USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 74
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Mr. and Mrs. Gray and their family are de- voted members of the Methodist church, to which he is a liberal contributor ; and he gives his po- litical support to the prohibition party, but was formerly a democrat. He has served as school director, assessor and collector ; and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and improve- ment of his community. He is also devoted to the welfare of his family, and his efforts in their behalf have been far-reaching and beneficial. It is no unusual thing in this country for a man to work his way upward from a humble position to one of affluence, but each one who does this de- serves commendation; for it shows his strength of character, his earnest purpose and unremitting diligence. Realizing that those qualities consti- tute the basis of financial advancement, Mr. Gray directed his efforts along those lines, and found that they were substantial elements for the build- ing of prosperity. In the community where he resides he is popular; and he has a wide and fa-
vorable acquaintance throughout the county. Moreover, he is numbered among its pioneer settlers, having through sixty years resided within its borders. This has covered almost the entire period of its development and progress; and the changes which have been wrought have trans- formed it from a wild frontier region into a thickly settled district, giving every evidence of progress and prosperity. His memory goes back to the time when much of the farm labor was done by hand, when travel was by private conveyance or by stage and when few of the comforts and luxuries now common were to be enjoyed. His father broke his land with nine yoke of oxen; and hauled his grain to Hannibal, which city, in those early days, was the nearest market. His mind forms a connecting link between the primi- tive past and the progressive present ; and no man rejoices more sincerely in what has been accom- plished, as the years have gone by, than does Thomas B. Gray.
SYLVESTER S. GAINES.
Sylvester S. Gaines is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty-five acres in the midst of which stands a fine home. This place is located on sections 18 and 19, Barry township, and its well improved appearance indicates his careful supervision. He was born in Kinder- hook township, July 25, 1860, and was educated in the public schools, and in a business college at Hannibal, Missouri. His parents were Samuel B. and Mary A. (Fitzpatrick) Gaines. The fa- ther is the owner of a large farm in Kinderhook township. He was born in Otsego county, New York, April 19, 1821, and was a son of Ebene- zer Gaines, a pioneer of that district, who was a native of Kentucky, in which state he was reared. He wedded Ann Blakesley, also a native of Con- necticut. They were married in Hartford county, and afterward removed to New York, where Ebe- nezer Gaines followed farming until his death, at the age of thirty-five years. In his family were six children, three sons and three daughters. Of this number Samuel B. Gaines was the fourth
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child and third son. He remained in the Empire state until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Ohio, where he engaged in the clock business for a time. Subsequently he continued in the same line in Tennessee for eighteen months. After his return to Ohio, he was married in June, 1844, to Miss Margaret M. Twaddle, a native of Huron county, Ohio. They came to Pike county soon afterward; and Mrs. Gaines died here March 6, 1849. Mr. Gaines afterward wedded Mary Fitz- patrick, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 8, 1831, and in 1838 came to Pike county with her parents, Thomas and Lydia Fitz- patrick, who were pioneer settlers of Kinder- hook township. In their family were ten chil- dren. Mrs. Gaines was reared in the usual man- ner of the pioneer times; and her education was acquired in a log schoolhouse.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Gaines had two sons and four daughters, namely: E. N. Gaines, of Kinderhook, Illinois; Minnie Jeffries, of Monroe City, Missouri; Mrs. A. J. Ligett, of Barry, Illi- nois; Mrs. J. W. Clutch, Kinderhook, Illinois ; Miss Lydia A. Gaines, Kinderhook, Illinois.
