USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 33
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On the 3d of March, 1875, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Ilumphreys, daughter of A. B. N. Humphreys, one of the pioneer settlers of South Fork Township. She is one of seven children, three of whom are now living. Born in Springfield, Ill., she was a maiden of ten summers when her parents came to Chris- tian Connty. With the Methodist Church she holds membership, and throughout the community she is recognized as a most estimable lady.
In 1886 Dr. Dickerson went to Los Angeles, Cal., where he spent five years. le there became identified with the real-estate boom and made considerable money. He still owns property in that place. He served as a member of the Board of Health in Los Angeles. In 1892 he returned to Illinois, and has since lived in Taylorville. He has sold his store in Blackburn, but still owns his farm at that place. Previous to his removal to California he had engaged in practice in Taylor- ville each summer, and his merits had become well known throughout the community, so that on locating permanently here he was at once ac- corded a liberal practice, which has constantly increased. lle has served as a member of the Fifth Regiment. Illinois National Guards, with the rank of Captain. He takes considerable interest in civic societies, and at the age of twenty-one
was made a Mason in the lodge in Rochester. He is now a member of Mound Lodge No. 122, A. F. & A. M .; Taylorville Chapter No. 102, R. A. M .; Cœur de Leon Commandery No. 9, K. T., of Los Angeles, Cal .; and Al-Maliakah Temple, A. A. O. M. S., of Los Angeles. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is serving as Major in the Second Regiment, Second Brigade, Uniformed Rank, K. P. In politics, the Doctor was reared a Democrat, but being a man of decided opinions and firm convictions, he does not hold himself bound inseparably to any party. He believes, however, that America is for Americans. He has been prominently interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the city and the promotion of its leading enterprises, and has been connected with the Gas Company and the Antlers Ilotel. His home is one of the most beautiful in the city. It stands on a natural building site, and was erected by G. J. S. Culver, the marble man of Springfield. It is a monument to the industry and enterprise of the Doctor, for his possessions have all been acquired through his own efforts.
OSEPH CARTER. Among the substantial and well-to-do farmers of Assumption Town- ship is this gentleman, who is one of the honored old settlers of Christian County. Ile is well and favorably known in this and ad- joining counties, and merits in a high degree the respect in which he is held by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. He has assisted very materially in the marvelous growth and prosperity of the community in which he makes his home, and it is fitting that his name should be placed in this record of the honored pioneers of the county.
The subject of this sketeh is a native of Ohio, born in Warren County September 26, 1832, and is a son of John Carter, a native of Virginia. The latter went to Ohio in his early manhood, and there married Miss Jemima Patton, whose birth occurred
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in the Buckeye State. For several years after his marriage, Mr. Carter engaged in farming in War- ren County with good success, and then removed to Indiana, settling in Clay County, twelve miles east of Terre Haute. Here he opened up a farm, and reared his family to lives of usefulness. The last few years of his life he lived retired from ac- tive duties in Greencastle, and passed away in 1865. During the War of 1812, he was pressed into the service and was assigned to the department of artillery.
Joseph Carter is one of a family of seven sons and two daughters. The brothers, who all grew to mature years, married and became heads of families. One brother, C. N., now resides in Kan- sas City, and is a retired merchant. The only other surviving brother is Jasper N., who is engaged in farming in Neosho County, Kan.
Our subject grew to manhood in Indiana, and spent his youth on his father's farm, receiving there a practical experience in all the duties which fall to an agriculturist and which have served him in good stead in later years. In his studies he was diligent and made the most of his advantages in that direction. He remained with his father until he had arrived at his majority, after which he learned the carpenter's trade at Greencastle and followed that calling for a few years. He then formed a partnership with three of his brothers, and engaged in the flouring and grist mill business. In this he continued for about five years with very good success. In the fall of 1866, he came to Illi- nois and bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie land, the same farm which he now cultivates. He erected a small house and brought his family to his new home. When he first settled here nothing whatever had been done for the improvement of the land, and as it stands to-day, a model farm with good buildings, neat hedges and other improvements, it is a monument to his own industrious efforts, for it bears little re- semblance to the original farm on which he located. In 1867, he bought an adjoining forty acres, thus making his farm contain one hundred and sixty acres. There is a good orchard on the place and the fields are subdivided by a well-trimmed osage hedge. Mr. Carter also owns a good farm of two
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hundred and twenty-four aeres in Shelby County, two small farms in Neosho County. Kan., besides a house and lot in Assumption.
