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 76
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The grandfather of our subject served in the Revolution, and was in Gen. Greene's command at the battle of Guilford Court House. IIe passed his last years quietly working at his calling as a farmer in Tyrell County, N. C. He married Betsy Caswell, who is thought to have been a native of Tyrell County, whither ber father had removed from his native Virginia in Colonial times. Both of the great-grandfathers of cur subject served in the war against the Indians, and received land from the colony of Carolina for their services.
The father of our subject was reared in his na- tive State. Hle was a natural mechanic, and was equally skillful as a carpenter, wagon-maker, cooper, tanner and shoemaker, all of which trades
he pursued at different times. In 1818 he removed from North Carolina to this State, accompanied by his wife and five children, making the journey overland, bringing with him his household goods. He had a horse and cart and a part of his posses- sions were packed on another horse that he owned besides. Ile started in May, and in August landed in St. Clair County. He rented a tract of land, raised a crop, and in December, 1819, sought an- other location, coming to this county, that then formed a part of Madison County, and settling in what is now Dorchester Township. He thus be- came one of the earliest pioneers of this section of the State, which was then practically uninhabited, . and was in its primitive condition, with numerous deer, bears, wolves and panthers that often were troublesome to the few settlers that had ventured within their haunts. There were no railways for years, and St. Louis, about forty miles distant, was the principal market, though it was then but a small eity of a few thousand people. At the same time that the Chapman family settled in the county the families of Telemachus Camp, Richard Wil- helm, Whitmill Herrington and Richard and John Chapman came also.
Mr. Chapman settled on a tract of land from the Government lying in section 24, built a log cabin for the shelter of his family, and at once actively entered upon the hard pioneer task of clearing and developing a farm from the wilderness. Ile re- sided on it five or six years, and then traded bis claim with a Mrs. Piper for a claim to a tract of prairie land on section 29. Staunton Township, and later borrowed money at twenty-five per cent. in- terest to enter Government land. About 1837 he sold his land and entered another tract in the same township on sections 4, 10 and 15, and built on section 10. He improved a part of the land, and resided on it some years. After his wife died he lived with a daughter in Montgomery County, and there his death occurred in February, 1872, in his ninetieth year. Celia Davenport was the name of his wife, and she was born in Tyrell County, N. C., a daughter of Isaac Davenport, a native and life- long resident of that State. She died in July, 1852. She was the mother of seven sons and five daugh- ters, all of whom grew to maturity and married.
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The parents of our subject were both true Chris- tians and ardent Methodists. The first meetings of that denomination in this county were held at their house, and for many years divine services were conducted in their home, which was always a welcome abiding place for the traveling preachers on their rounds.
Maj. Chapman was the youngest of the sons in the family, and he has passed his life entirely in this the county of his nativity with the exception of the years devoted to his country as a loyal and patriotic soldier. He gained the preliminaries of his education in the pioneer schools of his early ycars. The first school in the neighborhood in which he was born was taught in a log house with no floor, said building having been erected by Abram Wyatt for a smoke house, and it was located on section 30, Staunton Township. As soon as he was large enough he began to assist in carrying on the farm. At the age of twenty he commenced teaching in Cahokia Township, and after teaching two years went to school at Hillsboro, as he was ambitious to extend his education. In 1853 he was elected County Surveyor, and served in that office the ensuing six years. In 1858 he began the study of law.
The breaking out of the Rebellion found our subject well-equipped for the profession that he was about to enter, but, he cheerfully laid aside his plans to help fight his country's battles. In May, 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, but was transferred in September of the same year to light artillery. He had the honor of being commissioned Captain of his company, and commanded it until February, 1862, when it was consolidated with Company D, First Regiment Light Artillery. The company then became Com . pany B, of the Second Illinois Light Artillery. our subject being commissioned as Senior First Lieu- tenant, which position be held until March, 1863, when he was promoted to be Captain, his commis- sion dating back to December, 1862. He retained that rank until the end of service. In the month of June 1864 he was appointed Provost Marshal, and stationed at Columbus, Ky. Ile acted in that capacity until July 1865, and was then honorably dişcharged with his company.
