USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 26
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 26
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Our subject, a few days before reaching the twenty-sixth year of his age was married, Sept. 16, 1883, to Miss Martha E., daughter of Thomas and Olive (Dyer) Jefferson, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in Morgan County. Mrs. Tay- lor was born in this county, Oet. 17, 1864, and was here reared to womanhood, acquiring her education in the common sehools. Iler parents were natives of Yorkshire, England, and she was the eldest of their six children. They came to America about 1840, and are still living at the farm which the father purchased soon after his arrival in this country.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor comprises two sons and a daughter: William R., Agnes B. and George D. Mr. Taylor votes the straight Re- publican ticket, and has held the office of School
Director. Both he and his estimable wife, like the parents of our subject, are members in good stand- ing of the Christian Church. The mother of Mr. Taylor has been identified with this church for the long period of sixty years.
W ILLIAM BEGNEL. One of the best reg- ulated farms of Woodson Precinct be- longs to the subject of this notice, who was born in County Louth, Ireland, about the year 1830. Ile received a common-school education in his native county, of which he remained a resident until a man of twenty-eight years, employed at different occupations. At the expiration of this time, seeing little prospeet of attaining to what he wished, socially and financially, he resolved to seek his fortunes on the other side of the Atlantic. He landed after a safe voyage in the city of New York the latter part of July, 1858.
Not long afterward we find our subject in Greene County, the southern part of this State, where he was for some three or four years employed as a farm laborer. He then commeneed operating on rented land in that vicinity, where he resided two years, and spent a year thereafter in Macoupin County. In 1866 he came to this eounty with a snug little sum of money, which he invested in the land comprising his present homestead, then ninety- three aeres in extent. Ile at once set himself to the task of improving his property, and was pros- pered in his labors. He invested his surplus capital in additional land, and is now the owner of 378 broad acres, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and which yields him handsome re- turns.
The Begnel family occupies a substantial brick residence, and the farm is supplied with all the other buildings necessary for the successful prose- cution of agriculture. Mr. Begnel makes a spe- cialty of stock-raising, in which he has been very successsful. The farm is pleasantly located on section 24, and in all its appointments indicates the thrift and enterprise of its proprietor.
On the 5th of October, 1863, our subject took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Margaret
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Dunn, who was born in County Queens, Ireland, abont 1831. Iler parents, Timothy and Mary (Doyle) Dunn, were also natives of County Queens, where they spent their entire lives. Mrs. Begnel was the eldest of their four children who lived to inature years. Of her union with our subject there have been born five children, viz: Mary E., who died in infancy; James II., Maggie R., Sarah E., and William F., who died at the age of six years.
Mr. Begnel, politically, is a stanch supporter of Democratie principles, and with his wife and family belongs to the Catholic Church. He has served as a School Director in his district, and is a man pop- ular among his neighbors, and hospitable to all who come within his doors. His father, James Begnel, was born and spent his entire life in County Lonth. The mother, Mrs. Margaret (Hoy) Begnel, was born and reared not far from the early home of her husband, and after his death came to America, and died at the home of her son, our subject, Sept. 16, 1872. The parental family ineluded five chil- dren, all of whom lived to mature years, and of whoin William was the third in order of birth. Ilis brothers and sisters are located mostly in Illinois.
E DWARD RAWLINGS. There is a goodly proportion of English-boru citizens in this county, and they unquestionably comprise a portion of its best element. Among them may be properly mentioned Mr. Rawlings-a man who, amid the adverse circumstances surrounding his youth, triumphed over many difficulties and hard- ships, and now occupies an enviable position in life, socially and financially. He is the owner of 430 acres of improved land, in township 14, range 9, comprising one of the finest farms in this part of the county, and after many years of toil, during which he accumulated a competeney, has wisely retired from active labor, and is enjoying the fruits of his industry.
Mr. Rawlings was born in Yorkshire, England, May 31, 1830, and eame with his parents and their family to America in the fall of 1840, when a little over ten years of age. Ile remembers that they shipped from Liverpool to New York City, and
were on the ocean six weeks. From the metrop- olis they proceeded to Albany, then to Buffalo, and from there by lake to Cleveland, Ohio. From that point they journeyed to Cincinnati, thenee to Cairo, Ill., thenee to St. Louis, Mo., and from there up the Mississippi, finally arriving at Naples, Ill., whence they proceeded to Jacksonville, in this county. It is hardly necessary to say that this lat- ter town presented a wide contrast to its present condition.
