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 96
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For three winters this young man was thus em- ployed at Mattoon, Coles County, from there going to Chicago, leaving the latter place in 1887, to en- gage in the business for himself in Virden, buying eggs and shipping poultry. He formed a partner- ship with his brother Henry, under the firm name of Hensen Bros. With true German frugality and caution, they commenced their business in a small way, but have increased it from year to year and now have branch establishments at Litchfield, Car- linville, Palmyra and Carrollton and carry on a business of over $250,000 a year. In 1889 they erected a brick building in Virden, two stories in height and 34x70 feet in dimensions.
The marriage of Mr. Hensen, April 10, 1889, was an event of great interest in his life. His bride bore the maiden name of Margaret Gabel. She was born in Dorchester, Macoupin County, Ill., and is a lady of worth and intelligence who is a Ilt companion for this enterprising and upright citi- zen. One child has crowned this union, little Charlie, who is the darling of the home.
n ATHANIEL CARRICO, one of the lead- ing citizens of Honey Point Township, may justly be classed among the most enter- prising and successful farmers of Macoupin County, his fine farm bearing witness to his thrift, ability and skillful management. He is now the owner of six hundred and seventy-five acres of well-im- proved land, with substantial buildings and all the modern machinery in use on a model farm, and, in fact, everything conducive to the comfort and convenience of the enlightened farmer.
A native of Illinois, Mr. Carrico was born near
Kane, in that part of Greene now included in Jersey County, September 9, 1833, and is the son of Nathaniel Carrico, a Kentuckian by birth. The father of the latter, Dennis Carrico, was born in Chelsea County, Md., and was of early French an- cestry. In 1633 three brothers came to America as members of Lord Baltimore's colony, and one of these was the great-great-grandfather of our subject.
Dennis Carrico lived in his native Maryland until he attained manhood, and became a wheel- wright by trade. While still young he went to Pennsylvania, where he married a Miss Clark. From the Keystone State he went to Kentucky, where he remained a few years, and his next move was to St. Louis County, Mo. At that time there were but few white people living west of the Mississippi and St. Louis was but a trading pos. He resided there some years, and then came to Illinois in Territorial days, and became one of the early pio- neers of Greene County. He made a claim, and when the land came into the market entered it from the Government and first created a set of log buildings. In those days there was quite a demand for spinning wheels, and he followed his trade a part of the time, making those useful arti- cles, and the remainder devoting himself to farm . ing. Ile finally erected a frame house on his homestead, which is still standing. His farm was located eight miles west of Kane, and there his death took place in 1851.
Nathaniel Carrico, Sr., was but a small boy when his parents went to Missouri, and in that State he was reared. He came to Illinois when a young man and entered several tracts of Govern- ment land in Jersey County, and built on the tract near Kane. There he made his home the re- mainder of his life, which was brought to a close when scarcely past its prime, his death occurring November 7, 1833. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Brown, a native of St. Louis County, Mo., was again married, her second husband being James Cooper. She was the mother of four chil- dren by her first marriage and eight by her sec- ond union. Her last days were passed with her children and she died in March, 1885, at an ad- vanced age. Iler father, Griffith Brown, was a South-
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erner, born either in South Carolina or Georgia. He married Sally Foster, and after that event came North and located in Missouri at a very early day of its settlement. The removal was made with packhorses, the family taking with them all their earthly effects. Mr. Brown improved a farm a few miles north of St. Louis, and there dwelt until death called him hence.
As we have seen, our subject is a descendant of the early pioneer stock of this State, and he grew up in bis native county and under pioneer influ- ences to a stalwart, self-reliant, energetic manhood. He continued to live in Jersey County until 1852, in the meantime (1850) visiting this county and entering two nundred acres of Government land on sections 1 and 12, Honey Point Township. In 1852 he went to Iowa and resided there with an uncle until 1854, when he came to Honey Point Township, and since that time has been a valued resident of this part of the county, active in de- veloping its agriculture and a potent factor in its prosperity. In the management of his affairs he has displayed more than ordinary acumen and business ability, and has gathered together a valu- able property, the possession of which entitles him to a place among the most extensive landholders of the township. He bas a clear, vigorous mind of his own, and exercises his right to maintain bis own opinions on subjects in which he is interested, and thus we find him a strong supporter of the policy of the Republican party.
