USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 69
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 69
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The subject of our sketch being orphaned when little more than a babe was reared by his maternal grandparents and given a common-school educa- tion. Later he spent six months at the Commercial College at St. Louis, Mo.
When but a youth of sixteen years young Lee enlisted as a Union soldier in Company C, 116th Illinois Infantry which rallied at Camp Butler and after being mustered into service he went South with his comrades and joined Sherman's Army at Atlanta. Thence they made the memorable march to the sea, skirmishing all the way to Savannah. The story of that campaign is too well known to need repetition here. Sufliee it to say that private Lee endured bravely the hardships and privations incident to army life. He, fortunately, escaped wounds and capture and went with his regiment up
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through the Carolinas to the eity of Washington and took part in the Grand Review. He was mus- tered out and received his honorable discharge at Springfield, Ill., in July, 1865.
Our subjeet now repairing to St. Louis engaged as elerk on different boats plying the Illinois, Missouri and Mississippi rivers, and he followed that oceupation until 1870. The year following, Nov. 1, 1871, he was married at Naples, to Miss Fanny E. Critzer. Mrs. Lee was born in Naples, September 1851, and is the daughter of Peter D. Critzer, one of the earlier settlers of Seott County who engaged in general merchandising at Naples and also operated the ferry. In 1879 he removed to Geneva, Ohio, where he now lives retired from active business. The maiden name of his wife was Matilda A. Lodwiek.
Mr. Lee in June of 1871 established himself at Winchester where he was made Teller and Assistant Cashier of the People's Bank. He retained this position until 1880 and then accepted that which he now holds and resumed his residenee in Naples. His firm ships extensively, both by river and rail, and the responsible position which Mr. Lee is holding is sufficiently indieative of the esti- mation in which he is held.
Our subjeet and his estimable wife are the parents of two children, Minnie F. and Carrie L. Mr. Lee votes the straight Democratie ticket, is a Trustee of the eity School Board and has served as County Commissioner. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Episcopal Church.
C OL. THOMAS M. KILPATRICK, deceased, met his death on the battlefield of Shiloli during the late war, and was one of those few of whom it may truthfully be said, "none knew him but to love him; none named him but to praise." He was born in Crawford County, Pa., Oct. 30, 1807, and when approaching man's estate, went to Columbus, Ohio, where later- March 22, 1829- he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Sells. Three years afterward, in the spring of 1833, they came to Seott County, and settling in Winchester when it was little more
than a hamlet, Mr. Kilpatrick established a pottery factory which he conducted until 1849.
In the spring of the year above mentioned our subject returned to Columbus, Ohio, visiting there two months. Returning to Illinois, he re-en- gaged in the pottery business, and was soon reeog- nized as one of the most valued citizens of this community-a man of more than ordinary eapaei- ties and intelligence. After oeeupying other posi- tions of trust and responsbility, he was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature, in which he served one term, and later was cleeted to the Sen- ate, in which he served one term. Subsequently he became the candidate of the Whig party for Gov- ernor, and was defeated by Augustus C. Freneli. Ile assisted in the organization of Seott County, and at all times was distinguished by that publie-spir- itedness and liberality which was ever willing to lay aside personal plans and interests whenever he could be of service to the people.
Upon the outbreak of the late war, our subject enlisted in Company E, 28th Illinois Infantry, of which he was elected Captain, and subsequently given the eominission of Colonel. He was in eomn- mand of the regiment, aeting as General at the time of being killed. In polities he was at first a Whig, later a Republican, and in religious matters a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both in his publie and private life he was distinguished for that kindness of heart which prompted him ever to respond to the call of dis- tress, and he was most essentially the poor man's friend from whom none were ever turned away empty. His remains fill a soldier's grave in the cemetery at Winehester, and his name is held in kindly remembranee by all who knew him.
To Colonel and Mrs. Kilpatrick there were born eight children, only one of whom is living, namely: Mattie I., the wife of Judson Dayen, of San Fran- eiseo, Cal. Mrs. Kilpatrick has three grandehil- dren-Ella (Dayen) Overacker, Viola Clemmons and Lovey (MePherson) Barb, wife of Angelo B. Barb, of Winchester; the latter has one child- Burrell. Burrell McPherson, the father of Mrs. Barb, served as a soldier in the late war with Col. Kilpatrick as Second Lieutenant, and was afterwards promoted to First Lieutenant. He went all through
Sylvester Allen
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the war, and escaped unharmed, never receiving a seratch. He is familiarly known as "Uncle Joe," and is now living in Gold Hill, Col., where he owns mining property.
