USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 26
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but these were sold. On the death of Mrs. Jolin- son, her brother, A. S. Martin, was appointed guardian, and continued to superintend the estate until our subject became of age. In 1888, Mr. Brentz left the old homestead, but he still owns a part of the farm. lle has eleven acres of rich land where he now lives and forty-six aeres of the old place. About seven acres are planted in small fruits, and he is giving his special attention to horticulture.
On the 1st of May, 1882, Mr. Brentz was united in marriage with Miss Helen Killman, daughter of George Killman, of Kentucky. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Matilda Newman, is now a widow, and resides in Tay- lorville. where she has made her home since 1880. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brentz was born a son, Francis Marion, who died January 14. 1889, at the age of three and a-half years; another little son, whom they call Herman, was born May 28, 1893. This worthy couple are highly respected citizens of the community, and their many excellencies of character have gained them numerous friends. In polities, Mr. Brentz is a Demoerat, and himself and wife hold membership with the Christian Church.
F6 RANCIS STEWART. This gentleman, who is well known in Christian County, where he has made his home since 1860, is en- gaged in farming on section 32, Mosquito Town- ship. He was born in 1837, in County Down, Ire- land, and grew to manhood in the home of his parents. Ile was early inured to farm duties and became thoroughly conversant with everything pertaining to the successful management of the farm. This practical information has been of great use to him in his agricultural pursuits, and in his youth he formed habits of industry and perseverance which have been the foundation of his prosperity in later years.
The parents of our subjeet were James and
Dorothea (Brown) Stewart, who were both natives of County Down, where they passed their entire lives, both dying after attaining an advanced age. Our subject is the youngest in the family of seven children. When he was eighteen years old he bade adieu to the friends and scenes of his youth and went to Scotland. For two years he worked in the city of Glasgow, after which he determined to try his fortune in America.
In 1857, Mr. Stewart crossed the broad Atlantie, and after arriving in New York City first settled in New York State, where he obtained work on a farm. In the fall of 1860, he came to Illinois and purchased the nucleus of his present farm, a traet of forty aeres, on which he has ever since made his home. At the time of his coming here there were few settlers in the township. His farm is fertile and well tilled, his broad acres yielding an abundant income to their fortunate possessor.
The year after his arrival in Christian County, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Isa- bella Irvine. She is a native of Ontario, Canada, and has become the mother of seven children: James, who is engaged in farming in this county; Dorothea and Maggie, twins, the former of whom died in infancy, and the latter at the age of twen- ty years; Belle, the wife of William Black, a pros- perous farmer of Macon County; William, an agriculturist of this county; Charles, who is now attending Knox College, in Galesburg, Ill .; and Rutherford B., who died in infancy.
The farm owned by Mr. Stewart has been ex- tended from the forty-acre tract he originally pur- chased to one covering two hundred and forty acres. Many valuable improvements have been made upon the place. and waving fields of golden grain have for many years yielded him an abun- dant income as the reward for his untiring care and cultivation.
In politics, our subject is a thorough Repub- lican, having always voted for the nominees of that party sinee casting his first vote for Abraham Lineoln. As all true American citizens should be. he is interested in educational matters and has served for twenty years as one of the School Directors in his district. For a period of six years
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he was one of the Commissioners of Highways. In religion, he is a Reformed Presbyterian. Ilis wife holds membership with the Methodist denom- ination. He has seen the prairie, which in former years was covered with rank grass, become a fertile and beautiful farming country, and has taken his share in its happy transformation. He was also in the service of his country in the late war, hav- ing enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois Infantry for one year, and served till the war ended.
IC RED WHEELER, a leading photographer of Taylorville, and one of the progressive and public-spirited business men of the county, claims New York as the State of his na- tivity. He was born in Waterloo, on the 26th of August. 1845, but when only a year old was taken by his parents to Washington County, Ohio, and in Beverly grew to mature years. No event of special importance occurred during his early boy- hood, which was passed midst play and work and in attendance at the public schools, where he ac- quired his education.
