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 94
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The union of this worthy couple was blest hy the birth of eight children, of whom our subject is the eldest, and he was born in North Palmyra Township, February 5, 1844. He spent his child- hood days in his native township up to the age of seven years, when his parents came to North Otter Township. Here he grew to manhood upon his father's farm, which is now owned by his brother- in-law, William M. Drennan.
When our country's flag was assailed, Mr. John- ston was one of those who felt that he had a per-
sonal call to go to its defense. lle thoroughly en - dorsed the Government in its efforts to put down the rebellion and to enforce the necessity for a union of States and gladly welcomed an opportunity of enforeing his belief upon the battlefield. 11e therefore enlisted August 10, 1862, in Company D., One Hundred Twenty-second Illinois Infantry and served faithfully until August 5, 1865, when he was discharged at Springfield. Ill. He took part in the engagements at Parker's Cross Roads, Tupelo, Miss., the siege and capture of Ft. Blake- ley, Ala., and Nashville, Tenn .. December 16 and 17, 1861. Upon the return of peace he came home to North Otter Township, and there resumed farm- ing, in which he has been engaged from that day to this. Ilis farm is a beautiful tract of one hund- red and forty acres, richly cultivated ; upon it have been placed excellent buildings and a pleasant home, a view of which appears on another page.
The marriage of Mr. Johnston to Miss Emily F. Chapman, a daughter of the late John Chapman of Tenn., ofourred October 17, 1867. The mother of Mrs. Johnston, Charity C. Richards, was a Virgin- ian by birth, and was united in marriage with Mr. Chapman in Tennessee. Thence they removed to this State in 1828, making their first home in Greene County. In March, 1830, they enme to Macoupin County, and settled in North Otter Township, where they continued to live until the death of Mr. Chapman, which took place Dec- ember 26, 1890. His farm was known far and wide as Chapman's Point. Ilis bereaved widow is still living and of her large family of fourteen children, Mrs. Johnston was the twelfth. She was born in North Otter Township, December 22. 1850, and was there reared to womanhood on her father's tarm.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are the parents of nine children who are named as follows: Eva, Elizabeth C., John B., Lewis I., Nathan, Jesse B., Charles F., Dan, and Archie. John and Lewis died in in- fancy. The most afflicting blow which has fallen upon this affectionate family was the sudden death of Charles F., who was struck by lightning June 4, 1890. while standing in the door of the barn, and was instantly killed. He was in the eleventh year of his age, a bright and promising lad, and one
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whose affectionate qualities had endeared him greatly to all his friends. The bereaved parents feel keenly this loss and can never cease to mourn for the dear child who was taken from them so un- expectedly. This affliction has rendered them even more than before tenderly watchful over their children and solicitous to do all for them that par- ents can do for their dear ones.
In the field of politics Mr. Johnston is an inter- ested though quiet actor. He is not an office-seeker but has accepted at the hands of his fellow-citizens the office of School Trustee. Ile fully endorses the doctrines of the Democratic party and works for the success of that organization. He is a prom- inent member of the John Baird Post, No. 285 G. A. R. of Virden. Mrs. Johnston is an active worker in religious matters and a conscientious member of the Baptist Church. A sister of Mr. Johnston is the wife of Mr. W. M. Drennan, of whom the reader may learn more in his sketch which appears in another part of this volume.
ILLIAM N. FRY, who is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising on section 16, Brighton Township, has the honor of being a native citizen of this State. He was born in Godfrey, Madison County, near Monticello Seminary, March 16, 1844. His father, James Fry, a native of Kent, England, born of English parentage, rame to this country when a young man, landing in New York City, whence he made his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he began life as a day laborer. He had not yet attained his maj- ority. Some years after reaching man's estate he wedded Mrs. Mary E. Raney, who was born near Lundy's Lane, Canada, ber parents being also nat- ives of that country. There she was married the first time to Nelson Raney, who died leaving a sou, Nelson, who is now a farmer of Northern Canada. Mrs. Raney afterward removed to Ohio. where she became the wife of James Fry, and soon afterward they emigrated to Illinois, settling near Godfrey. Some years later they came to Macoupin County, and Mr. Fry entered forty acres of Government
land ou section 16, Brighton Township, which now constitutes one half of our subject's farm. After- ward the father entered the other forty acres which William owns. It was on that farm where the parents died, Mr. Fry passing away July 3, 1858, and his wife on the 24th of November of the same year, aged respectively fifty-two and fifty- one years. Their children are William N. of this sketch; Martha R. who is now living in St. Louis ; and Isaac J., who enlisted for the late war in 1861, and was killed by a gunshot at the battle of Peach Tree Creek when about twenty-two years of age. ITis remains were interred in the National Ceme- tery at Chattanooga, Ga.
