USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 44
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LYMAN SCOTT. .
Lyman Scott, who for many years was closely 'associated with the industrial and commercial development of Pike county, was a son of David and Elizabeth (Dinsmore) Scott, who occupied a comfortable home at Litchfield, Herkimer county, New York. The father was born in 1763 and remained a resident of the Empire state until the middle of March, 1818, when he left for what was then known as "the far west." The party traveled by sleighs to the head of the Ohio river and thence proceeded down that stream on flatboats to Cairo. They had to cordell the Mississippi river to St. Louis-that is, to go along the river bank in front of the flatboat and pull it up the stream. It was before the era of steam navigation and after a slow and tedious journey Mr. Scott arrived on the banks of the Mississippi where the city of East St. Louis now stands, the date being July 4, 1818. St. Louis was at that time but a small French village. Mr. Scott died in 1825 and was buried at Harrisonville, Monroe county, Illinois, while his widow later passed away in Naples, Scott county, Illinois. The sons and daughters who survived the father were: Lyman, of this review; Mrs. Pleuma Chamber-
lain; Mrs. Harriet Wiswell; Caroline, the wife of Judge William Thomas, of Jacksonville, Illinois ; Mrs. Louisa Reeve; Mrs. Lucy D. Wills; Mrs. Phinelia B. Gorbutt, who afterward married George T. Purkett; and Lodema H. Scott, who was born February 7, 1818, and is still living at Princeton. Illinois.
Immediately after the death of his father Ly- man Scott took upon himself the care of the family and in a short time he removed across the Mis- sissippi river to Herculaneum, Missouri, where he engaged in lead mining, gaining therefrom a comfortable competencey but afterward losing it in litigation. The owner of the mines closed them, allowing no person to mine lead. Mr. Scott went secretly to the mines and took out the ore by night. He was suspected, a survey was or- dered and made, but men in Mr. Scott's employ trailed powder through the mine, snatched the engineer's papers and stamped them in the mud, after which they touched off the trail of powder which made the mine too smoky for the further work of the engineers. Afterward a compromise was effected, by which Mr. Scott realized enough to purchase the farm between Rockport and Atlas on sections 17, 20, 21, 28, 29 and 30 in Atlas township, which is still known to the older resi- dents as the Scott farm, although it has been divided and is now owned by several parties.
About this time Mr. Scott was married to Char- lotte E. Ross, a daughter of Captain Leonard Ross, who won his title by service in the war of 1812, and he came to Pike county about 1850. In the year 1832 he built the large brick house on the Scott farm, now owned by Charles Gay.
Mr. Scott was the leading pork packer in Pike county at an early day and was also engaged in merchandising. In the year 1836 he laid out the town of Rockport and the same year in connec- tion with Colonel William Ross, his wife's uncle, he erected a gristmill at Rockport under the firm name of Ross, Scott & Company. They also built the mill dam and likewise a bridge across the sny, Ecarte slough, almost or quite on top of the dam. They likewise built a sawmill and both mills were operated by water power. About the year 1844 he built the residence of the late David W. Deam „at Summer Hill for a summer residence and for a
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number of years he kept a fine park there with quite a large number of deer confined therein. On the 11th of March, 1845, he laid out the town of Summer Hill on section 13, Atlas township, and deeded the lot on which the Congregational church now stands to the trustees of the church and became a teacher in the Sunday-school. He also gave a lot and built a schoolhouse at Summer Hill known as the old red schoolhouse, after which he employed a teacher and when the par- ents were too poor to buy books for their children he also supplied this want. About 1850 the original schoolhouse became too small to accommo- date all the scholars and he made the proposition to his neighbors that they should raise all the money that they could and he would give as much more and have a good schoolhouse built. The structure was erected but the money raised was not enough to finish it, so Mr. Scott supplied what was still needed in addition to having already given one-half of the amount.
