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 91
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
its relief. and the skill and courage to use them.
"Have your plans been successful?" a friend asked not long ago when meeting Dr. Corr, after a few years absence.
"Plans," said the Doctor, "plans, I never had any plans. These things just grew upon me. You know I love my home and to have my own family in it, but the need seemed so great, for a place where sick women and children could come for treatment and care, that gradually the house has heen enlarged and patients have come and we have really a hospital without intending it."
Dr. Corr is an enthusiast in her profession and though a delicate woman, has strength and cour- age to perform surgical operations, if the case de- mand, that would try the strength and nerve of the strongest man. It was not for case that she chose this most laborious of the professions, but be- cause in ber generous sympathetic heart, she thought she could do the most good in it; and the long list of those whom her care and skill have raised from beds of hopeless invalidism to health and strength, proves her belief to be well founded. In her well-ordered hospital home everything runs smoothly under her guiding hands; while her Christian faith comforts and upholds "those who tarry for the coming of the angel who opens the way to the world whose portals we call death." Her cheery smile and sympathetic words, bring strength and courage to those who await the slower coming of "one who hath healing in Ilis wings."
While it is true as the Book says, "A merry beart doeth good like a medicine," it is also true that "lightest hearts have often heaviest mourn- ing," but whatever Dr. Corr's personal sorrows may be, they are closely locked in her own breast, with the scerets and sins of her weaker sisters, and that she "hath learned of sorrow, sorrow's cure," hosts of care-sick, sorrowing women can testify. The loving heart that underlies her terse words, either quizzical or severe as the case may be, is too plainly apparent to allow even the disordered im- agination of an invalid to be wounded thereby.
Of the tender motherliness that is a strong trait in her character, though alas! to her has come no mother's crown, but few who know only of her busy life as Author and Doctor, would have the
770
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
least idea ; but the troop of wide-awake neices and nephews who at different times have found a home under her roof can bear most loving witness to her maternal love and care. A younger sister found a mother in her, so also an orphaned girl and boy, the children of strangers. Both these girls are now happy wives and are mothers of children who are at once the torment and pride of their little foster grandmother.
Of the ideal home life of the Drs. Corr. how shall we speak? The tender companionship and mutual helpfulness that life pursuits have engen- dered between them, is as unusual as it is beauti- ful. Few men are capable of such living. A grey turbaned son of Arabia would call Dr. A. C. Corr "a brother of girls." A title purer and sweeter far than any that graced a knight of the round table. To an on-looker there would seem to be so many and diverging interests in Dr. Corr's home. that no one but a general could keep them separate and make all run smoothly. but the bright faced little woman, who sits at her ease in her rocking chair, talking on all sorts of subjects, between of- fice calls, has them well in hand and finds time be. sides by work of tongue or pen to aid the nine different societies to which she belongs. Some are for the further advancement of women, others for the elevation of the world at large, but all for the bettering of poor humanity and all dear to the Doctor's heart.
This is a tame picture of the first woman doctor in Macoupin County. To the true woman, tender wife and faithful friend, this little sketch is but a feeble offering faintly portraying the love and ven- eration of her character that fills the hearts of
FRANCES P. KIMBALL, St. Paul, Minn. VIRGINIA D. PEARCE, Meridian, Miss.
D AVID FERGUSON. a retired farmer resid- ing in Staunton, was born in County Derry, Ireland, October 31, 1837, and is a son of Henry J. Ferguson. The father was also horn in the same county of Scotch-Irish parentage, his an-
cestors having emigrated from Scotland to Ireland during the religious persecution. lle was reared in his native county, serving as a farmer and clerk and there married .Miss Sarah Swan, who, likewise, was born in that locality. After three children, David, Hugh and Sarah, were born of their union, Henry J. Ferguson emigrated with his family to the l'nited States, sailing from Liverpool in the latter part of the summer of 1839. In September he reached Philadelphia, Pa .. whence he came to Alton by way of Cincinnati and the Ohio River, and continued across the country to Staunton which wis then a small hamlet.