The father of our subject, upon his arrival in this county purchased 560 acres of land, where he put up a house and commenced the cultivation of the soil. He lived there until his death.
William Rawlings, the father of onr subject, was likewise a native of Yorkshire, England, and was boru about 1780. The wife and mother, Mrs. Mary (Wilson) Rawlings, was born and reared not far from the childhood home of her husband, and passed away some twelve years after his demisc. Of their ten children the record is as follows; William was born Aug. 22, 1821, and died nine days later; James was born Aug. 12, 1822; Henry was born March 6, 1825, and died Sept. 26, 1873; William W. was born Sept. 22, 1827, and died Nov. 12, 1857; Edward was born May 31, 1830; Charles, April 8, 1833; Lydia, Dee. 5, 1811; Mary, Feb. 10, 1814, and died Nov. 18, 1869; Rachel was born Sept. 2, 1816; Anna, May 23, 1819, and died in April, 1884. Charles married Miss Delany, of this county, and died in Arkansas in 1880; his widow resides in Chapin, this State. Lydia mar- ried Vineent Richardson, of Yorkshire, England, and is now deceased; her husband and family live west of Jacksonville. Mary married Peter Rich- ardson, of Yorkshire and both are deceased; Rachel married Richard Ambrough, of England, and who is farmning in this county; they have one child- Sarah.
Our subjeet was first married .Nov. 5, 1852, in this county, to Miss Sarah Ann Sinith, a native of Yorkshire, and who died- Sept. 26, 1881, without children. On the 10th of May, 1882, he contracted a second matrimonial alliance, with Miss Sarah Jane- Simms, and to them were born four children, one of whom, Richard, died when seven months old. The survivors are Sarah A., Edward and Will-
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iam W. Mr. Rawlings commenced in life by work- ing on a farm by the year, and after a few years purchased a team of horses and operated on land rented of his father-160 acres-for which he paid $100 per year, and after the death of the mother he inherited this land from the estate. Ile then purchased forty aeres of land, and the year follow- ing an additional forty acres. In a few more years he bought 110 aeres, and thus kept adding to his real estate. He brought the whole to a good state of cultivation, and erected comfortable build- ings. In addition to general agriculture he raises cattle, keeping usually about sixty head; has a goodly number of horses, and also sheep and swine. He is in all respects a foreible illustration of the results of energy and perseverance, and is one of those men who form the bone and sinew of the farming community.
Politieally, Mr. Rawlings is a sound Republican. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in which Mr. R. has held the various offices and to which he has contributed a cheerful and liberal support. He has made many warm friends during his long residence in this county, and is looked upon as one of the old landmarks -- one whose name will be held in remembrance long after he has been gathered to his fathers.
AMES GUINNANE, a representative pio- neer and farmer of Morgan County, and re- siding on seetion 11, township 15, range 12, is a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, and was born in the year 1829. He was a son of Martin and Bridget Guinnane, both natives of Ire- land.
One reason why the population of the United States contains so large a per cent of foreign born citizens, is because of the oppressive laws of many of the European countries. While an Irishman loves his native isle with all the impulsive charae- teristics of liis race, the system of landlordism and tenantry in that country for many years has been so manifestly unjust and eruclly oppressive, as to compel thousands to leave the scenes of their childhood, the graves of their fathers and all they
hold dear in this life, to seek relief in a free land. America las become the asylum for a greater por- tion of this class of people, and when once here and becoming accustomed to the ways of the coun- try, they have, as a rule, become good law-abiding citizens. There are no anarchists among the na- tives of Ireland, but they love this country and its laws, andwhen treason threatened our land with destruction, there was no class of foreigners who sprang quieker or with more enthusiasmn, to the re- lief of the stars and stripes, than did the Irish.
