USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 31
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
cestry and followed the occupation of a farmer. He passed from this life after having reached an advanced age. His wife was also a native of Ken- tucky, and was only thirty-five years of age at the time of her demise.
Richard Emerson was only a small child when his mother died. His youth was passed in farm- ing during the summer months and attending school during the winter. lle taught in Kentucky for several years, and continued in that pursuit during the first winter of his residence in Stoning- ton Township, this county, to which he came in 1854. Becoming the owner of eighty acres of prairie land, he found his time occupied for sev- eral years in bringing it under cultivation. Hle tanght school, however, during the winter months for a number of years.
The marriage of our subject to Miss Ann E. Keiser took place May 2, 1851. Mrs. Emerson was born August 29, 1835, in Fayette County, Ky., being a daughter of James L. and Abigail (Stipp) Keiser. Her father was born near Lexington, Ky., and came to Christian County, Ill., in 1851, at the same time as our subject. Ile was a farmer and engaged in tilling the soil until his death, when in his fifty-fourth year. His wife, also a native of Kentucky, died in that State, aged forty-one years.
Mr. and Mrs. Emerson became the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters: Thad- deus W., a farmer of Christian County; Joseph M., also a farmer, of Stonington Township: Elliott M., likewise a farmer of the same township; llenry J., who now owns the old homestead, and is one of the prominent young men of the community; Reuben L., a resident of California; George II., who is engaged in farming in Christian County; Abbie, wife of William Hull, of Taylorville; Ola, who owns a store in the same city; Mary E., wife of B. F. Winter, an agriculturist of this eommu- nity; and Ila G. and Emma G., who both died in childhood.
A poor man on his arrival in Christian County, Richard Emerson left at his death two hundred and seventy acres of well-improved land. His death occurred March 10, 1882. Ile was quite in- terested in political affairs, voting for the Repub-
lican nominees. As he was one of the first set- tlers of the township, he was called upon to fill nearly every local office within the gift of the peo- ple. He lies buried in the old Stonington Ceme- tery, where his last resting-place is marked by a substantial monument. He had a host of friends and no enemies. Ilis widow survives him and still resides on the old homestead. In the early days, Mr. Emerson often went a number of miles to play for a dance or the entertainment of a party of set- tlers gathered at the home of one of the number. He delighted in music and was a good musician for those days.
OHN DAPPERT is one of the extensive land-owners of Christian County, and is ranked among the substantial citizens of Taylorville, where he now makes his home. A native of Bavaria, Germany, he was born on the 7th of September, 1827, and in 1835, at the age of eight years, came with his widowed mother to America. Crossing the Atlantic, he took up his residence in Holmes County, Oho, where he grew to manhood. There he served an apprenticeship for three and a-half years with his step-father, learning the shoemaker's trade. He then sought employment in the same line, and worked for five months at $5 per month. At the age of seventeen he began business for himself, opening a shop in Killbuck, Ohio. For some time he continued his labors in that State. With his tools in a sack, which he hung over his shoulder, he would go from house to house among the farmers and make shoes for the members of the family. At intervals hie also engaged in splitting rails. At the end of about two years he had accumulated some $60, and with his hard-earned savings he opened a shop for himself. When twenty-one years of age, he had become owner of eighty acres of land, worth $500. To this he added from time to time as his financial resources were increased, until his farm comprised one hundred and eighty acres. In con-
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nection with the cultivation of his land, he also worked at his trade, and in 1864 he had accumu- lated about $5,000.
