USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 34
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In the spring of 1863 William Langen came with his parents to Christian County and assisted his father in improving his land, which was nearly all a swamp. After his father's death he contin- ved to make his home with his mother, brothers and sisters. Of the children, Henry lives in Mor- risonville and is married. His wife was formerly Miss Amelia Schwab. Katie is the wife of Antony Lantz, of Morrisonville. Mary is the wife of Her- man Todt, a farmer living in Montgomery Coun- ty. Eleanora is the wife of Frank Todt, of the same county. John, who is also a farmer there, married Maggie Todt. Elizabeth and Helena live at the home of their mother in Morrisonville.
The education of William Langen was acquired in the common schools and in Alton, Ill., where for two winters he attended the German Catholic school, where his brothers and sisters were also students. Until reaching his majority he lived on the old homestead, of which he had charge for many years. His farm comprises two hundred
and forty acres, in addition to which he operates another farm of a like amount. He has brought the place under good improvement and has laid over four miles of tite on the farm.
In Raymond, Mr. Langen was married in Sep- tember, 1885, to Miss Elizabeth Todt, a daughter of John and Mary Todt, both natives of Germany. She was reared to womanhood on her father's farm, located five miles north of Raymond, and received her education in the public schools and the convent at Litchfield. She has become the mother of five children: Johnnie, Theodore, Mary, Joseph and Florence. Our subject has served for six successive years as Township Commissioner and is now School Director. Ilis first Presidential ballot was cast for Grover Cleveland, and he al- ways votes on the side of the Democratic party. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church at Morrisonville, and are highly respected in this vicinity.
ILLIAM M. PROVINE, an attorney-at-law of Taylorville. Ill., was born in McDon- ough County, Ill., August 22, 1841. His father and mother are now living, at the age of seventy-seven, in Vermont, Ill., where the boyhood days of the subject of this sketch were mostly spent. His education was acquired in the com- mon schools, supplemented by a few months in an academy at Macomb, Ill. After a short expe- rience as a clerk and school teacher successively, he enlisted on July 30, 1862, in Company B, Eighty-fourth Regiment of Illinois Infantry, and was elected Sergeant on the organization of the company. He was afterward elected First Ser- geant, and in 1863 First Lieutenant. He served in the Army of the Cumberland in all its campaigns until July 20, 1864, when he was taken prisoner at Peach Tree Creek, in front of Atlanta, Ga. Shortly afterward he was one of six hundred Un- ion officers who were placed by the Confederates in the city of Charleston under fire of the Union
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guns on Morris Island. From Charleston the prisoners were removed to Columbia, S. C., and on March 1, 1865, were exchanged at Wilmington, N. C. Upon the expiration of his thirty days' leave of absence, the war being over, he was ordered to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., where he was assigned to duty as adjutant of paroled prisoners, who were then coming North in large numbers. He was discharged from the service May 15, 1865.
After a brief visit to his home, our subject en- tered Mayhew's Business College, at Albion, Mich., where after completing the course of study he re- ยท mained two years as Principal of the "theory de- partment," reading law in the mean time. On severing his connection with the college, Mr. Pro- vine entered the law office of Palmer & Hay, of Springfield, and was admitted, upon examination, to the Bar of the Supreme Court in the fall of 1868. He was tendered and accepted the position of Cashier of the Farmers' and Mechanies' Bank of Galesburg, Ill., but, preferring the law, resigned his position there after a year's service. Since 1872 he has resided continuously in Taylorville, and devoted his energies assiduously to his chosen profession. His attention is chiefly devoted to commercial and chancery laws. He is an able ad- vocate, and receives from the publie a liberal pat- ronage, which is well deserved. In politics, he was long a supporter of the Republican party, but in 1888 and again in 1892 he voted for Mr. Cleveland for the Presidency, on account of his views on the tariff question.
Other interests have found in Mr. Provine a supporter. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Taylorville, and since its organization has been one of its Directors. He has served on the Township Board of Education since its organization and is President of the Board, whichi numbers five members. Under their super- vision and through their instrumentality the fine High School building of Taylorville was erected in 1890, the building and grounds being valued at $32,000. Mr. Provine takes a commendable in- terest in educational matters and in every enter- prise caleulated to prove of public benefit.