It was Mr. Scott's pork-packing interests at Rockport that later caused him heavy losses. He conducted the business as a member of the firm of Scott & Whiting and they borrowed large amounts of money for those times in order to buy pork. Leaving for New Orleans on a business trip Mr. Scott instructed his partner to sell their pork, but Mr. Whiting thinking the price would raise did not sell. Instead the price went down and upon Mr. Scott's return he found that all of his accumulations had been practically swept away. He wrote to each of his creditors concern- ing his financial condition and set a day for them to meet him at Rockport to devise means for a settlement that would be just to all. The cred- itors appeared and Mr. Scott, who had made a list of all of his indebtedness and a list of his assets, said "Gentlemen, here is what I owe, and here is what I have to pay it with. Give me time without distressing me and I will pay you all, dollar for dollar with interest, or take all I have and release me in full." He also said, "I am a very busy man. I will give you two hours to deliberate as to what .you think is best to do. I will then return for your answer." On his return the creditors took his property and released him. After some years Mr. Scott again came to the front financially through
his business capacity, frugality, close attention, untiring energy and strict integrity. By those who know him his word was considered as good as any bond solemnized by signature or seal.
After giving up everything Mr. Scott met the man who had taken his mill in the division of the property and he offered it for sale at a great bar- gain. On asking Mr. Scott if he knew of any person who would like to become a purchaser, he replied, "Yes, I would like the mill if I could find a way to pay for it, and I believe I have a friend in St. Louis who will loan me the money to buy the mill." Finally he persuaded the new owner to go with him to St. Louis, where he succeeded in bor- rowing the money on his individual note with- out security and thus he paid for the mill. He also built ? flatboat to carry freight to and from the river in times of high water and he built ware- houses on the bank of the Sny near where Gilgal church now stands at the head of the canal slough, which extended from there to the river at Scott's landing. This warehouse was for storing freight at times when he could not get to the river. There was a steamboat landing called Scott's Landing or Gilgal which did a flourishing business until the railroad took the trade away and since that time it has utterly disappeared.
Leaving® Pike county Mr. Scott removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and invented what is known as Scott's little giant corn and cob mill, used for making meal out of ear corn. This machine was manufactured under the firm name of Scott & Hedges, but soon tiring of the business Mr. Scott sold out to his partner, Isaac A. Hedges, and in the early 50's removed to Leavenworth, Kansas, owning large tracts of land in that locality in addition to his real estate in Pike county. He became a prominent and influential resident of the Sunflower state and was elected to the Kansas legislature at the time that John Brown, of Har- per's Ferry, was inciting settlers to resistance of the slavery element. After serving for one term in the legislature Mr. Scott was re-elected and was deeply interested in the questions which agi- tated the country at that time. He was also a stanch temperance advocate and often made tem- perance speeches in various towns. One of his
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peculiarities was that he would not sell a man anything if he knew he made his money 'by sell- ing intoxicating liquors.
Mr. Scott passed away about 1864, survived by his wife, Mrs. Charlotte E. Scott, and several children, namely: Vesta Elizabeth, who became Mrs. Naylor and afterward married Gilbert N. Lee, who is also deceased; Lucien Scott; Mrs. Idalia Weed; Mrs. Viola Baker; Mrs. Buena V. Graybill; and Mrs. Kate Vanderwerker. Mr. Scott was universally beloved by the young peo- ple, who always found him companionable and at the same time recognized in him a safe and wise counselor, who always had time to listen to their troubles or hear the story of their interests. Al- though at times he suffered reverses in his busi- ness career his record was such as any man might be proud to possess because at all times it was characterized by honesty and integrity of purpose and overcoming the obstacles that barred his path in again working his way upward, and left, a competency of a quarter of a million dollars or more to his family. His business activity in Pike county forms an integral chapter in the early history of this part of the state.
JAMES H. RAINWATER, M. D.
