USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 36
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 36
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Thomas Naylor is a representative fariner and stock-raiser of section 9, township 16, range 12, and is a native of Rutlandshire, England. He was born on the 15th of September, 1849, and is a son of P. II. Naylor, of whom an extended sketch appears in another part of this volume. Ile came to America with his parents in the year 1851, and here he has been virtually reared to manhood, and he may be called one of the sons of Morgan County. Ile chose the life of a farmer, and in this ehoiee exhibited great sense, for there is no better tiller of the soil in this neighborhood than Thomas Naylor. He was married March 28,
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1873, to Martha J. Wilday, who was born in this county, and is a daughter of Alexander and Ta- lithia (Drinkwater) Wilday.
Mr. and Mrs. Naylor are the parents of two children: Anne B. and Benlah. Mr. Naylor owns a half interest in a good farm in Cass County, Ill., beside his Morgan County property. He is at present serving as School Director. an office which he fills to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Religiously, he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is serving as Trustee. A sketch of Alexander Wilday, father of Mrs. Naylor. appears in another part of this ALBUM. In politics Mr. Naylor is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.
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P IIILLIP COWDIN. The preservation of family history is a matter to which most 1 intelligent people of the present day are giving especial attention, and the subject of this notice is one of those who appreciate its propriety and importance. He is usually to be found at his pleasant homestead, comprising 160 acres of well-cultivated land on section 33, town- ship 16, range 11, a part, however, lying on scetion 34. He has been a resident of this township most of the time since coming to this county. in the spring of 1857, and is one of the self made men who by their own efforts have accumulated a competence for their declining years.
Mr. Cowdin is past sixty-nine years of age, hav - ing been born Jan. 12, 1820. His native place was Worcester County, Mass., and his father, Phillip Farrington Cowdin, was a farmer by occupation, and a native of the same county as his son. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Cowdin, served for a brief time as a Revolutionary soldier, being the son of a commissioned officer of the same war, and who bore the same name. The latter, Capt. Thomas Cowdin, was born on the Atlantic while his parents were crossing from Ircland. They located in Worcester County, Mass., and were represented by a large number of descendants, many of whom lived and died in the Bay State, of which one brother and two sisters of our subject are still residents.
Both Thomas Cowdin, Sr., and his son, were farmers by occupation, and lived to an advanced age. Both became fathers of large families. Thomas, Sr., had twelve children. Thomas, Jr., married Miss Mary Farrington. She also was born and reared in Massachusetts, and had a brother, Lieut. Jacob Farrington, who was a commissioned officer under King George III. Thomas Cowdin, Jr., and wife, after their marriage spent their lives at the old farm constituting land upon which their ancestors first settled when coming to this country, as members of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. They also reared a large family, of whom Phillip Farrington Cow- din, the father of our subject, was the second son and fourth child. His life passed in a simple and uneventful manner until he attained to man's cstate, and he was then married in his native county to Miss Eunice Sawyer, who was born in Fitchburg, Mass., and was of ancestry similar to that of her husband.
After their marriage the parents of our subject settled on the old farm where the father and grand- father before them had lived and dicd, and where they also spent the remainder of their lives, both being within a few years of fourscore when gathered to their fathers. They are remembered as people of more than ordinary worth and intelligence, aud were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, four of whom are yet living, including the eldest and youngest child. Phillip, our subject, was the youngest but one of the family, and the first who came to this county was Putnam, now deceased. Ile made his way to the West early in the thirties, and died here. Phillip is the only one now living in the West.
Our subject was reared, educated and married in his native county, his bride being Miss Emily Pratt, their wedding being celebrated at her home in Massachusetts. Mrs. Cowdin was born in Fitchburg. Mass., July 26, 1823, and is the daughter of Levi and Emily (Fuller) Pratt, natives of Worcester County, and of New England parentage. Levi Pratt was the son of David Pratt, who, the records indicate, served in the Revolutionary War, and who later settled down on a farm in Worcester County, after having been married to Hepsibah Fay. Both he and his wife lived to be quite aged.
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MORGAN COUNTY.
