USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 17
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On the 27th of January, 1886, Mr. Culp was united in marriage with Miss Nina Maxon Dun- ning, a daughter of Andrew J. and Sarah J. (Hale) Dunning, well-known residents of Chris- tian County. She was reared to womanhood in Sangamon County, and presides over the home of our subject with womanly grace and hospi- tality.
Mr. Culp owns some eighty acres of land in Da- kota, and had in former years a slight acquaint- ance with farming, as during the years from 1865 to 1871, when he was engaged in teaching school during the winter season, he carried on a farm the remainder of the year near Nokomis. He owns a good home property in Morrisonville in addi- tion to his store building. For one term he held the office of Township Collector, is the present Township School Treasurer, and for six years ac- ceptably filled the position of School Trustee. So- cially, he is a member of Morrisonville Lodge No. 681, A. F. & A. M., of Taylorville Chapter, and belongs to St. Omar Commandery, of Litchfield. lle is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics, he is a supporter of the Democratic party.
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G EORGE DEAL is a well-to-do farmer resid- ing on section 1, King Township. He was born in Luzerne County, Pa., February 25, 1842, and is a son of George Deal, who died in Pennsylvania when our subject was a little over ten years of age. For further particulars of the life of the father, see sketch of William II. Deal, which may be found in another part of this work. Our subject's early years were passed on the
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farm and he had but little chance to obtain an ed- ucation, as he only went for two terms to a sub- scription school. After his father's death he was obliged to make his own living, and worked in the coal mines near Wilkes Barre, Pa., driving a horse attached to a coal ear. In August, 1862, he en - listed in the army at Greenfield, Greene County, Ill., whither he had gone with his mother and the family. Ile became a member of Company K, Ninety-first Regiment of Illinois Infantry, under Capt. Newman and Col. Day. Hle was sent to Louisville, Ky., and thence dispatched after Mor- gan. At Elizabethtown he was taken prisoner by
. Morgan's men after a hard fight and was kept un- der guard in a store building. After passing for- ty-eight hours without anything to eat, he was pa- roled and sent to the parole barracks in St. Louis, where he was finally exchanged. He then took part in the engagements at Vicksburg. Ft. Pillow and New Orleans. At the latter place he was stationed for two months on provost-guard duty. He was afterwards for fourteen months in Texas and was obliged to do a great deal of marching. On the march of one hundred miles to Salt Lake, Tex., in deep sand, he received an allowance of only one pint of water a day, as it had to be transported and it was impossible to obtain it in the desert. Ile was in the fight at White's Ranch, on the Rio Grande. and on the voyage to New Orleans was eleven days on the Gulf, when a severe storm de- stroyed two vessels of the fleet. Many of the men were taken sick with seurvy, and our subject nearly died after his arrival in the Crescent City. From New Orleans he went to Spanish Fort and took part in the siege for thirteen days, and then supported the charge on Ft. Blakely. Re- turning to Spanish Fort, he participated in the battle of Whistler. From New Orleans he went on boat to Ship Island, in charge of a detail of men. to exchange prisoners. From Mobile his company proceeded to the Tombigbee River and captured Gen. Taylor and ten thousand men. Ile was within a-quarter of a mile of the magazine ex- plosion in Mobile that destroyed four blocks of the city and killed many persons, and in the fight at Elizabethtown the rim of his hat was shot off. In 1865, he was mustered out, having served
nearly three years. For his valiant services, pri- vations and sufferings he is justly entitled to the pension which he now receives.
In South Fork Township, of this county, Mr. Deal married Miss Sarah, daughter of Jo Meredith, of Sangamon County, and formerly of Ohio. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children, Amy, Stella O. and Nonia, who have been educated in the public schools.
On returning from the army our subject went to work on a farm, and continued for two years after his arrival in Christian County. He bought eighty acres of land at the rate of $30 per aere, this being unimproved prairie. Ile has put up good buildings, a substantial residence, and made other improvements on the farm, the boundaries of which have been extended until they now com- prise one hundred and sixty acres.
Mr. Deal is a Grand Army man, belonging to the Morrisonville post. For about twenty-three years, he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Shiloh, and he has been Trustee and Treasurer of the church. His first Presidential vote was east for Gen. Grant in 1868, sinee which time he has still voted the Re- publican ticket. lle is a good citizen and an in- dustrious farmer.
