USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
On his return to Springfield, Mr. Cheney em- barked in the drug business, which he carried on for several years, and in the spring of 1870 turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he has since followed. The farm which he now owns was mainly improved by his brother Amon. and after his death was carried on by the father, until he too departed this life, when our subject purchased it. It comprises one hundred acres of rich and val uable land and lies just west of the corporation limits of Taylorville. The fields are well tilled, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the careful supervision of the owner. Mr. Cheney has made a specialty of breeding, rais- ing and selling fine stock and now has a fine herd of about twenty Jersey cows. lle supplies cream to the restaurants of the city and has upon his farm a cold storage warehouse. in which to keep lis cream and milk. He also raises hogs, and has some fine horses. ITis land is a beautiful tract, and the place is one of the model farms of the county.
Mr. Cheney has always been a supporter of the Democratic party, having been a war advocate of
218
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
its principles. Ilis first Presidential vote was cast for George B. Mcclellan in 1864. In 1880, he was elected Township Supervisor by a handsome ma- jority, and discharged his duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents, being a prudent and painstaking officer. Socially, he is connected with Mystie Lodge No. 64. K. P. For almost a quarter of a century. Mr. Cheney has now lived in Christian County, and through- out the community in which he now makes his home he is widely and favorably known.
ATTEN GASKINS is an old resident and prominent farmer, who makes his home on section 16. King Township. Ile is a native of Illinois, having been born in Saline County, May 6. 1835, to Wilson G. Gaskins, whose birth occurred in Howard County, Ky. The fa- ther grew to manhood in his native State, and came to Illinois at an carly day, becoming a resi- dent of Gallatine County, afterward a part of Sa- line County, in 1812. Ile was one of eleven chil- dren. In 1818 he married Lydia Bracken, who was a native of North Carolina. He died at the age of seventy-seven years, about 1872, on the farm where he had resided for so many years. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. and in politics he was a Democrat.
Hatten Gaskins is one of eleven children, and passed his boyhood and youth at his birthplace. Ile received a limited education in the subserip- tion schools of the day, but as the family was large he was early set to work, and at the age of eight- teen commenced to be self-supporting. Ilis ambi- tion was to possess a good farm, but though he was industrious it was many years before his wish was fulfilled.
In 1861 Mr. Gaskins came to this county from Montgomery County, where he had married Miss Delia Davis, who was born on the Lamoille River, twelve miles from Burlington. Her father, Moses
Davis, was a native of Vermont, and her grand- father was under Ethan Allen at the capture of Ticonderoga. Mr. Davis had the contract for furnishing the first telegraph poles in the United States. Ile died in Fremont, Neb., in 1872.
In 1857 our subject purchased eighty acres of land in this county, and four years later settled permanently upon it. Ile bought two hundred and forty acres at the rate of 812 per acre. The land was in a wild condition, and often herds of from thirty to forty deer were seen grazing near his home. He has converted his land, which was mainly a swamp, into its present condition. Mr. Gaskins has considerable inventive genius, and in October, 1892, received a patent on a pump of an improved type. lle also has invented a windmill, which is so constructed that it is better able to re- sist wind storms than most on the market.
The marriage of our subject was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1857, and by the union have been born the following children: Henry, who died at the age of nine years; Fannie, wife of Samuel Balsley, a farmer of King Township; Rosa May, who lives in Ellis, Kan., and is the wife of Lewis Morton; Berry, who is at home on the farm; and Betsy, wife of Edwin Vigal, of this township. They are all well educated and have made a good start in life. Our subject and his wife have seven grandchildren, of whom they are very proud. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and were among the charter members of the church, which formerly convened in the little log schoolhouse of the neighborhood. Mr. Gas- kins himself built the first schoolhouse in King Township, in 1867. .
