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 46
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German Baptist Brethren Church; Samuel, who is a farmer; and Ezra, who lives with his parents, the sons all heing residents of Virden Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker are most estimable peo- ple, kindly, hospitable and charitable, and they are among the most devoted members of the Gier- man Baptist Brethren Church, in which faith they have reared their family.
ANIEL D. GOODELL, a leading attorney at law and the efficient village Clerk of Brighton, claims New York as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in La Fay - ette, Onondaga County, December 24, 1836. The family was probably founded in this country dur- ing early Colonial days. The grandfather of our subject, Nathan Goodell, lived and died in the Empire State, and Warren Goodell, father of Daniel, was born in Onondaga Connty. In the usual manner of farmer lads he was reared to man- hood and in his native State he married Miss Frances Bannister, who was born in Vermont. Throughout his life he engaged in agricultural pur- suits and was a leading citizen of the community in which he made his home, being especially pro- minent in local political affairs, supporting the Whig party. In religious belief he was a Presby- terian and died in that faith in New York, after which his widow emigrated with her family to Michigan. She died in Calhoun County when well advanced in years. She too was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a most estimable lady.
The early life of our subject was unmarked by any event of special importance, his time being passed midst play and work as boys usually spend their early days. After the death of his father he accompanied his mother to Michigan, and having determined to become a legal practitioner he enter- ed upon the study of law. He has lived in Illinois since 1858, making his home in Jersey, Madison and Macoupin Counties, where for some years he had a successful career as an educator. Being offered a position as teacher in the schools of Brighton be came to this place and after some time
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spent in that profession, opened an office and enter- ed upon the practice of law in 1879.
Mrs. Goodell was formerly Miss Sarah Dicker- son, a native of the State of Delaware. With her parents she came to Illinois, the family locating in Madison County, where they resided for some years, subsequently re.noving to Brighton, where they still make their home. They are well-known and highly respected citizens of this community and are numbered among the honored early settlers. Sarah Dickerson remained under the parental roof until she gave her hand in marriage to D. D. Goodell. Their union has been blessed by two children-Warren II. who was educated in the public schools of Brighton, and is now a wide- awake and enterprising young attorney at law ; and William M. who is still at home.
In politics, Mr. Goodell is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, having advocated its principles since he attained his majority. llis ea- reer as an attorney has been a successful.one and he has now a large and lucrative practice, such as his merits well deserve.
S AMUEL LEE, dealer in wines and liquors at Bunker Hill, has carried on business since 1877. lle is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Northampton- shire, in the month of November, 1850. Tracing his ancestry back until history was lost in tradition we see that the family is of pure English stock. The father of our subject, George Lee, was also a native of Northamptonshire, and in that county was united in marriage. Ilis wife died in her na- tive land in the prime of life, leaving a family of four children, of whom Samuel is the third in order of birth. After the death of his first wife George Lee was a second time married, his union being with Mrs. Anna Wall nee King, who was also born and reared in Northamptonshire, and was there married the first time. By her first union she had one ehild.
was the first of the family to come to the United States, the date of his emigration being between 1850 and 1860. When the late war broke out lie manifested his loyalty to his adopted country by enlisting as a member of Company F, Seventh Ill- inois Infantry, in which he served until the South was conquered. He then returned to his home in Macoupin County. For nine long months during his service he had been confined in Andersonville prison. He was married and was engaged in busi- ness in Bunker Ilill at the time of his death, which ocenrred in 1876. William Lee, the second of the family, wedded Mary Mahoney and is now living in St. Louis. John Il. is successfully engaged in the livery business in Bunker Hill, where be keeps a well-equipped stable and is also owner of the fine thoroughbred horse, "Brilliance."
We now take up the personal history of our sub- ject who spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land and was there educated. He was only three years old when his mother died. In 1870, in company with his elder brother John, he hade good-by to Merry England, and taking passage on a Westward bound steamer, sailed from Liverpool to New York, whence he came across the country to Bunker Hill, where he has resided continuously since, covering a period of twenty-one consecutive years. Three years later he was joined by his father and step-mother who ale yet residing at this place. George Lee is now seventy years of age and his wife has attained the age of sixty six years. Both are members of the Episcopal Church.
