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 39
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The subject of this sketch was only seven years of age when he bade good-by to the land of his birth and accompanied his parents to America. Under the parental roof he was reared to manhood in Jersey County, where he was the first time mar- ried, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy Campbell, a native of North Carolina, who when a child went to Jersey County, Ill., with her parents, William and Mary Campbell, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons were married in February, 1853, and in September, 1855, the lady was called to her final home when thirty-five years of age. Mr. Lyons was again married in Greene County, his second union being with Mrs. Alvira A. (Tunnell) Parker, who was born on the 22d of August, 1839, in Greene County, and is a daughter of Calvin and Jane Tunnell, natives of Virginia, who on emigrating to Illinois located in Madison County, and later removed to Greene County, where Mr. Tunnell procured land and de- veloped a good farm near Carrollton, where they spent their last days. In Greene County, Alvira Tunnell became the wife of Daniel L. Parker, who died in Hilyard Township, leaving two children: Mary E., wife of John Cay wood, of Ililyard Town- ship; and Henry L., a farmer of Greene County, who married Carrie Corriell. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
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Lyons have been born six children but three died in childhood: Thomas C., Luther and John. The living are Robert N., who married Jessie B. Cor- riell and lives on a farm in Hilyard Township; and James T. and Alvira A., at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Lyons are members of the Presby- terian Church in which he is now serving as Deacon and Trustee, and in politics he is a Democrat. They reside upon a pleasantly situated farm of two hun- dred and sixty acres which is now under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Lyons located there on the 13th of March, 1865, and has since made all the improvements seen upon the place. He is re- garded as one of the enterprising and successful farmers of the community and well deserves a rep- resentation in the history of his adopted county.
G EORGE M. KILLAM. This section of the country has always proved very attractive to citizens of foreign birth, who have come to America with a desire to give their children the benefits of a home in the land of liberty and an op- portunity for independence. The fertility of Illi- nois was early made a matter of comment and con- versation among the yeomanry of England, and their attention was called to the advantages which were offered here. In consequence of this many of them emigrated to this country and among them we find Samuel Killam, the father of our subject. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary M. Morris. They were married in England and coming to America, made their first home in Morgan County.
This worthy and intelligent couple finally re, moved to Macoupin County and settled in South Palmyra Township, where they ended their days in peace and happiness. Ten children had gath- ered about their home, of whom our subject was the seventh. Ile was born in South Palmyra Township, August 28, 1840. Here he grew to manhood and has always remained a resident of this county. He remained at home most of the time till his marriage, after which he lived for two years in Carlinville Township and then settled in Bird Township, where he owns two hundred and
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nine acres. Ile has erected good buildings on his farm, which is finely improved. He has always been engaged in stock-raising and agricultural pur- suits.
The marriage of Mr. Killam with Emily Baker took place on March 15, 1866, in South Otter Township. The lady whom he made his wife was a daughter of Robert Baker, of South Otter Town- ship. They set up their home in Carlinville Town- ship and four children crowned their union: Mary F., George A., Charles W. and Emily J. The mother of these children was snatched from the companionship of her husband and children Au- gust 23, 1878.
The second marriage of this gentleman took place in St. Louis, Mo., on April 22, 1880. His bride was Miss Rosalie, a daughter of William and Rachael Standiford. Mr. Standiford was a soldier in the Civil War and met his death while in the service. His wife has also passed to the other world. Their daughter Rosalie was born in Frank- lin County, Mo., June 20, 1855. She has become the mother of three children, namely: John A .. Samuel C. and Nellie R.
Mr. Killam is an earnest and efficient member of the Republican party and his advocacy of his po- litical principles is intelligent and convincing. He is a man of influence in the community and has held a number of township offices in the county. His farm is in excellent condition and the build- ings upon it are worthy of note. His estimable wife is a devoted and active member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which she finds a broad field of usefulness.