The father purchased a partially improved farm of forty aeres, afterwards entered a one hundred and twenty-acre tract and by purchase kept adding to his possessions until his farm comprised four hundred and thirty acres. He developed the land from its primitive condition, transforming it into rich and fertile fields. It was quite low and some- what swampy and by his neighbors had been dis- carded as worthless, but be introduced the drain- ing process and soon had one of the finest farms in the county. He was everywhere known as an honest and upright man, and had a host of warm friends who esteemed him highly for his many ex- cellencies of character. A man of strong convic- tions. when he believed himself to be right, noth- ing could swerve him from his purpose. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and in poli- tics he was a Democrat until the war, when he be- came a supporter of the Republican party. His death occurred at his home in Staunton Township, January 13, 1883, when nearly eighty years of age. Ilis wife still survives him and is living with her her daughter, Mis. Capt. Burns, in Staunton Town- ship, at the age of eighty-six. She, too, is a Pres- byterian in religions faith.
With his parents, David Ferguson came to this country, and upon his father's farm he resided un- til he had arrived at man's estate. In Ililyard Township in 1875, be wedded Mary J. Dey, who was born in Jerseyville, III., September 23, 1845. A lady of many excellencies of character, she is highly esteemed for her many acts of kindness and deeds of charity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson are members of the Presbyterian Church with
771
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
which they have long been identified, and in poli- ties he is a Prohibitionist. For many years he has been a stanch advocate of temperance principles and believing that question to be of more impor- tance than any other issue up before the people, he afliliates with that party which has taken a firm stand in opposition to the liquor traflic.
Throughout his business life, Mr. Ferguson fol- lowed farming and succeeded in making one of the finest farms in this community. His place had al- ways a neat and thrifty appearance. was well stocked and supplied with good buildings. He made his home there for many years but at length wishing to live a retired life, he came to Staunton, in 1884, and has since made his home in this place. Occasionally he engages in selling religious books by standard authors, but has practically laid aside business cares, having accumulated a sufficient competeney to keep him through his remaining years. For more than half a century, he has re- sided in this community, and is numbered among its honored pioneers.
C ARL II. UHLER. The editor of a news- paper generally becomes well known in his community, particularly if the sheet he con- trols has a special aim and appeals to the people on a ground not occupied by many others. Wherever the paper goes the people are interested in knowing something of the man who is the " power behind the throne " and whose mind and character are stamped upon its pages. The subject of this bio- graphical notice is the editor and publisher of the Macoupin County Advance, the office of which is in Bunker Hill. The paper was established in August, 1888, and Mr. U'hler assumed his present position after the issuance of the first number. It is a six-column quarto paper and has a large cireu- lation in Macoupin, Jersey and Madison Counties. It is the only Prohibition organ in Southwestern Illinois, and while dealing with the liquor question more particularly, it advocates reforms of all kinds and to some extent favors the movement of the Farmers Mutual Benefit Association. The
Advance office is supplied with machinery and type for all kinds of job work, and Mr. Uhler is a practical printer and pressman, so that he is eap- able of sending out first class work of the various kinds that are called for.
As preliminary to the sketch of lus own life, it may be well to give some notes regarding the pro- genitors of Mr. l'hler. His grandfather was Eras- mus Uhler, Ir., who was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1786, and carried on a large sugar refinery and tannery. Ile owned a number of slaves. In 1836 he failed in business and came West, dying at Rainsville, Ind., in February, 1852. His wife was Catherine Hoffman, who was born at Boonesboro. Md., in December, 1796, and died at Danville. Ill., in October, 1856. The father of Erasmus Uhler, .Jr., was born in Bavaria, Germany, 1751, and died in Baltimore in 1814. His family consisted of one son and four daughters.
The son, John G., was born in Baltimore, January 26, 1824, and had not entered his teens when he came West with his father's family. Ile was soon after apprenticed to a cabinet-maker and thoroughly learned the trade. In 1854 he removed to Danville, this State, and later to North Fork and Middleport, finally settling in Tuscola in 1863. There he made his home until his death, May 27, 1884. He was at that time a prominent figure in local Republican politics and held the office of Chief Patriarch of Tuscola Encampment, I. O. O. F., at the time of his death, having been a charter member of the order in that city. The leading architect and builder of the city his skill is attested by many buildings that stand in that place.
