USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 79
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 79
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OHN D. IIART is a prominent breeder of blooded eattle, horses, hogs and sheep, and a leading farmer of Morgan County. Mr. llart is proud of the fact that he is the lin- eal descendant of one of the two Ilart brothers, who landed at Charleston, S. C. in 1700, and whose ca- reer has been touched upon in another part of this volume. David Hart, the father of John D., was born in Mercer Co., Ky., July 2, 1802, where he resided for some years, when he removed with his father to Tennessee. David Hart married Eliza-
beth Rhodes, who was born in 1805, and was mar- ried to David Ilart in 1824. Her people came from Maryland and North Carolina in the last cen- tury, and from there removed to Bedford Co., Tenn. In Dec. 1829, the parents of the subject of this sketch emigrated to Morgan County, and lo- cated upon the homestead of eighty acres, now belonging to the old estate, but which, at the time of David Hart's death, had been inereased to 622 aeres.
David Hart was the father of a large family of children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Melissa, married John White; both are deceased, but left one child, Sarah E., who married William Turner of Macoupin Co., Ill. Ellen deceased married Robert Privott, of Kentucky; they had seven chil- dren-Ilarlan N, Willburn, Sarah, John, Robert, George and Luclla. Washington married Sarah White, now deceased, and they had nine children- David, Lydia and Naney (deceased), Harvey, An- derson (deccased), Emma, Francis, Martha and Ellen. Harvey married Margaret Dugger; they are living in Christian County, and are the parents of eight children-Belle, Douglas, Mary, Melinda, Maria, Clay D., Dwight and Carroll. Elizabeth mar- ried Marion Redfern and they have six children- America, Edward, Jefferson, Jasper, Ilenry and Wesley (deceased). Benton (deceased) married Luey A. Austin, of North Carolina; they had six children, two of whom, John and Ada, are deceased. The four living are Nettie, Charles, Alvah and David. Jefferson married Emma Dugger, now deceased, and is the father of five children-Belle, John, Malissa, Eva and James (deceased). Jane married Dred Dugger, of Gallatin Co., Ill., and they had eleven children-Kate, Edgar, Tillie, Alice, Clara, Ilattie, Rosella, James, Maggie, Laura and Ralph. Martha married Rev. William Evans, of Kentucky, (and now deceased) and they had seven children- Sarah, May, William, James, David, Eddie and Ella (deceased). William married Ella Belsher, of Macoupin County. They are the parents of nine children-Alice, America, Emma, Lonis, Martha, Everett, Nora, Annie and Bert (deceased).
John D. Hart was married to Annie E. Ander- son, whose people were from Kentucky. She traces her ancestry to Scotland. In this family
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are six children-Sylvia O., Willard W., Mura M., Garney C., Iva I. and Carson C.
Mr. Hart, in common with other pioneers of this country, started in life with little money, but with a large amount of hope, and with this capital, has succeeded admirably. His economical habits, un- abated industry and good business faculties have placed him in the enviable position of indepen- dence. His farm contains 416 acres of first-class land, peculiarly adapted to agriculture and stock raising. The buildings upon this farm are models of convenience and utility. Mr. Ilart is a breeder of stock, and makes a specialty of black Polled Angus cattle. He has a splendid herd of these superior cattle, and is justified in being proud of their fine breeding.
Mr. Hart is a member of the Masonic order, and politically votes with the Democratic party, because he believes that party to be in the right, and he takes great interest in polities, but he is not now, and perhaps never will be, an aspirant for office.
The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Ilart emi- grated from Scotland to Kentucky in the beginning of the nineteenth century, and, after living there a few years, came to Illinois, settling in Morgan Coun- ty. Their son, Andrew Anderson, the father of Mrs. Hart, was born in Kentucky, and was married in this county to Miss Elizabeth Cole. Their seven children were named respectively, Robert W., James T., Jolın P., Annie E., Sarah J. (deceased), Stephen D. and Alfred R.
ARAHI E. FOREMAN, widow of the late William Walker Foreman, is in possession of a fine home located at No. 463 East State street, Jacksonville, where she lives surrounded by all the comforts of life and many of its luxuries. She is a lady held in high esteem by a large circle of acquaintances, and is the subject of an interesting history, the main points of which are as follows:
A native of Bourbon County, Ky., Mrs. Fore- man was born July 20, 1826, to Garland Kerr and Penelope S. (Edwards) Smith, being the eldest of their four children. Her oldest sister, Sophia,
married Dr. James S. Offutt, of Scott County, Ky., and still resides there. Martha J. was the wife of John M. Burch, of the same place, but is now a widow, Mr. Burch having died about 1873. Geor- gia A., Mrs. LaFayette Dewees, of Jacksonville, was married at the home of our subject, then went to Texas with her husband, but remained there only a few months, returning to Jacksonville, where she now lives. She is a widow, Mr. Dewees hav- ing died about 1861.