Mr. Wheeler's connection with photography be- gan when he was sixteen years of age. At that time he commeneed learning the business, which he has since followed, and after two years of thor- ongh preparation and practice he embarked in business for himself at the age of eighteen, Zanes- ville. Ohio, being the scene of his labors. From that time he lias engaged in business, first in Park- ersburg. W. Va., and later in Bement, Ill. The year 1877 witnessed his arrival in Taylorville, Ill., where he opened a gallery. For five or six years he carried on operations in Taylorville, but at length left this eity, in 1882.
Before his removal, however, Mr. Wheeler was married, on the 28th of March, 1882, the lady of his choiee being Miss Alice Simpson, daughter of J. L. and Isabel Simpson, of Taylorville. The
same year he removed with his young wife to Nebraska, locating in Tecumseh, and subsequently went to Marion, Kan., where he remained until his return to Illinois. In 1888, we again find him in Taylorville, where he once more opened a gallery. He leased the ground and erected the building in which he is now located, a structure suitable for his business, and supplied with all modern equip- ments and accessories. From the beginning a lib- eral patronage has been aecorded him. In connee -. tion with photographing, Mr. Wheeler does all lines of portrait work, erayon, pastel, India ink, water colors and oil portraits. IIe is an artist of no mean merit, in faet his work ranks favorably with that of our large cities, and in consequence of its excellence he is now doing a good business.
Mr. Wheeler exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party and is a stalwart advocate of its principles, but has never sought or desired political preferment. Ile manifests an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community, and gives his support for the advancement of those enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit.
OY K. KESTER is a publie-spirited citizen and enterprising farmer, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on seetion 3, Stoning- ton Township. Ile is a native of Indiana, having been born in Washington County, Sep- tember 8, 1846. Ilis father, William Kester, was also a native of the Hoosier State, and there mar- ried Miss Rebecca Hall, a native of the same State and county. At an early day Mr. Kester eame West to purchase land, and was taken sick and died in this State. lle was taken back to Indiana for interment, and was buried in Posey Creek Cemetery, Washington County. Ilis death oc- curred in the year 1852. Ilis wife is still living and is yet a resident of Indiana. They were the parents of four children, who are all living. Maria E. is the wife of Peter Hauger, of Washington
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County, Ind .; our subject is the next in order of birth; May is the wife of Joel P. Grubb; and William D. completes the family. The two last- named are residents of Washington County, Ind.
Until reaching his twentieth year, Joy K. Kes- ter was employed upon his father's farm in the usual manner of country boys, his time being di- vided between work on the farm and in attend- ance at the district school. On the 11th of Oc- tober, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Smith, who is a daughter of George M. and Sarah (Cathcart) Smith. Mrs. Kester was born in Washington County, Ind., where she grew to womanhood.
When in his twenty-seventh year our subject came to Christian County and first located in Tay- lorville. After living there some years, he settled on seetion 3, where he still continues to make his . home and owns a valuable farm of two hundred acres. It is well equipped with substantial build- ings, good fences and other improvements. It is especially adapted to stock-raising, though a large share of it is under cultivation. The owner is numbered among the most practical farmers of the vicinity, and keeps fully abreast with the times in modern methods of farm management. lle numbers many friends in this locality, and is con- ceded by all to be a man of merit and unblem- ished character.
The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with a family of five children. Lorena is the wife of William McCloskey, who resides on sec- tion 3 of this township; William died at the age of four years, and was buried in Sharpsburg Ceme- tery; John is married and making his home in Taylorville; Charles, the youngest son, is at home; and Ida is the baby. In his political views, Mr. Kester is a Democrat. Ile has held the office of School Director, Township Treasurer and Com- missioner of Highways, and in each of these posi- tions he has shown himself devoted to the inter- ests of the publie, and has tried in every possible way to promote their welfare. Also he holds the office of Treasurer of the Mosquito Township Mu- tual Insurance Association. Ile is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and, relig- iously, both he and his wife are faithful members
of the Christian Church. It is to such enterpris- ing men that the county owes her prosperity and development from her former wild state, and Mr. Kester, as one of the early settlers, deserves a rep- resentation in the records of the pioneers.