As a companion and helpmate on life's journey. Mr. Dappert chose Miss Catherine Silveus, who was born in Wayne County, Pa., but from her sixth year lived in Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated on the 7th of November, 1846, and by their union were born the following children: Mary Ann, who became the wife of Wesley Resler, and died at the age of thirty; George, who died at the age of twenty-five; John M,, who died in infancy; Joseph M., who died in childhood; Rosanna, who died in infancy; llenry A., a resident farmer of Johnson Township; James W., a surveyor and City Engi- neer of Taylorville; Amanda, wife of J. C. Large, of Locust Township; Lucy C., wife of Elmer Sho- over, who is living near Indianapolis, Ind .; Sarah Catherine, wife of Lewis Henney; Emma M., wife of Elmer Brooking, who operates the old home farm; and Otto Elmer, who died at the age of four years. They also have sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The year 1864 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Dap- pert in Christian County. He settled in Johnson Township, purchasing two hundred acres of land at 822 per acre. This was an improved farm and to its cultivation he successfully devoted his en- ergies until the autumn of 1892. He liad also made other purchases, and his landed possessions aggregated six hundred acres, divided into three farms of three hundred and sixty, one hundred and sixty, and eighty acres respectively. He engaged in raising wheat and made a specialty of the breed- ing of cattle, sheep and hogs. Mr. Dappert also owns nine hundred and sixty acres of land in Grant and Stevens Counties, Kan.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Dappert hold the religious faith of the United Brethren Church and are mem- bers of Mound Chapel, in Johnson Township. They have been closely connected with church work, and take an active part in all that pertains to the upbuilding and promotion of the cause. Mr. Dap- pert exercises his right of franchise in support of the Prohibition party, being a strong advocate of temperance principles. A self-made man, all that he now possesses has been acquired through his
own efforts and the assistance of his industrious and frugal wife, for he started out in life empty- handed. Overcoming the difficulties in his path and surmounting the obstacles, he has steadily worked his way upward to success.
G EORGE W. MORGAN is numbered among the enterprising farmers of Bear Creek Township, and has made his home since 1865 on his farm, which is situated on seetion 5. In addition to general farming he has devoted a great deal of his time and attention to raising horses, cattle and hogs. He was born in Fayette County, Ky .. near the city of Lexington, on the 23d of Marel. 1835. llis parents were James and Belinda (Raney) Morgan, who were also natives of Kentucky. The father was a farmer by occu- pation, and removed with his family from Ken- tucky to Illinois in 1837, making a settlement near Springfield, in Sangamon County. He there became owner of a good farm, comprising some two hundred acres, which he cultivated until his death, which occurred in 1868. His wife had died several years previously. She was a member of the Baptist denomination, while he adhered to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
George W. Morgan was one of six children, three sons and three daughters. Three of the number are now deceased. Zerilda is the wife of George Runyan; and Philemon resides near Wellington, Sumner County, Kan. The youth of our subject was passed in Sangamon County, on his father's farm, where he was carly inured to the duties and cares of farm life. He lived under the parental roof until reaching man's estate. In 1865 he came to Bear Creek Township, Christian County, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, to the cultivation of which he has devoted himself up to the present time. Ile has raised large numbers of horses, cattle and hogs, giving his special interest to the raising of Norman draft
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horses. As an agriculturist and business man, he has met with distinct success, being accounted one of the most thrifty farmers of the neighborhood. Ilis place is a model one in every respect, and is kept up in the best possible manner.
On the 9th of September. 1859, Mr. Morgan was united in marriage with Miss Martha, a daughter of Abisha and Millie (Funderburk) Rape. The mother was a native of Illinois, while the fa- ther came from Tennessee. To our subject and his estimable wife was born a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Thomas, the eldest, chose for his wife Miss Charlotte Ges- ell. They have two living children, Bertha and Stella. Albert and Mary are next in order of birth. William wedded Miss Maggie Mitchell. The other living children are: Clara, Millie, James and Effie. John F., Sarah F., Moses and Addie are deceased.
Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan hold mem- bership with the Methodist Church. Our subject has always been a Democrat, having cast his vote in favor of its nominees ever since attaining his majority. He has discharged the duties pertain- ing to several township offices with credit to him- self and to the satisfaction of his friends and neighbors. Ile is a man of true worth and recog- . nized merit, being just and upright in all his busi- ness transactions, and being a man in whom all may place implicit confidence.
LBERT GILBERT BARNES, of Taylor- ville, is well known to the people of Christian County. Thomas Macaulay says that the history of a country is best told in the lives of its people. This is certainly true in recording the life work of such inen as our sub- ject, who has not only witnessed the growth and development of the county but has been identified with its progress and upbuilding and has aided in its advancement. Many of the most important business concerns of Taylorville are the result of the enterprise and industry of Mr. Barnes.
