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 88
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
748
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
For over forty years Mr. Wood bas been a faith- ful and consistent member of the Christian Church. He delights in doing good, is charitable and bene- volent, and is known thoughout the community for his many excellent works, He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson at his lirst elec- tion, and has since that time been a stalwart Demo- crat. Farming be has made his life work, and from the wild prairie he developed rich and fertile fields which have yielded to him an excellent in- come, making him one of the substantial citizens of the community. He began life in the West in true pioneer style, his home being a log cabin, his farming implements of the crudest character, while oxen were used at the plow, but he has kept pace with the improvements of the age, and is now the owner of one of the best farms in the community. His cabin home was replaced in 1870 by a large brick residence, a view of which appears ou another page, and which is one of the finest dwellings in the county. On March 8, 1871, his home was vis- ited by a tornado, which demolished his fine barn and unroofed his new house, altogether entailing a loss of nearly $3,000. Nothwithstanding this and other misfortunes in his career, he has persevered in a course of honor and uprightness, and success has crowned his efforts.
1 SAAC S. SNEDEKER. a well-known citizen and successful farmer who owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 23, Hilyard Township, was born near Trenton, N. J., on April 10, 1834, and is descended from Holland ancestry, who during Colonial days crossed the Atlantic and settled in America. The family was first established on Long Island, but James Snedeker, the great-grandfather of our subject, re. moved to New Jersey, where he began life as a farmer. He served in the Colonial Army through- out the Revolutionary War, fought at the battle of Monmouth, N. J., and afterward remained in that State until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy years in New Brunswick, at what is known as Long Branch. His son, Isaac Snedeker, was there
born and reared to the occupation of farming. He married Miss Catherine Moore, and they spent the greater part of their lives in the vicinity of Tren- ton, N. J., where the wife died in 1832, when ahout seventy years of age. Isaac Snedeker afterward removed to. Monroe County, N. Y., and spent bis last days near Rochester, where he died at the age of four-score years.
Into Isaac Snedeker and his wife were born eleven children, one of whom Jacob, became the father of our subject. He was born March 23, 1806, and is the only one now living. In the usual manner of farmer lads his boyhood days were spent, his education being acquired in the com- mon schools while his business training was re- ceived as a clerk. He was married in the city of Trenton to Ellen Jay, who was born October 2, 1813, and is a daughter of William and Hannah (Vandervere) Jay, natives of New Jersey, where they were reared and married and spent their entire lives. The father died in middle life, after which the widow was again married. Joseph Jay, the maternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Scotland, who emigrated to this country and fought throughout the war for independence. Ile lived and died near Trenton, N. J. Jacob M. Snedeker and his wife hade good-by to their home in that locality after the birth of their first child and removed to Monroe County, N. Y., in May, 1834, settling on a farm near Rochester, where they spent about five years. In 1839, they be- came residents of Champaign County, Ohio, and the autumn of 1850 witnessed their arrival in Illinois. They traveled overland by team and at length made a settlement in JJersey County, where Mr. Snedeker rented land for one year. At the expiration of that time they came to Macoupin County and purchased iand in Hilyard Township, which the father transformed from the raw prairie into rich and fertile fields constituting one of the best farms in the community. He also made many excellent improvements and erected a pleasant home where he is spending his last days. Mrs. Snedeker suffered a stroke of paralysis February 24, 1889, and was an invalid until her death, which occurred March 21, 1891. Mr. Snedeker, however, still re- tains both his mental and physical faculties to a
749
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
remarkable degree. Never but once in all his life has he had to call a doctor for himself and that has been within the past two years. In carly life he was an old-line Whig and is now a stanch Republi- can. Numbered among the honored citizens of the community he and his wife have been held in high regard and their names well deserve to be recorded upon the annals of their county's history.