In 1877 our subject established his business in Bunker Ilill and continued in it at his first location until 1881, when he removed to the building which is his present place of business. From the early age of eight years be has made his own way in the world, depending entirely upon his own efforts, and the success he has achieved in life is due to his own industry and push. lle was married in Bunker Hill, to Miss Louisa Brandenburger, who was born in St. Louis, Mo., January 9, 1859, but grew to womanhood in this locality where her parents located during her childhood. They are of German birth and still reside in Bunker Hill, Five children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lee, and
The eldest brother of our subject, Josiah Lee, ; the family circle yet remains unbroken. In order
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
Hours Truly L. M. Seebles
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of birth they are as follows: Samuel G., Laura J., Joseph W., Christina E. and Walter S. Mr. and Mrs. Lee attend the Episcopal Church and in poli- ties he is a supporter of the Republican party.
Le EWIS M. PEEBLES, who is now living in retirement from active business at Carlin- ville, has been variously identified with the interests of this county for many years, especially with its agriculture, and his place is among our most useful and honorable citizens. lle was born in Hart County, Ky., January 23, 1833. Ilis par- ents were Bird and Nancy (Brooks) Peebles, the former of whom was born in North Carolina No- vember 8, 1795, and the latter in La Rue County, Ky., October 21, 1798. They were married in the latter county January 8, 1818; and settled in Hart County, the same State, where they lived until 1839.
In that year the parents came to this State, and cast in their lot with the pioneers of this county. He became one of the leading farmers of his sec- tion, and was also prominent in public life. In 1848 he was elected County Commissioner, and held the office four years. Both he and his good wife were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They died in Chesterfield Township, bis death occurring in June, 1852, and hers in the fall of 1867. They were the parents of ten children, nine of whom lived to grow up. They were among the oldest settlers of the county, and their names are held in reverence among those of its most worthy pioneers.
Ile of whom we write was six years of age when his parents came to this county and located in Chesterfield Township. Here he grew to man's estate, and for forty-four years he lived in the house that his father built in 1840 .. He was given excellent educational advantages, and for six months was a student at Shurtleff College, Upper Alton. He was carefully trained in all that makes a good man and a good citizen, and high moral prin- ciples were early instilled into his mind. His par- ents were among the leading members in building
up the Methodist Episcopal Church in Chesterfield, and he was one of the first pupils to attend the first Sunday-school that was established in Chesterfield Township.
Our subject has been chiefly engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, and formerly farmed quite exten- sively, and raised a good deal of stock, making a specialty of horses and cattle. lle still retains possession of his farm, which is one of the finest in the county, comprising three hundred acres of choice land in Chesterfield and Western Mound Townships, which he rents, as on account of ill- health he is unable to superintend its cultivation. Ile has by no means confined himself to farming, but with characteristic enterprise has branched out in other directions, and at one time was en- gaged in the drug and grocery business at Chester- field. While living on his farm he built a brick kiln and manufactured brick for one year. In the spring of 1881 he rented his farm and removed to the village of Chesterfield, where he continued to live two years. He then removed to Greenfield, Greene County, and was a resident of that place until August, 1890, when he took up his abode in the city of Carlinville, where he has since made his home.
Mr. Peebles was married in Barr Township, this county. April 12, 1871, to Miss Josephine A. Met- calf. Theirs is a true marriage, in which caen has nobly met the responsibilities of domestic life, com- forted each other in its sorrows, and trebled its joys by their devotion to each others' interests. Three children have been born to them: Earl M., Roy B. and Ina. Ina died when nine months old. Both the sons are being given every advantage to securc a liberal education, and are at present stu- dents in Blackburn University.
