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 30
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ILLIAM C. DRAKE has for many years carried on farming and stock-raising in Scottsville Township, and by his able man- agement of his affairs has not only improved a large and valnable farm that is among the finest in this vicinity, but he has at the same time ma- terially aided in extending the agricultural interests of the county and thus promoting its growth and prosperity.
Mr. Drake is of Kentucky birth, born in Casey County, August 25, 1825. His father, whose name was Hiram Drake, was a native of the same county, a son of one of its pioneer farmers, Carter Drake, who spent his last years there. The father of our subject grew to man's estate in Casey County and
there married one of Kentucky's daughters, Nacy Murphy, a native of that county. In the fall of 1830, with his wife and the three children that had been born to them in their old home, he came to Illinois, making the journey with teams and bring- ing the household goods along. He located in the wilds of Greene County, in what is now Mt. Era Township, entering a tract of Government land three miles south of Athensville, and building a log house to shelter his family, riving boards to cover the roof. Two years he lived in that primitive abode without any floor and then one was made of puncheon. Boards were split for the door, which was made to swing inside on wooden hinges, fast- ened with a wooden pin. At that time deer, wild turkeys and all kinds of game were plentiful, often furnishing food for the pioneers, who were princi- pally home-livers, subsisting on the products of their farm, and their clothing was spun and woven by the women from flax and wool. The country was sparsely settled and Alton was the nearest mar- ket.
Mr. Drake was one of the pioneers of that sec- tion of the State, and by hard labor he improved a good farm on which he lived many years. He finally sold it, and removing to Greenfield lived retired there until his mortal career was closed in the long, dreamless sleep of death. His worthy wife also departed this life at Greenfield. They reared a family of eleven children.
William C. Drake, of whom these lines are prin- cipally written, was five years old when the family came to Illinois, and he grew up amid the primitive influences of pioneer life, and well remembers many incidents of the early days of the settlement of this State, especially the noted "Winter of the Deep Snow." llis education was gained in the pioneer schools that were taught in a rude log house. Ile made his home with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, and then came to this county and bargained for fifty-eight acres of land at $5 an acre, having to go in debt for the place as he had no money to pay for it. However, bis pros- pects for the future were bright, as he had health. youth and vigor on bis side, seconded by habits of industry, excellent judgment and sound common sense. He also had the able assistance of a capable
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
Yours Only Robert Bacon
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wife, and they went to work with a good will to to secure their home. As soon as that was paid for Mr. Drake hought other land at different times, at one time owning six hundred acres of valuable real estate, which he has developed into one of the choicest farms in the township in regard to im- provements and cultivation. He has given a part of his land to his children and now has three hun- dred and twenty- five acres.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary A. Wheeler took place in 1847. They have five chil- dren living, named Martha, Sally, M. L., Nancy Alice and Mary. Martha married Washington Richmond; Sally is the wife of John Redfern; " M. I. married Lou Davis; and Mary married J. B. Vaughn. Mrs. Drake is a native of Knox County, Ky., and a daughter of Joshua and Sally (Venbeh- ber) Wheeler. She is a woman of rare merit, and a devoted member of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Drake's course as a farmer has been marked by shrewdness and integrity in his dealings, by forethought and enterprise, and these traits have made him an invaluable aid in the upbuilding of his township, and gives him high rank among its pio- neers although he was not one of its earliest settlers. He is interested in promoting its prosperity and that of the county, as well as in the welfare of the country at large, and in regard to political ques- tions we find him a true Democrat.
R OBERT BACON. Of the many English landowners who have made settlement in our State and have carried into execution the theories and practice of farmers in their native land, a prominent place belongs to the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and whose portrait is presented on the opposite page. He is the owner of a fine farm located on section 30, South Otter Township, and which has been highly improved under his careful supervision. He is of English parentage, his father, Richard Bacon, hav- ing been born in Norfolk, England, his mother, Mary K. (Sayers) Bacon, was also a native of Nor- folk.