After his marriage Levi Pratt, with his young wife. settled down on a farm near Fitchburg, where his death took place at the age of fifty-seven years. Ilis wife Emily, had preceded him to the better land when forty-seven years old. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Phebe (Poor) Fuller, who were born and spent their entire lives in the Bay State. Mrs. Cowdin was the third child and sec- ond daughter in a family of six boys and five girls born to her parents, eight of whom are now living. She was well reared and educated, and is the only member of her family in this State. The six chil- dren born of this marriage of our subject is re- eorded as follows: John Prescott, who resides in the West. is married and the father of one child; Anna F. became the wife of Isaac Houston, and they live on a farm in Sherman County, Kan .; Frank P. operates a farm in the same township as his father; Sarah E., Lincoln P. and Grace are at home with their parents. Jolin P. and Anna, also Grace, have followed the profession of teachers. Lincoln was graduated in the Business College at Jackson- ville.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cowdin form a bright and interesting group, and reflect great honor upon their parentage and training, and both parents and children attend the Congregational Church, and uniformly give their encouragement to the projects having in view the moral and social elevation of the people around them. Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for Clay, and politi- cally is a decided Republican.
OHN GERMANN, a very intelligent German citizen of township 14, owns and occupies a well-regulated farm of 120 acres, and alto- gether owns 250 acres of land in this county. The results of industry and perseveranee are ad- mirably represented in his career and his surround- ings, and being thrown npon his own resources at the beginning, too mueh credit cannot be awarded him for what he has accomplished. Not only has he surrounded himself and his family with all the comforts of life, but has fully established himself in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.
The subject of this notice was the second child in a family of eight children, was born in Dukow, the Prussian Province of Pomerania, Oct. 21, 1834, and is the son of John and Johanna (Beindchnieder) Germann, who were also of German parentage and ancestry, the father a native of the same place as his son. After marriage the parents continued resi- dents of their native place until Angust, 1868, when, resolving upon a change of residence, in the hope of bettering their condition, they sailed for America, landing in New York City. Thence they went into Erie County, Pa., where they lived six or seven years, and from there came to this county, locating in township 14, range 11, where the father took up land, and thereafter gave his attention ex- clusively to farming pursnits. Ile departed this life Jan. 10, 1880. The mother is still living, and has arrived at an advanced age. Their surviving children are located mostly in Illinois.
Our subjeet was reared to manhood in the Fa- therland, and lived there until reaching itis ma- jority, in 1855. That year he set out for America in advance of any of his family, and from New York City made his way to Chicago, Ill., where he resided three years, employing himself at whatever he could find to do. His next removal was to Douglas County, this State, where he rented a tract of land and sojourned three years. We next find him in this county, operating on land belonging to the late Jacob Strawn, which he worked four or five years, and then purchased that which he now occupies. While a resident of Chicago he was mar- ried, Feb. 16, 1855, to Miss Johanna, daughter of John and Ida (Niendorf) Buchin. Both daughter and parents were born in the Fatherland, and emi- grated to America, the parents in the summer of 1859, settling in Douglas County, this State; the daughter had preceded them, coming to Chicago in 1855. The parents then removed to this county, settling in township 14, range 11, where they spent their last days, both being deceased. Mrs. Germann was the eldest of her parents' five children, and was born in Ponnow, Germany, March 6, 1836. She was consequently a young woman of twenty-three years when crossing the Atlantic. Of her union with our subject there have been born twelve children, viz .: Sophia, Mary, Anna, John, Lizzie,
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MORGAN COUNTY.
Caroline, Minnic, Eddie, Ida, Emma, Hannah and Frances. Mr. Germann, politically, votes with the Demoeraey, and with his excellent wife is a mem- ber in good standing of the Lutheran Church. They have a pleasant and comfortable home, and are universally respected by their neighbors and fellow- citizens.
HOMAS MANDAVILLE. There are few homes in Woodson Township more attrae- tive or desirable than that belonging to the subjeet of this notiec. He is the owner of 210 acres of choice land, where he lias built a neat and commodious residence, around which have been planted here and there fruit and shade trees, while adjacent to the residence are the barn and other out- buildings necessary for the successful prosecution of agriculture. At this industry Mr. Mandaville has proved a success, and in the raising of grain and stock, especially the latter, there are few men in the county who exeel him. As a citizen, he is highly popular, being a man prompt to meet his obligations, and he oeeupies no unimportant posi- tion socially and financially.
