USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 27
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Mr. and Mrs. Waddell are the parents of four children: Millie, now the wife of Charles Hunter, a farmer of Locust Township; Anna; JJ. Clark and Jennie. In politics, our subject is a Republican and takes an active interest in the success of his party. Socially, he is a member of Francis M. Long Post No. 392, G. A. R. He has long been a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for ten years has served as Elder. True to his country in her hour of peril, he is alike faithful in times of peace, and in Mr. Waddell the community finds a valued citizen.
LBERT T. KINNEY. State Agent of the Phenix Insurance Company, is one of Taylorville's leading citizens. To her prominent business men the prosperity of a city is always dne, for their enterprise and energy are the materials of which it is built. Our subject is connected with several of the most important concerns of the county seat, and besides his insur- ance business he is a member of the Taylorville Coal Company, and is an extensive stock dealer.
Mr. Kinney is a native of the Empire State, having been born in St. Lawrence County, on the 18th of October, 1846, and in the usual man- ner of farmer lads he spent his boyhood days midst play and work. His education was acquired in
the country schools and supplemented by study in the academy at Ft. Covington. At the age of seventeen years he began teaching in Franklin County, and was there employed in that capacity until 1866. The year just mentioned witnessed his arrival in Illinois, where he determined to seek a home and fortune. For a time he taught school in Whiteside County, and in 1867 began his connection with the fire insurance business. Ile became an agent for the Rockford Company, of Rockford, Ill., and made that city his home un- til 1871, when he came to Taylorville as solicitor for that company and established their business at this place. Ile continued his connection with the Rockford Company until July, 1879, having a district agency with some eight or ten men under his charge. On the expiration of that period he severed his connection with the Rockford, and be- came special agent for the Phenix Fire Insurance Company, having charge of all the farm business in the State. He has about one hundred and fifty local agencies in Illinois and several district agencies. The company receives from $250,000 to 8300,000 annually in premiums from his de- partment of the business in Illinois. Under the able management of our subject the business is in- creasing each year. A large part of his time is spent on the road, and he does all of the adjusting in his department. He employs about thirty-five men in the office and as solicitors. The interests of his fire insurance company will never suffer at the hands of Mr. Kinney, for his employers will ever find him most trustworthy and efficient.
In June, 1870, in Clinton, Ill., our subject was united in marriage with Miss Frances Barnett, a native of Clinton. She died July 29, 1892, leav- ing three sons: Will, who is engaged in stock- dealing and in the insurance business with his fa- ther; Fred and Lloyd. Mr. Kinney is a Mason. belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter of Tay- lorville, and to Elwood Commandery, No. 6. K. T., of Springfield. In politics he is a stalwart snp- porter of Republican principles, and is not afraid to let the people know where he stands. Firm in his convictions, he supports his opinions of what he believes to be right or wrong without fear or favor.
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In his business affairs, Mr. Kinney has met with suecess. Ile is now the owner of three good farms, one of one hundred and forty, and two of one hundred and sixty, one of the latter being in De Kalb County. On his farms he engages in breeding standard-bred horses, but the business is practically managed by his eldest son. He was also connected with the Taylorville Coal Company, of which he was one of the originators, and of which he served as President for two years. It is characteristic of Mr. Kinney that whatever he undertakes he carries forward to a successful com- pletion, overcoming all difficulties and obstacles in his path by determined energy and enterprise. Ile has frequently served as a member of the City Council, is at present representing his ward in that body, and is Chairman of several important committees.
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OSEPII SIMONS, one of the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Assumption, Christian County, has been a resident of this locality for twenty-eight years. He has retired from commercial life and now only looks after his various investments in real estate. He is a self-made man, having started out in life almost entirely without capital, and he has made a considerable fortune.
Mr. Simons is a native of Prussia, his birth hav- ing occurred August 20, 1832. His youth was spent in his native land, where he received a good education in his mother tongue. He has acquired the English language since coming to the United States. He served an apprenticeship and learned the baker's trade in Germany, where he afterwards followed the business for two years. Being an ambitious young man, he coneluded to try his fortune in the New World, and in 1857 took pass- age in a sailing-vessel, going from Antwerp to New York. He arrived at his destination after the lapse of five weeks, during which time the vessel encountered a very severe storm for twenty-
two days. Mr. Simons at once proceeded to Illi- nois, and at first fonnd work at Aurora, on the seminary, which was then in course of construction. The following few months of his life were spent on the farm, as he hired out for the winter to a neighboring farmer. In 1858, Mr. Simons went to Sangamon County, where he spent four years also working on a farm.
