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 17

Author: Biographical Publishing Company
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 920

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 17

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Our subject remained at home until 1854 with his parents, and his father then, on bis attain . ing his majority; gave him a horse and saddle, which, with abont $20 in cash. comprised his entire capital with which to begin life on his own ac- count. But that was sufficient for a young man of his calibre and wide-awake activity, and in the course of time he has increased it many fold, and is one of the wealthy men of his township. In the fall of the same year that he left the parental abode, after engaging for awhile in driving a team to break prairie, receiving half the profits, he rented of John Moore a tract of land in lloney Point Township, and put in a crop of wheat. In 1876 his father gave him seventy acres of prairie on the western half of the northeast quarter of section 36, Brushy Monnd Township, and which is included in his present farm. The same year he bought twenty acres of land adjoining his place, and ten acres of which were timber. Ile has developed his estate into a fine farm, which is replete with all modern improvements, including a neat and commodious set of frame buildings, and his well kept fields and pastures yield him a handsome income. He has in- creased the acreage of his farm until he has four hundred and ninety-five acres of realty that is in a fine condition.

On the 15th of April, 1858, Mr. Mitchell mar- ried Miss Sarah Eliza Jackson, a native of Honey Point Township, where she was born November 25, 1840. Their pleasant wedded life has bronght to them one son, Frederick Elijah. Our subject and his estimable wife enjoy to a marked degree the esteem and confidence of all who know them, as in their daily lives they show themselves to be kindly, warm-hearted people, who are thoughtful and gen- erous toward others, and are in every sense of the word Christians. Religiously, they are valued members of the Baptist Church.

Mrs. Mitchell comes of one of the old and well- known pioneer families of this county. Her father,

Frederick A. Jackson, was born in Claysville, Har- rison County, Ky., October 1, 1818, and was a son of William JJackson, a native of the same county. The father of the latter, great-grandfather of Mrs. Mitchell, was Jonathan Jackson. He was a native of Virginia, where he was reared and married, Eliza Olds becoming his wife. She was also a Vir- ginian, and was a daughter of Jesse Olds, a native of the same State. Mr. Olds removed from Vir- ginia to the Northwest Territory in the early days of the settlement of that part of the country, and stopped for a time on the present site of Vincennes, which was then a trading post. From there he went to Harrison County, Ky., and taught in dif- ferent seminaries and academies in that State, hav - ing previously tanght at Vermont and Vincennes. Ile was a graduate of Yale College, and a fine scholar. He also seems to have been a thorough business man, for, coming to Maconpin County in 1834, he settled in lloney Point Township, buying with his son Augustus quite a tract of land; he be- etme wealthy, and at one time owned upward of thirty thousand acres in this county. He taught a few terms in Honey Point Township when he first located there, and he resided there the remainder of his life. The maiden name of his wife, great- great-grandmother of Mrs. Mitchell, was Mercy Taft. She was born in Massachusetts and died in Madison County, this State.

After his marriage, Jonathan Jackson went to Kentneky and was a pioneer of Harrison County, where he bonght land and improved a farm, his death taking place there. His son William Jack- son, was a blacksmith, and carried on his trade in connection with farming, his entire life being passed in Harrison County, where he died in 1849. llis wife survived him many years, her death finally occurring at Claysville, Ky., in July, 1887.

Frederick A. Jackson was reared in his native county, and when eighteen years old left the pa- rental home and came to Illinois by the way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Alton. and thence on foot to his destination in this county. He found employment on a farm, working by the month. At the time of his marriage he settled on a wild tract of land he had purchased in Honey Point Town- ship. Hle erected a log honse in which he and his

199

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

bride commenced housekeeping, and lived there about seventeen years. He then sold his property in this county, and went back to Kentucky, and re- mained there three years. He then returned to Macoupin County, where he has since resided, pur- chasing the farm he now occupies in Brushy Mound Township.

Mr. Jackson was married March 7, 1839, to Miss Sarah Scott, a native of North Carolina, and is a daughter of Robert and Martha Scott, also natives of that State, and pioneers of this county. After a marriage of more than half a century Mrs. Jackson departed this life June 6, 1890, leaving behind her the record of many well-spent days.

