the father's first marriage. Unto our subject and his wife were born two sons and a daughter. Edgar S., born in 1858. married Miss Maggie Miller and is engaged in the lum- ber business in Petersburg. Mary Belle. born in 1860. is the wife of John C. Pyatt, of Jaek- sonville, Illinois. Dr. Willam J. Cheaney, born in 1870, married Lula Ayres, of Athens, and they have three children. Mrs. Cheaney be- longs to the Christian church, is identified with its societies and is also a member of several ladies' clubs.
Mr. Cheaney was ealled to his final rest on the 23d of February. 1902. at the age of ser- enty-two years and nineteen days. In his po- litical views he was a stanch Demoerat and was ever active in the party. doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He belonged to Clinton lodge. No. 19. A. F. & A. M., also to Salem lodge, No. 123. 1. O. O. F., and his funeral services were held under the auspiees of the latter organiza- tion. He was likewise a member of the Illinois Lumber Dealers' Association.
The following is a part of the obituary no- tiee read by Elder Groves at the time of his death :
"For forty-seven years he has been intimately associated with the growth and welfare of this city, as one of its most intelligent business men and public spirited citizens. He was ex- act and serupulous in all of his business deal- ings : his word or promise in any transaction was taken without any hesitation. In his view the highest citizenship was comprehended in the morality, enterprise and integrity of the people. Ilis style was simple and easy: be employed not many words, but such as had a well understood meaning and wore direet to the point.
"Brother Cheaney was by education, instinet and from choice a gentleman : he was well in- formed on topies of publie concern. and had
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the rare faculty of expressing his views with the logie of directness. I think when we come to a proper estimate of his character and seek after the secret of his sympathy and affection we shall find it in the richness and integrity of his moral nature, in that sincerity, that transparent honesty, that truthfulness which laid the basis for everything of goodness to which we do honor today. He lived in peace with his neighbors and enjoyed their friend- ship. Ile never gave up his old-time hospital- ity; his home was free to his friends and even the stranger found a welcome there. He was always genial in his manner, pure in purpose and clear in his opinions.
"Brother Cheaney was a publie spirited man and the monuments to his enterprise will sur- vive for years. His gifts to public and reli- gious institutions were frequent and generous. He gave to the churches, to the poor, to public and individual enterprises. Ho was as unos- tentatious in his beneficenees as he was in person and manners. He was possessed of many if not all the attributes of a Christian. but was not a member of any church; yet. there was a living faith that made him fear no evil in the silent valley. He believed that some guardian angel would stand by the broken column through death's dark night and raise him up in the eternal morning.
"No man has left a better record for honor. integrity and uprightness. He was a kind and obliging neighbor and a devoted father and husband. Those who have been his associates for many years say they have ever found him a considerate. kind and helpful neighbor and friend, careful of their needs in health or sick- ness. Companionship with such a man is a benediction.
"There are left to mourn his departure the devoted companion of his earthly pilgrimage. two sons, one daughter. eleven grandchildren and a host of friends."
CORNELI'S JANSSEN.
Cornelius Janssen, whose name has been anglieized so that he is known as (. S. John- sen in Menard county. was born in Strock-
hold, Germany, on the 24th of October. 1854. Ile is to-day one of the leading business men of Menard county, having valuable farming in- terests and at the same time conducting coal mining operations with excellent success. His parents, Frink F. and Jantze (Junje) Jan -- sen, came to America in 1865 and landed at New York city on the 8th of November of that year, after which they made their way to Po- tersburg. Ilinois, which was then the terminus of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. In Menard county the father turned his attention to farm- ing and here reared his family.
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