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 61
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Mrs. and Mrs. Alderson are the parents of seven children : Minnie M., who married Edward Walk-
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ULL.W.
W. C. Anderson
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ington; Mina B., Nettie A., Mattie L., Millie MI., Melvin M. and Myrtle D. Five hundred and thirty - five acres constitute the tract of land which is owned and managed by our subject. Agricultural pursuits have always engaged his exclusive atten- tion and he has made a success of farming. The comfortable and commodious set of farm buildings with which he has adorned his farm attest his thor- ough management and correspond well with the neat fences which there appear. Mr. Alderson has filled well the office of School Director and in that capacity has done much to elevate the standard of the public schools. Ilis wife is an earnest and efficient member of the Christian Church and a woman of influence in the community.
ILLIAM C. ANDERSON. Many beautiful farms may be seen by the traveler in Shaw's Point Township, but none more attractive than that of Mr. Anderson, on section 9. He owns about four hundred acres of land and also has four hundred acres in South Otter Township, all of which is carefully tilled and systematically managed. The dwelling is comfortable in appear- ance and gives evidence of the presence of an orderly and refined woman within. Among the farm buildings are such barns, granaries and sheds as the extent of the work carried on makes con- venient. This fine farm has been gained by the exercise of judicious management and unremitting toil on the part of the present owner, and he justly merits his position among the foremost agricultur- alists and stock- raisers of Macoupin County.
The immediate progenitors of our subject are William D. and Elizabeth (Hancock) Anderson, natives of Kentucky. The father was reared in Wayne County, that State, and in 1828, accom- panied by his family, came to this State and located in Macoupin County. This was his home the most of the time until his death, although for one year je sojourned in Sangamon County. The family comprised eight children, of whom seven attained o mature years. Our subject, who was the second in order of birth, was born in Carlinville, this
county, Angust 26, 1830, and therefore knows no home but this. He has been a witness of the many changes which have been made in the country, has watched with interest the springing up of towns, the hewing out of the wilderness and the improve- ment of the soil.
When he was fourteen years old our subject was orphaned by the death of his father, after which sad event he went to live with an uncle, Henry Edwards. There he grew to manhood, attending the pioneer schools of the district whenever oppor- tunity offered, and aiding in the farm work. At the age of nineteen years he utilized his thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits by working out on farms for others and continued thus em- ployed until he was twenty-six years old. After his marriage, which occurred about this time, he settled on section 9, Shaw's Point Township, where he has since resided. Ile has devoted his attention both to general farming and stock-raising and, as he brings to his work an unusual degree of judg- ment and foresight. his efforts have naturally met with flattering success. He keeps abreast with all improvements in agriculture, has his estate sup- plied with the latest improved machinery, and good management is shown in all the details of farm work.
For more than thirty years the pleasant home of Mr. Anderson has been presided over by a lady whose nobility of character and hospitality of dis- position have won for her a warm place among a large circle of acquaintances. Mrs. Anderson was born in Macoupin County, August 11, 1834 and bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Anderson. She is the sister of M. M. Anderson, of Carlinville, and her parents James C. and Ann Anderson were natives of Virginia and Kentucky. The happy wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson has been blest to them by the birth of six children, of whom we note the following: William T. died May 9. 1880, at the age of twenty-three years. leaving a wife Josephine ( Leach) Anderson ; Henry M. mar- ried Miss Lizzie Sharp and they have one daugh- ter; Sarah M. is now Mrs. William Leach; J. C .; David P. and Mary C. died in infancy.
In educational matters Mr. Anderson maintains a special interest and for many years has served as
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School Director of his district, a position which he ably fills. He has never been an office-seeker, but believes in Democracy, and supports the principles of that party with his ballot and influence. A public-spirited, generous man, his influence in the community is great, and his position among the leading citizens of this county has been gained through patient efforts in the interests of the great commonwealth to which he gives his allegiance.
In connection with this brief biographical notice, a lithographie portrait of Mr. Anderson is pre- sented to our readers.
