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 16
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Mr. Bird generously attributes a share of his prosperity to the capable assistance of his wife, who is endowed with those attributes of character . that make her wise in counsel, an efficient house- wife, and a true helpmate to her husband. They began their wedded life more than forty years ago, in 1819. They have had children, of whom these three are spared to bless their declining years: Carrie, who married Forrest Gore and resides near Girard; Mary Olive, wife of Coy Roach. of Girard; and Daisy Mabel, who lives at home with her parents. The following is the record of the children of our subject and his wife who have departed this life: Morris Edwin, their only son, born July 9, 1858, died February 6, 1877 ; Ida Alice, born September 16. 1864, mar- ried Ellsworth Childs, and died June 3, 1890; Ada E., their first child, born August 11. 1856, died in December, 1858; Anna C., born May 22, 1860, died at the age of ten months.
Mrs. Bird's name previous to her marriage was Eliza Ann Laster. She is a native of Greene
County, Ill., and a daughter of Enoch and Charity . (Hill) Laster, pioneers of that county. Her tather was born near Murfreesborough, Tenn., and was a son of llardy Laster, one of the pioneer farm- ers of that section, who died in that State. Enoch Laster came to this State when a young man as early as 1829, and was one of the first set- tlers of Greene County, locating eight miles east of Carrollton, where he improved a farm, upon which he passed the remainder of his days. He was quite prominent in the community. He was the Justice of the Peace for many years, and in his politics he was a sturdy Democrat. The Rev. Abner Hill, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Bird, was a native of North Carolina, whence he removed to Tennessee. In 1830 he came from there to Illinois, and was a pioneer Baptist preacher of Greene County. He was famous in his day in that section of the coun- try, preached in different places, and helped to or- ganize several churches. He developed a farm on String Prairie, and lived on it until 1850, when he soll it, and thereafter made his home with his children in this county, dying at the home of his daughter. The maiden name of his wife was Annie Hill. Mis. Bird's mother married a second time after the death of her first husband, becoming the wife of Jolin Courtney, and she died in Bird Township.
Mr. Bird is eminently a self-made man, as he be- gan life on his own account with no other capital than his mental and physical endowments, but these have served him well, and he has accumu- lated a handsome fortune by a determined effort to overcome all obstacles in the pathway of complete success, and by the exercise of a quick, unerring judgment in regard to the best means of making money. A man of strong, firm character and of large enterprise, he has been influential in various ways in pushing forward undertakings of import- ance that have been useful in furthering the rise and progress of the county. Especially is this true in regard to his connection with the Macoupin County Agricultural Board, of which he is one of the leading members. He was one of its organizers and as its President for the last six years he has greatly helped to make it one of our most servic- able institutions, which has done much to introduce
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the best modern methods of farming and stock rais- ing to the notice of the people. Mr. Bird was also one of the organizers of the Carlinville National Bank in May, 1890, of which he was then elected Director.
ILLIAM E. TAYLOR. a prosperous farmer of Bushy Mound Township, is a native of Macoupin County, born in one of its early pioneer homes in Gillespie Township, July 26, 1837. His father, Arthur Taylor, was a native of South Carolina, born in Greenville district in 1813. He in turn was the son of William Taylor, a farmer, who is supposed to have been born in South Caro- lina and died in Georgia.
Arthur Taylor was young when his parents re- moved to Georgia and there his youth was passed. When he was a young man he came to Ilinois in 1831 and spent the "winter of the deep snow" in this county. The following spring he returned to Georgia and when he heard of the Black Hawk War he came back to Illinois to take part in it. For his services he received a land warrant, which he sold. lle homesteaded Government land in Gillespie Township, upon which some improve- ments had been made. lle afterward sold that tract and bonght another in the Northwestern part of the same township. He immediately proceeded to build a log house, riving the boards for a roof, making a puncheon floor and an earth and stick chimney. The remaining years of his long and useful life were passed on his homestead, where he died at a ripe old age, December 25. 1879. Ilis widow is still living in the old home at a vener- able age. Her maiden name was Sarah Ann Rose, and she was born in New Jersey, a daughter of Enos and Rachael (Scott) Rose. She is the mother of the following children : William E., Andrew J., Louisa, Albert, Asa, Ezra and Jane.