In 1856 Mr. Carrieo was married to Miss Jane Mitchell, a native of Brushy Mound Township, and a daughter of Elijah and Jane ( Moore) Mitch- ell. After a happy wedded life of more than twenty years Mrs. Carrico died in 1879. The fol- lowing are the names of the children born of that marriage: Mary Elizabeth, the wife of George W. Drake; Nacy A., deceased: Margaret J .; Na- thaniel and Laura, both deceased; John G., Lula, Jessie S., deceased; George B., Martha, Nora; and Phoebe M., deceased. The union of Mr. Carrico and his present amiable wife was celebrated in 1886, and the bride on this interesting occasion was Mrs. Virginia P. (Decker) Williams. By her first marriage Mrs. Carrico became the mother of two children-Mary E. G. and Albert G. G.
Three children have been born to her and Mr. Car- rico, and they have been named Virginia B., Dot- tie and Frances A. The various members of the family are highly esteemed and are well known both in the business and social world.
h ON. CHARLES A. WALKER, of Carlin- ville, is a distinguished member of the bar of Macoupin County. He was born in Tennessee, four miles from Nashville, Au- gust 21, 1826. His father, Abraham S .. was a native of the same State and was a son of Charles Walker, who was born in Rowan County, N. C., in 1765, of Scotch parentage. Charles Walker, the grandfather of our subject, removed to Logan County, Ky., in the early days of its settlement, and from there he subsequently went to Tennessee, of which he was one of the original settlers. While a resident of Logan County. Ky., he married Matilda Stephens, whose father, Abram, was born in England in 1870, and came to America soon after the Revolution. He at first settled in Virginia, whence he went to Kentucky, and from there removed to Davidson County, T'enn., dying there at a ripe old age in 1815. Their son Abraham S., the father of ex-Senator Walker. was a gunsmith by trade. He removed from Nashville, Tenn., to Illinois in 1828, accom- panied by his wife and three children. His wife, whose maiden name was Rosina Phelps, was born on the shores of Albemarle Sound, N. C., Jan- uary, 2, 1899. She was a daughter of Josephi Phelps who was a native of North Carolina and was of Welsh descent. She died at Carlinville, February 12, 1875, having attained a venerable age. Four children, Caroline, Charles A., Tennes- see and James L., were born to them, the last named died in his boyhood, in August, 1851. Abraham S. Walker located in Madison County, where his father-in-law, Joseph Phelps, had entered a tract of Government land where he resided until 1830, when he came to Carlinville, which was then but a small village of four or five buildings, of which one was a small frame house, the others being of logs. 'The only store in the place was owned by
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Mr. Plant who carried a small stock of general merchandise in the frame building. The surround- ing country was for many years sparsely settled and the inhabitants had but little communication with the outside world, as there were no railways and for some time only a weekly mail. All kinds of game were plentiful and often furnished a wel- come addition to the sometimes scant fare of the pioneer.
The father of our subject bought a tract of land at Carlinville on the south side of the public square. lIe erected a log house for a dwelling on the south- east corner of the square, and another building of logs for a gunsmith and blacksmith shop. He carried on the smithy until 1836, and then went into the mercantile business, bnying his goods at St. Louis and transporting them with teams, taking five days to make the round trip. Mr. Walker continued in business here until 1868, dying in March, 1875, at the age of seventy-four.
Charles A. Walker, the subject of this sketch, was two years old when his parents brought him to their new home in Illinois. Ile grew with the growth of the country. witnessing its entire devel- opment from a wilderness. He attended the pio- neer schools, one of which was taught in the old Court House which was built of logs. He has in his possession the record of the school for the win- ter of 1845-46. The entire number of scholars en- rolled in Carlinville at that time was forty-two. John Frow was the teacher. After leaving the public schools our subject was a student at Shurt- leff College. Upper Alton, until the gold fever of California broke out, when, becoming imbued with the popular excitement of the day and being fitted by a vigorous constitution to enjoy an over- land trip through a wild and unexplored country, he on the 13th of March, 1849, in company with Charles Palmer, brother of Senator Palmer, and John Keller started for the distant Eldorado.
