Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois, Part 39

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, IL : Chapman Brothers
Number of Pages: 632

USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 39
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 39

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The family of which our subject was a member, included seven children. the first birth being that of three boys, who were named George W., Thomas J., and James M. All attained to manhood, although James M., who resides at Burlington, Iowa,

is the only one now living. The other members of the family are: William H., Norman M., Louisa. Jane S.

The grandfather of our subjeet was horn in New Jersey, and as a young man entered heartily into the War of Independence in 1776. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Joseph Lindsley, a native of the same State. He also served in the Revolution, and was commissioned Major. Ile served throughout the seven years, and was fre- quently by the side of Washington in the various engagements. By trade he was a carpenter and millwright, and was possessed of no little skill as a workman. The family upon both sides is of En- glish extraction. Until the year 1836, our subjeet lived upon the home farm. At that time he was bound out an apprentice to learn the trade of black- smithing for a period of seven and one-half years. He learned this trade in Jacksonville, and eontin- ued working as a journeyman for some six months after he had attained his release. At that time he engaged in business for himself, and continued thus employed some twenty years. Ile had a large work- shop, and ran four forges continually, which speaks quite elearly regarding the amount of work that was brought to him. Prior to leaving his business he had engaged considerably in the agricultural im- plement trade, and this he continued after having relinquished his forges. He purchased his present business place. in 1845, and had perhaps. the largest business in his line in the city. He was the owner of three different stores, which he had built himself, sparing no pains to make them in every way suit- able for commercial purposes.

Mr. Broadwell had been prominently identified with the movements that have resulted in bringing the various railroads to the eity, and was eonneeted with them. He also took much interest in any enterprise that promised to aid the eity, and ad- vanee it to a high standing amid the other centres of eommerec and influence in the State, and had been actively engaged in connection therewith.

The marriage of our subjeet dates from the year 1846. The lady of his choice was Mary A. Coch- rane, a native of England. Their family eirele in- eludes nine children, whose names are recorded as follows: Charles E., now a resident of Kansas City;

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William B., who after his settlement in California, married Miss Messerole of that State; Norman; Mary L., now Mrs. W. B. Shaw, living at Fowler, the county-seat of Meade County, Kan .; Alice M., who is the Principal of Los Angeles College, Cal .; Annie E., formerly a teacher in the State Normal School of Winona, Minn., now Mrs. C. P. David- son, of Scranton, Pa .; Harry L., who is living in New Mexico; Harriet, and Mabel R.

HEThe residence of our subjeet, which is situated on West College Avenue, is such an one as his position in the city would lead us to expcet, evineing the refinement and eulture of his wife and family. IIe was a member of the Masonie fraternity, and as such was much esteemed. In matters politieal, he was a strong Republican, and had the honor of being the first of that party ever eleeted to the office of Sheriff of this eounty. This position he held for one terin, and performed his duties in a most satis- factory and exemplary manner. Before the organ . ization of the city, he also held the position of Township Trustee. He always held a high place in the regards of his fellow-citizens, and was a inueh valued member of the community. His death oc- eurred Nov. 26, 1888.

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R. WILLIAM J. WACKERLE, a repre- sentative physician and surgeon of Mere- dosia and a graduate of the University of Ileidelburg, was born in the Grand . Duehy of Baden, Germany, Feb. 23, 1819, and came to America when a young man of twenty years. IIe took up his residence in Meredosia in 1846, and, with the exception of six months spent in Missouri in 1852, during the cholera epidemic in St. Louis, when he volunteered his professional services, he has sinee been a resident here.

The early studies of our subjeet were conducted in the common schools of his native place, and when seventeen years old he entered the Uni- sity of Freiburg, where he attended one and one- half years, then entered the Medical Department of IIeidelburg University, where he attended two years and was then graduated. He started for America in the fall of 1839, taking passage at

Havre on a sailing-vessel and landing in New Orleans after an ocean voyage of sixty-three days. He spent one year in Jackson, La., engaged in the practice of his profession, then, eoming north, set- tled in Detroit, Mich .. but less than a year there- after returned sonth to St. Louis, Mo., and thence, in 1846, came to this eounty.

