Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois, Part 18

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 18
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 18

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seventy six years. Ile died in the Episcopal faith. To him and his wife were born three children, Mrs. Killam being the eldest. IIer only sister is living in San Francisco, Cal. She is the widow of John Spencer. Mrs. Killam's only brother, William Jordan, died in Missouri, at the age of seventy years.

Harvey Jordan, the father of Mrs. Killam, eon- cluded to emigrate to America, and accordingly he embarked at Liverpool, England, and landing at New York, he there made up his mind to seek land in Illinois, and while enroute his wife died at De- troit, as before indieated. Here he lived in Morgan County continuously for many years.

Mrs. Killam is now living on the old homestead, spending her last days quietly. She is the mother of no children, but she and her husband have been the foster parents of four children: Elizabeth Maw- son, wife of Robert Heinbrough; they are farmers near Jacksonville. Louisa nee DeSollar, wife of Robert Davidson, is living in Wapello County, Iowa. William DeSollar married Sedarah Bobbitt, and they are living on Mrs. Killam's farm. Ann Killam married John Ranson; they are living on a farm near Jacksonville. It will thus be seen that Mr. and Mrs. Killam were possessed of charitable characteristics, and that in rearing to manhood and womanhood homeless children, they are entitled to be called philanthropists. Mrs. Killam is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church, having. lived in that faith for many years.

B AZZILL DAVENPORT, EsQ. The fifty- six years of the residence of this gentleman in Jacksonville compass his entire life, as here his birth took place, Jan. 26, 1832. His parents were Ira and Nancy (Henderson) Dav- enport, natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio. Ira Davenport left the Dominion with his parents when a child, they emigrating to Ohio, where he was reared to manhood in Pickaway County. IIe there remained until 1829, assisting his father in developing one of its best farms. There also he was marriedl.

The parents of our subjeet eame to this eounty

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in the year above mentioned, bringing with them two children. The father now departing some- what from his former occupation, engaged in gen- eral merchandising and milling, and acquired a good property, continuing to reside in the vicinity of Jacksonville until his death. In company with one Mr. Fitzsimmons, he operated the City and Morgan Mills. He was a prominent man in the county, and in 1845 was clected Sheriff, serving two years. In 1848 he was elected to the same office to fill a vacancy, and licld it successively for a period of seven years. Ile also engaged in pork- packing. A man energetic, capable, and of excel- lent judgment, he was closely identified with the growth and development of Morgan County, to- gether with that of the eity of Jacksonville. He was an active spirit in most of its leading enter- prises, and among other responsible positions held the office of Treasurer of the Blind Asylum for many years before his death. He was then suc- ceeded by his son, David S., who beld the position until his death, in 1876. Upon the death of David it was given to Bazzill, our subject. The three discharged its duties for a period of twenty-five years.

Ira Davenport, politically, was an Old Line Whig during his carly manhood, and later affiliated with the Republicans. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother is deceased, her death occurring in December, 1835. The parental household included seven children. Bazzill pursued his first studies in the subscription schools of this county. About 1850 our subject and his brother, Brackston, started for California, going overland by team, setting out on the 9th of April. They arrived in Sacramento City on the 22d of August following, but soon afterward re- turned east as far as Ringold, Cal., where they established a grocery and provision house, which they operated until the spring of the year follow- ing. Then, dividing the spoils, they struck out in different directions, entered the mines, and were engaged in searching for gold until 1857. They were quite successful in their labors, and deciding to return home, took passage on a steamer, cross- ing the Isthmus on the 4th of July.

Soon after his return to Jacksonville, our sub-

ject began clerking for his father in the flour and feed store, and was thus employed until the spring of 1872. He was then elected City Assessor and Collector, which office he held four years. The two years following were occupied in the set- tlement of the estate of his brother David. Mr. Davenport was elected Justice of the l'eace in 1877, holding the office four years and being re-elected. In 1885 he was appointed Public Administrator for the county-first under Gov. Beveridge, and has received the appointment from each successive Governor since.

