USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 78
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 78
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The subject of this sketch received a limited education, and has always been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He was married at the age of
nearly twenty-six years, Nov. 18, 1869, to Miss Sadonia Ilouston, whose parents were natives of Kentucky, and for a number of years residents of Cass County, Ohio. Of the five children born of this union two are deceased. The survivors are, Florence, Guy and Mande S. Morris, and one child unnamed are deceased.
The Wilday homestead comprises 280 acres of choice land, which, with the exception of about sixty acres, is situated in the famous Meredosia bottoms, noted for the fertility of the soil. The principles of the Democratic party coincide with the political views of our subject, although in local matters le votes for the man whoin he considers best qualified for oflice. Ile was elected School Trustee in the spring of 1887, for a term of three years, and has signalized himself as the friend of education and progress. While having no use for the drones in the world's great hive, no man is more ready to assist those who will try to help themsel ves.
BROWNLOW is one of Morgan County's representative men. Ile has been active as a farmer in previous years, but is now enjoying the fruit of his toil, a retired but by no means inactive life. Ile was born in Sntton-upon- Trent, Nottinghamshire, England, on the 9th of Oct. 1823. llis parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Brownlow were both natives of England. They provided their son with as good an education as possible, which was however, somewhat limited in seope, but has been greatly extended by subsequent reading, so that upon all general topics he is well versed. Ile has been engaged in farming from his youth and is thoroughly acquainted with all prac- tical points connected with his chosen calling.
Prior to leaving England he was married to Elizabeth Olden. His second matrimonial alliance was with Maria Bingham. Of this union six chil- dren were born, five of whom survive. Their names are as follows: Thomas, George, Henry, Winfield and William. The deceased child was the daughter, Mary.
Mr. Brownlow emigrated to America in 1850. Seven weeks were consumed by the ocean passage
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from Liverpool to New York. Upon landing he almost immediately started West, coming to Mor- gan County and for a short time worked as a farın hand for Dr. Thomas Wakeley, near Markham, after which he bought a farm in Seott County, and there resided for several years. Returning again to Morgan County in 1868 he settled upon a farm in section 3, township 15, range 12, where lie eon- tinued to live until the spring of 1883, when he re- moved to Chapin. Retiring from active farm la- bor he prepared to spend the remainder of his years in the quiet rest and enjoyment he had so well earned. Ile owns 152 aeres of thoroughly good land and his farm is well stocked and provided with all things neeessary to its successful opera- tion. The sueeess that has perched upon his ban- ners is the success that must come to honest, per- severing endeavor, when sueh efforts are intelli- gently directed. In the upward struggle he has ever been cheered and encouraged by his wife, who has been nobly true throughout the years of her wifehood and has largely contributed to the bright- ness and suceess of his life.
Mr. Brownlow for several years and while a res- ident of Seott County was School Director. In political affairs he has espoused principles of the Democratie party and usually votes its ticket. He has always had the interests of the community and State at heart and this being recognized he is ac- corded the hearty respeet and esteem of the people.
b ON. JAMES M. RIGGS is one of the lead- ing citizens of Seott County, and in its his- tory has played a prominent part. He is a native of Scott County, and was born April 17, 1839. lle received a common school edu- cation, supplementing that later by a partial colle- giate course.
After leaving college, Mr. Riggs chose the law as his profession, and after studying the required length of time he was admitted to the bar, and has since practiced with successful results, except when holding the office of Sheriff, which position he oe- eupied for two years, having been elected in No- vember, 1864. In 1871-72 he was chosen to rep-
resent Seott County in the House of the Twenty- Seventh General Assembly of Illinois. For four years he served the people faithfully and well as States-Attorney for Scott County, having been chosen to that offiee in November, 1872. Ile was eleeted to the Forty-Eight Congress and then re- elected, as a Demoerat, receiving 22,046 votes, against 15,177 for Black, Republican; 820 for Parker, Greenbacker; 161 for Wallace, Prohibi- tionist, and forty votes scattering.
