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 80
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
Mr. Sawyer was married in Staunton, August 26, 1847, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy Bruce, who was born in the Emerald Iste in 1828. Her parents, Samuel and Matilda ( Patterson) Bruce. were also natives of Ireland, and after the birth of five children they emigrated with their family to America in 1835, landing in Philadel- phia after a six weeks voyage. They then came to Illinois and located near Staunton, where they resided until their death. They were widely and favorably known among the pioneers here and had all their lives been members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Sawyer, a brother and two sisters of the family are yet living. Ten children have been born unto our subject and his wife, but one died in infancy, and Thomas died, leaving a widow and one child. William J., who wedded Eliza Cloud, is a farmer of Olive Township, Madison County ; Samuel B. aids in the operation of the old homestead; Joseph, who is engaged in the liv- ery business in Staunton, married Rose Wilder; George is now at home; Jennie S. is the wife of George Maze. of Staunton; Anna is the wife of William Menke, of Staunton; and Valentine also assists his father in farming the old homestead.
Mr. Sawyer and his sons are Democrats in polit- cal sentiment and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Few have a more extended
acquaintance in the county than this worthy couple and none are held in higher esteem. They have lived quiet and unassuming, yet busy and useful lives, and have won for themselves a place among the best people of the county.
AMUEL S. GARST. Of German origin, the family of our subject settled in an early day in the Southern States and the gentleman himself was born in Washington Connty, E. Tenn., October 15, 1839. He now resides on section 9, Nilwood Township. Ilis father, Jacob Garst, was born in Roanoke County, Va. His mother was Catherine ( Wrightsman) Garst and was also born in Virginia, where they met and married and from there emigrated to Ten- nessee where the mother died in Washington County. The father removed to Macoupin County in the fall of 1868 and settled in Nilwood Town- ship where he lived until about 1866 when he went to Montgomery County, to live with a daughter, Mrs. Mary Brown. One son was the fruit of the marriage of Jacob and Catherine Garst That son is the subject of this sketch.
The original of this sketch arrived at manhood while in Washington County, Tenn., and when about twenty years of age he came to Greene County, Ill., and in the fall of 1859 and the fol- lowing spring he came to Girard, and soon after engaged himself in farming in Nilwood Township. Agriculture has been his chief business in life. Since his removal from Tennessee he has spent the major portion of his time in Nilwood with the ex- ception of about four years when he was in the army. When the first call for volunteers was made Mr. Garst enlisted in the fall of 1861, in the Sec- ond Regiment of Illinois Light Artillery of Com- pany G. He served during the war until it closed and his memory is stored with incidents that are striking and interesting as historical events.
Mr. Garst took part in many of the engagements that had the most important effect. Ile was pres- ent at the battle of Marion City, Tenn., also Jaek-
687
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
son, Tenn., Oxford, Miss., at the siege of Vieksburg, Tupelo, Miss .. and Nashville, Tenn. He was, how- ever, sent out with a foraging expedition at Cold- water Miss., where he was taken prisoner and was held for eight months. During this period he was confined in the rebel prison at Selma. Ala .. Cahanba, Ala., Macon. Ga., and at Andersonville. Only the last of these places is known to the general public in all the terror which it presented to the prisoner who was confined within its awful inclo- sure. Only a veteran of the war who has under- gone a similar experience of confinement can appreciate the situation of one who has thus suffered. The other prisons of minor note were bad enough, but Andersonville seemed to have among its gnards men who were natural instruments of torture. While en route from Macon to Andersonville. Mr. Garst effected his escape, but he was recaptured in about one month by the efforts of the bloodhounds which were put upon his track. To the imagina- tion the haying demons of the chase would seem bad enough, but think of the victim of their pursuit cowering before their angry, foamfleeked, yawning mouths. It was either to yield to his captors or to be torn in pieces by the hounds and the sweet hope of life forbade him to yield himself to those dread pursuers in death.
While in Andersonville our subject was detailed on a wood party and finding a good opportunity he hid in a ditch until night when he made his escape. About seven weeks later he was again caught by the bloodhounds and was taken in chains to Macon, Ga. Here he was paroled for nearly two weeks and was then sent back to Andersonville. He had been there, however. but a short time when the prisoners were taken out to be exchanged, and while thus free for a time he again made his eseape and in about one week he succeeded in reaching Wilson's Cavalry and was safe.