While a resident of St. Louis Dr. Waekerle was married, Feb. 19, 1843, to Miss Susan F. Ander- son, who was born in Fauquier County, Va., June 30, 1825. She is the daughter of Elijah and Fan- nie (Browning) Anderson. They were likewise natives of Virginia, the father of English and the mother of Seoteh deseent. In 1835 they removed to Lincoln County, Mo., settled on a farm, and resided there until their deeease. The mother died in 1843, and the father in January, 1888, aged ninety-four years. Thus it will be seen that Mrs. Wackerle was only about ten years old when she eame to Missouri with her parents. They are the parents of six children, five of whom are living, namely: William F., a resident of Kansas; Charles J., a physician of Glasgow, this State; Louis, a resident of Nevada, Mo .; Edward resides in But- ler, Mo .; and Fannie, wife of Prof. Harker, of the Illinois College, Jacksonville. The Doctor is of a social disposition, a man well read and well-in- formed, and a conseientious practitioner. He be- longs to the Morgan County Medical Society and the Masonic fraternity. In religious matters he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in polities votes the Democratie tieket. As one of the oldest settlers of Meredosia, he naturally enjoys a wide acquaintance, and is universally re- spected. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Rise) Wackerle, were of pure German stock, and are now deceased.

ILLIAM MILLER. The pioneer element of this eounty recognizes the subject of this notice as one of its most worthy rep- resentatives, and he may be usually found at his pleasant and comfortable home in the little eity of Meredosia, where he has many friends. He has just passed the sixty-fourth year of his age, having

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been been born April 3, 1825. His native place was Baton Rouge, La., and his parents were Joshua and Catherine (Thomas) Miller, natives of New York State.

This branch of the Miller family is supposed to be of English deseent, as was also the mother of our suhjeet. The parents came to Illinois at an early day, and the father of our subject died in New Orleans, about 1825, from an attack of yel- low fever. The mother was subsequently married to William Crawford, and they resided for a time in Missouri. Mr. Miller has been a resident of this State sinee a youth of seventeen years. Ilis edu- eation was obtained by attendance at the subscrip- tion sehool, which was carried on in a log cabin withi greased paper for window panes, the floor of puncheon, and the benehies made of slabs upheld by rude wooden legs. The system of instruction was in keeping with those primitive times, and the text books (unlike those of the present day), were used by one child after another until worn out.

The life of our subject passed in a comparatively uninterrupted manner until the time of his mar- riage, which took place July 22, 1847. The maiden of his choiee was Miss Lorena Thacker, and they became the parents of twelve children, only eight of whom are living, namely: John, William; Mary, the wife of George Turnliam; Hannah, Mrs. Isaae Lake; Sarah, Mrs. Weber, a widow; Oscar, Edgar, and Frances, the wife of Henry Wade. Mr. and Mrs. Miller after marriage settled on a farm in Brown County, Ill., and Mr. Miller operated as a renter a number of years. He finally purchased 200 aeres of land on Meredosia Bay, in township 16, range 13, to which he removed at onee and entered upon its eultivation and improvement. Later he sold forty aeres, and lived upon the 160 acres remain- ing, until removing to Meredosia in the winter of 1887. Prior to this removal he sold his farm for $5.600.

Mr. Miller's property has been accumulated solely by his own industry. Hle first worked out by the month, living in a most economical manner and saving what he could of his earnings, until he had enough to purchase implements for farming on rented land. In his labors and struggles he has had the faithful assistance of his estimable wife,

who has stood by his side through storm and sun- shine, bearing with him the heat and hurden of the day. Mrs. Miller was born in this, county .Jan. 9, 1827, and is the daughter of William and Charity (Glisson) Thacker, whose parents were among the earliest settlers of Central Illinois. They were natives of Tennessee, and came to this eounty in 1826, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They looked upon the present site of Jacksonville when it was only marked by a few rude houses and bore little semblance to a town. During the latter years of their lives they lived on a farm northeast of the city, then removed to Meredosia, and two years later to Brown County. where the mother died in 1845, and the father in 1857. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Miller, politieally, uniformly votes the Democratic tieket. He has never had any ambition for office, preferring to confine his attention to agricultural pursuits. He enjoys an extended acquaintance throughout the county, where he numbers his friends hy the seore. The deceased children of Mr. and Mrs. Miller are Cordelia, Steplien A., Margaret J., and one who died in infancy.

