Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois, Part 60

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 60
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 60

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settled here in Manchester, and opening an office was in continuous practice for forty years, not withdrawing from general practice till 1877. Those were busy years for him, as he had a large number of patients, and he won an enviable repu- tation among the members of his profession for his

shill and success. During the fifty or more years of his life in Illinois the doctor has seen many eventful changes, and has watched with much sat- isfaction its great growth in population, wealth and standing, till it is one of the richest and proudest states of the Union. When he came here the country was very thinly settled and the improv- ments were simple and cheap. Illinois was then en- titled to a representation of only three congress- men, and all the state north of the northern line of Madison County was in one congressional district. Now the State has twenty representatives in the National Legislature.

Our subject is a fine representative of the gen- tlemen of the old school, always courteous and considerate and refined in his manner, gentle and kind in his disposition, and a general favorite witlı all. He has mingled much in the public life of the community, and his wise counsel and enlightened views have made him invaluable as a eivic officer. Ile has been Trustec of Schools for many years, and has been Township Treasurer seventeen years. He is entitled to the prefix Hon., before his name, as in 1844, he was elected to represent his district in the Illinois Legislature, and served with honor and distinction. He has watched with in- tense interest the political growth of the country, and has always been strongly in sympathy with the Republican party, having been an old-line Whig before the formation of the Republican party. He identified himself with the temperance movement in 1831, and has favored it ever since, being a strictly temperate man in deed and word, and, in fact he is in favor of all reforms.

Aug. 15, 1864, death invaded the household of our subject and removed the beloved wife, who had walked with him hand in hand over thirty-two years. She filled the perfect measure of all that belonged to a true and noble womanhood, and was an influence for good upon those about her in whose hearts she held a warm place and has left an abiding memory that is pure, sweet and holy. Of her wedded life with our subject six children were born, five of whom are living, as follows: James M., a general merchant in Manchester, marricd, and his wife died, leaving him three children; Horace, in the grocery business in Manchester,

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married, and his wife died ; Kate, wife of Nathaniel E. Pegram, of Lincoln, Logan Co., Ill., has six children; Helen keeps house for her father; George Clinton is married and lives in Pennsylvania.

OSEPH LONGNECKER is numbered among the capable, sturdy pioneers of Scott County, whose faithful and well-directed labors in the past did much to develop its great agri- cultural resources, and who have contributed largely to its present prosperity. His farm on the eastern limits of the city of Winchester is one of the finest in the vicinity in point of cultivation and improvement, and here he is living in retirement amid the scenes of his early toil, free from active care, and in the enjoyment of an ample competence, in one of the very pleasantest homes for which this locality is noted. It is rendered especially attract- ive by the fruit trees, small fruits and shrubberies surrounding it, and a profusion of rare and beauti- ful flowering plants that are under the especial charge of Mrs. Longnecker, who has arranged them with good taste and fine effect.

The subject of this biographical review was born June 6, 1813, in Cumberland County, Pa., coming of good, old Pennsylvania stock. His father, of the same name as himself, was also a native of the Key- stone State, his birthplace in Lancaster, but his mother, Elizabeth Ruplee, was born in the same county as himself. They had a hard time of it in their early married life, as Mr. Longnecker, who was a farmer, had to struggle to pay for his farin of 200 acres. The mother passed away from the scenes of earth first, dying in February, 1839. The father survived her some fourteen years. Eleven children gladdened the lives of that worthy couple, four of whom are now living, three daughters and our subject.

Joseph Longnecker received a meagre education, attending school only in winters, and in the sum- mer seasons worked to earn money to defray the expenses of his education. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the trade of a carpenter, serving an apprenticeship of about three years, and at the age of twenty had acquired a thorough knowledge

of the trade. For awhile after that he worked as a journeyman carpenter until he found employment in building railway cars, but after working at that a few years he went into the commission business.

