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 66
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himself from the small amount and at the termina- tion of his apprenticeship was square with the world.
Mr. Woodward at onee began work as a jour- neyman and in 1856 came to Carlinville where for five years he labored thus. In the meantime he had been industrious and economical and had paid for a comfortable home. In 1861 he mortgaged the property and with the proceeds purchased a stock of hardware and embarked in business. Close attention to the business and prudence in all its details resulted in success, and from year to year Mr. Woodward has seen his financial condi- tion improve.
The marriage of Mr. Woodward and Elizabeth B. Trumbull took place January 8, 1853. The bride was born in Griggsville, Pike County, and is a daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Bickford) Trumbull, pioneers of that place and natives of Massachusetts. To Mr. and Mis. Woodward six children have come, who are named respectively. Mary A , Nellie May and Charles T. Lora, May and Kattie are deceased. The eldest daughter, Mary A , is the wife of Edwin C. Barber, who is connected with Mr. Woodward in the hardware company; Nellie married J. W. O'Brien, and Chartes is associated with his father in business.
Mr. Woodward exercises the elective franchise in favor of candidates on the Democratic ticket. He belongs to Carlinville Lodge, I. O. O. F. Public life has no charms for him, but he has been a member of the Common Council, yielding to the wishes of his neighbors. Ile and his estimable wife are well respected, and in business circles Mr. Woodward has high standing.
AMES MORRISON, a resident of Virden, was formerly for many years actively en- gaged in business as a wide-awake, practical farmer, and so successful was he in carrying on his operations he acquired a good amount of property, and in due time retired to his present home, that he might enjoy his wealth at his leisure, free from the cares and labors that beset his early life.
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Mr. Morrison was born in Chester County, Pa., near the town of Kimballville, May 8. 1811. Ilis father was Alexander Morrison, and he was also a native of that county, while his father, James Mor- rison, was of Irish birth. He came to America with his family in Colonial times, and settled in Pennsylvania. lle offered his services to his adopted country during the Revolution, and fought bravely in the ranks of the Continental Army. Ile was a farmer by occupation, and carried on agri- culture in Chester County, Pa., where he died at a ripe age.
The father of our suhjcet grew to manhood in his native State, and continued to reside there un- til 1816, when he removed to Ohio with his wife and three children, going thither with teams, taking household goods along cooking and camping by the way whenever it was deemed expedient. He at first took up his residence in the forest, wilds of Jefferson County, but in 1828 he went to Seneca County, and cast in his lot with its pioneers, buy- ing a tract of timber land three miles from Tiffin on which to build up a new home. He erected a log cabin to shelter his family, and actively entered upon the task of clearing a farm, At that time timber was of but little value, and large logs that would now bring a good price were rolled together and burned to get rid of them. 'There were no rail- ways for some years after the Morrisons moved to that part of the country, and Sandusky City, forty miles distant from their home, was the principal market and depot for supplies. Deer, wild turkeys and other kinds of game offered the settlers a plea- sing variation from their usual fare.
Mr. Morrison in time developed a choice farm, on which he lived until his death in 1847. His widow survived him until 1852, when she too passed away, dying on the home farm in Seneca County, Ohio. In her maiden days her name was Mary Beadle. She was born in Chester County, Pa. Her parents were natives respectively of Wales and Pennsylvania.
Our subject is one of a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. Ile was about five years old when his parents removed to Ohio, and he was reared under pioneer influences. His education was obtained in the primitive schools of
Jefferson and Seneca counties, which were taught on the subscription plan, each family paying ac- cording to the number of scholars sent, Log cabins were used as school-houses; the seats were made of puncheon; a log was taken out from the wall and greased paper pasted over the hole thus made admitted the light, while a huge fire-place served to heat the building. Our subject's life was much like that of other farmer's boys at that period, and as soon as large enough he was taught to make himself useful on the farm. In his youth all grain was eut by a sickle until the invention of the cradle, which was considered a great improve- ment.
