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 38
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ILLIAM E. SANDERS. Among the pub- lic-spirited and prosperous business men and genial, and hospitable gentlemen of Macoupin, we are pleased to rank high the name which appears at the beginning of this biographieal sketch. This merchant who occupies the position of Postmaster at Macoupin has made a success of life by his natural ability, supplementel by a thor- ough-going lionesty and a desire to accommodate those with whom he deals in life.
The father of our subject was the late Brantley N. Sanders, who was a native of North Carolina, and his mother was the late Sarah (Sandera) San- ders, also of North Carolina. They had resided in Missouri previous to their coming to Macoupin County, Ill , and they settled in Polk Township in 1863 and there spent the remainder of their days. Their lives were harmonious and truly united and they were not long separated by death as the mother passed away in February, 1866, and her devoted husband followed her about one month later. Twelve children had gathered about their hearthstone and they had given them thorough and practical training in life.
The gentleman of whom we write was one of the
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eldest in a large family of children and early felt the responsibilities of life. He was born in Jack- son County, Ala., Jannary 7, 1848, and was about eleven years old when his parents removed to Mis- souri and be accompanied them when they made their final removal to Macoupin County in 1863. Ilere he grew to manhood, receiving the best in- struction which his parents could find for him in the district schools of that day and upon the farm. For several years his time was devoted to wood- chopping.
It was in the spring of 1869 that young Sanders first engaged in mercantile business at Macoupin, then known as Macoupin Station, and this initial effort was so successful that he has continued in that line from that day to this with the exception of about two years. He carries a general stock of merchandise and enjoys a good share of trade. In the year 1890 he erected a fine brick store and res- idence, which is an ornament to the town and in which his business has prospered even more than before. For about fifteen years he was station agent at Macoupin and with the exception of about four years he has been Postmaster since 1869.
The fellow citizens of Mr. Sanders have placed him in the office Township Clerk for some fifteen years, and he was elected Supervisor of Polk Town- ship and served for one term and is the present Supervisor. He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for two years and has for many years held the office of Township Treasurer. While sta- tion agent he was also the United States Express Company's agent.
The event of greatest importance in the life of Mr. Sanders was his marriage November 11, 1869, in Polk Township, to Miss Cynthia Ritchey, daugh . ter of James and Melvina (Fowler) Ritchey. The father was a Tennesseean and the mother a native of Kentucky. Mr. Ritchie died in this township in February, 1866. The daughter Cynthia was born in Arkansas February 15, 1851. Her maternal affection and care have been shared by five chil- dren, namely : Famey, Emma, Nellie, Melvina and Jesse W. E. Melvina died when about four years old. Mr. Sanders is the owner of seventy- five acres in Polk Township, of which he takes a per- sonal oversight. He is a Republican in his political
views and always takes an active and intelligent interest in political movements. Both he and his interesting and capable wife are earnest and effi- cient members of the Church of Christ.
AMES TAYLOR, now deceased, was a mem- ber of the banking house of Wall & Taylor, of Staunton. He died at his home in Staun- ton, IH., May 6, 1881, having just retired from active business in connection with the bank. After his departure the business was carried on successfully for years when the partners concluded to sell out and close up the business. When Mr. Taylor came to Macoupin County, in about 1851, he was a poor man. He began life in the West by renting land. When he had gained sufficient means to do so he purchased and farmed for a number of years. Later he sold out and put his money into a general merchandise business in Staunton. Ile was thus engaged for several years before entering upon the banking business with Mr. Wall. Afier retiring from the bank on account of ill health, Mr. Taylor invested his means in real-estate in Staunton Township.
The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson County, W. Va .. September 21, 1828. His father, Joseph Taylor was a West Virginia farmer, and he married a West Virginia lady, Margaret Bowers by name. They resided in their native State for sev- eral years after marriage, and then removed to Maryland, where Joseph Taylor died. His wife was married a second time to George Gill, and they came early in the '50s to Macoupin County, and settled on a farm in Bunker Hill Township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gill were respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they lived lives of Christian purity and repute until a green old age. They are both laid to rest in the ceme- tery near their home.
