USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
John L. Drennan, whose name heads this record, was the eldest of nine children. The family was poor, work plentiful and schools searee. The re- sult was he only attended school for about three months, and for the education he received he is indebted entirely to his own efforts. On the 13th of March, 1850, he married Henrietta Wimburley, only daughter of Moore and Emily Wimberley. ller father was of French and German descent, and his wife was a daughter of Isaac Rucker, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and be-
longed to the distinguished Rucker family so numerous in Kentucky. Moore Wimburley was captain of a boat on the Mississippi in an early day. lle lost his life from a relapse after measles, brought about from exposure on the river. llis widow afterwards married Henry Sanders. She was the mother of five children and is still living, her home being now in Taylorville. She is a wo- man of powerful intellect and great force of char- acter, which qualities she transmitted to her daugli- ter lIenrietta.
John L. Drennan, with his wife and four chil- dren, Alfred M., Frank P., John G. and Adelia J., removed from Kentucky to Mt. Auburn Township in the fall of 1856, and thence to the present homestead of the family in Mosquito Township in 1862. The other children are Laura A. E., M. Emily, Henry E., George R., Henrietta A., Cora A., James L., Thomas M., Oscar W. and Charlotte O. These were born in Christian County. Alfred M. now resides in Taylorville. Frank P. is an able and painstaking lawyer of Taylorville, and is re- garded as one of the safest counselors, as well as one of the most careful business men, in the coun- ty. Ile has been quite successful. In 1881, he married May, youngest daughter of Judge W. S. Moore, and has two charming daughters. He served one term as Master in Chancery, and has always taken a prominent part in the councils of the Democratic party. John G., now residing in Springfield, Ill., is the junior member of the well- known law firm of Palmer, Shutt & Drennan, the first-named being now United States Senator, while Mr. Shutt is United States District Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. lle married Mag- gie, daugliter of Dr. L. B. Slater, May 26, 1881, and has two promising boys. Adelia J. is the wife of John F. Cole, and with their seven children they reside in Edinburgh, this county. Laura is the wife of James George, of Caldwell Connty, Ky., and they have three children. Emily is the wife of Clayton Clements, of Decatur, Ill., by whom she has four children. Henry E., now of Denver, Colo., has been twice married and has one daughter. George R., who married Miss Hignight and has three children, is a successful farmer and resides on the old homestead in Mosquito Township.
Jos Adams
MRS. JOS. ADAMS.
335
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Henrietta A. is the wife of Lewis Wilson, by whom she has four sons, and they reside on their farm near Greeley, Kan. Cora A. married Miles Scott. and lives in Kansas. They have four bright lit- tle boys to gladden their home. James L. mar- ried May, daughter of Richard Jones, of MIt. Au- burn. Ile is a law student of much promise, and has displayed much capacity and tact as a trial lawyer, although he has not yet been admitted to the Bar. Thomas M. is a young man of promise. He is also studying law and gives evidence of suc- cess. Oscar W., an amiable young man of twenty, died a few months ago in Texas, where he had gone in the hope of regaming his health. Al- though he was too young for a business career, he displayed all the family qualities of a useful citi- zen. Charlotte A., now a young lady, resides with her mother in Taylorville.
1
-
The father of this family, John L. Drennan, died at his home in Mosquito Township, Septem- ber 5, 1882, of typhoid fever. Ile always com- manded the confidence and respect of the people, and creditably filled several positions of public trust. He was several times Assessor of Mosquito Township, and also represented his township as Supervisor for nine years. Politically, he was al- ways a Democrat and cast his first vote for Gen. Cass. A man of good habits and much force of character, he was devoted to his family and used every effort to promote habits of industry and integrity in his children. The family is one of prominence throughout the county, and well de- serves representation in this volume.
ON. JOSEPHI ADAMS is one of the worthy citizens of Christian County whose home is situated on section 11, Prairieton Town- ship. He served his distriet in the Legis- lature in the winter of 1891, and is one of the memorable one hundred and one who stood firmly by and voted for Hon. John M. Palmer until he was triumphantly elected on the one hundred and
fifty-fourth ballot. lle has also occupied nearly all of the local positions within the gift of the people, and his discharge of the duties pertaining to whatever office he lias filled has been marked by fidelity and a realization of the trust be- stowed in him. Ile is one of the honored pioneers of this county, with whose welfare he has been connected since 1836.
