USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 70
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 70
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Mr. Chance could not obtain a elear title to the first land he purchased in this county, and he then rented land near Bluffs two years. Later he carried on farming in the vicinity of Exeter. He pur- ehased his present homestead in the spring of 1870, and has effeeted all the improvements upon it. It makes a very desirable residenec. Mr. Chance in his farming operations employs four teams and devotes his attention largely to the raising of grain, making a specialty of wheat. IIe was married Jan. 20, 1843, in Boone County, Mo., to Miss Elizabeth Dunbar. This lady was born near Lexington, Scott Co., Ky., and is the daugh- ter of Weeden D. and Fanny (Welden) Dunbar, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky. They settled in the latter State, and then removed to Missouri, where Mr. Dunbar became the owner of 320 acres of land. He died in Missouri; he was an Elder in the Christian Church, and rounded up the ripe old age of one hundred and four years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Chance there were born six children, viz: William W., Franees A., Agnes E., Sarah A., Albert Bishop and Mary Emma, who died when ten years old. Their eldest son is a earpenter 'by trade, and possesses extraordinary
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mechanical skill. Frances is the wife of Giles E. Montague, and resides at Naples; Agnes E. is the wife of William Bean, a farmer of Winchester. Both these ladies were finished dressmakers before mar- riage; the other children are at home with their parents. The youngest son operates the farm, and votes the straight Democratic ticket. Mr. Chance is also a Democrat, politically, and has served as School Director, in Missouri, and Road Supervisor; also as County Commissioner, and has been on the Grand and Petit juries. In religious matters he be- longs to the Christian Church at Naples, He is a brother of Mrs. Elizabeth Finney, who is represented elsewhere in this sketch.
G EORGE E. HUSBAND, who has attained distinction as a successful farmer of Scott County, is a native of Illinois, and was born June 12, 1846. A complete record of his ancestry appears in another part of this volume, in the bio- graphy of Charles J. Husband.
George E. Husband was reared on a farm, and received his schooling at the public and subscrip- tion schools, where he acquired a substantial education, which has been supplemented in later years by copious reading of current literature. Ile remained at home, working on the old homc- stead until his father's death, and in 1870 he began to operate his share of the property, which at that time was destitute of substantial improvements. Hc immediately erected a house 38 x 50, one well adapted for a farmer's home, and which is sur- rounded by a well kept yard; in fact everything connected with his home denotes intelligence and industry. Mr. Husband's farm presents a pleasant landscape, orchards and groves being noticeable, thus breaking the monotony that is usually insep- arable from a prairie farm. He has continued improving his homestead, until he can now point with justifiable pride, to a magnificent farm of 400 acres, and which is one of the best in Seott County, conveniently located, being only four miles from Bluffs, which is a good market town. The place is also well watered with living springs, an adjunct which adds value to the farm. He has now 335
acres nnder plow, the most of which he leases to tenants. He feeds a great deal of stock, and ships many cattle and hogs.
Mr. Husband was married in Pike County, this State, Oct. 29, 1872, to Miss Nancy E. Dimmitt, daughter of Thomas Dimmitt. Her father was a native of Ohio, and was born in 1822, of Welslı ancestry. He came to Illinois when quite young, and when he became twenty-one years of age he commenced farming for himself, which he con- tinned until he sold out and removed to Kansas in 1875. He remained in that state for three years, when he returned to Illinois, and now lives in Griggsville. His wife's maiden name was Hannah Wade. She was born in England in 1823, and came to America when she was ten years old, set- tling in Pike County with her parents. She died in 1872. For many years she was a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in that faitb. Following are the names of her ten children : Frank W., JohnS., Charles, James W., Nancy Ellen, Elizabeth, Mary A., Grace, Victoria and Clarissa. Mrs. Husband's grandfather, John Dimmitt, was a native of Ohio, and in 1830 came to this state and located in Pike County, where he engaged in farming on an extensive scale, and in his time was a prominent citizen.
George E. Husband is the father of four chil- dren. Fannie and Geo. I. are living, while Ashley D. and Arthur O. are dead. Hc is the President of the School Board, an office which he has satis- factorily filled for six years. Politically he is a prominent Republican, and as evidence that he wields great influence in Republican councils, it may be stated that he is a member of the County Central Committee, and has represented his party in county and state conventions many times. As a farmer, he has been eminently suecessful, and the fact of his being a well preserved man, strong and robust, is evidence that in his younger days he adhcred to the commendable plan of taking care of himself, and that he has been temperate in all things. He possesses the happy combination-and which is a rare one-of being a sound, shrewd busi- ness man and a highly successful farmer.