James Taylor was the youngest of his father's eight children, and as he was quite young at the time of his father's death he was reared mostly by his mother and step-father. lle came with them
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
J. D. Loveless
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to Macoupin County, and spent his school days on the farm and in the district schools. Having ar- rived at manhood he chose for himseif a wife, and was married in Carlinville, to Sarah O'Neal, who was born September 7, 1830, in Bourbon County, Ky. Mrs. Taylor was left an orphan at a very early age, too young in fact to have interested herself in the early history of her family, which she now greatly regrets. She came with kinsmen to Illinois when only eight years old, and resided for some years in Coles and Moultrie Counties. In 1848 she came to Maconpin County, within the borders of which she has since resided. Although now some- what advanced in years she maintains her mental and physical activity, and enjoys life in her retired home on North Franklin Street, at Bunker Hill. She has a fine income left her by her husband, to whom she had been a most devoted and helpful wife. She was the mother of two children: Joseph and Emma, both of whom died in infancy. She has been the foster mother of one child, Lucretia Price, who became the wife of Louis Powers, and died after becoming the mother of five children. Mr. Taylor was a quiet and retired man in his na- ture, and never was an office-seeker or willing to be put in prominence by his fellow-citizens. After the war he consistently voted the Republican ticket and was interested in public affairs. Mrs. Taylor is a life-long member of the Baptist Church, in which she is a quiet but effective worker. She is highly esteemed by all her friends and neighbors.
OHN H. LOVELESS. The Central States are so productive of grain that it is not surprising that a large number of people have reaped from the bountiful harvests of Mother Earth, a reasonable amount of this world's goods. Among the number who are successfully engaged in tilling the soil is the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical notice, and whose portrait appears on the opposite page. Ilis fine farm is located in Bird Township and is em- bellished with a good set of buildings, the most important of which is the residence of the family.
Near it are such structures as the practical devel- opment of a model farm calls for, while through the proper rotation of crops and fertilizing the soil, the land is brought to a high state of improve- ment.
Our subject is the son of William Loveless, who was born in Blount County, Tenn., in 1808. Ilis mother was Jane Bell in her maidenhood, and her native home was in Knox County, Tenn. In that State they were married and resided until 1811, when they removed to Illinois and made their home on section 8. Bird Township, this county. Here they lived in happiness until the death of the mother, December 1, 1881, when seventy-one years old. The father still survives at an advanced age and makes his home with his children. Twelve children clustered around this worthy pioneer conple, who were named as follows: John II., Matil da, Elizabeth, Samuel L., Zeddock, William J., George W., Ilugh F., Mary A., Marion F., Martha and Charles M. Matilda is the widow of Mathias Underwood; Elizabeth and Martha are deceased; Mary A., is Mrs. William Bumgardner.
John II , the eldest of this family and the sub- ject of this biographical sketch, was born in Eastern Tennessee, December 30, 1825. Ile was therefore sixteen years of age when he accompanied the pa- rental family to Maconpin County, this State, and here passed the remaming days of his youth. Ile remained at home with his parents until his marriage,since which he has made a permanent home upon another tract of land not far from the okdl homestead, with the exception of two years when he resided in Champaign County, this State. Ile has always been engaged in the pursuit of agri- culture.
The marriage of Mr. Loveless to Miss Rhuhama Brown took place in Bird Township, December 23, 1847. This lady was the daughter of John M. and Christina (Etter) Brown who came from Virginia to Indiana, and thence to this county, making their home, in Western Mound Township in 1812. Here they resided until Mrs. Etter was called away from earth about the year 1850. After her death her husband removed to Montgomery County, where he died about two years later. They were blessed with thirteen children, twelve
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daughters and one son. Mrs. Loveless was the seventh daughter in this family, and was born near Indianapolis, Ind., January 1, 1826. Eleven children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Loveless, namely: William R., James M., Eliza- betli J., Emanuel, Matilda, George, Sarah E., Mary V., Robert A., Cyrus O. and John B. William R. married Anna Crowder; James M., who married Mary Clark, died in November, 1876; Elizabeth J. died in infancy ; Matilda is the wife of Lewis Keorner; George married Alano Hoover; Sarah is the wife of Jasper W. Wheeler; Mary V. died in childhood; Robert A. married Hannah Ward.