April 15, 1841, by his marriage to Nancy daugh- ter of Peter and Sarah (Houser) Barnhart, of Ger- many, he secured the able assistance of one who has proved the best of wives and the kindest of moth- ers. Nine children have been born unto them, of whom the following is recorded: Sarah, born Jan. 28, 1841. is the wife of James Watt, of Winches- ter, and they have five children; Peter, born Feb. 28, 1857, lives in Newton, Kan., where he is en- gaged in business as a jeweler; John, residing on the homestead, married Ella Young, and they have four daughters (for further particulars concerning Jolm see biography of him on another page of this work); George, born April 8, 1862, unmarried, owns a jeweler's establishment in Winchester, but makes his home with his parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Longnecker came to Illinois with their children in 1846, and after living in Win- chester two years he moved onto his farm, having bought 145 acres of land on his arrival here. He has added to it since until he now owns 224 acres of fine farming land, lying all in a body, and nearly all under cultivation. The years that followed his settlement here were fraught with labor and care, as he was busily engaged in clearing his land of timber and tilling the soil, planting shade trees and orchards, etc., and building the present roomy, sub- stantial dwelling, barns, sheds, ete., that adorn the place. Our subject continued engaged on his farm until 1856, when he bought an interest in a flour- mill, and assisted in its management, but after a year's experience in that line he sold out and gave his entire attention to his farm. He has interested himself greatly in rearing stock, keeping as many cattle and horses as the farm can support.

Mr. Longnecker is fairly alive to all political issues, and at general elections votes the Demo- cratie ticket, but in local affairs votes for the man whom he regards as best fitted for the position with- out regard to his party affiliations. He has usually tried to shun office, though a man of his ability, judg-' ment, and integrity is rightly considered by his fellow-citizens to have the requisite qualifications

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for a civic official, and they have twice elected him to be Alderman of the First Ward. Religiously, both he and his wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has been Trustce of the same. He has always been a very temperate man, never using tobacco or liquor, and l:is life has been guided by high principles, and its record is without blemish. He and his family . occupy a high social position in this community, and are in every way worthy of the consideration and respect accorded them.

OHN WHEWELL, an independent and pros- perous farmer and stock-raiser of Winches- ter Precinct, is classed among the most upright and highly respected members of its social and religious community. Although of for- cign birth the most of his life has been passed in the United States, which has no more loyal citizen than he, and during the late Civil War he fought bravely and well in defense of the institutions of his adopted country, although he was then scarcely more than a youth.

Our subject is of English origin and aneestry. His father, James Whewell, was a native of Lanca- shire, England, and his mother, whose maiden naine was Maria Out, was also born in that shire. The father learned the trade of a weaver, and about forty years ago emigrated with his family from his native land, coming directly to Winchester, Scott County. He cast in his lot with the pioneers of the precinct, rented a place for a few years, and then removed to Morgan County, where he bought sixty acres of land, which he tilled assiduously until death closed his useful career in 1861. He was twice married, his first wife, by whom he had two children, our subject the only survivor, dying before the family left England. There are three children by the sec ond marriage now living.

John Whewell was but four years of age when he left the land of his birth and came with his father to America, Ilis education, which was very meagre, was conducted in what is now known as HIart's school-house. As soon as he was large enough to be of any use he had to assist his father

on the farm, and he thus carly acquired a good, practical knowledge of farming in all its branches that has been of inestimable value to him since he began the pursuit of agriculture on his own account. He was a self-reliant, self-helpful lad, and at the age of seventeen went forth from the old home to make his own way in the world henceforth. He worked out for nine months, and then responding to the call of his country for assistance in defending the stars and stripes, he put aside all personal aims and ambitions to take up the hard life of a soldier, en- listing in Company I, 101st Illinois Infantry, at Jacksonville, Ill. His regiment was ordered to Holly Springs in Mississippi, and there met the enemy, and six companies, including Company 1, were captured. They were imprisoned but a very short time before they were paroled and dispatched to St. Louis, where they remained until spring. Mr. Whewell took part in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, accompanied Gen. Sherman on his famous march through Georgia, and was wounded at the battle of Resaca, receiving a severe scalp wound from a rifle ball, which laid him up in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn., three months; he then returned to duty, his term of enlistment not expiring until the war closed, and he took part in the Grand Review at Washington, and was finally mustered out of service at Springfield, this State, having won a good military record as a brave and efficient soldier.