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UGII C. LAWLER, a briek mason and con- tractor, is recognized as a wide-awake and enterprising young business man of Tay- lorville. It is to such men as our subject that the prosperity of the city is due, for their en- ergy and industry form the foundation upon which the successful structure is reared. Mr. Law- ler has the honor of being a native of Illinois. He was born in MeLean County, near Blooming- ton, and is one of three children whose parents were Jonathan and Adeline (Campbell) Lawler, botlı natives of Kentucky. His paternal grand- father, Gibbon Lawler, was a native of North Carolina. He afterward became a resident of Terre
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Haute, Ind., and was a contractor on the National Plank Road. His death occurred in 1834. The maternal grandfather, Ilugh Campbell, was born in 1812, and was a farmer by occupation. He be- came one of the early settlers of Illinois, locating in Morgan County about 1830. Ilis last days were spent in Bloomington, he having gone to Me- Lean County in 1855, where he died in 1888, at the age of seventy-six years. The father of our subject was in carly life a farmer, and followed that pursuit until his removal to Illinois, after which he became a brick mason and contractor. To that business he still devotes his time and at- tention. He and his wife make their home in Tay- lorville, where they are widely and favorably known. With the Christian Church they hold membership. Their three children were Mary Alice, now deceased; Hugh C., of this sketch; and Clar- ence E.
In the county of his nativity, our subject passed the days of his boyhood under the parental roof, and in the public schools acquired a good practi- cal education. His life has been a busy and use- ful one, devoted to the work which he now car- ries on. He learned the trade of brick-laying with his father, and in time became a contractor. He first began contracting in 1883, since which time he has erected many of the fine buildings in Bloom- ington, including several store buildings and the Jewish synagogue. He also built a schoolhouse in Clinton and one in Carrollton, and the Antlers Hotel in Taylorville. Under his supervision the Gephart Block of Decatur and the St. Nicholas Hotel of Decatur were built, and the fine new Christian Church of Taylorville is now being erected. Mr. Lawler is also building two public school buildings and the Huber Block at Pana. IIe is an expert workman and has a high reputation in various parts of the State for doing fine work and living up to his contract. Although only a young man, he has had a large experience as a contractor and builder of masonry.
On the 22d of November, 1882. Mr. Lawler was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Amelia West, a daughter of Andrew C. and Etta (Schaum) West, of Bloomington. Five children have graced their union: Ida May, IIngh M., Alma L., Henrietta A.
and Alice A. The parents are members of the Christian Church, and in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society they hold an enviable position. Mr. Lawler exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for political preferment. Ile is a pleasant, genial gentleman, and the high regard in which he is held has been won by an upright and honorable life.
ILLIAM B. DAVIS is a noted agricultur- ist and stock-raiser of Taylorville Town- ship, and owns a good farm on section 6. lle was born in what is now South Fork Township, Christian County, on the 4th of March, 1836, and is a son of Barnett and Sophronia (Vandeveer) Davis. The father was a native of Kentucky, and the mother is a sister of Judge Vandeveer, who is well known in this and adjoining counties.
Barnett Davis was a carpenter by trade and was also engaged in farming in his native State. In middle life he removed to Indiana, and from there to Sangamon County, Ill., in 1829. He located on land which is now comprised within South Fork Township, in this county. He took up a Govern- ment claim and was one of the earliest settlers of the locality. ITIs nearest trading point for many years was Springfield or Alton, where he bad to drive his stock in order to obtain a market for them. He erected a log cabin, which was the home of his family for many years. Ile was born in 1802, and continued to live in this county until his death, in 1857, when he was buried in the llill Cemetery. His wife is still living at the advanced age of eighty-two years.
Our subject is one of ten children, whose record is as follows: Nancy is the wife of .James Brooks, a resident of Taylorville, and Justice of the Peace; Aaron is engaged in farming in Taylorville Town- ship; William B. is the third of the family; John is a farmer of Nebraska; Horatio M. lives in Edin-
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burgh, Christian County; Mary J. became the wife of Francis Perry, who earries on a farm in Taylor- ville Township; Monroe is deceased; Freeland is also deceased: Jerome lives in Taylorville Town- ship; and one died in infancy.