Mr. Loveless is wide-awake to the educational interests of the community and for many years has been School Director. Ile is a member of the Democratic party, and always takes an active part in political affairs. Both he and his wife have been active members of the Baptist Church for abont forty years. The event in his life the most tragic and heart-breaking, was the distressing death of his mother. Her clothes took fire from a fireplace near which she was sitting, and the in- juries resulted in her death. The pain she endured was agonizing, and she was conscious throughout the whole period of suffering, and met her death with remarkable fortitude and cheerfulness. Mr. Loveless owns and occupies one hundred and twenty acres of the old homestead, which was his father's. Ile is a public-spirited eitizen and a man of nncom- mon energy. His wife who is a woman of great capabilities and of sound Christian character is a worthy mate for her husband, and is honored and respected by all who know her.
AVIS AMES. The owner of the farm on section 27, North Otter Township, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land in the most desirable part of the county. An air of prosperity is felt to rest over the place and is explained by the good class of buildings and high state of cultivation under which the place is kept. While our subject makes
farming his business, it is not so much the work of life as to provide the comforts that home should bring to every family. The house is pleasantly located on a slight eminence, from which there Is a charming vista of trees and misty clouds with a glimpse of water in the distance. That part of life which is so frequently neglected by farmers- the social side -- is here recognized at its full worth, and the friends who have the privilege of coming to the home find it a meeting-place from which they go away more thoughtful, happier and better in every way. Books and papers are the companions of the inmates and the current topies are here intelligently disenssed.
Mr. Ames' father was John Ames, a native of Lancaster County, Pa. His mother was Sarah (Staufer) Ames, also a native of the same county. The father died in Wayne County, Ohio, and the mother passed away in Elkhart County, Ind. Our subject was brought up to a farmer's life, that hav- ing been his father's calling. John Ames and his wife had six children, of whom our subject was the third child. His birth took place in Lancaster County, Pa., on February 13, 1835. He was but eighteen months old when his parents removed to Wayne County, Ohio, and there grew to manhood,
After reaching years of maturity Mr. Ames de- termined to take unto himself a wife, and he was married early in February, 1858, to Miss Mary Weaver, a daughter of Joseph and Martha Weaver. Their first home was in Wayne County, Ohio, and there they enjoyed together the first four years of marital life. They then removed to Elkhart County, Ind., living there six years, and in March, 1869, they came to Macoupin County, settling on the farm where they now live in August. He has ever since been a resident of North Otter Township. They were the parents of six children-Leander, who married Nettie M. Smith; Sarab, who became the wife of Christian Roesch; Lydia, who died at the early age of seventeen; Eli W., Elmer and Della M. Mrs. Mary Ames died in North Otter Township February 5, 1883.
Our subject was again married, Miss Mary A. Bechtold becoming his wife in Sangamon County, June 15, 1884. The lady is a daughter of William and Elizabeth L. ( Brubaker) Bechtold, both of Lan-
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caster County, Pa. The mother died in Macoupin County, Ill .; the father still survives. Mrs. Ames was born in Lancaster County, Pa., July 9, 1851. One child has been the fruit of this marriage, a daughter, who was christened Dora E.
Mr. Ames has always been engaged in farming, and is thoroughly conversant, not only with the best ways and means in use in agriculture, but of the most direet way the object he desires may be obtained. In politics he is an adherent of the Republican party. He has been elected School Director in his township, having discharged the duties incident to that office to the satisfaction of his constituents. Our subject has taken an act- ive part in religions work and is a member of the German Baptist Church, as is also his wife and as was the companion of his early life.
OHN M. SCHMIDT. One of the largest farmers in Gillespie Township is the man whose name heads this sketch. lle lives on section 35, and owns in his homestead one hundred and twenty acres, but in all the land that he has accumulated aggregates nine hundred and seventy acres, the whole of which property is well improved and stocked. The fact that Mr. Schmidt came to this land a poor man only thirty-six years ago, and that he has amassed what is a comfortable fortune, is a commentary upon the possibilities that are to be found in the United States.
