USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 27
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 27
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M ARSHALL W. GREEN is a native of Mor- gan County, and first saw the light on April 5, 1842. He is the possessor of a good business education, having attended the Business College in Jacksonville, under the management of Prof. Crampton.
Stephen Green, the father of Marshall W., was a native of Knox County, Ohio, and was born May 15, 1808. He emigrated to Morgan County when he was twelve or fourteen years of age. Ilis death oceurred in 1888. When he came to this county there was but one house in Jacksonville, and there was then little prospect for the upbuilding of the bustling, thriving eity which it has since become. Ile entered land four miles north of the then em- bryo city, just after his reaching the age of twenty- one. He owned 535 acres of land, as good as ever the sun shone upon. Ile also owned a residence in Jacksonville for which he paid $12,000, was a large owner of bank stock, and a cattle dealer of prom-
inence. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Cynthia Riggs, was from Tennessee, and her father, Seott Riggs, was born in North Carolina. Our subject's father was one of ten children, three of whom are living, William, Nanca and Susan. William mar- ried Sophronia Follio and lives in Chicago; Susan married John P. Henderson of Jacksonville who had seven children: John, William, Harvey, Susan, Laura, Mary and Fammie. Of these, Jolin is a lawyer and lives in Carrolton, Ill .; William mar- ried Nealie Roberts, and is now living in Win- chester, Ill .; Harvey is a telegraph operator and is married. Susan married George Hogeland, and lives in New York City. Nanca, now Mrs. Washington - Armstrong, lives in La Salle County, Ill.
The subject of this sketch had seven brothers and sisters, a record of whom follows. Their names were: Louisa M., Franklin M., Horatio R., Austin B., Alvira J., Oliver S., and Cynthia A. Louisa mar- ried John Potts of Jacksonville who is a farmer and breeder of Short-horn cattle; Franklin W. is the owner of a cattle ranch in Washington, where he was married; Iloratio R. married Mary O'Neal of Morgan County, and is engaged in farming; they have seven children, viz .: Edward, Laura, Thomas, Amy, Effie, Scott and Nellie; Austin B. married Mary Reeter, of Morgan County. He is engaged in farming, and has eight children, as follows: Nettie, Clifton, James, Charles, Leona, Elnore, Minnie and Clark. Alvira married Oliver Culley, and lives in Morgan County also. They have seven children : Clara, Charles, Homer, Lena, Edgar, Eva and IToward; Oliver S married Mattie Cheeney of Morgan County, and is engaged in business at the stock yards, Kansas City, Mo .; they have one child, Mamie. Cynthia A. is single and living in this county. Our subjeet's first wife was Anna Dalby of New Castle, Del., to whom three children were born; Frank, Nathan and Alice. His present wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Waggoner was born in Perry County, Pa., Nov. 3, 1843. She emigrated with her parents to Morgan County, and was married Oet. 17, 1878.
Marshall W. Green enlisted as a volunteer in the late war in Company K, 101st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Aug. 22d 1862. On the 26th of Novem- ber following he was sent from Jacksonville to Co-
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lumbus, Ky., whence he started on the march to Ilolly Springs, where he did garrison duty, guard- ing Rebel prisoners. He was taken prisoner and paroled, then sent to Memphis, Tenn., and from there he went to St. Louis, Mo. This was in June, 1863. Ile joined his regiment afterward at Union City, Tenn. Ile was in the midnight fight at Wahatchie, and also Lookout Mountain, Chatta- nooga, Knoxville, Tenn., Kelly's. Ferry, Snake Creek Gap, Kennesaw Mountains, Pine Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta and numerous skirmishes. Ile also went with Sherman on his march to the sea. All of which constitutes a brilliant record.
Mr. Green is the owner of a splendid farm of 210 acres, upon which the best of buildings are erected. He does a general farmning business, and is a dealer in horses, hogs and grain. In politics he is a sound Republican, and socially he belongs to Post 378, G. A. R. at Jacksonville.