Our subject's parents left England and emi-
grated to the United States at an early day. They first settled in Troy, N. Y., where they remained for two years. Then in 1837 they came to Macou- pin County, and after spending one year in Carlin- ville Township, moved to Chesterfield Township, where the following year the head of the family passed away from earth. The mother died in l'almy- ra Township, this county, in 1863, leaving a family of eight children. Our subject, the second in order of birth, first opened his eyes in Norfolk, England, June 10, 1825. He came to America with his par- ents when a lad and grew to man's estate in Macou- pin County, of which he has been a resident since 1837.
The marriage of our subject and Miss Mary Ann Miller was celebrated November 18, 1849. Mrs. Bacon was born in Floyd County, Indiana, Febru- ary 3, 1824. They settled soon after their marriage on section 30, South Otter Township, where they have since lived. Mr. Bacon has erected a hand- some residence upon his place, which is a favorite resort of the best people in the township. It is made charming by the genial manners and hospi- tality of the owner and his amiable wife. Other fine and subtantial buildings have been erected on the place. The farm comprises two hundred and forty aeres of land which is under a high state of cultivation.
Our subject and his wife have welcomed four children to their household, Emily, Henry R., Mary A. and Thomas W. Of these the eldest be- came the wife of George M. Killam, and passed from this life in Bird Township, in August, 1878. A sketch will be found of her husband in another part of this volume. Henry R. was taken away from his parents while yet an infant. Mary A. is the wife of John C. Wiggins; and Thomas W. was united in marriage with Nancy J. Clark.
The original of our sketch has been honored by appointment to several offices in the gift of the township. He has filled the office of Supervisor of Otter Township for several years, and has served as Township Assessor and Collector. has been a member of the School Board for twenty years, and four years the title of Justice of the Peace has been his. He was appointed by Gov. Oglesby, Public Administator and has filled the ollice for
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four years. Ile has been Treasurer of the Macou- pin County Agricultural Board for number of years. Ile has ever taken an active part in the local affairs of the township and casts his vote with the Republican party. He has now retired from the active proprietorship of farm life, renting his place to tenants, and only keeping a pleasant super- vision over the whole. Ile is one of the leading men of South Otter Township. and no beneficient enterprise or movement for the improvement of the locality in which he dwells is complete without his name.
ENRY T. MEINECKE, who is engaged in business as a dealer in wines and liquors in Gillespie, is a native of that place and has there spent the greater part of his life. lle was born on the 29th of January, 1867, and is the son of Antone W. Meinecke, a native of Germany, who spent his boyhood days in the Fatherland but when a young man crossed the Atlantic, determined to seek his fortune in the United States. Ile made his first location in Alton, Ill., where he remained for some years, and then removed to this county, settling in Gillespie, where he embarked in busi- ness as a partner of IIenry Bherns. They estab- lished a general merchandise store which is still carried on by Mr. Bherns. After a time Mr. Mein- ecke withdrew from the business and engaged as a dealer in wines and liquors, carrying on operations in that line for a number of years when he sold out his interest here and went to Baltimore, Md., where he still makes his home. In that city he is also en- gaged in the same line of trade which he followed bere. Ile was united in marriage with Anna Brush, also a native of Germany, who during the days of her maidenhood crossed the broad ocean and took up her residenee in Macoupin County, Ill. She died at her home in Gillespie in 1876, in the faith of the Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Meinecke is also a member.
Onr subject was reared and educated in Gillespie and in 1890 formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Mary Raynor, who was born in Belleville, 11]., of English parentage, and had come to this county
during her girlhood. In Belleville her parents, Robert and Sarah (Burton) Raynor, both died, passing away when in middle life. Mrs. Meinecke was only a child at that time and by her sister she was reared to womanhood. After she had attained to years of maturity ber marriage was celebrated and their union has been blessed by one child, a son, William.
Mr. and Mrs. Meinecke have many friends throughout the community where he has long resided. In politics he is a Democrat, having sup- ported that party since he attained his majority and keeps himself well informed concerning the political issues of the day. Ile entered upon his business career as a bartender in the employ of Fred Schalk of Litchfield, where he remained for some time. He established business on Main Street in Gillespie in November, 1890, and has since car- ried on operations as a retail-dealer of wines and liquors.
