USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 52
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 52
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AMES P. DEWEES is the son of a pio- neer of Morgan County, who came here in the early days of its settlement, and in the prosecution of his ealling as a farmer accu- mulated a handsome property, and left besides an honorable name as a legaey to his children. Ile, of whom we write is one of the oldest native eiti- zens of this county, and has been eounted among its successful grain-growers and stoek-breeders these many years. He has a farm on seetion 31, township 16, north, range 8, west, that is not ex- eeeded in value or produetiveness by any other of equal size in the vieinity, and the home that he has built up here is one of the most beautiful in the township.
Our subjeet is of Kentucky lineage, on both the paternal and maternal side. His father, Nimrod Dewees, was born in Barren County, that State, in 1801, a son of John Dewees, an early settler of that region. He was there reared and married to Elizabeth Murphy. In 1830, animated by the pio- neer spirit of his forefathers, he with his wife and four children left their old home and penetrated the wilds of Illinois as far as this county, and lo-
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cated near where the county infirmary now is. There the mother gave up the struggle for life in Mareh, 1837. She was a truly good woman and a sineere member of the Christian Church, of which her father was a preacher in Kentucky. The fath- er married a second time, Mrs. Eliza (Sanders) Kerr, becoming his wife, and by her he had four children, of whom one snrvives. Mrs. Dewees died, leaving the memory of a just and good woman, and one who as a member of the Chris- tian Church, had led an exemplary life. Mr. Dewees married again, Mary J. Talbot, becoming his third wife. She is a thoroughly good woman, and an esteemed member of the Christian Church. She lives in Jacksonville with her daughter, Mrs. M. L. D. Keiser, who is her ouly surviving child. In March, 1866, the father of our subjeet rounded out a useful and busy life. He was ever an in- fluenee for good in this community, materially ad- vaneing its interests, and his death was sincerely lamented by the many friends and acquaintances that he had made in Morgan County, during his thirty-six years' residence here. He was a member of the Christian Church, and led a pure and spot- less life in consonance with its teachings. His son, William W., who was born in Kentucky in 1822, and that son's son Henry, served in the late war, as members of the 101st Illinois Infantry. William died in Piatt County, Ill. in March, 1888.
James Dewees was reared on his father's farm to the life of a farmer, and from him inherited property that gave him a good start in life. After his marriage he and his bride began their wedded life on a farm now owned by Frank Robinson. In the following fall our subject went to Texas, aud staid in the Lone Star State till the spring of 1860, and then eame baek to his native State and with his family settled in Sangamon County. Five years later, he eame with them to this eounty and settled on his present farm, where he has ever since lived. The farm comprises 240 aeres of land in a high state of eultivation and all fenced, and a com- modious, well-appointed frame house and a large barn have taken place of the one-story frame house and small barn that formerly stood on the place. Ilere he and his family have one of the most eharm- ing and beautiful homes in this locality. The lawns
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are tastefully laid out with walks and lovely large flower beds, flower stands, etc, and adorned with fine shade trees and everything to make the place attractive.
In these years our subject has had the able as- sistance of the best of wives, to whom he was united in marriage near Carrollton, Greene County, Ill., Sept. 29, 1858, and they have reared a family of six children to honorable and useful lives, as follows: George E., (see sketch) S. N., Lizzie A., Frank L. Norman and Hettie. Mrs. Dewees' maiden name . was Nancy J. Trimble, and she is a daughter of Harvey and Margaret (Rice) Trimble, natives of Kentucky. Her father was born in 1811, and her mother in 1810, and she died Dec. 5, 1887. The father is an esteemed resident of Greene County, Ill., of which he was a pioneer.
Mr. Dewees is a thoroughly practical man, skill- ful in his calling, and he well knows how to work to advantage so as to produce the best results. Sound judgment and foresight are the prominent traits in his character, and have led him to pros- perity. He commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact either in a business or in a social way, as he is known to be a man of high moral character, who would not willfully wrong another. Having been reared by pious parents in the faith of the Christian Church, he united with it early in life, but as there is no organization of that denomination in this neighborhood, he is not as active in religious matters as he was once. He is a Demoerat in politics, though rather reserved and wants no office.
