Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois, Part 24

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 24
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 24

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After the death of his father, Silas Henderson purchased the interest of the other heirs in the cs- tate, and entering additional land effected further improvements, but finally sold out and removed to the extreme southwest corner of section 31, town- ship 16, range 11, and there lived for the long pe- riod of thirty-four years. There also his death took place Aug. 17, 1886. His was the life of the typical pioneer, during which he labored carly and late in the building up of his homestead, and at his death left an estate valued at $60,000. Ile had been a useful man in his community, en- couraging its worthy enterprises and shedding around him a healthy moral influence.

Silas Henderson and his estimable wife became the parents of eight children, namely : Francis M., Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Alderson, of this county; Lucretia J., Mrs. George W. Renshler; Stephen G., of Missouri; Mary E., the wife of Ja- cob Savel, of Ringgold County, Iowa; Ellen, Mrs. Felix Brown, of Missouri; Henry C., also living in that State; Phebe M., the wife of Charles Craig. of Cass County, Mo. These were the children of the first wife. After the death of the mother of our subject Mr. Henderson was married a second time, to Caroline Furrer, and there was born one son, Allen, who is married and a resident of Nodaway County, Mo. He was a Whig during his early manhood, and upon the abandonment of the old party cordially endorsed Republican principles. He voted for Gen. Harrison in 1840. He enjoys a large acquaintance throughout the county, and was noted for his sterling worth and integrity. His

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first wife, the mother of our subjeet, was a most estimable lady and a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Francis M. Henderson of this sketeh spent his boyhood and youth variously employed about tlic farm, and during the winter season pursued his studies in the typical log school house of the prim- itive times. During the Civil War he served in the Union army one year, met the enemy in battle at Fredrickstown, Mo., and was engaged in several skirmishes as a member of Company I, 11th Mis- souri Infantry. Prior to this he had been married Jan. 22, 1863, to Miss Einily Berry. Mrs. Hender- son was born in Illinois, and of her union with our subject there are two children-a son and a daugh- ter, Silas M. and Lulu.

Mr. Henderson, following the footsteps of his honored sire, uniformly votes the straight Repub- lican ticket, and has served as a School Director in his district for a period of nine years. As an ex- soldier, he belongs to Chapin Post, G. A, R. in which he is Junior Vice Commander. He is also identified with the I. O. O. F. at Concord. Of late years he has given considerable attention to stock-growing and has ample means to carry out his plans and purposes after the most approved modern methods.

HOMAS WILCOX. The farmning and stock- raising interests of Morgan County are finely represented by Mr. Wilcox, who owns 250 acres of land, comprising his homestead in this county, and 190 acres in Sangamon County. The whole has been brought to a good state of cultiva- tion, and is supplied with the buildings necessary for carrying on agriculture casily and profitably. Mr. Wilcox makes a specialty of stock-raising, es- pecially horses, and keeps fifteen brood inares, comprising some of the most valuable animals in this section. His residence and its surroundings. form one of the most attractive homes in the township, and he is regarded as a man represent- ing its most important interests.

A large proportion of the active agriculturists of this county are operating not far from the place of

their birth, as is the case of our subject, who was born in Sangamon County, this State, June 28, 1831. He was given a cominon-school education, and in his boyhood became familiar with farm pur- suits. Ilis father. Ellis Wilcox, was born in Ken- tucky, about 1792, where he lived until reaching man's estate. He was then married to Miss Ann Lewis, of South Carolina, whose parents had re- moved to Kentucky, and the young people contin- ued residents of the Blue Grass State for some time after their marriage. They finally emigrated to Macoupin County, Ill. The father of our subject was married in 1820, and settled in Sangamon County, this State, where they lived five years. Next they took up their residence in this county, and the mother died in 1876. The father is still living with his son in Sangamon County, and has arrived at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. Upon coming to this county he first sceured eighty acres of land, to which he added by degrees until he was the owner at one time of 700 acres. The parental family included six children, four of whom are living, viz. : Josiah L., John F., Charles H., and Thomas.

Josiah Wilcox was first married to Alace Parker, of Sangamon County, and they became the parents of one child-Joseph. After the death of his wife he was married to Fanny Patterson, and he is now a practicing physician and surgeon of Springfield; they have three children-I)wight, Annie and Au- gustus. John E. was first married to Miss Mary Ray, now deceased; his second wife was Fanny Scott, of this county, also deceased, and who be- came the mother of five children. His present wife was formerly Fanny Meachan; they have no chil- dren. Charles married Miss Carrie Caruthers, and they live on a farm in Sangamon County; they have two children-Lew and Warren. Samuel

died at the age of twenty-one years.

