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 98
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Mr. Budd has a thorough knowledge of his busi-
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ness, having grown up in it. He has lived all his life in this county, with the exception of four years which he spent in England where he was in school. He was born in the western part of this county, September 16, 1853. Ile lived with his parents until he was nearly of age when he em- barked in business for himself and has since made a decided success of commercial life. He may truly be called a self-made man.
At an early age Mr. Budd was united in mar- miage to Miss Emily C. Payne. She was born in Macoupin County, and belonged to a family who had lived in the county for many years, and her parents are still residents of Bunker Hill. Mrs. Budd was carefully reared while at home and edu- cated in the public schools of the county. She is an intelligent and charming woman, holding a prominent place in the society of the town and proving an ellicient helpmate in all her husband's undertakings.
Mrs. Budd is a consistent member of the Con- gregational Church in which she is known in all good words and works. Mr. Budd is present Mas- ter of Blue Lodge, No. 151, F. & A. M. of Bunker Hill. He takes an active part in all municipal matters, is publie spirited in the extreme, one who is in need of a helping hand or kindly word never appealing to his generous heart in vain. In politics Mr. Budd is a radical Democrat, the principles of that party agreeing more with his ideas of personal rights.
LBERT SAWTELL is classed among the intelligent young farmers, natives of this county, who are now materially assisting in carrying on its great agricultural inter- ests. For some years he has had charge of the home farm in Chesterfield Township, upon which he was born February 13, 1861. He is a son of Thomas Sawtell who was born in Somersetshire, England. He in turn was a son of James Sawtell, who is supposed to have been a life-long resident of that English shire.
The father of our subject was reared and married in his native land, and made his home there until
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1853. In that year he emigrated to this country with his wife and the child that had been born to them in their old home. The little family set sail from Liverpool and landed at New York after a long ocean voyage, and the father first rented land in Morgan Courty, this State. Two years later he came to Chesterfield Township and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, on which stood a log house and stable and a few acres were under cultivation. He energetically set about making further improvements, and in due time developed a fine farm, which he increased in size until at the time of his death he owned three hundred and twenty acres of choice land. all lying in a body. Ilis demise in April, 1877 removed a good citizen from the township where he had done valuable work in opening up the agricultural resources of this section. He was blessed with a faithful help- mate, who was born in the same shire as himself, her maiden name being Elizabeth Atyco. They reared six children-James, William, Charles, Albert, Eliza J. and Francis.
le of whom these lines are written passed his childhood in the home of his birth, and as he grew to man's estate received a good, practical training in agriculture that has been of benefit to him since he began life as an independent farmer. For some years he has had the management of the old home- stead, and is conducting his farming operations with the thrift, prudence and foresight that insure profit.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Cora May Corgan was duly celebrated in May, 1888. Mrs. Sawtell was born near Tamaroa, Perry County, Ili., and is a daughter of Milton and Cordelia (Marshall) Corgan. Her father is also a native of this State, and is a son of William and Mary Cor- gan. He is a prosperous farmer of Perry County. Mrs. Sawtell's mother is a native of Connecticut and a daughter of John and Margaret Marshall. Mr. and Mrs. Sawtell's married life has been hal- lowed to them by the birth of twin children, whom they have named Frank and Fanny.
Mr. Sawtell is a young man of good personal habits and his life is guided by those principles of honor and honesty that maik a true man. His political sentiments coincide with the tenets pro-
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mulgated by the Republican party. Both he and his amiable wife hold a high place among the Christian members of their community as consist- ent members of the Congregational Church.
OSEPH W. HARSHBARGER, one of the Southern born citizens of Girard Township, had his nativity one mile from Dayton, Rockingham County, Va., June 4, 1827. Ilis father, John J. Harshbarger was a Pennsyl- vanian hy birth and the grandfather of our sub- ject, Henry Harshbarger was formerly a resident of Pennsylvania and moved from there to Rocking- ham County, Va., where he bought a farm and made his home until 1851. He then sold out and moved! to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he bought a farm and resided until his death.
