Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 33

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 760

USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 33

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Major Klein was married in Springfield, Illi- nois, in 1878, tò Miss Jennie M. Klein, who was born in that city in 1858 and was a daughter of John and Cynthia Klein, residents of Springfield, who are now deceased. One child was born of this marriage, Madge Estella Klein, who was born in 1881. She attended the public schools of Barry and was educated in music, her father se- curing for her the best teachers that money could obtain. She was a beautiful Christian girl, dis- playing a sweet disposition, kindly purpose and genial nature and was greatly loved by all, but on the Ist of May. 1900, she was called from this life. Mrs. Klein survived for about two years and then passed away on the 19th of August,

1902. Major Klein has thus seen sad times, but he has ever attempted to keep up a hopeful spirit. In his relations with his fellowmen he is directed by broad sentiment relating to his duties by a charitable nature and kindly purpose. He still keeps his home just as his wife and daughter left it, employing a housekeeper. while he boards at the hotel. Major Klein is very prominent in the organization of the Modern Woodmen of America and was statė consul in 1894. He has also held other offices in that organization and is now state lecturer. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Pike County Mutual Association. In his pro- fession he has attained prominence by reason of broad and comprehensive study and he possesses a statesman's grasp of affairs, keeping in touch with the onward progress of thought and action relating to the country's history.

G. W. FULLER.

G. W. Fuller, who is engaged in dealing in coal in Pittsfield, was born in Massachusetts in 1845, and is descended from ancestors who came to America on the Mayflower. In both the paternal and maternal lines he is descended from Revolu- tionary ancestry ; and from the same branch came President Monroe, the mother of Mr. Fuller being an own cousin of the president. She spent her entire life within twenty miles of Plymouth Rock, and a sister of Mr. Fuller is yet living there. In fact, our subject is the only representative of the name who has gone so far away from the ancestral home. He came to Pike county, Illinois, in 1878, and has since been identified with the interests of this section of the state. In the common schools of Massachusetts he acquired his education, and after locating in Pike county he engaged in pros- pecting for coal. For twenty-five years he has been engaged in dealing in coal, being the only exclusive merchant in this line in the city. His business is extensive, owing to his honorable methods, his earnest desire to please his patrons and his promptness and fidelity in all things.

In 1879 Mr. Fuller was united in marriage to

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Miss Mary E. Stitzer, of Pittsfield, a daughter of George W. Stitzer, of Virginia, who came to Pike county in 1837, thus casting his lot with its earliest settlers for the work of improvement and progress had scarcely begun here at that time. He followed the business of teaming. In his family were three children : Mrs. Fuller ; William A., who is living in Cincinnati, Ohio; and Mrs. Virginia Armstrong, who resides at Rich Hill, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have become the parents of four children : G. W., who is occupy- ing a position with the Armour Packing Com- pany, of Chicago; Frank L., residing at home ; and John W. and Emma E., who are also with their parents. Mr. Fuller owns the home where he resides together with four acres of land. In politics he is a republican, interested in the suc- cess of the party because of the principles which it embodies, yet never seeking office for himself. His wife and daughter are members of the Con- gregational church, while his son Frank holds a membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. For more than a quarter of a century Mr. Fuller has resided in Pittsfield and the success he has achieved during this period has come as a direct result of his own labors for he had little capital when he made his way westward. Here he has improved his opportunities and as the years have gone by has made substantial progress, be- ing to-day in possession of a comfortable com- petence as the result of his earnest and well di- rected labors.

HIRAM RUSH.

Hiram Rush, devoting his time and energies to farming and stock-raising in Detroit township, is associated with his four brothers in the owner- ship and operation of about six hundred acres of land, comprised in three well improved and valu- able farms, adjoining the village of Detroit. He was born in this township, April 28, 1855, his father being James Rush, a native of Indiana, born in 1816. His paternal grandfather, Elijah Rush, removed to Illinois with his family in 1827, and settled in Detroit township, Pike county. He