R OBERT A. GRAY, Supervisor of Mosquito Township, is engaged in carrying on his farm, which is situated on section 33. Ile is one of the well-to-do and influential agrienlturists of this vicinity, and has been a res- ident of the county for some twenty years. Ile has served in many public positions of honor with eredit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents, and has represented this district in the State Legislature for two terms and served on a number of important committees.
Our subjeet was born in County Donegal, Ire- land, October 16, 1835. Ilis father was likewise a native of the same country, descended from an old Scotch family that settled in Ireland in 1542. The Grays of Castle Torras, though Protestants, were always celebrated for their liberal political views, which won them the love and esteem of their Catholic fellow-countrymen. There he grew to man's estate and was married in 1834 to Miss Elizabeth Patton. In 1836, the father, Joseph Gray, came to the United States on a visit to friends in Maryland and was taken sick and died in Philadelphia the same year. His wife survived . him several years, and died in 1845.
Our subject was only ten years of age when he was left an orphan by the death of his mother, and he was placed in charge of a guardian, who robbed him and his family of everything. When only eighteen years of age he commenced teaching, and for the past twenty-five years has been engaged as an educator in this State. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Blackburn, who was born in Ireland.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Gray comprises eleven children, as follows: William A., who lives
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in Blue Mound; John K., who is at home; Annie, wife of William Wallie, of Stonington Township; Joseph, Maggie I., Lizzie M., Robert II., Sarah, James M., Frank and Edna, who complete the family. Robert H. and Mary are deceased. The parents and several of their children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Since 1874 Mr. Gray has been a member of the Christian County Board of Supervisors and Chair- man of the Board. He has filled many local ofli- ees. and in 1885 was elected to the State Legisla- ture. He was re-elected to that important posi- tion two years later, and was a member of the Com- mittees on Claims, Education and Elections. He is a well-educated man and is posted on all public topics, is broad in his views, and in addition to his other accomplishments is a poet of no mean degree. Ile is from the county in Ireland that produeed such men as Gens. Montgomery and Carleton, and the fathers of Presidents Polk and Buchanan, and also John C. Calhoun. In politics, our subject is a Democrat, and socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Ilis farm consists of two hundred acres, which are well culti- vated and upon which is a substantial residence. Ile is at present one of the Board of Trustees of the State Historical Library, associated with Judge Lambert Tree and Hon. J. N. Perrin.
OSIAH T. BAUER is one of the wide-awake business men of Stonington, owning and carrying on a good drug store, which is well equipped, and in connection with this he operates a general merchandise store. Ile mer- its the large and renumerative trade which is given him, for he is just and honorable in his deal- ings with his many patrons.
Mr. Bauer is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Northampton County November 13, 1851, his parents being William and Lydia (Miller) Bauer. Ile is next to the youngest in a family of eight children. Two of the number are deceased, Polly
and Marietta, the former of whom died in in- fancy. James E. still resides on the old homestead in Pennsylvania; Aaron is engaged in the boot and shoe business in the same State; Lucy became the wife of Frank Kunkel, a boot and shoe dealer of Nazareth, Pa .; Charles R., a retired farmer, re- sides in Blue Mound, Ill .; and Andrew F. is en- gaged in general merchandising in Butler County, Neb. The father of these children, who was born in the Keystone State, was a weaver by trade. He died in Pennsylvania, at the age of fifty-four years. Ile was a fine workman, and in addition to his trade owned a small farm. His father emi- grated to the United States from Germany. The mother of our subject was also born in the same State, and her death occurred at about the age of sixty-four. Like her husband, she was of German extraction.
Josiah T. Bauer remained with his parents on their farm until fifteen years of age, attending the schools of the neighborhood. As the home was broken up at that time, he worked for two years by the month for farmers during the summer, and during the winter was given the privilege of at- tending school by working morning and eve- ning for his board. He was ambitious and made the most of his opportunities. He attended the Keystone State Normal School of his native State, at Kutztown, for one term, after which he began teaching, and continued thus engaged for a period of eight years in Pennsylvania. In 1877 he came to Christian County, where he taught school for one year. In the spring of 1878, he engaged in business, opening a drug store and general mer- chandise store in Stonington, which he has since conducted successfully.