After his return to Carlinville from the South Maj. Chapman was admitted to the bar, and has practiced law here continuously since. His pro- fessional life lias been varied by the cares of public office, as he has been called from time to time to time to fill responsible positions. Ile was Police Magistrate from 1866 to 1869, County Superinten- dent of Schools four years, and he has also been City Attorney. He was in early life a Democrat, but he left the army a confirmed Republican. In 1890 he was the candidate of his party for Con- gress. Socially, be is a valued member of the Dan Messick Post, No. 339, G. A. R. A man strong in character, of unblemished reputation, a wise and safe counselor, and liberal and progressive in his views, he has ever been an honor to the citizenship of his native county, and to such as he it owes its present high standing among its sister counties.
Our subject has been twice married. In 1854 he was wedded to Miss Sarah McCreery, a native of Orange County, N. Y. Their marriage was but of brief duration, as the young wife departed this life in April, 1857, leaving two children, Ida F. and Emily M. In 1862 Maj. Chapman was mar- ried to bis present estimable wife, formerly Miss Cecilia Burns, a native of Dublin, Ireland. Their wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of a daughter, Charlotte E.
ENRY T. NAIL, of Honey Point Town- ship, is conducting a fine farm of two hun- dred and forty acres on sections 13 and 24. A native of Illinois, and a son of one of the pioneer families, Mr. Nail was born at Jerseyville, February 1, 1846. His father, whose given name was Daniel, was a native of North Carolina, born in that State January 15, 1803. He in turn was a son of one Henry Nail, who was a German by birth, and came to America when a young man, settling in Rowan County, N. C. ' About 1824 he removed from there to the wilds of Indiana, going thither with teams and locating in Shelby County, where his last years were spent.
Daniel Nail was reared in his native State, and
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accompanied his parents to their pioneer home in Indiana, where he resided until 1830, when he too became a pioneer, coming with his wife to Illinois, with a pair of horses and a wagon, and casting in his lot with the early settlers of Greene County. He located near Carrolton, after living there six years, crossed the Illinois River into Calhoun County, where he was a pioneer. He purchased a traet of land at Gilead, and busily engaged in the hard labor of developing it into a farm. At that time the country roundabout was but sparsely set- tled, and deer and other wild game still abonnded and often furnished food for the families of the early settlers. Mr. Nail resided in that place for a period of six years and then coming to Jersey County, he bought property in the village of Jer- seyville. Later he came to Maconpin County and made his home with his son, where he quietly passed away, July 15, 1891, aged eighty eight years and six months, surrounded by every com- fort that one could desire. Although old and firm he was cheerful and good company, and his mental faculties were good. The maiden name of his wife was Cynthia Watts, and she was born in Indiana, a daughter of Thomas and Eleanor Watts. Iler death took place in Jerseyville in July. 1878.
Our subject is the only survivor of the children born to his parents. His home was in bis native county until 1880, and there he was married to the lady who has since been his faithful and effi- cient helpmate in 1871. She was formerly Miss Isabella Leigh, and is a daughter of Joseph E. aud Elizabeth ( Wharton) Leigh. The former was born in Lancashire, Eng., in 1816, of which shire his father was also a native, and his name was Thomas Leigh. He came to America in 1828. After residing for a while in Pennsylvania, he re- moved to Trenton, N. J., and there passed away full of years. The father of Mrs. Nail settled in Jerseyville, this State, in 1840, and for some years followed his trade of baker there. He took part in the late war, serving in Company F, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and later in the regiment known as the "Graybeard, and he showed himself to be a brave and capable soldier. The old veteran died January 15, 1888, at the Soldiers' Home at Day- ton, Ohio, His wife departed this life before he
did, dying at Jerseyville in 1868. The union of our subject and his estimable wife has been blessed to them by the birth of four children, named Kate Maude, Daniel Henry. William A. and Mary J.
