USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > Portrait and biographical record of Macoupin County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with biographies of all the governors of the state, and of the presidents of the United States > Part 100
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The father of our subject was reared and mar- ried in Tennessee. lle bought a tract of bluegrass land southwest of Murfreesboro, and engaged
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in farming and stock-raising. He was much op posed to the institution of slavery, and on that account decided to emigrate to a free State. Hence he came to Illinois in 1830, accompanied by his father and other members of the family, as before related. Ile bought land in Morgan County, on Youngblood's Prairie, and moved into the rude log cabin that stood on the place. That dwelling was a primitive affair, with its roof covered with boards split by hand and held in place by poles. boards split made the door which had wooden hinges and a wooden latch, with the string always out, betokening the hospitality of the family. The chimney was of earth and sticks, and no nails were used in the construction of the building, wooden pins taking their place. This humble abode was but a type of those occupied by the few white set,- tlers in that wild, sparsely inhabited region, where there were but few evidences of civilization. There were no railways, and the pioneers had to go across the country over rough roads, or no roads at all, to Alton seventy miles away, to obtain necessary supplies and to market their grain and other produce. Mail facilities were of the poorest. and before stage routes were established the mail was brought with ox-teams or on horseback. That was in the days before envelopes were used, and was prior to the era of cheap postage. Twenty- five cents were charged for each letter, and money being a searce article, often the whole neighbor- hood was searched to find enough to pay the requisite postage.
The father of our subject won an honorable place among the pioneers of Morgan County, con- tributing his quota to its development. Ile cleared quite a farm. which he provided with good frame buildings. and otherwise improved it, and there in his comfortable home bis life was terminated by death January 24, 1855. Ilis wife, who was Han- nah Meredith prior to her marriage, is thought to have been a native of North Carolina, and to have been of Welsh lineage. She attained the venerable age of eighty-seven years, dying in Morgan County in August, 1883. She was the mother of five children, named William, John, Cullen C., Rebecca and Martha.
A lad of seven years when he was brought to
Illinois, our subject has a distinct recollection of the incidents of frontier life in a newly settled country, and he grew to a stalwart manhood under the invigorating influences of pioneer times. Ile lived with his parents until his marriage, and then bought land adjoining the old home, ou which stood a substantial log house that was considered a fine dwelling for those days, as it was huilt of of hewn logs, shingles covered the roof, it had a puncheon floor, and the chimney was made of brick. In that, abode he and his wife spent the first few years of their happy wedded life, and four of their children were born under its shelter- ing roof. In 1861 Mr. Gibson sold that place, and coming to this county, he bought the farm that he now occupies, which comprises one hundred and and seventy-three acres of soil of surpassing fertil- ity, finely located close to the village of Girard. At the time of purchase the buildings upon it were of a poor class, which he immediately re- placed with a new set of a better order. In May, 1888, they were burned, entailing a heavy loss, and then Mr. Gibson erected the neat dwelling and outbuildings that now adorn the place.
September 10, 1843, was the date of the mar- riage of our subject with Miss Nancy .I. Daugh - erty, who was born in Lincoln County, Ky., May 22, 1827. John Daugherty, her father, is thought to have been a native of the same State, of which his father, Charles Daugherty, was a pioneer farmer. Ilis last years were spent there.
Mrs. Gibson's father was left an orphan at an early age. His early life was passed in his native State, and he was there married. In the fall of 1830 he emigrated to Ilinois with his wife and the two children that had been born to them in their old home, making the removal with teams. Ile settled on Youngblood's Prairie, purchasing a tract of land, on which stood a log cabin, which became the home of the family for a number of years. In that early day the people were obliged to live in the most primitive fashion, and labor-saving machinery was an unknown quantity to the farmer in carrying on bis work. The grain was out with a sickle until the cradle came into use, and there were no threshing machines, the grain being laid on the ground and tramped out by oxen or horses.
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There were no fanning mills, and it took three people to winnow the grain, one to pour it out, while two fanned it with a sheet. As Mrs. Gib- son's parents were among the early pioneers of Morgan County, her education was obtained in the primitive pioneer schools of those early days of the settlement of that county. She became aceom- plished in the art of spinning and weaving wool and flax, and in her early married life dressed her family in cloth of her own manufacture.
Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have twelve children, as follows: Serilda, wife of Frank Gates; James, John, Charles, Hannah, wife of James Wirt; Sarah, wife of George Garst; George; Rinda, wife of Ilenry Showalter; Isaac, Henry, Cullen, and Lizzie, wife of John Stowe.
Our subject and his wife are people of true reli- gious character.who are highly thought of in their community as good neighbors and useful citizens. They and all but three of their children are mem- bers of the German Baptist Church, two of their sons being preachers of that denomination, and every good work finds in them hearty support.
G EORGE W. SCHMIDT is extensively en- gaged in business as a dealer in general hardware, tinware and farming implements, his establishment being located at the corner of Macoupin and Chestnut Streets in the thriving village of Gillespie, where he has carried on oper- ations since 1882. He began business on a small scale and as his trade mereased, enlarged his stock until he has now a well-filled store which indicates that he receives a liberal patronage.
Mr. Schmidt was born in Hesse-Castle, Fursten- hagen, Germany, September 1, 1839, and is a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Geisce) Schmidt, both born in the Fatherland. The former died at the age of sixty-six years, but the mother is still living at the age of seventy-seven. She is a member of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, as was her husband. In their family were nine children, our subject being the second in order of birth, John
was the first to come to America, crossing the At- lantie in 1856. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted at Philadelphia in the service of his adopted country and wore the blue until peace was once more restored. Not long after he died of sickness contracted in the army. Mrs. Eliza Fisher, a sister, also came to this country, crossing the water in company with our subject. She makes her home Brighton.
George Schmidt began learning the carriage-mak- ing trade in Hamburg, Germany, where he worked from 1855 until 1860. Hle then entered the regu- lar army of his country, serving for a short time. Again resuming work at his trade he was employed as a journey man until 1865, which year witnessed his emigration to America. Hle took passage at Bremen upon the sailing vessel "Mozart" and after a voyage of thirty-five days landed in New York City, whence he came at once to Illinois. The first year after his arrival he spent in Palmyra and then took up his residenre in Dorchester, Macoupin County, where he Imilt a wagon shop and began business on his own account. He was at first alone but later associated with him Charles Hoffman, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. Their partnership continued until 1875, when on account of failing health Mr. Schmidt had to abandon that business, and sold out to C. Thener. He then embarked in the hardware business, carry- ing on a store at that place until 1882, when he removed his stoek to Gillespie.
On the 28th of February, 1869, in U'pper Alton, Mr. Schmidt was joined in wedlock with Miss Louisa Theuer, who was born in St. Louis, Mo., September 17, 1850, and is of German descent. ller father, Edward Theuer, was a Saxon and her mother was a native of Baden. After coming to this country they were married in St. Louis and are now residents of Upper Alton. where Mr. Theuer engages in gardening. Mrs. Schmidt was a maiden of five summers when her parents removed to Upper Alton where she resided until her marriage. By their union have been born seven children as follows: Charles and Mary. now deceased; George W., Ed- ward and William who assist their father in carry- ing on the business, and Emma and Alvena at home. The parents and children are all members
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of the German Evangelical Church. In politics Mr. Schmidt was formerly a Republican but now votes with the Democratic party, and since he came to Gillespie he has been a member of the town Board. A public-spirite.I and progressive citizen, he takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community and ranks high among his business associates, and in social circles as well. His family holds an enviable position in the social world and the Schmidt household is noted for its hospitality.
OSEPU ENGLAND. One of the pioneer settlers of this State who has experienced the vicissitudes of a farmer's life from early settlement to the present time is he whose name is at the head of this sketch. He owns and resides on the farm located on section 34, North Otter Township. The encouragements and discouragements of life are all familiar to him, having passed through drought and flood, grass- hopper scourge and blight and having had his heart gladdened by such luxuriant erops as only Central Illinois can produce when the genins of the weather is in a propitious mood.
