USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 17
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 17
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Young Morrison continued a resident of his na- tive State until lic reached his majority, acquiring his education in the Masonic Seminary at LaGrange, of which he was a student two years. He subse- quently read law in the same town, and was admit- ted to practice in the courts of Kentucky, in Sep- tember, 1849. Two years later, however, he came to Illinois, locating in Jacksonville, and was one of its pioneer attorneys. He formed a partnership, in 1861, with Cyrus Epler (now Judge of the Circuit Court), which continued until 1869. The firm then became Morrison, Whitlock & Gallagher, and was in operation until the death of Mr. Gallagher, in 1871. Since that time the firmn has maintained an enviable reputation as Morrison & Whitlock.
The energy and intelligence of the young attor- ney were given ready recognition by the people of Morgan County, and it soon became evident that Mr. Morrison was destined for a prominent posi- tion among his fellow-men. Hle was elected on the Republican ticket to the House of Representatives, in 1876, and served three terms thereafter, closing his serviees in 1883. Ile was one of the Repub- lican delegates to the State Convention, which es-
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tablished the platform of that party in Illinois. Later, in 1864, he was a member of the Convention whiel nominated Abraham Lincoln for President. Ile has for a period of over thirty years taken an aetive interest in polities, and has done most ex- eellent serviee in the upholding of party principles. His law practice has resulted in the accumulation of a good property, and he lives at his ease in one of the finest homes in Jacksonville.
The marriage of Isaae L. Morrison and Miss - Anna R. Rappeljie, was celebrated July 27, 1853, in Jacksonville. Mrs. Morrison was born in New York City, and is a lady of fine literary attain- ments, and rare social qualities. The union of this gifted eouple was blessed by the birth of two children, Miriam W., and Alfred T., both residents of Jacksonville. The family are connected with the Episcopal Church, which they regularly attend.
Mr. Morrison has been identified with the Jack- sonville National Bank sinee the time of its organ- ization. He is general solieitor for the Jackson- ville & Southeastern Railroad, and rated as one of the ablest attorneys of the State of Illinois. As a citizen, he is publie-spirited and liberal, progressive in his ideas, and highly esteemed among thie people who have known him so long and so well.
AMES H. SILCOX. The career of this gen- tleman has been one of more than ordinary interest as that of a man who began in life at the foot of the ladder with no eapital, except that with which nature has endowed him, and who struggled up slowly but surely until he attained a good position among men and aeeumulated a competenee. He is now retired from aetive labor and is spending his deelining years amid the eom- forts of a pleasant home in the village of Concord. He is the owner of a good farm in township 16, range 11, comprising 385 aeres, whieli is well im- proved, well watered and admirably adapted to . stock-raising. Of this industry Mr. Sileox made a specialty while on the farm, and to this it is still largely devoted.
With the exception of eight years spent in Cass County, this State, Mr. Sileox has been a life-long
resident of this eounty, which owns him as one of its sons. He was horn in what was then the unim- portant little town of Jacksonville. Nov. 26, 1834, and is the son of Solomon Silcox, who was born and reared in East Tennessee. The latter was bred from a boy to farm pursuits, and was married in his native eounty to Miss Jane Keaton, who was "also of Southern birth and parentage. The parents of our subjeet continued to reside in Tennessee until after the birth of two children-William and Polly -- when they resolved to emigrate North, and accordingly coming to this eounty, took up their residenee in the hamlet of Jacksonville. After some years they reinoved to Beardstown, where the father died at the age of seventy years. He is re- membered as a good man in the broadest sense of the term, kind in his family, generous and hospita- ble with his neighbors, and one who uniformly exerted a good influenee upon those around him.
The mother of our subjeet survived her husband many years and spent her last days in Whitehall, Greene County, this State, where her death took place upon the day she was eighty-two years old. She was a lady possessing all the womanly virtues and in every way a suitable companion of such a man as her husband. Both were members of the Christian Church. James H., our subject, was the fifth in a family of eight children and with his younger sister, Mrs. Jane Blaek, is the only one now living. He was reared to man's estate under the parental roof and when reaching his majority started out for himself, and has built np his own fortune without any financial assistance.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Elizabeth C. Gish, was celebrated at the home of the bride in the township where they now live. Mrs. Sileox was born in Iowa and eame to this eounty with her parents when quite young. Her father was aeei- dentally killed by being thrown against a tree while riding on horseback at a rapid rate. The wife and mother is still living. After the death of her first husband she was married to Jaeob Long who also met his death aceidentally, being thrown over a bridge by the upsetting of his buggy at an embankment. Mrs. Long has now attained to the age of threeseore and ten years.