W ILLIAM F. DETERDING is successfully engaged in the occupation of a stock-raiser and farmer on section 24, township 16, and range 12. Ile is a native of Illinois, having been born in Jacksonville, Oct. 29, 1849. There is a class of foreign born citizens, who, after emigrating to America, stand in their own light by immediately settling down in the large cities. Ilere they live in squalor and dependence all their lives. But there is another class, and notably among the Ger- mans, who use better judgment. They push out to the Western country where land is cheap, and there rear homes for themselves and children that will always remain a monument to their foresight and industry. The younger generation that suc- ceeds this class of pioneers reaps the benefits of the sacrifices made by its ancestors, and the men ulti- mately become the leaders of their community in the way of possessing goods of this world. Morally they are the superior of the descendants of those who remain in the large cities and consequently are better citizens. Mr. Deterding is one of the younger generation referred to. IIe is the son of George (deceased) and Louisa Deterding, who were natives of Germany, and who were married in their native
land. They emigrated to America and settled in Jacksonville, Ill., when there were but three houses there, and have witnessed the transformation of a wild prairie to a busy, bustling city.
George Deterding, the father of the one whose name appears at the head of this sketch, worked for many years on the Wabash Railroad, between Jack- sonville and Quincy, and while so doing resided in Jacksonville. He subsequently purchased a farm on section 10, township 16 and range 12, and lived there until his death, which occurred shortly after purchasing his farm. Ilis record was that of one of the best citizens of Jacksonville, and as a pioneer he ranked among the first. Ile was the father of five children: Louisa, wife of William Krona, they are now residing in Cass County, this State; William F., Caroline, wife of John Aufdenkamp, who are residents of Seward County, Neb .; Mar- garet wife of Frederick Mauer. They are living in Cass County, Ill .; George is living in Missouri.
The mother of the subject of this sketch again married, taking for her second husband Henry Wegehoft, by whom she has had three children. Two are living : Mary, wife of John Musch, residing in this county, and Addie who is at home. In the death of the senior Deterding, Morgan County was deprived of a good man. He came to this country without means, and from a very small beginning accumulated a good property and left his family in comfortable circumstances. He was entitled to the distinction of being one of the very foremost of the German pioncers who came early to Morgan County, and his acquaintance was extensive. He died in the faith of bis fathers, that of the Lutheran Church.
William F. Deterding as has been before stated, was reared to manhood under adverse circumstan- ces, as the life of a pioneer is not conducive to the gaining of an education or a knowledge of the world. Ile is not obliged to indulge in any flight. of imagination when he says that this part of the country was at one time a wilderness, and that wild game was abundant, notably deer, and that he has seen members of this game where now are herds of eattle. When he was a boy, schools and churches were scarce, now educational and religious advan- tages are to be found on every hand. He was mar-
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ried Feb. 14, 1878, to Miss Dora Bayless, daughter of John Bayless, by whom he has had four chil- dren: Della, Elton, Alma and George. He owns a good farm of 160 acres, under first class cultivation, and the buildings are in keeping with the place. He has accumulated all of this property by his own efforts, assisted by his wife.
Mr. Deterding belongs to the German Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Demoerat but does not take any active part in politics. In summing up his history it may be said that he is a success- ful man and a good citizen.
R. THOMAS J. PITNER, of the firm of Drs. Pitner & Malone, Jacksonville, occupies one of the best-appointed offices in the city, and has a beautiful home on West College avenue, No. 215. A man understanding thoroughly the multitudinous details of his profession, he has achieved success and has acquired a competence. He is the owner of valuable property in the city and vicinity, and is numbered among its prominent and influential men.
The 17th of November, 1842, is notable as being the birthday of our subject, which took place in Cass County, Ill, at the modest home of his par- ents, William and Catherine (Price) Pitner, who were natives respectively of Tennessee and Ohio. They were married and came to Illinois in 1831, locating in that portion of Morgan which is now Cass County, where they lived until the death of the father, which took place in 1875. The mother is also deceased, dying when our subject was quite young.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were Michael and Catherine (Rubel) Pitner, natives of Rockingham, Va., and of Maryland. Grandmother Pitner lived to be ninety-five years old. The great- grandfather was John Pitner, also a native of the Old Dominion, and a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Ilis father was Adam Pitner, who was born in Germany, near the city of Coblentz. He emi- grated to America prior to the Revolutionary War, and two of his sons did valiant service in that memorable conflict. The fate of one was never
known. Michael was in the battle of New Orleans, under the command of Gen. Jackson.
