USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 43
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 43
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Upon becoming a voting citizen, Mr. Goebel identified himself with the Republican party, and is entirely in sympathy with the institutions of his adopted country. He has served as School Trustee for the last six years, and also as Director, and has been Road Commissioner two years. He is one of those men upon whom the community depends to carry out its best projects and endorse the enter- prises calculated to advance the interests of the people.
On the 30th of May, 1869, our subject was mar- ried in Mason County, Ill., to Miss Catharine Leip-
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pert. This lady was born in Cass County, this State, July 27, 1850, and is the daughter of Emil and Catharine (Lang) Leippert, who were natives of Germany, and are now residents of Mason County. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Goebel, there are five living-John, Henry, William, George and Matilda. Mr. Goebel is a member of the Lutheran Church, and, socially, be- longs to Benevolent Lodge No. 52 A. F. & A. M., at Meredosia. When his father landed in the city of Baltimore lie had just twenty-five eents in money, and the property which he afterward accumulated in this country stands as a lasting monument to his industry and perseveranee.
OSEPH HULETT. Among the prominent agriculturists of Morgan County who have in the last four decades, materially assisted in its advancement and prosperity, no one is more deserving of honorable mention in this BIO- GRAPHICAL ALBUM than he whose name we have with pleasure placed at the beginning of this brief sketch. He is a native of Kentucky, born near Winchester, Clark County, Sept. 1, 1823. His father, Joseph Hulett, Sr., was born near Freder- icksburg, Va. When a child his parents removed to Clark County, Ky., where they remained a short time, and then settled in Madison County, where he, the father of our subject, spent the larger part of his youthful days, and, when old enough to establish himself in business, began farming there. He subsequently removed to Fayette County, and was for a few years engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Lexington, finally removing to Morgan County and settling near Jacksonville, where he died at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years. lle was twice married. Miss Nellie Mansfield, a native of Green River County, Ky., becoming his first wife, and of their union eight sons and five daughters were born, all of whom grew to ma- turity: His second marriage was to Elizabeth Hukill, who bore him five children, two sons and three daughters, and of the two marriages eleven children are still living. Mr. Hulett was a man highly respected in this community for his sterling.
integrity and honesty of purpose. In politics lie was a staneh old-line Whig. He was a member of the Baptist Church for more than half a century, and both he and his wife were sineere workers in the cause of religion.
Our subjeet was among the younger members of the thirteen children born to his parents, and was reared on a farm, living with his father in Clark and Fayette counties till grown to manhood. Ile had the misfortune to lose his mother while a boy, and the family records having been destroyed by fire, his knowledge of his ancestral history is limited. Not being quite satisfied to settle down to farming, he learned the carpenter's trade, and for six years engaged in earpentering and contract- ing. Subsequently his early knowledge of cattle, learned while on the farm, became of practical use to him, and his excellent judgment eoneerning thiem easily seeured for him a position as buyer of stock for prominent cattle dealers in the vicinity of Lexington, and he gave up his trade to become manager of the large stock farin of Benjamin Gratz, ' an extensive farmer of Lexington. He also had the supervision of the farm of Carter Harrison, Ex-Mayor of Chicago, the short time lie was a resi- dent of that place. The shrewd business habits and undoubted ability of our subject in that line of business insured him an excellent salary, and, as he was as economical as he was industrious, in the few years he was thus employed he laid the founda- tion of his present fortune. In 1850 Mr. Ilulett determined to permanently establish himself in life, and, knowing Illinois to be one of the finest agricultural States in the Union, eame to Morgan County March 3, that year, and rented a farm north of Jacksonville, on which he lived for awhile, then removed to this neighborhood and rented a farm of Joseph Morton, which he managed success- fully three years. In 1853 he bought 160 acres of his present homestead, lying on seetions 25 and 26, township 15, range 10 west, paying $30 an acre for it, although there were plenty of farms in the vicinity that could have been bought for two-thirds that sum, but they were laeking in many of the essentials that he considered necessary on a good farm. Mr. Hulett afterward bought adjacent land, paying $60 an acre for some and $80 an aere for
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other tracts, till now he has a valuable farın of 250 aeres under excellent cultivation. There were very comfortable buildings on the place when our subject moved on to it in 1854, and he and his family occupied the house until 1872, when he built his present fine brick residence. It is of modern architecture, neatly and artistieally fur- nished and decorated, the interior and exterior alike showing marked evidence of the taste, eulti- vation and refinement of the occupants. The prop- erty of our subjeet is a testimony to the ability, good judgment and superior management which he has used in improving it from year to year, and is now one of the model farms of the county and an ornament to his township. Mr. Hulett has been extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising, but he now rents the larger part of his farın, keep- ing his beautiful house as a residence, and is prac- tieally retired from active life, having been a sufferer the past seven years from angina pectoris (neuralgia of the heart.)