Mr. Adams was born in Montgomery County, Ky., January 17, 1833, and is a son of Ellington and Elizabeth (Gordon) Adams. The father was also born in Montgomery County, Ky., coming from one of the early pioneer families of that State. His father was of English descent and a native of the Old Dominion. Our subjeet's mother was a daughter of Randel Gordon, who was also from Virginia, and one of the early settlers of Ken- tucky. Ellington Adams removed to Illinois in 1833 and first made a settlement in Sangamon County. After a residence there of three years he finally located in what is now Christian County, the date being 1836. Hle entered land in Prairie- ton Township and proceeded with industry to de- velop a farm in the wilderness. Hle reared his family and spent the remainder of his life on this farm, dying in 1875, aged seventy-two years. The wife and mother survived him for several years, passing away in 1885.
Joseph Adams is one of a family of ten chil- dren, namely: Rachel, who died in her thirty- fifth year; Isom, a well-known farmer of this township, whose sketch may be found elsewhere in this work: Joseph, the subject of this sketch; Richardson, who is engaged in farming in the same township; G. W., who was formerly a promi- inent farmer of the county, but met his death by accident m July, 1893; James Martin, deceased; Robert, whose death occurred at the age of four- teen; Martha, wife of Benjamin Bramlett, of this county; and Lucy, who died at the age of sixteen years.
Our subject's boyhood was passed in Christian County, and in those early days, as educational advantages were of the most limited description, he was not able to obtain much assistance, and therefore has had to depend upon his own study and resources, The nearest school was situated
16
336
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
three miles from his home, but the subscription school which he attended, and which was kept only three months during the year, was six miles distant from his home, and he made the distance on foot.
On reaching his majority, Mr. Adams bought a tract of three hundred and sixty acres of railroad land and one hundred acres of other land ad- joining. On this farm he located in 1856, at which time only about thirty acres had been cleared for cultivation, and a small frame building was the only improvement. This was the home of himself and family for a few years, during which time he rapidly developed the farm, and as the years rolled by the income of his industry and energy was invested in more land, until he now owns sixteen hundred acres. Much of this is rich bottom land, and on these various farms are six large and substantial residences, good barns and other buildings. The success of Mr. Adams shows what can be done on these fertile Western prairies by a man who is able and willing to do his utmost in their development.
In Decatur, Macon County, Mr. Adams and Miss Nancy Widick were married, June 9, 1856. The lady was born in Macon County and is a daugh- ter of Samuel Widick, who was one of the original settlers of Kentucky and participated in the War of 1812. He also fought valiantly for the Old Flag during the late Civil War, and at the end of tlnee years died in the service. Our subject and his wife have reared a family of nine children. Millie became the wife of John Myers, now de- ceased; George A. is married and is engaged in business in Moweaqua, Shelby County; Wheeler, a farmer, lives in Shelby County; Florence is the wife of IIenry Harpool, also a farmer, of Christian County; Iva is the wife of Leonard Cazalet, a farmer of Assumption Township; Eva is the wife of Frank Johnson, of Shelby County; Bettie and Annie are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have twelve grandchildren, one of whom, Johnnie Myers, resides with them.
Mr. Adams is well known as a supporter of the Democratie party and has supported its candidates since 1856, when he voted for Ilon. James Bu- chanan. Ile has also taken an active part in lo-
cal politics, and for a great many years has served his friends and neighbors in various positions, among which we mention that for twenty years he was Supervisor of Prairieton Township, and was for thirty-four years one of its School Trus- tees. It is very fitting that to one who is faithful over a few things greater honors should be added, and it was with this idea in view that his many friends chose him as their Representative in the Legislature. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Christian Church, while our subject, though not a member of any church organization, is very liberal in the support of this and other denomina- tions, as well as of all general benevolent enter- prises.
OHN L. SANDERS, one of the honored old pioneers and representative farmers of Ston- ington Township, resides on section 26. For over half a century he has been identified with the history of Christian County, and has seen its development from a wilderness to the garden spot of Illinois. Ile well remembers when the family were obliged to go to Springfield for their mail and to do their trading, although that city was thirty-two miles distant.
