USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 66
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As before stated, Mr. Dixon's first purchase of land comprised one hundred and twenty acres where he now resides. Upon the place was a log cabin enclosed by a rail fence and a few logs had leen piled up and covered with straw in order to afford shelter for the team. With characteristic energy Mr. Dixon began the improvement of the property and is today the owner of one of the finest farms in Perry township. When his fine residence, erected at a cost of three thousand dol- lars, was destroyed by fire when it had been com- pleted only a few years he immediately set to work and erected an even more commodious and finer residence than before and his home is now one of the attractive features in the landscape. He has large barns and sheds upon his place and the farm is a splendidly improved property. He has
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placed the greater part of his land under cultiva- tion and has made a specialty of the raising of Shropshire sheep, shorthorn cattle and good horses and swine. In all. of his work he has been persistent and energetic, never brooking any ob- stacles that could be overcome by determined purpose and although his advantages in early life were extremely few he has made steady progress and is today one of the most prosperous farmers of his county. He has never had occasion to re- gret his determination to seek a home in America but has felt proud that he became an American citizen, for he found here the business opportu- nities he sought and in this land, unhampered by caste or class, he has made for himself an honor- able name and a very desirable fortune.
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ROBERT FRANKLIN.
Robert Franklin, living on section 23, Spring Creek township, is one of the active and progres- sive farmers and business men of his part of the county and his landed possessions aggregate five hundred acres, which he cultivates according to modern methods, producing the best results from field and pasture. He is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Gloucestershire on the 22d of March, 1849. His father, Jacob Frank- lin, was also born and reared in England, where he learned the stone-mason's trade, which he followed in order to provide for his family. Rob- ert Franklin remained under the parental roof until his nineteenth year and with his father learned the stone-mason's trade. He enjoyed good common-school advantages and in his nine- teenth year he and his brother John sailed from Liverpool to America, landing in New York. He then began life in a strange country, but hoped to find better business opportunities in the new world, having heard favorable reports concern- ing its business conditions. He worked at his trade at different places in New York, Pennsyl- vania, Maryland and Ohio. He was employed on the Powers block in Rochester and helped to build the government lighthouse on Lake Ontario near Niagara Falls. He worked at various places in
the eastern and middle states and for five years made his home in Cleveland, during which time he acted as foreman on the construction of the courthouse in that city.
Mr. Franklin was married in Connecticut be- fore coming to the west, the wedding being cele- brated in New Haven, on which occasion he made Miss Eliza Smith his wife. She was born in England and was a daughter of Joseph Smith, a native of that country. She made the trip to America in order to meet her prospective hus- band, their troth having been plighted in their native country. They were married on the 21st of November, 1871, and Mrs. Franklin has al- ways traveled with her husband, maintaining a pleasant home for him in the different cities to which his business interests have called him. While living in Cleveland he traded his town property for eighty acres of land in Pike county, Illinois, constituting a part of what is now the old home place. He then came to the farm and began to clear and improve the land, upon which he erected a frame residence and barn. He also began to cultivate the fields and from time to time he purchased more land until he now has a large and well improved place. He has done much work at his trade in addition to carrying on agricultural pursuits and was active in the building of the Alton Railroad through Pike county and also has been identified to some ex- tent with building operations in Greene county. He has erected upon his farm a good stone resi- dence which is two stories in height and which was built in 1887. He quarried his own stone and constructed the building entirely unaided. It has in front a beautiful portico unlike anything else to be seen in the county. This home is one of the beautiful features of the landscape and stands in the midst of a well kept lawn. At places the stone has been adorned with fine carving and al- together the residence is a credit to the builder and to the community at large. Mr. Franklin also assisted in the erection of the present court- house in Pittsfield, which is built entirely of stone, much of which was quarried in this county. In fact he was the only stone workman employed on the building from Pike county. He is prac- tically, however, retired from mason work, but
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does some monumental work and assists his sons in Nebo, who have an establishment in that place. They carry a fine line of marble and monument goods. The sons, William, Walter and Edward Franklin, are partners in this enterprise, which was established in 1900 and they have built a brick store building in Nebo.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Franklin have been born six children, of whom one died in infancy. The others are William, who is married and resides- in Nebo; Henry, who is married and operates the home farm; Walter, who is connected with the monument business in Nebo; Herbert, who aids in the farm work; and Edward, who is married and lives in Nebo. Henry wedded Verna Bunn, a daughter of Samuel Bunn, a native of Calhoun county, Illinois, and they now reside upon the old homestead, but have a separate residence. Two children have been born unto them, Owen and Linn.
