Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 56

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 794

USA > Illinois > Warren County > Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 56

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The Doctor attended his first course of medical lectures at the Western Reserve Medical College, of Cleveland, Ohio, and his second course at the Jeffer- son Medical College of Philadelphia. He gradu- ated from the latter institution in the spring of 1854. Soon thereafter he located at Ashland, Ky., where he

practiced for two years. In the spring of 1856, he determined on making a move, and having heard favorable reports from Illinois, he made this State his objective point. He located at Norwood, Mercer County, where he remained practicing his profession until 1862, when he entered the army, as First As- sistant Surgeon of the 83d Ill. Vol. Inf. Upon his return from the service of his country, he resumed his practice at Norwood.

In 1872, the Doctor decided to change his location from Norwood to Alexis, on account of better rail- road facilities, and with this aim in view, purchased a building site adjoining Alexis on the Mercer County side. Here he erected a dwelling, with the neces- sary accompanying structures. To the original site he subsequently added several acres adjoining, thus combining with his village property that of the farm.

During the trying times of the late Rebellion, in- spired with like patriotism of many of his friends and neighbors, he responded to his country's call, and was commissioned First Assistant Surgeon of the 83d Ill. Vol. Inf., which was organized at Monmouth in 1862. He served faithfully in this capacity for two years, when, in 1864, on account of failing health, he resigned and returned to his Illinois home, where, even before his health had been no more than slightly improved, he took up his old line of practice, in Warren and Mercer Counties. This arduous labor he has faithfully performed to the utmost extent of his limited physical ability to the present time (Jan- uary, 1886), though never equal to the call for his services.

Dr. McClanahan was married Nov. 14, 1854, to Margaret J. Jones, daughter of Richard Jones, of Ashland, Ky. Mrs. McClanahan is a lady of refined taste and culture, and a prominent figure in the social circles of the community. She had not, however, the advantages of either a collegiate or academical course during her school days, but im- proved such early opportunities as she enjoyed in such a way as to have made of herself an excellent scholar. She has, also, daily added to the accumu- lations of earlier years by constant, careful reading, when leisure from household cares permitted. Mr. and Mrs. McC. have three children-the eldest, H. M. McClanahan; the second, A. A. McClanahan; the third, Alice M., sole daughter of the home, is a graduate of the Morgan Park Female College in the class of 1884. Dr. H. M. McClanahan, who is prac-

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ticing his profession at Woodhull, Ill., received his colle giate education at Monmouth College, and grad- uated in his profession from the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, in 1878. The second son, also a Monmouth College student, is a practicing attorney located at Omaha, Neb. He attended the law school at Chicago the first year, and the second at Bloomington, Ill , and was admitted to the Bar at Springfield, Ill., in May, 1885.

The Doctor is a Republican in political principles, and the entire family are Presbyterians in religious belief.

As one of the leading professional men of this portion of the State, as well as an esteemed and en- terprising citizen, the publishers take pleasure in presenting to their patrons the portrait of Dr. Mc- Clanahan, which is done in connection with this sketch.

amuel Graham, retired farmer, residing at Monmouth, was born in Washington Co., Pa., April 10, 1806, and was the son of John and Martha (Hutchinson) Graham, natives also of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch and Irish descent respectively. Of the seven sons and three daughters reared to men and women by John and Martha Graham, Samuel, of whom we write was the seventh in order of birth, and the fourth of the sons. At this writing (September, 1885). three sons and two daughters only are living.

The senior Mr. Graham was a farmer by occupa- tion in his lifetime, and brought up his sons in that honorable calling. He and his wife spent the last years of their lives in Washington Co., Pa., and there their remains were laid to rest.

Samuel Graham has himself grown old. He was born when the present century was but an infant, and his memory runs back to events in the history of our country that to nearly all of us, as we read of them, sound as remote as the wars of the Medes and Persians. He heard the beat of the drums that marshalled again the defenders of a new and unde- veloped country against an ancient foe, and he clap- ped his childish hands in glee as the bells from the tops of the little white churches pealed forth their

chimes of victory. He was a man of family when Taylor's army trod the streets of Mexico; and he had grown almost too old for service when the late war between the States cast a shadow of gloom across the threshold of every family in the land.

The common schools at best in his day offered but comparatively small opportunity for education, and his circumstances were such as deprived him even of much of that. He came to Warren County, in 1839, and settled in Sumner Township, where he spent many years of his life, coming to Monmouth in 1863. For about two years after coming to town he was engaged at milling, since which time he has taken life easy.

