USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 68
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 68
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until failing health compelled him to abandon act- ive labor, when he removed to Naples and ran a boat on the Illinois River. He died of cholera in 1853.
Of this marriage there were born three children -Edward, Etta and Sarah. Edward is now occu- pied as a druggist in Naples; during the Civil War he was in the employ of the Government as clerk on a boat, which was connected with the Red River Expedition. Etta remains at home with her mother ; Sarah is the wife of Dr. W. C. Coner, a practicing physician of Bluffs, and has one child-Jennie.
Mrs. Marsh contracted a second marriage in 1850 with Mr. John Green, who was a native of Yorkshire, and a son of Thomas and Mary Green. The Green family emigrated to America at an early day, and coming directly to Scott County entered land in township 15, range 13, where they carried on farming until the death of the father. John succeeded to the homestead, embracing 240 acres of land, and his wife's land adjoining until he had 357 acres. He became a prominent man in the community, taking an active part in politics and doing good service as a member of the Democratic party. He served as County Commissioner, Justice of the Peace, School Director, and was Judge of the County Court for a period of eight years. After the death of her husband Mrs. (Marsh) Green assumed the management of the farm, which she operated successfully, and also engaged in general merchandising in Bluffs for six or seven years. She owns two residences there and 160 acres of land in Osborne County, Kan. Her marriage with Mr. Finney has been before noted.
Mrs. Finney is the daughter of Thomas Chance, a native of Delaware. He occupied himself in farming pursuits and removed from Delaware to Olio at an early day. From there he came to Ill- inois, as already stated, and later engaged in the Black Hawk War. Ile purchased eighty acres of land, and made his home in Naples Precinct until his death. Politically, he was a Democrat. The mother, Mrs. Frances ( Anderson) Chance, was a na- tive of Delaware, and died in Oxville Precinct, Scott County. She was the daughter of Andrew Anderson, a native of Germany, who upon emigrat- ing to America settled in Delaware, where he owned
slaves and carried on a large plantation. To the parents of Mrs. Finney there were born seven chil- dren, viz: William, now a resident of Bluffs Pre- cinct; Albert, of Oxville Precinct; Garrison, who is living in Boone, Mo .; Eli, a resident of Web- ster County, Neb .; Margaret, who died after mar- riage; Elizabeth, Mrs. Finney, and Emeline, de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Finney differ somewhat in their political views, he being a Republican and she a Democrat. The farin embraces one of the most valuable and fertile tracts of land in the county, and is well improved with handsome, modern buildings, the dwelling amply adapted to all the comforts of rural life, and the outbuildings furn- isli the necessary storage for grain and shelter for stock. There is a fine orchard in bearing condi- tion, and a goodly assortment of peach trees and trees of the smaller fruits.
There is probably no lady in the county better known or more highly respected than Mrs. Finney. She is at once recognized as possessing much culti- vation and refinement, and has surrounded herself and her family with all the belongings of modern life. The dwelling is handsomely furnished and stands amid well-kept grounds, surrounded by shade trees and flower heds. A view of it appears on another page. Miss Etta, a mute, was gradnated from the Institution at Jacksonville, and is an ac- complished young lady, excelling in painting, em- broidery and all the gentler arts. Both Mr. and Mrs. Finney are highly popular among their neigh- bors, and in their pleasant, congenial union are apparently enjoying life to its fullest extent, as they deserve to do. Their home is the frequent resort of the refined and cultivated people of their township, and they are general favorites in the social circles.
RLANDO WHITNEY. Prominent among the leading farmers of Central Illinois may be mentioned the gentlemen with whose name we introduce this biographical notiee. He is thorough and skillful in the management of his affairs, highly successful and well-to-do, and is a great lover of fine horses, numbers of which may
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always be seen at his well-regulated homestead on section 36, township 13, range 12, Scott County. He has for the prosecution of this industry all modern conveniences and buildings, and in consideration of his close attention to business it is not surpris- ing that he has attained to his present position.
Mr. Whitney was born at the homestead where he now lives, June 8, 1836 and is the son of Jonah Whitney, a native of Massachusetts, who emigrated to Illinois as early as 1835, and settled in this county, when a large portion of the land was still the property of the Government. Ile entered eighty acres from "Uncle Sam" and subsequently purchased several hundred acres, the greater part of which he brought to a good state of cultivation, and built up a good homestead upon which he spent the remainder of his days.
