USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 43
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N. R. Shultz came to Pike county when a lad of six summers and was reared upon the old homestead farm, remaining with his mother and caring for her in her declining days. He is the youngest in a family of two sons and one daugh-
ter, his sister being Eliza Shultz, who resides in Los Angeles, California, and his brother, Thomas J., who is now living in San Antonio, Texas. The subject of this review early became familiar with farm labor and in his youth he attended the com- mon schools, but he is largely a self-educated man, having greatly broadened his knowledge through experience, reading and observation since attaining to mature years. He was married in this county in March, 1885, to Miss Fannie Ous- ley, a daughter of Thomas Ousley, an early set- tler of Pike county, who came to this state from Kentucky. Mrs. Shultz was born, reared and ed- ucated in Pike county and remained in her father's home up to the time of her marriage.
Mr. Shultz has given his attention to agricul- tural pursuits for many years and with his farm- ing has made a business of raising, feeding and fattening good graded stock, which he thus pre- pares for the market. In the spring of 1890 he took up his abode in the village of Pleasant Hill and has remodeled and rebuilt his home until he has a very neat and comfortable residence. He was also instrumental in organizing the Citizens' Bank of Pleasant Hill in 1903, became one of its large stockholders and was elected and is still serving as the president of the bank. A good bank building was erected with one or more store- rooms also on the ground floor and offices or lodgerooms on the second floor. The rooms re- tained for the banking business are large, neat and well furnished and are well lighted and ven- tilated and this business block is a credit to the town and to the county. The Citizens' Bank has become one of the solid financial institutions of Pike county, having among its stockholders men of known reliability whose names carry weight on commercial paper.
In his political affiliation Mr. Shultz has been a lifelong democrat where national issues are in- volved, but at local elections he has the independ- ence to cast a ballot for the men whom he re- gards as best qualified for office without consid . ering party affiliation. In this way he displays a broad mind and public spirit and in such a course rests the safety of politics and freedom from cor- rupt influences. He has never desired ot sought office for himself, preferring to give his atten-
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tion to his extensive business interests. He be- longs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity at Pleasant Hill and also holds membership relations with the Modern Woodmen, while his wife is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Shultz has been a resident of Illinois and Pike county for a half century and has therefore witnessed much of the growth and development of this part of the state, while his interest in general progress has been manifest in his tangible efforts for the public good in Pleasant Hill and this part of the county. He and his estimable wife are greatly re- spected by all who know them and his business career commands the admiration of all, for it is indicative of what may be accomplished through determination and energy. He is now'one of the large landowners of the county and in addition has financial and other business interests of an important and profitable nature.
XURRY M. INGALSBE.
Xurry M. Ingalsbe, who for forty-six years has been a resident of New Salem, was born in Washington county, New York, August 16, 1827, and traces his ancestry back to Ebenezer Ingals- be, his great grandfather, who was a resident of Massachusetts. Aaron Ingalsbe, the grandfather, was born in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, June 10, 1765, and, leaving New England, removed to Hartford, New York, where he was with the Bumps, the first settlers of that town. There, with an axe, he made the first clearing, cutting away the timber from a small field back of the schoolhouse at the log village which is now called East Hartford. He married Polly Hicks, who was born January 5, 1773, and who died January 5, 1853, having for two years survived her hus- band, who died June 17, 1851.
Belus Ingalsbe, father of our subject, was born September 8, 1793, in Washington county, New York, and, having arrived at years of matur- ity, was married to Sally Maynard, whose birth occurred June 17, 1797. Their marriage took place in 1814 and they resided upon a farm near Hartford, New York, where Belus Ingalsbe died
September 2, 1880. In the family were eight children but the subject of this review is the only one now living.
