USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 54
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
In 1890 he remove to New Canton and there entered on a somewhat different mode of living. He was chosen justice of the peace, which posi- tion he filled for eleven years. He also read law to some extent and his practice in the justice courts was attended with a gratifying measure of success. This line of experience was also of much benefit to him later in life, as he was always able to write all documents necessary to trading in land, doing it without assistance and so per- fectly that he never became involved in law suits. He had always been interested in the lands of the
Mississippi bottoms and, possessing keen saga- city and an optimistic mind, he believed that some day this land would become very valuable, al- though at that time it was regarded as compara- tively worthless by most people because of its liti- gation in the Bond suit and also by reason of the lack of drainage and improvements. Mr. Robb however, was not afraid to risk his chances, hav- ing firm faith in the future value of the property. In 1901 he admitted Charles Gard to a partner- ship in the land business and together they in- vested in much of this bottom land. In 1902 the Bond suit was forever settled and then it was that the people began to realize the worth of the bot- tom lands. An excellent business sprang up and Mr. Robb and Mr. Gard bought and sold about ten thousand acres in that year, their business op- erations amounting to a quarter of a million dol- lars. Lands in that locality have advanced from fifteen and twenty dollars to one hundred dollars per acre-a fact which indicates the keen fore- sight and business discrimination of Mr. Robb. He and his partner have certainly done much to build up their community and county. Through their earnest efforts, zeal and energy even in the face of many discouragements they have endeav- ored to make this district as attractive and val- uable as any to be found and their labors have been attended with success when viewed from a material as well as financial standpoint. The firm is now recognized as among the most prominent representatives of land interests in this part of the state and the position to which Mr. Robb has attained in business circles is indeed an enviable one.
GEORGE W. CAPPS.
George W. Capps, living on section 12, Mar- tinsburg township, is one of the prosperous and up-to-date farmers of Pike county, his landed possessions comprising two hundred acres of rich and valuable land. He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred April 27 1849, in the township which is yet his home. His father, Daniel Capps, was a native of Tennessee, where he was reared, coming thence to
404
PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
Illinois in early manhood. He was one of the early settlers of this county, mak- ing permanent location in Martinsburg town- ship about 1830. He there opened up a new farm, performing all the arduous labor incident to the cultivation of new land, his time and energies being given to the improvement of the fields until 1850, when he went to California, where his death occurred. His wife long sur- ·vived him and reared their family of eight chil- dren as follows: Nancy, who is the widow of W. S. Morrison, and resides in St. Louis, Mis- souri ; W. R., who died about 1897; Rachel, the wife of James O. Lewis, of Martinsburg ; Maria, the deceased wife of D. P. Lynch; Mrs. Bethena Lewis, a widow, residing in Nebo, Pike county, Illinois ; Fannie, the wife of W. H. Gooden, of Pike county, Missouri; Lucinda, the wife of Francis Fowler, of White Hall, Illinois; and George W.
In taking up the personal history of George W. Capps we present to our readers the life record of one who has a very wide and favorable ac- quaintance in this part of the state. He was reared in his native township and acquired a common-school education. When fourteen years of age he started out in life on his own account, working by the month as a farm hand and in this way he was employed for ten years, gradually making progress in the business world as his la- bor proved of greater value to his employers. In May, 1874, he was married in this county to Miss Julia A. Brittain, a native daughter of this section of the state. He then rented a farm and continued to operate leased land for several years, when, with the capital he had saved from his earnings, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Martinsburg township. There he carried on general farming for twelve years, when he sold that property and in 1892 bought two hundred acres on section 12, Martinsburg township. He has a good farm, on which he has erected a basement barn and he has also built to . and remodeled the house. His labors have made this a well improved property and in addition to tilling the soil he is raising good grades of stock.
Politically Mr. Capps is a stanch democrat but has never sought or desired office. His wife is
a member of the Christian church and he belongs to New Hartford lodge of Masons, in which he has filled all of the chairs save that of master. His entire life having been passed in this county, he has become widely known and has witnessed the greater part of the development that has brought the county up to its present state of progress and improvement.
