USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 53
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 53
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MORGAN COUNTY.
Jacksonville, giving up the eare of his extensive farm to his sons. He has been twiee married. Feb. 14, 1850, he was wedded to Mary A., daughter of Martin and Margaret (Grimsby) Coons, a woman of high character, who was in every way worthy of the respect and affection accorded to her. Their marriage was blessed to them by the birth of the following children: Samuel HI., Ma- thias M., William II., James A., an infant that died young, Charles W .; five of these are still liv- ing. They were bereaved of the mother by death July 1, 1877. May 29, 1879, Mr. Crum was again married, Frances D., daugliter of William Orear, who came here in 1826, becoming his wife. She was to him a true and devoted companion, and her death, Aug. 29, 1888, was a sad loss.
S AMUEL DANIELS. As a representative of the pioneer element of this county, Mr. Daniels stands pre-eminent, one of the old landmarks, whose name will often be re- ealled with kindly remembranee long after he has been gathered to his fathers. Ile eame to Central Illinois not long after the Indian had departed, and purchasing a traet of wild land, proceeded to the construction of a homestead. In this he succeeded admirably, aceumulated a competenee, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labors at a pleasant eoun- try homestead, finely located on seetion 5, town- ship 15, range 11.
Mr. Daniels was at one time the owner of nearly 400 acres of land, the whole of which he brought to a good state of eultivation, and upon which he effected the improvements naturally suggested to the progressive and enterprising agriculturist. Ile has given each of his two children 160 aeres, which in the case of the decease of either, becomes the property of the widow. This arrangement is one not often entered into, and is a good index to the character of the man. A glanee at his early life and antecedents aequaints us with the fact that lie is the seion of an excellent family, the son of Ve- rin and Polly (Eaton) Daniels, of Massachusetts, who at the time of his birth, Nov. 15, 1808, were residents of Fitchburg. The mother died there
when about seventy-three years old; she was a lady of more than ordinary intelligence, and one posses- sing all the Christian virtucs. As a wife and mother her example was one worthy of emulation.
Verin Daniels was by trade a carpenter and millwright, and like his estimable wife, spent nearly all his life in Fitchburg. In 1838, however, he set out for the great West, joining his children in this county, but only lived until the following year, dying in 1839, at the home of his son, Verin, after having nearly attained the eightieth year of his age. Prior to coming to this county, he had so- journed for a time at Nashville, Tenn. Both he and his estimable wife were members of the Old Puritan Church, of Massachusetts, in the faith of which they died. Politieally, Mr. Daniels, was a Jackson Democrat. Two of his brothers served in the Revolutionary War. After entering the army they were lost track of, and never afterward heard from.
Mr. Daniels, as will be noted, is approaching the eighty-first year of his age. Ile was the youngest but two of nine children, six sons and three dangh- ters, and is the only living member of his father's family. He was reared in his native town, and learned the trade of a clothier from his father, which in those times was not very profitable, he receiving during his apprenticeship only about $1.50 per week, and boarding himself out of that. Later, he became master of the eloth-making art, but finally abandoned it for the more congenial occupation of a machinist, and for some time was employed in running the Columbia Cotton Mills at Mason Vil- lage, now Greenville, N. II. Here he fulfilled a five year's contraet as a member of the firm of Ba- eon & Daniels. The mill under his supervision was eondueted strictly on the prohibition plan, and Mr. Daniels steadfastly refused to employ anyone who persisted in the use of ardent spirits. The eonse- quenee was that it was noted as being the best- managed and most reliable establishment, not only in New Hampshire, but in all New England.
During his connection with this enterprise, our subjeet made quite a little sum of money, and finally determined to invest it in the great West. In the meantime, however, he provided himself with a wife and helpmate, being married in Washington,
447
MORGAN COUNTY.
N. H., Aug. 17, 1837, to Miss Mary Safford. Soon afterward, setting out on a bridal tour to their new home, they landed in what is now this precinct, this county, Oct. 30, 1837, and Mr. Daniels at-once began purchasing land and bringing the same to a state of cultivation. Ile was prospered from the beginning, and in the course of a few years found himself surrounded by all'the comforts of life, and with a prospect of a competence for his old age.