Traveling with three yoke of oxen attached to a wagon, the little party crossed the Mississippi River at St. Louis, and passing through the State of Missouri, crossed the Missouri River at Inde- pendence. They spent a few days there and then went up the north bank of the river to St. Joseph. At that time there were no white settlers except sol-
diers and traders at a Government post between Missouri and Sacramento City, aside from the mis- sionaries, soldiers and Mormons at Salt Lake City. Deer, antelope and elk were plenty, and he ds of buffaloes were encountered on the plains and even wild horses were occasionally seen. Mr. Walker and his companions were one hundred days in journeying from St. Joseph to Sacramento. The first, winter of his stay on the Pacific Slope he en - gaged in mining near Placerville, and after that in packing provisions from Marysville to Feather River.
In 1851 our subject returned to Illinois by way of the Isthmus, and engaged in clerking for his father until his marriage. After that event he es- tablished himself in business on his own account. In 1856 he turned his attention to the study of law in the office of Messrs. Gilbert & Rinaker, was ad- mitted to the bar in 1858, and since that time has been in active practice at Carlinville. Ile has made for himself a most enviable record as an ad- vocate and stands to-day among the leading mem- bers of the profession. IIe is distinguished by strong common sense, a keen insight into all legal questione with which he has to deal, and a clear, practical style of presenting his cases that makes him popular with judge end jury. Mr. Walker is pre-eminently adroit in elucidating testimony from witnesses and in dealing with juries and men gen- erally ; he has unusual discernment as to the value of evidence and an intuitive knowledge of human nature. He is happy in his domestic relations, as by his marriage, November 16, 1852, to Miss Per- melia A. Dick, a native of Sangamon County. Ill., and a daughter of Daniel and Susan Diek, he se- cured one of life's inestimable blessings, a good wife. Two children have been born to them- Lolah and Mae.
Our subject's position, not only as one of the leading lawyers of the county but as a gentleman of culture and broad mind, liberal in his views, of generous, genial nature, has made him very influ- ential in the civic life of this part of the State. In the various high official positions that he has held he has displayed that true and disinteretesd public spirit that seeks the highest good of the com- munity, and his name is indissolubly linked with
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much that has promoted the best interests of the city and county. In the Court House agitation Mr. Walker, by his outspoken views and prominent position hecame a leader in the opposition to the creating of a debt which would weigh the county down. In educational matters he has always taken a deep interest, and as President of the Board of Education, has been potent in instituting many needed reforms in the local schools. He was an- thor of the Compulsory Education Bill and was instrumental in securing its passage when it be- came a law in the session of 1882-83.
When Mr. Walker entered the arena of politics he voted with the Whig party but in 1854 he be- rame a Democrat and has ever since been an able advocate of the tenets of that party. Ile has served as Mayor of Carlinville, administering the affairs of the city with ability and public spirit. In the vear 1862 he was elected to the State Legislature as Representative of his district, and in 1880 his fellow-citizens sent him to the State Senate. Sound statesmanship, devotion to the interests of his con- stituents, and an unswerving adherence to the high- est principles of honor and honesty marked his career as a legislator.
B ENJAMIN A. BECKNER. Virginia has for years boasted of being the birthplace of some of our most prominent men and in- deed it is no small honor to have given to the world such men as Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Clay and Lee. There is always a satisfac- tion in associating one's self, even in a remote way with those who have accomplished so much in mak- ing our country one of the grandest that time has ever known. Our subject, who resides on seetion 14, North Otter Township, is a native of Virginia. His father, John Beckner, was also there born and his mother, Elizabeth (Cook) Béckner, was also a native of the old Colonial State. There they were married and settled in Botetourt County, where the father died. The mother followed him not
many years after. passing away in Roanoke County, same State. The grandparents of our subject were John and Christena Beckner, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania.
The parents of our subject had ten children, he of whom we write being the eighth. Hle was born July 22, 1834, in the same county in which his parents were married. Ilere he remained until he reached manhood, enjoying the educational advan- tages for which his native State has always been noted. In 1859 he came to Clarke County, Ohio, there living for five years, during which time he worked energetically and amassed a very comforta- ble little competency. In 1864 be removed to Macoupin Connty and settled in North Otter Township where he has ever since been a resident. He has always been a farmer and has so intelli- gently conducted his work as to make the most of his chosen calling.