Our subject's father was John England; his mother was Linnie (Hall) England. They were both prob. ably natives of Tennessee, whence they came to Morgan County, Ill., remaining there only one year. They then came to Macoupin County early in the '30s and settled in North Otter Township where they lived until their death. . The original of our sketch was one of the older members of his father's family. He was born in Morgan County. Tenn., December 29, 1818. He came to Maconpin County with his parents and lived under the home roof until he bad attained to years of manhood. Ile is proud of the fact that he is one of the oldest set- tlers in North Otter Township and also of Macoupin County.
Our subject was married in his native county December 19, 1839. His wife's maiden name was Mary A. Ilays. The lady was born in Martin County, Ind., April 10, 1824. Her parents were William and Elizabeth Hays. Mr. and Mrs. Eng-
land have been the parents of thirteen children. They are Nancy, Lucinda, John, William. Samuel, Elisha, Benjamin F., James F., Elizabeth, George F .. Thomas J., Sebird, Joseph II. The eldest daughter became the wife of W. S. Bond and died in North Otter Township when forty-five years of age; Lil- cinda ia the wife of John M. Hays; John married Mary S. Thurman; William died in childhood; Samuel married Ellen Swift; Elisha took to wife Ada M. England; Benjamin married Mary Adcock; James F. is deceased; Elizabeth is the wife of Joseph Norvel; George married Elizabeth Adcock; Thomas married Mary Harlan; Sebird died in infancy, Joseph H. when twenty-three years of age.
Mr. England has always been engaged in farm- ing. He owns one hundred and sixty-nine and one half acres. Ile has erected a good class of build- ings upon his farm and the place is well improved. Mrs. England died in North Otter Township. Au- gust 19, 1877. Our subjeet is a man who is liberal in his religious views. No man in the township or county knows so much of the history of the locality and of men who have been prominent here as does our subject. Hle is genial and hospitable and al- though he has lived more than the allotted three- score and ten his friends hope that he will survive many years.
AMES II. SMALLEY, who is successfully engaged in general farming and sheep-rais- ing on section 35, Hilyard Township, has the honor of being a native-born citizen of this county, his birth having occurred on the old Smalley homestead in Bunker Hill Township, in 1810. We have no authentie record concerning the early history of the Smalley family and its es- tablishment in America, but know that the pa- ternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Smalley, came of an old New Jersey family of English He- brew origin. He was twice married in his native State, and with his second wife and his children, emigrated to Illinois, traveling from Pittsburg with a one horse team. He located in Bunker Hill
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Township when the city of that name was a mere hamlet. Securing lands he improved a good prop- etty and lived to see all of his children established in good homes of their own. He and his wife both died on the old homestead at an advanced age. They were members of the Baptist Church and were well-known among the early settlers ot this community. The usual trials and hardships of pi- oneer life fell to their lot, such as having to live upon corn-meal which was ground in a coffee- mill. For some time the family which numbered twenty -one persons, lived in a small log cabin. yet in the course of time Samuel Smalley became one of the prosperous men of the community.
Andrew Smalley, father of our subject, was born in Somerset County, N. J., in 1815, and in that State learned the hatter's trade, which he followed for several years. About a year previous to his emigration Westward, he married Miss Julia Cox, who was born and reared in Sussex County, and was a daughter of Capt. Restore Cox, a soldier of the War of 1812, who in that struggle, won his ti- tle. After the death of his wife, the Captain, then an old man,came to Illinois and spent his last days in the home of his daughter. On coming West, Andrew Smalley and his wife at once began the work of acquiring a property. He secured eighty acres of land from the Government, upon which he built te cabin and in true pioneer style, began life. Prac- tieing industry and economy, his financial resources were there increased and from time to time he made judicious investments of his capital in real estate until he became owner of about twelve hun- dred acres of fine land, all lying within the borders of Macoupin County except one quarter section in Kansas. llis land was divided into good farms, upon which be placed many excellent improve. ments. No man did more for the development and upbuilding of this township than Andrew Smalley, and he became one of the prominent and influential as well as the prosperous citizens of the community. In all his labors he was ably assisted and seconded by his estimable wife who proved a true helpmate to him. She was born in 1817, and died at their home in Bunker Ilill, in 1872, in the faith of the Baptist Church. of which she was a consistent member.
