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 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
In Bunker Hill Mr. Love was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hillier, who was born in England, and when a young lady, came to America with her father, Thomas Hillier, and his family. They lo- cated in Bunker Hill, where the parents lived for some years, and then removed to Shipman, where the father died at the age of seventy, and the mother in her sixty-eighth year. They were mem- bers of the Episcopal Church. Mrs. Love was carefully reared by her parents and received the educational advantages afforded by the excellent
189
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
schools of Bunker Hill. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children, four of whom are yet living-Henrietta L., Adelaide J., Nellie .J. and Gertrude D. The last two have taught in the district schools of the county, and possess consid- erable ability in this direction. All are educated and refined young ladies who figure prominently in the social circles of this community. One daughter, Ida M., died in childhood.
In politics Mr. Love is a stalwart Democrat who keeps himself well informed on the political issues of the day, and has held several positions of public trust, having been a member of the Village Board and Mayor of Gillespie since coming to this place. His wife and daughters are members of the Episco pal Charel. Ile ranks high among the business men of the town, and is regarded as one of the en- terprising and progressive citizens of the commu- nity. lle owns one of the fine brick residence properties of Bunker Hill.
AMES WILSON is one of the large, land- . owners of this county, his possessions ! amounting to six hundred and eighty aeres, all except twenty in Honey Point Township Ile has been more than ordinarily successful in prosecuting agricultural affairs, as may be seen by his large holding of real estate. His land is well improved and his home is one of the most attract- ive rural residences in this part of the State. Mr. Wilson, who is now quite advanced in years, is not obliged to exert himself, as he has all that heart can wish of material comforts, and can, by a wise oversight of his property, derive an income . amply sufficient for all his wants.
Mr. Wilson traces his descent from one John Wilson, a native of Scotland, who removed thence , to Londonderry, Ireland, and spent his last years there. Ilis wife was Martha Caldwell and in their family was a son, George, who was born in Scot- land, but grew to man's estate in Ireland. That gentleman was married in the Emerald Isle to Jane Donelson, a native of Londonderry and a daughter of Andrew Donelson, who lived to the extreme
age of one hundred and two years. He was an Irish farmer, but was of Scotch ancestry and his wife, Molly Jackson, was a sister to the grandfather of the famous Confederate General, "Stonewall" Jackson. About 1812 George Wilson emigrated to America and settled in New Jersey, buying a tract of land wear Newton, the county-seat of Sussex County. There he and his wife spent the remnant of their days and died strong in the Chris - tian faith, both having been members of the Pres- byterian Church. They had seven children, but one daughter died when twelve years old and another still earlier in life. Those who grew to maturity were James, Rebecca, Margaretta, George and Martha.
James Wilson was born".in . Sussex- County, N. J., December 16, 1813, and was reared and ed- veated there. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age and he was then employed to run a stationary engine at the Stan- hope Iron Works in that county. Ile remained there nearly seven years and left his position in 1849 in order to come to the Mississippi Valley. With his wife and three children he started for Iowa, traveling by rail to Pittsburg and then on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Burlington. He set up his home in Lee County, buying a tract of partly-improved land, fourteen miles north of Ft. Madison. On this property there was a small farmhouse, in which he established his little family. He also bought a lialf section of raw, prairie land, adjoining the partly-improved property, and later secured an entire section. He lived in Lee County until 1862, then sold his property there and came hither, buying the land on which he has since made his home.
February 5, 1826, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Barr, a native of England, and a daughter of Andrew and Sarah (English) Barr. She shared his fortunes until 1876, when she was called from time to eternity. Of the ten children born of the union, eight grew to maturity, namely : John, James ,B., Edwin II., George A., Robert D., Jane Eliza, Rebecca and ,Martha A. Rebecca is now deceased, having died 'in 1869. After living as, a widower several years Mr. Wilson made a second marriage, April 25,
490
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1881, his bride on this occasion being Mrs. Maggie Hamilton, nee Wager. This lady was born in Smithland, Ky., is a daughter of Benjamin Wager and is an estimable lady. Her first husband was H. H. Hamilton, by whom she had one child, Fanny B.
