USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 19
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On the 24th of September, 1887. a marriage cer- emony was performed by which Miss Augusta Hensen became the wife of Mr. Wolff. She is a daughter of Frederick and Magdalene ( Westphall )
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Hensen. In politics, Mr. Wolff is a Democrat and is greatly interested in the success of that party. Since casting his lot with the citizens of this place he has been active in promoting her best interests and is a public-spirited man. He is upright and exact in his business dealings, and for that reason makes friends of his patrons.
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E LIJAH A. MILLER is one of the respected old settlers of Taylorville Township, hav- ing lived on his present farm since 1850. This property is situated on section 16, and has been developed from the wild prairie to its present thrifty and well-improved condition by our sub- ject, who has acquired a good farm and a com- fortable competence for his remaining years. He is a native of this county, having been born in South Fork Township, which was then a part of Sangamon County, on the 10th of March, 1825. His parents were Samuel and Hannah (llainen) Miller, who were of German and Scotch-Irish de- scent, respectively. The former was a native of Virginia, and the latter of South Carolina. They were the parents of the following children: Sal- lie, Melinda. Isaac, Daniel, Martin, Levi, Elijah, Jane, Eli. Charles, and two who died in infancy. Only three of the number are yet living. Martin and Jane are residents of Saline County, Neb. The former is a retired farmer.
Samuel Miller removed from his native State to Kentucky, and grew to manhood in Christian County of that State. He was a farmer and maker of weaver's reeds. In 1822. he came to Illinois and settled in South Fork Township, this county, the trip overland being made on horseback. He pre-empted a piece of Government land, for which he paid $1.25 per acre. In the early days he gave as high as one hundred per cent. on borrowed money. On his farm he erected a small log cabin, 16x20 feet. The nearest trading point was at Springfield. Ile was born in 1790, and passed
away in October, 1833, having been a member of the Universalist Church. His wife was born in 1799, and died in 1866.
The subject of this sketch was born and reared on his father's farm in this county, and his educa- tion was obtained in the early subscription schools. The first one he ever attended was taught by Judge Vandeveer and was situated nearly a mile and a-half from his home. He obtained a good business education largely through his own study and diligence. When about sixteen years of age, he began teaching school, and continued during the winter months in that occupation until in his twenty-eighth year. From the time he was a youth of sixteen years he took charge of his mother's old homestead, which he continued to manage until 1850.
The farm on which Mr. Miller still lives was purchased by him in 1850. This property of one hundred and sixty acres was school land and was purchased at the rate of $1.75 per acre. Ile has since extended its boundaries until it now comprises two hundred and seventy acres, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising. At the same time that he settled on this place he married Miss Jane S. Bishop, who was born in Rochester, N. Y., Angust 6, 1830.
Six children have been born to our subject and wife. Ada, whose birth occurred in April, 1855, is the wife of H. J. Huffman, who is a school teacher in Seward County, Neb .; Henry died November 30, 1866; Annie died in infancy; Jennie, born October 22, 1862, became the wife of O. E. Badger, a Methodist minister; Fannie, wife of A. J. Hay- ward, a farmer of Taylorville Township. was born July 6, 1864; and Alice, the youngest of the family, born July 3, 1866, died September 19, 1869.
The first vote cast by Mr. Miller was for Frank- lin Pierce, and he has supported the Democratic party ever since that time. A number of times he has been honored with various township offices, and among others we mention that of Town- ship Collector, School Director and Trustee. Mrs. Miller holds membership with the Presbyterian Church. The family is highly respected and have always been warmly received in the social circles of the neighborhood.
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UGUSTUS M. SMITHI. One of the exten- sive land-owners of Christian County, and one of the early settlers, is the gentle- man whose history we will proceed to briefly trace. His home is located on section 15, South Fork Township. His birth occurred in Washington, D. C., January 11, 1836, his parents being Justus and Catherine (Hartner) Smith, who were both natives of Germany. In 1828 the father crossed the Atlantic on a sailing-vessel, which con- sumed nine weeks in making the voyage. He was a baker by trade, and after his arrival in America located in Washington, where he worked at his calling for a few years. In 1835 he came to Illi- nois by stage and located in Greene County. where he began working on a farm by the month. receiving 88 or 89 for his services. He continued to make his home in Greene County until 1844, when he came to Christian County and bought an eighty-acre tract of school land in South Fork Township. He erected a log cabin and proceeded to develop a good farm from the wild prairie. Though he commenced life without any capital, he was in good circumstances at the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1877. His wife, who died two years previous, lies buried by her husband in Bethany Cemetery.