On the 11th of May, 1869, in Vermont, Ill., was
celebrated the marriage of William M. Provine and Mary Murray. They have two children. Bertha graduated from Oxford College of Ohio, in the Class of '91, and is now a teacher of litera- ture and languages in the High School of Taylor- ville. She is a cultured and refined young lady, and has marked ability as an instructor. Walter is now a student in the High School. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Provine is connected with the Masonic fraternity.
B ENJAMIN II. HAILEY, who is engaged in the grocery business in Palmer, is one of the veterans of the late war, having en- listed for the defense of the Old Flag when he was only twenty years of age. Ile saw much active service, taking part in many of the impor- tant battles and skirmishes. He may justly be proud of his army record, for few men were called upon to do more active duty and suffer more hardships. In local affairs he has been prominent for many years, and has always been esteemed as one of the most public-spirited citizens of the place. He was the genial and efficient Postmaster for four years under Harrison's administration, retir- ing from that office in June, 1893, of his own ac- cord.
Born in Sangamon County, Ill., January 9, 1841, Mr. Hailey is a son of Thomas J. and Mel- venia M. (Higgins) Hailey. They were the parents of two children, our subject, and Edward, who died in 1864, shortly after being discharged from the army, on account of disease contracted while in the service. IIe had enlisted and was a mem- ber of Company A, Third Illinois Cavalry.
Thomas J. Hailey learned the trade of a carpen- ter and followed that occupation in early life. He was born in Virginia, and removed to Tennes- see when a boy, with the family of the man to whom he was apprenticed. In 1830, he came to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon County. Ile as-
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sisted in putting on the first shingled roof in Springfield, and served in the first Black Hawk campaign, in 1832. In 1871, he came to this county and made his home in Palmer until his death, which occurred in 1887, at the age of eighty-two years, lacking one month. Ilis first marriage was with a lady by the name of Narcissa Moore, by whom he had two children, only one of whom is now living, Emeline E. Thomas, who is now a widow. Mr. Hailey afterward married Miss Melvenia lliggins, whose death occurred in 1885, at the age of sixty-eight years. Our subject's pa- ternal grandfather, Edmund Hailey, was a native of the Old Dominion and participated in the War of 1812. Ile was twice married, and lived to be about seventy-six years of age, dying in Virginia. William Higgins, the maternal grandfather, was also born in Virginia, and served in Anthony Wayne's campaign. He was twice married, and was the father of eighteen children. He emigrated to Illinois in 1831, and died when seventy-five years of age, in Sangamon County.
Benjamin II. Ilailey, whose name heads this sketch, lived until his twentieth year on a farm in Sangamon County, six miles from Springfield. He enlisted in Company A, Third Illinois Cavalry, and served three years and fourteen days. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, Big Black Ridge, the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, and participated in over forty skirmishes. For thirteen successive days he was engaged in the skirmishes of Green's cavalry. Ile was very fortunate in never meeting with injury and was never in a hos- pital. Indeed, he has always been extremely healthy and robust, and perhaps to this fact is due much of his success in life.
Returning to Sangamon County after the war, our subject engaged in farming for one year, and, feeling the need of a better education to qualify him for his future life work, he attended the Illi- nois State University at Springfield for three terms and also took a commercial course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College of that city. In partnership with George E. Stake, he next opened a general store at Cotton Ilill, and was soon afterward appointed Postmaster, acting as
such for a year and a-half. In 1869, he came with his partner to Palmer, where they did business to- gether for about two years, at the end of which time our subject bought the interest of Mr. Stake and has since continued in business alone, with the exception of a year and a-half during the panic of 1873. Ile was soon on his feet again financially, and has an extensive trade.
Mr. Hailey was united in marriage on the 29th of June, 1871, with Miss Mary E. Wood, whose birth occurred in Ohio. Mrs. Hailey is a daughter of George and Sarah (llodge) Wood, of Blue Mound, Ill. Mr. Wood is a native of Virginia, while his wife claims Ohio as her birthplace. Two children born to our subject and his wife died in infancy, Frances E. and Eleanora E. They have three daughters living, namely: Lilian C., Stella M. and Cora E.