A native of County Tipperary, Ireland, our sub- ject was born about 1829, and lived there until a young man of twenty years, receiving his educa- tion in the common sehool, and becoming familiar with farm pursuits. He was more than ordinarily energetic and ambitious, and at an early period in his life decided to do something in the world, and become a man among men. Seeing little prospect of realizing his desires in his native land lie re- solved to emigrate to America, and embarking at Waterford on an ocean vessel, landed duly in the city of New York. Thenee he proceeded to New Jersey, in which State he sojourned about four years, and then going to Ohio was employed on a railroad six months. From the Buckeye State he emigrated South, and worked on the levee in Louisiana about six months, after which he returned to New Jersey.
The return of Mr. Mandaville to the above- mentioned State was the oceasion of more than or- dinary importance, as he was there soon afterward married, June 12, 1853, to Miss Mary Hiekey.
This lady was a native of the same eounty in Ire- land as our subjeet, and was born about the same year. After marriage they lived in New Jersey probably about three years, and then removed to this county, of which they have since been resi- dents. Mr. Mandaville was variously employed thereafter in the vieinity of Jacksonville, then eame to Woodson, in the vicinity of which he rented land five years, and finally bought a part of the land which he now occupies. This comprised ninety-four aeres-the homestead proper-to which he added later, and which now represents a fine amount of taxable property.
To our subjeet and his cstimable wife there have been born nine children, viz .: Luke, Ellen, Annie, John, Thomas, Mary, Maggie, Julia (who died when six years old), and Lizzie. Mr. Mandaville, politically, votes the straight Democratie ticket, and with his wife is a member of the Catholic Church, attending services at Murray ville.
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R OBERT B. WALLACE, farmer and stoek- raiser of Bethel Township, and also one the largest fruit raisers in his section, is a native of Morgan County, and was born July 18, 1844. He is a son of William II. Wallace, deceased, who was a native of Vermont. His father is supposed to liave been of Scoteli descent. Rob- ert's mother was a native of Ohio, and her father is supposed to be of Weleh deseent. Her maiden name .was Samantha Jones. Her parents were among the early settlers of Bethel Precinet, having come here about a half century ago.
Robert B. Wallace was one of five children, four of whom are living: Robert B., Richard M., who is now in Kansas; Kearney, deceased; William, who is living in this State; Armenia, wife of Turner Funk, of Vernon County, Mo. Robert's father, in 1849, went to California at the time of the gold exeite- ment and was moderately successful in his quest for the precious metal. He remained in California about two years, when he returned to Illinois, but he subsequently went back to California and there died, about 1853. Politieally, he was a Demoerat, and like all pioncers had done much hard labor. Ile
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was known in his day to be the best cradler in Morgan County, and he was equally good in hand - ling the scytlie. He was always in favor of any move that was for the public good and that would elevate society, and he enjoyed the confidence and esteem of liis neighbors. Robert's mother is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and is now well ad- vanced in years. She subsequently married Samucl Poole; they purpose making their home in Califor- nia.
Robert B. Wallace was reared to manhood in this county, and received tlic education incident to dis- trict schools, and having been an extensive reader all his life is well posted on general topics. He enlisted July 2, 1862, and was mustered into service in the following August, in Company E, 101st Illinois Infantry, as a private soldier. After his regiment went South it was assigned to the Army of the Mississippi, and latterly to the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Dallas, Peachtree Creek, and was in the siege of Atlanta from start to finish. From Atlanta he went with Sherman in his march to the sea, and on that celebrated expedition he was on duty as one of the foragers, during part of the trip. He was also in the battles of Averysboro and Bentonville. He also participated in numerous minor engage- ments. He was captured by the rebels at Holly Springs, Miss., and was a prisoner six months; he was paroled, and spent some time at Benton Bar- racks, St. Louis, Mo., until he was duly exchanged. He finished up a creditable war record by taking part in the Grand Review, which occurred in the month of May, 1865, at Washington, and on the following 27th of June he was honorably discharged, after which he returned to Morgan County, where he has since resided.
