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 64
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and by years of close application to his business and real hard work, he accumulated a handsome property. He helped to develop the county, and his name will ever occupy an honorable position in its history as an honored pioneer.
R LETCHER RICHARDSON. Another of the foster children of our country who has gratefully shows his appreciation of the ad- vantages here attained by coming to the aid of his adopted land when in her sore need, throwing his life in the balance with the chances of war. is he whose name is at the head of this sketch who has a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 27, of Shipman Township. To such men as these the youth of to-day should take off their hats in reverence, for there was nothing of selfishness in the gift that they made our beloved land of services rendered during the lale War of the Rebellion.
Our subject is of English origin and birth, his father being John Richardson who was born in Herfordshire, England, and his mother, Margaret Barrett, a native of Kentucky. The former lived until he had reached an advanced age. The mother still survives. They resided in St. Louis, Mo. Ten children comprised the parental family of whom our subject was the sixth. He was born in Greene County, this State, December 2, 1842. When he was about two years of age his parents removed to Macoupin County, and settled in Shipman Town- ship, where he grew to an intelligent and vigorous manhood.
The original of this sketch was married February 22, 1869, to Miss Maria A. Secor, daughter of James and Maria (Fishback) Secor, the former of whom was a native of New York State, the latter of Tennessee. Mrs. Richardson's father died in Ship- man Township, in October, 1888, having reached ninety-two years of age. The mother still survives. Mrs. Richardson was one of seven children, being the fourth in order of birth. Her birth occurred in St. Louis, Mo.
After the marriage of the gentleman whose his-
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tory it is our pleasure to here chronicle and the lady who has greatly added to the beauty and serenity of his life, they settled on a farm on see- tion 27, Shipman Township, where they have ever since resided, Mr. Richardson has, during his res- idence here ereeted a number of good buildings. His barns are capacious and well built and his stock sheds are warm and nicely arranged. The home which the mother has made beautiful with the nat- nral instincts of feminine taste and fancy, is a com- fortable dwelling, and the scene of a harmonious home life.
On the first call for volunteers,-that celebrated appeal made by Lincoln for three hundred thousand men to quell the trouble that the majority of men felt to be of insignificant importance, our subject was one of the first to respond-entering his name for enlistment August, 1861. in Company F, Twenty-seventh Illinois Regiment. His war rec- ord is very full, having taken part in some of the most decisive battles. He was a partici- pant in the battle of Belmont, Mo., also at Island No. 10, Stone River, Mission Ridge, at the siege of Corinth, Chickamauga, Rocky River Ridge Resaca, Adamsville, Dallas, Mud Creek, Kenasaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creck and Atlanta. A mere recapitulation of these battles to the mind of the youth of to-day conveys comparatively little, but to the veteran each one brings up a picture that is indelibly stamped upon the mind. True, a picture of bloodshed and tragedy, but with occasional gleams of human kindness and even of sentiment and wit.
At the battle of Missionary Ridge our subject had his right ear shot off and at the same engage- ment his brother John received his death wound while standing at his side. His body was brought to Shipman Township, and interred by his griev- ing parents and friends. Mr. Richardson served three years and was mustered out of the service at Springfield. Ill. A man who has lived through such an experience as our subject is ages older than one who has passed his life in undisturbed peace of civil life. He of whom we write loves to recount his military experience and being an inter- esting talker finds charmed listeners in the youth that can only imagine the terrors of war. After
his discharge from the army he engaged again in agricultural pursuits. Originally a Republican, of late the pure principles of Prohibition have ap- pealed to him so strongly that he has east the weight of his vote with them. Mr. Richardson has served as School Trustee for some time. Socially, he is a member of Buford Post, No. 246, of the G. A. R. and is also a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association.
