Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois, Part 15

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, IL : Chapman Brothers
Number of Pages: 632

USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 15
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 15

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A portrait of Mr. Hoekenhull on another page of this work, is an important addition to its value. and will be viewed with interest by its many readers.

OSEPH B. SWAIN represents the vigorous and wide-awake young farmers, natives of Morgan County, who are materially pro- · moting its highest interests. He is manag- ing his farm with signal sueecss, and is fast acquir- ing a competence, although he is still a young man. He is a well-known figure in the eivie and religious life of his community, and makes an able and popu- lar publie official.

He is the son of Thomas and Catherine Swain, natives of England. In pioneer times they came to Illinois, in 1831, and took up land in this county, on which they lived till 1864, when they purchased the farm now owned by our subject, on seetion 16, township 3 north, range 8 west, and im- mediately removed to it with their family. They resided here till 1885, when they took up their abode in Jacksonville, where they live in retire-

ment, in one of its numerous pleasant homes, in the enjoyment of an ample ineome, the fruit of their united labors. They are people whose worth and high character are well known and appreciated. The father is well endowed with firmness and sound common sense, with decided opinions of his own. Ile has always been a strong Republican, and stood stanehly by the party wlien he was distinguished as being the first to east a vote in its favor after five years of exelusive Democratic reign in this pre- cinct.

Our subjeet was a boy of ten years when his par- ents removed to this farm, and here he was reared to a stalwart, independent manhood, and adopting the calling in which he had been thoroughly trained, when he was ready to establish himself in life, in the spring of 1875, he bought 115 aeres of the home- stead of his father, and immediately after his mar- riage brought his bride here to live, and entered upon the management of his property. His farm is in fine order, with substantial buildings, and equipped with first class machinery of all kinds, and is classed among the finest estates in the vicinity. Mr. Swain has it well stocked with eattle, horses, and hogs of cxeellent grades, as he engages in gen- eral farming. He has two threshing machines and a corn sheller, also a sawmill which he operates in this part of the county in the proper seasons, mak- ing muel money by his enterprise.

Mr. Swain has been twiee married. Ilis first wife was Luella, daughter of Blackburn Sims, one of the first settlers of this county. After a happy wedded life of two years the young wife died, in 1877, leaving one child, Edwin L. She was a sineere Christian, and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and her memory is cherished in the hearts of those who loved her.

In 1879 Mr. Swain was married to Miss Hannah Parrish, who has been to him a faithful wife, and is devoted to his interests. To them in their cozy home have come five children-Carl, Rilla, Edith, Lloyd and Homer -- all of whom are living, and are enjoying fine educational advantages. Mrs. Swain's father, James L. Parrish, settled on the frontier of this State, in Menard County, and died last Oeto- ber at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Matilda Stout, survived

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him but a short time, dying Jan. 1, 1889, aged seventy-nine years, passing away on the anniver- siary of her birth.

Mr. Swain is ambitious and progressive, and his high personal elaraeter, purity of aim, and fine business taet make his influenee felt in the public and politieal life of his township, and in social and religious eireles. He and his wife are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, are identified with all its good works, and he has been Superintendent of the Sunday School sinee he was twenty-one, and is also one of the Trustees of the church and of Ashland eireuit. He has served as Justiee of the Peace four years, and has been Overseer of the Poor of this Township for nearly seven years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Oak. Lodge No. 341, Ashland, Ill., and has filled all the offices of that lodge. He is one of the lead- ing Republieans of this part of the county, and has been a member of the Central Committee some fifteen years.

OHN VIRGIN is one of the most extensive farmers and stoek raisers in Morgan County, and is the owner of one of its largest and most valuable farms, comprising 2,000 acres lying mostly in township 16, north; range 8, west. Here he has the most beautiful home (a eommodi- ous frame house of a good style of areliteeture, well and tastefully furnished, and replete with all the modern convenienees for making life eomfort- able,) situated in the midstof velvety lawns adorned with lovely flowers, shrubbery, maples, evergreens and other kinds of shade trees, the whole making a charming seenie feature in the landseape.