RANK A. GELDER, dental surgeon, has an extensive and lucrative practice at Pal- myra, where he bears a high reputation for skill and a thorough knowledge of his profession. He is a native born citizen of this county, Barr Township the place of his birth, and September 11, 1854, the date thereof. His father, Thomas Gelder, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and his par- ents were life-long residents of that country. The
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father of our subject and his cousin, Capt. Thomas Gelder, who settled in Chesterfield Township, were the only male members of the family that ever came to America. The former was a youth of eighteen years when he landed on these shores. He at first lived in Chesterfield Township, where several Eng- lish families had previously located. He had no means at that time and sought employment on a farm. He worked by the month a few years, and during that time wisely saved his earnings so that he might invest in land and become independent. Ile finally gathered together enough to purchase a quarter-section of timbered land in Barr Township, on which was a small frame house built entirely of oak and black walnut lumber. Mr. Gelder com- menced at once the pioneer work that lay before him of evolving a farm from the wilderness, but while he was thus busily engaged death cut short his career in 1864, and a loyal and useful citizen was lost to his township.
By the untimely death of the father the mother of our subject was left in limited circumstances with five children to care for, as follows: William H., Frank A., Mary A., Clara E. and Ada F. The maiden name of the mother was Mary Shearburn, and she was born in Yorkshire, England. Her father was Thomas Shearburn, and he was also a native of Yorkshire. He emigrated to this coun- try with his family, and was a pioneer of Barr Township, where he improved a good farm, upon which he resided until his decease. When a young man living in the old country he married Ann Bell, the daughter of an Episcopalian clergyman. Some years after the death of Mr. Gelder his widow married Henry Bracewell, and now lives in Wayne County, Iowa.
As soon as he was large enough our subject be gan to work for various parties to earn money to assist his mother in the support of the family. The little lad was but eight years old when he first sought and found employment, and was given $4 a month for his services. Until he was eighteen years old he continued to work by the month, ex- cept for a short time each winter season, when he attended school. During that time he was a student in a school at Pana, Ill., two years. At the age mentioned he rented the home farm, and devoted
himself to agricultural pursuits the following two years. At the age of twenty he accepted a position as clerk at Taylorville, in which capacity he was engaged one year.
At the expiration of that time deciding to adopt the profession of dentistry, Mr. Gelder began to prepare himself for that vocation at Pana, under Dr. T. II. McCoy. He served an apprenticeship of two years without any remuneration so as to gain a thorough mastery of the details of the calling. He proved to be such a bright, apt pupil, that when his preceptor went to Europe at the end of that time he placed such confidence in his ability that he left him in charge of his office. Ile remained in Pana three years, and then came to Palmyra, which at that time was a small village of about three hundred inhabitants, and he has since been in active practice here, and is meeting with merited success, as he applies himself closely to his profes- sion. lIe has a neat, and well-fitted up oflice, amply supplied with all the modern appliances of dental surgery, and he keeps well abreast of the times in his methods of work. Ile possesses many frank and prepossessing qualities, is courteous and affable in his intercourse with others, and with his amiable wife ocenpies a high social position among our best people.
Dr. Gelder was married in 1882 to Miss Flora E. Gardner, a native of this county, and a daughter of John T. and Hester A. (Edwards) Gardner. Five children complete the pleasant home circle of our subject and his wife: Frank G., Wilbur Max, Ola Rell, Isla, and an infant as yet unnamed.
Our subjeet is now President of the Town Board, also of the School Board.
AVID STEAD. England has sent so many of her sons to this country, and they are almost always of so good a class of people, that we have come to look upon them as most desirable acquisitions in every community. To say that a man is an Englishman, is usually a pledge for his standing as a loyal American in all questions of equity and right. Our subject is not
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only of English parentage but. he himself was born in the quaint portion of England, in which the dia- lect is so broad as to remind one of the variety in origin of its people. Ile was born in Yorkshire, November 22, 1829. Mr. Stead now is the owner of a fine farm located on section 10, of Nilwood Township.
The parents of our subject were Benjamin and Martha (Taylor) Stead. They were both natives of Yorkshire. The paternal grandfather of the original of our sketch was also Benjamin Stead. Ile lived and died in Yorkshire, England, having fol- lowed the calling of a farmer for the greater por tion of his life. David Stead's father emigrated to America early in the '40s, and at once settled in Nilwood Township, Macoupin County, where one year afterward his decease took place. Ilis wife followed him in 1858.
