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 82
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of the question before making up his mind. His intelligence and excellent judgment fit him to be a leader, and his experience and standing give him an influence which is exercised by him for the good of the community.
C APT. BENJAMIN HI. PENN, a well-known resident of section 29. Shaw's Point Town- ship, is a son of Joseph and Candace ( Bar- ton) Penn, bothi natives of North Carolina. In their early married life they made their home in Lebanon, St. Clair County, Ill., and in 1837 came to Macoupin County and settled in Shaw's Point Township, where Mr. Penn died in 1840. Ilis bereaved widow survived him for seventeen years and at the time of her departure from this life was living in Montgomery County.
The subject of this biographical sketch is the youngest in a large family of nine children, and on February 5, 1838, he first saw the light in Shaw's Point Township. llere he received a good education in the distriet schools and was reared to manhood, learning upon his father's farm the practieal arts of agriculture. The greater part of his life has been spent here with the exception of three years which he gave to his country and two and a half years when he was in Kansas, and a year spent in Madison County. With the excep tion of this, he has been a resident of Macoupin County all his life. lle learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed industriously for many years, and since 1880 he has been engaged exclu . sively in farming. Upon this fine and rich tract of seventy-seven and a half acres he has raised fine erops and good stock.
We belief all the words of historians will never more than do justiee to the brave boys who so cheerfully and bravely left their homes and went out without training and without military skill to fight the enemies of their country in its time of need. The hero's crown is theirs, and we love to speak of their endurance and courage and of the victories which they achieved. Illinois responded nobly to the repeated calls of the War President
whom her sons loved and honored, and to whose help they freely sprang. Benjamin Penn enlisted in one of the first regiments and at the first call of Abraham Lincoln, being one of those who en- listed for three months, believing that this period of warfare would end the rebellion. He became a private in Company K, Seventh Illinois Regiment, joining that body April 22, 1861.
After his term of service expired this young man re-enlisted in Company C, Thirty-second Illinois Regiment, as a private, and served in that capacity until February 28, 1863, when he was commissioned Captain of Company B, of the same regiment. His term of service expired in the fall of 1864, and he was mustered out of service Sep. tember 15. He took part in the siege of Vicks- burg and in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. Before he was commissioned Captain he served as Wagon-master, first as Regimental, and later as Brigade Wagon-master.
When Capt. Penn was mustered out he returned to Shaw's Point Township and engaged at once in farming, but afterward removed to Virden and devoted himself to the business of carpentry until 1872, when he went to Butler County, Kan .. where he farmed for two and a half years. lle thien came back to Carlinville and followed his trade until 1880, when he settled on the farm which is located on section 29, where he has made excellent improvements.
It was during the days of the war that Capt. Penn took to himself a wife, being united in marriage April 22, 1863, with Miss Mary E. Priebard, at the residence of the bride's parents, Wilson and Polly (Plain) Prichard, both natives of Virginia and residents of Shaw's Point Town- ship. They had come from the South some years before and the father died in 1862. The mother still survives at an advanced age and is at once the care and comfort of her children. Mr. and Mrs. Prichard had four children, of whom Mrs. Penn was the third, being born June 18, 1840, in Muhlenburg County, Ky.
Capt. and Mrs. Penn are the parents of five in- teresting children, namely : Mattie L., Mary C., Josephine E., Florence R. and Ethel G. The ser- ond daughter died in infancy. Capt. Penn was
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elected Justice of the Peace in the spring of 1888, and has held that office continuously from that date to this. Ile also occupied the same position while living in Kansas. Both he and his amiable and intelligent wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has taken a very active part in political affairs and always affiliates with the party which placed Abraham Lincoln in the Presidential chair. Ilis war record and experience give him a lively interest in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he belongs to Dan Messick Post, No. 339, of Carlin- ville.