In his social relations, Mr. Hailey holds mem- bership with William A. Higgins Post No. 400, G. A. R., Department of Illinois, and has served as Commander of the post for seven years. He is a Republican in politics and has filled several lo- cal positions of trust and honor. He was Town Clerk for two years, and was President of the Vil- lage Board at one time. In 1887, he was made a candidate for the position of Sheriff, and only missed the nomination by one vote. For several years he has been Notary Public. In the various capacities of his public life his work has been con- ducted with fidelity and zeal. In addition to his business and store in Palmer he owns a pleasant modern residence.
G EORGE ROSS, a native of Scotland, was born in Sterlingborough on the 27th of May, 1865. Having learned the tailoring business thoroughly in all its branches, and hav- ing heard of the fine facilities for enterprising men to acquire wealth, or at least a competency, in the New World, he embarked for America in the fall of 1887, being then only twenty-two years of age,
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yet his proficiency will be readily acknowledged, when it is known that he learned his trade in Lang- holm, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He first located at the capital of Illinois, but in March, 1891, came to Christian County.
llaving previously formed the acquaintance of his life partner in Macon County, on Christmas Eve of 1889, in Decatur, Mr. Ross was united in marriage with Miss Ada F. Boaz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Boaz. The father was long known as Lieut. Boaz, having been promoted from the ranks for his valiant service in the Civil War. He displayed more than ordinary merit, and hence ' received from the Governor of Missouri the posi- tion of Officer of the Guard in the Jefferson City Penitentiary. From the Governor of Illinois, he received a like appointment for the Joliet Peni- tentiary, which position he held when he died, having acted in the same capacity for a period of eigliteen years in the two States. Ile was buried at Decatur, Ill., in 1889, with military honors. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy E. Murphy, and she, with Ada, the only child, born January 1, 1868, are the only survivors of the family. They mourn the loss of a kind and de- voted husband and loving father, and the com- munity remembers him with gratefulness as a brave soldier and valiant officer, both in war and peace.
Our subject's parents were John and Catherine (Cuthbert) Ross, both natives of Scotland. He is the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children. John was born in 1861; William, in 1863; James, in 1864; Maggie, in 1867; Annie, in 1868; David, in 1870; Jessie Jane, in 1873; Nellie, in 1875; and Robert in 1879. They all reside in the Fatherland with the exception of the eldest son, eldest daughter and our subject.
On embarking for the United States, George Ross took passage in the vessel "Lake Nepigon," a Canadian liner. After they had been on the ocean for about fourteen days, a dense fog settled down on the vessel, and they were unable to sight anything for six days. When the fog lifted they found that they were near the coast of Newfound- land. Mr. Ross is one of those genial gentlemen whom America may be proud to receive, and he has
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chosen for his companion a lady of rare merit and goodness. The children that have come to share their home are Roxie, born October 1, 1890; Ed- ward, February 10, 1892; and Robert, May 6, 1893. This is one of the well-respected families of Taylorville, and Mr. Ross may well be proud of the enviable position he has already achieved among his fellow-citizens. lle ranks first as a practical tailor, and the variety and extent of the patterns which he is enabled to give the customer are gaining for him a liberal patronage, and it is a pleasure to number him with the enterprising business men of this community who are entitled to representation in this record.
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ILLIAM AUGUSTUS GOODRICH. The public offices of Taylorville and Christian County have found no more efficient in- cumbent than the gentleman whose name heads this record. lle haslong been prominently iden- tified with public interests, and his name is insel - arably connected with the history of this com- munity. Genial and pleasant in manner, he is quite popular, and we feel assured that this sketel will be received with pleasure by his many friends. The Goodrich family from which our subject sprang were long prominent in Great Britain. Fre- quent mention is made of land-holders of the name at the time of the Norman conquest, in 1066. In the Tower of London is a cannon, the inscrip- tion upon which tells us that it was presented to King Charles I. by Sir Maurice Goodrich; while history tells us that Thomas Goodrich became Bish- op of Ely and Lord High Chancellor of England, under Henry VIII. Goodrich Castle stands on the Wye River, in Herefordshire, Wales, and was the seat of the late Sir Samuel C. Rush Meyrich, LL. D., the famous antiquarian. This castle is now a ruin, but it is a grand and gloomy one. An authentic account of the family says that a Goodrich mar- ried a sister of the Duke of Marlborough, and had two sons: John, named for the Duke, and William.
