USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
M. D. KING.
M. D. King, the junior member of the milling firm of Dow & King, the leading representatives of this line of industrial activity in Pike county, has advanced from a humble financial position to one of affluence entirely through his own ef- forts. His connection with the present busi- ness covers a long period and began as a general utility man about a mill. Gradually his ability and worth won recognition and to-day he is half owner of what is now one of the largest and most profitable enterprises of Pittsfield.
Mr. King was born near Springfield, Hamp- den county, Massachusetts, in 1849, a son of Dwight and Martha (Vinton) King, and a repre- sentative in the eighth generation of the King family of Massachusetts, the first American an- cestors having crossed the Atlantic in 1640. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, was born in Massachusetts in 1810 at a period before any railroads were built in the state. In the fam- ily were three sons and a daughter: Mrs. Julia Waterman, the wife of Dr. Waterman, of Elgin, Illinois : Frank M., who is living in Munson, Massachusetts ; Henry A., engaged in the practice of law at Springfield, Illinois; and M. D., of this review.
In the public schools of his native state M. D. King acquired his education and in the spring of 1873 came to the west, then a young man of twenty-three years. He was attracted by the opportunities of this growing section of the coun- try and after spending several months in Mis- souri he came to Pike county in June, 1873, for the purpose of attending the funeral of Colonel Ross. He was pleased with the city and accepted a position in the mill owned and operated by C. P. Chapman & Company being first employed as a general man about the office and mill. He steadily advanced from one position to another and on the death of Mr. Chapman acquired a half interest in the business, which is now con- ducted under the firm style of Dow & King. The mill was built by Mr. Chapman and G. J. Shaw and had been carried on under the firm name of C. P. Chapman & Company. The an- nual sale of the products now reaches four hun- dred thousand dollars, the business being very extensive and profitable.
In December, 1876, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Rosabella G. Chapman, the only child of Clark P. and Amelia (Shaw) Chapman. She was born in 1856 in Pike county, her father having removed to this county in 1847. Taking up his abode in Pittsfield he was first employed as a clerk by the firm of Ross & Gay, merchants of Pittsfield, and later he purchased an interest in the business, which was then conducted under the firm style of Gay, Chapman & Kellogg, and afterward of Chapman, Kellogg & Hull. In 1863 Messrs. Chapman and Hull sold their inter- est to Mr. Kellogg, who conducted the business, and in April, 1865, Mr. Chapman made an over- land trip to Washington, D. C., carrying with him fifty thousand dollars in currency to ex- change for bonds in order that he might establish a national bank in Pittsfield, which was soon afterward organized, with Mr. Chapman as cashier. Later he became one of the stock com- pany that built the woolen mills in Pittsfield but this venture proved unprofitable and Mr. Chap- man sold out, after which he and Mr. Shaw built the old flour mill, where the new milling plant now stands. He then continued in the mill- ing business throughout his remaining days. He
-
C. P. CHAPMAN
VI IME UNIVERSITY OF IL. WAIS
373
PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
was a very successful man and one of the fore- most residents of Pittsfield. He was likewise one of the first to introduce Jersey cattle into Pike county and was greatly interested in stock- raising, which became a profitable source of in- come to him. He served as the first cashier of the First National Bank of Pittsfield, acting as one of its directors until his death and was both vice-president and president for some time. Many local enterprises profited by his wise counsel and able co-operation, and he figured prominently in business and public life, contributing in substan- tial measure to the welfare and upbuilding of Pittsfield. He was honored and respected by all and most of all where best known and his name is inseparably interwoven with the annals of Pike county. He died August 20, 1898, leaving his family not only a splendid competence but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. His wife still survives and is living with Mr. and Mrs. King at the advanced age of eighty- four years. Mr. Chapman built the home where they now reside and it is still one of the most beautiful residences of Pittsfield.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. King have been born two sons : L. C. King, born in 1879, married Bertha Hesley and lives in Pittsfield, now acting as book- keeper at the mill. . He is also one of the aldermen of Pittsfield and is an enterprising and leading citizen. Unto him and his wife has been born one son, Clark Chapman King. Vinton, born in December, 1885, lives at home and is his father's assistant at the mill.
