USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 29
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 29
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Our subject is a Kentuckian by birth, and his im - mediate ancestors were among the earliest white settlers of that State in the time of Daniel Boone. of whom they bought a large traet of wild land. em- braeing many thousand aeres. His grandfather, John Liter, it is thought was a native of Pennsylvania, at all events he was married there, and there his son Jacob, father of our subjeet, was born. The grand- parents removed to Kentucky in an early day, and as before stated, bought a large traet of land of Daniel Boone. They lived about three years in Grant's Fort as a measure of safety against the hos-
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tile Indians. They, the grandparents, died in Ken - tucky, and the title to their 10,000 aeres of land proving to be worthless, after several years of liti- gation, the family were obliged to relinquish the entire tract. John, the eldest son, then left the old Kentucky home, and with others made his way to Rolls County, Mo., where a Liter settlement was made. There were eight children born to the grand- parents, namely : John, Lewis, Jacob, Abram, Henry, Tina, Kate, Betsy. Tina married Torence Smith, who died on the battlefield in the late war, and she died in this eounty; Kate married John Giltner, and they both died in Kentucky; Betsy married George Livey, and they both died in Cineinnati, Ohio.
.lacob Liter, the father of our subjeet was mar- ried in Kentucky to Miss Catherine Boyier, and there their nine children were born, whose names are as follows: Abram, Andrew, Jacob. John, Polly, Sam, Sarah, Joseph, and Jonas. In September, 1839 they eame with their family to this eounty, lo- cated on the farm, where the subjeet now lives, and here spent their last days, and are now peacefully sleeping their last sleep in the little family eeme- tery, where their children in affectionate remem- branee of their goodly lives have erected monu- ments commemorative of their virtues. They were both people of earnest religious character, and were consistent church members, he of the Stoneite Church of Kentucky, and she of the Lutheran Chureh.
Our subject was a little past nineteen years of age when he came to this eounty, and his life has sinee been passed on the old homestead in this pleasant locality. Hle owns 300 of the original 600 aeres of the Liter farm, lying on seetion 2, town- ship 16, range 10. It is under admirable tillage, every acre being cultivated to its full eapaeity, and all capable of yielding riel harvests. The buildings, ineluding a commodious dwelling, roomy barn, ete., are of a substantial order of arehiteet- ure. The farm joins the village of Liter, which was planned and laid out by our subjeet on his own land after the railway passed through, and is a monument to his enterprise and shrewd foresight.
On Feb. 14, 1849, Mr. Liter was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Miss Emeline, daugh-
ter of Emery and Rebecea (Padgett) Shed. Iler parents were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, and her father died in that city when she was a mere ehild, and her inother soon after brought her to Illinois. The following children have been born to her and her husband: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Samuel C. Ennis; Mary, who died at the age of six years; Joseph married Luella Black, daughter of JJohn Black; William is dead; Jane, now Mrs. Charles L. Massic; Angeline married Dr. S. Griffin, and both are dead ; Jonas F .; Edward is dead; Eva L. and Luella are at home.
On the 18th of May, 1883, a terrible calamity befell this family in the destruction of the village of Liter, wherein perished some of its beloved members. On that eventful day a cyclone swept through this township, leaving death and desola- tion in its track, and in a few minutes the village of Liter was almost destroyed; the depot, the ears on the railway, and nearly all the houses were blown to picees, and nine persons were instantly killed, including Edward Liter, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Liter, and their daughter and son-in-law, Mrs. and Dr. Griffin, with their child. Outside the village the awful storm did not do so much damage, and although several were hurt, but few were killed.
Mr. Liter is possessed of mueh executive ability and business tact, and has inereased his share of his father's estate by shrewd management, and is nmn- bered among the wealthy members of his precinct. Ile is a man whose worth and stability of character is eoneeded by all, and he is an influence for good in his community. He and his family are leading members of the Baptist Church, and in all that they do evinee a true Christian spirit.
OSEPII J. SHEPPARD, one of of the largest land-owners of this eounty, is the proprietor of 1200 aeres, which is largely devoted to live-stoek, which Mr. S. feeds in large num- bers annually, and ships mostly to the Eastern markets. Ilis homestead is noticeable among the many other well-regulated estates of this section as indieative of everything to make life pleasant and desirable, having about it an air of comfort and
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plenty, denoting ample means and a competence for the future. The farmi buildings and machinery are fully adapted to the purposes of rural life, and everything about the premises indicates wise man- agement, thrift and economy.
