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 34
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Soon after the discovery of gold Mr. Bauer too caught the fever, and determined to take his course Westward. He did not take the overland route as did so many to their sorrow, but took the ocean voyage, crossed the Isthmus and arrived at San
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Francisco, where he went into the gold regions, working as a laborer for some time. His experi- enee here was necessarily varied and interesting, and it never ceased to be a charming subject of conversation to the gentleman. Ile returned from California by way of the Isthmus in 1856, and be- gan life anew in Dorchester Township on wild un- broken farm land. IIe acquired before his death eight hundred and thirty-fivc acres of very fine land. The most of it is the best the county and township affords.
Mr. Bauer made one of the most beautiful of farms of his domain. Ile built a fine residence, with all the improvements in the way of farm build- ings that could be desired. The farm implements were of the finest. The widow and her children still reside at the home, and all the land is yet in the family though divided among the children. Our subject was born in Sax Altenburg, Germany, December 8, 1827. He is a brother of J. Henry Bauer, whose biography may be found in this vol- ume.
lle of whom we write arrived at his majority in his native German province, and when only twenty- five years of age, deeming the promises of Amer- ica better than those of his native land for an am- bitious and sturdy young man, erossed the Atlantie in a sailing-vessel. The trip was a long and tedi- ous one. He landed at New Orleans, and came to Illinois, where he remained during the rest of his life with the exception of the years spent on the Pacific Slope. Mr. Bauer's life is a fair illustration of how the industry and energy of an intelligent man can make the fertile aerea of our America laugh with joy and graciously give forth rich treas- ures. Our subject had an unimpeachable character for honesty; though he gained his competency witil hard labor he was universally esteemed in his neigborhood.
Mr. Bauer on his return from California, married Miss Wilhelmina Kretzchimer. She was born in Altenburg, Germany, June 18, 1835. She was a daughter of Christopher and Johanna (Dingne) Kretzchimer, natives of Germany, and small farm- ers who lived and died in their native land. They were taken away while yet in the heyday of life. Mrs. Baner, the wife of our subjeet, is the second
child and first and only daughter born to her par- ents. One brother, Charles, now lives in California, while a younger brother Henry still lives in Ger- many. Mrs. Bauer herself was reared and educated in her native German provinee, and was the first of her family to leave the home nest and come to the United States. Leaving Bremen in a German ves- sel she arrived in New York City, came to Pitts- burg, Pa., thence to Columbiana, Ohio, and later to Maeoupin County, Ill., where she has sinee lived. She has been a truc wife and efficient helpmate to her husband, and is a good and worthy woman. She is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. Eleven children were given to gladden the hearts and home of this worthy couple. Three of the children died young, and George died at the age of twenty-one years. Those still living are Lewis, who married Mary Perrine; they live in Dor- chester Township, on a fine farm; Theodore farms in this township; Charles, who assists on the home farm; Emma, William, Ida and Hannah. This family of bright and interesting children are a credit to the mother who has so lovingly reared them.
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G EORGE W. SMITHI. The owner of the farm of forty-seven aeres on section 25, North Otter Township, is he whose name is to be found at the head of this writing. A history of his parents may be found in the sketch of Elisha Smith in another part of this RECORD. Our subject is a native of North Otter Township, being there born January 3, 1846. Ile was reared to manhood on his father's farm, receiving a common-sehool education that comprised the three "R's" that was at that time thought not only indispensible but almost sufficient for the education of the ordinary youth. In the intervals of school life he assisted his father on the farm, remaining on the home place until his marriage.
Our subject was married in Marion County, Iowa, September 12, 1867, to Miss Viola Millen, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Clark) Millen. She was born in North Otter Township, this county, November 16, 1849. They immediately settled on
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a new farm previously belonging to his father and he has since lived on this place with the exception of one year which he spent in the West. He has always followed agriculture and is now the owner of forty-seven acres of land.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of three children-Orah who is a teacher; Laura H. and Eva E. In politics our subject is a Republican, being a firm believer in the protective tariff and all the other tenets of this party. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being devoted supporters of the same.