In May, 1852, John G. Uhler was married at Rainsville. Ind., to Martha C. Murdock, who sur- vives him and is now a resident of Oakland, III. She was born on Wea Plains, Ind., April 27, 1833. Her parents were John and Jane (Sterling) Mur- dock. The family on the paternal side is of Scotch extraction and traces its ancestry in direct line to Robert II. of Scotland, through whom they are connected with the royal family of Stuarts. To Mr. and Mrs. Uhler six children were born, three of whom are still living, Carl II. being the eldest. Blanche E., five years younger, is a school teacher at Oakland this State, and Clarence E., who
772
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
is nine years younger than Carl, is editor of the Pilot a Republican journal at Oakland.
Carl H. U'hler was born in Danville, this State, May 1, 1856, but was reared at Tuscola and edu- cated in the public schools. . During his boyhood he worked with his father and acquired a thorough knowledge of carpentry and joining. He also spent several years in a drug store and passed through various other experiences usual to the life of a youth in a small Western town. In 1876 he entered the office of the Tuscola Review as " devil" and after working there a year found employment on the Saturday Journal in the same place. He ran the gamut of newspaper work and graduated, typographically, in 1881. Soon after he engaged with Cyrus A. Cook in the pub. lication of a small evening paper at Terre Haute, Ind.
The venture did not prove successful and in the fall of the same year Mr. U'hler was occuping the city editor's desk in the office of the Illinois State Journal at Springfield. In this position he also reported the proceedings of the important special apportionment session of the legislature in 1882. llis healthi broke down under the strain of seven- teen to eighteen hours work a day, and he accepted a position as a special correspondent for the Odd Fellows Herald of Springfield, and while acting in that capacity visited many of the Odd Fellows' Lodges of Illinois. among others that at Bunker Ilill. Mr. Uhler next assumed the editorship of the Independent which he held for a year, after which he bought the Tolono Herald. Ile had conducted that sheet but a few months when he was offered a remunerative position on a Cincinnati journal and for two years he was the editor of the Cincinnati Furniture Worker, a leading trades journal.
In the fall of 1885 Mr. Uhler returned to this State and for a few months was engaged as City Editor of the Canton Register from which he resigned in March, 1886, to lease the Monticello Bulletin. For a year be conducted that paper with marked financial success, but, being unable to renew his lease he accepted a position on the Sulli- van News which he occupied until the spring of 1888. He then obtained a lease of the Macoupin
County Advance and in August removed to Bunker Ilill. He has been more successful in his work here than he anticipated, and is receiving the hearty support of the Prohibitionists and that of the others who are interested in knowing how the movement progresses and understanding both sides of that as well as other questions. Mr. Uhler is what might be called a good, all-round newspaper man, having bad sufficient experience in the differ- ent departments to know what is needed, and the ability to see that the need is supplied. In the editoria! work of the paper he is aided by Prof. Stiver, but the responsibility of the business rests upon his own shoulders.
While living in Cincinnati Mr. Uhler was mar- ried to Miss Sarah A. Ilall of Sullivan, this Stale. She was born at Edgewood, April 11, 1859, and is the daughter of Edwin and Mary (Clarke) Hall, both of whom are of English decent but natives of New York. The marriage of her parents took place October 1, 1854, and their family includes Eliza, wife of S. F. Balcom, a civil engineer in the employ of the Chicago, Cincinnati, Column- bus & St. Louis Railroad, located at Mt. Carmel; Joseph C., who is engaged in the transfer department of the Ilinois Central Rail- road at Cairo; Sarah A., wife of our subject; Ed J .. clerk of the freight department of the Illinois Central Railroad at Cairo; Sam B. a jeweler at Sullivan. Joseph C. is the only married son. Mr. Ilall was born at Burnt Hills, Saratoga County, N. Y., October 10, 1830, and his father was Dr. Jos- eph Hall. His present home is in Sullivan this State. His wife died at Sullivan June 14, 1888. Her father was Joshua Clarke, a leading architect of Cohoes, N. Y. The Clarkes have been a well- known family in Westerly, now Richmond, R. 1., since the death of their earliest recorded ancestor, Samuel Clarke, in 1680.