The parents of Mrs. Foreman were natives of Kentucky, and the father a farmer by occupation. He was one of a family of ten children who were named respectively, Sidney, Mary Ann, David, Elizabeth, William Addison, James, Clifton, How- ard, Emeline and Garland. Of these only two are living, namely : Sidney and Howard. Mary Ann married Dr. William S. Hood, of Clark County, Ky. Emeline married Alexander Offutt.
Upon reaching womanhood, Sarah E. Kerr was united in marriage, February, 1843, to William Walker Foreman. This gentleman was also a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and born Nov. 17, 1819, being the son of Aaron and Mary Hays (Walker) Foreman, and the eldest of a family of eight children. Of these James II. alone survives. Mary, the youngest daughter, became the wife of Proctor Knott, who was elected Governor of Ken- tucky.
The parents of Mr. Foreman died when he was very young, and he subsequently made his home with an uncle. He was a bright and studious boy and secured a college education. He followed teach- ing for a time, and later engaged in farming in Bourbon County, Ky. In 1856 he sold his land in the Blue Grass State, and coming to Morgan County, engaged for a short time in the lumber trade in Jacksonville. Hle conducted this, however, a comparatively short time, subsequently withdraw- ing from active business, and on account of ill health lived quietly at his home until passing away on the 12th of August, 1886. Politically he was a stanch Democrat, and in religious matters a member of the Christian Church. He was a first- class business man and a Director in the First National bank at Jackson ville.
To Mr. and Mrs. Foreman there were born the
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children whose record is as follows: Clifton Rice, born in Scott County, Ky., Oct. 12, 1844, and Kerr Smith, born Oct. 30, 1851, in Bourbon County, Ky., are carrying on agriculture in Clinton County, Mo .; Lizzie Walker, who was born Oct. 1, 1858, became the wife of Dan MeMillen, of LaGrange, Ga., and is the mother of one child, Walker Fore- man, who was born Dee. 22, 1881. Mrs. Foreman has been a member of the Christian Church in Jacksonville for many years. She has been a care- ful and judicious mother, a kind neighbor, and is universally esteemed.
E LIAS METCALF, a native of this State, came, in 1840, to Morgan County, and pur- chased land on section 4, township 15. Ile was prospered in his labors as a tiller of the soil, effected good improvements in the shape of farm buildings, and added to his first purchase, so that he is now the owner of 135 acres, which is chiefly devoted to cattle raising. He has now a tasteful and commodious residence, and all the ontbuild- ings necessary for the successful prosecution of his calling. Ile has been a man of note in his county, serving as Deputy Sheriff and Constable, and occu- pying various positions of trust and responsibility.
The ancestors of our subject were natives of Vir- ginia and Maryland, and of English origin. They have now become scattered over the whole of the United States. Elias was born Dec. 22, 1821, and is the son of Emanuel and Sarah (Purser) Metealf, natives of North Carolina. They removed to Ken- tueky shortly after their marriage, where the father carried on farming until 1812. Ile then removed to White Connty, Ill., after having done good ser- vice as a soldier in the war of 1812, and from White County he removed to Morgan County, III. He departed this life at the homestead in Morgan Coun- ty, in April, 1866. The mother had passed away previous to the decease of her husband Feb. 26, 1864.
Mr. Metcalf, our subject, carly in life became familiar with farm pursnits, and was trained to those habits of industry and economy which have followed him all through life. At the age of
twenty-four years he was married to Miss Eliza- beth Black, a native of Kentucky. They began life together upon a farm in Morgan County, and became the parents of the following children: John P., the eldest son, married Miss Mary Kelley, of St. Louis, Mo., and they have three children ; Nettie became the wife of J. II. Mapes, of Saline, Kan., and is the mother of six children; William R. married Miss Ella Kendall, of Morgan County, and they are the parents of three children; Arthur E. is a resident of St. Louis; Lizzie married Dr. John Trible, of Alton, Ill., and has two children. Mrs. Elizabeth Metealf departed this life at her home near Jacksonville, Jan. 29, 1863.