ERDINAND TAGGART. A goodly num- ber of men now living in this county have been so successful in their business affairs as to be enabled to retire from the arduous work of life, and enjoy all that heart can wish of material comfort, pleasant associations and cheerful recrea- tions. Among this class is Mr. Taggart, whose portrait appears on the opposite page and who for some years has been living a life of ease, to which he is entitled by the manner in which he carried on the enterprises in which he was engaged earlier in life. In every occupation in which he took part he manifested good judgment, and this quality combined with his persevering industry resulted in his accumulation of a goodly fortune. He has a beautiful residence on the outskirts of the city, furnished in accordance with the refined tastes of its occupants, who are not hampered by a lack of means, but are able to obtain every adornment they desire.
Before entering upon the career of our subject himself, it will be well to make some mention of prominent events in the history of his parents. Samuel Taggart and Margaret Davis were born, reared and married in Tyrone County, Ireland, and eame to America very early in this century. They settled in Shelby County, Ky., and endured the self-denials and hardships common to all poineers, while they were clearing and improving a tract of timber land. Mr. Taggart died there about 1818 and his widow survived him only six years. Both
belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Six of their children were reared to maturity.
In the log-house built by his father, Ferdinand Taggart was born April 6, 1812. Ile was six years old when his father died but he remained with his mother on the homestead until her decease, when with two other of the children he went to live with an aunt. After a year spent in her home he re- turned to his birthplace and was eared for by his eldest brother until he was eighteen years old. At that time young Taggart came to this State and made Carrollton, Greene County, his place of re- sidence about three years, learning the trade of brickmaking. He then came to Carlinville to start a brickyard for his employer and having done so he acted for that gentleman one season. This was in 1833, when Carlinville had a population of about two hundred and the buildings were mostly of logs with mud and stick chimneys. There was not a brick building here and but one brick chim- ney.
During the season after his arrival here Mr. Tag- gart bought a lot on the east side of the square and also ontered eighty acres of Government land near town. The next year he went to Missouri to ex- plore, and spent the summer and fall, after which he returned hither and early in 1835 started a brickyard for himself. Ile became a contractor and among the contraets he had was one for the brick work on the court-house that was built in 1837. This was the first court-honse built of briek, the structure previously used having been made of hewed logs.
As a contractor and builder Mr. Taggart con- tinned to labor until 1840, when he engaged in the sale of merchandise in company with A. S. Walker and William Phelps. They bought goods in St. Louis, then the chief western market, and had them hauled to Carlinville by teams. The firm also car- ried on a branch store at Taylorville. Mr. Taggart pursued a mercantile career most of the time until after the war and proved that he was possessed of financial tact and business enterprise.
The first marriage of Mr. Taggart was solemn- ized in 1845, his bride being Ann V. Ilesser, a lady who was born in Virginia and died in Carlinville; she left a daughter, Mary E., who married John
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Mc Neal and has six children. She lives in Carlin- ville. The second wife of Mr. Taggart was Dar- inda Renshaw, a native of the State, who also died in Carlinville. His present companion bore the maiden name of T. V. Walker and is a native of Tennessee. She is a sister of Charles A. Walker, to whose sketch the reader is referred for her par- ental history. She is a lady of fine character, be- longing, like her husband, to the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
OSEPH UTZ. We are pleased to mention, among the enterprising farmers and promi- nent workers in every good cause, the name which we have given at the head of this paragraph. The excellent farm and pleasant home of Mr. Utz is an object of interest to every one who passes along the highway near its location. and those who know the man best most truly re- speet and esteem him.
Daniel l'tz, the father of our subject, was born near Little York, Pa., and his mother, Magdalena Mumard, was a native of York County, Pa., and died in her native State in Cumberland County, while her husband's last days were spent in Mont- gomery County, Ohio. Five of their children grew to years of maturity, and the one of whom we write was next to the eldest, being born in York County, Pa., August 19, 1828. His early educa tion and training were received in his native home upon his father's farm, and when quite a young man he accompanied that parent to Maryland, and lived there for some four years.