Mr. King exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party and for one term served as alderman. He has likewise been school director and township treasurer, while in Massachusetts he became a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. King is a member of the Congregational church and her parents were very active in church work. Mr. King has led a busy and useful life. He realizes fully the truth of the adage of the old Greek philosopher who said "Earn thy reward, the gods give naught to sloth," and placing his dependence upon the sure and safe qualities of unremitting diligence and perseverance he has steadily advanced until to-day he is in control of
one of the large productive industries of Pike county, which is the visible evidence of his life of well directed toil. In social circles Mr. and Mrs. King occupy a very enviable position and their own home is attractive for its generous hos- pitality and a cordial welcome is extended to their many friends.
WILLIAM SHINN.
William Shinn is the oldest native born resi- dent of Pike county, also the founder of the sheep industry in this county, and is one of the self- made. men having acquired a fortune in the lo- cality where his entire life has been passed. He is justly entitled to representation in this volume as a prominent and leading citizen, and indeed no history of the community would be complete without his record. His birth occurred on sec- tion 12, Atlas township, January 7, 1827, his par- ents being Daniel and Mary (Hackett) Shinn, both of whom were natives of New Jersey and were married there. They afterward removed to Ohio, where they spent seven years, and in April, 1820, came to Illinois, bringing with them the first wagon ever seen in Pike county. Mr. Shinn purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land on section 12, Atlas township, and for three years resided in the village of Atlas. He had seven children when he came to Illinois, and in order to provide for his family, with character- istic energy he began farming interests here. He built a log house, improved his farm, transform- ing the wild tract into richly productive fields, and spent his remaining days upon that place, gathering rich harvests as the years went by. He was closely associated with many of the early events which have shaped the history of the county. He assisted in building the first court- house and jail in Atlas, both being constructed of logs. The country was wild and unimproved and he assisted in laying out the road from Pitts- field to Atlas. He had to keep his hogs in a log stable in order to protect them from the wolves, so numerous were the latter animals in this dis- trict at that time, so that flocks were never safe
374 ·
PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
from their depredations. Mr. Shinn was the owner of seven hundred acres of land in Pike county at one time and was regarded as a very prominent and influential citizen, aiding in lay- ing strong and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of this section of the state. He reared a family of thirteen children, of whom only two are now living. His death occurred in March, 1852, while his wife passed away about 1846.
William Shinn was educated in the primitive schools of Pike county and his youth was largely a period of earnest toil, as he had to begin work when quite young. He assisted in the arduous task of developing his father's farm and also in the improvement of other farm property in this county. When twenty years of age he was married but continued to reside upon the farm with his father until 1850, when he crossed the plains to California, attracted by the discovery of gold in that state. For a year he remained there, making some money during that period, after which he returned home by way of the isth- mus route. On again reaching Illinois he took up farming, which he followed in different localities, buying and selling different tracts of land. In 1856 he purchased the place where he now resides and here he has since lived. He to-day owns nine hundred and eighty-six acres of valuable land in Pike county and four hundred acres in Michigan and has secured all of this property through his own efforts, save a tract of thirty- nine acres which his father gave him. He there- fore certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and his life record proves that success is not a matter of genius but is rather the outcome of clear judgment, experience and inde- fatigable energy. He has been a representative of the sheep-raising industry since 1866 and has owned from six hundred to three thousand sheep since then. In fact he is not only the pioneer of this business in Pike county but is also one of its prominent representatives, being to-day the largest sheep-raiser within its borders, having at the present time five hundred head of sheep upon his farm. During the past thirty-five years he has also been extensively engaged in raising and dealing in cattle and at one time had from two
hundred and fifty to three hundred head but now keeps about one hundred head upon his place. His extensive property holdings and live-stock inter- ests make him one of the wealthy farmers of the county.
