USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 71
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 71
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one of those solid men who have borne no unim- portant part in the building up of their community, and has given his moral and substantial support to all measures calculated to elevate society and benefit the people.
E SAU FUNK, late of Seott County, who de- parted this life March 26, 1876, at the age of seventy years, was one of those men who assisted largely in the development of its resourees. His widow, now owns a pleasant homestead of 102 aeres, adjoining the limits of Exeter. She makes her bome in the village, and is surrounded by all the eomforts of life. She is held in high esteem by her neighbors. .
Mrs. Funk was born near Kingston, in Roane County, Tennessee. She was brought up on a farm and remained a resident of her native county, living with her parents until her marriage to Mr. Funk in 1831. He was born near Strasburg, Va., and was the son of Samuel Funk, a native of Ger- many, who came to America at an early day and located in the Old Dominion where he engaged at farming for a time, but later moved to Tennessee. In 1831 he again changed his residenee, this time coming to Illinois, and in Seott County oeeupied himself as a rope-maker. He died in 1836 after having reaelied his three-seore years and ten. His wife, Elizabeth Cordelle, was also a native of Vir- ginia; she accompanied her husband to the West and died in Scott County.
Mr. and Mrs. Funk after their marriage lived on a farm in township 15, range 13, until 1831, and then took up their residenee in township 15, range 13. Ilere Mr. Funk purehased land to the extent of eighty aeres, upon which he effeeted considera- ble improvement, but in 1855 sold out and pur- eliased the homestead where he lived until bis death and which finally comprised 200 aeres of land. After this event Mrs. Funk assumed the manage- ment of the farm which she condueted for a time then sold all but 102 aeres whieb is now operated by her son.
To Mr. and Mrs. Funk there were born nine children, five dead and four living: 'The two
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eldest-Madison and Louis. died at the ages of seventeen and fifty years respectively. Henry is farming in Macon County Ill., and Turner in Missouri; N. Clark operates his mother's farm; Louis during the civil war served in the 129th Illinois Infantry from 1862 until the fall of the elosc, and is now dead. Mary, now Mrs. Black, lives in Seott County Ill. Norris Clark Funk was born and reared upon his father's home- stead, a part of which he now occupies, and eom- pleted his education in the High School at Win- chester. Subsequently for several winters he en- gaged in teaching. Ile was first married, Feb- ruary 27, 1879, to Miss Elma Berry, who died May 12, 1881. Ilis present wife, to whom he was mar- ried October 8, 1884, was Miss Ada F. Holliday, a native of this county; they have two children- DeMonte and Otto. Mr. N. C. Funk is Seeretary of the Anti-Ilorse Thief Association, of Exeter and leader of the Exeter Band, which was organ- ized in 1872. Mrs. Funk has elear and decided views in regard to political matters and defends the principles of the Democratie party. Religiously she is a member of good standing of the Baptist Church. Mention is made of her parents in the sketch of her sister, Mrs. Milly Funk, which will be found elsewhere in this work.
ARTIN E. RATIGAN, late a prominent resident of Scott county, well-to-do, and a man of more than ordinary intelligence, construeted a good homestead from 140 aeres of land on section 26, township 15, range 13, and this is now oeeupied by his widow, Mrs. Annie M. Ratigan, who was left a competence and is sur- rounded by all the comforts of life. She is a very intelligent lady and looked up to in her community.
Mr. Ratigan was born in Fermoyle, Lanesboro County Longbord, Ireland, Nov. 3, 1827, and was a son of John Ratigan, a native of Ireland and a farmer by oeeupation. Our subjeet was reared in his native eountry and when approaching man- hood oceupied himself as a farmer until coming to America, in 1851. He located first at Exeter, this County, and engaged in coal mining, prospecting
for himself and shipping to different points, and secumulated a fortune. In 1863 he purchased eighty aeres of land where, in connection with mining he carried on farming and later added to his landed estate by the purchase of another eighty acres adjoining and which constitutes the present homestead. Much labor and time was involved in bringing the land to a state of eultivation, but it responded generously to the hand of the husband- man and is now very fertile, being watered by Mauvaisterre Creek. Mr. Ratigan planted an abundance of fruit trees and a fine streteh of native timher adds to the value of the property. The commodious residence was ereeted by him, while the barn and other buildings are amply adapted to all the requirements of the inodern agrienlturist. Mr. Ratigan departed this life Oct. 29, 1887. Po- litieally, he was a Greenbacker, and he exerted considerable influenee in the couneils of his party in this section.