D L'DLEY SAUNDERS owns and occupies one of the fertile farms that have made Ma- coupin County notable as an agricultural district. The property consists of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 20 and 29, of Honey Point Township. The owner being now quite advanced in years, his youngest son has the active management of the property. Mr. Saunders was born in Caldwell County, Ky., December 20. 1817. His grandfather, Julius Saunders, was born in Virginia and was one of the first settlers in Fayette County, Ky., whence he removed to Trigg County, where he spent his last years. Jeremiah Saunders, father of our subject, was born in the Blue Grass State in Fayette County, and with the exception of two years in Clinton County, this State, spent his life in that ir which he was born. He married Priscilla Ramey, whose death occurred in Trigg County, Ky.
Our subject left the parental roof when seven- teen years old and came on horseback to this State. Ilis entire wealth consisted of the horse he rode and the saddle upon the back of the animal. Reaching this county, he sought employment and found it with a blacksmith at $13 per month. When he married he began working land on shares, and having but one horse, the owner of the property furnished a team.
Mr. Saunders made a success of agriculture, and being careful in his expenditures he was soon able to buy property. His first purchase was a
tract on sections 19 and 30, Honey Point Township, for which he paid $2.50 per acre. There was a log cabin on the place and twenty-four acres had been cultivated. After occupying the farm two years he sold it at an advance of $200 and bought another tract in Brushy Mound Township. consist- ing of one hundred acres. He made further im- provements there and after two years sold at an advance of $200 and bought on section 32, Honey Point Township. He had cleared a few acres when a good opportunity arose for selling, and he took advantage of it and then bought his present estate.
In 1838 Mr. Saunders was married to Elizabeth Huddleston, a noble-hearted Kentucky lady, whose skill and affection were proved time and again, and had a potent influence in the advancement of the family. She understood how to card, spin and in her early married life made most of the cloth used in the family and dressed her children in homespun of her own manufacture. She was not unwilling to share the fortunes of the man whom she chose for her husband, even though they began life together with little but their strength of mind and heart and their mutual affec- tion as capital. She was rewarded by the esteem of those with whom she associated and the rever- ent affection of her family. She reared ten chil- dren, who are named respectively: Nancy A., John, Sarah J., Margaret, Maria, Edgar, Fanny, Charles, Ada and Nettie. She was removed from earth in 1876.
C W. SWITZER. Among the various busi- ness interests represented in Atwater, is that of grain dealing, in which the subject of this sketchi is engaged. Mr. Switzer was born in Lincoln, Logan County, November 17, 1859. Ilis grandfather, Samuel Switzer, was a Pennsylvania farmer, nud spent his entire life in his native State. His son, Samuel, father of our subject, was born in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and learned the trade of a car- penter, at which he worked in his native State until 1856. Ile then removed to the Mississippi Valley
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and settled in Lincoln, which was then but a ham- let, while the surrounding country was sparsely set- tled. The greater part of the land was still owned by the Government and was for sale at $1.25 per acre. Mr. Switzer bought a home in Lincoln and followed his trade there until his decease. He was twice married, his first wife being Mary A. Miller, a native of Mechanicsburg, Pa., who died in 1863.
The subject of this notice remained with his fa- ther until he was fourteen years old, and as his mother died during his childhood, his habits of life and thought were largely molded by his step- mother. At the age mentioned he began to care for himself, first finding employment on a farm where he worked until 1878. He then began lay- ing tile, an occupation that he followed some four years, after which he began work in Bristow's mill at Girard. He was still working there when the mill was burned, in 1884, and he then resumed farming near Atwater. After two years of agrieut- tural work, he bought a hay press, and for some months dealt in hay, but in June, 1887, with W. W. Bristow as a partner be began buying grain. He has continued in this business and he also buys and ships live stock, finding in these lines of trade more congenial employment than in some which he attempted.
In November, 1881, Mr. Switzer was married to Miss Ella Barrick, who was born in Middletown, Logan County, and is a well informed and agree- able lady. The pleasant home is made more at- tractive by the presence there of a young son, Lau- rence, in whose increasing intelligence the parents take great delight. Mr. and Mrs. Switzer have a large circle of acquaintances, and as they are well informed and well bred, they are quite popular in society.