James M. Riggs is a son of John Adams Riggs and Orpha (Campbell) Riggs, who were natives of Tennessee. Grandfather Riggs came to Illinois during the territorial days, and was a member of the first Illinois Legislature. His name was Seott Riggs. Edward Riggs, the head of the family in this country, emigrated from England and settled at Roxbury, Mass., early in the summer of 1633. Ile brought his wife and family of two sons and four daughters with him. His son Edward mar- ried Elizabeth Roosa, in 1635. He was a Sergeant in the Pequot War, and greatly distinguished him- self in resening his eommander and twelve of his companions from an ambuseade, and he was ever after known as "Sergeant Riggs." In 1646 he settled at Milford, Conn. In 1655 he was a lead- ing man in the purchase of a district north of Mil- ford, and in making a new plantation there. Ilis location is known as " Riggs Hill," and is still in possession of liis descendants. Ilis family consisted of Edward, Samuel, Joseph and Mary. Thus is shown a synopsis of the history of the head of the family in America, and to earry this genealogy down to the succeeding generations would be alto- gether beyond the compass of this biography.
James M. Riggs married Lilly Berry Dee. 31, 1868. She is the daughter of Dr. L. Berry, who was at that time a resident of Winehester. Mr. and Mrs. Riggs are the parents of the following children: Leeie, Ralph, Roy, Berry, Ceeil, Kent, Lilly Belle, Max, and Lillie Belle (deceased). Mr. Riggs is an only son of his parents,' and had two sisters who died in infancy, and two now living, one in Winehester and another in Wiehita, Kan.
Seott Riggs, the grandfather mentioned before, was born in Oaks County, N. C. His wife's maiden name was Hannah Berry. The maternal grand-
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father was James Campbell and the grandmother Margaret Berry. The ancestors of the subject of this sketch were distinguished for their high char- acter, and for the part they have taken in the early history of this country. During the Revolutionary War the Riggs family was brave and patriotic, and the descendants have inherited many of their characteristics. The Lon. James M. Riggs, of whom we write, is a man of great natural ability, and one who has acquitted himself well in all of the high and responsible positions he has held. Ile is extremely popular with all classes, and is held in high esteem as a neighbor.
RANCIS CASTLEDINE. Among the old and much valued citizens of Morgan County must be mentioned the gentleman whose biography is here sketched, at present residing at Chapin. Ile is a native of Lincolnshire, England, where he was born on the 17th of November, 1823, to John and Mary Castledine. He was reared to the years of manhood in his native country, and received a somewhat rudimentary education, after which he devoted himself to farming, which occu- pation he has followed the greater part of his life. For about one year he drove a stage-coach in Eng- land.
The subject of our sketel emigrated to America in 1851, taking passage on a sailing-vessel at Liver- pool. The ocean trip lasted for about twenty-eight days, and provided much food for thought, as the wonders of Neptune's empire were presented for the first time. Landing in New York City, he came direct to New Albany, Ind., and there remained for a few months, when he came to Scott County, Ill., and worked for two years and one month as a farm hand, for Thomas Coultas, after which he came to Morgan County and bought a farm of eighty- three acres on seetion 11, near Chapin. Subse- quently he purchased an additional seventy acres on section 9, township 15, range 12, making in all 150 acres which he still owns, all of good and im- proved land.
Mr. Chapin was first married on the 22d of De- - cember, 1853, when he was united with Mary A.
Coultas. To them were born two children, Sarah J., and John F., both of whom are deceased. The dis- tressing feature of their death, was perhaps, that both died within an hour of each other in October, 1885, the cause of death being malarial fever. Their mother died on the 17th of May, 1860. On the 3d of JJanuary, 1865, our subjeet was married the second time, the lady being Mary Middleton, born on the 10th of May, 1835. She is the daugh- ter of Richard and Martha Middleton. In 1860 she emigrated to this country from England, the land of her nativity, aud came direct to Illinois and continued to make her home in Scott County for about four years. At the end of that period she eame to Morgan County, where she has resided ever since.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Castledine are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, our subject being one of the church Stewards for many years. Both are now in the declining years of life, and their westerning sun casts its rays over the pathway of lives well spent, and filled with deeds that have won for them the highest regard and esteem of all who know them. Our subject has served in the office of Road Supervisor for a number of years, and also as School Director. He has always been a true citizen, and, as becomes a pioneer, a man filled with that spirit which clevates the interest of the community, even above that of self. At a very early age he began to work upon a farm, and to make his own way in the world. His success to be appreciated must be contrasted with his early en- vironment, with all its limitations and lack of pri- vilege, despite all of which he has come to occupy the place and position he does to-day, and to enjoy the confidence and high regard of the community of which he is a member.