William Pitner, the father of our subject, was the eldest of a family of twelve children, all of whom grew to mature years. His brother, Levi C., became a clergyman of the Methodist Church, to- gether with a brother, Wilson. Franklin R. dc- veloped into a physician and surgeon. Montgom- ery, was one of the earliest pioneers of this county, coming here when there were only three houses upon the present site of Jacksonville. He pur- chased several hundred acres of Goverment land lying two miles east of the present city, where he resided until his death. Rev. Levi C. Pitner was pastor of the Centenary Church, Jacksonville, from 1863 to 1865. He is now a resident of Chi- cago. Wilson finally moved to California, where he continued his labors in the Master's vineyard until his death, in 1882. Dr. Franklin R. Pitner at an early day located in Clay City, this State, where lie is still engaged in the duties of his profession. One sister, Lydia, is the wife of Rev. H. Dickens, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he continued his pious labors nntil his death, which occurred in September, 1882. Alexander, during the active years of his business life, was engaged in farming, but is now living in retirement in the city of Jacksonville. The family is notable for its standing, and has been prominent in the county and State for a long period.
The maternal grandparents of our subject were llenry and Polly (Marlow) Price, the former a na- tive of Rockingham, Va., and of Welsh descent. He farmed extensively in the Old Dominion until his removal to Ohio. Later he removed further Westward, settling first in Cass County this State. Subsequently he took up his residence in Macon County, where his death took place at the age of eighty ycars. Grandmother Price is deceased. Their family included seven children. William, the father of our subject, was born in 1800, received a fine education, and also became familiar with farm pursuits. Ile taught school near the city of Nash- ville, Tenn., a number of years. He married Miss Catherine Price after the removal of the family to Illinois, and they became the parents of two sons, of whom our subject is the only one living. Will-
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iam Pitner was Justice of the Peace, a member of the Board of Education, and Sheriff of Cass County a number of years. He was prominent in local affairs, and as a man of ability and integrity commanded the respect of his community. Ilis death took place in Decatur, March 25, 1875. The mother had preceded her husband to the silent land twenty-two years, her death taking place in February, 1853.
The subject of this biography pursued his first lessons in the district school, and at the age of fifteen years entered one of the city schools at Beardstown, where he remained two years. Then he became a student at the Wesleyan University in Bloomington and from there entered Mcken- dree college at Lebanon, where he staid one year, then entering Illinois College, at Jacksonville, he was graduated from that institution in 1862, after taking a post-graduate course of two years. He began his business career as a dry-goods salesman in Jacksonville, but a year later, the war being in progress, enlisted in the 100 days service, remain- ing five months, and doing garrison duty mostly in Missouri.
· After the close of the war Dr. Pitner com- menced the study of medicine in 1865 under the in- struction of Dr. H. K. Jones, of Jacksonville. After thorough preparation he repaired to New York City, and entered the College of Physicians & Surgeons, from which he was graduated in 1869. In the fall of that year he commenced the practice of his pro- fession at Jacksonville, and was thus steadily occu- pied until 1875. Then having a great desire to perfect himself still further in the knowledge of his profession, he crossed the Atlantic to Germany, and entering the University of Vienna, applied himself closely, and remained abroad one and one-half years. Since returning to Jacksonville he has closely confined himself to the duties of his pro- fession. He associated himself with Dr. Malone in 1885, and they make a very strong firm, having command of a fine practice throughout the county.
Dr. Pitner stands high in the profession in this part of Illinois, being a member of the Medical So- eiety of Morgan County, the Medical Club of Jacksonville, the American Medical Association, and a life-member of the Illinois State Medical
Society. He is a Trustee in the Jacksonville Col- lege and of the Y. M. C. A., being also one of the Directors of the latter. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and in religious matters, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Pitner was united in marriage with Miss Eloise Griffith, daugh- ter of Dr. Griffith, of Springfield. The wedding took place at Springfield, May 28th, 1889. She is a cultured young lady, and highly esteemed in the social circle of her home.
