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 101
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After coming to this county this young man took to himself a wife in the person of Caroline M.
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Colby, who became the mother of six children, namely: Silas F., died in boyhood : Alpheus L. died at the age of fourteen; Mary the third child was taken away at the age of sixteen; Sylva L. is the wife of Thomas Tabscott; Eri E. married Miss Jennie Maxwell; Theodore J. married Miss Nora Havens. Mrs. Caroline Teaney died in Barr Town- ship many years ago leaving her family to deeply mourn her loss.
The second wife of our subject bore the maiden name of Martha J. Vaughn and she brought ber husband five children, John A., George A., Ephraim E., Cora O. and Martha J. Their mother was taken from them in 1884. The present Mrs. Tea- ney was before her marriage with our subject, Mrs. Elizabeth (Drake) Shelton. She is a woman of ability and influence and takes an active part in religious affairs, filling a useful sphere of influence. The political views of Mr. Teaney have led him to affiliate with the Democratie party. He has always followed agricultural pursuits and has not given his time to office seeking. His farm of one hun- dred and thirty-eight acres, shows the mark of patient. persevering endeavor and a thorough un- derstanding of the needs of agriculture. Mr. Teaney is wide-awake upon educational themes and has served as School Director. Their pleasant home is the scene of a cordial hospitality and fre- quent reunions of friends of genial nature and true culture.
C APT. LEVI M. HESS. The days of the Civil War have not so far passed into his- tory as to have impaired the personal inter . est which the present generation should take in those heroes who battled bravely for the Union and the honor of the old flag. We still have among us men in the prime of life who were the heroes of those days, and the patriotie impulses of our younger people may well be stirred by a recountal of their sufferings and conflicts. We are there- fore doubly pleased to present a sketch of Capt. Iless, whose record both in times of peace and times of war is worthy of publication.
Our subject was born on a farm two miles south of Goshen, Elkhart County, Ind., October 15, 1840. Ilis father, Elias Hess, was a native of Franklin County, Ohio, born in 1810, and was the son of the Rev. Bolser Hess, of Germany, who came to America in the early Colonial days and settling with his father's family near Bedford, Pa. Hle was quite young when he became an emigrant and was reared in Pennsylvania and became a pioneer of Franklin County, Ohio. He resided there until 1829 when he removed to Elkhart County, Ind.
At that time that section of the country was very sparsely settled and Indians still lingered near them. The county was not yet organized and the land was not in market until three years after this pioneer "squatted" upon the tract which he chose for his home. As soon as it was possible lie entered two sections of land within two miles of the present site of Guslien. He had erected a log house in the woods and at once began to clear the land. No railroads nor canals furnished means of transit through that section, and Ft. Wayne, fifty-three miles distant was the nearest market.
Bolser Hess was a successful man and acquired a handsome property, dying in 1858. He was a preacher in the Baptist Church and very useful in his work among his pioneer neighbors. The maiden name of his wife was Saralı Immell and she was of French ancestry. She spent her last years here with her children.
The father of our subject was but nineteen years old when his parents settled in Elkhart County, and he remained at home for some time after his marriage, as his father desired his help upon the homestead. He then gave him one hundred and sixty acres of land which was a portion of his orig- inal entry, and there he resided until after the war, when he sold out and removed to Marshall County, buying a farm there which he still owns, although he resides in Bois D'Arc, Mo.
The maiden name of the mother of our subjeet was Lucinda Wright. She was born near Wheel- ing. W. Va., and was a daughter of Enoch and Jane (Abshire) Wright. She died on the home farm in Marshall County, Ind., after having reared to maturity thirteen of her fourteen children. Three of them, Ezra, Isaialı and our subjeet served
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as soldiers in the late war. The former was killed in the powder explosion at University Place in the C'umberland Mountains of Tennessee. Isaiah was wounded at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga.
Levi IIess was reared upon the farm and remained under the parental roof until the breaking out of the war. Ile enlisted at the first call for troops, April 15, 1861, joining Capt. Haskell's company. The company was not accepted and he again en- listed at the second call in July of the same year, joining Company B, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infan- try. In 1864 he was transferred to Company G and continued to serve with this regiment until after the close of the war.