Xurry M. Ingalsbe was reared to farm life, acquired a common-school education and in early manhood was married, on the 26th of February, 1850, to Miss Belinda H. Owens, who was born in Champaign county, Ohio, August 26, 1829. Before coming to Illinois they lived for a time in Wisconsin. In 1861 they removed to Pike county, settling in New Salem, and thus for forty- six years Mr. Ingalsbe has been a resident of this place. As the years passed by five children were added to the family. Gertrude L., born January 28, 1852, married Samuel Tedrow, of New Sa- lem, and they have six children : Maud, the wife . of Newton Kaylor; Fannie, who married David Smith; Ross; Myron; Ferris; and Nola. Ida J. Ingalsbe, the second member of the family, born October 13, 1853, is the wife of Calvin A. Ken- nedy, of Hale, Missouri, and they have six chil- dren : Mina J., the wife of Harry Preble ; Came- lia, the wife of Jones Sheridan, of New York city; Grace; John; James; and Bert. Moses Belus, born March 16, 1855, married Emma Pine and they have had four children : Linna, the wife of Dr. Samuel Higgins, of Kansas; Truma, Xurry M., deceased; and Richard. Sally Maria, born September 10, 1857, died March 16, 1861. Thomas Burr, born September 18, 1859, married Emma B. Muriam and has one child, Spencer. This was his second marriage and by his former marriage he had a daughter, Nellie, who is now the wife of Robert B. Johnson and resides at Norfolk, Nebraska.
Mr. Ingalsbe had been a resident of Illinois for but a brief period when he responded to the country's call for aid to preserve the Union, enlisting August 22, 1862, as a member of Com- pany K, Ninty-Ninth Regiment of Illinois Vol- unteers, with which he served for three years as a wagoner. He hauled provisions and amuni- tion for forty-three days at Vicksburg. He was injured at Donaldsonville, Louisiana, in the right ankle in a runaway and was sent to the marine hospital at New Orleans, where he remained for some time. In that city he was honorably dis- charged in April, 1865, and was at Memphis,
MR. AND MRS. X. M. INGALSBE
LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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Tennessee, when the news was received of the assassination of President Lincoln.
Following the close of the war Mr. Ingalsbe returned to his home in Illinois and began buying and selling horses and mules, which business he followed for many years. He afterward bought a farm of ninety-three acres which he now owns and which adjoins New Salem, but he is not active in the management of the place, renting the land to his son. He makes his home in New Salem, where he has a fine residence and six lots and he is now living in retirement from business, enjoying a well earned rest. He votes with the republican party, having supported each presidential candidate of that or- ganization, his first vote having been cast for Fremont in 1856. In community affairs he is active and helpful and has served as president of the village board of New Salem in former years and is the incumbent at the present time. Any measure tending to promote the welfare of the community receives his endorsement and co- operation and his efforts in, its behalf have been far-reaching and beneficial. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic of Pittsfield and he and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist church. In 1904 they celebrated their fifty-fifth wedding anniversary, an occasion long to be happily remembered by all who participated therein. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ingalsbe are held in the highest esteem by all who know them. They now have four living children, seventeen grand- children and six great-grandchildren. Their lives, always honorable and upright, are indeed worthy of emulation, and they can look back over the past without regret.
CEPHAS M. SIMMONS.
Cephas M. Simmons, who at one time was closely, actively and prominently connected with business interests in Pike county, but is now liv- ing a retired life, was born April 4, 1845, near Perry, Pike county. His father, Cephas Sim- mons, was a native of Kentucky, born in Bullitt county on the 3d of September, 1809, and was the
eldest son and third child of Richard and Sophia Simmons, who were pioneer residents of that state. They underwent the usual experiences which come to those who settle upon the frontier, save perhaps their difficulties and dangers were greater than were experienced in many parts of the country because the Indians were so ruthless and remorseless in their treatment of the whites that the state became known as the "dark and bloody ground." There were also wild animals in the forests and the district was so far removed from the older towns of civilization in the east that there was little market for the products which the settlers raised.
