Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 97

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 760

USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 97

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married January 23, 1879. Her father was born in Fairmount township, October 13, 1849, and the mother's birth occurred in the same township, October 25, 1848. Mr. Vail has been a stock- raiser and farmer, but at the present time is giv- ing his entire attention to buying and selling live stock. Unto him and his wife have been born two daughters: Mrs. Carey, whose birth occurred April 25, 1880; and Olive, who was born Decem- ber 27, 1885, and was married November 25, 1904, to Richard A. Reynolds.

Dr. and Mrs. Carey occupy an enviable social position, and their pleasant home is the center of a cultured society circle. Both are members of the Presbyterian church; and in politics he is a stanch republican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party. He does not seek nor desire public office, however, but concentrates his energies upon his professional duties; and he has a well equipped dental office, supplied with all modern devices to promote the efficiency of the practi- tioner. His work has given uniform satisfaction and a liberal patronage is accorded him.

JOSEPH C. HARRINGTON.

Joseph C. Harrington, long an active factor in agricultural circles in Pike county, and now living retired in Griggsville, was born on the 2d of January, 1838, in Griggsville township, his parents being Martin and Catherine (Hagaman) Harrington. The name of Harrington has been a familiar and honored one in connection with Pike county through many decades. Martin Har- rington at the time of his death was one of the oldest settlers of the county, and one of the most intelligent and honored citizens. He had resided within its borders for more than a half century, and was in his ninety-fourth year at the time of his demise. He came of old New England an- cestry honorable and distinguished. When the colonists attempted to throw off the yoke of Brit- ish oppression two of the Harringtons, Jonathan and Caleb, who were closely related to the fa- ther of Martin Harrington, were among the six who fell under the first fire at the battle of Lex-

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ington, and to their memory and that of the others, whose blood was shed on that sacred spot, a beautiful monument has been erected.

Samuel Harrington, grandfather of Joseph C. Harrington of this review, was born in Grafton, Massachusetts, August 3, 1769, and after reach- ing man's estate was married to Abigail Putnam, who was born in Massachusetts, September 15, 1775, and was a daughter of Zadoc Putnam, a relative of General Israel Putnam, whose name is deeply engraved on the hearts of all students of American history, as that of a patriot who did much for the cause of independence. Zadoc Put- nam's father built the first wagon in Worcester county, Massachusetts, and it is related that over two hundred men came from long distances to see one pair of wheels follow another, so great was the novelty at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Sam- uel Harrington remained residents of Massachu- setts throughout their entire lives, the former passing away October 5, 1802, and the latter in April, 1871, having reached the advanced age of ninety-six years. She came of a family noted for longevity, and her descendants have mani- fested the same strong family characteristic. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Harrington were born four children; and by the mother's second marriage to Captain David Trask, of Leicester, Massachusetts, other children were born.

Martin Harrington was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, December 24, 1797, and was early thrown upon his own resources, owing to the death of his father. His educational privi- leges were rather limited; but in the school of ex- perience he learned many valuable and practical lessons, and always kept informed on the trend of events and on matters of local and national prog- ress through reading and observation. In his early life he engaged in manufacturing scythes, which was a profitable business at that day. He possessed considerable mechanical ingenuity and gave considerable attention to the manufacture of gun barrels and to work as a machinist. He was also for some time in the employ of Samuel and John Slater, the first manufacturers of the spin- ning jenny. He was very thorough and accu- rate in all of his work, and the same characteris- tics were displayed in his farming operations

when he came to Illinois and identified himself with agricultural pursuits. He had had little previous experience in this line of labor, but his ready adaptability and energy soon enable:1 him to master the points which lead to successful farming.