Mr. Husband has numerous traits of character that make him very popular, and which call forth
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many good words for him from his neighbors and from those with whom he holds business relations. He is charitable, and possesses those special eharae- teristics that go to make up an intelligent and valuable citizen. His dealings with his fellow man have always been such as to merit confidenee, and upon this record is based his well deserved pros- perity. There is room in this great big world for more men like George E. Husband.
C HARLES J. IIUSBAND. One seldom meets with a man who leaves a more lasting im- pression than the subject of this sketch. Hle has the highest qualities of the true gentleman; is genial and companionable, and possesses a fund of general information by which he is enabled to lead in . profitable and entertaining conversation. Ile has been abundantly blessed with this world's goods, and makes his home in one of the finest residenees in Seott County, which, with its surroundings, very nearly approaches the popular idea of para- dise. Not the least among his blessings is the eoni- panionship of an amiable and intelligent wife-a refined and cultivated lady, with tastes similar to his own. Their home indieates, on all sides, the existence of cultured tastes and ample means, and is a most pleasant resort for the many friends whom they have made sinee commencing their wedded life in Seott County.
Mr. Husband owns and operates 203 acres of prime land on section 32, in Oxville Precinet, township 15, range 13. Hle was born in this pre- einct, Aug. 14, 1843, and received a good eduea- tion in the common schools. While a boy he learned the trade of a carpenter, and has since been more or less engaged in the handling of tools, al- though he makes farming his principal business. He purchased his land in 1871, and has effeeted all the improvements which we sec to-day. The resi- dence is a substantial brick structure, forty-four feet square, the woodwork of which was done mostly by Mr. Husband. The land is watered by Mauvaisterre Creek, and with its well-kept fenees, groves and orchards, presents a picture delightful to contemplate. In addition to the raising of
wheat and corn, our subjeet keeps a goodly assort- ment of live-stoek-horses, eattle and swine-and avails himself of the most modern and improved machinery in the tilling of the soil.
In Scioto County, Ohio, Oct. 9, 1871, oceurred the marriage of our subject with Miss Eliza John- son, the daughter of J. O. and Phebe (Jeffords) Johnson, a well-to-do farmer of that county. Mr. Johnson was a native of Seioto County, while his estimable wife was born in Warren County, Ohio, and was the daughter of Henry Jeffords, also of that State. The father of Mrs. Husband spent his last years in Ohio, and died in August, 1883, aged seventy-five years, five months and five days. The mother survived her husband a little less than two years, her death taking place in November, 1885, when she was sixty-eight years old. They were the parents of eleven children (nine of whom lived to years of maturity ), viz: Sarah J. (now deceased), Mary A., Isaae, Rebecca, Eliza, Ilenry J. (deceased), Caroline, Emily F., Milton (deceased), Okaey and W. Gordon.
Mrs. Ilusband was born in Lueasville, Scioto Co. Ohio, in March, 1844. Of her union with our sub- ject there are two children, sons-Orrin G. and Orville G., both of whom remain at home with their parents. Mr. Husband, politically, is a de- eided Republican, and has served on the Grand and Petit juries. A man quiet and unassuming in demeanor, he has, notwithstanding, exercised a sensible influence in his community-an influence which has been uniformly good.
The father of our subjeet was Judge Robert Husband, a native of Yorkshire, England. In early manhood he followed the trade of a carpeu- ter, and finally became a builder and contractor in York and Sheffield. He came to America in 1842, and making his way directly to Scott County, pur- chased land in Oxville Precinct, where he earried on farming and earpentering combined, and was prospered. Later he engaged as a live-stock dealer, buying and feeding extensively, and at the time of his death was the owner of 480 aeres of land. His (leccase occurred in 1870, at the age of fifty-six years. After becoming a voting citizen, he identi- fied himself with the Democratic party, but later wheeled over into the ranks of the Republicans,.
