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 51
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HOMAS FOSTER COULTAS. The beau- tiful home and delightful surroundings mark the farm of Mr. Coultas as one of the most attractive to be found in Virden Township. It is no more charming, however, in its exterior than in ils interior, as it is the happy home of those who know how to enjoy life and how to make it happy for others, and their true hospitality brings every guest into harmony with the surroundings. A view of the commodious residence is presented to the readers of the RECORD.
Mr. Coultas was born in what is now Seott County, Ill., September 24, 1832. Ilis father, James Coultas, and his mother, Mary Foster, were both natives of Yorkshire. They came from Eng- land about 1830 and made their home in what is now Scott County, Ill., where they continued to re- side until they were called hence by death. Two sous and one daughter constituted their little fam- ily eirele and the son Thomas was the second in order of age. He grew to manhood in his native home, remaining there until March, 1867, when he removed to this county and settled on scetion 7, Virden Township.
Young Coultas early chose as his life calling the
pursuits of agriculture and with general farming has mingled stock raising. although he has not made a specialty of that line. Upon his home he has erected a No. 1 set of farm buildings and he is the proud possessor of a beautiful farm of four hundred aeres, all in the township where he makes his bome.
The happy marriage of Thomas Foster Coultas and Elizabeth J. Loud took place in Maconpin County, February 4, 1855. This lady was born in York County. Me., March 16, 1835, and is the daugh- ter of the late Rufus W. Loud, who was a ship- builder by trade, but who after coming to Illinois followed farming. Her mother was Jane Scam- mon and this worthy couple came to Illinois in the latter part of the '30s and thus did much pioneer work. Mr. Loud died at Ft. Scott, Kan .; Mrs. Loud lived to be over seventy years of age and then met her death by a sad calamity. She was driving in a buggy when the horse took fright and sbe was thrown out and killed.
Seven-bright and blooming children have blessed the hom me of, Mr and Mrs. Coultas and they are by name: Ellen, Horace W., Rufus J., Alvin F., Franklin E., Annie and Emma J. The eldest daughter is married to Mr. Daniel Organ. This happy and united family are foremost in every good word and work, being all, father, mother, and children, united in the faith of the Chris- tian religion and members together in the Pres- byterian Church, to which Mr. Coultas has been attached sinee he was twenty-one years old and where he fills the office of Elder. Mr. Coultas has largely forwarded the educational affairs of the township in his office as School Trustee. He has also done excellent service in making more con- venient and useful the roads of the county while serving as Highway Commissioner.
S AMUEL E. HIETTICK. The ancestral his- tory of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch presents many incidents of in- terest. Ilis father, Stephen, was the son of Andrew Hettick whose father, Christian, was a na-
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tive of Germany who settled on the Pennsylvania frontier and was murdered by the Indians when the son Andrew was a little lad of six years. The child was in captivity to the savages for three years but was finally rescued by the soldiers and returned to his mother. She had married a second time and he was reared by her and his step-father and every- thing done to remove the cloud of sorrow which had been brought upon him by the terrible scenes through which he passed. The scars which he re- ceived at the time of his capture went with him to his grave. After a few years he started out in life for himself and became a pioneer in Fayette County, Ohio.
After going to Ohio, Andrew Hettiek raised stock and drove it to market across the mountains to Baltimore and Philadelphia. In 1816 he removed to what was then the Territory of Illinois, making his journey in a keelboat on the Ohio and Missis- sippi Rivers. He bought two hundred acres of land in Monroe County and there made his home until 1820, when he removed to Greene County. After living for live years in Carrollton he removed to Scottville Township, Macoupin County and became the first actual settler in what was afterward this township and one of the first in the county, which was then a part of Greene County. He settled upon a tract of Government land, built two log houses and a log stable and broke thirty acres of land. lle was unable to buy as he was entirely without means, but this land was properly entered by a would-be settler who gave Mr. Hettick $100 as a compensation for the work he had done and with that money he was able to enter eighty acres and secure a home of his own, upon which he built a hewed log house, which was his home until his death in 1853.