R EV. FRANK C. BRUNER, A. M., pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Winchester, came to this part of Illinois as early as 1854, when a child six years of age, from his birth place in Switzerland County, Ind. Hle first opened his eyes to the light April 24, 1848, and is the son of William and Harriet (Branden- burgh) Bruner, who upon their removal from In- diana in the year above mentioned, settled in Rock Island County, this State, where the father fol- owed farming, and where our subject was reared to man's estate.
Mr. Bruner received his education mostly in the distriet school, and was a youth of more than or- dinary intelligence, bright and ambitious to do something for himself in the world. During the progress of the Civil War, he, at the age of fifteen years, enlisted as a Union soldier in Company A, 9th Illinois Cavalry, being the youngest member of his regiment. He participated in many import- ant battles, was at Guntown, Miss., on the 10th of June, 1864, at Hurricane Creek, Tupelo and Nash- ville, and was promoted for his gallantry in the noted Hood campaigns. He served until the close of the war, and received his honorable discharge at Springfield, Nov. 25, 1865.
After leaving the army, young Bruner entered Westfield College (Ill.), where he spent over four years. In 1886 he received the Master's degree, and at commencement he delivered the Master's oration, which was highly commented upon by the press. He joined the Illinois Methodist Episco- pal Conference, the fall of the year 1875, and subsequently presided over several different charges, among them Blue Mound, Clayton, Mason City, Beardstown-coming to Winchester in the fall of 1888. He is what might be properly termed a natural evangelist, having a fine command of language, and being able to hold the attention of his audience, convineing them by his logie, and
awakening a profound interest. At Beardstown, in 1886-7, during one series of meetings, he gath- ered in about 200 converts, and 150 at Winehester during the winter of 1888-9.
The subject of our sketeli was married in Mar- shall, Ill., June 14, 1874, to Miss Tina Smith. Mrs. Bruner was born Feb. 25, 1855, in Ohio, and is the daughter of Samuel Smith, who now re- sides in Marshall, Ill. This union resulted in the birth of two children-Mabel, born April 16, 1875, and Ethel, born Feb. 24, 1877. Mr. Bruner is a member of the G. A. R. Post, Beardstown, and A. O. U. W., and is also identi- fied with the I. O. O. F.
DHE HON. SYLVESTER ALLEN, who is one of the most prominent public inen of Scott County, was born in Athens County, Ohio, Sept. 2, 1847. His father, William Allen, was also a native of Ohio, and of Seoteh descent. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed this business in Ohio for a great many years, until he died in 1855. Ilis wife, the mother of Sylvester, was also a native of Ohio. IIer maiden name was Elida A. Beatty.
Sylvester Allen was seven years old when his father died. After this sad event lie went to live with his grandparents, who gave him a good com- mon-school education, supplemented by a term at the High School of Jackson, Ohio. He worked on a farm until he was sixteen years old. In the spring of 1863 he enlisted in the 7th Ohio Cavalry, but was rejected on account of his youth, coupled with a vigorous protest from his mother. But young Allen was not to be defeated in his landable pur- pose of serving his country, and so lie entered the army again, this time as a teamnster. He went on duty at Camp Nelson, Ky., where he engaged in the transportation of supplies from that point to Cum- berland Gap, Tenn. This work was extremely hazardous, as the country was infested with guer- rillas, whose sole aim was to secretly assassinate, and whose tacties consisted chiefly in sneaking up behind their opponents, and cowardly shooting
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them down. Mr. Allen smelled gunpowder many times, and particularly at Crab Orchard.
