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 29
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When this young man first arrived in Illinois he lived for two years in Polk Township, and after this was employed by the late Charles Morris of Carlinville Township for three years on his farm. He then worked for Samuel E. Killam for two years and for Mr. Denby about a year and a half. Ilis happy marriage January 5, 1887, with Miss Sarah
Morris, presaged a period of prosperity and was the beginning of a life of true domestic happiness. The lady who now became Mrs. Bown is a daugh- ter of the late Charles Morris, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this book. She was born in Carlinville Township April 2, 1865. Two children have blessed this home. They are named Minnie B. and Charles S.
Mr. Bown has a splendid farm of two hundred and thirty aeres. It is in excellent condition and thoroughly cultivated. He has erected npon it a convenient and pleasant home and an excellent set of farm buildings. Ile makes a specialty of fine graded stock and gives to them kind and judicious care. In politics he is Republican but is not an office-seeker, but takes an intelligent interest, not only in local affairs, but in county, State and na- tional elections. lle is a wide-awake, progressive farmer and well merits the esteem and confidence which is shown him by his neighbors.
Le EVIN N. ENGLISII. Few residents of Shaw's Point Township have so strong a claim on the consideration of the readers of this volume as Mr. English. Ile has borne an honorable part in the public affairs of the county, and has successfully prosecuted a farmer's career. In noting the present prosperity of Maconpin County, it is well to remember that it was once a great tract of undeveloped land and that those who brought it to its present condition underwent much íoil and in many cases suffered privations unknown to men of the present day. The subject of this biographical sketch, who came to this county in his youth, has aided in the development of his community, and has in the meantime gath- ered around him many of the comforts and con- veniences which belong to modern farm life. Of a generons and hospitable nature, he holds a high place in the esteem of his neighbors.
Many years ago the ceremony was performed which united in marriage Thomas English, a native of Maryland, and Ally Cooper, a native of Ken- tucky. They located in what was then Greene
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County, but now a part of Jersey County, Ill., which was their home until death. Twelve chil- dren were born to them, of whom our subject was the eleventh in order of birth. On September 21, 1830, he was born in Greene County, and there passed his childhood amid pioneer scenes. At an early age he gained a thorough practical knowledge of agriculture in all its departments and to this labor be determined to devote himself when he was ready to take up the work of life. His parents dying when he was quite young, the orphaned lad came to Maconpin County and made his home with a sister, Mrs Eleanor Fullington.
In Shaw's Point Township, Mr. English grew to man's estate. At the age of twenty-two he re- moved to Missouri, where, however, he sojourned only a short time, returning to this township and renting the farm he now owns on section 35. Af- ter following farming pursuits here five years le removed to an adjoining farm, which he purchased and improved. He has engaged principally in general farming although devoting some atten- tion to stock-raising, in which he has met with more than ordinary success. llis chief interest centers in his estate, but he holds exalted ideas of the duties and privileges of citizenship and never misses an opportunity to advocate by ballot and influence those principles he believes to be for the best progress of the country. In him the Demo- cratie party finds a stanch adherent and one who takes an active part in political affairs. He has served his fellow-citizens in various capacities, holding the office of Supervisor one term, also serving as Constable and Highway Commissioner.
'The lady who presides with grace over the home of Mr. English, was formerly known as Miss Mary West, and is the daughter of Edward and Eliza beth (Foxwell) West, natives of North Carolina and Virginia. They were early settlers in Jersey County, Ill., where the mother died. The father spent his last days with his daughter, Mrs. English, and there he died at a good old age. Mrs. English who was the fourth in a family of five children, was born in St. Clair County, Ill., April 5, 1835, and was there married November 2, 1854. Mr. English and his estimable wife are the parents of five children : Robert W., who married Miss Edna
L. Johnson; Levin N., Jr .; Ella L., the wife of Harvey Allen; Mary V., and John N. Mrs. Eng- lish is a consistent member of the Baptist Church and an active worker in that organization. So- cially, Mr. English is identified with the Masonie fraternity.