In 1846 Mr. Shinn was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Lytle, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, in March, 1827, and came to Pike county, Illinois, in 1837, with her father, Andrew Lytle, who lived in this county, where he owned and improved eighty acres of land. Subsequently, however, he removed to Calhoun county, where his death occurred. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shinn were born four children: Mrs. Elizabeth Gay, who is now living with her father; Albion Shinn, living near here; William D., who resides near his father; and Mame, the wife of William Cun- ningham, also living in the same locality. The wife and mother died December 24, 1904, and her death was the occasion of deep regret among many friends, while to her family it came as an irreparable loss. She was a woman of beautiful character, kindly, generous spirit and warm- hearted charity and by her many good qualities won the love and esteem of all who knew her. Mr. Shinn is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the New Hartford lodge, No. 424, of which he is a charter member. He joined the order at Eldara, Illinois. He be- longs to the Methodist church at Summer Hill, of which his wife was also a member, and his life is actuated by high and honorable motives and lofty principles. Although he has attained wealth his path has never been strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes, his prosperity being gained by persistent effort, capable manage- ment and careful investment.
GEORGE W. SEYBOLD.
George W. Seybold, whose farming interests in Fairmount township cover three hundred and twenty acres of arable and productive land, was born in Fairmount towship, this county, May 8. 1848, his parents being James and Olive (Gas- kell) Seybold, the former a native of Illinois and
375
PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
the latter of New York. Their marriage was cele- brated in this state; and both have now passed away, the mother's death having occurred when she was eighty-three years of age. She long sur- vived her husband, who died April 15, 1869, at the age of sixty-seven years, three months and thirteen days. The father spent his boyhood days with his parents in Carlinville, Illinois, and dur- ing the pioneer epoch in the history of Pike coun- ty removed to this section of the state, purchasing land in Fairmount township. He found here an unbroken wilderness; and in the midst of the for- est built a log cabin, while later he erected what was the first frame house in this locality. Herds of deer were frequently seen; and wild turkeys, ducks, prairie chickens and other game could be had in abundance. The Indians, too, were fre- George W. Seybold was reared under the pa- rental roof and acquired a public-school education which he pursued in the district schools and also at Camp Point. His training at farm labor was not meagre, so that he early acquired a thorough understanding of the best methods of carrying on farm work on his own account. He started out quent visitors in the neighborhood, having not yet left the state for their reservations farther west- ward. The.nearest neighbor of the Seybold fam- ily at that time lived six miles away. The family shared in all the hardships and trials of pioneer life and assisted materially in the reclamation of the wild land and the improvement of this part . in life for himself when twenty-one years of age of the state. The old frame house which was and has since devoted his time and energies to the cultivation of the fields and to raising stock. That he has prospered in his undertakings is in- dicated by the fact that he is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land and he also raises good stock, including short- horn and Durham cattle and Poland China hogs. This branch of his business has been carried on quite extensively, for he has fed and shipped many hogs, annually selling from fifty to one hundred head of cattle and as many hogs. built by the father is still standing and is now oc- cupied by our subject. In order to construct his dwelling James Seybold hewed the timber, split the clapboards with an axe and shaved them by hand. He lived for some time on the American bottom in Madison county and during the pion- eer days sold his pork in St. Louis for a dollar and a quarter per hundred and his wheat for twen- ty-five cents per bushel. An old wooden clock which he purchased in 1829 and for which he gave forty dollars, is now in possession of George On the 22d of March, 1872, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Seybold and Mrs. Mary Elder, a daughter of Levi and Matilda (Neal) Gardner, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky respectively. Her father came to Illinois at an early day, settling in Fairmount township, where he built a log house and broke the wild prairie. He was one of the pioneer residents of this part of the state and secured one hundred and sixty acres of land which he converted into a tract of rich fertility. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union and served as a fifer in Company F, Ninety-ninth Illinois In- W. Seybold and is keeping good time. As the years passed he prospered and at the time of his demise he owned two hundred and ninety-five acres of valuable land. His last days were passed in Bev- erly, Adams county. He had served his country as a soldier in the Twenty-seventh Illinois Infan- try and his political allegiance was given to the whig party until its dissolution, when he became a republican. In the family were seventeen chil- dren, twelve sons and five daughters, of whom five sons and four daughters are now living, namely: Jasper ; Hannah; Gates, a resident of
Callaway ; Lafayette, who was a soldier in the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry in the Civil war; Mary; Stephen, who wore the blue uniform as a member of the Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry ; George W .; Ellen, and Emelina. One brother, Samuel, gave his life in defense of his country while acting as a Union soldier. Joseph died No- vember II, 1857, at the age of twenty-seven years, seven months and seven days. Martha C. died December 6; 1857, at the age of seventeen years, eleven months and six days. Eli departed this life January 18, 1850, at the age of twenty-three years. Allen died August 17, 1841, at the age of nine years, six months and four days. James passed away November 25, 1857, at the age of fifteen years, two months and eleven days.