Mr. Allen served his country for eighteen months, when he returned to Jackson, Ohio, and in September, 1864, he left for Saline County, Mo., where he occupied himself in farming and attend- ing school. After remaining in Missouri for a year he came to Oxville, this county. Here he again worked on a farm and attended school dur- ing the winter. In September, 1869, he was mar- ried to Miss Duenna S. Jeffords, who was born in Portsmouth, Ohio. Her parents removed here in 1860 and were farmers. After his marriage Mr. Allen rented land until 1872 when he went to Kan- sas, locating near Humboldt, where he followed farming for three years. He then returned to Illi- nois and purchased his present farm. From time to time he has made additions to his original purchase, until he now owns 200 acres of excellent, land, and by good management has succeeded in gaining a just reputation as one of the leading stock-raisers and general farmers of his community. Ile makes a specialty of breeding graded Short-horned and Jersey cattle. IIe has five acres devoted to the culti- vation of small fruits, an investment which has been well rewarded. Full-blooded Berkshire hogs and draft horses also claim his attention, and he is a live-stock shipper to the principal markets.
Mr. Allen is a self-made man. He is now rep- resenting Scott County in the Legislature, and as a law-maker and an incorruptible man his record is perfect. He has never been an office-seeker, but the people have recognized his fitness for public station and have verified their confidence in him by electing him to many local offices. As a member of the Legislature he is industrious, painstaking, and is ever found seeking the best interests of his constit -. uents. His portrait on another page will be prized by all his friends. Mr. Allen began active life with- out a dollar, but by sheer force of character and indomitable industry he has reached the top rounds of the ladder of success. His domestic life is pecu- liarly happy. Mrs. Allen is more than an ordinary woman and is one to whom a great deal of respect is shown by her neighbors.
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Since Mr. Allen came to Oxville his fellow-citi- zens have insisted upon his holding some local
office a majority of the time. Ile has been Post- master, School Director and Justice of the Peace for sixteen years, and for his own amusement has read law. In 1888 he was elected to the State Leg- islature on the Democratic ticket, and was placed upon the important Committees of Public Chari- ties, Roads and Bridges, Retrenchments, and Public Printing. Mr. Allen has four children living- Arlina B., Mary E., Lila and Thurman.
ERMAN HOBROCK, one of the most prom- inent and influential German farmers of his township, is the proprietor of over 603 acres of land, lying in Scott and Morgan counties. He rents a part of this, and has in his homestead 320 acres under a fine state of cultiva- tion and embellished with modern buildings. The residence is especially fine and stands in the midst of beautiful grounds, making one of the most delightful homes that heart could wish. The barns and other outbuildings are in keeping with the the well known enterprise and ample means of the proprietor. Mr. Hobrock is a man popular in his community, and his amiable wife is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and fine traits of charac- ter. Their's is apparently a model home, where affection inay bid defiance to the outside world, being in itself a safeguard amid the troubles and afllictions of life.
Mr. Hobrock was born in what was at that time the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, June 8, 1842, and at an early age was placed in school and pur- sued his studies quite uninterruptedly until a youth of fourteen years. A year later, in the fall of 1857, he and his parents started for America, taking pass- age on the sailing vessel "Industry" at Bremen, which landed them, after a voyage of eleven weeks and five days, in the city of New Orleans. Thence they made their way to the vicinity of Beardstown, Illinois, where the father secured a tract of land, and in the eultivation of which our subject assisted until he was twenty-one years old.
Young Hobrock at this time, having in view the establishment of a home of his own, commenced farming on rented land in Cass County. where he
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remained two years. He had in the meantime, with genuine German thrift and prudence, saved a snug little sumn of money, and now purchased 160 aeres of land in Meredosia Precinct, upon which he operated until 1870. Then selling this he pur- chased 120 acres which he still owns. He brought about all the improvements upon his farm, and one year operated a sawmill in Meredosia. This, how- ever, he soon abandoned, it not being eongenial to his tastes, and thereafter gave his whole attention to agricultural pursuits.
In the spring of 1887 Mr. Hobrock purchased the improved farm of 320 aeres which constitute his present homestead and to which he soon afterward removed, renting his other land. This farm is beautifully located and is mostly level ground, lying about four miles from Naples and the same distance from Bluffs. A fine windmill conveys water to whatever point required, and there are all the other modern convenienees required by the enterprising and progressive agrieulturist. IIe raises eorn and wheat and graded stock, also buys and feeds cattle and swine in large numbers. Mr. Hobrock is able to lay by a snug sum of money as the result of his labors.
