USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 68
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In the primitive log schoolhouse of early days William H. Lewis pursued his education, but his privileges in that direction were very meagre, as it was necessary that he provide for his own sup- port from early youth. He was a lad of but twelve years when he began working out by the month as a farm hand. Later he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a time, and then re- sumed agricultural pursuits. He purchased his present farm in 1883 and is now the owner of two hundred acres of very rich land, of which one hundred and forty acres are under cultivation. His home is pleasantly and conveniently located about a mile north of New Canton, and here he carries on general agricultural pursuits and stock- raising. The farm is well improved with good buildings, is well fenced and is equipped with modern accessories, and the latest improved farm machinery. He is practical in all that he does and systematic in his_ work, and moreover, his busi- ness integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his life record.
On the 14th of February, 1858, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Gard, who was born two miles southwest of Barry, February 28, 1842, her parents being Cyrenius and Nancy (Kidwell) Gard. Both were natives of Ohio, and at an early day they came to Pike county, settling in Barry township, where the father, who was a farmer by occupation, owned and improved two hundred and forty acres of land, being recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of his com- munity. In his family were twelve children : Dan- iel, deceased; Charles, who is living in Pleasant Vale township; Mrs. Lewis; Jasper and Martha, both deceased; Mary, a twin sister of Martha, and now a resident of New London, Missouri; Joel, who is living near Mexico, Missouri ; Pau- lina, deceased; Paulina, the second of the name, now residing in Nebraska; Jane, who has passed away; Henry, living in Pleasant Vale township; and Nancy, who has departed this life. The fa- ther died June 24, 1875, and the mother's death occurred on the 28th of January, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have lost their only child, Alice, who was born March 8, 1860, and died in August, 1865.
Mr. Lewis manifested his loyalty to his coun-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
try in the darkest hour of her history, for, in re- sponse to the call for troops to aid in the suppres- sion of the rebellion in the south, he enlisted in 1862 as a member of Company C, Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry. After serving for one year, however, he was discharged at Vicksburg on ac- count of physicial disability on the IIth of June, 1863. He held membership in the Amos Moore post, No. 684, G. A. R., of New Canton. In his political views he was a republican, and for many years he served as school director, and has also been road commissioner. His life exemplifies the term, "dignity of labor." Starting out upon his own account when only twelve years of age, he has worked diligently and persistently year after year. There have been discouragements and ob- stacles in his path, but as he has overcome these by his determination and energy and by the care- ful husbanding of his resources he was at length enabled to purchase land for himself and began farming on his own account. As the years have gone by he has prospered and is to-day one of the substantial agriculturists of his community who has gained not only a good farm property but also an honorable name.
CHARLES M. INGALLS.
Charles M. Ingalls, who since the 5th of March, 1901, has occupied the farm in New Salem town- ship which he now owns and operates, being very extensively engaged in general agricultural pur- suits and stock-raising, making a specialty of Cotswold sheep, was born in Perry township on the 20th of December, 1851, and was edu- cated in the Dexter school near his father's home. His parents were William M. and Rebecca (El- ledge) Ingalls, and are represented on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of D. W. Ingalls, a brother of our subject.
continued in active work upon the old farm homestead until twenty-three years of age and then started out in life on his own account. The occupation to which he was reared he chose as a life work and after carrying on farming for three years he turned his attention to the butchering business, opening a meat market in Perry, where he conducted his trade for two years. He then returned to farming in Perry township, where he continued until 1883 and in the fall of that year he went to Hall county, Nebraska, where he pur- chased eighty acres of wild prairie land. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the farm, but he commenced its cultivation and continued its improvement until the fall of 1890. In the autumn of 1884 he built a good house upon his farm and there lived for six years, during which time he placed his fields under a high state of cultivation and added many of the equipments and accessories of a model farm. In the year mentioned, however, he sold his property there and bought a quarter section of land in the same county. That tract was also wild and uncultivated and in the fall of 1891 he built another dwelling which he continued to occupy until the autumn of 1895. He then rented his land in Nebraska and returned to Perry, Pike county, Illinois, living in the town for a year. He then resumed farming, in which he continued for four years, when, having disposed of his property in Nebraska in February, 1900, he once more took up his abode in Perry, but in June of the same year he bought the farm upon which he now lives and located thereon on the 5th of March, 1901. Here he carries on general agri- cultural pursuits and also devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, having good grades of cattle, horses and hogs upon his place and in the year 1905 he added a fine drove of Cotswold sheep.