Of a family of eight children our subject was the fourth; his early education was received in his na- tive country, and he came to America with his father and settled with the family in Nilwood Township, July 6, 1851. The next important event in his history was his marriage to Miss Mary A. Boston. She was born in Harrison County, Ind., June 4, 1829. Her parents were Beverly and Eliza- beth (Boston) Boston. The former was a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. After their marriage they settled in Floyd County, Ind. The father came to Macoupin County, in 1833, the family following him a short time after. They settled in what is now Nilwood Township, where the mother died, September 7, 1851. The father died in September, 1853. They had ten children, of whom Mrs. Stead was the ninth.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of five children. They are Benjamin A., who is a farmer in Montgomery County, this State; George N., who follows his father's calling in Nilwood Township; John H., who is an agriculturist, also of Nitwood Township; James D., who is also a farmer. The second child. William E. died in childhood. All of Mr. Stead's life has been engaged in devotion to his agricultural pursuits. His farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres located most favorably is well improved and in a high state of enltivation. His residence is especially noticable, proclaiming
its builder a man of taste as well as judgment. All the comforts and conveniences that give the people of the present day so much the advantage of those of years ago are to be found about the house. His townsmen have shown their confidence in Mr. Stead's ability in executive matters, by appointing bim a School Trustee. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which the former has been an Elder for many years. Mrs. Stead is a woman whose amiability and charm of manner endear her to friends and commend her to acquaintances. A woman whose realm is in her family life, but who always has a kind and encour- aging word for any one in trouble. She and her husband are generous and open hearted, and are counted among the progressive people of the town- ship.
ILLIAM H. DEWS. One of the substan- tial farmers of English origin is he who resides on section 34, Western Mound Township. The farm, which was originally that of his father, comprised six hundred acres of fine land and the present proprietor cultivates it to the highest possible degree. Our subject's father was John Dews, who was born in Yorkshire, England. The mother was Sylvia ( Morris) Dews, also a na- tive of Yorkshire. They, however, met and mar- ried in this country, Alton. Ill., being the scene of their courtship and union. After their marriage they came to Macoupin County and settled in Western Mound Township, upon the farm which our subject at present occupies. Here the father died, December 18, 1888.
Iler gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria, has set her seal of approval upon the rearing of large fam- ilies by offering a prize to the mother of the larg- est family of living children. This is not an individual opinion but rather shows the sentiment of the nation, for English families are, as a rule, larger than the families of American parents. Our subject's parents showed themselves to be true to the English idea by rearing a family of ten chil- dren, of whom our subject was one of the junior members. Ifis present home was his birthplace,
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINC'
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John P. Binney
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his natal day being March 20, 1852, Here he was reared to manhood and has ever been a resident at the place where he is now owner.
Our subject's father, Jolin Dews, erceted a fine series of buildings upon his farm and at one time was the proud proprietor of one thousand acres of as good land as there was in the county. At pres- ent everything about the place indicates the careful and progressive farmer. The buildings are in beau- tiful order and meadows, paddocks and wood lots are rich with their respective productions.
Our subject is very popular among the people of his locality and has a turn for political life, His interest in the affairs pertaining to his calling is shown by the prominent part that he takes in the Farmers' Alliance of this section. Ile has held the ollice of Justice of the Peace for four years and was Census Enumerator for Western Mound Township in 1890. Our subject's father was a member of the Episcopal Church and the religious preference of William Dews is in the same direction,
R. J. P. BINNEY, who is now living a re- tired life, resides on a fine farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 36, Staun- ton Township. He is of English birth and a native of Sheffield, Yorkshire, where he was born on the 3d of July, 1819. Ilis parents were also Yorkshire people. At the early age of fifteen years, he entered upon the study of medicine and surgery in Lancaster, England, under Dr. William Prescott, with whom he remained until his emigra- tion to America in the year 1842.
llearing very favorable reports of this country and the advantages it afforded young men, Dr. Binney determined to seek a home across the wat- ers and in the month of December of the year previously mentioned, sailed from Liverpool, in one of the vessels of the North Sea line, which was commanded by Capt. Wynn. After a long tedious voyage of nine weeks, anchor was dropped in the harbor of New Orleans and the Doctor made his way up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, proceed-
ing to Macoupin County the same year. Here he has resided continuously since and from the he- ginning has been numbered among the prominent and leading men in the county.