The young man enlisted as a private and was promoted to Sergeant and then to First Lieutenant, and December 6, 1864, he received the commission of a Captain and was placed in command of Com- pany G, of which he had charge through the re- mainder of his term of service. He was discharged with the regiment at Marietta, Ga., and paid off at Indianapolis, December 12, 1865.
Returning home Capt. Hess decided to prepare himself more fully for business life, and going to Chicago, entered Eastman's Business College where he graduated in 1866. He then accepted for a short time a position as book-keeper in a stove store in that city, before returning to Goshen. From there he went to Springfield, Mo , where he engaged in teaching and farming until 1871, when he came to Macoupin County and bought a farm in Virden Township, which property be still owns. Ile engaged in farming till 1881 and then formed a partnership with John F. Iluston for the purpose of engaging in the hardware and furniture busi- ness, combining with this the sale of agricultural im- plements under the firm name of less & Iluston.
The happy marriage of Capt. Hless and Miss Annie B. Clay took place in August, 1866. This lady is a daughter of Henry and Lucy ( Webber) Clay. To Mr. and Mrs. Hess were granted two beautiful daughters, whom they have brought up in the faith of the Christian Church and educated according to the best opportunities of which they could avail themselves. Martha is now the wire of John W. Sumner and Lulu is at home with her parents. Mr. lless is connected with the Virden
Lodge No. 161, A. F. & A. M. and the Girard Chapter No. 281, also with the Virden Lodge No. 534, I. O. O. F., and is prominently identified with the John Baird Post No. 285, G. A. R.
EYE H. WEYEN, deceased, was born in Hanover, Germany, October 20, 1820, and died at his home in Cahokia Township, on March 15, 1889, respected by all who knew him. In the usual manner of farmer lads his boyhood days were passed and in the common schools of Germany he acquired his education. The year 1851 witnessed his emigration to America. He was then a young man and had resolved to try his fortune in the New World, of whose advantages and opportunities he had heard so much. The vessel on which he took passage sailed from Bremen to New Orleans, whence he came up the Mississippi River to Alton. He began life in Madison County as a farmer. Some years later his parents also came to the United States, locating in Macoupin County, where they resided until death, both being well ad- vanced in years when they passed away.
While residing in Alton, Mr. Weyen was joined in wedlock with Miss Mate Johnson, also a native of the Province of Hanover, Germany, born February 17, 1827. When a young woman she bade adien to the Fatherland and her people and on the same ship in which her sweetheart had taken passage, she crossed the waters to America. Her home she made in Alton until, just a year after her arrival in this country, she became the wife of Mr. Weyen. They continued their residence in Madi- son County for some nine years, living upon a farm and then came to Macoupin County, in 1865, the husband purchasing land on section 8, Cahokia Township. When they were married their cash capital consisted of only $5 but they started out in life together hand in hand, determined to win suc- cess and at length a large and finely improved farm of six hundred acres was yielding to them a golden tribute. Thereon Mr. Weyen continued to make his home until his death. He was a man of great energy
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and perseverance, possessed also of good manago- ment and excellent business ability. The obstacles which arose in his path, he made to serve other than adverse purposes and where many a man of less resolute character would have despaired, he seemed to take fresh courage after an encounter with difficulties and to press forward with renewed zeal. In politics he was a Democrat and in re ligious belief a Lutheran. In his death the county lost one of its best citizens. his neighbors a kind friend and his family a loving and considerate hus- band and father.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weyen were born six chil- dren and with the exception of John who died in childhood, all are yet living. Heye who wedded Minnie Meinicke owns and operates a farm in Honey Point Township; Mary is the wife of George Oster- camp who owns an excellent farm in the same town; Tace wedded Allie Schmidt and resides on a part of the old homestead; Tennie married John W. Schmidt, they reside in Gillespie Township; John still lives with his mother and assists her in her business affairs. Mrs. Weyen is still living on the large farm in Cahokia Township which she has successfully managed with the help of her sons since her husband's death. She, too, is a member of the Lutheran Church and is a lady whose many excellencies of character have won her many friends. ller youngest son who has the burden of the farm work upon his shoulders, is a young man of excel. lent business ability, wide-awake and progressive and will doubtless have a successful career.