HON. WILLIAM ELZA WILLIAMS.
Hon. William Elza Williams, at one time con- gressman from the sixteenth district, which in- cluded Pike county, and a prominent member of the Illinois bar, was born in Detroit township, this county, on the 5th day of May, 1857. His father, David A. Williams, is a native of North Carolina, born July 22, 1832. The paternal grand- father, John A. Williams, was also a native of North Carolina and was of English descent, the original family having come from England to Virginia prior to the Revolution. Emigrating westward, he became one of the pioneer settlers of Pike county, settling in Detroit township. in 1834. His father, Dory Williams, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his grandfather, William Williams (the great-great-grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch), was a soldier in the war of the Revolution.
David A. Williams was only two years old when brought by his parents to Pike county, and they were among the early settlers of Detroit town- ship, sharing in the hardships and privations in- cident to the establishment of a home upon the frontier. Educational privileges were limited, farm machinery was crude and much arduous la- bor was required in order to bring the soil to its present high state of cultivation. Assisting in the task of developing a new farm, David A. Wil- liams thus grew to manhood, and having arrived at years of maturity he was married to Miss Em- ily A. Hayden, a daughter of Louis E. Hayden, a native of Virginia and one of the early settlers of Newburg township, coming to Pike county from Kentucky in 1835. The young couple began their married life upon a farm in Detroit town-
W. E. WILLIAMS
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
409
PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
ship and for many years Mr. Williams devoted his energy to agricultural pursuits, but now re- sides in Pittsfield. In the family were eight chil- dren.
William Elza Williams, the second in order of birth, attended the district schools until eighteen years of age, when he entered Illinois College at Jacksonville, there remaining for three years. In the midst of his literary course he determined upon the practice of law as a life work, and entered upon preparation for the profession as a student in the office of Irwin & Johnson, one of the strong law firms of Pittsfield. He pursued his reading until admitted to the bar in 1880 before the ap- pellate court of the first district in Chicago. He thus entered upon his professional career well equipped for the work.
Mr. Williams located for practice in Pittsfield, and in the course of a few years his success was so marked that he became favorably known as a leading representative of the legal profession in the county and in April, 1887, was elected to the office of state's attorney, which became vacant through the resignation of H. C. Johnston. He was a fearless and forceful prosecutor, and his capability in the discharge of his duties won for him re-election in 1888 for the full term of four years, and he thus served until 1892. His brother, A. Clay Williams, was admitted to the bar in 1893, and they formed a partnership under the firm style of Williams & Williams, which rela- tion was maintained until 1896, when the brother was elected state's attorney, and served two terms, or until 1904, after which the firm of Williams & Williams was again organized and so continues to the present time. In 1898 he formed a partner- ship with W. L. Coley, as Williams & Coley, which firm continued during the time of Mr. Wil- liams' service in congress. In 1902 Mr. Coley removed to East St. Louis and Mr. Williams en- tered into partnership with Paul F. Grote under- the firm name of Williams & Grote, with whom he was associated until 1905. In 1904 Mr. Wil- liams was employed as trial lawyer by the Chi- cago City Railway Company, and remained with that company for one year, when he resigned his position and resumed the practice at Pittsfield, which had been conducted by the firm of Williams & Grote during his absence.
At the bar he is a strong advocate and wise counselor. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and precision, and in the presenta- tion of his cause is strong and logical, winning many notable victories through his thorough un- derstanding of the law and his correct applica- tion of its principles to the points at issue. He rank's among the foremost advocates at the Pike county bar, famous for its great lawyers.