AMES B. SEARCY. This young gentleman is numbered among the members of the legal fraternity located in Palmyra, and has en- tered upon his professional career in such a way as to give promise of becoming one of the prominent lawyers of this locality. He has been in practice but a few years, yet is already doing well
financially speaking, and becoming known as a young man of ability and sound knowledge of the law. Ile was born on a farm in Boone County, Mo., August 15, 1858, and was an infant when his parents removed to New Mexico. When he was ten years old they made their home in this county. His early education was obtained in the district school and be advanced his knowledge by attend- ance at Blackburn University from which he was graduated in the Class of '83. Ile entered the Bloomington Law School and after studying there . for a time continned his reading in the office of Rinaker & Rinaker in Carlinville. Hle was admit- ted to the bar in Mt. Vernon in 1885 and at onee opened an office at Palmyra.
Mr. Searey was married in 1879 to Miss Anna E. Richie, who was born in this county in 1859 and was the daughter of Eli and Sarah Richie. The happy anticipations of the young couple were doomed to be unfulfilled, as the young wife died the year after her marriage. Mr. Searcy lived a widower until 1886 when he made a second mar- riage. Ilis bride on this occasion was Mrs. Mary E. Dunean nee Fansler, a native of this county, born in March, 1861. She was the widow of Allen C. Duncan, who died during the year after their marriage, and is a daughter of Endimon and Aman . da (King) Fansler. Mrs. Searcy received her edu- eation at the district schools and at Shurtleff Col- lege in Alton, and is a member of the Chautauqua Literary and Seientific Circle, graduating with the Class of '91. This union has been blest by the birti: of three children, who form a bright and in- teresting group around the family fireside. Their respective names are Earl B., William E. and Evan L.
Tracing the ancestry of Mr. Searey back a few generations we find that the family lived in Vir- ginia. From that State the grandfather of our subjeet went to Kentucky when a young man and during the War of 1812 he served in a Kentucky regiment. He was one of the few survivors of the Dudley massaere. Ile removed from the Blue Grass State to Missouri, and was one of the first settlers in Boone County, where he bought a tract of land and improved a farm. Ilis death occurred there early in the '60s. Lemuel B. Searcy married
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Mildred Conley; her father, John Conley, was in the Revolutionary War, and in their family was a son, Benjamin P., who was born in the same county as his son, our subject. That gentleman grew to manhood amid somewhat primitive surroundings, as for many years after his father settled in Boone County there were no railroads there and St. Louis was the nearest depot for supplies, while the jour- ney to and fro was performed with wagons drawn by oxen, or at a later period by horses.
Benjamin Searcy married Nancy E. Ridgway, who was born in Boone County, Mo., December 25, 1838, and in 1860 they went to New Mexico, traveling with teams via the santa Fe trail. They located in Mora County, where at that time there were very few settlers, as indeed whites were but few in the entire territory. Mr. Searcy and his cousin, Enoch Tipton, established their homes near the present site of Watrous, a station on the Santa Fe Railroad, and were the first settlers in the Boone Valley. Mr. Searcy bought a portion of the La- junta grant, and engaged in stock-ra'sing and farming. He found it necessary to irrigate his land, as is generally necessary in the Rocky Moun- tain region. For some time Ft. U'nion, nine miles from bis ranch, was the nearest point of any im- portance and the principal military post in the territory. Mr. Searcy died in 1868, and in No- vember of that year his widow came to this county with her three children and bought a farm in South Palmyra Township. After living in widowhood more than a decade, she married Capt. J. S. Chiles, and she still occupies her farm.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was John D. Ridgway, who was born in Clark County. Ky., but whose father, Ninian Ridgway. was a Vir- ginian who had gone to the Blue Grass State after attaining to his majority. In 1823 the family re- moved to Missouri, taking up pioneer work and improving a tract of considerable extent. Their first home was in Boone County and thence Ninian Ridgway went to Calloway County, Mo., and made his home with his son Dudley until his deeease. John Ridgway was married in 1831 to Sophia Wig- ginton, a native of Boone County, Ky., and a daughter of Badger and Parthena (Greene) Wig. ginton. After his marriage he entered Government
land in Calloway County, improved it and resided there some years. then changed his place of ahode to Boone County. There be bought land on which he lived until 1857, when he went to Arkansas. In 1860 he came to this State and he is now living in Palmyra, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife died September 29. 1888. Their daughter, the mother of our subject, reared three children, of whom James B. is the eldest. The second is Sarah F, wife of Lincoln Chiles, and the youngest is William N., who is now studying law in the Bloom- ington Law School.