Martin Harrington had been married January 22, 1822, in his native county to Miss Myra Wil- lard, and the same year removed to Amsterdam, New York, where his wife died, leaving three children, but the only one now living is Mrs. Abby L. Brimblecam. One son, Charles L., who had been mining in the west, was accidentally drowned in Humboldt Bay, California, February 22, 1863, when in his fortieth year. Josephus W. also spent his last days in California. In 1833 Martin Harrington wedded Miss Catherine Hag- aman, a native of New York, and in 1836 they came to the west, settling in Griggsville township, Pike county. The year following Mr. Harring- ton removed to the adjoining township of Perry, where he resided until 1870, when he took up his abode in the village of Perry, where he resided until his death, spending his last years in honor- able retirement from labor. By his second mar- riage there were five children: Francis M., who married Martha Dutcher, of Pike county, Illi- nois, is now living in Kirksville, Missouri, where he is a prominent attorney, having been gradu- ated from the Chicago Law School, while for eight years he represented his district in the Mis- souri legislature. Joseph C. is the subject of this review. Mary E. is the wife of James Whitaker, a, prominent farmer of Perry township. John E. married Lucretia Reynolds, and is a successful agriculturist of Griggsville township. Sarah E. is the wife of Hon. William P. Browning, who re- sides upon a farm near Memphis, Missouri. The wife and mother died April 27, 1875, in the faith of the Presbyterian church, of which she had long been an active and helpful member. She ably assisted her husband in his work of getting a start in the west; and theirs was a most conge- nial and happy married life. Mr. Harrington passed away on the 22d of January, 1891. A newspaper published at the time said of him: "He worked upon the principle that whatever he attempted to do he would do his best, and he had

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a large measure of success. He was a man of very strong convictions, but had great respect for the feelings and convictions of others. He was a firm believer in the Christian religion, though never a church member, and in the Bible as the inspired work of God, by whose principles our lives should be regulated. He was a constant at- tendant on the house of God as long as he could hear, and insisted on his children attending reg- ularly the church and Sabbath school; and also contributed to their support. He taught both by precept and example that all should lead an honorable and upright life, and his children, who are among our most worthy citizens, show the deep impression made upon their minds by his wise and kind instruction. When he died these children lost a kind and loving father, his neigh- bors a most kind and generous friend, and the state an intelligent and noble citizen."

Joseph C. Harrington, whose name introduces this record, was reared upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the labors that bring success in agricultural life, being trained to prac- tical methods of farm work. When twenty-one years of age he started out on his own account, and was employed as a farm hand by others for eight years, when with the capital he had ac- quired through his own labors, he purchased a tract of land and began farming for himself. Here he devoted his time and energies to its cultivation and to the raising and handling of live stock. As the years passed he prospered. in his undertakings owing to his careful management, his keen busi- ness discrimination, his watchfulness of oppor- tunities and his fair dealing. For the past thirteen' years, however, he has made his home in Griggs- ville, merely giving his attention to the super- vision of his invested interests. .

On the 22d of April, 1869, Mr. Harrington was united in marriage to Miss Frances S. Wilson and they became the parents of two children, Mary C. and John C., but the latter died Decem- ber 2, 1899. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Harrington was married on the 16th of July, 1889, to her sister, Mrs. Mary Smith, nee Wilson. She was born in England, and when quite young came to this country, where she was reared and educated.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Harrington are earnest Christian people. He was formerly a member of the Presbyterian church of Perry, but now belongs to the Congregational church in Griggs- ville. In politics he is stanch republican, unfal- tering in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He was made a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows in Perry thirty-five years ago, and has taken the demit from his home lodge to the lodge in Griggsville. He is a charter member of the Griggsville National Bank and of the Perry State Bank, holds considerable stock in both institutions, and is a director of both. He is now practically living retired after long and active connection with agricultural interests, in which his labors were crowned with a gratify- ing measure of success.

W. F. THURMON, M. D.

Dr. W. F. Thurmon, engaged in the practice of medicine at Bunker Hill, where he is also con- ducting a drug store, was born in Pike county, near Milton on the 14th of October, 1854. He acquired his preliminary education in the district schools at Milton, and afterward spent six weeks as a student in the normal school at Pittsfield. He subsequently taught four terms of school and he took up the study of medicine in the winter of 1881-2. In the later year he entered upon his collegiate course, and in 1885 was graduated at the Missouri Medical College.