It was in 1846 that Samuel Gaines arrived in Illinois; and the following year he was joined by his wife, their home being established on sec- tion 26, Kinderhook township, on a tract of land of one hundred and ninety acres. There he re- sided until 1860, when he turned his attention to merchandising in the village of Kinderhook, at the same time carrying on his farming pursuits. As his financial resources increased he made ex- tensive investments in land; and at one time had six hundred acres, but has since disposed of much of this at a good price, still retaining, however, three hundred and thirty-seven and a half acres. He likewise handled grain; and this proved a good business undertaking. His farm is well equipped with all modern accessories and con- veniences ; and he has an attractive home in Kin- derhook, beside four other dwellings and a sub- stantial store building. His life has been one of untiring industry and enterprise, and though he started out in life empty-handed, he is now one of the substantial residents of the county. In all of his business dealings he has been straight- forward and honorable, and in public life has
manifested the utmost loyalty to the trust reposed in him. He has been called to various township offices, and has been for many years postmaster of Kinderhook. He belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, votes with the republican party and is one of the leading members of the Baptist church, in which he has long held office.
Sylvester S. Gaines was reared under the pa- ternal roof, attended the public schools, and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On the 28th of December, 1883, he married Miss Frances Grubb, a daughter of LaFayette and Temperance (Coleman) Grubb. Her father was born in Ken- tucky in 1818, and died in June, 1893, while his wife, who was born in Virginia in 1818, passed away in May, 1892. He was a son of the Hon. Alfred Grubb, one of the first settlers of Pike county. LaFayette Grubb came to. this county with his parents when a young lad, and later re- moved to Peru, LaSalle county, Illinois, where he married and followed his trade as a plasterer and stone mason. At one time he was the owner of a half block in the city of Peru. Unto him and his wife were born four daughters: Isabelle, the wife of William Morrow, a resident of Peru, Illi- nois; Emma, the wife of Wilson J. Morrow, also of that city; Angeline, the wife of Leonard Frink, of Peru; and Mrs. Gaines, who was born October 26, 1858.
After Mr. Gaines had completed his education, he worked for his father, clerking in a store. In 1881 he purchased forty acres of land, and car- ried on farming on the old homestead. Subse- quent to his marriage, he added to his landed pos- sessions until at the present time he owns two hundred and forty-five acres, which he is cultivat- ing. He has his fields well tilled; and he annually harvests good crops. He has built a fine resi- dence, in the rear of which stand good barns and other outbuildings; and the farm is pleasantly lo- cated three-fourths of a mile east of Kinderhook. He is a breeder of Belgian draft horses, and also the Bashaw stock of fine drivers, Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs. He is like- wise a buyer and feeder of cattle and as a stock man has become well known. He also has a large commercial orchard in section 18.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gaines has been born one daughter, Irma A., born October 6, 1891. In his political views Mr. Gaines is a republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Kinderhook, and he belongs to Kinderhook lodge, No. 757, I. O. O. F., in which he has acted as noble grand, while both he and his wife are members of Chrysanthemum lodge, No. 133, of the Re- bekah degree. He has acted as road commissioner, but otherwise has held no office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business affairs, and is a well known farmer of the community who has worked diligently and persistently as the years have gone by until success crowned his efforts and he is the owner of a good and productive property.
WILLIAM L. OAKLEY.
to Ohio, they became pioneer settlers of Meigs county. The paternal grandfather, Daniel Oakley, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Bennett Oakley followed the occupation of farming and and also owned and operated a sawmill, being thus connected with industrial as well as agricul- tural pursuits in his home locality. He developed a good farm in Meigs county, reared his family thereon and gave his attention to the tilling of the soil for a long period. He reached the very advanced age of ninety-three years and his wife survived him for ten years, being about the same age at the time of her demise. In their family were ten children, nine of whom reached adult age, but only five are now living, namely : Mrs. Mary Armstrong, of Kansas; Mrs. Abigail
William L. Oakley, living in Pleasant Hill, was for years a prosperous farmer and stock- raiser, but is now living retired. He has lived in this county since 1867, having arrived here when about twenty-eight years of age. His birth occurred in Meigs county, Ohio, on the 23d of September, 1839, his parents being Bennett and Phebe (Humphry) Oakley, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, where they were reared and married. Removing westward . several years. During that time he carefully saved his earnings and then purchased seventy acres of land, after which he began the improve- ment of this property which he transformed into a highly cultivated tract. He has built upon this a good house, has fenced the place, has planted an orchard and in connection with the tilling of the soil he raised and fed stock. In 1891, how- ever, he sold the farm and removed to Pleasant Hill, where he purchased a lot and erected a neat substantial residence, which he now occupies.