In Carroll County, Md., the young man found his bride in the person of Miss Elizabeth Sharer, daughter of William and Margaret (Rimbey) Sharer, both natives of that State. Mr. Sharer died in Maryland and his widow afterward came to Illinois and made her home in Morgan County, until her death. Their daughter Elizabeth was the youngest in a family of three and was born in Car- roll County, Md., December 23, 1879.
Soon after their marriage which was celebrated Jannary 9, 1851, the young couple came to Mont-
gomery County, Ohio, and thence to Darke County, the same State, and in the fall of 1865 journeyed still farther West, and coming to the Empire State, made their home for one year in Morgan County, after which they came to this county and settled in North Otter Township, which became their per- manent home. To them were born ten children, namely : Ellen, who grew to a beautiful young womanhood, and died at the age of twenty-three; Mary, who is now the wife of William Ilockviet- ner: George W .; Ann C. the wife of James M. Nead; Hattie, who married Charles Crump; Nora, who is Mrs. William McGinnis; Talitha the wife of Melvin Reafsnyder; Tabitha, who married Al- bin Driver; Franceanna and Edward E.
Agricultural pursuits have always claimed the entire attention and efforts of Mr. Utz, and in this work he has been successful and prosperous. Upon his farm of seventy-two acres of rich and fertile soil he has erected a pleasant and commodious new home and has outbuildings, which accommodate well the work of the farm. He has been an incum- bent of the office of School Director, and in that has been thoroughly satisfactory. Both he and his capable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and in this connection he has filled the offices of Steward, Class-Leader and Trustee. Ile ever takes a great interest in religious affairs, and his well-known reputation for reliabil- ity and thoroughness as well as his devotion to the cause of Christianity have made him a power in church circles.
ILLIAM C. MERRILL, of the firm of Merrill & Chase, who are the leading dry-goods merchants of the village of Brighton, and one of the oldest houses in this part of the State, is a gentleman whose biography we are pleased to present to our readers. This firm has existed under the firm name for nearly thirty years and prior to that time our subject was en- gaged in the business on his own account for one year and for one year also under the firm name of
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C'randall & Merrill. Mr. Merrill is a thorough business man as also his partner and their business association has grown'into a close and warm friend- ship.
Mr. Merrill came to Brighton in 1857, and in the spring of that year be established a grocery store under the firm name of Merrill & Bean. Later be introduced a drug department and man- aged this business for some time, and then under the same title did business in the line of merchan- dise. Mr. Merrill has been closely associated with everything of interest in Brighton since before the village was incorporated and he has been identified with the business interests of the place for many years. He has also been helpful and active in po- litical matters and was one of the first members of the village board of trustees.
Previous to his coming to this county, our sub- jeet had been a resident of California, having gone there in the spring of 1852, from New York, his na- tive State, traveling by the water route through the Straits of Magellan and around Cape Horn, landing there in the fall of the year after a six month's voyage, The vessel was a propeller and made many stops on the South American Conti- nent and Mexico, including San Juan, Valparaiso, Talqua-Calsawana and other points. At the last named place they met with a terrible storm that nearly caused the loss of the vessel, and later they continued the journey having barely escaped the "yellow jack" at Rio Janeiro, one of their stop- ping places.
After landing on the Western Slope our subjeet turned his attention to the gold mines, working first at Murphy's Camp and spent the last year of the three years he was in the Golden State at Vol- cano, a mining town. After the varied experiences known only to the miner of those times, he finally in 1855, returned East by the way of the Isthmus of Panama to New York City and returned to his old liome in Franklin County, N. Y., where he first saw the light in Malone, May 4, 1828. Ile came of good Huguenot stock, who left their native country, France, and came to England at the time of the persecutions and later in Colonial times emigrated to the New World with the Hartford Colony. There the first two brothers of this family, Abraham
and Isaac Merrill (whose name in France was spelled Merl) made their home. The family di- vided and subdivided and is now to be found in almost every State in the Union. Some of them were soldiers in the Revolutionary War.