Mr. Beekner settled on his present farm in 1868- 69 and here he has since resided. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land and has thereon erected a number of buildings that supply the de- mand for storage room for his productions. He, himself, has a comfortable dwelling that is as in- viting inside as well as out as taste and refinement can make it. He was married in his native State. His bride, whose maiden name was Magdalene Brubaker, was a native of Virginia. She bore him one child, Elizabeth, and passed away in North Otter Township in October, 1859. He contracted a second marriage, bis cnoice being Miss Catherine Brubaker, a sister of his first wife. Their marriage took place in North Otter Township, June, 1865; like her sister, she was a native of Virginia, there born June 7, 1846. Mr. Beckner and his present wife are the parents of eleven children, eight of wbom are still living. The latter are Mary, Laura, Susan, Alvia, Ida, Harvey, Asa and Bertha.
Our subject has shown his fitness for public posi- tion by efficiently discharging the duties of the office to which he has been elected by the people, of School Director. Mr. and Mrs. Beckner are active members of the German Baptist Church. The father of Mrs. Beckner was Joel Brubaker, who was a native of Virginia. The lady's mother was Elizabeth (Fisher) Brubaker, a native of Franklin
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RESIDENCE OF FRANK GEHRIG, SEC. 21., NILWOOD TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE OF B. A. BECKNER , SEC.14., NORTH OTTER TP., MACOUPIN CO. ILL.
LIBRARY .
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County, Va. They settled at an early day in chat State, the father died in Roanoke County, and the mother in Macoupin County, III.
Elsewhere in this volume appears a view of the comfortable abode of Mr. Beckrer.
RANK GEHRIG. There is probably no more pleasant farm in Nilwood Township than that which is owned and occupied by Mr. Gehrig, and a view of which acco.npanies this sketch. Although the acreage is not large, yet every rod of ground is made productive, or set apart for some useful purpose. A native of Germany, Mr. Gehrig was born February 2, 1839, and there passed the days of his boyhood and youth. When he arrived at manhood he de- termined to seek a home across the broad waters of the ocean and accordingly, in the fall of 1864, he emigrated to America, coming directly to Car- linville, where he arrived February 10, 1865. Since that time he has resided continuously in this county and has been closely connected with its later growth and progress.
Mr. Gehrig was first married in Carlinville, his wife being Miss Emma Michnesser, who was also a native of Germany. She did not long glad- den the home of her husband as she passed from earth June 11, 1886. in Nilwood Township. Mr. Gehrig afterward married again, the lady of his choice being Miss Mina Threde, who was, like himself, a native of the Fatherland. Their mar- riage was celebrated October 5. 1887, in Alton, this State, and unto them two children have been born-Dora and Frank.
About 1874 Mr. Gehrig located upon the estate which is still his home, and which includes eighty- six and one-half acres. Considerable money has been invested in the improvement of the farm and by hard work Mr. Gehrig has transformed it into a productive space, in which the choicest grains and vegetables may be found. Agriculture has always been the chosen occupation of Mr. Gelnig, and he thoroughly understands the best methods of farming, having been reared on a farm
in Germany, and having always followed this vo- cation. Directly after coming to this county he rented a farm in Brushy Mound Township, and after residing there five years settled on section 21, Niiwood Township.
To his chosen calling in life Mr. Gehrig gives his undivided attention and makes a specialty of stock-raising, which he finds very profitable. Ile has contributed greatly to the improvement of his farm since be purchased it. The buildings are in excellent condition and are admirably adapted to their various purposes. Both Mr. Gehrig and his estimable wife are members of the German Cath- olie Church. The father of our subject, Frank Gehrig, died while with his son in Carlinville, this State; the mother, Katherine Gehrig, passed away in Germany. We may well be proud of hav- ing so intelligent a German-American citizen in our midst, and like many of his countrymen, he has aitled largely in the development of American soil; like them also he is warm-hearted, generous and sociable.