In the usual manner of farmer lads William Fry was reared to manhood, aiding his father in the labors of the farm during the summer months and acquiring a practical English education at the pub- lic schools in the winter season. When only about seventeen years of age he offered his services to his country, enlisting on the 13th of August, 1861, as a member of Company F, Twenty-Seventh III- inois Infantry under Col. N. B. Buford, now of Rock Island. Capt. Miles, of this county, com. manded the company, which was organized and equipped at Camp Butler, Springfield, whence the troops were sent to Cairo, and the following spring to Missouri where was fought the battle of Belmont and later the campaign was continued for a while with a gunboat fleet. Later came the battle of Pittsburg Landing on the Mississippi River, after- ward the battle of Corinth and the battles of Nash- ville, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro and others. Mr. Fry participated in thirteen important engage- ments besides many skirmishes and was never off duty except for a few days only. He escaped un . injuried but bore the usual hardships and priva- tions of army life.
After the close of the war, Mr. Fry returned home and in February, 1869, he led to the mar- riage altar Miss Maria Eddington, their union being celebrated in Woodburn. The lady was born in this county August 23, 1843, and is of English descent, her parents being natives of Som- ersetshire, whence they came to America in an early day. They took up their residence in Bunk- er Hill Township on a new farm which they deve-
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loped and improved. The father died at the age of seventy-three and his wife when sixty-one years of age. I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Fry have been born two children. sons, Herbert J. and Albert N., who are still at home. The parents are members of the Methodist Church and in politics, Mr. Fry is a Republican as was his father. He is now the own - er of the old homestead upon which he has resided sinee 1865. covering a period of twenty-six con seentive years. I'pon it are good buildings and many excellent improvements and the well tilled fields, so neat in appearance, indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner.
OHN LANCASTER. The fruit belt of Southern Illinois has encouraged many who have generally engaged in ordinary farming and stock-raising to make a specialty of both large and small fruits. This has been the case with the prosperous man whose name appears at the head of this paragraph. He has a large and select variety of fruit and is intelligent and successful in regard to its cultivation. IIe is also largely engaged in farming and stock-raising operations and buys a good deal of stock to feed. Ilis fine farm on see. tion 10, of Bunker Ilill Township, comprises three hundred and fifteen acres, all of which is highly improved and furnished with excellent farm build- ings.
This property our subject has owned and oper- ated for some eight years past, and has been a successful farmer ever since he became of age. IIc makes a specialty of high-grade cattle, sheep and swine. Polled Angus cattle are his favorites and he is interested in a sheep ranch in Sutton County, Tex., where they keep, all the time, fully ten thou- sand mutton sheep which they feed upon some- thing like a hundred thousand acres of land.
Mr. Lancaster is a thorough business man and one of the most energetic and enterprising citizens in this county. Ilis home is in his native town- ship, and his birth occurred January 13, 185-4. He is the youngest child of Francis Lancaster. whose biography will be found elsewhere in this
volume. The boy's early education was received in the common schools of the county and he studied the higher branches in the State Normal School at Normal, Ill.
This young man was married in this township to Miss Emma Parmenter, a native of the same town- ship. being born here in August, 1852. ller par- ents, Charles and Mary (Barnes) Parmenter, were natives of New England, who came to Illinois at an early day. They settled on a farm in this township and improved it, and spent many years here. The mother died at this home in 1881, being then past seventy-one years of age. Mr. Parmenter is yet living with his son in Bunker Ililt and is eighty-four years of age. Mrs. Lancaster is the youngest but one of seven children of her parental home. She was reared and entirely educated in Bunker Hill Township, and lived at home until her marriage June 23, 1875.