ESHACHI SHULTZ, one of the leading citizens of Shipman, who is now a retired farmer, is the gentleman whose name is at the head of this biographical notice. His father was Adam Shultz who was born in Somerset County, Pa., about the year 1789. His mother was Nancy Shockey, who was also a native of the same portion of the country as her husband, her birth year being 1802. After marriage they set- tled in their native county and in the course of time removed from there to Alleghany County, Md., in May, 1836, and lived there until his death which occurred in 1864 when he was in his seventy-sixth year. His widow came to Illinois about 1866 and still resides in Shipman with her daughter. They had a large family of fourteen children of whom our subject was the seventh in order of birth.

Mr. Shultz was born in Somerset County, Pa., May 28, 1831. He was about five years of age when bis parents removed to Alleghany County, Md. There he grew to manhood under the mild influences incident to farm life. Arriving at years of manhood he was united in marriage in his adopted State March 20, 1853 to Miss Charlotte Augustine, a daughter of Jacob F. R. and Jus- dinah (Null) Augustine. The former was a native of Somerset County, Pa., and the latter was born near Hagerstown, Md. They settled in Somerset

County, Pa., and there lived until he died, when about forty years of age. The mother still sur- vives, at an advanced age. They had ten children of whom Mrs. Shultz is the third. She was born in Somerset County, Pa., April 30, 1835. There she grew to womanhood and lived until her mar- riage.

The original of this life record with his wife, spent the first years of married life in Alleghany County, Md., and Somerset County, Pa., until 1869 when they came to this county and settled in Ship- man Township on section 24, where they continued to live until the spring of 1891, when our subject retired from the active duties of farm life which he had so long pursued and removed to the village of Shipman where with his amiable and most worthy wife he intends to pass the afternoon of a life that has been occupied with the affairs and business of an energetic career.

Mr. and Mrs. Shultz have welcomed to their heartlistone eight children. They are: Marshall A. Alonzo M., Jennie, Franklin S., Cora M., Herman J., Alice L., and Chester A. The eldest child died when only four years of age. Alonzo was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Mitchell. Jennie is the wife of William A. Fisher. Franklin mar- ried Miss Jessie F. Talley; Cora is the partner of the joys and sorrows of F. M. Dodson; Herman was united to Miss Winifred Smith. All of the children are bright and intelligent and hold pro- minent positions in the social life of the commu- nity.

The original of this sketch has filled the office of Supervisor of Shipman Township for three years and has been a School Director for three years. He is now serving as Supervisor. He is a man who takes an active interest in all local affairs. Ile af- filiates with the Democratic party with whom he casts the weight of his influence and vote. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shultz are active members of the Lutheran Church, being generous supporters of the same. The greater part of our subject's life has been spent in farming although for two years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Grantsville, Md. The farm which he owned for so many years boasts many fine buildings. The home farm con- sisted of three hundred and twenty acres and he

200

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

also owned an adjoining farm of two hundred and forty acres, both located in Shipman Township. Ile is a member in good standing of the Knights of lIonor.

E RNST A. BECHTEL, proprietor of the Staunton Nursery, which is located on sec- tion 29, in the town of Staunton, is num- bered among the early settlers of the county of 1856, his residence here comprising a period of thirty-five consecutive years. Of German birth, he first opened his eyes to the light of day in the eity of Bremen, January 24, 1830, and before he had attained his majority he came to this country. His father, Cornelius Bechtel, was also a native of Bremen, and became a leading wholesale merchant of that city, where he successfully carried on oper- ations, becoming a wealthy man. lle grew to manhood under the care of an elder sister, for his father had died when he was ten years of age. In Aldenburg, Germany, he wedded Miss Sophia Gether, a native of that city. His death occurred in 1850, at the age of sixty-three years. She long survived her husband and died November 30, 1887, when nearly eighty-three years of age. Both were members of the German Reformed Church and were people of prominence in Bremen, where they ocenpied a high social position. By their marriage were born two sons-our subject and his brother Hemy, who died in Germany when a young man. By a former marriage Mr. Bechtel had be- come the father of six children, three daughters and three sons. The latter all came to America and two became prominent merchants of New York City. The other son returned and succeeded to his father's wholesale business in Bremen. He died some years ago.