The marriage of Mr. Bauer was celebrated No- vember 8, 1882, with Miss Katie Smith, whose par- ents, George and Catherine (Bowman) Smith, now deceased, were early pioneers of this county. Two children bless the union of our subject and his wife, Ralph Stanley and Ellie Lucy, who are bright and interesting children.
As Mr. Bauer was well known for many years as an educator and promoter of good schools, it was eminently fitting that he should be elected to serve in the capacity of School Treasurer, which
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office he held for nine years in this district. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. in good standing, and in politics, is a stanch Republican. The store of Mr. Bauer is well stocked with a gen- eral line of drugs and merchandise, in which he has a large trade. In addition to this business hie owns two hundred and thirteen acres of valuable farm land adjoining the corporate limits of Ston- ington, besides several valuable business lots and residences in Stonington. Mrs. Bauer inherited one hundred acres of her father's estate. In ad- dition to carrying on his business, our subject manages and operates his farm.
SCAR J. OWEN is well known in Stoning- ton Township as an enterprising agricul- turist and good citizen. He owns a well- improved and desirable farm on section 5, which has been his home for many years. During the late war he enlisted under the old Stars and Stripes, and suffered much in the cause of freedom.
The birth of Mr. Owen took place in Washing- ton County, Ohio, on the 27th of June, 1843. His father, James Owen, was also a native of Washing- ton County, born March 22, 1808. Ilis life work was that of a farmer, and he continued to reside in his native State until his death, which occurred in his sixty-fifth year. His father was one of the early settlers of Ohio, going there when quite a young man, and was one of the brave de- fenders of the fort at Marietta during the In- dian War. The Owen family is of Irish ancestry, but they have long been residents of the United States. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Baldwin, was of German extraction, and was born in Washington County, Ohio, May 3, 1813. She was sixty-four years old at the time of her death, and lies buried by her husband in the cemetery at Lowell, Ohio.
James and Catherine Owen were the parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters: Vesta,
who died in infancy; Jane, who died when about ten years of age; Lorinda, wife of James Wilson, an Ohio farmer; Catherine, who became the wife of Benjamin Shattick, a resident of Washington County, Ohio; Beulah, deccased, wife of Charles Davis, of Ohio; our subject, the next in order of birth; Angelina, wife of Amos Wilson, a farmer of Nebraska; and Charles, who is teaching school in Washington County, Ohio.
Oscar J. Owen remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, when, fired by patriotism, he enlisted as a member of Com- pany A, Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteers, entering the service .July 29, 1861. In the battle of Chick- amauga, lie received a wound in the left shoulder and was taken to the Nashville hospital. Thence he was transferred to Louisville, Ky., and at the end of three months returned to his regiment. lle took part in the battles of Louisburg, Va .. Antietam. Winchester. Bull Run, and many lesser engagements. On the expiration of his three- years term of service he received an honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio, September 10, 1864, and returned to his home.
During the winter of 1865, Mr. Owen engaged in teaching school, and in the spring moved to Christian County. Hle engaged in farming and teaching for several years, since which time he has given his whole attention to the carrying on of his farm, which has two hundred and forty acres within its limits. The owner has developed into a practical farmer and has made many substantial improvements upon the place, which is considered one of the best in the township.
A marriage ceremony was performed October 5, 1865, by which Miss Mary Wickens became the wife of our subject. She was born February 25, 1844, in Washington County, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood. ller parents were George and Rebecca Ann (Carlin) Wickens. The former came from England when sixteen years of age. and was one of the early settlers of Washington County, Ohio. The mother was of Irish and English descent, and was also born in the Buckeye State. Four children have been born to our sub- ject and wife. The eldest, Henry M., is principal
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of the Decatur Business University, of Decatur, Ill .; Joseph Irving has just graduated from Shurt- leff College, at Alton, Ill., and is now at home on the farm, but expects to secure a professorship soon; Jesse Bell is a student in Shurtleff College; and Ilarry Roach is still at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Owen and their three eldest chil- dren are members of the Missionary Baptist Church and valued workers in the same. Our subject takes quite an active part in local politics, being a true Republican. For a number of years he has served in the capacity of School Dircetor, and has also been Commissioner of Highways. Fraternally, he belongs to Francis M. Long Post No. 392, G. A. R., of Taylorville. He is honored and respected by his friends and neigh- bors and deserves the high esteem in which he is held by all having the pleasure of his acquaintance.