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with whom he remained until his death. He wielded considerable influence in the politics of his party, and after occupying other positions of trust and responsibility, was made Associate Judge of the County Court, which office he held during the war. The mother, Mrs. Fanny (Copley) Hus- band, was also a native of Yorkshire, England; she was born in 1818, came to America with her hus- band, and died in Oxville Precinct in 1862. Their five children were named respectively, with the exception of one who died in infancy: Charles J., George E., Mary (deceased), and Ellen E., who lives in Oxville Preeinet.
ENNIS O'DONNELL. In the career of the subject of this sketch is illustrated that of a man who began life a penniless boy, and who through his own industry and per- severance has become wealthy. A plain, straight- forward, honorable and upright citizen, he cares very little for popularity or display, but there are few men in this community who enjoy in a greater degree the profound respect of their fellow-citizens. He is one of the leading farmers of township 13, range 12, and is the brother of Patrick O'Donnell who is represented elsewhere in this work.
The opening years of the life of our subject were spent on the other side of the ocean in County Tipper- ary, Ireland, where he was born in 1833. His father, Patrick O'Donnell, was a native of the same county, and spent his entire life there, dying many years ago. In 1848 most of the family came to the United States, but our subjeet and his two young- est sisters eame in 1849. They lived in New Jer- sey until 1857, and in the spring of that year Den- nis came to this county, of which he has since been a resident, and continuously engaged in farming pursuits.
The industry and perseveranee of our subject met with their natural result, and in due time he considered himself justified in establishing a home of his own. He had become acquainted with one of the most estimable young ladies of his township, Miss Elizabeth O'Brien, who became his wife in November, 1856, and they commenced the journey
of life together in a manner corresponding with their means and circumstances. A few years of mutual labor made them comparatively indepen- dent in the possession of a well-regulated farm, and all the other comforts of life.
Mes. O'Donnell is the daughter of Patrick O'Brien, a native of Ireland, who spent his last years in Scott County. She was born in Ireland, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of eleven children, ten of whom are living, namely : Maria, James, William, Edward, Lizzie, Frank, Kate, Charlie, John, and Thomas. William married Miss Alice Smothers, and remains a resident of this county; Frank is pursuing his studies in the Nor- mal School at Valparaiso, Ind .; the others remain at home with their parents, assisting in the lighter labors of the farm, and attending school.
Mr. O'Donnell is the owner of 668 acres of land all in this county, and divided up into four farms, all being supplied with the necessary buildings. He makes a specialty of graded stock in which in- dustry he has been very successful. He has mixed very little in public affairs, and is no politician or office-seeker. He has a natural affection for the land of his adoption, and is thoroughly in sympathy with her institutions. He usually casts his vote with the Democratic party, and with his family be- longs to the Catholic Church.
SAAC D. MCLAUGHLIN. One of the finest country seats in Seott County has been built up by the subject of this notice, who is one of the leading men of township 14, range 13. His career has been marked by honest industry and that strict devotion to principle which has gained him the highest esteem of his fellow-citizens. Ile is one of those men who have no use for an idler and who look with contempt upon a mean or questionable aet. Walking by his side for, lo, these many years, and encouraging him in his worthy ambi- tions has been one of the most estimable woman of her time-Mrs. Amanda (Shibe) MeLaughlin, who has in all respects been the suitable helpmate and companion of such a man as her husband. Their mutual efforts resulted in the accumulation of a fine
RESIDENCE OF ISAAC D. ME LAUGHLIN, SEC. 14. T.14 .- R.13. SCOTT, CO.
,
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property, at one time embracing 262 aeres of land. This, however, has not gone ont of the family, as Mr. MeLaughlin has deeded considerable of it to his children, being himself now the owner of 140 acres. This with its buildings and other improve- inents forms a pleasant and valnable homestead where he and his estimable wife may spend their declining years free from eare and anxiety.
Our subject was born about ten miles from Ports- mouth, Ohio, Feb. 27. 1832, but was brought to Illinois by his parents when an infant and reared on the old MeLaughlin homestead. Ile aequircd such education as the schools of that time afforded, pursuing his studies principally in the winter sea- son, and as soon as old enough began making him- self useful around the farm, rolling logs, burning brush, eutting grain with a sickle and experiencing all the vicissitudes of life on the frontier. At the same time those days were not unmixed with pleasure and happiness-the result of that healthy mental and moral training which was given him by most exeellent parents.