The birth of our subject occurred February 11, 1831, in Voluntown, Conn. Hc is the third in a family of five children born to Nicholas and Sarah (Douglass) Sanders. Louisa, the eldest, died only six weeks after the family's arrival in Illinois, when she was ten years of age. Nicholas D. is now one of the active farmers and stock-dealers of this county. Lydia married Tyler Chapman, a re- tired farmer and one of the pioneers of Christian County. Julia became the wife of Alfred Briggs, also engaged in farming in this locality. The father was born and reared in Connecticut on a farm. For several years after his marriage he con- tinned a resident of the Nutmeg State, but believ- ing that he could better his fortune in the West, he came in 1837 with several other families to Illi- nois, and founded what was known as the Ston-
337
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ington Colony. IIc was one of the most respected citizens of the township and for a number of years was Justice of the Peace. Here he continued to reside until called from his labors by death in Sep- tember, 1878. ITis wife, who was also born in Con- necticut, is still living, though she is eighty-nine years of age.
John L. Sanders was a child of only six years when his parents brought him to the West. They made the journey by water to St. Louis, proceed- ing from that city to Christian County by ox- teams. They found the country sparsely settled and wild animals still numerons. Mr. Sanders re- sided with his parents until he had reached his ma- jority, and received but limited educational oppor- tunities, as the schools of the early days, which were poor, were only kept for a couple of months in a year and were conducted on the subscription plan. When he was thirty years of age he purchased a farm of eighty acres, which he has improved and lived upon ever since.
On the 19th of February, 1860, Mr. Sanders was united in marriage with Achsah F. Palmer, who was born in the same county in Connecticut as her husband, and came to this county with her parents when about twelve years old. Nine children have been born of this union. Mary became the wife of William Bugg, who is a well-known agricul- turist of Christian County; Nicholas is carrying on the home farm; Laura lives at home; Ernest is assisting his brother in managing the homestead; Katie Pearl is the wife of Edward D. Moore, who is a progressive farmer of the county; Oliver is still at home; and three children died in infancy.
The homestead belonging to Mr. Sanders com- prises at the present time four hundred acres of valuable farm land. The property is located four miles southeast of Stonington and is well improved. Until 1892, our subject affiliated with the Repub- lican party, but at that time joined the ranks of the Prohibition party. He has no desire to fill of- ficial positions and has ever declined to serve. For about thirty-six years he has been a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and is active in all good works. lIe is well posted on all of the lead- ing topics of the day, and is largely self-educated, as he is also a self-made man in financial matters.
Ile has a large circle of friends and probably not an enemy, as he is upright and a man of integrity, who makes friends wherever he goes.
AMUEL MILLIGAN, deceased, who was prominently identified with the growth and upbuilding of Taylorville, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, August 10, 1827, and died at his home in this city on the 21st of April, 1884, respected by all who knew him. Ilis parents were William and Eliza ( Pollock) Milligan. The former, a native of Pennsylvania, died November 7, 1850. and the death of the lat- ter occurred in 1865.
No event of special importance occurred during the youth of our subject, which was quietly passed in his parents' home. It was in 1856 that Mr. Milligan left the State of his nativity and re- moved to Taylorville, Ill., where he made his home until his death. Ile was a butcher by trade, and in this place opened a meat-market. which he car- ried on continuously for many years. From the beginning his business constantly increased, and he enjoyed a liberal patronage, which was well de- served, for his dealings were ever characterized by the strictest honor and integrity.
Our subject was married in Taylorville, in 1866, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Rebecca Mc- Arthur, widow of Thomas McArthur, who was a member of Company II, Thirty-sixth Ohio Infan- try, during the late war, and died in the service in 1864. The following year his widow came to Taylorville, and on the 18th of November, 1866, occurred her marriage with Mr. Milligan. She bore the maiden name of Rebecca Snuffin, and is a native of Champaign County, Ohio, her girlhood being passed in the same community in which our subject was reared. By her first marriage she had five children: Duncan, who is engaged in the dairy business; Levi, who is a jeweler of Taylor- ville; Walter, who is connected with a coal mine
1
338
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of this city; and two who died in childhood. Mr. Milligan's family numbered the following children : Mary, who became the wife of William Fousnacht, and died at the age of nineteen; William, who died at the age of three years; David F., who car- ries on the business formerly conducted by his fa- ther; Anon C., Charles II. and Walter, who died at the age of fifteen, seven and two years, re- speetively; Amos, who died at the age of eighteen months; Rosa May, who is engaged in the milli- nery business; and Nellie, who is pursuing a course in music.
