USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 94
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NELSON McCANN.
Nelson McCann, a veteran of the Civil war residing in Rockport, was born in Jackson county, Ohio, March 17, 1833, and is a son of James and Polly (Thompson) McCann. The father was a native of Virginia, where he carried on business as a planter, but his last days were spent in White county, Illinois, and his remains were interred at Carmi, White county. His wife died when their son Nelson was but three weeks old and the place of her burial is unknown to him.
When about nine years of age Nelson McCann was bound out to John Pyles, of White county,
Illinois, previous to his coming to Pike county. He was to serve until twenty-one years of age, but he remained with Mr. Pyles only until his eleventh year, when he ran away and hired out as a steamboat employe on the Pike No. 9. He was thus engaged for about three years, after which he went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he secured employment on the plantation of Levi Lorance, with whom he continued for about four years, being engaged in general work on the plantation. In 1858 he returned northward, making his way to Pittsfield, and soon he secured employment with John Coulter, a farmer, with whom he remained for nearly three years, or until after the outbreak of the Civil war.
Mr. McCann had watched with interest the progress of events in the south and had noted the dissatisfaction manifested among the slave holders and resolved that if a blow was struck to overthrow the Union he would stand for its defense. Accordingly after the inauguration of hostilities he enlisted and became a member of Company B, Third Missouri Volunteer Cavalry in April, 1862. He then took part in the battles of Kirkville, Missouri, Moores Mill and various skirmishes and was mustered out at Macon, Mis- souri, where he received an honorable discharge on the 6th of June, 1865, after more than three year's active connection with the army. At the end of the war he returned to Rockport and on account of a wound sustained at Pattersonville, Missouri, which incapacitated him for further labor he has largely lived retired since that time, the government granting him a pension.
In April, 1861, Mr. McCann was united in marriage to Martha (McMullen) Roan, the widow of Jacob Roan, of Rockport, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Lavina McMullen. Unto then have been born five children: John, de- ceased ; Mary, who is the wife of J. C. Wilson, of Rockport, and has six children, Ernest, Ida, Louis, Goldie, Mattie and Hugh Wilson; Hen- rietta, the wife of W. J. Petty, by whom she has two children, Maud and Nelson Petty; General Francis McCann, who is deceased, and, like his brother John, was laid to rest in the Taylor cemetery near Rockport; and William McCann, who married Ida Hilman and had seven children,
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of whom five are living-Nelson, George, Mary, Paul and Martha. The two deceased died un- named in infancy and were buried in the Taylor cemetery. Mr. McCann of this review now has thirteen living grandchildren. He and his es- timable wife reside in Rockport, the former at the age of seventy-two years and the latter at the age of seventy-one. They have now traveled life's journey together for forty-five years, shar- ing with each other its hardships, its joys, its adversity and prosperity, its sorrows and its hap- piness. They are highly esteemed by all who know them and Mr. McCann is a worthy mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, thus maintaining pleasant relationship with his old army comrades.
WILLIAM H. YOKEM.
William H. Yokem, devoting his attention to farming in Ross township, is part owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres of fine bottom land. In the ownership and con- trol of this property he is associated with his brothers, J. D. and S. O. Yokem. He was born in Atlas township, May 30, 1874, a son of Henry F. and Hattie A. (Weaver) Yokem. The father .died in October, 1890, and was laid to rest in the Wells graveyard but the mother is still surviving and resides at Pleasant Hill with her youngest son, Solomon O. Yokem. There were five chil- dren in the family. Zula, who died in infancy and was buried in the Wells graveyard near Pleasant Hill; William H., of this review; Catherine B .; Jesse D .; and Solomon O.
William H. Yokem acquired his education in the district schools of Atlas and Ross townships. He was reared upon his father's farm and as- sisted him in the work of cultivating the land and caring for the crops until his eighteenth year, at which time the father died. He then took charge of the property, so continuing until his twenty- fifth year, during which time his grandfather, William Yokem, died and deeded three hundred and twenty acres of land to our subject, his two brothers and his sister. The brothers then pur-
chased the sister's interest and are now the own- ers of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Pike county. Mr. Yokem of this review also con- ducted this farm as well as the home farm up to the time of his marriage.