W ILLIAM H. ANGELO. For a period of nearly twenty years, since the year of 1869, the subject of this sketelı has been estab- lished at his present homestead, which comprises seventy aeres of choice land, located on seetion 15, township 14, range 11. Ile came to this county in the fifties from Crawford County, Pa., where he was born June 25, 1821. He is a twin son of James and Luey (McDowell) Angelo, mention of whom is made in the sketch of Thomas M. Angelo. which will be found on another page in this vol- ume. The parents came to this county. at an early day, and are both long since deceased, passing away when quite aged.

'The subject of this sketeh was a lad of ten years when his parents made the journey overland from Pennsylvania to this county, and settled upon a tract of wild land on what is now known as Buek Horn Prairie, from which the father built up a good farm and where the parents spent their last

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days, the father passing away first and the mother joining her husband in the silent land four weeks later.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent in a manner common to the sons of pioneer farmers, and when reaching manhood and soon af- ter becoming of age, he was married to Miss Sarah Northcutt, who was born in this county in 1830. Iler parents were natives of Kentucky, and early settlers of this county, where they died in middle life. Of this union there have been born two chil- dren, the eldest son, William H., Jr., married a Miss James, and they live in Lynnville, of which he is the Postmaster, and where he carries on general merchandising. Elizabeth is married and living in the West. Mr. Angelo without making any great stir in the world, pursues the even tenor of his way as an honest man and a good eitizen, vot- ing the straight Democratic ticket and striving to do as little harm as possible.

W ILLIAM H. HAMEL, late of township 14, range 11, departed this life at his home- stead on section 15, March 10, 1888. He was then approaching the fifty-third year of his age, having been born Sept. 26, 1835, in Knox County, Ohio. He came of excellent Holland- Dutch stock and was the son of William Hamel, a farmer by occupation and who was born and reared in Knox County, where he was married to Miss Rosanna Ely.

After the birth of three children, all sons, the parents of our subject emigrated to Illinois and lo- cated on a tract of wild land in township 14, range 11, in this eounty. Later, however, they ehanged their residence to Lynnville, where the elder Ham- el spent the remainder of his life, passing away Feb. 10, 1879, at the age of seventy-two years, having been born Nov. 21, 1807. Ilis wife, Ro- sanna, is still living and makes her home with her brother, Martin Ely, in Fulton County, this State. She was born Nov. 3, 1812, and is consequently approaching the seventy-seventh year of her age. Both she and her husband in religious matters, ad-

here to the doctrines of the Methodist Church, and the latter during the later years of his life was identified with the Republican party. He had been quite prominent in local politics and served as Justice of the Peace for many years.

The subject of this sketch was the youngest child of his parents who came to this county when he was quite young. He grew up surrounded by good and healthy influences, which had their effect both upon mind and body, and formed within him a character which made him a man respected among his fellows. By his industry and persever- ance he became the owner of a good farm of 120 acres, and also acquired 160 acres in Kansas which have never been improved. Ilis death was the re- sult of cancer from which he suffered greatly for some time and which sufferings he bore with Chris- tian patience and fortitude. Ilis death was not only deeply mourned by his family, but by all who knew him, for he was a man who, without making any great stir in the world, exercised that silent influenee which will live after a man has passed away, thus fulfilling the Seripture saying that "his works do follow him."

The marriage of William II. Hammel and Miss Elizabeth J. Horton took place at the home of the bride near Astoria, in Fulton County, this State, Dec. 24, 1857. Mrs. Hamel was born in Coshoc- ton County, Ohio, March 13, 1840, and was the daughter of William and Sarah (Dennis) Horton, who were also natives of that county. There also they were reared and married and lived until after the birth of part of their family, then in 1851 came to Fulton County, this State. Mr. Horton died at his home near Astoria in 1881, at the age of six- ty-five years. He was a good man in the broad- est sense of the term, kindly and hospitable as a neighbor and in his private life without reproach. The mother is still living and is now seventy-five years old, and quite feeble.

Mrs. Ilamel was the oldest daughter of her par- ents and grew up an intelligent and amiable young woman, and these qualities have continued with her all through life. Her mother has for many years been a member of the Baptist Church. but Mrs. Hamel is a Methodist in religion. Of her un- ion with our subject there was born one child, a

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son, Evert Lee, Mareh 21, 1868. Ile remains with his mother and assists in the management of the farm. They have a pleasant and eomfortable home and are held in high respeet by a large eircle of friends.