On the 13th of February, 1879, Mr. Ingalls was married to Miss Anna R. Parks, who was born May 8, 1853, in New Salem township and is a daughter of Jesseand Mary Jane (Cochran) Parks. Her father, who was born in Clermont county. Ohio, in October, 1822, died at the age of fifty- two years. Her mother, whose birth occurred
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Charles M. Ingalls in his boyhood days, for when not occu- pied with the duties of the schoolroom he was busy in the fields and thus gained a practical knowledge. of the best method of farming. He in Belmont county, Ohio, January 27, 1827, is
MRS. FRANCES SMITH WARD CAME TO PIKE COUNTY IN 1817
MISS ALICE LEWIS DIED, AGE FIVE YEARS
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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still living. This worthy couple were married in Griggsville, Illinois, on the 7th of June, 1848, and they became the parents of eight children, all of whom yet survive, namely : Josephine, who was born March 24, 1849, and is the wife of Eli Morgan, a resident of Carthage, Missouri; Anna R., now Mrs. Ingalls; William, who was born May 17, 1855, and married Rosa Johnson, their home being in Canada ; Elizabeth E., who was born September 10, 1857, and is the wife of Edward McGee, of Oklahoma; Stephen D., who was born March 13, 1860, and married Carrie Nickles, their home being in Barry; Emma E., born February 19, 1873; U. Franklin, of Mis- souri, who was born April 11, 1865, and married Anna Barnhart; and John R., who was born. August 23, 1868, and wedded Emma White. They reside in Lincoln, Illinois.
It was in the year 1848 that Mr. Parks, father of Mrs. Ingalls, began farming in Griggsville township, which pursuit he continued until 1861 with a fair degree of success. The following year in response to the first call for three months' troops to aid in the suppression of the rebellion in the south, he enlisted in defense of the Union cause, becoming a member of Company F, Nine- ty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served until the close of the war and his health was impaired by the hardships and exposure meted out to the soldier. Following his return there- fore he did not resume farming, but served as marshal of the village of Perry for four years, and his last days were passed in Quincy, Illinois. He voted with the republican party, having firm faith in the ultimate triumph of its principles and he held membership in Perry lodge, I. O. O. F. and in the Christian church.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls have been born four children : Walter R., born March 9, 1880, married Nellie Herbster and is living in Mount Sterling; Daisy L., born October 13, 1882, is the wife of Frank J. Stoner, a resident of Perry; Nina C., born April 18, 1883, died September 2, 1900; Mary E. born June 26, 1886, is the wife of Webber Hill.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls are members of the Pike County Mutual Insurance Company and he belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, his
membership being in Percival lodge, No. 428, at Perry. Since age gave him the right of fran- chise he has been a stalwart republican, always voting for the men who are pledged to support the principles of the party, yet never seeking or desiring office for himself. He has led a busy and useful life characterized by unfaltering dili- gence and his labors have been of a character that bring success . He is well known in the county where much of his life has been passed and is best liked wherever best known.
SYLVESTER W. THOMPSON.
Sylvester W. Thompson, who followed farm- ing in Pike county but is now deceased, was born in Greene county, Illinois, September 29, 1846, his parents being William and Mary Ann (Brooks) Thompson. The father came with his family to Pike coufity in 1849, settling in Milton, where they lived for fifteen years, on the expira- tion of which period "Mr. and Mrs. William Thompson removed to Kansas, spending their remaining days there. The father was a contrac- tor and builder, and throughout his life followed building operations.
Sylvester W. Thompson was educated at Mil- ton, and after attaining his majority began farm- ing on his own account. He was reared to that occupation, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil, caring for the crops and raising stock. After starting out in life upon an independent business career he rented land for a time and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Kansas. He later bought a quar- ter section additional, which his wife now owns. It was wild land ; and in addition to this he owned two lots in Arkansas City, Kansas, which are now in possession of his widow.