As a man of striet honesty, fair and square in all business transactions, our subjeet is universally esteemed throughout the community, and merits the high respeet in which he is held. In local affairs he has always been prominent, and has faith- fully served the township in the various reponsible offiees, having been Township Treasurer, School Director, etc., for many years. Religiously, he is a consistent member of the Christian Church.
An important step in the life of Mı. Hulett, and one to which he owes in a measure the grand sue- cess that he has met with in life, was his marriage with Miss Elizabeth V. Simpson, which was eele- brated Aug. 9, 1849. She was born in Woodford County, Ky., being a daughter of Johnson and Elizabeth (Powers) Simpson. Her father, who was a carpenter and contractor. spent his entire life in Woodford County, where his widow is still living.
'To our subjeet and his wife have been born ten children, all of whom, excepting William J., who died when thirteen months and thirteen days old, are still living, the following being their record: Ella married J. V. Stout, the proprietor of a book and stationery store in Jacksonville, and they have two children, Harry and Corinne; Elizabeth J .; Josephine; Granville, who married Miss Jessie
Freeman, and is now in business in Kansas City, attended college in Jacksonville six years and Rush Medical College three years, and subsequently prac- ticed medicine in Kansas City two years; Fannie; Belle inarried Samuel Seott a dry-goods merchant of Kansas City, and they have one eliild, Fannie Marie; Lorena married Eugene Pyatt, clerk in a Jacksonville bookstore; Jennic S. married Thomas Montgomery, a general merchant at Ilersman Station, Brown Co., Ill .; Marcus has just finished his cdueation, and has joined the Doctor in busi- ness in Kansas City.
Mr. Hulett, whose educational advantages werc limited, has very generously given his children every possible opportunity for acquiring knowl- edge, not only in the common branches of study, but especially in musie, arts and sciences. His daugh- ters have taken a college course as well as his sons, having attended the college at Jacksonville, Fannie completing her education at Valparaiso. The beau tiful works of art that adorn the walls of the house testify to the natural talent and ability of Misses Fannie and Lizzie, who are accomplished artists, handling brush or pencil with equal facility, as evi- denced by their works in pen-drawing and erayon, their specialty being portraits. Mrs. Ilulett and two of her daughters are esteemed members of the Presbyterian Church, while the remaining mein- bers of the family belong to the Christian Church.
C HARLES HEINZ, SR., a manufacturer of plows and other agricultural implements at Meredosia, was born in Gladenbach, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, on Jan. 20, 1828. The vil- lage mechanie is essential to the success of the farmer. It is he whose skill lightens the labor of the tiller of the soil, and when implements are broken, or for any cause fail to perform their work, then the mechanie steps to the front and promptly starts the disabled machinery again. Mr. Heniz has. attained an enviable record as an ingenious and painstaking workman.
The main part of his shop is 22x82, to which an addition has been erected for blacksmithing pur- poses which is 22x36, and contains three forges,
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which are busy at work most of the time. Mr. Heinz is the owner of these buildings, and he finds them none too large.
Mr. Heinz is a son of Jacob and Louisa (Baier) Heinz, both natives of Germany. When Charles was three years old his mother died, and in 1839 his father emigrated to America, his three boys · being left in Germany; they followed him two years later. At the age of sixteen he was apprentieed to a eooper, but only remained at this trade for three years, when he began to learn blacksmithing. He had worked at this trade but fourteen months when he enlisted as a volunteer in the Mexican War in the 1st Illinois Cavalry under Capt. Adam Dunlap. Arriving in Mexico, this organization beeame a part of Gen. Taylor's army and subse- quently was under Gen. Wool. Mr. Ileinz was prin- cipally engaged on detailed duty as a scout, and while in this department of the service he had many narrow eseapes. Ilis regiment was a part of the guard to the Government property, which was transported from Mexico to Texas. Mr. IIcinz was also detailed as a bugler. After a serviee of eighteen months he was discharged.