Dr. James H. Rainwater is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in New Canton and the consensus of public opinion concerning his skill and ability is very favorable so that he is accorded a liberal patronage. He was born in Somerset, Pulaski county, Kentucky, Decem- ber II, 1858, his parents being John and Sarah (Porter) Rainwater. The father's birth occurred in the same county on the 5th of October, 1838, while the mother's birth occurred in Pike county, Illinois, near Detroit, on the 26th of September, 1842. They were married in Pulaski county, Kentucky, December 3, 1857, and in the fall of 1860 they removed to Piatt county, Illinois, where Mr. Rainwater, a farmer by occupation, secured a tract of land which he continued to cultivate and improve until July, 1862. He then enlisted for service as a member of Company D, Seventy-
third Illinois Volunteer Infantry and with the boys in blue went to the front. He gave his life in defense of his country, passing away in the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, on the 6th of February, 1863. His wife long survived him and died on the 9th of February, 1892. In their family were three children, of whom Mary F. died in infancy. The others are: James H., of this review; and Enoch J., a resident of this county. He was born January 27, 1861, is a farmer by occupation and for some time resided in Lincoln county, Illinois, but recently sold his farm there and in February, 1906, removed to this county. He married Anna Foote, and they became the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters.
Dr. James H. Rainwater was reared in his mother's home, having lost his father when not yet five years of age. His early education was acquired in the public schools, while his profes- sional training was received in the University of Missouri, from which he was graduated in the class of 1889. At the age of eighteen years he started out upon an independent business career as a teacher in Pike county and successfully fol- lowed that profession for ten years, being recog- nized as one of the capable educators of his part of the state. . He regarded this, however, merely as an initial step to other professional labor and desiring to become a member of the medical fra- ternity he began reading to this end and later matriculated in the medical department of the University of Missouri, known as the Missouri Medical College, from which, on completion of the regular course, he was graduated as before stated. On the 7th of March, 1889, he located for practice in New Canton, where he has since re- mained. He soon demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate problems which continu- ally confront the physician in his effort to restore health and strength. He is a student, discrimi- nating and accurate, and is quick to adopt new and improved methods which promise to be of practical value in his professional duties. At the same time he is slow to discard old and time-tried methods, the value of which have been proven. His practice has grown steadily both in volume and importance and the medical fraternity recog-
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nizes his worth and ability and honors him for his adherence to a high standard of professional ethics. He belongs to the Pike County and Illi- nois State Medical Societies and also to the Na- tional Medical Association.
On the 9th of July, 1884, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Rainwater and Miss Sarah E. Crews, and unto them have been born four chil- dren, of whom three are now living: Pearl, who was born September 30, 1885, and is engaged in teaching school ; Fern, born August 4, 1893, and now a public-school student; and Russell, born October 7, 1898. The second child, Merle, born June 27, 1891, passed away on the 20th of Sep- tember, 1892. Mrs. Rainwater was a daughter of Fleming H. and Elizabeth (White) Crews, both of whom were natives of Missouri, in which state they were reared and married and all of their children were born there. In later years, however, they came to Illinois and the father's deathi occurred in New Canton on the 5th of .April, 1891, when he was sixty-seven years of age. He was a minister of the Christian church and exerted a strong and beneficial influence in behalf of that denomination. He removed from Missouri to Illinois in 1871, settling first in New Hartford, Pike county, and afterward living in Rockport, this county. He later took up his abode in New Canton, where his last years were passed. 'His widow still survives and now makes her home with Dr. and Mrs. Rainwater. In their family were four daughters and two 'sons, namely: Andrew, who married Miss Mary Hos- ford; Mary, the wife of Benjamin Gard; S. W., who wedded Miss Ida Sigler ; Mrs. Sarah Rain- water; Elizabeth, deceased; and Lucretia, the wife of Harry A. Massie.
Dr. Rainwater belongs to New Canton lodge, No. 821, A. F. & A. M., which was organized in 1892 and of which he became first master. He also belongs to Elm camp, No. 1148, M. W. A., and both he and his wife hold membership rela- tions with the Mutual Protective League. Mrs. Rainwater holds membership in the Christian church and the Doctor contributes liberally to its support and is interested in its work. In politics he favors principles rather than party and casts a somewhat independent ballot. Having been
brought to Illinois at an early age he has resided continuously in Pike county with the exception of a brief period between 1864 and 1867, which he passed in Kentucky. He then returned to Illi- nois and has since lived in Pike county, where he has made a creditable name in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and capability. With conscientious regard for the obligations that devolve upon him he faithfully performs his duties day after day and is now known as one of the foremost representa- tives of the medical fraternity here.