Born in Harrisburg, Pa., on the 4th of Septem- ber, 1835, our subject is a son of Daniel and Mar- garet A. (Richardson) Barnes, who were also na- tives of the Keystone State. Ilis father was a hardware merchant. In 1840 he came to Illinois and located in the capital city. Ile carried on a general store in Springfield, and after coming to Taylorville, in 1858, bought a hardware store, which he successfully conducted until his death. It was the largest establishment of the kind in this place, and its proprietor was recognized as a leader in business circles.
At five years of age Albert Barnes went to Springfield, at fifteen removed to Decatur, and at twenty left that city. While there, however, he learned the printer's trade and helped set up and roll the first sheet that ever came from a Deca- tur press. This was in 1852. The publication was the Deeatur Gazette, of which James Shoaff was proprietor. Mr. Barnes worked at the case for one year, then aided his father in the store, and was also employed for one year as salesman in a clothing store. On the 5th of September, 1855, he came to Taylorville, and opened a clothing store, the first exclusive store of the kind in this city. llis stock was valued at about $1,200, but owing to constantly increasing demands it was steadily enlarged, and he continued trade in that line alone until 1862. At that time his stock was valued at $10,000. In 1862 he added a stock of general merchandise and carried on business alone as a dry-goods merchant until 1871, when the present firm of Chamberlain & Barnes was formed. This partnership has existed continuously since 1871. during which time they have worked up a very large and profitable business. They deal ex- clusively in dry goods, carpets and millinery, and carry a well-selected stock of about $30,000. Mr. Chamberlain had formerly been a salesman in the employ of .J. V. Farwell, of Chicago.
Other business interests also occupied the atten- tion of Mr. Barnes, who in 1867 established the Christian County Bank. After a year his partner, Col. John Williams, of Springfield, President of the First National Bank of the capital city, re- tired, and the concern became known as the A. G. Barnes Bank. On the 1st of Jannary, 1893, his
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son. A. T. Barnes, became a partner, and business is now carried on under the style of A. G. Barnes & Co. Our subject is Treasurer of the Taylorville Coal Company and owns a quarter-interest in its property. He is also Treasurer of the Taylorville Gas Company and has large real-estate interests. lle built the first brick storeroom of the city in 1866, and now has four good business rooms around the square. Ile platted and added eight acres to the city, under the name of the Barnes Addition. Ile is also owner of the well-known Oak Lawn Stock Farm, in connection with his eldest son. B. L. This is situated two and one-fourth miles southwest of Taylorville, and comprises nine hundred and eighty-five acres. They make a specialty of breeding fine standard-bred trotting horses. and have on hand upwards of one hun- dred registered animals, and about forty standard brood mares. In connection with the Oak Lawn training stables there is a good half-mile track, with twenty-four box-stalls. They have in train- ing a number of choice colts from some of the most distinguished trotting families in America. Some of them give promise of becoming very speedy, and taking rank among the record-break- ing flyers of the present. Among the many men- tion can only be made of a few of the most prominent, as " Nut Pine, " 2:154, sired by " Nut- wood," dam " Maggie Wilkes," by - George Wilkes;" " Sidney Bell," a three-year-old, sired by " Sidney," 2:19, sire of " Frou Frou," a yearling with a record of 2:244. Some of the finest horses in the State are found upon Oak Lawn Farm, and its stock deservedly brings the highest priees.
We now turn from the business to the private life of Mr. Barnes, and note that on the 28th of August, 1861, in Mechanicsburg, was celebrated his marriage with Miss Henrietta Branson, daugh- ter of Ben Branson and a native of Sangamon County. They have a family of five children. namely: Benjamin Lincoln, Albert Thompson, Mary Henrietta, Clara May and William Edward. They also lost two in infancy: Ilenry A. and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have been members of the Presbyterian Church since 1857. Ile is a Knight-Templar Mason, belonging to Elwood Commandery of Springfield. He has been Treas-
urer of Mound Lodge No. 122. A. F. & A. M .; also belongs to Taylorville Chapter No., 102, R. A. M., and to Hazelmere Chapter, O. E. S., of which his daughter. Clara May, is also a member. In polities, he is a supporter of Republican principles but has never sought publie office, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success.
