USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 36
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Our subject's paternal grandfather, Thomas Ar- mitage, was a native of England, and was an agri- culturist. Ilis family consisted of four sons and one daughter, and after living a long and useful life he was called to the home beyond. llis son, Arthur, who became the father of our subject, was reared to the life of a farmer, but in later years was a manufacturer. He married Elizabeth Stead,
daughter of Benjamin M. Stead, who was a fore- man in a shoe manufactory. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and was over seventy years of age at the time of his death. The pa- rents of our subject passed their entire lives in England, where they died within two weeks of each other. They had a family of three sons and three daughters, and of the number George is probably the only one now living.
Like his father, our subject was reared on a farm, and when nineteen years of age he con- cluded to try his fortune in the United States. This was in 1841, and he was born March 1, 1822. On his arrival, he at once turned his face toward the West, going to live with an uncle in Macoupin County, Ill, near the village of Ilarris Point. After remaining with him for a year, he went to Zanesville, where he spent one winter. About this time he undertook to learn the tanner's trade, but on account of sickness was obliged to give up the idea, and in a short time resumed agricultural pursuits. In 1844 he rented a farm of thirty-five acres, and thus got his first start in business life. After his marriage, in 1845, he purchased a farm of thirty acres, adjoining a tract of fifty acres in Sangamon County which belonged to his wife. As his resources allowed, he added land until their joint possessions comprised three hundred acres.
The marriage of Mr. Armitage and Miss Frances M. Crow was celebrated January 27, 1845. She is a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Cashner) Crow, the former a native of Ireland, while the mother was a native of Maryland and of German descent. Four children have been born to our subject and his wife. Uriah G. married Miss Eliza Loveless, and is engaged in farming one mile west of the old homestead. They have two sons, Clarence E. and Homer. Margaret A. resides with her parents. Robert B., who wedded Miss Jane Craig, has two children, Roy and Bessie, and is a resident of Willow Ford, this county. Edward C., who married Miss Alice Prime, and is the fa- ther of two children, Bertha and Ray, is a res- ident of Virden, Ill.
Selling his farm of three hundred acres in San- gamon County, Mr. Armitage removed to this county in November, 1863, and invested his
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means in a place of two hundred and seventy acres, where he still continues to live. Ile has since added more land, and now owns three hun- dred and sixty acres. He raises fine Durham eat- tle and Berkshire and Poland-China hogs. He has held a number of local offices, such as School Di- rector, Road Commissioner, etc., and has used his influence in securing good roads and other im- provements beneficial to the people and county at large. He is a Mason of long standing, and, polit- ically, is a Democrat. With his family he holds membership with the Presbyterian Church.
C G. RICHARDS, who carries on general farming on section 10, Rosemond Town- ship, where he owns and operates one hun- dred and twenty acres of good land, is a native of the Buckeye State, his birth having occurred near Canton, in Stark County. on the 21st of March, 1839. His father, Abraham Richards, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occupation. The paternal grandfather of our sub- jeet died in Albany, N. Y. Abraham Richards. having attained to mature years, was united in marriage with Miss Anna Gerber, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of John Gerber, who was born in Pennsylvania, and became one of the pioneers of the Buckeye State. Hle settled in the midst of the forest and hewed out a farm, one hundred miles from Pittsburgh, and sixty miles from Cleve- land. The latter was the nearest trading-post, and they had to obtain many of their supplies from the Indians. The father of Mr. Gerber was a slave-holder of Maryland, and removed from that State to Pennsylvania.
The parents of our subject were married near Canton, Ohio, and located upon a farm in Stark County, where they reared their family. The fa- ther died at the age of sixty-four years. Ile was a prominent agriculturist of the community and one of the honored pioneers. He was a member of the Methodist Church. His widow, who was
born in 1812, is still living, and makes her home near Lincoln. Neb. The family of this worthy couple numbered five children, four sons and a daughter, all of whom are still living. Lydia is the wife of Samuel Grove, of Stark County, Ohio. John is living on the old homestead in Stark County. C. G. is the next younger. David is living in Nebraska. and Joseph lives in Canton, Ohio.