Isaac Snedeker was a lad of seventeen years when the family located in this county. He had begun his school life in Ohio, whence he removed in the fall of 1850, to Jersey County, Ill., where he spent one year. Since 1851. he has resided in this county and during all the years which have since come and gone his home has been upon the farm which he yet owns. It was purchased by his father when it was a tract of wild prairie, entirely destitute of improvements. He turned the first furrow upon many an acre and aided in the development and cultivation of the land which now yields to him a good income. He was married in Bunker Hill Township, February 16, 1859, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha Ellen Frost, who was born June 4. 1833, in Vermont, of which State her parents, William and Caroline (Rich) Frost, were also natives. With their family they emigrated Westward in 1844, and after a short time spent in Jersey County, Ill .. came to Woodburn, Macoupin County, where the wife and mother departed this life at the age of thirty-seven years. Mr. Frost, has been a second time married and now lives on a farm near Woodburn.
I'nder the parental roof Mrs. Suedeker remained until her marriage and the training which she re- ceived combined with the natural excellencies of her character has made her a cultured woman who has proved a true helpmate to her husband. Their home has been blessed by the presence of four chil- dren, but only two are now living-Caroline I. and Alma. The latter is the wife of Harry Colter who resides on a farm in Ililyard Township. Ida A. died in childhood; and Theodore died three days before he had attained to the age of twenty-one years. Mr. Snedeker is a practical and progressive farmer who successfully operates his quarter sec- tion of land and has thereby acquired a compe- tence. He takes a commendable interest in all that
pertains to the upbuilding and welfare of the county and always willingly gives his support to those enterprises which are calculated to promote the general welfare. Those who have known him from his youth up and are familiar with his upright life are numbered among his stanchest friends and in speaking of him they use only words of com- mendation and praise.
LEXANDER II. BELL of Carlinville, is known and honored as a lawyer who has risen to eminence among the members of the bar of this county through personal merit and devotion to his profession. Ile is a na- tive-born eitizen of this State; Troy, Madison County, bis birthplace, and October 29, 1853, the date of his birth. He is the son of Thomas II. Bell, who was born at Cambridge, Dorchester County, Md., where also his father is thought to have been born and passed his life. The latter, Robert Bell, was a merchant and planter, his plantation being worked by slaves.
Thomas H. Bell was reared and educated in his native county, and early in life he learned the trade of a coachmaker, which be followed in Maryland until 1851, when he came to Illinois. Ever since that time he has made his home in Troy, Madisou County, except a period of five years in which he lived in Jerseyville, Ill. He has carried on the business of manufacturing carriages and wagons until the present time. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Julia Hubbard, was also born near Cam- bridge, Md. They reared two children-Alexan- der, II., of this sketch, and Angie, who married Truman K. Gore, of Carlinville.
In the public schools of Troy and Jerseyville our subjeet gained the preliminaries of a good ed- ucation. In 1870 he entered Blackburn University, attending until the fall of 1873, when he left for a time to teach school, being thus engaged in Greene County the ensuing winter of 1873-74, and the following summer he worked ou a farm. In the fall he returned to his studies at Blackburn and was graduated in the Class of '75. Immediately
750
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
after leaving the university he commenced the study of law with Hon. Charles A. Walker, and the next winter again gave his attention to the teach- er's profession, filling the position of Principal of the Medora schools. In the spring of 1876 he re- sumed his legal studies with Mr. Walker and in June, 1877, was admitted to the bar. In Septem- her, of the same year he formed a partnership with W. E. P. Anderson, which connection has continued since that time.
In December, 1877, Mr. Bell and Miss Flora G. Mounts were united in marriage, and of their wed- ded life two children have been born, who are named Bessie and Robert H. Mrs, Bell is a native of Carlinville, and a daughter of Leander and Elizabeth (Davis) Mounts. For her parental his- tory see sketch of William L. Mounts.
Mr. Bell's follow-citizens have called him to posi- tions in the line of his profession. In 1878 he was chosen City Attorney. In 1880 he was elected State's Attorney for Maeoupin County. Socially he is a prominent member of the Masonic order in this section of the country, being identified with the Mt. Nebo Lodge No. 76, and with Macoupin Chapter, No. 187, R. A. M., in which he has filled various offices. He is at present District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty-secoud Masonic dis triet, including Macoupin, Jersey, Greene and Cal- houn Counties. Politically he is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Samuel J. Tilden for Presi- dent in 1876.