Stephen llettick, one of the sons of Andrew, grew to maturity amid the primitive scenes of pio- neer life and before his marriage entered eighty acres on section 28, Scottville Township, where he built a log house preparatory to housekeeping. He was married December 24, 1853, to Delilah Sharpe who was born in Clinton, Tenn., May 14, 1817. She is a daughter of William and Sarah (Kirk) Sharpe, and of the children born to her the follow- ing are now living: Emily, wife of Henry Ruyle;
Melinda, wife of J. W. Neighbors; Andrew, Jolin, Stephen A. Jesse B. and Samuel E., our subject. The parents are earnest and consistent members of the Baptist Church.
The subject of this sketch was born on the home farm in Scottville Township, June 12, 1859 and commenced to assist on the farm as soon as large enongh to lend a hand. He also attended the dis- triet school and took the best advantage that he could of the opportunities given him for an educa- tion. Ile resided with his parents until his mar- riage, which occurred December 11, 1877, when he was united in marriage with Nancy A. Walker, a native of Scottville Township, who was born April 30, 1860. This daughter of James and China (Owens) Walker.
After marriage Samuel llettick took charge of the home place for some time and finally settled ou the farm which he now owns and occupies. This land is situated on sections 21 and 25, of Scottville Township and comprises two hundred and fifty acres of rich prairie soil suitable for tillage and pasture land. He has placed it in a first-class con- dition and its appearance is a credit to the town- ship. He is a thorough and systematic farmer but devotes himself largely to stock-raising, not only raising a good grade himself but buying stock, which he feeds and ships to market.
Four children have blessed this happy home- Clara M., Nellie, Ruth and Opal, whose future is bright and promises well not only for their own happiness and well-being but also for upholding the high reputation which this family has sustained in the past.
OIIN W. HETTICK, the owner and operator of fine farm land in Scottville Township, was born there Angust 22, 1845. The history of the ancestral line is not without incidents of romantic interest and thrilling excitement. Christian Hettick, a native of Germany, emigrated to America and settled on the Pennsylvania fron- tier. lle was murdered by Indians when his son Andrew was a lad six years old and the child was taken captive and held three years. He was then
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rescued by soldiers and taken to his old home. The scars from wounds be received at the time of his capture were borne by him until his death. During his captivity his mother married a second time and he remained with ber and his step-father a few years only, then started out to battle for himself. He went to Ohio and settled in Fayette County, where Indians were more numerous than whites and where all the trials of typical pioncer life beset his way.
Andrew Ilettiek was in the habit of driving his stock across the mountains to Baltimore and Phil- adelphia, there being no railroad communications with the Eastern States. In 1816 be removed to what was then the Territory of Illinois, performing the journey on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in a keelboat. He stopped in what is now Monroe County and bought two hundred acres of land on the American bottoms. There he made his home until 1820, then became a resident of Greenc County, living near Carrollton five years and at the conclusion of that period taking up his abode in what is now Scottville Township, this county. He was the first actual settler in the township and one of the first in the county, which was at that time a part of Greene County. His means were very lim- ited and although the land sold at $1.25 per acre, he could not buy a farm. He "squatted" on a tract of Government land, built two log houses and a log stable and broke thirty acres. The land was properly entered by a would-be settler, who gave Mr. Hettick $100 as a compensation for the work he had done, and with that money he was able to enter eighty acres on section 27, and secure a home of his own. Ile built a hewed log house and lived there until his decease in 1853.
In the family of Andrew Hettick was a son, Stephen, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio, July 24, 1809, and who was one of the five chil- dren brought by the parents to this State in 1816, Ile grew to maturity amid the primitive scenes of pioneer times. He vividly remembers those days and recalls with interest the fact that for several years after the removal hither there were no rail- roads in this part of the country and St. Louis was the most accessible and important market. The scattered families lived almost entirely upon the
products of their farms, and coffee was one of the luxuries seldom found in their dwellings. He and his brothers and sisters wore homespun made by their mother's hand, she having a thorough knowl- edge of all the processes by which flax or wool was converted into clothing. He grew to a vigorous manhood, having but little opportunity to pursue the knowledge found in the text books, but ac- quiring a good understanding of practical affairs and imbihing, as from the air around him, the sterling principles which were generally characteris- tic of those bred on the frontier. Before his mar- riage he entered eighty acres of land on section 28, Scottville Township, and built a log house in which he subsequently began housekeeping. lle split logs for flooring. He has lived on the same farm since his marriage, but has changed its appearance so mmich that it would hardly be recognized as the same property. The oldl log cabin has been re- placed by a more modern dwelling and substantial buildings of various kinds have risen near. Mr. Hettick bought other land at different times and held the title to upward of two thousand acres at one time.