Mr. Milligan came to Taylorville a poor man, but by his industry, perseverance and well-directed efforts he accumulated a handsome competency, and left his family in comfortable circumstances. He platted five acres of ground, known as Milli- gan's Addition to Taylorville, and erected thereon a number of desirable residences. the greater part of which he had sold before his death. In politics, he was a supporter of the Republican party, but was never an aspirant for the honors or emolu- ments of public office. His death resulted from blood poisoning, and occurred three weeks after sus- taining an injury, the point of a small saw pene- trating his foot. He lived a quiet, unassuming life, yet was a public-spirited and progressive citi- zen, and had the esteem of all who knew him. Mrs. Milligan is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and is a most estimable lady. Since her husband's death she has continued to make her home in Taylorville.
R EV. WILLIAM W. WEEDON, pastor of the Christian Church of Taylorville, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Decem- ber 23, 1846, and his parents, Samuel and Letitia (Farr) Weedon, were natives of the same State. The paternal grandfather, James Weedon, however, was a native of Virginia, and was a farmer by occupation. In an early day he emi-
grated to Illinois and located in Wayne County, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Samuel Weedon has always been an agricultur- ist. Although in early life he learned the cooper's trade, he followed that pursuit for only a short time. In Ohio he married Miss Farr, daughter of William Farr, a native of Virginia, who in an early day removed to Ohio, living for many years in Columbiana County, where his last days were spent. Mrs. Weedon died in 1854. She was a member of the United Brethren Church. In her family were four children, two sons and two daughters, but Teresa C., the eldest, is now de- ceased. William W. is the next in order of birth; Rachel A. is the wife of Lindley W. Rossiter, of St. Louis; Leven II. completes the family. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Weedon was mar- ried, in 1856, to Sarah A. Casebeer, daughter of Samuel Casebeer. She too was a member of the United Brethren Church, and her death occurred in 1876. The present wife of Samuel Weedon was formerly Mrs. Joan Ilood. They were mar- ried in 1879, and are now living near Fairfield, in Wayne County, Ill. Mr. Weedon came to this State in 1860, and has since lived in Wayne County, where he owns a farm of forty acres. Ile is a member of the Christian Church, and a highly respected citizen.
The subject of this sketch was a youth of four- teen years when he came to Illinois. He acquired his early education in the public schools of Ohio, afterward attended in Wayne County, and com- pleted his studies in the Iligh School in Fairfield. He lived at home until the war broke out, when he entered the service as a member of Company G, Eighth Illinois Infantry, in which he served one year, participating in the battles of Spanish Fort and Ft. Blakeley and the engagements of the Mobile campaign. After the war he spent one year at home, and then went back to Ohio, where he farmed and worked at carpentering.
In June, 1867, Mr. Weedon was united in mar- riage with Miss Julia A. Morlan, a daughter of Salathiel and Minerva (Burson) Morlan, of Ohio. Three children were born unto them, a son and two daughters, but all are now deceased. They were Edwin S., who died in childhood; Lettie M., who
339
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
became the wife of William Darnell, of Kansas City, Mo., where she died in her twenty-third year; and Lillie, who died in her eighteenth year. The mother of this family died in June, 1872, in the faith of the Christian Church, of which she was a consistent member. Two years after the death of his wife, Mr. Weedon left Ohio. and in 1871 came to Illinois, locating in Cisne for a short time. On the 24th of December, 1871, he married Miss Carrie Van Fossen, of Cisne, daughter of Dr. T. and Christina (Lamp) Van Fossen. Their union has been blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters: Fred O., Lulu Mabel, Frank L. and Sarab Edna, all at home.