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The father dying. bis brother brought the two boys to New England. John afterward started back to the Old Country in accordance with a re- quest of the Duke, who desired to make him his heir, but died en route. In 1640 the unele pur- chased a farm for William in Weathersfield, Conn. The family had come directly from Suffolk and Bury St. Edmunds, England.
From William Goodrich just mentioned our subjeet is descended. He was born near Bury St. Edmunds, and his marriage in 1648 to Sarah Marvin is the first mention of him in the records of Connecticut. He died in 1676. His son Eph- raim, who was his eighth child, continues the suc- cession. Ile died in 1739, his home having been in Rocky Hill, Conn. He married Sarah Treat, and after her death wedded Jerusha Treat. The sev- enth child of that family, Gideon Goodrich, was bom in 1705, and died in 1769. He was a sea- captain, and lived in Weathersfield and Upper Middletown, Conn. His sixth child was Lieut. Caleb Goodrich, who was born in 1731, and died in 1777. He was a Revolutionary soldier, was present at Burgoyne's surrender, and died just three weeks after returning home. Orin Good- rich, the fifth child of his family, and the fifth in succession, was born January 15, 1771, and died July 17, 1855. For more than a quarter of a cen- tury he served as a magistrate, and served in each branch of the State Legislature. In 1793, lie mar- ried Lydia Sackett, and after her death wedded Mary Bagg. He was a prominent and influential man, and had the respect of all who knew him.
We now take up the personal history of our subject, who was born in Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Mass., November 24, 1818, and remained in his native State until nineteen years of age, when, in November, 1837, he emigrated to Spring- field, Ill., where his sister Frances was living. For two years he engaged in railroading. The day after the Presidential election of 1840, at which he cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren, he came to Christian County. His father had purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in Mt. Auburn, for which he paid $10 per acre, and Will- iam and his brother Montgomery settled upon that tract. They had a span of horses and possi-
bly about $200 in money. For ten years our sub- ject resided upon that farm, devoting bis energies to its cultivation, and was quite successful in his undertakings. After two years the land was di- vided between himself and his brother.
On the 24th of December, 1841, Mr. Goodrich married Miss Nancy Auger, sister of A. L. Auger, now of Mt. Auburn. Unto them were born the following children: Charles F., who carries on farming two and a-half miles west of Taylorville; Henry A., a farmer of the same neighborhood; and Julia B., who became the wife of 1. N. Richard- son, and died three years later. The mother of this family was called to her final rest November 29, 1854, and June 17, 1855, Mr. Goodrich mar- ried Miss Martha A. Ryan, of Springfield, Ohio, a daughter of James H. Ryan. Their only child, William R., died in infancy.
In August, 1843, while living on his farm, Mr. Goodrich was elected Surveyor of Christian Coun- ty, and filled that office until 1850, in which year he was elected County Sheriff on the Democratic ticket. In order to fill the position, he removed to Taylorville, and six years later he sold his farm. His first term comprised two years, after which he served as Deputy for two years under William C. Brentz. In 1854, he was again elected Sheriff, but before his two years' term had expired he was ap- pointed to take charge of the County Clerk's office, filling the unexpired term of his predecessor, John Hinton, who had died in office. He was then four times elected to the position, serving in all for seventeen years. At length he retired, in 1873.
Mr. Goodrich has also been interested in the real-estate business, buying, selling and trading lands. For two years he was associated in this en- terprise with his son-in-law, I. N. Richardson. He has also built a number of residences, and laid out a forty-acre addition to Taylorville in 1853. In 1868 he was elected as Representative on the Re- publican ticket. In his earlier life he had been a Democrat, but in that year he supported Gen. Grant, and joined the ranks of the Republican party, with which he has since been identified. Mr. Goodrich takes some interest in civic socie- ties. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and became con- .