Mrs. Peebles is a native of this county, born in Barr Township August 28, 1819, a daughter of Richard J. Metcalf, one of its leading citizens. She remained with her parents in that township until her marriage, being reared to womanhood in the home of her birth. She was educated in the Meth- odist College at Jacksonville, and is a woman of much culture and true refinement. She is an ac- tive member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also her youngest son. She is charitable aud
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benevolent in her disposition, and her sympathies are enlisted in every good work in or out of her church.
The father of Mrs. Peebles was born in Hopkins County, Ky., August 1, 1817, and was next to the youngest of a family of nine children. Ile was eighteen years old when he came to Macoupin County, and he was here married September 6, 1838, to Miss Mary J. Buchanan, who had come to this county when she was ten years of age. She was born in Bourbon County, Ky., Angust 26, 1823. The youthful couple established their home among the pioneers of Barr Township, where they lived in contentment and happiness for more than forty years. In December, 1882, they removed to Greenfield, where she died October 26, 1886. He suivived her until March 2, 1890, when he too passed away. Ile was a farmer by occupation, but after his removal to Greenfield he engaged in the banking business, which he followed until a year previous to his death, when he was obliged to aban- don it on account of old age, and consequent fail- ing health.
Mr. Metcalf was prominent in public life during his residence in Barr Township. He represented the township two terms as a member of the Ma- coupin County Board of Supervisors, and was one of the Directors of the County Agricultural Board for several years. He also held various school offi- ces. About three years before his death he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife had been a devoted member since she was fifteen years old. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Peebles is the eldest. Mr. Metcalf took a good degree of interest in educational affairs, and was careful to give his children sound educations. He was a great lover of home, and his thoughts were centered in the domestic circle where he was the most devoted of husbands and the kindest of fathers. His neighbors found in him a true friend and a safe counselor, and be was honored and revered by all who knew him.
We will add only a few more words to this brief outline of the life of our subject. He has always honored industry and integrity in thought and in example, in personal character he is above re- proach, and enjoys a high standing throughout the
connty. He has always manifested a deep interest in the welfare of the county, and bas contributed his share to its rise and progress. He was Presi- dent of the Permanent Organization in Chester- field Township, for the purpose of assisting in building what is now known as the St. Louis, Al- ton & Springfield Railway, and subscribed very liberally toward the construction of the road. IIe has held some of the school offices and has used his influence to extend the educational advantages of his community. He represented Chesterfield Town- ship as a member of the Anti Court House Central Committee, of which Judge Lewis Solomon was Chairman. Our subject was Chairman of the first Anti Court House indignation meeting that was held in the county, and he was very influential in arousing publie sentiment against the erection of the court house.
Mr. Peebles was formerly actively engaged in church work in the Methodist Episcopal Church, until he was forty years old, and held various offi- ces in connection with it, such as that of Class- Leader, Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and was for a time Recording Steward. Ile is a thor- ough-going temperance man, and has long been a leader in the Prohibition party, it being largely through his instrumentality that the party was or- ganzed in this county, and he also assisted in the organization of the Prohibitionists in Greene County, into an effective working party.
On another page of this volume the reader will notice a portrait of Mr. Peebles.
P ETER J. AHRENS, one of the oldest mer- chants in Gillespie who is doing a general merchandise business on Macoupin Street, began business at his present stand in the spring of 1866. He now has a well-filled store measuring 20x66 and a ware-room 16x20 feet in addition. Before coming to this city he was in the same line of business for a year at Staunton, but is now considered one of the oldest residents of this place, having come here when the village was very small. The subject of our sketch was born in
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Holstein, Germany, May 29, 1826. le came of a good German family, a fuller history of which can be seen in the historical sketch of John M. Ahrens, to be found elsewhere in this RECORD. This son is one of seven children who grew to maturity in their native country, five of whom are now living in America. Peter was trained in the life of a farmer and he had reached the age of twenty-three years before he started for the New World. He then set sail in May 1849, and coming in a sailing-vessel to the United States, landed in New York after a four weeks' voyage. Ile came to Chicago and after- ward to this county. He farmed for awhile and later took up the business as above stated.