RANSOM KESSINGER.
Ransom Kessinger is one of the venerable and honored citizens of Pike county, now residing in Pearl township, and his landed possessions, comprising over one thousand acres, indicates a life of intense and well directed activity. . Now at the advanced age of eighty-two years he is living retired, enjoying the fruit of his former toil in a comfortable home. Investigation into his life history shows that his success has been worthily won and that straightforward business methods constitute the basis of his success. More- over, he is one of the honored pioneer residents of the state, for almost his entire life has been passed within its borders, his birth having oc- curred upon his father's farm, in Scott county, on the 3d of September, 1823. His parents were Solomon and Catharine (Slagle) Kessinger. The mother died of smallpox upon the home farm in Scott county when her son Ransom was but three years of age, and the grandfather, Peter Kessin- ger, died at the same time, but his wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Kellogg, returned to her native state of Kentucky and there died in 1838.
Solomon Kessinger continued a resident of Scott county until 1836 or 1838 and then removed to Macon county, Missouri, where he remained for about six years, engaged in farming. Return- ing to Illinois, he settled in Pearl township, Pike county, upon a rented farm, which he cultivated for three years; when he purchased eighty acres
RANSOM KESSINGER
LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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of land on section 8, of the same township. Upon that place he. spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1864. In his family were two sons and a daughter, Ransom, Christine and Peter. The last named died of smallpox at the time of the mother's death and Christine met death in a run- away accident in 1897 when returning from church.
Ransom Kessinger remained in his native county until the removal of the father to Mis- souri, and with him he returned to Illinois, con- tinuing upon the old homestead' farm in Pearl township until eighteen years of age, when he 'started out in life on' his own account. The oc- ·cupation to which he was reared he determined to make his life work, and for three years he was in the employ of Jacob Deemer, during which time he supplemented his early education by attending school in the winter months. When twenty-two years of age he made arrangements whereby he was to farm for Henry Peacock and was to receive one-fourth of the crop as his 'share. He was thus engaged for three years and then with his earnings made purchase of eighty acres in Pearl township, where the old homestead now stands. He continued to cultivate and improve that property until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Company I, Ninety-ninth Illinois Regiment. He participated in many im- portant military movements, including the bat- tle of Hartsville, Missouri, the siege of Vicks- burg and the battles of Black River, Fort Esper- anza, Labaca Bayou and Port Gaines. He served for the full term of enlistment and was mustered out at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, being honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois, August 10, 1865. He immediately returned home, rejoicing over the return of the peace and the preservation of the Union, and throughout all the years he has been as loyal to his country in days of peace as when he followed the stars and stripes upon southern battle-fields. On again reaching home he resumed farming in Pearl township, where he has since made his home, and the large and grat- ifying success which has come to him has re- sulted in his well directed labors as a farmer and his judicious investment in property. As his financial resources have increased he has added
to his holdings from time to time until he now owns over one thousand acres of valuabe land, one-half of which is equal to the richest land in Pearl township. He has about two hundred acres in timber, mostly hardwood-oak, walnut and hickory-and constituting a very valuable timber tract.
Before going to the war Mr. Kessinger was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Jane Peacock, whom he wedded June 10, 1852. She is a daughter of Henry and Nancy (Jackson) Peacock, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Peacock was one of the first settlers of Calhoun county, Illinois, having located there in 1823. There he met and married Miss Jackson. He engaged in farming and, as stated, was connected with Mr. Kessinger in agricultural- pursuits. His wife died about four years after their marriage, leaving two little daughters, Sarah J and Mary C. Peacock. The latter married Thomas S. L'ong and died in 1898. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Kessinger were John and Catharine (White) Peacock, who were pioneer residents of Calhoun county, where the latter died in 1851 and the former in 1853, passing away on Painter creek.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kessinger have been born ten children: Henry, who married Annie John- son ; Nancy E., the wife of G. W. Smith ; Jacob, who married Mary Bogart; Catharine, who be- came the wife of Dr. Lock and later married James Smith, while her death occurred in South McAlester, Indian Territory, in 1902 ; Péter, who married Lilly Wagoner, who died in Pearl town- ·ship in 1888, after which time he wedded Alice Hall, who died in Pearl'township in 1901 ; R. O., who married Susan Johnson; Martha, the wife of William A. Wagoner; John A., who married Emma Wagoner; Elizabeth, who died at the age of three years, and a daughter who died un- named in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Kessinger have thirty-nine grandchildren living and seventeen great-grandchildren. They also had eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren who are deceased.