Mrs. Sileox was one of the younger members of
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a family of four children, of whom there is living one besides herself-her brother Frank who is a resident of Morgan County. She is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and great energy of character. Of the children born to her and her husband, three died in early childhood. Their eldest son, Charles, has the chief management of the homestead in which he is assisted by his brothers William and Robert as partners. Chester looks after the live-stock interests of his father. James and Richard live with their parents in Con- eord. Jane is the wife of John Eriekson and re- sides on a farm not far from the homestead. Lilly and Dolly are with their parents.
Mr. Silcox upon becoming a voting eitizen ident . ified himself with the Republican party, and dur- ing the late Civil War officiated as Deputy Pro- vost Marshal.
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UDGE HERBERT G. WHITLOCK, Coun- selor and Attorney-at-law, a native of this county, was born in the city of Jackson- ville, during the time it was an nnimportant hamlet, over fifty years ago, on the 24th of No- vember, 1831. His parents, who had come to Illi- nois during its pioneer days, were John and Mary (Sheppard) Whitlock. natives respectively of Vir- ginia and North Carolina. The paternal grand- parents were William and Rosanna (Sheldon) Whitlock, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, and the grandfather a farmer by oeeupation.
Grandfather Whitlock came to Morgan County as early as 1829, and took up a traet of Govern- ment land along its southern line. There he ear- ried on agriculture by the imperfect methods of those days, built up a comfortable home and spent the remainder of his life. He was the father of a large family of children, nine in number, and those who were permitted to survive were eventually numbered among the substantial citizens of that region. John, the father of our subject, came to this county the year previous to the removal of his father, accompanied by his wife and three children. He located on land four miles from the present site of Jacksonville, where he labored and
accumulated 'a good property. Here five more children were added to the household eirele, all of whom lived to mature years, and seven still sur- vive. These are Rosanna, Mrs. Hairgrove, of Jaek- sonville: Serena, Mrs. Taylor, of Washington; Minerva, Mrs. Hairgrove, of Waverly, this eounty; Eveline S., Mrs. Vermillion, of Frankfort, Mo .; Mary E., Mrs. Nichols, of Howard, Kan .; and Della, Mrs. Harper, of this county. The maternal grandparents of our subjeet were Lewis and Alice (Johnson) Sheppard, natives respectively of Vir- ginia and England. Grandmother Sheppard emi- grated to America with her parents when a young girl twelve years old. Grandfather Sheppard was a well-educated man and taught school during his younger years. He came from Kentucky to this county in 1829, settling on a traet of land which he cultivated, and all through life followed his pro- fession of teacher in addition. He also settled in the southern part of the county, and this family also ineluded nine children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Grandfather Sheppard served in the War of 1812, and was at the battle of New Orleans. He spent his last years at the old homestead in this county. Both the Whitlock and Sheppard families trace their ancestors to England.
The subject of this biography spent his younger years with his parents on the farm, until reaching his majority. As a boy at school he had been studious and fond of his books, and now resolved to become further advanced in practical knowledge. Entering Jacksonville Berean College, he con- tinued as a student there until July, 1859, then eommeneed teaching and reading law. He pur- sued the latter in the office and under the instrue- tion of Hon. I. L. Morrison, whose sketeh appears elsewhere in this work, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. In the meantime he had been employed in the Quartermaster's department in the army, at Cairo, Ill., and in 1862 became a member of the staff of Gen. Logan, and was employed in the du- ties attendant thereon until the elose of the war.
Mr. Whitlock commeneed the practice of his profession in the city of Jacksonville, operating for a time alone, but subsequently formed a part- nership with William Gallaher which continued two years. In February, 1869, the firm was changed
.
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to Morrison, Whitlock & Gallaher, and continued thus until the death of Mr. G., in 1871. Since that time it has been Morrison & .Whitloek. It is well known throughout this part of Illinois, as both members are men of strong intelleet, extensive readers and thoroughly well informed.