The subject of this sketch is the only represent- ative of the family in Illinois. He was reared in the county of his nativity, and acquired the greater part of hiseducation in the district schools, but for one year was a student in Greenbush, Ohio. Under the parental roof he remained and to his father gave the benefit of his services until twenty- five years of age, when he started out in life for himself. Going to Noble County, Ind., he worked on a farm for $14 per month, and after a year re- turned to his native State, where he ran an en- gine for a year. He then again went to Indiana, and worked for his old employer for $20 per month. With the money which he could save he would purchase stock, and did considerable trad- ing in horses and cattle. In 1865 we again find him in Stark County, Ohio, where he spent one year, operating a sawmill south of Canton, in which he purchased a half-interest.
On the 3d of October, 1867, Mr. Richards was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Yant, who was born in that county and is a daughter of Daniel Yant, a native of Pennsylvania. They became the parents of four children, but two are now de- ceased, the eldest having died in infancy, while Arthur died at the age of six years. Maud and Blanche are still at home.
In the year following his marriage, Mr. Rieh- ards brought his young wife to Christian County, Ill., and purchased the farm on which he now re- sides. It was an unimproved place, the land was wild, there were no fences, and the only building was a small frame house. The many improve- ments now seen thereon are the handiwork of our subject. The well-tilled fields and good buildings all indieate his thrift and enterprise, and he is justly classed among the representative and progressive agriculturists of the community. Hle has made a
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specialty of the breeding of .Jersey cattle, and has some fine stock now on hand.
In politics, Mr. Richards is a stalwart Republi- can. He was elected Supervisor in 1890, and again in 1892, and is now holding that ofliec. He has been School Trustee for fifteen years, and was Assessor for six years. He is a member of the Congregational Church of Rosemond, and has served as Trustee and Deaeon. No man is more highly esteemed in the community than the sub- ject of this sketeh.
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G ILBERT BURNETT HANKINS, who for some years was connected with the agri- eultural interests of Christian County, is now living a retired life in Taylorville, lle is a self-made man, and his business career of strict honor and integrity is well worthy of emulation. He has been successful, yet his prosperity is not the result of good fortune, it being the legitimate out- come of toil and energy.
Mr. Ilankins is a native of Kentucky. He was born April 12, 1828, in Shelby County, and comes on the maternal side from a family of German origin, which was founded in America by his grandparents. His father, Gilbert Hankins, Sr., was a native of Virginia, and when a young man went to Kentucky, where he spent his remaining days. IIis wife, who bore the maiden name of Re- becea Caress, was born in that State.
Under the parental roof our subjeet spent his boyhood days midst play and work, no event of special importance occurring during his child- hood. In 1856, he left the State of his nativity with the determination to try his fortune on the broad prairies of Illinois, and located near Roch- ester, in Sangamon County. The following year he eame to Christian County, and when a young man he followed the carpenter's trade. In this way he secured sufficient money to purchase a farm, and became the owner of a slightly im- proved traet of land in South Fork Township,
nine miles west of Taylorville, for which he paid $12.50 per aere. With characteristic energy lie began the development of his land, and in the course of time abundant harvests rewarded his la- bors, the wild prairie being transformed into rieh and fertile fields.
For a companion and helpmate on life's jour- ney, Mr. Hankins chose Miss Mary Mason, the daughter of John and Isabella (Clemens) Ma- son. Her father was a native of England, and when a young man came to Illinois, entering land near Springfield. lle is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Sangamon County. Up- on his farm he was married when about twenty- one years of age. His wife was a native of Vir- ginia, was reared in Kentucky, and at an early day eame with her parents to Illinois. In 1856, Mr. and Mrs. Mason removed to Christian Coun- ty, where they lived until ealled to the home beyond. llis death oceurred in South Fork Town- ship in 1878, at the age of eighty-one; and she died in Taylorville, in 1892, at the age of eighty- four, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hankins. Of their family of eleven children, all grew to mature years, and nine still survive at this writ- ing, in the fall of 1893. Mr. Mason was an exten- sive farmer and land-owner in Christian and Macon Counties, and his possessions were all acquired through his own efforts.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hankins was eele- brated in South Fork Township, February 11, 1864. They have no children of their own, but have reared two: William Kelley, who came to them at the age of thirteen, and is now living in Twin City, Tex .; and Mary Prince, who made her home with them from the age of four years until her marriage to R. S. Peck, of Taylorville. They now reside in Ft. Smith, Ark. These children received good educational advantages and were carefully and tenderly reared.