Mrs. Ubler was educated mainly in Sullivan and is a graduate of the High School. She is a woman of bright mind, pleasing address and Christian character, her membership being in the Methodist Episcopal Church. To her and her husband two children have been born Mary E. at Sullivan. May 16, 1886, and Clarke Murdock at Bunker Hill, Jan- mary 19, 1891.
773
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Uhler is not an office-seeking politician, but is an earnest adherent of the Prohibition party and an ardent worker in its interest. That he is enterprising and alive to the prospects of the day is proved by the way in which he carries on his business.
G UY A. SNELL, a well-known and success- ful farmer of Honey Point Township, where he owns a large and valuable farm, was born in that part of Greene County which is now in- cluded in Jersey County, Ill .. March 14, 1839, coming of good old Revolutionary and New Eng- land stock. His father, Dr. Asa Snell, was a native of Addison County, Vt., and a son of Solomon Snell, who did gallant service in the ranks of the Continental army during the Revolution. Ile was mi esent at the capture of Burgoyne, and a pewter platter taken from the British General's table at that time, was one of the trophies that he secured and kept until his death. It is still preserved by Fair Association in Jersey County. The old sol- dier was a farmer by occupation, and his last days were passed among the green hills of Vermont.
Dr. Asa Snell was reared and educated in his na- tive State. He early turned his attention to the study of medicine, and graduated from the Medi. cal Department of the Castleton Medical College. Until 1834 he practiced at Quaker Village. near Weybridge, Vt., and then in company with a Mr. Whitford he came to Illinois, making the journey with a pair of horses and a wagon. He selected a suitable location in that part of Greene County now included in Jersey County, and then married and established a home a little while after that event, having lived for a time with his father-in- law. He purchased one hundred acres of land two miles from Jerseyville, on which stood a log cabin in which he took up his residence. and lived there with his family for some years.
The Doctor devoted his time to his profession, became well-known for his skill and success in con- tending with diseases prevalent in a newly settled country, and in the course of years acquired a large practice. In the early days of his settlement there
were but few roads in the country, carriages were almost unheard of, and his trips were made on horseback. After a long and active life he passed away January 21, 1875, at the ripe age of seventy- eight years and six months.
The mother of our subject, who still resides on the old homestead at a venerable age, bore the maiden name of Priscilla Landon. She reared twelve children. She is a native of Addison Coun- ty, Vt., and a daughter of Horace Landon. Her father brought his family from their early New Eng- land home to the Prairie State in September, 1835. lle purchased a tract of land two miles from Jer- seyville, a few acres of which were improved, and a log cabin was standing on the place. Mr. Landon resided there nearly twenty years and then sold the farm. and bought another near Jerseyville, on which he made his home the remainder of bis life. His wife was Drusilla Ham. She died on the home farm in 1864.
Guy A. Snell was carefully reared in his native county, and remembers well the incidents of pio- neer life. He received his early education in a rude log house that was furnished in a most primitive fashion. When still quite young he began to assist on the farm, and remained an inmate of the pa- rental home until his marriage in 1863. The fol- lowing year he came to Macoupin County and located on a tract of land in Polk Township owned by his father. After five years' residence there be purchased his present farm on section 4, Honey Point Township. At the time of bis purchase it comprised two hundred acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and he has erected a good class of farm buildings, and has made all the modern improvements necessary to a well-conducted farm. From time to time he has bought other land, and is now the owner of four hundred and sixty acres of land, part of which is in Honey Point Township, and the remainder in Shaw's Point Township.
May 27, 1863, was the date of an important event in the life of our subject, as he was then married to Miss Abbie Voorhes, a native of Jersey County, and a daughter of Peter P. and Maria (Kirby) Voorhies. Her parents were natives of New Jersey, and were pioneers of Jersey County.
774
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Of their marriage four children have been born to our subject and his wife, namely : Hugh, who re- sides in Litehfield; Myron W., a student of Bush- nell College ; Truman A., and Rebs M., who are at home with their parents. For many years Mr. Snell was a Republican in his political views. but of late years he has identified himself with the Democratic party. In his religious opinions he is very liberal. giving his support to all enterprises having in view the uplifting of the people and the good of the community. He possesses a keen, well- balanced mind, and excellent business qualities, is always fair in all his dealings and is in every way worthy of the respeet accorded him as one of our best citizens.
