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 45
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Into the log cabin that stood on the place the family moved, though it was a rude structure at best. No sawed lumber entered into its construc- tion; the clapboards on the roof were rived by hand, and held in place by poles; the doors were made of boards split by hand. and had wooden hinges ; the floor was of puncheon, and the chim- ney of earth and sticks. Mr. Wheeler bought other Government land near the home place, and was a resident of Gillespie Township until his death, when his community was deprived of a valued citi- zen, who had contributed his share in the develop- ment of the agricultural interests of the county. lle was twice married. By his first wife, mother of our subject, there were five children, and by his second wife two children.
Columbus Wheeler was but eight years old when he accompanied his parents to Illinois, and he at- tended the first school ever taught in Gillespie Township. It was held in a log house, and the seats were made by splitting basswood logs, and hewing one side smooth, and then inserting wooden pins for legs. There were no backs to the seats, and desks were an unknown quantity. A substi- tute for the latter was made by splitting a log, and placing it against the wall at a convenient height. it thus serving as a writing desk for the larger scholars. On one side of the house a log was eut out to admit the light.
As soon as large enough our subject commenced assisting on the farm, residing at home until twenty- three years old, when he settled on the place he now owns and occupies. At that time it consisted of eighty acres of prairie and twenty of timber. Ile first erected a small frame house, hewing the frame and riving the shingles to cover the roof, and also
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the boards for the sides, and built the house en- tirely himself. He has since replaced it by a fine and well-appointed residence, and has greatly added to the value of his landed property by the many fine improvements that he has made, besides increas- ing its aereage.
On the 26th of April, 1849, Mr. Wheeler and Miss Naomi Wilson were united ia marriage. Mrs. Wheeler was born June 13, 1831, in Logan County, Ky., and is a daughter of Isaac and Rebecca ( Miteli- ell) Wilson. Her father was a pioneer of Madison County, this State, where he settled in 1834. The following year he came to Macoupin County, and became an early settler of Brushy Mound Town- ship. Ile bought a squatter's claim on section 19, entered it from the Government, built on it, and there resided until death closed his mortal career. His wife also died on the home farm in Brushy Mound Township.
Of the sixteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, six are living-Elma E., Carrie, Fred- erick, Terry, Bird and Grace. Carrie is the wife of Jefferson Dedrick, and has one child Nellie; Fred- erick married Nellie Swank. Mr. Wheeler and his estimable wife are members in high standing of the Baptist Church. Their unpretentious, sensible and upright lives, and their kindly interest in their community at large, have won them the hearty good will of their associates, and the friendly re- gard of those to whom they are not intimately known.
R EU'BEN J. ALLMOND, M. D. One who has been for many years the trusted counsel- or of a community in times of sickness, has gradually and almost imperceptably grown imo a position of trust and usefulness which may well be envied by those who spend their lives in de- votion to mere money making. Such has been the life work of Dr. Allmond who has been in practice longer than any other physician in the county, and has earned the success and the respect which is universally accorded bim. He was born in Wil- mington, Del .. August 11, 1818. His father,
William, was born two miles from that eity, and the grandfather, Thomas, was a native of the same locality, and was there reared and married. He was a farmer and also a stonemason by trade, and he erected npon his farm nine commodious stone barns. He was a tremendous worker, and quarried this stone at night and wheeled it at night onto the scaffold from which in the daytime he ereeted the structure. The great-grandfather of our subject was, according to the best information at hand, an cmigrant from England to America. His name was Thomas and with his brother John he was among the first settlers upon the banks of the Delaware River. They built a cave for their home and there resided until they were able to purchase land and build houses.
The father of our subject learned the trade of a shoemaker but did not follow it any length of time. HIe carried on a boot and shoe store in Wilmington in which business he continued a number of years. He lived to a very advanced age, dying when ninety-one years old. The maiden name of his wife was Phobe Jefferies. She was a native of Wilmington and a daughter of David and Martha Jefferies. She reared seven sons and four daugh- ters, and spent her entire life in her native city.