PREMIAN CONVERSE, one of the most liberal and public-spirited citizens of Barr Township, resides on section 20, where his beautiful farm and excellent farm build- ings attract the eye of every passer-by. His father was Alfred Converse who was born in Connecticut and his mother, Betsey Corey, a New Jersey wom- an. They came from Vermont to Greene County, Ill., in 1844 and made that their permanent home. Our subject had his birth in Addison County, N. Y., March 21, 1822, and there he grew to manhood and resided until he decided to emigrate to Illi- nois, which was in 1844. Two years later he went back to the Green Mountain State to wed Miss Lovina Corey, who was born in Addison County, June 2, 1827. The marriage took place, Septem- ber 13. 1846, and the young couple immediately came West and made their home in Greene County.
After a long residence in that county, Mr. and Mrs. Converse thought best to remove to Macon- pin County, and moved upon a farm in Barr
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Township. Ilere they have successfully carried on their agricultural pursuits and are the owners of two hundred and twenty acres of fertile and pro- duetive land.
Six children have brightened this home, namely : Ira who married Emma D. Spain; Helen. the wife of David Stout; Lucia, the wife of Elisha Stout; Laura, Mrs. Henry Gary; Fred W., and Rufus E. who married Luey Hicks. While living in Greene County, Mr. Converse made substantial improve- ments upon his farm there and put it in first class condition. His political views have led him to affiliate with the Republican party and he has been Highway Commissioner, an office which he has filled with credit to himself and great profit to the community. It is to such men as this, who by their broad understanding of publie necessities, unselfish devotion to public interest and strict integrity, have proved their fitness for public office, that any community owes much of its prosperity and progress.
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ENRY J. PRANGE, a successfid and well- to-do farmer of Cahokia Township, who resides on section 23, owns there an excellent farm of two hundred and thirty-eight acres, and upon them he has good farm buildings. Be- sides this tract he owns one hundred and sixty aeres on section 34, and it is all well improved and rich prairie land. He has resided in this town- ship since 1877, and on this farm the past nine years. Formerly he had lived in Mt. Olive Town- ship, this county, and was there reared and educa- ted to the business of a farmer.
Our subjeet was born in Prussia, Germany, Au- gust 23, 1852, and is the second son of Ilenry Prange, who became one of the earliest German settlers of Mt. Olive Township. For further inter- esting minutia in regard to this worthy family, we refer the reader to the biographical sketch of the father which is found on another page of this RECORD. Our subject was only one year old when his parents came to the United States in 1853. The family voyaged in a sailing vessel and landing in New Orleans, journeyed North and settled in Ma-
coupin County, which has been their permanent home from that day to this.
IJenry was married in Cahokia Township, this county. March 6, 1878, to Wilhelmina Eickmeyer, who was born in St. Louis, Mo., December 21, 1859. She was eighteen months old when her parents, William and Wilhelmina (Kruse) Eiekmeyer, re- moved from St. Louis to Cahokia Township, and settled upon the farm where they are yet living. This venerable couple are still living, and stand high as good citizens of this county. They were born in Prussia, Germany, and were there reared and married. Two children were born unto them, and one was taken from them by death before they came to this country. They, as well as their daugh- ter, Mrs. Prange, are faithful and devoted members of the Lutheran Church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Prange have been born six children, all of whom are living at home with their faithful and devoted parents. They are as follows: Anna W., Lydia W., Mary W., Minnie S .. Jobn II. and William H. This family stands high in the community, the father being one of the most prom- inent among the German-American citizens of the county. His neighbors have twice given to him the position of Township Collector, which he has filled with credit to himself and profit to his neigh- bors.
R OBERT TUCKER, who resides on section 27, North Palmyra Township, is a promi- nent and successful farmer and tile manu- facturer. Like many other residents of this county, he is of Southern lineage. His father, Robert Tucker, was a Virginian and his mother, Margaret Ellis, having been born in Kentucky. Their first Illinois home was in Morgan County, to which they came from Kentucky, and after having lived there about a year emigrated to Missouri, where Robert Tueker, Sr., died in Clay County. The family then returned to Kentucky and settled in Marion County. The widow afterward married William Powers and settled in Casey County, Ky., where that gentleman died. Being a second time left a widow this lady returned to Illinois and
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