The grandfather of our subjeet was of the second or third generation from the two original brothers. His name was Paul Merrill. He was originally a carpenter but he reasoned as he pounded away with his tools that he was making something while he worked, but that if he were a farmer his work would go on while he slept, so he changed his occu- pation. He lived to be over ninety years old. Ilis son Enoch, the father of our subject, is supposed to be a native of New Hampshire, and was reared in that state. Ile was united in marriage with Miss Betsey Bean who came of an old New England family of good stock and was born and reared in New Hampshire.
After marriage Enoch Merrill and his young wife came to New York State in the early days of Frank- lin County, when it was all wild woods, and there they hewed out of the timber a pleasant home and a fine farm. They lived for years in the log house which they erected, and cultivated a large farm, and there they both died, Mr. Merrill in 1854, being sixty-four years old, and his wife five years later, having attained about the same age. They were earnest and devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Three sons and four daughters formed the family of this worthy and enterprising couple upon the old homestead, and they have all lived to establish homes of their own, and to reflect credit upon their parents .- Their home training made of them worthy citizens and industrious and good men and women. They were taught practical home duties and the care of the farm and were given a good education. Our subject was a teacher before com- ing West and was at the time of his emigration a single man, but somewhat later he went back to bring to his new home the "girl he left behind him."
The marriage of William C. Merrill and Harriet A. Smith took place in Franklin County, N. Y., in 1859. They were both reared in that county and she was also a teacher in her girlhood days. She
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is the daughter of Giles W. and Sallie ( Blanchard ) Smith. Mrs. Smith is now living with a sister in New York City and has reached the limit of three- score years and ten. Mr. Smith died some years ago while living in Minnesota at the age of seventy years. Ile was a Democrat in his political views.
Our subject and his wife have been prominent figures in both social and church circles in Brigli- ton. Mrs. Merrill being connected with the Metho- dist Church. Mr. Merrill is a member of the Blue Lodge No. 249, at Brighton. He is a Democrat in his political views as was his father before him, and belongs to the old Jacksonian school. Three chil- dren still live of the humber born to this worthy couple. Herbert F. now lives at Phoenix, Ariz., and is engaged in mining interests. He took to wife Ione Winton; Almedia is at home and is the local editor of the Brighton Times, for her brother Frank whose biography will be found elsewhere in this RECORD. They have all been educated in the schools of Brighton and the daughter is a graduate of the Jacksonville Female College.
AMES WIRT, one of the most public-spir- ited and intelligent citizens of section 2, Virden Township, was born in Delaware County, Ind., July 23, 1849. When still quite a child he was bereaved by death of a fathi- er's care and love, and soon after this sad event his mother removed to Clark County, where the boy passed some ten years of his life, working upon a farm and attending the district school. After this he came with the family to Sangamon County, Ill., and settled about five miles northeast of Virden, where he grew up to a vigorous and useful young manhood.
It was near Girard, Ill., that Mr. Wirt found the lovely and attractive young woman whom he chose as his companion through life, and to her he was married June 4, 1878. She bore the maiden name of Tlannah Gibson and is a daughter of C. C. Gibson, a more full account of whom will be found upon another page of this RECORD. Mrs. Wirt was born near Franklin, Morgan County,
Ill., JJanuary 23, 1854. After marriage the young couple made their home on section 2, Virden Township, where they now reside, and where they own a beautiful tract of one hundred and fifty- eight acres, upon which are excellent improve- ments. On another page will be found a view of the comfortable residence. Their beautiful and inviting home is more than ordinarily cheerful and pleasant, and is a fit index to the lives of the occupants. They are most highly esteemed and beloved by their neighbors, and Mr. Wirt stands well in commercial circles, as he is a man of integrity, reliability, and public spirit.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wirt have been granted four beautiful children, all of whom are living and are not only the care but the joy of their faithful and devoted parents. To them have been given the following names: Virgil I., Viola Lee, Lela G., and Chalmer C. These children have all been trained in the Christian faith and doctrine by their parents, who are members of the German Baptist Church. In this harmonious household the con- stant effort of all is to promote the happiness and prosperity of everyone, and as is always the case when such noble efforts are made, a good degree of success follows the occupants of this home.