In 1880 Mr. Nail took np his residence in Honey Point Township on the farm that he now occupies. This choice, highly productive prairie land, and is well cultivated so as to produce the best results, as our subject is an intelligent and expert farmer. Ile is also accounted a good citizen, and his neighbors and associates look upon him with due respect for the genuine worth of his character. Ile is a stauch Republican in his political sentiments, and stays by his party whatever betides.
ILLIAM L. MOUNTS, a member of the Macoupin County Bar, and proprietor of the Carlinville Gas Works and the Electric Plant of this city. in C. Il. C. Anderson's Bank and who has charge of his wife's interests, is a fine representative of the prosperous young busi- ness men of this section of the State whose energy and ability have put new life into its varied inter- ests, and who are in various ways contributing to the material prosperity of city and county. IIe is a native of Carlinville, born August 31, 1862. He is descended from an old French family that came to America in early Colonial times, and num- bers among his ancestors pioneers of the historical Northwestern Territory and neighboring States.
The father of our subject, Leander W. Mounts, was born in Warren County, Ohio, in November. 1829. lle in turn was a son of Watson Mounts, who was a native of the same county, born about 1799. The father of the latter, William Mounts, great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Richmond, Va., and was a son of Providence Mounts, who was a native of the city of Nancy, France. He was there reared, and came from there to this country on account of religious persecution in early Colonial times. He was accompanied by his brother Joseph and sister Sini. The latter mar- ried James Freeman, of Richmond, Va. Provi- dence Mounts resided at Richmond for a time, and
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then removed to that part of Virginia now included in Ohio County, W. Va., of which he was a pio- neer. He with others laid out the village of West Liherty, and he was prominent in the councils of his fellow-pioneers. He finally went from that lo- cality to Pennsylvania, and was one of the first to settle near Uniontown, that State, he being the first to cross the mountains after Braddock's de- feat. He died in the home that he founded there.
William Mounts, the great-grandfather of our subject, went from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and after a short residence in the wildls of that State, he crossed the Ohio into the Northwestern Terri- tory and located in the primeval forests in that part of Ohio now included in Warren County, whither but few had ventured before him. Ile hewed a farm from the wilderness, on which he re- sided until his life was rounded out in death. The grandfather of our subject was reared and spent his entire life in his native county, dying in May, 1875. He was a farmer by occupation. He mar- ried Nancy Lindsey, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., who was born in 1799 and died in August, 1878.
The father of our subject lived in his native county during his boyhood, and at the age of six- teen, learned the trade of a carpenter. After serv- ing his apprenticeship he went to Mississippi and engaged in carpentering there for a time. He then returned northward and pursued his ealling at Cin- cinnati and other places, and in 1854 located at Louisville, where he worked at his trade until 1856, when he came to Greene County, Ill., and was similarly engaged at Fayette one year. In 1857 he came to Carlinville, and was a carpenter here until 1871, when he entered the lumber husi- ness, which he conducted two years. Since that time he has lived retired. He was married at Louisville, Ky., to Elizabeth Phillips Davis, a na · tive of Grayson County, Ky., and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Davis. Their marriage has brought to them three children: Flora G., wife of Alexander Bell, who is represented elsewhere in this volume; our subject; and Walter S.
Ile of whom we write obtained his early educa- tion in the city schools of Carlinville, and subse- quently entered Blackburn University, from which
he was graduated in the Class of '81. After that he taught school a part of each year, and devoted the rest of the time to the study of law in the office of Anderson & Bell. In 1885 he was well prepared to enter upon the practical work of his profession and was admitted to the bar. The same ' year he opened an office in his native city, and has been in active practice since, obtaining his full share of elientage.
Not only has our subjeet shown much ability as an attorney, but he has also displayed marked talent as a business man, as through his superior man- agement the gas works, of which he is now proprie- tor, have become a paying institution, and the electric light plant, of which he is the owner, is in a flourishing condition. June 1, 1889, he took charge of the gas works, which then belonged to his father-in-law, and had been managed by a su- perintendent, and owing to neglect had depreciated in value and usefulness. In the same fall onr sub- ject came into possession of the works, which had already begun to show new signs of life under his vigorous regime. He had set to work in earnest to resuscitate the works and to build up the busi- ness with the result that in a few months he had practically driven the electric light company out of the field. He finally bought the electric plant, and now operates both with good profit, and the inhabitants of Carlinville rejoice in a well lighted city.