Mr. and Mrs. Franklin are liberal in their re- ligious views, attending different churches and contributing to their support. Politically he is a democrat, loyal in his advocacy of the party, but he has neither time nor inclination for public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He raises some graded cat- tle, making a specialty of Herefords and has a thoroughbred bull. His farm is one of the best improved properties in this part of the state and upon it he has now a good orchard and much small fruit. There are also ample buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, which taken in addition to the handsome residence makes this one of the finest farms of Pike county.
EDWARD STONE.
Edward Stone, deceased, who was identified with agricultural interests, was born in Pleasant Hill township, Pike county, February 22, 1852, and was the eldest son of Llewellyn and Mary (Jewel) Stone. His education was acquired in the common schools and in the high school of Pittsfield and he was thus well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties. In his youth he became familiar with all the labors that fall to the
lot of the agriculturist. In 1879 Mr. Stone was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Davis, a na- tive of Pittsfield, her marriage being celebrated in the house in which she was born. Her par- ents were James and Mary (Yates) Davis, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Ken- tucky. The father was a farmer by occupation and carried on general agricultural pursuits for many years, capably directing his labors so that he won a comfortable competence and in later life lived retired in Pittsfield. He had accumulated a large capital and engaged in loaning money. He died in the year 1889, having for two years sur- vived his wife, who passed away in December, 1887. They were the parents of seven children, of whom six are yet living : Mrs. Ruth Thomp- son, who resides in Mechanicsburg, Illinois ; Mrs. Eliza Lisk, who is living in Kansas: Maria, the wife of James Newport, a resident of Pittsfield; William Davis, who is also living in Pittsfield ; Mrs. Mary Ann Shaw, who resides in Summer Hill, Illinois; and Mrs. Stone.
The last named pursued her education in the schools of Pittsfield and was carefully trained in the work of the household, so that she was well equipped for caring for a home of her own at the time of her marriage. Three daughters were born of this union and are all yet living, namely : Bessie, who is engaged in teaching school in Washington ; May, who is living with her mother ; and Luella, who is a student in the Pittsfield high school. The. elder two daughters are also grad- uates of the high school of Pittsfield. The death of Mr. Stone occurred on the 28th of July, 1900, and his remains were interred in South cemetery at Pittsfield. He led a busy, useful and active life, always devoting his energies to agricultural pur- suits, and by the assistance of his estimable wife he acquired most of the property which is now in possession of his family. He worked earnestly and persistently and his integrity stood as an un- questioned fact in his career. His political alle- giance was given to the democracy and he held some local offices, including that of township as- sessor. In community interests he always mani- fested a desire for progress and improvement and gave his co-operation to many measures for the general good. Both he and his wife were mem-
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bers of the Christian church, to which her par- ents also belonged, and Mr. Stone served as dea- con in the church for a number of years, while his father was an elder. His interest in various church activities was deep and sincere and he also contributed generously according to his means to its support. His death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as his immediate family for his life was such as commanded the good will and confidence of those with whom he was associated. Mrs. Stone owns two hundred and forty acres of fine land and has a beautiful home where she re- sides a mile south of Pittsfield. She leases most of the land, but she keeps forty head of cattle, some hogs and horses. She has always been a very industrious woman and her labors were of great benefit to her husband in his active business career.
