USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 30
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Mr. and Mrs. Lewis began their domestie life in Loami, Sangamon County. At that time he had a capital of about 81,000, and in connection with Dr. Abel he embarked in general merchandising, which he carried on for a year; he did not like that business, however, so operated a carding machine for a year. Ile then turned his attention to the development of land which he had entered in Sangamon County, and carried on farming from 1852 until 1872. He was a successful agricultur- ist and acquired a handsome property. In 1872 he came to Taylorville in order to afford his chil-
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dren better educational advantages. At that time he owned seven hundred acres of land in his home farm, and still retains possession of four hundred and twenty-five acres of it. Hle was extensively engaged in stock-raising, and some years cleared $1.500 from his sales in stock. Ile also owns four farms in Christian County, with an aggregate of five hundred and seventy-five acres, besides thirty acres within the corporation limits of Taylorville. Indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to the nature of our subject, and, not content to lay aside all business cares, he now has an apiary of from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty stands and engages in bee culture. Ilis sales of honey have amounted to from $200 to $1,000 per year.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were born nine chil- dren, but four died in childhood. Sarah Sophia is now the wife of James White, of Springtield. Maria Adeline is the wife of W. G. Brown, of Sangamon County. John S. married Minnie Mc- Donald, and lives in Springfield. Louise Theresa became the wife of W. E. Barber, and died leav- ing one child, Clarence, aged three years. Cor- nelia E. is the wife of J. B. Colman, of Taylorville. In connection with his extensive business inter- ests, Mr. Lewis has found time to devote to the cause of the Master, and has been a local preacher of the Christian Church since 1860. lle is a char- itable and benevolent man, and the needy and distressed find in him a friend. Ile has a fine library. containing all of the standard authors, and is a well-read man. His life has been well and worthily spent, and in his deelining years he can look back over the past with little regret for lost opportunities.
OSEPH H. BOYD has been a resident of Christian County for about half a century, and is one of the representative men of this section. Ile owns a fine farm in Bear Creek Township, and is also engaged in dealing in grain in Palmer. His residence is on his farm,
which is situated half a mile east of the village. Mr. Boyd was born in Christian County, Ky., Jan- uary 21 1834, his parents being Alfred and Zilla A. (McCormick) Boyd. The father was a native of North Carolina and passed his youth in Ten- nessee. His wife was born at Herndon, Christian County, Ky., where Alfred Boyd made her ac- quaintance and where their marriage was cele- brated.
The father was a farmer by occupation, and on his arrival in Illinois, on the 6th of April, 1839, he located on a farm in this county. He became the owner of fifty-eight acres of wild prairie land, and as the years passed increased the extent of his possessions until his property comprised two hun- dred and thirty-eight acres, besides residence prop- erty in Palmer. Ile was one of the pioneer set- tlers, as there were only a few families in this neighborhood when he located here, among them being Gabriel R. and Lewis Jernigan, William Ricks. Col. Bond, Emanuel T. Lee, Sr., Joel Trailor and Mr. Clark. About that time Jesse and Tom Anderson also located here. Mr. Boyd was killed by the cars in 1880, at the age of seventy- one years. He was a son of John Boyd, who was a native of North Carolina, and during the Rev- olutionary War was in the service a short time. Ile was also a farmer, and reared a large family of fourteen children. His death occurred in Ten- nessee, at the age of eighty-seven years.
Our subject's mother was a daughter of Andrew McCormick, who was also from North Carolina. Ile followed agricultural pursuits for a liveli- hood, and died at Herndon, Ky., while still a young man. Our subject is one of thirteen chil- dren, eight sons and five daughters. Eight of the number are still living: Joseph II .; James M .; Elizabeth E., widow of Cyrus Denny, of Bond County, Ill .; Alfred E .; Robert A., of California; Eliza, wife of John Anderson, of Taylorville; Josiah L .; and Mary, widow of George E. Ander- son, of Lincoln, Ill. The mother of these children died at the age of sixty-six years. Both she and her husband were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Boyd was a Deacon for about forty years.