G EORGE BRALEY. Although in the prime of manhood the original of this sketch has settled down to a life of comparative com- fort and ease on his farm on section 11, North Otter Township, after having experienced more or less incident and adventure in traveling in the distant portions of the country and engaging in various pursuits. His early days were spent under the roof of his father who was Ellison Braley of Carlinville, of whom a sketch will be found in another part of this volume.
Our subject was one of the family of seven ehil- dren of whom he was the second in order of birth. Ilis birthplace was Collinsville, Madison County, this State, and he was born December 19, 1842. When he reached manhood he left the parental roof and went to Marysville, Mo., where he was engaged in mercantile business for a period of about four years, at the end of which time he sold out return- ing to Collinsville.
On Mr. Braley's return to his native place he en- gaged in farming in Collinsville Township, pursu- ing this calling for seven years, when he gave up his place and went to Shaw's Point, remaining there
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two years and then settled in North Otter Town- ship where he has been a resident since the winter of 1880. Farming has been his chief business through life, although he has engaged in various other things. Prior to the beginning of this year he acted as Deputy Postmaster under II. M. Kimball. In 1864, during the last call for volunteers in the late war, our subject enlisted in the one hundred days' campaign and served the full period. IIe was a member of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Regiment. On his discharge from the army he was employed as dry-goods clerk in a store in Collinsville. This was before he was of age. His first business after he became of age was in a woolen mill with Clement & Son, the firm name being Clement, Braley & Co. He was with this firm for one year, when he sold out and engaged in the grocery business. This also be engaged in but a short time with Edward McMillen, under the firm name of Braley & McMillen.
October 27, 1869, Mr. Braley was married to Miss Amy A. Holliday, who was born in Greene County, Ill., March 13, 1846. She is a daughter of Arthur D. and Amanda J. Holliday. Mr. and Mrs. Braley are the parents of five children-Edgar W., Truman H., Florence L., Arthur E. and Howard. Our sub- jeet is a Republican in his political preferences, giving his undivided allegiance to that party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
OHN BENNETT, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 17, Brighton Township, where he owns one hundred and seventy-seven acres of highly improved land, has made his home upon that farm since 1853. Ile is therefore entitled to be classed among the honored early settlers of the commun- ity. The greater part of his land has been placed under cultivation by himself and all of the build- ings and improvements seen thereon stand as monu- ments to his thrift and enterprise.
As Mr. Bennett is well and favorably known we feel assured that his sketch will prove of interest
to many of our readers. He was born in Rodne- shire, Wales, in 1821, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Lewis) Bennett, both of whom were natives of that country and there spent their entire lives, the father dying at the age of seventy-seven years, the mother in the seventy-first year of her age. Both were members of the Baptist Church and they have four sons and four daughters living in Wales who are married and have families.
Our subject is the only one who ever came to America. Ile grew to manhood in the usual man- ner of farmer lads and in 1844, having bade good- by to home and friends, be sailed from Liverpool on board the " Frank Field, " which crossed the Athintic, reaching New Orleans after seven weeks. Another week was consumed in making the trip up the Mississippi River to Alton, from whence he came to Brighton, Macoupin County, and began life in the new world as a farm laborer. His cash cap- ital on liis arrival consisted of only five dollars, a small sum with which to enter upon a business career. Ile entered the employ of one of the pioneers of the county, A. A. Hilyard who paid him in compensation for his services, $6 per month. Nine years he thus labored and by industry and economy at length acquired the capital with which in 1853, he purchased his present farm, then all wild land.