Our subject is the offspring of a fine old family, being the son of Thornton Sheppard, a native of North Carolina, who, when quite young, emigrated with his parents to Kentucky, and lived in what is now known as Russell and Adair Counties, until emigrating to Illinois and taking up his abode in this county, in October, 1829. The family con- sisted of four children, and the father purchased a sinall tract of land in Township 14, Range 10, giv- ing in exchange therefor his team of oxen and wagon. The father proceeded with the improve- inent of his property, was successful as a tiller of the soil, and although a man singularly free from mercenary motives, accumulated a comfortable property, being at the time of his death the owner of a good farm of 240 acres. In connection with agriculture he also officiated as a minister of the Regular Baptist Church, being a faithful laborer in the Master's vineyard for a period of forty-nine years without receiving any remuneration. The good which he did during that length of time can scarcely be estimated, and under the circumstances his piety could not for a moment be questioned. He passed to his final rest at the homestead which he had built up, Nov. 9, 1874. The mother sur- vived her husband about eight years, her decease taking place at the old home, July 11, 1882.
To the parents of our subject there were born eight more children after their arrival in this county, and their family in all comprises six sons and six daughters. With one exception they lived to mature years, growing up intelligent and worthy citizens, and doing honor to their parental training. Thornton Sheppard was a man more than ordi- narily public-spirited and liberal, thoroughly honest in all his dealings and extremely kind to the poor, looking personally after their needs and assisting the unfortunate wherever they were to be found, without regard to color or religious denomination.
The subject of this sketch, who was the eldest son and third child of his parents, was born in what is now known as Russell County, Ky., Sept. 10,
1827, and spent his childhood and youth under the parental roof, occupied mostly in farm pur- suits. He acquired his education in the district school, and also enough knowledge of the carpenter trade to enable him to build his own house and do considerable work for others. A few months be- fore reaching the twenty-seventh year of his age, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Eliza- beth Coffman, the wedding taking place at the bride's home, in township 14, range 10, June 20. 1854.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Coffinan) Sheppard was born in Rockingham County, Va., Dec. 16, 1832, and is the daughter of Abraham and Rachel (Houdershell) Coffman, who were natives of. Woodstock County, that State. There also they were married and reared their family, then emigrating to Illinois in the fall of 1853, settled, the following spring, in Township 14, Range 10, this county, where the father died, Oct. 29, 1860, and the mother April 3, 1874. They were the parents of six children, four of whom lived to mature years, and of whom Mrs. Sheppard was the fourth in order of birth. Mr. Coffman was a millwright by trade, but after coming to this county occupied himself at farming.
Twelve children completed the household circle of our subject and his estimable wife. The eldest born, a daughter, Emily J., died in infancy ; George W. remains at home with his parents; John S. married Miss Mattie Parker, of Brown County, and resides in the southern part of this county; Irving D. married Miss Jennie Lynn, and resides in this county ; Alice R. became the wife of G. H. Coons, of Sangamon County, and died May 16, 1884; Sylvester married Miss Mary Perkins, and resides in this county; Ulysses died in infancy ; MeClellan married Miss Lyda Parker, and is living in this county; Emelinc, Luther, Clara and Lucy are at home with their parents.
Mr. Sheppard, politically, is an old Douglas Democrat-a man decided in his views and fearless in giving expression to his convictions. He has held some of the minor offices of his township, and is a man looked up to in his community. Ile is able to tell many a tale of pioneer life in the Prairie State, and, among other thrilling incidents, remem- bers well the winter of the big snow, when man
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and beast in many seetions came very near the point of starvation, and undoubtedly many per- ished. Closely connected with the history of our subject is that of his estimable wife, who has shared his toils and also his successes for a period of thirty-five years, and has performed her full share in the accumulation of the property and in estab- lishing the reputation of the family. She is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence, and deserves more than a passing notice among the pioneer wives and mothers of Central Illinois.
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RVIN STEVENSON is a native of Morgan County, and was born Dec. 14, 1848. He is in the possession of a good business education, acquired at Washington High School, and is a prominent citizen of his county.