As his father was well off, our subject was en ahled to seeure.a good education, and was thus fitted for life's duties. At the age of nineteen. in 1849, he bade good-by to home and friends, took passage upon the sailing-vessel "Gaston." com- manded by Capt. Blanke, and at length arrived in New York. He spent one year in the eastern part of the Empire State and then went to Washing-

ton, D. C., where he lived until he had attained his majority and wedded Miss Mary L. Gilde- meister, who was born in Prussia, January 17, 1835, and comes of a very prominent and cultured family. Among her relatives was one famed for his literary productions. He was also a diplomat and served as State Ambassador. He was killed by the hand of an assassin. Otto Gildemeister, a consin of Mrs. Bechtel, is a prominent German anthor and translator, who has translated into his na tive tongue the works of Shakespeare and Byron Mrs. Bechtel is a daughter of Henry and Williel- mina (Simonetti) Gildemeister, natives of Ger- many. and they were descended from families of note and worth. Among their relatives were those who held high positions under the Government. The mother was the daughter of an Italian musi- cian who became the leader of a celebrated or- chestra.

Mr. and Mrs. Gildemeister began their domestic life in Bremen aud after some time he accepted a position as professor in a leading agricultural cot- lege of Prussia, his situation being for life, but, desiring to give his children better opportunities, he decided to come to America and in 1848, with his family, sailed across the Atlantic. He pur- chased a farm in the District of Columbia and nine years later, with his wife and children, some of whom were already married, came to Macoupin County, Ill., locating in Bunker Hill Township, where they resided until their removal to Bunker Ilill to live retired. Mrs. Gildemeister died ia 1870, at the age of sixty-five years. Mr. Gilde- meister is still living in Bunker Hill, at the ad- vaneed age of ninety-seven years. His mental faculties are still unimpaired, but he now suffers from a paralytic stroke. He belongs to the Ger- man Reformed Church, of which his wife was also a member.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel have been born five children. Wilhelmina Minnie became the wife of John W. Turk, who died in Staunton Township, in 1885, leaving his widow and a daughter, Bertha, to mourn his loss. They now reside with her parents. Henry C. is engaged in the wholesale grocery business in Springfield, Mo .; Angust R. is extensively engaged in business as a nursery-

201

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

man; Mary L. is the wife of Samuel Payne, an attorney-at-law residing in Greenfield, Mo .; Theo- dore is assisting his brother in the nursery busi- ness. The Bechtel family is numbered among the prominent people of Macoupin County and well deserve to occupy that rank.

Mr. Bechtel, the subject of this sketch, is a Re- publican in politics, and in all.that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the community he has ever borne his part. He made farming his busi- ness until he engaged in his present line of trade. On coming to this county, he located upon a farm in Dorchester Township, about half way between Staunton and Bunker Hill, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for six years. He then estab- lished a nursery and vineyard, and has since car- ried on that business. Ilis home is now on sec- tion 29, where eight years ago he established the Staunton Nursery. He carries all kinds of nur- sery plants, shrubbery and vegetables of excellent varieties, and has now a farge wholesale and retail trade. The home comprises fifteen acres of fine land and is beantifully adorned with trees and shrubs. With Mr. Bechtel in business the sons are associ- ated, and they now do the principal part of the work, relieving their father of the more arduous labors.

OLIN T. CAIN, who is engaged in farming on section 5, Honey Point Township, is a Southerner by birth, the place of his nativ- ity being Grayson County, Ky., and the date, May 3, 1846. Hle is a son of Abraham P. Cain, who is supposed to have been a native of the same county. The father of the latter, Patrick Cain, was born in Ireland, and on coming to Amer- ica settled among the pioneers of Grayson County, where he engaged in farming, and there spent his last years.

Abraham l'. Cain was reared on a Kentucky farm, and continued to live in his native State until 1850, when he came to Illinois, accompanied by his wife and three children. They made the jour- ney with a team, bringing all their household ef- fects with them and cooking and camping often

by the way. After arriving in this State, Mr. Cain located in Jersey County, residing a short time on Ilawkin's Prairie, then removed to Kemper's Sta- tion, where he lived two years. lle next rented a farm south of there, and dwelt upon it until 1860, when he came to Macoupin County, and purchased a traet of partly improved land in Shipman Town- ship. At that time Alton was the nearest market and depot for supplies, there being no railways here then. Ile engaged in the improvement of his farm, and made his home here until his death. The name of his wife before marriage was Naney Downs. She is a Kentuckian by birth, and a daughter of Israel Downs. She is living at a venerable age, making her home on the home farm, and is the mother of seven children, namely,-Margaret A., John T., Sarah C., Israel Taylor, James W., Mary E. and J. Hardin.

