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 79
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Of Scotch birth, Mr. Johnston possesses many of the best characteristics of that race. He was born on the 5th of April, 1846, in Ayershire, Scot- land, and is a son of Robert and Jane ( Hamilton) Johnston, both of whom were also natives of the Lowlands, born in Ayershire. After the birth of three children, they came to America. Bidding good by to their old home they sailed from Glas- gow in 1854, landing at New Orleans, and made their way up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, whence they came to Macoupin County, III. Rob- ert Johnson lived near Bunker Hill, where he re- sided until his death, which occurred in 1870. He reached the allotted age of three score years. Ile was a prominent man in the township and county, and in his death the community lost one of its best citizens. His wife long survived him, passing away in 1889, at the ripe old age of seventy years.
as a merchant's c'erk. Mr. Johnston was married in Bunker Hill to Miss Julia Hopper, one of Illi- nois' daughters. Her father is the Rev. J. V. Hop- per, a retired minister of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Johnston is an intelligent and cultured lady, who occupies a prominent position in the social circles of Bunker Hill. Her marriage has been blessed with three children: Arthur and Frank, the eldest and youngest are living, while Laura, the second child, died in infancy. Mr. Jolinston holls mem - bership with Bunker Hill Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M. At the ballot box he supports the Repub- lican party. One of the progressive and public- spirited citizens of the community he identifies himself with all that pertains to the upbuilding of the county's interests and welfare, and gives liber- ally to all worthy enterprises and charities. Such a man is worthy of the esteem and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, and the people have learned to trust him whom they so highly re- gard.
G EORGE BAKER, a retired blacksmith of Bunker Hill where for many years he worked at his trade, is a native of Dorset- shire. England, and was reared as a shepherd boy, serving in that capacity until about fifteen years of age, when he began learning the trade which he made his life work. He served as an apprentice until he had attained his majority, working under the direction of a Mr. Wright and John Abbots of Wiltshire, England. He then for a time worked as a journeyman until March 2, 1854, when he sev- cred all business connection with his native land and sailed for America on the vessel, "Euroclydou." which left Liverpool and after five weeks dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. He spent about a week in that Eastern metropolis and then came on to Bunker IIill, where he has since made his home. His parents never crossed the Atlantic. John Baker, the father, was a native of Dorsetshire, and there they lived and died. He worked as a coachman for an English gentleman and married Miss Ann Gluler, who died in Dorsetshire at the
Our subject was a lad of only six summers, when upon the broad Atlantic he sailed for America. Ilis educational advantages were such as the com- mon schools afforded, and as before stated, he en- tered upon his business career at the age of fifteen ! age of sixty- seven years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker
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were members of the Church of England. The members of the family living in Macoupin County are George, Charles and a sister, Mrs. Martha Dike, all of whom reside in Bunker Hill Township.
Shortly after his arrival in Bunker Hill, our sub- jeet, George Baker, began working as a. journey- man but a few years later, he built a smithy and carried on a successful business until 1886, He is an efficient workman and received the patronage of those who resided for miles around. His efforts were crowned with prosperity and from a humble position he worked his way upward until he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of the community, having a handsome competence which will enable lum to spend his declining years in re- tirement from all labor.
Mr. Baker has been twice married. In Bunker Hill, he was joined in wedlock with Elizabeth .J. Kitchell, who was born near Blanford, England, December 11, 1839. Iler death occurred June 9, 1882, and was mourned not only by her immediate family but by her many friends. With her parents she started for America in 1851, but on the way the vessel was wrecked at Nassau and from the effects of the exposure the mother died. The father and daughter continued their journey to Illinois and settled in Woodburn, this county, where Mr. Kitchell passed away some years later. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Baker, in Bunker Hill, June 8, 1871, when about seventy-six years of age. Mrs. Baker was for a number of years a consistent member of the Methodist Church and was a noble Christian woman, held in universal esteem. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, three of whom are now deceased- Jane and George W., who died in youth; and Emily, the deceased wife of Angust Buch, a drug- gist. Edward is now engaged in blacksmithing in Bunker Ilill; Mary A. is the wife of J. W. Pierce, a druggist of Ballenger, Tex .; and Thomas A., who is employed in the hardware and implement store of Mr. McPherson.