Reuben, the eldest of this family, was reared and educated in his native city, and commenced the study of medicine when he was sixteen years old, being matriculated at Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and taking his diploma there in the spring of 1839. IIe commenced his medical prac- tice at Talleyville, Newcastle County, Del., and continued there until 1849. Ile then removed to Ohio, making his home in Morgan County until 1853. After this he practiced in Ogle County, III., carrying on a farm at the same time. In 1858 he sold this property and removed to Piasa, Macoupin County, where he practiced until 1861, when he made his permanent home in Palmyra.
The first marriage of Dr. Allmond occurred in 1841, when he was happily united with Ann G. Talley, who was born near Talleyville, Del., the ancestral home of her family. Her birth occurred in May, 1822, and she passed away from life in 1860 at Piasa. The present Mrs. Allmond bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Janes. She was born
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in Carrollton, Ill., in 1831, and was united with onr subject in May, 1862. The Doctor has six children living by his first marriage, namely : Leu- rina, Mrs. Gardner; Priscilla, Mrs. Padgett; Phobe, Mrs. Cram; Julia, Mrs. Grimmett; Flor- ence Virginia, Mrs. Rice, and Ida, Mrs. Springle. The second marriage has brought him three daugh- ters: Zillie May, Mrs. Kapps; Dora B., Mrs. Ritchie, and HIattie. The Doctor and Mrs. All .. mond and most of their daughters are active and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which they are highly respected, and where they find a broad field of influence. The Doctor's politics are in accordance with the utter- ances of the Democratic platform.
R ANDOLPH P. ANDERSON, a well-known and honored citizen of Carlinville, now living retired from active business, comes of Irish and Scotch ancestry. He was born February 25, 1832, on a farm near Newark, N. J., the son of Robert and Nancy (Moore) Anderson. Robert Anderson was born in Ireland, of which country, as far as known, his father, James Ander- son, was also a native, and where his entire life was spent. His son Robert was reared in his native land, and when a young man, with three of his brothers, came to America, loeating in New Jersey, while his brothers settled in the Southern States. He was a brick moulder hy trade, and followed that business in New Jersey for fifteen years, and then bought a farm near Newark, upon which he resided until 1838, when he went to Indiana, and settled in Randolph County, where he was a pioneer. Ile bought a tract of timber land near the Ohio State line, and built a log house on the place. Ile split boards for the roof, also puncheon for the floor. The chimney was built of earth and sticks. At that early day there was an abundance of game, deer and turkeys were very plentiful. For some years there were no railways, and Pickaway thirty- seven miles distant, was the nearest market. The merchants would pay for grain and hay in mer-
chandise only. At that time but little value was placed upon lumber, and when clearing land huge logs were rolled together and burned.
The father of our subject developed a farm from the wilderness, which he sold at an advance, and bought another tract of timber a mile distant from his first purchase. This he also built upon and cleared the land, but finally sold it. Ile then pur- chased a small piece of land, erected a comfortable home, and there dwelt until his death. Ilis wife was a native of Scotland, and she came to this country with her father, Isaac Moore. Her death took place upon the home-place in Randolph County. Both she and her husband were devoted Christians, and members of the Baptist Church. They reared a family of thirteen children to useful lives.
Randolph P. Anderson was but six years old when his parents removed to Indiana, and in that State he was reared and educated. He early at- tended school in a primitive log schoolhouse, and as soon as he was able, commenced to assist in the duties of the farm, residing with his parents until he was fourteen years old, when he began to do farm work by the day or month for others. He re- eeived ten cents a day for his labor, and by the month was paid $1 or $5, and had to work hard from daylight until dark. He continued working out until he was seventeen, and then served three and one-half years in Union City, Ind., to learn the trade of blacksmith. After that he did "jour" work in that State until 1855, when he came to Carlinville, commencing here as a journeyman, and finally opening a carriage and general blacksmith shop, in which he continued until 1884, when he retired from active business. Ile was very much prospered, and succeeded in accumulating a valua- ble property, the possession of which places him among the moneyed men of Macoupin County. He has purchased farm land from time to time, some of which he has sold, but he still owns up- ward of five hundred acres, all of which is located within a convenient distance of Carlinville.