John T. Cain, of whota these lines are written was but five years old when the family came to Ill. inois, and he remembers well the ineidents of pio- neer life in Jersey County, during his boyhood. At the time that they settled there the country still retained much of its primitive condition, and der and other wild game were numerous. Ile was reared on a farm, assisting in its manifold duties, and gaining a good practical knowledge of agricul- ture that has been of value to him since he began his independent career as a farmer. In 1872 he rented land in Brushy Mound Township, which he cultivated very profitably, and he continued to re- side in that township. until 1882, when he bought and removed to the farm he now occupies in Honey Point Township. This farm, with its carefully tilled acres, its productive soil, and its excellent improvements, is a valuable piece of property, and yields its owner a comfortable income.

November 4, 1875, Mr. Cain married Miss Mary E. Morgan, a native of this county, East ('arlinville Township, her birthplace. Their pleasant wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of six children, namely: Edward R., Leola, Ruby C., Ina H., John R. and Margaret A.

Mrs. Cain's father, Thomas Morgan, was born in Shropshire, England, February 21, 1829. He re- mained in his native land until he was twenty four years old. when he came to America, crossing the

202

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ocean in a sailing-vessel, and landing at New Or- leans. From that city he came northward as far as Memphis, Tenn., and after tarrying there a year, he came to this county. He resided for two years at Carlinville, and then settled at South Otter Township, of which he has since been a resident. He was a carpenter by trade, and worked on some of the first frame houses ever erected at Carlinville. He followed his trade for a time after locating in South Otter Township, but for many years has de- voted himself to farming, and owns a good farm of forty acres.

Mr. Morgan was married in this county July 10, 1851, to Miss Harriet Walton, who was born in New York City, February 20, 1832. They have five children as follows,-Mary E., Florence, William L., Minnie II. and Thomas E.

RS. CLARA M. (RICE) STEIDLEY, was born in South Palmyra Township, April 17, 1841. Iler father, Richard Rice, was a Virginian and was born April 30, 1795. His father, Edwin Rice, also spent his entire days as far as is known in Virginia. The father of Mrs. Steidley was reared and married in his native State, and removed thence to Kentucky, and in 1830 to Illinois where he made his home in Mac- oupin County. This removal was made by team aud he brought with him not only his wife and five children but also all his household goods and possessions. He settled in what is now South Pal- myra Township and made claim to a tract of Gov- ernment land.

The same fall Mr. Rice returned to Kentucky on horseback and brought back with him to Illinois his brother and family as well as two other fam- ilies. He returned to Illinois in time to encounter the severities of the winter of 1830, which is noted as the season of deep snow. He and his family lived during that winter in a log cabin of one apartment. Nothing daunted by this experience which must have been a severe one to people coming from the southland, he went to work in the spring

to put his farm in condition for cultivation, and 'made his residence there until his death in 1856.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Clara Ann Cave. She was born in Virginia and was the daughter of Thomas Cave, who spent his last days in Kentucky and died in 1878. The mother of Mrs. Steidley reared eleven children, five of whom are now living. In the early settle- ment of this county the farmers were obliged to live entirely upon the products of the farm as they were so far removed from any market and Mrs. Rice and her children were clothed from material manufactured by her own hand. They raised flax and sheep upon the farm and she was accustomed to card and spin the wool and to spin the flax and from these materials to weave cloth for their clothing.

Clara Rice resided with her mother until her marriage in 1861 to Solomon J. Steidley, who was born in Virginia, and was the son of Joseph and Elvira Steidley. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Steidley resided upon the old Steidley homestead in South Palmyra Township for some time and then bought two hundred and eighty acres in North Palmyra Township adjoining the village of Palmy- ra and partly situated within its bounds. Ile carried on agriculture and was also engaged in the sale of farming implements until his death, but he was not destined to a long life for be was called from earth in June 1878, leaving a widow and three children to mourn his loss. The children are named Charles L., Rosa B. and Mary E. In early life both Mr. and Mrs. Steidley became members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church and ever found in it a broad field of labor and influence. Mr. Steidley served bis church as both Steward and Class Leader and was an active worker in the Sunday-school. In his death his brethren realized that they met s loss which was irreparable. He was a member of Palmyra Lodge, No. 163 A. F. & A. M., of Palmyra Lodge I. O. O. F., and in politics casts his vote and uses his influence for the promotion of the Republican party. Ile has been a traveler to a considerable extent and in 1852 went to California, making the journey across the plains with a team. Two of his brothers, Samuel and James, served their country during the War of the Rebellion.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY (? !. .......