He of whom we write was reared in his native township and received his education in the pioneer schools that were taught in log houses, furnished with seats made by splitting small logs, with wooden pins for legs and without desks in front. When
he was a boy. our subject remembers seeing deer and wolves quite frequently, and wild game often proved a welcome addition to the fare of the pio- neers. Ile resided with his parents until he was twenty-one, and then in 1858 set out from the old home to seek fortune's favors in California, going by way of New York and the Isthmus to San Fran- cisco. Ile engaged in both ranching and mining in that State and in Nevada until 1861.
In that year Mr. Taylor returned to his native county, and buying land in Brushy Mound Town- ship engaged in farming. At the time of his mar- riage in 1865 he bought a small farm on Spanish Needle Prairie, which remained in his possession until 1869, when he sold it and purchased land on the southeastern part of section 21, the same town- ship. Hle resided there several years and devoting himself assiduously to agricultural pursuits was much prospered. In 1880 he purchased his pres- ent farm in Brushy Mound Township, where he has since made his home, and has two finely cultivated, well-improved farms that compare with the best in this locality.
Mr. Taylor's marriage with Miss Martha Keltner was celebrated March 25, 1865, and it has been blessed to them by the birth of the following six children-Lucy, Lydia, Annie, Willie, Ella and Leroy. Mrs. Taylor is, like her husband, a native of this county, born in Brushy Mound Township, September 12, 1847. She is also a descendant of an old pioneer family. Her father, William S. Keltner, was born in Tennessee in 1809 and was a son of llenry Keltner, who was a Virginian by birth and he was one of the early settlers of Tennessee. He carried on farming there until 1818 when he came to Illinois and cast in his lot with the pioneers of Morgan County. Hle resided there many years, but finally removed to Iowa when it was still a Territory and located in Jefferson County, buying quite a large tract of land in the vicinity of Fair- field and passing his remaining days in that town. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah Smith. She was also born in Virginia and died at Fairfield.
Mrs. Taylor's father was nine years old when he came to Illinois with his parents, and his youth was passed in Morgan County. In 1832 he came to Macoupin County and was one of the pioneers of
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Brushy Mound Township, where he bought Gov- ernment land on section 28. He built there and in the course of years improved an excellent farm, which remained his home until he closed his eyes in death, June 1, 1866.
Mrs. Taylor's mother is living at the advanced age of eighty years, and makes her home with her. Notwithstanding the burden of many years she enjoys very good health, and her mind is still bright and active. Brought up amid pioneer sur- roundings in the early years of the settlement of this State she still has a vivid recollection of those times and can trace back to their origin the many wonderful transformations that have been wrought since she was young, and she naturally thinks that the rising generation will not live to see as many great changes as she has seen. When she was a child there were no railways or canals, and but few manufactories of any kind in the United States. She was taught to card, spin and weave, and in her early married life made all the cloth used by her family. Then all grain was sown by hand and reaped by a sickle, and instead of being threshed by a machine was trampled out by cattle or a flail was used. Mrs. Keltner's maiden name was Matilda Hughes, and she was born in Monroe County, Ky., December 10, 1811. Iler father was Thomas Hughes, a Virginian by birth, and he was a son of Hugh Hughes.
Thomas lhughes was reared and married in Ken- tucky and in 1827 came to Illinois accompanied by his wife and six children, making the journey with teams, taking all the household goods along and cooking and camping by the way at night. He located in Morgan County, whence he came in the year 1832 to Brushy Mound Township. He first settled on Spanish Needle Prairie, where he improved a tract of land, which he afterward sold, and bought land east of the Mound in the same township. He built and resided there until his demise. The maiden name of his wife was Susan Moore. She was born in Kentucky and died there in 1821.