Our subject, Dec. 25, 1865, contracted a second marriage with Miss Emily Mead. This lady was born in Delaware County, Ohio, Apr. 21,.1833, and is the daughter of Daniel and Lydia (Root) Mead, natives respectively of Vermont and Ohio. Iler father was a marble-cutter by trade, and after a residence of a few years in the Buckeye State, re- moved to Indiana, where he died in 1857. The mother survives him, making her home in Du- buque, Iowa. Our subject and his wife are mem- bers of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in Jack- sonville, and Mr. Metealf politically, votes the straight Republican ticket .. He is an earnest advo- cate of the principles of his party, and keeps him- self well posted upon current events.
R. C. G. JONES, junior member of the firm of II. K. and C. G. Jones, and who, with his brother, commands a lucrative practice in Jacksonville and vicinity, was born in Rappahannock County, Va., Sept. 3, 1827. Ile was taken by his parents to Lincoln County, Mo., when a mere child, and spent his time there upon the farm and in attendance at the common school until a youth of sixteen years. Ile then became a student in Troy Academy, in Lincoln County, Mo., and later, in 1849, of Illinois College. From this institution he was graduated in 1854. Then returning to Missouri, he organized and conducted an academy in Troy, while he devoted his leisure hours to the study of medicine.
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Our subject, about 1866, came to Jacksonville and completed his medical studies under the in- struction of his brother. During the winters of 1866-67 and 1867-68, he attended the St. Louis Medical College, from which he was graduated, and soon afterward became associated with his brother in the practice which they have since made extensive and profitable. Ile was married July 22, 1856, to Miss Sarah Wing, of Troy, Mo., who was born Mareh 28, 1828, in that place. The parents of Mrs. Jones were Horaee B. and Mary ( Perkins) Wing, who were natives of Vermont and are now deecased.
In the sketeh of Dr. II. K. Jones, found else- where in this volume, will be noted the parental history. Our subjeet, politieally, is an earnest Republiean, and, with his estimable wife, a member of the Congregational Church. Dr. Jones is con- nected with most of the medieal associations of Illinois, including the Morgan County Medical Society, besides the Mieroscopieal Society of Jack- sonville, the American Philosophieal Society and the Jacksonville Literary Club. His residenee is in the western part of the eity, near that of his brother.
G. GILLETT, L. L. D., who since the month of April, 1856, has served so ably and faithfully in the capacity of Superin- tendent of the Institution for Deaf and Dumb at Jacksonville, is a graduate of the DePaw University of Indiana. His diploma bears the date of the year 1852, and eonfers the degree A. B. The same institution has sinee conferred on him the degrees of A. M. and L. L. D. For four years after leaving the University he was employed in the In- diana Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and dis- played such ability in this special line of work as to lead to his connection with the Jacksonville In- stitution. Hle is acknowledged the most able and competent instructor and administrator the institu- tion has known, and few, if any, ean surpass him within the bonnds of the Union. The enrollment in the institution at the present time is 570 The corps of teachers numbers thirty-one.
The subject of this writing was born in Madison,
Indiana, on the 24 of March, 1833. Ile is the son of Rev. S. T. and Harriet (Good) Gillett, natives of the States of New York and Ohio, respectively. The parents of our subjeet are still living. The Gillett family may be traced back to the days of the Hugenots, of which people it had its origin. Representatives thereof settled in Dorchester, Mass., as early as 1630. The father of our subject has been a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over fifty years. In early life he was in the serviee of the United States Navy.
Dr. Gillett was married on the 22d of May, 1854, and became the husband of Miss Ellen M. Phipps. This lady was born in the city of Indianapolis and is a graduate of the Indiana Female College of that eity. IIer parents, Isaac and Julia (Cully ) Phipps, were natives of 'Tennessee and Kentucky, respeet- ively. There have been born of this union four children, viz .: Harriet, now the wife of Dr. Charles K. Cole, of IIelena, Mont .; Charles P., who is his father's assistant in the Institute; Alma, who fills the position of Principal of the Department of Artienlation in the Institute, and Philip Fred, a student at Illinois College.