When not quite twenty years of age, only weigli- ing 120 pounds, and with a capital of $1.50, Isaae Mclaughlin was married, Sept. 11, 1851, to Miss Amanda Shibe, a maiden approaching the twentieth year of her age. They had grown up together from ehildhood, attending the same school and mingling with the youth of their neighborhood in. rural pastimes and pleasures. The absence of wealth was no partieular drawbaek, as they began their wedded life beeause they were strong in mnu- tual affection and with an abundance of good health. After their marriage they settled on see- tion 14 and Mr. Mclaughlin oeeupied himself at farming. Their mutual industry met with its legiti- mate reward and in the course of a few years they found themselves in a good position finaneially and have sinee been uniformly prosperous. The pres- ent residenee was completed in the fall of 1872. It is a substantial two story strueture, the main part 42x40 feet in dimensions, with a wing. It is flanked by a good barn and other outbuildings common to the well-regulated homestead. There is an abundance of fruit and shade trees and all other embellishments which have so much to do with the happiness and comfort of the household.
Mr. Mclaughlin during the last fifteen years has spent hundreds of dollars in improvements and also in the meantime has purchased about $10,000 worth of land.
To our subjeet and his estimable wife there were born eight children, two of whom are deceased, namely, Jasper who died in 1885 at the age of twenty-nine years, and Daniel Henry who died when six months old. Their eldest son, John William, married Miss Emma J. Gross, and is the father of five ehildren-Laura B., Edward F., Isaae E., Clara M., and Edward L. Wealthy E. and George T. are at home with their parents ; Isaae L. married Miss Olive M. Hoover, and they have one ehild- Marietta; Benjamin F. and Isaiah B. are attending sehool. As the children of Mr. MeLaughlin beeome of age he gives them sixty aeres of land and those in possession of their property are doing well and bid fair to reflect honor upon their parental training.
The parents of our subjeet were Daniel and Elizabeth (Utt) MeLaughlin, the father a native of Hampshire County, Virginia. He emigrated early in life to Ohio, where he was married and prose- euted farming for a time, then eoming to Illinois settled in that part of Morgan County which is now Scott. His pioneer experienee was similar to that of hundreds of others during which time he labored and waited and met with his reward. Five sons and three daughters gathered around the family hearthstone, seven of whom were born in the Buekeyc State. There are now only two liv- ing-John and the subject of this sketch.
Mrs. MeLaughlin, the fifthi ehild of her parents, was born Nov. 21, 1830, in township 14, range 13, Scott County, where her father settled upon eom- ing to this State. She is the daughter of Casper and Margaret (Lookingbec) Shibe, who were na- tives respectively of Philadelphia, Pa., and North Carolina, and were of Duteh aneestry. They removed with their families to Indiana early in life and were married in that State. Mr. Shibe in his native eity learned the trade of ship carpenter, but after eoming to the West engaged in farming. He spent his last years in Seott, dying in 1865 at the age of seventy-four years. The mother sur- vived her husband until 1873, and passed away at
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the age of seventy-seven. They were the parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters of whom there are living one son and four daughters. These are mostly living in Seott County.
Mr. MeLaughlin is a man of more than ordinary intelligenee and is noted for his liberality, giving freely of his means for the establishment and maintenance of schools and churches and encour- aging all other enterprises tending to the social and moral elevation of the community. He has made it the rule of his life to live within his ineome and to be prompt in meeting his obligations. He is prominently eonneeted with the I. O. O. F. of Win- chèster, and in polities is an uneompromising Dem- ocrat. Mrs. MeLaughlin has been a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the long period of thirty-five years.
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ACKSON CARPENTER, a retired miller and prominent resident of Oxville, has been largely identified with educational matters in Scott County, and served for some five years as County Superintendent of Schools. He is now a Justice of the Peace, which office he has held for a long period. He is a man of excellent education, strong constitution, and one of those substantial members of the community which form the bone and sinew of the social fabrie. He has been ae- companied for a long distance on the journey of life by a most estimable lady, refined and intelli- gent, and one who has uniformly been the sup- porter and encourager of her husband in all his worthy efforts.