The life record of our subject as a practical farmer and as a man and a citizen, is alike honor- able to himself and creditable to his native county. He has taken part in the management of public af-
fairs, and the same traits of character that have made him successful in his vocation have made him a good civic official. In 1888 and 1889 he represented Brushy Mound Township as a member of the County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Taylor's social relations are with the Spanish Needle Lodge, F. M. B. A. Both he and his wife are Baptists in faith, and generously contribute of their means for religious objects, and are constant attendants at church, though not members thereof.
OSTAS R. RIPLEY is a prominent business man of Staunton. He now holds the posi- tion of express agent, is connected with several of the old fire insurance companies, is Notary Public and ex-Police Magistrate. Ile has been conducting his business as at present for a good many years, having been a resident of Staunton for over sixteen years. Almost his entire life has been passed in this vicinity. Ile was born in Alton, Ill., June 18, 1836, and is a son of George Ripley, a native of Virginia, born of Virginian pa- rents. The grandfather of our subject died when George was an infant, and he grew up on a farm under the care of his maternal grandfather, with whom he emigrated to Ilinois when quite young, the family settling in St. Clair County. After he had attained bis majority, he was married in Madi- son County to Miss Martha P. Randall, a native of Georgia, who came with her parents, when a child, to Illinois. The family settled at Edwardsville when it was yet a fort, the year being 1818, the same in which Illinois was admitted to the Union. Her father, Josias Randall, was the first Recorder of Deeds, and with the political and official history of the county he was prominently connected. He and his wife spent their last days in Madison County, and lived to an advanced age.
George Ripley and his wife began their domestic life in St. Clair County, and afterward removed to Alton, but returned to St. Clair in ahout 1837, making their home at that place until 1849, when they again located in Madison County, not far from Staunton. The mother is still living at the
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age of eighty-four years, and is yet bright and act- ive. She is a member of the Methodist Church and a most estimable lady. George Ripley died on the farm at the age of fifty five years. He was a Whig in politics and a life-long member of the Methodist Church. Our subject was the second in order of birth in their family of five children. two sons and three daughters, of whom the sons and one daughter are yet living.
Josias Ripley was reared to manhood in Madison County, and has spent his entire life in that and Macoupin County, except a few years when he was temporarily absent. His educational advantages were limited, but by reading he has become a well- informed man, having an excellent knowledge con- cerning topics of general interest. He is one of the prominent men of Staunton and a leader in all local affairs. He was prominently connected with the organization of the Republican party, of which he has since been a stalwart supporter. A number of local offices he has held, having served as JJus- tice of the Peace, Police Magistrate, a member of the Town Council, and at present is Notary Public. In March, 1863, he entered the Government service as clerk in the Quartermaster's Department, with headquarters at Little Rock and Balls Bluff. Aik., where he remained until July, 1866, when, the war being over, he was discharged and returned to Illinois. Since that time he has resided in Staunton or vicinity.
Mr. Ripley was married in Montgomery County to Miss Sarah M. Sturgis, who was born in Ches- terfield, Macoupin County, September 4, 1847. and under the parental roof was reared to womanhood. She was educated in the public schools and a fe- male college at Galesburg, and is an intelligent and cultured lady. Iler father, Isaac S. Sturgis, a na- tive of Ohio, became one of the pioneers of Ma- coupin County, and here married Miss Nancy Chapman, who is said to have been the first white child born in the county, her parents having come to this State in an early day. Mr. Sturgis is a farmer and followed that occupation in Illinois until about fifteen years ago, when with his wife he removed to Elk County, Kan., where they still make their home. Mrs. Ripley is the third in order of birth of their six children, all of whom are now
married and are prospering. By the union of our subject and his wife have been born five children -Mary M., wife of E. Friedman, a banker of Staunton; George B., who is employed as salesman in the general store of Il. A. Jones; Watter, an employe in the train dispatcher's office at Litch- field; Grace I. and Albert F. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ripley are members of the Methodist Church, in which he is an officer, and are active workers. In the social world they rank high, and their friends throughout the community are many.