Mrs. Mary A. ( Wadsworth) Whitney, the mother of our subject was the daughter of John Wadsworth, a descendant of William Wadsworth, It was this loyal patriot, who immortalized himself by hiding the charter of the Colonists in the old oak tree when Andros was endeavoring to gain possession of it and thus deprive the people of their liberties. For years afterward this oak tree stood a monu- ment to the deed, and was ever reverenced as the "Charter Oak." To the parents of our subject there were born three children, those besides Orlando being Amelia and Albert, who died when about eighteen and twenty years of age respectively.
Orlando Whitney was reared to man's estate at the old homestead and became familiar with farm pursuits. Hle studied his lessons in the log cabin with seats made of slabs and desks made of boards fastened to the wall. The roof was covered with clapboards and weight-poles held them down ; a log was cut out at one end of the structure and filled in with a row of window panes, this constituting the only window. The system of education was quite in keeping with the architecture of the temple of learning, but the boys of that period grew up almost without exception, strong of muscle and healthy in mind, well fitted to perform their part in the drama of life.
Young Whitney at an early age developed fine musical talents and taught singing school before reaching manhood. He also gave lessons on the
violin and cornet and was the leader of the Cornet Band of Manchester for four years, On the 11th of September, 1862, he was united in marriage with Miss Sophia, daughter of James F. Curtis of Man- chester Precinct. The young people commenced their wedded life together at his present home, and Mr. Whitney followed his chosen vocation of farming from that time onward. Six children in due time came to the fire-side, five of whom are now living, namely: George, Nellie, Kate, Albert, and Frank. George married Miss Nannie Ray. They live on his father's place, and have four chil- dren-Earl, Richard, May, and an infant son un- named. Nellie, (Mrs. Edward L. Smith) also lives near her childhood's home, and is the mother of three children-Kenneth, Morris, and an infant daughter named Nellie C .;. Kate is the wife of Thomas Hubble, of Manchester Precinct. The wife and mother departed this life May 31, 1886.
Our subject contracted a second marriage, Oct. 28, 1888, with Mrs. Mary (Dunn) Wines, widow of Andrew Wines and daughter of Andrew Dunn, deceased. Of her first marriage there were born three children, none of whom are living. Mr. Whit- ney is the owner of 800 acres of land, while his wife owns 180 acres in Neosha County, Kan. Ilis horses are graded Normans, Hambletonians, and Almonts, and he is able to exhibit some of the finest specimens of the equine race in this part of Illinois. He has a race-track on his farm, where he does his own training, and as a result of judicious purchases and wise management he has several colts, which trot a mile in three minutes and one that could make it in 2:30. He also gives consider- able attention to graded Holstien and Short-horn cattle and Poland-China swine. He keeps a num- ber of goats among his pigs and chickens, believing them to be a preventive of cholera.
In political matters Mr. Whitney usually sup- ports the principles of the Republican party. Nat- urally his extensive farming interests absorb the greater part of his time and attention so that he has little inclination to enter upon the responsibilities of official life. He and his excellent wife, together with their son, George. and daughter, Mary, be- long to the Christian Church at Manchester. Their bospitable home is the frequent resort of the
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many friends whose confidence and esteem they enjoy in a marked degree. Mr. Whitney occupies no secondary position among the extensive and successful agriculturists of Scott County.
R. LUKE CHANDLER HIGGINS. The name of this successful and popular practitioner is familiar to the leading residents of Naples, where he has labored for many years as a physician and surgeon with phenominal suecess. He, however, is fond of farm- ing pmsuits, and makes a specialty of stock-raising -an industry in which he takes great pride-and lins bred some of the finest animals in this part of Scott County. He is popular in his community, con- scientious and straightforward in his dealings, and in all respects a praiseworthy citizen.
Dr. Higgins represents an excellent family, being the son of Samuel C. Higgins, a native of Eliza- bethtown, N. J., and the grandson of Capt. Luke HI. Higgins, who was born in New Jersey and fol- lowed the sea. The latter was of Scoteh deseent, and met his death by drowning off the coast of Brooklyn. Samuel Higgins learned shoe-making in his native State, whenee he removed in his youth to Rochester, N. Y., where he was married and en- gaged in.the shoe business. He finally, in 1844, traded the property which he had accumulated for an 80-acre farm in Genesee County, N. Y., where he still resides, and is now eighty years old (Sep- tember, 1888). Our subject boasts of twin uneles, eighty-one years old in July, 1888. These remark- able old gentlemen were residents of Brooklyn, N. Y .; one died in October, 1888, and the other is living. The father of onr subject was a Democrat in politics, and a supporter of the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife had been a member over forty years.