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h I'GHI F. LOVELESS, Among the most prominent families in Bird Township who have made their mark in the farming com- munity by the thoroughness and efficiency of their work and the sterling value of their char- acter, we find the one represented by the gentle- man whose name appears at the head of this brief life review. A resume of the family history will be found with the biography of his brother, J. HI.
Our subject was born in this township. June 2, 1843, and here he has grown up to manhood. llis
father's farm was the scene of his early training and he received suen intellectual stimulus and education as was to be found in the pioneer schools of Macoupin County. In those fundamental insti- tutions of learning a noble start was given to many a worthy citizen, for although their course was not a broad one the drill was.deep and the effect en- during. This son was one of the younger in his father's household and he made his home under the parental roof until his marriage.
Sarah A. Sell was the maiden name of the lady who became Mrs. Hugh F. Loveless March 3, 1864. at St. Louis, Mo. Her parents, Michael and Sarah (Brown) Sell were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. They had made their home in Indiana some time previous to their coming to Macoupin County, Ill., which was at an early day. They settled in Western Mound Township, and after many years' residence there removed to Bird Township and afterward to Carlinville, but spent their latter days in Nilwood Township, where Mr. Sell died June 22, 1886. The aged mother of Mrs. Loveless still survives. They had five sons and four daughters, of whom Sarah was the fifth.
Mrs. Loveless first saw the light in Western Mound Township, May 3, 18-17, and she made her home with her parents until her marriage. The young couple then settled in Bird Township upon the spot which they now call home. Mr. Loveless has made a thorough study of agriculture and is well informed in regard to all branches of farming and stock-raising, and more than this has achieved a practical success in his efforts. He owns three hundred and forty acres and has upon his farm a fine set of farm buildings.
Four promising children came to brighten the home of our subject: one, Edgar L., died at the age of four and one-half years, but the others have grown to be a comfort and support to their parents. Albert P. married Miss Etta Adams and Francis F. and Cora F. are still at home with their parents. The office of School Director has been admirably filled by our subject. In his political views he is in favor of the doctrines of the Democratic party and he has ever east his vote in its favor. The Shiloh Baptist Church is the body of Christians with which they are connected and there they have
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proved themselves earnest and efficient workers. Mr. Loveless is known far and wide as a prudent and well-balanced man whose natural character- isties, supplemented by the training which he has given himself, have made him prosperous and influ- ential. His connection by marriage with some of the most influential families in the township also added to his social strength.
R. OBERT R. TOMPKINS, who passed away from life in Woodburn, October 3, 1871, was one of the most respected and esteemed citizens of that pleasant village. For a few years previous to his decease, he had been re- tired from business as a miller in which line of work he had built up a very fine business and had established a beautiful home in the western part of Woodburn. He had lived either in this village or in the town of Bunker Hill since 1835, when he came to this place which is now called Woodburn, and found it in its primitive condition. lle helped to build it up and was one of its leading citizens. In his early years he was a carpenter, but later took the management of the Woodburn flouring mills, and when they burned down he rebuilt near the old site.
Mr. Tompkins operated the new mill on his own account, until he retired to enjoy his accumulated fortune, a few years prior to his death. He had a host of friends in this part of the county and a large circle of acquaintances, for the first mill which he managed was the first one built in this county and the early settlers used to come to it also from Bond and Madison Counties. The friendly and upright dealing of this good miller with his customers ensured to him their friendship and their continned patronage. As an upright. Christian man, he had no peer in that part of the country. lle was for many years a Deacon in the Congrega- tional Church, and he took an active interest in everything which concerned Woodburn and Macoupin County. He helped to organize and was one of the charter members of the Congregational · Church and he gave liberally to its work and was
a faithful teacher in the Sunday-school. He showed a like interest in all educational matters and was one of the early advocates of the free schools in this part of the State.
The subject of this sketch was born in Spottsyl- vania County, Va .. January 5, 1811, and there grew up under the care of his worthy parents, who lived and died in their native county. They were people who were highly respected by all who knew them. In 1834, while yet a young man, he came to this county, having already learned the trade of a carpenter. He was married at Woodburn and chose for his wife Miss Susan Hamilton, who was born in Hampden County, Mass., March 22, 1819. She is the daughter of Lemuel and Margaret (Quig- ley) Hamilton, natives of Massachusetts, both be- longing to old New England families.
