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 42
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Our subject is of sturdy Scotch descent. Ilis father, Thomas Arnett, was born in North Carolina in 1804, and was a son of John Arnett, who is sup- posed to have been born in the same State, whence he removed to Tennessee and was a pioneer of that State. In 1829 he came from there to this State and was one of the early settlers of Morgan County, where he dwelt until 1834, and then came to this county where he died in 1876.
Thomas Arnett was ten years old when his par- ents went to Tennessee, crossing the mountains
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with pack horses and carts. Ile grew to man's es- tate amid pioneer surroundings, and continued to live in Tennessee until 1829. In the meantime he had taken unto himself a wife in the person of Elizabeth G., a daughter of Jeptha and Winifred ( Harrison) Reeder, who was born in Virginia in 1805. In the year mentioned. he started forth from his old home to push forward to the frontier to try life in the wilds of the State of Illinois, aecom- panied on his momentous journey by his wife and three children, and traveling with a yoke of oxen and a wagon, in which all their earthly possessions were conveyed. Camping and cooking by the wayside at night-fall, the little family proceeded slowly to their destination. On their arrival in Morgan County Mr. Arnett rented land on Buek Horn Prairie, and dwelt there until 1834, when he pulled up stakes and coming to Macoupin County, beeame a pioneer of what is now Bird Township. At that time this region had but few white settlers, and the greater part of the land was held by the Government and for sale at $1.25 an aere. The father of our subjeet rented land for a time and then bought a traet in the same township. Ile worked steadily at the pioneer task of preparing his land for cultivation and making improvements, and on the farm that he developed he spent his re- maining days. His wife also died thereon. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom were reared to maturity.
Our subjeet was an infant when he was brought to Illinois and as he grew up he was a witness of the gradual change of the country from its primi- tive state to its present advanced condition as a wealthy agricultural centre. He can remember when the farmers of other days had no machinery to assist them in their hard task of subduing the forces of nature; when they were obliged to eut their grain by hand with a sickle or cradle, and thresh it with a flail, or have it tramped out by horses or oxen. There were no free schools for him to attend in his early boyhood, as they were all conducted on the subscription plan. They were taught in log houses, that had seats made of puncheon and supported by wooden pegs, and a board laid on wooden pegs driven into the wall served as a writing desk for the scholars.
As soon as large enough to be of assistance, Mr. Arnett had to work on the farm, and he helped his father until he was twenty-one. At that age he engaged with his uncle in farming in Bird Town- ship, remaining with him three years. At the ex- piration of that time he rented the farm for a pe- riod of two years, and then bought land on section 9, of the same township. A log cabin and a small tract of broken prairie constituted the improve- ments at the time of the purchase. Our subject erected a comfortable frame bouse, which he later replaced by a more modern and commodious res- idence, besides making many other substantial im- provements, that made that farm one of the best in its vicinity. It comprises two hundred and ten acres of farming land and forty acres of choice timber. In 1888 be rented his farm and retired to his present pleasant home on College Avenue, Car- linville, where he and his amiable wife can enjoy the fruits of their years of industry at their leisure. They are among the most worthy members of the Baptist Church, as they carry their religion into their every-day lives and in all things do as they would be done by. Their place in the community is among our best people, and they are held in universal esteem.
Mr. and Mrs. Arnett entered upon their wedded life in October 14, 1852, and their marriage has been hallowed by the birth of four children, one of whom awaits them on the other shore, Horace W., their second ehild, who died at the age of twenty- two years. The children who have been spared to bless their declining years are Viola, wife of Elery P. Deeds; Lillie, wife of Harry Wilhite; and George B.
Prior to her marriage Mrs. Arnett's name was Serena E. Lasater. She is a native of Greene County, Ill., and a daughter of Enoch Lasater, a native of North Carolina. His father, Standford Lasater, is also supposed to have been born in that State. His last years were spent in Tennessee, of which he was a pioneer. Mrs. Arnett's father went to Tennessee with his parents, and came from there to Illinois when he was a young man. He was an early settler of Greene County, where he bought a traet of land six miles east of Carrollton, and in the log house that he built upon it his daughter of
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLH
Thomas Mahan
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whom we write was born. Ile improved a good farm, upon which he dwelt until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Charity Hill. She was born near Nashville, Tenn., and was a daugh- ter of Abner and Annie (Johnson) Hill. She was married a second time, becoming the wife of John Courtney, and she died in Bird Township, this county.