The first ballot of our subject was cast for Buchanan and he was one of the Democratic party until two years ago. He is now a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and as the author of the Farm- ers' Alliance Song Book is well known in all parts of the I'nion. lle has attended all of the principal meetings of the organization, and was at the Omaha Convention, which was composed of sixteen hundred and forty delegates. He is a member of the local Alliance and is a leading man of his party. A good singer, his voice has been often heard in the meetings and he is the chief ex-
219
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ponent of the Alliance in this neighborhood. He is a natural poet, and has been called the poet of the county. It is his intention to rent his farm and devote himself to making known the merits of his inventions. During the thirty-two years he has lived in this county he has been a witness of the great changes that have taken place. Taylor- ville was then a small place, with only one church. lle was often several weeks on the journey to and from the nearest trading point, and the roads were so bad that it took two days to go fifteen miles to the mill. In 1859 he went to the Rocky Mount- ains, across the plains by team, and was twenty- four days going to the Missouri River and twen- ty-one days on the return from that point. lle spent seven months in the mountains and was one of the second party to enter the region. He made considerable out of his venture, and his wife has a ring which was made from the gold he obtained. Everything in the West was extremely high, and he has paid as high as 824 for a small saek of flour.
SABEL (BAKER) BERRY, who lives on see- tion 11, Johnson Township, eame with her parents to Christian County in her young womanhood and has sinee passed her life in this county. Her husband was for many years a prom- nent and respected citizen of this county, which in his death met with a severe loss. The birth of Mrs. Berry occurred in York County. Pa., on the 14th of November, 1830. Her father, Henry Ba- ker, was born in the same county in 1802. Ile has now passed away and lies buried in Clark Cemetery, of Johnson Township. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Klinefelter, was born in 1804, and grew to womanhood in York County, Pa.
Our subject is the second in order of birth in a family of ten children. Alexander. the eldest, is deceased: Matilda is the wife of Richard Johnson, a resident of this township; Surilla is deceased; Jacob, William, Ilester Ann and Samuel have also
!
passed away; Eliza is the wife of Henry Ebert, and lives in California; and Mary, who was the wife of Matthew Stone, is deceased, and with her husband lies buried in Oak Hill Cemetery. The father of this family died in 1880. Hle followed the life oc- cupation of farming, and carried on a farm in this county. His wife died in the prime of life, in the year 1849.
The marriage of Mrs. Berry was celebrated in 1850, when she gave her heart and hand to Thomas Il. Berry, who was born in Montgomery County. Ill., in 1828. To them were born three children. Ilenry II. is an enterprising carpenter and builder, a resident of Taylorville: John T. is a well-to-do agriculturist of Johnson Township; and Mary Jane, wife of Allen Raiborn, lives on the old homestead with her mother. Mrs. Berry has five grandchildren, namely: John. Eunice, Grace I .. Daisy and Goldie May. John Berry has resided for several years with his grandmother, and has been of great assistance to her in carrying on the home farm. ITe is a young man who is very am- bitious, and who fully realizes of what benefit a thorough education is to a man in the battle of life. This winter he expects to teach school and af- terwards attend the business college at Springfield, 111. He is a young man who is bound to suc- ceed and who has a future of great promise before him.
The homestead owned and operated by Mrs. Berry is one of the best in the township. Of this. one hundred and sixty aeres are situated on the prairie, and forty aeres are timber-land. During his lifetime Mr. Berry served in various local po- sitions of responsibility and honor to the satis- faetion of his friends and neighbors. Among others he was Highway Commissioner, and also served as one of the School Directors. Ilis influence and ballot were used in behalf of the Democratic party. For a period of over twenty years he was a faith- ful and consistent member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In 1873, he was called from his labors, being strieken with malarial fever. lle lies buried in the United Brethren Church Ceme- tery. During his entire life, which was spent in the Prairie State, he followed agricultural pur- suits, and was an honorable, upright man, whom to
220
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
know was to love. His name deserves to be placed among the worthy pioneers who did so much in the development and preparation of the State for the prosperity and success which bave now be- come assured. Mrs. Berry is well and favorably known in this community as a lady of good ed- ucation, right judgment and business ability. Since her husband's death she has managed the farm most ereditably, and has shown herself most capable to direct the management of a large farm.
OIN GORE is one of the early pioneers of Christian County, having arrived here with his parents in 1830. Ile is an honored resi- dent of Taylorville Township, and cul- tivates his valuable farm on section 7. He was born in Trigg County. Ky., near Cadiz, August 9, 1825, and has consequently passed all but five years of his life in the community where he yet makes his home.