HARLES EDWARD SMITH, M. D., one of the best known and most prosperous physi- eians of Palmyra, first saw the light in Cats- kill, N. Y. His father, the Rev. Carlos Smith, was born in New Hampshire, and in turn was the son of a clergyman, the Rev. Ethan Smith, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Thetford, Vt. Here he had charge of the church for many years. The father of our subject was educated at Union Col- lege Schenectady, N. Y. His first charge was at Manlius. N. Y., from which point he went to Ohio in 1836, and became the pastor of a church at Ak- ron, with whom he remained in harmonious and helpful relations for many years. His death oe- curred there in 1877, when he had reached the ad- vanced age of seventy-six years. Ilis loss was deeply felt in the community where he had spent so many years of his ministry, and many of his spiritual children followed him in sorrow to the grave. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Susan Saxon. She was a native of Hanover, N. H., and was a true helpmate to her husband in his long life of usefulness. She also passed away in Akron, Ohio, being taken from her home by death in 1889.
'The son Charles, of whom we write, received his early education and training in Ohio. In 1849 he went to Mississippi and there engaged in teach. ing, putting in all his spare time in the meanwhile in the study of medicine. He continued thus teach- ing and studying in Mississippi until the year 1854, and after a short visit to his home in Ohio he came to Macoupin County, and locating at Cummington at that time a village, now a part of Palmyra, there
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established his practice. He remained there until 1857, and then made his home in Nilwood where he practiced medicine for twenty years. For some years past he has lived in Palmyra and has there built up a large and lucrative practice.
The maiden name of the wife of our subject was Jane Gardner. Her native home was Lexington, Ky., and she remained with her husband and chil- dren until March, 1885, when she was taken away from their side by death at Palmyra. Of the three children of this family, Susan is now Mrs. Samuel (Lee) Smith; May is Mrs. John O'Connor and Gertie is at home. Dr. Smith has been since 1851 a member of the Masonic fraternity and he is a member of the Macoupin County Medical So- ciety.
NDREW CRANDAL, of the firm of An- drews & Crandal, extensive lumber dealers of Bunker Hill, claims Ohio as the State of his nativity. The date of his birth is JJan- uary 23, 1842, and the place, near Cleveland, Lor- ain County. His father, George Crandal, also a native of Ohio was reared in Lorain County, where he learned and followed the trade of a me- chanic. After becoming of age he married Miss Roena Squier, who was born and reared in the same county. Two children were there born unto them, our subject and Ira, and when the former was thir- teen years of age, the little family removed to La Grange County, Ind., where about four years were spent when they returned to Huron County, Ohio. One year was there spent and they went to Rich- land County, where the succeeding seven years of their lives were passed. The next home of the family was in Missouri, but after a year we find them located in Montgomery County, Ill., whence they removed to Lincoln, this State, where the father followed the mechanic's trade until his death, which occurred in 1875, at the age of fifty. eight years. In religious belief he was a Metho- list and in political sentiment, a Republican. His wife, who still survives him, now makes her home with her son Ira, in Denver, Col., at the age of sixty-eight years. She too is a member of the
Methodist Church and a lady of many excellencies of character.
The days of the boyhood and youth of our sub- ject were spent in various localities, he removing with his parents to their several places of residence. He was living in Hillsboro when he became of age. He had hardly attained his majority, when on the 20th of September. 1861, he enlisted for the late war as a member of Company H, Ninth Illinois In- fantry, under Capt. Armstrong and Col. Mercer. The regiment was assigned to the Seventh Brigade of the Army of the Cumberland, and he partici- pated in a number of engagements and skirmishes. After serving for fourteen months and five days he was honorably discharged at St. Louis and returned to his father's home.
In 1865, Mr. Crandal was united in marriage with Miss Mary Paulhamus, the union being cele- brated in Lawrence, Henry County. The lady was born in Richland County, Ohio, March 2, 1838, and with her parents removed to Princeton, Bureau County, Ill. Her father died in Indiana while on his way to this State, being then in the prime of life. The widowed mother with her children con- tinned her journey and settling in Princeton, there made her home for some years. Subsequently she removed to Sharon, Wis., where she died at a ripe old age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crandal have been born three children, two yet living. The elder, Fred, who graduated from the Bunker Hill city schools, and in 1888 was graduated from the East- man Business College of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which his father had graduated in February, 1864, is now acting as salesman for the firm of Andrews & Crandal. Ira is now attending school, and Kittię died in childhood.