Mrs. Ratigan sinee the death of her husband has managed the farm with rare good judgment and maintained its oldtime reputation; she is the moth- er of eight children, the eldest of whom, Mimie, died at the age of two and a half years. The sur- vivors are Ilarry, George, Lucy, John F., William C .. Daniel F., and Martha E., and they are all at home with their mother. Mrs. Ratigan has been a member of the I. O. G. T., and is a member of the Catholie Church at Bluffs. She has decided ideas concerning politics and is in favor of Democracy.
The parents of Mrs. Ratigan were Michael and Kate (Beecham) Deegan, natives of County Queens, Ireland. Her paternal grandfather, Richard Dee- gan, was a well-to-do farmer and sportsman, keep- ing his horses and hounds, and frequently hunting in the forest. He was a Lieutenant in the English army for six years and the family in those days had their coat-of-arıns. The father of Mrs. Ratigan en- gaged in merchandising in County Queens during his younger ycars. After emigrating to America he established himself in the hardware trade at Rome, N. Y., but later came to Illinois and en- gaged in hotel keeping near Exeter, Seott County. He died in Peoria. He was a Demoerat, politi- eally, and a member of the Catholic Church.
The mother of Mrs. Ratigan was also a native of
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County Queens, Ircland. She died in Rome, N. Y .; she was the daughter of Captain Henry B. Beecham, who, like bis compeer, Grandfather Dee- gan, loved his horses and hounds and was a sports- man. To the parents of Mrs. Ratigan there were born six children. Iler sister, Eliza, Mrs. Sims, lives in Peoria, this State: Katic, Mrs. McLaugh- lin, is a resident of Pekin; Mary, Mrs. Eaves, lives in Milton, Pike County; Gretta, Mrs. Berkenmeyer, lives near -Naples; Annie, Mrs. R., was the next youngest born.
Mrs. Ratigan was born near Drummond. in County Queens, Ireland, May 4, 1844, and was a mere child when she was brought by her parents to America. They made the voyage on a sailing ves- sel, embarking at Liverpool and landing in New York City. She grew to womanhood in Scott County, receiving a common-school education and was married in Peoria, March 4, 1862 to Mr. Ratigan.
EREMIAHI C. BUCHANAN, President of the Board of Commissioners of Scott County and a man prominent in his township, has built up for himself a good record as a citi- zen and has been by occupation, principally a far- mer. He represents property to the amount of 135 acres of choice land on section 7, township 15, range 13, where has has a neat and well-appointed dwelling, with very pleasant surroundings, a good barn, an orchard, and a grove, and the fields largely enclosed with hedge feneing. The whole makes a very pleasant picture in the landscape and invari- ably attraets the attention of the passing traveler. It illustrates in a marked degree the results of indus- try and cutivated tastes, and the man who thus re- deems a portion of the primitive soil from its orig- inal wildness, has borne no unimportant part in the development of his county.
Mr. Buchanan was born, Sept. 13, 1832. He grew up amid the quiet pursuits of rural life, at- tending the common sehool in a log sehool house, and at the early age, of eighteen years on account of the death of his father, assumed the manage- ment of the place. Ilis life passed in an nnevent- ful manner until 1853, when he set out for Cali-
fornia. He arrived at his destination after six months and thirteen days, and then engaged in making posts and shingles in Tuolumne County, for one year. Afterward he occupied himself as a teamster until the spring of 1855. He then started homeward by the Panama route and in due time arrived in Scott County and purchased eighty acres of the present homestead. lIere he has made all the improvements and in due time added fifty-five acres, nearly the whole of which he has brought to a state of cultivation, and which is watered by the Mauvaisterre Creek. He has good fenees, a grove and an orchard, and in addition to general farming makes a specialty of blooded Short-horn cattle and Poland-China swine. He nsually keeps about ten head of horses and uses three teams about the farm.
One of the most important events in the life of our subject was his marriage with Miss Mary Creal which took place in Exeter, Scott County, 1857. Mrs. Buchanan was born in Green County, Ky., 1842, and of her union with our subjeet there are seven children, namely : Thomas, Jeremiah, Lucian, Virgil, Clayton, Maggie and Florence. Jeremiah and Clayton are carrying on a barber shop at Orange, Texas; the other children are at home with their parents. Mr. Buchanan was elec- ted to his present office on the Democratic ticket in the fall of 1886. Prior to this he had served as Justice of the Peace for a period of nineteen years, and most of this time has been a member of the School Board of his district. He has also officiated as Road Supervisor and on the Grand and Petit ju- ries. Ile wields considerable influence in party politics, and socially, belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity at Exeter.