In 1874 Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Allen, a native of Detroit township, Pike county, born February 23, 1853. She was a daughter of Francis and Sarah (Burlend) Al- len. Her father was born in Ireland in 1829, and came to America when twenty-one years of age, settling in Detroit township, Pike county.
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The mother was born in England in 1828, and crossed the Atlantic with her parents, the family home being established in Detroit township in 1831, so that Mrs. Thompson is descended from two of the worthy pioneer families of this part of the state. Her grandfather was John Allen, an honored early settler, who purchased four hun- dred acres of land near Bethel. It was wild and unimproved, and was largely covered with heavy timber, but he at once began to clear away the trees, letting in the sunlight upon fields which he plowed and planted, and which in course of time became very productive. In the midst of the forest he built a log cabin, which was later de- stroyed by fire, and was then replaced by another log house. Pioneer conditions existed on every hand. Herds of wild deer were frequently seen, and the wolves were so numerous that he had to shut his sheep and hogs into pens in order to keep them from the ravages of the wild animals. He carried on farming on quite an extensive scale for those days, and became one of the prosperous and prominent agriculturists of his community. He aided, too, in the early pioneer development of this part of the state, and his efforts were of value in bringing about modern conditions of improvement and progress. In his family were eight children. He died in Detroit township at the venerable age of eighty-eight years, while his wife passed away at the advanced age of sev- enty-eight years.
Francis Allen, father of Mrs. Thompson, spent the entire period of his manhood in Pike county, and engaged in farming in Detroit township, where he owned and operated two hundred and forty acres of land. He was a democrat in his political views ; and he and his wife were members of the Methodist church. They were people of genuine personal worth, esteemed for their many good qualities, for he was reliable in business transactions, progressive in citizenship and loyal to the ties of home and friendship.
Mrs. Thompson was educated in the common schools of Pike county, and by her marriage be- came the mother of one son, Jesse Thompson, who was born March 12, 1881. After mastering the elementary branches of learning he continued his studies in the high school of Pittsfield and in
Illinois College at Jacksonville from which he was graduated in 1902 as a member of a class of twenty-one. He was thus well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties ; and he is now operating the home farm, carrying on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. The farm is pleasantly located and comprises a tract of rich and productive land of eighty-six and a half acres on section 35, Pittsfield township. It is only about a mile and three-quarters south of Pittsfield, and is very advantageously located. They also 'own twenty acres of land in Martins- burg township, and all of this property was left to Mrs. Thompson by her mother. Mr. Thomp- son was a member of the Modern Woodmen camp of Pittsfield and at his death left to his widow an insurance of two thousand dollars. He was en- ergetic and enterprising in his business affairs, and at all times was strictly straightforward in his dealings, so that he won not only a gratifying measure of success but also a good name, thus leaving to his family a priceless heritage, for as· the Psalmist has said, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." He passed away April 18, 1894. Mrs. Thompson attends the Methodist church; and she and her son still re- side upon the homestead farm. They have a wide and favorable acquaintance in the county; and Mrs. Thompson is one of the native daughters, having spent her entire life here. She repre- sents two of the prominent pioneer families of this section of the state who in the early days were closely associated with early development and progress.
JOHN R. WALKER.