Soon after his arrival Dr. Binney embarked in the practice of medicine and his skill and ability at once won him an excellent practice and he was ranked high by his professional brethren. Ilis patronage came from all over the country for miles around and he successfully and profitably engaged in the prosecution of his chosen profession until 1888, when he retired to private life. Ile also de- voted a part of his time and attention to farming, and in this branch of his business also met with prosperity. His home farm now comprises a quar- ter section of valuable land, upon which are sub- stantial buildings and many excellent improve- ments. His residence is one of the finest and largest brick dwellings in the county and every- ~ º thing about the place is in keeping with his home. He also owns eight improved lots in New Douglas, III.
In Madison County, Dr. Binney led to the mar- riage altar Miss Martha L. Martin, one of the fair daughters of that county, where her parents, David and Martha Martin, were early settlers. They came to Illinois from Kentucky in a very early day and located in Madison County, where they improved a farm upon which they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Binney received good educational advantages for that day and is an intelligent and cultured lady who has won many friends. She re- mained under the parental roof until she gave her hand in marriage to the Doctor, to whom she has proved a true helpmate. They have traveled life's journey together for more than forty years, labor- ing for their mutual good and their lives have been blessed in many ways. The greatest adver- sity which has come upon them is the loss of their three children, John, Thomas and Bessie, all of whom died in childhood. In political sentiment, the Doctor is a Republican, but his business duties in former years were so manifold that he could not, if he had desired, take an active part in political affairs, He and his wife are numbered among the most highly esteemed citizens of the county, where for almost half a century they have
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made their home, and the confidence and good wishes of the community are accorded them.
In connection with this brief biographical review the reader will notice a lithographie portrait of Dr. Binney, whose lineaments will be thus perpetuated for coming generations.
Le EWIS F. BECKER, of the firm of J. G. Becker & Son, contractors and builders, was born in St. Louis, Mo., July 1, 1854. lle is the eldest son of J. G. and Catherine Becker, of whom we read more in the father's sketch which precedes this. He was only seven years old when he came to Virden with his parents and here he attended the public school steadily until he reached the age of fifteen. Ile then commenced work with his father at the carpenter's trade and when he reached his majority became a partner with his father in the firm.
The marriage of Lewis Becker, and Miss Caro- line Bijor was solemnized February 1, 1877. The bride was born in Jerseyville, Ill., and is the daughter of Bernard and Martha Bijor, both na- tives of Germany. Six children have come to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Becker, namely: Fred, Ota, Ada, Oscar, Annie and Carrie. Mr. Becker is a member of Virden Lodge No. 161, A. F. & A. M., in which he officiates as Past Master. He is a man of publie spirit and ever ready to promote the best interests of the community. Ile is a member of the Virden School Board and is now serving his second term as a member of the City Council.
OHN Q. ADAMS. The gentleman of whom this sketch is written is one of the prominent residents of Bird Township, re- siding on section 16, where he has a fine farm adorned with handsome buildings. He is the youngest in a family of ten children. His father, Horatio Adams, and his mother, Siopha Mnier, were natives of Kentucky. He was born in
Bird Township, January 13, 1842, and here he grew to manhood, receiving an ordinary district-school education and being trained in all the duties of a truly manly character.
Devotion to country was not one of the least of the virtues which were instilied by his parents and when the time came that our nation was in peril, this brave boy responded to her call and enlisted August 9, 1862, in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty second Illinois Infantry. He was about twenty-one years old when he enlisted and he served until July, 1865, being mustered out of the service August 4 of that year. Ile took part in the conflicts of Nashville, Tenn., Parker's Cross Roads, Tupelo, Miss., Town Creek, Ala., and the siege and capture of Mobile, and many smaller engagements.