HOMAS MAIIAN. One of the most prom- minent men in the township in which he lives, both financially and socially, is the gentleman whose portrait appears on the opposite page, and whose name introduces these paragraphs. Hle stands at the head of the solid men in his viein- ity. From his father, who was a native of Ken- tucky, he inherited the geniality and charm of manner for which the Kentuckians are noted, and also a fondness for the breeding of fine stock, another Kentucky weakness. He is a man of stir- ring business ability, as one must be who would not be left in the rear among so much compe- tition as we have here in every branch of business life.
As before stated, our subject inherits many of the Southern inclinations and tastes from his pa- rents, who were both natives of Kentucky. His father was the late James Mahan, born in Bourbon County, Ky. Ilis mother was Elizabeth Ann En- dicott, who was born in Fayette County, of the same State. After marriage their first home was made in their native State, where they lived for a few years and then lured by the inducements that the Central States offer to industry and energy, they removed to Rush County, Ind., and lived there for several years.
In the fall of either 1849 or 1850, Mr. and Mrs. Mahan, Sr., came to Morgan County, Ill., and lived for one winter near Waverly. They then came to Macoupin County, and settled in South Otter Township, remaining there for about one year. A change was made to the southeast part of North Palmyra Township, where they remained until the father died, in November, 1868, The mother died
in South Palmyra Township, in July, 1889. They had ten children, of whom our subject was the third.
Thomas Mahan was born in Rush County, Ind., Jannary 6, 1837. There he passed the early years of his life to the age of about eleven years, when he came to Illinois with his parents. Ile enjoyed good common-school educational advantages dur- ing his boyhood, assisting his parents with the work incident to farm life in the intervals. He remained under his father's roof until his marriage. The lady whom he invited to preside over his home was Miss Sarah Ditson, and their marriage was cele- brated October 4, 1860, in North Otter Township. The lady's parents were Jesse and Nancy (Tosh) Ditson, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. They were married in Sangamon County, and soon after moved to North Otter Township, being among the early settlers in this place. The father passed away here in March, 1863. The mother died in North Palmyra Township, January 17, 1887. They were the parents of three children, of whom Mrs. Mahan was the youngest. She was born in North Otter Township, April 16, 1843.
Soon after the marriage of our subject, he with his wife settled on section 6, South Otter Township, of which he has since been a resident. He has al- was been faithful to his chosen calling, which is that of agriculture, but makes a specialty of dealing in stock, and in this particular department has built up a fine and lucrative business. He is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and sixty acres. The house is well appointed and adapted perfectly to rural life, while all necessary outbutldings are conveniently arranged for the storage of grain and the shelter of stock. Mr. Mahan and his estimable wife are the parents of twelve children: Nancy E .; Preston G., who married Miss Anna Arnett; Charles S .; Carrie B., who is the wife of George Ilays; Ida L., who is the wife of Harry Potter; Hattie A .; Minnie S .: Thomas M. ; Walter S .; Ethel M .; Cyn- thia L. and Cecil.
Our subject has been Supervisor of South Otter Township for two terms, and Collector for the same length of time. Ile has also satisfactorily filled the positions of School Trustee and School Director, and was a candidate for County Sheriff on the Re-
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publiean ticket in the fall of 1880, but was defeated by his Democratie opponent, who had, however, a majority of only two hundred and twenty votes. Like all loyal Americans, Mr. Mahan has taken a great interest in political affairs as well as an active part in local politics. He is also an ardent worker in religion, and with his wife is a member of the Christian Church, in which he has been Elder tor many years.