Not only has Mr. Wilson been exceptionally fortunate in agricultural work, but he has kept himself well informed of passing events and has built up a character that entitles him to the respect of his acquaintances. Ilis political allegiance is given to the principles of Democracy. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and his wife is a Methodist.
R ICHARD CROMWELL, deceased, was one of the prominent citizens of Bunker Ilill, where he died on the 30th of June, 1889, respected by all who knew him. He was born in Washington County, Md., January 30, 1810, and traced his ancestry back to the great English protector, Oliver Cromwell. His father, Richard Cromwell, was born in this country of English and Scotch parentage and became a prom- inent farmer in Washington County, Md. He was a second cousin of Oliver Cromwell, and his death occurred in Maryland in 1821. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan MeLaughlin, was a native of Washington County, Md., born of Scotch an- cestry, and after her husband's death she lived a widow for about fifty years. In the meantime she removed to Greene County, Ohio, where for a long time she made her home with her son-in-law, J. B. Hawkins, dying at that place February 20, 1872, at the age of eighty-nine years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell were members and active workers in the German Reformed Church. Their family numbered six children, three of whom are living near Xenia, in Greene County, Ohio.
The early life of Richard Cromwell. of this sketeli, passed uneventfully, he spending his days in the county of his nativity until he had arrived at the age of twenty years, when he accompanied his parents to Greene County, Ohio, where after-
ward he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Fout) Eichel- berger. She was born in Frederick County, Md., August 24, 1817, and her parents were natives of Germany. They came to America when young, locating in Maryland, where they grew to manhood andwomanhood and were married in 1806,in Freder- ick County, where for some years they lived upon a farm. Mr. Eichelberger died in that county in the prime of life. His widow, accompanied by her eight children, afterward emigrated to Greene County, Ohio, where she became the wife of John Cramer. She died in Bellbrook in the faith of the German Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Eichelber- ger was also a member. Of the seven children born unto that worthy couple Mrs. Cromwell is the fifth in order of birth and the only one now living. She was about twelve years of age when her father died and had attained to her twenty-first year when the family removed to the Buckeye State. In 1842, with her husband and four children, she came to Illinois. They settled in Hilyard Town- ship, Macoupin County, where they began their life in the West in true pioneer style upon a rented farm. As Mr. Cromwell was successful in his un- dertakings, he afterward became able to purchase land, and at the time of his death his possessions aggregated two hundred and eighty acres, two hun- dred of which were comprised in the home farm. Ile was enterprising, industrious and persevering, and by good management he won a comfortable competence. Following farming until 1880 he then laid aside business cares and removed to Bunker Hill, where he lived a retired life. His death ocenr- red June 30, 1889, being caused by a fall from a moving wagon driven by a neighbor. Mrs. Crom- well is yet living in Bunker Hill, where she has many friends and acquaintances. She is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church and a good Christian woman.
Nine children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell, and all are yet living, have married and are prospering in life. John D., who wedded Miss Mary C. Hutton, is living on a farm in Iloney Point Township; Susan M., is the wife of James White, an extensive and successful farmer of Montgomery County; Margaret A., is the wife of
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINC
Thomas & Move.
493
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,
Matthew Hayes, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Gillespie Township; Comfort C., widow of W. J. Baird, resides in St. Louis; Samantha M., is the wife of Charles Lockyer, a resident farmer of Ililyard Township; Sarah C., wedded David A. Smalley, a successful agriculturist of Spivey, Kingman County, Kan .; Mary E., is the wife of Eugene R. Smalley, also a farmer of Kingman County; Joseph O., wedded Mary Elliman, and is farming in Hilyard Township, and William A. is engaged in the same pursuit in Bunker Hill Town. ship. He wedded Mary Roberts, but his wife is now deceased. The sons are all Democrats in politics and all the children have become usefal men and women, and respected members of soci- ety.
