USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 40
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On the 3d of July, 1880, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Ber- ry, and as the years have passed children to the number of six have been added to the household : Lillie Bell, born April 9, 1881, is now married and resides upon her father's farm; William Jasper, born August 16, 1884; Laura May, born July 27, 1887 ; Roy, born March 18, 1890; Amy Winniefred, born January 27, 1893, and Flora Henrietta, born November 28, 1897, are all with their parents. Thus the family circle remains un- broken.
Mr. Nelson belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he carries insurance amounting to three thousand dol- lars. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Re- publican party, and was at one time the school director, but otherwise has held no public office. He has made the golden rule his life motto, and has closely followed it. After an honorable and useful life, actuated by unselfish motives, he may rest assured that the people of the county entertain for him respect, confidence and good will.
PHILIP ISOR GORDON.
Nature seems to have intended that man should enjoy a period of rest in his more advanced years, for in early life one is full of energy, determination and courage, and later added to .these qualities is a mature judgment that renders one's efforts more ef- fective in the search of success. With ad- vancing years, however, comes a desire for rest that may be gratified if one has dili- gently labored along practical lines as Mr. Gordon has done. In former years he was
engaged in general farming and worked so untiringly and earnestly that to-day he is the possessor of a handsome competence. He maintains his home in Mansfield, where he is now living a retired life.
Mr. Gordon was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of January, 1838, his parents being Franklin and Gertrude (Hyde) Gordon. The father was born Jan- uary 26, 1810, and the mother February 9, 18II, and they were married on the 17th of December, 1829. Their union was blessed with ten children, of whom Philip I. is the fourth in order of birth. The family record is as follows: Caroline, born December 18, 1830; Anna, October 6, 1832; Martha A., July 20, 1835; Philip I., January 4, 1838; Benjamin Thomas, January 24, 1841; An- na E., January 3, 1843; Nancy Jane, March II, 1845; Mary Katherine, October 20, ' 1847; Sarah A., January 19, 1850; and Git- ty Margaret, September 5, 1853. Only four of these children are now living, Philip, Sa- rah, Mary and Gitty. The father was a farmer by-occupation and removed from the Keystone state to New Jersey, whence he afterward went to Preble county, Ohio, mak- ing the journey by wagon. He was upon the road for six weeks, and then reached his destination in safety. For seventeen years he continued to reside in Preble county, where he owned and operated a farm of fifty- three acres. In 1857 he came to Piatt coun- ty, Illinois, where he served for many years as justice of the peace of Blue Ridge town- ship. He had also filled that position in Ohio, and the official papers for his tenth term came to him when he was on his death- bed. He was a man in whom his friends and fellow citizens placed unbounded confidence, for he was the soul of honor and integrity in all life's relations .. When serving as jus-
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tice in Ohio and Illinois he settled many es- tates, especially in Ohio. He did practically all of this for miles around. He left to his family the priceless heritage of an untar- nished name, and to his friends the memory 1872, after having survived his wife for about five years. She died July 30, 1867, and her death was also deeply deplored by those who knew her, for she was a most estimable woman.
Philip I. Gordon, whose name introduces this review, spent the greater part of his early life in Ohio, being reared upon the home farm, where he early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When a young man of nineteen years he came with his parents to Illinois, and throughout his business career he followed the occupation to which he had been reared. When he had acquired sufficient capital he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Blue Ridge township, which he still owns, and to this he afterward added a tract of forty acres. While upon the farm he raised considerable stock, feeding them all of the grain which he annually harvested. His farming methods were progressive and in keeping with the spirit of the times. Everything about his place was neat and thrifty in appearance and gave evidence of his careful supervision and practical methods. In 1890, however, he put aside the arduous duties of agricultural life and took up his abode in Mansfield, where he is now living retired.
On the 17th of February, 1860, Mr. Gor- don was united in marriage to Miss Martha · ments and is regarded by many as an ideal J. Mathews, and unto them have been born three children: Thomas Edward, whose birth occurred December 20, 1860, and who died January 22, 1864; Benjamin Franklin,
who was born August 15, 1862, and died April 17, 1866; and Charles, who was born on the 18th of February, 1864, and married Luella Caldwell. He is now living on the old home farm in Blue Ridge township, and of a noble life. He passed away April 12, unto him and his wife have been born three children : Philip Burton, Bertha and James Willard.