Our subject comes of good old Pennsylvania stoek, and his grandfather, Eli Virgin, was born in Fayette County, that State, was bred to the life of a farmer, and in due time married and reared a fam- ily on the same farm where he had been born and had grown to manhood. He died on the old home- stead at the age of sixty years, and there his wife, who lived to be seventy years old, also drew her last breath. Their son, John H., father of our subjeet was born April 19, 1796, and in 1820 he was mar- ried in Fayette County, to Miss Margaret, daugh-

ter of John Hughes, of Greene County, Pa. They continued to reside in their native state a few years and in 1826, with their little family and some of their household effeets, they started for the wilds of Kentucky, and finally arriving in Greenup County, located there. A few years later, in 1830 they reerossed the Ohio River and established them- selves in Knox County, Ohio. Thenee they moved to Menard Connty, Ill., in 1851, and stayed their earthly pilgrimage and their remaining days were spent there in peace and plenty. The father passed to the world beyond the grave in October, 1858, aged sixty-four years, and the mother followed him in December, 1863, aged nearly sixty-six years. Of their six children, Eli, Mary and George were born in Pennsylvania, John was born in Kentucky, and Maria and Ruth in Ohio.

The early days of the life of our subjeet were paseed in Kentucky and Ohio, and when he accom- panied his parents to Illinois he was in the prime of young manhood, stout of heart, strong of mus- cle, and clear headed, able to eope with anything that might interfere with his plans of making his life a sueeess. In 1859 he came to this county and bought a part of the farm where he now lives. His eapital at that time was rather limited, but not so his earnest confidenee in his ability to do what- soever he set out to do, and he bought 250 aeres of his homestead at the rate of $30 per aere, going in debt to the amount of $2,000. In the years of hard labor that followed he worked to good pur- pose, and by the quiet foree of persistent efforts, directed by sound discretion and constant devo- .tion to duty, he succeeded where so many have failed and not only cleared off the indebtedness on his realty, but has added more to it by subsequent purchases till at present he owns one of the largest farms in this vieinity, nearly all of it in a body. His land is under a fine state of eultivation, and is amply provided with barns and other buildings for all necessary purposes. He usually raises 600 aeres of eorn each year, and never sells a bushel of it, except to accommodate a neighbor, but uses it all to feed his large numbers of eattle and hogs. He is engaged very extensively in stoek-raising and gen- erally feeds and ships about 300 head of cattle, and from 300 to 500 hogs a year. The entire farmn is

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under his supervision, and he has several tenant houses on the place for his workinen. He raises a good deal of fine fruit, and has an orehard of about six aeres of choice varieties of apples, pears, peaches, etc.

Mr. Virgin was married in Menard County, in October, 1856, to Miss Mary E. Gibbs, and she has been to him all that a true and helpful wife can be. Her parents, William and Elizabeth (Hall) Gibbs, were born and reared in England, and ae- companied their respective parents to the United States when young. They located near Baltimore, and from that eity eame to Illinois in 1840, and here spent their remaining days. Mr. and Mrs. Virgin have nine children living, as follows: Charles F., who married Hattie Lathom, and lives on the home farm; Hattie E .. now Mrs. George Deweese, of this township; Clara M., now Mrs. Samuel Willet, of Springfield; Anna, Luella, John H., Byron, Leon, and Inez.

Mr. Virgin is a man of large enterprise and of more than ordinary intelligence and ability, as is seen in the shrewd management of his extensive interests, whereby he has acquired wealth. He is influential in public affairs, as a man of his position who has done so much to advance his adopted county ought to be, and for six years he served as County Commissioner for Morgan County, having been elected to that office in 1873. He and his family stand high in the social eireles of the eom- munity, and are exceedingly hospitable, friend or stranger oft receiving a warm welcome in their charming home, and being royally feasted at their bountiful board.

ENRY M. MILLER. One of the finest fruit farms in Central Illinois lies on the West- ern limits of the town of Waverly, and be- longs to the subject of this notice. As a hortieulturist and nursery man Mr. Miller stands second to none in the county, andhas made of his calling an art and a seienee, taking a pardonable pride in the knowledge that he has exeelled. He has a comfortable residence and surroundings, and

is recognized as one of the solid citizens of the place, who has been identified with its most im- portant interests.