Seven children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Lancaster, and bat two of them have been called away from earth. These two are Clara G .. and Arthur. Those who are now living are Ernest, Marian, Harry, Mira C., and Willie. These children are all being brought up in the faith and practice of the Christian religion as their parents are earnest and faithful members of the Congregational Church. They are among the most progressive and intelligent people of the county and are active promoters of every movement which in their judgment is calculated to improve the social and industrial conditions of the community. The platform of the Republican party embodies the political views with which Mr. Lancaster is in hearty accord.
ILLIAM STORY. It is with ever in- ereasing interest, as the years go hy, that we trace the story of the early set- tlers of the Prairie State and more and more we feel that to visit the home of one of those pioneers is a pilgrimage to a shrine which well repays us for the effort involved. Among those who are thus worthy of our interest and attention is the
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mother of our subject. Her maiden name was Harriet Hettiek, and she was born in Fayette County, Ohio. April 7, 1811, a daughter of Andrew and Mary Hettick. In those early days when she first came to Illinois manufactured goods were al. most unknown among the farmers and this worthy woman used to card, spin and weave, wool, flax and cotton for the liomespun clothes in which she ar- rayed both herself and her children. She is still living and enjoy's a fair degree of health and is in full possession of her mental faculties. She is one of the very oldest settlers of Macoupin County, now living. and is well known throughout the county and highly respected.
The subject of this sketch was born in Barr Township, this county, May 6, 1842. His father who also bore the name of William Story was a na tive of Alabuma as was the grandfather, James Story. The latter removed from Alabama to Ten- nessee and after a few years' residence there came to Illinois, and settled upon a farm in Morgan Conaty. He resided there until his death.
The father of our subject was five years old when his parents removed to Tennessee and he came from there to Illinois with them when they made that journey. They traveled by team and brought with them all their earthly possessions. His mar- riage in 1834 gave him the brave and worthy help- mate of whom we have already spoken. Ile entered a tract of farming land in Barr Township and there built the log house in which they made their happy home and where the subject of this notice was born.
This worthy pioneer rived boards to cover the roof of his house and split lumber for the floor, building the chimney of sticks and mud. At that time deer and other kinds of game abounded and the prairies of Illinois were indeed a wilderness, although a fair and fertile one. The hardships of pioneer life were cheerfully undergone by this esti- mable and brave couple. They lived at this old homestead until 1845 at which time they sold it and bought the place where the family now resides and here the father died, February 15, 1866 in the fifty-fifth year of his age.
William Story was reared upon the farm and at- tended the pioneer schools which were taught in
the log schoolhouse which was no more elegant in its construction than the homes of its patrons. It had a stick and mud chimney, slab benehes without backs, and a notable lack of desks. The marriage of the young man took place August 15, 1872, his bride being Emma Frances Anderson. She was born in Morgan County, Ill., and was a daughter of John and Melvina Anderson. She passed away from earth April 25, 1887, leaving four children, Edward, Evert, Hattie and Jessie.
ENRY MORRISON. who follows general farming on section 12. Ililyard Township. was born in County Derry, Ireland, on the Tth of June, 1808, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. The family have for several generations been farmers, and the father of our subject also engaged in that pursuit. His parents were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church and spent their Tntife lives in the land of their nativity.
Our subject is the eldest son of the family and in the usual manner of farmer lads he was reared to manhood, while in the common schools his edu- ention was acquired. After he had attained to years of maturity he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Martha Taylor, who was born and reared in the same county as her husband, and like him is of Scotch-Irish line- age, her people also being Protestants. She is a daughter of Joseph and Margaret ( MeIntire) Tay- lor, who lived and died on the old homestead in the Emerald Isle when well advanced in years. In their family were five children, two sons and three daughters, of whom the sons and one daughter are yet living in Ireland, while the two other daugli- ters came to this country-Mrs. Morrison, who is second in order of birth; and one who died in Illi- nois.