Mr. Graham was first married in Washington Co., Pa., April 2r, 183r, to Margaret Eaton, who died in Warren County, Dec. 14, 1854, leaving two children : Mary Jane, now Mrs. Thos. W. Smiley, and Lucin- da M., who died Jan. 24, 1835, at the age of 16 years. Six of her little ones preceded her to the other world, viz .: John, who died June 10, 1841," aged five years, and five infants, not named. In 1856 Mr. Graham returned to Washington Co., Pa., and there, on Sept. 15 of. that year, he was married to Ann Wright, who died Sept. 20, 1871, leaving one child, which lived but a few months. In Scott Co., Iowa, Nov. 21, 1872, Mr. Graham was married to. the excellent lady who presides over his household at this writing. Her name was Mary Ann McConnell, a native of Allegheny Co., Pa .. and daughter of George and Jaennette (Stark) McConnell, who came respectively from Virginia and Pennsylvania, and who spent the last years of their lives in Scott Co., Iowa.

Below will be found the record of the parents of Mrs. Graham : Thomas McConnell, her grandfather, was born Sept. 1, 1759; Mary Ann (Watt) McCon- nell, his wife, was born April 23, 1765. They were married Sept. 4, 1791, and on the 14th of June, 1795, they set sail for America on the ship Cincin- nati, arriving in this country after a long and tedious voyage of 47 days. Upon landing they went direct to Richmond, Va. Of their union nine children were born. The father of Mrs. Graham, George McCon- nell, was married to Jaenette Stark, Aug. 23, 1825, in Pennsylvania. The latter was the daughter of John and Jaenette (Morton) Stark, natives of Penn- sylvania. Their parents were born and married in Scotland. George McConnell had 10 children, six

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sons and four daughters eight of whom are living. After his marriage, Mr. McConnell remained in Pennsylvania until 1850. when he removed to Scott Co., Iowa, where he purchased a farm and remained there until his demise. He was born Dec. 31, 17.95, and died April 5, 1865. His wife was born Nov. 24, 1800, and died in 1873.

Whatever of this world's goods Mr. Graham pos- sesses and enjoys, he has acquired by his individual effort and industry. He began life a poor boy, but a ripe old age finds him in the enjoyment of a hand- some competency.

In politics he is a Republican, and his religious faith is founded upon the tenets of the scriptures as expounded in the United Presbyterian Church.

osephus Wray, residing on five acres ad- joining the village plat of Kirkwood, where he is passing the closing days of his life in peace and quiet retirement, having the greater portion of his years followed the vocation of an agriculturist, was born in Kentucky, June 6,

I822. The parents 'of Mr. Wray, Isaac' and Mary (Carlton) Wray; were natives of Virginia. They moved from their native State to Kentucky, and from Kentucky to Indiana in 1827, where his father was engaged in farming until 1837. During that year, in company with his family, he came to this State and located on section 7, Tompkins Township, where the parents resided until their death, that of the father occurring Oct. 14, 1844, and that of the mother Oct. 16 of the same year, only two days apart. They were buried in one grave in the beau- tiful cemetery at Monmouth.

Josephus Wray, their son, and the subject of this notice, with his brother John, purchased 160 acres of land on the same section on which his parents resided. Josephus lived on that land, engaged in the occupation of an agriculturist, until 1878, when. for the purpose of educating his children, he moved to Kirkwood and located, as stated at the com- mencement of this notice. He has a fine residence on his five acres, and is living in the enjoyment of the accumulations of a life of labor, coupled with that of energetic effort and determination.

The marriage of Mr. Wray to Miss Rebecca J. Woods, a native of Pennsylvania, was solemnized in 1861, and their union has been blessed by the birth of two children-Samuel W. and Mary C. After nine years of married life, the wife was called to the better land, and Mr. Wray is living with his chil- dren.

He is Republican in politics, and one of those gen- tlemen of Warren County whose veracity in business matters, or socially, is never doubted.

elville C. Soule, real estate dealer at Mon- mouth, is a son of Rev. Justus and Mary Ann (Harding) Soule, natives of New York, and of mixed French and Irish ancestry. Mr. Soule was born in New York State, April To, 1847, and was the second in order of birth of a family of two sons and one daughter.