Dr. Thurmon entered upon the active practice of his profession in Wilmington, Greene county, and later practiced at Farmersville, Montgomery county, and at Philadelphia, Cass county. He was also located for a time at Detroit, in Pike county. He holds a registered pharmacist's certificate, and at the present writing is conducting a drug store as well as practicing his profession in Bunker Hill, where he has secured a good patronage as a merchant and a gratifying practice as a physician.

Dr. Thurmon was married in 1886 to Miss Mary I. James, of Whitehall, Illinois, and they have three children : Harry, born in 1888; Virgil,

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born in 1896; and Carl, born in 1901. Mrs. Thurmon is a daughter of Joshua and Martha James, now of Litchfield, where the father is connected with building operations, being a car- penter by trade. The Doctor and his wife have a wide and favorable acquaintance at Bunker Hill, where they occupy an enviable position in social circles.

A. L. GALLOWAY.

Perhaps no citizen of Pike county was more uniformly esteemed or held in warmer friend- ship than A. L. Galloway, now deceased. He was lovingly and familiarly called Uncle Dick by all who knew him, a name which was indica- tive of his friendly cordial nature and his kindly interest in all with whom he came in contact. He was classed for many years with the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of the county and was numbered among the old settlers, having taken up his abode here about 1832 or 1833. His birth occurred in Pike county, Missouri, Septem- ber 4, 1829, his father, James Galloway, having located there in pioneer times. He was a native of Kentucky, whence he removed to Missouri and during the early boyhood of our subject crossed the river to Pike county, Illinois, so that the son was here reared. He grew to manhood amid the conditions and environments of frontier life, for in his early days Pike county was still largely an undeveloped region and only here and there could be seen the home of a pioneer. His educational advantages were those afforded by the common schools and after he had completed his literary course he studied law and practiced in the justice courts.

On the 24th of November, 1859, A. L. Gallo- way was united in marriage in Pike county to Miss Sarah Brant, formerly of St. Louis, Mis- souri. She died in 1874 and of the five children

daughter of Clinton Dodge and they had two children: Scott Galloway, a business man of Pleasant Hill, who married a daughter of Dr. J. Smith Thomas; and Beatrice, the wife of Harry Bush, who is in a store in Nebo. Lyman H. Gal- loway was for many years a well known farmer of Pike county but is now deceased. Ann P. Galloway, the second member of the family, married Curtis Yocum and at her death left one child, Fay Yocum, who is now a young lady re- siding with her father in Pleasant Hill. Minnie L. Galloway became the wife of James De Camp and at her death left a daughter, Lora De Camp, who is residing with her father. After the death of his first wife Mr. Galloway of this review was married in Calhoun county on the 26th of April, 1875, to Maria E. McConnell, a daughter of John and Mary (Sidwell) McConnell, both of whom were natives of Kentucky and became early settlers of Pike county, Missouri. They removed to Calhoun county, Illinois, during the period of the Civil war and Mrs. Galloway was largely reared in that county. At the time of her marriage she went to her husband's farm in Pleasant Hill township.

For many years Mr. Galloway was one of the large land owners of the county, having several farms embracing nearly one thousand acres of valuable land. He made a business of raising and feeding stock and found this a profitable source of income. He was widely recognized as a good financier and enterprising · business man, watchful of all the details of his business, and putting forth every effort in his power to provide a good living for his family. He real- ized that "there is no success without labor" and also that "honesty is the best policy" and these two maxims found exemplification in his life rec- ord.

By the second marriage of Mr. Galloway there were born four children, but the eldest, Clara Myrtle, died in infancy. Milo E., who is born of that marriage three reached years of ma -. a prominent merchant of Pleasant Hill, married turity. Lyman H., the eldest, wedded Laura Fisher, who died leaving one child, Bertie, now the wife of Newton Shinn, a resident of Carroll- ton, Missouri. After the death of his first wife Lyman H. Galloway wedded Clara C. Dodge, a

'Daisy Ladow and has one son, Truman. Carrie Lenora is the wife of A. T. Brant, a farmer and stockman of Pleasant Hill township and has two children : Milo B. and Thelma. Mayo L. is a lumber dealer residing at Pleasant Hill.

A. L. GALLOWAY

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.