The father of our subject was reared in Virginia and there learned from his father the trade of a wag- onmaker,and followed it in connection with farming. After marriage he bought a farm two and one-half miles south of Dayton, Rockingham County, and resided there for several years. This he sold after some time and bought another farm near Cross Keys in the same county and still continued at his trade and farming. He resided in that neighbor- hood until his death.
Margaret Early was the maiden name of the lady who became the mother of our subject. Iler na- tive home was Rockingham County, Va., and she was the daughter of Jacob and Magdaline ( Wen- ger) Early, who were natives of the Keystone State. She died on the home farm at, Cross Keys some years before her husband's demise. Their son Joseph received his training in farm work from his father and resided with him until he had reached his majority, after which he bought a fine tract of two hundred and forty acres of land in Augusta County, Va. In this purchase he was joined by his brother-in-law, George Hollar, and they farmed together for ten years. One roof sheltered both families and during that time fifteen children gathered in the double household. Joseph lars- barger then sold out his interest and returned to
Rockingham County where he bought land one mile east of Dayton and resided on that farm all through the period of the War of the Rebellion.
The district where our subject lived during the years of the Civil War was run over by both arm- ies, North and South, and was considered a base of supplies for both. They subsisted on that part of the State and anything that was eatable was quickly seized by them and what they could not carry away they frequently destroyed. He and his family endured great hardships all through those days and were subject to frequent raids upon their property. In 1864 he took his family to Dayton, Ohio, as he was given free transportation by the Goverment. There they remained for one year and when they returned to their old home found it a sad and desolate place. The buildings, includ- ing a handsome brick house that had cost $1,500 were heaus of ashes. All his stock had been stolen and everything about the place destroyed. With undaunted courage he went to work and rebuilt and stocked his farm. and resided there until 1870, when he sold out his property and came to Ma- coupin County, III. Here he rented a farm for a year and then bought the property on which he now resides on section 19, Girard Township. Here he now has a prosperous and attractive farm and earries on general farming.
It was January 25, 1849, when Catherine Flory hecame the wife of Joseph W. Harshbarger. This lady, like himself was a Virginian hy birth and had her nativity near Dayton. Rockingham County. She was the daughter of Michael and Sarah Flory and died December 11, 1873, leaving her husband and seven children to mourn her loss. Her children bear the names of Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary A., Re- becca B., Amanda C., Isaac J. and Abraham S.
The second marriage of our subject took place November 23, 1884, and he was then united with Mrs. Barbara (Brubaker) Frantz, who was born in Clark County. Ohio, October 14. 1841, and was a daughter of Jonathan and Barbara Brubaker of whom the reader will learn more at length in the sketch of Jonathan Brubaker which appears in this RECORD.
She was married in her native county January 30, 1859, to Michael Frantz who was born in Ohio and
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was the son of Michael and Susannah ( Neher ) Frantz. In 1869 he came to Illinois and settled in the cast- ern part of Girard Township, where he bought a farm and made a home. Afterward he sold this and bought eighty acres on section 19, which was his home until May 22, 1877, when he was called hence. By this first marriage Mrs. Ilarshbarger had six children-Jonathan, Martha, Susan, Jacob, Peter and Ezra. Both our subject and his wife are earnest and active members of the German Baptist Church, in the communion of which they find true fellowship and abundant opportunity for useful- ness.
E RASMUS A. C. TEANEY, a well-known citizen of Barr Township, and a son of Francis C. and Mary (Huff) Teaney, resides on seetion 32. Ilis parents were both Virginians by birth, and came to Greene County, this State, in 1833, and there the mother died. The father some years later passed away while at the residence of his son in this county.
Our subject is one of a large family of children. His native place is Augusta County, Va., where he was born March 19,1821. As he came to Greene County, Ill., with his parents when a boy, he grew to manbood here and chose his bride from among the girls of Greene County. He was united in marriage on March 8. 1848, with Miss Rebecca Sloughter, who became the mother of six children, namely: John F., who married and resides in Ar kansas; Henry; Susan, the wife of Washington Bailey; Albina, the wife of F. E. Bell; Rebecca, the wife of Thomas Morris; and Melvina, who died in childhood. The mother of these chil- dren passed away from earth in Barr Township in 1862.