Our subject was elected to the County Judgeship in 1865, holding the position a period of four years, and was Trustee of the asylum for the insane from 1872 to 1876. He was also a member of the School Board in his city four years. He is a man warmly interested in education, and all enterprises tending to elevate the people and advanee their welfare. There has presided over his home for the last twenty years, one of the most estimable ladies of Morgan County, who in her girlhood was Miss Fanny M. Woods, and to whom he was mar- ried Oct. 19, 1869. Mrs. Whitlock was born Feb. 6, 1848, in Carlinville, Macoupin County, and is the daughter of Dr. Levi and Martha (McClure) Woods, who were born respectively in Franklin, this eounty, and Lebanon, Tenn. They are now both dead. Mr. Whitlock, politically, votes inde. pendently, aiming to support the men whom he considers best worthy to serve the interests of the people. His pleasant and attractive home is located on East State street, and is the frequent resort of the many friends of himself and his excellent lady. He is in the enjoyment of a good property and all the comforts of life.
G EORGE W. BURNETT. The sons of the pioneers of Morgan County have reason to be proud of their position as such, especially when they have improved the talents bestowed upon them, and have preserved the self-respect, which, whatever may be a man's fortunes in life, will in time almost invariably gain him a worthy position among his fellow-men. The career of Mr. Burnett has been uniformly prosperous, he having been spared many of the trials and adversities which are allotted to somc, but he has pursued the modest and unassuming course which has gained him many friends who would stand by him, even should misfortune overtake him. He is numbered
among the substantial farmers of this county, and has a fine estate on section 27, township 14, range 8.
Our subject was born in the township where he now resides April 3, 1831, and is the son of Isham and Lucinda (Van Winkle) Burnett, who are widely and favorably known throughout this section as forming a part of its pioneer element. He was reared to farming pursuits and given such educa- tion as was afforded in the log cabin school-house of that day, during a few months in the year. He resided with his parents until a man of twenty- seven years, but in the meantime, had secured # part of the land comprising his present farm, and had been engaged in its cultivation.
At an early day several families from the East settled near the present homestead of Mr. Burnett, and established a storc, a blacksmith shop, a grist and saw mill, a very good school, and a church .- The dwelling now occupied by our subject, was erected by Franklin Miner, a member of the colony. Mr. Miner met his death accidentally at the mill, and subsequently the remaining members of the colony removed to other parts of the county. On the 6th of May, 1858, occurred the marriage of Mr. Burnett with Miss Mary J. McCormack, who was born in this county, and is the daughter of John and Jane McCormack. The newly wedded pair settled upon the present farm of our subject, which then comprised eiglity aeres of land given him by his father, and to which he added from time to time until he became the owner of 1.300 acres. He has given four of his sons each a farm ranging from 160 to 240 acres, all improved, and he has still over 400 acres left. In addition to general agri- culture, he has engaged largely as a live-stoek dealer, with very profitable results.
Seven of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Burnett, are still living, one daughter having died at the age of seven years. These are named re- speetively, Marshall, Everett, Oscar, Fred, Jolm, Emma, and Lucinda. The private business of Mr. Burnett las occupied about all his time, and he has never desired office; he has mingled with politieal matters very little, although keeping himself well posted upon events of general interest, and giving lis support to the Republican party. Mrs. Burnett is a member of the Metliodist Episcopal Church,
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MORGAN COUNTY.
although in belief a Presbyterian, having joined the former on aceount of there being no Presbyterian Church in this vieinity.
John MeCormack, the father of Mrs. Burnett, was born in Nicholas County, Ky., in 1801, and was the son of James and Elizabeth McCormack, na- tives of Gettysburg, Pa. The family is of Seotch- Irish aneestry, and was represented in Pennsyl- vania at a very early day. James MeCormack was a gunsmith by trade, and was married in Pennsyl- vania to Elizabeth Gregory. Later he removed to Kentucky during the pioneer days of Nicholas County, where he became the father of a large family, and spent his last days.
