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 74
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For a period of one year Mr. MeClure resided at Carrollton, and at the expiration of that time came to Macoupin County. Here he entered one lun- dred and twenty acres of land from the Govern- ment in Carlinville Township and became one of its active pioneers. He erected a double hewn log house on his place, and made his home there, his children improving the farm until after the death of his wife, which occurred in 1844. He then went to Washington, D. C., having received an appoint- ment from President Polk as clerk of the land office. He was reappointed to that position by President Taylor, and ably discharged its duties until his death in 1849. He was a man of marked ability and early became prominent in the affairs of Macoupin County. He was Assessor for the county in an early day, and visited every house within its bounds. lle also took the census in 1840. The maiden name of his wife was Frances Dickerson, and she was born in Jessamine County, Ky., a daughter of Martin and Rebecca Dickerson, She
reared a family of twelve children, six boys and six girls.
Our subject was fourteen years old when he ac- companied his parents to Illinois, and remembers well the incidents of that memorable journey and of pioneer life here. At that time deer, wild tur- keys and other game were plentiful, and roamed at will over the prairies. There were no railways for years, and Alton and St. Louis were the nearest markets. The settlers lived off the products of the farm and the mother of our subject used to clothe her children in cloth spun and woven hy her own hands. For some time Carrollton, Hillsboro and Alton were the nearest milling points.
Our subject assisted in the improvement of his father's farm, and after he attained manhood took charge of it and finally purchased it. He resided there the greater part of the time until 1883 and so prospered was he in his agricultural operations he was then enabled to retire from active business, and has ever since made his home at Carlinville, where he is still living surrounded by every com- fort that one could desire.
In 1856 Mr. McClure was united in marriage with Hellen Collins, and these five children have blessed their happy union-Charles and Frank (twins), Milton, James E. and Edmonia. Charles is a graduate of West Point and is now Judge Ad- vocate in the Western army ; his wife was formerly Miss Mae Walker. Frank is a hardware merchant and resides in Kane, Greene County; he mar- ried Miss Adella King; Milton is an attorney at Beardstown; he was a candidate of the Republican party for Congress in 1890. He married Miss Rose Orwig; James is a law student and Edmonia is a teacher.
Mr. MeClure is a man of strong mental calibre who has always used his influence in the right di- rection to promote the welfare of his community. He is pleasant in his intercourse with others, is upright and manly in his dealings, and is held in high esteem by all as a citizen and neighbor. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters, and when the free school system was or- ganized he was one of the first directors elected. In the education of his children he took special care, giving them every advantage, and has a fam-
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ily of which he may well be proud. Coming here when the county was little more than a wilderness he has not only witnessed the great changes that have taken place but has had a hand in its devel- opment into a rich and prosperous agricultural center.
h ERBERT II. DE BUHR, a successful dealer in wines and liquors, claims Germany as the land of his birth. He was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, on the 25th of July, 1850, and is a son of Heie and Anna (Slaughter) De Buhr, who spent their entire lives in Hanover. The father came of an old family who had lived there for many generations and its members mostly followed farming as a means of securing a liveli- hood. The parents of our subject became quite well off and owned a farm valued at more than $10,000. Mr. De Buhr, who was born May 8, 1813, died on the 8th of December, 1890, having sur- vived his wife about five years. She died at the age of sixty-five in the faith of the Lutheran Church, to which he also belonged. Their family numbered ten children, five sons and five daugh- ters, all of whom grew to manhood and woman- hood and were married, while nine still abide. Seven of the number came to this country and six of those are residents of Illinois. One of the sons served for three years in the late war and is now located in Christian County, Ill.
Herbert De Buhr, our subject, who is the sixth in order of birth, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native province and acquired a good education in the public schools, being thereby fitted for the practical duties of life. In the sum- mer of 1867, he secured his passage upon a sailing vessel which reached New York City after a voyage of five weeks from Bremen. He was then seventeen years of age and hence his entire business career has been enacted in this county. He came at once to Illinois, having since resided in Mt. Olive and vicinity. For seven years he worked as a farm hand and by industry and economy saved the money necessary to begin business on his own ac- count. He now owns one of the finest bars in the
city and his saloon, situated on the corner of Main and Poplar Streets, is a favorite with the public. He has carried on business in this line since 1878, and thereby has acquired all the property which he now possesses.