The second marriage of our subject occurred on August 28, 1862. when he was united with Mrs. Sarah J. Barkley, of Greene County. She was born in Washington County, Tenn., and her maiden name was Wattenbarger, and at the time of her marriage with Mr. Teaney she was the widow of John Barkley, who died in Fayette, Greene County, III. By her marriage with that
gentleman she had three children, of whom George Barkley, who married Mattie Stults, is the only survivor. By her marriage with Mr. Teancy she became the mother of eight children, namely: Erasmus V., who married Miss Carrie Cole; Laura B .. the wife of Howard Glass; Oscar, Edward, William, Viola and Ethel, besides one child who died in infancy.
Mr. Teaney always exhibits a lively interest in po- litical and social movements. Ile is a member of the Grange and an active promoter of whatever he judges best to develop the neighborly and economic interests of the farming community. llis political views bring him into sympathy with the Demo- cratic party. He has followed farming through life, and has erected upon his land an excellent set of barns and outbuildings, besides an attractive and commodious home. His one hundred and thirty-three acres is probably as good land as can be found in the county, and its prosperous condition speaks well for the man who has cultivated it for years.
HARLES W. TIETSORT, cashier of the Medora Bank, of which he was one of the founders, is a whole-souled, generous spir- ited man, of broad views, of spotless character and high repute. who is an honor to the citizenship of this town, with whose financial interests he is so closely identified, and whose welfare, materially, educationally and morally, he has endeavored in every way possible to promote, whether in his capacity as a business man, as a civic official or as a private citizen.
Mr. Tietsort is a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of Michigan, and is a native of that part of the country, born at Cassopolis, Cass County, December 17, 1837. Ilis father, Abram Tietsort, was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 16, 1802. a son of Abram H. Tietsort, an early settler of that region. The fatter was born in Kentucky. February 6, 1777, and he in turn was a son of Peter Tietsort, who was born in New Jersey, in 1744. The great-great-grandparents of our subject were natives of Holland, who came to America
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early in Colonial times and settled in New Jersey. Peter Tietsort and his brother William were among the early settlers of Kentucky in the days when that State was a territory. They resided there a few years, but the Indians becoming troublesome, they removed to Butler County, Ohio, and were pioneers there. l'eter Tietsort died in that county in 1831 in the home of his brother William.
The grandfather of our subject married Mar- garet Banta, who was born January 6, 1785. He removed to the Territory of Michigan and was a pioneer farmer of Cass County. Ile improved a farm on the shore of Stone Lake, and there his life was brought to a close February 1, 1847. His wife survived him until September 8, 1854, when she too passed away.
The father of our subject was married in Butler County, Ohio, March 24, 1826, to Rachel Thomp- son. She is a native of Ohio, born July 17, 1807, and is still living at a venerable age, making her home with her eldest daughter in Orleans County, N. Y. About 1828 the parents of our subject re. moved to the forest wilds of the Territory of Michigan, becoming pioneers of Cass County. Mr. Tietsort entered a traet of Government land, a part of which is now ineluded within the corporate limits of Cassopolis, and he was prominent in founding the village, as when it was platted he donated a half of the public square, and laid out a part of the village, the site being then heavily wooded. He pursued his trade as a cabinet maker there the remainder of his life, which was termin- ated by his death May 31, 1842. The following is the record of his children: John, born in Ohio, November 27, 1827, is a resident of Cassopolis; Julia Ann, wife of Jolin Gates, of Orleans County, N. Y., was the first white child born at Cassopolis, July 3, 1833 the date of her birth, and she was for several years a teacher at Albion College; Perry A., born September 10, 1832, is a resident of De- troit, Mich .; Ira, born September 16, 1835, is also a resident of Detroit; and Charles W. is the subject of this biography.