LFRED WILLIAMS, one of the oldest liv - ing settlers of his locality, having come to Morgan County, Ill., in October, 1837, is a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and was born Jan. 10, 1822. He was the son of Joseph and Hannah Williams, both natives of Ver- mont. His grandfather, Joseph Williams, Sr., was a soldier in the War of 1812, and also one of the early settlers of Vermont.

Alfred Williams was reared in his native county until his sixteenth year, at which time, with an un- cle, he came to Morgan County, where he has re- mained since. He is distinguished as being one of a company who operated the first threshing ma- chines and eleaners in this eounty and State. He and his Uncle Seth Wetherbec broke the first furrow on the present site of the village of Chapin. For several years Mr. Williams owned and operated a threshing machine, from which business he made eon- siderable money. In 1848 he settled on his present farm, which was then destitute of improvements, being wild, uneultivated prairie land. He broke the land and continued to make improvements, buying more until he now owns a farm of 362 aeres, un- equaled in fertility, and to be the owner of which, any man ought to feel proud. Mr. Williams has seen this section of the country develop from a wilderness to a garden spot, and now upon every hand is to be seen prosperity, where onec was pov- erty. He is one of the thousands of pioneers who are reaping the harvest of plenty that was sown by them years ago. He has been sueeessful beyond his fondest dream, and he deserves it. Ilis magni- ficent estate is a monument to his industry, per- severanee and good management.

Politieally, Mr. Williams is a Republican, and when the Whig party was in existenee, acted with them, and during the war, he was an active Union man. He has served as Sehool Director, but being of a modest nature, he cares but little for office,

lle married Miss Esther Bean, May 22, 1851, who bore him four children, two of whom are living: Joseph B. Williams, married Ada A. Wing, of Bridgeport, Vt., and is farming part of the home- stead ; Arthur C. married Nellie A. True, of Mor- gan County. Her parents were formerly from New Ilampshire. He also farms a part of the home plaee. Joseph B., and Arthur C. are both prosperous residents of Morgan County. The deceased ehildren are JJulius Seth, and Alfred. Both Mr. Williams and his wife are members of the Congregational Church at Joy Prairie. Mrs. Williams was the daughter of Joshua Bean, of Readfield, Kenebec Co., Me., twelve miles from Augusta. IIer mother was Abigal Pierce, of Westbrook, Cumberland Co., Me. They reared a family of seven children, two boys and five girls. They subsequently removed to Massachusetts, and lived and died at Chelsea, Mass. Mrs. Williams was in her girlhood liberally eduea- ted, and in October, 1850, came to Morgan County, Ill., alone, and taught school in a country distriet, about three miles from her present home; it was here she became acquainted with Mr. Williams.

Mr. Williams was one of the original members and prime movers in the establishment of the Con- gregational society, donating land upon which to build the church. He is a Trustee of the church spoken of, and is always ready and willing to do anything for the improvement of his ehosen re- ligion. He is liberal and enterprising, and is one of the few men in this world who do charitable aets in an unostentatious manner.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams, are now a little past the prime of life, enjoying the fruits of their early in- dustry, and their neighbors are unanimous in say- ing that they deserve all the comfort there is to be had in this life.

RS. MARY A. BUTCHER is a resident of seetion 23, township 16, range 13, and is a native of Pike County, Ohio, where she was born Feb. 16, 1826. She was a daugh- ter of Thomas R. and Sarah (Boiler) Buteher. Iler father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother was also boru in that State. Her father was

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a soldier in the War of 1812. He enlisted at the beginning of the war under the general call for troops, and remained in the army until the elose of hostilities.

Mrs. Buteher's parents were among the very first settlers of Pike County, Ohio, and lived there until their death. They were well-to-do farmers, and reared a family of five children, of whom the snbjeet of this sketch is the only survivor. She was reared to womanhood in her native county and State. She received her education in the early log cabin subscription sehools, and, of course, the learning she obtained was necessarily through diffi- eulties that now would seem almost insurmountable. It may be pessimistie to indulge in the thought that the youth of two generations ago, or even of one, were constructed of different material from those of to-day, but it is no flight of fancy to record the simple fact that our fathers and mothers would have been many times discouraged in their search for knowledge, had they not been built of the sterner stuff that makes true men and women. In their day there were but few sources of amuse- ment, and not many ways to divert one's attention from hard, dull work. The youth of the present generation ought to be thankful for the advantages they possess, and, as they read the histories of their ancestors, glean therefrom profitable lessons.