On the 24th of December, 1899, occurred the marriage of William H. Yokem and Miss Jennie E. Thompson, a daughter of James B. and Mary L. (Mooney) Thompson. The father is a native of Pike county, where he has spent his entire life and at the present is engaged in farm duties on our subject's farm. He is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen camp and the Mutual Protective League and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Unto him and his wife were born two children, Mrs. Yokem and her sis- ter Laura, who was born September 23, 1886, and died April 19, 1893, her remains being in- terred in the Balls Bluff cemetery near Atlas, Illinois. The mother, Mrs. Thompson, is a native of Tennessee and is now making her home in St. Louis.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Yokem have been born four children, two sons and two daughters, name- ly : Solomon, born November 26, 1900 ; Hallie B., born June 14, 1902; Mary, December 26, 1903 ; and Henry, on the 4th of September, 1905.
Politically Mr. Yokem is a republican, who has always been identified with the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His attention has ever been given to his farm work and his agricultural interests are capably man- aged, the farm being a valuable property well improved.
WILLIAM P. SARGENT.
William P. Sargent is one of the old settlers of Bedford deserving honorable mention in the pages 'of Pike county's history. He was born December 31, 1824, in Worcester county, Massachusetts, and has therefore passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. His parents were William and Polly (Frost) Sargent. The father was born, reared and educated in Worcester county, Massa- chusetts, and afterward turned his attention to
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farming, devoting his time and energies to that pursuit for ten years. When his son William P. was a youth of twelve years he removed with his family to Illinois, settling at Summer Hill, Pike county, where he rented a farm, carrying on general agricultural pursuits in that locality up to the time of his death, which occurred about a half mile from Bedford, when he was fifty- three years of age, his remains being interred in Bedford cemetery. His wife also died at the same place and her grave was made by the side of her husband's remains. She was sixty-three years of age at the time of her demise.
William P. Sargent acquired his early educa- tion in the public schools of his native county and continued his studies in Summer Hill. He was reared to farm life and in 1856 he went to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he secured em- ployment as a farm hand, remaining there for seven weeks. He was afterward similarly em- ployed by Elijah Burnham, of Pike county, with whom he continued for three months, when he entered the employ of Cyrus H. Chandler, with whom he remained until 1854. In the meantime he married Mr. Chandler's daughter, Eliza E. Chandler, the wedding being celebrated on the 5th of January, 1853. Her great-grandfather, David Chandler, was at the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, in Canada. He was sitting at the breakfast table when a British offi- cer came and notified him to join the British ranks or else leave for the United States. He abruptly quitted the table without finishing his breakfast and at once came to this country, where his descendants have since remained as worthy residents of the United States. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Sargent were David and Hannah (Abbott) Chandler, and the former built the second saw and grist mill in Pike county, its location being on Six Mile creek. He died in 1845. while his wife passed away in 1848, and both were buried in the Bethel graveyard at Martinsburg. The parents of Mrs. Sargent were Silas A. and Laura K. (Coleman) Chandler, who were married March 5, 1835. Her father was engaged in milling and farming up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was fifty-two years of age. His wife also passed away in
Bedford and was laid to rest by his side in Bed- ford cemetery. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Silas Chan- dler were born seven children: Harriet E., now Mrs. Sargent; David, deceased, who was laid to rest on the old homestead farm near Summer Hill; Josiah C .; Hannah M., who died and was buried in Bedford cemetery ; Silas E .; Mary A., whose remains were also interred in Bedford cemetery ; and John W. Chandler.