J. SMITH THOMAS, M. D.
Dr. J. Smith Thomas, a member of the medical fraternity and one of the oldest practitioners of Pike county, having been located at Pleasant Hill for thirty-four years, has resided in this village for a much longer period, having taken up his abode here in 1849. He was born in Pike county, Missouri, near Louisiana, on the 26th of August, 1845. His father, Dr. John A. Thomas, was a native of Virginia, born April 8, 1818, while the grandfather, Cornelius Thomas, was likewise born in the Old Dominion, and was a son of Charles Thomas, who was one of the heroes of the Revolution. The family is of Welsh descent, and from the same ancestry is descended General George H. Thomas, who was one of the promi- nent commanders of the Union forces in the Civil war.
Dr. John A. Thomas came to the Mississippi valley with his father, Cornelius Thomas, about 1833, and settled in Pike county, Missouri. He was then a young man, and, taking up the study of medicine, he afterward engaged in practice in Pike county, Missouri, for a few years. In 1849, however, he moved across the river to Pike county, Illinois, settling at Pleasant Hill, where he continued in the active prosecution of his pro-
fession for a considerable period. He had a large and lucrative practice and was recognized as one of the prominent physicians of this county, his business extending for miles around. In many a household he was the loved family physician, whose aid could always be counted upon and whose labor was an efficient and potent element in checking the ravages of disease and . restoring health. He was twice married, his first union be- ing with Miss Sarah E. Griffith, whom he wedded in Missouri. Her birth occurred in Pike county, that state, her parents being Joel and Mary (Smith) Griffith, who had removed from Ken- tucky to Missouri. Mrs. Thomas died in Pleas- ant Hill, Illinois. Four children had been born of that union. Subsequently Dr. John A. Thomas married Miss Sophia Blair, of Barry, Illinois, a daughter of Ex-Senator Blair, of Pike county, Il- linois. She was educated in Jacksonville (Illi- nois) Female College, from which she was gradu- ated, and later she became one of the teachers and afterward professor of mathematics in that insti- tution, which position she held prior to her mar- riage to Dr. Thomas. Of the Masonic fraternity Dr. Thomas was a leading representative at Pleas- ant Hill. He was also a prominent member of the Baptist church, and his life was ever honorable and upright. He was an ardent supporter of the cause of prohibition, fearlessly expressing his opinions, and doing much good along this line, the effects of which are still preceptible in Pleas- ant Hill. An active and useful career was termi- nated by his death on the 25th of February, 1888, his remains being interred in Pleasant Hill ceme- tery. Great regret was felt throughout the com- munity, because he had so endeared himself to many patrons and friends as to make his demise the occasion of a feeling of personal loss to all who knew him. His widow still survives him, and now resides with her son, C. C. Thomas, upon the old homestead.
Dr. J. Smith Thomas is the eldest of the family of four children born of his father's first marriage. The others are: Lizzie, who became the wife of T. J. Shultz and died in 1905; Mary, who became the wife of H. C. Moore and died in 1905; and C. J. Thomas, of Pleasant Hill. By the father's second marriage there were three children: A.
DR. J. SMITH THOMAS
LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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J. Thomas, living in Pleasant Hill ; W. S., a busi- ness man of St. Louis, Missouri ; and Clarence C., who is cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Pleasant Hill.
Dr. J. Smith Thomas was reared in the village of Pleasant Hill and took up the study of medi- cine with his father as his preceptor. Later he pursued courses of lectures in college, and was graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cin- cinnati with the class of 1872. When he had com- pleted his studies he returned home and joined his father in practice. In 1876-7 he pursued a post-graduate couse in St. Louis, Missouri, and he took a second post-graduate course in New York city in 1900-1. In 1884, Dr. Thomas spent the winter in San Antonio, Texas, where he en- gaged in practice, returning home in the follow- ing spring. He has been an active member of the medical profession of this locality for nearly thirty-five years, and during that period a number of young men have studied under him, and later engaged in practice with him. At this writing a nephew, Dr. Wells, who was reared and educated by Dr. Thomas, is now in partnership with him and the firm is a strong and capable one.