For his second wife, Mr. Baker married Eliza Meyers, nee Miles, who was born in Norfolkshire, England, in 1848, In her native land she became the wife of James Meyers and together they erossed the Atlantic, settling in Macoupin County, III.,
where the death of the husband occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Baker attend the Methodist Church and in the social world they hold an enviable position, having many warm friends throughout the com- munity. Ile is at present a member of the City Council, to which he was elected on the Republican ticket and has held several offices of honor and trust, the duties of which he ever faithfully and promptly discharged. Ilis genial nature makes him a favorite with all who know him and his ac- quaintance throughout the county is extensive.
OIN WILLIAMSON, deceased, was born in Monmouth County, N. J., February 22, 1810, and was descended from one of the old New English families, which in early Colonial days was founded in America by emigrants from Holland. For several generations they had resided in New Jersey. The grandfather of our subject, Hendrick Williamson, was born and reared in that State, and when the Revolutionary War broke out enlisted in the Colonial Army. He served throughout the entire struggle and partici- pated in many important battles. In the possession of his descendants are an old musket and a flask, the latter now the property of Mrs. Williamson of this notice, which are valued heirlooms, Hendrick Williamson married Miss Ellen Conover, a New Jersey lady, and they lived and labored together for many years. Ilis death occurred in Monmouth County at an advanced age, after which his widow went to Butler County, Ohio, where she died at the home of one of her children in 1812. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church and were respected people.
David Williamson, father of our subjeet, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Monmouth County, and chose as a helpmate on life's journey Miss Margaret Lefferson, who was born and reared in Monmouth County, where three children came to bless their union. Afterward they emigrated to Ohio, settling in Butler County which was then a wilderness and in true pioneer style began life in the West. It was there that David Williamson and
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his wife died, both at the age of seventy-five years. They were hard working people, yet honorable and upright and they won the respect of all who knew them. In religious belief they were Presbyterians. The husband had been drafted as a soldier in the War of 1812, but owing to sickness in his family his place had been supplied by bis brother-in-law.
The subject of this sketch, John Williamson, was the third in order of birth in the family of eight children, of whom only two are yet living and they are residents of Ohio. He grew to man- hood in Butler County of the Buckeye State, where he had been taken by his parents when only two years of age. He wedded Miss Sinai Murphy, who was born in Butler County, Ohio, February 8, 1823, and is a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Douglas) Murphy, who were natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania respectively. During chiklhood they emigrated with their respective families to Butler County, Ohio, where they are numbered among its pioncers. In Madison Township they began their domestic life and developed and im- proved a farm, which continued to be their home during their remaining days. Mr. Murphy lived the allotted three-score years and ten. Ilis father, John Murphy, was a Revolutionary hero, and he wedded Miss Mary Woollum, who came of Dutch ancestry. Both died in Butler County, Ohio, when quite advanced in years. The maternal grand- parents of Mrs. Williamson were George and Sinai ( Ashton) Douglas, who also made their home in Butler County, there living to a ripe old age.
For a few months after their marriage, our sub. jeet and his bride resided in that county but the same year, 1850, they started for Illinois, traveling overland with teams and settled in JJersey County, where they spent a year. Then coming to Macou. pin County, Mr. Williamson purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 19, Dor- chester Township and began life in earnest. Ris- ing in the early morning he would work until the sun went down, and in this way only a short time had elapsed before he had developed a good farm. lle made many improvements thereon, and as the value of this land increased, became one of the substantial citizens of the community. Through- out his life he was known to be an upright and
honorable man and worthy citizen. In politics he was a supporter of the Democratic party and filled a number of local offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. His death occurred on the 8th of May, 1881, and was mourned by many warm friends.
Mrs. Williamson still survives her husband and makes her home on the old farm which she manages successfully and well. Of the seven children born of her marriage all are living except one, Arthur, who accidentaly shot himself at the age of twenty- four years. David R. married Elizabeth MeLean of Pennsylvania, and they reside in Plankington, Aurora County, S. Dak .; Anna W. is the wife of Albert. Weeks, a stockdealer of this county; Gar- ret 11., aids in the operation of the home farm ; George A. is a farmer of Kansas; James, who wedded Ida Turk, is a coal dealer of Golden, Colo., and Herbert C. is at home. The sons are all Democrats in politics and the family is one of whom the mother may well feel proud.