In Nieholas County, Ky., John McCormack grew to manhood and was married. He lived there until 1834, then coming to this county, entered a traet of land near which the village of Franklin after- ward grew up. He only lived, however, a few years thereafter, departing hence in 1838. The six ehil- dren born of this union, are recorded as follows: James R. died in this county; Elizabeth married John Newport; Catherine became the wife of G. Atchinson; Naney married M. Sanders; Mary, Mrs. Everett, was the youngest daughter; John A. was killed in a collision on a railroad, while serving as a soldier in the late Civil War. Mrs. MeCormack survived her husband for a period of twenty-five years, devoting her life to her children, and had the happiness to see them grow to a happy manhood and womanhood. Both she and her husband were Presbyterians, and among the first members of Pis- gah Church.
NDREW A. DYER. Probably no coun- ties in Illinois have been more thoroughly settled up by intelligent and enterprising men than those with which we have to do in this volume, and Mr. Dyer is in no wise behind his neighbors as a thorough and progressive farmer. He eame to his present place in 1881 and has cighty acres of thoroughly cultivated land on section 1, township 15, range 11. Besides this, he owns sixty aeres more on the same seetion, which is partially improved with some excellent pasture.
Prior to his removal to this place, Mr. Dyer
owned a farin on township 15, range 12, where he lived four years. He has been a resident of this eounty sinee 1874, and made his home for a time with his unele. Ile was born in Jonesboro, Tenn., July 7, 1850, and is the son of John Dyer, who at the time of the birth of our subjeet was Sheriff of the County. He was also born in East Tenn- essee, and mainly engaged in agricultural pursuits. The mother in her girlhood was Miss Paulina Whitlock, a native of Tennessee and born near Jonesboro. The parents were married in that State and the father lived upon and conducted a farm until 1853, when they removed to Illinois and lived in Seott County and other places in the southern part of the State for many years. The mother died in Seott County in 1859, when about forty years of age, from caneer. She was a good woman and an active member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
The children of the parental family comprised four sons and two daughters. Onc son, William, during the Civil War enlisted in Company C, in an Ill. In- fantry regiment and met death on the battle field of Shiloh. He was at the time acting as Lieutenant. The eldest, James, is employed as a book-keeper in Pittsburgh, Cherokee Co., Kan. Ile served in the Union army three years, and was once slightly wounded. John is Deputy Cireuit Clerk, and makes his home in Winehester, Scott County. He served in the army ninety days. Rebecea, the only sister living of our subject, is the wife of William White, who was shot by the hot-heads of Missouri during the war. Mrs. White is yet living, making her home in Canton, where she is carrying on a good busi- ness for herself.
The subjcet of this sketeh was but a lad when his parents eame to Illinois. A few years later lis father removed to Pleasant View, Cherokee Co., Kan., where he died when about fifty-five years old. Ile was a Whig during his early life but later be- eame identified with the Democratic party. Our subjeet has been familiar with farm life from boy- hood and naturally ehose this as a vocation. When ready to establish a home of his own, he was mar- ried in Jacksonville, in July, 1876, to Miss Sarah E. Liter. This lady was born in this county, July 16, 1857. Her parents, Abraham and Elizabetlı (Liter):
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MORGAN COUNTY.
Liter, were natives of Kentneky, and eame to Ill- inois at an early day, settling on land from which they eonstrneted a good farm, and where the father made his home for the long period of forty years. He died in August, 1880, while the death of the mother took place two years prior, when she was seventy years old. Both were active members of the Christian Church.
Mrs. Dyer was the youngest ehild of her parents, whose family consisted of four sons and four daughters; one son and daughter are deceased; the others make their home mostly in Illinois and Kan- sas. The Liter homestead is situated in township 15, range 10, and there Mrs. Dyer was reared to womanhood. She acquired her education in the common sehool, and became mistress of those house- wifely duties the knowledge of which has so mueh to do with the comfort and happiness of a home.
Of her union with our subject there have been born four children, one of whom, Leroy, died at the age of four months. The others, Olie, Henry, E., and Stella F. are at home with their parents. Mr. Dyer votes the straight Democratie tieket, and with his estimable wife is held in high respeet in his community.
HOMAS LEE, a son of one of the earliest pioneers of this eounty, has spent all liis life within its limits, and is recognized as one of its most successful farmers and stock raisers. He lias a beautiful homestead, finely improved, with a set of tasteful, modern buildings, and the inaehin- ery necessary for carrying on agriculture after the most approved methods. He is located on seetion 16, township, 15, range 11.