In 1849, Mr. Heinz first established himself in business at Meredosia. He was a blacksmith of great skill and as a result soon built up a large and lucrative trade. When the Civil War broke out he first enlisted, and was elected First Lieutenant in Company A, the 101st Illinois Infantry, and after a serviee of over eight months he resigned and re- enlisted in Company K, of the 28tli Illinois Infan- try and was commissioned as First Lieutenant. With the last organization he remained one year. He then returned to Meredosia and settled down to his former business, enlarging it to its present pro- portions. He has now an engine of 10-horse power, which drives the machinery needed in the business that he now earries on. Ile is now sueeessfully en- gaged in making plows as an addition to his foriner business; the "Diamond Plow" being a speciality. He also manufactures cultivators, riding plows, and other farming implements, in all of which may be seen the maker's skill and ingenuity.
Mr. Heinz married Elizabeth Anderson,a native of Virginia, who bore him six children: Caroline, wife of F. M. Davis, of Coffeyville, Kan .; Louisa, wife
of A. S. Boles, of Garwin, Iowa; Frank; Ella, wife of John Lange; Charles and Mary. Mr. Heinz is a member of John York Post, No. 423 G. A. R. He is also a member of both the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. orders, having been a member of the latter society sinee 1854. He has held all the offices in that organization, Politically, he is a Demoerat, and has served six years as a County Commissioner, of Morgan County, and with credit to himself and his constituents. He has also served as a School Dircetor, and has been a member of the . " Meredosia Board of Village Trustees. Mr. Heinz is not a member of any ehureh organization, but is a liberal contributor to the cause of religion. He is a leading man of Morgan County, and has attained this position by reason of his integrity and skill as a business man. His success is directly traceable to his own efforts and when his proper epitaph shall have been written it will embrace the simple words, "Here lies a man."
ONIE SCOTT, who is pleasantly located in township 14, range 9, and on seetion 28, oe- cupies a prominent position among the lead- ing farmers of Morgan County, wherein he is very popular. He has a snug little farm of eighty acres, improved with good buildings, and which constitutes one of the most attractive homes in this section of country. Wide-awake, industri- ous and energetic, Mr. Seott each year adds some- thing to the beauty and value of his property, and each year becomes more useful to the community at large. He is a man more than ordinarily intel- ligent, and in his youth acquired the practical education which serves him for all ordinary pur- poses.
Our subjeet was born in Cineinnati, Ohio, Sept. 24. 1854, is the son of Eneas and Lois Seott, who were natives of England and New Jersey, respeet- ively, and are represented on another page of this volume. He was mostly in his youth, after leaving sehool, engaged in farming. When ready toestablish a home of his own he was united in marriage with Miss Fanny Pavord, of Philadelphia. This lady is a native of England, and was born in 1857. Her
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parents were natives of England, and her father a tailor by trade. They came to America in 1861, and spent their last years in Philadelphia. Their family consisted of six children, all of whom are living, and with the exception of Mrs. Scott, are residents of Philadelphia, Pa.
The three children of our subject and his estim- able wife were named respectively Thomas M., Jewel E. and Minnie L. The eldest is ten years old and the youngest three, and they will be given the training and education snited to their position in life. Mrs. Scott is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and our sub- ject, politically, gives his support to the Denio- cratic party. He, however, confines his attention to his farming interests, and in addition to the raising of grain keeps a goodly assortment of horses, cattle and swine. He has hosts of friends who are watching his career with kindly interest and predict for him uniform prosperity.