-
Mr. Cromwell was also a stalwart supporter of Democratic principles, and for some years served as Supervisor of Hilyard Township, proving an efficient offieer. In religious belief he was a Uni- versalist and lived an upright life which won him the confidence and regard of all. By those who knew him he was highly respected for his sterling worth, and no man is more worthy of a represen- tation in this volume.
-
P ROF. THOMAS E. MOORE, County Super- intendent of Schools. is known throughout the State as an intelligent and progressive educator who is eminently fitted for the im- portant office of which he is an incumbent. He is a native of this county, born in Honey Point Township, September 16, 1847. He is a son of Thomas D. Moore, a native of Danville, Ky., who was an early pioneer of this section of Illinois and bore an honorable part in its development.
The paternal grandfather of onr subject, William Moore, was born in Virginia and was a son of an emigrant from the North of Ireland who was de- seended from Scotch ancestry and who came to this country in Colonial times. Ile first settled in Virginia, whence he went to Kentucky and was one of the early pioneers of Danville, where he died. He was a stanch Presbyterian, religiously. The
grandfather of our subjeet was reared in Virginia, and going to Kentucky in early manhood he was there married to Ellen Duncan, a native of Fau- quier County, Va., and a daughter of William Dun- can, who was also a Virginian by birth. Grandfather Moore was a farmer and after his removal to Dan- ville, Ky., he devoted himself to his calling in that płace the remainder of his life.
Thomas D). Moore resided in his native State until 1834 and then at the age of twenty years he started out in the world to try life elsewhere, go- ing forth from his old home well equipped for the struggle that lay before him in a pioneer country. Ilis mind was well trained by the excellent educa- tion he had received at Centre College, and his early training had given him good habits and firm principles. lle came lo Illinois and cast in his lot with the few settlers that had preceded him in the little hamlet of Carlinville, where there were then but a few log houses. Ile had learned the trade of a carpenter, and as he found men of that calling iu demand he actively set to work at it for a time, and assisted in building the first frame house that was ever erected in this place.
Mr. Moore was unmarried when he came here, and his mother kept house for him a year. At the expiration of that time he returned to his native State to claim his promised wife, Julia Dickerson, a native of Jessamine County, born near Nicholas- ville in 1813. After marriage he came back with his bride on horseback, and they passed the first few years of their wedded life in the village of Carlinville prior to their removal to Honey Point Township, where Mr. Moore entered land from the Government. He erected thereon a log house that was the birthplace of all his children. It was built of hewn logs and was quite a commodious affair for those times, comprising five rooms.
For a few years after taking up his residence here Mr. Moore worked at carpentering a part of the time and devoted the remainder to the devel- opment of his farm. Hle subsequently gave his entire attention to the care of the homestead, where he continued to live until his useful and honorable life was rounded out at a ripe age by his death, October 5, 1883. His wife, who had walked at his side nearly half a century preceded him in death the
194
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
same year, dying January 15. They reared a tam- ily of six children, namely: Ellen, Loretta, Julia, Thomas E., Charles and Elizabeth, The parents were both prominent members of the Presbyterian Church. The Moores had been devoted adherents of that faith for many generations, and the father held strongly to it until the day of his death. He was Elder of the church of that denomination which he had joined when it was organized. Ile was a great worker in the Sunday-school also and was for many years Superintendent of the branch school in Honey Point Township.
Thomas Moore laid the foundation of his educa- tion in the schoolhouse that his father erected on his own farm, There was no sawed timber used in the construction of the building, the timber be- ing lewed and the boards rived by hand. In 1867 our subject entered Blackburn University ; he there attended and taught alternately until he was grad- uated in 1877. In the meantime he studied law in the office of Judge William R. Welch and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1873. The year that he was graduated from the University he was invited to become Principal of the Preparatory Department of that institution, and for the ensning six years he filled that position very acceptably, teaching con- stitutional and international law and logic, the lat- ter part of the time.
.