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OHN WHITLOCK HAIRGROVE, M. D. This rising young physician and surgeon al- though only having been a resident of Wav- erly since May, 1886, is quite well estab- lished in his profession at this point, and is rapidly gaining the confidence, not only of his patrons, but the people at large. He is a native of this county, having been born in Jacksonville, Ang. 21, 1856, and is the son of Columbus and Rose A. (Whit- lock Ilairgrove, natives respectively, of Georgia and Kentucky, and now residents of Jacksonville.
Soon after his birth, the parents of our subject removed to Kansas, and later to Memphis Tenn. Finally returning to this county, they settled on a farm near Jacksonville, and there. from the age of six years upward, our subject spent his boyhood and youth, and received such educational advan- tages as was afforded by the country schools. Later he took a course in the Business College at Jack- sonville, and finally became a student of Illi- nois College, where he remained three years. In the fall of 1880 he commenced the study of medi- cine, and in the spring of 1881 entered the office of Dr. David Prince, of Jackson ville, where he ap- plied himself closely to the best medical works within his reach, and at the end of one year became the assistant of his tutor.
Our subject remained with Dr. Prince until May, 1885, and a portion of this time attended lectures in the Hospital College of Medicine, of Louisville, Ky., and in the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis. From this latter institution he was grad- uated in 1885, passing his examination and receiv- ing his diploma two months prior to the time of commencement. He then commenced traveling over the Western country, and was thus occupied for ahout ten months, practicing medicine some of the time at Raton, N. M. Upon returning to Illi- nois in 1886, he located at Waverly, where he pro- poses to remain.
Although having little time to give to the dis- cussion of political affairs, Dr. Hairgrove keeps himself posted on the situation, and takes suffi- cient interest therein to give luis unqualified sup- port to the Republican party. Socially, he belongs to the K. of P. and the I. O. O. F. In the bio- graphy of his parents, on another page in this ALBUM further reference to the family history may be found.
R. CHARLES M. VERTREES. A resi- dence of thirteen years in Murrayville, and that length of time a practitioner of medicine and surgery, has fully established the subject of this sketch in the esteem and con- fidence of the residents of this locality, who look upon him as one of their leading men, both profes-
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sionally and as a member of the community. He is a scion of old Kentucky stock, although a native of this State, having been born in Pike County, March 1, 1838. His parents were John and Nancy (Bradbury) Vertrees, the father born in the Blue Grass State, and the mother in Ohio.
About 1839, when our subject was a year old, his parents moved to Fulton County, where they probably lived six years. We next find them in Knox County, where they sojourned until our sub- ject was reared to man's estate. The father during those years was engaged in agricultural pursuits, but finally retired from the active duties of life, and is now a resident of Galesburg, Ill. The mother died June 8, 1888.
The early education of our subject was obtained in the district school, but when approaching his majority, anxious to gain further knowledge, he entered Abingdon College, where he applied him- self to his books one year. Then followed the out- break of the Civil War, and at its beginning in April, 1861, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Com- pany E, 17th Illinois Infantry. His regiment was assigned to the army of the Southwest under com- mand of Gen. Grant, and young Vertrees fought at the battle of Frederickstown, Mo., and received a painful wound in the face, which confined him in the hospital a number of weeks. As soon as con- valescent he rejoined his regiment, and met the enemy in battle at Ft. Donclson, Shiloh, the siege of Vicksburg, and numerous other engage- ments and skirmishes. He served the regular term of his enlistment, was promoted to First Sergeant, and after receiving his honorable discharge, re-en- listed in 1865 in Hancock's 7th Veteran Corps, which was mostly assigned to guard duty around the cities of Washington and Philadelphia. He re- mained with the army until early' in 1866, and served as Sergeant Major of his regiment. At Vicksburg he was struck by a spent eanister shot, from which, however, he soon recovered.
Upon retiring from the service, our subject be- gan the study of medicine with Dr. S. D. Pollock, of Abingdon, and now of Galesburg, with whom he remained about two years. During the winter of 1868-69, he attended Rush Medical College at Chi- cago, and at the close of the term began the prac-
tice of his profession at Bath, in this State. Subse- quently he passed examination by the State Board of Health. and was duly licensed to practice in the State. Hle sojourned at Bath about one year, and then took np his abode in Murrayville, where he has since resided.