Our subject was born in Hanover, Germany, Oc- tober 22, 1828. For a history of his parents, see biography of Weye Schmidt on another page. Our subject's parents were farmers and he grew up with a knowledge of all the duties incident to agri- cultural life. Ile was a single man when he deter. mined to come to America, and took passage at Bremen, Hanover, on a sailing vessel, August 31, 1855. Ile landed in New Orleans where he spent seven weeks in becoming somewhat familiar withı the English tongue and American ways; thence lie came to St. Louis and then to Alton and from here he proceeded to Macoupin County, Gillespie Town . ship, where he settled November 18, of that year.
He has ever since made this place his home, having here accumulated his fortune and being determined that it shall be the shelter for his last days. For the first three years of Mr. Schmidt's life in Amer- ica he worked as a laborer for M. W. Dorsey and then he rented a farm for five years, after which he purchased his first one bundred and twenty acres on section 35, to which he has since added his large increase of land. He is one of the thrift- iest farmers among the German settlers in the county.
Our subject was married in this township to Miss Meta E. Milfs. She was born and reared in Hanover, and in 1858 came to this country with her future husband, who had gone on a trip to his native home and on his return to this country lie brought the young lady with him who was soon to be his bride. They were married in the spring of 1859, and they have since lived and labored to- gether, the wife being a true and good woman and a great help to him in every way. She is the mother of thirteen children, only one of whom is deceased. The living children are as follows: Charles, who took to wife Weptka Schmidt, and they live on a farm in this township; Etta, who is the wife of Fritz Harmes; they are also farmers in this township; John, who took to wife Gepta Gosh- mann, also lives on a farm in this township; Weptka, the wife of Louis Kartumn; they are farmers in this township; Milf is proprietor of a farm with his brother; he is unmarried. Weye, Weert, Jacob, Minnie, Zena, John and Adolph all live at home.
Mr. Schmidt, wife and family are all members of the Lutheran Church. The father and sons are Democrats in politics.
AMES W. YORK, one of the oldest settlers of Honey Point Township, is a native of of Tennessee, being born in Murray County, that State, August 28, 1813. Ilis ancestors were of English and Irish origin; his paternal grand- father, James, emigrated from England to North Carolina, and married a young lady named Whit- taker. Here his father, Joel, was born in Surrey
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County in the year 1784, and moved when a young man to the State of Tennessee, where he married Talitha Jackson, who was of Irish descent, and whose family had come from North Carolina to Tennessee. Our subject's grandmother on his moth- er's side was Charity Boyd, who was born in North Carolina, and was living there during the Revolu- tionary War, and who always enjoyed recounting how she heard in her home, the sound of musketry during the Battle of Cowpens.
When James W. York was quite a small child, his father removed from Murray to Bedford County, Tenn. where the family lived until 1828. While living in this State he bought timber land and built a log house for the family home. The next removal of the family was to Morgan County, Ill , and this son was fifteen years old at that time. The county was thinly settled and Jacksonville was then such a place as Gillespie now is. The farmers had no market for their produce but every- body lived in a rough and primitive way; all were sociable, good-hearted and neighborly, and had many good times together. The journey from Ten- nessee to Illinois occupied thirty days and was ac- complished by the help of a four-horse team which had been hired at the rate of $2.50 a day. After a seven years' residence near Jacksonville, the fam- ily removed to Macoupin County and entered land near Carlinville which is the farm now owned by James MeClure. The father died in 1847 upon a farm a mile further east. The mother died two months later.
After coming to Illinois, our subject had only six weeks of schooling, but he had attended good private schools in Tennessee. As he was the oktest son his course of study was cut short by the family necessities. After his father's removal to Macou - pin County, he stayed in Morgan Country for two years and worked on a farm at $15 a month, and from his earnings he accumulated sufficient money to enter eighty acres of land, which have been in his possession ever since and on which now stands his pleasant home. Upon this he moved in the spring of 1838, bought an ox-team and began breaking prairie. He had prepared for this new venture by engaging a life partner to help him in establishing a home upon the new farm, and he was married in
February, 1838, to Mary E. Keplinger, daughter of John and Elizabeth Keplinger, and a sister of Peter Keplinger, whose biography will be found elsewhere in this volume. This lady was born in Washington County, Tenn. and came to Morgan County in 1830.