AMES MUIRSON TAYLOR, the senior mem- ber of the firm of Taylor & Abrams, at- torneys-at-law of Taylorville, is of Scoteli birth. He was born on the 2d of Decem- ber. 1839, in New Byth. Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and is a son of Samuel and Isabella (Lawrence) Taylor. Ilis father was a bookbinder and book- seller, a man of superior intelligence and an in- cessant reader, who took a great delight in collect- ing rare books. of which he possessed many. lle also took an active part in the establishing of eir- culating libraries. Ile and his wife were members of the Baptist Church, and carefully looked after the religious training of their children.
Our subject was only about five years old at the time of his mother's death. He inherited a liter- ary taste. and his books were his dearest compan- ions in boyhood. With an elder sister and younger brother. he sailed from Aberdeen, April 21, 1854, and crossed the Atlantic to the New World, join- ing a sister who was living near Millburn, Lake County. Ill. There he began working as a farm hand at 87 per month. Ile also attended school in Lake County, and in the fall of 1856 went to La Crosse, Wis .. where he aided in setting up an engine in a sawmill and became assistant engineer. lle was thus employed for a year, after which he returned to Lake County, where he engaged in teaching school during the winter seasons. He had attended for a limited time the High School of Kenosha, Wis., and the academy of Wauke- gan, III.
Prompted by a desire to aid his country in her
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struggle to preserve the Union, Mr. Taylor joined the boys in blue August 1, 1862, and became a member of Company C, Ninety-sixth Illinois In- fantry, his younger brother, John Y., having en- listed in the same company. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland and took part in all the engagements throughout the sum- mer of 1863. Mr. Taylor was left at a hospital for six weeks in Tennessee, and then rejoined his command in Georgia. May 9, 1864, at Buzzard's Roost, just after the Atlanta campaign had begun. he was wounded, a gun-shot shattering his right arm, which on the 27th had to be amputated. This terminated his career as a soldier. ITe re- mained in the hospital until the 27th of July, when he was sent home, but gangrene set in and for a long time his life was despaired of. October had come before he was even able to ride, and it was nearly a year before he had sutticiently recov- ered his strength to engage in any kind of labor. lle was discharged March 20, 1865, with the rank of Second Sergeant. His brother was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, and died from the effects of said wound November 24, 1863.
When he had somewhat recovered his health, Mr. Taylor went to Philadelphia and took a course of book-keeping in Bryant & Stratton's Business College. In January, 1866, he became a student in the law office of Blodgett, Upton & Williams, and there remained until October 1, 1868, although he was admitted to the Bar in March of that year before the Supreme Court. At the date above mentioned, he came to Taylorville and formed a partnership with Judge Andrew Simpson, which connection continued two years. The firm of Taylor & Abrams has been in existence three years and does a general law practice, receiving a liberal share of the public patronage.
On the 26th of November, 1868, Mr. Taylor was married in Waukegan, Ill., to Miss Adelia A. Stewart, a native of this State, and unto them have been born seven children, as follows: Samuel S., who is now proprietor of a book store in Taylor- ville; Mary F., who was educated in Mt. Carroll Seminary and Moulton College; Mabel Geneva and Leslie .J., who are students in the High School; John W., George G. and Clara Isabel. The fam-
ily cirele yet remains unbroken and the children are still at home. The household is the abode of hospitality and its members rank high in social cireles.
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Baptist Church and take an active part in church work. He has served as Trustee for a number of years and has also been Superintendent of the Sunday- school. The early religious training given our subject by his parents has borne fruit in his honorable, npright life. Socially, he is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows' society and Encampment, belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to Francis M. Long Post No. 392, G. A. R. In these various orders he has held a number of offices. In poli- ties, he is an inflexible adherent of the Republican party, and has been an active campaign worker, making many speeches in support of the candi- dates of that party. With the same fidelity with which he went to the relief of his country when the Union was in danger, he discharges his duties of citizenship, taking an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community. He has now been engaged in the practice of law with marked success for about a quarter of a century, and is elassed among the prominent legal practi- tioners of Christian County.