In 1860 occurred the marriage of Mr. Carter in Greencastle, Ind. The lady of his choice, whose maiden name was llarriet M. Sever, was a native of England and passed her girlhood in that coun- try. Two children have graced this union. War- ren, the elder, is deceased; and Elmer E. is assist- ing his father in carrying on the home farm. The mother died in 1884. She was an amiable and thoroughly lovable lady, who numbered many friends in the neighborhood of her home.
Politically, Mr. Carter has ever supported the Republican party and principles since becoming a voter. He is an advocate of the best educational measures and served for nine years as a member of the School Board. For over a quarter of a century he has been a resident of this county, and has pro- inoted its interests in every possible manner. He is honored and respected by lus friends and neigh- bors as a man of integrity and sterling worth.
0 RLANDO MANVILL HAWKES, whose hon- orable, upright life has won him the confi- dence and esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact, is now engaged in farm- ing on section 26, Rosemond Township. Ile was born in Franklin County, Mass., November 14. 1820. The family was founded in America by three brothers of English birth, who emigrated to this country in early Colonial days and located in Massachusetts. One was made an officer in the French and Indian War, and was killed in that struggle. Their descendants are now very num- erous, over five hundred members of the family having assembled at a re-union in Salem, Mass., a few years ago. One of the three brothers was the great-grandfather of our subject. The grand- father, Jared Ilawkes, was the first male child born in Charlemont, Mass.
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The parents of our subject, Horace and Rachel (Smedley) Hawkes, were also natives of the Bay State, and there spent their entire lives. the father dying at the age of eighty-five, while the mother reached the advanced age of ninety-one. In their family of twelve children, our subject was fourth in order of birth. Ilis boyhood days were quietly passed under the parental roof, and his education was acquired in the common schools, and in the academy at Charlemont.
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On the 1st of September, 1846, Mr. Hawkes of this sketch married Debby A. Hawley, who was born in Hinsdale, Mass., March 19, 1824, and is of English descent. Her parents were William A. and Debby A. Hawley, Mr. and Mrs. Ilawkes be- gan their domestic life upon a farm in Franklin County, Mass., where they resided until 1854. Going to Buffalo, N. Y., our subject became clerk in a hotel, and in the spring of 1856 he emigrated to Christian County. Ilis was one of the first fami- lies to settle in Rosemond Township. He pur- chased a tract of land and began the development of a farm. The county was in its primitive con- dition, deer and wolves were seen in the neigh- borhood, and the work of progress and civiliza- tion seemed scarcely begun.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes were born ten chil- dren, as follows: Emma, wife of William O. Wil- cox; Nellie C., who died at the age of eleven years; Herbert H., now of New York City; Henry M., who is in business in New York City; Leila A., wife of Wellington Walker, of Springfield, Mass .; Martha O., wife of Herbert V. Bullock, who is in the Globe-Democrat office of St. Louis; Mary A., twin sister of Martha, now the wife of Marion Nicholson, of Rosemond Township; Flora A., wife of Clinton Ilawkes, of Massachusetts; Edwin A., who for seven years was in business in New York City, but is now at home; and Joseph B., who is also in New York City.
Mr. Hawkes cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, in 1840, and has never failed to support a Presidential candidate since that time. He has been a stalwart Republican since the organization of the party. During the late war lie was a member of the Union League, and is now a member of the Good Templars' Society. IIe has
always been a strong temperance man, using neither intoxicants nor tobacco, and with one exception all of his sons abstain from the use of the latter. Since twenty-one years of age, Mr. Hawkes has been a faithful and consistent member of the Con- gregational Church, and, with the exception of three years, has been Deacon of the church in Rosemond since locating here. He has also been Trustee, and was Superintendent of the first Sun- day-school organized in the place. On various occasions he has again filled the office. He is always found in his place in the house of worship, and has been one of the prominent leaders in church work in this community, untiring in his efforts to promote the Master's cause. He believes in prac- tical Christianity, is charitable and benevolent, is generous and open-handed, and to the poor and needy is a friend.