Mr. Morrison continued to live with his parents until his marriage, when he rented land for some years. In 1854 he came to this State, and entered three hundred and twenty acres of Government land in Harvel Township, Montgomery County, upon which he immediately erected a dwelling and other suitable buildings. The surrounding country was then but little improved, and his as- sistance in developing the agricultural resources of that region was invaluable. He fenced his entire tract of land, and from time to time bought other land until he had a large farm, upon which he bad placed many substantial improvements ere he sold it in 1866. After disposing of that property at a good price he purchased other land in the same county, and was very much prospered in his under- takings, so much so that in 1885 he was enabled to abandon active labor, as he was in possession of a handsome competence, and since that time he has lived.in retirement at Virden, having first sold his land in Montgomery County for a round sum of money.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Rachel L. Evans, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Walter and Nellie (Cross) Evans, was solemnized February 22, 1832. It was fraught with much happiness to both husband and wife, and they lived together mutually helping each other to bear sor- row when it came to them, and sharing such joys as fell to their lot, for nearly thirty-eight years, when death parted them Jannary 17, 1870, by call- ing the devoted wife to that dreamless sleep that knows no waking this side of the grave. Fourteen
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children were born of that union, of whom nine grew to maturity, namely, Walter A., James HI., Mary E., Caroline, Laura, Melissa, Rachel E., Theodore and William Sidney.
Mr. Morrison's cheerful disposition, kindly thoughtfulness for others, and excellent qualities of head and heart have gained him a warm place in the hearts of his neighbors and other friends. In his course as a farmer he displayed those traits of perseverance, foresight and business tact that are necessary to carry on any calling so as to obtain success. Ile has always fulfilled the duties of citizenship intelligently and loyally. In politics, he is closely identified with the Republicans. Dur- ing his residence in Pitman Township, he was oc- casionally called to hold important offices, and he did good service as Collector and Assessor, and also as a member of the District School Board. Ile was appointed Postmaster of Herndon during James Buchanau's administration which office he retained for twelve or fifteen years.
R OBERT B. SHIRLEY, a lawyer of good repute located in Carlinville, has been act- ively engaged in the practice of his profes- sion since 1878. As he has been located in Carlinville since that time, his name is well known here, and the number of clients who visit his office will compare favorably with that which call upon any lawyer in the county. Ile is well grounded in the principles of law and equity, has a fine knowl- edge of the precedents established in the courts, and the ability to present causes in such a manner as 10 impress the facts upon his hearers. The reader is referred to another page for items regarding bis parents-the llon. William C. and Mary J. Shirley.
The birthplace of Mr. Shirley was a farm on Silver Creek in Madison County, and his natal day October 9, 1850. He is the oldest living son of his parents, and was but an infant when they came to this county. He was reared on a farm and acquired an education by attending the district and other schools whenever it was possible. In the
intervals of study he was kept busy on the farm, and grew to a vigorous manhood both physically and mentally.
When twenty-two years old Mr. Shirley began the study of his chosen profession in the office of Judge William R. Welch, and in July, 1876, he passed the requisite examination and was admitted to the bar. After a brief interval he formed a partnership with S. T. Corn and the two gentlemen carried on their legal work together until 1886, when Mr. Corn was appointed Territorial Judge of Wyoming by President Cleveland and removed thither. Since that time Mr. Shirley has practiced alone. Ilis foriner partner has remained in the Northwest and now makes his home in Evanston, Wyo.
Mr. Shirley's wife was Miss Etta W. Burton, only living daughter of Henry W. and Laura Bur- ton, of whoin further mention is made in the biog- raphy of Frank W. Burton. The marriage rites were solemnized October 16, 1879. Mr. Shirley belongs to Staunton Lodge, No. 177, F. & A. M., and St. Omar Commandery, No. 30. K. T., of Liteli- field. Ile is a Democrat and his first Presidential ballot was for Horace Greeley. His legal reputa- tion is indicated by the fact that he has been City Attorney three terms and Master in Chancery one term. He was one of the original stock-holders in the Carlinville National Bank and at the organiza- tion in May, 1890, was elected Director.