In August, 1862, our subject enlisted in de- fense of the country of his adoption, becoming a member of Company C, One Hundred and Four- teenth Illinois Infantry, and was in the service until he received an honorable discharge at the close of the war, in July, 1865, being mustered out at Camp Butler, Springfield, Ill. Mr. Simons saw much active service, and with his regiment took part in a number of very important engage- ments. Ile was all through the Vicksburg cam- paign, and was present at the surrender of the stronghold, July 4, 1863. Ile was in the two battles at Jackson, Miss., and met with a severe accident in the battle of Guntown, June 12, 1864, when his arm was shattered by a musket ball. The member was amputated above the elbow a few days later. On account of being disabled he was taken prisoner a few days after the battle, and the operation was performed by a Confederate surgeon in the hospital at Mobile, Ala. After his partial recovery he was sent to Cihaby, and after- wards to Andersonville Prison, being confined in the last-named until the close of the war. Upon being released he made his way back to Vicksburg, in which city he was on the night of President Lincoln's assassination, April 14, 1865.
Mr. Simons embarked in the restaurant business soon after his return from the South, in Assump- tion, which was then only a small village. From year to year he increased the business and was very successful for many years. In 1880, he sold out his interest, and since that time has attended to investments in real estate. In addition to his restaurant, he was for a few years also engaged in the grocery business. A number of years ago Mr. Simons purchased a tract of land near the village, comprising two hundred and sixty-six acres. Upon this place he has made many improvements and has since bought another farm of one hundred and
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sixty acres, which he has also placed under good cultivation and improved. Thus he is the owner of four hundred and twenty-six acres of valuable farm land in Assumption Township. Ile has also erected four business houses in the village, two of them being substantial brick buildings. Ile also owns a fourth interest in the Opera House, and a neat modern residence which he occupies.
The marriage of Mr. Simons was celebrated November 6, 1867, when Miss Flora Bickner became his wife. She is a native of New York. and came to Illinois when a child with her father, Edward Bickner, who was one of the earliest settlers of this county. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Simons have been born five children. Jennie is the wife of Michael Donovan, of Assumption; Joseph holds a good business position in Chicago; Jacob lives at home; and Eliza and Willie complete the family. Our subject, his wife and children are all members of the Catholic Church.
Mr. Simons east his ballot in favor of the Dem- ocratie party, and has been several times elected to fill local positions of responsibility and trust. He is weil known in this and neighboring counties, and well merits the reputation he bears as a man of unblemished honor and upright character. Ile has ever been found on the side of progress, and has been no small factor in the development of Christian County.
C HARLES H. STOCKON. For over twenty years Mr. Stockon has been identified with the progress of Christian County, and has long been accounted one of her best citizens. For the past eleven years his home has been in Bear Creek Township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
Chautauqua County, N. Y., was the place of our subject's birth, which occurred July 10, 1838. His parents were Charles II. and Jane ( Winchell) Stoekon. The paternal grandfather is believed to have emigrated to America from the northern part
of Ireland, and lived to an extreme old age. The mother of our subject was the daughter of Albert Winchell, a native of Connecticut, who also lived to a good old age, being ninety-one years old at the time of his death. Charles HI. Stockon was born in Connecticut, while his wife was a native of Lowell, Mass.
In 1845, the father removed to Ohio, and en- gaged in the mercantile business at Hagerstown. This enterprise he conducted successfully for about fifteen years in that location. Thenee he removed to Moscow, Iowa, there engaging in the same line of trade until he was cut down by the hand of Death in the prime of manhood, being only forty- four years of age. The date of his demise is 1862, and after surviving her husband nearly three de- cades, Mrs. Stoekon passed from the scenes of this life. in 1891, when nearly eighty-three years of age. She was a faithful wife and mother, and was for years a member of the Baptist Church. Of her three sons and two daughters, three are yet liv- ing: Martha I., who married Dr. JJames Cottor, now deceased, and formerly of Sacramento, Cal .; Mary J., who is now Mrs. John Williams, and also lives in Sacramento; and Charles H., our subject, who is the youngest of those living.