In his political affiliation Mr. Galloway was a stalwart republican and during the period of the Civil war he served as enrolling officer. He also held numerous local positions of honor and trust, acting as supervisor and also as a dele- gate to the county and state conventions. He lived a consistent Christian life, having the en- tire confidence and esteem of the community and his name became an honored one wherever he was known. He died February 4, 1898, and the entire community mourned the loss of a repre- sentative citizen. His many good qualities, his genial disposition and kindly spirit had endeared him to those with whom he came in contact and has caused his memory to be cherished by all who knew him.

A. S. NEESE.

A. S. Neese, a representative of farming inter- ests in Pearl township, resides on section 7, where he owns and operates eighty acres of good land. He is a native of Putnam county, Indiana, born August 16, 1868, and is a son of Christo- pher and Angeline (Myers) Neese. The par- ents left Indiana when their son, A. S. Neese, was about seven years of age, and made their way westward to Spring Creek township, Pike county, Illinois, where the father secured a tract of land and engaged in farming up to the time of his death, which occurred February 14, 1902. His widow still survives and is now living in Cal- houn county about three miles south of Nebo, Illinois.

A. S. Neese was a young lad of about seven years when brought by his parents to Pike county, where he was reared upon the old homestead farm, while in the district schools of Spring Creek township he acquired his education. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood days. He as- sisted in the 'cultivation of the land and the care of the stock up to his twenty-first birthday. He was then married to Miss Delilah McCann, a daughter of Edward and Eliza McCann, and they began their domestic life upon a farm. Mr. Neese has given his entire attention in a business

way to agricultural pursuits, and his principal products are now wheat and corn. He also raises some stock, and at the present writing (1906) has upon his farm eight head of cattle, four head of horses and twelve head of hogs. He has ac- commodation for thirty-five head of stock during the winter months, for there are good barns and sheds upon his place, together with other modern equipments, while the latest improved farm ma- chinery constitutes a valuable assistant to him in the work of the fields.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Neese were born four chil- dren, two sons and two daughters, namely: Nona P., Clara F., Orin E., and Russell F. Neese. In 1904 the family was called upon to mourn the loss of the wife and mother whose death oc- curred on the 21st of April, of that year. She was very devoted to her family, and was a woman pos- sessed of many excellent traits of character. Her remains were interred in the Green Pond ceme- tery, and her death was deeply deplored by all who knew her.

Politically Mr. Neese is a democrat, who has al- ways affiliated with the party, but has never sought the rewards of office in recognition of party fealty. On the contrary, his entire atten- tion' has been concentrated upon his business ef- forts and he is a self-made man, having started out in life without a dollar. His self-reliance and force of character, however, have enabled him to surmount' difficulties and obstacles in his path and he is now in possession of a good farming property, while his life is another proof of the as- sertion of the old Greek philosopher, "Earn thy reward ; the gods give naught to sloth."

JOHN A. JAMES.

John A. James, who is successfully engaged in stock-raising at Perry, has by keen business dis- cernment and judicious management gained a creditable position in business circles in Pike county. He was born in Adams county, Illinois, December 21, 1859, and is a son of Allen W. and Elizabeth (Sartain) James, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, the former born October 13, 1818, and the latter January 1, 1827. Mr.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.

James was twice married, his first union being with Miss Matilda Clardy, who was also a native of Tennessee, and who at her death, left two daughters : Frances A., the wife of James Thomas, a farmer of Tennessee; and Virginia, who married Williamson Bond, a resident farmer of Pike county. By the second marriage there were six children : Columbus A., Harvey C., William E., John A., Cordelia and Charles E. All are now living with the exception of the last named, who died in Missouri. He was born De- cember 4, 1862, in Perry, Pike county, and after being graduated with first honors in the business college at Springfield, Illinois, July 2, 1880, at the age of eighteen years, engaged in keeping books for a few years, while later he became con- nected with railroad interests in the south. He returned home to care for his aged parents, and after two years spent upon the home farm in Pike county, removed with them to Deepwater, Missouri, in December, 1889. He was married March 6, 1889, to Miss Maggie Hudnet, who re- sided near Deepwater, and their marriage proved a most congenial and happy one. In September, 1889, Mr. James again engaged in railroading and became operator at Clinton on the Kansas City & Galveston Railroad. After a month he was transferred to Brownington, but soon became ill, his death resulting. The year 1852 witnessed the arrival of Allen W. James in Illi- nois and several years later they removed from Adams county to Pike county, where he remained until 1888, when he and his wife became residents of Bates county, Mis- souri, but afterward returned to Pike county, where both died. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church; and in politics he was a democrat.