When the war was over and he had received his discharge our subject returned to Nilwood and re. sumed his occupation of farming. Ile has here resided ever since with the exception of three years when he lived in Montgomery County, Ill. He was married in Nilwood Township, March 1, 1866 to Miss Nancy Thacker, a daughter of Z. Thacker, a sketch of whom may be found on an-
other page of this volume. The lady was born near Palmyra, Macoupin County, February 10. 1847.
Mr. and Mrs. Garst are the parents of eight children, their names being respectively: Mary A .. who is the wife of M. P. Clarady; Ida V., Samuel L., Nancy A., Charles M., Ethel M., and Jesse T .. One child died in infancy. Mr. Garst has held the offices of Highway Commissioner and School Di- rector for some time. Ile is a member of Luke Mayfield Post, No. 516, G. A. R. He is a member of Chapter No. 132 of Girard Lodge, No. 171 F. & A. M. He has been Counsel of the G. A. R. for three terms. Politically the original of this sketch is an adberent of the Republican party having cast his vote with them for many years. He has also been a member of the County Central Committee for several years.
He of whom we write has erected a very pleasant home upon his place which comprises three hundred and eighty acres of good land, well improved and in an excellent state of cultivation. Ilis home is comfortable and convenient and the presiding geu- ius thereof, his estimable wife, gives it a tone that only a woman of delicate refinement and extreme adaptability is capable of doing. Mr. and Mrs. Garst are members of the Baptist Church, doing all in their power to uphold the religious teachings of that body in their community.
OSEPH LEE, one of the honored early settlers of the county, now living a retired life in Brighton, after engaging for many years in active husiness as a farmer. was born in Somersetshire, England, on January 15, 1826. His father and grandfather were both named Charles Lee. The latter was a small English farmer and died in Somersetshire. The father of our sub- ject was born and reared in that county, and a few years after his marriage rented a small farm upon which he spent the remainder of his life. It is yet in the family, being now occupied by Thomas Lee, a brother of our subject. Charles Lee, Jr .. was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah
688
. PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Combs, nee Hayes, who by her first marriage had one child, deceased, while by the second union nine children were born, six sons and three daughters. Only two ever came to this country and remained to make their homes in America, namely: Joseph and Charles, the latter, now a resident farmer of Montgomery County. One of the sons is now deceased. The father of this family died at the age of sixty years and his wife passed away in 1875, at the age of seventy-three years.
Joseph Lee, whose name heads this sketch, spent his childhood days in his native land and under the parental roof attained to years of maturity. Ilis education was acquired in the common schools and being supplemented by reading and observation he bas become a well-informed .nan. He was married in England to Miss Caroline Combs, who was also born and reared in Somersetshire. Their union was blessed with one child before they lefttheir native land-Edmund, who is now deceased. Hoping to better their financial condition and more rapidly acquire a competence in the New World, they sailed for America on April 3, 1851, as passengers on board the "Cosmo," and on May 3, set foot on American soil: From New York City they came at once to the West, traveling to Wisconsin, and thence to Godfrey, Madison County, III., which was their first location. Mr. Lee then had but fifty cents in his pocket. He has also resided in Jersey and Madison Counties, and for some years resided upon a farm in Brighton Township, Machupin County, where he still owns one hundred and twenty-two and a fraction acres of highly improved land, and another tract of one hundred and twenty- one acres; also a seventy-nine-acre tract, making in all three hundred and twenty-two and a fraction acres, constituting one of the best farms in that locality.
In 1890, Mr. Lee was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in Brighton in the month of June, in the faith of the Methodist Church of which she was a member. She left five children, all of whom were born in this country -- George H. who operates his father's farm; Mary J., wife of John Durston, a farmer in Montgomery County, died August 9, 1891; Anna M., wife of James Tucker, a resident farmer of Brighton Township;
Sarah who keeps house for her father; and Edwin who married Anna Lyons and is living on a farm in Brighton Township.