After his marriage, Mr. Crandal took up his residence in Lincoln, Ill., where he made his home for seventeen years and engaged in business as a contractor and builder. He came to this county from lola, Allen County, Kan., whither he went ia 1880, there spending a year. In 1881, he arrived in Bunker Hill, where he soon engaged in the lum- ber business and subsequently he was manager of the business of the lumber firm of MeDaniels & Crandal of Gillespie for eighteen months. In 1884 a partnership was formed between the members of
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the firm of Andrews & Crandal and they have since carried on an extensive business. They deal in lumber, both dressed and plain and all other build- ing materials. Mr. Crandal has entire management of the business, which under his able charge is as- suming large proportions. He is an enterprising, wide-awake and thrifty business man, and by all with whom he is brought in contaet, whether in public or private life he is held in high regard. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Lincoln, and of Bunker Ilill Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M., of Bunker Ilill. He has filled all the chairs in the latter or- ganization. His wife holds membership in the Methodist Church.
C HARLES POHLMANN, a self-made man and an enterprising farmer and stock raiser of Cahokia Township, residing on section 7, was born in Barrendorf, Germany, May 19, 1848, and is a son of William Pohlmann, a German farmer who lived and died in the town where our subject was born. lle married Miss Nettie Grote, a native of the same locality who survived her husband some years and was a second time married becoming the wife of Henry Hartwig, who is also now deceased.
Charles is the youngest of a family of six child- ren, five sons and a daughter, born to William and Nettie Pohlmann, of whom three came to the United States. Ile and his brother William. a resident of Bollinger County, Mo., are all that are now living. Charles remained under the parental roof until 1857, when, having determined to try his fortnne in America, he took passage on a sail- ing vessel, the "Edmond." commanded by Capt. Wayman which left the German port on the 17th of October. For seven weeks and four days he was upon the bosom of the Atlantic. The voyage was an unusually pleasant and smooth one and he safely arrived at New Orleans, from whence he made his way up the Mississippi River, joining his brother Christ in Missouri. Christ was the first of the family to come to America and he is now de
ceased. Mr. Pohlmann had no capital with which to begin life in the new world except a young man's bright hope of the future, and an abundance of vitality and energy. Ilis fortune he has carved out for himself and the property which he now possesses ranks him among the substantial farmers of this community. He resided in Missouri until the breaking out of the late war when he gave evidence of his loyalty to his adopted country by enlisting in June, 1861, as a member of Com- pany B., Second Missouri Infantry, under Capt. Christ Burkhardt and Col. Schafer. The regiment was sent at once to the front and parti- eipated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Ark. and Cape Girardeau, Mo. About this time, Mr. Pohlmann was stricken with rheumatism and sent to the hospital. He then received a ninety days' fur- longh which was extended sixty days and finally he received his discharge on account of disability in October, 1862.
The following year, having partially recovered his health, Mr. Pohlmann removed to Madison County. Ill., and from thence came to Macoupin County where he has made his home since 1863. For a few years he worked as a farm hand until he had acquired enough capital to purchase land. In 1867 he bought a small farm in Cahokia Township, which he made his home until 1888, when he bought a highly improved farm of one hundred and forty acres on section 7-his present home.
Since coming to Macoupin County, Mr. Pohl- mann was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Duncan, a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, born in 1849. Her father, Patrick Duncan, died in that county when she was about a year old and by her mother she was carefully and tenderly reared. Mrs. Duncan was a second time married and died in her native land when well advanced in life. She and both of her husbands were members of the Roman Catholic Church. When a maiden of sixteen summers, Mrs. Pohlmann started alone for America, and in the autumn of 1864, sailed from Queenstown, England, to New York City, whence she came to Macoupin County, Ill., joining her brothers, John and Timothy Duncan who some years before had taken up their resi- dence in this community. The union of our sub-
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jeet and his wife has been blessed with four child- ren-William F., Charles, Elizabeth A. and Mary E. The mother and child adhere to the faith of the Catholic Church and Mr. Pohlmann and his sons are Democrats.