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Our subject is one of a family of six children and is the only son. His sister Johanna is the widow of Thomas Melugin, and is a resident of Edinburg, Ill .; Mary is deceased; Catherine is the wife of John Jysey, a farmer of this township; Elizabeth became the wife of Charles Hanna, who is also engaged in farming in Sonth Fork Town- ship; and Polly is deceased.
Mr. Smith of this sketch was only an infant when he was brought by his parents to Illinois, and with them came to Christian County when eight years of age. Ile grew to manhood on his father's farm in South Fork Township, and at- tended the winter term of school in the nearest schoolhouse, which was about a mile and a-half from his home. The school advantages of that early day were extremely meagre, and his education has been mainly acquired since reaching adult years. Ile remained with his father until twenty- two years of age, when he started on his own ac-
count as a farmer on forty acres of raw prairie land, which was given him by his father. On this place he lived for about eight years, and, having made many improvements upon it, he then sold it to good advantage and moved to Taylorville. where he made his home for a year. His next business venture was the purchase of one hundred and sixty-four acres on section 15, South Fork Township, the farm on which he now resides. Ile has extended his possessions considerably in later years, and is now the fortunate owner of nearly seven hundred acres of well-cultivated and valuable land. He is engaged in raising general farm products, and also deals considerably in stock.
The marriage of Mr. Smith took place on the 20th of May, 1863, when Miss Elmira Adams be- came his wife. Two children have been born of their union: Lizzie, the wife of William Taylor, a well-to-do farmer of South Fork Township; and Bessie, who died when three years of age. Polit- ically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and takes a great interest in political and general affairs. Though not desirons of official honors, he has served his township as Supervisor. He is a worthy man and patriotic citizen, who is devoted to the promotion of all enterprises which have for their object the good of the community and the progress of his fellow-men.
A. WHITECRAFT. This gentleman is well known as one of the most extensive land- owners of Christian County and as a prom- inent citizen who is always to be found in the front ranks of improvement. Ilis well- equipped farm is situated on section 25, South Fork Township. Ile is a native of Bath County, Ky., born January 11, 1819, and is a son of John Whitecraft. His grandfather, who was of Irish descent, was reared in Lancaster, Pa. Thence he removed to Tennessee, and later to Kentucky, where his death occurred.
The father of our subject was a native of Ten-
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nessee and was eight years of age when his parents settled in Kentucky. His early education was limited. and he was early inured to farm work. On arriving at suitable years he married Rachel Arnick. a native of Bath County, Ky. On the 15th of september. 1835, the family left Kentucky and started for the Prairie State, reaching Spring- tield at the end of thirty days. Central Illinois was still in a nearly wild condition, and wolves aud deer yet roamed over the prairies. On the 6th of April of the following year, the father came to this county and made a settlement on the farm which is now owned by our subject. lle bought a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, paid $1 per acre, and entered a large tract of land at $1.25 per acre. The prairie was without fences, and there was only a small house, containing a large fireplace, upon the farm by way of improvement. John Whitceraft became the owner of nearly eight hundred acres, all of which is in the family. Ile died in 1847, aged sixty-two years, seven months and twenty days, and was buried on the farm, His wife lived to reach four-score years and was killed in Springlield by a runaway team. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics the father was a Whig. Ile was greatly opposed to secret societies.
Our subject is the eldest child born to his par- ents. Ilarvey died in this county, as did also Ahisah, the next younger; Jane, who is deceased, became the wife of a Mr. Williams, of Brush Creek; John lives retired from business and resides in Taylorville; Silas lives in Springfield; and George, who is also retired from active business, lives at Berry Station.