both entered and bought land and cleared and improved a good farm, assisted in the early pio- neer development and progress of the country. James Rush was a lad of eleven years when he arrived in this county and here he was reared and educated. Having arrived at adult age he was married here to Margaret Dinsmore, a native of Illinois, born in Pike county, and a daughter of Robert Dinsmore, one of the early settlers here, who came up the Illinois river on a keel boat. From time to time as his financial resources per- mitted James Rush purchased more land and be- came the owner of a valuable farm. He was recognized as one of the active, enterprising and prosperous agriculturists of the county and was accorded a place among the valued and repre- sentative citizens. In addition to rearing six children of his own, all sons, he also gave a home to a number of orphan children, his family num- bering thirteen children in all. His kindly spirit, his broad humanitarianism and his generous disposition made him a man whom to know was to respect and honor. He died August 2, 1888, while his wife, who still survives, yet resides upon the old homestead farm.

Hiram Rush is the second in order of birth in a family of five sons, who are yet living, while one, James Rush, has passed away. He reached mature years, however, and died in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1900. The others are: Perry and Otis, living on the old home farm; R. E .; and Clay. All are married with the exception of the youngest and all are farmers, being associated in business interests.

Hiram Rush was educated in the district schools and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He remained with his father in his youth and assisted in carrying on the home farm until the father's death. The brothers now continue the work and their business associations are most harmonious.

Mr. Rush, of this review, was married in Griggsville, January 29, 1880, to Miss Emma Dean, who was born in Griggsville township and spent her girlhood days there. Her father, A. H. Dean, was a native of Litchfield, Connecticut, born in 1831, and was brought to Pike county,

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Illinois, in 1836. Following his marriage Mr. Rush located upon the home farm, where he re- sided for a number of years, when he purchased property in the village of Detroit, taking up his abode there in the fall of 1891. He has a good substantial home, supplied with many of the comforts and luxuries of life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rush have been born seven children: Pearl, now the wife of Virgil Scarborough, a farmer of Detroit township, by whom she has a daughter, Ila; Opal, the wife of John Ellis, a resident farmer of Detroit, by whom she has a son, Dean ; Mattie, who is a student in the schools of Griggs- ville; Varina, Jessie and Dewy, all at home ; and one son, Harvey Dean, who died at the age of seventeen months.

Politically Mr. Rush is a stalwart democrat and is a good friend of the public schools. He served on the school board for eighteen years, acted as its clerk and its president and the cause of education finds in him a warm and helpful friend. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to Detroit lodge, No. 883, I. O. O. F., while his wife is connected with the Rebekah lodge. He likewise belongs to the Pike County Fraternal Insurance Associa- tion. Having always lived in Detroit township he has a wide acquaintance and is recognized as a substantial farmer and business man to whom trust and confidence are uniformly given. He and his estimable wife have many friends in the hospitality of their own pleasant home in Detroit is greatly enjoyed by those who know them. The Rush brothers work together in the utmost har- mony and in the control of their business af- fairs are meeting with gratifying prosperity, be- ing recognized as representative agriculturists of Pike county.

F. M. THURMON, M. D.

Dr. F. M. Thurmon, who in the active practice of medicine and surgery has shown his thorough understanding of the great scientific principles which underlie his work, was born in Montezuma township near Milan on the 23d of August, 1872, and is the youngest of a family of nine children,

four of whom are practicing physicians at the present time, namely: Dr. C. E. Thurmon, of Milton ; Dr. W. T. Thurmon, of Detroit, Illinois, Dr. J. D. Thurmon, of St. Louis, Missouri, and our subject. He was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his preliminary education in the common schools of Pike county. At the age of twenty years he engaged in teaching school in Scott county and followed that profession for seven years. In 1899 he accepted a position with the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company as night watchman on the bridge at Pearl, Illinois, acting in that capacity for one year and in the spring of 1900 he went to the Red River valley in North Dakota, accepting a position with the Salzer Lumber Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota, which he represented as bookkeeper until in Au- gust of the same year. He then severed his con- nection with that company and returned home. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he commenced studying with that end in view in September, 1900, matriculating in the medical department of the Barnes Univer- sity at St. Louis, Missouri, from which he was graduated in the class of 1904. During the three summers intervening between the college courses he served in the capacity of ballast inspector for the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, his revenue from this position enabling him to pay his way through college.