Following his marriage Mr. Sargent built a home in Bedford and afterward worked in his father-in-law's mill there for several years. He assisted in laying the foundation as well as build- ing the mill, doing this work in 1852. During that time he was also a partner in a general mer- cantile store in Time, so continuing for six months, after which he sold his interest. He next turned his attention to flat-boating on the Illinois river but after two months returned to the mill, with which he was connected for several years or until the death of his father-in-law on the 20th of September, 1864. Mr. Sargent then pur- chased the interests of the other heirs in the mill and removed to the old Chandler homestead, where he and his wife now reside. He gave his attention to farming and for many years exten- sively carried on general agricultural pursuits. He has led a life of intense and well directed ac- tivity and his unfaltering diligence and persever- ance constitute the secret of his success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sargent have been born nine children : William O., Laura A., Mary E., Silas O., Arthur E., Harriet E., Martha E., Frank and Sarah O. Of these six have now passed away and they are mentioned in order of death as follows: Mary E., Laura A., Silas O., Arthur E., Frank and Sarah, all of whom were laid to rest in the Bedford cemetery. The first born son, William O. Sargent, was born June 18, 1855, in the house which his father had built in 1854. The family removed to the old Chan- dler homestead when he was twelve years of age and there he was reared. He married Ella A. Morgan, a daughter of Walter and Catharine Morgan and they now occupy the old home- stead which was built by his father. William O. Sargent has for twelve years been agent for the Eagle Packet Company, whose boats ply between
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St. Louis and Peoria. Harriet E. Sargent was married March II, 1884, to Thompson A. Lan- dess and they have three children, William . A., Jessie E., and Gladys A. Their home is two and a half miles southeast of Milton. Martha E. Sargent was married December 20, 1898, to John A. Bauer and they have one child. Their home is about two and a half miles southeast of Milton and just across the road from the Landess farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sargent are still living upon the old Chandler homestead, he having reached the advanced age of eighty-one years, while his wife is now sixty-nine years of age. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and they are worthy and prominent couple, the circle of their friends being almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintances. Mr. Sar- gent is one of the oldest settlers of Bedford and has witnessed the greater part of the develop- ment and growth of this county, taking an active interest in what has been accomplished and sup- porting in as far as possible every measure which he has deemed of public benefit.
CHARLES I. RUPERT.
Charles I. Rupert, whose activity in business has been a potent element in the commercial prog- ress of. Rockport, is well known as a member of the firm of Haines, Rupert & Company. He was born November 6, 1858, in the town where he yet makes his home, his parents being James D. and Elizabeth (Applegate) Rupert. His father was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, on the 12th of January, 1825, and became a resi- dent of Pike county in 1838, when but twelve years of age, accompanying his parents on their removal to this section of the state. The name Rupert therefore has been associated with the history of Pike county through almost seven de- cades and has always stood as a synonym for good citizenship and for loyalty to progressive public measures. His education was obtained in one of the old-time log schoolhouses and he afterward learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California with the great
tide of emigration that was constantly flowing westward and working at blacksmithing in Sacra- mento until 1853, when he again came to Pike county. In 1854, however, he returned to Cali- fornia and again followed his trade there for about a year but in 1855 once more came to Pike county. Unto him and his wife were born three children : a daughter who died in infancy unnamed; Carson N., who died February 26, 1897, and was buried in the Adams cemetery at Atlas, Pike county ; and Charles I., of this review. The wife and mother died when fifty-three years of age and was also laid to rest in the Adams ceme- tery at Atlas. Later the father married again, his second union being with Miss Ellen L. Haines, who is yet a resident of Rockport. The father, however, died in this village, nearing his seven- tieth year and the interment was made in Adams cemetery.
Charles I. Rupert acquired his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools of Rockport, and later entered the Illinois College at Jacksonville, where he completed the work for the sophomore year. He was aclassmate of Ex-Governor Richard Yates, of Illinois, and Ex-Congressman Williams, of Pike county, and William Jennings Bryan was a student in the college at the same time. After leaving Jacksonville, Mr. Rupert became a fac- tor in business life in Rockport as a member of the mercantile firm of Rupert & Donohoe. This was formed in 1878, and the relation was maintained until 1889, at which time a change in the' part- nership occurred, and the firm style of J. D. Ru- pert & Son was assumed, our subject becoming a partner of his father. They carried on business together until February, 1891, at which time a dis- astrous fire destroyed their store and its contents, and the succeeding four years were spent in set- tling up the business of the firm. On the 8th of January, 1895, the elder Mr. Rupert died, and subsequent to his death, Charles I. Rupert pur- chased an interest in the mercantile store of An- derson, Taylor & Company, at which time the name of Anderson, Rupert & Company was as- sumed, the partners being H. L. Anderson, H. W. Haines, W. J. Garner and Charles I. Rupert. The firm continued to do business under that name until the summer of 1897, when the partner-
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ship was dissolved and the business closed out. At that time Charles I. Rupert entered into part- nership with his stepmother, Mrs. E. L. Rupert, and his half-brother, H. W. Haines, the business being carried on under the firm name of Haines & Rupert for several years; but the present firm style is Haines, Rupert & Company. They carry a very large line of goods, embracing everything found in a general store, and their business has increased year by year until it has assumed quite extensive proportions. Mr. Rupert also has quite valuable farm interests, principally in Atlas town- ship. He has spent his entire life in Rockport and has taken a deep and helpful interest in every- thing pertaining to the welfare of his town, county and state. His co-operation has been a strong, directing force in many movements for the gen- eral good. In matters relating to private business interests and to public concern his views are pene- trative and practical, and his labors have been a beneficial and resultant element. Politically he is a republican, having always affiliated with that party.