Mrs. Mary (Godby) Higgins, the mother of our subject, was born in Bristol, Mass., and was the daughter of Seth Godby, a descendant of English ancestry, and a carpenter by trade. She lived to the age of seventy-four years, and was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. She spent her last years in Genesee County, N. Y. They
lived on the same farin forty-two years. The par. ental household included five children, the eldest of whom, Isaac M., is a resident of Macon County, this State, where he prosecutes farming and the breeding of full blooded horses; he is a member of the Horse Breeder's Association. Mac J., Mrs. Richards, lives in Macon County, where her hus- band is engaged as a farmer and stock-raiser, deal- ing largely in horses and eattle of fine grades; Robert S. is farming in Genesee County, N. Y .; Sarah died at the age of three years. Onr subjeet was the youngest.
Dr. Higgins was born in Corfu, Genesee Co., N. Y., Jan. 4, 1845, and was reared a farmer's boy, attending the common school until eighteen years old. He then engaged in the study of medi- eine under Dr. Isaiah Rayno, for four years, during which he entered the medical department of the Buffalo University, attending three school sessions, making a three years' course, and was graduated with honors in the spring of 1868, receiving his diploma, signed by Millard Fillmore, ex-President of the United States. He came West and began the practice of his profession in Maeon, this State, in April, 1868. He continued here until Septem- ber, 1869, then, coming to Naples, pursued his practice with the same fidelity as heretofore, and was soon in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative business. He for some time labored under con- siderable disadvantage, but has come off with flying colors. His praetice extends throughout Pike, Morgan and Scott counties, but he makes his head- quarters at Naples, where he has two residenees and four lots. Hle also owns 160 acres of land at Bernard post-office, in Lincoln County, Kan. He is also engaged in the livery business, keeping about fifteen to twenty head of good road horses. In the eattle line his favorites are blooded Holsteins, which he obtained from different parts of this State and 'Ohio, and which he grazes on the Illinois bottoms. He pursues this industry simply for the love of it. He has one magnificent thorough-bred IIambletonian trotting stallion, "Robert Bonner," who has made a fine record, and also has other full- blooded trotting stock, mostly colts.
Not content with the interests already men- tioned, Dr. Higgins is quite an apiarist, having
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about fifty stands of bees, the largest collection in his preeinet. He is a gentleman of excellent edu- eation, especially in his profession-a close student and of regular habits. He votes the Democratie ticket, and, socially, belongs to the I. O. O. F., at Naples. He has served as President of the School Board four years, and is now serving his fourth term as a member of the same. He has also been a member of the Board of Trustees. Connected with his profession, he is the examiner for fifteen different Insurance Companies.
Dr. Higgins was married in Naples, May 8, 1869, to Miss Louie W. Weed. Mrs. Higgins was born in Sandusky, Ohio, March 5, 1849. She came to this eounty with her mother and stepfather when quite young. She was partially reared in Madison, Wis. She was educated at Oberlin College, Ohio, and completed her studies in the State Normal School of Missouri. Of this union there have been born two children-Samuel C., Jr., and Jennie W.
AMES WATT. In the subject of this notice we recognize one of the earliest pioneers of = Morgan County -- a man who at one time en- joyed the personal friendship of Douglas and Lincoln, and who has been the interested wit- ness of the remarkable changes which have oceur- red in this country during the period of fifty-six years. He is at present engaged as a furniture dealer at Winchester, among whose people he enjoys a luerative trade and is recognized as an unnassum- ing, straightforward citizen, popular in both bus- iness and social eireles.
A native of Cineinnati, Ohio, our subject was born July 17, 1820, and is the son of David Watt, who was born in Pennsylvania and who as a member of the "Pittsburg Grays," served as a sol- dier in the War of 1812. He traveled through Northern Illinois at that time and later in 1833, brought his family to Seott County, via a river steamer which was more than a week making a trip from Cineinnati to Montezuma. IIe put up the first steam saw-mill in Seott County, complet- ing it in the spring of 1834, but three or four years later sold this and purchased a water-power mill on
Big Sandy Creek, one mile east of Winehester. This latter he rebuilt and put in machinery for grinding wheat and from that time on until his death, in 1848, operated it suecessfully, running it by water when the latter was plentiful and by steam when the streams were low.