Returning to Pearl, Dr. Thurmon purchased the practice and property of Dr. B. P. Bradburn and now enjoys a large and lucrative patronage in Pearl and vicinity. He is well qualified for his chosen profession and is continually promoting his proficiency by reading and investigation, while in the faithful performance of each day's duties he finds courage and strength for the labors of the succeeding day.

On the 26th of December, 1896, Dr. Thurmon was married to Miss E. Maude Davis, a daughter of John W. and Mary E. (Stephenson) Davis. By this marriage there have been born two sons: Francis M., who was born November 18. 1898; and William M., who was born July 14, 1902. Dr. and Mrs. Thurmon occupy an enviable social position and he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Mutual Protective

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League and the Knights and Ladies of Security, in all of which lodges he is examining physician. A young man of laudable ambition and with a na- ture that could never be content with mediocrity, he is continually advancing in his chosen field of labor and has already left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few.

G. W. DOYLE, M. D.

Dr. G. W. Doyle, now deceased, was classed with the representative. citizens of Pike county for many years. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1836, and about 1859 removed to Cham- paign county, Illinois, being at that time a young man of twenty-three years. He watched with in- terest the progress of events leading up to the inauguration of the Civil war, noting the threat- ening attitude of the south, reading with interest the accounts of the anti-slavery movements, felt the growing hostility and spirit of rebellion among the southern states and with the opening of the war his patriotic spirit was thoroughly aroused and he fearlessly announced his advocacy of the Union cause. Soon he enlisted as a mem- ber of Company C, Twenty-fifth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry and served for three years. He was first under command of Captain Summers and later was promoted to the rank of major. Dur- ing his services he was twice severely wounded, once in the shoulder and again through the leg, and he carried the marks of the rebel lead to the grave. He participated in many hotly con- tested battles and for forty consecutive days was under fire. Soon after his return from the army he entered the Eclectic Institute of Medicine at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated from the same in due time, after which he located for prac- tice in Champaign county, Illinois, entering upon the active work for which he had prepared. Two years later he came to Barry, where he located permanently and soon he had secured a large and gratifying -practice in the city and vicinity. His ability was early recognized and his labors were crowned with a measure of success that is only possible to the capable physician who com-

bines with his scientific knowledge a broad hu- manitarian spirit.

Dr. Doyle was married in Champaign county, Illinois, October 29, 1867, to Miss Mary Bart- ley, whose birth occurred in that county on the 18th of May, 1847. Her father, James Bartley, is still living in that county at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Dr. and Mrs. Doyle en- tered upon what proved to be a most happy mar- ried relation, possessing genial natures that made their home life one of much joy. Unto them were born a daughter and son: Sadie, who is now the wife of Frank M. McNeal, who is engaged in the stock business with his wife's brother, while they make their home with her mother ; and Charles Doyle, who is night operator at the de- pot at Barry and is engaged in the stock business with his brother-in-law. In March, 1894, the the town of Barry was largely destroyed by fire and on the 3Ist of that month Dr. Doyle, whose home had been completely consumed in the flames, and who was stopping temporarily with his friend, W. I. Klein, started out, after eating breakfast, to make his morning round of visits to his country patients. He got into his cart, in which he usually drove and stopped at the post- office and on attempting to enter his cart again he missed his footing, fell backward and pulled his horse over on him, receiving injuries from which he died on the 4th of April, 1894. The ac- cident occurring on the public street was wit- nessed by a number of people, many of whom sprang to his relief. He was picked up and car- ried into the office of W. I. Klein and Dr. Mc- Kinney was immediately summoned. The prac- ticed eye of the physician saw at a glance that the injury was a serious one and upon his order Dr. Doyle was taken to the home of Mr. Klein, where every resource of medical skill and knowledge was brought to bear, but without avail. His . brother Theodore Doyle, of Kansas City, was telegraphed for and arrived at the bedside of his brother on Sunday morning, never leaving him until he had breathed his last. Another brother, Dr. Anthony Doyle, arrived only in time to at- tend the funeral.