W ILLIAM DAMS. The farming seetions of our country are dotted over with settle- ments made by English people. Some of these colonies are sent out by wealthy landowners, others are made by small farmers who have but little more than their individual efforts to look forward to, hut under whatever circumstanes these settle- ments are made, they are invariably characterized by an appearance of thrift. Although as Americans we cannot but regret that so many of the industries and so much of the wheat land in our country is owned by English capitalists, the producing class are always gratefully welcome in any community. Their nationality is a pledge for their usefulness as members of society.
Maconpin County has many residents of English birth and parentage who have done much to de- velop the resources of the locality in which they have settled. Among the many is our subject, who owns a farm of two hundred aeres on section 34, Western Mound Township. Mr. Dams' farm is no exception to the well-improved and highly eulti- vated places of his countrymen and he is besides a great addition to the community because of the in- terest he takes in local affairs. The original of our sketeh is a native of Lincolnshire. England. His father was John P. Dams, who was also born in England. His mother was Elizabeth (Stoddard) Dams, whose early home and marriage place was that of her husband.
The Dams family emigrated to America in an early day. They located in Pennsylvania first, re- maining there about one year. They then came to
Macoupin County and settled in Western Mound Township where the father died in 1848. There were six children in the Dams family and of these our subjeet was the eldest. Ile was born in Penn- sylvania July 20, 1832. He attained manhood in Western Mound Township in which he has always been a resident. Ile not unnaturally continued the ealling in which he had early training-that of farming-and has pursued it most successfully.
Mr. Dams' marriage took place in Western Mound Township. His wife's maiden name was Matilda Barrows. She was a daughter of Austin S. Bar- rows, who is now a resident in the State of Kansas. Our subject and his wife are the parents of five children, three of whom are deceased. The chil- dren living who are the pride and comfort of their fond parents are Oscar and Frank. Those deceased are Arthur, John and Edward.
Mr. Dams is held high in the esteem of his fel- low-townsmen. He is genial and open-hearted, a man who makes many friends and who receives the confidenee of others. but one who keeps his own counsel, and while he has many acquaintances con- fides in hnt few. He has most satisfactorily filled the office of School Director for some time and other offices that have been urged upon him have been deelined, because it seemed that he could not negleet his own affairs for a position that could be filled by others.
OIN GEORGE BECKER, of the firm of J. G. Beeker & Son, of Virden, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1828, June 15, being his natal day. His father, John Phillip Beeker, was born in the same locality in 1800. His parents spent their entire days there, and the father of our subjeet followed farming all his days, and spent his entire life in his native home, dying there in 1874. Four of his children came to America. Frederick lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; and Louis F. went to California in 1861, and the last beard of him was from Salt Lake City.
Our subject attended school until thirteen years of age and then learned the trade of a cabinet-
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maker in which he served for two and a half years and then worked as a joiner nntil 1850. He then decided to come to the New World and try his for- tunes here. He set sail from Havre in March on the sailing vessel "Calender," and landed in New Orleans after a voyage of fifty-two days. He spent two weeks in New Orleans and then came to St. Louis where he remained until 1861. He then came to Virden, where he lias ever since made his home.
On settling in Virden he began business as a contractor and builder, and has continued in this line up to the present date. Some of the finest buildings in Virden have gone np under his super- vision. In 1866 he erected the first brick building in Virden. This edifice is now occupied as a bank and drugstore. His marriage, which took place in June, 1852, united him with Catherine Stecher, who was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and came to America in 1851.
Five children have blessed the union of this worthy and interesting couple, namely, Lewis F., who is a partner with his father in business and whose biography will be found in connection with this sketch; Anna, Amelia, Oscar and Carrie. This gentleman is a member of Virden Lodge No. 161, A. F. & A. M., and is a Director in the Homestead and Loan Association.
HOMAS B. ALLEN. The original of this sketch is the owner and resident upon a farm on section 6, North Otter Township. Ilis father was William Allen, who was a native of North Carolina, and came to Greene County, Ill., when he was about twenty-six years old, being one of the first settlers there. There was a life of hard work before him, for he was one of the pioneers of the State, but on his entry here he was at the age when the very fact of living is divine, and hardships and deprivations seem the smallest pos- sible consideration in the face of youth and strength.