Dr. Thomas was married in Pike county on the 24th of November, 1874, to Miss Molly S. Wells, a daughter of Perry S. Wells, one of the promi- nent farmers and early settlers of Pike county, formerly from Kentucky, whence he removed to Missouri, and later came to Pike county, Illinois. Unto the Doctor and his wife have been born five children : Grace, who married Frank Darrow, and is now living in East St. Louis ; Blanche, the wife of W. T. Waugh, of Pleasant Hill ; Lizzie, at home; Jessie, the wife of Scott Galloway, a business man of Pleasant Hill; and Leslie, at home.
Politically Dr. Thomas was formerly a repub- lican but now votes with the democratic party, and is the only member of his family thus affiliated. Religiously he is an active member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and his position: in social circles and as a citizen is a creditable one ; but he is best known as a representative of the medical fraternity. His efforts have been of last- ing and permanent good, and he enjoys the high-
est respect of his professional brethren, because of his close adherence to an advanced standard of professional ethics. His study and reading have been comprehensive and his investigation has led to more thorough and accurate knowledge result- ing in greater proficiency in his practice.
HARVEY W. SWEETING.
Harvey W. Sweeting, in early manhood a farm hand and now a prosperous farmer, owning a valuable property in Griggsville township, was born May 10, 1869, his parents being Richard and Dorothy (Marshall) Sweeting, both of whom were natives of England. The father, for many years an enterprising agriculturist of Perry town- ship, was born in Knaresboro, Yorkshire, Eng- land, near the castle of the same name and was a son of Jonathan Sweeting, a native of West Rid- ing, Yorkshire, where his childhood and youth. were passed. Having learned the shoemaker's trade, he followed that pursuit until his death, which occurred when he was in his ninetieth year. . Richard Sweeting, the great-grandfather of our subject, was also of English lineage and made his home in Yorkshire, where he followed the occupation of shoemaking and passed away when nearly ninety years of age. He was twice married, while Jonathan Sweeting, the grand- father of our subject, was married three times, his first union being with Miss Mary Greenough, who was born and reared in Yorkshire but in one. ancestral line came of Scotch lineage. She died when her son, Richard Sweeting, was only six years of age.
Richard Sweeting remained in his father's . home after the latter's second marriage and mas- tered the trade to which his father and, grand- father had given their attention, becoming an ex- cellent shoemaker. He afterward, learned. the baker's trade, which he followed in England un- til September, 1846, when, attracted by the op- portunities and privileges of the new world, he sailed for America on the General Park Hale, a merchant ship bound for New Orleans. After a voyage of seven weeks he landed at the Crescent
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city and proceeded up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, Missouri, and on to Griggsville Land- ing on the Illinois river. For three years he made his home with his uncle, William Thackery, in Flint township, and after seven years he re- turned to England, where he was married to Miss Dorothy Marshall, whose birth occurred in Knaresboro in 1834, her parents being James and Ann (Sly) Marshall, also natives of Yorkshire, although the Sly family is of Scotch descent. Both Mr. and Mrs. Marshall lived to an advanced age, remaining residents of England and the former was a prominent educator for forty-five years, while for more than a half century he served as parish clerk. Mrs. Sweeting was the third in order of birth in his family of three daughters and four sons and was carefully edu- cated in her father's school. Mr. Sweeting re- turned with his bride to, the new world and in 1853 took up his abode upon a farm in Perry township, where for many years he made his home, becoming one of the prominent and lead- ing agriculturists of that community. He died January 10, 1900, at the age of seventy-one years and four months, while his wife passed away July 29, 1902, at the age of sixty-seven years, six months and twelve days.
In their family were eleven children, of whom the following are now living, namely: Jennie, who married Frank McVey; Mrs. Anna Rush; Mrs. Vina E. Irving ; Arthur, who married Mary Dorsey; Frederick, who married Clementina Ham; and George, who wedded Cora Greiwe. When Richard Sweeting arrived in this country he had but three dollars and seventy-five cents and from a humble financial position he worked his way steadily upward to one of affluence and for many years was a prosperous and respected agriculturist of Perry township.