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AMES J. KELSEY. who is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising on sections 8 and 9, Brighton Township, resides upon the farm where he was born on the 12th of December, 1852. The family is of English origin. His paternal grandfather, JJohn Kelsey, was born and reared in Yorkshire, England, and married Esther Voss, also a native of the same county. Her death occurred in middle life, she leaving two chil- dren, Robert, father of our subject; and Ann, who became the wife of John Cleveland, but is now de- ceased. John Kelsey, the grandfather, was again married in Yorkshire. England, his second union being with Mary Adkinson, by whom he had four children, all now deceased. About 1832, in eom- pany with his family, he crossed the Atlantic, sail- ing from Hull, and after some weeks safely arrived in New York. From thenee he traveled by way of canal and river to Alton, Ill., and made a settle- ment upon a new farm in Wood River Township, Madison County, where for about eight years he engaged in agricultural pursuits. The year 1840,
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witnessed his removal to Macoupin County, where he procured an unbroken tract of land on sections 8 and 9, Brighton Township, the same now owned by our subject. There John Kelsey resided with his children until his death, which occurred in November, 1874, at the age of eighty-one years. Hle possessed a good constitution, was a man of great vitality and was hardly sick a day in his life. He became a successful farmer of this county and died quite well off. He was a member of the Church of England as was also his wife who bad died a number of years previous.
Robert Kelsey, father of our subject, was born in Yorkshire, March 18, 1818, and was about four- teen years of age when his parents crossed the broad ocean. He attained his majority about the time the family came to Macoupin County, and not long afterward he returned to his native land for "the girl he left behind him". In Yorkshire, he married Miss Henrietta JJennings, who was born in 1817, and is a daughter of William and Eliza- beth (Quarton) Jennings, both of whom were natives of that county where they were married. The father was a farmer by occupation and follow- ed that business during the greater part of his life. His death occurred at the advanced age of ninety years and his wife had long since passed middle life when she was called home. They lived the lives of Christian people after the faith of the Epis- copal Church. They had quite a large family, of whom one daughter is yet living in England. A brother of Mrs. Kelsey, John, came to the United States, made a trip across the plains to California, and afterward returned to Macoupin County, IH., where he died about eight years ago.
The bridal tour of Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey consist- ed of a trip to America and they began their domestic life upon the homestead farm in Brighton Township. He was an industrious and enterprising man and by good management, supplemented by business ability, he secured a fine property. Fair- ness and honesty characterized his entire life and he won many friends who held him in high esteem for his sterling worth. He held to no creed but was charitable and benevolent and believed in doing right for its sake. In politics, he was a Demoerat. His death occurred August 31, 1884.
Mrs. Kelsey still survives her husband and is wonderfully well preserved for one of her age, be- ing now in her seventy-fifth year. Unto them have been born seven children, all of whom are yet living with the exception of Amanda, who died at the age of twenty-eight; Rhoda is the wife of John Carter, a farmer of Chesterfield Township; Emma is at home with her mother; Henrietta is the wife of John Cooper, a resident farmer of Madison County ; James J. is the next younger; May is the wife of George A. Keas, general merchant and Postmaster of Brighton; and Laura is the wife of William Talley, a resident farmer of Shipman Township.
James J. Kelsey, whose name heads this sketch, is numbered among the thrifty and enterprising farmers of the community. IIe has spent his entire life upon the farm which he now owns and oper- ates. His boyhood days were passed in assisting his father and in attending the public schools where his education was acquired. Since he has arrived at man's estate he has engaged in general farming, raising those cereals which are adapted to this climate and has also engaged to a considerable extent in stock-raising, making a specialty of the breeding of Cottswold sheep and fine draft and road horses. Ilis land, comprising three hundred acres is divided into two good farms which are well supplied with all necessary buildings. The old home is one of the substantial residences of the township and every thing about the place presents a neat appearance, indicative of the thrift and in- dustry of the owner. Mr. Kelsey is a prominent Democrat, has served as Highway Commissioner and manifests a commendable interest in every thing pertaining to the welfare of the county.