R. MARVEL THOMAS, one of the lead - ing young physicians of this county, now successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Gillespie, was born near Plainview, in Hilyard Township, on the 8th of October, 1855, and comes of good old Revo- lutionary stock. The great-grandfather of our sub- ject, John Thomas, was one of five brothers who enlisted in the Revolutionary War, but during that struggle they became separated, and the family has since been divided; in fact, they have few known relations. John David Thomas, the grandfather of the Doctor, was born in South Carolina, and af- ter marrying a lady of that State, began life upon a farm. Some years later he emigrated Westward with his family and settled in St. Clair County, Ill. as did also his father, who was Secretary of the Territory, and after the admission of Illinois to the Union, became the first Secretary of State. Ile died at an advanced age, a man of prominence and influence, whose loss was mourned by many friends. Ilis name is inseparably connected with the early history of the State, for he did much in the inter- ests of the public.
John Thomas and his wife resided in St. Clair County during the Territorial days of Illinois, and on the 29th of June, 1818, the year of the admis- sion to the Union, William A. Thomas was born. When a lad of sixteen years he came with the fam- ily to Macoupin County in 1834, and subsequently entered land from the Government in Hilyard Township, developing therefrom a farm, upon which the parents resided until called to their final rest. The old homestead fell into the hands of their son William A., who died in December, 1881, and left the property to his four children. It is now in the possession of the Doctor and his brother Harris, and consists of two hundred and forty acres
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of highly improved land. This farm has never been out of the family since it was obtained from the Government about sixty years ago. William Thomas spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farmer lads, and when he had attained to mature years, wedded Lucinda Le May, who was born in Indiana, and when a child came to Illinois with her parents, the family set- tling near Plainview, where the father and mother died. The death of Mrs. Thomas occurred in 1863, at the age of forty years. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and a lady whose many acts of kindness and deeds of charity won her the love of all. Mr. Thomas became a prominent citizen of Hilyard Township, and was a leader in local poli- ties. Ilis business affairs prospered, and he became quite well-to-do. He was a believer in religion, and all that tended to elevate mankind and lived an upright life. In harmony with the thought that "the groves were God's first temples," his father, John D. Thomas, would often repair to a beautiful grove near his home for a quiet hour of prayer, and in reverence William Thomas would never per- mit it to be cut down or molested in any way.
We now take up the personal history of our sub- jeet, who upon the old Thomas homestead was reared to manhood in the usual manner of farmer lads, spending his boyhood days midst play and work. Ilis literary education was acquired in the public schools, and when he had determined to make the medical profession his life work, he began reading under private direction. Our subject en- tered Blackburn University in the fall of 1873, and after completing a regular course, he was gradu- ated with the degree of B. S. After a time he en- tered the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, from which institution he was graduated with the ('lass of '84. He entered upon practice in Palmyra immediately thereafter, and five years ago opened an office in Gillespie, where he has since built up a large and lucrative practice.
The Doctor was married in Palmyra, to Minnie F., daughter of D. N. Solomon, a prominent busi- ness man and leading citizen of that place. The lady was born in Macoupin County, on the 8th of April, 1863, and is a graduate of the University of Lincoln, Ill. She was also a student for some time
in the Jacksonville Female College, and is a lady of intelligence and culture, who occupies a promi- nent position in the social world. Hospitality abounds in her own home, which she presides over with the grace and dignity of an accomplished lady. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat. He has worked his way upward to the front rank of the medical profession, and his skill and ability have won him a liberal patronage.
NDREW IIUBER. Commercial life throughout America has been stimulated and invigorated by assimilating to itself the versatility, energy and enthusiasm of the Gaulic race. Descendants of this raee are everywhere found to be successful farmers, mer- chants and dealers in various branches of business. Andrew Huber is the leading business man of the city of Bunker Hill. His is the best business house in the town, centrally located at the southeast cor- ner of Washington and Warren Streets. Ile is a dealer in dry-goods, clothing, men's furnishing goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, millinery, carpets, etc. The magnitude of his business may be estimated when it is known that his income is upwards of $20,000 annually and that in outside business, such as dealing in grain, wool, apples and as a manufacturer of barrels, he does an annual bus- iness of $75,000. Hle is a hard-working man and wrapped up in his commercial pursuits.