Mr. Lee is a self-made man, having worked his way upward to a position of affinence. By energy and perseverance he overcame the obstacles and difficulties in his path and is now one of the well- to-do citizens of the community, owning in addition to his valuable farm a fine resident property in Brighton. Honesty and fairness have character- ized all his dealings and his public and private life are alike above reproach. In political senti- ment he is a Republican and has served as a mem- ber of the Village Board.
Le EWIS C. DECK. ex-Mayor of Girard, is prominently identified with the business interests of this county as a member of the well-known firm of Clark & Deck, dealers in drugs, groceries, books, stationery, etc. Ile is a fine rep- resentative of the native-born citizens of this county, who, well educated, enterprising and pub- lie-spirited, are potent factors in advancing its ma- terial prosperity.
Mr. Deck is a descendant of an old pioneer fam- ily of Illinois, and he was born in Palmyra Town- ship, August 6, 1848. Ilis father, Jacob Deck, was born in Madison County, this State, in 1825, and was a son of one of its early settlers, Isaac Deck, a Virginian, who went from his native State to Tennessee, and coming thence to Illinois, settled on a tract of land that he purchased from the Gov- ernment, situated northeast from Upper Alton. He built a dwelling there, and lived there a number of years. lle finally eame to Macoupin County and cast in his lot with its pioneers, buying a tract of land near Bunker Hill, a part of which was im- proved. Hle made that his home until his death in 1872, at a venerable age. His wife died on the home farm in Madison County several years prior to his decease.
The father of our subject grew to man's estate in his native county, and dwelt there until after the death of his first wife, when he came to this county
689
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and located in Palmyra Township. For a few years after his settlement there he farmed on rented land, and then bought a tract of eighty acres of wild land, and afterward added to it until he had one hundred and sixty seres in North Otter Township. In the home that he built up there his remaining years were passed, his death occurring March 3, 1882, at a ripe age. The maiden name of his second wife, mother of our subject, was Nancy Steele. She is a native of South Carolina, and & daughter of Moses and Nancy ( Watts) Steele. She still resides in Girard, respected and esteemed by all who know her. She is the mother of six chil- dren. named as follows: William B., Mary E., Melissa A., John A., Lewis C. and George M.
The subject of this brief biographical record was reared in North Otter Township, and laid a solid foundation for bis education in the local schools and in a school at Girard. After leaving the pub- lie schools be taught one term, and then entered the Normal School at Normal, Ill., where he pur- sued a fine course of study that well fitted him for his professional work as a teacher, which he re- sumed after leaving the Normal. Ambitious to advance his education still further, in 1871 he went to Lexington, Ky., to attend the Kentucky Univer- sity. Ile was a student there two terms, making the best of his opportunities and winning a high rank for scholarship. After leaving the university he began teaching again in Macoupin County, and had the charge of a school in this part of the State until the latter part of 1883, making a name and a place for himself among our most intelligent and progressive educators. In 1884 he abandoned his profession to engage in business with B. F. Clark, with whom he is still in partnership. They have a commodious and handsomely arranged store, carry an extensive line of drugs, groceries, etc., and by conducting their trade systematically and honora- bly they have secured a large patronage not only in this city but in the country tributary to it
The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary Josephine Long was celebrated December 27, 1883, and has been hallowed to them by the birth of one child, Ilarry L. Mrs. Deck is a native of Mercer County, Ky., and a daughter of Joseph and Mary J. Long. Mr. Deck's life career has been directed
by energy, perseverance and good business habits, combined with honorable and conscientious deal- ings, that have raised him to a high position in financial circles, and have made him an invaluable civic official in the various responsible offices that have been trusted to his care by his fellow-citizens, who place a high estimate upon his character and public services. He was elected Clerk of the city, in 1889 was elected Mayor and served two years. He is a Director of the Girard Loan and Building Association, and gives hearty encouragement to all enterprises that will in any way contribute to the material advancement of the city, while at the same time he is influential in promoting its higher welfare, socially, morally, and religiously. In his politics he is a Democrat. His religious sentiments find expression in the faith of the Christian Church, and his estimable wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
R RANK W. BURTON, State's Attorney for Maconpin County, with his office and resi- dence at Carlinville, has attained distinc- tion at the bar by the exercise of marked legal talent and an ambitious, progressive spirit, that has made him one of the leaders of his profession in this section of the Commonwealth of Illinois, though he is still a young man. Mr. Burton is also widely known as a breeder of thoroughbred horses, who has done much to raise the standard of the horses bred in this region, and has one of the finest studs of blooded animals to be found in this or adjoining counties.