Of excellent old New England stock and of Welsh ancestry, Mr. Miller was born in Litehfield, Conn., Jan., 23, 1826. This branch of the Miller family was first represented in the United States during the Colonial days by three brothers, one of whom settled in South Carolina and two in the New England States. Rev. Jonathan Miller, the paternal grandfather of our subjeet, was born in Torringford, Litehfield Co., Conn., and was gradu- ated from Yale College in 1777. While a student at Yale the British landed in New Haven, and young Miller, with his comrades, assisted in defend- ing the town.

After being graduated from Yale Grandfather Miller at onee entered the ministry of the Congre- gational Churel at Burlington, Conn., where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty-three years. He was married and became the father of three sons and three daughters, among whom was Ebenezer, the father of our subjeet, who was born in 1799. Ebenezer desired to educate him- self for the medical professon, but his father objected saying the profession was drifting into infidelity in regard to the Christian religion, and the aspiring youth abandoned his inelinations and became a man- ufaeturer of elocks at Bristol. In this he was sue- eessful, but finally turned his attention to the man- ufaeture of eloth. He was equally successful at this business until the financial panie of 1837, when he lost heavily, elosed out and in the fall of 1840 sought his fortunes in the West.

The father of our subject, upon coming to Illi- nois brought with him about $1,000 in money and purchased 100 acres of land at $12 per acre. It had been but slightly improved, but by the exer- eise of diligence and economy the hardy pioneer succeeded in making a pleasant home for the famn. ily. Ile was rigidly opposed to slavery, and his house became a station of the underground railroad during the troublous times ensuing upon the agi- tation of that dismal question. .

Before leaving Connecticut the father of our subjeet delayed his departure a few days in order to east his ballot for James G. Birney, the first

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Anti-Slavery candidate for the Presideney. From 1840 to 1856 he voted with the Abolition party, and in the year last mentioned east his ballot for John C. Fremont, the first candidate of the Re- publican party. In 1860 and 1864 he voted for Abraham Lincoln, and died on the 17th of Febru- ary, 1865. Ile was a man outspoken in his views and strong in his adherence to what he believed to be right. In religions matters he was an active member of the Congregational Church. The wife and mother, Mrs. Permelia (Hopkins) Miller was of English ancestry and was born in Connecticut. The Hopkins family were represented in New En- gland for several generations and many of them became widely and prominently known.

To the parents of our subject there were born seven children, five of whom lived to mature years. Margaret, the eldest daughter, married Solomon Richards, and died in Connecticut in 1857; Sarah became the wife of F. C. Bushway and died at Lincoln, this State, some years later; Abbie P. mar- ried Joseph Johnson, and is living in Iowa; Helen P. was first married to George Ross, who died, and she then became the wife of J. E. Barrett; they are now living at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. The mother died at her home in Waverly, in March, 1883, at the age of eighty-three years.

The subject of this sketch was the only son of his parents, and was fourteen years old when they made the long journey from Connectieut to Illi- nois. They were in limited circumstances, and as young Miller was exceedingly anxions to obtain an education he worked hard, saved his money and realized at least a reasonable measure of his ambition. In 1849 he entered Illinois College, but on aceonnt of failing health was obliged, after a few months, to return home and reernit. In 1853 he entered the law school of Yale College, from whieli lie was graduated in 1855. Ile practiced law at New IIaven, Conn., until 1862, then returning to . this State opened an office at Springfield. The Civil War, however, broke in upon his plans and expec- tations, as it did upon those of many others, and there being little call for the exereise of his talents in this direction, he returned home. His father being then about to build a dwelling, Henry M. obtained his first instruction in downright manual

labor by digging the cellar of the contemplated structure. In 1863 he became interested in Osage orange for fencing purposes, and planted seeds in a considerable quantity, from which he realized, by the sale of plants the snug sum of $2,470. IIe was the first man to introduce this species of fencing from Texas into this State, and which has become very popular for this purpose.

After the death of his father our subject re- mained with his mother, looking after the home- stead, practicing law to a certain extent, but giving the greater portion of his time to the farm of forty acres which he purchased, and which he has by de- grees transformed into one of the finest fruit farms of this locality. Ile has a large orchard planted" with 700 apple trees of one variety. In the mean- time he has always interested himself in local af- fairs, holding the various offices, and was the first Mayor of Waverly.