It was in the fall after his marriage that .James York built a log cabin. For a long time he had to haul his wheat to Alton and St. Louis and go to mill at Alton and Edwardsville; but later a mill was built at Woodburn, and also in Montgomery County. In those early times a pioneer's life was by no means an easy one, and hard labor and un- tiring energy were necessary to the accumulation of property. But these our subject was willing to give and he finally gained a position where lie could enjoy a comfortable competence. At one time he was the owner of six hundred and twenty acres of land, nearly half of which he has now given to his older children. A part of his present residence is the original old log house, built in the fall of 1838, which has been remodeled and improved, and in 1875 was finally changed into a neat and attractive dwelling.
By his first marriage Mr. York had ten children, all of whom died when quite young, except three: Maria is the wife of John II. Shears. Sophronia E. married John Saunders, and Elbert is farming in Honey Point Township. Their mother died Novem- ber 24, 1873. The second wife bore the maiden name of IIester Hamilton, and their marriage took place in January 1875. Iler five children are all living and they bear the names of Minnie Viola, James W., Vesta L., Naney Almira, and Herbert A. Mrs. York is a daughter of Frederick A. and Nancy (Hampton) Hamilton, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, and now residents of Carlinville. Mr. York has commanded through life the warm respect and esteem of his fellow-cit- zens. Ile is a man of decided convictions, but concedes to others the same freedom of opinion which he has elaimed for himself. His first Presi- idential vote was in 1836, for Martin Van Buren, and he has ever been attached to the party of Jeffer- son and Jackson, yet in local elections he has al- ways claimed the privilege of supporting the best man for the office. He bas had opportunities to
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occupy public positions and upon the first organ- ization of Honey Point Township, served for one term as Supervisor, and was twice re-elected, but declined to serve. In the days of the old militia organization, he was first Lieutenant of his com- pany and was always on hand at the annual mus- ters. In January, 1857, he became connected with the United Baptist Church, and two years later was made a Deacon.
Like most men in Illinois who have reached a position of influence and competence, he began al- most entirely without means, and what he has ac- complished has been the result of his own industry and energy. He is a man of liberal and generous disposition and has provided comfortably for his children. He is one of the best known of the old pioneers in Macoupin County, and has done his full share to change it from a wilderness to a pros- perous, thriving and populous community. He has lived a life of usefulness and integrity and now at the close of a long and industrious career, he can look back over a life which has been a benefit to himself, to his family, and his fellow-men.
OHIN LYONS, a practical farmer of Ililyard Township, residing on section 5, is a native of the Emerald Isle. He was born in the North of Ireland on the 29th of April, 1829, and he is a grandson of Robert and Fannie (Ful- ton) Lyons, who were also born in the North of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage and of the Pres- hyterian faith. Ilis father, Thomas Lyons, was also born in that locality and was one of a large family. He grew to manhood in the usual manner of farmer lads and then wedded Miss Mary A. Taggert, of the North of Ireland, who likewise came of Protestant Irish parentage. She was a daughter of John and Jane Taggert, who were born and reared in the North of Ireland and there spent their entire lives, dying when well advanced in years. Thomas Lyons and his wife began their domestic life upon a small farm on the Green Isle of Erin and there three children were born unto
them. In the spring of 1836 they sailed from Belfast to this country, landing in Philadelphia after a long voyage of eight weeks. The summer after their arrival they spent in Montgomery County, Pa., and in the succeeding antumn started for l'eoria, Ill., but the Illinois River was frozen up and they had to stop at what is now Coon Creek, Jersey County, where they decided to make their home. They settled upon a new farm five miles west of Jerseyville, where the parents continued to spend the remainder of their lives, both dying when past seventy years of age. They were classed among the pioneer settlers of Jersey County and were people of worth and ability. Their family numbered five children who grew to manhood and womanhood, while three are yet living. One son died from a wound received at the battle of Shiloh during the late war. Ile had only been in the ser- vice a few months when pierced by an enemy's bullet, he gave up his life for his country.
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