Our subjeet was married at the bride's home near Merodosia, in Cass County, Marel 8, 1865, to Miss Eliza Kramas, who was born in Cass County, this State, and is now the mother of six children, viz: Henry, Fred, Caroline, Annie, Emma and William. They are all at home with their parents. Mr. HIobroek votes the straight Republiean tieket, but aside from otfieiating as Sehool Director and Clerk of the Board, has very little to do with publie affairs. He was an active member of the Lutheran Churel at Meredosia and one of its most liberal contributors, assisting generously in the ereetion of the church edifice and offieiating as Trustee at the time of its erection. While in Meredosia he was for a number of years Superintendent of the Sunday School.
Christian Hobrock, thic father of our subject, was, like himself, a native of Ilanover and the son. of Haman Hobroek, who was of pure German stoek and spent his entire life in the Fatherland. Chris- tian was a carpenter and joiner, also a contractor, and operated a small farm. In 1857 he eame to
America and located near Beardstown, in Cass County, this State, where he purchased land and grew very prosperous as a farmer, finally becoming the owner of 200 acres. He brought this to a good state of cultivation and lived there until until 1872, then sold out and retired from active labor. He low makes his home with his son, our subject, and has arrived at the advanced age of seventy-cight years. He has been an honest and hard-working man, and is a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church. The wife and mother, Mrs. Mary (Erk) Hobrock. was likewise born in Ilan- over, and coming to America with her family, died in Beardstown, this State, in 1872, at the age of sixty-four years. Their four children were Annie and Henry, residents of Cass County; Herman, our subjeet, and Vietor, a resident of Beardstown.
HOMAS J. WELLS is a son of one of the first settlers of Seott County, was reared amid the primitive scenes that characterized its early settlements to a vigorous, capable man- hood, and as soon as large enough began to share in the pioneer labors that laid the foundations for its present wealth and greatness. He is now num- bered among the most successful of the practical, wide-awake, skillful farmers and stoek-raisers of Winchester Preeinet, where the greater part of his life has been spent sinee 1822, a period of sixty- seven years. His farm on seetion 16, township 14, range 12, comprises 200 aeres, and with its well- tilled soil, substantial buildings, ineluding a fine briek residence, and many other valuable improve- inents, is considered one of the most desirable estates in this part of the county. There is a great deal of fruit on this place, including ehoiee varities of apples, pears, peaelies, strawberries, eurrants, plums and grapes. Mr. Wells has de- voted himself largely to raising stoek, and has some fine graded cattle and horses.
The subject of this sketeh was born Sept. 19, 1816, in Monroe County, Ill., and was the third ehild in or- der of birth of ten children in the family of Alex- ander and Mary (Chanee) Well natives of Virginia and Maryland respectively, the former reared in
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Kentucky and the latter in Illinois. The father came to this State in the territorial days, and met the woman to whom he was afterward married. They spent the first few years of their wedded life in Monroe County, Ill., and came from thenee with their family in 1822 to Seott County, then called Madison County, and later Morgan County. Ile took up a piece of wild land and improved it into a good farm, his original homestead now being in the possession of our subject. He was one of the first settlers here and had a good deal to contend with that the farmers of the present day know nothing about. Wild beasts were plenti- ful in this region and often troubled the crops, and our subject has seen many a bear killed by his father lying in the door-yard. In those days he had to go way to St. Louis to mill, and finally bought a small hand-mill on which two men could grind a peck of corn without stopping to rest. He took an active part in the Black Hawk War, and was a captain of a regiment. Ile was held in high consideration by his fellow-citizens and was a man of influence in this community, and here his name and memory are cherished as those of a deserving pioneer. His honorable life-record was brought to a close at the venerable age of ninety-five years in February, 1877. His wife is also deceased; her death preceding that of her husband twenty years. The descendants of this worthy couple werc well represented in the late war by one son, John C., and five grandchildren, one of them, William A., the son of our subject, all of whom served in the Union Army.
Thomas Wells of our sketch, was a child of be- tween four and five years when his parents brought him to Scott County, and as in those pioneer times schools had scarcely been started in this region his education did not commence till he was eleven or twelve years old, and he did not even know his letters, when, for the first time at that age he began to attend the rude log honse, with its rough slab benches and poorly lighted interior, that served as the temple of knowledge for the children of the early settlers of Winchester Precinct. His chances for attending school even then were limited as hc had to assist his father on the farm, but at one time he was under the tuition of the famous Stephen A.