Cephas Simmons; who was one of a family of five children, was 'only three years of age at the time of his father's death.7 Later Mrs. Simmons again married but survived for only a brief pe- riod, her death occurring in 1817, only five years after the death of her first husband. Cephas Simmons was then thrown upon his own re- sources. His educational privileges were limited and he had no capital whatever but he depended upon the safe and reliable qualities of industry and perseverance to gain him a living. In 1827 he came to Illinois and spent the succeeding two years with his uncle, Enos Simmons, then a resi- dent of Morgan county. During that period he became acquainted with and wedded Miss Lucy Bradbury, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1811, and was a daughter of Jacob and Patience Bradbury. Mr. Simmons at that time owned a colt and two calves, which constituted his entire possessions, but as the years passed by through his untiring labor, capable management, economy and perseverance he accumulated con- siderable wealth and was the owner of a good business block in Griggsville besides other valu- able property there. As the years passed eight children were added to the family, namely: D. C .; Jane; Mary; Harriet, deceased ; Julia; Cephas M .; Melissa, deceased ; and Columbus. Two of the sons served in the Civil war, D. C. Simmons . volunteering in 1861 for three years' service. He was wounded at Perryville, Kentucky, and he . now lives in Salem, Nebraska. The father also was a stanch advocate of the Union cause and was ever ready to assist in measures calculated
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to bring about a speedy suppression of the rebel- lion. In local affairs he was also deeply inter- ested and he gave his co-operation to many move- ments for the general good. He was highly re- spected by his fellow citizens for his straight- forward dealing in all business transactions and for his fidelity to honorable principles through- out his entire life. His last years were spent in retirement from business labor in an attractive home in Griggsville, where he died December 26, 1883. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church, with which he was connected for seventy-four years and his wife for fifty-three years and in that faith they reared their children.
Cephas M. Simmons, having acquired his early education in the public schools, attended Bryant & Stratton Business College in Chicago, after which he returned to the home farm in Pike county, whereon he engaged in farming until his marriage. In the meantime he had given active aid to his country, enlisting at Griggsville on the 5th of May, 1864, as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illinois In- fantry. He then went to Quincy and joined his regiment, serving under command of Captain Robert B. Robinson, of Barry, Illinois. The regi- ment proceeded southward to Memphis, Tennes- see, where Mr. Simmons was on picket duty for some time. On the 20th of August, 1864, before daylight, Forrest made his raid upon the Union troops and Mr. Simmons was captured with others and was marched out into the country. Owing to his illness at the time of his capture by Forrest he was shortly afterward paroled and later returned to his regiment, with which he continued until honorably discharged with the rank of second corporal on the 24th of Septem- ber, 1864, by reason of the expiration of his term of service.
On the Ist of January, 1867, Mr. Simmons was married to Miss Mary W. Brakefield, who was born June 9, 1847, in Griggsville township, Pike county, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Carmer) Brakefield, who were mar- ried April 22, 1845. Her father, who was born in England. April 22, 1822, passed away April 26, 1873. His birth occurred in the county of Kent and when he was a year old his parents,
Charles and Mary Brakefield, brought him to America, settling in Clinton county, Pennsyl- vania, whence they soon afterward removed to Schenectady, New York.
At the age of twenty-two years James Brake- field became a resident of Griggsville, where he followed farming and broom manufacturing. In 1845 he married Elizabeth Carmer, who was born in Paterson, New Jersey, September 12, 1825, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Hunt) Carmer, who were early settlers of Pike county, coming here in 1831 or 1832. Her father was a native of New York city and her mother of Philadel- phia. Mr. Carmer followed farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in December, 1862, when he was seventy years of age, while his wife died in August previous. In March, 1857, James Brakefield embarked in merchandis- ing in Griggsville in connection with J. M. Cran- dall, but after three years' connection with com- mercial pursuits he returned to his farm. In 1866 he entered into partnership with Levi W. Dix, but. in 1871 his health began to fail and he passed away on the 26th of April, 1873. He was prominently identified with the interests of this county and was a worthy and respected citizen. His wife died May 24, 1900, in her seventy-fifth year. In the family of this worthy couple were eight children: Mary W., born June 9, 1847; Charles, who died in infancy ; Henry C., who was born April 26, 1851, and died April 27, 1896, at the age of forty-five years; Burton, who was born November 25, 1854, and died in infancy ; Lillie, who was born June 10, 1857, and died in infancy; Carrie, who was born September 7. 1857, and died in infancy ; Lydia C., born August 2, 1859 ; and Etta J., born February 28, 1866.