Jeremiah Buchanan, the father of our subject, was a native of Tennessee, as likewise was the pa- ternal grandfather. The latter served in the War of 1812. Jeremiah Buchanan came to Illinois during the twenties, and was one of the first set- tlers to enter land in township 15, range 13. Ile secured eighty acres where he engaged in farming, and in the meantime had a hand in the Black Hawk War. He died of cbolera in 1833. The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Coonrod) Buchanan, was born in Virginia, and passed away after the decease of her
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husband. Grandfather Coonrod was a native of Germany and upon his emigration to America, located in Virginia, but later removed to Ohio and finally came to Seott County, loeating in township 15, range 13, north of the bluffs. There he ear- ried on farming until his death. The mother of our subjeet, remained at the old homestead until her death in 1877, at the age of sixty years. The parental household ineluded five children-Sally A. Isabelle, Ellen; Jeremiah C., onr subjeet, and James M. Jeremiah C., is the only survivor of the family. James M. during the Civil War s rved as a soldier about one year, and was then obliged to return home where he died three days later.
AMES W. REEDER is the son of one of the earliest settlers of Seott County, who bore an honorable part in its early development, and whose name is still held in reverenee as that of a sturdy, enterprising pioneer, who led a useful, active life, guided by upright principles. The son of whom we write is a worthy descendant of such a sire, and is an invaluable eitizen of Win- chester Preeinet, where the most of his life has been passed as boy and man, and with whose agri- cultural interests he has been identified many years as a prosperous, practical tiller of the soil, and a sueeessful stoek-raiser. He owns 253 acres of land of exceeding fertility, well adapted to general hus- bandry, all lying in a body, amply supplied with good buildings and well stocked with standard Short-horn eattle and Norman horses of high grade.
Mr. Reeder's parents, Amos and Naney (Pratt) Reeder, were of Southern birth, natives respectively, of South Carolina and Virginia. An incident eon- neeted with the migration of his mother's family from the old home in Virginia to the wilds of Ken- tucky, when she was but five years old, well illus- trates the dangers that the hardy, courageous pio- neers of those days had to undergo in passing from one part of the country to another. The family were drifting down the Ohio River to their destina- tion in an old-fashioned horse boat,and in passing the place where Louisville now stands an islaud divided
the river into two channels, one straight and nar- row, the other wider but more roundabout. The boat took the former course, and when it had fairly got into it the Indians on the shore began firing at it, and among those killed was Mrs. Reeder's mother, who was lying ill at the time. The par- ents of our subjeet were married in Kentucky, and continued to live there several years thereafter. But at last, impelled by the pioneer spirit of their ancestors, they resolved like them to seek a newer country, and in 1819 eame to Illinois, which but a few months before had been admitted into the Union as the twenty-first State. They first took up their abode in Madison County, but four and one- half years later, in 1824, eame to Seott County, and east in their lot with the few pioneers that had preeeeded them to this part of the State. Mr. Reeder bought a traet of land, a part of which is now included in his son's homestead, paid for the improvements that had been made on it and en- tered it from the Government. Years of toil and hardship followed before he conld get his land under cultivation and complete the necessary im- provements. In this then sparsely settled region he and his family. were obliged to forego many of the eomforts of civilization that now seem indi- spensable, and they experienced many trials inci- dental to pioneer life. Settlements were few and seattering, markets were far distant and they had to go way to St. Louis, Mo., to mill. Mr. Reeder's hard labors did not go unrewarded, and in course of time he had developed a good farm from the wilderness. Jan.78, 1831, his household was bereft of the patient, devoted wife and inother, and in 1848 he too passed to the life beyond. Seven children had blessed their wedded life, four sons and three daughters, all of whom have gone the way of all mortality, except our subjeet. The two older sons, John M. and Abisha, took an active part in the Black Hawk War.