Accompanied by his family, Henry Morrison bade good-by to his old home and took passage on a sailing-vessel in 1845, which after six weeks and three days dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. They spent one year in the Empire State and then came on to Illlinois, since which time
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY DEI !
Respectfully hours Bus Liston
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they have resided on the farm which is still their home. Two children were born unto them in their native land and the family circle has been increased by the birth of six in this country. George is represented elsewhere in this volume; Joseph aids in the operation of the home farm, and is a wide-awake and enterprising young farmer of sterling worth; Henry, who wedded Hester Cline, is living on a farm in Hilyard Township; Mar- garet is the wife of JJames Howard, who is en. gaged in farming in St. Clair County, Mo .; Ellen wedded George Calloway, who is engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Hilyard Township; Rebecca is at home; Robert married Jane Donahue and is living on a farm in Hilyard Township; and Daniel died at the age of six years. The parents of this family are members of the Presbyterian Church and in the social world they hold an enviable position, their friends throughout the community being . many.
In connection with his brother James, Henry Morrison owns about three hundred acres of highly improved land and bis son Joseph owns a valuable quarter-section in another part of the township. The greater part of this is all under cultivation, and upon section 12 Me. Morrison has resided for some forty-three years. At that time he arrived in the county and has since made his home on what is now so well known as the Mor. rison Farm. It is one of the largest farms in the community and its highly cultivated and improved condition indicates the care of a manager who fully understands his business and numbers among his characteristics thrift and enterprise.
OSEPH B. LISTON, a well-known and es teemed resident of the city of Carlinville, is a native- born citizen of this county, and is prominently identified with its principal interests and is an extensive farmer and raiser of fine stock, especially horses, and a manufacturer of
brick and tile. He is a son of Joseph Liston, a pioneer of this section of the State, and was born on his father's farm on section 30, near Palmyra, August 19, 1838.
The father of our subject was a native of Ken- tneky, the place of his birth in Marion County, and the date thereof September 25, 1803. He was a son of George Liston, who was born in Virginia and early became a pioneer of Marion County, Ky. He bought a tract of land in the primeval forests of that section, and made his home there until he died in 1806. His wife and one child died within six weeks of his demise. By that sad event two children were left orphans. The daughter, Polly, married George MeC'une, and they settled in Pope County, Ark., where both died.
The father of our subject was reared by his ma- ternal uncle in Marion County until he was thir- teen years old, and was then apprenticed to learn the trade of saddle-maker, serving an apprentice ship of seven years and nine months, and receiving his board and clothes. He followed that trade in different places in Kentucky until 1835, when he came to illinois with his wife and two children. They made their way over land to Louisville, where they embarked on a steamer for Alton. The fam- ily re-ided with his brother-in-law a few montes, and during the summer he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, one hundred and twenty of which was on section 30, of what is now North Palmyra Township, and the remainder on section à, of South Palmyra Township. He was at that time the possessor of $270 in cash, his entire cap- ital, but he was energetic and industrious, and in course of years developed a fine farm. Ile first erected a log cabin on section 30, riving the boards to cover the roof and splitting puncheon to make the floor, and putting up a mud and stick chimney.
Ile lived to see the country grow from a wilder- ness with but few scattered habitations to a popu - lous and thriving county, where the fine townships of Palmyra, Girard and Virden now stand; it was then open prairie, over which wild game roamed and deer were to be seen in large droves. He helped to bring the wonderful change about, and at his death
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January, 1877, left behind him a worthy reputa- tion as a pioneer, and as an honored citizen. The maiden name of his wife was Martha Bland, and she was born in Marion County, Ky., February 17, 1807. Her father was a native of Virginia, and a pioneer of Marion County, where he spent his last years. The mother of our subject died one year before her husband, January 25, 1876. They had a family of seven children, named as follows- George B., Sarah A., John T., Joseph B., Snsan M., William T. and Albert M. Joseph and Albert are the only survivors, the latter now owning and oe- cupying the old homestead.