In his seventh year the subject of this sketeh re- moved from the Empire State with his parents to Ohio, and lived in Hagerstown until he arrived at mature years. In 1857, he went to Iowa, and en- tered the store conducted by his father, with whom he remained for four years. In April, 1861, he was among the first to enlist for his country's defense. He became a member of Company A, First Iowa Infantry, serving with them for four months. Ile participated in the battle of Wilson Creek, and the engagement of Bryce Springs. In the former he was wounded and returned home. Ile was again employed in his father's store until 1872, when he came to this county. Some ten years later he became the owner of ninety aeres of land in Bear Creek Township, on which is still his home. Ile has extended his domains, adding a tract of twenty acres to his original farm.
On the 27th of August. 1861, Mr. Stockon mar- ried Miss Mary L. Slaton. Three children were born of this union: Ernest E., Charles II., and one
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who died in infancy. The eldest son, Ernest E .. married Miss Annie Stamm, and resides on a part of his father's farm. He is the father of five chil- dren: Ophelia, Walter, Golda, Cora and Myrtie.
Socially, Mr. Stockon is a member of Higgins Post No. 100, G. A. R., at Palmer. For seven years he served as Supervisor of his township, to the satisfaction of his friends and neighbors, and also occupied the position of Assessor for two years. In his various business enterprises, Mr. Stockon has been very successful and has been of late years dealing considerably in live stock.
S YLVESTER SCHRANTZ, one of the most enterprising agriculturists of Stonington Township, is the owner of one of the best- improved farms in the county and which is situated on section 8. His earliest ancestors in America were natives of Switzerland, wbo emi- grated in 1745. Since that time the descendants have been stanch and true patriots of their adopted country.
The birth of Mr. Schrantz occurred February 28, 1847, in Canton, Ohio, his parents being Ephraim and Nancy ( Mohler) Schrantz. The father was a native of Lancaster County, Pa. Ilis great-grand- father, John Schrantz, was a native of the canton of Berne, Switzerland, and, as previously stated, lo- cated in America in Colonial days. With his pa- rents our subject's father removed to Ohio, and settled on a farm near Canton, where he remained until 1867. Ile then made a settlement in this county, and purchased seven hundred acres of wild land in Stonington Township, paying at the rate of $7 per acre. The remainder of his life be de- voted to the cultivation and improvement of this land. lle died June 24, 1892, at the age of sixty- nine years, and lies buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, in Taylorville. In politics, he was a Republican and was a much respected early settler of these parts. His land and property he divided among
his children. Ilis father was an Advocate Judge of Stark County, Ohio, at the time of his death and was a Captain in the Mexican War. Our sub- ject's mother was also born in Lancaster 'County, Pa., and is still living, her home being in Stoning- ton.
Sylvester Sehrantz is one of five children. The others are still living and are as follows: Syvilla, the wife of B. F. Young, a well-to-do farmer of Stonington Township; Wilson, Lee and John, who are also engaged in farming in the same township. Remaining with his parents on the home farm, our subject's time was occupied until his seventeenth year in farm duties and in attending the common schools. On the 29th of February, 1864, he joined Company A, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, and served until May 27, 1864. Ile was captured at the bat- tle of New Ilope, and was taken to Andersonville Prison, where he was held until the 13th of Sep- tember. Ile was then transferred to the Charles- ton prison, there kept until October 15, and thence removed to Florence. In the latter prison hie re- mained until December 1, when he was paroled at Charleston. He was then so weak that he could not walk, and was left lying in a lumber-yard with the dead and dying. The Sisters of Charity had him taken to a hospital, where he partially regained his health and strength. With about sixty others he was then taken by the rebels and placed upon boats to be sent to their parole ship. These poor soldiers, still weak and exhausted, were exposed all night to the weather, and with the exception of fifteen they all died from the result. Only a few days had passed when there were none living of the number with the exception of our subject and one comrade. Mr. Schrantz was next taken to the St. John's College Hospital, at Annapolis, Md., where he stayed for about two months. After a furlough of ninety days at home, he went to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he received an honorable dis- charge June 25, 1865.