W ILLIAM MORTIMER. One of the most attractive little homesteads of Woodson Precinct, belongs to the subject of this
sketch. He is a gentleman in the prime of life, and is distinguished for his thoroughness and skill as a farmer and stock raiser, and his general habits of thrift and industry. Ilis property is pleasantly located on section 25, and comprises 160 acres of choice land, which under careful cultivation yields the richest crops of Central Illinois. In the live- stock line he is able to exhibit some of the finest animals in this region. In addition to the home- stead lic and his wife together own about 400 acres of land, all in this county, and are thus in the en- joyment of a comfortable income.
The first twenty years of the life of our subject were spent on the other side of the Atlantic, in Yorkshire, England, where he was born Aug. 9, 1847. Ilis parents, William and Sarah A. (Hngill) Mortimer, were also natives of that shire, where the mother spent her entire life, dying about 1857. The father, some years after the death of his part- ner, emigrated to America in 1882, and died at the home of his son in this county, April 2; 1889. The parental family included seven children, of whom William, Jr. was the second born.
Our subject after reaching the United States pro- ceeded directly westward to this county, and for five years thereafter was in the employ of Vincent Richardson and family, west of Jacksonville. Ilis next ten years were spent in township 13, where in the meantime he was married, and settled upon a farm which he conducted five years, then removed
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to his present homestead. His marriage occurred Feb. 26, 1879, with Miss Sarah Rawlings, at the bride's home in township 13, range 10.
Mrs. Mortimer was born April 17, 1858, in this county, and is the daughter of James and Frances (Hembrough) Rawlings, who were natives of En- gland, and are now in Morgan County. Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer are the parents of five children, all living, namely: Cora and Carrie, twins; Hattie; Earl and Eva, twins. Mr. Mortimer east his first Presidential vote for Hayes, and uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket. He has had little to do with public affairs, however, aside from offi- ciating as School Director in his district. He is publie-spirited and liberal. and a firm supporter of those measures calculated to advance the commu- nity in morals, and enlightenment, and keeps him- self well posted upon events of general interest to the intelligent citizen.
BRAM A. CRUM is one of the most lib- eral and publie spirited citizens of Morgan County, who has been an important factor in bringing about its present prosperity as a great agricultural centre, and who is always act- ive in promoting its highest interests. Hle is one of the most extensive and most successful of the the farmers and stock raisers of this part of Illinois, and his large farm, embracing 600 aeres in town- ship 16, range 10, on sections 12 and 13, of the choicest and most fertile land in all this region, is under the highest cultivation, well feneed and di- vided into fields, capable of yielding extraordinary harvests. It has a substantial, well-built set of frame buildings, with other valuable improvements, and everything about the place betokens a skillful hand and master mind directing affairs.
The father of our subject, Mathias Crum, was born in Virginia, and when a young man he removed to Louisville, Ky., where he married Miss Margaret, daughter of David Spangler. Her father was an early settler of Kentucky, and was killed by the Indians on the present site of Louisville, and that place was the birthplace of his daughter. Soon after marriage, Mr. Crum removed with his young
wife to near Albany, Ind .. where they eliminated a farm from the primeval forests of that seetion of the country, and in their pioneer home their fifteen children were born, three of whom died quite young, the others growing to maturity, and six of thiem still surviving. In the year 1831 the par- ents of our subject became early settlers of this county, locating on a tract of wild prairie, where the father entered 160 acres of land, and here they spent their remaining days, the father dying March 8, 1841, and the mother April 22, 1852. During lis residence here he was very much prospered, and became the owner of 400 aeres of fine farming land which is now in the possession of his sons, with the exception of 120 aeres. He was a shrewd, far- seeing man, who stood well with his fellow-pioneers and his death was a blow to the interests of his community, as it removed a wide-awake eitizen who was doing' much for the development of the township and county. He was descended from sturdy German stoek, and his parents, who were natives of Germany, came to America in colonial times, and had a son who served in the Continen- tal army during the last year of the War of the Revolution. The maternal grandparents of our sub- ject were also natives of Germany, but they were married after coming to this country, their wed- ding taking place in Kentucky. The grandfather had learned the trade of a blacksmith in the old country.