The 31st of December, 1861, witnessed the mat- rimonial alliance of our subject with Miss Mary E. Metcalf, a native of Greene County, this State. Mrs. Davenport was born Dec. 30, 1842, and was the daughter of William and Sarah (Buchanan) - Metcalf, natives of Kentucky. Their family con- sisted of four children, and she was the eldest. She received a good education, being for a time a pupil in the Jacksonville Female College, and remained under the parental roof until her marriage. Of this union there were born two children, sons-Ira W. and Fred. The elder is now a student at Yale Col- lege, and a very bright and promising young man, and has been elected Superintendent of Public Schools of the city of Jacksonville. He was grad- uated first from the High School at Jacksonville, then from the Illinois College, and subsequently became a teacher in the Blind Asylum, where he continued two years. Ile commenced in the pri- mary department, and in three months had been promoted as one of the principal instructors of the institution. He resigned this position to enter Yale. Fred completed his studies in Illinois Col- lege, and is now a student of the Renssalaer Poly- tecnic Institute at Troy N. Y.

Mrs. Davenport was a lady of many excellent qualities, and a prominent member of the Cen- tenary Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of years. Iler death took place on the 30th of June, 1885. Of this body our subject also has been a member and was Treasurer for many years. Politically, he votes the straight Republican ticket, and in the I. O. O. F. has been through all the Chairs of his Lodge-Urania, No. 243-of which he is now Deputy, besides holding the same office

BEAUCIS (14123) 8396.

RED PEPPER

RESIDENCE OF CHARLES COX, SEC. 35. T.IG. R.IO. MORGAN CO.

SCALE

---

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RESIDENCE OF SEBASTIAN KUMLE, ALEXANDER ; ILL.

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in Ridgely Encampment, No. 9, and the Jackson- ville Rebecca Degree, No. 13. The family resi- dence is No. 503 East State street. The Squire's office is on the north side of the Square, No. 433. He is a general favorite in the social and business circles of his community.

S EBASTIAN KUMLE, the owner of 520 broad acres of land, usually may be found at his homestead in township 15, range 8, where his interests have centered for many years. He may be most properly termed a self- made man, having worked his way up from a mod- est beginning to a good position socially and finan- cialy. From his substantial German ancestry he inherited the qualities requisite to the formation of an honest man and a good citizen, and is thus re- garded most unquestionably by all who know him.

A native of the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germ- any, our subject was born Jan. 20, 1830, and lived there until a young man of twenty years, receiving a good education in his native tongue, and becom- ing familiar with agricultural pursuits. He was always thoughtful beyond his years, and saw little in his own country to encourage him in carrying out his ambition for the future. He finally decided to emigrate to America, and shipping from the port of Bremen landed in New York City after a safe voyage on a sailing-vessel.

Soon thereafter, leaving the metropolis, young Kumle proceeded southwestward across the Missis- sippi to St. Louis, Mo., where he sojourned two years. Thence he came to this county from Jacksonville, went into the country, and found employment as a farm laborer. He was thus occu- pied one year, and the next rented a tract of land and commenced farming on his own account. The next important event in his life was his marriage, in 1852, with Miss Gertrude K. Rushe, a native of his own country, who emigrated to America with her brother in July, 1850.

Mr. Kumle operated as a renter until 1863, and in the meantime had accumula ted sufficient money to purchase 140 acres of land. This was mostly under cultivation, but there were no buildings upon

it. He put up a house and barn, and gradually added the other buildings necessary for his conven- ience. Later he purchased 185 acres, which consti- tutes the present homestead. It will thus be seen that he was prospered from the beginning. He al- ways made it a rule to live within his income, and was prompt in meeting his obligations. In addition to general agriculture, he raises in large numbers cattle, horses and swine, making a specialty of the latter and of Norman trotting and saddle horses. In this industry he has been particularly successful, achieving an enviable reputation.

To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born five children, the eldest of whom, a son, Joseph, is a well-to-do farmer and stock-raiser; he married Miss Mary Dayton, and they have three children-Fred, William and John. A. L. married Miss Ella Coultas, is a farmer by occupation, and the father of two children, a son, Harry, and a babe unnamed; William F. and John Emil remain at home with their parents; Mary is the wife of Hard- man Seller, a native of Germany, who crossed the Atlantic when fifteen years old, and is carrying on farming in this county; they have five children -- Gertrude, Kate, Mary, Ann E. and Joseph.

Mr. Kumle, with his family, belongs to the Catholic Church. In politics he votes independ- ently, aiming to support the principles and not men. It certainly should be a matter of pride to Mr. Kumle and his family that their surroundings are so pleasant as to clicit praise from passers-by. To an equal extent will the view of their home, given in this volume, attract the admiration of many readers.