In 1883 Prof. Moore severed his connection with the University and became Principal of Bunker Hill School. After filling his position two terms he went to Taylorville and took charge of the city schools for one year. Ile then engaged in the West- ern Publishing Company as traveling salesman, introducing educational apparatus into the schools of Maryland. Pennsylvania and Ohio, and he was thus employed some three years very successfully. In the fall of 1890 the citizens of Macoupin County elceted him to his present office of County Super- intendent of Schools. His selection for this respon- sible position has proved to be a fortunate measure for the educational interests of this section of the State, as since he assumed its duties he lias thrown his whole energies into his work and has made a careful study of the requirements of the public schools under his charge, introducing new methods where needed and instituting many wise reforms.
As a gentleman of culture, unblemished character and high personal standing the Professor is also an influence for much good in other directions, and we find his name associated with much that tends to strengthen and elevate the moral and social status of the community. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party. Socially, he is a member of Bunker Hill Lodge, F. & A. M .. and he is also connected with Orient Lodge, K.of P., of which he was a charter member.
Prof. Moore was happily married April 24, 1875, to Miss Mary E. Handlin, a native of Chesterfield Township, this county, and a daughter of Clayborn and Adeline Handlin. They live in one of the many attractive homes of. Carlinville and their pleasant household circle is completed by their seven children-Charles HI., Thomas L., Ruth Ar- melda, Olive and Mildred. Addie and Julia are deceased.
A lithographie portrait of Prof. Moore accom- panies this sketch.
C ICERO J. SOLOMON: a prominent and prosperous farmer of Bird Township, makes his home on section 3. Ilis father, James Solomon, was born in North Carolina, and his mother, Easter Lamar, was a native of Tennessee. After marriage they settled in Macoupin County, making their home in North Palmyra Township. Thence they removed to Montgomery County, this State and resided for four years, but made their final home in Bird Township where the father died Au- gust 29, 1881. He had been bereaved of his faith- ful and devoted wife September 7, 1852, while liv- ing in North Palmyra Township, Three children had blest the union of James and Easter Solomon. They were James who died when quite young ; Cicero .I. and Serena C. This daughter is the wife of William A. Wright.
The subject of this sketch first saw the light of life in North Palmyra Township, October 3, 1848. He was about six years old when his father removed to Montgomery County, and with the exception of
495
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the four years that they resided there Macoupin County has been his home to the present time. Here he grew to manhood and was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Kesinger, a daughter of the late John and Eliza (Adams) Kesinger. The mother of Mrs. Solomon died November 20, 1878, and her father departed life December 6, 1890. They were the parents of nine children, their daughter Harriet being third in order of birth. She was born in Bird Township, February 4, 1854.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon was sol- emnized February 25, 1872. They became the parents of six beautiful children, all but one of whom have outlived their early childhood. The surviving children are named Edgar J., Addie E., Eliza A., James, and Jennie I. Mr. Solomon owns the old homestead which his father occupied, a fine tract of two hundred and eighty broad and pro- ductive acres. He also owned seventy-two aeres in another section. The fine farm buildings and hand. some residence were erected by his father and he keeps them in first-class condition. 1Je has always followed agriculture and made some little specialty of stock-raising. He has served his district as High- way Commissioner and School Director and his political affiliations are with the Republican party. His worthy and intelligent companion is an active and influential member of the Baptist Church and they both occupy a high position in the social life of the township. Our subject has been a member of the Masonic order since he was twenty-one years of age, holding membership in Lodge No. 76, at Carlinville.
AMES WALKER, a man of more than ordi- nary enterprise and ability, stands among the foremost of the enlightened and prog- ressive farmers and stock-raisers of tais county, who have been instrumental in raising it to its present high position as a great and rich agri- cultural centre. He has an extensive and well-ap- pointed farm in Scottville Township, which is considered one of the finest stock farms in this part of the State.
his birth taking place November 1, 1833, in the pi- oneer home of his parents in Mt. Era Township, Greene County, half a mile northeast of the town of Athens. John Walker, his father, was a native of Nelson County, Ky., born there January 15, 1804. He was a son of Joseph Walker, who was born in Maryland and was a descendant of one of three brothers who came from Scotland to this country in Colonial times. The grandfather of our subject was a pioneer of Nelson County, Ky., where he bought a tract of land in the primeval forest three miles from the present site of Bards- town. Ile evolved a good farm from the wilder- ness and made his home upon it until his demise. The maiden name of his wife was Coons.