On October 30, 1862, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with lIelena McGinnis. She is a na- tive of Macoupin County, her birth taking place in Carlinville Township, and she is a daughter of
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Martin McGinnis, a Missourian by birth. Mrs. An- derson's great-grandfather was born in Ireland, and emigrated to this country. His son James, the next in line of descent, was a pioneer farmer of Missouri. From that State he came to Illinois, and his death took place in Madison County. The father of Mrs. Anderson was quite young when his parents took up their residence in this State. After his mar- riage with Elizabeth Haines, a daughter of James Haines, he located in Macoupin County, and was an active pioneer of Carlinville Township. He purchased a tract of partially improved land and engaged in agriculture. Ile now resides in Ches- terfield Township. His wife is thought to have been a native of Missouri. She died on the home farm in Chesterfield Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of two children, Annie Mary and Robert R. Annie is the wife of William B. Taylor, of Carlinville. They have three children, whom they have named Earl Randolph, Fenton and Myrtle. The term "self- made" may most properly be applied to Mr. An- derson, as through life he has had to depend entirely on his own exertions. But with a deter- mination to succeed, be worked earnestly and con- stantly, and now, while yet in the prime of life, can rest from all care and anxiety, with the con- seiousness that his present prosperity is due to bis own industry and ability. ably seconded by the co. operation of his faithful wife.
ENRY C. SANDERS, one of the members of a prominent family in Macoupin County, residing on section 22, North Otter Town- ship, has a beautiful place of eighty-three acres upon which he has erected good farm build- ings. He is a brother of W. E. Sanders of Polk Township and a son of Brantley N. Sanders, who was a North Carolinian by birth. His mother, Sarah Sanders, was born in Alabama, which became the first home of this couple after their marriage and from which they moved to Missouri in 1858. They remained in that State until during the days of the Civil War, when they came to Illinois, settling in
what is now Polk Township, Macoupin County. They remained here from 1863 through the re- mainder of their lives.
The subject of this sketeh is the third in order of age in a family of ten children. He was born before his parents came West, December 23, 1849, in Alabama. Ile accompanied his father and mother in their wanderings, reaching Macoupin County in 1863 and remained with his parents un- til their death. After this sad event the family remained together about a year, making their home in North Otter 'Township. Henry went to live with Nathan Chamberlain and remained with him four years and then worked a year for another farmer who also resided in North Otter Township. After this he spent one summer in Polk Township.
Martha F. Biggerstaff was the maiden name of the lady who was united in marriage with our sub- ject at the home of her parents in North Otter Township, October 27, 1870. Her parents, Benja- min and Naney (Courtney ) Biggerstaff, were also Southerners by birth and breeding, and came from Kentucky to Macoupin County at an early day, making their permanent home in North Otter Township, where they remained until called henee by death. Christmas Day, 1852, is the natal day of Mrs. Martha F. Sanders, who was born after her parents removed to this county.
Six bright and interesting children came to share the parental love and care of Mr. and Mrs. Sanders. Their names are: Charlie B., Melvin M., Mella A., Lola A., Arthur A., and Eva M. The youngest son was rudely spatebed from: his parents by death through a sad accident. He was kicked by a horse July 6, 1890 and died from the effects of this blow four days later.
Mt. Sanders has been School Director and Con- stable, both of which offices he has filled with credit to himself and advantage to his fellow-citizens. He takes an intelligent view of political movements and keeps himself well-informed in regard to pub- lie affairs, as well as exerting himself to influence local movements. He is strongly attached to the party which placed Lincoln in the Presidential Chair, and watches with interest the progress of this party.
The Christian Church is the religious body with
RESIDENCE OF H. C. SANDERS , SEC.22., NORTH OTTER TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE OF FRANK W. GATES , SEC. 28., GIRARD TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL. .
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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which our subject has connected himself and be is a hearty worker in its schemes of piety and phi- lanthropy. He has always been actively engaged in farming and stock-raising and has put his farm in a first-class condition. The buildings are an ornament to the township and the neat appearance of fields and fences is in itself a compliment to his thoroughness and good management. A view of this homestead is presented elsewhere in this volume.