Mr. and Mrs. llamilton grew up and were mar- ried in the Bay State, and were the first settlers at Chester, Mass. Here all their children were born and then as a family they came in 1836 by way of canal and river to the western land. They made a six weeks' journey and landed at St. Louis and afterward came to Edwardsville. Later they came on to Woodburn, and here Lemuel Hamilton and his wife with their unbroken household began their new life. They were, however, somewhat advanced in years for pioneers. Mr. Hamilton died in Woodburn, at the age of seventy-eight years and Mrs. Hamilton was sixty-three years old at the time of her decease. They were both earnest and consistent members of the Congregational Church and found in their church connections a wide field of usefulness. Mr. Hamilton was very decided in his political views but never was an office seeker or an office holder.
Mrs. Susan Tompkins, whose deceased husband is the subject of this sketch, was the youngest of the two daughters and two sons born to her par- ents. One sister, Mis. James B. Tompkins. also of Woodburn, is yet living. The brothers, William and James Hamilton both died, one in Bond County, and one at Bunker Hill. Both left wives and families. Mrs. Tompkins is a noble woman and is possessed of a true Christian character. She is a faithful member of the Congregational Church. She highly reveres the memory of her departed
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husband. They became the parents of twelve children, three of whom died-Emily, Susan and Eliza. Those who survive are: Ann, the wife of Martin L. Carriker, a farmer in Montgomery Coun- ty: Mary II., wife of Martin L. Alford, residing in Woodburn; Sarah A., the wife of Andrew Wilson, now living at Rosemond, Ill .; Jane C., wife of Edward Hollister of St. Louis; Catherine D .. wife of David Edwards. operating a printing office in the same city; William R., who took to wife Miss Elizabeth Woodard of Detroit, where they now re- side: Clara A., wife of Dr. C. E. Axline, residing at Lancaster, Ohio, where her husband is a physi- cian and surgeon; Fanny W. is at home with her mother, and Julia B. is the wife of Benjamin R. Foster of St. Louis, Mo. The children of the family have all been brought up in a truly religious life and have endorsed the faith of their parents by connecting themselves with Christian Churches. They all belong to either the Presbyterian or Con- gregational Churches.
OSEPH LOWDERMILK. Among the public-spirited men of Virden Township, few are more wide awake in regard to edu- cational and religious work and all matters which pertain to the moral and material well-being of the community than he whose name appears at the head of this brief sketch. He is the seventh in order of age in a patriarchal family of fourteen children, the offspring of Jacob and Sarah ( Bentley) Lowdermilk, residents of Sangamon County, Ill.
Our subject was born in Hamilton County. Mo., June 5, 1851, and was a baby two years old when his parents removed to this State, settling in Mor- gan County. After one year's residence there they made their home in Auburn Township, Sangamon County, and there this boy received the advantages of the common schools and received industrial training upon his father's farm. Hle early chose agriculture as his life work and has ever devoted himself persistently and successfully to farming. Mr. Lowdermilk was married November 11. 1869, to Miss Mary F. Stutzman at the residence of the
bride's father. She is a daughter of the late Dan- iel l'. and Hannah (Wineland) Stutzman. Their daughter. Mary F. was born October 13, 1850, in Elkhart County. Ind. After marriage the young couple made their home in Virden Township for about two years and then removed to Ricks Town- ship, Christian County. this State, and resided there for four years, after which they returned to Virden Township Three years later they returned to Christian County, where they remained until the spring of 1890, after which they returned to Virden Township.
The gentleman of whom we write has devoted himself principally to farming. although he has found both pleasure and profit in teaching music, in which branch of education he is an enthusiastic proficient. t)ne hundred and thirty-two acres of rich and arable soil constitutes his farm and upon it may be seen the best class of farm buildings and a beautiful home.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lowdermilk were given eight beautiful children, viz : Ida E. ; Lillian E, who died April 16. 1891 ; Alvin A . Cora E .. Eddie J., Fred- die D., William and Viola. The eldest daughter is now the wife of Horace Esterbrook. The mother of these children passed away from earth March 11. 1890. The second marriage of Mr. Lowder- milk, which united him with Miss Adella Jumper, took place November 7, 1890. He has ever taken a good degree of interest in educational matters. and in his office as School Director has efficiently promoted the welfare of the township. His polit- ical views ally him with the Democratic party, and as a member of the Baptist Church he is an efficient worker in religions movements.