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W ILLIAM B. MARKHAM. Morgan County has few more valued or esteemed citizens than the subject of this biography. It is his native county, his birth occurring on the 15th of November, 1858. He is the son of Edward and Ann Markham, natives of England. They emi- grated to this country about 1838, and came direct
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to Illinois, settling in this county on a farm adjoin- ing the site of the present Markliam Station. Upon settling here Mr. Markham purchased 160 acres of land, paying for the same at the rate of $6 per acre. The land had few improvements, and he oc- cupied himself for many years in developing it from its' dreary and primeval condition. Here le made his home until his decease, in 1848. His farm then comprised 260 acres of land, in a very high state of cultivation, and provided with everything in the line of farm buildings needed for a well- managed farm of that extent. Ilis wife survived him about ten years, and died in the year 1858. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom five only survived, these are: Ellen, widow of the late John McCluskey, of Jacksonville; Mary A., wife of John T. Longley; David, who lives at Springfield; Mathilda A., now Mrs. O. C. Ducket; and. William B., our subject. Those deceased are as follows: George, Caroline, Eliza, Jane, Eliza- beth and Thomas.
Edward Markham was, in his political relations, a member of the Whig party. He was a thorough pioneer, and upon his demise his fellow-citizens showed in all possible ways their appreciation of his efforts on behalf of the public good, as well as personal respect and sympathy for his family. Ile was prominent in the affairs of the county, and also in religious cireles, being a devout and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and en- joyed the confidence and esteem of those who were connected with him in that relation, as well as of the community at large.
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William B. Markham, the subject of our sketch, was reared upon a farm. Such education as was obtainable was given him, although it would now, perhaps, be considered quite incomplete. In 1858 he went to Alabama, where he remained until 1865, when he returned home. Since that time he has continued his residence uninterruptedly in this county. Ile was married on the 20th of February, 1868, the maiden of his choice being Harriet J. Willlams, daughter of Uell and Emily Williams, who like his own parents, were early settlers in the county, having come hither about the year 1838. Her father died in February, 1880, and her mother in April, 1884. She was one of four children born
to them, whose names are recorded as follows: El- zina, wife of Lynas Williams, of Whiteside County ; Mary, deceased; Charles, of this county; and Em- ily, Mrs. W. B. Markham.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Markham has been fruitful in the birth of five children, whose names are: Effie J., who was born on the 15th day of May, 1869; Thomas U., Oct. 29, 1872; Annie E., Dec. 13, 1874; Fannie P., July 20, 1878; and Ilarry W., Feb. 22, 1873. This interesting family is being brought up by our subject, so far as religious training is concerned, in the Christian Church, of which both parents are devout mem- bers, our subject having served as an Elder in the same for many years.
Mr. Markham and his wife are now in the prime of life, and enjoy it in their beautiful home, sur- rouned as they are by all the conveniences, and not a few of the luxuries of life. They are always found taking an active part in any project or en- terprise that is for the benefit of the people, relig- ious organizations, or the younger members of the community. They move in the best circles of so- ciety, and are everywhere highly respected. Our subject served three years as School Director, per- forming cvery duty that came to him in that rela- tion with careful, conscientious punctiliousness. He has always been identified with the Democratic party, being an ardent friend and supporter of the same.
C OLUMBUS HAIRGROVE, who during his younger years was engaged first as a car- penter and builder and later as a farmer, is now living retired from active labor in the city of Jacksonville surrounded by all the comforts of life, the result of his early enterprise and industry. A native of the State of Georgia, he was born in Troup County, April 29, 1828, and went with his parents to Aberdeen, Miss., where he was reared to farm pursuits and acquired a common-school edu- cation. When a young man of twenty-two years he started out in life for himself, being equipped with a good knowledge of the trades of carpenter and millwright. He secured employment at the former until after the outbreak of the Rebellion
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and then enlisted on the 6th of August, 1862, in Company D, 101st Illinois Infantry as a private and served two years and ten months.