After his experiences of the privations and hard- ships of war on Southern battlefields our subject returned home and resumed his former occupation, and as soon as he was married he settled on his present homestead, which comprises 110 acres of land of exceeding fertility and well located, and 100 acres under plow. The land was in its primi- tive wildness when it first came into his possession, and he had to clear away brush and timber before he could attempt its cultivation and bring it to its present excellent condition. The farm is well sup- plied with stock, and Mr. Whewell feeds all he raises. The buildings are neat and substantial, and everything about the place denotes a well-ordered farm that is under skillful management.

May 24, 1868, was the date of the marriage of Mr. Whewell to Miss Mary Ellen Hart, daughter of

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Henry and Mary Ann (Herring) Hart of this eounty, of which they were early settlers. They reared but two of their family of children. Mr. Hart has been gathered to his fathers, but his widow is still living. Mrs. Whewell is a native of this county. Her happy wedded life with our subject has been blessed by the birth of six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living.

In every department of life that our subject has been called on to fill he has shown himself to be a man of honor and unswerving integrity. In his domestie relations he is a considerate husband and a devoted father, passionately fond of his family. Both he and Mrs. Whewell and their daughter Annie are members of the United Baptist Church and cordially cooperate with their pastor and fellow members in any good work. Mr. Whewell's part in public affairs lias been creditable to him and ad- vantageous to his preeinet, which he has served as Road Supervisor and School Director. Ile takes interest enough in politics to do his duty at the polls, always voting with the Republican party. The memory of his life on the battlefield is pre- served by his connection with the G. A. R. he be- ing a valued member of Hesse Post, No. 203, at Winchester.

EWITT C. LEIB. The great editor, Horace Greeley, never made a wiser say- ing than when he wrote that " A man is a benefactor of his race when he eauses two blades of grass to grow where but one grew be- fore." Following this line of logie, the person whose name heads this sketch can truly be called a benefactor. His marvelous industry, coupled with his native intelligence, has eonspired to place him among those who have patiently toiled under ad -. verse circumstances, and have come out ahead in the umequal race. And it is always thus with such men. These are the people who make a free re- public the best government on earth.

DeWitt C. Leib was born near Exeter, this connty, March 23, 1848. His father, Daniel Leib, a farmer by occupation, and one of the pioneers of Morgan County, was a native of Tennessee and was of German deseent. He died April 5, 1879,

aged about sixty-eight years. His wife, the mother of DeWitt, died in 1851. and Mr. Leib subse- quently married the widow of the late John Riggs. IIis first wife bore him three sons and two daugh- ters. Two of the former died, one in infancy and the other at the age of seven years. DeWitt C. was reared on the farm and educated at the com- mon schools and at North Prairie Seminary. Mr. Leib was eounted as one of the most sueeessful farmers in the county, following that occupation until the fall of 1882, when he was elected to the office of County Treasurer. At the expiration of the term to which he was elected, he engaged in the groeery business at Winchester and followed it until June 1888. In 1886 he again entered politics, and made the race on the Democratic ticket for Sheriff and was defeated by fourteen votes.

The almost complete overthrow of the Demo- eratic party in that election forms an important and long-to-be-remembered epoch in the political history of Scott County, with which this work has nothing to do, only as it is mentioned to direct at- tention to the eauses that led to the defeat of the person of whom we are writing. Some time prior to 1886, and while Mr. Leib was treasurer and a majority of the other offices were filled by Demo- crats, the tax was levied to build the present mag- nifieent Scott. County court house, which will always be pointed to as a monument to the public spirit of the projectors of that grand pile. As the work of construction progressed from month to month and lengthened from year to year, a sort of general fright and senseless panic seized the granger tax-payers lest the expense of the strue- ture would eventually bankrupt the whole commu- nity. It was during this period that Mr. Leib eoneluded to make the run and stand for the shrievalty, and in common with every other ean- lidate without respect of party who had anything to do with the "Court- house Scheme" as it was called, went down to, at least temporary, political ruin. Nevertheless the court-house has been com- pleted, the whole indebtedness wiped out, the peo- ple in general arc satisfied if not happy, and the men who suffered martyrdom, in a political way. in its behalf, are now the heroes. The fact that the scheme for building the Count-house has in

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these later days, when reason takes charge of those who were so frightened, been approved by the ma- jority of the tax-payers is compensation enough to those who were defeated at that election. Mr. Leib is now chairman of the Democratic Central Committee, is an active party man, and is reckoned as one of the good citizens of Winchester. He is a self-made man; what of this world's goods lie enjoys is the result of his own industry.