In August, 1879, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Gallaher, and they have a daughter, Mabel E., now the wife of Ir- ving W. Wheeler, of Lockport, New York. Mrs. Williams was born in New York city and is a daughter of the well remembered James Gallaher, of Quincy, who was, city librarian of that city and for many years was editor of the Quincy Whig and the Old Flag; of Pittsfield. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams hold membership in the Con- gregational church and are highly esteemed cit- izens with a circle of friends that indicates their personal popularity and the sociability of their natures. In politics he has always been a con- sistent supporter of democratic principles and five times has been endorsed by his county for con- gress, receiving the support of the citizens of Pike county for that office since 1894. In 1898 he was elected and served for one term, or until 1901, and while a member of the house he served on the important committees of territories and re- vision of laws. He was one of the most promi- nent members of the fifty-sixth congress, and that he fully satisfied his constituents, particularly in his home county, is evidenced by the repeated en- dorsement of the voters. He was the sitting mem- ber and also a candidate for renomination before the famous deadlock convention of 1900 at Jack- sonville, when two thousand four hundred fifty- three ballots were taken in selecting a congres- sional candidate. Mr. Williams was the leading candidate before the convention, and his defeat was brought about by a combination of opposing candidates, who determined by lot the successful candidate.
Socially Mr. Williams is a member of the Ma- sonic lodge and chapter, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Modern Woodmen camp. His entire life has been passed in Pike county, so that his record
OT
410
PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
is well known to its citizens, who have found much in his life history worthy of emulation and admiration. He is ever fearless in defense of po- litical or other principles that he believes to be right, and even those opposed to him acknowledge his loyalty and his integrity in matters of public concern. He is always progressive and affirma- tive in all that he undertakes. He never fights under cover, but always in the open, and has a large personal following who admire him for his loyalty to his friends and devotion to any cause espoused by him.
JOSEPH MCFARLAND.
Joseph McFarland, interested in farming op- erations and also manager of the large elevator of Shaw, Garner & Company at New Canton, was born in this town on the 12th of November, 1866, and is a son of George and Irene McFar- land. The grandfather, the late Joseph McFar- land, was an early settler and prominent and use- ful citizen of the county. He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, February 1I, 1810, and his father, Joseph McFarland, Sr., was born in the same house. In 1812 the great-grandfather of our subject raised a company of eleven men in his own county and came with them to America, offering their services to General Jackson in the war against England. They were equipped, en- tered the army and Mr. McFarland and four comrades were killed in the first battle of New Orleans.
Joseph McFarland, the grandfather, was reared in the parish schools of his native county and when fifteen years of age he entered business life as a cattle dealer, being interested with his uncle in that enterprise until 1841, when he came to America to attend to the matter of securing a pension for his mother, who was a soldier's widow. From Philadelphia, where he landed, he went to Boston, where he became ill with ship fever and was confined to his bed for five weeks. This illness completely exhausted his capital of one hundred dollars, so that when he had re- covered he had but fifty cents remaining. His
clothes, too, and his watch had gone to meet the expenses of his illness, but he found a friend in Joseph Allen, who provided him with a good suit of clothes. He then entered the employ of Levi Farwell with the intention of earning money to bring his mother to America, but her death oc- curred before the fulfillment of his plans. He continued in Mr. Farwell's employ until the lat- ter's death, covering a period of ten years and two months, and with the capital which he had saved from his earnings, amounting to twenty-five hun- dred dollars, he then started for Illinois, eventu- ally reaching Barry, Pike county. He found this largely an unimproved frontier district with only here and there a settlement to show that the work of cultivation had been begun. He purchased one hundred acres of land in Pleasant Vale town- ship, where he lived in true pioneer style until he was able to secure the comforts and conveni- ences known to the older civilization of the east. His little cabin house was furnished in primitive manner and the first chair he ever owned remained in his possession up to the time of his death. It contained a calf skin seat and was supposed to be over one hundred years old. As the years passed by he prospered, becoming the owner of one thousand acres of valuable land in Pleasant Vale township, of which four hundred acres was fine pasture land. He was for many years ex- tensively engaged in raising and shipping stock as well as in the cultivation of his fields. He erected a fine home upon his farm, occupying a commanding site upon the bluff and from the front door he could overlook seven hundred acres of his estate. The land adjoins the village of New Canton and although he paid for it but eleven dollars per acre it now constitutes one of the most valuable tracts in the county. He erected a large number of dwellings upon his place and did much for the substantial improvement of this part of the state. In politics he was a democrat and his re- ligious views were in harmony with the doctrines of the Protestant church. His life was actuated by a laudable ambition and indefatigable energy in business affairs, leading to. successful accom- plishment and in his social relations he was prompted by a spirit of helpfulness and of gen-
4II
PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
uine friendship and kindliness. He was married in Ireland in 1835 to Miss Isabelle Brown, who was also born in County Tyrone and who died in 1865. Of their family of two children John died at the age of twelve years, while George be- came a prominent farmer of Pike county. In 1870 Joseph McFarland wedded Maria Kindrick, also a native of Ireland. His death occurred in 1893.