R. Rowett

205

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

John Rice. Mrs. Steidley's brother, was one of the "one hundred days' boys" who went out in 1864 and James who belonged to the Thirty-second Illi- nois Infantry, fell mortally wounded at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Mrs. Steidley's brother, Joseph Rice, was killed at the battle of Shiloh. Ile was First Lientenant.

G EN. RICHARD ROWETT. At no time in the history of our nation were the grand- est qualities of heroism so brilliantly dis- played as during the Civil War, and high on the roll of honor we place the name of those who main- tained unsullied the glory of this mighty nation. When gloomy war with all its horrors rent in twain a once united people, there were not wanting brave men to offer their lives in defense of liberty, to dare, and do and die before the altar of patriotismn. In hours of peril no one faltered, but all, generals and privates, military and civilians, fought with an intrepidity which never failed them. In die dis. aster they became individually heroie, and fought for that prosperity which in eivie life they had achieved.

The residents of Maconpin County and of the State of Illinois, point with pride to the record made in the Civil War by the late Gen. Rowett, whose portrait accompanies this sketch. Imbued with an intense love for the land of his adoption, and fired with a determination to uphold her in . stitutions, he enlisted at the breaking out of the war, and served valiantly on many a hard-fought battlefield. As a private citizen and as a public official bis career was alike stainless and honorable; is his home, surrounded by a devoted wife and lov- ing children, he enjoyed a needed relaxation from the duties of publie life and there found his great- est pleasures. Although removed from the scenes bf earth ere yet old age had come to him. he had won a reputation which was not bounded by any Arbitrary divisions of county or State. A grateful bountry honors his memory, and generations yet to come will revere his name.

Although not a native of the United States, in his beliefs, ideas and principles he was intensely

American. The place of his nativity was England, and he was born in East Looe, Cornwall, in 1830. In far-famed Britain he grew to manhood, and hav- ing early faid the foundation of an upright charac- ter and possessing an intellect of a very high order, there was everything in his personal qualities to indicate a career of usefulness. The knowledge which he gained from the best literature of the day was of inestimable value to him. Ilistory, bio- graphy and oratory gradually enkindled in his heart a desire to be something more than a mere worker with his hands, and he became, almost un- known to himself. a well-informed, e lueated man.

When twenty-one years of age he left his home and crossed the broad Atlantic and sought in Amer- iva, what the future might boki in keeping for him. In the State of Indiana he passed three years in a buggy, harness and trimming establishment. In 1854 he removed to this county where he remained until called hence. The first years of his residence here were times to try the souls of men; war was threatening and danger lurked on every hand. Finally affairs reached a crisis, and the gun fired at Ft. Sumter echoed round the world. When the war broke out in 1861 he was commissioned Cap- tain of Company K. Seventh Illinois Infantry. Ilis skill as commander soon attracted attention, and lie was promoted to Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Col- onel and was brevetted Brigadier-General for spee- ial acts of gallantry at Allatoona. In three differ- ent engagements he received as many severe wounds, at Shiloh. Corinth and Allatoona.

Impressed with the ability and attainments of Gen. Rowett, Gov. Palmer appointed him Canal Commissioner, and in 1871 he accepted the appoint- ment of Peritentiary Commissioner. In 1876 he took his seat in the Thirtieth General Assembly as a representative from Macoupin County. Though never radical in politics, his vote and sympathies were with the Republican party, and the testimony comes from all his acquaintances tilat his ability and integrity won, to a very unusual degree, the respect of his associates. Ilis popularity obtained for him the office of Internal Revenue Commis- sioner for the Fourth District the appointment be- ing made by President Garfield. Here as elsewhere, be nobly discharged the duties incumbent upon

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 17

Author: Biographical Publishing Company Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 920

Author: Biographical Publishing Company
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 920