John A. James was a young lad at the time his parents came to Pike county, so that his youth was largely passed here; and in the pub- lic schools he acquired his education. Starting out in business life on his own account, he was employed by the month as a farm hand until 1882, when on the 19th of July, of that year, he was married and began farming for himself on eighty acres of land in Perry township. Subsequently he bought a farm of one hundred acres, which he

cultivated until ·1899, and on the 5th of Septem- ber, of that year, he took up his abode on the family homestead, where he now resides, giving his attention to the cultivation of the soil and to stock-raising. He sold his own farm in 1901.

On the 19th of July, 1882, Mr. James was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Gerard, who was born January 21, 1862, and is a daughter of Laommi R. and Elizabeth (Daugherty) Gerard. Her fa- ther, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, Au- gust 5, 1820, died February 28, 1898, while his wife, whose birth occurred in Virginia, March 31, 1829, died August 19, 1904. Mr. Gerard was quite young when his parents removed to Greene county, Ohio, where he was reared; while later he took up his abode in Fayette county, that state, coming thence to Illinois in 1856. In October, of that year, he located in Perry town- ship, where he spent his remaining days. He was an enterprising agriculturist of good busi- ness ability, and his labors enabled him to add to his capital year by year. Both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. The latter represented one of the early pioneer families of Ohio, her people having re- moved from Virginia to that state at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Gerard became the parents of seven children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. James were born five children: May, born May 10, 1883, now the wife of John F. Read; Maud, who was born October 30, 1885, and died in infancy ; Ray, born September 16, 1888; Eva V., May 2, 1892; and Floyd Allen, who was born June 27,. 1900, and died March 27, 1905.

Both Mr. and Mrs. James are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and their good qualities of heart and mind have brought to them a large circle of friends. Mr. James votes with the democracy, and has served as road commis- sioner and for two years as school director. He maintains membership relations with various fra- ternal organizations, and is now master of Perry lodge, No. 95, A. F. & A. M., and has been a delegate to the grand lodge, holding its meetings in Chicago. He is also connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Pike County Mu- tual Life Insurance Company. His position in the

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public regard is that of a man whose history will bear close investigation and scrutiny, whose mo- tives have been honorable, his actions manly and his words sincere.

NATHAN SCRANTON.

Nathan Scranton, a prosperous farmer of Pleas- ant Hill township, owns and operates one hun- dred and sixty acres of land constituting a well improved and valuable farm. He has resided in Nebo for a number of years, and his wide and favorable acquaintance demands that his life his- tory be given in this volume. He is a native son of Pike county, having been born in Spring Creek township on the 14th of February, 1839, when this was still a frontier district in which the work of improvement and cultivation had been carried on to only a limited extent. His grandfather, David Scranton, came with his family to Illinois from Virginia, and was one of the first settlers of Pike county, locating in Spring Creek town- ship when much of the land was still in its primi- tive condition. He assisted in its reclamation for the uses of the white race, and aided in planting the seeds of civilization which in due time had borne fruit in the advanced material, intellectual and moral conditions of this part of the state. Reuben J. Scranton, father of our subject, was born in Virginia, but was reared in Pike county, and assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm. He was married here to Miss Sarah Allison, and for a number of years there- after engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He lost his wife in this county and subsequently removed to Madison county, Missouri, where his last years were passed. He was killed during the Civil war. Of the family of five brothers, and one sister born unto Mr. and Mrs. Reuben J. Scran- ton, only two are now living, the brother of our subject being Thomas Scranton, a resident farmer of Spring Creek township.

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Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 97

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 760

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 760