ENRY SCHWERTFEGER. The name that heads this sketch is that of one of the pro- gressive, go-ahead, German- American far- mers who has come to this country to make his fortune and to bring up his family under the principles of freedom and brotherhood with all. Ile is a general farmer and stock-raiser, his place being located on section 3, of MIt. Olive Township. He also owns a farm of one hundred and ten aeres on seetion 10, which is well improved. He is pro- prietor, besides, of forty acres in another part of the same township, located on section 4. This last is a fine piece of timber land.
Since 1873 the farm whereon he at present re- sides has been his home. He has lived in this township since he was four years of age. The original of this sketch was born in Hanover, Ger- many, August 10, 1847, and he was four years of age when his parents, Conrad and Elinore (Funke ) Schwertfeger, came to the United States, taking their departure from their native land at Bremen and making the voyage hither in a sailing- vessel. They landed at New Orleans in the fall of 1851, and thence proceeded up the river to St. Louis, Mo., and a few months later came to this township and county; they located at once upon a farm in what is now Mt. Olive Township.
Our subject's father bent his energies to im- proving the place and at the time of his death, in 1883, it was in a good state of cultivation. Ile passed away from this life when sixty-two years of age, deeply mourned by his family and friends. His wife still lives on the old farm, having attained the age of sixty-six years. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, as was her husband.
The original of this sketch was the first child born to his parents and is the only son, having ten sisters, five of whom are living, When he had
arrived at years of manhood. he was attracted to Miss America Schoen, who was born in Madison County, Ill., in 1856, her natal day being March 6. Their marriage took place in Mt. Olive Township. The lady was only three years of age when her par- ents came to this county and settled upon a farm about one mile south of Mt. Olive village. They are still living upon their well-improved farm and have attained a good old age. The father, John B. Schoen, is now seventy one years old and his wife, Antege ( Arkebaner) Schoen, is now three- score and seven years of age. They are both mein - bers of the Lutheran Church.
Our subject's wife was reared in this township and lived with her father until her marriage. She is the mother of eleven children, four of whom are deceased, having passed away while very young. The living children are: Conrad, Brunka, Sophia William, Antege, Elenor and Anna. They are all useful and intelligent members of society.
C HARLES FRANCIS, one of the early set- tłers of the county of 1818, and a promin- ent farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 23, Gillespie Township, is a native of the Emerald Isle. Ile was born in County Wexford on the 2d of February, 1823 and come of Scotch- Irish ancestry of the Protestant faith. His family was prominently connected with the religious troubles of that country. His father, Thomas Francis and his grandfather, Charles Francis, were both natives of County Wexford. The latter lived on a farm which had been purchased by his father, a Scotch emigrant, who had fled into Ireland at the time of the religious persecution when under the reign of Queen Anne, the Protestants were so terri- hly treated. Thomas Francis also succeeded to the old homestead and there spent the remainder of his life, dying at middle age. He married Miss Ros- anna Scott who was also born and reared in County Wexford, where her parents, George and Rosanna Scott, passed their entire lives. Their ancestry bad also sought refuge in Ireland from
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persecution for their opposition to the Catholics. Their places were burned, their homes pilfered. After the death of Thomas Francis, his widow with her four sons and two daughters, took pass- age on the sailing vessel, the "Old Messenger," and after six weeks landed at Quebec, Canada, contin- uing their journey by lakes, canal and river to Alton and on by team until they arrived in Gill- espie. About a year later the mother died. She was a high-minded, noble woman, who with a loving fidelity eared for ber children and lived a consistent life in harmony with her professions as a member of the Episcopal Church.
Upon our subject and his brothers, after the mother's death, devolved the care and support of the younger children. They worked by the month as farm hands to secure the money by which they might educate them and secure them comfortable homes, laboring with a faithfulness and consecra- tion of purpose seldom witnessed in one so young. By industry and economy Charles Francis was at length able, when about twenty-three years of age, to purchase a small farm and begin life on his own account. Some time afterward, he secured a tract of wild land and began the development of what is now his present fine farm. Since then, prosper- ity has attended his efforts and his labors have been crowned with success. lle owns three hund- red and twenty acres of highly cultivated land, pleasantly situated within a mile of Gillespie. where are good buildings and all the improvements necessary to the model farm. His fine, substantial and commodious residence is surrounded by a grove of beautiful trees of his own planting, which throw their delightful shade over the lawn and protect the home from the summer's sun.