William Davis was born and reared on the old homestead in South Fork Township, where his father settled in 1829. When ten years of age he removed to Taylorville Township with his parents, and attended the subscription schools of the neigh- borhood for two or three months during the win- ter time. A part of the time he was obliged to walk nearly three miles to the nearest school, which was held in a log schoolhouse of the most primi- tive fashion. Since arriving at years of maturity his education has been mainly acquired. When fifteen years of age he decided that he was old enough to make his own livelihood, and as he was one of the elder children it seemed best that he should do so. He commenced working on a farm by the month, receiving at first forty cents per day. For the succeeding eight years he was em- ployed at farm work, and was so industrious and gave such good satisfaction to his employers, that he worked for only three farmers during that time. Ile had saved his earnings carefully and commen- ced farming on Ins own account on rented land. With wise foresight he continued as a renter until he found it would be to his benefit to purchase the farm on section 6 where he now lives. This place comprises one hundred and ninety-two acres of fertile land, on which the owner raises abundant crops.
In 1859. Mr. Davis married Miss Maria E. Potts. Four children have been born of their union. Flora E. resides with her parents; George is deceased; Joel J. is married and is an enterprising young farmer of Buckhart Township; and Julian E. has passed away.
Mr. Davis has always used his influence in the support of the Democratic party. Religiously, he holds membership with the I'niversalist Church and takes an active part in church and ben- evolent work. Ilis assistance can always be re- lied upon in the furtherance of public enterprises, for he is progressive and broad-minded in all things. lle is a practical farmer and has met with
great success in his commercial ventures. Socially, he holds membership with Blue Lodge No. 647, Edinburgh, Christian County, and is also a member of Taylorville Chapter No. 102.
W ILLIAM LAFAYETTE IGOU, who owns and operates a farm of two hundred and thirty-seven acres on section 34, adjoin- ing Grove City, is one of the substantial citizens of Mt. Auburn Township. He is a native of the Prairie State, and has passed nearly his entire life in Christian County. llis birth occurred August 11, 1851. His parents, Joseph and Frances (Day) Igou, were natives of Ohio and Virginia, respect- ively. The father was born in Champaign County, and when a young man came to Illinois with his father, becoming one of the pioneers of Christian County. It was in this State that his marriage with Miss Day was celebrated. She was only a child when she came to this locality, and here she was reared and educated. For a number of years Mr. Igou devoted himself to farming, but in 1885 he went to Dakota, where he spent the remaining years of his life, passing away in 1891. His wife is still living and now resides Oshkosh, Oklahoma. 1. T.
The subject of this notice spent his youth in the county of his birth, and on account of limited educational facilities was obliged to rely upon his own resources in the acquisition of an education. At the age of eighteen years he left home and went to work on a farm, continuing to hire out by the month for over three years. During this time he carefully kept his means and purchased a small tract of land. For ten years he rented a farm, after which he bought a farm of forty acres, on which he located. Ile still continued as a renter also, and in a few years was able to pur- chase an adjoining forty acres. This property he still owns and occupies and has greatly improved and placed under good cultivation. He has erected a good substantial house and set out a thrifty
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orchard. In the fall of 1892, he became the owner of one hundred and fifty-seven and a-half acres, adjoining Grove City. This is a well-improved and valuable farm, both on account of its situa- tion and fertility. There are a pleasant residence, large barns and a well-trimmed osage hedge upon the place. It is also divided into forty-acre lields by means of this same useful hedge.
The 24th of August. 1875, was an eventful day in the life of Mr. lgou, for at that time Miss Martha Jane Gideon was united in marriage with him. Mrs. Igou is a native of the Old Dominion, but was reared in this county. Her father. Frank Gideon, is now a resident of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Igou are consistent members of the Grove City Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the former is one of the Trustees.
In regard to the question of politics, Mr. Igou i- well known as a true friend to the Republican party, and i- a patriotie citizen, in all that term implies. Ile is a member of the School Board, and npholds all educational measures to the ex- tent of his ability. Ile is a publie-spirited man, and takes an active part in everything calculated to serve the good of the people.