G EORGE L. BROWN, residing on seetion 30, Carlinville Township, who is one of the representative men of Macoupin County, was born in Berkshire County, Mass. His early youth and manhood were spent in Massachusetts, New York and Virginia till 1852, when he came West and settled in Morgan and Scott Counties, Ill., where for a period of several years he was suc- cessfully engaged in mercantile pursuits. In Jan- uary, 1863, he entered the service of the Govern- ment and for three years was Paymaster in the army. In 1871 he settled in Carlinville, Ill., where he made extensive and valuable improve-
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY (. . . !!!
1
Nous freely Amon Stanley Carter
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ments, not only in the city but in the country adjacent and is the owner of valuable city and country property.
Ilis first marriage took place in Litchfield County, Conn., to Miss Mary L. Couch, a native of that county. Three children were born to them, two sous and one daughter, who were graduates of Blackburn University. Howard S., the eldest, was married to Miss Dora M. Bettersworth, daughter of Dr. Bettersworth, of Carlinville, was formerly en- gaged in the land and loan business. Ile died July 8, 1890; Charles W., the second son, who is a law- yer in Rapid City, S. Dak., married Miss Adella Gore, daughter of Hon. David Gore, of Carlinville. Caroline I. is the wife of John H. Robinson, of Pu- eblo, Col. Mrs. Mary L. Brown, who was greatly esteemed for her many lovable qualities of mind and heart, gently passed to her everlasting rest at El Paso, Tex., February 6, 1889. Ilis present wife was formerly Mrs. E. M. Whittaker, widow of the late Dr. Whittaker, of New Jersey.
Mr. Brown is a believer in Republican principles and formerly has taken an active part in political affairs. He is also a believer in the doctrines of Christianity and is a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has filled some of the important offices.
In the home of our subject one can well note the air of culture and refinement which there exists. Macoupin County can boast of many excellent men and Mr. Brown takes high rank with those whose memories should be perpetuated and kept green.
MON S. CARTER, Postmaster of Hornsby and a general merchant at ('lyde Station, is one of the prominent and influential citizens of Cahokia Township. Ile claims New York as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Leyden, Lewis County, Novem- her 24, 1840, and he is the eldest of six children, whose parents were Loyal W. and Lucy ( Rose) Carter. The father was a native of Berlin, Conn., and belongs to an old family of the Nutmeg State, of New England ancestry. The mother came of
an old respected family of Middlebury, Vt. After their marriage they located in Leyden, living on a farm in that locality until 1849, when they removed to Batavia, N. Y., and spent the remainder of their lives at that place; there the father died at the age of seventy-three years. They were leading and respected people of the community, were members of the Presbyterian Church and in political senti- ment Mr. Carter was a Republican.
Our subject spent his early life in the State of his nativity and was educated in the common schools. While still single he emigrated Westward, taking up his residence at Clyde, and at Kinder- hook, Pike County, he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Churchill, a native of that place, born February 10, 1846. Her parents, Melvin and Sarah ( Hornor) Churchill, were natives of New York and Ohio respectively. Their marriage was celebrated in Pike County, Ill., where Mr. Church- ill had located at the age of sixteen years, emigrat- ing Westward with his father, who was one of the first settlers of the county and laid out the town of Kinderhook. He became an extensive landowner, acquired considerable wealth and was a man of prominence and celebrity in that part of the State. He died at the age of forty-five years and his wife passed away March 19, 1888, at the age of sixty- six.
Mrs. Carter remained at home with her parents until her marriage. She received excellent educa- tional advantages, was for some time a student in the female college of Batavia, N. Y., and prior to her marriage successfully engaged in teaching. She figures prominently in social circles and the home over which she presides with so much grace is the abode of hospitality. Both Mr. and Mrs. Carter are members of the Methodist C'hnrch and are active workers in the Master's vineyard. Five children have been born unto them but two are now deceased-Nellie May aud Nellie Maude. Leo M. is now assisting his father in the store and Harold S. and Cleon C. are at home. Mr. Carter has held the position of Postmaster of Hornsby since 1871, with the exception of one year dur - ing President Cleveland's administration. In pol- ities he is a sound Republican, who warmly advo- cates the party principles and does all in his power
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for its success. In 1874 he embarked in general merchandising and now has a good store, carrying a full line of groceries and dry goods. From the beginning his trade has constantly inereased and owing to his earnest desire to please his customers, his genial manner and his fair dealing, he has won a liberal patronage of which he is well deserving.