RANK W. GATES, a veteran of the late war, who fought bravely for his country on many a Southern battlefield, has done no less good work as a sturdy, capable farmer in help- ing to carry forward the agricultural interests of this county. His home place comprises one bun- dred and forty-four acres of fine farming land, ad- vantageously located close to the city of Girard, and he also has two other small tracts of choice farm land, one in this and one in Sangamon Coun- ty.
Mr. Gates is a native of Muhlenberg County, Ky., born December 23, 1838. llis father, who bore the name of Henry Gates, was a native of Muhlenberg County, Ky. John Gates, the grand- father of our subject was a native of North Caro- lina and a son of Yost Gates. The family name was formerly spelled differently. The great-grand- father of our subject went from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, and spent his remaining days in the latter State. The grandfather of our subject grew to manhood in the State of his birth, and was there married to Christina Groves, who was also a native of North Carolina, lle removed to Muhlenberg County, Ky. about 1800, and was one of the pione- ers of that section, buying a tract of land on the Greenville and Elkton Road bordering on the waters of Pond River. Ile erected needed build- ings, and in the course of years improved a farm, upon which he resided until death called him hence. His wife also died on the home farm. They bad
four sons and three daughters, who names were John, Jacob, Joseph, Henry. Catherine, Elizabeth and Christina.
The father of our subject inherited the old home- stead, and retamed it in his possession until 1855, when he sold it in the spring of that year in order to come to Illinois to avail himself of the superior advantages afforded by the rich soil o? this State. lle settled in Sangamon County, buying a tract of land in Auburn Township. Ile erected suitable buildings, and dwelt there until 1859. In that year he sold his property there at an advance, and coming to Macoupin County, took up Ins abode in Shaw's Point Township, where he again bought a tract of land broken and fenced, but without build- ings. lle erected all the buildings that he required, and in the home that he made there his life was prolonged to a ripe age, his death occurring in January, 1873. His married life with Sarah Jenk- ins, a native of Muhlenberg County, Ky., and a daughter of Amos and Grace ( Deeren) Jenkins, was one of mutual happiness, and was blest to them by the birth of eleven children, namely, Julia A., Albert K., Frank W., Henry 11., John P., Delila, 7Audysw, Thomas M., Leander W., Ellen and Mal'f. J.50The mother is still living at a vener- able age, and makes Her home with a daughter at Shaw's Point, Township.
The subject of this biographical notice was six- teen years old when the family came to this State. He had attended school in Kentucky, and was well versed in farm work, as he had begun at an early age to help his father. He remained an inmate of the parental home until he attained his majority, and then commenced his chosen calling as a farmer on rented land. In the opening years of his man- hood the great rebellion broke out and threatened destruction to the Union. In August, 1862 he determined to sacrifice all prospects of success in the pursuit of his vocation to join the brave boys at the front to help save the old flag at any cost. llis name was enrolled as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Infantry, with which he served faithfully until the close of the War. He took part in the battle of Chicka- mauga, and started with Sherman on his celebrated march to Atlanta. On the way he helped to fight
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the battle of Resaca, and with his regiment was detached to guard that city. After a few weeks he and his comrades advanced to Adairsville, and then marched back to Resaca, whence they went to Nashville, and assisted in that battle. After that they followed the rebels to Huntsville, Ala., where they went into winter quarters. In early spring they were despatched to Virginia, and were near Greenville, Tenn., when they received the joyful news that peace was declared. Our subject's regi- ment returned to Nashville, where it was encamped for a time before it was finally mustered out and honorably discharged in June, 1865.
After the war closed our subject returned to this county, and quietly resumed the work that he had thrown aside to become a soldier. He soon boughit a tract of timber land west of Girard, built thereon, improved a part of it, and in 1869 sold it. His next purchase was a lot of prairie land three miles northwest of Girard, which he farmed some years with good profit. He then sold that farm at a good advance on the purchase price, and his next invest- ment was in land a mile and a half southeast of Girard in Nilwood Township. In 1884 he bought the farm on which he now resides near. the village of Girard. On another page appears a view of this estate. It is a well-improved piece of property, and the fertile soil returns abundant harvests in payment for the care bestowed upon it.