OHN MATHERS, deceased. This gentle- man, who during his lifetime was one of the much valued and highly estcemned citizens of this county was born in Ireland on the 18th of January, 1814, to Wesley and Eliza (Drennen) Mathers, and was the oldest of a family of four children. Their names were as follows: John, Eliza, Mary Ann and Wesley. He came to this country when about nine years of age with his parents, who had determined to try the new world, imagining, and rightly so, that their children would there receive a large opportunity in life. They settled near Lexington, Ky., and there the family lived for three years. At the end of that period they emigrated to Illinois and decided to locate in this county, and finally made their home at Jack_ sonville. This settlement occurred in 1832.
Mr. Mathers obtained a fairly good education, although circumstances were not entirely propiti- ous to that cnd. After attending the classes in a common school he was privileged to become a student in Illinois College and there continued to pursue his studies. Upon leaving the school he began to clerk in a store, and there remaincd
until he embarked in business upon his own ac- count. This he continued with prosperity until he was about twenty-five years of age; about that time he conceived it to be his duty to preach the gospel, and was licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He joined the Illinois Confer- ence, and received an appointment to the Athens Circuit, and subsequently to the Petersburg Cir- cuit. Later he was put on the Decatur Circuit and sent to Upper Alton Station. After that he was on the Waverly Circnit, and finally that at Jersey- ville, and continued for six months, when he was sent to St. Louis, Mo., as minister to the Methodist Episcopal Church to minister to those who did not join the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of the division on the slavery question.
In the year 1848, owing to his health failing him, Mr. Mathers was compelled to relinquish his min- isterial work, and then he engaged in the real-es- tate business in Jacksonville. By thrift and indus- try he was able to accumulate a most desirable competency, and also to give liberally to the differ. ent educational and religious institutions of the county. One of the chief of these in his mind, and one that perhaps was more generously dealt with by him, was the Illinois Female College at Jackson - ville. He was a man unfeignedly respceted and honored-benevolent, charitable and at all times a Christian gentleman.
On the 26th of January, 1844, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. John Mathers and Miss Juliet M. Tucker. Of this union there were born five chil- dren, viz .: Joseph Tabor, who was ushered into life on the 10th of July, 1849, was married in the fall of 1874, was left a widower about two years later, and now resides at home with his mother; William Drennen was born on the 21st of Deccm- ber, 1852, was married to Miss Luella A. Todd on the 28th of July, 1881, the service being performed by the Rev. J. F. Chaffee of Minneapolis. They are the parents of one daughter, Bessie T., who was born on the 1st of August, 1882. This son is the First Deputy-Sheriff of Morgan County, and owns an interest in the Star Planing Mills. Edward N. was born on the 2d of August, 1855, and died at the age of seven years; Eloine B. was born on "the 22d of November, 1860, and is now the wife of
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Dr. F. H. Luee of Springfield, Ill .; Anna, who was born on the 1st of July, 1866, and died on the 1st of September, 1868. All the children received the best edueation that was obtainable,, and Eloine graduated at the Illinois Female College in the Class of 1880.
Mrs. John Mathers, the widow of our subject, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., on the 28th of April, 1826. She was the second child of four born to William and Cassandra (Moore) Tucker. Their names are as follows: Mary, who was the wife of William H. Beggs of this county. She and her husband are both deecased; Juliet Moore is the widow of Mr. Mathers; Elias M. Tucker, one of the prosperous farmers of Sangamon County is the husband of Rebecca Ann Kinney of Sangamon County; and Ruth who married Alfred Henderson, both of whom are now deccascd.
The father of Mrs. Mathers was a native of Ken- tucky, and was born on the 20th of April, 1787. He was one of fourteen children born to his par- ents, whose names are recorded as follows: Ruth, Thomas, Samuel, Elias, Joseph, Edward, Elizabeth, William and John (twins), Absalom, Aletha, Re- becea, Cynthia and a babe who died in infaney.
Mrs. Mathers has ever since the death of her husband, even more than retained the high plaee and regard of her friends and neighbors previously occupied by her. and in every circle, social, religi- ous or otherwise is much esteemed. She has borne the trials and bereavements of her life in a spirit that has won for her an admiration because of the Christian resignation and patient spirit exhibited.