R EU'BEN K. BARNES, a general farmer and dairyman, residing on section 22. Bunker Hill Township. has since his fifteenth year lived on his present homestead. He is a representative of one of the early families of the community. Ilis birth occurred in the county of Hillsboro, N. II., June 20, 1838, and he is descended from an carly and respected New England family. Ilis paternal grandfather, William Barnes, was a a Hillsboro farmer and married Abigail Parker. After her death he was again married, his second wife surviving him for some time. Her death occurred in Lowell, Mass.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Barnes made Hillsboro County his home and died at the age of seventy years in Greenfield. Nathan Barnes was one of a family of six children, numbering five sons and a daughter, and he too was a native of Hillsboro County. On attaining to manhood he married Sarah E. Evans, who was born and reared in Hillsboro County, and was a daughter of Asaph and Sarah Evans, who spent their entire lives in the old Granite State. After the birth of their ten children they started Westward and in Septem- ber, 1851, reached Macoupin County, Ill., loeating on the farm now occupied by our subject. With characteristic energy Nathan Barnes began the development of his land and soon had a good home
1
where he lived until called to his final rest. Novem- ber 22, 1870, at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife who is still living at the age of eighty-five years, makes her home with her son Reuben. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church as was her husband. In politics he was a supporter of Republican principles. The Barnes family comes of English parentage.
Since his boyhood Reuben Barnes has lived upon his present farm. Ile began his school life in New Hampshire and completed his education in the dis. trict schools of this county, which he attended during the winter season. when his services were not needed at home. As a helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Pauline A. Gohring, the wedding ceremony being performed in Bunker Ilill Township, November 24. 1859, by the Rev. George Silver. The lady was born in Saxony, Germany, September 30, 1838, and is a daughter of John C. and Ernesta F. (Plottner) Gohring, who were also natives of Saxony. where they were born, reared and married and began their domestic life on a homestead which had been in the family for two hundred years,
The wife died in the Fatherland when Mis. Barnes was only seven years of age, after which Mr. Gohring with his two daughters, his only children, crossed the Atlantic to America in 1848. The vessel in which they sailed after many weeks arrived at the port of New Orleans, and thence they came up the Mississippi River to St. Louis and on to Madison County. where the father pur. chased a farm of one hundred acres. Afterward he honght land in Maconpin County. Ilis death occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Barnes, on the 7th of November, 1890, at the age of four- score years. Ile was a weaver by trade and fol- lowed that pursuit in his native land, but made farming his occupation in his American home. In religious belief he was an Evangelical Lutheran.
After coming to this country, Mrs. Barnes worked in several German . American families and by study, observation and experience became an intelligent, cultured, yet practical woman. She still retains a good knowledge of her native tongue, being able to both read and write the language. To her hus- band she has proved a true helpmate and her able
--
RESIDENCE OF R. K. BARNES , SEC.22. BUNKER HILL TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
SCALES
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM HEAL, SEC. 5., BUNKER HILL TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE OF W. S. HARTWICK, SEC. 19., BIRD TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVE1
777
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
assistance has added not a little to their prosperity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are members of the Baptist Church and in politics he is a stalwart Republican. Their family numbers six children, five of whom are yet living: John M .. a farmer of Bunker Ilill Township, married Miss Lilly Dike; Eugene A., who wedded Ada Drew, is living in Bunker Ilill; W. Frank, who graduated from the Washington University and ManualTraining School of St. Louis, Mo., in 1885, is now employed as a teacher of drawing in that institution. He mar- ried Miss Lula Philbrook of Eau Claire, Wis .; Lydia A. and Albert N., who complete the family are still at home.
The farm which Mr. Barnes now owns and oper- ates comprises one hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, situated just west of Bunker Ilill. It is well improved and highly cultivated and is stocked with a high grade of milch cows for dairy purposes. He does an extensive business as a dairy - man, supplying the St. Louis market with milk. In his business operations he has been very successful and is now numbered among the substantial farm . ers of the township. On another page of this volume appears a view of his comfortable home.
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.