Mr. Wallace was married, Feb. 2, 1859, to Mary F. Anderson, daughter of Alexander Anderson, a pio- ueer of Morgan County. To Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have been born seven children, four of whom are living: Comella, Lottie, Myrtle and James W .; the following are deceased; Arthur, William and Lulu. Mr. Wallace's home is a model of comfort and con- venience. He is a member of Rollin Taylor Post No. 524. G. A. R., and has been commander for
three terms in succession, and is now adjutant of the post. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both he and his wife take a great deal of interest in social matters. Mr. Wal- lace politically. is a Republican. He is reckoned one of the good citizens of Morgan County, and in his business lie is meeting with deserved suceess.
W ILLIAM S. STRAWN. The mercantile interests of Morgan County are fairly rep- resented by the subject of this memoir, who in former years was a prosperous farmer, but finally sold out, and engaged in general merclian- dising at Alexander. He carries a full stock of fine dry-goods, boots and shoes, hardware, men's clothing and Yankee notions, and also dcals in ag- ricultural implements. He operates on a capital of $6,000, and in 1888 enjoyed a trade of $20,000. He has a fair prospect of an increase the current year (1889). In view of these facts his enterprise and business methods are beyond question.
Our subject is a lineal descendant of Jacob Strawn, of Somerset County, Pa., and was born in Morgan County, July 28, 1853. He attended the district school during his boyhood, and was trained to those liabits of industry and frugality which have been the secret of liis success in life. His father, James G. Strawn, a native of Ohio, was the son of Jacob Strawn, Sr., and came with his parents to this county at an early day. Here he married Miss Nancy Bradshaw, whose parents were natives of Kentucky, and whose father died Feb. 28, 1887. Mrs. Strawn lives at the old homestead. Of their seven children, six are living: John A., Jacob H., Charles B., James G., Joel G. and William S. John A. married Miss Emma Dixon, of Hancock County, this State, is a farmer and the father of three chil- dren-Ella, May and Gracie; JJacob H. married Emma J. Corington, is a farmer and has two chil- dren-Clifton and John; Charles, a farmer in Lo- gan County, married Anna Johnson of this county, and they have four children-Maude, James II., Carrie and a babe unnamed; James G. is living with his third wife, who was formerly Miss Mamie Arnold, and they have two children-May and
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Alice. By his second wife there was born one child-Cora. Joel G., a farmer of this county, married Miss Kate Covington, and they have three children-Ernest, Mabel and Henry.
William S. Strawn, our subject, shortly before reaching the twenty-first year of his age was mar- ried, April 9, 1874, to Miss Rosa Mason of this county. Her parents came from Morgan County, Ohio, to Pike County, this State, and later to this county, where they now reside. The father fol- lowed blacksmithing during his younger years, but at the present time officiates as clerk for Mr. Strawn. In this family there were born four children-Will- iam A., Ulysses Grant, Elsworth E. and Rose, Mrs. Strawn. William A. married Miss Mary Mapes of this county, and is blacksmithing in Orleans; he is the father of one daughter-Iva; Ulysses G. married Miss Susie Wiswal, and is living on a farm ; they have no children. Elsworth is unmarried and lives at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Strawn are the parents of three children, one of whom, Mabel Lillian, died when eighteen months old. The survivors are Pearl and Joe Fifer. From the name of the latter child may be inferred the politics of our subject, who became a member of the Republican party when casting his first vote. He has served on the Grand and Petit Juries, but has no aspiration for office. A solid, reliable citizen in whom the people have the utmost confidence, he has borne no unimportant part in the development of this part of the county, and has been the encourager of those enterprises calculated to elevate the people. He is not iden- tified with any religious organization, but with his estimable wife attends the Christian Church.
HOMAS M. ANGELO. All his life long, the subject of this sketch has been familiar with agricultural pursuits, and that he has met with success, is but the natural result of his ex- perience, perseverance and industry. He is the owner of a fine farm of 280 acres, located on sec- tions 8, 9, and 10, township 14, range 11, the resi- dence being on section 8. The most of his land is under a good state of cultivation, and he has com-
fortable farm buildings. He has made his home here for the long period of thirty-four years, hav- ing taken possession of the place in 1855., It is hardly necessary to say that it then hore little re- semblance to its present condition, being in a wild state, without buildings or other improvements. It has taken years of labor and involved an outlay of thousands of dollars to bring the farm to a point which places it on an equality with those which have been built up by the better class of men in this county.