Stephen Hettick was married December 24, 1853, to Delilah Sharpe, who was born in Clayton County, Tenn., May 14, 1817. She is a daughter of Will. iam and Sarah (Kirk) Sharpe, and her early train- ing was such as to fit her for the position which she occupied as the wife of an early settler. Of the children born to her the following are now liv- ing: Emily, wife of Henry Ruyle; Melinda, wife of J. W. Neighbors; Andrew, John, Stephen A., Jesse B., Samuel E. and Sarah, Mrs. Angelow. The par- ' ents belong to the United Baptist Church.
The subject of this biographical sketch began to assist his father on the farm as soon as his strength would permit. He attended school as opportunity offered and became well versed in the more prae- tical branches of an English education, and from time to time added to his store of knowledge by the varied means opened to all observing und thoughtful minds. He remained with his parents until his marriage at twenty three years of age, then settled near the present site of Hettick Sta- tion. Ile lived there sixteen years, then took pos- session of the farm he now operates selling his
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other property and buying here. Following the example set before him by his honored ancestors, he has worked diligently and carefully, and is classed among the best farmers in this section of the country. He votes the Democratie ticket, and he and his wife belong to the Baptist Church in which they have good standing, as they have throughout the community.
The marriage of our subject to Miss Martha E. Calhoun occurred April 8, 1869. The bride was born in Casey County. Ky., where her father, James Calhoun and her grandfather, William Cal- houn. also opened their eyes to the light. In that county James Calhoun married Julia Wood, daugh- ter of Abram and Martha Wood, and thence they eame to this State in 1851. Mr. Calhoun died in Scottville Township the year after his arrival. Ilis widow subsequently married John S. MeColom, (deceased), and is now living in Barr Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hettick have seven children, named respectively : James 1., Stephen L., Cora E., Julia D., Charles ()., Ola May and Frank.
OSES BRUBAKER, a resident of Girard, has acquired sufficient wealth in the exer- cise of his vocation as a farmer to enable him to live retired from active labor, though he still retains possession of his finely im- proved farm. A native of Roanoke County, Va., our subject was born October 5, 1830. His father, whose given name was Joel, was a native of the same county, and was a son of Henry Brubaker, who was a Pennsylvanian by birth. He in turn was a son of John Brubaker, who was born in Ger- many or in Pennsylvania of German parentage. He went from there to Virginia, and was an early settler in that part of Botetourt County, now in- cluded in Roanoke County, where he passed the re- mainder of his life in the pursuits of agriculture. lle was a stanch member of the German Baptist Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Annie Myers, also spent her last years on the old Vir- ginia homestead, and now rests beside her hus-
band in the cemetery on their old farm, located four miles northwest of the village of Salem.
Henry Brubaker was young when his parents re- moved to Virginia. He inberited a portion of the old homestead, and resided on it until his death, in 1848, The maiden name of his first wife, grand- mother of our subject,, was Christiana Flory. Her last years were spent in Franklin County, Va. The maiden name of his second wife was Salome Eler. By his first wife there were seven children that grew to maturity, and by his second marriage he bad ten children.
The father of our subject was a life- long resident of his native State. His father assisted him to buy a farm near his early home. Ile was prosperously engaged in raising stock, grain, tobacco, etc., until his death, in January, 1853. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Betsy Fisher, eame to Illinois after his death to live with her children, and died at Virden, in 1865. She was a native of Franklin County, Va., and a daughter of Peter Fisher, who is supposed to have spent his entire life in Vir- ginia. The parents of our subject were God-fear- ing people, and among the most faithful members of the German Baptist Church, rearing their chil- dren to the same belief. They were the parents of ten children, who are named Sally, Mary, Susan, Magdaline, Elizabeth, Catherine, Moscs, John, Noah and Peter. Sally and Magdaline are dead.