The late Rev. J. Soule was 19 years a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He came to Mon- mouth in 1856, preached here awhile, itinerated to Geneseo, Ill., and from there, at the end of a couple of years, to Moline, where he died Oct. 21, 1859, aged 50 years. His widow reared the family, saw the children all settled in life, and has since made her home with them. Her eldest son, E. O. Soule, is Division Superintendent of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad, and her daughter, Ella F., is the wife of the Rev. Reed Stu- art, of battle Creek, Mich. In the year 1867, at the age of 20 years, he embarked in the book, stationery and music business at Monmouth, under the firm name of Clark & Soule.

Melville C. Soule was educated at Monmouth Col- lege. At the age of 21 years he became a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dur- ing a part of the year 187 1 and '72 he had charge of a congregation at Groveland, Ill. Failing health compelled him to give up the active work of the ministry, and, much to the regret of the people of Graceland, he returned to Monmouth, where, in 1872, he engaged in the lumber business, under the firm name of W. F. Smith & Soule, afterward Soule & Graham, While in this line they did a very large

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and lucrative business, running two large lumber yards and taking contracts for building, having at times 27 or 30 men in their employ. Mr. Soule sold out in 1877, and for two years was engaged in the boot and Shoe business. During all these years, he was interested more or less in real estate, which has since 1880 occupied all his time. He is also inter- ested in banking, but notwithstanding all the labor incident to these various interests, he gives much time to temperance, church and Sabbath-school work. For 15 years he has been Recording Steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Monmouth ; for six years a member of the Board of Trustees of Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Ill .; and dur- `ing the same period has been a member of Hedding College( at Abingdon, Ill.) Board of Trustees ; and for the past three years President of the Board. Mr. Soule was married at Monmouth, April 12, 1869, to Miss Ina Belle Smith, daughter of W. F. Smith, whose biography appears in this work, and has had borne to him seven children-Edwin Olin, born Feb. 16, 1870; Francis J., May 19, 1872; Melville Glenn, July 6, 1874; Elbert Earl, Nov. 23, 1876; Mary Ella, Nov. 23, 1876, died Aug. 25, 1882 ; Ina Aleta, born March 13, 1880; Myrta L., born May 13, 1883.

rank L. Hall, general farmer and stock- grower, section 17, Cold Brook Township, was born in this township, June 10, 1865. He is a son of W. M. Hall (see sketch), now residing in that township, and who is one of the most extensive land owners there. Our subject resided under the home roof with his parents until he entered college at Abingdon, in 1881. While there he took a special course in the college, and there met his present wife. After she had completed her regular course, June 6, 1884, they were united in marriage, at St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 31, 1884, the lady being Miss Minnie M. Younkin, daughter of Dr. E. Younkin, Professor of Surgery in the American Med- ical College, at St. Louis, since about the year 1872. Her mother was Mattie Hart, native of Ohio, and her father a native of Pennsylvania, both of whom are of American parentage, and the father of German an-

cestry. They both in their younger days attended college at Abingdon, and there formed thie acquaint- ance which afterwards resulted in marriage. The fa- ther completed his education in surgery at Cincin- nati, Ohio, and they are now residents of St. Louis, where they occupy a high position in society and Prof. Younkin takes first rank in the school of medi- cine. Mrs. Hall, of this notice, was born in West Liberty, Iowa, Dec. 21, 1863. Afterward the parents moved to Abingdon, Ill., thence to Leavenworth, Kas., and afterward to St. Louis, Mo., where they have since lived. Mrs. Hall received her early ru- dimentary education principally in St. Louis. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hall have resided in Cold Brook Township.

They are both members of the Christian Church, and politically, Mr. Hall is a supporter of the princi- ples advocated by the Democratic party

ames C. Blythe, of the firm of D. B. Blythe & Co., dealers in hardware, at Kirk- wood village, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born, June 14, 1850, his parents being David B. and Mary M. (Finley) Blythe, natives of the same state. The father of Mr. Blythe came to Illinois in 1865 and settled at Knox- ville, Knox County, where he engaged in merchan- dising. At the present time he resides in Tompkins Township, this county, on 400 acres of land, and is also the senior member of the firm of D. B. Blythe & Co., at Kirkwood. His wife, the mother of our sub- ject, died in Pennsylvania in 1865.

The gentleman whose name we place at the head of this notice was under the care of his parents until he attained his majority, receiving in the common schools a good education, which was supplemented by a thorough business course at the Keokuk Busi- ness College, Iowa, from which institution he grad- uated in 1877. In 1878 he engaged in the drug bus- iness at Woodburn, Clark Co., Iowa, and was thus occupied until 1882. During that year he sold his interest in the business mentioned and came to Kirk- wood, where he embarked in the hardware business, and has continued the same until the present time. By strict attention to business, honest and fair deal-

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ing with his customers and quick sales, he has built up a business, which is a profitable and constantly increasing one.