AMES BENJAMIN RICKS, a member of the law firm of Ricks & Creighton, is one of the leading lawyers of Taylorville. Probably no man in this city has been more promi- nently connected with its growth and upbuilding than he, and the prosperity of the place is dne in no small degree to his untiring efforts in its be- half. Christian County claims him as one of her native sons, his birth having occurred in Bear Creek Township. on the 23d of December, 1852.
Mr. Ricks is the eldest in a family of five chil- dren whose parents were Jolin Bond and Docia B. (Hines) Ricks. When he was a lad of twelve years his parents removed to Taylorville, and, af- ter attending the public schools of that city, in 1869 he entered the Wesleyan University of Bloomington, Ill., where he pursued his studies until 1872. A professional life furnished attrac- tions for him, and he began the study of law with Judge Andrew Simpson and John B. Jones, attor- neys of Taylorville. Having successfully passed a thorough examination, he was admitted to the Bar in June, 1874.
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On the 23d of December, 1872, on his twentieth birthday, Mr. Rieks was united in marriage with Miss Pammie L. Geltmacher, of Bloomington. Their union has been blessed with three children, who are still living: Agnes, who is now the wife of W. H. Houser, D. D. S., of Taylorville; Jesse and Glenn, aged respectively fourteen and nine years. In social circles this family ranks high, and the household is the abode of hospitality.
Immediately after his admission to the Bar, Mr. Ricks began practice, and continued alone until 1885, when the present partnership was formed. Hle is an able and successful lawyer, and the publie affords him a liberal patronage. In polities, he is a stalwart supporter of the Democratic party, and has taken an active part in campaign work, doing all in his power to promote the interests of Democ- racy. He has frequently served in positions of public trust, and spent three years in Washington as Supervising Examiner of the Pension Bureau. from the Hudson District, having about one hun- dred special examiners under his charge. In June, 1892, he served as delegate to the National Democratie Convention in Chicago, and strongly advocated the nomination of President Cleveland. In 1889 he was elected Mayor of Taylorville. serving a term of two years, and his administra- tion proved to be a prosperous era in the history of the city. During his term the electrie-light system was established, and many other works of public improvement were put in operation. Mr. Ricks started the petition for the establishment of water works. While reading law with Mr. Jones, he drew plans which changed the old town to a village, and after one year drew up a petition to make Taylorville a eity, which was done. While running for Mayor he plainly stated that he would not accept the office unless the water works system was strengthened, and so during his term this commendable work was aecomplished. The water supply was doubled, the original plant, worth $20,000, was supplemented by one worth $50,000, and then miles of mains were laid. Ev- ery work calculated to benefit the community and promote the general welfare receives the hearty support and co-operation of Mr. Rieks, and the gratitude of the city is due him in no small degree.
Ile was also one of the promoters and is one of the Directors of the Gas Company, and was one of the prime movers in establishing and building the Antlers Hotel.
In social circles. Mr. Ricks is also prominent. A member of the Knights of Pythias, he served as Grand Chaneellor in 1885 and in 1886, and is now Past Grand Chancellor. IIe was made a member of the fraternity in Mystic Lodge No. 61. K. P., and has passed all the chairs of the local order. lle is also a member of the Arion Club. and takes an active part in its gatherings. A pleasant, gen- ial gentleman, Mr Ricks is very popular. and his friends throughout the community are many.
RANKLIN PIERCE DRENNAN, attorney- at-law of Taylorville, is a highly respected, widely known and influential citizen, and a worthy representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of the county. Mention is made of his parents, John L. and Henrietta ( Wimburley) Drennan, on another page of this work. They were also born in Kentucky. The father died September 5, 1882, at the age of fifty-five years. Ilis widow is still living, at the age of sixty-four. and her mother, Emily Sanders, yet resides in Taylorville, at the ripe old age of eighty-six. John L. Drennan is a farmer by occupation, and on his arrival in this eounty, in 1856, located upon a farm of two hundred and forty aeres in Mos- quito Township, where he made his home until ealled to his final rest. In politics, he was a sup- porter of the Democratic party. and for a number of years served as Supervisor of his township. The family numbered fourteen children, and all are yet living with the exception of Oscar W., who died in January, 1893, at the age of twenty years.