Our subject was married, in 1856, to Mrs. Cath- erine (Ruble) Fox. Her father, Jesse Ruble, was of German descent, and came from Tennessee to IIIi- nois at an early day. The record of their ten chil- dren is as follows: Charles was born Dec. 10, 1856; Albert, July 23, 1858; Benjamin was born Jan. 20, 1860, and died March 8, 1888; Mary Aun was born Aug. 27, 1861; William, May 7, 1863;

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Francis was born March 14, 1867, and died July 18, 1885; Ruth S. was born Sept. 22, 1872; Thomas Aug. 22, 1874; and Katie E., Feb. 18, 1877, Charles married Miss Susan Kuhns, of Sangamon County, and is operating as a lumber merchant and agricultural implement dealer at New Berlin. Ile has four children-Mary, Henry, Edith and Benja- min. Albert married Carrie Wilcox, of Sangamon County, and lives in Macoupin County, where he is engaged in the breeding of Percheron horses; they have three children-Hattie L., Bertha and Dora.

Ellis Wilcox upon coming to this county began at first principles in the accumulation of a compe- tenee, for he possessed no capital excepting his strong hands and resolute will. He was a man who persevered through every difficulty, and being honorable and upright in his dealings secured the esteem and confidenee of all who knew him. Thomas, our subjeet, is apparently following in his footsteps, and is perpetuating the reputation of the family in a most praiseworthy manner. Both he and his excellent wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Wilcox is a Steward, and one of its chief pillars. IIe is a Re- publican in polities, and a man who keeps himself well informed upon current events, while at the same time he carefully avoids the responsibilities of office, having about all one man ean attend to properly, in the management of his extensive farm- ing interests.

ENRY FROST CARRIEL, M. D., Super- intendent and Physician of the Illinois Cen- tral Hospital for the Insane, at Jacksonville, is a man remarkable in many respects, and seems both by nature and education admirably adapted to discharge in a proper manner the duties of his responsible position. His office is no sine- eure, as anyone at all acquainted with its peenliar duties may readily understand, and he has brought to it that taet, patience and intelligence so nec- essary to a proper treatment of an unfortunate elass of people. He is recognized botlı by the citi- zens of Central Illinois and his brethren of the

medical fraternity, as being the right man in the right place.

The subject of this notice was born in Charles- ton, N. H., Aug. 20, 1830, and at an early age was graduated from one of the academie institutions of his native State. Soon afterward he began the study of medieine at Springfield, Vt., and in the spring of 1857 was graduated with honor from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City. Such had been his close application to his hooks, and his habit of observation was so thor- ough and concentrated, that, immediately upon leaving college, he was appointed Attendant Phy- sieian at the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum, located at Trenton, and which position he held until the summer of 1870.

Dr. Carriel at an early period in his life beeame deeply interested in the treatment of insanity, and determined to make it a specialty. With this end in view he spent nearly the whole year of 1860 among the insane hospitals of England, Ireland, Scotland, and France. In JJuly, 1870, he entered upon the duties of his present position. At that time this was the only asylum for the insane in the State, and it contained 450 patients. It has now under its fostering eare 930 patients, while there are seat- tered throughout the State four other asylums, and in addition several private institutions for the treatment of this peculiar and rapidly inereasing malady.

While a resident of New Jersey Dr. Carriel was . married, May 6, 1862, to Miss Mary K. Buttolphi, - daughter of the then Superintendent of the New Jersey State Insane Asylum. Mrs. Carriel died in 1873, leaving three sons: The eldest, Harry B., is practicing medieine in Chicago, Ill .; Horace A. runs a eattle ranebe in Texas; and Frank B. is a student at Jacksonville. The Doetor contracted a second marriage in 1875, with Miss Mary L. Tur- ner, daughter of Professor J. B. Turner, of Jaek- sonville. Both he and Mrs. Carriel are members of the Presbyterian Churel.