Mr. Francis was united in marriage with Miss Pauline Temple, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio. May 16, 1820. She proved a true helpinate to her husband, aiding and encouraging him in his labors and keeping home pleasant that it might be to him a welcome spot, when he should return wearied with the toils of the day. She also figured promi- nently in social circles, being an intelligent and cultured lady. She was educated in Oberlin, Ohio and after completing the course of study in the
college, engaged for a time in teaching. She then came West to friends in Maconpin County, Ills. and again taught school until her marriage. Iler death occurred June 24, 1887 and was mourned by all who knew her. She was a member of the Epis- copal Church and lived a consistent Christian life. She was a friend to the poor and needy, a great church worker and many have reason to bless her for her kindness to them and her timely assistance in their hours of distress or need. Two children were left to mourn the loss of a loving mother and share with the husband in his great bereavement. Rosanna, the elder, is now the wife of Emmett Rice, who owns and operates a good farm near the Francis homestead; Thomas R., who wedded Emma Frees, is engaged in the butchering business in Fredericktown, Mo .; one child also died in infancy.
Mr. Francis is a member of the Episcopal Church, an active worker in its interests and con- tributes liberally to its support. Ile is a charter member of the Masonic lodge of Gillespie in which he has filled all the chairs and in polities, he and his son are Demoerats. lle is now living a retired life, having by industry and enterprise in former years acquired a competence sufficient to keep him through the remainder of his days without his again resorting to work in order to supply his wants. Blessed in basket and store and surround- ed by many friends, he has everything to make his declining years the happiest of his life. Those who know him respect him for his sterling worth and integrity and no one is more worthy of a re- presentation in this volume than Charles Francis.
M ARTIN DICKERSON, a native of Ken- tucky, which is known for its highty culti- vated farms located on undulating ground where the sun yellows the wheat as it slants upon the hills, and having' virgin forests that are comparable with nothing in this country. He early learned the comforts of the old Colonial homes with their wide southern balls and open piazzas, located on some eminence that commands a broad
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perspective of field, river and forest. We are ever struggling to come up to our ideals and our ideals are only a shade better or more beautiful than the best that we have seen or know. Thus the reali - zation of Mr. Dickerson's home is only a modified copy of the beautiful Colonial places abounding in his native State,
Our subject, a son of the late Lewis Dicker- man was a native of Virginia. His mother was Catherine ( Rice) Dickerson. She also was born in Virginia. After the marriage of Lewis Dickerson he with his wife removed to JJessamine County, Ky., where he died. After his death the mother removed to this county and settled uear Carlinville; she died al, the residence of her son Martin, in Girard Town- ship. Of a family of seven children the original of our sketch was the fifth, he was born in Jessamine County, Ky., March 5, 1816, and came to Macoupin County with his mother when he was a young man.
Mr. Diekerson was married in Girard Town. ship. December 20, 1841, to Miss Mahala Harlan. a daughter of Mathew Ilarlan. She was born in Christian County, Ky .; her mother was Mary (Rob- erts) Harlan, a native of North Carolina They removed from t'odd County. Ky., to Sangamon County, Ill., but lived there only two years, and then changed their abode to Macoupin County. settling in Girard Township where the wife died. The father died in Brushy Mound Township. Mrs. Diekerson was one of the oldest in a family of nine children. She was born in Christian County, Ky., December 13. 1815.
When Martin Dickerson was married he with his bride settled in what is now Shaw's Point Town- ship. They lived there five or six years and then removed to Girard Township. In 1866 they settled on section 2, Nilwood Township, where Martin Dickerson, our subject, died January 3, 1877. Our subject and his wife were the parents of nine child- ren, four of whom are living: George W., Mary C., Edward H., and Thomas R. George W. married Clara Clayton and resides in Nebraska. They have two bright children who are named respectively, Mabel and Minnie. Mary C. is the wife of George Beck. She is the mother of one son, Jesse M. Thomas R. now resides at home and operates the farm. The youngest son, Edmund H,, married Ida
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