Charles Tietsort was in his fifth year when his father died, and he was soon after adopted by a distant relative, Peter Tietsort, with whom he came to Illinois in 1856, where he lived for a time on a
farm. He received a practical public school edu- cation, and at the age of eighteen commenced clerk- ing in a store at Fidelity. He was thus employed until 1867, when he formed a partnership with his father-in-law, William T. Whitfield, and opened a general store at Fidelity. In 1869 he sold out his interest in that establishment, and going to Jersey- ville, was in the grain business there two years. In 187t he went to Tecumseh, Neb. and opened a res- taurant and confectionery store, which he managed until 1873. Returning then to Jerseyville, he ac- cepted a position as clerk in the First National Bank in that city. He continued to act in that capacity and as book keeper until 1877. In that year he and his brother-in-law, S. H. Bowman, and Elias Cockrell established a bank at Medora, open- ing it for business the Ist day March. The bank was re organized in 1879, and Mr. Tietsort was elected cashier, an office which he still holds. The affairs of the bank are ably administered, and it is recognized as one of the leading institutions of the kind in this part of the State, its credit standing at the highest point in monetary circles, and it has undoubtedly contributed greatly to place the pros- perity of this county on a solid financial basis.
Mr. Tietsort has been twice married. July 23, 1862, he was wedded to Miss Emily Jane Whit- field, a daughter of Wilson T. and Jane (Kuhin) Whitfield. She was a native of Preble County, Ohio, born August 11, 1843, and she died Febru- ary 24, 1865, leaving one son, Charles Henry, who was born October 12, 1863. The second marriage of our subject, which took place January 14, 1869, was with Miss Cornelia Frances Bowman. She was born January 19, 1845, and is a daughter of Charles H. and Mary (llooper) Bowman. Her union with our subject has brought them one son, Walter Bowman, who was born October 8, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Tietsort also have an adopted dangh- ter, Kate Davis. who was born December 26, 1859, and whom they took to their home and hearts in July, 1870, and have reared her as tenderly and carefully as if she were of their own blood.
Mr. Tietsort has always exerted a wholesome influence on the life of the community since he be- came a resident of Medora, and his name is associ- ated not only with its material progress, but also
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
GILES M. ADAMS.
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with all things that have tended to its moral elev- ation. Ile and his wife are among the leading members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist. Socially, he is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 152, A. F. & A. M .; of Kem- per Lodge, No. 596, I. O. O. F., and of Medora En- campment. Ile has held various publie offices. For thirteen years he has been Notary Public. Hle has faithfully served the interests of Medora as a member of the village Board of Trustees, and as one of the Board of Education.
G ILES M. ADAMS. The recollections of few pioneers extend further back than those of this gentleman, who holds an honorable place among the farmers of Brushy Mound Town- ship and occupies one of the oldest homesteads of the county. His portrait presented on the op- posite page represesents the lineaments of one whom all delight to honor and whose long life of usefulness well entitles him to the respect not only of his contemporaries in the settlement of the county, but of the younger generation who are en- joying the fruits of his labors.
In the early part of this century there resided in the State of Virginia a gentleman bearing the name of Daniel Adams. He removed from that, his native State, to Kentucky and bought a large tract of land at Poplar Cave. Unfortunately he lost his land through a defective title, and after- ward removed to Tennessee where it is supposed the remainder of his days were passed. His son, William C., the father of our subject, was born January 12, 1803, either in Virginia or Kentucky. Ile accompanied his father in his removal to Ten- nessee and was there married to Margaret Ward, a native of Alabama.
In 1828 the father of our subject emigrated to Illinois with his wife and the children who had been born to them in Tennessee, making the journey Northward with teams. He first stopped in Madi- son County for a time, but in 1830 came to this county. At that time there was but few white set- tlers here, and deer, wolves and other kinds of wild
animals were very numerous. He entered Gov- ernment land near Dorchester, and for nearly five years lived in the log house that he built there. At the expiration of thit time he sold his place, and coming to what is now Brushy Mound Town- ship, entered Government land, which forms the homestead now occupied by his son, our subject. There were no railways here for some time after- ward, and Alton was the nearest market, the coun . try being still only partly settled and in a will condition; as there were no mills in this county the father had to go either to Alton or Edwards- ville to get his grain ground. Hlis farm work was done by oxen, and he was compelled to use prim- itive farming machinery extant in that day. When he was scarcely past the prime of life he departed from the scenes of his labors, dying January 29, 1854, and thus a useful and respected pioneer was taken away from the community. Ilis widow sur- vived bim many years, her death occurring July 17, 1883, on the home farm. She was the mother of twelve children-Giles M., Moses II., Sally Eveline, John J., Nancy, Jesse B., Elizabeth, Dan- iel E., Eliza J., James, George W., and Francis M.