After his marriage Mr. Simmons of this review began farming on his own account in Griggs- ville township and was thus engaged for about two years. He then conducted a livery business for two years, when he sold out and turned his attention to the live stock commission business in St. Louis, Missouri. There he remained for three years, when he returned to Griggsville and again followed farming for four or five years. At the end of that time he began buying hogs for the Meriden Provision Company. of Meriden,
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Connecticut, and was with that company for about ten years. The firm was Bartholomew & Coe, and when they dissolved business Mr. Coe became connected with Swift & Company. They then organized the Mervin Provision Company, located at Hartford, Connecticut, and Mr. Sim- mons engaged in buying hogs for that company in Pike, Brown and Scott counties, Illinois, for about five years. In 1901, however, he retired from business and has since enjoyed a well earned rest, giving his attention simply to the super- vision of his farm property.
Mr. Simmons has figured very prominently in public life in Griggsville and his efforts have been of value in the promotion of community in- terests. He has filled the office of mayor, of al- derman and supervisor and for four years was a member of the state board of agriculture. He has also been president of the Illinois Valley Farmers' Association for fifteen years and has done much to further agricultural interests in this part of the state. He belongs to the Baptist church and gives his political support to the re- . publican party. His life has been active and up- right, his actions manly and sincere and in all relations he has won and merited the confidence and good will of his fellowmen. He belongs to an honored pioneer family of the state and the name of Simmons has ever been a synonym for sincerity and fair dealing.
JOHN E. MORTON.
John E. Morton, who has been connected in various ways with business interests in Perry and Pike county, contributing to general progress and prosperity as well as to his individual suc- cess, is one of the honored pioneer residents of this part of the state. His birth occurred in Todd county, Kentucky, on the 9th of September, 1832, his parents being Charles M. and Mary L. (Haw- kins) Morton, both of whom were natives of Vir- ginia. The father was born in 1798 and on the 28th of January, 1825, wedded Miss Hawkins, whose birth occurred June 14, 1802. She died February 19, 1834, at the age of thirty-two years,
passing away in Adams county, Illinois. By this marriage there were four children: Ann P., who was born January 21, 1826, and was married De- cember 19, 1844, to George Terrille, who died at the age of fifty years, while his wife now lives in Quincy ; Joseph L., born January 31, 1828, died September 1, 1848; Mary Jane, born April 21, 1830, married Oscar Proctor, December 27, 1853. John Edmond, of this review, was the youngest child of the father's first marriage. After losing his first wife Mr. Morton was married Septem- ber 17, 1835, to Nancy Vernon, who was born March 3, 1804.
It was in the year 1832 that Charles M. Mor- ton purchased a farm in Illinois and the follow- ing year he removed with his family from Ken- tucky to Adams county, settling at Newtown, about four miles from Payson. The journey was made by teams and there were five families in the party-the Kays, Bernards, Tandeys, Graves and Mortons. Mr. Morton located in Burton town- ship, Adams county, where he first purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land. Subsequently he bought forty acres more which was wild and unimproved and there he carried on general farm- ing. His market at that time was Quincy and there was little money in circulation in the west. He obtained merchandise for his wheat and man- aged to sell his pork for enough money to pay his taxes. The family shared in all the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life and as the years went by developed a very productive property. Mr. Morton served as town clerk and he gave his political allegiance to the whig party. He held membership in the Baptist church and was a man of genuine personal worth, esteemed by all who knew him. He departed this life July I, 1874, in his seventy-seventh year, and his second wife died April 23, 1880, also in her seventy- seventh year. The children of the second mar- riage were: Harriet A., who was born June 15, 1836, and was married July 15, 1869, to Clinton E. King; George William, who was born Decem- ber 14, 1837, and died December 4, 1838; Henry Clay, who was born May 8, 1839, and was mar- ried February 9, 1860, in Missouri to Jane Light- foot ; James Edgar, who was born January 4, 1841, and died August 18, 1861 ; and Christiana
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Virginia, who was born December 21, 1842, and was married October 22, 1868, to Granville Book- out. All have passed away.