In 1875, Mr. Ilankins left his farm and came to Taylorville, sinee which time he has engaged quite extensively in selling nursery stock. He still owns his home farm of one hundred and sixty aeres of valuable land, and another tract of eighty aeres in this eounty, besides some fine eity prop- erty, including four lots where he now lives,
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upon which are two good residences. Mr. Ilan- kins has never taken a very prominent part in public affairs, yet always faithfully performs his duties of citizenship. He was formerly a Republi- can in politics, but is now a stalwart supporter of the Prohibition party. He was made a Mason in Shelby County, Ky., about 1854, and now holds membership with Mound Lodge No. 122. A. F. & A. M., of Taylorville.
OSEPII C. PHINNEY is engaged in busi- ness in Taylorville as a contractor and builder. He began operations in this line in 1872, and during the greater part of the time since has been a leading member of the trade. As he is widely and favorably known, both in bus- iness and social circles, we feel assured that this record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers.
A native of New York, Mr. Phinney was born in Lewis County, on the 18th of July, 1836, and there spent his first thirteen years. llis father, Clark Phinney, then emigrated with the family to Lake County, Ill., settling in Hainesville. IIe was a carpenter by trade, and under his instruc- tion our subject began learning the business. Ilis father died when Joseph was twenty years of age, after which our subject went to Lowville, N. Y., his native town, and further perfected himself in his knowledge of carpentering. After finishing his trade, he continued to follow the business in the East for a year. Ile began contracting im- mediately after his father's death, but on going to the Empire State, he found that he could ad- vance in his business, and in consequence de- voted himself to further improvement along that line.
While in New York, our subject was married, on the 17th of September, 1861, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Ellen Phinney, his cousin. Their union has been blessed with two children: Charlie C., who is now working with his father;
and Grace, wife of Frank Martin, agent for the Adams Express Company of Taylorville. The family is one of prominence in the community and its members rank high in social circles.
Returning with his young wife to Illinois, Mr. Phinney began contracting in McLean County, where he remained until his removal to Taylor- ville, in 1872. Since coming here, however, he spent one year in Independence, Iowa, and for two years, in 1888 and 1889, he was foreman in White's lumber-yard. With the exception of these short periods, he has continuously carried on business for himself in Taylorville. Ile em- ploys from six to twelve men, and as he always lives up to his contracts, fulfilling his part of the agreement, he has received a liberal patronage, which has constantly increased from the begin- ning. In connection with contracting and build- ing, he has, to some extent, carried on farming, and has improved property in his own interest, erect- ing and selling a number of residences. Ile now owns seven and a-half acres of land, lying adjacent to the village, which he expects soon to plat and add to Taylorville. Straightforward and honorable in all his business dealings, he is a man of un- swerving integrity, and has the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact
C APT. JOIIN EDWARD HOGAN, one of Taylorville's popular and representative citizens, is here engaged in the practice of law, as a member of the firm of Drennan & Hogan, and is Master in Chancery for Christian County. Ile has the lionor of being one of the native sons of this county, his birth having occurred in Pana on the 30th of July, 1865. His parents are Thomas and Mary A. ( Murphy) logan. The father was a native of Ireland, and on leaving the Emerald Isle crossed the Atlantic to America. where lie met and married Miss Murphy, a native of Canada. In 1866 he came with his family to Taylorville,
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where he is still living, at the age of sixty-six years. For some time he was proprietor of the Central Hotel, but is now living, a retired life. His wife was called to her final rest in December, 1891.
The subject of this sketch has always lived in the county of his nativity. When in his first year, he was brought by his parents to Taylorville, where midst play and work his boyhood days were passed. He entered upon his business career at the age of fifteen, at which time he secured a clerkship in the grocery store of W. R. Callaway. He also served in the same capacity with Baughman & White, continuing as a clerk for five years. Preferring a professional to a commercial life, how- ever, he decided to take up the study of law, and at the age of twenty entered the office of J. G. Drennan, a well-known and prominent practi- tioner. After receiving thorough instruction, he was admitted to the Bar before the Supreme Court of Mt. Vernon, in March, 1888. He then em- barked in practice, and has since followed his chosen profession. The next month after being admitted to the Bar, he was elected Police .Judge, and served in that office for a year. In 1889 the present partnership with Mr. Drennan was formed. The connection still continues, but in 1892 Mr. Drennan removed to Springfield, and became a partner with the firm of Palmer & Shutt, of the capital city. The senior member of the firm is John M. Palmer, United States Senator, and Will- iam E. Shutt is the present District Attorney for the United States.
