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 102
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At the age of nineteen years our subjeet was converted, and at the age of thirty he joined the Missionary Baptist Church, and has thus from his youth up devoted himself earnestly to the advance- ment of religion. When he was forty-eight years of age he was licensed to preach, and has served as
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pastor at Carlinville and Nilwood, besides supply- ing the pulpit of Charity Church in Bird Town- ship, three years, and he has done much to build up his beloved church during these years that he has labore 1 so faithfully.
The Rev. Mr. Metcalf was married at Waverly, Morgan County. January 29, 1850. to Miss Emma L. Thayer. Mrs. Metcalf was born at Amherst Hampshire County. Mass., July 19, 1832, a daugh- ter of Asahel Thayer, who was born in the same county and State it is supposed. Ilis father was Josiah Thayer, who, as far as known, spent his eu- tire life in that county. His wife was Avis How- ard, she was a native of Massachusetts. Mrs. Metcalf's father passed his early years in his native State, and when a young man engaged in mercan- tile business and later in the manufacture of car- riages at Amherst. In 1839 he came to Illinois and located at Chatham, Sangamon County, where he resided until 1844. In that year be removed to La Grange, Mo .. whence he returned to Chatham two years later. A few months after that he opened a general store at Waverly, Morgan County, which he managed until 1877. He then went to Taylorville to live with a daughter, and died there one month later. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Cannon, and she was also a native of Hampshire County, Mass. She died at Way- erly. Her father, Josiah Cannon, was of Massa- chusetts birth, and spent his whole life in his native State.
Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf have no children of their own, but they have nobly acted the part of father and mother to no less than four children, whom they have reared and educated. Their adopted daugh- ter, Kate Milton Metcalf, is now the wife of N. V. Hall, of Brushy Mound Township, and they have one chuld. named Howard Metcalf Hall. Lucy J. McBride, Charles M. Kinney and Ida F. Wyn- koop, are the others reared by our subject and his wife. Lucy married James F. Duncan, of Western Mound Township, and they have five children. Charles, who resides at Carlinville, is married and has four children. Ida married John C. Helmich, of Denver. and they have one child.
Mr. Metcalf was a Whig in politics until the formation of the Republican party, since which !
time he has been identified with that. He has held several responsible public offices, and has always shown himself to be earnestly interested in the welfare of his town and county wherever he re- sided. He served as JJustice of the Peace in Greeng County. and also at Girard, from 1855 until 1866. Ile was a member of the Village Board of Trus- tees, both at Waverly and at Girard, and during Lincoln's administration he was Postmaster at Girard. In 1869 he was elected Clerk of Macou- pin County, and removed to Carlinville, of which he has since been a resident. He was re-elected in 1873 to that oflice and served two full terms.
AMES M. ATCHISON, who is engaged in general merchandising in Gillespie, is one of the native citizens of this county. Hle was born in Bunker Ilill, January 10, 1860, and is a son of Elridge Atchison, a native of Tennes- see, who in his youth learned the trade of a ear- penter and cabinet-maker. While still single he came to Illinois and in Edwardsville met and mar- ried his wife, whose maiden name was Eucebia Wilson. She was born in Kentucky and during her mandenhood settled in Madison County. Some time after their marriage Mr. Atchison and his wife came to this county, where he embarked in farm- ing near Bunker Hill. Ile became one of the prom- inent and leading citizens of this community and served as Postmaster of the city of Bunker Hill for a number of years, filling the office during Presi- dent Lincoln's administration and again under President Grant. At length he resigned, since which time he has been living a retired life. Ile is now eighty years of age and one of the well- known and highly respected people of the commu- nity. His wife has attained the age of three-score and ten and she is a member of the Baptist Church. On the organization of the Republican party Mr. Atchison joined its ranks and at the last election supported Benjamin Harrison for the Presidency. The Atchison family during the late war was rep- resented by the father and three sons; the former. with his son Thomas enlisted in the Seventh Ill-
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inois Infantry, Mr. Atchison being at that time fifty-one years of age. Thomas continued in the service until the close of the war. The father was honorably discharged for disability, suffering from the hardships and trials of army life. The other two sons, Alex C. and Nathan D., both enlisted at the early part of the war. the former becoming First Lieutenant of Company A, Ninety seventh Illinois Infantry. He was killed a. the battle of Vicks- burg, at which time he was commanding a com- pany, as the Captain, Mr. Woods was then off duty. Nathan eniisted at the age of sixteen years and though young proved himself a brave sollier. After participating in many engagements he was shot by the enemy at Altoona Pass, Ga.