Anderson, also of Kansas; Lucian and Orion, both of Missouri.
William L. Oakley of this review spent the days of his boyhood upon the old home farm in Meigs county, Ohio. His educational privileges were quite limited, but his training at farm labor was not meager and he continued to assist in the work of the fields until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when in August, 1862, he res- ponded to his country's call for aid, enlisting in Company B, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. A large part of this com- pany was made up in the schoolroom and the teacher, Edwin Keyes, was elected captain. Mr. Oakley participated in the battle of Morefield and was afterward on detached duty. Becoming ill with measles he was sent to the hospital at Cumberland, Maryland, and later was honor- ably discharged in May, 1863, on account of physical disability.
Returning to his home in Ohio, where he re- cuperated, Mr. Oakley was then married in No- vember, 1864, to Miss Sarah Griffin, who was born, reared and educated in Athens county, Ohio. Her father, Daniel Griffin, was also a native of that county and was married there to Rhoda Fleak, who was also born in the Buckeye state. Following his marriage Mr. Oakley re- sided in Ohio for two years and in 1867 came to Illinois, settling in Pike county, where he engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm for
Unto Mr. and Mrs Oakley have been born three children : Charles, who was postmaster at Pleas- ant Hill about thirteen years resigning on account of poor health and is now living in the state of Washington; Lucian E., who is married to Archie R. Taylor, of St. Louis, Missouri, and follows
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furniture and undertaking business in Pleasant Hill; and Clarence, who was married to Winona Harvey, of Nebo, Illinois, and holds a position in the Pleasant Hill post office. They have one son, Everett E. The family have long occupied an enviable position in social circles in this com- munity.
Politically Mr. Oakley is a republican and his sons have followed in his footsteps in this direct- ion. He has been without aspiration for office, however, preferring that his time and energies should be given to other interests. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Pleasant Hill and he holds relations with the Knights of Honor, the Modern Wood- men and the Grand Army post at Pleasant Hill. He is one of the few surviving veterans of the Civil war and he takes great pleasure in meeting with his old army comrades around the camp fires held by the post in this village. In a review of his life work it is seen that his chief character- istics have been commendable and that in his relations with his fellowmen he has never been neglectful of the duties nor obligations which devolve upon him. He has taken life seriously, has performed his full share of the world's work and as a citizen and business man has made a creditable record. Now in the evening of life he is enabled to enjoy a well earned rest amid the comforts and luxuries which go to make life worth living.
GEORGE E. GRAY.
George E. Gray, one of the enterprising and progressive young business men of New Canton, owns and controls a good lumberyard and at the same time has valuable farming interests in the county. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, Janu- ary 10, 1881, and is the adopted son of Eugene and Lydia Gray, natives of this county. Eugene Gray was born in Barry in September, 1839, and for a number of years prior to his death was the oldest native citizen of the town. He was de- scended from one of the early New England fam- ilies, tracing his ancestry back to John Gray, who was born in Salem, Connecticut, in 1704, and who
was the father of Daniel Gray, whose birth oc- curred in the same state in 1757. The latter became a resident of Rensselaer county, New York, where Thomas Gray, father of Eugene Gray, was born in 1812, being the youngest in a family of thirteen children. In that county he was married to Mary F. Crandall, whose birth occurred in the same lo- cality in 1820, and for more than a half century they traveled life's journey together, rearing a family of three sons and seven daughters. On leaving New York Thomas Gray came at once to Pike county, Illinois, traveling by canal, lake and river after the primitive manner of those early times. He began business in Barry as a general farmer, and for many years was actively associ- ated with the agricultural development of this part of the state.