CHARLES E. THURMON, M. D.
Dr. Charles E. Thurmon is a well known rep- resentative of the medical fraternity in Milton and in his practice has advanced beyond medi- ocrity and become recognized as a capable expo- nent of the great scientificprinciples which under- lie his chosen profession. He was born July 25, 1853, near Milton and is a son of William H. and Lucy L. (Smith) Thurmon. His father came to Pike county in the early '40s with his parents and both Mr. and Mrs. William H. Thurmon are now living upon the old family homestead near Milton, his life having been given to agri- cultural pursuits, his well improved farm being the visible evidence of his activity and energy in former years.
Dr. Thurmon was reared to the occupation of farming and assisted in the labors of field and meadow until his twentieth year, at which time he obtained a certificate to teach school. He spent the following ten years as an instructor in the country and graded schools of Pike county and
was an able educator, imparting with clearness and readiness, to others the knowledge that he had acquired. During the latter part of the dec- ade he took up the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr .. Evan Scott, of Time, and afterward attended a full course of lectures in Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, Missouri, and was graduated in the class of 1885. He en- tered upon the active practice of his profession in Pearl, Pike county, where he also conducted a drug store for six and a half years. On the ex- piration of that period he retired from mercan- tile life to devote his attention exclusively to his professional duties and removed to Milton, where he has since practiced with gratifying success, having a large and growing patronage. He has kept in touch with the advancement made by the medical fraternity and in addition to a large pri- vate practice he was acting as railroad surgeon for the Chicago & Alton Railroad during his residence in Pearl. He was the originator and proprietor of a tobacco cure that is fast gaining wide-spread reputation.
Dr. Thurmon was married December 18, 1888, to Miss Mary B. Hayden and unto them have been born two children: Charles R., who died in infancy ; and Edward V. Thurmon, who is living with his parents in Milton. The Doctor is a mem- ber of Milton lodge, No. 275, A. F. & A. M., and also of the Modern Woodmen camp. Of strong mentality and earnest purpose, he has advanced in his profession until he ranks among the leading members of the medical fraternity and moreover by a genial manner, unfailing courtesy and defer- ence for the opinions of others he has gained a wide, and favorable social acquaintance.
MRS. EMMA J. BROWN.
Mrs. Emma J. Brown, residing in Atlas town- ship, was born in Pennsylvania, July 20, 1844, and is a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Hag- erty) Lutz. Her parents left the Keystone state when their daughter was but six years of age, and made their way direct to Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, where Mrs. Brown was educated.
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Her father was a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit up to a short time prior to his death. His wife passed away in Pittsfield in 1853 and was buried in the South cemetery, while Mr. Lutz departed this life in 1883 in Summer Hill, and his remains were interred by the side of his wife's grave.