The attention of the reader is directed to a lith- ographic portrait of Mr. Carter, presented in this connection.
M RS. REBECCA VARBLE is a Southerner by birth, and education. Her father was Isaac Irwin who was a native of North Carolina. Her mother was Rachel (Glas- cock) Irwin, also a native of the same State. After their marriage they settled in their native State for a time and then emigrated to Illinois, first settling in Greene County, where they died. A large fam- ily of children had come to gladden their last days; they were ten in number of whom Mrs. Varble was the eldest. She was born in North Carolina, De- cember 6, 1823 and was only about eight years old when her parents came to Greene County. Mrs. Varble remained under the home roof until she had reached womanhood, and was married from the home of her father, December 3, 1846, to Philip Varble. Her husband's father was John Varble, a native of Kentucky as was also her mother, Saralı Admire Varble. They came here from Kentucky and settled in Greene County, at an early day. The father died in Montgomery County and the mother in Greene County. The husband of our subject, Philip Varble, was born near Lonisville, Ky., June 14, 1821; while yet a boy he emigrated with his parents to Greene County, where he met the lady to whom he was afterward married.
The young couple continued to live in the place where they first settled for nineteen years when they came to Macoupin County, in the year 1865, and settled in Nilwood Township. He was a farmer by bringing up and choice, and at the time of his death he owned a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which be placed valuable im-
provements. His death took place December 18, 1884, and caused a void in the family which will always be felt, both by the widow and their chil- dren.
Mr. Varble was liberal in his religious views and was a generons supporter of the Methodist Church. Our subject is the mother of eleven children. They are: Harriet, James F., Sarah E., Emily, Laura, Eliza, Mattie, Lucy, Ida, Katie and Thomas P. The eldest daughter is the wife of George Corry; James F. took to wife Mary Murphy; Emily died when about twenty-one years of age; Laura is the wife of Christ Remling; Eliza, is the wife of George Long; Mattie became the wife of Joseph T. Bay- less; Lucy is the wife of Jolin Dorsey and Ida is the wife of Frank Plummer. Mrs. Varble is a member of the Christian Church and in her daily life she is an exemplary example of the teachings of the Golden Rule, her delight being to do for others.
AMES W. DROKE was a farmer who set- tled in Maconpin County in 1855, and who resided there continuously until 1888. He was a native of Sullivan County, Tenn., and a son of William and Tabitha Droke. The family came to Illinois in 1855, and the father died in this county about 1882, and the mother subse- quently died in McPherson, Kan., in 1888.
The early years of our subject were passed upon the farm, and here he arrived at early manhood. In 1857 he married Abigail R., a daughter of Wesley and Susan (Range) Butler, natives of Tennessee, in which State Abigail was born November 25, 1833. The family came to Illinois in 1842, and settled on a farm near Scottville, where the mother died, leaving six children. The father married a second time and there were three children by this mar- riage.
When our subject and his young wife began life for themselves they set up housekeeping near Scottville, but in 1861 they removed to a farm near Carlinville. The Civil War now broke out and Mr. Droke, like other young men, felt the call of duty to go to the help of his country. He
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enlisted in 1862, and was mustered into serviee in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illi- nois Infantry. During his three years' service he was neither wounded nor taken prisoner and at the close of the war he was enabled to resume his usual avocations. In 1866 he settled on section 1, Western Mound Township, where he purchased two hundred and five acres and subsequently added one hundred and sixty more.
Six of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Droke are now living, namely: Jannie, Mrs. Al- baugh; Martha A., who married Carman Gavett, and who died in 1889; Elizabeth E., Mrs. Thomas Dawson; Susan Ida; John E .; and Noralı I., Mrs. Dawson. Politically Mr. Droke was a Republican but was not a politician in the ordinary sense of the word. He was ever ready to serve his fellow- citizens and aeted upon the School Board for sev eral years. He was also a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he gave considerable time for thirty years.