W ILLIAM A. SHRIVER, M. D. The pro- fessional men in any community are pre- sumably leaders in thought and action, especially in regard to the development of the in- tellectnal, industrial and financial affairs of the dis- triet in which they live. A physician who has established a large and influential practice, has the entrance into hundreds of homes and the regard of many citizens who naturally look to him for ad- vice, not only in his own line but also in regard to matters in general. The gentleman of whom we write has established a practice and has made
friends who would gladly accord him such a posi- tion as we have described.
Dr. Shriver was born in the village of Sugar Tree Ridge, Highland County, Ohio, April 30, 1844. His father, George A. Shriver, was a native of Clermont County, Ohio, and was the son of Peter Shriver a Pennsylvanian, who emigrated at a very early day from his native State to Clermont County. He devoted himself to agricultural pur- suits through life and spent his last years in High- land County.
The father of our subject was also reared as a farmer, and chose that as his life work until he learned the trade of a cabinet-maker which he fol- lowed for many years. Soon after his marriage he established his home in Highland County, Ohio, and resided near Sugar Tree Ridge until 1851, when he came to Illinois and made his home near Rockford. This journey was made by team, bring- ing with him his family and household goods. Rockford, which is now so beautiful and flourish - ing a city, was then a small place, without railroad facilities. He removed from there to Pike County in 1854 and bought land near Pittsfield, at which time be returned to the vocation of a farmer.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary A. Hensley. She was a daughter of Joseph Hensley and her native home was High - land County, Ohio. She became the mother of four sons and five daughters. Our subject was seven years old when he removed to Illinois with bis parents. The district school furnished his ele- mentary education which he so thoroughly im- proved as to be able to begin teaching at the age of fifteen.
The young man in improving his opportunities for education had in mind the attainment of a pro- fessional training and after he had taught for three years began the study of medicine with Dr. Pitzer, now of St. Louis. He also attended lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, and took a diploma from that college. It was in the spring of 1866 when he began to practice his profession in Virden and he has made this his home up to the present time. His skill has been con- stantly augmented by the experience which has come to him, and he has gained in reputation ever
751
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
since he began practice in this place. He has also made judicious investments, and more wisely than many physicians has so managed his business as to gain a comfortable competence. Ile is respected among business men as a financier and his opinion is eagerly sought upon questions which concern the welfare not only of friends but of the community.
The marriage of Dr. Shriver and Miss Carrie E. Howland, at Barry, Pike County, Ill., in 1865, has resulted in a union of unusual felicity and useful. ness. Five children are the result of this union, the two eldest. Carrie and Frank, are deceased. Three remain to brighten the home of the Doctor: Edith, Estelle, and Earl. The Doctor is a warm friend of education and takes great interest in the schools of the city and at present is serving as President of the Board of Education of the city of Virden and is giving his children all the ad- vantages offered in the schools of the city prepara- tory to entering a higher grade. The Doctor and his wife are united in their religions life. being both carnest and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ENRY BALL, an extensive and successful farmer and stock-raiser of Girard Town- ship, was born in Breconshire, South Wales, September 25, 1844. Ilis father Richard Ball, was born on the Yatt farm, near Old Radnor. Radnorshire. Wales. His father, William, was born in Herefordshire, England. The grandfather was for many years a farmer, but in his later years opened a linestone quarry, and engaged in burning lime in Radnorshire, Wales, lime being extensively used as a fertilizer in Wales. The father of our subject was reared in his native land and becoming a veterinary surgeon, practiced in Breconshire and adjoining counties.