Emma J. Lutz spent her girlhood days in her parents' home, and on the 5th of February, 1862, she gave her hand in marriage in Rockport, Illi- nois to Roger Sherman Brown, who was born in Missouri, September 1, 1838. He was a Mis- sissippi river pilot, and made trips mostly between St. Louis, Missouri, and St. Paul, Minnesota. He engaged in steamboating up to the time of his illness, which was terminated in death at Summer Hill on the 29th of June, 1901, his remains being interred in the cemetery at that place.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown had been born seven children : Sherman H., deceased; Charles M .; Addie May, who has also passed away; Walter P .; Emma M., likewise deceased; Lizzie B .; and W. Robert Brown. Of these Sherman H. died February 2, 1895, and was buried in Summer Hill cemetery, while Addie M. passed away Au- gust 11, 1899, and Emma on the 22d of July, 1895. All were interred in Summer Hill ceme- tery, where the remains of the father were also laid to rest. Of the surviving children, Lizzie became the wife of Clarence Wassell, who is a general merchant of Summer Hill, Illinois. He was born October 31, 1880, in New Hartford, Pike county, and is a son of James and Emma (Bentley) Wassell. His father, a native of Ohio, is now a farmer of New Hartford, Illinois, and was there married, since which time he and his wife have resided in New Hartford. Their son Clarence was educated in the schools of that town and in Brown's Business College at Jacksonville, Illinois. He had previously engaged in teaching at Stoney Point at the age of seventeen years. He left college in 1889, and afterward obtained a position as profit clerk with the Simmons Hard- ware Company, of St. Louis, Missouri, with which he continued for about three and a half years. Subsequently he opened a general mercan- tile store in Summer Hill, which he is now con- ducting, being one of the enterprising and suc-
cessful merchants of that place. Previous to this time he married Miss Lizzie B. Brown, daughter of Captain R. S. and· Emma (Lutz) Brown, the wedding being celebrated on the 15th of De- cember, 1900. By this union there have been born two children, a son and daughter: Clar- ence Dwight, who was born May 11, 1902; and Edna Elizabeth, born August 18, 1905.
Mrs. Brown resides in Summer Hill with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Wassell, and is deeply interested in her little grandchil- dren, who contribute much to her happiness.
. DAVID A. WILLIAMS.
David A. Williams, the subject of this sketch, was born in Davidson county, North Carolina, July 22, 1832. He was a grandson of Dora Wil- liams, who was a native of North Carolina, a sol- dier in the Revolutionary war, and a direct lineal descendant of the Williams family of Virginia, who came from England many years prior to the Revolution. John Anderson Williams, the father of David A., came with his family to Illinois in the fall of 1834, and settled on section 30 in De- troit township, Pike county, where he cleared the land, made a home, and reared his family of ten children. About 1849 he purchased a farm ad- joining the village of Detroit and resided on the same until 1866, when he removed to Sedalia, Missouri, where some of his children had pre- ceded him, and there he spent his last years, dy- ing in March, 1876.
David A. Williams at an early age began farm- ing operations for himself and from the outset was a successful business man and soon became possessed of a valuable farm, on which he resided until his retirement from business and removal to Pittsfield in the fall of 1891, where he lived until his death, February 13, 1906. His marriage to Emily A. Hayden, a daughter of Lewis E. Hayden, of Newburg township, who was a na- tive of Kentucky, was solemnized May 10, 1854. To them were born eleven children, three dying in infancy, the remaining eight are: Mrs. H. D. Williams; W. E. Williams; Mrs. D. F. Allen,
DAVID A. WILLIAMS
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whose decease occurred August 16, 1905; A. Clay ; David Lawson; Dr. Hugh T .; Lillian E .; and Blanche N. His wife died March 15, 1896, and ten years later, after four years of failing health, due to a stroke of paralysis, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by a devoted family of children, who mourn the loss of a dutiful and affectionate father.
By his death the county lost a good citizen; one who always stood up boldly for the right as he saw it. He was a frank, plain-spoken man of strong character and detested shams and hypoc- risy wherever found. Public affairs were to him of great concern, and he always bore his part of the burden incident to good citizenship and the early development of the county. He was a democrat and took an active interest in politics, believing it to be a duty of every citizen to par- ticipate and have a voice in all matters affect- ing the public welfare.
GEORGE W. ROBERTS.
George W. Roberts, one of the oldest native sons of Pike county, and a resident of Pearl township, was born in Kinderhook township, De- cember 25, 1841, and is descended from an old Virginian family. His paternal grandfather, George Roberts, was a native of Virginia, as was his wife, and he removed from the Old Domin- ion to Kentucky, when the latter state was a vast wilderness, with savage foes on every hand; and so numerous were the encounters with the red men, that the districts became known as "the dark and bloody ground." He assisted in open- ing up the wilderness to the advance of civiliza- tion, and co-operated with Daniel Boone and other sturdy pioneers in subjugating the coun- try, repelling the attacks of the savages and plant- ing the seeds of development and culture there. He became a resident of the settlement known as Boonesboro.
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