Mr. Leib was married at Exeter this County, Aug. 29, 1871, to Miss Susan Martin, and has one child, a daughter named Carrie. The family be- long to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Leib is a working member of the Knights of Pythias.

ACKSON SEYMOUR was born Dec. 9, 1822, and is a native of Person County, N. C., where he lived until March 1, 1829. On that date his parents, uncle and aunt, and seven children, all started for Morgan County, ar- riving in Franklin, Ill., May 10, 1829, after a jour- ney of nine weeks' duration.

John Seymour, the father of Jackson Seymour, was married to Saralı O'Brien, the date of which event is unrecorded. Hle traces his ancestry to England and the North of Ireland. He was the father of nine children, a record of whom is here- with given: Agnes married John H. Austin, of North Carolina, who is a Methodist minister, and is now living in Montgomery County, Ill .; they have had four children, one daughter who is at home, while Martha married Mr. Fishback, of Wav- erly, this State. Carlin and Charles are in Piatt County, Ill. Robert was married twice, his first wife being Sarah A. Burch, a native of Kentucky, and by this union there are four children living- James P., Serilda Emma, Alice, and Wilmouth .J. Robert's second wife's maiden name was Mary E. Wright, of Waverly, Ill .; they are now living in Morgan County, Jared married Hannah Sturgis, of Illinois, and of this marriage there are two ehil- dren, Henry and Wilbourn. She died not many years after her marriage. Jared's second wife's maiden name was Emeline MeCurley, a native of this county. Seven children were born of this marriage

-Charles, Lizzie, Julia Minnie, Thomas, Leslie, Harry, and an infant. He is now residing in Ed- gar, Neb., where he is engaged in farming. Ed- ward married Annie Spires, of Morgan County; they have six children-Sylvester, Nettie, Jane, Oliver, Sarah, and May; Mary married John Hutch- inson, who is a miller at Waverly, Ill .; they have the following children -Jane, Maggie, and Julia. Clara, Leona, John, Kate; George W. married Han- nah Seymour, of Morgan County. He is a min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; eight chil- dren were born to them-William, Lillie, Alvy, George, Lemuel, Dolly, Walter, and Robert; Henry married Amanda Burch, a native of Illinois; they are now in Kansas, engaged in farming, and have one child, Minnie, Millie married a Mr. Woodman- see, of Waverly, III .. now deceased.

Jackson Seymour, of whom we write, was mar- ried to Elizabeth Dalton; her people came from Lexington, Ky., before Illinois became a State. Her father was a brick-maker, and it is recorded that the Indians made his brick-yard a place of ren- dezvous and shelter. Ile helped to erect the first brick building in St. Louis, Mo., by working thereon at his trade, that of briek mason. There have been six children born to Mr. Seymour, the subject of this sketch, whose names are: Isom. Mary E., John W., Millie A., Edward F., and Julia K. Isom mar- ried Mary Duncan, of Franklin, Ill., and is now farming in Morgan County; they have seven chil- dren. Mary A. is unmarried, and is living at the old homestead, while Jolin W. is also at home; Mil- lie married James II. Roberts, a farmer of Morgan County, and they have one child, Grace; Edward T. married Mary Woods; they are farming in Mor- gan County, and have one child, Lora. Julia K. married William E. Wright, who is engaged in farming in the same county; Thurman is their only child.

Mr. Seymour is a typical self-made man, and is one who is ever alive to the interests of the com- munity in which he lives, and his reputation is an enviable one among his neighbors. Ile commenced his career after arriving at manhood, by laboring on a farm for monthly wages. After his marriage he purchased a farm containing fifty-four acres, and by sheer force of industry, backed by a good busi-

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ness head, he lias added to his small beginning un- til he is now the owner of what would be called in European countries, a vast domain. His 601 acres of land are well-improved, and upon which are erected buildings that are in keeping with this grand farm. He is employed in raising cattle, horses, hogs, and grain.