Franklin Pierce Drennan was born near Prince- ton, Caldwell County, Ky., March 15, 1853, and is the second child of his parents. With the family he came to Illinois, and amid the wild seenes of frontier life was reared to manhood. The public
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schools of the neighborhood afforded him his edu- cational privileges, and he remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life for himself. At first he earned his livelihood as a teacher in the public schools near his home. Subsequently he secured the position of Deputy County Clerk under William II. Kirkwood, in whose office he remained for eighteen months, from July 1, 1876, until December 1, 1877. At that time he was made Deputy Circuit Clerk, and served for three years under Josiah A. Hill, and for the same length of time under N. D. Ricks.
In the mean time Mr. Drennan had been reading law, and was admitted to the Bar in January, 1882, having passed the examination before the November term of the Appellate Court the preccd- ing year. However, he continued in the County Clerk's office until 1883. Ile had secured a set of abstract books, and in 1883 combined the practice of his chosen profession with abstract work. For a year he was in partnership with Judge Ferry, but since that time has been alone. In December, 1892, the Christian County Abstract Rating and Guarantee Company was incorporated, and Mr. Drennan became its President. This combines three sets of abstracts, the only ones in the county besides that owned by N. D. Ricks. The capital stock of the company is $20,000, and our subject is the leading stockholder. James E. Mills is Sec- retary and business manager of the company. In his law practice, Mr. Drennan has met with excel- lent success, receiving a liberal share of the public patronage. He has given special attention to real- estate cases and land titles, his experience in ab. stract work, and as Deputy County and Circuit Clerk, having been of special advantage to him in this direction.
On the 29th of May, 1881, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie May, daugh- ter of W. S. Moore, now of Morrisonville, Ill. She was born in Taylorville, in 1863, and is a cultured and refined lady, who holds an enviable position in the circles of society in which she moves. Two children grace their union, Lela Moore and Frances Patti, aged eight and five years, respectively.
Mr. Drennan is a Democrat in politics, and has taken an active part in campaign work. Ile was
appointed by the Circuit Judge as Master in Chancery, and for two years held that office. He has been quite extensively interested in real estate, and laid out the F. P. Drennan Addition to Tay- lorville. In connection with John B. Colegrove, he laid ont two additions to Assumption. He has also a ten-acre addition to Pana, and in addition to this he has another ten-acre tract near Pana. llis farm of eighty acres is situated seven and a-half miles south of Taylorville, and he has a twenty-seven acre tract southeast of the city. For three years he has been engaged in breeding and training fine trotters. Socially, he is a Knight- Templar Mason, belonging to Elwood Comman- dery of Springfield. Mr. Drennan is ambitious, per- severing and, above all, enterprising, and owing to these sterling qualities, he has not only won the high rank to which he has attained among his pro- fessional brethren, but has also gained his splendid success in other lines of business. He takes an active part in all that goes to promote the welfare of the county, and deserves to be classed among her honored early settlers.
OIIN BEYERS, a retired farmer and stock- dealer, now living in Pana, is a native of Germany. He was born in Hesse Darm- stadt, March 26, 1821. Ilis parents, John and Margaret (Ernst) Beyers, spent their entire lives in their native land. There were only two children born of that union, and Adam, the brother, is now deceased. The mother died at the age of twenty-eight, when John was a babe of three summers, after which his father married again, and by his second union had one daughter. There was also a daughter born of his third mar- riage. He was a trader on the river, and owned a vessel, which was used in commercial interests. His death occurred when about sixty-eight years of age.
The gentleman whose name heads this record
Eliza : J: Leurs
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remained at home with his father until about eighteen years of age, when he was drafted into the regular army, in which he served for four years. The following year, in 1847, he bade adieu to home and friends, and, in company with some acquaintances of his yonth, sailed for Amer- iea. His first location was in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for a few months, when he re- moved to Franklin's Landing, Ohio, where the succeeding two years of his life were passed.