C HARLES S. PATCHEN. One of the highly respected men in Macoupin County is Charles S. Patchen. Ilis father, the late Daniel T. Patchen, emigrated from Ohio, where he had resided some ten or twelve years, and in the fall of 1849 settled in Macoupin County, Carlin
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ville Township. He was a farmer, but not allow- ing the cares of the farm to wholly occupy his inind, took an active part in all local affairs of im- portance and was surrounded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who bore him that re- spect and esteem which his talents commanded. Ilis wife was Miss Sarah Stodard, who was born in Connecticut. Her marriage with Daniel T. Patchen took place in Geanga County, Ohio, the birthplace of our subjeet. Both Mr. and Mrs. Patchen were consistent members of the Presby- terian Church, Mr. Patchen having held the offices of Deacon and Elder, the latter of which he re- signed upon the occasion of his removal to Oregon in the autumn of 1877. This step was deemed necessary for the benefit of his failing health, but on June 19, 1888, death relieved him of his suffer- ings. llis widow survives him. Their children, of whom there were six. were Mary S., the wife of Prof. Edward Snyder, of the State University; Lonisa, now Mrs. William Sporn; Charles S., who came with his parents to Macoupin County when but six years of age; Robert, a resident of Wash- ington; Willis, a clergyman in South Dakota; and Harriet, the wife of Charles Campbell. To these children was given such education as is to be ob)- tained in our common schools. The subject of this sketch also had the advantage of a course of in- struction at Blackburn University in Carlinville.
At the age of nineteen years, which time was passed in his father's home, he broke the monotony of farm life and enlisted August 9, 1862, mn Com- pany A, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Infantry and served three years, taking part in en- gagements at Parker's Cross Roads, Nashville, Tenn., Ft. Blakeley, Ala., besides many battles of minor importance. While on the march from Montgomery to Mobile he was prostrated for sev- eral days by sunstroke and was thus disabled for a time. When the war ended he returned to his home and took up the thread of his studies, pursu- ing them diligently for several months and then accepted a position as elerk in a dry-goods store in Carlinville, where he was a valued employe for about four years. This period of activity passed in the trade aided largely in fitting him for mercantile pursuits and he formed a partnership with William
Schutze and James Clarke, the style of the firm be- ing Schutze, Patchen & Clarke. The new com- pany gained rapidly in popularity, but three years later became financially embarrassed and Mr. Patchen took sole charge of affairs in the interest of the creditors, continuing the business for two years. He then engaged in an enterprise with George Warburton and W. D. Mayfield, under the firm name of Warburton, Patchen & Co., which continued for two years.
In 1875, May 20, he was married to Miss Belle Wilson, a lady of superior attainments. Mr. and Mrs. Patchen are the parents of four children: Nellie; Charles, who died when five years of age; Edward and Anna M. Mr. Pateben has been chosen to the office of Supervisor of Carlinville Township three times. Politically his energies are put forth in the interest of the Republican party. Both he and his wife are zealons workers in the cause of Christ as represented by the Presbyterian faith and in their church society Mr. Patchen has been prominent as Deacon, Trustee and Elder.
HOMAS G. MOORE. The subject of our sketch was born in Carlinville Township, Macoupin County, July 20, 1838. His pa- rents, Robert and Elizabeth W. (Williams) Moore, were natives of Kentucky, and were held in the highest esteom in the community in which they lived, for the nobleness of character which distin- guished their whole lives. They emigrated from Kentucky to Illinois in the fall of 1831, where he became a prosperous farmer and made a perma- nent residence. Of seven children born to them Thomas G. was the sixth. His education was such as the neighborhood schools afforded and so rap- idly did he advance in his studies that he con- manded the respect of school mates older than himself. Having a natural aptitude for agricult- ural pursuits, his life has been passed on the farm. He purchased and now owns eighty acres of good farming land located on section 24.