Returning to the old farm, our subject attended school at Greensburg Seminary until the fall of 1866, when he came to Christian County. IIe continued to live at home until the fall of 1870, when he came to the farm on which he now re- sides, a portion of which had been given him by
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his father. The farm now comprises one hundred and sixty acres, which are well managed and thor- oughly cultivated by the owner, who has practical and progressive ideas on farm work.
On the 4th of September, 1873, Mr. Schrantz and Miss Lovine Waltz were united in marriage. The lady was born in Medina County, Ohio, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children, a son and a daughter. Brace D. is a highly educated young man and has taught school in this community. Jessie M. has also been given a superior education and is an accomplished musician. The family is well received in social circles of the neighborhood. In politics, Mr. Schrantz is a loyal Republican, and, fraternally, holds membership with Francis M. Long Post No. 392, G. A. R., of Taylorville.
S AMUEL M. NEEL is one of the early set- tlers of Stonington Township, and has re- sided on section 15 for a quarter of a century. At the time of his arrival in the township the place was a swamp and in a nearly wild condition. During the lapse of time this has been changed, until to-day it is one of the best agricultural districts in the county. The birth of our subject occurred April 1, 1831, in Lancaster County, Pa. llis parents were Hugh and Mary (Neeper) Neel. The father was also a native of Lancaster County, his birth occurring in the same house in which occurred the birth of our subject. In the Keystone State he was engaged in farming, and there made his home until forty-seven years of age. Ile removed to Baltimore County, Md., at that time and purchased a farm, which he cul- tivated until his death, when in his sixty-eighth year. Ile is buried in the Reisterstown Cemetery, in Baltimore County, Md. In politics, he was an old-line Whig. Ilis father served in the War of 1812, and was also a native of Pennsylvania, but was of Scotch paren tage.
The mother of our subject was born and grew
to womanhood in Lancaster County, where her marriage was celebrated. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and participated in the War of 1812. She passed from this life in Baltimore County, at the age of eighty-five years, and lies buried by the side of her husband. By her mar- riage she became the mother of six children, four sons and two daughters. Thomas died when thirty years of age; Samuel M. is next in order of birth; Martha Jane became the wife of Washington Gore, who is a farmer of Baltimore County, Md .; Beckie, John and Jo are unmarried and living on the old homestead in Maryland.
The boyhood of our subject was passed on his father's farm, and his education was that of the common schools of the neighborhood. lle con- tinued to make his home with his parents until about thirty years of age, when, in October, 1861, he chose for his life companion Miss Sarah Ann Streveg, who has been the mother of three chil- dren : Thomas, who died at the age of eight years; Mary, wife of Henry Bloom, a farmer of this county, who has one son, Samuel Neel; and one child who died in infancy.
After his marriage Mr. Neel continued to work for his father for some seven years, receiving for bis services 8100 per year. He was careful and sav- ing of his means, for it was his intention to invest his money in Western land. Accordingly, in 1868, he came to Illinois and after looking about for a suitable place of settlement came to the conclusion that it would be well to settle in Christian County. Ile invested his little capital in one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie land. His prospects were rather discouraging, for the country was little better than a swamp and bore little promise of the great future which was in store for it. Hle was not daunted by the hardships and hard work he saw before him, but went to work with energy and fortitude to overcome the obstacles in his pathway. He has risen to a position of compara- tive independence and now takes rank with the prosperous farmers of the county. llis farm, which yields abundant crops, covers two hundred and forty acres and has had many improvements placed upon it.
A true patriot and loyal citizen, Mr. Neel dis-
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charges his duties as such, but has never been pre- vailed upon to accept official honors. In his polit- ical faith he is a firm Republican. Ilis first ballot was cast for Fremont. Religiously, he has been for many years a member of the Methodist Church, and is a man who is respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance as one of true worth and sterling manhood.
ETER MICHELS, who is now living a re- tired life in Taylorville, was born Decem- ber 26, 1824, in Polch, in the Rhenish province of Prussia, between the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. His brother Anthony came to America in 1843 and established himself in business as a carpenter in Taylorville. Nine years later Peter followed him to the New World, and on the 25th of May, 1852, arrived in Springfield. He at once came to Taylorville, where he joined his brother. He had been reared to agricultural pursuits, but for two years he worked with his brother at the carpenter's trade and also engaged in well-digging. Thomas Cheney, who could ob- tain no one to dig a well, finally asked Mr. Mi- chels to perform the task. Our subject consented to undertake it, and finding it to be a paying bus- iness continued it for fifteen years.