James Guinnane was the oldest son in his famn- ily, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. His education was limited, for in his native country the persons who received an education, and were poor, were the exception, not the rule. The ad- vantages in Ireland for gaining knowledge were even more limited than in the pioneer days of America. But Mr. Guinnane has been a close ob- server and by reading, has become a self-educated man. His emigration to America occurred in the fall of 1847, and his voyage across the ocean oeeu- pied forty days on a sailing vessel. Ile landed in New Orleans, where he remained nearly one year, working most of the time in a livery stable. In the fall of 1848 he came to Beardstown, III., where he spent the following winter, and in the suceced- ing spring, he located in Morgan County, where he has resided sinee. He settled on his present farm in 1852, and his original purchase consisted of 136 aeres of land which was then in an unculti- vated condition, but by his native industry and. good management, he has succeeded in converting it into a good farm. By subsequent purchases he las inercased his acreage until now his farm con- sists of about 335 aeres of land in Morgan and Seott counties, and it said that his place is one of the best improved in Bethel Preeinet. It goes without saying that the owner is a model farmer in every way.
Mr. Guinnane was married twice. His first wife was Sarah Gleason, by whom he had five children. Three of these are living: John, Mary and Marga- ret. His second wife's maiden name was Annie Gleason, who bore him six children of whom the following are living: Ellen, Martin, Sarah J. and James. Mr. Guinnane is a member of the Cath-
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olie Church at Jacksonville, and for several years has been a School Director, and was lately re-elected. In 1877 he was a candidate for the office of Coun- ty Commissioner, but was defeated by his oppo- nent Mr. Lawler, of Meredosia. He has a large and extended acquaintance in the county, and possesses the esteem and confidence of all who know him, and as a good citizen, there are none who stand higher than he.
OB COATES, the owner of 443 acres of land is pleasantly located on seetion 23, town- ship 15, range 9, where he lives "a bachelor all by himself" and by his prudence and in- dustry has accumulated a competence. lle was born in Yorkshire, England, Dee. 23, 1837, and lived there until reaching his majority, acquiring his education in the common schools and employ- ing himself mostly at farming.
After making up his mind to come to America, yonng Coates secured a passage on the sailing vessel "Washington" at Liverpool, which after a voyage of fourteen days, landed him safely in the eity of New York. Thence he eame directly to this county and secured employment on a farm un- til he was enabled to commence operations for himself on rented land. In this latter manner he was occupied five years with satisfactory results, and then purchased 100 acres of improved land, near Pisgah station. A few years later he pur- chased forty aeres additional and continuing pros- perons, later purchased 243 acres. All of this land is now well improved and he has one of the most desirable homesteads in his township.
Our subject is the son of Jonathan and Ann (Robinson) Coates, the former of whom was born in 1751 and died at the age of eighty-five years. The mother was born in 1801, and died in 1888, at the age of eighty-seven years and nine montlis. Bothi were natives of Yorkshire where they spent their entire lives, the father engaged in farming. The parental household included ten children, six of whom are living, and of whom our subject is the youngest. William married Miss Jane Light- foot, is the father of one daughter-Victoria A.,
and earries on farming in his native county of York. Amos married a Miss Thompson and lives in Jack- sonville where he owns a farm. They have one daughter, Sarah, who is the wife of William Conk- ling, a merchant of Springfield, and they have two children. Carbulious married Harriet Vasey, and is carrying on farming and stock-raising in Scott County, this State; they have seven children- Louisa, Clara, Anna, Rosa, Rebecca, Robert and Prince Albert. Louisa married William Goodell, a coachman of Yorkshire and lives there.
At the time Mr. Coates came to this county, there had been considerable headway made toward a settlement, although the people were by 110 means independently wealthy. He in common with his neighbors, labored carly and late in the development of his farm and like many of them, has become well-to-do, with a sufficieney for his old age. Politically, he is a sound Democrat, but aside from doing his duty at the polls, meddles very little with public affairs. He is a man prompt to meet his obligations and one whose word is con- sidered as good as his bond.
R ICHARD ROBERTSON, one of the young- er farmers of this county, has spent his en- tire life in Central Illinois, near the place of his birth, at his fathers's homestead in this county, where he first opened huis eyes to the light Sept. 16, 1857. He received an excellent education, completing his studies in the Jacksonville Business College. When not in school he occupied himself at the various employments around the homestead, and naturally ehose agriculture as his future call- ing. His farm property comprises 278 acres of land where in addition to the tilling of the soil hc makes a specialty of stoek-raising, having eattle, horses and swine.