In the summer of 1855 Richard Ball, Sr., decided to emigrate to the New World, and leaving his family at the old home came to America and loca- ted at Virden, becoming an early settler there. After deciding upon a location he sent back for
his family, and in the fall his wife and ten of her fourteen children sailed from Liverpool in the good ship "Aurora." and landed safely in New York December 8. after a voyage of nearly seven weeks. They came directly to Virden and he bought a home in that village and engaged in bus- iness as a butcher, in which line he continued until his death in August, 1856. He was a strong ad- herent to the Episcopal faith having all his chil- dren baptized in infancy in the Episcopal Church. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Maria Evans, her father being Thomas Evans. a farmer of Rad- norshire, Wales, and her mother, Mary Ball Evans. She still recides with her son, and although she has reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years, is interested in current events and especially church work. being a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Fourteen children came to bless the home of Rich ard Ball. Sr., all of whom were carefully reared by their devoted mother, who added to her flock two others who were orphans. She lived to see all but one of her children grow to maturity and estab- lish homes of their own, living in comfortable cir- cumstances and in honses which they had built for themselves. They are by name: Frederick, Ara- bella, William E., Thomas. Richard Jr., Maria, Mary, Frances. Ann, John, James, Henry, George. and Agnes E. Maria died in Wales at the age of eighteen years. Ann married Calvin Tunnell and died in Montgomery County, Ill .; James died in Virden at the age of twelve years; William, the second son, was a resident of London, England, about forty years, and died there February 27, 1891, and Frederick lives in Missouri, but all the other children have made their home in Illinois. William Pugh and John Dowdy are the names of the orphans whom she reared with her own family. William Pugh was a nephew of Richard Ball. Sr., and was a twin brother of James, who died in Vir- den.
The subject of this sketch was a boy of eleven years old when he came to America with his parents and therefore remembers well his native land, and the incident connected with their removal thither. He was reared to habits of industry, and has been very successful in his farming operations. For
752
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
several years he was connected in his work with his brothers, but since 1877 has farmmed alone. He now owns one of the best farms in Macoupin County, which is well tilled and supplied with necessary buildings which are of an excellent grade. Short-horn cattle are his favorite breed, although he devotes himself largely to English draft and Morgan horses, lle is a member of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company and of Grange No. 485.
C OL. SARGEANT MCKNIGHT, a distin- guished citizen of Girard, and formerly one of its leading business men, won a high reputation for his ability, unflinching courage and devotion to the cause of his country as an officer in the Union Army during the late war, in "those times that tried men's souls," and tested their pa- triotism, their manhood, and the value of their citi- zenship. Ile is well-known in the public life of this county and State, as he has held several prom- inent military and civic positions, and is one of the leading members of the Grand Army of the Republic, at present serving on the staff of its Com- mander-in Chief, Gen. W. G. Yeazey.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Macoupin County, Ill., January 6, 1844. Ilis parents were natives of Virginia, and emigrated to Illinois about the year 1830, becoming early set- tlers of Greenfield, Greene County. They subse- quently became pioneers of this county. locating first at Scottville, whence they came to Girard in 1859. His mother died in April, 1864, at the age of sixty-four years; his father died in April, 1868, at the age of seventy-two years.
Col. MeKnight is the youngest of a family of ten children, seven of whom are now living. He was educated in the public schools of his native county, and at the age of seventeen years he entered a dry-goods store at Girard as a clerk. He held that position until August, 1862, when, though but eighteen years of age, he threw aside all personal interests to serve his country, enlisting as a private in Company H, One Ilundred and Twenty-two Illi.
nois Infantry, commanded by Col. John I. Rinaker. The regiment was organized at Camp Palmer, Car- linville, and private Mcknight was elected First Sergeant of his company, thus entering upon that military career that reflected honor upon himself, his friends, and the soldiery of his native State. The regiment was soon after ordered to the front and remained in active service until the close of the war.
Our subject participated in every engagement in which his regiment took part. December 31, 1862, he was promoted and commissioned second Lieu- tenant of his company, vice Lieutenant Briston. killed in battle at Parker's Cross Roads, in Tennes- see. During the latter part of 1863 he served a short time as Aide-de Camp on the Staff of Col. Mersey, of the Ninth Illinois Infantry, command- ing a brigade in Gen. Dodge's Division. Sixteenth Army Corps, but was relieved at his own request, and in January, 1864, rejoined his regiment at Paducah, Ky. Soon after his arrival at that place the Colonel was detailed as Assistant Inspector General on the staff of Col. S. G. Hicks, command- ing the Post, which position he filled- until after the assault on Ft. Anderson at Paducah, March 24, by the Confederate forces, under the command of Gen. N. B. Forrest. At this battle after the first repulse of the Confederates, our subject was sent by Col. Ilicks to meet a Confederate staff oflicer bearing a flag of truce and a demand from Gen. Forrest for the unconditional surrender of the fort and Federal forces. which demand was promptly refused by the gallant Union veteran, Col. Ilieks. The rebels then made two more fierce and deter- mined, but unsuccessful attacks on the fort, suffer- ing a loss of about one thousand men in killed and wounded. C'ol. Hicks in his official report of this engagement. makes special mention of the etlicient and gallant services of Lieut. Mcknight.