HARLES COX. Within the past few years the young men of Morgan County, who were born within its precincts and educated in its institutions of learning have stepped to the front to take their place among its agriculturists, its business or professional men, and are doing their share in the maintenance of its varied and extensive interests.

Among the most intelligent, wide-awake and prominent of these stands the subject of this sketch, who, notwithstanding his comparative youthful-

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ness, has already gained a sure footing among the solid, substantial members of the farming commun- ity of township 16, range 10, the place of his na- tivity, and is, indeed, considered one of the lead- ing horse-breeders in this part of the county, being the possessor of some fine blooded registered ani- mnals and .fast trotters. Ile manages two farms in township 16, range 10; his home farm on seetion 35 and another which he rents, comprising 176 aeres on sections 3 and 34. Both are provided with good buildings and have every convenience for prosecuting agriculture successfully. A view of his home place appears in this volume, showing its im- provements and surroundings. His farm is neatly fenced, and eighty acres of it are under a high state of cultivation, while a neat, roomy dwelling and substantial barns adorn the place.

¿"Our subject is the son of the late Charles and Francina (Phillips) Cox. (For genealogy see the sketches of his brother Hardin Cox and of John Phillips.) He is of good pioneer blood, and was born Feb. 9, 1865, on the farm where he still makes his home. He was reared on the old home- stead, and received the rudiments of a good edu- cation in the district sehools, afterward taking a course at the Jacksonville Business College, where he ranked well as a scholar. When he was but nine- teen years of age our subject took upon himself the responsibilities of married life, and Jan. 30, 1884, his union with Miss Jennie N., daughter of David and Ellen (Shields) Belehy, was consummated. In their pleasant household three children have blessed their happy wedded life, namely : Beulalı, Alberta and Harold. As we have seen Mr. Cox devotes himself to farming and has met with more than or- dinary success in his vocation. He is noted espec- ially as a breeder of fine horses, and has some reg- istered stock that is classed among the best in the eounty. He has a fine dark-gray Perelieron, No. 14,123 French, No. 8,396 Ameriean, and keeps from ten to fifteen brood mares of high grades. Iie is the owner of the celebrated trotter, Red Pepper, which is a very high-bred horse, direet descendent of Maud S., although not a registered animal.

Our subjeet is gifted with a elear brain, steady purpose, and great foree of character, and is an honor to the citizenship of his native county that looks

to him and her other young sons to do good serv- iee in the support of hier institutions and interests, to extend her wealth, and aid in giving her the proudest place among her sister counties. He is a young man of correet habits and fine principles, and he and his amiable wife are among the most influ- ential members of the Baptist Chapel at township 15, range 10. Mr. Cox has mingled somewhat in the publie life of his township, for which he is eminently fitted, and as School Director for three years las done what he could to promote the cause of eduea- tion.

HIE REV. FRANKLIN W. PHILLIPS, M. D., for many years Superintendent of the Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind, was born in Montgomery County, Ky., Nov. 5, 1827, and died at Jacksonville Jan. 17, 1888. llis father, William Phillips, was a minister of the gospel, and descended from the old historie and highly esteemed Phillips family of Maryland. Both he and his wife died in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the subject of this sketeh beeame for three years, dur- ing his boyhood, an inmate of the household of an unele, at Paris, Ind. In 1840 he returned to Cin- einnati, and entered Woodward College-now known as Woodward High School-from which he withdrew for the purpose of learning the carpen- ter's trade. Having made a profession of Chris- tianity, and becoming a member of the Methodist Church, he, in 1845, began preparation for the min- istry, and in 1848, after a rigid examination, he was admitted to the Kentucky Confereuee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. His health having become impaired, he was reluctantly forced, in 1856 to witlidraw his connection from Confer- enee and to locate. In doing this, Mr. Phillips was obliged to temporarily surrender the hope and ambition of his life. In the meantime, having read medieine, he attended lectures at the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, and soon after- ward began practice as a physician at the town of Livermore, MeLean Co., Ky. He entered at onee into a good practice at that place, afterward re- moving to Todd County, Ky., where he remained until 1864, when he began to east around for a new

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location. The result was, his investigation brought him to the conclusion that Illinois offered him a better field for his talents, and in the last year mentioned he removed to this State. His health having been restored, he believed it was his duty to re-enter the ministry, which he did by joining the Illinois Conference, and during the succeeding ten years he preached at Mattoon two years, Jaek sonville four years, Springfield three years, and Danville distriet one year. In June, 1874, he was made Superintendent of the Institute for the Edu- eation of the Blind, and while in that offiee intro- dueed many reforms, and placed that great institu- ution in the front rank of its kind in the United States. In his death the State sustained an irre- parable loss.