Dr. Doyle was widely recognized as a man of many splendid traits of character, of strong in-

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tellectuality, kindly spirit and generous disposi- tion. In all life's relations he was straight- forward and reliable. In his home he was a de- voted husband and father, who counted no per- sonal sacrifice on his part too great if it would enhance the welfare and happiness of his wife and children. In community interests he was a co-operant factor, giving his support to all meas- ures which he deemed of public benefit. At the time of his demise the expression was heard from many lips, "a worthy man has ended his race and his mourners go about the streets." The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Mc- Kendree McElfresh of the Methodist Episcopal church at the residence of W. I. Klein on the 5th of April, 1894, after which the Masonic lodge of Barry, assisted by their brethren of all different lodges, took charge of the services and with a band in the lead marched to the cemetery, where the last sad rites were conducted. The large concourse of people gathered on that occasion testified fully to the respect and esteem in which Dr. Boyle was uniformly held. He belonged not only to the Masonic fraternity, of which he was an exemplary and faithful member, but also to the Grand Army of the Republic and to the An- cient Order of United Workmen. He sought to do good and his profession gave him ample op- portunity in that direction. Many benefited through his charitable nature and he never re- fused to respond to a call even when he knew that pecuniary reward could not be expected. He possessed, moreover, a genial, kindly nature that rendered him a popular and much loved citizen. "His life was gentle and the elements

So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, this was a man."

BETHUEL H. ROWAND.

Bethuel H. Rowand, a druggist of Barry, was born August 18, 1844, in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and is a son of Josiah and Ellen B. (Haines) Rowand. The father was a native of Gloucester, New Jersey, born April 15, 1813, and his father, Thomas Rowand, was also born in that

place. The paternal grandfather, John Rowand, is supposed to have been born in New Jersey, and it is definitely known that he was descended from some of the first settlers of the state. He was a member of the Society of Friends and reared his children in that faith. His entire life was passed in New Jersey.

Thomas Rowand learned the blacksmith's trade in his native state, and followed it at Had- donfield of Rowandtown, being connected with that industry during the years of an active busi- ness career. He spent his last days at the home of his daughter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Sharp, was also a native of New Jersey, and died in Philadelphia in 1846. They reared a family of nine children : Joseph T., Charles, John R., Hannah A., Mary, Hamilton, Emma, Weston and Josiah S.

The last named, Josiah S. Rowand, father of our subject, resided in New Jersey until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he ac- companied his parents to Philadelphia, and soon after he entered business life as an employe in a sash factory, where he, remained the greater part of the time until seventen years of age. He then began working for his brother, Joseph T. Rowand, in the drug business, and in 1832 he en- tered the employ of his brother, John R. Rowand, in compounding a tonic mixure and also the manufacture of blackberry root syrup. In 1850 he embarked in the retail drug business on his own account in Philadelphia, the capital for the business being furnished by Warden Morris. He continued the conduct of his store there until 1854. Two years later he came to Barry, but the same year went to Quincy, Illinois, where he en- tered the drug business. In 1859, however, he again came to Barry and opened a drug store in this city, conducting the establishment until 1863, when he sold out and returned to Philadelphia. He remained in the east, however, for only one hundred days and then again came to Barry, where he once more resumed business operations as a druggist, continuing in the trade throughout the remainder of his life. In 1876 he erected a good brick business block, installed his store therein and carried on the trade with constantly

JOSIAH ROWAND

LIBRARY 0+ THE UNIVERSITY OF ILL NOIS.

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increasing success. He was married in Philadel- phia, in 1834, to Miss Ellen B. Haines, and they became the parents of five children, but Bethuel H. Rowand of this review is the only one now liv- ing. The parents were strongly attached to the Baptist church, and were active workers in its interest. Mr. Rowand was likewise a stalwart republican ; and he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a man of frank, open manner, of a generous and jovial disposi- tion, and was a favorite with all who knew him. He died January 25, 1902, at the advanced age of almost eighty-nine years, while his wife passed away May 19, 1891.

Bethuel H. Rowand was educated in the public schools and was trained to business life in his father's store, where he acted as a clerk from the age of twelve years until the Ist of October, 1897. He then purchased the interest of his fa- ther and brother John R. in the drug business and has since been closely associated with the conduct of this enterprise in Barry.