1 SAAC N. WARD, a successful agriculturist of Mt. Auburn Township. owns and operates a good farm on section 36. For upwards of a quarter-century he has made his home in this im- mediate vicinity, and is one who has endeavored in every possible manner to promote the good of this community.
Our subject is a son of John and Mary Ann (Smith) Ward. and was born September 11, 1840, in Guernsey County, Ohio. Ilis father was a na- tive of the Old Dominion, who passed his youth in that part of the country, but removed to Ohio in his young manhood. In the Buckeye State was celebrated his marriage with Miss Smith, a native of England. After his marriage. Mr. Ward en-
gaged in farming in Guernsey County for a few years, later removing to Washington County, where he cleared and developed a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and reared his family in the fear of God. During his residence on this farm he lost his wife, and after'a few years be sold the property, returning to Guernsey County, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Isaac N. Ward is one of a large family, compris- ing ten sons and four daughters. Of this number all lived to maturity and were married with one ex- ception. Eleven are still surviving, and during the late war three of the brothers were soldiers. One of the latter, James, was taken sick and died at Carthage, Tenn.
Our subjeet's boyhood days were passed on the old homestead in Washington County, and his services were dutifully given to his father un- til he had attained to his majority. On the 13th of August, 1862, Isaac N. Ward donned the blue and went in defense of the Union. Ile became a member of Company H, Ninety-second Ohio Infantry, and saw considerable active service. With his regiment he took part in a number of important campaigns, and participated in the bat- tles of Chickamauga. Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, and went through the Atlanta campaign. Ile was on the march with Sherman to the sea, and at the close of the war marched with the victorious army in the Grand Review at Washington, where he was mustered out.
Returning to his Ohio home after the storm clouds of war had rolled away, Mr. Ward resided there for about three years. It was in the fall of 1868 that he determined to try his luek in Illi- nois, where he arrived in October. Having pur- chased a team, he engaged in farming on rented land for a number of years in this county. and in 1880 became the owner of the farm on which he still makes his home. This place once belonged to three heirs, Mrs. Ward being one of the num- ber. and after buying out the others she succeeded to the place. Like many of the farms in this lo- cality. it is fenced with osage hedge and divided into forty-acre sections. Mr. Ward has erected a good residence, substantial barns and granaries and has set out an orchard.
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In 1867, in Washington County, Ohio, occurred the first marriage of our subject. The lady of his choice was Miss May Jane Hupp, who was born in Noble County, of the same State. She departed this life in 1873, leaving two children. The elder, Laura, is the wife of Lewis Hurlbutt, who is en- gaged in farming in this vicinity. The younger daughter, Mary A., became the wife of William C. Brubeck, now of Oklahoma. In Springfield, on the 8th of April, 1880, at the St. Nicholas IIotel, Mr. Ward and Miss Amanda Montgomery were united in marriage. The lady was born on the farm where she now resides, and is a daughter of Ira Montgomery, an honored pioneer of Christian County, who died in 1858. By this union six children have been born: Ida Pearl, James N., Eva Grace and Ella Myrtle (twins), Jessie and Tillie Belle.
Socially, Mr. Ward is a member of Grove City Odd Fellows' lodge, and is Noble Grand. Ile also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and is greatly interested in these organizations. He ranks high in the estimation of all his friends and neighbors as a man of excellent business abil- ity and true worth of character. Ile has been an ally of the Democratic party for many years, sup- porting its nominees and measures in Presidential elections, but he prefers to be independent at local elections. Ile has served as a member of the School Board, but has declined other official hon- ors, choosing to give his entire time to the super- vision of his farm.
M ELVILLE W. STAPLES, M. D., of Grove City, is one of the active and successful professional men of Christian County. Ile is a native son of this State, having been born in Tazewell County, September 8, 1850, and has passed nearly his entire life in the Prairie State.