Mr. Carpenter has met with his reverses like most men, and at one time lost a large amount of property, but is mostly recovered from the dis- aster, and now occupies a pleasant and comfortable home in the east part of town, with everything around him to make life desirable. A native of Cass County, Mieh., he was born on Christian Creek, March 7, 1831, and is the son of David B. Carpenter, who was born in Virginia in 1794. His paternal grandfather, the Rev. John Carpenter, of Virginia removed to Indiana during its pioneer days, and settling in Elkhart County, engaged in
farming and milling. Finally he removed to Goshen, and during his later years officiated as a local preacher.
The paternal great-grandfather of our subjeet was Nicholas Carpenter, a native of Germany, who emigrated to America during the Colonial days, settled in Virginia, and was murdered by the Indian Chief Tecumseh, while driving cattle aeross the mountains. He had aceumulated a good property. His father was a native of Germany, but removed to England, where he died. The father of our sub- jeet was born in Ohio, and like his honored sire, was a miller by trade. He left the Buckeye State at an early day, and journeyed overland to Cass County, Mich., where he took up Government land, built a mill, and operated this latter until his re- moval to Elkhart County, Ind. - There also he ear- ried on farming and milling, and became well-to- do. In 1856 he sold out and came to Scott County, this State, locating in Oxville Preeinct, where he purchased 240 aeres of land, upon which he operated until 1869. Then. pushing still fur- ther westward, he took up his abode near Virgil City Mo., where he farmed for a time, but finally retired from aetive labor. He lived to a ripe old age, and was gathered to his fathers in 1886. Ile was a man of iron constitution and unbounded energy, possessing decided views both upon social and politieal questions. In politics, he was a eon- seientious Demoerat, and in religions matters, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His mother was a Miss S. Wolfe, and her mother, a Miss Austin, a relative of Moses Austin, of Texas.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Tongue) Carpenter, mother of our subjeet, was born in Miami County, Ohio, and was the daughter of John Tongue, who removed to St. Joseph County, Ind., and from there later to a point near Oscaloosa. IIe was a farmer by oceupa- tion, and of Seotch deseent. Mrs. Carpenter died in Missouri at the age of seventy-six years. The parental family included four ehildren, all of whom are living, viz: John A., of Crawfordville, Ind .; Jackson, our subjeet; Sarah, of Niles, Mich .: and Elizabeth, of Missouri.
Mr. Carpenter spent his boyhood and youth at his father's farm in Indiana, being two years old when taken there by his parents. Ile pursued his
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first studies in the distriet school, then attended the High school at South Bend three years, and was graduated. Then, returning to the farm, he ocenpied himself in agrienlture and milling, with which latter business he has been especially familiar from a boy up. In 1856 he eame to Illinois overland with a team, and established himself in the dry-goods business at Oxville. After three years he sold ont, and ereeting a large steam mill, purehased grain, which he ground and shipped in large quan- tities to St. Louis and Chicago. He also shipped grain from Naples, and was exceedingly prosper- ous until the financial crash of 1868, which proved very disastrous to him, as well as to hundreds of others.
Mr. Carpenter now resumed farming in Oxville Preeinet, and became quite prominent in local affairs, serving in many positions of trust and res- ponsibility besides those already mentioned. On the 11th of November, 1858, he was married to Miss Franees M. Sherwood, a native of Indiana, and the daughter of Samuel Sherwood, of Mary- land. Mr. Sherwood was a farmer and earpenter, and removed from Indiana to Kentucky, where he operated a large traet of land until 1843. That year he eame to Illinois and located in the vicinity of Oxville, where his death took place Jan. 8, 1845. Ile was the son of Jobn Sherwood, likewise a na- tive of Maryland, from whieb be removed to Flem- ing County, Ky., where he had a large estate and was a slave-holder. Mrs. Carpenter was one of three children born to her parents, all daughters, the eldest of whom, Reheeea J., died when eighteen years old; the younger daughter, Susan B., is a resident of Oxville, and now Mrs. John K. White.
The wife of our subjeet was born in Clark County, Ind., Feb. 24, 1841, and was two years of age wlien her parents eame to Illinois. She studied her first lessons in the primitive log sehool-house, and eom- pleted her education in Oxville, remaining with her parents until her marriage. Of her union with our subjeet there have been born two sons only: John A., who formerly taught school, and is now a merehant of Oxville, and Eugene S. Our subjeet is a Demoerat, politically, and has held the offices of Township Trustee and County Superintendent, and also served on the Grand and Petit Juries. He is
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