Both Doetor and Mrs. Gillett are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal Church, active workers and liberal supporters in connection with the same. The Doctor has twice been a member of the Gen- eral Conference and a member of the Book Coun- eil of the church. For a period of fourteen years he was a member of the International Sunday- school Lesson Committee, and has been President of the International Sunday-school Convention. IIe is Vice President of the American Sunday-sehool Union, and was twiee President of the Illinois Sun- day-school Convention. He is a prominent member of the Beta Theta Pi, which is the largest College fraternity in the world, and he is now President of the Association of Principals and Superintendents of American Institutes for the Deaf and Dumb.
Being so deeply interested and fully ocenpied in religions, professional and learned societies Dr. Gillett necessarily has not had opportunity to take a prominent part in the political arena. IIe is, however, careful to he fully conversant with all eurrent questions that concern the interests of the people and the welfare of the country. In the Ma-
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sonic fraternity the Doctor is very popular, and at all times well received. Ile was the first Eminent Commander of Hospitaller Commandery No. 32, of the order of Knights Templar. He has always sustained a worthy reputation in connection with masonry. He is a man as highly respected as he is widely known. His personal worth as well as his ability and mental power command the highest pos- sible regard, and it is freely and heartily accorded him.
M ARTIN VOGEL, manufacturer of car- riages, buggies, wagons, sleighs, etc., and every description of a road vehicle, may usually be found at his headquarters No. 225 North Sandy street. Ile was horn in Texas in 1842, and when a child three years of age removed with his parents to Cincinnati, Ohio. The latter were George P. and Martha (Swain) Vogel, who were natives of Germany. The father operated for many years as a contractor and builder, and is now living in retirement at Lawrenceburg, Ind.
The parental household includes eight children. Martin received a common-school education like his brothers and sisters and when a youth of fifteen years commenced his apprenticeship at the trade of a carriage-maker under the instructions of his father in Cincinnati, Ohio. "After working eigh- teen months his peaceful vocation was changed to. that of a soldier in the Union army, as he enlisted in Company D), 32d Indiana Infantry, in which he yielded a faithful service of thirty-seven monthis. He participated in many of the important bat- tles, and at Altona received an honorable wound. Hle was in the battle at Green River, Ky., at Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Perry Hill, Chickamauga, and went with Sherman in his march to the sea. At Murfreesboro he was captured by the enemy and confined in Libby and Castle Thunder prisons for three months. Otherwise than to suffer the natural resnits of privations and exposure, he came out unharmed and received an honorable discharge.
Upon leaving the army Mr. Vogel returned to Cineinnati, Ohio, where he completed his trade, developing into a journeyman. The year 1867 found him in Morgan County, and in the city of Jackson-
ville, he entered the employ of Richards & Co., with whom he remained until 1871. He then com- menced business for himself, and by his straight- forward method of carrying on his affairs, his in- dustry and integrity he was soon in the enjoy- ment of a large patronage and giving employ- ment at times to as many as nine men. The sue- eess has continued to the present time and he is now numbered among the leading business men of Jacksonville, his manufactory being elassed among its leading interests.
One of the most important events in the life of our subject was his marriage in 1872, with Miss Laura A., daughter of R. G. Don Carlos. To Mr. and Mrs. Vogel there was born one child only, a son, Earl. Mr. Vogel is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the I. O. O. F., and politically, a a stanch Republican. The neat and comfortable family residence is located at No. 412 South Main street.
W ILLIAM L. FAY, editor of the Daily and Weekly Jacksonville Journal, is a native of this State. having been born in Spring- field March 15, 1851. He was educated in the grandest of all schools, experience, commeneing at the bottom of the ladder. and climbing slowly but steadily and surely, until he reached the top rounds. He was ten years of age when he commenced co work in the printing-office of the old Jacksonville Sentinel, and from that time until the present he has been continuously in the newspaper work. He began by setting type, and was gradually promoted until in 1874 he came into the Journal oflice as night-editor and foreman. In November, 1886, the Journal company then organized with Mr. Fay as one of the principal stock-holders, and from that date he has been associated with Mr. Nichols, whose sketch will be found in the ALBUM. These two gentlemen have jointly edited and managed the two editions with signal success. Their news- paper enjoys a large circulation and a finely paying advertising list, and has more influence than most of its competitors in this region. Mr. Fay has heen very successful as a newspaper man, and with Mr. Nichols has brought this paper up to a high
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standard of excellence by sheer foree of industry, and by technical and general intelligence. In poli- tics the Journal commands an influence which is felt in the counsel of its party and it is read with respect by the leaders.