MOS INGOLD. Among the many prom- inent farmers and citizens of Shaw's Point Township, Macoupin County, none are more favorably mentioned by their ac- quaintances than Mr. Ingold, who with his inter- esting family, lives on section 20. He is the son of Jonathan and Mary M. ( Michaels) Ingold, and was born in Marion County, Ind., November 19, 1834. Ilis parents, who were natives of North Carolina came to Madison County, Ill., in 1840 and upon the farm which they purchased spent the remainder of their lives. They had a family of sixteen children, to whom they gave as good an education as oppor- tunity permitted, and taught them many things not found in text-books but necessary to prosperity and happiness.
Our subject who was one of the younger mem- bers of the family circle, grew to manhood in Mad- ison County, Ill., and while still quite young learned how to carry on a farm and develop the resources of the land. When it was possible, he attended the pioneer schools and gained what knowledge lie could under the circumstances, but was necessarily obliged to be content with a lim- ited amount or to add to it hy self-effort. He chose the latter, and by reading has kept himself in touch with the world at large. In 1856 he left his home in Madison County and going to Minne- sota, sojourned there one year. He then returned to this State, of which he has since been a resident.
For three years Mr. Ingold resided in Boud County, this State, and it was during this time
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that he was married in December, 1863, to Miss Malinda Kingsbury. Mrs. Ingold was born in In- diana, June 16, 1839, and is the daughter of Ira and Ilannah Kingsbury, natives of Ohio, who came to Illinois at an early day and died in Bond Coun- ty. Mrs. Ingold was the next to the youngest in their family of seven children, and under the pa- rental roof she was trained to a noble womanhood, learning those lessons which have enabled her to preside over her cozy home with hospitality and refinement. They mourn the loss of six children, all of whom died in infancy excepting a daughter, Mary, who was taken from them at the age of four- teen. Ilowever three children remain to brighten the home-John, Oren and Flora.
After his marriage Mr. Ingold located in St. Clair County, where he followed farming pursuits until 1876,at that time he came to Macoupin Coun- ty, and purchasing a farm of eighty acres in Shaw's Point Township, has devoted his attention since to its cultivation and improvement. Mr. In- gold believes it the duty of every man to keep himself well informed in matters of political and general importance and to be assured of his stand- ing on every question of national or local interest. lle has decidedly in favor of the principles of the Democratie party, and supports them with his vote and influence, lle takes special interest in educa- tional matters and has served efficiently as School Director. He has also been Ifighway Commis- sioner, but has never sought office, caring little for the plaudits of the crowd, and feeling that the re- sponsibilities would far outweigh the pleasures.
ON. GEORGE J. CASTLE, who is inti- mately associated with the prosperity of this section of the State as one of the most active and progressive members of the Macoupin County Board of Agriculture, of which he is Secretary, and who has been otherwise iden- tified with the business interests of the county in former years, was a gallant officer in the late war, in which he won a distinguished reputation for high military qualities. Since taking up his resi-
dence here, he has held several important civic . offices, and has proved a valuable acquisition to the citizenship not only of Carlinville, where he has his present home as Postmaster at this city, but to the county at large.
Mr. Castle is of New England birth and anteced- ants. born at Watertown, Litchfield County, C't., March 22, 1839. Ilis father, John Castle and his grandfather, Isaac Castle, were natives of that State. The latter was a machinist and followed his calling many years, the last part of his life being spent at Waterbury.
The father of our subject was reared amid the pleasant surroundings of his native State. For a number of years he was prosperously engaged in farming, but the closing years of his life were passed in retirement at Waterbury, Conn., where he died in 1852. The maiden name of his wife was Clarinda Welton. She was born in Litchfield County, Conn., and was a daughter of Jonathan Welton. She married a second time, becoming the wife of Samuel Holt, and now resides at New Haven, Conn.