Mr. E. Atchison was placed on the pension rolls in 1877 for disabilities received in the service of his country. at the rate of $12 per month from the time of his discharge from the army, aggregating about 82,000. He remained a pensioner until 1886, when under the administration of President Cleve . land, after having applied for an increase in his pension, he was cut down to SE per month, which he refused to accept and wrote the Commissioner of Pensions to that effect. Ile remained off the rolls until 1891, when he was again restored to the pension rolls at the rate of $17 per month, and now draws that amount.
The subject of this sketch is the tenth in order of birth of the family of eleven children, six of whom are yet living. Ile was reared to manhood in Bun- ker Hill and vicinity and in the public schools ac- quired his education. Hle married in 1882 Miss Elizabeth Roberts, who was born September 10, 1860, in Bunker Hill. Her parents were William and Mary (Lewellyn) Roberts. The father was a wheelwright and wagon-maker by trade, which oc. eupations he followed for many years. Ile came from Kentucky, his native State, to Bunker Hill. where he died at the age of fifty years. He was a Democrat in politics and a prominent citizen of the community. Ilis widow, a native of Virginia, is a member of the Methodist Church, still survives him and is now about sixty years of age. Nine children were born of this union, of whom seven are yet living.
Mr. Atchison is a member of the Baptist Church
and his wife of the Methodist Church; they are widely known throughout this community, ta ng rank among the leading young people of Gillespie. In polities our subject is a Republican and keeps himself well informed on all the leading questions of the day, both political and otherwise. He is recognized as a straightforward, upright business man who well deserves the liberal patronage which be now receives. Ile entered upon his mercantile career in 1875, in the employ of T. E. Dow, and in 1886, when that gentleman established a branch house in Gillespie, Mr. Atchison was placed in charge continuing as manager of the store for two years, when in 1888 he became owner. He carries a full line of goods and by his earnest desire to please his customers, his genial manner and fair dealing, has built upan excellent trade.
NDREW McDONALD, of Gillespie, comes of an old Scotch family and inherits many of the characteristics of that race. The grandfather of our subject, George Mc- Donald, after the death of his first wife, crossed the Atlantic to America and located in Kentucky about, 1798. Many years later he followed the course of emigration which was steadily drifting Westward and in 1828 took up his residence in Greene County, Ill. lle left Kentucky on account of his opposition to slavery, and after settling in Greene County he was again married when quite old. Ile was a worthy and highly respected gentle- man and passed away when well advanced in years.
James McDonald, the father of our subject, was a native of Scotland, and in that country learned the trade of a stone-cutter. When a young man he accompanied his father to America and in Ken- tucky was married to a lady who died in that State in the prime of life. Of that union there were born five children, but only two are now liv- ing. James MeDonald subsequently made a home in Greene County, Ill., where he was a second time married, his union being with Miss Mary All- man, a lady of Welsh and English descent. They
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spent their entire married lives in Greene County. where James McDonald died at the age of sixty- five years, and his wife when forty years of age. Ile was a member of the Episcopal Church and his wife a Presbyterian, and they were highly respected citizens of the community in which they made their home.
The subject of this sketch was only three and a half years old when his father was called to his final rest and by an uncle and an aunt he was reared, remaining at their home until after the breaking out of the late war, when, in 1862, he joined the boys in blue of Company 1. Ninety- first Illinois Infantry. The company was com- manded by Capt. S. H. Culver, and the regiment at the order of Col. H. M. Day proceeded South- ward. They met the enemy in battle at Elizabeth, Ky., at which place a detachment of the regiment was captured, Mr. McDonald being among the number. Later, however, they were paroled and on rejoining the command were sent to the South. Another battle occurred at Morganza, and for some time they fought the enemy in their own stronghold. Mr. MeDonald was a second time captured near Blakeley, Ala., and held by the ene- my for some weeks. He was placed within the walls of Meridian, Miss., prison. Ile had many narrow escapes, having at one time had his kg broken while on skirmish duty and on another occasion the eagle on his cartridge box saved his life. A bullet struck the metal and rebounded, but the force was great enough to knock him down. When the war was over he was honorably discharged at Springfield, III., July 27, 1865. Hle still has in his possession the old canteen which he carried throughout the service. He has a brother, George McDonald, that served during the war in Company D, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry.