Mr. Gates and Miss Serilda Gibson entered upon their wedded life in March, 1862. Mrs. Gates is a native of Morgan County, this State, and a daugh- ter of Cullen and Nancy Gibson, of whom see bio- graphy on another page of this volume. In her the German Baptist Church finds an active working member and the husband a faithful wife. Mr. and Mrs. Gates have eight children living, Sarah J., Emma M., Oscar, Ella, Nora, Charles, Edgar and Lois.
Our subject is well worthy of the trust and con- sideration in which he is held, as be is honest and straight forward in all that he does, and bas ever been true to his convictions of duty, whether as a soldier or as a private citizen. He is one of the leading members of the Luke Mayfield Post, No. 516, G. A. R , of which he is Senior Vice, and Past Commander and Adjutant. In religion be is lib-
eral, allowing all to think as they please and re- taining the right in that respect as private property. In politics he is a Republican although he cast bis first vote for Mr. Douglas.
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ACOB BRUBAKER, a retired farmer, residing in Virden Township, is a man whose life and character have won him the universal respect of his fellow-citi- zens, and he is most worthy of representation in this BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Ile was born in Frank- lin County, Va., August 1, 1819, the eldest son of Jonathan and Barbara Brubaker, an account of whom is given in the biography of Jonathan Brubaker on another page of this volume.
Our subject had a thorough training in agricul- ture in his youth on his father's farm, as he com- menced when very young to be of assistance in the labors incidert to its cultivation and improve- ment. That was before the days of railways or canals in his native Virginia, and his father used to market his products at Lynchburg, in that State, taking them thither with teams, two weeks being consumed in traveling to and fro that city. Modern farming machinery was then unknown in the cultivation of the land and in gathering the crops, and all grain was cut with a sickle or cradle. Later a primitive harvest machine was invented and it was considered a great institution. In using it a man had to stand on a frame on the machine to rake the grain from the table, but later a self. raker was invented and made at Springfield. Our subject, who was always progressive and ready to adopt new ideas, exhibited the first machine of that kind ever manufactured, and ultimately bought it.
When Mr. Brubaker was a lad of twelve years he accompanied his parents in their removal to Ohio, and drove a team the greater part of the way. In that early day Clarke County where they located was somewhat sparsely settled, and still re- tained much of its original condition as a wilder- ness, in which deer, wild turkeys and other game still roamed in abundance. Our subject received his education in the pioneer schools that obtained
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in those days before the era of free schools, when each family had to pay a certain sum of money ac- cording to the number of scholars sent. The school was taught in a log house, which was furnished with benches which were made of slabs and had no backs, and the only desk was a slab resting on pins inserted in the wall. The people were prin- cipally home-livers in those times, and the very cloth with which the children were clothed was spun and woven by the mother from flax and wool raised on the farm.
Our subject continued to make one of the par- ental household until his marriage, when he rented a tract of land on which he made his home for about fourteen years. He then bought property in the village of Northampton, including a log house and a shingle mill. lle operated the mill there two years, and then selling the house and lot, he hought thirteen acres of land a half mile south of the town, on the Hampton and Donnellsville Pike, and removing his mill to that place, contin- ued profitably engaged in the manufacture of shingles the ensuing eleven years. During that time he had invested in seventy-seven acres of land adjoining, and in 1863 sold his whole place for the goodly sum of $65 an acre. Coming to Vir. den after he had disposed of that property, he bought two hundred acres of land on section 18, of this township, besides forty acres of timber, and he has been a resident here ever since. His farm is in a fine condition, well supplied with all modern improvements, and its rental affords him a good income.
Mr. Brubaker was married August 13, 1840, to Annie Frantz and in her he has a devoted wife, who has been an important agent in bringing about his present comfortable circumstances. Mrs. Bru- baker is a native of Clarke County, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Annie (Ohmert) Frantz, the former a native of Botetourt County and the lat- ter of the Shenandoah Valley, Va., and they were among the pioneers of Clarke County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker reared six of their children to maturity, namely: Elizabeth, who married George Shull, and died in November, 1886, at the age of forty-live; Naney, wife of James Shull; Catherine, wife of Jacob Blickenstaff; John, a preacher in the
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