John E. Morton, whose name introduces this record, was educated in the public schools of Adams county and was there reared upon the home farm amid the environments of pioneer life, sharing with the family in the hardships and trials incident to settlement upon a frontier and aiding in the arduous work of developing a new farm. After arriving at years of maturity he en- gaged in merchandising at Newtown, Illinois, from 1858 to 1861. He was associated with his father-in-law, Ezekiel C. Brown, under the firm style of Brown & Morton, and previous to the organization of this partnership Mr. Brown had carried on business in Newtown with Thomas Tripp under the firm style of Brown & Tripp for three or four years. Having disposed of his store, Mr. Morton conducted the Perry Springs Hotel until 1864 and in the winter of 1865 em- barked in merchandising at Perry under the firm style of Morton, Oat & Kellogg. They con- ducted a general mercantile enterprise until 1867, when they closed out and Mr. Morton turned his attention to the lumber and grain business. After a time he extended the field of his operations to pork packing, in which he continued until 1870. In that year his grain warehouse and lumber yard were destroyed by fire and in order to recuperate his losses Mr. Morton went to Kansas, where he spent the succeeding three years. In 1874 he re- turned to Perry, however, and was engaged in the insurance business for some time, but for the past ten years has conducted an undertaking busi- ness.
On the 25th of March, 1855, was celebrated the marriage of John E. Morton and Miss Emily Jane Brown, who was born March 30, 1838, and was a daughter of Ezekiel C. and Clarinda (Sly) Brown, both of whom were born and reared in Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated in that state December 15, 1831. Mr. Brown was born April 24, 1803, and his wife on the 5th of January, 1811. Following their marriage they came to Illinois in 1840 and were afterward identified with business interests in this part of the state. Mr. Brown was a cooper by trade and bought a farm in Payson
township, Adams county, following his removal to Illinois. There he resided until 1861, when he came to Pike county and purchased the Perry Springs Hotel. Mr. Morton came to Pike county at the same time and they conducted the hotel to- gether during the years 1862 and 1863. The fol- lowing year they sold the springs and the hotel to the firm of Watson & Company of Spring- field and Mr. Brown then purchased a farm west of Perry known as the Dexter place, upon which he lived for a few years, when he again took up his abode in the village of Perry. He spent three years in Topeka, Kansas, from 1871 until 1874, when he returned to Pike county and lived upon his farm until his death, which occurred March 8, 1876. His wife passed away July 28, 1889. They were devoted members of the Presbyterian, church and in early life Mr. Brown gave his po- litical allegiance to the whig party.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Morton were born the fol- lowing named: Charles Cooper, the eldest, died December 24, 1857. Venie Luff was married October 17, 1878, to William Marden and they have become the parents of three children : Charles Morton, Mabel Emily and Roy Marden. Frankie Albert died November 12, 1862. Mary Clarinda and Fannie Williams Morton are at home.
Mr. Morton of this review, long recognized as an enterprising citizen of Pike county, has been called to a number of public offices. He served as supervisor of his township from 1863 until 1865 inclusive and has been justice of the peace for the past twenty years or more. He was made a member of Kingston lodge, No. 266, A. F. & A. M. at Kingston, Adams county, Illinois, March 18, 1861, and by demit joined Perry lodge, No. 95, on the 4th of February, 1865. He has acted as master of this lodge for several terms and he also belongs to Perry chapter, No. 135, R. A. M., and has filled the office of high priest for several terms. At the present time he is one of the grand lecturers of the state and on several different oc- casions he has been a delegate to the grand lodge. He served for three years as deputy grand mas- ter of the twentieth district and has been a dele- gate to the grand chapter. He takes a most ac- tive and helpful interest in Masonic work and
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has a wide acquaintance in the fraternity in Illi- nois. He also holds membership relations with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In poli- tics he has ever been a stalwart republican, cast- ing his first presidential ballot for John C. Fre- mont. He was in Quincy, Illinois, in 1840 at the time of the Harrison campaign and saw the processions with their cider barrels and gourds and wagons decorated with coonskins, while 'Tippecanoe and Tyler too" was the rallying cry of the whigs. His life has been an honorable and upright one characterized by manly principles and straightforward conduct and he has never been known to utter an oath in the seventy-three years of his life. In his business career he has been active and energetic and has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any trade transaction.
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