Our subject is a native born citizen of this county, October 8, 1857, the date of bis birth at Bunker Hill. His father, Henry W. Burton, was born at Pomfret, Windham County, Conn., Angust 14, 1819, a son of Olney Burton, who was a native of Cranston, R. I. The latter was a son of Rufus Burton, who is supposed to have been a native of that little New England State, where he engaged at his occupation as a farmer until his removal in 1800 to Pomfret, Conn. He bought a tract of land in that town, carried on farming and con- tinued a resident of that place until his death.
690
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The grandfather of our subject grew to manhood in his native State, and was there married. He went to Pomfret in 1800 and he and his father oe- pied the same farm. He always devoted himself to agricultural parsnits, and passed his last years on the old homestead in Pomfret. The maiden name of his wife, grandmother of our subject, was Abigail Burlingame. She was born at Cranston, R. I., and died on the old farm at Pomfret, Conn. She was the mother of these eight children- Rufus, Hannah, Sewell D., Lewis, Olney, James, Charles and Henry W.
Ilenry W. Burton passed his early life in his na- tive county, and received his education in the local distriet schools, At the age of fifteen he began to learn the trade of a carpenter, and from that time cared for himself with characteristic self-reliance and independence of character. Ile was a resident of Pomfret until the spring of 1841, when he came to Illinois, shrewdly foreseeing that his chances for securing a competence were better in this compar- atively newly settled country where energetie, en- terprising, industrious men were wanted to help in its upbuilding. le came by the most expeditions route at that time, which was by steamer to New York City, by rail from that city to Philadelphia, from there to Pittsburg by canal and railway, thence on a steamer down the Ohio and up the Mississippi Rivers to Alton, this State, where he joined his brother James, and in his company came to Macoupin County to cast in his lot with the pioneers of this region. The brothers had but one horse between them and they took turns in riding him until they had arrived at their journey's end. They located at Woodburn and the father of our subject worked at his trade as a carpenter and at millwrighting there for some years.
When the great excitement of the discovery of gold in California set the world agog, Mr. Burton joined the great march across the continent in search of the precious metal, starting in April, 1849, with four others, and making the journey with ox-teams over the plains and mountains to the Pacific Coast, arriving at Bear River the 12th of following September. For one month the little party was engaged in mining at that point, and then, after laying in supplies at Sacramento, they
they went to Mud Spring, near Placerville, where they prospected and dug for gold until spring. The party then Croke up but the father of our subject and one of his companions continued mining there until November, 1850, when they returned to their old home in Illinois by the way of the Isth- mus. Mr. Burton soon entered the mercantile busi ness at Woodburn in partnership with another man. Four years later he sold out his interest in that es- tablisument, and went into the same business at Bunker Hill, which he conducted until 1858. In 1860 he turned his attention to shipping grain, hay, etc., and was thus engaged until 1868. In that year he was elected Circuit Clerk and removed to C'arlin- ville to assume the duties of bis office, which he held until 1876, serving two full terms. After that he was appointed Deputy County Clerk, and acted in that capacity two terms.
Mr. Burton was married in 1844 to Miss Corne- lia R. Rider, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Justus Rider. She died in 1872, leaving two chil- dren, our subject and Henrietta W., who is the wife of Robert B. Shirley. Mr. Burton's second marriage was with Miss Sue Engliss, a native of Maconpin County and a daughter of Iliram Eng- liss. One child has been born of this second union.