Septimus Stevenson, father of Irvin, was born in Seott County, Ky., and is an old settler of Morgan County. He married Miss Eveline Ilill, of Fayette County, Ky., who died in September, 1867. They had seven children, all of whom are living-Fannie, Lottie, May, Thomas, William, Fred and Irvin, Fannie married James M. Culley, of Indiana, and they are now living in Morgan County; Mr. Culley is a prosperous and intelligent farmer. They have one child living, Howard; Thomas married Alice Snow, of Fredonia, N. Y., but has no children ; Lot- tie married George Guthrie, a commercial salesman of Zanesville, Ohio, at which place they now reside; William married Libbie Reynolds, of Jacksonville, and they are now residing in Aurora, Neb .; they have one child, a babe; May married C. S. Ran- nells, a farmer of Pisgah, Morgan County, Ill. They have no children; Fred married Lou Green- leaf, of Jacksonville, Ill. They are living on the old homestead in Morgan County.
When Septimus Stevenson eame to Morgan County there was little indication of there being such a transformation in the character of the eoun- try as has occurred. Provisions, lumber and all other commodities that were needed by the early settlers were procured only by hauling a long dis- tanee, sometimes the trip to the Mississippi River consuming ten days. All the trials incident to the
opening up of a new country befell Mr. Stevenson. bnt, with commendable courage and perseveranee, he conquered all difficulties, and has left his im- print upon the history of Morgan County. He has a magnificent homestead, all the land connected therewith being in a high state of cultivation, and he is now enjoying the fruits of the inconveniences that surrounded him in the pioneer days.
Irvin Stevenson, of whom this sketch is written, was married, in 1879, to Miss Kate Clark, of Mor- gan County. Iler father is now living, but her mother is deceased. Three children have blessed this union, only one of whom is living, Ilerbert Clark. Mr. Stevenson owns a fine farm of 200 aeres, and the buildings thereon are a eredit to the place. He is an extensive farmer, and also deals in eattle, and feeds them for the market. In this part of the farming industry he has scored a marked success, and is one of the many farmers of this sec- tion who are fast becoming rich by reason of close attention to business, coupled with intelligence. lle is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Pisgah.
Mr. Stevenson has positive and intelligent con- victions upon any subject with which he is familiar, whieli accounts for his zeal in advocating the prin- ciples of the Republican party in a stalwart man- ner. Though he has never sought office, it would not be surprising some day to hear that the office sought him.
AMES B. BEEKMAN is a native of Menard County, Ill., and was born Jan. 29, 1845. He first went to a subseription school, and in later years the distriet school. In 1860 he attended the North Sangamon Academy near Ath- ens, Ill., from there he went to Jacksonville and attended the Illinois College for nearly three years, and in 1864 he studied at Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Chicago, where he took a thor- ough course in book-keeping. In the winter of 1863, prior to his attendance at the last-named school, he carried provisions to the soldiers, and was also in the skirmish at Ft. Piekering. After leaving the business college he married Miss Julia
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A. Wood, of this county, which ceremony occurred Jan. 12, 1865, and immediately thereafter began his life as a farmer. Ile is the father of two sons and two daughters; George S., born April 3. 1867; William M., April 7, 1869; Ilollie Gertrude, born Jan. 8, 1875; she was killed in a cyclone May G. 1880; Mary Lou, born Feb. 18, 1882.