Mr. Blythe was united in marriage with Miss Lau- ra A. Randolph, April 2, 1879. She was the accom- plished daughter of D. W. Randolph, of Woodburn, Iowa, and has borne her husband three children, all sons, namely : Charles B., Harry R. and Edward F. In political matters, Mr. Blythe is an active worker in the interests of the Republican party. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is also Presi- dent of the School Board, is Fire Marshal at Kirk- wood and a member of the Board of Health. He carries the largest stock of hardware in Kirkwood village, and is one of the leading business men, as well as respected citizens, of that thriving little place.

amuel T. Shelton, the subject of this bio- graphical notice, is one of the most prom- inent agriculturists of Warren County, as well as one of its old pioneers and leading citizens. He was born Sept. 6, 1821, in the vicinity of Mammoth Cave, near Pruett's Knob, Barren Co., Ky. He attended school in the old log school- house of that early day, which was sustained by sub- scription. His lessons were learned by the feeble light which struggled through window panes made of greased paper. There was only one arithmetic in the school, the lessons being given out on slates and then copied into books.

Mr. Shelton, accompanying his father's family, left his native place Oct. 27, 1837, and emigrated to Warren Co., where he arrived November 24, of that year. The outfit for moving was a large Kentucky wagon, with a yoke of oxen by the tongue and a span of horses in the lead. The family stopped on the way with the early settlers, and were feasted on ven- ison and wild turkey. Arriving at their destination, the whole family of 12 persons wintered in a log cabin, in size about 16 feet square. The cooking utensils consisted of skillet, oven, pot, frying-pan and coffee-pot. Stoves were unknown at that time, as well as matches, and fire had to be " borrowed " from neighbors.

Mr. Shelton worked on his father's farm in his na-

tive state until the family arrived in Illinois, when his first labor in this state was to assist his father in splitting rails, for sustenance, meanwhile attending school winters, and studying evenings by the liglit of a log fire. On April Ist, 1838, he commenced for himself as a farmer, renting his labor to his uncle, Isaac Murphy, at $15 per month and board, and his earnings being paid principally by his obtaining a horse and partly in goods from the store. Payment for labor was largely made in pork, which was quite a circulating medium in those days. Payment was also made in wheat at the rate of two bushels per day in exchange for an individual's labor, in harvest time. The wheat so obtained was then often hauled to Peoria, a distance of 60 miles, which occupied a week's time, and was there sold in 1846 at 40 cents per bushel, pay being taken in salt at 50 cents a bushel, which was hauled back home and peddled out in exchange for something else. Mr. Shelton continued to work out until about the time of his marriage, and in the meantime was engaged in teach- ing about six months.

About this period in Mr. Shelton's life he ran in debt for 80 acres of land in Floyd Township, the same being purchased in the Fall of 1847, but not paid for until 1851. He remained on that land, en- gaged in following the vocation of an agriculturist for about 30 years, then moved to Cold Brook Township March 27, 1876, and purchased 70 acres of land ly- ing in Cold Brook Township, and a portion of the same being within the corporate limits of the town of Cameron, in which he now lives. He is also the owner of the old homestead of 400 acres, and 240 acres elsewhere, and in 1839 located a claim in Washington Co., Iowa, which he afterwards sold.

Until he left his old home in Floyd Township, Mr. Shelton had been a practical and successful farmer, stock-raiser and dealer. He became School Director about 1850, and successfully served as Trustee, Township Treasurer, Assessor and Collector, and was also Supervisor from 1863 to 1870. He was elected a member of the State Legislature, in 1870, serving out his term, during which time there were four ses- sions to revise the laws under the New Constitution, and Mr. Shelton also had the pleasure of assisting in the election of John A. Logan the first time he ever became Senator from the great Commonwealth of Illinois. Mr. Shelton has always been active in politics, and has gained no inconsiderable reputation

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as a public speaker. He was for many years a Re- publican, but is now an Anti-Monopolist Greenback- er and Prohibitionist. At present he holds the office of Justice of the Peace.