In the social world Mr. Fay is no less influential than in his chosen profession of journalism. The Masonie fraternity has a no more enthusiastie worker, while the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and Red Men have in him a worthy and intelligent mem- ber. Ile was married in this eity in 1880 to Miss Leah Plattner.
HIOMAS DENBY is one of the class of farm- ers who believe that mixed husbandry is the only safe method for an Illinois farmer to pursue. lle is an extensive stoek-raiser of this part of Morgan County, making a specialty of swine, and intelligently following this business, in which he has aeemulated a fortune. He is a man who reads the literature bearing on the business in which he is engaged, and he is reaping the benefit of this most commendable plan of doing. There are many people engaged in agricultural pursuits who are firmly intrenched in the belief that no real knowledge is gained from books that bear upon practical farming. Of course, they are wrong, and Mr. Denby is one who believes that this idea is erroneous.
Mr. Denby has always bred the Poland-China breed of logs, and he believes-and his experience is corroborative of this belief -- that this strain of hogs is the best. Ile has been feeding swine since 1845, and during that long period has given this branch of stock-raising his nndivided attention. Hle has the deserved reputation of raising the finest and largest hogs in Illinois, as a few figures will illustrate: In 1852 or 1853 he shipped to Beards- town, Ill., a lot comprising eighty hogs that weighed on an average 4372 pounds net, and the heaviest of these animals weighed 610 pounds, while the light- est was 404 pounds. This is said to be the heaviest lot of hogs ever shipped from Beardstown.
Mr. Denby owns 200 aeres of land on section 21, township 15, range 11, and it is safe to say that
there is not a better cultivated piece of land in this region than his. Upon this farin is ereeted a brick house which is a model of comfort and convenience, and the barns, sheds, ete., are all in keeping with the place. The farm is well watered and is admir- ably adapted to the business in which Mr. Denby is engaged. Ile spares no pains to buy the best appliances to carry on his farm, believing that the best is none too good for a farmer and stock raiser who would sueeeed.
Mr. Denby was born in Yorkshire, England, July 17, 1822. Ile is the son of Thomas and Ellen (Conderd) Denby; the former is a native of Lin- colnshire, and the latter of Yorkshire, where they were married. After the senior Denby's marriage, he began to farm in Yorkshire, and there all his children, four in number, were born. In 1832 he eoneluded to try his fortune in America, and ac- eordingly, on April 3, shipped at Liverpool on board a sailing vessel, and started for the New World. While on the Atlantic, their ship eneouul- tered a terrible storm, which continued unrelent- ingly for eight days and nine nights. During this stormi there seemed to be no hope that the ship would ever reach land, but the passengers, of whom there were. a great many, were stont Englishunen and Scotehmen, and by hard and persistent work at the pumps they managed to keep the boat from sinking. They finally reached New York City on the 1st of August, having been nearly three months on the ocean. The ship contained over a thousand people, who suffered all the tortures of death. After the senior Denby had landed, he proceeded at onee to Morgan County, which he had heard spoken of as the garden spot of the United States. Ilere he purchased 200 acres of land, the same now occupied by his son Thomas. The father, in 1847, decided to go back to England, and while making the trip was attacked by a fever, and died while on the Atlantic. Ilis body was buried at sea. Ile was then about fifty-three years of age, and seemingly had before him years of happiness, but Providence decreed otherwise. His wife died in Jacksonville in the fall of 1847, the same year in which her hus- band passed away. They were universally re- garded as persons of intelligence and virtne.
Mr. Thomas Denby was only ten years of age
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when he came to America with his parents. Ilis first marriage occurred in Morgan County and was to Martha R. Sparks. She was born in Glasgow, Seotland, in 1821. She died in 1846, and left be- hind her the reputation of being a hard working and intelligent woman. She left one son, George T., who died at the age of twenty-one. The second marriage of Mr. Denby was to Mary J. Wells, who was born in 1821, in Morgan County, where she lias remained since. She is the mother of five children, two of whom are dead, namely: Sarah E., wife of George W. Kilham, who died leaving a son and a daughter; and Thomas E., who died when he was two and a half years old. The living are: Mary E., wife of George V. Ramson; they live on a farm in the same township as their parents; Anna M. is the wife of T. O. Graves, who is also farming in the same township; Ann E. is the wife of Jolin W. Leach; they are also living on a farm here. Mrs. Denby is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and there is not a lady in all the country around who is more respected than she. Mr. Denby politieally affiliates with the Democratie party.
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