Mr. Angelo was born in Crawford County, Pa., May 25, 1825, and was brought by his parents to this county at an carly day, they settling on what is known as Buck Horn Prairie. His father, James Angelo, was a native of New Jersey, and it is 'sup- posed was born of American parents. He was reared in his native State, and being of an advent- urous disposition, went to sea and followed the life of a sailor until his marriage, which occurred not far from Meadville, Crawford Co., Pa. His bride, Miss Lucy McDowell, was born and reared in that county, and was of an excellent family of Scotch ancestry.
After their marriage, the parents of our subject settled on a farm in Crawford County, where all their children, seven sons, were born, and all lived to mature years. Five were married, and four are yet living. Thomas M. was the youngest but one, and was a little boy of five when his parents came in 1830, to Illinois. The journey was made over- land with teams, and upon their arrival in this county, the father purchased a claim on what is now Buck Horn Prairie, securing his title to the land when it came into the market. lle with his family endured all the hardships and privations of life on the frontier, but he succeeded in gathering around him many comforts and built up a good home, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the advanced age of ninety-five years. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, active, industrious and enterprising, in politics a sound Democrat, and in religion, a devout Methodist.
The mother of our subject survived her husband only about four weeks, dying at the age of seventy- five years. She also was a member of the Meth- odist Church, and was one of the typical pioneer
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wives and mothers who stood bravely by their hus- bands' side during the trying times of life in the wilderness, and were ever faithful and efficient helpmates. The children could only receive a lim- ited education, but they were trained to habits of industry and economy, and the sentiments of honor which laid the basis of a character necessary to all good citizenship.
Our subject, upon reaching man's estate, desirous of establishing a fireside of his own, was first mar- ried in Macoupin County, Ill., to Miss Elizabeth Hoover, a lady of German descent, who was born and reared in that county, of which her parents were early settlers. Her father, Felix Hoover, died there. Of this union there were horn three chil- dren, and Mrs. Elizabeth Hoover departed this life at her home in this county in April, 1864. Their eldest son, Samuel, married Miss Hattie Mawson, and lives on a farm in the same township as his father; Sarah J. is the wife of David N. Markillic, and they live on a farm in Scott County; William T. married Ellen Black, and is engaged as a practic- ing physician in California.
Mr. Angelo, in 1866, contracted a second mar- riage with Mrs. Mary J. (Horton) Marker, a native of Iowa, born and reared in Jefferson County. Of her first marriage there was one child, Samantha E., now the wife of Alonzo Groves, of Franklin, this county. Mrs. Mary J. Angelo died very suddenly while ministering to the wants of a sick son in Franklin. Of her marriage with our subject, there had been born two children, the eldest of whom, Alonzo E., married Mrs. Jennic Cassler, and they live on a farm in Sangamon County; George E. remains at home, the chief assistant of his father on the farm.
Our subject was married to his present wife, formerly Mrs. Polly (Horton) Stockton, April 4. 1889. This lady was born in Fulton County, this State, Aug. 6, 1855, and is the daughter of William and Sarah J. (Dennis) Horton, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Horton were married in Coshocton County, Ohio, where they began life together on a farm, and resided until after the birth of eight children. Then. early in the fifties. they came to this county, settling near its southern line where the father took
up land and established a homestead upon which he lived until departing hence, about 1883, after he had reached his three-score years and ten. The mother survives, and is now seventy-six years old; she lives at the old farm in Fulton County, and is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church.
Mrs. Polly Angelo was reared to womanhood un- der the parental roof, and was first married in Han- cock County, this State, to C. W. Stockton, by whom she became the mother of two children, Ida and Eugene, who remain with her. . Mr. Angelo, politically, is a sound Republican, and in religion is a Methodist. For twelve years he served as a Jus- tice of the Peace. Hle is the Master of Lodge No. No. 382. A. F. & A. M. at Lynuville, in which he has filled all the Chairs. He is also a member of Encampment No. 9, I. O. O. F., of Jacksonville, and of Subordinate Lodge No. 356, at Lynnville, in which he has filled all the Chairs several times, and of which he is now Treasurer.
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