Eugene Gray was reared in Barry and in early life began teaching but subsequently turned his attention to clerking and to various other business pursuits, but when his capital justified his pur- chase of a store he began business on his own ac- count in Barry, thus continuing a representative of trade interests until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered his services to the government, be- coming one of the boys in blue of the Sixty- eighth Illinois Infantry in 1862. He was after- ward a member of the Twenty-Eighth Illinois In- fantry and he continued at the front until April, 1866, when he was mustered out at Brownsville, Texas, being honorably discharged at Springfield. He participated in a number of engagements and sieges, the last being that of Mobile and he was ever a faithful soldier, unfaltering in his loyalty to the old flag and the cause it represented.
When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Gray returned to his home and resumed the pursuits of agricultural life and until 1867 busied himself as a teacher and clerk. He next entered into partnership with W. H. Odiorne and at the end of a year he sold out to Mr. M. D. Massie but remained in the store as a clerk. A year later he entered into partnership with Mr. Massie and they continued the business together with grati- fying success until 1883, when Mr. Gray sold out with the intention of going west but he did not find a favorable location and returned to New
EUGENE GRAY
LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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Canton, again becoming a merchant of the town. He prospered as a representative of commercial interests and in other business lines as well. He sold railroad ties for a number of years, employ- ing on an average of thirty men in getting out these ties and he had full control of the trade for the Quincy & Louisiana branch of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.
In 1860 Mr. Gray cast his first presidential bal- lot for Abraham Lincoln and continued a stanch republican, serving twice as a delegate to the state conventions, while his opinions carried weight and influence in the local councils of his party. He filled the office of supervisor and treasurer of Pleasant Vale township and was also postmaster of New Canton. Socially he was con- nected with the Odd Fellows lodge at Barry, with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Grand Army of the Republic and of all these was an exemplary and valued representative. His wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. On the 8th of January. 1878, Mr. Gray was married to Lydia R. Ware, who was born in Barry, February 28, 1847, and acquired her education in the public schools here, her parents being Isaac and Mary Ware, who in 1839 became residents of this locality. Mr. Ware was born in New Jersey but was reared in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, where he learned the shoemaker's trade and his death occurred in Barry in 1876. His wife, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, spent her girlhood days in that city and in Philadel- phia. Mrs. Gray was the tenth in order of birth in a family of eleven children. She had no chil- dren of her own but reared an adopted daughter and son, Jennie and George E. Gray. The latter was but eight months old when brought by his foster parents to Pike county and here he was reared and in their home received every care and attention that would have been bestowed upon an own child, his warmest affection therefore being aroused for his foster parents. As he grew in age and knowledge he became associated with Mr. Gray in his business enterprises and is his successor in different lines of trade here. He is now the proprietor of a large and well equipped lumberyard and receives in this line a good pat- ronage, while at the same time he gives careful
supervision to his farming interests, which are represented by many acres, constituting a splen- did farm which is well improved. Both branches of his business are returning him a gratifying income and he is justly accounted one of the active and enterprising men of New Canton.
On the 15th of April, 1902, he was married to Miss Maude E. Myers, a daughter of William Myers, Jr., one of the practical and prosperous farmers of Barry township. His parents were William and Mary (Wike) Myers and his grand- father and great-grandfather both bore the name of Jacob Myers. The last mentioned was supposed to have been a native of Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, whence he removed to Cumberland county, where he developed a farm and carried on blacksmithing. He was married to Margaret Marat and their son, Jacob Myers, was born in Cumberland county in 1795. Ultimately he be- came the owner of the old farm homestead there, upon which he resided until 1848, when he came to Pike county, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-six years. He married Lydia Lyne, a daughter of William Lyne, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where her death occurred.