The Colonel was soon after appointed Provost Marshal of Paducah, which important and respon- sible position he filled in a manner most satisfac- tory to his superior officers until about the 20th of June, when he was again relieved at his own re- quest, and he accompanied his regiment that had been ordered to Memphis, Tenn., to join the forces under Gen. A. J. Smith. He served with his com-
753
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
pany until December, when at Nashville, Tenn., he was appointed Aide-de-Camp on the staff of Brev. Maj. Gen. Kenner Garrard, commanding the Sec- ond Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps, and in that capacity he took an active part in the battle of Nashville, on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864, when the Federal forces, under Gen. George H. Thomas, defeated and annihilated Hoo.l's army. Ile remained on the staff of Gen. Garrard until the close of the war, and was breveted captain by the President, his commission reading for "gallant and meritorious conduet during the campaign against the city of Mobile and its defenses."
After he was mustered out of the service in July, 1865, Col. MeKnight returned to Girard and en- gaged in the dry goods business. In 1867 he en- tered into partnership with B. Boggess, A. A. Cooper. and John T. Holden, under the firm name of B. Boggess & Co. for the manufacture of woolen goods and the sale of general merchandise, at Gir- ard. About the 1st of April, 1870, the firm opened a branel house at Taylorville, and our subject re- moved thither with his family to take charge of the business In 1875 the firm of Boggess & Co. dis- solved partnership, but Col. MeKnight continued the business at Taylorville until March, 1882, when at the request of bis father-in-law. he returned with his family to Girard, and was engaged as a dry . goods merchant in this city until November, 1889, when he retired, and has not since then been en- gaged in active business.
On May 15, 1866 Col. McKnight was united in marriage to Miss Virginia A., eldest daughter of B. Boggess. Esq., an old and prominent citizen of Girard. Three children have hallowed and blessed this union, two of whom are living, Emma Pearl and Robert Wade.
Our subjeet's talent for affairs and high personal standing have brought him to the front in the pub- lie life of this. his native county, in various import- ant official positions. While a resident of Taylor . ville he was twice elected President of the Board of Trustees of the town. In 1889 he was elected - a member of the Maconpiu County Board of Super- visors from Girard Township. At one time he served four years in the Illinois National Guard as Captain of Company B, and Inspector of Rifle Prac- |
tice of the Fifth Regiment. Gov. Joseph W. Fifer recognized his military record by appointing him a member of his staff from the Seventeenth Con- gressional District, with the rank of Colonel, and in January, 1891 he was appointed Aide de-Camp on the staff of Gen. Veazey, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a valued member of that organization, belonging to the Luke Mayfield Post, No. 515, and was an Alternate Representative to the National Eneamp- ment held at San Francisco, Cal., in August, 1886, also a Representative to the Twenty-fourth Na- tional Encampment at Boston, Mass. The Colonel is a Republican in politics, casting his first vote for Gen. U. S. Grant, in 1868, and since that time he has adhered to the fortunes and principles of that politieal organization.
C ASPER WESTERMEIER, JR. Probably no resident of Carlinville is more widely known, by reputation at least, than Mr. Westermeier, who was for several years the incum- bent of the office of County Clerk. In the arduous position, with all its responsibilities, he proved faithful, accurate and trustworthy, and his resigna- tion was accepted with regret. When he withdrew from politics he opened an office for general ab. stract of title. insurance and real-estate business and he represents some of the best insurance com- panies in the United States, while his familiarity with the records of Macoupin County makes him excep- tionally reliable in examination of titles to real es- tate.
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.