Mr. Mounts was wedded to Miss Effie M. Ander- son, Jime 18, 1885. Mrs. Mounts is also a native of Carlinville, born June 18, 1865, to Crittenden H. C. and Mary J. (Stratton) Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Mounts have a charming home that is the center of a genial hospitality, courteous host and gracious hostess vying with each other in extending a pleasant welcome to their friends, of whom they have many, whenever they cross their threshold. Two children complete their household, Bruce H. and Marion E.
Our subject is well known in social circles as a member of Mt. Nebo Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; and of Orient Lodge, No. 95, K. of P. Hle cast his first Presidential vote for Grover Cleveland in 1884, and has remained true to the Democratic party ever since. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Mounts
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was appointed to the important office of City Treasurer, served until the end of the term, and was then elected to the position of City Attorney for one year and in the spring of 1891 was elected Mayor. He carried the same earnestness and busi- ness-like methods into his management of the municipal finances that had characterized his care of his own private affairs, and left the office with a fine record as a civic official.
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RS. ELIZA SMITH. The respected and revered mother of the two prosperous young farmers located on section 9, West- ern Mound Township, is a lady whose German parentage and varied experiences in the different localities in which she has lived, fits her for the high position among those who are regarded with esteem and consideration. She is the widow of Solomon T. Smith, who was born in the early part of this century in Virginia and there received the advantages of boys common to his district.
Mrs. Smith's parents were Garret and Elizabeth Brown, both natives of Germany, who emigrated to this country in 1837, locating first on the James River in Virginia. There they lived and died, finding the genial climate and warm Southern manners very pleasing to their social German natures. They were the parents of eight children, of whom our subject was the eldest. She was born in Germany, November 1, 1826, and was married after her arrival in this country, in Bedford County, Va., December 3, 1840. Her husband, Solomon T. Smith, was born in Accomack County, Va., August 10, 1840.
Immediately after their marriage the young couple settled in Bedford County, Va. They soon removed, however, to Rockbridge County, and there resided until the fall of 1857, when they emi- grated to Illinois and settled in Western Mound Township, where Mr. Smith died October 9, 1872.
Our subject's husband was a public spirited man and took delight in maintaining his part in every measure that affected the public good. At the time of his death he was a member of the Christian
Church in which he was in good standing. Mrs. Smith is the mother of five. children-James H., Thomas E., George W., Ezekiel Y. and John W. The eldest son is a merchant in Greenfield, Ill., where be carries on a successful and lucrative bus- iness; George W. died in Texas; Ezekiel Y. was taken away from earth when about twelve years of age.
After the death of their father, Thomas and John Smith assumed the care of the farm. It aggregates two hundred and eighty acres and under the ener- getic care of the two young men affords a good income to both proprietors and their respected parent. They have erected a comfortable home on the place and put thereon many valuable improve- ments. Mrs. Smith, who has reached a good old age, lives happy in the consciousness of the affec- tion and dutiful care that her sons are happy in giving her. She is a member of the Christian Chureh. Thomas and John Smith are adherents of the Democratic party.
ESSE B. HETTICK. Prominent among the farmer residents of Scottville Town- ship, we find the gentleman who is repre- sented in this biographical sketch. His enterprise and industry have given to him pros- perity and his sterling character and integrity have bestowed upon him the well-merited confidence of his neighbors and the business men of his part of the country. He has grown up in this community from infancy to manhood and his career through- out has been consistent and worthy of admiration. He was born on the Hettick homestead in Scott- ville Township, March 27, 1853. His mother Delilah and his father Stephen are spoken of more at length in the biography of J. W. Hettick.
He of whom we write received his fundamental education in the public schools and during vaca- tions assisted his father upon the farm, thus learn- ing the practical arts of agriculture and receiving a drill which has been of incalculable value to bim through life. He resided with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-one, and at that time
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began farming for himself on the old homestead, remaining there until 1883, when he transferred his home to the farm which he now occupies.