The early years of J. A. Whitecraft were passed in Kentucky, and at the time of the family's emi- gration to this State he was a youth of sixteen years. His education was obtained in the sub- scription schools of that early day, and he learned to be an expert with the riffe, cradle, axe and scythe. He continued to reside at home until his father's death. when he inherited a portion of the old homestead. a tract of three hundred acres. He has since greatly extended the boundaries of his farm and may well be proud of his broad estate. for he owns in one body fourteen hundred acres.
Ile is engaged in general farming and stock-raising and has met with unusual success.
Mr. Whitecraft is a good citizen and has been identified with the progress of this region for fifty-seven years. His first Presidential ballot was cast in 1810 for W. II. Harrison. He has seen thir- teen elections since that day, and the last time voted for the grandson of the Tippecanoe hero. He was well acquainted with President Lincoln and had the pleasure of voting for him. llis father was always an anti-slavery man and left the South on that account.
SCAR F. MORRISON, a well-known citizen of Taylorville, claims New Hampshire as the State of his nativity. The place of his birth is in the city of Keene, and the date May 22, 1837. Ilis parents were David and Betsy Ann (Wilson) Morrison. Ilis boyhood days were quietly passed, and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. Since the age of fifteen he has made his own way in the world. At that time he began learning the printer's trade, serving a three-years apprenticeship. When a young man of twenty years he determined to seek a home and fortune in the West, for he believed that better privileges were here afforded than in the older and more thickly settled States of the East. In consequence he arrived in Pana, Christian County, on the 22d of July, 1857, and in that place and in Clinton he was engaged in newspaper work until 1866. In connection with Mahlon De Levis he founded and published the Clinton Pub- lic, which he carried on during the war,
On the 3d of October, 1861, Mr. Morrison was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Frink, the ceremony being performed on the. site of their present home. The lady is a daughter of Judge W. S. and Sarah G. (Grant) Frink. Her father died September 12, 1887, of paralysis, in his nine- ty-seventh year. Ile was the last survivor in a family of twelve children. Throughout Christian County he was recognized as a prominent citizen.
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Win. S. Frink
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Ile laid ont Frink's Addition to the city, consist- ing of eighteen lots, and was prominent in all pub- lie affairs. For seventy-five years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in North Stonington, Conn., in 1821. He was always an active member of the society, was a charter member of Mound Lodge, and took the Knight Templar degree. Further mention is made of Judge Frink on another page of this work.
After the death of her mother Mr. and Mrs. Morrison came to Taylorville, in 1866. to make their home with the Judge. she being his only liv- ing child. The family numbered six children, but one died at the age of fifteen. one at seven years, another at twenty-one, and two in early childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have two children: Mary Emma, who is employed as a teacher in the sixthi grade in the Taylorville public schools; and Lor- etta Frink, wife of Nathaniel Gandy, of Taylor- ville.
After coming to this city, our subject spent six years in the store of C. E. Barnes & Co., of Tay- lorville. In polities, he is a Republican and a stanch advocate of its principles, but has never been an aspirant for political preferment. Ilis "wife is a member of the Baptist Church, and also belongs to Ilazelmere Chapter No. 221, O. E. S., of which she is now Treasurer. Mr. and Mrs. Morri- son hold an enviable position in social circles, and have many friends throughout this community, in which they have so long resided.
UDGE WILLIAM STANTON FRINK, de- ceased, was one of Christian County's leading and influential citizens, and well deserves representation in its history. lle was born in Lebanon, New London County, Conn., December 17, 1790, and was a son of William and Wealthy (Downer) Frink, who were also natives of the Nutmeg State. The family is of Welsh origin, and was founded in America during Col- onial days, a tract of land being granted to Isaae
Frink by King George III. This is still in the possession of the family. The father of our sub- ject died in 1850, at the age of eighty-two. He was a substantial farmer and a man esteemed for his many excellencies of character. The mother was an exemplary Christian lady, who did much toward molding the lives of her children.
The primary education of our subject was sup- plemented by study in an academy at Westerly, R. 1. He remained at home until eighteen years of age, and during the succeeding twelve years engaged in teaching in Connecticut and New York. In 1824, he made a voyage to Martinique as supercargo on a vessel owned by Messrs. Trum- bull, Smith & Co., of Stonington, Conn., and in 1826 went to the island of Trinidad, where he visited the grave of Commodore Perry, who was there interred. In February of the following year he was appointed assignee of a bankrupt concern, and his duties ocenpied his attention for two years. In 1829 he began business for him- self at his old home, and afterwards spent four years in Brooklyn, N. Y .. in mercantile pursuits.