William T. Beekman, father of the one of whom this biography is written, is a native of Somerset County, N. J,, and was born Feb. 23, 1815. 1le lived in his native State until 1837, when he emi- grated to Menard County, Ill., where he worked at his trade, that of a wheelwright and carpenter, at which occupation he carried on a large business. At the age of forty he commenced railroading on the Jacksonville and Bloomington branch of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. He laid the iron to Mason City, Ill., when he was appointed Superin- tendent of that road, and served in that capae- ity for eight years. His wife's maiden name was Mary C. Spears, a native of Menard County, 111. Iler parents eame to this State from Green County, Ky., in 1823, and located on a farm. Her father is now living (1889) on his first purchase at the ripe old age of eighty-four years, her mother dying in Jnne, 1879. There were ten children in this family, whose record is subjoined :
John T. married Sarah Colby of Menard County; he died July 13, 1881, leaving two children-Lucy M. and Colby. He was a sergeant in Company F, `114th Illinois Infantry under Col. Judy. He par- ticipated in the Red river campaign and the siege of Vicksburg; was with Grant at the battle of Jack- son, Miss., and his record covers thirteen battles. At New Orleans he had charge of 1,500 colored troops. Ilis widow now resides on the farm owned by him in Menard County ; Maria E. married John M. Zane, a nephew of Judge Charles Zane, of Springfield ; he is a lawyer in Sae City, Iowa, and the father of two children -- William F. and Florence. George S. married Jennie Harrison ; he is following mechanical pursuits in Springfield, Ill., and has one son, Harry. Julia J. married Richard Pollard, a commercial salesman ; they reside in Denver, Colo. Cornelius T. married Lon Kuehler, daughter of Dr. Kuehler, of Kansas City, Mo. lle follows the pro- fession of book-keeping. Mary Anna married Wal-
ter W. Mathews, of Odebolt, Iowa, where he is a merchant and Postmaster; Sarah H. and Carrie W. are single and live with their parents; William II. is unmarried, and is practicing law in Omaha, Neb.
The subject of this sketch and wife own a well- improved farm of 470 acres, and he is a successful breeder of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep. He rents a portion of his farm.
The family are members of the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Beekman is a sound Republican, and he was, perhaps, inspired by the fact that the first political speech he heard was delivered by Abraham Lincoln. Ile had the honor of being Chairman of the Republican club of his precinct during the Harrison campaign.
G EORGE A. HARNEY. The biographer in his peregrinations over the country, hunting after the most interesting facts connected with the history of its people, finds almost invaria- bly that the men of prominence and influence are those who have been the architeets of their own fortunes-whose early opportunities were limited and whose finances, especially, were only such as they accumulated by their own industry. These sentiments are particularly applicable to the sub- jeet of this notice, who commenced life at the foot of the ladder as a farm laborer. Later, he offici- ated as a clerk in a dry-goods store, and then be- came interested in railroad matters. This latter seemed that to which he was well adapted, and in which he has been successful as the employe of the Jacksonville & Southeastern Company for a period of eighteen years, during which time he has held the position of Station Agent, at Franklin. In addition to the duties of this office he also operates largely in grain, wool and coal. He owns one of the finest residences in the village, and has a farm of 190 aeres which is operated by other parties, but which is the source of a fine income to its owner.
Mr. Ilarney is a native of this county, and was born June 3, 1850. He pursued his first studies in the village school, and later, made himself master of the branches which would enable him to transaet
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general business in a correct manner. He is the scion of a good family, being the son of William II. R. Harney, a native of Lexington, Ky., who came to Illinois in 1829, settled in this eounty, and for some years was occupied in farming pursuits. Later, he engaged in the manufacture of rope and twine for several years, in the village of Franklin. and finally retired from active labor, and spent his last days in peace and comfort, dying about 1882.
Mrs. Mary (Orr) Harney, the mother of our subject, was a native of Ohio, and came to this county with her parents at an early day. She died of cholera in 1851, when a young woman, and when her son, our subject, was less than a year old. The parental household included eight children, ouly three of whom are living, namely: Paulina D., Margery, and George A., of our sketch. The eller sister is the wife of John A. Wright, of this county ; they have no children. Margery married F. G. Lombard, a gentleman of French birth and parentage, and who is engaged as a Collection Agent, in Waverly. He also owns a farm, and they have five children, Willie E., Frank, Joseph B., Margery and Caroline.
Francis M. went to New Orleans in 1856, and joined Walker's fillibustering expedition to Central America, where he was captured by the natives, but escaped in company with a friend to North Carolina. When Beauregard fired upon Ft. Sum- ter, he joined the Confederate army and was killed at Gettysburg, July 4, 1863. His remains were buried on the battle field, and afterward removed to the Confederate cemetery at Richmond, Va. Another brother, James P., enlisted in 1861, as a Union soldier in Company H, 32d Illinois Infantry ; was slightly wounded at Shiloh, and after the cx- piration of his first term of enlistment veteranized and went with Gen. Sherman on the march to the sea. At the close of the war he started home, hut was taken ill on the way and died at the general hospital in New York City.