William Myers, Sr., grandfather of Mrs. Gray, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, . July 15, 1819, and came to Illinois in 1848, living in New Salem township for five years and then removed to the farm upon which William Myers, Jr., now resides. He was married in 1844 to Miss Mary Wike, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of George and Mary Wike. Thus the Myers family became identified with the history of the county in early pioneer times. William Myers, Jr., has always devoted his attention to general agricultural pur- suits, living coninuously in Pike county with the exception of one year spent in the stock business in Texas. He has good farming interests in Barry and Pleasant Vale townships and is one of the representative agriculturists of the locality. In 1880 he married Pauline Bright who was born in Pike county, October 2, 1858, a daughter of William and Rosella (Osburg) Bright. Mr. and Mrs. Myers became the parents of five chil- dren, the second daughter being Maude, now the
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wife of George Gray, of New Canton. They now have an interesting little son, William Elliott. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gray have many warm friends in this locality and their attractive home is justly celebrated for its warm-hearted and gracious hospitality.
DELBERT S. KENNEDY.
Delbert S. Kennedy, a native son of Pike county, was born on the 2d of August, 1865, and is a son of John Kennedy, for many years a representative and well known citizen of this part of the state where he took up his abode in pioneer times. He was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1802, his par- ents being Gilbert and Jane (Aptleby) Kennedy, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. When only seven years of age Gilbert Kennedy was brought to the United States by his parents, who located in Pennsylvania, where he was reared. Following his marriage he lived in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, until his death, which occured when he was more than ninety-five years of age, and his wife trav- eled to a similar extent upon the journey of life. They were faithful members of the Presbyterian church.
John Kennedy was the eldest son in his father's family and was reared to farm life. He also followed teaming in early manhood and operated a stage line in Illinois for some years after his arrival here in 1836. He was well known in different parts of the state in this con- nection his most important route, however, being between Quincy and Naples. Later he concen- trated his energies upon the improvement of a farm in Griggsville township, purchasing a tract of land on which the work of cultivation had scarcely been begun when it came into his pos- session. His farm comprised three hundred and twenty acres and he devoted his time and energies to its improvement until his death, which occurred October 3, 1883. Mr. Kennedy was married in early manhood to Miss Sarah J. Morrow, whose birth occurred in Franklin county, Penn-
sylvania, February 16, 1822, her parents being Michael and Elizabeth (Stark) Morrow, who were natives of New Jersey and were of Irish lineage. They removed to Franklin county, Ohio, when young people and were married there, after which they located upon a farm. Mrs. Morrow died in 1850, at the age of sixty-three years, in the faith of the Presbyterian church of which she was a devoted member. Following her death Mr. Morrow came to Illinois, spending his last days in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Kennedy, and passed away in 1852, at the age of sixty-four years. He voted with the democracy and was a member of the Presbyterian church. His daughter, Mrs. Kennedy, was carefully reared and in her early life acquired a good education which qualified her for teaching, which profession she followed for several years in Penn- sylvania, and also subsequent to her removal to Pike county, which occurred when she was twenty-three years of age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church; and he voted with the republican party. They became the parents of nine chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy. The others are: Calvin A., who married Miss Ida Ingalsbe and resides in Missouri, where he follows farm- ing; James M., who wedded Mary Wheeler and lives in New Salem township; Nancy, living at home; Hardin J., who wedded Mary Belle Syphers and lives in Moscow, Idaho; Albert, who married Ella Schaffner and resides in Mays- ville, Pike county; Oliver, who wedded Maggie Elliot and makes his home in Brown county, Illinois; Stanton, who married Orpha Dunham and his living in Griggsville; and Delbert S., of this review.
In the public schools of Pike county Delbert S. Kennedy acquired his education and upon the home farm has always remained. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Kansas in addition to a valuable tract of land of three hundred and ten acres in Griggsville township, to which he gives his personal supervision and attention. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and he also buys, feeds and ships stock. He is living upon the home place with his mother and sister Nancy and he manages the
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home property, which returns a good income, large crops being annually harvested, in return for the care and labor bestowed upon the fields. Mr. Kennedy is a repub- lican in politics and he is a member of the Orient Anti-Horse Thief Association. In his business affairs he has been very successful, being watch- ful of every opportunity pointing to prosperity and his earnest and well directed labors have made him one of the foremost farmers of this part of the state.
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