Ile of whom this biography is written was the only son of his parents, and he was thirteen years old when he had the misfortune to lose his father. He obtained a practical education in the public schools of Connecticut, which he attended until he was fourteen years old. He then came to Illinois with his uncle, Capt. Samuel Welton, and resid- ed with bim in Carliaville Township, assisting on the farm until 1859, when he returned to the East, and ambitious to extend his education, he attend- ed school at Watertown. Ile devoted himself assi- duously to his books until 1861, making rapid progress in his studies. The great civil strife be- tween the North and the South broke out, and he watched its course with intense interest, aad in the opening years of a promising manhood, animated by the noble and self-sacrificing patriotism that characterized both the old and the young men of that day, he enlisted in the service of his country, his name being enrolled as a member of Co. D., Ist Connecticut Squadron, in August, 1861. His com- pany was mustered in the same month at Hartford, Conn., and was immediately attached to the Second New York Cavalry, to which our subject belonged
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until May, 1863. He was then promoted to the position of Second Lieutenant, and was transferred to the Thirteenth New York Cavalry. He was subsequently made First Lieutenant of his com- pany, and later was commissioned its Captain, and commanded the company the last twelve months of his service.
Our subject distinguished himself in various encounters with the enemy, and won his spurs on many a hard fought battlefield, where he gave ample proof of intrepidity, cool daring and de- votion to the cause of the Union, seconded by tact as a leader and quick wit and sagacity in case of emergencies. He was serving under Gen. Kil- patrick during Stoneman's raid, and it was his regiment that got inside the works around Richmond, captured a few prisoners, including some rebel officers, and dated their paroles from that city. Captain Castle was with the advanced corps at the battle of Falmouth, his regiment being the first to cross the river into Fredericksburg,and it guarded the rear of Pope's army during the re- treat from Rapidan to Fairfax Court House. Ile was with Sheridan in his campaign in the Shenan- doah Valley, and took an active part in the battle of Winchester. January 11, 1865, the captain resigned his commission and bade farewell to mili- tary life on account of disability.
Our subject returned to Connecticut after he left the army, and then came once again to Carlin- ville. He gave his attention io farming until 1873, and then engaged in the livery business which he conducted until 1890. In February of that year he was appointed Postmaster, and has ever since been at the head of the postoffice in this city. He is managing the affairs entrusted to his care, methodically, promptly, and in a business . like manner, so as to satisfy all concerned, and his courtesy and geniality render him very popular. Hle has held other prominent positions, and in every case has displayed that true publie spirit that seeks to promote the highest welfare of the country regardless of personal aggrandizement. He was a member of the Board of Aldermen, of Carlinville, from the First Ward one term, and in 1878 he was elected Mayor of the city. In that capacity he used his influenee to forward all
schemes for the benefit of the public. and gave hearty support to all measures calculated to pro- mote the growth of the municipality.
In 1884 Mr. Castle was elected to the State Legislature, and he took an active part in that memorable contest that lasted from January until May, and terminated in the election of John A. Logan to the United States Senate, he standing firmly by the General from first to last. Politic- ally, the Republican party has always found in him a stanch adherent since he cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has been identified with the Macoupin County Board of Agriculture for many years, has served it as Director and Pres- ident, and for six years he has been Secretary of the board, that owes much to his zeal in its behalf. Socially, he is a member of the Dan Messick Post, No. 339, G. A. R .; of Mt. Nebo Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M .: of Orient Lodge, No. 95, K. P .; of Silver Lodge, No. 325, K. of H .; and of Carlinville Camp, No. 125, M. W. A.
The marriage of our subject September 8, 1868, with Miss Emma B. Fishback, a native of Ala- bama, and a daughter of William II. and Margaret Fishback, has been one of mutual happiness. They have three children living-William II., Louisa R. and George J. Their youngest child, Clara Belle, died at the age of seven years.
6 RAVIS M. MITCHELL, who resides on his pleasant farm ou section 36, Brushy Mound Township, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest native-born citizen of said township. Ilis birth took place in his father's log cabin ou sec- tion 24, February 13, 1833, he being the second son horn to Elijah and Jane ( Moore) Mitchell. See sketch of William T. Mitehell for parental his- tory.
Travis M. attended the pioneer schools of this locality, which were taught in a log house on the subscription plan, each family paying in proportion to the number of scholars sent. The teacher "boarded around" with the parents of the pupils
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throughout the district. Our subject was clothed in homespun manufactured by the deft hands of his mother, and the food that he and the rest of the family ate was cooked by her before an open fire- place. Before the advent of the railways the peo- ple lived principally on the products of the farm.
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