The mother of our subject, Mrs. Jane (Ander- son ) Watt, was a native of Coal Hill, Pa., and the parental family ineluded nine children, four of whom are living, viz : James our subjeet; David B., of Winehester; Jane, Mrs. Gwin, of Chicago; and Oliver S., of St. Louis, Mo. The five deeeased, all lived to mature years and were named respect- ively, Henry, Euphemia A. ( Mrs. Nash), Robert A. William II., and Isabel, Mrs. Sells of Baldwin City, Kan. The mother died of cholera in 1851, in Winehester, Ill., being the first victim of this terrible seourge which she contracted without being exposed to the disease. The father of our subject, was killed in 1848, by the explosion of the boilers of the steamer "Planter" when on his way to St. Louis, and at which time several other persons also lost their lives.
The subject of this notice entered upon his eduea- tion in his native city and completed his studies in Winchester. At the age of eighteen years, he be- gan learning the earpenter's trade and later, took up mill-wrighting which he followed about five years. He put up a wool-earding mill in 1847, and subsequently added to it a flouring mill. He sold this property in 1852, and began the manufac- of threshers and reapers, while he also carried on at the same time the general repairing of machinery. He finally drifted into the manufacture of buggies, wagons,and other vehicles, which he prosecuted until 1876, together with the manufacture of fur- niture. He failed in business at that time and turned over all of his property to his ereditors and started anew. Ile then began selling furniture on a small scale, in 1878, and has gradually increased "his business until he now operates with a consider- able capital stoek, and has also stoves and tinware. He has become widely and favorably known to the people of this region among whom he has built up a lucrative trade.
The 10th of March, 1841, witnessed the marriage of our subject with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of
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David MeConnell, deceased, and who was one of the earliest settlers of Seott Connty. Of this union there were born four children-Orville M., Edwin E., John M., and David K. Orville and David are residents of Washington, D. C .; John lives in Anthony, Kan .; and Edwin in Winchester, Seott County. The wife and mother departed this life in May, 1865, and in the fall of that year, Mr. Watt was married to Miss Sarah Longnecker.
The present wife of our subjeet, is the daughter of Joseph Longnecker of Winchester, and is now the mother of eight children, five of whom are liv- ing, viz: Joseph C., James O., George F., Mary E., and Peter C. Mr. Watt is occupying for his ware- rooms the building in which Stephen A. Douglas taught sehool during the winter of 1833-34. In polities, he is independent, voting for measures rather than men, and he has steadily avoided be- eoming an office-holder. He is identified with the Masonie fraternity, and in religious matters is a pillar of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Win- ehester.
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L AFAYETTE ARNOLD, a prosperous farmer of Seott County, and one of its natives, was born April 12, 1836. His father, Michael Arnold, was a native of North Carolina, and a vet- eran of the War of 1812. He served with distin- guished bravery under Gen. Jackson, participating in most of the battles of that war, and serving through until its elose. In 1827 he came to Illi- nois and located in Scott County. His farm origi- nally contained 240 acres of land, which he im- proved in a good manner. He was ranked as a good business inan, and consequently made a sue- eess of agricultural pursuits. He died in 1862, at the age of seventy-three years. Politieally, he was a Democrat, and, religiously, affiliated with the Universalist Church. His wife, the mother of La- fayette, before her marriage was named Fanny Funk. She was a native of Virginia, and an early settler of this State. She died in Exeter at the age of eighty-nine years. She was the mother of twelve children, the following six of whom are living: Polly, Lavina, Julia, Louisa, Lafayette and Adaline. Lafayette Arnold grew up to manhood on a
farm, and seeured a very good education, when his advantages for proeuring such are considered. He worked on the farm until Aug. 8, 1862, when he enlisted in the 129th Illinois Infantry. His regi- ment was mustered in at Pontiae, and went imme- diately to the front, where it was soon engaged in the stern realities of, war. Mr. Arnold was en- gaged in many battles, among some of which may be mentioned Crab Orchard, Buzzard's Roost, Snake Creek Gap, Chattahooellie River, Resaea, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro, and was under Hooker when Sherman left Atlanta and marched to the sea. On his re- turn from the sea the battles of Bentonville, Golds- boro and Averysboro were participated in by Mr. Arnold, and later he was present at the surrender of Johnson, which was one of the elosing seenes of the war. He marched to Washington City, and there took part in the grand review. He was mus- tered out at Chicago in June, 1865, and thus elosed a most brilliant war reeord.