John Robertson, the father of our subjeet, and also a native of this county, was born in 1823, and here likewise has spent his entire life engaged in farming and stock-raising. The Robertson family - is of excellent Seoteh ancestry and was first represen- ted in America probably during the colonial times. The mother of our subjeet, Mrs. Mary (Drinkwa-
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ter) Robertson, is now deceased. One of her sisters settled in Polk County, Oregon, at an early day and is still living there.
The family of John and Mary Robertson included nine children, seven of whom are living, namely : John T., Mary, Frank, Cassie, Mattic, Richard and William L. John T. married Miss Lyda Mat- thews of Cass County, where he operates as a bank- er. They have five children-Richard, Nellie, Virgil, Frank and a babe unnamed. Mary became the wife of S. W. Eldred of Greene County, and they are living on a farm near Virden, Ill .; they have three children-John, William and Louisa. Frank married Miss Nora Thomas, of Greene Coun- ty, is a farmer by occupation and the father of two children. Mattie married Elon A. Eldred, and Cassie is the wife of A. E. Wilson, both far- mers of Greene County. William L. married Ma- mie E. Rexwod of Cass County, they live on a farm in Morgan County.
The subject of this sketch was married Feb. 2, 1887, to Miss Ettie daughter of James and Lizzie (Hill) Humphrey, of this county, and there has been born to them one ehild, a son, Elon A. The parents of Mrs. Robertson were natives of Chester County, Pa. The father was born Sept. 21, 1824, and departed this life Dec. 25, 1872, in Sedalia, Mo. The mother was born April 30, 1836, and is living. Of the five children born to them four are living. Anna became the wife of Samuel L. Duncan, a barber of Chicago; they have no child- ren; John II. married Miss Mary Allen and lives in Colorado; they have no children; Mary B., is the wife of John Smith, a commercial traveler and they make their home in Lincoln, Neb.
At the time the father of our subject came to Morgan County, the face of the country was most- ly in its primitive condition-a wide, uncultivated tract of land with here and there the cabin of some adventurous settler. He has been a witness of great and wonderful changes during a long and busy life-a life which has been filled in with the usual amount of labor and struggle, but which is crowned with success. Ile is now in good circum- stances and connected with the Jacksonville Na- tional Bank.
Our subjeet, politically, is a decided Republiean,
and has already been quite prominent in local af- fairs, serving as Road Supervisor and School Direc- tor, and is a gentlemen of whom much is expected in the future. He occupies a fine residence and the young couple are very comfortably established in life, being surrounded with all its comforts, and in the enjoyment of the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances.
EV. GEORGE IIART is a prominent Bap- tist minister of Morgan County, and a man of large professional capacity. Ile is a lineal descendant of the llart family, of whom two brothers eame from Germany to the United States in 1700, and landed at Charleston, S. C. They were sold to pay their passage from the Fatherland, and never heard of each other again. Charles Hart, one of these brothers, lived and died in South Carolina. But very little is known of his history farther than he had a son Da- vid, who in turn had a son born in South Carolina, Dec. 18, 1798, and who was united in marriage to Margaret Blackwelder. Ten sons and one daugh- ter was the result of this union. This couple re- sided in Mercer County, Ky., in an early day, and removed to Bedford County, Tenn., where the hus- band and father died. Solomon Hart, the third son of this family, was born in Mcreer County, Ky .. Jan. 6, 1793, and at the age of ten years removed with his father to Tennessee. At the age of twenty years, with his older brother, he enlisted as a sol- dier under Gen. Andrew Jackson, and saw active service at the Horse Shoe battle. Returning from the army he was married to Miss Nancy Wag- goner, July 17, 1817, and in 1826 he came to Mor- gan County, where, with his brothers, Charles and Nathan, he lived for a short time near Jacksonville, then a village of very small proportions. Like most early settlers he was dissatisfied with the scar- city of timber, and so removed to the south part of the county, where he built his cabin on the margin of that beautiful island, formed by Little and Big Apple Creeks. Here he purchased from the Gov -. ernment 240 acres of fine timber land, and invested the rest of his means in prairie. He was soon fol-
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lowed by his brothers, Charles, David, Anderson and Nathan. This favored spot is now called Hart's Prairie. Here Solomon Hart with his wife underwent all the toils and hardships that surround a pioneer's life. Hle reared a family of two daugh- ters and eight sons. In an early day he became impressed with the religious doctrines of A. Camp- bell, and opened his house for religious worship to followers of that faith, and so continued for many years. Here Dr. Henderson, W. W. Happy and Robert Foster gave vent to their eloquence.