In the meantime, however, he rendered valu- able aid to his country in the dark days of the Civil war, enlisting in the Union Army from Pike county on the 27th of May, 1862, to serve for three months. He was mustered into the United States service at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illi- nois, June 20, 1862, as a corporal in Company B, of the Sixty-eighth Regiment of Illinois Volun- teers under command of Captain Daniel F. Cof- fey and Colonel Elias Stewart. The regiment was enlisted in response to a call made by Governor Yates in the early summer for troops to serve three months in connection with the state militia, and the muster of the regiment was effected early in June. Soon afterward, however, the Sixty- eighth Illinois was mustered into the United States service, and after the rendezvous at Springfield left Camp Butler, July 5, 1862, pro- ceeding by rail to Wheeling, West Virginia, where the troops arrived on the 7th. Two days later they moved on to Washington, D. C., re- maining at the so-called "soldiers' retreat" until the IIth, when they proceeded by boat down the Potomac to Alexandria, Virginia. They then marched about two miles to Camp Taylor, where they remained for two weeks, when they were

transferred to a more healthful location upon higher ground about two miles above Alexandria near the Potomac. The regiment was later de- tailed on provost guard duty in the city of Alex- andria, and became proficient in the manual of arms, battalion and company movements. Al- though never under fire, the men performed the duties assigned them with alacrity, and not a man of the regiment would have hesitated had they been called upon to face the enemy on the battle- field. The Sixty-eighth Illinois was assigned the duty of caring for the wounded as they were sent into Alexandria after the sanguinary battle of Bull Run. On the 17th of September they were ordered to Camp Butler to be mustered out, which occurred on the 26th of September, 1862, the troops receiving their final pay on the Ist of October. Mr. Rowand was constantly with his command during his 'service and received an hon- orable discharge at Camp Butler, but he still felt that he owed a duty to his country, and on the 5th of May, 1864, he re-enlisted from Pike county for one hundred days, being mustered into the United States service on the 5th of June as ser- geant of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty- seventh Illinois Infantry under command of Cap- tain Robert B. Robison and Colonel John Wood. This regiment was organized in response to Gov- ernor Yates's call for volunteers to relieve the veteran troops stationed on duty at the front. Re- cruiting for this regiment was begun in May, 1864, and the organization was completed at Camp Wood in Quincy by Colonel John Wood, who was mustered into the service with the regi- ment June 5, 1864, as its commander to serve for one hundred days. On the 9th of June, 1864, this. command left Quincy and proceeded to Memphis, Tennessee, where it was assigned to the Fourth Brigade, district of Memphis, Colonel B. L. Balt- wick of the Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry commanding. On the 9th of July the regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade with Colonel John Wood in command and was stationed on picket duty on the Hernando road, and eight miles north. This regiment was actively engaged in Forrest's raid on Memphis, Tennessee, losing several men in killed, wounded and missing. Its officers and men evinced the highest soldierly

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qualities, making a creditable military record as supporters and defenders of the Union, and Pres- ident Lincoln tendered them the thanks of the government and the people for their services, each member of the regiment receiving a personal letter from the president. The regiment was mus- tered out at Springfield, September 24, 1864, and Mr. Rowand was again at liberty to return to his home.

On the IIth of June, 1866, occurred the mar- riage of Bethuel H. Rowand and Miss Charlotte Gray, a native of Pike county and a daughter of Thomas T. and Frances (Crandall) Gray. The father was born in Rensselaer county, New York, in 1812, and was the youngest in a family of thir- teen children. The wife was born in the same county in 1820. They reared seven daughters and three sons, namely: Eugene, Melissa, Henry, Charlotte, Josephine, Fannie, Florence, Gertrude, Halbert and Hattie. Of this number Eugent served in the Sixty-eighth and the Twen- ty-eighth regiments of Illinois Infantry,- and Henry in the Twenty-eighth Illinois Volunteers. The parents came to Pike county with their re- spective parents and were married here; and Mr. Gray was one of the leading merchants of Barry- for many years.

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Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 33

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 760

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 760