The father of our subject was reared and married in his native county and dwelt there until 1829. In that year he became a pioneer of this State, com- ing here with his wife and the two children that had been born to them in their old home. Ile was the fortunate possessor of a horse, which, with his household goods, constituted all his wealth. He hired transportation for his family and belongings and came here on horseback. He located on a tract of wild land eight miles east of Jacksonville, Morgan County, and for two years lived in the house that he built on the place. At the expira. tion of that time he sold that property and bought one hundred and twenty acres of Government land in Mt. Era Township. He built a log house on the place, riving the boards to cover the roof and split- ting puncheon for the floor, and in that dwelling his son, of whom we write, was born. The sur- rounding country bore but little indication of its present development, as the inhabitants were few and had made but little headway against the forces of nature in redeeming it from its primeval state. There were no railways for years and the settlers had to go to Alton and St. Louis to market their produce and obtain supplies. At one time Mr. Walker took three loads of wheat to St. Louis and sold his grain at thirty-seven and one half cents a bushel. The people lived principally on the pro- duets of the farm and wild game, which was very plentiful. They were also clad in homespun made by the women. The mother of our subject was ex-
Mr. Walker is a native-born citizen of this State, | pert in carding, spinning and weaving and her deft
496
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
hands made all the cloth used in the family. None but the most primitive machinery was in use and the grain, which was cut with a siekle or cradle, was tramped out by horses or oxen instead of being threshed.
Mr. Walker resided on his homestead in Greene County until 1866, when he disposed of his prop- erty in that section and removed to Woodson County, Kan. Hle was dissatisfied with that part of the country, however, and without even unload- ing his goods he returned to this State and took up his residence in the village of Scottville, which re- mained his dwelling-place until his death, May 15, 1884, at a venerable age. The maiden name of his first wife, the mother of our subject, was Nancy Hall and she was a native of Nelson County, Ky. She died on the home farm February 15, 1838. Five of her children grew to maturity, namely: Henry II., Nathaniel, Jane, James and Sarah. Mr. Walker's second wife was Elizabeth Sears. She died November 15, 1857. Four children were born of that union, as follows: Mary, Samuel, Isabella and Christina. The maiden name of Mr. Walker's last wife was Martha Powell, and she was a native of Seottville Township, a daughter of one of its pioneer families.
James Walker passed his youth in his native county and was educated in its public schools. He lived with his parents until 1852 and on February 10, of that year he started on a momentous journey to the distant shores of the Pacific Ocean to join the army of gokl-seekers in California. He went down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, where he embarked on a vessel bound for the Isthmus of Panama. But the good ship encountered a heavy gale, by which it was dismasted and it had to put into Balize for repairs. Forty of its passengers, including our subject, left the vessel with the inten- tion of crossing Central America to Acapulco, but found on inquiry that the distance was nearly a thousand miles and the route was through a conn- try inhabited by hostile savages. They then changed their plans and hiring a caravan of mules, crossed a narrower portion of Central America to Sausonate, where they embarked on a sailing-vessel, and seventy-eight days later arrived in San Fran- ciseo, one hundred and sixty-eight days from the
time of our subject's leaving home. He went di- rectly to Eldorado County and actively engaged in mining there for some years. His thoughts, how- ever, were never long absent from the old home and friends of his youth, and finally tiring of the rough life of the camp, he started on his return to his native State, April 12, 1855, embarking at San Francisco on the mail steamer "Golden Age." But, as on his way ont, his passage was not destined to be a smooth one, as the steamer was badly wrecked when within two hundred and ten miles of Panama. Fortunately other vessels came to her rescue and he and his fellow-passengers were landed safely at Panama. He pursued his journey across the Isthmus by rail, having to pay fifty cents a mile. Then he sailed for New York and in due ti ne arrived amid the familiar scenes of his boy- hood.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.