In his reading and researches Dr. Carriel reports that among the insane of this State the sexes are about equally divided. Educated people are less liable to insanity than are the uneducated. The faet that insanity is on the increase is attributed

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largely to the foreign population, which comprises nineteen percent of the whole, while among the insane forty-five per cent are of foreign birth. Of the large number of patients at Jacksonville not over 100 are thought to be curable. Dr. Carriel, who has no superior in the treatment of this disease, estimates that reeent eases of insanity are largely eurable. If taken in hand within three months from its development, seventy per cent. are eurable. If allowed to run six months, the per cent. would be reduced to fifty. If allowed to run twelve months, not to exceed twenty-five per cent could be cured, and if two years intervene the ease may be elassed as wholly ineurable.

- LFRED C. THOMPSON. This gentleman, who is well known among the business men of Jacksonville and vieinity, operates as a machinist and steam fitter, having his works, which were established in 1875, at No. 734 Railroad street. . Formerly in connection with this, was a brass and iron foundry, which the proprie- tor discontinued in 1881. He commands a first- class patronage from the people of . Morgan County, and occupies a position among its solid men.

A native of Yorkshire, England, the subject of this sketeh was born July 15, 1829, and is the son of John and Mary (Coates) Thompson, who spent their entire lives in their native England. The father was engaged in the boot and shoe business, and the parental household included fourteen children, all of whom lived to be men and women, but it is a sad and singular fact that of this large family Alfred C. is the only one living. The father de- parted this life when about ninety-five years of age, and the mother at the age of ninety. The broth- ers and sisters mostly remained in England during their lifetime.

Mr. Thompson was brought to America by a pa- ternal uncle, when a little lad eight years of age. They settled in Philadelphia, and that same year the uncle died, leaving no family, and the boy was thrown upon his own resources without friends or money. Young as he was, however, he proved equal to the emergeney, and scorned to accept

charity. He ran errands for five cents, keeping an eye continually to business, and first made his bed in a livery stable. After a time, as his honesty be- came apparent, he was allowed a buffalo robe on the office floor. He felt quite rieh when he had made twenty-five cents a day.

In due time young Thompson seeured a steady job in the sheriff's office, sweeping out, operating as errand boy, and making himself generally use- ful. When fourteen years of age, still continuing in the Quaker City, he began his apprenticeship as a machinist, serving three years. He worked two years as a journeyman in Philadelphia, then, desir- ons of a change of location, made his way to Bel- videre, N. J., where he worked a year, then started for the West. After reaching the State of Indiana he located in LaFayette, and found employment in the gas works at that point. A year later he was in Detroit, Mieh., operating as foreman in the ma. chine shops of Johnson & Mayne.

Mr. Thompson was employed by the above firm a period of three years, then going south into Ken- tueky was given charge of the extensive smelting works in Bullitt County. Thence a year later he went to Cineinnati, Ohio, where he secured a posi- tion in the gas factory, and during his stay there constructed the Telescope Gas Holder, which at- traeted considerable attention among the eraft. In the fall of 1853 we find him again locating in the West, with headquarters at Chicago, and in employ- ment on the lakes as engineer. In the fall of 1858 he was engaged as a gas fitter in Peoria, Ill., where he established a thriving business, adding foundry work, steam-fitting and machine shops, and giving employment to forty men. Here he transacted an extensive business until the fall of 1875, when he sold ont, and coming to Jacksonville embarked in the enterprise which has here proved likewise sue- eessful.

Mr. Thompson while a resident of Detroit, Mieli., was married, July 4, 1853, to Miss Elcanor Trus- ler. Mrs. Thompson was born in August, 1828, in Bath, England, and was the daughter of John and Jane Trusler, who were natives of England, and are now deceased. Her father's family included twelve children, seven now living, and mostly resi- dents of Canada and the United States. Of her

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union with our subjeet there were born one son and three daughters, three living: Mary J., Mrs. Hick- liable, of Kansas, is the mother of four children; Martha J., Mrs. Runkel, is a resident of Jackson- ville, and the mother of four children-Alfred, Eleanor, Fritz, and one deceased; Alfaretta C., Mrs. Howe, of Jacksonville, is the mother of one ehild, a daughter, Myrtle. Mrs. Eleanor Thomp- son departed this life at her home in Pekin, Ill., in September, 1873.