OSEPH T. SMITHI. This gentleman may usually be found following the peaceful pur- suits of agriculture on his well-regulated farın on section 5, township 15, range 11. Hle is numbered among the leading inen of his com- mnnity, and in his life has been illustrated the qualities of his substantial New England ancestry. The only reliable family records in his possession go back to the days of his paternal grandfather, Ezekiel Smith, who was born at Weathersfield, near Hartford, Conn, and served as a soldier in the Rev-
olutionary War. He was a strong man physically and mentally, became prominent in his county, and lived to the ripe old age of ninety-three years. Tlic records indicate that he was twice married and that he became the father of three daughters and two sons, the younger of the latter being Lory, the father of our subject.
Lory Smith was carefully rearcd and given a practical education in the common school. Soon after reaching his majority it is thought he repaired to Hartford, where he learned the trade of a carpen- ter, and later operated as a contractor. He was cut down in the midst of his usefulness at the early age of thirty-three years, Icaving his wife (who was a widow with four children when they were married) with two sons and two daughters. One of the lat- ter, Franecs, became the wife of Loren Sackett, and died late in the fortics. Mr. Sackett is now a resi- dent of Lee County, this State; Joseph T. our sub- ject, was the elder of the sons; Charles L. marricd a New England lady, Miss Mary A. Filley ; they came to this county and died, leaving one son, who is a resident of township 16, range 8. Sarah C. died unmarried in Hartford in 1888.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Fanny Taintor; she was born in Connecticut, and was the descendant of an old family who had emigrated from England to America during the Colonial days, and from whom sprang many dc- seendants. Some of her anecstors served in the Revolutionary War, and others were prominently identified with the history of New England. It is not known positively whether the Taintors were of English or Welsh descent. Joseph Taintor, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born about 1745 and died about 1790. He was the son of John Taintor. He learned the tanner's trade in early manhood, and it is supposed followed this mostly all his life. Hc spent his last years in North Carolina. He was the father of three chil- dren-William, Sarah and Fanny. The latter was first married to James Le Vaughn, who died in Con- ncctieut and left two sons, James and William, who arc now deceased.
'The mother of our subject departed this life at her home in Hartford, Conn., Nov. 27, 1851. Shc, like her husband, was an active member of the
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Congregational Chureh, presided over by the eelc- brated Dr. Hawse. She was left in straightened circumstances by the death of Mr. Smith, and her son, our subject, was taken into the home of an uncle in Massachusetts, where he was given only limited advantages for education. At the age of fifteen years he was apprentieed to a book-binder at Hartford, and followed this business in New England vutil 1844. He then determined to seek his fortunes in the Great West, and selling out his interests at Hartford journeyed to this region and took up a tract of land which is now ineluded in his present homestead.
In making the journey hither Mr. Smith traveled by stage, eanal and river, and was one month in reaching his destination. He at that time secured 180 aeres of land, and for some time sheltered him- self in a little shanty. He had then no eapital but his strong hands and stout heart, and the young wife, who was prepared to bear with him the heat and burden of the day. They labored together with the mutual purpose of building up a home, and after a series of 'years spent in a manner com- mon to the settlers on the frontier, were enabled to look around them and realize that their toil and saerifiees had not been in vain. After bringing his land to a good state of cultivation, erecting build- ings, planting trees and providing the things most needful for their comfort and welfare, Mr. Smith turned his attention to the raising of live stoek, from which he has realized a snug sum of money. Ile believes in keeping the best grades, maintaining that this is the best economy in the end.
The marriage of our subjeet with Miss Maria Lathrop took place at the bride's home at Hartford, Conn., May 3, 1837. Mrs. Smith was born in Ashford Township, Windham Co., Conn., Mareh 12, 1818, and is the daughter of Erastus and Sarah (Bailey ) Lathrop, the former of whom was a ear- . penter by trade, and died when quite aged, in Hartford. The mother later came to this eounty and made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Smith, where her death took place when she was about sixty years old. Both she and her husband were Congregationalists in religious belief.
Mrs. Maria Smith was given a common-sehool education and subjected to careful home training by
her excellent parents. She remained with them until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there were born five children, two of whom are deceased. Sarah died in infaney; Arthur, when a bright and promising youth was graduated from Union Park Theologieal Seminary, Chicago, and was given a license to preach, being sent West under the aus- pices of the Home Missionary Society. He died in Topeka, Kan .. Sept. 7, 1872, unmarried, and aged about twenty-five years.
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