Our subject's parents, John and Sopbia Gore, were natives of Kentucky, who made their home for several years after their marriage in the Blue Grass State. Believing that they could do better in a newer country, they started with their family and earthly possessions by ox-teams to Illinois, where the father took up one hundred and sixty acres of Government land on the present site of Taylorville. This property, for which he paid $1.25 per acre, was situated where the Baxter Ele- vator now stands.
Our subject grew to manhood in this county and obtained his education in the subscription schools, which were held in log schoolhouses from three to four miles from his home. He ean well remember when there was not a house in Taylor- ville. Remaining with his parents until he had reached his majority, he then purchased forty acres of land. for which he paid $150, 850 of the amount down and the rest to be paid in several years. This land was entirely wild and a portion was heavily timbered. In order to pay the remainder.
our subject began working for $10 per month at farm labor and continued thus employed for sev- eral years. In the mean time he made many sub- stantial improvements upon his place, which he afterward sold and then bought a Mexican land warrant for one hundred and forty-five acres on section 7, Taylorville Township. This place has since been his home. It was mostly prairie and unimproved. Ile built a log cabin, which in later years was supplanted by his substantial resi- dence. In his boyhood the nearest trading point was Springfield. He was always an industrious worker and was many times employed at cutting and splitting rails. This occupation was not very remunerative, but he was economical and managed to board himself while receiving only twenty-five cents per hundred rails.
In July, 1862, Mr. Gore enlisted in the Union service for three years as a private of Company A, One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Infantry. llis brother William also enlisted on the same day in the same company, while his brother Joseph joined the company a few days afterward. They were mustered into service at Camp Butler, and their first engagement took place at Franklin, Tenn. Mr. Gore was for three days in the battle of Chickamauga, was m the engagement at Resaca and the battles of Bull's Gap, Nashville and many others of less note. lle was never taken prisoner or wounded, though he served until the close of the war and was often in the front of the battle. He suffered many privations and was often sent on forced marches. During his service he lived for a day and a-half on eighteen grains of coffee, being otherwise entirely without food. lle re- ceived an honorable discharge in 1855, after hav- ing made a record of which he may well be proud. IIe was a soldier on whom his superiors could safely rely, and ably defended the Nation in her hour of need.
Returning to his home, Mr. Gore took up the work on his farm and has since devoted his entire attention to its improvement. Ile was married in 1870 to Miss Harriet Welch, who died about a year later, and was placed to rest in Buckhart Cemetery. Mr. Gore has been a Republican since the organization of the party, but though
221
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
interested in polities has never been an office- seeker. lle is a member of the Methodist Church, and a Grand Army man. His success in life is justly merited, for he began at the very bottom round of the ladder, as did many of this Nation's brave sons, and has steadily progressed in fortune and the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
R ICHARD JOHNSON is one of the influen- tial farmers of Johnson Township, his home being on section 14. Ile is a native of the Buckeye State, born May 14, 1830, in Cadiz and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Orr) John- son, who were both natives of Washington County, Pa., where they grew to manhood and womanhood.
Richard Johnson is one of six children, of whom he is next to the youngest. ITis eldest brother, James, is deceased, and was buried in Louisville, Ky .; Margaret, who was next in order of birth, and was formerly a resident of Waterbury, Conn., is now deceased; Albert was one of the devoted missionaries to India and was killed in the mutiny in 1848, about seven hundred miles from Calcutta; Junins C. died in Ohio; William, who was in In- dia for a few years, is now President of the Biddle Institute in North Carolina, and is a man of supe- rior attainments. The father of these children died in 1837, and was buried in Cadiz, Ohio. His wife died three years later and was placed in her last resting-place in Washington County, Pa., which was also the county of her birth.