He of whom we write was very young when he accompanied his parents to this county, and here he was reared to man's estate on his present farm, growing with the growth of the country. When he first began farming on his own account the country roundabout was still thinly settled, and the markets were far distant, and he used to have to sell his hogs and farm produets at St. Louis or at Beardstown. We have alluded to his property in the opening lines of this sketeh,and the brief limi- tations of this biographical review forbids us trae- ing the steps by which he attained his present high position as a wealthy, influential farmer, whose word is as good as his bond, and whose honesty and honor have been preserved unsullied through all the years since he commenced life on his own account. In his busy career he has found time to
Ceviz C. Keener Taylor
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materially aid all seliemes for the publie good, and his hand and influence are felt in every plan that is pushed forward for the benefit and advancement of the township and county. He is a whole-souled, high minded man and his warm, generous heart beats responsive to the ealls of the weak and help- less for assistance, and he is never unmindful of the sufferings of the poor. He also contributes liber- ally to the support of the churches and other public institutions worthy of his attention.
Mr. Crum is blessed with a good wife, who is also kind and charitable, and cooperates with him in his benevolenee. They were united in marriage in January, 1853, and of the children that have been born in their pleasant home, two survive, Lydia Ellen and Albert, the latter living in this township. Lydia married Hiram B. Baxter, and they live near Ashland. Mr. Baxter was a brave and faithful soldier in the late war, serving three years, and was wounded several times. Mrs. Crum's maiden name was Sarah Buchanan, and she is a daughter of one Thomas Buchanan, a pioneer of Morgan County, who came here from his old home in Kentucky in 1838, or thereabouts. She is a de- voted member of the Christian Church, and her daily life is evidence of her earnest Christianity. Mr. Crum is deeply interested in the politieal sitna- tion of the day, and is at heart a true Republican, always giving that party his cordial support.
M RS. C. C. (KEENER) TAYLOR. This lady was well known and highly respected throughout the city of Jacksonville, hav- ing come to this eounty in the spring of 1881, and purchased thirty-one acres of choice land just outside the eity limits. There she erected a fine residence, and gave her attention to the im- portation of Norman horses and other fine trotting stock. Considering the sueeess which attended her efforts in this direction, it is seareely necessary to say, that she possessed more than ordinary capa- bilities, in fact, her business qualifications exceeded those of mankind in general.
The events of interest in the life of Mrs. Taylor were essentially as follows: She was born in Scott
County, Ill., Jau. 10, 1847, and was the daughter of Thomas C. and Caroline (Ditson) Keener, who were natives respectively of Gettysburg, Pa., and Sangamon County, Ill. The father was a corn merchant and grain dealer at Naples Ill., for a period of twenty-seven years, being senior member of the firm of T. & F. Keener. After his deatlı Mrs. Keener assumed charge of the business, which she conducted successfully two years.
The subject of this sketeh, after emerging from the common school, entered the Jacksonville Aead- emy, where she completed her education. On the 11th of February, 1865, when a maiden of eighteen years, she was united in marriage with Mr. Royal Mooers, and of this union there were born three children, namely : Fanny, Thomas, and Edward. In 1876 she assumed her maiden name, and had that of her children changed from Mooers to Keener.
Mrs. Keener, on the 4th of January, 1887, was united in marriage with Mr. Frank C. Taylor, at this time a resident of Jacksonville. Mr. Taylor was born in Kentucky, from which State his, par- ents removed to Jacksonville, where he has spent nearly his entire life, and was for a considerable time a reporter on the Courier. He is now practi- eally retired from active business. He and his wife occupied a very fine residence, situated in the midst of beautiful grounds, adorned with shade trees and shrubbery. In the rear of the residence are a great variety of fruits, such as grapes, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, and Mrs. Taylor experimented with untried varieties of nuts, such as English walnuts, hard and soft shell almonds, and the native giant and Japanese varie- ties of eliesnuts. She also had the pecan, hard-shell hickory, and black and white walnut trees, besides filberts and Japanese persimmon.
In the fruit line Mrs. Taylor had all the varie. ties of apple, peach, pear, plum and cherry. To the culture of these she gave much time and atten- tion with the view of determining what varieties were hardy and would flourish most successfully in that particular locality. As a horticulturist, she . obtained an enviable reputation in Morgan County, and her experiments were of decided advantage, not only as connected with her own labors, but those of others interested in this line. She always
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