Mr. Huber was born in New Orleans, La., No- vember 2, 1856, where he lived with his parents until 1878, being educated in the Mound City Col- lege. His life has for the most part been spent in this part of Illinois. He went into business for himself in 1880 and has maintained his position at the present stand since 1884. He is a practical, far-seeing business man, one to whom the interests of the town are pre-eminently important-helpful in every way.
Our subject was married to Miss Augusta Fah- renkrog, November 23, 1882, in Bunker Hill. The lady was born in Madison County, III., Janu- ary 6, 1865, and was reared and educated in Bun-
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ker Ifill. Naturally attractive and by virtue of her husband's high position as a leading merchant of the city, she takes her place as a leader of soci- ety and their home is the center of the best life, so- cially and intellectually, of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Huber attend and are members of the Lutheran Church. They are the proud parents of three daughters-Clara E., Ettie F. and Bertha L.
Scarcely a project has been inaugurated in the city in which Mr. Huber has not been a leading spirit. He has been City Treasurer for some time, for two years a member of the City Council, Vice President and Director of the Building Associa- tion, Director and President of the Bunker Hill Nail Company, Treasurer of the Bunker Hill Fire Company, and is also proprietor of the Huber Op- era House, which is over his store. Such men as these give us our reputation abroad as being the most energetic and far-seeing business men of the world.
RTIIUR BOYLE, a general farmer and stock-raiser and a very successful busi- ness man, located on section 12, of Hil- yard Township, owns a fine tract of three hundred and twenty acres, most of which is under the plow, and which is adorned with fine farm buildings. Ile has owned this place for the past nine years and it formerly belonged to his father.
Our subject was born in Burton, N. J., April 1, 1856, and is the eldest son of William and Mar- garet (MePhillips) Boyle, natives of the North of Ireland. Mr. Boyle came of Scotch-Irish Protes- tant stock and his wife's parents were Roman Catholics. This couple were reared and married in County Derry, and soon after their union emi- grated to this country, leaving their native shore on board a sailing-vessel and landing in New York City abont the year 1858. They settled for a time in New Jersey and three years later came to this State, making their home in Hilyard Town- ship, and here beginning life without capital ex- cept their own character. health and youth. After renting land for a time, they saved enough money
to purchase their first eighty acres, which, after improving, they augmented by purchase until they owned a whole half-section. This large tract of rich farming land Mr. Boyle improved and made of it one of the best farms in this township.
After acquiring and improving this handsome property, Mr. Boyle died at his comfortable and beautiful home in December, 1881, having then reached the age of sixty-six years. He had joined the Methodist Episcopal Church early in life soon after coming to this country, and died in that faith and in the hope of a glorious resurrection. Ile was a sound Republican in his political views and a man of thought on public matters. He was a good and worthy citizen and had many friends in this township and county, being highly esteemed as a practical and progressive farmer and stock- raiser.
The first Mrs. Boyle had died at home in this township in 1863, being then in the prime of life about thirty-five years old. Her sister became the second wife of Mr. Boyle, having before mar- riage been Ellen MePhillips, and being, like her sister, a native of Ireland and a Roman Catholic. She came to this country when a young woman and is now in a ripe old age, having reached the limit of three-score years and ten.
Arthur Boyle has one brother living, Edward J., a merchant at Omaha, Neb., whose wife was Maud White, of that city, and he also has a sister, Mary, the wife of C. S. Morgan, who lives on a farm in the same township with her brother. These are all that are now left of the father's family. Our subject was reared to manhood in this township, and was here united in marriage with Mary Tun- nell, who was born in Polk Township, this county. March 25, 1864. Her parents, John and Eliza- beth (Brown) Tunnell, are now both departed. The father was for many years a prominent farmer of this county, and died in Carlinville in 1890, at the age of sixty. Ilis wife had died four years previously at the old homestead in Polk Town. ship, having passed the milestone of her half cen- tury. They were prominent members of the Pres- byterian Church and well esteemed both for character and ability. Their daughter was judic- iously reared and given a liberal education, being
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a graduate of Blackburn University at Carlinville, and becoming a teacher for a short time before her marriage. She is a woman of superior quali- ties and culture, having true refinement and liber- ality of thought, and is a noble homemaker and housekeeper. No children have come to brighten the home. Mr. and Mrs. Boyle are attendants npon the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Boyle's political views are expressed in the platform of the Republican party.