John R. Walker, well known as a breeder and raiser of fine sheep, was born in Griggsville town- ship, Pike county, in January, 1847, and is of English lineage. His father, Robert Walker, was born in England, and came alone from that country to America, when seventeen years of age, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which dropped anchor in the harbor of New Orleans. He remained for ten years in the Crescent city and vicinity, rafting logs from up the river down
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to New Orleans and employing a number of negroes, whom he secured by buying their serv- ices from their masters. When a decade had passed he removed to Pike county, Illinois, and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government northeast of Griggsville. Here he built a home and sent for his married sister, Mrs. Wilson, to join him. Beginning at once the work of developing and improving his property, he broke the wild prairie and cultivated his land. Later he sold the property to his sister and en- tered one hundred and sixty acres adjoining his original claim on the north. This was also wild and unimproved. He erected thereon another residence; and he built the first barn with a cellar in the community. As a companion and help- mate for life's journey he chose a Miss Wade, and they became the parents of three children: Thomas, Elizabeth and Rebecca, all of whom are yet living. After a time he sold his second farm `and bought two hundred acres of land south'of Perry, on which a part of the village of Perry now stands, and after selling that property to William Ward he bought one hundred and forty- five acres of prairie land and eighty acres of tim- ber land. He owned at one time seven hundred and twenty acres of land; and he was extensively engaged in breeding and raising hogs and horses, being a lover of fine animals. He retired from the farm in 1855, when he removed to Perry, where he spent his last years in honorable re- tirement from further labor. He never sought or desired public office, but was a stanch repub- lican and a liberal and earnset supporter of the party. He cut from his land a Lincoln flagstaff and assisted in raising it in Perry. In 1857 he joined the Christian church, of which he contin- ued a loyal member up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1861, when he was in the six- ty-sixth year of his age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Scott, was born in Ten- nessee, and died in 1874, in the sixty-fifth year of her age. They were married in Griggsville town- ship; and in their family were six children, of whom two are living, John and James.
The brothers were educated in the public schools; and when nineteen years of age, John R. Walker and his brother James began farming
for themselves on one hundred and eighty acres of land. They continued in business together until 1873, when they dissolved partnership, each taking one hundred and sixty acres of land. Upon this tract John R. Walker has since carried on general agricultural pursuits, and in addition to his farm in Fairmount township he has one hun- dred and forty acres in Perry township. He and . his brother brought to Pike county the first polled Angus cattle, and also engaged quite ex- tensively in breeding fine horses. Mr. Walker of this review sent to England for four Oxford Down sheep, and has since made a specialty of breeding, raising and selling registered sheep. He has also displayed his sheep at different fairs, where he has won a number of prizes; and he is one of the stockholders of the Illinois Valley Fair Association. He is an excellent judge of fine stock, his judgment rarely, if ever, being at fault in determining the value of an animal; and through his stock-raising interests he has done much to improve the grade of cattle, sheep and horses raised in this part of the state, thereby contributing to the general prosperity.
On the 21st of November, 1869, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Mary F. Barlow, who was born May 11, 1848, a daughter of Frank B. and Elizabeth (Walker) Barlow, both natives of Robinson county, Kentucky. They were mar- ried there, and with two children they came to Illinois, settling first near Farmington in Fulton county in 1847. There Mr. Barlow carried on general farming until 1860, when he removed to Pike county, settling near Fish Hook, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death. He passed away Novem- ber 26, 1862, and his wife died September 28, 1860. They were the parents of seven children, of whom five are now living :. Mrs. Martha J. Greenleaf, Mrs. Walker, Tabitha E., James A. and Margaret.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker have four children: Nel- lie F., who was born September 16, 1870, and is the wife of Alec Chenoweth ; Robert L., who was born August 1, 1872; Ila M., who was born April 5, 1875, and was married February 5, 1893, to Harvey Witham, her death occurring November II, 1898; and Charles A., born May 26, 1884.
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Mr. Walker has served as supervisor of Fair- mount township for two terms, and was road commissioner for fifteen years, while his son Rob- ert has become his successor in that office. The father was also township treasurer for four years, and the son is now filling that position at the present time. Mr. Walker belongs to Perry lodge, No. 95, A. F. & A. M., having been identified with the craft since attaining his majority. He also belongs to Perry chapter, No. 165, R. A. M., and has been president of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. He always votes with the repub- lican party ; and he and his family are members of the Christian church. In matters of citizen- ship he is deeply interested, and any movement or plan for the public good receives his endorse- ment and co-operation. His business interests have been capably managed and his keen sagacity and unfaltering diligence have been resultant fac- tors in winning for him the confidence which he now enjoys.
EDWIN W. BRISCOE.