Mrs. Mary (Safford) Daniels was born Feb. 5, 1813, in Washington, N. IL., where she was reared and married. ller parents were of excellent New England stock, and spent their entire lives in the old Granite State, occupied in agricultural pursuits. Miss Mary received a common-school education, and was taught by a careful mother those house- wifely duties, a knowledge of which is so essential in the comfort and happiness of a home. She was ambitious, and wishing to earn money for herself, finally entered the mill conducted by Mr. Daniels, where she was employed about three years before her marriage. After coming to the West, slie was the faithful and efficient assistant of her husband in all his plans and undertakings. She became the mother of two children, and departed this life at the homestead, Sept. 20, 1885. ller funeral ser- vices were conducted by the minister of the Bap- tist Church, with which she had been connected in membership many years.
George B. Daniels, the only son of our subject, upon reaching manhood was married to Miss Car- rie M. Abbott. lle became the father of two chil- dren, and died March 5, 1884, at his home in this precinct, where he had settled and engaged in farm- ing. He was thrifty and well-to-do, a worthy member of the community, and a member in good standing of the Congregational Church. Ilis widow still retains the farm property left her by her hus- band, where she makes her home and manages the place.
Miss Mary L. Daniels, the only daughter of our subject, became the wife of James C. Fairbanks, and they are living on a farm near Concord. Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks are prominent in the social eir- cles of their community, are prosperous financially, and have a very pleasant home. Mr. Daniels, upon becoming a voting citizen, allied himself with the
old Whig party, with which he remained until its abandonment by the organization of the Repub- licans. To the latter he has since given his unqual- fied support, voting with it for a period of thirty- three years. He is a Baptist in religion, and has for a long time held the office of Deacon in the church at Jacksonville and in this precinct.
OHN ROTTGER, who is one of the prosper- ous merchants of Jacksonville, and proprie- tor of the Furniture and Undertaking estab- lishment on South Main street, is a native of Prussia, and was born in the year 1839, Hle is the son of William and Wilhelmenia (Taylor) Rott- ger, who were born in the same country. The father of our subject was a butcher by trade. In the year 1848 he came to the United States, leaving his family in Germany until he had determined whether to make this country his home or not, and if so to make full provision for their comfort be- fore their arrival. He made his way to this county, and in 1852 he sent for his wife and four children, and before long the family was re-united. He con- tinned to follow his trade in Jacksonville, but after- ward went to work on the Mississippi River, and met his death by drowning near New Orleans, about the year 1852.
The other members of the family to which our subject belongs are: Wilhelmenia, now Mrs. Knollenberg, of the city of Jacksonville; Eliza, who is the wife of II. Il. Knollenberg, of the same city; and Frederick W., whose home is at Mt. Ster- ling, Ill., where he is engaged in farming. is the owner of a lumber yard, has a well established stock and grain business, and is also a banker. The mother of our subject, who has reached the ad- vanced age of ninety-two years, makes her home with her eldest daughter.
The subject of this sketeh, commenced, in 1857, to learn the furniture trade, engaging with Mr. Cyrus Sanderson, with whom later a partnership was formed, which continued for some time. Later lie was joined by the firm of Beeker & Degen, and it became that of Becker, Rottger & Degen. In the course of time this was changed, and the same
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MORGAN COUNTY.
business is now carried on by our subject alone. He is doing quite an extensive business, and in 1879 was compelled to put up his present store building ; it stands 20x110 feet, and is three stories in height. The material employed in its construc- tion is the best brick, with stone dressings. He has in his employ two skilled workmen, a saleslady, and his daughter, Mamie E., who is his bookkeeper.
Mr. Rottger was married in the year 1860, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma L. Entrikin, of Murrayville, Ill. To them have been born three children, whose names are recorded as follows: JohnF., their first-born, whom, however, they were only privileged to have with them for about five years, when he was removed by death: Curtis II., now the manager of the telephone exchange of this city, and a gra luate of Jacksonville Business Col- lege; his wife was Jessie A. Wilbur, of Jackson- ville; Mamie E., who received the best education obtainable in the city, and is a graduate of Wash- ington High School. Mrs. Rottger died in the year 1872, on Jannary 8. Mr Rottger was again married, Nov. 27, 1884, the lady being Annie M. Carlile, of Pisgah, Ill., who has presented him with five children, viz .: Maude II., John F., Wilhel- menia, Ula B. and Jessie C.
Our subject is, in matters connected with govern- mental questions, guided by the principles of the Republican party, which are in harmony with his own position, and usually he votes the ticket of that party. He is an extensive stockholder in the coal shaft of the city, and sustains a reputation for business integrity and enterprise, of which his em- barking in this venture, with the hope of benefit- ting the district, is but a case in point. In the fra- ternities of the city he is well known and heartily received, being a member of the United Order of Workingmen, the I. O. O. F. and Masonic orders.