R EV. THOMAS MILTON METCALF, we'l known and honored as a resident of Car- linville. and as a minister of the Missionary Baptist denomination, was born in Ilop- kins County. Ky .. November 10, 1828. Ilis father, William Metcalf, Jr., was born in Christian County, Ky .. December 7. 1>09. Ilis father, William Met- calf. Sr., was a native of North Carolina. He
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grew to manhood in that State, and subsequently became one of the early settlers of Christian County, Ky. He resided there a few years, and then removed to Hopkins County, where he purchased a tract of timber land. In 1835 he emigrated thence to Illinois, and became a pioneer of Macoupin County, buying land in Barr Town- ship, where he engaged in farming and made his home until his death.
The father of our subject was reared to agricul- tural pursuits, and his father gave him a tract of timber land in Hopkins County, which he farmed until 1835. In that year he came to Illinois, ar- companied by his wife and four children, making the entire journey overland, bringing all his earthly possessions with him, camping and cooking by the way. After fifteen days travel the family ar- rived in Macoupin County on the 22d of April. Mr. Metealf entered one hundred and sixty arres of Government land in Barr Township, and also bought a quarter-section near by in Western Mound Township. There was a log house on the place which he purchased, and in the month of Septem- ber be moved into it with his family. At that time the surrounding country presented a far dif. ferent appearance from what it does to-day, as it was in a wild, sparsely-settled condition, with 90 railways or other means of communication with the outside world, except rough prairie roads or Indian trails. For many years after that St. Louis was the nearest market and depot for supplies.
Mr. Metcalf resided on his first purchase two years, and then bought two hundred acres of land across the line in Greene County. He remained there until 1857, when he removed to Girard, where he now lives retired at the venerable age of eighty.one years. The good wife who has jour- neved by his side for over half a century is still with him. She was born in Muhlenberg County, Ky .. January 4, 1812, and her maiden name was Huldah A. Davis. Her father, William Davis, was born either in Virginia or Kentucky. He was a son of Richard Davis, who is thought to have been a native of England. Richard Davis went from Virginia to Kentucky in the early days of its set. tlement, and was a pioneer of that State. The removal was made by pack horses, and the wife
carried one of the two children in her arms. and the other rode on the horse behind her, attached to her by a surcingle. At that time there were but few white settlers in Kentucky, and the aboriginal inhabitants were so hostile that the pioneers lived in forts and when they cleared and cultivated their land had a guard, that they might not be surprised and massacred by the savages.
The great-grandfather of our subject located at first on the banks of the Kentucky River, but he afterward removed to Hopkins County, securing a large tract of land and cleared a farm, on which he spent his remaining days. His wife also died there. ller maiden name was Ann Childs, and she was a native of Virginia. The grandfather of our subject was reared in Kentucky, and resided there until 1822, when he went to Mississippi. Three years later he returned to Hopkins County, Ky., and resumed farming on the old homestead, which he never afterward left until death called him hence. The maiden name of his wife was Messa- niah Earl, and she was born in South Carolina, a daughter of John and Nancy ( Burns) Earl. She also died on the old Davis homestead.
Our subject was seven years old when he came to Illinois with his parents. He attended the pio- neer schools, and assisted on the farm during his yonth. At the age of nineteen he taught one term of school. He then studied medicine one year, but concluded that profession was not suited to his taste, and turning his attention to mercantile por- suits, engage.l as a clerk in a general store. After three years behind the counter his health failed, and he engaged in farming one year. At the ex- piration of that time he established himself in the mercantile business at Greenfield, which he carried on from 1852 until 1855. In the latter year he removed to Girard and entered the lumber business as a member of the firm of MeKinney & Thomp- son, and later he engagel in the hardware busi- ness.
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