Solomon Hart's family were plain unassuming people, never enjoying themselves better than when helping some unfortunate. He was a Jackson Democrat and a great admirer of Douglas, and lived to vote for fourteen presidents. He reared eight sons, who were all Democrats, and before he died, on the 17th day of October, in the eighty- second year of his age, he saw a grand State spring up from a wilderness, to take rank among the first States of this Nation.
Solomon Hart, the father of our subjeet, it will thus be seen had an eventful history. Of his family, Joseph W. died in Morgan County, in 1864; Harvey C. died in Macoupin County, this State, in April, 1886; John C. died in the same county, in 1863; Felitha married Lewis Dutton, now of Kansas; Melchi died in 1862, in Macoupin County ; Eliza married Thomas Heggy, and is now farining in Macoupin County, this State; William married for his first wife Barbara A. Fanning, of Morgan County, to whom was born one child-James, who married Augusta Reinbach, of Morgan County. William's second wife's maiden name was Mary Ann Rice, who died, when he mar- ried the third time. His third wife was named Mrs. Martha J. Price; she now resides on the old homestead in Morgan County. William is a min- ister of the Baptist Church, and has been for the last thirty years. Marion married Laura Duncan, of Virginia. He is a farmer and stock dealer of Edgar, Clay Co., Neb. Solomon married Frances Haynes, and they now reside on the homestead.
The Rev. George Hart, of whom this sketeh is written, was married to Miss Nancy B. Rice, of Ma- coupin County, Ill. Her parents came from Ken- tucky in an early day. They have nine children,
six of whom are living: Mary E., William C., Eliza J., George S., Marion W. W. and Berrisse G. The others died in infancy. Mr. Hart has always resided in Morgan County until twelve years ago, when he removed to Franklin and engaged in mer- cantile pursuits and milling. He was ordained to the ministry in 1870, since which time he has filled various pulpits of Morgan and other counties. IIe is a member of the Masonic Order, and has been Village Trustee, besides filling other offices. Po- litieally, he is a Democrat.
R OBERT S. RAWLINGS. In the subject of this biography we have one of the youngest farmers of this county, he having not yet attained the twenty-fifth year of his age. He is more than usually fortunate, being already the owner of a fine farm of 220 acres, with a good set of buildings, and the improved machinery nec- essary for prosecuting agriculture in a profitable manner. This farm was given him by his father, James Rawlings, one of the wealthy men of Morgan County, and the son seems well calculated to take care of his property, and augment its beauty and value. He is of a pleasant and genial disposition, and a favorite among all his associates. Ile has one of the pleasantest homes in this region, and his household affairs are presided over by a most intel- ligent and agreeable lady, possessed of refined and cultivated tastes, and one who apparently has a full understanding of the manner in which to make home the most attractive spot on earth. Both friend and stranger are sensible of this fact when- ever being privileged with a glance at the interior of this well regulated domicile.
Our subject, a native of this county, was born in township 13, Aug. 13, 1864, and was reared at his father's homestead, becoming familiar at an early age with agricultural pursuits, and receiving his education in the district school. He continued with his parents until his marriage, which took place March 11, 1884, at the home of the bride in Franklin. Mrs. Rawlings was formerly Miss La- vinia Wilson, daughter of George and Sarah (Morti- mer) Wilson, who were also natives of England,
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MORGAN COUNTY.
and who emigrated to America about 1882. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Rawlings was the eldest. She, like her parents, was born in Yorkshire, England, Sept. 28, 1864, and was a maiden of seventeen years when they eame to America. She remained with them until her marriage, receiving careful home training and a common-seliool education. Of her union with our subjeet there have been born two children-Amy A. and Gertrude.
The parents of our subject were James and Fran- ces (Hembrongh) Rawlings, natives of Yorkshire, England, and whose family consisted of eight ehil- dren, of whom Robert was the sixth in order of birth. They erossed the Atlantic about 1839, and settled at once in township 13, this county, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits, and where they still live. The family is widely and favorably known, and represents the best element of the community. Our subject, politically, like his honored father, votes the straight Republican tiekel, and without question will in due time rank among the leading men of this community, con- tributing his full quota to its moral and financial welfare.
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