Andrew Smalley was again
married, his second union being with Mrs. John- son, who is yet living and makes her home in Bun- ker Hill, at the age of sixty years. He was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church also, and lived an up- right life, worthy the esteem of all. Industry and enterprise characterized his career, and fairness marked all of his business dealings. In his death the county lost one of her best citizens.
Our subject, James II. Smalley, is the eldest of four surviving children, out of a family of six. His entire life has been spent in this county, and its growth and development, he has witnessed from an early day. Traveling life's journey with him as his faithful wife, is Miss Emma Hopper, their marriage having been celebrated in Bunker Hill in 1862. She was born in Booneville, Ind., February 7, 1842, and her parents, Rev. J. V. and Lucinda (Johnson) Hopper, were natives of the Buckeye State, where they were reared and mar- ried. After the birth of their first child, a daugh- ter, they removed to Indiana, but in a few years returned to Ohio. Subsequently they came to III- inois, settling near Bunker Hill, Where Mr. Hop- per improved and operated a farm. He also en- gaged in preaching as a minister of the Baptist Church, and after years of hard labor retired to private life, removing to Bunker Hill, where he is now living at the age of seventy seven years, while his wife has attained the age of seventy-five years. Their family numbered seven children of whom six are yet living.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smalley have been born a family of five children, and death has not once vis- ited the home. Charley (., the eldest, is now con- nected with a street car company of St. Louis, where he makes his home; L. Etta, Herbert II., Arden E. and Edward O., are still with their pa- rents. Mr. and Mrs. Smalley attend the Baptist Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. He has traveled extensively through the North and West, and was one of the first to engage in mining in Leadville, Colo. For a half century he has resided in Macoupin County, and with the history of its agricultural interests his name is inseparably con- nected. He owns one of the best farms in llilyard Township, and in connection with its cultivation, is extensively engaged in sheep raising. in which
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he has met with excellent success. Ile possesses good business ability, is enterprising and pro- gressive, and is accounted one of the valued citi- zens of the neighborhood.
F6 RANK FRIEDE, who is engaged in gen- eral merchandising in Mt. Olive, was horn on the 10th of May, 1859, in Edwardsville, Ill., and is a son of Charles J. and Sophia (llan- nan ) Friede, who were natives of Prussia, Germany, where they grew to mature years. The father alone and the mother in company with her parents emigrated to this country in 1854, sailing from Bremen to New Orleans and then came up the river to Illinois, settling in Edwardsville, where a few years later the young people were married. Mr. Friede followed the trade of a carpenter and when well advanced in years came with his wife to this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. the father dying in 1881, at the age of fifty-seven years, the mother passing away in 1880, when fifty years of age. She was a member of the Lutheran Church and Mr. Friede was a Catholic in religious belief. Our subject is the eldest of the family of whom three are yet living-Ernst, who is now married and resides in East St. Louis; and Sophia who makes her home in this city.
Frank Friede, whose name leads this notice, resided at home until 1874, when he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he spent three years in learning the trade of a confectioner. On the expiration of that time he came to Mt. Olive and established business in that line, carrying on operations with considerable success for seven years, when in 1884. he embarked in general merchandising. Six years later he erected a fine brick store building, 75×30 feet and two stories in height with a basement. It is well filled with staple and fancy groceries, cloth- ing, dry goods, hats and caps, boots and shoes, etc.
Mrs. Friede, wife of our subject, was in her maidenhood Miss Frances Schoen. She was born in Montgomery County, Ill., in 1864, and is a daughter of Albert and Anna ( Akerbauer) Schoen,
natives of Germany, who on coming to this coun- try had located in Illinois. After their marriage they settled in Montgomery County, where Mr. Schoen improved a good farm. Having acquired a good competence, he and his wife removed to Mt. Olive where they are now living retired, both being well advanced in years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Friede have been born an interesting family of three children, all sous-Charles F .. Albert J. and William A.
Mr. Friede holds membership with the Catholic Church and his wife belongs to the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat and for many years has served as a member of the Council and for three years was President of the Board. Ile is now serving as Supervisor of Mt. Olive Town- ship, which was cut off from Staunton Township in 1883. One of the young business men of the place he has succeeded in winning an excellent trade, having acquired his patronage by fair deal- ing, courteous treatment and a desire to please his customers. As a citizen he is true to every duty and he ranks high both in business and social circles.