Mr. and Mrs. Searcy of this notice have made many friends since they established their home in Palmyra. Mr. Searcy belongs to Palmyra Lodge, No. 463. F. & A. M., and Palmyra Camp, No. 149. M. W. A. His political sympathy and interest is with the Republican party. lle belongs to the Christian Church, while his wife is connected with the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church at Barr's Store. It is the aim of each to aet in accordance with the Christian profession they have made, to bring up their children aright, and to do good as they have opportunity.
AMTEL D. EDDINGTON, a representa- tive farmer, residing on section 3, is num- bered among the honored pioneers of 1841 A half-century has passed since he located. here and with the history of the growth and devel- opment of the county he has since been identified. He has been an eye-witness of almost its entire progress, has seen its wild prairies transformed into beautiful farms and thriving cities, its log cabins replaced by commodious residences, churches and school houses built, manufactories and industries established, until in the course of civilization the county has been placed in the front rank among her sister counties in Illinois.
As one of the pioneers Mr. Eddington is eer- tainly deserving of a representation in this volume. He was born near Bridgewater, Somersetshire, Eng- land, April 5, 1819, and is the elder of two sons whose parents were Joseph and Betsy (Domanee)
RESIDENCE OF F. R. KAHL, SEC. 11., SHIPMAN TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILLS.
RESIDENCE OF S. D. EDDINGTON, SEC. 3., BRIGHTON TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILLS.
LIBRARY OF THE 114000 ---
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Eddington. ITis paternal grandfather was William Eddington, of Somersetshire, who reached the ad- vanerd age of one hundred and three years. lle inarried Miss Hawkins, who died when little past the prime of life. Both were members of the Church of England. JJoseph Eddington was born and reared near Bridgewater and in his native county wedded Miss Domanee, who was several years his junior. They, too, adhered to the faith of the Episcopal Church. The father died at his old home at about the age of sixty-three years.
In the community in which he was born the sub- ject of this sketch spent the days of his boyhood and youth. When a young man of twenty-two years, in company with his only brother Joseph, he started for the United States, taking passage at Liv- erpool upon the sailing-vessel "Kensington," which left port in the month of June and reached this country in August, after a voyage of forty.two days. From New York the brothers made their way to Philadelphia and Pittsburg, where they boarded a flatboat and went down the river to St. Louis, becoming connected later on with the boat- ing service on the Mississippi. A few months were spent in New Orleans by Mr. Eddington and he then came to Macoupin County. He had only a cash capital of $5 and this he put into the State Bank at Shawneetown, which failed a few days later. This left him without a cent. but he did not become discouraged; on the contrary he set to work to find a position that would provide him a sustenance and worked at breaking prairie and other hard labor until he had acquired through in- dustry and economy a sufficient sum to purchase land and begin business for himself. After a few years his brother died, leaving him the only one of the parental family in America.
A marriage ceremony. performed in St. Louis, united the destinies of Samuel Eddington and Jane Elworthy, who was horn at West Zoyland, Somer- setshire, England, April 5, 1823. Her parents, James and Sarah (Cattle) Elworthy, were also natives of the same county, where they spent their entire lives, dying at the age of sixty-three and eiguty-four years respectively. Mr. Elworthy was a tailor and he and his wife were members of the Wesleyan Church and were highly respected, The
paternal grandfather of Mrs. Eddington was Isaac Elworthy, a butcher by trade, who was born, lived and died in Somersetshire, departing this life at an advanced age. The wife of our subject is one of the youngest of a family of ten children, four of whom came to this country, but her brother Isaac, now a tailor of Brighton, and herself are the only ones yet living. She was twenty years of age when with her two eller brothers she crossed the broad ocean and came from New York City to Ill- inois. A lady of many excellencies of character, she has won many friends, who hold her in high esteem.