Mr. MeDonald immediately returned to Greene County, where for some time he again worked at his trade of carpentering. It was in that county on the 25th of November, 1869, that he wedded Miss Sarah F. Farmer, who was born in Tennes- see, near the Kentucky line. November 25, 1844, and is a daughter of Henry D. and Mary E. (Gooch) Farmer, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. They removed to Illinois about 1847,
and after living in Wayne County for a time, took up their residence in Maconpin County, where Mr. Farmer died in 1885, at the age of sixty-five years. Throughout his life he engaged in agricultural pursuits. His widow still survives and makes her home with Mrs. MeDonald at the age of sixty-nine years. She is a second cousin of the Hon. Thomas Benton. ller family is noted for longevity. Her husband was a member of the Methodist Church, to which she too belongs, and no better citizens ever resided in this community. The grandfather of Mrs. MeDonald served in the War of 1812, and the great grandfather was a Revolutionary hero.
By the union of our subject and his wife has been born a daughter, Mary Adella, an accom- plished and well edneated young lady, who assists her father in the duties of the post-office. Mr. McDonald is a Presbyterian in religious faith, although not a member of the church, but his wife belongs to the Methodist Church. They take great pleasure in collecting old coin and other relics and have almanacs of every year back to 1840. In their possession are also a number of walking sticks, family heirlooms, which were brought from Scotland to this country, and are over three hundred years old. In politics Mr. Me- Donald is a stalwart Republican, prominent in local affairs, and for sixteen years has been a cen- tral committee man in Gillespie Township. He has also been Township Clerk. and is now the Postmaster of Gillespie. A valued citizen, a faith- ful soldier and a capable official, he is well deserv- ing of a representation in this volume.
R OBERT D. QUIGLEY owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30, Gillespie Township, where he has resided for the long period of thirty- four consecutive years. In addition to this he owns eighty acres of timber land. The fine build- ings seen upon the place, the many improvements, the well tilled fields and good grades of stock, all indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner who
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is numbered among the successful and well-to-do farmers in this locality. He is a native of Ala- bama, his birth having occurred in the city of Mobile, October 18. 1832. The Quigley family is of Trish descent and of Presbyterian belief. It was established in America by emigrants from the Emerld Isle who crossed the Atlantic, settling in New Jersey prior to the Revolutionary War, and subsequently removing to Alabama. The grand- parents of our subject were Daniel and Margaret Quigley. He served in the Colonial Army during the War for Independence and in later years went to Mobile, Ala .. where both he and his wife died at an advanced age.
William Quigley, the father of our subject, was born and reared in New Jersey and in Trenton, in 1825, led to the marriage altar Eliza Somers, who was born near Canden and was a daughter of Isaac and Hannah Somers. natives of England. After their marriage they emigrated to the United States, settling in New Jersey. Their removal caused a break in the family chain, where if the records were clear, it would entitle the descendants to a large fortune. They continued to reside in New Jersey during the remainder of their lives and were mem- bers of the Society of Friends. Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liam Quigley soon after their marriage went south to Mobile. Ala., where for some years before he had been engaged as a mason and bricklayer. Afterward he became a contractor and was the architect of many of the leading buildings in that eity, where he had first located when it was a small town. In Mobile he spent his entire active life and died of scarlet fever in 1836, at the age of thirty- five years. Mrs. Quigley afterward returned to the North and spent her last days at the home of her son George William in Gillespie Townsh p. She was born in 1801, and died July 11, 1869. In their family were five children. of whom Robert. Cordelia and George W. are yet living.
The subject of this sketch, who was the fourth in order of birth, grew to manhood in his native city and acquired an excellent education. under the tutorship of Prof. Norman Pinney, a graduate of Yale College and a prominent educator of the South. Into his mind was instilled lessons of in- dustry, such as would prove of practical benefit to
him and he has never forgotten the excellent train- ing of his youth. He was only three years old when his father died but he remained in Mobile until twenty years of age, when he accompanied his mother to Illinois and since his marriage has resided upon the farm which is still his home.