The father of our subject was .James Wirt, who was a son of Israel F. Wirt. The grandfather died in Randolph County, Ind., as did also the father, who passed away in March, 1819. The mother of our subject was Lydia Studebaker, and her life ended in Sangamon County, this State in 1869.
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ILLIAM C. ALDERSON, one of the pros- perous and enterprising agriculturists of this county, lives on section 16, North Otter Township, where he has an attractive and arable tract of land. He is the son of Robert Al- derson, a native of Sumner County, Tenn., where he was born in 1810. His worthy mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth C. Clack, she being a native of Kentucky, and born in 1812. This couple were married in Kentucky and thinking they could better their fortunes hy emigrating
RESIDENCE OF W. C. ALDERSON, SEC.1G., NORTH OTTER TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES WIRT, SEC. 2., VIRDEN TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
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westward, decided upon Illinois whonce they came early in the '30s. After their arrival here they settled in Morgan County, where they remained nearly three years. Thence they came to this county and took up land in North Otter Township on what is known as Elm Grove. They continued to reside in this township most of the time until they removed to Kansas during the latter part of the '70s and spent their last days in Cherokee County.
The worthy parents of our subject had born un- to thiem an interesting family of eleven children, of whom our subject was the second in the order of birth. Ile first saw the light of life in Morgan County, February 12, 1834, and when he was still an infant of less than one year his parents eame to North Otter Township, this county. Here he received the rudiments of his education in the district schools and as soon as old enough began the occupation of agriculture which he has fol- lowed all his life. He has always made a good success of his work, having a great deal of push, pluck and perseverance, and he has added at times to his tract until he now has nine hundred and two broad and fertile acres, one hundred and sixty of which are located in Sangamon County, this State. It is necessary that everything should be in a line with the land, which is highly culti- vated and under the best of supervision, and hence Mr. Alderson has erected on his place a good set of farm buildings for the accommodation of his stock, tools, and all necessary outbuildings. But besides these the residence in which the family re- sides is one of great attractiveness, a fact which a glance at the view presented in this connection will at once prove to the reader.
The lady who presides over the home of Mr. Alderson with so much grace and dignity was united in marriage with him March 25, 1858. In her maiden days she bore the name of Miss Lucre- tin A. Raffety, and is the daughter of Thomas B. and Mary ( Wriston) Raffety. The father is a na- tive of Kentucky where he was born in 1812, and the mother was born in 1810, in Tennessee. They emigrated to Greene County, III., with their par- ents and were united in marriage in that county where they have since made their home. They
became the parents of ten children, of whom the wife of our subject was the fourth born.
The genial union of Mr. and Mrs. Alderson has been blest by the birth of ten children who are named as follows: Robert T. who died in infancy ; John H., who married Miss Dora Woodman and is a liveryman; Worner J., who took to wife Nora Nivins and is a farmer in North Otter Township; William E., who married Carrie Kable and is a farmer in North Otter Township; Etta A., who married William Riffey; Mary E .. who is the wife of Charles M. Brennan; Ella M., Francis B., Iva M., and one child who died in infancy un- named.
Mr. Alderson, though not an office seeker has held the responsible position of School Director of his district and not only did so with credit to him- self but with great advantage to the community. In politics he casts his vote with the Democratic party. Religiously he and his amiable wife are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Clinicheand are held in the highest es- teem by all with whom they come in contact.
ENRY ETTER occupies an honorable posi - tion among the farmers and stock-raisers of this county, who have made it a great agri- cultural centre, developing it from the wilderness to a highly improved condition, with many fine farms and beautiful homes within its borders. The homestead of our subject is pleas- antly located in South Palmyra Township. and here he has been engaged at his vocation many years.
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