Our subject received his education in his native county, and amid its pleasant scenes grew to man's estate. After his father's death, he being the eld- est son, the care of the home farm devolved upon him, and he had charge of it until he was twenty- four years old. At that age he went to Obio, and bought a farm in Clarke County, near Enon. He devoted himself to its cultivation for a number of years, but finally disposed of it in 1864, in order to take up his residence in this county, as he was very favorably impressed with its genial climate and with the surpassing fertility of its soil. lle purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Virden Township, and ten acres of timber in South Otter Township. At that time a set of frame buildings stood on the place, including a small frame house and a stable. He constantly made
LIBRARY OF THE UN!YERSITY OF ILL:W
Thacker
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improvements, and under his careful management the farm increased in worth and became a valuable piece of property. In January, 1879, be rented his farm. and coming to Girard, bought his present comfortable residence, which he and his amiable wife and family make the center of pleasant hospitality. They and all their children, except one, are influential members of the German Bap- tist Church, and they are greatly esteemed in their neighborbood for their many fine traits of char- acter.
Mr. Brubaker has been twice married. January 27, 1856, he was wedded to Miss Susan Brubaker. She was born in Clarke County, Ohio, April 9, 1839, a daughter of Jonathan Brubaker. She died December 10, 1868, leaving behind her a good record as a faithful wife and loving mother. Four children are living that were born of that marriage -Mary, Peter, Elizabeth aud Jonathan. The sec- oud marriage of our subject, which took place June 20, 1869, was with Miss Lizzie Basler. She is a native of Noble County, Ind., and a daughter of lleury and Margaret (Studebaker) Basler. Her mother was a native of Pennsylvania, and a daugh- ter of John and Hannah Studebaker. Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker have four children, namely : Elma, Asa, Susan and Lydia.
Z ACHARIANI THIACKER, one of the largest landholders in this section of the State, stands among the foremost of the success- ful farmers and stock-raisers of this county, who have been such important factors in its develop- ment. Ileld in veneration and esteem by all who know him, he is now living in pleasant retirement in his home in Nilwood, where he is enjoying his wealth at leisure. The reader will be pleased to notice his portrait on the opposite page.
Mr. Thacker is a native-born citizen of this State, his birthplace was in Edwards County, and the date of his birth October 4, 1820. His father. whose name was Thomas Thacker, was born either in Virginia or in one of the Carolinas, a son of one, Zachariah Thacker. who, as far as known,
spent his last years in one of these States. The father of our subject was but an infant when his parents died. and an older sister took charge of him. On her removal to Kentucky she took him with her, and he was reared in Mulhenberg County, that State, where he married.
Soon after that event Mr. Thacker emigrated to the wilds of Indiana, where he resided a short time before coming to Illinois in 1818, and lo- cating among the pioneers of Edwards County. Ile made a claim to a tract of Government land, but did not have money enough to enter it until he worked to earn it. Ile was very industrious and toiled incessantly to make a home for his little family. His prospects were good, but his career was suddenly terminated by his untimely death, while in the very prime of life, in 1821. He left his widow in limited circumstances with two small children to care for.
After the death of the father the mother re- turned to Kentucky with her children, and lived with a brother some seven years. At the expira- tion of that time she married again, becoming the wife of Elijah Ash, and soon after the family re- turned to Illinois and settled in St. Clair County. After a two years' residence there they removed lo that part of Morgan County now included in Scott County, where our subject was reared on a farm. When he was eighteen years old his step- father agreed to give him the money to enter forty acres of land if he would help him to grub and clear his farm.
Mr. Thacker accepted the offer, and remained with Mr. Ash, who in about a year gave him the promised money, and he entered his land in Greene County. lle continued to assist Mr. Ash awhile longer and during that time sold his forty aere tract and entered eighty acres in the same county. At the age of twenty years he started out in life for himself, his father giving him a colt valued at $20. Ile was $18 in debt, but he had his eighty acres of wild land to begin with. He first assisted his brother in grubbing a piece of land, intending to put in a crop of buckwheat, but could not do so, as his brother and family were taken sick and he gave up his time to caring for them.