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OHIN NELSON WADDELL, an honored veteran of the late war, and a retired farmer now residing in Taylorville, was born near Wheeling, Ohio County, W. Va., April 4, 1841, on the day on which William Henry Harri- son passed from this life. His parents, James and Jane (MeDonald) Waddell, were also natives of the same county. In 1867, they removed to Wash- ington County, Iowa, where their last days were spent. They had a large family of children, the eldest of whom, Rev. William, came to Illinois about 1853, and preached for the Spring Creek church of the United Presbyterian denomination. He did mueh to establish the present church, but died while engaged in this work in his twenty- seventh year. and was buried in ITall Cemetery, one mile east of Taylorville. Archibald came to the Waddell farm in Christian County in 1850, and there made his home until 1860, being exten- sively engaged in stock-dealing. In 1860, how- ever, he returned to Virginia, but is now living in Burean County, Ill. Joseph B. was a student in the Theological Seminary of Allegheny, Pa.,
but left the college to join the Christian Com- mission with the Army of the Potomac during the late war. He afterwards finished his course of study, and died while engaged in ministerial work in Midway, Pa., at the age of forty-eight. James V. enlisted in the Twelfth West Virginia Infantry during the late war, but was rejected, and then joined the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He rose from the ranks to be first Sergeant, and at the age of twenty-three was killed while making a charge at the battle of White Sulphur Springs, August 26, 1863. The three daughters of the Waddell family are Elizabeth, wife of Alex Duff, of Washington, Iowa; Maggie, widow of Rev. A. Conner, of Washington, Iowa, and now a resident of Minneapolis, Minn .; and Belle, wife of Rev. Ferris Brown, of New Concord, Ohio. All came to Christian County in the '50s, and all were teachers in May Township. At one time nine families of Waddells lived in that township.
We now take up the personal history of our subject, who remained upon the home farm until twenty-one years of age, when, on the 14th of August, 1862, he entered the service of his country as a member of Company D, Twelfth West Vir- ginia Infantry, under Col. W. D. Curtis. He did serviee in the Shenandoah Valley, and in front of Petersburg and Richmond. He went to Appo- mattox, and continued in active service until after the close of the war. For a while he was on de- tached duty in the hospital as clerk at Annapolis, . Md., and at Parkersburg, W. Va., and was clerk in the Provost-Marshal's office in Martinsburg, W. Va., for four months. On the 15th of March, 1865, he reported to his regiment at Richmond, and was with the troops during the battles of Hatchie's Run, Fort Gregg, Farmville and Appomattox. In June, 1865, he was honorably discharged, after about three years of faithful service, for the war was now over and the Stars and Stripes proudly floated over a united Nation.
Mr. Waddell at once returned to his home, but in 1866 came to Christian County. He, how- ever, went back to his old home, and on the 17th of January, 1867, near Wheeling, was celebrated his marriage with Adessa Wilson, a native of that State. Ile brought his bride to Illinois, and was
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also accompanied by his two brothers, Benjamin E., now of Willey Station, and Thomas J., of Taylorville. Each had a farm of two hundred acres in May Township, which had been purchased in 1850 by their father. Mr. Waddell at once be- gan the development of the land, and his arduous labors soon transformed it into a valuable farm. In connection with its cultivation, he also engaged extensively in raising and breeding stock. Pros- perity came to him as the years passed, and though he began life empty-handed he is now enabled to live retired in the enjoyment of a comfortable competence. Ile still owns one hundred and twenty acres of the home farm.
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