Dr. Vertrees was married July 20. 1871, to Miss Amelia D. Fields, danghter of Dr. Fields, of Mason County, this State. This union resulted in the birth of three children, two of whom, Ione A., and J. William, arc deceased. The only daughter liv- ing, Sada A., was born May 7, 1877. The Doctor as an ex-soldier, belongs to Watson Post G. A. R., of which he was Commander one year. Ile is also identified with the I. O. O. F., and is the Treasurer of his lodge. Ile has passed all the Chairs, and represented it in the Grand Lodge. He is an hon - ored member of the Masonic fraternity, and in this has served as Senior Warden.
Mrs. Vertrees is a lady held in high respect in her community, and an active member of the Pres- byterian Church. Our subject, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket, and is quite promi- nent in local affairs, holding the office as President of the Village Board of Trustees, and is also Presi- dent of the Board of Sehool Directors. He has at- tained to his present position solely by his own efforts, receiving no financial assistance at the start, and having no capital but his good health and per- severing disposition. He is popular both among his professional brethren and as a citizen, and is widely and favorably known throughout Murrayville and vicinity.
W ILLIAM S. PHILLIPS, Superintendent of the Illinois Institution for the Educa- tion of the Blind, is fulfilling the duties of a very ardnous and responsible position in the most praiseworthy manner. He was born at Mackville, Washington Co., Ky., Jnly 8, 1856, and is the sec- ond son of the late Dr. Franklin W. Phillips, his distinguished predecessor as Superintendent of the institution above-named, and a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume.
The subject of this notice came to Jacksonville ยท with his parents in 1866, and here pursued his
Hrn Oliver Boultas
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MORGAN COUNTY.
primary studies in the public schools. Later he entered Illinois College, and in 1877 accepted a clerkship under his father, then Superintendent of the Institution for the Blind, which he retained until the latter's death, which occurred Jan. 17, 1888. In May following the Trustecs, after visit- ing various other States and their institutions for the training of the blind, and after considering many other applications, very properly chose the present incumbent as the worthy suecessor of his father.
The history of this admirably conducted in- stitution comes not within the province of this work, albeit it is proper to say that it now contains 164 pupils with five literary teachers, six music teachers, and about thirty other officers and em- ployes, there being altogether forty-four persons on the pay-roll. Mr. Phillips entered college with a view to the profession of law, but, subsequently finding the training and education of the hlind congenial to his tastes, he decided to confine him- self thereto, and it is now altogether certain that the trustees did a wise thing in naming him to a position ordinarily so difficult to fill.
On the 12th of June, 1884, Mr. Phillips was united in marriage with Miss Mary C., the accomplished daughter of the Rev. Preston Wood, of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, now located at Spring- field. Both our subject and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile is also identified with the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P. He is a liberal and public-spirited citizen, and not only fully acquainted with the best methods of conducting the institu. tion over which he presides, but as a citizen is highly esteemed in the community.
ON. OLIVER COULTAS. Many portraits of honored residents of Morgan County add value to these pages, and among them none reflect the lustre of a noble name more than that of the Hon. Oliver Coultas. This gentleman, an ex-member of the Illinois Legislature, to which he was elected by the Democracy of his district, in 1879, is recognized as one of the most wealthy and
prominent men of Morgan County. His posses- sions have been the accumulation of a lifetime of industry, and he has been blessed by Providence with that sound common sense and good judgment which has enabled him to make fortunate invest- ments. At the same time he has pursued a straight- forward course in life, and has thereby gained the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.