Politically, Mr. Miller voted first, like his father before him, with the Abolition party, but after its abandonment affiliated with the Republicans until 1878. He subsequently advocated the doctrines of the National Greenback party, of which he has twiee been a candidate for Congress. He is a rapid thinker, forcible and energetic in his conversation, and thoroughly well informed.

Mr. Miller was first married to Miss Ann M. Rowe, by whom he became the father of one ehild, a son, Charles II., who is now a publisher in Spring- field, Mass. His second wife was Miss Cynthia L. Hopkins, and of this marriage there were born two children, both of whom are living-Maggie L. and Walter E.

OSEPH V. BRECKON. This young and enterprising farmer owns and occupies a farm of 181 acres-his father's old home- stead-which is finely located in township 15, range 9, section 5. He purchased the interest of the other heirs to the property, and is carrying on the improvements commenced by his honored sire during the early settlement of this county. The land is under a fine state of cultivation, with good improvements. It is devoted principally to

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general agriculture, but Mr. B. is also considerably interested in blooded stock, having a goodly num- ber of Short-horn cattle together with horses and swine.

Our subjeet was born Aug. 26, 1864, and ac- quired his education in the district school. IIis life passed quietly and uneventfully during his boyhood and youth, and he learned farming in all its details from his father, who was a man of great enterprise and energy, and who conducted his labor in a first-class manner. The father, the Rev. Vick- erman Breckon, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1828, and lived there until 1843, when he emigrated to America with his parents, William Breckon and wife. They came directly to Illinois and located on a tract of land in Morgan County. Vickerman, when a youth of seventeen years com- menced the battle of life for himself with a capital of twenty-five cents, and one old horse worth about $35. He secured a tract of land and in due time his industry and perseverance were rewarded in the establishment of a good homestead. He was mar- ried Jan. 17, 1855, to Mrs. Elizabeth (Wilson) Stimpson, a native of his own country, and they be- came the parents of three children,-Joseph V., our subject, Sarah M. and James W. The daughter be- came the wife of Charles Hopper, of English birth, and a boot and shoe dealer in Jacksonville. They have six children-Thomas V., Effie, Fletcher, Lena, Clara Belle and Freddie. James W. married Miss Emma L. Trotter, and is farming in this county.

The parents of our subject in about 1889, took up their residence in Jacksonville. They have been residents of this county for a period of forty-six years, and the father a goodly portion of this time has officiated as a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Joseph V., our subject, was married in Morgan County, this State, March 14, 1888, to Miss Effie I. Padget, who was born in Macoupin County, Ill., Nov. 1, 1864. She is the daughter of Joseph and Amanda Padget, the latter of whom died when Effie was but two years old. The father is still living in Maeonpin County, where he is carrying on farming. Her only brother, Charles E., is a resident of Pendleton County, Mo.

Mr. and Mrs. Breckon are the parents of one child, a son, Paul, who was born Jan. 28, 1889.

They are both members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. B. has been Librarian for three years. Politically, he is a strong prohibitionist and a zealous worker in the canse of temperance. The young couple are very pleasantly situated, and an engraving of their home appears in this volume. They have plenty of this world's goods, and are surrounded by hosts of friends.

LBERT C. BROWN, M. D. Very few words in introduction are necessary in not- ing the career of the subject of this notice. He is a son of the late Isaac II. Brown, who was one of the most noted physicians of the county, and who not only commanded an extensive patronage, but for whom not only his patrons, but his acquaintances entertained a feeling of the warm- est regard. Albert C. was born in Chicago, June . 25, 1849, and completed his medical studies at Bellevue College, in New York City, in 1873. Prior to this he had read medicine under the care- ful instruction of his father and other tutors, and was graduated from Illinois College in 1870, after which he took a course of lectures at Rush Medi- cal College.

Dr. Brown, after receiving his diploma, was the associate of his father in practice in Waverly, where he has since been located. He was married in 1875, to Miss Lucinda A., daughter of Plattand Flora A. Carter, and who was born in Sangamon County, this State. Of this union there were born two bright children, Fred and Carter. The Doctor, politically, inelines to Republican doctrines, and be- sides serving as a member of the School Board, has represented his Ward in the City Council.