Our subject contracted a second marriage, March 1, 1873, with Miss Edith Smith, at that time a resi- "dent of Pekin, Ill. This lady was born about Au- gust, 1847, and is thic daughter of Arnold and Jeanette Smith, who were natives of New England, and are now living in Kansas. This marriage lias resulted in the birth of five children-Eleanor, Emeline, Alfred C., John A., and Edward C., de- ceased. The family residence is pleasantly situated on East College avenue, No. 604, and with its sur- roundings forms one of the attractive homes of the eity. Mr. Thompson, socially, belongs to the I. O. O. F., and politically, is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. As a self-made man he lias built up for himself an admirable record, and illus- trated in his career the results of perseverance and industry in a marked degree.

G EORGE WOOD is a native of Morgan Coun- ty, and was born Dec. ,10, 1844. He is in the possession of a good education acquired at the public schools and by intelligent reading.

Samuel Wood, the father of George, was born in Madison County, Ky., Oct. 13, 1813, and came to Morgan County with his father, Richard Wood, who was a native of Virginia. These people were truly pioneers of Morgan County. Samuel Wood commenced life without any money, but succeeded in building up a comfortable fortune. He at one time held the office of Judge and was commonly addressed as such. He married Mrs. Martha Smith, widow of Harvey Smith, and to this union were born eight children. Their record is as follows: Elizabeth was born Sept. 24, 1834, and died July 27, 1844; David was born April 4, 1838; Milton

was born Sept. 4, 1839; Iven was born Feb. 24, 1841. Julia A. was born June 17, 1847; Richard was born Oct. 7. 1851; James was born March 16, 1833; while the record of George appears at the be- ginning of this sketch.

David married Eliza Godley. They are living on a farm in Morgan County, and have six children four of whom are living: Martha, Samuel, Ballard and Richard. Lizzie and Iven are dead. Lizzie, married Andrew Stice. She died leaving two chil- dren, Bertha and Albert. Ballard married Ruth Cole and they reside in Morgan County. Samuel was married to Anna Ilubbs. She died leaving one ehild. When Samuel married the second time it was to Mary Duncan. Iven. brother of the sub- jeet of this sketeli married Mary Calm. They had eight children, six of whom are living: Charles, Minnie, Samuel, Arthur, Lizzie and IIomer. Ju- lia married James B. Beekman, a farmer of Mor- gan County, and they have one child, Mary. Rich- ard married Martha Purvis, of Macoupin County. He is farming in this county, and they have had five children, three of whom are living: Adelia, Grace and Myrtle. Nellie and an infant are de- ceased. James married Mary Eldred of Greene County, Ill. They are now living in Morgan County, and engaged in farming.

George Wood married Emily Cox of Morgan County. She was horn Sept. 10, 1847, and was born and reared in this county. Her parents were natives of Kentucky. In this family are six child- ren: Mary, Julia, Hettie, Jolmn W., Hubert and Emily, the wife of the subject of this sketelı. Ma- ry married Jerry Cox, who is dead; Julia married Ansel Buchanan. a farmer of Morgan County ; IIet- tie married John Johnson. They have four child- ren: Edith, Homer, Francis, and Howard. John W. married May Ray. They are the parents of three children: Freddie, Ray and an unnamed babe. Hu- bert married Winnie Schaun, of Morgan County.

George Wood was married Jan. 14, 1867, and is the father of four children : Walter W., James B. Laura B., and Milton M. Walter W. married Sa- rah Wilson, and is engaged in farming in this coun- ty. The balance of the children are at home with their parents.

The subject of this sketch commeneed life on a

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farm of 200 acres of well-improved land, and as the years have gone by, he has been constantly adding to the original tract until he now owns a farm of the magnificent proportions of 1,000 acres. He does a general farming business and takes pride in breeding horses, among which are the Hamiltonian, Grade Norman and Black Hawk breeds. He also raises stock for the market. It is rare that he has less than fifty horses, 250 head of cattle and 100 head of hogs feeding on his farm.

Mr. Wood is not affiliated with any church, but is a member of the Odd Fellows. Politically, he believes in the Democratic party and is a worker for its principles, although he never seeks office.

USTIN B. GREEN. There is probably no finer farm in township 14, range 10 west, than the Green homestead, whichi com- prises 400 acres of finely cultivated land, improved with a set of substantial frame buildings. Mr. Green, besides being a thorough and skillful agriculturist and a leading stock-raiser, is one of the representative men of this county, one compris- ing a seetion of its bone and sinew, and who has in the accumulation of a competence added largely to the wealth and importance of his precinct. The importance of the influence of such men in a com- inunity cannot be over-estimated, for his own thrift and enterprise has provided a stimulus to scores around him, who have thus been encouraged to emulate his example.