Mr. Kessinger was commander of I. Piper post, G. A. R., in 1885, being chosen to that po- sition at the time of its organization and acting
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in that capacity for twelve years. He likewise belongs to the Odd Fellows Society at Roodhouse, Illinois. He is now eighty-two years of age and is living a retired life, surrounded by many friends who entertain for him warm regard be- cause of his fidelity to manly principles as the years have gone by.
W. S. BINNS.
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W. S. Binns, one of the well known citizens of Pike county, where his entire life has been passed, is now serving as deputy county clerk and is also secretary of the Old Settlers' Associa- tion, having filled the latter position for eleven years and the former for ten years. He was born in the village of Time, in Hardin township, in 1864, his parents being Edward F. and Orpha (Norton) Binns, both of whom were early resi- dents of this county. In fact the father was a native son of Pike county, where his death oc- curred in 1895, when he had reached the age of fifty-five years. He had long been active and influential in politics and was a worker in the democratic ranks. In 1887 he was elected county clerk and served for five years. He was also a member of the democratic state central committee and was in charge of the committee in 1892 when Altgeld was elected. He was chairman of the county central committee for five years and was serving on the state central committee at the time of his demise, having also occupied that position for some time. He thus became well known for his allegiance to the democracy in Illinois and his labor in behalf of the party organization was ef- fective and beneficial. His wife was born in Ver- milion county, Illinois, and in her girlhood days came to Pike county, where she was married. Her father, now ninety-three years of age, still resides at Rossville, Vermilion county, and is one of the most venerable citizens of that part of the state. Mrs. Binns died in Pittsfield in 1879, at the age of thirty-nine years. By her marriage she had become the mother of two sons and a daughter : W. S., of this review ; B. F., formerly
a merchant of Pittsfield and now in Dixon, Illinois ; and Mrs. George Barber, of Pittsfield.
W. S. Binns was reared in Pike county and completed his education in Callaghan College, at Des Moines, Iowa. Following his return home he became deputy county clerk and for the past fif- teen years has devoted his attention to official services, discharging his duties with a capability, promptness and fidelity that are above question.
Mr. Binns was married to Miss May Cris- well, of this county, a daughter of James Cris- well, formerly editor of the Old Flag, now the Republican. He was one of the early residents of the county but died several years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Binns have six children, four sons and two daughters : William C., Florence O., John C., E. Coleridge, Majorie and George R. They also lost their second son; Edward, who died at the age of thirteen years.
In politics Mr. Binns has always been a demo- crat, while socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, being keeper of the records and seal in Pittsfield lodge, No. 652. He is like- wise treasurer of the Pike County Mutual Life Association, is a member of the Tribe of Ben Hur, being past chief of the tribe at Pittsfield. Mr. Binns has a wide acquaintance in the county, where his entire life has been passed, and that he has been long retained in public office is an indi- cation of the confidence and trust reposed in his capability and worth.
FRANK SYKES.
Frank Sykes, who is engaged in general mer- chandising at Hadley, was born March 19, 1869, in Beverly township, Adams county, his parents being James and Mary (Ayres) Sykes. The fa- ther was born March 9, 1819, in Huddersfield, England, which was the birthplace of his parents and grandparents. His paternal grandfather pass- ed his early life in his native country and when quite young commenced to work in the woolen mills, where his close application and ability won him recognition and eventually he was promoted to the position of foreman in the finishing depart-
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