OIIN R. CLEMMONS. The wealthy and progressive farmers of Virden Township have achieved their success by virtue of their own thorough-going industry, effective enterprise and the wealth which lay hidden under the sod of the Prairie State. They cannot be ac- cused, as can many who have gained wealth in the populous centers of our country, of having wrung their wealth from the sufferings and efforts of their fellow-men. They may well take an honor- able pride in their achievements and can with a clear conscience say that they have wronged no man, but have truly helped their neighbors through their own prosperity.
Among such we are pleased to mention the gentleman whose name we have given above. His parents, Peter and Eunice ( Richardson) Clem - mons, emigrated from North Carolina to Pike County, Ill., in the fall of 1830, and there they spent the remainder of their days. Our subject was the youngest in a goodly family of seven children, and his birth took place in Davidson County. N. C, January 19, 1822. Ile was therefore but eight years old when his father and mother made their new home in the Prairie State, and from that time Pike County was his home and there he grew to man- hood. Hlis quiet early life upon the farm was spent much as other farm boys spend their grow- ing years, and he received as good an education as the district schools of the county afforded. These
were not as good then as can be found now, but the added earnestness of those early days, made probably as good scholars as the greater advant- ages of to-day can turn out.
This gentleman made his home in Pike County until March, 1865. He had married in Greene County, this State, Elizabeth Ann Thomas, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Ann (Isley) Thomas and the wedding day of the young couple was March 28, 1818. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were of Southern birth and parentage, the former being a native of Pendleton County, S. C., and the latter of Eastern Tennessee. They had come to Illinois in their early days and were married in Madison County, from which they afterward re- moved to Greene County, where they spent the remainder of their days.
Mrs. Clemmons was the fifth in order of age in a family of truly patriarchal numbers, there being twelve in her father's family, and her birth took place in Greene County, August 21, 1825. As we have said Mr. Clemmons continued to reside in Pike County after his marriage until March, 1865 when he came to Macoupin County, and made his home on section 12, Virden Township, which has since been the family residence. Both he and his wife are large land owners, owning together some five hundred and sixty acres. upon which he has made valuable and substantial improvements, in- cluding a beautiful residence, first-class bairns and all outhouses necessary to the successful and syste- matie carrying on of farm work.
Six children have blessed this home, namely : Eunice B., who died in the fourth year of her age ; Samuel T., who was called away when about thir- teen years old; Lewis II., who lived to attain his majority and was then taken away in the bloom of his young manhood; JJane E., who died when seven years old; Laura C., who is the wife of Frank l'. Babbitt and John O., who married Miss Mary L. Chedister. In political matters Mr. Clemmons has been active and interested, working strenuous- ly for the success of his party and believing firmly in the doctrines of Democracy. Ile is not in any sense of the word an office-seeker, but at the earn- est solicitation of his neighbors he has consented to undertake the responsible position of School
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Director. He has in this way forwarded greatly the educational interests of the township, as his intelligence and public-spirited enterprise make him peculiarly well fitted to push forward progres- sive movements in this direction. Both he and liis lovely and capable wife are earnest and devoted members of the Christian Church, and in this con- nection, as in all the relations of life they are active in forwarding the interests of those about them. Their life in this community has been one which redounds not only to their credit but to the good of their neighbors.
RS. MARTHA A. JOINER, a resident of Bird Township and a member of a promi- nent family in this section, makes her home on section 5. Her father was Drury Pul- liam, and her mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Cole. They belonged to old Kentucky families and were married in that State and came from there to Morgan County, Ill. There they made their home for some time but removed to Macoupin County at quite an early day, and settled in South Palmyra Township. Here the good mother was called away from earth, leaving her children and husband to mourn her loss, which was also deeply felt by the community at large. The father died in Waverly. Ill. They were the parents of eleven children of whom Martha who became Mrs. Joiner, was one of the younger mem- bers. This daughter was born in Anderson County, Ky., in October, 1816. She came to Macoupin County, Ill., with her parents while still a young child.