The father of our subjet was united in marriage to Mary Pinkerton, who was a native of Virginia.
Mrs. Allen had, however, made her home in this State some time previous to her marriage, and when they set up their household gods in their own little home, they settled in Greene County, this State, where they died after having reared a family of nine children, of whom onr subject is the old- est. He was born in Greene County, Ill., May 31, 1822.
Our subject's father was a farmer, and his chil- dren were brought up with an acquaintance with the duties of farm life. He of whom we write early learned how to swing the ax and milk the cows, plant and hoe corn. Thus be worked until he reached manhood years, when he was married in his native township and county, to Miss Martha A. Hazlewood, March 21, 1843. She was a daugh. ter of Pleasant and Lillias ( Bradfnte) Hazlewood, both natives of Virginia, although they were mar- ried in Tennessee, and from there came to the county where their daughter entered her married life. There they made their home nutil their death.
Mrs. Allen is the youngest of her father's fam- ily, and was born in Tennessee, August 1, 1826. For several years after the marriage of our sub- ject, he with his wife made his bome in Greene County, after which he came to Macoupin County, and settled on section 6, North Otter Township, where he has since resided. Throughout his life he has been engaged chiefly in farming. His farm here comprises two hundred aeres, that covers portions both of North Otter and North Palmyra Townships. Upon his farm here he has erected good buildings, and has a delightful home.
Mr. and Mr. Allen are the parents of ten chil- dren. They are as follows: Lillias A., who is the wife of John W. Rohrer; William P., who is a farmer in Sangamon County, Ill .; Harriet R. is the wife of William Simms; Maria J., who married FI. C. Cooper; and Edward G .. who is a farmer in North Palmyra Township. The children who are deceased are Alfred P., Thomas B. and Mary M .; two of these died in infancy.
Our subject and his amiable family are worthy of the respeet shown them by the community in which they reside, and which has been pleased to honor Mr. Allen with several positions in the gift
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of the township. He has been School Director and Trustee, in which stations he has well ac- quitted himself of the public trust placed in him. In politics he is an adherent of the Republican party.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. of which they are generous supporters, Mr. Allen has for several years held the position of Steward and Trustee of the body with which he is connected. Our subjeet's place is notable for the good class of buildings upon it, all in excellent condition and carefully kept. lle is well known as a publie-spirited man, whose own interests are always secondary to those of the pub- lic good. While in Greene County, Mr. Allen was elected Captain of the State Militia.
AMES JONES, who is engaged in general farming on section 22, Brighton Township. was born in Wales, in December, 1837 and is the eldest son of James and Mary Jones, both of whom were natives of the same country. The mother there died when in middle life. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Some years after the death of his wife, Mr. Jones crossed the Atlantic to this country, and died at the home of his son Tom, in Brighton Township, having reached the allotted three-score years and ten. Ile, too, was a member of the Baptist Church.
The first one of the family to cross the ocean was our subject, who, when a young man of twenty years resolved to try his fortune in America, and in 1859, made his passage from Liverpool to New York on a steamer. Choosing Illinois as the scene of his future labors, he soon afterward began life here as a poor man. The first year he worked for John Bennett for $100, and continued farm labor for three years in the employ of others, when he began work on his own account. Whatever suc- cess he has achieved in life is due to his own ef- forts. Ile certainly deserves great credit, for he began at the very lowest round of the ladder and has worked his way upward step by step until he is now numbered among the well-to-do citizens of
the community. His farm in Brighton Township comprises two hundred and eighty-eight acres of arable land, much of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. It yields to him a good income and he can now provide himself and family with all the comforts of life, of which he was once denied on account of his limited means. A view of his pleasant homestead is presented on another page of this volume.
Mr. Jones has been twice married. In this county he wedded Miss Emma Bradley, who was born in England, and during ber childhood came with her parents to America, the family settling in this county, where she grew to womanhood. She died at her home in Brighton Township, at the early age of twenty-four years. Four children were born of their union, but William and May are now deceased, Charles and Mary A. still sur- vive and are both married. The former now en- gages in farming in Colorado and the latter is the wife of Josiah Morris, a resident farmer of Kansas.