Mr. Lee was born July 4, 1839, and is eonse- quently approaching the fiftieth year of his age. His father, George Lee, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and the son of a Yorkshireman, who op- erated a small farm, and with his estimable wife spent his entire life on his native soil, both dying at an advanced age. George Lee was one of the younger members of a family of ten children, and remained under the parental roof until a youth of seventeen years. Then lie set sail for the United
States, and made his way directly to this county, where he commeneed the battle of life for himself as a farnı laborer. After his marriage he began operating land on his own account, first in this county, but later removed to Maeonpin County. where he died at the age of seventy years.
The mother of our subjeet was, in her girlhood, Miss Mary Audas, a native of Yorkshire, and the daughter of John Audas, whose first wife, the mother of Miss Mary, died when the latter was a child of eight years. He was then married to a lady whose first name was Elizabeth, and soon aft- erward eame with his family to America. They settled on eighty aeres of land, which is now the property of our subjeet, Mr. Lee, and where Mr. and Mrs. Audas spent their last days, dying when quite well advaneed in years. The mother of our subjeet also died on this farm, when only forty years of age; both she and her husband were men- bers of the Methodist Clinreh.
Our subject is the second child and eldest son of his parents, whose family comprised four sons and three daughters. One son and one daughter are now deceased. Thomas, our subjeet, like the oth- ers, was reared on the farm, and trained to habits of industry, while be obtained his education in the common school. He chose farming for his life oc- eupation, and when ready to establish a fireside of his own was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Hall. This lady, like her husband, is a native of this county, and was born Sept. 18, 1838. Her par- ents, William and Elizabeth Hall, are now deceased. They were among the pioneer settlers of this county, and lived to be quite aged. They were born and reared in Yorkshire, England, and erossed the Atlantic early in the thirties. They were active members of the Methodist Protestant Chureli, and were of that kindly and hospitable disposition which endeared them to all who knew them.
Mrs. Lee was reared to womanlood in the home of her parents, and by her marriage with our sub- jeet became the mother of nine children, three of whom, Sarah E., Ida and Nellie E., died when quite young. Mary, the eldest daughter now liv- ing, is the wife of Thomas H. Eades, and they live on a farm in Woodson County, Kan. Minnie I. is the wife of Samuel 1. Coultas, and they reside in
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MORGAN COUNTY.
this county, on a farm near Lynnville. George W., Mattie J., Clara E. and Eva L. arc at home with their parents. Mr. Lee, politically,, supports the principles of the Republican party, and with his wife and family belongs to the Methodist Protestant · Church, in which he officiates as Steward.
OHN KILLAM. It is the province of the biogorapher to correctly chroniele the his- tory of persons who have passed away, and to record their virtues, that the living may profit thereby, and in the present instance it may be said that John Killam died, leaving behind him a name that is the synonym for all the virtues that cluster around a man who made his mark in the world, unaided and alone. The younger men and. women that are now on the stage of life can have no better pattern by which to form their charac- ters than that of John Killam.
Mr. Killam died at his home in township 15, range 11, on the 11th day of August, 1885, at the age of seventy-five years. He was born in Yorkshire, England. and came to America with his father, Samuel Killam, whose biography is given in another part of this volume. Ile was a resident of Illinois from the time he arrived in this country until his death, and of Morgan County, with the exception of six years that he resided in Woodford County. Mr. Killam sustained a reputation of being a thrifty farmer and stoek raiser. His industry and intelli- gence aided him in building up a beautiful home, and in improving a farm that is a model of the husbandman's skill. Ile was married, in- this county, June 25, 1839, to Miss Phyllis Jordan. She was born in the city of Derby, England, April 11, 1804. She came of English ancestry, having been the daughter of Harvey and Susannah (Rowls- ton) Jordan, now both deceased. Her mother died in Detroit, Mich., while the family was on their way to Illinois from England. This occurred in 1836, and her burial place is in Detroit. She was fifty-four years old when she died, and belonged to the Methodist Church. The father of Mrs. Killam, Harvey Jordan, died in Morgan County, at the home of his daughter, in 1853, at the age of
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