This lady remained at home with her parents until her marriage with Thomas Joiner, which took place June 18, 1848, in South Palmyra Township. The first home of the newly married couple was in the townsbip just named. Here they lived for some time and then removed to Bird Township, and settled on section 5. In the fall of 1883 Thomas Joiner was called away from earth, leaving a widow and children to mourn his irreparable
loss, in which the community deeply sympathized with them.
Three of Mrs. Joiner's six children arrived at years of maturity, namely: Solomon, Mary and George. Mary died when a young lady of sixteen years; Solomon and George are both residents of the township in which their mother makes her home and a biographical sketch of the eldest son will be found elsewhere in this work. Since the ! death of Mr. Joiner his widow has continued to reside upon the old homestead. This lady is an earnest and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which her departed husband was also an active member. Mrs. Joiner's pure Christian character, excellent judgment and neigh- borly kindness make her beloved by all who know her while her connection with two of the best known families in this section give her a broad field of acquaintance and friendship.
HOMAS PIERSON occupies one of the best improved farms on seetion 7, Carlinville Township. Ile is another of our British- American citizens who have found in the New . World a better home than they had even in the beautiful island of Great Britain. The father of this gentleman was William Pierson, an English- man. His parents emigrated to America and made their home in Morgan County. Here the mother passed away from earth. The father is now a resi- dent of Missouri.
The subject of this sketch was the fifth in a family of six children. He was born in Morgan County, Ill., April 5, 1863. He made his bome witlı his parents until the year 1880, when he came to Maconpin County and worked for others upon their farms until he was married. This event of great importance and interest took place April 2, 1890. at the home of the bride in Carlinville Town- ship. The lady is Miss Hattie Morris. a daughter of the late Charles and Maria Morris. Mr. Morris died in Carlinville Township, December 7, 1886, and his widow is still living and makes her home with her children.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
DANIEL HUDDLESTON.
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Mrs. Hattie Pierson was born in Carlinville Township, May 18, 1863. After her marriage with Mr. Pierson they made their home on her father's old homestead. They now own a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which is carried on not only general farming but stock-raising. The farm is in excellent condition and bears every mark of the hand of a thorough-going and intelli- gent farmer. Nothing upon the farm is allowed to run to waste, but every acre counts and every corner is made productive and kept in excellent condition. In politics lie is a Republican, but is not aggressive in this line, confining his interest to keeping himself well informed and casting his bal- lot for the principles which he espouses.
ANIEL HUDDLESTON. The gentleman whose portrait appears on the opposite page died at his home on section 11, Gil- lespie Township, December 22, 1869. He had settled on his farm here in the spring of 1856 and at that time it was an unbroken prairie, from which he was able by his enterprise and energy to build up a fine farm. He put upon it such improve- ments as redound greatly to his credit and they now stand as a silent memorial to his thrift and in iustry. At the time of his death he owned five hundred and twenty acres, most of which was in a good state of cultivation.
Mr. Huddleston came to this county in 1832 and somewhat later made his home in the township of Gillespie, where he remained until death. For a number of years he continued to reside with his parents on section 4, but after his marriage he lo- cated on forty acres which he afterward increased by purchase. This estate formed the homestead which is yet in the family in a divided state.
Mr. Huddleston was born in Ohio near Colum- bus, October 25, 1816. and was the son of Abraham and Mary ( Roe) Huddleston. The Huddleston family is of German ancestry and the Roe's are of English descent. After marriage this couple began life on a farm near Columbus, Ohio, but later re- moved to Indiana, making their home near New-
port in that State. In 1832 they emigrated to III- inois coming with an ox-team in & prairie schooner and camping out along the road. Upon their arrival here in 1832 they secured some Government land on section 4, Gillespie Township, and began their Western life after the primitive style of those times. In the original home of this couple the wife of Abraham Huddleston died in 1852, when past fifty years of age. Her husband married twice after her death, his last wife surviving him, and his own death occurring July 4, 1874, when he was more than eighty-five years of age.