Feeling a desire to enter the ministry, in 1876 Mr. Weedon began studying to fit himself for what he now makes his life work, and in 1878 passed his ordination, and in 1879 accepted a pastorate at Brownstown, Fayette County, Ill. Since then he has preached at Edinburgh. South Fork, Assumption, Blue Mound, Barnett and Tay- lorville. Ile has occupied the last-named pastorate for about seven years. The weak congregation of which he took charge is now a strong one, and during his work here he has received about two hundred and fifty into the church, besides receiv- ing hundreds of others while working in the evangelistic field. Through the instrumentality of Mr. Weedon, a fine new church building is now being erected, costing about $15,000, the Davis Memorial Christian Church. He is untiring in his labors, and his example, as well as his precept, has led many to walk in the right path.
Our subject is a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity, and is at present serving his third term as Grand Chaplain of the State of Illinois. lle has leetured frequently to Odd Fellows, and has filled all the subordinate offices in the lodge, be- ing Noble Grand for three terms, and representa- tive to the Grand Lodge. He is at present Past Chancellor of Mystic Lodge No. 61, K. P., and is Chaplain of the Second Regiment, Uniformed
Rank. With Francis M. Long Post No. 347, G. A. R., he also holds membership. In politics, he is a Republican. Ile was honored with an elce- tion to the Thirty-seventh Illinois General Assem- bly, being the nomince of the Republican party,
1
though a minority candidate. lle had a position on five important committees: Insurance, Libraries, Sanitary, Soldiers' and Orphans' Homes, and Mili- tary, and made one of the nomination speeches in favor of Richard JJ. Oglesby against John M. Palmer. Mr. Weedon enters with enthusiasm and energy into any work that he undertakes, and his progressive spirit has no doubt been an important factor in much of his success. That he is loved by the people of his church is well indicated by his long-continued service, and outside of his own denomination he is also held in high regard.
ILLIS H. SKELTON, the efficient and well- known agent of the Wabash Railroad at Taylorville, has occupied his present posi- tion since the spring of 1887, and has been con- nected with railroad work throughout his entire business career. Ilis life record is as follows: A native of West Virginia, he was born in Parkers- burg on the 25th of September, 1856, and is a son of William M. Skelton, who was born in the same State. His mother bore the maiden name of Ellen S. Douglas. His parents remained in the South until 1866. when, with their family, they emigrated to Illinois, taking up their residence in Litchfield.
As will be seen, our subject spent the first ten years of his boyhood in the city of his birth. In the public schools he acquired his education. and at the age of fourteen he started out to make his own way in the world. Since that time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. At that time he secured a position as telegraph messenger in the Western Union Telegraph office at Litchfield, on the Big Four Raihoad. where he remained two years. When a youth of sixteen he began braking for that road, with which he con- tinued his connection until 1885. During the last year he served as conductor. On leaving the old company, he entered the employ of the Wa- .bash Road, with which he continued as conductor for two years, his run being between St. Louis and
340
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Decatur. On account of meritorious and faithful service, he was placed in charge of the office in Taylorville in September, 1887, and has since filled that responsible position. He now has five employes under his care.
An important event in the life of Mr. Skelton occurred on the 25th of March, 1883, when was celebrated his marriage with Miss Clara Yates, of Gillespie, Ill. Their union has been blessed with three children, a son and two daughters: Anna, Earl and Lottie. The parents are highly respected citizens, and although their residence here is of comparatively short duration, they have already won many friends. In politics, Mr. Skelton is a supporter of Republican principles, but has never been an aspirant for office. Socially, he is con- nected with Mystic Lodge No. 64, K. P. He is a trusted and faithful employe of the Wabash Com- pany, and the interests of his employers will never suffer at his hands.
G EORGE ARMITAGE is a practical farmer of Bear Creek Township, and has lived on his farm, which is located on section 5, for thirty years. This is a well-improved piece of property, known by the name of Pleasant View Farm. The owner has of late years engaged in stock-raising extensively, making a specialty of fine grades of cattle and hogs. He has been a witness of much of the development of the county, and has seen its transformation from an unculti- vated prairie to its present condition of thrifty farms and enterprising villages.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.