As liis boyhood was passed on a farm our sub- jeet early gained a knowledge of agriculture. Ile was given the benefit of a liberal education, the pre- liminaries of which he gained in the pioneer schools of this county. Ile subsequently pursued a good course of study at the University at Virginia, Cass County, and later taught two terms in his home dis- triet. When twenty-one years of age he was ap- pointed Deputy Sheriff, and served nearly three years. He then farmed four years. But his record as Deputy Sheriff was before the public, and he had shown himself to be so capable an official in that capacity, that, in 1866 his fellow-citizens wisely selected him to fill the responsible office of Sheriff of the Connty. He removed to Carlinville to assume the duties of his position, and has since made his home liere.
Mr. Liston still retains his interest in agricultu- ral pursuits, and owns several hundred acres of land in this county, which is as fine farming land as any in the State of Illinois. In 1883 Mr. Liston and Mr. Zachariah Harris entered into a partnership for the purpose of manufacturing tile and briek in this county. They are still carrying on the business, and have won a high reputation for the superiority of their manufacture, as well as a large trade.
The marriage of Mr. Liston to Miss Lucretia Dick took place November 7, 1867. Mrs. Liston is a native of Sangamon County, this State, and a daughter of Daniel and Susan Dick. Our subject and his amiable wife are people of high standing in the community, and their charming home is the seat of a pleasant hospitality which is cordially ex- tended to all that cross their threshold by the
kindly hostess and genial host. Fraternally, Mr. Liston is connected with Mt. Nebo Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M .; Macoupin Chapter, No. 187, R. A. M .; Carlinville Council, No. 69, R. & S. M. and with Belvidere Commandery, No. 2, K. T., of Al- ton. A lithographie portrait of Mr. Liston accom- panies this sketch.
EGUST SIEVERS, one of the leading and influential citizens of Staunton, who for many years was prominently connected with its business interests, but is now liv- ing a retired life, came to Ilinois from New York, whither he had arrived from Germany, his native land. He was born September 22. 1823, in the province of Brunswick, and is a son of August Sievers, Sr., a small German farmer who grew to manhood in his native land, and married Will- helmina Beinling. Two of their children came to America in 1849, and the following year with the others members of the family they crossed the Atlantic and came on to Illinois. In the Empire State they were joined by our subject and Henry, and in Olive Township, Madison County, the fa- ther secured his first, eighty acres of land. The mother was not long permitted to enjoy her new home, her death occurring in 1851, after which Mr. Sievers made his home with his children. Ile died near Staunton in 1881, at the age of eighty years, and both he and his wife were members of the German Lutheran Church.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of six children. In the Fatherland the days of his boy- hood and youth were passed, and he learned the trade of a mechanic. Believing that he conld bet- ter his financial condition by so doing. he emigrated to the United States when twenty-six years of age. In the autumn of 1849, accompanied by his brother Henry, be took passage ou a sailing-vessel at Brem- men, and after sixty days speni upon the bosom of the Atlantic, set foot on American soil. Going to New Jersey, the brothers secured positions as farm
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laborers, working thus until the arrival of their par- ents in this country. They then came to Illinois. August Sievers began his life in the West as a farmer in 1867, purchased a tract of land in Staunton Township which he increased in extent until it now comprises two hundred and sixty-five acres. It is a valuable tract under a high state of cultivation and well improved and in addition he owns one hundred acres of timber land. Ile resided thereon for a number of years and by industry and close atten- tion to his business acquired a good capital, becom- ing one of the successful and substantial farmers of the community. There being evidences of coal upon his land in 1876 he sunk a shaft, the first in that locality. As a partner in this enterprise, he was associated with his brother-in-law, Fred Maxe, and they operated the mine on a small scale until 1880, when in connection with Mr. Voge, Mr. Sie- vers sank a shaft, now known as No. 6, near the depot. At that time it had an output of twenty cars per day. In 1882, they sold to the Elsworth Coal Company who worked it until 1888, when it became the property of the Consolidated Coal Com- pany. It now yields an average of sixty car loads daily, and is the best mine in this part of the State on the Wabash line. In the meantime Mr. Sievers embarked in general merchandising, built up an excellent trade which forced him to largely in- ercase his stock, and in 1886 he erected a fine store building. Two years later he sold out to his son, who had been associated with him for some time, and A. G. Schnaare, since which time he has lived a retired life.
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