Our subject was early deprived of his father's guidance and mother's loving care, for he was only a child of seven years on the death of the former, and three years later occurred his mother's death. lle was therefore early obliged to strike out and make his own livelihood. He obtained employ- ment in a tannery and worked at that business for six years in Ohio. In 1859 he wedded Matilda Baker, who was born in Pennsylvania, and with her parents removed to Clarke County, Ohio. With
her parents, she later settled in Christian County, Ill. They were natives of Washington County, Pa., and were of Scotch and Irish descent. They became residents of these parts in 1854, when the county was a wilderness. Our subject and wife be- came the parents of eight children. Margaret mar- ried James llawkins, of Johnson Township; Will- iam. who is deceased, lies buried in the Taylorville cemetery; Mary became the wife of Henry Dappert. a farmer of .Johnson Township; Drusilla and So- phronia are at home; Rebecca is married and re- sides on the homestead; Matthew is also at home; and Rachel died in infancy.
The farm belonging to our subject is well improved and comprises four hundred and seventy acres. The owner is one of the enterprising farm- ers of the township and is thoroughly familiar with the duties pertaining to farm work. lle is a
stanch Republican, prior to the organization of which party he affiliated with the Whigs. His first vote in a Presidential election was cast for Winfield Scott. For many years after coming to this county, the father of our subject was well known as one of the pioneer physicians. In everything pertaining to the upbuilding of the community in which he dwells, Mr. Johnson is active and interested, and is a believer in giving the rising generation the best possible advantages in the way of an educa- tion. Ile has served as one of the School Directors, and is ever to be found on the side of progress.
C
R ICHARD KIMBALL is one of the enterpris- ing merchants of Mt. Auburn, and has been a resident of Christian County for three decades. Ile carries a well-selected stock of general merchandise and has a well-estab- lished business. He is accounted one of the sub- stantial citizens of the county, and by his methods of fair dealing has established an enviable repnta- tation.
Mr. Kimball is a native of Vermont, born near Montpelier, Washington County, May 21, 1846.
222
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
His grandfather, Richard Kimball, was born in Boston. Mass., and was of Scotch parentage. his ancestors having lived in the Highlands of Scot- land. Coming to the I'nited States, they settled in New England prior to the War of the Revolu- tion. For a number of years, Richard Kimball was engaged in business in Boston.
Nathan Allen Kimball, the father of our sub- ject. was born and grew to manhood in Vermont. lle there married Sarah Stagg, also a native of the Green Mountain State, and after that event he engaged in milling and merchandising for many years. In 1855, he concluded to seek his fortune in the West, and, coming to Illinois, settled in Rochester, where he engaged in the same business. He died in 1860. His wife, who survived him for a number of years, passed away in Missouri.
In the family, comprising three sons and three daughters, Richard Kimball is the second in order of birth. One sister has since passed to the home beyond. Our subject was only nine years old when his parents brought him to Illinois. Ile was given good school advantages, and in 1863, when in his seventeenth year, he came to this county and entered the employ of M. Stafford & Co. as a clerk. He continued with this firm for ten years and received a thorough, practical business train- ing. In 1873, Mr. Kimball bought out the old firm and succeeded to the business. Since that time le has carried it on alone and has been fort- unate in his management of the enterprise.
In Christian County, on the 26th of February, 1873. a marriage ceremony was performed which united the destinies of Mr. Kimball and Miss Franecs J. Henderson. Iler father, John A. Hen- derson. is one of the earliest settlers of this eounty, and is a son-in-law of old Gen. Whitesides, of southern Illinois. Mrs. Kimball was born in Mad- ison County. Ill., and by her marriage has become the mother of four children. The eldest, John A., is a talented young man. The younger mem- bers of the family are called respectively: Pearl, Grace and Cora. The parents hold membership with the Christian Church. Mr. Kimball is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, is a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of Illiopolis Chapter. The 1 political support of Mr. Kimball is given to the
Democratie party on all national issues. He has found his time and energies necessarily devoted to his business interests, and has therefore never accepted official honors. He is well known to be a man whose word is as good as his bond, and in all his dealings with his fellow-men his course has been marked by a high sense of honor and justice.
NDREW J. TAYLOR is a native Virgin- ian, and from his earliest years has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has a well-improved farm on section 23, Green- wood Township, where in addition to general farming he devotes considerable attention to stock- raising. He has seen much of the development of this county, to which he came when only seven- teen years of age.