Joseph 1I. Boyd of this sketch was not yet six
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years of age when his parents removed to this connty. Ile was reared on his father's farm, and remained at home until his nineteenth year. In early life his education was limited, but he after- wards pursued his studies by himself and learned surveying. On leaving home he was first em- ployed on a farm during the summer, and in the fall and winter seasons worked for five years in a sawmill, located between Palmer and Taylorville. Being ambitious and frugal, he managed to lay aside a considerable sum, which he invested in land, and farmed during the summer. During the last two years of his work in the mill, he acted as foreman.
On the 15th of September, 1858, Mr. Boyd was united in marriage with Miss Minerva A. Donald, daughter of John and Polly Donald, of Bond County, Ill. Seven sons and two daughters were born of this union. John A. married Miss Ida Cassel and has a family of three children, Alfred C., Bunita and Mary. James A. married Miss Minnie Kirvy and has one daughter, Vera. They reside on the old homestead. Adelai M. wedded Miss Lizzie Ileuffner, and they live in Appleton, Mo., where he is a half-owner in the Appleton City Mills. Otis II. is the next in order of birth. Ewing D. married Miss Cora Corn. Calvin O. and Robert are the sixth and seventh of the family. Olive Luella married James Shrout, of Palmer, and is the mother of one child, Earl. Flossie A. com- pletes the family. The mother of these children was called from this life April 3, 1886, at the age of forty-five years, one month and twenty days. She was a devout member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and numbered many friends in the neighborhood of her home.
Our subject engaged in farming in JJohnson Township until 1864, carrying on a farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres. He then sold the place and purchased six hundred and forty acres of improved land in Bear Creek Township, and also bought considerable other property, about eleven hundred acres in all. He is still devoting himself to the cultivation of this land and has been very successful as an agriculturist. He has good improvements upon the farm, which is one of the best in this region.
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A marriage ceremony was performed August 5, 1891, whereby Mrs. Florence Davis became the wife of Mr. Boyd. She was the widow of Alex- ander Davis, and a daughter of Harrison and Lizzie (Hawthorne) Marquis. One child has been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Boyd, a daughter, Emily Elizabeth. The mother was formerly identified with the Methodist denomination, but is now a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
In the financial crisis of 1873 our subject met with severe reverses, as at that time he went seeur- ity for some men for a large sum of money. It was a number of years before he recovered from these losses. but he is now prospering financially. Ile has given his children a good education, and is giving his boys a good start in business. In pol- itics, he is a very strong Republican, but has de- clined to fill office. He is a member of Palmer Lodge No. 501, I. O. O. F.
FG LETCHER HAINES, one of the prominent stock-raisers and farmers of Bear Creek Township, whose residence is on section 5, where he owns a valuable farm, has lived in the Prairie State since 1829. Ile was born in Ken- tucky, near the village of Scotsville, November 5, 1824, and was therefore only about five years of age when he arrived in Illinois.
The parents of the gentleman of whom we write were Christopher and Myra (Gatewood) Haines. The former was a native of Virginia, while the latter's birth occurred in Georgia. The mother was a daughter of Roland Gatewood, of that State, who married and removed to Kentucky, where he died in middle life. Christopher Haines was for many years engaged in farming in Barren County, Ky., where he was one of the early settlers. In 1829, he removed with his family to Illinois, set- tling near the Torrence Mill, in Sangamon County, where he was one of the pioneers. There he con- tinued to reside until his death, which occurred about 1851, at the age of fifty-three years. ITIs
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wife survived him until 1860, dying when about sixty years of age. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were devoted Christians.
In the family of ten children who grew to ma- turity, our subject is the fifth in order of birth. Only six of the family are yet living, the others being as follows: John G., Samuel, Frances A., Benjamin K. and William F. The boyhood of Fletcher Ilaines was mainly passed in Sangamon County on his father's farm, in the cultivation of which he assisted until attaining his majority. He received a good common-school education for those days, and obtained a practical experience in carrying on a farm.
On the 14th of September, 1848, Mr. Haines wedded Miss Lucinda Jane, daughter of James Ilatler, of Kentucky. By that union were born two children: J. Will and Sarah M. The latter died in infancy, and the mother passed away in 185I. The son wedded Miss Susan Kessler, and is a resident of Taylorville. Their family com- prises two children: Fred K. and Floy A.