Mr. Coultas is the owner of nearly 700 acres of land, the larger portion of which is improved and devoted to stock-raising. His homestead is finely located on section 6, township 14, range 11, where he has 285 acres in a state of thorough cultivation, and a set of modern buildings, together with the machinery, and other appliances necessary in the proper carrying on of a well-regulated estate. East of Jacksonville he has a valuable farm of 130 acres, with fine buildings, and he has eighty acres in township 15, range 1I, besides 180 acres in Seott County. He has occupied his present homestead over thirty-five years, and has thus become one of the landmarks, whose name will be remembered long after he has departed hence. In the early days he made a specialty of swine, in which he dealt largely for a period of fifteen years, in the interests of Mr. Gale, of Galesburg. Mr. Gale was the first man who shipped live pork to the East as a busi- ness, and with the assistance of Mr. Coultas ac- cumulated quite a fortune. Our subject also ac- cumulated a snug sum of money, and wisely in- vested it in real estate, just in time to save himself from loss by the failure of his employer.
The North Riding, of Yorkshire, England, was the native place of our subject, and his birth occurred April 12, 1827. His father, William Coultas, was a substantial Yorkshire farmer, of pure English stock, and remained a resident of his native county until quite late in life. The mother was, in her girlhood, Miss Mary Saunderson, who was born and reared not far from the native place of her hus- band. They became the parents of eight children, and after their son Oliver had emigrated to the United States the parents and five of their children followed him, all locating in this county. One son, George, however. later settled in Scott County, and at his home the mother died, after having more than reached her threescore years. The father
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MORGAN COUNTY.
subsequently made his home with a danghter. Mrs. Myron Duger, of Kansas, and died there after the the close of the war, at about the age of seventy ycars. Both parents had been reared in the doc- trines of the Church of England, and trained their offspring in accordance with its precepts. Of the six sons and two daughters comprising the parental household five are living.
Mr. Coultas, our subject, eamc to the United States a single man, but in due time met his fate in the person of Miss Margaret lleaden, whom he married in this county, Feb. 16, 1854. Mrs. Coultas was born May 16, 1838, and is the daughter of Dr. Thomas Headen, who is a native of Tennessee, and of Southern parents. Ile was married in his native State, wlience he came not long afterward to this county, being one of its earliest settlers. He en- gaged in the practice of his profession, and fol- lowed it until within a few years of his death, which occurred at the home of one of his daughters in Scott County, when he was probably seventy years old. His wife had passed away some years previously, in middle life.
Mrs. Coultas was reared to womanhood under the parental roof, acquiring a common-school cduca- tion, and a knowledge of those housewifely arts upon which depend to so great an extent the con- fort and happiness of a home. She has been the able assistant of her husband in his ambitions, and has contributed her full share toward the building mp of their home, and establishing the reputation of the family. Eleven children came to bless their union, the record of whom is as follows: S. Ann hecame the wife of John I. Gordon, and they live on a farm in Macon County, this State; Alice G. is the wife of Alvis Kumley, and they live on a farm near . Alexander; Maggie S. married C. M. Sevier, of this county; Samuel I. married Miss Minnic Lee, and they are residents of this county; Mary F. is the wife of James B. Gordon. and they oceupy a farm in Scott County; Oliver, Jr., Lottic B., Henry L. and William E. are at home with their parents; two children died in infancy.
Our subject and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and in the councils of his party in this seetion Mr. Coultas is recognized as a leader, and a man whose judg-
ment is seldom at fault. During two years' service in the Legislature he introduced many wisc mneas- ures, and took a special interest in local inatters. The district then included Scott and Greene con- ties.
OHN W. BOWEN, Superintendent of the Jacksonville Manufacturing Company, oceu- pics a leading position among the business men of the city. This concern was cstab- lished in 1886, and occupies a factory and office at No. 728, Railroad Strect. Its specialty is the Self- acting Swing, and other inventions patented by Mr. Bowen. This factory finds ready sale for its products in all parts of the United States and Ter- ritories. The factory gives employment during the busy seasons to a large forec of men, and occupies a building 75x88 feet in area, and two stories in height. Mr. Bowen at an carly age evinced a mne- chanical genius, which he has been enabled to turn to profit, and when a boy spent his leisure hours experimenting with tools and machinery.
A native of the Prairie State our subject was born in Pike County, April 28, 1850, and is the son of Billingsley and Sarah (Brackett) Bowen, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Illinois. The elder Bowen left the Buckeye State about 1835, and settled upon an uncultivated tract of land in Pike County, where he followed the pur- suits of farmi life until his death, which occurred Aug. 28, 1858, when his son, John W., was a little lad eight years of age. The mother continues to make her home in Pike County.