B. WADDINGTON, a farmer, residing on section 26, Rosemond Township, and a hay and grain dealer of the village of Rose- mond, is a native of the Buckeye State. IIe was born in Harrison County, on the 30th of November, 1839, and is a son of William and Ann (Wallace) Waddington. Ilis father was born in England, and in his native land was reared to manhood. On attaining his majority, he crossed the Atlantic and located in Harrison County, Ohio, where he was united in marriage with Miss Wallace, a native of Stark County, that State. They located upon the farm where our subject was born, and there resided until 1851, when they
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removed to Tuscarawas County, Ohio. There the father's death occurred at the age of seventy-live years, while the mother was called to her final rest at the age of sixty-eight. Unto them was born a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters.
Our subject is the eldest. Hle was eleven years of age at the time of the removal to Tuscarawas County, where he was reared to manhood, re- maining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Mr. Waddington has been twice married. In 1862, he chose as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Mary J. Zimmerman, a native of Ohio, who died, leaving four children: Emma, who is now living in the Buckeye State; Anna, wife of Charles Negley, of New Philadelphia, Ohio; Maggie, wife of Edward Loney, of the Buckeye State; and Harry, who married Aggie Dodge, and is now a prominent farmer of Rosemond Township. Mr. Waddington was again married, on the 8th of June, 1873, his second union being with Miss Maria C. Grimes, who was born in Mill Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and in that community resided until eighteen years of age, when she removed to New Philadelphia. Eight children grace this union, four sons and four daughters, as follows: Lucy, Jennie, Grace, Mary, James C., Emmett, Frank and Ralph.
After his first marriage, Mr. Waddington located on a farm in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1881, when he came to Christian County. Ile took up his residence upon the farm which is still his home. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of good land, and the place is well improved with good buildings, and the fields are well tilled. In connection with general farming he entered into the grain and hay business in 1892, and has an elevator in Rosemond. Industry and enter- prise are numbered among his chief characteristics and have doubtless been the means of bringing him the success which has crowned his efforts and made his life a profitable one.
In his political views, Mr. Waddington is a Republican. He has served as School Director, and the cause of education finds in him a warm
friend. He himself is a well-informed man, hav- ing gained a good general knowledge, not only through textbooks, conned in the schoolroom. but through experience and observation as well. Socially. he is connected with the Modern Wood- men Lodge of Rosemond, and is a member of the Congregational Church.
E H. DAVIS was for many years one of the respected agriculturists of Taylorville Township, and owned a farm located on section 2. to the cultivation of which he gave his attention until he was summoned to rest from his labors. Ile was born in Warren County, Ohio, near Lebanon, October 25, 1827, being one of eleven children whose parents were Richard and Rebecca Davis.
The boyhood of our subject was passed in the usual uneventful manner of a life which is spent on a farm, but there he received a practical training in agricultural duties, which was the basis of his fu- ture success. Ilis time was divided between ac- quiring an education in the district schools and rendering such assistanee as was in his power to his father. On attaining his majority he began working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for only a couple of years, and then returned to farming. Ile remained in Warren County, Ohio, until 1854. when he determined to try his fortune in the West.
On his arrival in Illinois Mr. Davis first set- tled in Adams County, where he became the owner of a one hundred and twenty acre farm, on which he continued to live for twelve years. In the spring of 1866 he came to Christian County, and after renting land for two years, while making up his mind where to invest, he purchased a farm on section 2, Taylorville Township, which was his home until his death. This place comprises one hundred and sixty acres and is well adapted for general farming and stock-raising.
Prior to leaving his native State, Mr. Davis was
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united in marriage on the 10th of November, 1851, to Miss Adria M. Beel, who is a daughter of Noah and Rebecca (Kirby) Beel, natives of Warren County. Mrs. Davis is one of ten children, and by her marriage has become the mother of eight, as follows: John C., who operates the old homestead; George C., a resident of Taylorville; James 11., who lives in Missouri; Alice M., wife of Reuben Bunstine, of Renton, Wash .; Richard, who is a farmer of Taylorville Township; Adolphus, who is also located in the State of Washington, being a farmer in Thurston County; Jennie, wife of Frank Anderson, of Taylorville; and Isabella, who lives with her mother.
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