The present wife of Mr. Haines was formerly Miss Lydia Ann Anderson, and her marriage with our subject was celebrated November 4, 1852. Her parents were Thomas and Nancy (Laughlin) Anderson, of Kentucky. By this un- ion were born eight children, the two elder of whom, Thomas T. and Edgar D., are now de- ceased. Millard C. was united in marriage with Miss Annie M. Young, by whom he has three children: Dwight D., Glenn and Lyman. Nancy Elizabeth became the wife of S. W. Hayes, and has two sons: Francis Clyde and Lester Calvin. Mary J. became the wife of Jacob Sehnepp, and has four children: Roy, Harry, Charlie and Fred. Sherman II. married Miss Ilenrietta Kauriff, and has one child living, Russell Fletcher. Edith M., now Mrs. George Schnepp, is the mother of two sons: Er- nest F. and Carroll D. One child who died in in- fancy, unnamed, completes the family.
In February, 1855, Mr. Haines removed to this county, becoming the owner of three hundred acres of land, a portion of his present farm, which at the present time comprises over eight hundred acres. Though he has engaged in general agricul-
ture, he has paid particular attention to raising stock, cattle and horses, mules and hogs. When he first came to the county few fences had been placed on the land, and there were no houses in sight of his home. He is numbered among the early settlers of this locality and is one of its rep- resentative men. During the late war he held the office of Justice of the Peace, and has also served in several local offices. Ile was in the Mexican War, and four of his brothers participated in the War of the Rebellion. In politics, he espouses the measures of the Republican party, and is actively interested in its success.
R RANCIS M. LONG, who is engaged in gardening and fruit-growing in Taylor- ville, is one of the worthy citizens that Ohio has furnished to Christian County. Ile is a native of Belmont County, of the Buckeye State, his birth having there occurred on the 16th of January, 1852. He comes, however, from an old Pennsylvanian family. His grandfather, William N. Long, was a native of the Keystone State, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Hle reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. His son, William Long, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, but in his youth he emigrated to Ohio, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Susanna Sears, Nine chil- dren were born of their union, six sons and three daughters, but only three are now living: F. M., William N. and Albert. In 1866 William Long left Ohio and emigrated with his family to Wayne County, Ill., locating upon a farm, where he made his home until 1877. He then came to Christian County, where he has since made his home. Ile served for a short time in the Civil War, and was ever a loyal citizen. His wife died in May, 1891. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was an active worker in its interests.
We now take up the personal history of Franeis M. Long, who is widely and favorably known in
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this community, and his sketch therefore will prove of interest to many of our readers. The first fourteen years of his life were spent in the State of his nativity, and he then came with his parents to Illinois. He remained upon the home farm until he had attained man's estate, and to his father gave the benefit of his services. The district schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges. On starting out in life for himself, he followed the occupation to which he had been reared, and for a number of years car- ried on agricultural pursuits in southern Illinois.
An important event in the life of Mr. Long oc- curred on the 3d of April, 1873, when was cele- brated his marriage with Miss Julia Jones, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Emma (Andrews) Jones. who are natives of this State. Five children have been born of their union: Elma. Edward, Cora, Charlie and Edith. The family circle yet remains un- broken, and all are still under the parental roof.
The parents are members of the Christian Church. and are highly respected people, whose true worth has gained them many friends. Socially, Mr. Long is connected with Camp No. 30, M. W. A .. and politically he is a supporter of the Democratic party. Mr. Long has a good home in Taylorville and three and a-half acres of land, upon which he raises garden vegetables and all kinds of fruit. In the market he finds a ready sale for his products, and is now doing a good business, which he well merits.
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R. ICHARD B. TEMPLE, the efficient and popular Mayor of Taylorville, is a man of sterling worth, whose excellencies of char- acter and fitness for the position have placed him at the head of municipal affairs in his adopted city. Ile claims Tennessee as the State of his nativity, and was born in Knoxville April 4, 1846, being a son of dames and Mary E. (Alex- ander) Temple, the former a native of Georgia, and the latter of South Carolina. In 1849, when
their son was only three years of age, they came to Illinois, locating on a farm in Greene County, where the father died two years later. The mother was thus left with a large family dependent upon her. In her later years she removed to Wichita, Kan., where her death occurred.