In his political affiliations Mr. Gordon is a stalwart Republican and has firm faith in the principles of the party, but has never as- pired to public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business interests, which have been so capably conducted that he has gained a neat little fortune. He and his wife are faithful members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, regularly attend its services, contribute generously to its support and take a helpful interest in its work. They are well known in Mansfield, and their many friends speak of them in terms of praise.
WILLIAM F. MATSON, M. D.
From no professional man do we expect to exact so many of the cardinal virtues as from the physician. If the clergyman is au- stere, we imagine that his mind is absorbed with the contemplation of things beyond our ken; if our lawyer is brusque and crabbed, it is the mark of genius; but in the physician we expect not only a superior quality of mentality and comprehensive knowledge, but sympathy as wide as the universe. Dr. Mat- son in large measure meets all these require- physician. Certainly if patronage is any cri- terion of ability he ranks high among the leading physicians and surgeons of Piatt county. He has resided here since 1898, and
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during the intervening years has well demon- . strated his broad learning and ready adapt- ability of his knowledge to the needs of suf- fering humanity.
A native of Ohio, Dr. Matson was born in Logan county, that state, on the 9th of August, 1864. He comes of Scotch and Irish ancestry in the paternal line, and is of German lineage in the maternal line. His great-grandfather, Uriah J. Matson, was a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer by oc- cupation, following the pursuit through his entire life. He wedded Eliza J. Beach, a native of Ohio. Dr. Albert F. Matson, the father of our subject, was a native of Rich- land county, Ohio, and after attaining his majority practiced medicine there for a num- ber of years. During the Civil war he served as a surgeon and was stationed for a considerable time at Bermuda Hundred. After his return from the war he resumed practice in Logan county, Ohio, where he re- mained until his death, which occurred in 1867. He married Miss Hannah J. Mar- quess, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas T. and Rosina (Stiles) Marquess, natives of Virginia. In the family of Dr. Albert F. Matson and his wife were three children : Charles A., a min- ing engineer, is at Dawson, Alaska; Ona D. died in 1895.
Dr. William F. Matson obtained his pre- liminary education in the district schools of Logan county, Ohio, and then took up the study of telegraphy and telegraph construc- tion, entering the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company, with which he. continued for some time. From 1888 until 1890 Dr. Matson was in the West Indies, in the employ of the West India Improve- ment Company, and later he was in the serv- ice of James Ray, the millionaire prince of
the West Indies. On returning to the United States he took up the study of medi- cine, reading in the office and under the di- rection of Dr. Staples, a prominent physi- cian of Dubuque, Iowa, and later he was graduated in the medical department of the State University of Iowa City, with the class of 1896. After his graduation the Doctor located in Gilmore, Humboldt county, Iowa, where he continued in practice for two years, and in 1898 he came to Monticello, where he has since made his home. Here he has se- cured a large and lucrative practice.
In 1886 Dr. Matson was united in mar- riage to Miss Ida M. Calland, of Degraff, Ohio, a daughter of Gershan and Elizabeth (Dickey) Calland. They now have one daughter, Ona Marguerite. Both the Doctor and his wife have gained many friends dur- ing the five years of their residence in Monti- cello and their own home is the center of a cultured society circle. The Doctor is a worthy representative of the Masonic fra- ternity, belonging to Fraternal Lodge, No. 58, F. & A. M., and to Lincoln Park Chap- ter, No. 177, R. A. M., of Chicago. In the line of his profession he is connected with the Champaign County District Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and through the interchange of thought and experience in these organizations he is continually broad- ening his scientific knowledge and rendering his labors more effective in his practice.
DANIEL P. SWISHER.