Ten children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Eddington, but their first child, Fred, is now de- ceased. He grew to manhood, married Rowena Gentt and died at the age of thirty eight years, leaving four children. The other members of the family are James, who wedded Edith Mitchell and is a farmer of Shipman Township; John W., who married Hannah Flarety and farms in Brighton Township; Samnel D., who aids in the operation of the home farm; . C. Wesley, who married Ellen Ed- dington and times wp a part of the old homestead; Saralı, wife of August"Bloomingstein, a resident farmer of this township; Thomas Il., who assists in the farm work at home; Louisa E. and Ida M., in- telligent young ladies who are still with their par- ents (the latter possessing considerable musical ability), and Bessie D., a successful teacher in the publie schools.
Mr. Eddington and his wife attend the Metho- dist Church and in politics he is a supporter of Republican principles. Ilis entire property has been acquired since he came to this county. With- out capital save a young man's height hope of the future and a determination to succeed, he has worked bis way upward to a position of affluence. About 1845 he made his first purchase of land, be- coming owner of eighty acres of raw prairie on section 10. He lived on that and improved it, af. terward purchasing several traets as his financial resources were increased, until finally he became the owner of his present property. It was in 1872 that he purchased and located upon the fine farm which he still makes his home and a view of which is shown upon another page, It comprises three
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hundred and sixty-three acres of valuable land on sections 2, 3. 10 and 11, and is well supplied with good farm buildings. The competence which Mr. Eddington has acquired is but the just reward of his labors. For some years he has suffered the partial loss of his eyesight, but he bears his mis- fortune very patiently.
ERDINAND R. KAIIL. Some German author has put into words the characteris- tic trait of his countrymen, when he says, 'Do with your whole soul that which is set before you ; let nothing appear so hard that it may abash you, nothing so low that you may overlook it." The greatest strides have been made in the arts and sciences by our Teutonie neighbors, and yet, the finish of their work is so thorough as almost uni- versally to excite admiration. Attention to minn- tia is ingrained in them from earliest years. Our subject Ferdinand R. Kahl, is not different from his countrymen in this respect. Ilis fine farm lo- caled on section 11, Shipman Township, declares him to be careful in his attention to every detail.
As his name indicates our subject is of German birth and parentage. His father, Detleo Kahl, was born in Germany about 1812. His mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Fischer, was a native of Germany, born in 1818. They emigrated to America when the country was suffering a relapse from the horrors of war, and coming to the district of Macoupin County in 1864, settled in Shipman Township. There both parents died, the father pass- ing away in August, 1873; the mother in the spring of 1886. They had eight children who lived to be grown. Of these our subject was the fourth child, and was born in Holstein, Germany, September 7. 1841.
Mr. Kahl's early life was spent on a farm in the old country. Ile, however, learned the shoemaker's trade before coming to America. His emigration to this country was made in the fall of 1860, and he came direct to Shipman Township, remaining here for one and one-half years, during which time he supported himself by working at his trade. At
the expiration of this time he went West to Color- ado in the mining district, and was engaged in searching for the precious metal while in the moun- tains. Ile continued there for four years at the end of which time be returned to Shipman Town- ship, and soon after purchased a farm of two hun- dred aeres, upon which he now lives.
Since coming to Macoupin County, our subject bas greatly improved his land and has added many buildings. He now gives his devoted attention to farming, being particularly interested in his dairy products, and is an extensive producer of dairy commodities which he ships to St. Lonis. A view of his beautiful home appears on another page. Our subject's marriage took place in Litchfield, 111., December 24, 1868. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Deahl, and is a sister of Adam Deahl, whose sketch will be found in another part of this RECORD. Mrs. Kahl was born in Alleghany County, Md., June 11, 1817. She is a capable woman, a loving helpmate to her husband, and a devoted mother to their eleven children. They are: Edwin A., Charles II., Mary E., George F., Maggie E., Huldah L., Walter W., Clara M., Henrietta C., Edna E., and Chauney E. Charles Il. died when ten months of age.
Since returning from the West Mr. Kahl has been principally engaged in farming, and now owns two hundred and eighty acres on which he has placed a fine grade of improvements. He has been elected to the office of Highway Commissioner and School Director which positions he has filled satisfactorily. Politically he is an adherent of the Democratic party. Both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Socially he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and also a Knight of Honor.
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