Our subject was educated in the public schools, and remained at home until sixteen years of age, when he began earning his own livelihood. Since that time he has been dependent upon his own re- sources, so that whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own industry and enterprise. Ile entered upon his business career in a grocery store in Rockbridge, Ill., where he was employed as a salesman for two years. Hle then went to Macon, Macon County, where he engaged in clerk- ing in a drug store for about five years. At the age of twenty-three he came to Christian County, Ill., and embarked in merchandising in his own interest. He also began dealing in live stock and subsequently formed a partnership with A. B. Chapman. When he began business for himself he had a capital of about $1,000. After two years he was joined by Mr. Chapman, and operations were carried on under the firm name of R. B. Temple & Co. for two years, they doing a large business. Mr. Temple continued business at Ston- ington for two years after the dissolution of the partnership, and during that time sold over $50,- 000 worth of goods, besides making extensive deals in live stock.
In the latter line of business Mr. Temple has since continued. Removing to St. Louis, he con- tinued in the live-stock commission business for one year, and was live-stock agent for the Mis- souri Pacific Railroad, having charge of the Kan- sas business, with headquarters at Wichita, Kan. He opened up the Kansas territory for the Mis- souri Pacific Railroad Company and secured a fine share of the trade in that line.
Returning to Christian County, Mr. Temple re- sumed business in his own interest, and continued his residence in Stonington until September, 1891, when he came to Taylorville. He yet continues to make extensive shipments of stock from Ston- ington, Willey, Taylorville and Owaneco. Ile handles about $75,000 worth of stock per year, and
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in some years his sales of cattle, sheep and hogs have reached $150,000. For four years he has been engaged in feeding from five hundred to eight hundred head of cattle annually, and from five hundred to two thousand hogs.
On the 1st of May, 1872, Mr. Temple mar- ried Miss Ilattie A. Peabody, of Stonington, daugh- ter of W. S. Peabody, deceased. Their union has been blessed with two daughters: Maud, who is a student in the High School; and Edith G., deceased. Mrs. Temple and her daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Temple is a member of the Modern Woodmen. In politics he is a Repub- lican, for two years served as Supervisor of Ston- ington, and in April, 1893, was elected Mayor of Taylorville over J. B. Ricks. He has never had a law suit, but has lived a quiet, unassuming life, that has gained him the confidence and high re- gard of all with whom business or pleasure has brought him in contact.
B ENJAMIN HAMLIN HARGRAVES, who is engaged in general farming on section 28, Pana Township, owns and operates ninety acres of the rich land of Christian County. llis farm is one of the best improved places of the neighborhood, neat in appearance and highly eul- tivated. The owner is a native of Virginia. He was born in Sussex County, on the 26th of Sep- tember, 1815, and is a son of Robert Ilargraves, who was born and reared in the same State. The paternal grandfather, Jesse Hargraves. was a native of England, and was the founder of the family in Ameriea. Robert became a farmer by occupation, and also followed school-teaching for a number of years. Ile married Naney Ellis, who was also born in the Old Dominion and was of English and Scotch descent. Her father, Benja- min Ellis, was likewise a native of England. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hargraves was celebrated in Sussex County, and they there began their do-
mestic life upon a farm. He served as a private in the War of 1812, and after that struggle they removed to Kentucky, in 1816, there making their home until 1830, when they came to Illinois. Lo- cating at Edwardsville, Madison County, they re- moved thence to Maconpin County, Ill., where Mr. HIargraves entered land from the Government and began the development of a farm, upon which he resided until his death, which ocenrred at the age of sixty-six years. The mother there passed away at the same age.
The subject of this sketch was the second son and child in a family of tive children. He was only a year old when his parents left Virginia and went to Kentucky, where he remained until a youth of fifteen, when he accompanied the family to Illinois. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads and received such educational privi- leges as the district and subscription sehools af- forded. Experience and observation and contact with men and things have made him a well-in- formed man. Like a dutiful son, he remained with his parents until their deaths, and tenderly cared for them in their old age, as they had done for him in childhood. lle is now the owner of a good farm of ninety acres on section 38, Pana Township, where he successfully carries on agri- cultural pursuits.