The subject of this sketch, the fourth child of his parents, was born at the old homestead east of Jacksonville in this county, June 26, 1837, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm. He re- mained a member of the household until about twenty-four years of age, when he established do- mestic ties of his own and settled in township 14, range 9, where he sojourned nine years. Thence he removed to his present farm. His education was conducted chiefly in the common school, and his boyhood and youth were spent largely in the lighter employments around the homestead.

On the 12th of February, 1861, occurred the marriage of Austin B. Green and Miss Mary J.

Rector, the wedding taking place at the bride's home near Jacksonville. Mrs. Green was born near the homestead where. she was married, April 17, 1842, and is the daughter of James S. and Minerva J. (Morton) Rector, the foriner of whom was born in Fauquier County, Va., and the latter near Jack- sonville, this county, April 25, 1824. After their marriage, which occurred at the Morton homestead near Jacksonville, Mr. Rector engaged in farming near the eity. In the fall of 1879 they removed to Pettis County, Mo., where the father died, July 14, 1881; the mother is still living and makes her home with our subject. They were the parents of thirteen children, seven daughters and six sons, and Mrs. Green was the eldest born.

The household circle of our subjcet and his cx- eellent wife was completed by the birth of eight children, viz .: Flora J., Elroy C., James M., Charlie S., Elmer A., Lelia M., Minnie R. and Clark L. They form a bright and interesting group, are re- ceiving careful home-training, and will be given the education suitable to their position in life. Mrs. Green is a very intelligent lady, hospitable, kind and generous, and contributes her full share toward making her home one of the most attractive spots to be found. She is a member in good standing of the Christian Church, and greatly respected where- ever known. Our subject, politieally, is a decided Republican, but mixes very little with public affairs, holding only the office of School Director in his district.

Stephen Green, the father of our subject, was born in Lieking County, Ohio, and when reaching man's estate was married to Miss Cynthia Riggs, who was born in Kentucky, near the Tennessee line. John Green, the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of Virginia, where he grew to manliood. He was possessed of more than ordin- ary intelligence, and at an early age began to have his doubts concerning the institution of slavery, and finally, on account of this turned his back upon his native State, and moved into the free State of Ohio. He married a lady of German ancestry, Miss Susanna Winter, and they finally, in 1822, after the birth of several children, including the father of our subject, removed to Illinois, and set- tled about four miles east of Jacksonville, this

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county. Grandfather.Green occupied himself as an agriculturist mostly, but being a man of deep piety gave largely of his time to the Master's service, officiating as an ordained minister of the Christian Church. Both he and his excellent wife spent the remainder of their days at the homestead which they built up in this eounty.

On the mother's side of the house Grandfather Seott Riggs was a native of North Carolina, where it is probable he was married, and he removed thence to Tennessee. He was a blacksmith by trade, and, like Grandfather Green, a minister of the Christian Church. About 1824 or 1825 he eame with his family to Illinois, settling in what is now Scott County, about fourteen miles west of Jacksonville. Ile took np his land and there with his excellent wife spent the remainder of his days.

To Stephen and Cynthia (Riggs) Green there were born eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. The mother departed this life in Jacksonville, April 16, 1879. Stephen Green survived his wife ten years, passing away at the home of his daughter about five miles northeast of Jacksonville, Jan. 4, 1889.

Col. Joseph Morton, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Green, was a prominent man in his day and took an active part in political affairs. He served two terms in the Illinois State Legislature, and one term as State Senator. He married a Kentucky lady, Miss Mary O'Dell, and spent the latter part of his life in Illinois engaged in farming and stoek- raising. In 1830 and 1835 he took the census of Morgan and Scott counties. He became the owner of a good property, and was widely and favorably known throughout this region.

W ILLIAM D. HENRY, President of the Vil - lage Board of Woodson, Postmaster and Justice of the Peace, has been intimately identified with the interests of this county for a period of fifty years. His birthplace was Bourbon County, Ky., and the date thereof March 4, 1835. His father, William D. Henry, Sr., was born in Orange County, Va., in 1789, and departed this life at his home in Illinois, in 1870. The mother, a na-

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Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois, Part 24

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