Harvey W. Sweeting, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the public schools and was reared to farm life. He carried on farming on his own account for four years prior to his marriage and throughout the period of his youth, as his age and strength permitted, he as- sisted his father in the operation of the old home- stead. He now devotes his time and energies to general farming and stock-raising, having one
hundred acres of well improved land, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. He raises from fifty to seventy-five head of hogs each year and he also breeds and raises good horses, having from five to seven head. In his business he allows no outside influences to interfere with his faithful performance of each day's duties and in the control of his property and the care of his fields as well as in stock-raising he has shown a thorough understanding of his work and has won a goodly success.
On the 26th of January, 1894, Mr. Sweeting was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Van Zandt, the wedding being celebrated in Pittsfield. Her parents were Joseph P. and Caroline (Brower) Van Zandt and as the name indicates, the family is of German origin, its early representatives in America being resi- dents of Pennsylvania. John Van Zandt, grand- father of Mrs. Sweeting, was a native of Ken- tucky, where he followed farming and carpenter- ing. He there married a Miss Niece, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania and who died in her native state, leaving three children, all of whom have now passed away. After losing his first wife John Van Zandt wedded Miss Lydia Uttley in Pennsylvania. Her parents were English and following their marriage crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, where they passed away at an ad- vanced age. Following his second marriage Mr. Van Zandt resided in Pennsylvania until called to his final rest. Joseph Van Zandt, father of Mrs. Sweeting, was born in Mifflin county, Penn- sylvania, in June, 1831, and learned the trade of a millwright and carpenter. In June, 1858, he came to Pike county, Illinois, and residing in Fairmount township was connected with building operations until 1880, when failing health forced him to retire from carpentering and he afterward devoted his attention to the management of a farm of five hundred acres on section 23, Perry township. He was a very prosperous man and the greater part of his property and capital were secured after his removal to Pike county. He served as a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in August, 1862, as a member of Company B, Nine- ty-ninth Illinois Infantry, under Colonel Mat-
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thews. Later he was transferred to Company H of the same regiment under Captain Hill, and with the Ninety-ninth Illinois he participated in the battle of Hartsford, but was thrown from a wagon and sustained severe injuries that caused his honorable discharge. His wife, whom he wedded in Mount Sterling, Illinois, was a daugh- ter of John and Delight (Smith) Brower, who were natives of New York and were of Holland lineage. Mrs. Van Zandt was born in Madison county, New York, February 10, 1837, and in 1839 her parents removed to Missouri, whence they came to Pike county, Illinois, the father be- coming owner of a small farm on section 14, Fairmount township, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. They were members of the church of Latter Day Saints. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Van Zandt were seven children, including Mrs. Sweeting, who by her marriage has become the mother of two children : Dorothy C., born February 10, 1895; and William H., born October 11, 1899.
Mr. Sweeting gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He belongs to the Farm- ers' Alliance, to the Knights of Pythias and both he and his wife are connected with the Rathbone Sisters. He also holds membership in the Anti- Horse Thief Association and at the present writ- ing he is serving as a school director. In com- munity affairs he is deeply interested, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend, while all matters of public progress receive his endorse- ment and many times his active co-operation.
GEORGE U. McCOMAS, M. D.
Dr. George U. McComas, engaged in the prac- tice of medicine and surgery in New Canton, was born in Harford county, Maryland, May 2, 1858, his parents being Joshua and Rebecca J. (Maul) McComas. The parents' birth also oc- curred in Harford county, Maryland, and they were married there in 1856. The father was a wheelright by trade, and in connection with other pursuits he carried on farming to some extent. His religious faith was that of the Methodist
Episcopal church, while in his political views he was a stalwart republican. He died November 28, 1896, at the age of sixty-five years and is still survived by his widow who is now living in Adams county in her seventieth year. They were the parents of five sons and a daughter, namely : George U., of this review; William M., a con- tractor and builder residing in Adams county ; Charles H., who is a train dispatcher on the Northern Central Railroad in Baltimore ; Marion, a blacksmith at Plainville, Adams county ; James B., who is in the postoffice at Baltimore, Mary- land; and Mary Edith, who is living with her mother and brother in Adams county, Illinois.
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