E LISHIA DAWSON. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is the owner and res- ident of the farm on section 3, Western Mound Township. Hle is a Virginian by birth and early education, having been born in Morgan County, W. Va., July 9, 1827, where he re- mamed until he reached the years of manhood. llis early years were spent on a farm in his native State and he remained under the home roof until he attained his majority.
On November 2, 1848, Mr. Dawson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Shade, who was born in Frederick County, Va., July 28, 1828. Their mar- riage took place in her native town and their first home was made in Morgan County, W. Va. where they lived from March 1849, until March, 1852, when they removed to Frederick County, Va., and remained until September, 1854. In the fall of that year they removed to Macoupin County, and located in Barr Township living there antil the fol- lowing spring, when they removed to Western Mound Township, settling on seetion 3, of which place they have since been residents.
The farm of three hundred acres which our sub- ject owns has been well improved and yields a good income to its owner. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson are the parents of eight children. They are: Thomas .J. John S., Charles W. Marshall D., Elizabeth C., Heury C., Edwin C., and Minnie T. Elizabeth is the wife of T. J. Dawson; the daughter Minnie died when only two years of age.
Mr. Dawson has been awarded several offices in the township by virtue of his knowledge, ability
and superior executive power. He has been Sup- ervisor of Western Mound Township and Justice of the Peace for ten years, Township Assessor for two years, Township Collector for one year, High - way Commissioner for three years, Township Trus- tee six years and School Director, also Township Treasurer for six years. Mr. Dawson has ever taken an active part in local politics, feeling that the integral parts of this great land should be as well governed as is the whole.
Mr. and Mrs. Dawson are members of the Bap- tist Church. They are the only surviving members of those who were associated in its organization. Our subject's parents were Thomas and Catherine (Hawvermale), Dawson, the former born in Morgan County, W. Va., of which county the mother was also a native. They came to Macoupin County in the fall of 1867 and there died, having spent their last days in West Mound Township. They were the parents of nine children of whom our subject is the eldest.
OHN H. BROWN, who was for many years one of the leading farmers of this county, and is still connected with its agricultural interests as the proprietor of one of its large and finely improved farms, is now living somewhat retired from active business in one of the many at- tractive homes of Carlinville. He is by birth a native of Tennessee, born near the city of Knox- ville May 6, 1826. His father, Francis G. Brown, was born in West Virginia, and was young when his father died. llis mother then removed with her family to Tennessee, and there he was reared and married. Ambitions to avail himself of the advantages offered by the cheap lands and the rich virgin soil of this State, in 1837 he visited Macoupin County, and entered a traet of Govern- ment land in what is now Western Mound Town- ship, on section 23. He returned to Tennessee after that transaction, and the following year came back here with his wife and six children to settle in this county permanently. The journey was
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made hither on a flat boat on the waters of the Holston, Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi rivers to within fifty miles of Paducah, then by steamer to Alton, and thence by team to their destination. They arrived here in April, and Mr. Brown rented a log house on section 4, Bird Township, in which the family lived until November, and in the mean- time he bought a quarter of section 18, of the same township, fifty acres of which were improved and two log cabins stood on the place. He paid about $5 an acre for the land. and while it was in his possession be placed it under excellent cultivation and greatly increased its value. lle was one of the pioneer settlers of this section of the State, which was then but sparsely inhabited, the sur- rounding country being in a wild condition, with deer, wolves and other wild animals roaming at will over the prairies and through the timber. There were no railways, and the principal market was at Alton, thirty-three miles distant, and the nearest at Chesterfield.