In Brighton Township, Mr. Bennett led to the marriage altar Miss Martha Bradley, who was born in England, and when a young maiden came with her parents to the United States, the family settling in Macoupin County, Ill., where Mr. and Mrs. Bradley spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Bennett proved a true helpmate to her husband, and to her able assistance was due in no small de- gree the success which attended her husband's efforts. She died on the 8th of April, 1881, at the age of forty-five years. By her marriage have been born the following children, two of whoin are now deceased-Frank and Mark. The members of the family still living are Mary A., wife of William Yarbam, a farmer of Franklin County, Kan .; Liza, wife of Tim Chawing, a resident farmer of Wilbarger County, Tex .; John, who married Flora Mason and is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Franklin County, Kan .; Emma, wife of Richard
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Ketchell, who resides on the Bennett homestead; Sarah, wife of Albert Keas who operates a creamery in Brighton; Angie, May, Edward and Rosie at home.
Mr. Bennett is a member of the Baptist Church, to which his wife also belongs and in politics he is a Republican, keeping himself well informed on the questions of the day, both political and otherwise. He is true to every duty of citizenship and is re- garded as one of the leading and enterprising farmers of this community, where he has so long made his home.
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G EORGE F. BOOSINGER, who resides on section 17, is one of the early settlers of Cahokia Township, having made his home there since his arrival in the county in 1840. His entire life has been spent as a farmer and upon the same section where he still makes his home. He now has a fine farm of two hundred and seven acres, under a high state of cultivation, and sup- plied with good buildings, all of which were erected by himself and stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. The place is also well stocked. His home is a commodious and tasty farm resi- dence, supplied with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. By his fellow-townsmen Mr. Boosinger is accounted one of the thrifty and en- terprising stock-raisers of this community. He has lived to see all the country round about him improved from the raw prairie to its present ad- vanced position, having come to this county during his boyhood, in company with his parents. George and M. Antoinette (Workinger) Boosinger.
The Boosinger family came from Virginia, and in the early days of Ohio's history settled in the Buckeye State, where the grandfather of our sub- ject was accidentally shot while one day out hunt- ing. Ile had a deerskin hung over his shoulders, and by another hunter was shot, his death occur- ring from the effects of that wound about a month later. He was then well advanced in years, having attained to the age of seventy. His wife survived him some time, and died when well advanced in
life. George Boosinger had accompanied his parents to Ohio when a child, and in Portage County was reared to manhood. Hle enlisted as a private for the War of 1812, and served as a team- ster during that struggle. On his return he mar- ried an Ohio lady, who died some years later, leaving five children. Ile was a second time mar- tied to Antoinette Workinger, a lady of German birth. who with her parents had crossed the Atlan- tic and located in Portage County, where her father and mother died. They began their domes- tic life upon a farm in that county, where seven of their children were born. With their family they left Ohio in 1836, joining the Mormon colony en route for the West, and traveling overland, at length made a settlement in Ray County, Mo., near the followers of Joseph Smith, to whose creed Mr. Boosinger subscribed. In 1839 they came to Illinois, and after spending a year on Smooth Prairie, in Madison County, took up their resi- dence in Cahokia Township, where the father pur- chased an unbroken tract of land on section 17. The farm which he there developed he made his home until his death in 1862, at the age of seventy- nine years. He had spent his life as a hard-work- ing man, and adhered to the faith which he had pro- fessed in Portage County. His wife preceded him to the final rest, dying at the age of sixty-six. In early life she joined the Lutheran Church, but afterward became a Methodist, and subsequently united with the Christian Church, dying in that faith.