Mrs. Buteher was married Dee. 29, 1850, in Pike County, Ohio, to Adam Butcher, a native of the Buckeye State, and whose birth occurred Jan. 20, 1826. He was a son of John and Sarah Butcher, who were also natives of Ohio, their ancestors all being of German descent. Mrs. Buteher was the mother of nine children, six of whom are living: Roland C. lives in Colorado; Royal is a resident of Christian County, Ill .; Josiah lives in Morgan County, while George, Albert, and Ida are at home. Mr. Buteher and wife emigrated to Morgan County in 1851. Their journey from Pike County, Ohio, consumed nineteen days. They landed in Jacksonville, Ill. Their means of transportation was by a "prairie sehoouer" drawn by two teams. They were aecompanied by two other families, inaking a party of about a dozen persons in all. Mr. Buteher rented a farm soon after his arrival in Morgan County, and continued to do so for five

years, when he purchased a farm of a quarter see- tion of land, where his widow now resides. He paid about $30 per acre for this land, and after- ward bought forty acres more. As a matter of course Mr. and Mrs. Buteher were obliged to live economically until they obtained their start in the world, and the lot of a pioneer of Illinois was theirs. Mr. Butcher died Jan. 5, 1883. He was one of the leading citizens of his township, and enjoyed an extended acquaintance. Politieally, he was a Demo- crat, with Greenback proelivities, but, being of a modest disposition, he never sought office. IIe was a kind and loving husband and father, and enjoyed the reputation of being an honest man.

Mr. Butcher was a member of the Union Baptist Church, aud always took an active part in church work. He was also a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. Mrs. Butcher and her children are active members of society.

P. BAUJAN is one of the representative business men of Meredosia. In his build- ing, which is 20x120 feet, and situated on Main street, he carries on a hardware and agricultural implement business, and is also a dealer in lumber. In most country villages there is one man who generally occupies the position of " guide, philosopher and friend." If there is any advice to be given, or should any enterprise require a leader, there are one or two men who are considered the most competent for this place, and the subject of our sketch is what may be termed a leading man of his village.

He was formerly in business with D. H. Lollis. This partnership existed for twenty years, under the firm name of D. II. Lollis & Co. Some three years ago Mr. Baujau purchased Mr. Lollis' interest in the business, and thus became the sole proprietor. Mr. Baujan is a native of Siegburg, Germany, and was born Oet. 29, 1827. He came to America in 1851, landed at New Orleans, and from that port he pushed on immediately to Beardstown, Cass Co., Ill., and at once went to Arenzville. In 1856 he first came to Meredosia. Here he started a small business of a combination bakery and grocery

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store. This venture prospered, and he followed it for several years. when he formed the partner- ship spoken of before, and engaged in the lumber business, the other lines having been added since. He has the only lumber yard in Meredosia.

In 1888 he served as President of the Town Board in Meredosia, and is now holding the office of Overseer of the Poor in his district-a position for which his charitable impulses admirably fit him. He is a member of the Masonic Order and of Be- nevolent Lodge No. 52, which is one of the oldest lodges in the State. He is also a Knight Templar. He is an enthusiastic and hard-working member of these orders.

Mr. Baujan is a Democrat, and is an influential member of his party, but he is in favor, largely, of selecting the hest men for offices, and, generally speaking, party ties rest upon him lightly. He has made all he possesses since he came to this country, which has been a result of his ability as a money- getter and of his sterling integrity. lle was mar- ried to Matilda Keuchler, who bore him five chil- dren-Minnie, Emma, Louisa, Ida and Nellie-four of whom are living.

Mr. Banjan is a practical illustration of what this country has done, and is doing, for people who strictly mind their own business, and who go for- ward in their work with a determination to win. Ilis large amount of pluck and German persistence has aided him to attain his present proud position in the hearts of his neighbors and among the busi- ness men with whom he has dealings. It can be truthfully said of him that he never intentionally wronged any man, and if a less fortunate person than he, makes application to him for aid or relief, his request is sure to be granted.

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Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois, Part 39

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, IL : Chapman Brothers Number of Pages: 632

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, IL : Chapman Brothers
Number of Pages: 632