During a business trip to the West, Mr. Frink was so impressed with the future prospects of Illinois that he determined to here make his home, and accordingly, in 1837, settled on Flat Branch, in the southeastern part of what was then Sanga- mon County, where he entered land and began farming. In 1838 and 1839 he took an active part in the formation of Christian County, in which was included his farm. There he success- fully carried on agricultural pursnits until 1853, when he removed to Taylorville, where he spent his remaining days.
Judge Frink was married October 21, 1830, to Sarah Grace, daughter of Nathan Grant, of Troy, N. Y. She was born September 22, 1808, and died November 24, 1866. Two children survived her, but Emily J., wife of William M. O'Farrell, of New York, died April 26. 1868. Sarah Ann, wife of Oscar F. Morrison, is now living in Tay- lorville.
Judge Frink was frequently honored with publie office. In 1837 he was appointed Deputy Sur- veyor of Shelby County, and from 1838 until 1840 was Postmaster of Allentown. During that
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time he was also proprietor of what was known as the Halfway House, on the Great Eastern stage route, and there frequently entertained Abraham Lineoln and Gen. Baker. In 1843 he was elected Probate Judge of Christian County, and served four years. lle afterwards spent five years in merchandising in Taylorville with marked suc- eess, and in 1863 was appointed Deputy United States Collector of Internal Revenue for the Third Division of the Tenth Congressional District, a position which he held until his resignation, in 1868, from which time he lived retired until his death.
Judge Frink served as a private in the War of 1812, in the company in which his father was Lieutenant. For his faithful and efficient service he was awarded a grant of one hundred and sixty acres of land, forty of which formed a part of the farm which he owned at his death. In polities, he was identified with the Whig and Republican parties. In 1841 he became a member of the Baptist Church, and throughout his life was a liberal supporter of religious and benevolent work. His death resulted from a stroke of par- alysis, September 12, 1887, in his ninety-seventh year. Probably no man in the county is more widely known, and none is held in higher regard than Judge Frink, who is numbered among the honored pioneers, to whom a debt of gratitude is due for the prominent part which they took in the upbuilding of the county and the promotion of its best interests.
ILLIAM F. GORE, a well-known and wealthy farmer of Taylorville Township, has for many years made his home on sec- tion 12. He was born in Trigg County, Ky., Oc- tober 31. 1828, and is a son of John and Sophia (Barten) Gore, the former of Irish descent and a native of South Carolina. The father was a farmer by occupation throughout life. and was only a boy when his parents removed to Ken-
tueky. There he lived until 1830, when he came to what is now a part of Christian County. IIe located on a tract of land in Taylorville Township, and for two years lived in a log cabin, which he erected on the land. Then, removing to South Fork Township, he entered a piece of land, which is now the home of our subjeet. This property of one hundred and sixty aeres on sections 12 and 13 was unimproved prairie, which was held at $1.25 per acre.
On his new farm, Mr. Gore erected a log cabin, 16x18 feet, in which he made his home for a num- ber of years. The Indians were very numerous at that time, but were not troublesome until the Black Hawk War. When he came to Illinois he made the trip with ox-teams. For years he was obliged to do his trading in Springfield, and in order to find a market for his stock drove them to St. Louis. He participated in the War of 1812, while his father was one of the heroes of the Rev- olution. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and was active in the organization of schools and roads.
Our subject's mother died in 1831. Her family comprised the following children: Mary, widow of Homer Wright, of Missouri; James, deceased, and Mary J., twins; Margaret, who died in 1824; John, a farmer of Taylorville Township; Rebecca, who lives at Friend, Neb., and is the wife of Jacob Sheble; Joseph, a retired farmer of Taylorville; William F., our subjeet; and Benton F., who died in 1883. There was one child, Sophia, who is now deceased, born of the second union of our sub- jeet's father.