The war record of our subject is as follows. Ile was enrolled August 13, 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Infantry, and discharged July 15, 1865, at Mobile, Ala., in com- pliance with general orders Nos. 64 and 94 from the War Department, bearing date May 15, 1865. He took part in the battles of Parker's Cross Roads December 21, 1862, and at Tupelo Decem- ber 15 to 16, 1864. Mrs. Droke still resides on the homestead and is universally respected and esteemed by her neighbors.
OHN D. SCHROEDER, who is numbered among the early settlers of Maeoupin County of the year 1854, is now engaged in gen- eral farming on section 7, Dorchester Town- ship, where he owns a good farm of eighty acres. Ile elaims Germany as the land of his nativity, having been born in the Province of Ilanover, September 24, 1830. There were but two children in the family, himself and a brother, Henry, who died in Germany. The parents, J. Adam and Dora (Temka) Schroeder, were also natives of the same
Province. The father died in the prime of life, after which the mother was again married, beeom- ing the wife of lIenry Neimeier. They resided in Hanover on a farm until her death, which oceurred at the age of fifty-five years, after which Mr. Neimeier crossed the Atlantic to America and died at the home of his son Fred, in Gillespie Township, this county, in 1888, at the age of seventy-one years. The parents of our subject and also Mr. Neimeier were members of the Luth- eran Church.
John D. Schroder, whose name heads this sketch, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native Province, where he remained until twenty- four years of age, when be determined to seek his fortune in America. Bidding good-by to home and native land, he took passage upon the vessel "Neptune," which sailed in the spring of 1854, from Bremen to New Orleans, where after a voy- age of forty days the vessel was anchored. Pro- eeeding up the river to Ss. Louis, he then made bis way to Macoupin County, and since then has lived within her borders. As he was without money, he began to work as a farm hand and served in that capacity for a time until lie rented land. By industry and economy he secured some eapital and at length purchased his present farm in 1876, which has been his home since 1881. As before stated, it comprises eighty acres of good land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved, being furnished with good build- ings and all the accessories of a model farm. The stock which he raises is also of excellent grades, and he is numbered among the leading and pro- gressive farmers of the community.
Mr. Schroeder has been twice married. In Bun- ker Ilill he was joined in wedlock with Miss Cath- erine Erich, who was born in Holstein, Germany, and in her maidenhood came alone to this country. She spent two years in Cleveland, Ohio, and came to Bunker Hill, where she was afterward married. She died in that city some twenty-eight years later, in the faith of the German Methodist Church, of which she had for some years been a member. Of the eight children born of her marriage four are now deceased-one who died in infancy ; William and Elizabeth, who died in childhood;
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and John F., who at his death left a wife and one child. Charles married Gusta Doehring and is an engineer in a coal mine in Mt. Olive, Ill .; Henry, who married Laura Doehring, is employed in the same capacity as his brother; Dora is the wile of Benjamin Pepper, who lives on a farm near Ohlman Station; and Anna, who is at home. For a second wife Mr. Schroeder wedded Eliza Hespe, a native of Hanover, who when a young lady ac- companied her brother Christopher to America and made her home in Bunker Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder are both members of the German Meth- odist Church and in politics he is a Democrat. For his integrity and sterling worth he is held in high regard in business circles and both rank high in the social world.
F REDERICK BUMANN, Mayor of Bunker Hill, has for many years been one of the prominent business men of that place, but bas now practically laid aside all business cares. One of the honored early settlers, he dates his resi- denee from 1849, covering a period of forty-two years. Of the many worthy citizens which Ger- many has furnished to Macoupin County, none are more deserving of a representation in this volume than he.
Mr. Bumann was born in Holstein, Germany, February 29, 1828, and is a son of Jorjan and Sophia M. (Castor) Bumann, both of whom were also natives of Holstein, where they spent their entire lives. Mr. Bumann was an overseer of a large farm when young, and later owned a small farm. He died in 1839, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife survived him some years, being called to her final rest at the age of seventy-four. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. After his father's death our subject remained with bis mother until 1844, when he left home to learn the trade of a mason and plasterer in the cities of Lichtenburg and Kiel, After a period of four years he determined to try his fortune in America, of which country he had heard such favorable reports. concerning its excellent advan-
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