Mr. Michels had about $300 when he came to this county, which he invested in one hundred and twenty acres of land northwest of the city. While engaged in well-digging he made from 86 to $14 per day, and with the capital he acquired lie also made other purchases of real estate. Ile erected a business house on the north side of the square. now used as a saloon, and also the store occupied hy Allman's meat-market. Altogether he has four dwellings and two business houses in Taylorville. His own residence, a fine brick struc- ture, is in the midst of a half-block of ground. Mr. Michels also has two hundred acres of land in May Township, and sixty acres of timber-land.
On the 25th of May, 1852, our subject was
united in marriage with Miss Catherine Weiler, who was reared in the same locality as her husband, their homes being only two miles apart, and on the same vessel, the "Eastern Queen," crossed the Atlantic with him. They sailed from Havre, France, and after twenty-six days reached the shores of the New World. Their marriage was celebrated the day after their arrival in Spring- field. Mrs. Michels was born near Coblentz, June 27, 1831, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, who are yet living. Amelia Louise is now the wife of Anthony Wog- getzer, of Taylorville, by whom she has five chil- dren; Margaret is the wife of Sylvester Patterson, of Taylorville, and they have one child; William Sebastian Julius, County Surveyor of Christian County and a resident of Taylorville, married Miss Nellie Sheehan, and they have one child; Katie was educated in the public schools and in St. Ur- suline's Convent of Springfield; and Joseph com- pletes the family. They also lost six children in early childhood.
Mr. Michels is a stalwart Democrat in politics and a warm supporter of President Cleveland. He and his wife are faithful members of the Cath- olie Church and have reared their children under its auspices. Mr. Michels need never regret his emigration to America, for here he has found a comfortable home, and his labors have been blessed with a handsome competence.
S TEPHEN WILLEY, deceased, was a prom- inent man and pioneer citizen of Christian County. For nearly a quarter of a century he was active in everything pertaining to the good of the community in which he dwelt, and was devoted to the advancement of every measure tending to benefit his fellow-men.
The birth of our subject occurred June 7, 1827, in Hamilton County, Ohio, where he grew to man- hood. With his parents he came to Illinois in 1843, and at once located in Christian County.
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Hle was of French and English descent. On the 26th of December, 1849, he married Miss Nancy Blunt, who was born March 10, 1831, in Tennessee, and came to this county with her father in her girlhood. Mr. Willey began life without means, but possessed of determination and energy, and made a grand success of his various enterprises. After his marriage he devoted himself to the culti- vation of a farm during the remainder of his life. He accumulated a valuable estate, and at the time of his death, which occurred December 10, 1873, possessed seven hundred and twenty acres of the ehoieest land in the county. He was enterprising and ahead of the times in his methods of con- ducting his farm, and was the first man to intro- dnce Shorthorn eattle into the county, and was also the first to purchase the McGee hogs.
The wife of Mr. Willey was of English and Irish extraction and by her marriage became the mother of two children, both of whom are still living. Mary was born March 15, 1851, in Chris- tian County, and here received a good education. On the 20th of February, 1871, she gave her hand in marriage to William Ettinger, who was born October 17, 1841, in Dauphin County, Pa. For a number of years he was engaged in the harness business in Taylorville. His death occurred May 11, 1882, and he lies buried in the Taylorville Cemetery. During the late Civil War, he served for nearly four years as a member of a Pennsyl- vania regiment which participated in forty-two engagements. Ile was in the cavalry serviee, being attached to the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ettinger was born a family of three children, all living. Hayden, who was born July 1, 1873, is a highly educated young man and is now assisting his mother in managing the liome place; Jessie was born July 10, 1877; and Allen's birth occurred May 6, 1881. Mrs. Ettinger still resides on the farm of four hundred and forty acres. two hundred and forty of which formerly belonged to her hus- band. It is one of the best farms of the county, and in addition to this she owns eighty acres in Taylorville Township and a good residence prop- erty in Taylorville, where the family reside during the winter. In 1870, on the death of her father,
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