George McFarland, father of our subject, was born in Ireland but spent the greater part of his life in Pike county, where he was long closely connected with agricultural interests. The work of substantial improvement and development which was begun by his father he continued and for many years he was a prosperous and pro- gressive agriculturist of Pleasant Vale town- ship, having extensive landed interests near New Canton. He married Miss Irene Gage, a native of Maine, and continued to make his home near New Canton up to the time of his death in 1894.
In the public schools Joseph McFarland ac- quired his education and, entering business life, he has so directed his efforts along well-estab- lished lines of activity and enterprise that he is today reaping a gratifying measure of success. He is justly regarded as a successful and enter- prising farmer and useful citizen. His farm lies just outside the corporation limits of New Canton and is a most productive tract of land, upon which he has a beautiful country home and all modern equipments and accessories. In fact he is one of the leading representatives of agri- cultural interests in Pike county as were his father and grandfather before him. He is also manager of the large elevator of Shaw, Garner & Company and is thoroughly familiar with the grain trade and in this connection makes exten- sive shipments.
On the 21st of May, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Joseph McFarland and Miss Cora Willis. Two children, a bright and interesting boy and girl, have been born unto them. The parents occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move and Mr. McFarland is an exemplary Mason. He has held several township offices and at the present time is a mem- ber of the school board. His aid and co-operation
may always be counted upon to further any pro- gressive public movement and he is classed with the representative men whose life record, well known to his fellow citizens has won for him their regard and friendship.
GEORGE W. ŚHRIGLEY.
George W. Shrigley, living in New Salem township, is the owner of one hundred and ten acres of productive and valuable land, on which he is now carrying on general farming and stock- raising, making each year quite extensive ship- ments of stock, whereby his annual income is materially increased. He was born on Christmas day of 1847, in Edgar county, Illinois, and is a son of Andrew. and Sarah (Shiveley) Shrigley, both of whom were natives of Loudoun county, Virginia, being born east of the Blue Ridge. The father's birth occurred July 29, 1812, and in Ohio he was married to Miss Sarah Shiveley, who was born August 16, 1815. They removed from the Buckeye state to Edgar county, Illinois, where they resided for eleven years and then went to Iowa, where they remained for two years, returning thence to Pike county, Illinois, where the father's death occurred December 21, 1888, while his wife passed away November 22, 1893. They were respected by all who knew them as devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and people of genuine worth who in all life's relations manifested the traits of character that ever command good will and trust. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. In their family were seven children, of · whom six are yet living namely : Harriet J., now the wife of John Peckham; Ann E., the wife of Charles Bickerdike; George W., of this review; James M .; Caroline, the wife of Riley Griffith; and Emily, the wife of Henry Shinn.