The parents of our subject were identified with the old school Baptist Church and Mr. Huddle- ston's political views were in accordance with the doctrines of the Democratic party. Ile was well. known throughout not only the township but also the county. Only two of the children of this couple grew to years of maturity-our subject and his sis- ter Jane, Mrs. Kinder, who died near Clyde, this county, in 1889, being about seventy-two years old. After Mr. Huddleston became of age he was mar- ried in this county to Miss Rachel Huddleston, who was born in the central part of Indiana on the Bine River, February 21, 1824. She is a daughter of William and Juda Huddleston, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee respectively, who came of similar ancestry with our subject. They were married in Kentucky and began life as farmers and during the . War of 1812 William fought during the entire period of conflict. He was under Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, and proved himself brave and daring.
After the birth of some of their children, Will- iam Huddleston and family set out for the North- west, coming through Indiana with teams and wag- ons. While passing through that State in 1824 their daughter Rachel was born and she was but a child when her parents reached Illinois in 1830, and settled on Government land in Gillespie Township. They built a home on section 3, and there the wife and mother was called from earth in 1832. She was then in the prime of life, a devoted Christian, a kind mother and a woman of more than ordinary character. She was a Methodist in her religious connections.
The second marriage of William Huddleston
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united him with Miss Rachel Hendershott. They afterward lived in Greene County. Ill., where he died in 1844, being then only a little past middle life. He was a man of true Christian character con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a Whig in his political views. His wife survived him and spent her last days in Iowa. She also was connected with the Methodist Church.
The wife of our subject was only eight years of age when her mother died and she was reared by her father. Of eight children born to her parents, three sons and three daughters are still living. She became the mother of thirteen children, nine of of whom are deceased, namely: Henry, Maria C., Susan, Lina, Preston and Mary I., who all died single; George D. L .; JJulia A., who became the wife of Amos Ruckman and died leaving no off- spring ; Samuel J., who married Leonia Robins and left three children. Those who still survive are- John W., who married Sarah Halpin and lives on . the Huddleston homestead; Carrie E., who is the widow of Adelbert James, and resides with her mother; Emma J., the wife of Daniel Duger, an engineer residing at Belleville, Ill., and Florence 1)., the wife of Julius Williams, now living on a farm in this township. Mrs. Iluddleston and her children attend the Methodist Episcopal Church and are active and earnest in their support of religious work. The family name was formerly spelled Huddlestun but was changed during the present generation.
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ICHOLAS CHALLACOMBE. The gentle- man who is the original of this sketch is one of the most prominent in the county, not only for his financial standing, which in itself would give him precedence, but because of his popularity, reputation for honor and integrity, and his adherence to principles that naturally vote one to be a high-souled gentleman. He is the owner of and resident upon the very fine farm located on section 20, of Chesterfield Township.
The ancestors of Mr. Challacombe were of noble origin, and he can refer with pride to the fact that
they came over to England with William the Con- queror. For several generations before the birth of the subject of this sketch the family held an honorable position among the yeomen of Devon- shire, where both his grandfather and father were born. The home of the Challacombes was located in the Parish of West Down and was known as Buttercomb Hall. There are still many represent- atives of the family in the mother country, some of them being located at Bristol, others are scat- tered through manufacturing and rural districts. Nicholas Challacombe was the pioneer in his fam- ily to start out for bimself in the new country.
Our subject was the youngest son of a family of eight children, born to his father, John Challa- combe, his mother being Elizabeth (Parminter) Challacombe, also a native of Devonshire. The family emigrated to America in 1833 and settled in Stafford, Genesee County, N. Y. In 1840 they removed from their first location and came to Illi- nois, settling near Carlinville on the farm now owned by ex-Gov. Palmer, where they lived until the death of the parents.
The original of this sketch was the youngest son and sixth child in the order of birth of his family. llis natal day was June 19, 1824. lle made his home with his father until he reached his majority when his father presented him with four hundred acres of land lying in the Macoupin bottom. Of this traet only eighty acres were under cultivation. It included a mound that afforded a beautiful and picturesque building site. He early became ac- quainied with a lady whose name was Nancy Glo- rian Carson, and they were united marriage March 22, 1847, the ceremony being celebrated under the auspices of the Rev. Hugh Barr. The lady is a native of Franklin. Tenn .. and is of Scotch origin. her father was William II. Carson, a native of Ten- nessee, as was her mother, Mary (Goff) Carson. They were old settlers in Macoupin County, a !- though they passed away from this life in Chester- field Township.