Edwin W. Briscoe, of Pleasant Hill, is a veteran of the great Civil war, in which he val- iantly fought for the old flag of the Union. He is a native son of Pike county, his birth having occurred in Martinsburg township, January 31, 1843. His father, Edward Briscoe, was a native of Kentucky, born in 1810. He came to Illinois when a young man in 1828, and was married in McDonough county to Miss Nancy Ann Hardin, a native of Kentucky. Later he became a resi- dent of Pike county, following the occupation of farming in Martinsburg township, where he reared his family and spent his last years, passing away on the 27th of August, 1855, when in the prime of life. In the family were three sons and a daughter: H. H. Briscoe, of Martinsburg; E. W., of this review ; and Tom I. Briscoe, of Colo- rado. The daughter is Mrs. Margaret E. Ste- ward.
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Edwin W. Briscoe was reared in the county of his nativity and remained with his mother until twenty years of age. On the 8th of October, 1864, he responded to the country's call for
troops, enlisting as a member of Company C, Ninety-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he went to the south. Not long afterward he was taken ill and was in the hos- pital at Memphis with measles. Later pneumonia set in, and he came near to death, but eventually he recovered and rejoined his regiment in April, 1865, at Mobile, Alabama, continuing with the command until the succeeding autumn, when he was honorably discharged at New Orleans. He was a faithful soldier, always found at his post of duty save when ill in the hospital ; and he never wavered in his allegiance to the stars and stripes.
Following his return to the north, Mr. Briscoe engaged in work by the month as a farm hand for several years. In 1869 he went to southwest- ern Missouri, where he operated a farm, and in 1870 he removed to Kansas, where he followed the same pursuit. He was married in the Sun- flower state on the 21st of May, 1874, to Miss Clementine Beasley, a native of Marion county, Illinois, and a daughter of Wesley and Rachel Beasley, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Tennessee. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Briscoe located in Greene county, Missouri, where they remained for a year and then removed to Chautauqua county, where they resided until 1880. In that year they went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, for the benefit of Mr. Briscoe's health, continuing at that point 'for four years, after which they returned to Spring- field, Missouri, where for six years and seven months he was employed in the railroad shops of the Frisco Company. On the expiration of that period he again came to Pike county, Illinois, settling at Pleasant Hill, where he purchased a lot and built a residence.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Briscoe have been born three children : Maude, who is a proficient nurse and resides in St. Louis, Missouri; Daisy, the wife of William Cragmiles, of Pleasant Hill, by whom she has three children, Maudie, Claudie and Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. Briscoe also lost a son, Claude, who died at the age of twelve years. In his political views Mr. Briscoe is a republican, having given stalwart support to the party since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, while on a furlough
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home. He and his wife and daughters are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church; and he belongs to the Grand Army post. He takes a deep interest in church work, and also in the fra- ternal organization with which he is connected and is an esteemed representative of both. His good qualities of heart and mind have won him the respect of those with whom he has come in contact, and he enjoys in large measure the warm esteem of many friends.
WILLIAM S. BARKLEY.
William S. Barkley, deceased, was well known in agricultural circles in Pike county for many years. The broad prairies of Illinois have offered splendid opportunities to the farmer and stock- raiser, and many fortunes have been won through the cultivation of the soil or through pasturing large herds upon the rich meadow lands of Illi- nois. Mr. Barkley is among the number who in this line of activity have won success. He was a native of Ross county, Ohio, born on the 4th of July, 1842, and his parents were Henry J. and Mary (Snyder) Barkley, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was born in 1816 and the mother October 29, 1812. They became residents of Pike county in 1850, at which time their son William was but a small lad. Their first home was about two miles north of Barry, and later they removed to a farm two and a half miles northeast of Barry, where they lived for about forty years, being well known as early and representative citizens of the community. When four decades had passed they left Illinois and went to Bentonville, Arkansas, where the father lived retired until his death, which occurred Janu- ary 27, 1892, when he was in his seventy-seventh year. His widow survived him for about nine years, passing away on the 7th of February, 1901. He was a stone-cutter by trade, but after coming to Illinois turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits, and at the time of his death was the owner of three hundred acres of rich and valuable land in Pike county. While living in this county he successfully and extensively engaged in stock-
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