The army experience of Mr. Hairgrove was largely as a sharpshooter on the gunboats Cricket and Rattler. While on the former going up the Little Red River, he happened to be standing about one foot from the port hole of the vessel, when a twenty-four pound eannon was diselarged and from that moment the hearing departed from his left ear and has never been recovered. Ilis father was in the service one year, joining his five sons in conflict with the enemies of the Union. With the exception of Columbus and his brother, John A., they came out of the service unharmed. John was wounded in the leg but not seriously.
During the border war the father of our subject was shot in the lungs in Lane County, Kan., in the year 1858. He was wounded in the lungs and baek while his son at the same time was shot in the face and hands. They were left for dead, having lain as still as they could under the circumstances. The Rebels coming along turned both men over, the latter in the meantime keeping perfectly quiet and appearing as if dead. With a remark that they " were dead as hell" their foes departed and the victims thus made their escape.
While at Holly Springs, Miss., our subject was taken prisoner and was at once exchanged and ordered to Jefferson Barraeks, St. Louis. Ile was subsequently shot on the side of the head while on a transport going down Red River. He was shot in the thigh at the battle of Dallas and was mus- tered out as Corporal in consequence of wounds.
Upon his honorable discharge in the city of Waslı- ingthn, D. C., Mr. Hairgrove returned to this State and engaged in farming near Woodson, south of Jacksonville. Ile cultivated a tract of 120 acres until the Spring of 1877, then selling out retired from active labor and purchased the home which he now oceupies at No. 308 East Morgan street.
The parents of our subjeet were William and Sarah (Johnston) Hairgrove, the father a native of South Carolina and the mother of North Carolina. The former was millwright and farmer combined and upon his removal to Aberdeen, Miss., culti- vated a tract of land for a period of fourteen
years. "Thence he came to Illinois and lived in Morgan County until 1857. Then moving aeross the Mississippi into Lynn County, Kan., he followed farming there until his death, which occurred the 12th of March, 1872. The mother passed away about 1879. Their family consisted of eleven children, of whom the following are living: George, Column- bus, John, William J., Frances M. and Ilenry C.
Columbus Hairgrove was married in Morgan County, March 6, 1853 to Mrs. Rose A. Whitlock, a native of Adair County, Ky., and the daughter of Jolm and Mary (Shepherd) Whitlock. The parents of Mrs. Hairgrove were natives respectively of Virginia and North Carolina. The father was a farmer by oceupation and spent the greater part of his life in Morgan County. He died about 1871. The mother is still living at the age of ninety years and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. lairgrove.
The wife of our subject was born March 30, 1827, and was first married to Hugh Whitlock 28th of October 1844. Of her marriage with Mr. H. there were born two children - Mary J. and Dr. Jolin W., a practicing physician of Waverly. Mr. Hairgrove has meddled very little with politieal affairs, but by reading keeps himself well posted upon current events and some time ago publicly announced himself by his vote as being in sympathy with the Greenback party. While living on his farm he was a School Director in his district.
W ILLIAM SHEPHERD. This late well- known pioneer of Morgan County, eame to Illinois in 1841, became a resident of Morgan County in 1844 and spent his last peaceful days at the farm now owned and oceupied by his son, William W., a prominent farmer and stoek- raiser, residing on seetion 33 and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
The subject of this sketch was born in Kentucky, Jan. 7, 1803, and early in life removed to Ohio, where he lived until emigrating to Illinois. In this State he located first in LaSalle County and two years later, as before mentioned, took up his residenee in Morgan, and after many years spent
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iu the labor incident to pioneer life gradually re- tired from its more active duties and departed this life in July, 1879. The maiden name of his wife was Jane L. Blair, a native of Tennessee. The pa- rents of Mrs. Shepherd left the Blue Grass State when she was very young, removing to Ohio, in which State she lived until her marriage which oe- curred July 13, 1826. She, with her husband, en- dured the hardships and privations incident to life in a new country and departed hence three years prior to his decease, her death occurring July 12, 1876, when she was seventy-one years old. She united with the Presbyterian Church in her youth, and maintained her membership throughout the remainder of a long and worthy life.