G EORGE W. RIVES. Among the extensive farmers of Barr Township. the biographer may well mention the name which appears at the head of this paragraph. Mr. Rives is the son of James Rives and Elizabeth Hood, both nat- ives of North Carolina, who have resided in Kent- ucky, previous to their migration to Illinois. Having arrived in the Prairie State they settled in Greene County, about the year 1834 and there they died.
Our subject first saw the light in Greene County, May 13, 1837, and there he took his early training upon the farm, and in the district school, and did not come to this county until about the time he reached his majority. lle then settled upou sec- tion 21, Barr Township, in 1858, but returned to his native county two years later, to bring for his bride. He was married January 25, 1860 to Miss Jemima Deal, a daughter of George and Lucy (Rismiller) Deal, uatives of Pennsylvania. Mr.
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Deal died in Luzerne County, Pa., and the mother in Christian County . Ill. Their daughter Jemima was born in North Hampton County, Pa .. March 9, 1838.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rives were granted ten bright and interesting children, namely : Charles P .; Wil- liam H., who married Miss Anna Skaggs; James L., who married Miss Emma Jones; Augustus M., George E., Lenora E., John M., Harry E., Ever- ette A. and Stephen C. These children are all being brought up in the faith of the Christian reli- gion, and are given excellent opportunities of edu- cation, the parents being intelligent and thought- ful and desirous of the best good for their children. They are both earnest members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. Rives is attached to the Republican party. Farming and stock-raising absorb the greater part of Mr. Rives' interest and efforts and he is successful in his en- deavors. lle is the prosperous owner of seven hun- dred and sixty acres, ali in Barr Township.
ORREST D. GORE. There is a well known aphorism that blood will tell. The gentle- man whose name heads this sketch is a worthy representative of a family that for years has been distinguished by virtue of the intellectual superiority, mental vigor and business capacity and push of its members. Ile is a son of the Hon. David and Cindrella ( Keller) Gore of Carlinville, the former of whom is a man noted for his broad intellectuality, and the prominent position he has successfully filled in public life.
Our subject was born in Chesterfield, Macoupin County, October 1. 1854, and is now a resident on his farm in Nilwood Township his place being located on section 4. He passed the early years of his life in his native township aud until seven years of age, when his parents moved to Carlin- ville, where he grew to manhood. There he passed his years as do most of the village lads, engaged in school life and the sports of boyhood. until he reached mature years when life was serious before him, and he began to think of making himself a
1
home. Ile was married at his home in Carlinville, November 30, 1880, to Miss Carrie Bird, the eldest daughter of Joseph Bird, of Carlinville. She was a native of Macoupin County, where she was born August 17, 1866.
The young couple set up housekeeping in the village where their marriage took place and there remained for four years. September 1884, he re- moved to Nilwood Township, and settled on section 4 where he has ever since been a resident. Ile has always devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres on which are a series of buildings that speak well in appointment and convenience, of the judgment and taste of their owner.
Mr. and Mrs. Gore are the parents of three sons and one daughter. They are, Forrest Bird, Victor Morris, Joseph Herald, Gladys Isabella. In poli - ties Mr. Gore is an uncomprising Democrat. Our subject is an enterprising, vigorous man. He is a lover of home and family and on all sides in his house can be seen evidences of culture and refine- ment. Mrs. Gore is a woman of unusual personal attraction, and while devoted to her family, is the center of the social life in her neighborhood. She dispenses with rare grace, the hospitahty of their home and happy is the stranger who gains entrance into that home.
6 HEODORE J. TEANEY, a brother of E. A. C. Teaney, who is elsewhere sketched in this volume. is a representative of a well known and honorable family, whose life in Barr Township, has given them a just claim to the re- spect and esteem of their neighbors. The father Francis C. and the mother Mary (Huff) Teaney are spoken of more at length in the biography of the other son. In a family of twelve children, Theodore is the fifth, the date of his nativity being June 20, 1825. He was born in Augusta County, Va., and came to Greene County, Ill., with his par- ents and there grew to manhood.
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