June 6, 1867, he married Miss Sarah Ann Vill- man, daughter of Christian and Mary (Fisher)
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY M
S. B. SAWYER.
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Villman. Mr. Villman was a native of Germany and his wife of Butler County, Ohio. They emi- grated from the latter place to Missouri, and then to this county, about 1844. and settled in Hilyard Township. Mr. Villman, the father of Mrs. Moore, died at Pike's Peak, his wife having passed away in Macoupin County, where they, by their many kind and considerate acts, won numerous friends. Mrs. Moore was born in Butler County, Ohio, No- vember 14, 1840. She grew to womanhood devel- oping those characteristics which influence for good only. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore: Robert C., who is a school teacher in this county and takes a forward interest in all educational matters; Mary E., Nellie J., and George W. Two children died in infancy.
In the spring of 1878 Mr. Moore was elected as- sistant Supervisor of Carlinville Township, his four years of service having been marked by ability and business tact. Ilis popularity has given him the offices of School Director and Trustee. He bas taken quite an active interest in local affairs and is an earnest advocate of the principles of the Demo- cratic party. Mr. Moore has spent his life in this county and has never been out of the State of Illi- nois.
ELICK B. SAWYER, a general farmer. resides within the corporation limits of Staunton, where he owns a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. In presenting his portrait and biographical sketch to the readers of the RECORD, we perpetuate the features and record the life of one of the earliest settlers of the county, his residence here covering a period of almost sixty years. Since his arrival, in 1832, he has never left the county for any length of time, but has continually witnessed its growth and has borne no inconsiderable part in its np- building. Of his pioneer experiences, however, we will speak more hereafter.
Mr. Sawyer was born in Carroll County, near Columbus, N. C., December 21, 1821, and is de-
scended from good Revolutionary stock. His grand- father, Joah Sawyer, spent his entire life in Northi Carolina, and served throughout the Revolutionary War, entering the Colonial Army when less than fifteen years of age. He was of Irish descent and was a stout, rugged man, well fitted for the life which he followed. He married a Miss Allcock, who was also a native of North Carolina, and they resided in that State until their death. They were members of the Primitive Baptist Church and in poliucs Mr. Sawyer was a Democrat.
The father of our subject. Valentine Sawyer, was a native of Plymouth, N. C., and in the usual man- ner of farmer lads was reared to manhood, but when he was grown up he shipped before the mast and was engaged in the coasting service for some years. Later he returned to his native town and married Miss Polly Spence. Seven children were born nuto them, one of whom died in North Car- olina. Their long journey to Illinois was made with a single horse and wagon and at night they would camp out along the road. At Louisville they crossed the Ohio River and at Danville forded the Wabash River. Three months had elapsed before they arrived in Macoupin County, Il. They made a location in the southern part of the county at what is now West Prairie, and fonnd themselves in a sparsely settled 'country where, however, game was abundant and wild animals were frequently seen.
Mr. Sawyer made a home on what is known as Williams Creek, which skirted the prairie, and there underwent the usual hardships and trials of the pioneer settler who locates on a western fron- tier. The nearest mill and market was at Alton, money was scarce and for a time it was a struggle to provide for the wants of the family. But pros- perity at length blessed their efforts and they be- came possessed of a comfortable property. The mother died about 1854, after which Valentine Sawyer, with his two eldest sons, went to Texas, making a settlement in Bell County, where he died at an advanced age. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he always voted the Democratic ticket. Our subject was the third in order of birth of their family of ten children, of whom seven, four sons and three daughters, are
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yet living. Of these all are married and have families, and three are living in Illinois.
Selick Sawyer has lived in this county since he was a lad of eleven summers. At an carly age he began work upon the farm, assisting in the labori- ous task of clearing, developing and improving the wild prairie. His father entered land and after he had attained to mature years he entered land for himself, claiming a tract in Staunton Town- ship, which, after he had improved it, he sold and invested the proceeds in the farm which has now been bis home since 1858. A part of this lies within the corporation limits of Staunton and it is a valuable piece of property. comprising two hundred and forty acres, the greater portion of which is under cultivation. It is underlaid with rich coal beds, a part of which have been worked and have brought to light a vein six and a half feet thick.
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