On the 8th of April, 1875, Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Mrs. Emma Barnes, nee Spencer, who was born in Marshawood Parish, Dorsetshire, England, December 8, 1853, and is a daughter of Barnett and Flora ( Mecch) Spencer, also natives of Dorsetshire, who came of pure English stock. Af- ter their marriage they settled in their native county, where they spent their entire lives, Mr. Spencer following the occupation of farming. He died on the 1st of March, 1882, at the age of sixty years. llis widow still survives him and will have attained her sixty-ninth year in December, 1891. She is a member of the Episcopal Church, to which her husband also belonged, and is still enjoying good health, retaining much of the vigor which characterizes middle life.
Mrs. Jones is one of a large family and in the county of her nativity she grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. She was first married to Charles Barnes, who was born and reared in Dorsetshire, England, and in 1873, they sailed for America, locating upon a farm in Brighton Township, Macoupin County, III., where the death of Mr. Barnes occurred March 27, 1874, at the age of twenty-four years, leaving one child, Eliza J., who still resides with her mother. Unto
RESIDENCE OF JÜRGEN HAUSCHILD, SEC.30., GILLESPIE TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILLS ...
TENANT HOUSE. SEC 21.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES JONES, SEC.22., BRIGHTON TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILLS.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSALE.
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Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born the following children : A. Zealy, Ellen F., George E., Emma S., M. Lucy, and Grover C. The parents attend the Baptist Church, and in politics, Mr. Jones aflil- iates with the Democratic party.
URGEN HAUSCHILD, a self-made man and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser living on section 29, Gillespie Township, first opened his eyes to the light of day September 20, 1842, in Schleswig-Holstein, Ger- many, and is a son of lohn and Anna Hanschild, who were also natives of the same Province. In their later years they crossed the Atlantic to Amer- ica and became residents of Macoupin County, where the father died at the age of seventy-three years, his wife in the sixty-sixth year of her age. They were members of the Lutheran Church and were highly esteemed by all who knew them.
Under the parental roof our subject was reared to manhood and received a liberal education in his native tongue. No event of special importance marked his boyhood, but after he had grown to mature years an important incident in his life took place in his native Province in the winter of 1863-his marriage with Miss Wiebke Johnson, who was born in Holstein in 1835. Her father died in his native land about 1863, after which Mrs. Johnson emigrated to this country and spent her last days near Shipman, Ill., where she passed away when well advanced in years.
Mr. and Mrs. Hauschild began their domestic life in the land of their birth and their home was blessed by the presence of two children. At length they determined to try their fortune in America, and upon the steamer "Clytonia" sailed from Ham- burg in the autumn of 1866. Upon American soil they first set foot in New York City, but they did not long tarry there, coming at once to Ma- coupin County, Ill., and the same year making a settlement in Gillespie Township. For seventeen years they have resided upon the farm which is now their home. and a view of which is shown on another page. A rich and valuable tract of land
comprising two hundred acres yields a golden trib . ute for the care and cultivation bestowed upon it. and the many excellent improvements seen upon the place all indicate the owner as a man of thrift, possessing practical and progressive ideas. Ile started out in life empty handed, but had a young man's bright hope of the future, and, determined to succeed, he has overcome the obstacles in his path and reached the goal of success, being now numbered among the well-to-do farmers of this community.
In polities Mr. Hauschild is a Republican, but has never sought public office; he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Unto them have been born eight children, but they have lost three -- Herman, Charles and Hemick. The living are : Anna, wife of Charles Freezs, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Gillespie Township; Jacob, a resident farmer of California; John E., Minnie and Otto at home.
R ICHARD BALL, a member of the County Board of Supervisors, in which he repre: sents Virden Township, is a man who bas not only been strikingly successful in bus- iness, but has also made good use of the property which he has been so fortunate to acquire. He was born in Braconshire, Wales, December 18, 1831, and was one of the children of Richar l and Maria (Evans) Ball. For further minutiæ in regard to the personal history of this family, the reader will be pleased to read the biography of Henry Ball, which appears on another page of this work.
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