Daniel P. Swisher, who is successfully carrying on general farming on section 16, Goose Creek township, was born on the 9th
MR. AND MRS. D. P. SWISHER
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of September, 1850, in the state of Pennsyl- vania, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Palm) Swisher, natives of West Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively, the former born April 25, 1803, and the latter January II, 1805. The Palms were of German de- scent, Mrs. Swisher's parents having come to this country from the fatherland. The birthplace of the father of our subject was Stanton, West Virginia, and there he con- tinued to make his home until about 1840, when he removed to Pennsylvania. Previous to this event he had followed the black- ·smith's trade, but he now turned his atten- tion to farming, in which pursuit he engaged until called to his final rest on the IIth of August, 1857. He had nine children, who in order of birth, were as follows: Sarah Anne Elizabeth, born October 3, 1824, died July 2, 1825. William, born December 3, 1827, was graduated at the Allegheny Medi- cal College at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and was first engaged in the practice of his pro- fession at Elmwood, Illinois, and later at Canton, this state, where he died in 1881, leaving a wife and one child. His son, Edwin S. Swisher, is now a practicing physician of New Mexico. Mary Eveline Amanda, the third child of Jacob and Catherine Swisher, was born December 5, 1831, and died Au- gust 17, 1850. Elmus Josiah E., born No- vember 22, 1834, died in July, 1840. Julia is the wife of Daniel Billig, who is engaged in farming near Harper in Harper county, Kansas. Emily L. is a resident of Fairview, and the widow of Jacob Wise, a carriage- maker and trimmer, who died about fifteen years ago. Jacob James K., who was born in 1843, and died during his service in the Civil war March 2, 1863. Samuel is now en- gaged in the harness business at Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Daniel P. Swisher received a good prac-
tical education in the common schools of his native state, and made his home with his mother until reaching manhood, his father having died when he was only seven years old. In early life he learnd the harness- maker's trade at Jamestown, Pennsylvania, and continued to follow that occupation until 1873, when he came west and located a mile west of DeLand, Illinois, in Piatt county. Here he rented eighty acres of land which he afterward purchased in 1883, and although he has since bought and sold a number of farms, on which he has made his home for a time, he finally returned to his first purchase. The farm is well tiled and improved and is divided into fields of convenient size by well- kept fences. A deep well has been made and a windpump set up, and the place is supplied with the latest improved machinery for facil- itating farm work. The family residence has been remodeled and improved and the fields are highly cultivated. In connection with the operation of his own land, 'Mr. Swisher has charge of his father-in-law's farm of three hundred and twenty acres.
In 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ann Wilson, a daughter of Jo- seph and Lucinda (Judy) Wilson, and to them have been born three children: Ger- trude E., at home; Edith Viola, wife of Charles Marvel, a farmer of Goose Creek township; and Grace Anna, at home. The family are earnest and consistent members of the Christian church of DeLand, and Mr. Swisher also holds membership in DeLand Lodge, No. 740, I. O. O. F. In political views he is a Republican.
JOSEPH C. SMITH.
On section 24. Blue Ridge township, is located the home and farm of Joseph C.
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Smith, who is successfully carrying on gen- eral agricultural pursuits. He was born in the year 1845, and is a son of Thomas and Jane Smith. . His paternal grandfather was a native of England and came from York, that country, to America in the year 1815, landing at Philadelphia. He crossed the mountains in wagons and came down the Ohio river in a flatboat, landing at Law- renceburg, Indiana. In that locality he pur- chased land and engaged in farming for a number of years, being one of the early set- tlers of the locality. Thus he took an active part in advancing civilization there and aided in laying the foundation for the present pros- perity and progress of the communit
family were ten children, including Thomas Smith, the father of our subject, who was born in York, England, in 1805. He pur- sued his early education there and acquired good mental training for that day. With his parents he came to America and through long years was identified with agricultural interests in Dearborn county, Indiana. Prior to the Civil war he was a stanch Aboli- tionist and was very anxious to see slaves freed, but he never lived to hear the procla- mation. When because of the cruelty of southern masters many slaves attempted to gain freedom in Canada, Mr. Smith con- ducted what was known as a station on the famous underground railroad. He and his wife frequently sheltered the negroes, who were then fleeing northward and assisted them on their way. Thomas Smith died in 1863, and his wife, who was born in 1807, long survived him, passing away in 1891. In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, and our subject now has one brother who lives in Piatt county.