·
376
PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
fantry. In politics he was a whig and he held membership in the United Brethren church. In his family were eight children, of whom five are now living, namely : Elizabeth, Margaret, Myra, Mary and William. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Seybold have been born eight children and the family cir- cle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. These are : James L., Nellie, Johanna, George C., Charles, Hettie, Margaret and Annie.
Mr. Seybold exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republi- can party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have several times called him to public office. He has served as supervisor, as tax assessor, as tax collec- tor, school trustee and school director, oc- cupying the last named position for twelve years. He favors the United Brethren church. Born in this county more than a half century ago, he is familiar with its history from the era of early development down to the present stage of modern prosperity and progress. His entire life has been devoted to the occupation to which he was reared and his careful management and keen business discernment are manifest in the excellent results which have attended his efforts.
HENRY T. DUFFIELD, M. D.
Dr. Henry T. Duffield, who for twenty-two years has engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Pittsfield and is a representative of a pioneer family of this part of the state, was born in Martinsburg township, Pike county, Feb- ruary 21, 1853, his parents being James M. and Lucinda (Petty) Duffield. The mother was also a native of Pike county and a daughter of Fisher Petty, who was among the early pioneers of Pike county and engaged in the operation of a tan- nery four miles south of the present site of Pitts- field. He was present when the city of Pittsfield was being laid out and witnessed through many years the progress and development of this part of the state. He made his home upon the farm until his death, which occurred many years ago.
James D. Duffield, father of Dr. Duffield, ar- rived in Pike county in 1845, coming to Illinois from Indiana. Settling in Martinsburg township, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which claimed his time and energies until his death, which occurred in 1896, when he was seven- ty-three years of age. He had for about eight years survived his wife, who died in 1888. In their fam- ily were three sons, who are yet living, J. J. and W. F. Duffield being residents of Martinsburg township. The only daughter is deceased.
Dr. Duffield, spending his youth in his parents' home, began his education in the schools of Pike county and mastered a high-school course, sub- sequent to which time he entered the old Chi- cago University and was graduated from the lit- erary department in the class of 1878. This proved an excellent foundation upon which to build his professional knowledge, and having de- termined upon the medical profession as a life work he entered the St. Louis Medical College, where he spent three years as a student, grad- uating with the class of 1882. He had also spent the year of 1879 as a student in the office and un- der the direction of Dr. J. H. Ledlie, of Pitts- field. Following his graduation he returned to this city and for several years, or until 1892; was the business associate of Dr. J. H. Ledlie, who for many years had been a capable and leading physician of Pike county. He was born, reared and educated in Dublin, Ireland, having been graduated from the University of Dublin. Com- ing to America, he located first in Chicago in 1854 and removed to Pittsfield in 1857, where he resided up to the time of his death. During the period of the Civil war he joined the Union army as surgeon of the Ninety-ninth Illinois In- fantry and remained at the front until 1865, when, hostilities having ceased, he returned and re- sumed practice in Pittsfield. During the latter part of his service he had charge of a military hospital at Jefferson City, Missouri, and was med- ical director of the Thirteenth Army Corps.