Our subject was born in Portage County, Ohio, January 28. 1825, and was the second of the family of eight children. He was therefore a lad of only fifteen summers when he came with his family 10 this county. Under the parental roof he was reared to manhood, and gave his father the benefit of his labors until he had attained to ma- ture years, when he was united in marriage with Miss Maria Edwards, who was born August 28, 1832, and grew to womanbood in Sandusky, Ohio. Her parents were Milton W. and Esther (Powers) Edwards. They came to this county in an early day, settling in Gillespie Township, where the mother died in the prime of life. She was a con- sistent member of the Christian Church, and a
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lady of many excellencies of character. After her death, Mr. Edwards went South, and made his home with his son in St. Joseph, La., where he died six months later. He studied medicine at Elyria, Ohio, and was also a carpenter, devoting his ener- gies to both lines of business. He was a Democrat in politics, and lived an upright life, which won him many friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Boosinger began their domestic life upon the farm which is still their home, and which he developed from its primitive condition, making the once wild land to bloom and blossom as the rose. Their fine residence and comfortable sur- roundings all indicate the prosperity, which has crowned their efforts. Their home has been blessed by the presence of two children, and they also lost two in infancy. Carrie is now the wife of Mareus W. Clark, who owns and operates a farm in Gilles- pie Township, and unto them have been born three children-Marcia, Harvey and Frank. Frank S. is a successful druggist and enterprising business man of Gillespie. Ile married Miss Lula Brown, and they have one child, Marens. Mr. and Mrs. Boosinger are people of worth, ranking high in the esteem of their many acquaintances. Ile is a Re- publican in politics, has served for eight years as Road Commissioner, and for the long period of thirty-five years has been a school officer, which fact shows that he has the educational interests of the community at heart. Our subject is President of the Gillespie Brass Band.
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ERBERT A. JONES, a substantial and en. terprising business man of Stannton, now engaged in general merchandising in the Quade department of the Union Block, be- gan business here in 1881, when, as a member of the firm of Gaby & Jones, he opened a general store. This partnership continued for three years and then a change occurred, the firm becoming Jones, Newman & Co., under which style operations were continued for a year, when Mr. Jones became sole proprietor. lle now lias a fine store, with en- tranees on two of the principal streets of Staunton.
The Main Street entrance ushers one into a room 65x28 feet and from this is another department, leading into a second room 28x24 feet. Mr. Jones carries a full line of general merchandise and by his earnest desire to please his customers, his genial manner and fair dealing, he has worked up an ex- cellent trade and the liberal patronage which he has secured nets him a good income.
On the 16th of October, 1840, in Henry County, Iowa, Mr. Jones was born unto Herbert and Eliza- beth (Farris) Jones. His father, a native of Wales, emigrated to this country and located in New Hampshire, where he met and married Miss Farris, a native of the Granite State. On coming West in an early day, they settled on a farm in Henry County. Iowa, where all of their children were born, and there the parents died in middle life.
The boyhood days of our subject were spent un- der the parental roof and when a young man he came to Illinois. In 1855 he secured a position in a dry-goods house in St. Louis, Mo., where he re- mained nntil 1861, when he came to Illinois. Two years later he obtained a clerkship in the Levi dry- goods store and clothing house, of Litchfield, where he resided for twenty years, during all that time being in the employ of the one firm. It was dur- ing his residence in Litchfield that he met and mar- ried Miss Mattie Brooks, a native of Illinois, born near Nauvoo, Hancock County, in September, 1856. When a child she removed with her par- ents to Duquoin County, where her father died in the prime of life. Mrs. Brooks, her mother, after- ward removed to Litchfield, and her death occurred in Edwardsville, at the age of seventy years. The marriage of our subject and his wife was celebrated in 1867, and unto them has been born a daughter, Maude, an accomplished young lady, who has a host of friends in Staunton.
Mr. Jones has led a busy and useful life, yet aside from his business interests he has found time to devote to public affairs. He is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, who manifests a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the county and its advancement. In his social rela- tions he is a Mason, belonging to Staunton Lodge, No. 177, A. F. & A. M., of which he is Treasurer; he also holds membership with Camp No. 572, M.
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W. A. and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. In business and social circles he is alike favorably . known and though his residence in Staunton cov- ers a period of only ten years, he takes rank among her leading citizens.
E B. ELDRED, a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Illinois, is an okl and highly respected citizen of this county, who is now living in retirement at Carlinville, hav- ing acquired a goodly amount of property during his active business life as a farmer from which lie derives an ample ineome He was born at Win- field, Herkimer County, N. Y., October 31, 1819. Ilis father, who was named Ward Eldred, was born in Connecticut in 1795, and was a son of Jeliose- phat Eldred, who was also a native of that New State, and was a descendant of one of three broth- ers who came to America from Wales in Colonial times.
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