Mr. Hargraves was once a member of the Far- mers' Alliance but is not now connected with that society. In 1892, he made a trip to Oregon on the Northern Pacific Railroad and spent about four months in the Far West, visiting many points of interest on the journey. lle has long lived in this neighborhood, and has therefore witnessed much of the growth and development of the county. Ile is recognized as a valued citizen and one that manifests a commendable interest in all that per- tains to the welfare of the community in which he now makes his home.
On the 3d of December, 1878, Mr. Hargraves was united in marriage with Louise M. Randle, a daughter of John HI. and Sarah ( Arnold) Randle, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Virginia. They were pioneer settlers of Illinois. Mr. Randle first came to this State about 1814, and was for some years in the United States
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Land Office at Vandalia. In 1825 he went to Kentucky and married Sarah Arnold, and three | years later returned to this State. Settling at Edwardsville, Madison County, he there built a mill, which he lost by fire soon after it was erected. lle later removed to Macoupin County, where he spent the remainder of his days.
In early life Mr. Hargraves was a Whig in poli- tics and cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, in 1840. Ile has been a supporter of the Republican party since its organization.
ILLIAM M. STIVERS is a self-made man and enterprising agriculturist. who makes bis home on section 35. Mosquito Town- ship. From his eighteenth year he has made his own way in the world, and has risen from poverty to a secure income and to a place as one of the substantial business men and citizens of Christian County. lle is a native of Kentucky, born in Jefferson County, on the 19th of March, 1844.
Felix Stivers, father of our subject, was also a native of Jefferson County, Ky., and passed his entire life in his native State. Ile followed the occupation of a farmer, and was also master of the cooper's trade. His father was one of the early settlers in the blue grass region, and was of Irish deseent. Our subject's mother. who bore the maiden name of Edna Frederick, was born in Jef- ferson County, Ky .. and is still living, though having passed the allotted three-score and ten years. She was the mother of twelve children, ten sons and two daughters. only three of whom have passed away.
William M. Stivers remained under the parental roof until he was nearly eighteen years of age, when lie started out to make his fortune. Com- ing West, he arrived in Macon, Ill., near which place he worked by the month on a farm. Ile continued to be employed by farmers for the suc- ceeding five years. He was industrious and care- ful with his money, and therefore in the course of
a few years he was enabled to purchase a farm for himself. Previous to this he rented a farm in Christian County for several years, and bas thus been a resident of the county for considerably over half a century.
On the 10th of November, 1867, Mr. Stivers wedded Miss Mary E. Masters, who was born in Maryland. They have had a family of ten chil- dren. live sons and five daughters: Cora I., Will- iam Franklin. Lou Edna. Daniel. Myrtle. Jessie, Albert Clay. Emma, Arthur and Altha. The chil- dren are all at home, and the older ones have re- ceived good common-school educations.
Fraternally. Mr. Stivers is a member of Blue Mound Lodge No. 595. I. O. O. F. Ile sup- ports the Democratie party. but has never been prevailed upon to accept any local position within the gift of his fellow-citizens. Ilis desirable farm is situated three and a-half miles northwest of Blue Mound. Ile has brought the place under good cultivation, and has made many substantial im- provements upon it. No man in the community is more highly esteemed. and his neighbors accord him the reputation of being an honorable. enter- prising and upright man. His success in his busi- ness life is the result of his well-directed energy and honest toil, for he commenced in life without a dollar, and with only his determination to suc- ceed and strong willing hands with which to hew his fortune. Ile has succeeded in a marked de- gree, and well deserves the competency which he has acquired.
R ICHIARD N. EMERSON, deceased. Among the worthy pioneers of Christian County was our subject, who was one of the first set- tlers of Stonington Township. He was a man of good education and was a musician of no small merit. lle was born February 17, 1825, in Fayette County, Ky., and was the eldest of the large family born to Perry and Catherine (Al- dridge) Emerson. The father was of German an-
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