Joseph C. Smith was reared and edu- cated in Dearborn county, Indiana. He pur-
sued his studies in an old log school-house and, though his privileges were somewhat limited he made the most of his opportuni- ties and has always followed that course through life. It has been this that has brought to him his success. He started out for himself when twenty-one years of age, 'and for two years worked by the month as a farm hand in Piatt county, receiving from twenty-five to forty dollars per month. He purchased eighty acres of land about 1890, and has since added to his original purchase a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. The land was not improved and Mr. Smith broke it, doing the first plowing upon the fields. He has added a great many substantial im- provements, has planted all of the trees, has erected good buildings and has made a splen- did farm. His attention has always been given to general farming, and to-day he has a. valuable property. In 1873 he erected a good residence, and the following year built a large barn. Annually he sells good crops, and as the years have passed he has gradu- ally increased his capital until he is now numbered among the men of affluence in the community. In 1871 Mr. Smith was offered a wagon for one hundred dollars cash or one hundred and ten dollars on time. He went to a bank in Farmer City and borrowed one hundred dollars for three months, paying six dollars interest, but on the expiration of that time did not have the money and paid six dollars more interest. At the end of six months he was still unable to pay and was told that as money was a little more plentiful he could have it for another three months for five dollars. Again he could not raise the one hundred dollars, and this time paid an- other six dollars interest. He was able to settle at the end of the year, after having paid twenty-three dollars interest, which
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would seem very exorbitant price at present.
In 1874 Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage to Miss Lida Robinson, a daughter of William Robinson, and they became the par- ents of six children; Omer, who died at the age of sixteen years; Nora, who is the wife of E. B. James, by whom she has two chil- dren ; Raymond, who married Maude El- more ; Alfred, who is living at home at the age of twenty years ; Burton, who is now fourteen years of age; and Glenn, who died in 1902.
Mr. Smith is now serving as the efficient road commissioner of Blue Ridge township, and has held the office for four years. Dur- ing the spring of 1903 he had five iron bridges built in Blue Ridge township. In politics he has always been a Republican, and is a progressive citizen, taking an active in- terest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the comunity and its progress along sub- stantial lines. When he came to Piatt coun- ty there were only one or two spring vehicles in the county, and everything was primitive because this district was but a frontier set- tlement. Great changes have since occurred and Mr. Smith has endorsed everything per- taining to the general welfare and given his co-operation to many movements for the public good.
ANTHONY. CLARK.
Anthony Clark, who is now residing on section 10, Bement township, where he owns and cultivates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, was born in Jefferson county, In- diana, on the 27th of March, 1837. The family is of English lineage and was estab- lished in the new world by the great-grand-
father of our subject, who settled near Bal- timore, Maryland, on crossing the Atlantic to America. The grandfather, John Clark, removed from the Atlantic coast to Ken- tucky, and there spent his remaining days.
Samuel Clark, the father of our subject, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but was reared in Kentucky and became a steamboat captain on the Mississippi river. He was the pilot on the third boat on that river, and . ran from Pittsburg to New Orleans. For many years he followed that life, but at length was killed in Arkansas by an explo- sion on his boat when thirty-two years of age. He had married Miss Maria Horse- man, who was born near Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, and survived her husband for some years, passing away in 1861 at the age of fifty-four years. She was a member of the Baptist church, and a lady whose many ex- cellent qualities greatly endeared her to her family and many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Clark were the parents of four children, a son and three daughters : Elizabeth, the de- ceased wife of Thomas D. George, who was. a Baptist minister, and died in Indiana, while her death occurred in California; Louisa, who resides at Columbus, Indiana, and is the wife of David J. Stilling, a railroad con- tractor ; Anthony, whose name introduces. this record; and Catherine, who is the wife of John H. Jones, a retired farmer living in Martinsville, Indiana.