Notwithstanding his willingness to fight for his nation's honor, this young hero hailed with delight a return to the joys of home and the delights of peace. After his discharge be returned to Bird Township, which he has always made his home, and where he has engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. Two hundred and thirty-seven acres are comprised within the boundaries of Mr. Adams' farm, and upon it he has erected excellent and commodious farm buildings.
The marriage of John Q. Adams with Par- thena Comer. a daughter of Aaron Comer, took place in Bird Township, September 27, 1867. This lady was born in this township, September 17, 1848. Ten children came to call her mother, namely : Eva M., who is the wife of Thomas Chiles; Etta L., who married Albert Loveless, and eight little ones who died in infancy. Mrs. Parthena Adams was called away from earth November 15, 1885. She was a devont member of the Baptist Church and a faithful wife and mother. The second mar- riage of Mr. Adams was solemnized in MeLean County, September 5, 1889, and he was then united with Mrs. Amanda ( Purvis) Hoblit, a daughter of Allen and Angeline Purvis, and the widow of Francis M. Hoblit, who died in Florida, January 28, 1883. Mrs. Amanda Adams was born in Ten- nessee, March 24, 1843, and she became the mother of six children by Mr. Hobiit: Dora A., William A., Aurilla M, Jobn E., Kate and James A. The
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citizens of this township have twice shown their appreciation of Mr. Adams and their confidence in his educational views, by placing him upon the Board of School Directors and he has been serving in that capacity for nine years. The farming inter- ests are dear to him and he has identified himself as a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Asso- ciation, believing that this is the best organization for protecting the rights of the agricultural people. The Baptist Church receives the loyal allegiance of our subject and in it he is a power for good.
JOSEPH LINK, M. D., is a young physician of undoubted talent and liberal education who has already acquired a high reputation among his patients in Carlinville, where he is located, and elsewhere, for his skill and success in combating the various diseases to which man- kind is heir. He is a native of this county, son of John Joseph Link, a well-known resident of this city, who was for many years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county, but is now living in retirement, though he still retains his faım.
The father of our subject was born in Baden, Germany, May 3, 1824, a son of John Lorenz Link, who was a native of the same country as himself. His father, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a farmer and spent his entire life in the Fatherland. The grandfather of our subject was reared on a farm. At tie age of seventeen he was pressed into the army, and served under Napo- leon I. Ele also passed his whole life in Ger- many, giving his attention to farming after he left the army. The maiden name of his wife was Annie Mary Mussig, and she was also a life-long resident of Germany. She was the mother of five children-Frank, John J., Maggie, Ann Mary and Lorenz.
The father of our subject and his sister Mary were the only members of the family to come to America. The former was reared in the land of his nativity and in the German schools received an excellent education. After he left school he
devoted his time to farm labor. He was ambitious to see something of the world, and desirous to avail himself of the many superior advantages of- fered to capable, energetic, self-reliant young men by the fertile soil and genial climate of the West- ern prairies of the United States, he therefore set sail in May, 1854, from Havre for this land of promise, and landed at New York on our Na- tional holiday, forty-four days later. He immedi- ately made his way to Illinois, and after staying two weeks in Chicago, he came to this county. When he arrived he found himself a stranger in a strange land with no money in his pockets. But he was willing and able to work, and he at once procured employment on a farm at $1.25 u day during the harvest season. After that he had to content himself with $12 a month, but even with those small wages he managed to save money enough to become independent, as he was frugal and prudent, and in time he was able to buy one hundred acres of good land in Honey Point Fown- ship at $25 an acre. There was a small house and stable on the place and fifty acres of land were under tillage. Busy years of persistent and well- directed toil followed, in which he made many valuable improvements, so that his farm became a fine piece of property. He made it his dwelling- place until 1889, when he rented it on good terms, and coming to Carlinville, has lived in retirement in this city ever since. He bought a home, pleas- antly located on the corner of Pine and Plum Streets. It is a commodious brick house, and here he enjoys all the comforts of life, free from care and labor.
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