Mr. Seymour, in company with the rest of his fam- ily, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has held the office of Trustee in that organ- ization. Politieally, he is a Democrat, and has never sought office. He has been frequently called upon to act as a Grand and Petit juror. Morgan Connty has no better citizen than Jackson Seymour.

HARLES L. ROUTT occupies a very high position in Morgan County as a gentle- man and capitalist, and has a liberal educa- tion. He is a native of Woodford County, Ky., and was the son of Harvey and Catherine M. (Springer) Rontt, and was born in the year 1823. His parents were natives of Kentucky and New Jersey. They were married in Kentucky and there made their home. During the earlier years of his life the father of our subject was engaged in teaching, and when not so employed was occupied upon his farm. He came to this county, about 1833, shipping his goods by water and traveling overland by car- riage, and settled about eight miles southwest from the city. He continued extensively engaged in farming until about 1856, then removed to the city, where he resided until his death, on the 23d of February, 1872. He was the father of three chil- dren by his first marriage: Charles L .; Caroline, now Mrs. B. Newman, of Chicago, and William R., of this city.

His first wife dying on the 17th of January, 1835, the father of our subject subsequently re- married, the lady of his'choiec being Mrs. Ann Fry, of Morgan County, Ill .; the day whereon this alli- ance was celebrated being the 4th of January, 1838. This has been consumated by the birth of one danghter, Catherine M., now the wife of J. T. McMillen, of this city. By a former husband this

lady was the mother of two children, viz .: Mary A., who is happily married to C. B. Lewis, of this city, and William, who died in 1848, owing to au accident. He was at the time twelve years of age. The maiden name of Mrs. A. (Fry) Routt was Ann Ransdell, and she was the daughter of Presley and Mary (Shely) Ransdell, who were natives of Vir- ginia; they migrated to this county in 1833. Mr. Ransdell being very extensively engaged in farm- ing. The first husband of this lady, William Fry, was born in Kentucky. He purchased a large tract of land in Morgan County, Ill., which he continued to farm until his death, which occurred soon after coming to this State, Ang. 19, 1835.

The father of our subject, Harvey Routt, was elected to the office of County Commissioner, and also that of County Surveyor; he was also one of the Township Trustecs; and at one time was in business as a loan agent. He was a man of sound business principles, strietest integrity, and stood high in the esteem of the people as a man, a citizen and a Chris -. tian. He took the largest possibleinterest in the af- fairs ofthe county and State, and was never tired of working to that end. In polities he was strictly eon- servative, and as behooved one of the most promi- nent citizens of the county, was of irreproachable reputation.

The subject of this biography from the first evinced somewhat of the strong, manly principles and large brain power that has distinguished him above his fellows. He was educated in the schools of Kentucky and Illinois, and also attended the Catholic College at Cincinnati, where he remained for three years, leaving that institution when in his seventeenth year, upon which he returned home and engaged in farming. At this he remained for a number of years and came to this city in 1866. Since that time he has retired from the more ardu- ous work and from the pressing cares of business. and simply superintends the working of his farms, which comprise over 1,500 acres. In addition to his farms he is the owner of a very fine residence situated on East State street.

Ever since attending the Catholic school Mr. Rontt has esponsed that church and religious sys- tem, and has expressed his devotion thereto by his hearty support of the same, being among the very

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largest subscribers to the various institutions con- nected therewith in the city and neighborhood. He is a doughty defender of Democratic principles, and takes pleasure in promulgating and supporting them. He is in fact in every way worthy of the name of a representative American citizen.

W ILLIAM MCCULLOUGH. In this gentle- man Scott County finds one of its most en- terprising, progressive and publie-spirited citizens, who uses his wealth freely to further all feasible plans for its moral, social, and material elevation. Ile stands among its leading farmers and stock raisers, and his fine farin in Winchester Precinct, with its broad, well-tilled fields yielding rich harvests in repayment for careful cultivation, and its many substantial and valuable improvements, is one of the largest as well as one of the most desira- ble estates to be found within a radius of many miles, indeed, is considered one of the best in the county. His home is pleasantly located on the Phillips Ferry Road, one-half mile west of Riggs- ton, and his elegant brick residence, built of ma- terial made on the spot at a cost of $7,000, attracts the eye of the traveller on the highway.

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Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois, Part 60

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