From the time of his graduation to the pres- ent Dr. Duffield has engaged in general practice in Pittsfield, meeting with gratifying success. He has not specialized along certain lines, but has given his attention to the general practice of med-
DR. H. T. DUFFIELD
LIBRARY OF THE
379
PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
icine and surgery and has demonstrated his broad knowledge and skill in the excellent results which have attended his labors when viewed from a professional standpoint. He has made it his aim to keep in touch with the progress of the med- ical fraternity as investigation, research and ex- periment have broadened the knowledge of the practitioners.
Dr. Duffield was married, in 1890, to Miss Elizabetlı Ledlie, a daughter of his preceptor and partner. The Doctor and his wife have a wide acquaintance in Pike county, while their social qualities have gained them favor with a large circle of friends. Politically an earnest republic- an, Dr. Duffield has served as mayor of Pitts- field for one term and has been alderman three times. He prefers to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties and is a member of the County and State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association.
WILLIAM H. WILSON.
'The name of William H. Wilson figures promi- nently in connection with agricultural interests and also in financial circles, for he is the presi- dent and assistant cashier of the Perry State Bank. Watchful of opportunities, he has noted the possibilities for successful accomplishment and by the utilization of these has advanced far upon the pathway which is terminated by the goal of success. He was born in London, Eng- land, September 16, 1845, his parents being Henry and Catherine (Stratton) Wilson. The father's birth occurred in London, Eng- land, May 1, 1816, and, losing his mother at an early age, he was reared by an aunt. His edu- cation was acquired in two private schools and wlien he had put aside his text-books he began earning his living as a clerk in a grocery store. He served a regular apprenticeship in commer- cial lines and when twenty-two years of age opened a store in lower London, continuing in the grocery business for eleven years. Within that period he was married to Miss Catherine S. Strat- ton, a native of Berkshire, England. Removing
from London, Mr. Wilson established a grocery store in Swindon, Wiltshire, where he remained for a few years and then started with his family for America, sailing from Liverpool in April, 1855. The voyage consumed nearly seven weeks but at length anchor was dropped in the harbor of New York city and the journey westward by land and water was continued until Griggsville was reached. Some two years later the family located on a farm in the northern part of Perry township and in 1868 removed to the home property of William H. Wilson on section 28 of the same township. Upon this place Henry Wilson spent his remaining days and in the evening of life en- joyed many comforts and luxuries which had been secured through his earnest and unremitting labor in former years. His wife passed away February 27, 1879, and his death occurred about 1889. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were members of the Presbyterian church. Only two of their eight children are. now living : William H .; and Mary, the wife of Calvin Harrington.
William H. Wilson spent the first ten years of his life in his native country and in 1855 came with his parents to the new world, crossing the Atlantic from Liverpool to New York city. Dur- ing the voyage they were out of sight of land for six weeks and three days. After reaching the American port they proceeded to Toledo, Ohio, by rail, thence to Chicago and on to Griggsville, where they lived for two and a half years, when they removed to Perry township. Mr. Wilson was reared to farm labor and as his father was in poor health he took charge of the farm, which he operated in partnership with his father until the latter's death. In his methods he was saga- cious, practical and persistent and developed a splendid farm property. He has not, however, confined his attention wholly to agricultural pur- suits but has been a promoter of various inter- . ests which have proven of direct benefit in the locality. In 1896 he helped to organize the Perry State Bank, was chosen its president and is now also acting as its assistant cashier. This bank is capitalized for forty thousand dollars and is a strong and reliable financial institution. Mr. Wilson is also the secretary of the Griggsville Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, which is
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.