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M ILTON M. MEACHAM. As a town ad- vances and its various interests multiply, there is need of men adapted to all kinds of pursuits-business, professional and me- chanical, and by a happy dispensation of Providence som · men arc adapted to one calling and some to an-
other. The fact that Mr. Meacham successfully rep- resents cight of the leading Fire Insurance compan- ies of the country indicates in a marked manner his adaptation to this line of business. He has been established at Waverly since 1859, where he has attained to a good position both in social and busi- ness cireles and is numbered among its representa- tive men.
A son of Illinois, our subject was born in San- gamon County, Sept. 7, 1839. His father, Jona- than Meacham, was born near Hopkinsville, Chris- tian County, Ky., Nov. 27, 1809. The paternal grandfather, Jeremiah Meacham, was also a native of the Blue Grass State and died there. The great grandfather, who was of Scotch parentage, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
Mrs. Susan (Morris) Meacham, the mother of our subject, was the daughter of an old Virginia family of Scotch-Irish extraction, and whose grand- father likewise carried a musket in behalf of the Colonists, as they were struggling for their inde- pendence, and was under Washington at Valley Forge. William Morris, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born, reared and married in Virginia, and carried on farming there until 1829. That year he came to Illinois, and settled on a tract of land near the present town of Berlin in Sanga- mon County, where be improved a farm from the wilderness and made a comfortable homestead, where his death took place in 1866. IIis wife had died about 1855. They reared a family of four sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to ma- ture years.
The father of our subject came to this State in 1829, and in Sangamon County, met and married Miss Susan Morris, who was born in Virginia. The young people commenced the journey of life to- gether on a new farm, near which afterward grew up the town of Berlin, and lived there until 1859. Then leaving the farm after a residence upon it of thirty years, they took up their abode in Waverly and the father followed carpentering until failing health compelled him to retire from active labor. During the last eight years of his life he served as Justice of the Peace, and departed hence, Dec. 5, 1873. He was a Democrat in politics, and in relig- ion a Regular Baptist, with which church he was
449
MORGAN COUNTY.
connected for twenty-one years. 'The wife and mother survived her husband three years, dying in 1876. Their family consisted of four sons and three daughters. The eldest, Martha A., became the wife of Iliram Wadell, a blacksmith by trade, and they live in Montgomery County. Frances married J. L. Sims, and died in July, 1855; Miltou M., of our sketeh, was the third child; Clara mar- ried S. S. Agard and died in September, 1877; Milo died in January, 1860; William D., a carpen- ter by trade, is a resident of Waverly and James, the youngest, lives in Clarkson, Ark.
The subject of this sketeh spent his younger years occupied with the lighter duties around the farm and acquiring his education at the district school. Ilis life passed quietly until after the ont- break of the Civil War, and ou the 19th of April, 1861, he joined the militia, but shortly afterward entered the United States service as a member of Company I, 14th Ill. Infantry under the command of John M. Palmer. The Regiment skirmishied through Missouri from July 5, that year, until Feb- ruary, 1862, theu started for Ft. Donelson, where they arrived in the night in time to participate in the struggle which followed. They next met the enemy at Pittsburg Landing, where the 14th Regi- ment formed the first line of troops across the road leading to a point near the old Shiloh Church and remained fighting until the last charge before its surrender.
Our subject subsequently participated in the siege of Corinth and Vicksburg and went with his regiment as far south as Ft. Beaufort, La. There they crossed the river, going to Cairo, Ill., and from there through Kentucky and Tennessee to Huntsville, Ala. About this time the term ex- pired for which he had enlisted, and he was mus- tered out June 17, 1864. He had been in all the battles and skirmishes in which his comrades partie- ipated, but was never wounded or made a prisoner.
Upou retiring from the service Mr. Meacham sought his old haunts in this county and engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store at Waverly until 1868. Ile then embarked in the grocery trade and was thus ocenpied until 1872, when he became in- terested in the clothing business and proseented this until 1875. In June, 1876, he associated him-
self in partnership with M. V. Mallory and turning his attention to the newspaper business, founded the Waverly Journal. Of this, six months later, he became sole proprietor and conducted it until January, 1885. Then selling out, he withdrew from the newspaper business and turned his atten- tion to insurance and also began operating as Pen- sion Agent.