During that time, Mr. Bevers was married. On the 15th of September, 1849, he wedded Miss Sarah Shepherd, daughter of Xaphier Shepherd, who was born in Baden, Germany. They have become parents of eight children, seven sons and a daugliter, but the latter died in infancy. Henry, the eldest, wedded Mary J. Enders, and resides on a farm, three miles from Pana, with his wife and three children, Celia, Herman and Arthur. Joseph, who is also a farmer, living near Pana, married Emma Eekholt, and they have three children: Lizzie, John and Benjamin. Frank A. married Minnie Goodhouse, by whom he has two sons and a daughter: Sadie, William and Frank. Jolin S., an agriculturist, married Barbara Wagner, and unto them has been born a daughter, Gertrude. Louise F. is the next younger. Edward married Tillie Goodhart, and with their daughter, Nellie Louise, they reside on a farm north of Assumption. Goodhart, the youngest of the family, was drowned in the Ohio River. at the age of three years.
Mr. Beyers came to Illinois in November, 1867, trading his business in Ohio for seventy-five aeres of land. This he traded for one hundred and seventy acres. three miles southwest of Pana, where he made his home until 1882. As his finan- cial resources increased, he extended the boun- daries of his farm until it comprised four hundred and sixty-eight acres of valuable land. The fields were placed under a high state of cultivation, and the farm was supplied with all modern improve ments and conveniences. He also engaged quite extensively in stock-dealing, and his efforts in this direction also met with good success. Having purchased some lots in Pana, he built a fine resi- dence upon one of these in 1882, and has since
here made his home, surrounded by all the com- forts and many of the luxuries of life. Himself and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and, in politics, he is an advocate of Democratie prin- ciples. Ile has made his money through his own labors, perseverance and well-directed efforts and the assistance of his estimable wife. Ile is a man of generous impulses, and has given his children a good start in life.
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W ILLIAM LANGEN is a prominent young farmer and citizen of Ricks Township, where he is engaged in carrying on the old homestead on section 30 which formerly be- longed to his father, Theodore Langen. He is one of the progressive agriculturists of this com- munity, and has been very successful in general farming and stock-raising. He was born Septem- ber 17, 1861, in Greene County, Ill., and has spent nearly his entire life in Christian County, in the development of which he has done his share.
Theodore F. Langen, our subject's father, was born in the village of Wiennenburg, Prussia, Feb- ruary 27, 1827. Ilis parents were Frederick and Elizabeth (Wegener) Langen, and he was the youngest of eight children. His father being a farmer in good eireumstances, he received superior educational advantages, and attended the higher schools, where he always stood at the head of his class and became proficient in Latin. He served for three years in the Prussian army during the Revolution of 1848. In the spring of 1852 he landed in New York, and proceeded to Jersey County, Ill., in which county his brother was liv- ing. On the 17th of October, 1855, he married Elizabeth Brockamp, who was born in Allenburg, Germany, March 10, 1840, being a daughter of Henry B. and Catherine (Morman) Broekamp. Her father, who died in February, 1870, was for many years previous engaged in operating his farm seven miles west of Jerseyville. He was a blacksmith by trade, and had served in the German
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army. Mrs. Langen came to America with her parents when five years of age.
After his marriage, the father of our subject removed to Greene County, this State, and rented a farm three miles distant from Carrollton, where he resided for eight years. In the spring of 1853 he came to Christian County and bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild land on sec- tion 30, Ricks Township. He made the road and surveyed it from his farm to Nokomis, fourteen miles across the prairie. The country was wild and the farm unimproved, but he was industrious and energetic, and at the time of his death left six hundred and forty acres, which were divided among his children. He died Angust 31, 1876, in the faith of the Catholic Church, to which his family all belonged. He was straightforward and upright in his business and made many friends. In politics, lie was a Democrat. Ilis wife was appointed ad- ministrator of his estate and wisely managed the affairs. She is now living in Morrisonville, where she lias a pleasant residence and makes her home with her youngest daughter. She gave her chil- dren good educations, and her daughters attended the convent at St. Louis, where they became pro- ficient in music and other accomplishments.
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