From boyhood, William F. Gore was trained to agricultural duties, and from the age of two years has been a resident of this county. Ilis education was obtained in the subscription schools of those early days, which were kept only two or three months during the winter. He walked often as far as three miles to the log schoolhouse, where he was a student until sixteen years of age. He remained upon his father's homestead until he reached his majority. after which he worked for farmers by the month for a year, receiving $12 per month. During the summer he farmed a piece of rented land for four years, and in the winter
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worked at various occupations. Returning then to the old farm, he took charge of the same until his father's death. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of the old homestead, and has since extended the boundaries of his farm to one hundred and sixty acres.
In August, 1862, Mr. Gore enlisted as a private soldier under the Stars and Stripes and was en- gaged as First Duty Sergeant, being mustered into service at Springfield. llis term of enlistment was for three years, and he saw much active serv- ice. ITis first engagement was at Franklin, Tenn., after which he took part in the battles of Resaca. Tunnel Hill and Buzzard's Roost. He was wounded at Chickamauga by a minie-ball, which entered his left arm. He was taken to the hos- pital in Nashville, where he remained three months, and was mustered out a> Orderly-Sergeant, receiv- ing his discharge July 7, 1865. Ile at once re- turned to his farm in this county, and has here carried on operations ever since. Ile is always foremost in all public enterprises, and in times of peace and war has been a true citizen and patriot. Ile is a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic.
R. BEAMAN, who owns a good farm on section 16. Greenwood Township, has given his main attention to agricultural pursuits since boyhood, and is one of the success- ful farmers of the county. Ile was born in Owen County, Ind., November 5. 1833, and is a son of James Beaman. His grandfather, Samuel Beaman. was born in North Carolina. as was also his son. Hle went as a pioneer to Indiana, which was then a wilderness, and made a farm in the heavy timber- land. There he passed his remaining years and died on the old farm.
James Beaman, father of our subject. located in Indiana with his parents in boyhood and managed to obtain a good education. Ile afterwards en- gaged in teaching, and was noted as a fine penman. He was one of three boys who constituted the
family. In later years he became a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, and for a quarter of a century was an itinerant preacher and laborer in the Master's vineyard. He is still living, at the age of eighty-two years. on the old Indiana farm where our subject was reared. Ile married Lydia Helm, a native of Kentucky, who removed with her parents to the Hoosier State at an early day. She is now deceased. Her eldest son. Calvin, lives in the southwestern part of Missouri; George W., who was for three years in an Illinois regiment, resides near Ft. Scott, Kan .; Samuel is a farmer of Greenwood Township; Jacob B. lives on the same farm as his father; Elihn resides near the old home in Indiana; James F., who is a minister of the Bap- tist Church in Douglas County, Ill., was educated at Ladoga, Ind., and is a leading minister of his denomination; John T. is a farmer of Oklahoma; Rachel Goff lives in Christian County; Sarah Goff is deceased; Ehzabeth Meek is a resident of Indi- ana; and Nancy Jane, now Mrs. Burton, lives in southern Missouri. The father of these children was for a great many years a Justice of the Peace and School Trustee. 1Ie was formerly a Whig and in later years a Democrat.
W. R. Beaman grew to manhood among pioneer surroundings. The farm was covered with rock and stumps, and the home was a hewed-log house with doors and floors of lumber cut with an old whipsaw. After learning what he could in the district schools, he went, when nineteen years old, to Franklin (Ind.) College, to pursue his studies further, and there took a scientific course. After two years spent in college, he returned home and taught school for a time and also clerked in a store. In 1854, he went to Montgomery County, Ill .. and taught there and in Bond and Fayette Counties. Thence he went to Nodaway County, Mo .. where he was engaged in teaching, and was also thus employed for some time in Kansas. The border-ruffian war caused him to return from the West, but in 1860 he made two trips across the plains with freight by ox-teams to Pike's Peak. Though this business was paying. he was obliged to give it up on account of the hostile Indians.
In 1862, Mr. Beaman returned to Christian County, and taught school until 1865, Ile then
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began farming during the summers though he en- gaged in teaching during the winter months, and has lived since that time on his present farm, sixty aeres of which he bought in 1865. He has con- tinued to improve and develop the place, which he has brought under good improvement. He owns three traets, one of one hundred and sixty-four aeres and the others of eighty aeres each.
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