Anthony Clark was reared in the place of his nativity, remaining there until 1865. His- education was obtained in the public schools of Jefferson county and he worked upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He remained upon the old homestead for a short period after attain- ing his majority, and then came to Illinois,
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locating in Pittsburg. For two years he re- sided there and then came to Platt county in 1867, establishing his home on the place which he now owns and occupies in Bement township. He has made all of the improve- ments here and has to-day a valuable farm, supplied with all modern equipments. He uses the latest improved machinery in carry- ing on the work of the fields, and his place is characterized by neatness and thrift in every department.
On the 8th of November, 1872, in Pe- tersburg, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Anne B. Parks, a native of Glascow, Scotland, who came to the United States in 1861. Her parents were James and Rebecca (Purdon) Parks, both of whom were natives " of Scotland, and they crossed the Atlantic to the United States two years after their daughter's arrival here, establishing their home in Petersburg. The father was a farm- er by occupation, and thus provided for his family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born three children : Samuel J., who is a ma- chinist residing in Bement, and who was born on the old home farm in Bement town- ship; Thomas P., who resides on the old homestead ; and Rebecca M., who is now un- der the parental roof. All of the children were born in Bement township and were ed- ucated in the public schools.
In his social relations Mr. Clark is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge at Be- ment, and is one of the supporters of the Baptist church. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and has held nearly all of the township offices, in which he has proven most loyal to his duties, discharging the ob- ligations which have devolved upon him with promptness and fidelity. When he came to Piatt county most of the land was wild prairie, and he has seen this section of
the county developed from its primitive con- 'dition into highly cultivated farms, which are unsurpassed in the state. He has done his full share in making the county a rich farming district, and is a progressive agri- culturist whose worth in business circles is widely acknowledged.
ALVAH JAMES.
Alvah James is numbered among the cap- italists of Piatt county and makes his home in Mansfield. He is one of the typical citi- zens of the Mississippi valley-men of en- terprise, of keen sagacity and strong force of character, who have developed this wonder- ful section of the country in a manner that has made its transformation almost phenom- enal. He started out in life for himself as a school-teacher on a small salary, has also worked as a farm hand, and to-day he stands among the most prosperous residents of this portion of the state, having important landed and financial interests, while at the same time he is well known as a dealer in grain and beef cattle. The extent and volume of his business has made him widely known far beyond the confines of this locality, and his business operations have been so capably con- ducted that they have returned to him grati- fying success. '
Alvah James was born in Lucas county, Iowa, on the 21st of November, 1855, a son of Ezra and Susanna (Murray) James. The parents were natives of Ohio, were mar- ried there, and in 1852 removed westward, becoming residents of Lucas county, Iowa. The father entered land from the govern- ment and became a well-to-do citizen of that locality. In 1867 he removed to Marion
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county, Iowa, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1886, when he was sixty-two years of age. His wife died in 1891, at the age of sixty-six years. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom the subject of this review is the sixth in or- der of birth. Nine are yet living, but he is the only one who resides in Piatt county.
In the common schools of Lucas and Ma- rion counties, Iowa, Alvah James acquired his preliminary education and afterward at- tended the University of Indiana, at Valpa- raiso, where he pursued a literary course: After finishing his education he taught school for three terms, one in Porter county, . Indiana, one in Marion county, Iowa, and the third in Champaign county, Illinois. In 1880 he caine to Piatt county, Illinois, and worked by the month for an uncle, receiving three hundred dollars for the year's service. He then resolved to engage in farming on his own account, and rented three hundred acres of land. Through his untiring industry and careful management he was enabled to gain
a start, and with the money acquired through his own labors he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land. His farm- ing and stock-dealing interests have been car- ried on extensively. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres in Doug- lass county, Illinois, ninety acres in Ohio, five acres in Champaign county, twenty-five lots in Roseville, Ohio, and three hundred and twenty acres in Piatt county, Illinois. He resided upon his farm in Blue Ridge township, Piatt county, until 1894, when he removed to Mansfield, Illinois. There he re- mained for two years, during which time he was engaged in the hardware business. He then returned to the farm and came again to Mansfield in 1902. In the meantime he had engaged extensively in dealing in stock
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