Douglas for three months; that gentleman teaching school in Winchester. At the age of twenty-one our subject began an independent life, and worked a portion of his father's place for all that he could get out of it. Nov. 13, 1845, he took an impor- tant step toward establishing a comfortable home, as on that date he took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Julia Ann York. Her parents were William K. and Phebc (Lyons) York, natives respectively, of North Carolina and Bowling Green, Ky. They were married near Alton, Ill., March 4, 1821, and removing to this county at once, bought a place south of Winchester and were the very first settlers here. They had nine children, three of whom are now living, and two of their sons, William II. and J. B., served in the Union army in the late war, the former as quarter-master and the latter as private. Mrs. Wells was the sec- ond child of this family, and was born April 27, 1824, six miles cast of Winchester. The family fared very hard in those early times, in common with many other pioneers, and Mrs. Wells received such education as she could pick up. She was twenty-two years old when she married our sub- ject.
Mr. and Mrs. Wells settled a half mile west of this place, and began housekeeping on a very lim- ited seale. Mrs. Wells in those days, being an ac- complished spinner and weaver made all the cloth used in the family, and even sheared the sheep her- self to get the wool. Mr. Wells at that time farmed on an eighty-acre tract of land, subsequently bought twenty acres more, and later on another 100-acres. which belonged to the homestead of his father.
Our subject and his wife mutually aided each other in their work and their years of hard and un- remitting toil have been amply rewarded as we have seen. Four children, two sons and two daughters have blessed their union and are spared to comfort their declining years-William A., born Sept. 15, 1846; Thomas J., born April 25, 1848; Mary E., born Sept. 26, 1850; Lenora, born June 15, 1853. William A., who lives in Winchester, has been mar- ried twice. Ilis first wife, by whom he had three children, was Maggie Woodall. After her death hc married Ada V. Waters, and they have had two chil- dren, one of them now dead. Thomas, who lives in
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Jerseyville, Ill., married Jennie S. Stuart, and they have seven boys. Mary E. is the wife of Charles S. Doyle, and they live at the homestead, and have one child, Gertie. Lenora married Robert Hawk, and they live one-half mile north of the homestead, and have one child, Ivan.
Mr. Wells is publie-spirited and contributes his quota to furthering all sehemes for the advance- ment of the precinct and county. He is an un- compromising Republican and always gives his party his support at the polls. He cast his first vote for the hero of Tippecanoe and many years later had the pleasure of voting for his grandson, our present President. He has been school Direc- tor and Supervisor of Roads many years, and dis- charged the duties thus incumbent upon him so as to promote the best interests of the community. He and his wife are people of earnest religious con- vietions, who carry their religion into their every day lives, and over forty years ago, they united with the Christian Church. Though the frosts of age have deseended on his head our subject still bears in his heart the dew of youth, and seems never to have grown old, being lively and full of fun and his genial disposition makes him a general favorite with all.
LBERT CHIANCE, the oldest living set- tler in his township, owns and oeenpies a a snug homestead of forty acres on section 33, township 15, range 14, in Seott County, but, in addition to this, operates 400 acres of land belonging to other parties. lle has had a full ex- perience of pioneer life, and is one of the old landmarks who will be remembered long after he has passed away. He has just passed the sixty- ninth year of his age, having been born May 20, 1820, and his native place was near Milford, Kent Co., Del.
Mr. Chance when a young man emigrated to Ohio, and thence to this county, when there were ouly a few houses within several miles of where he settled. Wild game of all kinds was abundant, and the Indians had not very long departed from this region. Mr. Chanee had no schooling until after he
was twenty-two years old, and then attended sehool only one winter. He was put to work at an early age, and when nineteen years old purchased his time of his father for $100. In the spring of 1840 he erossed the Mississippi into Missouri-after having sawed some of the timber for the Naples & Springfield Railroad, the first built in the State.
Afterwards Mr. Chance went to Columbia, Boone Co., Mo., where he engaged in teaming during the construction of the State University. He hauled out the first load of dirt from the cellar of that structure, and was given a premium of $5. He was thus employed two years, and at the expiration of this time entered two traets of Government land, which he improved, and engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising. Ile put up good buildings, and in 1859 sold ont at an advanced price, and then returned to Illinois overland with his teams and wagon. While in Missouri he had engaged considerably in breaking prairie, employing six- teen yoke of eattle and four plows, and operating with a partner.
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