The marriage of Peter Ahrens and Maria Ruther took place in Macoupin County, in May, 1854. She was born in Hanover, Prussia, February 2, 1835. For fuller mention of this family, the reader is re- ferred to the biography of Charles Ruther. This young woman was reared and partly educated in Germany and in 1847 came with her parents to America. Their first home in the new country was near Brighton in this county and somewhat later they removed to Staunton. This bright and cap- able German lady bas become the mother of ten children, three of whom died when young. Those who are living are John, who is yet single, and is associated with his father in business, being the junior partner in the firm; Christina, the wife of Edgar Lightly, a mechanical engineer, who resides in Lansing, Kan .; George C., who has grown up in the mercantile business and is now assisting his father and brother by clerking in the store. His wife's maiden name was Lucy Burton, The four younger children, Carl, Anna, Fanny and Rosa, are at home. These children have inherited more than ordinary intellectual acumen and practical aptness for the duties of life. Fanny received her higher education at the German Methodist Episcopal Col- lege at Warrenton, Mo. The church under which this school is flourishing is the one to which our sub- ject and his wife are attached, and in which they find a broad field of usefulness and opportunity for labor. Mr. Ahrens is a sound Republican and one of the leading German-American citizens in this part of the county. For eight years past his neigh- bors have served themselves and honored him by
placing him in the office of Justice of the Peace, an office which he has conducted in a manner which is a credit to himself and is highly satisfactory to all concerned.
OHN WHEELER, a respected resident of Bird Township, was born in Mason County, Ky., September 6, 1806. His father, Benja- min, a native of Kentucky removed when this son was seven years okl to Clermont County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. Early in the '30s Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Wheeler with one child left Ohio for illinois, but on the way spent almost a year and a half in Indiana. In 1833 our subject came to Greene County, Ill. and after a year's residence there arrived in Macoupin County in the fall of 1831 and made his permanent home in Bird Township
Jolın Wheeler first bought one hundred and sixty acres but finally increased it to two hundred and fifty-eight acres, which he now owns, although at one time he possessed some twelve hundred acres which: he has parted with. He improved his farm and erected comfortable buildings, and was snc- cessful in his enterprises. He has always from the first been provided with the necessities and inany of the comforts of life.
The marriage of our subject took place in Cler- mont County, Ohio, his bride being Miss Mary Cameron. She was born in Fleming County, Ky., October 22, 1803. They became the parents of the following children: Lucinda, and Amanda who died in infancy ; William, who married Mary J. Lee; Barbara, who is Mrs. Jonas Ribble; Francis M., who married Miss Shull and later Miss Lucy Haynes; lluldah, who is the wife of John R. Stew- ard; Calvin, who married Lizzie Kanc.
Mr. Wheeler has been a member of the School Board and is always deeply interested in educa- tional affairs, promoting in every way possible the interests of the young people of the community. lle is justly proud of his ancestry as his grandfather John Wheeler, was a soldier under Gen. Washing- ton for four years in the Revolutionary days. Ilis
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political views are of the strong JJacksonian Demo- cratic kind and he is ever ready with his ballot to help carry out the principles which he indorses. Farming and stock-raising have occupied his efforts and interests, Like all old settlers he has seen great changes in his township, and rejoices in the pros- perity of the region which he made his home so many years ago. To all such great credit is due for the prosperity and enlightenment which now blesses the younger members of society and which has made of Illinois a State of which all Americans feel proud. Not one of the family has died since our subject came to Illinois,
VARNEY HALL is a representative of the native-born citizens of this county who within the past few years have stepped for- ward to aid in carrying on the great agri- cultural interests of this section. He is a descend. ant of the good old pioneer stock of the early years of the settlement of the State, and was born September 1, 1867, on section 6, Brushy Mound Township, on his father's old homestead, a part of which he now owns and operates.