While still managing the old homestead and in the year 1877 Jesse Hettick was united in the happy bonds of wedlock, his bride being Martha J. Turner, daughter of James and Mary Turner natives of Illinois, now deceased. This lady was born in Greene County. Ill., and she became the happy mother of seven children: Albert W., William E., Jesse B., George R., Mary S., James Allen and Hattie R.
The political belief of him of whom we write this life history has led him to ally himself with the Democratic party, in the prosperity and progress of which he feels a lively interest. Both he and his excellent wife are earnest and active members of the United Brethren Church. This gentleman belongs to three of the prominent social orders. being a member of the Oak Hill Lodge No. 82, of the Farmers' Alliance, and of the Scottville Lodge No. 226, I. O. O. F.
W ILLIAM T. MITCHELL, a resident-farm- er of Honey Point Township, is well- known as a representative of one of the early pioneer families of this county, of which he is a native, his birth taking place in what is now Brushy Mound Township August 25, 1838. His father, Elijah Mitchell, was born in North Carolina in January, 1800, and was a son of Archibald Mitchell, who is supposed to have been a native of the same State. From the best information at hand we learn that the great-grandfather of our subject was born either in Scotland or in Ireland of Scotch antcedents, and came to America in Col- onial times, settling in North Carolina, where he made his home the rest of his life.
Archibald Mitchell was reared and married in North Carolina. In 1805 he penetrated the wilds of Kentucky and cast in his lot with the pioneers of Warren County, that State, where he carried on farming until his career was brought to a close,
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The father of the subject of this notice was five years old when his parents took him to their pio- neer home in the Kentucky wilderness, and there he grew to a stalwart manhood. In due time he mar- ried, and in 1829 came to Illinois with his family, bringing his household goods with him, and mak- ing the removal with ox-teams, cooking and camp- ing by the way. After a residence of one year in Marion County, he went to Morgan County, where he rented a house and lived until the spring of 1831, when he came to this county, and was one of the early settlers of what is now Brushy Mound Township. At that time this section was but thinly inhabited, and Carlinville was but a hamlet of a few log houses and one store. The home of Mr. Mitchell's nearest neighbor was five miles distant. He entered eighty acres of Government land on section 24. A cabin stood thereon which some squatter had abandoned and after he had taken his goods from the wagon the father of our subject pro- ceeded to tear the cabin down, and then replaced it by a better one. Later lie built another log house, which was covered with shakes that were rived by hand and held in place by poles, the floor was of puncheon, and the chimney of earth and sticks. Ife subsequently erected a log house, and later a frame and here he resided until death called him from the scenes of his many years of labor and he entered upon eternal rest August 17, 1877. During his long residence here of nearly half a century he had accumulated a goodly amount of property, and at one time had over a thousand acres of land in this county and fourteen hundred acres in Kansas. His name will ever occupy an honorable place among those of the pioneers who were the most active and enterprising in the upbuilding of this part of the State and were potent in advancing its agricultural interests.
Elijah Mitchell was twice married, and was the father of twenty-one children, eighteen of whom were reared. His first wife, mother of our subject, was Jane Moore. She was born in Kentucky, and died in1843 on the home farm. She bore her husband twelve children, eleven of whom attained to matu- rity, namely, Millie, Levi, Martha A., Elizabeth, Travis, Lucy and Sally (twins), Jane, William T., Phobe and Elijah. Mr. Mitchell's second wife,
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whom he married in 1849. was Hannah Hollings- worth. A review of her life appears elsewhere in this work.
William T. Mitchell was reared in his native township, and received his early education in the pioneer schools, which were taught in a rude log house that was heated by a fireplace, and a log was cut out of the wall nearly the entire length of the building to admit light. There was no floor, and poles were split to make benches, which were sup- ported by wooden pegs. These primitive seats were entirely destitute of backs. At that early day game was plentiful, deer being numerous for some years after the Mitchell family settled here. There was no railway, and the markets and depots for supplies were Alton and St. Louis.
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