In 1851 the father of our subject sold his farm in Bird Township, and removing to Chesterfield, en- gaged in the merchandising business in that vil- lage and also kept a hotel. He was thus occupied a few years, and then retired. At his death in October, 1878, at a ripe old age, this county lost one of its venerated pioneers who had aided in its upbuilding, and had been in every way a desirable citizen. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Bell, preceded him in death, dying at Chesterfield in July, 1864. She was a native of Knox County, Tenn. Those worthy people were the parents of nine children, as follows: Elizabeth N., married George S. Huskey; John H .; Melinda, wife of Joseph Rafferty; William A .; Matilda C., wife of Elisha Harbour; Leonidas M .; Mary J., wife of Jacob Dohn; Laura and Hattie (twins), the former of whom married Charles Saunders, and the latter J. J. Leacb.
John H. Brown was in his twelfth year when he came to this county with his parents, and his edu- eation was gained bere in the primitive pioneer schools of the early years of the settlement of this region. The schoolhouse was built of logs; thie seats were made of split saplings, that were hewn smootli on one side, had wooden pins for legs, and
had neither backs or desks. Our subjeet received a good training in farm work, for as soon as he was large enough he had to do his share of it, and he afforded his father valuable assistance in his agri- eultural operations, continuing to live with his par- ents until he was twenty-one when he married and established a home of his own in a log cabin, six- teen feet square, with an carth and stick chimney, located on section 5, Bird Township. He resided on that place two years, and then sold and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 17, of the same township. It was a tract of wild prairie, for which he paid $5 an acre. Ile built a small frame house and frame barn, and during the two years that he lived there he made many im- provements. Ile then sold that place and bought his father's old homestead of two hundred and twenty acres, and devoted himself assiduously to its cultivation. He met with more than ordinary success in his undertakings, as he was practical, energetie and sharp-sighted, and at the same time prudent and cautious in his transactions, and in the course of time he accumulated a valuable property, which includes nearly six hundred acres of land.
In 1881 Mr. Brown came to Carlinville and bought the place where he now resides, a commodi- ous residence of a modern style of architecture, pleasantly located on North Broad Street. To the estimable lady who presides over this beautiful home, he was united in marriage September 22, 1847, and their honsehold is completed by their two children, Samuel N. and Daisy.
Mrs. Brown was formerly Miss Martha E. Huskey, and she was born in Dallas County, near Selma, Ala., April 13, 1831. Iler father, James Huskey, was a native of East Tennessee, and was a son of one of its early pioneers, Isaac Iluskey. James Huskey was reared in Tennessee, and weut from there to Alabama soon after marriage, loca- ting in what is now Dallas County, of which he was a pioneer. He bought a tract of Government land as soon as it came into the market, and resided there until 1834, when, with his wife and ten ehil- dren, he started for Illinois, journeying with ox- teams and camping and cooking by the wayside at night. He was six weeks on his way, and after his arrival in this county he entered Government laind
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on sections 5, 6, 7, and 8, Bird Township, and on sections 31 and 32, South Palmyra Township, and on section 5, of the first-named township he built a dwelling, and was a resident there until his death in August, 1845, deprived that township of one of its foremost pioneers, The maiden name of his wife was Rhoda Reagan. She was born in East Tennes- see, and was a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Trigg) Reagan, She died on the old homestead in the fall of 1855. She was the mother of eleven children, namely : Elizabeth, Jane, George, Sarah, Mary, Matilda, Pinina, Millie, Martha, Ilarkey and Zerilda.
A man of Mr. Brown's mental calibre, sound and incorruptible character and general trustworthiness is necessarily influential in his community, and we find that he has borne an important part in the management of public affairs as an incumbent of various responsible offices. He has represented Bird Township as a member of the County Board of Supervisors; he has served as Township Treas- nrer and as School Director, and he is an active member of the Macoupin County Agricultural Board, Politically, he is a Democrat. Religiously, both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and it may be said of them that they lead consistent Christian lives, and are universally re- spected and esteemed.
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