After the war was over Mr. Arnold accepted a position as elerk in the general store of John C. Hag- ler, of Exeter, a business in which he continued for three years, when he was offered a sehool to teach, whiel offer was accepted, and he continued teaeh- ing for four or five years. He then purchased a small farm near Exeter, and beginning in a modest way, he soon aceumulated enough to purchase his present property, a beautiful farm of 160 acres of well-improved land. He has done the most of the work of improving his farm with his own hands. He has ereeted buildings that are a eredit to the place, his house being notably roomy and eon- venient. Upon his farm are springs which supply clear, sparkling water the year round, and lovely groves and orehards assist in making up a grand landscape. Small fruit in abundance and of the finest quality is produced on this farm; indeed, it possesses all the requisites that the most exacting farmer could desire. Ile takes great pride in rais- ing the different varieties of wheat, thus benefiting his brother farmers, as by so experimenting he is enabled to ascertain the seeds which are best adapted to this part of the country. He has pro- duced seven varieties of wheat, finding a market for it in different States, and from which he has
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made money. He has a fine herd of cattle, and raises many hogs.
Mr. Arnold has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Maggie D. Creel, a native of Green County, Ky. They were married Aug. 29, 1867, and she died Aug. 6, 1873. To this union was born one child-Cordell. Mr. Arnold was married a second time, July 11, 1876, to Miss Mamie Thompson, a native of this county. This mar- riage produced three children-George, Clyde and Fannic.
Mr. Arnold ranks among the prominent and influential farmers of Bluffs, and is at present at the head of the School Board, and has been for years. He has also been Superintendent of roads. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and has been since 1861. He is Post Commander of the G. A. R. at Bluffs, and takes great pride in this organization.
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C HARLES K. LEE, of Naples, represents the firm of Keener & Pike, one of the largest firms dealing in grain in Scott Connty. Mr. Lee is a gentleman whom to meet. once is not soon forgotten. He is of commanding presence, of fine address, intelligent, well informed, genial and com- panionable, a man making friends wherever he goes. IIc has seen much of life and made the most of his opportunities, becoming well informed upon the general topics of the day and possessing more than ordinary intelligence. He was thrown upon his own resources at an early period in his life and thus there were developed in him the best qualities of a self-reliant and vigorous manhood.
Our subject is a native of Scott County, having been born in Naples, June 26, 1848, and is the only child of Dr. Warren and Frances A. (Keener) Lec, both natives of Pennsylvania. Doctor Lec came to Scott County during its pioneer days and prior to his marriage, locating in the embryo town of Naples and in the course of a few years had built up a large and lucrative practice. The paternal grandfather Hon. Charles F. Keener was born in the city of Baltimore, Md., where he was engaged in merchandising, milling and farming prior to his
removal to Pennsylvania. He was a well-educated man, a graduate of Dickinson College at Carlisle, Pa. After settling in Adams County, Pa., he served as Justice of the Peace many years and also officiated as Postmaster. He accumulated a large property and owned the Keener Mills where he manufactured both lumber and flour.
Grandfather Keener in 1838 disposed of his in- terest in the Keystone State and coming to Scott County took charge of the Keener Mills, Kilmar- nock, Scott Co., Ill., which he operated four years and then established himself at Naples. In the East he had been a captain of militia. " In ad- dition to his milling operations in Naples. he also conducted a hotel and besides holding many other positions of trust and responsibility, was made a member of the State Legislature in which he served two terms. He also represented the Etna Insur- ance Company for a number of years. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat and in religious matters a member of the Episcopal Church. IIe traced his ancestry to Germany. ITis wife, Frances (Hem- ing) Keener was a native of Shippensburg. Pa., and the daughter of Charles Ileming. The latter was a gentleman of English birth and parentage and after coming to America settled in Pennsylvania where he spent the remainder of his life. The mother of our subject died at Naples. Scott County, in 1851; she like her father was a member of the Episcopal Church.
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