Mr. De Buhr has been twice married. In this county he wedded Miss Anteje Arkebauer, who was born and reared near Mt. Olive and died at her home in this villiage in the autumn of 1882, when only twenty-five years of age. At her death she left two children, Mary and Henry. Mr. De Buhr was again married in this locality, his second union being with Anna Thimes, who was born near her husband's childhood home in 1864, and when a young lady came to this country. Their union has been blessed with four children-William, John, Anna Amanda and Julia.
Mr. and Mrs. De Buhr are identified with the Lutheran Church and to its support contributes liberally. He has also been a generous contribu- ter to all enterprises calculated to upbuild or bene- rt the community and is regarded as one of the leading German citizens of Mt. Olive. In polities he is a Democrat but has never sought or desired public office.
ILLIAM HOUNSLEY. The fame of the Prairie State as a desirable home for Brit- ish subjects who were desiring to better their condition and transfer their families to the New World was early spread abroad in England. This led many valuable emigrants of the better sort to leave their homes in the British Isles and to seek the prairies of Illinois. Among these in- telligent and frugal emigrants we find the name of William Hounsley, our subject, who was born in Yorkshire, England. His father, William Houns- ley, Sr., and his mother, Ann Simpson, were worthy and intelligent natives of Yorkshire, where they lived and died. They had six children in their home, of whom our subject was the fourth.
The one of whom we write was born May 10, 1827, and grew to manhood in his father's home. He was mainly ocenpied with work upon a farm,
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but during the last few years of his stay in Eng- land he was employed in some of the seaport towns as a corn porter. In March, 1867, he came to the New World with his wife and one child, and made his way directly to the Eastern States and to this garden of the West. He found a home in Polk Township, this county, and here he lived for six years and industriously managed and worked a rented farm. After that he removed to South Palmyra Township and took a rented farm for seven years. By frugality and industry he had carefully husbanded his resources and was now able to purchase a home of his own. In March, 1881, he bought the farm where he now lives on section 1, of Bird Township.
This fine farm, which is now in a splendid state of cultivation and upon which Mr. Hounsley has erected an excellent set of farm buildings, eon- sists of nearly one hundred acres. Here he devotes himself intelligently and perseveringly to the in- terests of his farm, carrying on general farming and stock-raising. The great event of his life -- even more important and influential for good than his coming to America-was his marriage in IIull. England, to Miss Charlotte Proctor, a daughter of Thomas and Ann Proctor, both of Yorkshire, England. This lady was born in our subject's native town abut the year 1839.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hounsley have been given two sons, who have lived to cheer and bless their par- ents, and who are a credit to them and a benefit to the community in which they live. William H. was born in England, November 15, 1866, and came with his parents to this country. He is now a teacher. Thomas P. was born in Polk Township, this county, May 25, 1868. Mr. Hounsley is one of the Highway Commissioners of the township, and has taken an active part in the local affairs of the town in which he lives, and also an interest in the affairs of the county. In religious matters they have ever been alive and active and have worked in connection with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which they are members, and where he is a Class-Leader and Trustee. The maternal grandmother of our subject was Amelia Simpson, who lived to the advanced age of nine- ty-seven years, and who enjoyed the use of all her
faculties up to her latest days. She was much re- vered and respected and was affectionately known as Millie Simpson.
The father of our subject was a man of great devotion to his religious duties. Ilis death was caused by a shock he received while leading a horse which he had been driving. The horse took fright and he was thrown under the wheels of the cart, which passed over him. He was carried to Goole Hospital, in Yorkshire. Ile bad been fore- man many years in Whitgift Hall, but had resigned his position previous to his accident. The respect and esteem with which this family and especially Mrs. Hounsley is regarded as worthily bestowed.
ILLIAM M. CIIILES, one of the prosper- ous and thorough going farmers of Bird Township, makes his home on section 12. Ilis father was the late John G. Chiles, a native of Virginia, in which State his mother was also born. IIer maiden name was Elizabeth F. Wills. The family removed from Kentucky to this county in 1833 and settled on the line bet veen North and South Palmyra. Ilere they resided until 1845, and then removed to this township. They had ten children of whom our subject was the eighth in number. The father died in 1853, the mother in 1875. The father was a soldier of t' e War of 1812, and his father, James Chiles, was a Revolutionary soldier.