Rev. John J. Staples, the father of the Doctor, was born in the Old Dominion, and was a lad of only nine years when he came with his parents to Illi-
nois. The family settled in Peoria County, about 1825. The marriage of Mr. Staples occurred in Springfield, Ill., his wife being an adopted daugh- ter of Erastus Wright, one of the early settlers and pioneer teachers of Illinois. After his marriage, Mr. Staples settled in Tazewell County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1859, when he emigrated to Missouri and took up his residence in Carrollton, where he remained for a few years. In 1861, he returned to Illinois, settling in Deea- tur. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was placed on the Decatur Circuit. At the end of two years he was transferred to the Har- ristown Cireuit, and in 1865 came to Taylorville, where lie engaged in pastoral work until 1874. At this time he retired from the conference and went to Kansas on account of his health. After a short time, this being partly restored, he returned to the pulpit and was afterward made Presiding Elder, acting as such until his death, which occurred May 3, 1882.
Under the careful guidance of his father, Dr. Staples grew to manhood and received a good edu- eation. He attended the Bloomington Normal af- ter leaving the common schools, and for six months taught school quite successfully. That avocation not being to his taste, however, he learned the painter's trade, following that business for several years in order to obtain the means whereby to pur- sue a thorough course of medical study. During the winter of 1881-82, he took his first course of lectures in the St. Louis Medical College, returning the two following winters. lle was graduated in the Class of '84, after having spent seven years in his medical studies. He had come to Christian County as early as 1865, and his first practice in the line of his future work was in Edinburgh, Ill., but lie soon removed to Grove City, arriving here on the 4th of June, 1885, and has since continued ac- tively engaged in practice. His efforts have been crowned with success and he is kept busy all the time, his practice being quite extensive.
In Edinburgh, Ill., on the 1st of March, 1874, oc- curred the wedding of Dr. Staples and Miss Mary Ida Johns, who was born at Columbus, Ga., but grew to womanhood in Illinois. To our subjeet and wife have been born five children: Arthur,
Alltaptes M.D.
Mary Ida Staples
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Gertie, Roy, Altha, and Lizzie, who died in infancy. The family move in the best social eireles of the place, and are active workers in the Grove City Methodist Episcopal Church. to which the Doctor and his wife belong, the former being one of its officers.
Our subject is greatly interested in civic soci- eties, is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge of this place and has passed all the chairs. Ile is Past Grand and has represented the lodge in the Grand Lodge. Ile is now Deputy Grand Master, and is also a member of the Taylorville Encampment. Ile is a true-blue Republican, having voted for every Presidential nominee of that party since the elec- tion of 1872. IIe has been always a hearty sup- porter of public schools, and one of the prime movers in securing the graded schools of which the citizens of this place are so justly proud.
h ARRY CHENEY, one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Christian County, whose home is just outside the corporation limits of Taylorville, claims Ohio as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Coshocton County, on the 30th of November, 1842. HIis parents, Abraham and Jeannette (Evans) Che- ney, were both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1824, the father left the State of his nativity and removed to Ohio, where he remained until 1843, when he em- igrated to Illinois. Locating in Sangamon County, he there made his home until 1870, which year witnessed his arrival in Taylorville. Ilis death oceurred in that city September 22, 1887, at the age of eighty-nine years, six months and ten days. By occupation he was a farmer, and followed agri- cultural pursuits during the greater part of his life. Ilis wife had passed away several years pre- vious to the death of her husband, dying Septem- ber 26, 1875, at the age of seventy-eight. The family numbered eight children, of whom Harry is seventh in order of birth. John, the eldest, has made his home in Colusa, C'al., since 1852;
Thomas died in Taylorville; Amon died at the age of thirty-two, leaving a family, and his son, Thomas II. Cheney, of Springfield, is now Court · Stenographer; Talitha became the wife of Dr. W. J. Chamblain, of Mason City, Ill., and both are now deceased; Rebecca C. is the wife of Alpheus Lewis, and resides in Roseville, Ill .: Elizabeth, wife of J. R. Johnson, is now keeping house for her brother Harry, who is the next younger in the family; and Margaret Ellen is the widow of JJ. E. Bradley, of Springfield.
The subject of this sketch acquired a good English education in the schools of Springfield. lle was reared to manhood in Sangamon County, having been only a year old at the time of Ins parents' removal thither. His education was com- pleted by a course in a commercial school at St. Louis, and when he had completed his studies in that line he secured a position as clerk in the post- office of that city, serving for four years under Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln. Subsequently he was made Deputy Marshal for St. Louis County, and in a prompt and faithful manner discharged the duties of that office for two and a-half years.
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