On June 7, 1855. Mr. Quigley was joined in wed- lock with Miss Mary .I. Parks, a native of Christian County, Ky., and a daughter of James and Mary P. (Harlan) Parks. They were both natives of Virginia, and emigrated with their respective families during their childhood to Kentucky, where they grew to mature years and were married. Six children were born unto them in that State and they then came in 1833 to Illinois, traveling over- land with teams to Gillespie Township, Macoupin County, where Mr. Parks purchased a small farm. Ile died two years later. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1884, when a very old lady. They adbered to the faith of their ancestors and were members of the Presbyterian Church.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Quigley have been born five children, but one died in infancy and Mary is also deceased. Walter S. married Sarah Spillman and is a farmer of Ililyard Township: Robert P. and Jessie ('. are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Quigley are members of the Presbyterian Church, bold a high position in the social world and are numbered among the highly respected people of this com- munity. lle is a Republican in politics and has held a number of local offices.
OSEPH HOWELL, a furniture dealer and undertaker of Brighton, who has carried on business at this place since 1859, is of Eng- lish birth. His grandfather, William How- ell, was born and reared in Gloucestershire, England. where throughout his business life he fol- lowed blacksmithing and when well advanced in years, died near the place of his birth. John How- ell, father of our subject, also a native of Glouces- tershire, was a broadeloth weaver and followed that occupation for some time. He married an Eng- lish lady. Miss Martha Jones. who spent the days
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of her maidenhood in Gloucestershire. Some years after their marriage they removed to Leeds, York- shire, where Mr. Howell spent the remainder of his life except two years which he passed at the home of our subject in this country. His wife died in 1856, at the age of fifty-six years and like her hus- band was a member of the Baptist Church. In their family were four sons and a daughter. The latter died at her home in Brighton, Ill., in 1881; Samuel was married and died in England, from in- juries received while casting shot for the Crimean War. The brothers still living are William and Henry, both of whom are married, have families and reside in Leeds, England. The latter is a boot and shoe manufacturer and the former is proprietor of a sash and door factory.
We now take up the personal history of Joseph Howell, who was born in Gloucestershire, England, January 1, 1828, and when a lad of ten summers accompanied his parents to Leeds, where the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. Ile served for seven years as a clerk behind the counter of a general store and thus familiarized himself with business methods. When he had attained to ma- ture years he chose as a helpmate on life's journey Miss Jane Warburton, who was born and reared in Bradford, England, and is a daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Senior) Warburton, natives of Brad- ford, where they resided many years, the father being an engineer at that place. llowever, in 1850, he crossed the Atlantic with his family and made a settlement in Brighton Township, Macou- pin County, Ill., where for eight years he made his home, removing thenee to Montgomery County, where he died in 1871. llis wife survived him two years passing away in 1873. They left four children: Mrs Emma Tennis and Mrs. Harriet Brown, of Carlinville, Il1; George, who is married and engages in merchandising in Colorado; and Jane, the honored wife of our subject.
In England there was born unto Mr. and Mrs. Howell one child and with their little son they took passage on the sailing. vessel "The Express," which, after nine weeks and two days, dropped an- chor in the harbor of New Orleans. Coming up the Mississippi River, they landed at Alton on the 8th of May, 1850, just fourteen weeks from the
time they left their home in Leeds. Some months later they came to Brighton, where they still reside. and here the family has been increased by the birth of four chiklren: Edwin S. was born in England, married Susan Wilson, who died April 24, 1891; he is engaged in the practice of law in East St. Louis; Eliza is the wife of David A. Rice, a resident farmer of Waubansee County, Kan .; Julia is the wife of G. M. French, a train despatcher on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Rail- road, living at Mattoon, Ill .; Alfred .J., who married Mary Johnston, is an undertaker and dealer in car- pets in Alton. Ill. ; Jennie M. is the wife of Dr. T. II. Hall, of Alma, Kan. The children were all pro- vided with good educational advantages, such as would lit them for the practical duties of life, and .Julia and Edwin were successful teachers for sev. eral years.