James W., of this biographieal review, was born June 30, 1816, in Christian County, Ky., and was about three years of age when he eame with his parents to the Prairie State. Ile received his education in the primitive pioneer sehools, which were of a very poor order, which he attended three months each year, when between the ages
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of eight and eightcen. Ile continued to live on the old homestead after he attained his majority, his father hiring him by the year to assist in its management, and ultimately giving him an eighty acre tract of land, of which only ten acres were fit for cultivation. Our subject commenced the im- provement of his land, and also worked a part of his father's place on shares, continuing thus mutil February, 1849. In that month he married and established a home of his own, Miss Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Reuben Howard, of Scott Connty, becoming his wife. But four years was granted to them to walk the path of life together in happiness and peace, and then the young wife and mother folded her hands in death, and passed to the great beyond, leaving a precious memory of a sweet, pure womanhood that is still fondly cher- ished in the heart of him who knew best all her worth and goodness.
"Somewhere, yet, in the hilltops Of the country that hath no pain, She will watch in her beautiful doorway To bid him welcome again."
Two children blessed the marriage of our sub- ject, one who died in infancy, and Giles. The lat- ter was born Oct. 19, 1849, and was reared to a stalwart, self-reliant manhood on his father's home- stead, and is now numbered among the most intel- ligent and progressive citizens of his native pre- cinet. He possesses in a full degree those sterling qualities of head and heart that command the con- fidence and win the respect of all with whom he associates. His reading is extensive, lie being a lover of good books, and is well informed on all subjects of general interest. March 16, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Jane Packard, daughter of 'Squire Charles Packard, of Lymville, Morgan County. They have three children, of whom the following is the record: Emma May was born April 30, 1876; Charles Russel, April 24, 1881; James Ray, Aug. 20, 1883. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reeder are members in good standing of the regular Baptist Church.
Mr. Reeder, the subject of this biography, has been prospered and has accumulated a com- fortable property wherewith he is content, not striving after great riches. He is a man of strong
common sense, and in all his transactions he con- ducts himself with the same honor and probity that long ago gained him the trust of his fellow-citizens among whom so many years of his life have been passed, and in whose hearts he holds a warm place. He is a sincere Christian, and for thirty years has been a leading member of the regular Baptist Church, of which he is a Deacon. He has been Road Overseer of the precinct. and takes an active part in politics, always voting for the Democratic nominee, except in local elections, and his first vote was cast for Martin VanBuren.
AMES D. HENRY, who is residing ou see- tion 17, township 13, range 9, was born in Morgan County, Nov. 6, 1840, and here has spent the greater part of his life. He ac .. quired a common school education and at an early age became familiar with farm pursuits. He is the son of Greenup C. Henry, who was born in Bour- bon County, Kentucky, July 30, 1808 and who is the son of a native Tennesseean, who removed to the Blue Grass State at an early day.
Mrs. Eleanor (Prather) Henry, the mother of our subject, was born in Kentucky in 1812. After their marriage the parents emigrated to Indiana and in a short time came to Morgan County and located on a tract of wild land from which they built up a farm. There were born to them ten children, five of whom are living, namely: William, Jolin, Mary Ann, Rachel and James D. The father is still living at the old farm and surrounded by all the comforts of life. James D., our subject, after reaching man's estate was married to Miss Margaret McCurley, whose parents came from Alabama. Of this union there were born eight children, namely: George E., William, Peyton, Gussie, Carrie, Gertude, Eva and Ernest. They are all living at home with their parents.
On the 13th of August, 1862, our subjeet en- listed in the Union Army, Company F, 101st Illi- nois Infantry, under command of Col. Fox and Capt. George Fanning. He participated in many of the important battles of the war, acquitting himself as a brave and faithful soldier and at the
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close in 1865, without having received any serious injury, was honorably discharged. Ile at once re- turned home and resumed the farm pursuits to which he had been bred from boyhood. IIe is now the owner of 373 acres of land, thoroughly eulti- vated and improved with good buildings. Mrs. Henry is the owner of forty aeres under a good state of cultivation. The land is devoted largely to live stock, cattle, horses and swine, to which is fed a large proportion of the grain produced upon `the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Henry and two of their children are members in good standing of the Bap- tist Church. Politically Mr. Henry is a Prohibi- tionist.
ON. JOE D. SAWYERS, M. D., a graduate of three different medical colleges, occupies the position of a leading practitioner of medicine and surgery in Seott County, where he commands a fine patronage, and has fully established himself in the esteem and confidenee of the people. He has been a elose student and an extensive reader, and has traveled a great deal through the Western States and Territories. Sinee choosing his profession it has been his aim to excel therein, and he has reason to be proud of what he has been enabled to accomplish in this direction. Politieally, he is a Democrat of the first water, and was elected to the Illinois Legislature in the fall of 1887, in which he served with eredit to him- self and satisfaction to his constituents.