William Chiles was born in this : ounty June 2, 1834, and he has always resided near the old home- stead. He has been engaged largely in farming and stock-raising. In 1857 he began dealing ex- tensively in stock and is now one of the oldest shipper to the Chicago market, whilst at the same time he has carried on his general farming opera- tions. The buildings on his property are complete and commodious and are a credit to the township. Ile owns three hundred and thirty-five aeres of land, which be bas in a splendid state of eultiva- tion.
Mr. Chiles' first marriage took place January 6, 1859, in Greene County, with Miss Mary M. Brad-
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERA
yours truly f. m. mills
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ley, a native of that county. She became the mother of six children. George, who married Mat- tie Aulabough, and died in Nilwood Township in August, 1884; Robert E., who married Miss Ida Bird; Lillie E., the wife of George W. Denby ; William M., Jr., who married. Miss Ella Wade; Thomas W .. who married Miss Eva Adams, and Charles E. The mother of these children was an earnest and con- scientious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She died September 11, 1871.
The second marriage of our subject was solemnn- ized in Carlinville. The bride was Miss Christina D. Morse, a native of the State of Missouri. Five children have blessed this happy union, namely : Flora M., Walter, Frank S., Grace D., and one who died in infancy. In politics Mr. Chiles has ever been identified with the Republican party, but he has never been an office-seeker, although he has served his township in the office of Assessor. Both he and his excellent wife are faithful and efficient members of the Baptist Church, and the family is one which is highly esteemed by all who know them. Our subject's brother James was First Lieutenant of Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment and was in the last en- gagement of the Rebellion; his youngest brother. G. W. L. Chiles, died at Camp Butler; the eldest brother died at Palmyra, this county.
AMES M. MILLS. This gentleman is among the most public-spirited and enterprising citizens of North Palmyra Township and has a splendid farm with a fine set of build- ings upon section 10. Ilis father, James Mills, was born in New York, and his mother, Sarah Coonrod, a native of Virginia, came when a young woman to Morgan County, Ill., while the State was yet a Territory. Here she met James Mills and they were united in the bonds of matrimony. They died in what is now known as Scott County, Mr. Mills passing away in 1835, and his widow surviv- ing him until March 18, 1883. Six children re- sulted from this marriage, of whom our subject was the second.
James Mills was born in what is now Scott County, this State, October 18, 1827, and there he grew to manhood and chose a partner for life's joys and sorrows. He was married November 21, 1850, to Miss Julia A. Pierce, a daughter of Stephen and Edith ( Lowe) Pierce. He was a native of New York and Mrs. Pierce was a Missourian. Their daughter Julia was born in Morgan County, this State, July 25, 1832. Of her family of seventeen ebildren, six died in infancy. Those who lived to years of maturity are: James M. Jr., Stephen R., George W., Fannie, Eliza, Julia M., Charles A., Abram, John W., Sarah E., and Lewis C. Their mother died in North Palmyra. Township, October 18, 1882.
In North Palmyra Township, November 27, 1884, Mr. Mills was a second time married. His wife was Mrs. Louisa (Solomon) Yowell, a daughter of Lewis and Nancy (Fink) Solomon, and a widow of Henry II. Yowell. Mr. Yowell died June 15, 1864, leaving one child by this marriage, George M. Yowell. Mrs. Louisa Milis was born in North Palmyra Township, May 3, 1837. Her father, Lewis Solomon, was born April 1, 1812, in Ken- tucky, and died in North Palmyra Township, April 1, 1886, expiring upon his birthday. His wife Naney Fink was born in Lexington, Ky., February 22, 1818, and died September 18, 1863.