The 27th of November, 1864, witnessed the mar- riage of our subject with Miss Maria C. Holiday, who was born in Waverly, July 13, 1844. This union resulted in the birth of four children, the eldest of whom, a son, Jonathan, died in 1883, at the age of nineteen years. The survivors are Joseph W., Eher, and Tilla C. Mr. Meacham cast his first Presidential vote for Stephen A. Doug- las and since that time has been an uncompromis- ing supporter of the Democratie principles. Ile has held the various local offices and socially be- longs to the Subordinate Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Encampment Lodge, in both of which he has passed all the Chairs. In religious matters, he in - clines to the doctrines of the Methodist Epicsopal Church.
Mrs. Meacham is the dangliter of William M. and Maria (Bachelor) Holiday, who were early set- tlers of Central Illinois and the father one of its most eminent physicians, Dr. Holiday was born in Kentucky in 1807, and was a son of the Rev. Charles Holiday, a native of Virginia. The latter at the age of nineteen years was made a member of the Methodist Episcopal Conference, after whichi he went to Kentucky, where he was married and reared a large family. He had charge of various congregations in that State, living there until 1832. That year he came with his family to Illinois, and died near Chesterfield, in Macoupin County, in 1849.
William M. Holiday commeneed the study of medicine with a brother in Tennessee, and entered upon the practice of his profession at St. Louis, Mo. Later, he removed to Whitehall, Ill., where he buried his second wife. Of this union there had been boru one ehild only-Robert N. T., who is now deceased. Dr. Holiday was married the third time in 1837, to Miss Maria Bachelor, daugh- ter of Nehemiah and Rachel (Coe) Bachelor. Slie
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MORGAN COUNTY.
was born in Lennox. Harrison Co., N. Y., Oet. 30, 1810, and in 1836 the family eame to Illinois and settled in Griggsville, Pike County, where the par- ents spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Bach- elor was born in Woreester County, Mass., whence he removed in his youth to New York State. IIe was reared on a farm, but being considerable of a genius, learned millwrighting and the trade of a machinist, which he followed thereafter. To him and his good wife there were born six children, the eldest of whom, a son, Jolin C., died at the age of twenty years. David died near Portland, Oregon ; Mary A. is a resident of Santa Cruz, Cal .; Maria, (Mrs. Holiday) is the next in order of birth; Laura died in Pike County, this State; Emily Jane is a resident of Murphysborougli, Ill.
Dr. Iloliday after his marriage with Miss Bael- elor located in Greenfield, Ill., and three years later eame to this county, establishing himself at' Appal- ona, near Waverly. Two years later he removed into the latter village, and died on the 22d of Feb- ruary, 1859. Of his last marriage there were born three children: Walter C. resides near Winchester in Scott County; Maria C., the wife of our subjeet; Rachel is the wife of of B. F. Keplinger, of Wav- erly. As a physician, Dr. Holiday was careful and conseientions, and as a citizen, was held in high esteem and in religious matters, was a member in good standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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W ILLIAM T. SPIRES, SR., was born in Lin- eoln County, Ky., Dec. 26, 1822, and re- eeived his education in the common seliools of the country. His father, John Spires, is a native of North Carolina, and was born in 1798. He came to Lincoln County, Ky., in an early day. Just after he became of age lie married Susan Leach, whose people came froín Virginia. The father and mother of William T. Spires trace their ancestry baek to Ireland and Germany. In their family there were ten children, eight of whom are living, and whose records are herewith given: Phebe I. married Al- len Connolly, and is deceased; they had two chil- dren, one of whom is also deceased. Sarah P. mar- ried Allen Connolly; they had five ehildren-Sarah
A., John A., Sylvester, George and Ilarvy. John R. married Sarah Weller, of Macoupin County, Ill .; they are farming in Sangamon County, Ill., and have three children-Jennie, Mollie and Annie. James married Agnes Seymour, whom he left a widow with three children-George, Mattie and Albert. Annie married Edward Seymour, a farmer of Morgan County; their children are: Sylves- ter, Sarah, Nettie, James and Oliver M. Harvey married Sarah A. Stiee, and they reside on the John Spires homestead ; they have four children-Lillie, Edward, Marion and Otto. Mary married William Offord, of Maeoupin County, and they have three children-Lela, Charles, and an infant.