Dr. Sawyers was born April 10, 1851, at his father's homestead near the bluffs in Oxville Pre- cinet, and remained on the farm until a lad of fifteen years. The next three years he was in the West, and in 1869 set out for Prescott, Arizona Territory, where he engaged in teaming and mining in different parts of the Territory, and traveled through the two Mexicos and both in Upper and Lower California, being most of the time with wagon trains and on horseback. IIe also visited Texas and Colorado, and had some experience with hostile Indians, who at one time killed a number of men of his train. Ile journeyed through Idaho, Montana, Dakota, Washington and Oregon; was in the Black Hills and Central City gold mines; indeed has been in
every State and Territory west of the Mississippi with the exception of Arkansas.
Dr. Sawyers in the fall of 1872 returned to Ox- ville and attended school two winters. Afterward he worked on the farm and employed his leisure time in studying medicine, for which he always had a great liking. The year following he entered Ben- nett Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1875, with the honors of his elass. He began the practice of his profession in Oxville, where he remained until 1881 and then resumed his studies in a medical college at St. Louis, from which he was graduated with honor in the class of 1882. He then resumed practice in Oxville until the year following, when he repaired to Cincinnati and practiced there for a time, finally returning to his native place.
Dr. Sawyers now engaged in agricultural pursuits, operating a farm of 130 acres in connection with his father's homestead. In the meantime he kept himself well posted upon the political affairs of the country, and in the spring of 1886 was made the candidate of the Democratie party in this county for the State Legislature. He was elected by a large majority, and after repairing to the capital served on various committees, namely: State Institutions, Soldiers' Home, and License, and introduced many useful measures which were adopted by his col- leagues.
W ILLIAM CHANCE, a highly successful farmer of Scott Connty, is a native of Del- aware, and was born in 1819. Ilis father, Thomas Chance, was born in Delaware, where he prosecuted the business of farming. He removed in an early day from Delaware to Ohio, and four years later settled in Illinois in 1830 in Naples Precinct, where he entered sixty acres of land. Ile was also a participant in the Black Hawk War, and resided in Bluffs Preeinct until his death. The mother of William was Frances Anderson, also a native of Delaware.
William-Chance received his early impressions on a farm, and like the majority of the pioneers of a new country secured his education amid diffieul - ties. The deep snows of the winter did not deter
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these early settlers from walking miles to school. The conditions of gaining book knowledge in those days were widely different from the modern meth- ods. He came West with his father, driving a team the entire distance which separates Ohio from Ill- nois. He was obedient to his father's wishes and remained on the farm aiding him until 1847, when he purchased land of John Morrison, on the river bottoms. This place contained eighty acres, which he continued to improve for about six years when lie bought his present place of about a quarter-scc- tion of splendid land. Ile has improved his farm until it is now a complete place, and altogether he operates 329 acres of land. His house is finely adapted to the wants of a prosperous farmer, and he owns barns and sheds enough to make his stock comfortable. His farm contains all the clements for successful husbandry. In an carly day he planted orchards of apples and peaches. Hle also has an abundance of small fruit, a fine vineyard and everything of that kind that would conduce to the comfort and prosperity of himself and family. Ile is engaged in general farming and raises good horses and cattle. He also has a dairy in connec- tion with his farm.
Mr. Chance was twice married. In 1848 he mar- ried Miss Ellen Adams, a native of Ohio. She died in Scott County, leaving two children, Charles and Emma, the latter being deceased. llis second mar- riage was with Mrs. Annie Oaks, Nov. 2, 1855. She is the daughter of Benjamin Green. Mrs. Chance is a native of Bluffs, and was born Oct. 14, 1830. She was educated in the common schools of the day, remaining at home until her first marriage, which occurred in 1851 to Mr. John W. Oaks, a native of Ohio. Hle came to Illinois when he was twenty-one years old and purchased a farm con- taining 400 acres, which he improved and operated until his death in 1853. His widow rented out the farm, but resided there until her second marriage. By her first husband she was the mother of one child, Margaret, the wife of Curtis Unger, a farmer of Naples; By her second husband she had one chikl, Ilenrietta, who is now living at home.
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