George W. Shrigley spent the first nine years of his life in his native county and in 1856 went with his parents to Iowa, whence they returned to Pike county in 1858. Later, in connection with his father, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which together they improved
412
PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
and cultivated. All of the modern equipments upon his present farm have been placed here through his efforts for when the land came into his possession it was wild and uncultivated. He now has one hundred and ten acres which has been placed under the plow, and from the fields he annually harvests good crops of the grain best adapted to soil and climate. In addition to gen- eral farming he carries on stock-raising, shipping each year from two to four carloads of stock, At the present time he has one carload of fine fat cattle ready for the market and also a carload of hogs. He is an excellent judge of stock, so that he never makes a mistake in his purchases and is able to sell at a good profit.
On the IIth of August, 1878, Mr. Shrigley was married to Miss Lucy Lynch, who was born October 4, 1848, and is the daughter of Castleton W. and Miriam (Epperson) Lynch, the former a native of Knox county, Kentucky, and the latter of Knox county, Tennessee. When Mr. Lynch first came to Illinois he invested in eighty acres of land in Pike county, but afterward sold that property and bought another farm of two hun- dred acres. Subsequent to his wife's death he disposed of the two places and removed to Spring- field, Illinois, where he was married to Sarah Linsley. Following her demise he returned to Pike county, where his remaining days were passed. He departed this life September II, 1905, at the very venerable age of eighty-seven years, while the mother of Mrs. Shrigley died in 1872. In their family were eleven children, of whom eight are now living, as follows: John W., Mrs. Lydia Walls, Castleton W., Hiram T., Carlton C., Aaron P., Tarltan C. and Jefferson D.
Mr. and Mrs. Shrigley have one daughter, Georgia, who was born September 4, 1884, and was married October 6, 1903, to Howard C. Savage, by whom she has a daughter, Fay Helen. Mr. Shrigley has never cared for public office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs, and in his capable management and through his painstaking efforts he has found that success may be thus acquired. He belongs to New Salem lodge, No. 218, A. F. & A. M., and also to the United Brethren church. The greater part of his life has been passed in Pike
county and in his farm work he has found ample opportunity for the exercise of his talents, win- ning for himself a place among the representative agriculturists of his community.
A. CLAY WILLIAMS.
A. Clay Williams, a prominent lawyer of Pitts- field and former state's attorney, is a native of Pike county, having been born upon his father's farm in Detroit township on the 22d of Septem- ber, 1868. He is a son of David A. Williams, a sketch of whom is given in connection with the history of Hon. William E. Williams on another page of this work. In the country schools of his native township A. Clay Williams began his edu- cation, and when he had mastered the elementary branches of learning he continued his studies in the Pittsfield high school, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1887. His collegiate course covered four years' study in Illinois Col- lege at Jacksonville, from which he was gradu- ated in 1891. He afterward took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1893. He then entered upon practice in Pittsfield, and soon afterward was chosen city attorney. In 1896 he was elected state's attorney and held that office for two terms, discharging his duties without fear or favor, and to the eminent satisfaction of the people of the county. He was regarded an able and forceful prosecutor. Upon his retirement from office Mr. Williams joined his brother, Hon. William E. Williams, in the organization of the present well known and leading law firm in Pitts- field of Williams & Williams. This firm has a large clientage, being thus connected with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of the district. Mr. Williams has been an earnest and discriminating student of the principles of law and of precedent, and prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care.
On the 3d of January, 1901, was celebrated in Washington, D. C., the marriage of A. Clay Wil- liams and Miss Blanche I. Proctor, who was born in Illinois and is a daughter of Thaddeus H. Proc- tor. They have two children, David Clay and
415
PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
Wayne Proctor. Mr. Williams is a democrat in his political views and is chairman of the demo- cratic county central committee. His opinions carry weight and influence in the councils of his party, and he is reognized as one of its leading local representatives. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason, serving at the present time as emi- nent commander of Ascalon commandery, No. 49, K. T. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Modern Woodmen camp.
Mr. Williams is a strong advocate of the edu- cation of the young, and believes it is the solu- tion of many existing social and political evils. In public addresses, he frequently takes occasion to promote these ideas and to praise our public- school system. The people of his home recognize these facts, and have kept him at the head of its public schools for a number of years as presi- dent of the board of education.
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.