Dr. Isaac H. Brown, obtained a brilliant record as a physician and Christian gentleman, his upright life and benevolent acts gaining him in a marked de- gree the esteem and confidence of his community. - Ile was a lover of truth, and a devotee of science with the manifest desire to improve and elevate those with whom he became associated. Ile was born in Goshen, Litchfield Co., Conn., Oet. 20, 1805, and pursued his course of medical study for a time in Pittsfield, Mass. Later, he entered the College

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of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of New York, from which he was graduated Feb. 20, 1828.

In the spring of 1829, Dr. Brown, the father of our subjeet, established himself in his profession at Avon, Conn., where he continued until the spring of 1838. He then emigrated to this State, and lo- cated in Quiney, where he remained about one year, then changed his residenee to Waverly, this eounty, where he followed his profession sueeessfully until his death, which occurred April 13, 1874. He had been married in Avon, Conn., JJuly 29, 1834, to Miss Mary, youngest daughter of Chandler Wood- ford, and to them were born eight children: Jane A. married Frederiek Curtis, and is now fifty-three years of age. William W., of whom a sketeh ap- pears elsewhere in this work, was formerly a banker of Waverly, and is now deceased; Luey M. beeamc the wife of Prof. E. A. Tanner, of Illinois College, Jacksonville, and is now forty-seven years of age; Georgiana died when about three years old; Oliver H. is in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad, and lo- eated at Topeka, Kan .; Albert C., our subject, was the fifth ehild; Frederick A. was employed as a teneher in Illinois College, and died in 1876; Syl- vester S., also a railroad man in Topeka, Kan., with his brother.

Dr. Isaae Brown, politieally, was a staneh Re- publiean, and held some of the local offices, rather against his will, for he preferred giving his time to the duties of his profession. He was for many years a Deaeon in the Congregational Church, and offieiated as Superintendent of the Sunday School. He was a man greatly attached to his friends, fre- quently assisting them financially, and although living to a ripe old age, nearly attaining his three- seore years and ten-his faculties remained prae- tieally unimpaired, and he continued to be a bless- ing to his community until ealled hence. The life of the physician of the pioneer days was one at- tended by many hardships, and of these Dr. Brown had his full share, but his energy suffieed to enable him to overcome many difficulties, and he enjoyed uniform good health until a few years prior to his demise.

The paternal grandparents of our subjeet were William and Mary (Hayden) Brown, the former a native of Hartland, Conn., and the latter of Wind-

sor, that State. They came with their son, Isaae, to Illinois, and grandfather Brown established the first blacksmith shop at Waverly. Both spent the remainder of their lives here, and their remains lie side by side in Waverly eemetery.

R ALPH C. CURTISS. Thirty-six years ago the eighteen-year-old State of Illinois was the cynosure of many an eye, especially among the young and enterprising sons of New England who emigrated to it in goodly num- bers, contributed to its vigorons growth finaneially, and formed a part of the bone and sinew of its moral and religious elements.

With these pioneers eame the subject of this notice, then a young man of twenty-two years. Although possessing limited means he was equipped with a good education, and engaged for eight years as a teacher in the infant town of Waverly. At about the expiration of this time he was married, and from that time forward interested himself in agri- eultural pursuits, by which he gained the compe- tence he is now enjoying. He lives on a fine farm comprising 260 acres, oeeupying the southeastern part of section 22 in Waverly Precinct. A view of his comfortable home and pleasant surroundings appears in this volume.

Litehfield County, Conn., is the native place of our subject, and the date of his birth is Mareh 5, 1831. He is the son of Erastus and Harriet (Tan- ner) Curtiss, who were likewise natives of Connee- tient, and born in Warren; the former Sept. 20, 1789, and the latter in 1795. Mrs. Curtiss' father, Ebenezer Tanner, was a commissioned officer in the Revolutionary War. The parents of our sub- ject were reared and married in their native place, where the father followed farming and spent his entire life. The household eirele was completed by the birth of five children, who lived to become men and women. The eldest born, Charles H., and the - second son, Franklin A., continue residents of War- ren; Ellen Il., is the wife of Ransom F. Everett of this eounty ; Cyrus D., during the late Civil War enlisted in Company I, 101st Illinois Infantry, and served about one year when he was discharged on

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Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois, Part 15

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, IL : Chapman Brothers Number of Pages: 632

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, IL : Chapman Brothers
Number of Pages: 632