Of the six children comprising the parental family but three are now living, namely : John W ., the subject of this sketeh; Jesse W., and Mary E. Mrs. May, of Springfield, III. John spent his boy- hood and youth under the home roof, and soon after attaining his majority commenced working as a carpenter. Later he developed into a contractor and builder, finally establishing his headquarters in Jacksonville, Ill., and in time carried on the largest business of any single contractor in the city.
The lady who has presided in the most creditable manner over the home and domestic affairs of our subjeet, was in her girlhood Miss JJanette F. Mc-
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MORGAN COUNTY.
Kean, and became his wife in 1871. Mrs. Bowen was born June 2, 1849, in Kentucky, and is the daughter of Squire and Mrs. James MeKean, of Na- ples, Ill., who were natives of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowen there have been born nine children, one of whom, Nettie A., died when an infant of five months and five days. The survivors arc: Lil- lian B., Mary A., John E., James W., Gilbert E., William F., Ralph E. and Reigh Prentice. The family residence is pleasantly located at No. 503 East North street. Mr. Bowen, politieally, is inde- dependent, aiming to support the men whom he considers best qualified to hold office. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F.
ILLIAM H. CRUM. The surname of this gentleman is familiar to Morgan County, as belonging to a leading pioneer family of this region. He and his brother Samuel arc ex- tensive breeders of stock, having some of the finest blooded horses, eattle and hogs to be found in the State of Illinois. They live on and are managing the old homestead, where they were born and reared, and which is still in the possession of their father, John W. Crum, an honored resident of Jacksonville, whither he has retired to enjoy his ample fortune free from the eares and annoyances of business.
The subject of this sketch was born March 15, 1855, on this farm, and on the very spot where the house stands in which he now lives. (For parental history see sketeh of his father). He was here reared, and has never had a home elsewhere. Ile received the foundation of a sound education In the local district schools, and was then sent to the Illi- nois Wesleyan College, at Bloomington, Ill., and subsequently took a fine course of study at the business college at Jacksonville, and, as he was studious and always stood high in his classes, after leaving school he was well equipped mentally for any career that he might choose to follow. Ile de- cided to adopt the calling to which he had been bred, as he had a natural taste for it, and had received a good practical training, and, return- ing home, he and his brother Samuel have been
engaged together, as noted in the opening para- graph of this biography. This farm is especially well adapted to stock-raising, and comprises 580 acres of highly cultivated and very productive land.
The Crum brothers have already gained an en- viable reputation as successful horse breeders, and they have some very fine blooded animals. They have one of the best Percheron Norman horses in the State. He was imported by J. W. Ramsey, of Springfield, Ill., and is registered in the stud books of Franee as No. 8773, and in the American stud book as No. 8398, his name being Franehard. He is a fine, active dapple gray, and his eolts are con- sidered a superb lot. The Crum brothers also have a dark bay horse, Orear, of the Wilkes stock, registered in the American stud book as No. 7586. He was bred near Paris, Ky., by James Miller, who bred his ancestors for three generations. He is a horse of great promise, and although his speed is not developed, he being young, he gives every in- dieation that he possesses the necessary power, aetion and blood to trot under thirty. Our sub- ject and his brother have a handsome dark brown roadster, Joe Sprague, who is of good stoek, though not registered. They also pay attention to raising hogs, and have a fine herd of Polands and Berk- shires.
Our subject has a quick, keen intellect, that has been well trained by a liberal education, and his standing among the young agrieulturists, natives of this county, is of the best. In his business deal- ings he is strictly honorable and fair, and his eredit stands high in financial eireles.
This sketch would be incomplete without some brief reference to the parents of this young man. While Morgan County was still in the hands of the pioneers, John Crum's father made his way from the old home in Kentucky to this region in search of land, as he had a large family. He came to this State three times before selecting a suitable site for a location, riding a horse named Coose, who was a family favorite, and when he died he was buried on the farm. Mr. Crnm finally chose his present homestead on seetion 12 township 16, range 10. He was very much prospered in his calling, acting well the part of a pioneer, and as we have seen, retired to private life in the city of
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