Mr. Mills was reared upon a farm, and agricul- ture and stock-raising have constituted the chief business of his life. Upon his farm he has erected a nice set of buildings and his land is well im- proved. He and his wife together are the owners of six hundred and forty acres of as good soil as can be found in Macoupin County. He is liberal in his religious views and in politics he adheres to the doctrines of the Republican party. His son, James M. Jr., married Sarah E. Crayne; Stephen R. married Minnie Rose; George W. took to wife Mary H. Waters; Fannie died August 31, 1880, when a young woman of twenty-four years; Eliza is the wife of Edmund Coots; Julia M. married Palmer Waters, and died March 28, 1884, when about twenty-five years old. Charlie A., married for his first wife Miss Etlie Waters, who died July 6, 1883. His present wife was before her marriage with him Mrs. Mary ( Willis) Arnett. Abram is
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married and resides in Boise City, Idaho. That this family has resided for so long a time in Macoupin County has proved an advantage in every way to their neighbors and to the prosperity of that sec- tion of country.
In connection with this biographical notice a lithographie portrait of Mr. Mills appears on an- other page.
B ENJAMIN F. SILSBY, a retired farmer re- siding at Carlinville, is a native of this State, coming of sturdy pioneer stock, his parents settling in Illinois in early times. Ile was born in Greene County September 5, 1830, the fifth child in the family of six children of Enos and Fannie (Baker) Silsby. They were natives of Vermont. In 1828 they came Westward and located in the wilds of Greene County. When our subject was about eight years old they removed to Jersey County, where the father carried on his occupation as a farmer and there the remainder of his life was passed, his death occurring January 21, 1842. The mother 'spent her closing years in Macoupin County, dying August 27, 1877.
The subject of this biographical review grew to manhood amid the pioneer scenes of Jersey County and was educated in the common schools. Ile early gained a sound practical knowledge of farm- ing and chose that calling as his life work, making it his chief vocation until retirement from active business. In 1860 he took up his residence in this county, locating in the western part of Chesterfield Township, near Summerville. He lived there until after his marriage in 1864, then he and his wife be- gan their wedded life on a farm in Bird Township, pleasantly situated four miles west of Carlinville. Mr. Silsby devoted his energies to the cultivation and improvement of his land, and in due time made of it a good farm. It is still in his posses- sion and from its rental he derives a good income. It comprises two hundred and eighty acres of choice land, and is amply provided with all the necessary buildings. So successful was our subject in the management of his affairs he was enabled to retire from agricultural pursuits with a comfortable
competence when yet scarcely past the meridian of life, removing from his farm to Carlinville, in the spring of 1881, where he has since resided.
To the wife who has been so important a factor in bringing about his prosperity Mr. Silsby was married June 8, 1864. Mrs. Silsby, whose maiden name was Rebecca Palmer, is of New England birth and antecedents. Vermont is her native State and she was born September 28, 1834. Her marriage with our subject has brought them three children, of whom Fannie O. is the only survivor. Edward F. died when three years of age, and Thirza died in infancy.
Our subject's character and life-record are such as to commend him to the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He is a sincere Christian, carrying his religion into his every-day life, and an active member of the church, and of all things that will in any way tend to elevate the status of the community. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, which he has served faith- fully as an Elder. In polities Mr. Silsby is a sound Republican. Ile has been Ilighway Commissioner and School Director, and in both capacities he worked zealously for the good of the township.
NDREW ALLEN. The English settlers in this country are apt to have a clannish tendency, and where you find one family you generally have not to look far for several others. There are many English farmers in Shipman Township, some of whom have retired from active or agricultural pursuits and are living in the enjoyment of village life. Our subject, Andrew Allen, is one of these.
Mr. Allen's father was William Allen who was born in Lancastershire, England. His mother was . Mary Goodyear, also of England. They emi- grated to America in 1819 and in 182I, they set- tled in Wilmington, Del., at which place the parents passed away from this life. Our subject was one of five children, he being the second in order of birth. His advent into this life of turmoil and labor was made in Lancastershire, England, March
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11, 1815. He was only six years of age when his parents settled in Delaware. He grew to man- hood in Wilmington, or in its immediate vicinity. While a boy he was employed in a cotton factory some three or four years and after that time he was reare:l on a farm.