Immediately after our subject's marriage he set- tled with his young wife on the farm where he now lives, and with her he has since bent his ener- gies to seeing how bright and beautiful they could make the existence which the good Father has
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vouchsafed them. This they have done. not self- ishly, but remembering also in all the relations of life the principle laid down in the Golden Rule. The present residence of our subject was built in 1870, although it was commenced long before that time, in 1860. During this time he has made extensive improvements upon the place, besides his house he has erected fine barns and outhouses for stock.
Mr. and Mrs. Challacombe are the parents of twelve children, whose names are as follows: Isa- bella A., Mary E., Medora J .. John W., Fannie G., Nicholas B., Mabel G. and Wesley. The other children died in infancy. Of those named Isabella A. has become the wife of II. B. Warner; Mary E. is the wife of A. C. Hartwell; Medora J. united herself for better or worse to J. K. Butler; John W. made mistress of his home Mary Fenton; Fan- nie G. is the wife of John S. Serles; Nicholas B. married Hannah Daniels; Mabel G. is the wife of R. E. Woodmanca. The youngest son, Wesley, is a student at Blackburn University where he prom- ises to distinguish himself.
Our subject has been chiefly occupied with his business of farming, although he operates a saw- mill which is located on his farm. He now owns about seven hundred acres of land although at one time he was proprietor of one thousand acres. The original of this sketch has been honored by his election to several positions of public trust. Ile has been Supervisor of Chesterfield Township for three terms and Treasurer of the township contin- ually since November, 1861. He assisted in the organization of the Bank of Medora and is its Vice President, also one of the Directors, having held these positions since the bank was organized.
Mr. Challacombe formerly voted with the Re- publican party, but he has shown his progressive tendencies in the right way by voting with the Prohibitionists. Our subject and his wife have been for many years members of the Presbyterian Church in which the former has been an Elder for a long time, supporting the church in its ecclesi- astieal meetings for nearly a quarter of a century. The postoffice and station of the town near by were named after our subject.
Mr. Challacombe has enjoyed the distinction and honor of being a delegate of the Alton Presbytery
to the General Assembly which was held in Pitts- burg, Pa., in 1877 or 1878. He is one of the Board of Trustees of Blackburn University of Carlinville, and by his broad and liberal ideas and generous influence has done much to give the advantage to that educational institution.
OHN W. DALBY, the respected Supervisor of Barr Township, resides on section 9, where his fine farm of two hundred and fifty- five acres well attests the thorough hand of a practical farmer. His father was the late Israel Dalby, whose native home was in Frederick County, Va., as was also that of his wife, Eliza Ogden. The former was born in 1806, and the latter in 1813. They came from Virginia to Greene County, Ill., in the spring of 1854. and after resid- ing there one year decided to come to Macoupin County, where many of their old neighbors from the Old Dominion had made their home. They settled on the section line of Barr Township, but their united residence there was to be of short du- ration, as the husband and father passed from earth in October, 1855, when they had hardly become settled in their new home. He left his wife and ten children to pursue alone the struggle of life. The children grew to maturity and bravely helped their mother in her efforts to maintain the home. She has now passed away, her decease occurring March 24, 1890. The children bear the names of William J .. Joseph F., Caroline, Mary E., George E., John W., Isaac A., Robert B., Ella and Harrison R.
John W. Dalby was the sixth child in his fath- er's large family and was only a little boy at the ·time of that parent's deccase. Hle was born in Frederick County, Va., October 28,1848, and came with his parents to Illinois, growing to manhood in Barr Township, where he has always been a resident. He has been engaged chiefly in farming, although for seventeen years he pursued teaching in Macou- pin County.
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