As before stated, Mr. Howell began business in his present line in 1859. He carries a full and complete line of undertaking supplies and also a good stock of furniture of the latest styles, and is a straightforward, upright business man who is highly esteemed by all who know him. Both he and his wife are leading members and netive workers in the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Howell has served as Deacon for thirty years. In politics he is a stanch Republican and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for five years and has also served as a mem- ber of the Towe Board. A public-spirited and prog- ressive man, he is numbered among the valued citizens of the community.
OIIN C. HOLLOWAY. Among the retired farmers who have done good service in the earlier days of Macoupin County, and who now in their later years are enjoying the fruits of their labor with a conscience at ease and au active interest in the welfare of the community, we are pleased to mention the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this brief notice. He resides at Palmyra where with his family he enjoys the pleasant home which he lias so truly earned.
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He was born in Scott County, Ill., four miles west of Winchester. April 5, 1836. Ilis father George M. Holloway was born June 14, 1813, in Clarke County, Ky., and was the son of John Holloway, a native of Virginia, and one of the first settlers of Clarke County, who removed to Kentucky in very early days. This pioneer emigrated to the State of Illinois in 1823, making the trip overland. llc settled in what is now Scott County being one of its first settlers.
At the time that John Holloway, Sr .. came to this State Indians were more plentiful than whites. There was no settlement whatever where Spring -. field now stands and Chicago was unheard of. There was, however, a military post there which was known as Ft. Dearborn. The pioneer made claim to a tract of Government land four miles west of Winchester and resided there until his death in 1841. His son George resided with his parents until his marriage, and then took charge of the old homestead and continued his residence there for many years. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Mary Elizabeth New. She was born in Kentucky and her father Jolin New was a native of Virginia. She reared to man's and woman's es- tate eight of her nine children, namely: Lucinda, our subject, Permelia, Mary E., Martha, Ellen. Sa- mantha A .. Luey E. and Wealthy.
The one of whom we write had his early training and education upon the home farm and in the pio- neer schools of Scott County and he lias lived to see a wonderful growth in this section, as sinee his birth the wild prairies have given place to richly cultivated farms, fruitful orchards, populous towns, and tracts erossed by many a stirring railroad train. In his early years there was no railroad in his vicinity and Naples, on the Illinois River, was the nearest market for supplies and at which to dis- pose of the produets of the farm. Deer, turkeys and other kinds of game ahounded, and the gar- ments of his childhood were made by the mother's hand from cloth which she had manufactured with her carding comb, her spinning wheel and her loom.
The young man resided with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-one and then bought eighty acres of land near Winchester and lived
there for four years. Ile then sold this property and bought one hundred acres a mile and a half from Winchester and after residing there for a year sold it at an advance and came to Macoupin County, purchasing two hundred and forty acres of land in South Palmyra Township. He added to his land by purchase at different times and now has five hundred acres. He resided on this farm until 1887 and then after a few months residence in Carlin- ville built the pleasant home where he now resides in South Palmyra Township.
The marriage of Mr. Holloway with Miss Nancy Baker, took place in 1856. The lady was born in Adams County, Il., and was the daughter of Jolin Baker; her married life was to be of brief duration for she died in 1860, llis second marriage was in December, 1865, when he was united with Miss Lucy E. Smithson, a native of Clarke County, Ky., whose father, J. Wesley Smithson, was born in South Carolina, His father, John Smithson, re- moved from South Carolina to Ohio, and thence to Kentucky, where he resided for a time in Bourbon County. He then went to Clarke County and bought a home six miles south of Winchester. There he lived for many years before coming to Illinois, where he died at the home of his son Will- iam, near Winchester, Scott County, Ill. The father of Mrs. Holloway was reared on the home farm in Kentucky and resided there until 1859, when he came to Illinois and resided in Scott County until after the war of the Rebellion. He then went to Missouri and made his home in La- fayette County, and afterward in Johnson County, where he passed away at the age of seventy-one. Ilis wife, a native of Clarke County. Ky., was Mary E., daughter of Patrick Henry Danielson, a native of Kentucky. The great-grandfather, John Danielson, was born in Virginia and was one of the early settlers of Kentucky. He lived for a time in Bourbon County and was one of the men who cut away the canebrake and cleared the ground where the first courthouse was built in Paris, Ky. He secured land in Clarke County, built a log cabin and began to clear a farm.
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