Our subject's father purchased a cotton factory and Andrew soon learned to manage it so well that the entire charge of the institution was placed in his hand. It was located near Wilmington. He after took charge of the weaving department in the Franklin Mills. These mills were also located in Wilmington. Ile held that position for about five years at the end of which time he resigned, after which he went to Philadelphia, Pa., where he was engaged in the same business for about five years. He then returned to Wilmington acting in the same capacity for several years until he came West in 1858, induced by the flattering promises in stock-raising and agriculture. In the spring of the year above named he came to Illinois and was em- ployed for two years as a farm laborer. At the end of that time he purchased the farm in Shipman Township, where he settled and made his home for three years.
So thoroughly had Mr. Allen adopted the ideas and principles of his foster land that he was ready to fight for any of the principles that it held dear and on August 12, 1862. on the second call for volunteers for the Federal Army of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company H, of the Eighty-eiglith Illinois Infantry and served for three years. Ile participated in that time of trial with the brave Americans that held freedom dearer than life in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, and that of Nashville. In the battle of Stone River he was wounded in the spine and was never after able to do active service. He was transferred to the Second Battalion of the Veteran Reserve Corps and stood ready in time of emergency to give a blow for the right.
When the war was over Mr. Allen returned to Shipman Township, where with the exception of about two years when he lived in Missouri he has been a resident. Mr. Allen was married in Delaware to Mary Walker who was a native of that State. She bore him five children, only one of whom sur-
vives This is a daughter. Louisa who was the wife of Joseph R. Talley. Mrs. Mary Allen died in Wilmington. Del., and after coming West our sub. ject again married. This time his union was with Elizabeth G. Justison, who was born in Delaware March 29, 1825.
The original of this sketch naturally takes an interest in the politics of the country for which he fought. He is a Republican, casting his vote with that party. Both he and his wife are active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially he is a member of N. B. Buford Post No. 156, of the G. A. R. Ile also belongs to the Masonie fraternity.
Mr. Allen secured three patents on gingham weaving looms that were at once universally adopted. He also has patented one of the handiest farm gates now in nse.
ILLIAM STEWARD, a retired farmer, living at Shipman, is a man whose honor- able life career is well worthy of record on these pages. He was born in Maniton Town- ship, Salem County, N. J., December 5, 1820. His father was Joseph Steward, and he was also a native of that State. Ile in turn was a son of Nathan Steward, who, so far as known, was born in New Jersey, and was a descendant of some of the early Scotch settlers of that State. The first ancestor of the family to come to America from his native Scotland was Joseph Steward. Ile first located in Berks County, Pa., whence he removed to New Jersey prior to 1794, and there died. He married Alice Wright, a daughter of Joshua Wright. The next in line was their son Joseph, who married Bridget Middleton. Their son Joseph married Ann Rollins, and their son Nathan Steward was the grandfather of our subject. He spent his entire life in New Jersey, his occupation being that of a farmer. He married Rachel Mor- gan, who was a daughter of Jonathan and Bath- sheba Morgan. lle died April 11, 1811.
The father of our subject was reared in his native State. He learned the trade of a tailor and follow-
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ed it until he was twenty years old, when he aban- doned it for farming, buying a farm in Salem County. He pursued agriculture until a few years before his death, which occurred in that county January 31, 1870, at a ripe age. In early manhood he married Sarah Rogers. a native of Burlington County, N. J., and a daughter of Abner and Lydia (Tilton) Rogers, and a granddaughter of William Rogers. She survived her husband until October 30, 1874, and then she too passed from the scenes of earth to that home not made with hands. Those worthy people reared twelve children to useful lives.
Their son of whom we write passed his early life on the New Jersey farm that was his birthplace, remaining an inmate of the parental home until he attained his majority. Ile then rented land, and carried on agriculture on his own account. In 1855 be resolved to take advantage of the superior facilities offered by the rich virgin soil of Illinois to all who were willing to undergo the hardships and privations incident to life in a country that still retained much of its primitive condition. He traveled by rail to Pittsburg, thence by the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Alton, and from that point by rail to Brighton. For two years he rent- ed land, and at the expiration of that time he bought land near the village of Shipman, for which he paid $30 an aere. While he resided on his farm he placed it under excellent cultivation, and greatly increased its value by many substan- tial improvements. He made money by his farm- ing operations, and in 1876 he bought a cozy home in the village of Shipman, and here he and his good wife are living retired from active labor.
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