Giles M. Adams, whose portrait is presented on another page, was born in Knox County, Tenn., May 9, 1825. He was about three years old when the family came to this State and remembers well the incidents of pioneer life here. Schools were not free in his early boyhood, but were conducted on the subscription plan, cach family paying tui- tion according to the number of children they sent. The schoolhouse that our subjeet attended was a log building and the seats were slab benches without backs or desks and supported by wooden pins. Mr. Adams was never separated from his parents until their death and he now owns and oe- cupies the old homestead; having never married he made his home with his brother George uutil the death of the latter. lle is a good, practical farmer, carries on his agricultural operations so as to make money, and is one of the solid men of the township, where he is hekdl in universal respect for his many sterling qualities. In his political views he is a sound Democrat.
The brother of our subjeet, George W., departed this life May 18, 1891. Hle was born in the pioneer
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home of his parents in Brushy Mound Township, November 12, 1817. He was reared and educated in his native township and in due time became an excellent farmer, who carried on his operations suc- cessfully. He was quite young when his father died and continued to live with his mother on the home farm. With the exception of four years spent in Montgomery County he was a continuous resident of this county until his death. His wife, with whom he was united in marriage August 13, 1868, hore the maiden name of Mary E. Dowdall, and was a native of this State, horn in Greene County, to Jolin S. and Ellen ( Witt) Dowdall. Mr. and Mrs. Adams had eight children, four of whom are now living-Laura E., Margaret E., Cora B. and George W. George W. Adams was a stanch upholder of the Democratic party. Ile was a good citizen, a kind husband and father, and his neighbors always found him helpful and obliging.
F6 RANCIS M. ADAMS is one of the oldest native born citizens of Gillespie Township, his birth having occurred July 1, 1833, on section 20, Gillespie Township-the farm which he still makes his home. 1Ie is a representative of one of the most honored pioneer families of the community, his father, Giles M. Adams, having here located in 1829. He belongs to an old Vir- ginian family. His grandparents, Daniel and Sarah (Stallion) Adams, were natives of the Old Domin- ion, from whence they removed with their family to Overton County, Ky., and thence to Ten- nessee. Subsequently the grandparents came to Illinois after their son Giles had here located and spent a number of years in Maconpin County. Their last days were spent in Bond County. where they died at an advanced age. By trade, Daniel Adams was a blacksmith and followed that occupa- tion in connection with farming.
The father of our subject was born in Virginia. and when young removed with his parents to Ken- tncky and Tennessee. He was living in the latter State when he attained his majority and not long afterward he was united in marriage with Miss
Elizabeth Taylor, a native of North Carolina, and a daughter of William Taylor, one of the heroes of the Revolutionary War. They came to Illinois in 1829, and located upon the farm of our subject when Macoupin County was yet in its infancy. They bore the usual experiences and hardships of pioneer life, and with the early history of the com- munity were prominently connected. Mr. Adams secured some of his land from the Government and the old home was the scene of action during the greater part of his life. When he was well advanced in years he went to live with his son, William W. in Montgomery County, where he died at the age of sixty-eight. Ilis wife survived bim some time passing away at the age of three- score years and ten.
Our subject was the third child and second son of their five children. His entire life has been passed upon one farm. Under the sheltering roof of the old home, or in wandering through the woods or over the prairies his boyhood days were passed. Later, when he had gained sufficient strength, he was put to work at farm labor and the furrows upon many a broad acre were first turned by him. Ilis education was acquired in the subscription schools, for public schools had not been established at that early day. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth K. Grimes, who was born in this county in February, 1840, and is a danghter of William and Nancy ( Wagner) Grimes, natives of Maryland, who, when young, came to Illinois where they were married. For some years Mr. Grimes followed the trade of a blacksmith, but later gave hisattention to farming. Ile is now living a retired life in Christian County, at the age of seventy years. He is numbered among the pioneers of Maconpin County, and was one of its respected citizens. llis wife died in the prime of life. Mrs. Adams is the eldest of their three children, all of whom are yet living.
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