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After that Mr. Thacker found employment in the harvest field at $1.25 a day, and the same fall he went to Madison County and procured a job to chop wood at seventy-five cents a cord. Ile finally located on his land, and after grubbing and break- ing a few acres sold it for $300. In 1812 he came to Macoupin County and made a claim to a tract of Government land in Palmyra Township. Ile at once broke twenty acres of the land and put in a crop of wheat, and in 1844 sold his claim at a good advance on the purchase price. Ile next came into possession of eighty acres of timber and brush land and of fifteen acres of clear timber. and he resided on that place some years. After that he removed to Nilwood Township, where he bought land and actively engaged in farming and in buying and clearing other land until 1887. He then removed to Nilwood, where he has since lived retired from active labor in one of its most com- fortable homes. He has been marvellously pros- pered in his transactions, showing more than ordi- nary forethought, keenness and business tact in his operations, and at one time he owned upwards of twenty-five hundred aeres of line farming land, the greater part of which consisted of rich prai- rie in the best part of Illinois. He has provided liberally for his children, and still holds large tracts of land in this county.
Mr. Thacker was married, in 1841, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Israel Walker, and a native of Kentucky. For many years they passed life happily together, and she was all to him that a . true woman can be to her husband, wise in conn- sel and helpful in all things, and her death in the home that she had helped him to build up on the farm in Nilwood Township was a grievous loss to her household. She was a sincere Christian in word and deed, and for many years was an carn- est member of the Baptist Church. Seven children were the fruit of that marriage, as follows: Caro- line, wife of Thomas Tolbert; Thomas; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Garst; Leander; John W .; Edna, wife of Harvey Tietsort; and Fanny, wife of John Duncan.
Mr. Thacker is a fine type of our self-made men, possessing, as he does, an active mind, an indomi- table will, firmness and honesty of purpose, to-
gether with other qualities that insure suecess, command respect in the business world, and gain the trust and consideration of neighbors and asso . ciates. The worth of his citizenship is unques- tioned, and in him the Baptist Church finds a zeal- ous member. His children also belong to the same denomination.
ETER HEINZ, who was formerly identified with the business interests of Carlinville, as a manufacturer of furniture, is now liv. ing in honorable retirement, in the enjoy- ment of the ample income that he secured by in- dustry and by excellent management. Ile was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 28, 1826. IIis father, Henry Heinz, was a native of the same vil- lage, and was a son of Karl Ileinz, who was born in the same district, and was the proprietor of a glass factory. The great-grandfather was a pioneer of Saxe-Coburg, settling there in the wilderness. Ile and his father received permission from the then reigning duke of that province to use all the wood that they wished, and they thereupon established a glass factory in the German forests.
Henry Heinz was a glass blower by trade, and he followed this occupation both in Saxony and Ba. varia, dying in the latter country in 1860. His wife, whose maiden name was Carolina Morgendhum, was born at the capital city of Saxe-Coburg. Her father was body guard to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, and resided at the seat of government many years, be- ing a pensioner during the latter part of his life. The parents of our subject reared three sons and two daughters. One of their sons died in his na- tive land in 1852, and another in the spring of 1891.
Peter Heinz grew to man's estate in the Father- land, and received an excellent education in its public schools, which he attended from the age of six years quite steadily until he was fourteen years of age. He then went to school only a part of the time and the rest of the time was employed in a slate factory. After he was eighteen years old he worked in the slate factory continuously for some
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years. Thinking that his prospects of achieving success in life would be greatly enhanced if he were to emigrate to the United States of America, he came hither in 1852. Ile set sail from Bremen on the ship "Gustav", and landed at New Orleans on the 31st of December, after a long and stormy voyage. From that city he went to St. Louis on the steamer "Uncle Sam", and from there came to Macoupin County to join bis sister, Mrs. Caroline Kerr, in Chesterfield Township.
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