To William and Jane L. (Blair) Shepherd, there was born a family of eight children of whom the record is as follows: William W., was born May 5, 1827, and has already been mentioned; James A., was born June 17, 1828, married Miss Alvira Drury of Morgan County, and is now living at Newton, Iowa; they have four children-Charles .1., Frederick, Frank and a babe unnamed. Martha J., was born JJan. 30, 1832 and died May 10, 1885; . she married J. II. Ilill, of Jacksonville, and became the mother of four children-Mary J., Ella F., Eva J., and Grace C. George was born Feb. 14, 1834, married Mary Stephenson, of Sangamon County and lives near Sidney, Neb., where he is engaged in farming; during the late Civil War he served in the Union Army as Wagonmaster. Richard M. was born April 14, 1837, enlisted as a Union soldier in the 101st Illinois Infantry and went with Sherman on his famous march to the sea; he is now engaged in the nursery business near Bloomington. Josephi W. was born March 28, 1840 and during the Civil War enlisted in the 101st Illinois Infantry and was Superintendent of Forti- fications at Memphis, Tenn., until his death, which occurred in 1862. Emily A. was born Aug. 10, 1842 and was married to Mr. George Jolinson; Jolm B., was born May 26, 1856 and died that same day.
The Shepherds form a part and parcel of the worth and respectability of Morgan County, being honest, upright, intelligent citizens, lovers of law and order, and who have exercised no unimportant
part in bringing this section to its present condi- tion, socially, morally and financially. Every man who has lived honestly, built up a homestead and reared his children to become worthy citizens, has performed a goodly share in the great drama of life and is worthy of being held in remembrance.
B ENJAMIN WILDAY, an Illinois pioneer of 1842, eaine to Logan County, this State, with his wife and two children during that year and taking up a piece of wild land la- bored upon it until 1848. That year he changed his residence to Morgan County, of which he has since been a resident. Ile farmed on rented land a number of years and and finally settled on section 25, township 6, range 13, where he resided until 1887. Ile then removed to his present homestead on seetion 36, township 16, range 13.
A native of Pike County, Ohio, Mr. Wilday was born in Feb. 1815, and is the son of Thomas and Ella Wilday, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Delaware. They settled in Ohio at an early day and became the parents of nine chil- dren, five of whom survive. Nancy, Mrs. Cline, is a resident of Logan County, this State; Jeriel; Re- beeea married John Gilliland of Morgan County; Betsey, Mrs. Corwine, is a widow and resides in Lincoln; Charles, Alexander and Benjamin.
Our subject was reared to man's estate in his na- tive county and pursued his studies in the log cabin school house principally during the winter season. 'The temple of learning was a rude struet- ure in keeping with the times, destitute of patent seats or desks and with greased paper for window panes. The floor was made of puncheons and the chimney was built outside of earth and stieks. The system of education was in keeping with the build- ing and its appointments, but the youth of that day grew up strong and healthy in mind and morals, and almost uniformly made good and reliable eiti- zens.
Young Wilday remained a member of his father's household until ready to establish domestie ties of his own. He was married in his native county May 20, 1837, to Miss Sarah Hults, and they so-
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journed there for a period of five years. Their subsequent movements we have already indicated. Of the nine children born to them six are living, namely : William Il., Charles A., Elizabeth, Are- thusa J., James M. and. Benjamin R. At the time Mr. Wilday came to Morgan County a large pro- portion of the land was in its primitive condition, only a comparatively few men having yet ventured on to the Western frontier. Ile endured his full share of hardship and privation, laboring early and late in obtaining a foothold and making a eomfor- table living for his family. Ile has a fine farın, part of which lies in the fertile Meredosia bottoms. He commenced the battle of life for himself with- out means or resources other than the. good health and stout muscles with which nature had endowed him.
& Mr. Wilday suffered an irreparable loss in the death of his estimable wife, which took place Dee. 16, 1861. She was a lady possessing all the Chris- tian virtues and her death was not only deeply mourned by her own family but regretted through- out the community. Mr. Wilday is a time-worn veteran of seventy-four years and while reflecting upon the changes of a long life, may feel that . his time has been reasonably well spent and that he has learned much from experience and observation. Ile has had very little to do with public affairs and has never been confined within any party lines, avail- ing himself of the privilege to support for office those men whom he considers most likely to serve the interests of the people. In religious matters he is identified with the Baptist Church.
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