Our subject was born in the eastern part of Vir- ginia, in Rockbridge County, June 3, 1850, being a son of Gabriel and Catherine (Smith) Taylor. The former was a son of Sinclair Taylor, who was a farmer and was also a native of the Old Domin- ion. John Smith, our subject's maternal grand- father, was probably born in Germany, as he spoke very broken English. He was also a farmer in Virginia, and lived to be about eighty-five years of age. Gabriel Taylor owned and operated a farm in his native county, and was called from this life in early manhood. He and his wife were members of the United Brethren Church. They were the parents of five children, only two of whom are now living: Mary, wife of John Suther- land, of Brownsburg, Va .; and Andrew J., whose name heads this sketch.
The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed on his father's farm in Virginia. lle re- mained on the old homestead until seventeen years of age, when he started out to make his own way in the world. Ile came directly to Christian County, arriving here when Taylorville was a very small town, having no railroads. For four years he lived five miles west of Edinburgh, after which,
223
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in the spring of 1871, he moved into Greenwood Township, where he rented and operated a farm for six years. By carefully husbanding his means. he acquired enough money to purchase a farm of eighty acres, which is located on section 23. He has made substantial improvements and has thus materially increased its value. For a number of years he has raised horses, sheep and hogs exten- sively, and is now one of the leading farmers of the township.
In this county, Mr. Taylor was united in mar- riage with Miss Elmira V. Orr, on the 1st of De- cember, 1870. She is a daughter of Thomas and Caroline (Suddith) Orr, who are well known in Christian County. Seven children have been born to our subject and his estimable wife. They are as follows: Rena C., William A., Thomas O., John W .. Charles A., Jesse and a baby boy.
Mr. Taylor is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America and is identified with the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. The cause of educa- tion finds in him a warm friend, and for a period of three years he served as a School Director. At the present time he is acting in the capacity of Supervisor of the township. In politics he sup- ports the men and measures of the People's party. Whatever fortune he now possesses is the result of his industry and untiring energy, for he started out in the battle of life without a dollar capital, and has made his way unassisted by the money or influence of others. Hle is therefore deserving of great respect, and is held in high regard by his friends and neighbors.
ULIU'S A. WOLFF is one of the energetic business men of Morrisonville, being a dealer, packer and shipper of poultry and eggs. During the summer season he gives employment to about twelve men, and in the win- ter to about fifty hands. Ile has been engaged in this branch of business for a number of years and has become fairly conversant with its details.
The birth of Mr. Wolff occurred in Davenport, Iowa, May 2, 1864, his parents being Joachim and Julia (Ilensen) Wolff, who were natives of llam- burg, Germany. The former was a merchant tailor in the Fatherland and came to America about 1840. He settled in Davenport, Iowa, where he died in 1886, at the age of about seventy-five years. During the late war he served as a mem- ber of the Davenport regiment, and in one en- gagement was badly wounded. His father. Mi- chael D. Wolff, died in Germany when over ninety years of age. The mother of our subject passed from this life in Burlington, when she had attained the age of seventy years. Both parents were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Julius A. Wolff is one of five children, three daughters and two sons, only two of whom are now living. His only sister. Carolina, is the wife of Nicholas Lau, and is a resident of Burlington, Iowa. Our subject was only five years of age when his parents removed from Davenport to Bur- lington, where he was reared to manhood and re- ceived his education. Upon completing his stnd- ies he obtained a position as book-keeper for the Orchard City Packing House, of Burlington, and remained in the employ of that firm for eight years and a-half. Going to Chicago, Mr. Wolff became a commercial traveler for the firm of Op- penheimer, Casing & Co.
The first commercial venture of our subject was in 1886, when he entered into partnership with C. E. Hensen, and opened a poultry and produce shippers' office in Virden, Ill. In time they en- larged their business and opened branch houses at Carlinville. Farmersville and Morrisonville. At the end of a year they dissolved partnership, Mr. Wolff taking the Morrisonville and Farmersville houses, and Mr. Hensen keeping the other two branches. In addition to his business interests, Mr. Wolff has money invested in good property in Farmersville and Morrisonville. He possesses good business ability and is making a success of his various enterprises.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.