Dr. Phillips was married at Maekville, Ky., in Oet., 1853, the daughter of Rev. Richard J. Dun- gan being the happy bride. She is now (1889), and has been for some years, the Matron of the in- stitution over whiel Dr. Phillips so successfully presided for fourteen years.

In glaneing at this brief sketeh, it will be seen that Dr. Phillips was a man of more than the ordi- mary mould, and that the characteristics of industry, intelligence, integrity and influenee were blended in him. In his management of the great institu- tion for the amelioration of the sightless wards of the State, the Doctor exhibited rare ability, and though it is a common thing for humanity to praise the dead, in this ease the duty is not perfunetory, but is one whieli becomes a pleasant task to all per- sons who were ever associated with Franklin W. Phillips.

IIE REV. JOHN M. GIBSON is a, native of Rutherford County, Tenn., and was born Feb. 3, 1821. He came to Morgan County in 1830, in company with his father, James Gibson. His grandfather was James Gibson, Sr.

The subject of our sketeh had two brothers and two sisters-William A., Cullen C., Martha M. and Rebecca M. William married Delila Fanning, of Morgan County; he is a minister of the Dunkard Church; their children are: Charleton, Merriman, Ellen, Hannah, James T., Mary, Lydia and Martin.

Cullen C. was married to Nancy. J. Dougherty, of Kentreky; he is a minister of the Dunkard Church and has twelve children, as follows: Ciril- dee, James, John, Charles, Hannah, Sarah, George, Derinda, Isaac, Cullen, Henry and Lizzie. Mar- tha M. married Hezekiahı Cain, of Scotland County, Mo .; he is a Baptist minister; they have six chil- dren-Sarah, James, William, David, May and Julia. The subject of this sketch married Mary Davidson, who was born in Alabama, Feb. 19, 1829. Iler parents Joshua and Elizabeth (Sharp) Davidson, came to Morgan County in April, 1831. Mr. Davidson died in 1844, while Mrs. Davidson lived until July 6, 1876. Mrs. Gibson's ancestry dates back to Germany, Seotland and England. She had seventeen brothers and sisters, seven of whom are living, as follows: David, James, Thomas, Albert, William, Martha, Felitha. David married Rebeeea Gibson, sister of the subject of this sketel, who died, leaving one child, Mary, who married Phillip Cox, of Macoupin County; the last named couple had three children-Charles, Ernest and Wilbur. David's second wife was Caroline Gouse, nee Montgomery, by whom he had four children- Belle, Emma, Harvey and Clara. James married Louisa Norville, to whom three children were born-Elmer, Lavina and Melissa. Thomas, who is an orange eulturist in Florida, married May Phillips, and has three children-Amy, Annie and James. Albert is a widower, and is living in Mis- souri. William, who is a school-teacher, married Mary Seymour, of Morgan County, to whom were born four children-Hattie, Allie, Martin and Mar- vin (twins). Martha married Gideon Jennings, and they are living in the Choetaw Nation, Indian Territory; they have eight children-Henry, Gran- ville, Irene, Anamenda, Aliee, Susan, Hannah and Charles. Felitha married William MeCurley, of Morgan County; they have seven eliildren- John II., Amanda, Aliee, Louella, Ezekiel II., Mary and Zeruah.

The subject of our sketch is the father of nine children-John M., Elizabeth, George C., Hannah, James W., Albert D., Mary E., Richard Y. and Julia. Of these, John M. married Phoebe Carlyle, of Morgan County ; they are now living in Doug- las, Kan., on a farm, and have three children-

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Samuel, John and Mary Ann. Elizabeth married John II. Van Winkle, of Morgan County; he is postmaster at Franklin; they have five children- George, Charles, Albert, Ilelen and Chester. Han- nah married Samuel Carlisle, who is dead; they had three children-Ethel, Earl and Eula. James married Mary Lyons, of Morgan County. Albert married Miss Seymour, of Morgan County. Mary E. married William Dunean, of Franklin, who is a seliool-teacher; they have four children -- Gladys, Glenn, Bruce and Welcome. Richard is single and at home with his father. Julia married Eli O. Mansfield, a Miller of Franklin.