Upon approaching manhood our subject occupied himself mostly at clerking, and when ready to es- tablish a home of his own, was married March 25, 1874, to Miss Anna W., daughter of Dr. W. N. Tanby. Mrs. Harney was born in 1859, in Mis- souri, and was deprived of a mother's eare when a
sinall child. Iler father died in Illinois, abont 1885. Their family consisted of nine children, eight of whom are living, viz: Thomas S., Leonidas W., Edward M., Jessie M., Darian E., Mary B., Ella J. and Emma. Darian and Thomas are ein- ployed as teachers in the schools at Franklin; Thomas S. is a physician and surgeon for the Wa- bash Railroad, and makes his home in Kinderhook; Leonidas is also a practicing physician of Missouri.
Only one of the two children born to our sub- ject and his wife is living, a son, Glenn W., who was born July 11, 1881. The other son, Harry C., died in 1880, when two years old. Mr. and Mrs. II. are devout members of the Christian Church. Mr. H. has been identified with the Masonic fra- ternity for many years, and has held most of the offices of his lodge, being at present Senior Warden. Ile cast his first Presidential vote for Greeley, and thereafter, until the late (1888) Presidential election, affiliated with the Democratic party. As he is in favor of protection, he cast his last vote for Gen. Harrison. As a man and a citizen, Mr. Harney holds a position in the front rank. He is courteous and gentlemanly, and at once impresses those who meet him, as possessing those qualities of character naturally belonging to the gentleman boru and bred. Ile has accumulated his property solely by his own exertions, and while he looks with contempt upon the idler and the drone in community, no man is more willing to extend a helping hand to those who try to help themselves.
OHN R. PHILLIPS is one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of township 16, range 10, and is especially noted far and wide as a breeder of fine Percheron horses. He has a large farm ou seetion 35, that in respect of cultivation and improvement is conceded to be one of the most valuable as well as one of the most desirable estates in the vicinity. Mr. Phillips represents well-known pioneer families of Morgan County, who were among its early settlers. IIe was reared here in those primitive times, and has a distinct recollection of the country when its broad, rolling prairies searcely knew cultivation,
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and the fine old primeval forest trees along the water courses had been but little disturbed by the ax of the bold frontiersmen of fifty or more years ago. From this beautiful region, which but a short time before had been the home of the Indian, bears, wolves, deer, wild turkeys, and other wild game had not yet fled before the advancing steps of civ- ilization. In the great changes that the years have wrought since then our subject has played an im- portant part, and he is now numbered among the wealthy and substantial agriculturists that are the mainstay of the prosperity and high standing of the county.
Our . subject eomes of good New Jersey stock, his grandfather, Titus, and his father, Spencer Phillips, having been born and bred in that State. It is thought that all of the grandfather's children were born in that State, and in 1816 he moved from there to llamilton County, Ohio, with his family, and thus became a pioneer of that part of the country. He remained there until 1831, and then disposing of his property he once more became a pioneer, removing still further westward and in the spring of 1832 he located with his family on the farm now owned by our subjeet; the parents and maternal grandparents of the latter coming here at the same time. His grandmother Phillips died a few years later, and the grandfather died, perhaps fifteen years after their settlement here.
The father of our subject was among the younger ones ot his parents' family, and was born May 8, 1800, and was a lad of sixteen when his parents emi- grated to Ohio. In that State he was reared to a vigorous manhood, and was there united in mar- riage to Miss Hannah Robison, a native of New York, who had aeeompanied her parents to the Buekeye State in its pioneer days. After coming to Illinois he bought 160 acres of wild land jointly with his father, the old homestead now being in- cluded in the farm owned by our subject. In the comfortable home that was builded up by their united labors the parents passed their remaining days, enjoying the respect and regard of their neighbors, among whom they numbered many warm friends, and when they were gathered to their fathers leaving to their descendants, by whom their memory is held in reverenee, the precious
legacy of lives spent in well-doing and guided by the highest Christian principles. The mother was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, but the father never identified himself with any Church, although he was converted at the age of sixteen and ever after led a trne and Christian life, dying firm in the faith. In his politics, he was a good Democrat. To him and his wife were born four- teen children, ten of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Wilson, Allen, Francina, Elizabeth, John R., Sarah, Titus, Robison, William, Martha E., and of these five survive.
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