Frank W. Burton, the subject of this biographi- cal review, was in his twelfth year when his parents came to Carlinville to reside. His early education was gained in the public schools of Bunker Hill. Ile subsequently entered Blackburn University and was graduated from that institution of learning in the Class of '76. His taste led him to adopt the legal profession and in January, 1877, he began his preparation for it in the office of Ilon. C. A. Wal- ker. with whom he read law, gaining a thorough knowledge of its fundamental principles, and in the spring of 1879 he was admitted to the bar. In the following June he opened an office at Carlinville and has been in successful practice here since that time. He was early called to important legal posi- tions, for which he has shown himself amply fitted. In 1881 he was elected City Attorney at Carlin- ville. and served acceptably in that position one year. In 1884 he was elected States Attorney for this county, was re elected in 1888, and is still an incumbent of that office, his constituents being
691
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
satisfied that a lawyer of his calibre, legal attain. ments, resolute and decided character is the right man for so responsible a place, Politically, he is identified with the Democrats,
Notwithstanding the numerous eares of an ex- tensive law practice and the demands made upon him by his official duties Mr. Burton, who is a true lover of fine horses, finds time to superintend his establishment for raising trotters, and he has a stud containing some of the finest strains in the land, of which he may well be proud. He is the fortunate owner of "Truce," 7,859, who was bred by R. P. Pepper,of Frankfort, Ky .. sired by "Onward," 2:254, son of "George Wilkes." "Racket," by "Egbert," is a beautiful mare, dam being by "Abdallah 15." and seeond dam, "Woodbine." "Riot," by "Ken- tucky Wilkes," 2:21}, son of "George Wilkes," dam, "Racket." is another valuable mare owned by our subject. Both "Riot" and "Racket" are bred to "Elector," 2:214, son of "Eleet'oneer." Mr. Burton also possesses "Ditto." by "Durango," (record 2:233), dam, "Lena Rivers," (record 2:33), said to be by "Blue Bull." Mr. Burton has several other valuable mares by imported "Specula . tor," from "Gold Dust"dams. "Niblo." 10,014,sired by "Walsingham," 2,166, son of "George Wilkes," dam, "Miss Fanny." dam of "Fugleman," 2:282, by "Hamlet," 160, son of "Volunteer."
Mr. Burton was married in November, 1880, to Miss Anna Robertson, a native of Carlinville, and a daughter of Dr. William A. and Naney Robert- son, of whom a biography appears elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Burton have a charming home, wherein their many friends are sure to meet with i hospita- table welcome from the gracious hostess and genial host, Three children complete their household- Cornelia R., Robert and Nanette.
2 ARRY II. GROVE, a prominent and high- ly respected resident of Bird Township, has his pleasant home on section 36. His fath- er, Jesse L'. Grove, and his mother. Susan Nuss, were both born in Montgomery County, Pa., and came from there to Macoupin County early in
the '60s and made their home in Carlinville. They have been residents of the county since that time. They had seven children, five sons and two daugh- ters. Their names are: Benjamin F., Samuel A., Emma C., Jesse I., Henry 11., Albert, and Mary. Jesse has married Miss Ella Rusher; Emma, died when a little one of four years; Benjamin F. is en- gaged in farming in Bird Township and Samuel A. is a resident of Troy, N. Y .; Henry is engaged in buying and selling stock; Albert is a printer in Kansas; he married a Miss Walker, who is now de- ceased. Mary is a teacher and Jesse is now serving as constable of Carlinville.
The gentleman of whom we write is the prosper- ons owner of one hundred and sixty acres. a splen- did farm upon which is located a good farm house. All the improvements which are necessary to mark a first-class farm are here to be found, and the buildings are above the average. Ile now has his farm in the hands of a tenant.
Mr. Grove was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug- ust 9. 1858, and was some seven years old when the family emigrated to this county, which he has ever since made his home. His education was first taken in the common schools and for awhile he at- tended Blackburn University. In his early man . hood he labored in various capacities and did con- siderable dealing in stock in a small way prior to 1885, when by the exercise of industry, temperance and economy he had accumulated about $1,000. At this time he intended to take a collegiate edu- cation for the purpose of entering upon a profess . ional career, but finding himself financially strand- ed by the closing of the First National Bank and through the trickery of the cashier losing $500, he was compelled to give up his cherished plans. Though the loss was a severe one he did not be- come discouraged or disheartened at the loss, but with renewed energy he started out again with a dletermination to succeed.
In February. 1886, Mr. Grove entered the gro- cery business without a dollar of cash capital. Ile purchased of V. C. Rodemeyer his stock of grocer- ies, giving for the same his individual notes which be paid long before due. In September. 1887 he again met with a severe loss amounting of $1,500 by the failure of Wilson & Crowley of Chicago, to
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.