Our subject is a son of the late Harrison Hall, a former well-known, wealthy farmer of this county, who was born in 1832, in Jarvis Township, Madi- son County, a son of one of its early settlers, Henry HIall. The latter was a native of Kentucky, and after his removal to this State he bought and im- proved a farm in Jarvis Township, and died there.
Harrison Hall was reared and educated in his native county, There were no free schools in his youth, and all had to pay for their schooling. As his early life was passed on a farm he became in time a good, practical farmer. He continued to reside in Madison County until 1856, when he came to Macoupin County, and bought a tract of land on section 6, Brushy Mound Township, which was mostly covered with timber, but a few acres were in cultivation and a set of log buildings stood on the place. In the busy years that, followed he be- came prosperous, carrying ou bis agricultural pur-
suits very successfully, and at different times buy- ing other land, and at the time of his death he was the possessor of four hundred and fifty acres of choice land, and was one of the solid men of the township, whose growth he had actively helped to promote. Ile died here in the pleasant home that he had built up, in November, 1888, and his mem- ory is held in respect for his good citizenship and for his sterling worth in all the relations that lie sustained toward others.
He had married Cassie Ann Hall, who preceded him in death in February, 1885. She was a native of Brushy Mound Township, born in 1842, and a daughter of an old pioneer family of this State. dler father, Mathew H. Ilall, was born in Madison County, June 14, 1819, and was a son of James and Mary ( Walker) Hall,,for whose history see sketch of Oliver Hall, Matthew Hall was four years old when his parents brought him to Ma- coupin County, of which they thus became early pioneers, settling here in 1823. After marriage with Mrs. Ann (Sheton) Moore, widow of John Moore, he bought a tract of land on section 6, Brushy Mound Township, which bad not then been organized and named, and engaged in farm- ing there some years. He then traveled in the Western country four years, and since his return has resided with his brother Oliver. His wife died on the homestead in 1888.
The subject of this sketch was given excellent educational advantages, and received a good train- ing in everything that pertains to agriculture on the old homestead that was his birthplace. so that he was well equipped for his vocation when he adopted farming for bis lifework. He is now proprietor of a part of the old farm, having one hundred and sixty-nine acres of fine land, that is under a high state of cultivation, pleasantly located two miles from the Court House. His place is amply sup- plied with good frame buildings and farm machin- ery of all kinds, and is well cared for in every re- spect.
Mr. Hall was happily married September 30, 1888, to Miss Kate Milton Metcalf, adopted daugh- ter of the Rev. T. M. and Emma (Thayer) Metcalf, of whom see sketch on another page of this vol- ume. Their pleasant household circle is completed
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hy their little son, whom they have named Howard Metcalf.
Our subject, though one of the youngest mem- bers of his calling in his native township, is manag- ing his affairs with a discretion, clearness of judg- ment and foresight, that would do credit to a far more experienced farmer, and that bid fair to place him one day among the leading agriculturists of this locality. He and his wife are possessed of many pleasant, social and hospitable qualities, and stand well among their fellow-citizens. Mrs. Hall is an active worker in the Baptist Church, of which she is a member.
E LI F. BLOCHER is a prosperous resident of Girard Township, born in Darke County, Ohio, January 29, 1855. The father, David Blocher, was a native of the Keystone State and when a young man removed with his parents to Ohio. He went back to Pennsylvania to wed the girl he had left behind him and then returning to Ohio, took up his residence there for a time. Af- ter a while he made his home in Indiana, but after a few years went back to Ohio and resided in Darke County until about the year 1868, when he removed to the Prairie State, making his home first in Bond and later in Macoupin County. Here he hought the farm where his son Eli now lives and died at that residence in March, 1886.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Susanna Warner. She reared eight of her chil- dren to years of maturity and passed away from earth while the family home was in Ohio. This son was but thirteen years old when his parents came to Illinois and here he grew to manhood. Ile commenced quite early to help his father on the farm and he resided with the latter until that par ent went to Girard and then he assimned the man- agement of the old homestead, which he now owns and occupies.
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