Mr. Shelton was united in marriage in Cold Brook Township, June 16, 1846, with Miss Eliza Murphy, Rev. John G. Haley officiating. She was born March 10, 1824, in Northumberland Co., Va. They have four children, namely : Patrick H., born Oct. 30, 1848; Melissa F., Dec. 17, 1849; James M., Feb. 2' 1852; Ophelia E., March 27, 1855. Patrick H. mar- ried Laura E. Claycomb, Nov. 14, 1871, and resides near Cameron; Melissa F. became the wife of Zach- ariah T. Nelson, June 12, 1870, and resides in David City, Neb. ; James M. married Julia E. Sayles, Feb. 4, 1874, and resides near Cameron ; Ophelia E. be- came the wife of Eugene M. Clay, Jan. 30, 1876, and resides on the old homestead, near Cameron.

David Shelton, father of Samuel T., was born near Danville, Ky., Dec. 23, 1792, and was one of the veterans of the War of 1812. He died March 16, 1847. His mother, Patsey, was born June 12, 1795, in Virginia, and died Nov. 30, 1883, after a remark- bly strong and healthy life of over 80 years. All the family were long-lived and marvelously healthy.

The descendants of David and Patsey Shelton in- creased during a period of 70 years, two months and two days, from the birth of their first child, Sept. 28, 1813, to the death of Patsey Shelton, Nov. 30. 1883, in numbers as follows: 14 children, eight males, six females; eight living and six dead ; 95 grandchildren, 55 males, 40 females ; 74 living, 21 dead ; 150 great grandchildren, 75 males, 75 females ; 124 living, 26 dead; 15 great great grandchildren, six males, nine females, 10 living, 5 dead, and making a total of 274 children, 144 niales and 130 females, 216 living and 58 dead. Also six sons-in law and nine daugh- ters-in-law, 26 grandsons-in-law, and 27 grand- daughters-in-law; 4 great grand-sons-in-law and three great daughters-in-law, making a total of sev- enty-five which, added to their descendants enumer- ated, makes a grand total of 349. There are twen- ty-eight different names among the 274 descendants, as follows : ro5 Sheltons, 29 Freemans, 20 Whit- mans, 16 Robinsons, 15 Norrises, 9 Means, 9 Clay- tons, 7 Otises, 6 Haleys, 6 Mills, 5 Loafmans, 5 Bradleys, 5 Goddards, 4 Clays, 4 Durhams, 4 John- sons, 4 Smiths, 3 Legerwoods, 3 Riggles, 3 Nelsons, 3 Keisers, 2 Hascalls, 2 Sayles, I Thompson, I

Jones, I Seals, I Vesser and I Cutler. The above named live in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Mis- souri and California, the larger portion living in the state first named. A newspaper containing the above summary relative to David and Patsey Shel- ton was placed in the corner-stone of the Presbyte- rian Church at Monmouth, Ill., which was laid in 1882.

Mr. Shelton and his wife belong to the Christian Church, in which he bears the title of Rev., having been ordained an Elder by the congregation, and has served 30 years or more ; also as an Evangelist since 1860.

A sal P. Randall, residing on Section 21, Ber- $ wick Township, where he is engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits, and on which section he owns an excellent farm, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., May 6, 1812. His father was Thomas Randall, a native of Vermont, born in 1787. The father participated in the War of 1812, and was engaged in the battles of Brownsville and Sackett's Harbor, and remained in the army until the close of the war, dying in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1838. He married Miss Hannah Field, also a native of Ver- mont, born in 1791. She also died in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1882. Their children were seven in num- ber, namely: Betsey, Elijah, Alvira, Asal, Alfred, Deborah and Ardelia, all of whom are deceased ex- cept three.

Asal P. Randall formed a matrimonial alliance with Jane A. Brown, at Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1836. She was born in that county in 1816, and bore her husband two children, Dilly E., born in 1837, and Orlando T., in 1843. The wife and mother died in 1852, in Wisconsin, whither Mr. Randall had removed with his family one year previous.

After the death of his wife Mr. Randall again re- turned to York State, where, in 1856, he was again married, to Miss Mary Ann Mather, at Brownville, that state. She died June 9, 1878, in Berwick Town- ship, this county, having borne her husband seven children : Edgar, born 1849; Emma, 1851; Eva, 1855; 'Francis, 1859; William, 1861; Homer W 1863 and May A., 1865. Four of Mr. R.'s children

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are married, namely : Orlando, Edgar, Dilly and Francis. Mr. Randall is pleasantly situated on 70 acres of good land, which he has under a good state of cultivation, and there, with his devoted daughters 1 and sons, is passing the sunset of his life in peace and quiet. He and his family are Close Communion Baptists, and in politics Mr. Randall is, and always has been, a Republican.

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Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 56

Author: Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 794

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 794