William T. Spires, of whom we write, married Margaret Reed, in 1844. Mrs. Spires' parents were pioneers, having emigrated to Morgan County in 1830. They have ten children, as follows: John M., William T., Sarah M., Martha H., Mary S., Margaret J., Julia C., Emma, Marinda and Matilda. John M. married Mary A. Nieee, of Sangamon County; he is a locomotive engineer, living at Peoria, Ill. William T. married Maria Deere; they are farming in Morgan County, and are the parents of two children-Charles and Carrie. Saralı Ann married Abraham Seymour, a farmer of this county; they have one child, Lillie, wlio mar- ried Benjamin F. Morrow, of Greene County. IIl. Martha H. married James P. Storey, who is a far- mer and school teacher of this eounty; they have three children-Hattie, Charles and Curtis. Mary S. married Isah Whitlock, who is also a farmer and teacher of Morgan County; they have five eliildren-Lulu, Ewen, Bert, Bertha and Grover C. Margaret J. married Marion Cline, of Ohio, and they are living in Harper County, Kan., with their three children-Silvia, Zuln and Marvin. Julia C. married S. Douglas Whitlock, a farmer of this county. Emma married Jolin C. Smith, a merchant of Springfield, Ill., and they have three children- Grace, Marvin and Roy D. Marinda married Z. D. Morrow, a jeweler of Springfield. Matilda married Charles Wood, a farmer of Greene County; they have two children, Forrest and Roy.
Like all pioneers of this country William T. Spires began the unequal battle of life without other resources than health and hope. By persist-
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MORGAN COUNTY.
ent and intelligent work he accomplished his de- sire, that of being an independent farmer. After his marriage he purchased the homestead upon whieli they now live, being then only partially improved, and containing 130 aeres of land and a small house. Now he owns 200 aeres of land that is in the best state of cultivation, and beside ereeting splendid buildings he has assisted his children to start in' life. He is now living retired, and is resting from the labors of a well-spent life, while his son man- ages the farm.
This family are eonsistent members of the Bap- tist Church. Mr. Spires is a member of the I. O. O. F. Politieally, he has been a sound Demo- erat sinee lie arrived at the voting age, but has held no office, neither does he take any particular interest in politics, except what every good citizen should.
RED B. RITCHIE. The Waverly Journal has been under the editorial and proprietary control of this gentleman sinee the 1st of January, 1885, and has become fully established as the favorite local newspaper of this section. It is specially devoted to the interests of Morgan County, and enjoys a eirenlation which is steadily inereasing. Mr. Ritchie is a gentleman in the prime of life, and a native of the Prairie State, having been born in Carrollton, Greene County, March 18, 1848. Ilis parents were John H. and Mary (Kirgan) Ritehie, natives respectively of New York City and Lexington, Ky.
John Ritchie, the paternal grandfather of our subjeet, was born in Edinburg, Scotland, where lie was reared to man's estate and apprentieed to the trade of a stone-eutter. He was also married there, and some time afterward emigrated to New York City, where he met his death by falling from a building. He left two sons-John and James. The latter settled in New Hampshire, where he en- gaged in farming pursuits, and probably spent the remainder of his life. The other son, John, the father of our subjeet, likewise learned tlie trade of of a stone-eutter, which he followed in New York City and Boston until eoming to Illinois. Here he first located in Pike County among its earliest
pioneers. Later he removed to Greene County, and next to Macoupin, where he resided until the fall of 1887. He then changed his residence to Moberly, Mo., where he is now living and engaged in the hotel business.
The father of our subjeet was first married in New York City to Miss Margaret Wilson, who accompanied him to the West, and died in Pike County, this State, leaving three children. The eldest of these, a dangliter, Elizabethi, became the wife of Erastus Eldred, and died in Maeoupin County, where also a younger sister died, named Emma. Amanda became the wife' of Thomas J. Arnold, of New York City, and is deeeased.
The elder Ritehie was a second time married in Carrollton, Ill., to Miss Mary Kirgan, who was born in Kentucky, and was the daughter of Benja- min Kirgan. This union resulted in the birth of two children-Fred B. and Julia, the latter of whom is now living with her father. Fred B., our subject, pursued his studies in the common schools until a youth of sixteen years, then he entered a printing-office at Virden, where he learned his trade. Later advaneing, he was employed as loeal editor in Greenfield and other places until eoming to this eounty. In Greenfield he was married, Sept. 19, 1872, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Hiram and Vianner ( MeLaughlin) Holiday. Mrs. Ritchie was born in Greenfield, Ill., in 1848, acquired a common-sehool education, and remained a member of the parental household until her marriage. She is now the mother of one child, John, who was born July 9, 1873.
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