John M. Gibson is the owner of a splendid farm of 175 aeres, with good buildings; he does a general farming business, raising eattle, horses, hogs and grain. He was ordained as minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, Oet. 3, 1875, and is a loeal preaeher.

Mr. Gibson, politieally, is a Prohibitionist, and is President of the Franklin Prohibition Club. He is a conseientious man, a good neighbor, and the world is better for containing sueh men.

M ICHIAEL KENNEDY, late of township 15, range 11, this county, was born near Geory, in County Wexford, Ireland, in June, 1824, and departed this life at his home in township 15, range 11, Feb. 3, 1888. He was a man widely and favorably known throughout his community, sueeessful as a farmer, upright as a business man, and one who contributed his full share to the enterprises calculated for the best good of the people around him. The homestead which he built up on seetion 3, stands as a monument to his thrift and industry. It was a wild unbroken tract of land when he purchased it, in September, 1864, and by the exereise of persevering indus- try he construeted from it one of the most com- fortable homes in the Preeinet. Later he purchased a farm on seetion 3, in the same township, which is partially improved.

Mr. Kennedy eame to this eounty in 1848, one year after landing in the United States. Ile com- mneneed life here as a farm laborer, being without

other means or resources than his stout muscles and resolute will. In due time he began operating upon rented land, until having saved enough to purchase eighty aeres in the southeast part of the eounty. This he sold later, and moved to a more congenial neighborhood, and at the time of his death left his children sufficient to insure them against want.

Of pure Irish stock, our subjeet was the son of Thomas Kennedy, a farmer of County Wexford, and who spent his entire life upon his native soil, living to the age of about threescore years. He had been reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, in which he carefully trained his children, and to which his son Michael adhered until the time of his death. Ile was married in early man- hood to Julia Dun, a native also of County Wex- ford, and who came of a very excellent family. She also was a life-long Catholie, and died in Ire- land at the age of sixty-five years. To her and her husband there were born six children, all of whom lived to mature years and acquired a good edueation, especially Michael, who was am- bitious to learn, and possessed more than ordinary intelligence. Michael Kennedy was the second son and child in a family of four sons and two daugh- ters, the latter of whom remained in their own country. Bessie died soon after marriage; Maria, Mrs. Kingsley, was a resident of Clydesdale, Seot- land, and died March 22, 1889; the youngest son, James, died in Ireland at the age of twenty years; Patrick died shortly after landing in the United States, in St. Louis, Mo., leaving a wife; Thomas is a single man, and residing near Iron Wood, Mich.

Our subjeet after completing his education learned the trade of a tanner, in his native county, but had not worked at this very long when he eon- eeived the idea of emigrating to America. Ile started out on the 2d of April, 1848, erossed the Channel, and took passage at Liverpool on a sailing- vessel, which, after a pleasant voyage of six weeks and four days, landed him safely in New Orleans. He lived there and in St. Louis and vieinity until the spring of 1849. He then made his way to this county, where, after a number of years, he was married, in 1856, to Miss Anna Rogers.

Mrs. Kennedy was born near Rosseommon, in

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County Rosseommon, Ireland, where she was reared to womanhood and given a good education. She came to the United States with some friends of her parents, and for a time sojourned in Boston, Mass. Later she came to this county, and not long afterward was married to Mr. Kennedy. She de- parted this life at the homestead, in 1873, at the early age of thirty-five years. Of her union with Mr. Kennedy there had been born six children, three of whom are deceased: Julia A., who died at the age of twelve years; Maria died in infaney; Patrick S., who died at the age of eight years; Thomas L., a farmer by ocenpation, is operating his own land, which he is rapidly bringing to a good state of cultivation, and effecting good im- provements; Mary C., a very intelligent young wo- man, is keeping house for her brothers; James F. makes his home with his brothers and sisters. They have all been well edueated, and the boys, politi- eally, affiliate with the Demoeratie party. The family is well known throughout this part of the county, and is held in universal respeet.

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Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois, Part 18

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