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neeted with that fraternity in Mound Lodge No. 122, A. F. & A. M., of Taylorville, in 1852. He has passed the chairs, served as Worthy Master one year, and was also a member of the Grand Lodge. In the same year he also became a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Ilis public and private life are alike above reproach, and the faithfulness with which he has discharged his official duties is equalled only by the fidelity with which he has performed private trusts. From the early days of its history he has been identified with Christian County, and its best interests have ever found in him a friend. Good words and works make ups Iris well-spent life.
P HINEAS LEECHI DODGE, a grain dealer, and proprietor of the elevator in Rosemond, was born in the village of Glenn, Mont- gomery County, N. Y., June 10, 1843, and is the second in order of birth in a family of ten children, whose parents were Asa P. and Mary J. (Faulkner) Dodge. The paternal great-grandfa- ther, Asa Dodge, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The grandfather, Phineas Dodge, and the father of our subject were both born in Montgomery County, N. Y. The latter was a cooper by trade, and also followed the occupation of farming. He married Miss Faulkner, a native of Glenn, N. Y., and a daughter of Daniel Faulkner, who was born in Connecticut, and was of English lineage. The parents of our subject celebrated their marriage in their native county, and there began their domestic life, and in 1891 they celebrated their golden wed- ding. The mother survived her husband a few months and died August 30, 1893. The father died May 14, 1893, at the age of seventy-four years. Of their seven sons and three daughters, six grew to manhood and womanhood, and are still living.
Under the parental roof Phineas L. Dodge was reared to manhood, remaining at home until his
removal to the West, in 1865. Ilis education was acquired in the common schools, which he at- tended through the winter season. while in the summer months he worked on a farm. In the year above mentioned he became a resident of llills- borough, Ill., and in that neighborhood worked by the month as a farm hand for a short time. On the Ith of June of the same year he came to Chris- tian County, where he followed farm work until 1866, when he became clerk for the firm of Cope- land & Bros., dealers in general merchandise, and grain buyers, with whom he remained about one year. Ile then became messenger for the Ameri- can Express Company, running from St. Louis to Indianapolis, Ind., on what was then the Indian- apolis & St. Louis Railroad, but is now the Big Four. After nineteen months he returned to Rosemond, and began elerking for B. M. Schermer- horn, in which capacity he served for a year and a-half. In 1869 he became station agent at Rose- mond, and for more than ten years served in that capacity, filling the position until December 16. 1880. when he became a dealer in hay, buying and shipping that commodity. Ile also added dealing in grain, and now uses four buildings in his busi- ness, two hay barns, a building for grain and the elevator.
Mr. Dodge was married in 1869, to Marie A. Chase, who was born in Schuyler County, Ill., and is a daughter of William A. and Mary M. (Cook) Chase, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Dodge is the eldest of seven daughters. With her parents she came to Christian County in 1857. Her mother is still living with her children. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three daughters: Mary Agnes, who became the wife of H. W. Wad- dington, a farmer of Rosemond Township, Febru- ary 24, 1892; Mabel Reed, who on the 6th of Sep- tember, 1893. married A. B. Smith, and resides in Chicago; and Grace E., who is at home.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Dodge is a Re- publican, and for six successive years served as Tax Collector. Hle is School Treasurer of the township, and has filled the position for twenty- one years, his faithfulness and fidelity insuring his continuance in office. Ile is a member and
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Treasurer of the First Congregational Church of Rosemond, and belongs to the Masonic lodge and to the Modern Woodmen of America. Besides his business, he owns a valuable farm of seveuty-five acres, adjoining the corporate limits of Rosemond. He is a wide-awake and enterprising business man, and the community in which he lives recognizes in him a valned citizen.
h ON. JOHN L. DRENNAN, the founder of the Drennan family in Christian County, is a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Caldwell County, November 14, 1836. His grandfather, John Drennan, was a resident of South Carolina at the time of the Revolutionary War, and served in the Colonial army. About the year 1802, he removed from that State to Kentucky, settling in Caldwell, then Livingston County, and was one of the pioneers of that part of the State. The location in which he took up his residence was a wilderness and still inhabited by the Indians. The father of our sub- ject, Eli Drennan, was born in South Carolina in the year 1800. From 1802 he resided in Caldwell County, Ky., until his death, which occurred in 1872. He married Margaret McDowell, of the same county, about 1824. She was descended from an Irish family that had also settled in South Carolina and removed from there to Kentucky at an early day.
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