Our subject exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party, and is one of the stalwart advocates of the Democracy. He has been a member of the County Central Committee for some time, and is now its Secretary. In cam- paign work he is very active, and is an able speaker. Mr. Hogan is also the popular Captain of Company B, Fifth Regiment Illinois National Guards, which numbers sixty men. It was for- merly commanded by Capt. Arthur Crooker, and under his leadership took part in many compet- itive drills and won a number of prizes. The troops attended the New Orleans Exposition in 1885, camping at Mobile. This company has fur-
nished a number of illustrious men, including Col. MeKnight, who served on the staff of the Governor, and Col. Culver, of Springfield, who commands the Fifth Regiment. Capt. Hogan has filled his office for a year. In 1892 he attended the Encampment at Springfield, and in October of that year went with his men to Chicago to take part in the dedicatory exercises of the World's Fair. The company is now well equipped, and takes rank among the best in the State. Mr. IIo- gan is also Vice-President of the Arion Club. His pleasant, genial nature makes him a favorite, and throughout the community he has a large eirele of friends.
W ILLIAM L. COHENOUR, one of the prom- inent and representative citizens of Pana, has the honor of being a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred near Griggsville, in Pike County, September 10, 1837. Ilis parents, Jacob N. and Jane (Likeley) Cohenour, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and in the Keystone State were married. One child was there born unto them, and in 1836 they came with it to Illi- nois. The father was a carpenter and farmer, and spent his remaining days in Pike County, where his death occurred in 1868, at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife was called to her final rest in 1857.
The boyhood days of our subjeet were quietly passed upon his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when he turned his attention to commer- cial pursuits. He had been educated in the pub- lie schools and in the Pittsfield Academy, and at the age of eighteen he entered a store in Pitts- field, where he engaged in elerking for several years. He later engaged in teaching in Pike County, and was also employed as a teacher in Nodaway County, Mo., after which he returned to the State of his nativity and taught school in St. Clair County until 1863.
On the 10th of December, 1863, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cohenour and Miss Mary S.
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Moore, of St. Clair County. Unto them have been born the following children: Charles A., who read law in Algona, Iowa, was admitted to the Bar in June, 1892, and is now practicing in Sioux City, lowa; Jacob A., a hardware merchant of Oconee, 111 .; William L., who is engaged in farming in Harper County, Kan .; Mertie .J., Howard H., Cora J. and Mary Florence. The four last named are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Cohenour located in Bond County, Ill., in 1864, and in the spring of 1865 came to Christian County, settling four miles northwest of Pana, where he purchased of the Illinois Central Rail- road Company one hundred and twenty acres of wild land, at $11 per acre. Since that time he has engaged in farming in Pana and AAssumption Townships, baving improved two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land in Assumption Township, besides the tract of one hundred and twenty acres above mentioned. Ile has also lived on two other farms. Ile now owns and manages a quarter-section of land in Assumption Township, and has thirty acres where he now lives, adjoin- ing the city of Pana. In addition, he has some land in Clark County, Kan., and some in Florida, which is adapted to orange-growing. Hle has ear- ried on a general line of farming and has culti- vated a fine orehard of about seventeen acres. At one time he resided in Pana for about four years, during which time he was engaged in the grocery trade.
Mr. Cohenour has been honored with a number of local offices, having served as Justice of the Peace and Supervisor of Assumption Township with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was made a Mason in New Salem Lodge, of Pike County, when he was twenty- one years of age, is a member of both the blue lodge and chapter in Pana, and himself and wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Cohenour bas been prominently connected with the business interests of Pana and was one of the incorporators of the First National Bank, which was established in May, 1889. At the first elec- tion held he was made its President, and has since continued to fill that position. He gives the bank
his personal supervision, and under his able man- agement it is now in a flourishing condition. Ile was one of the promoters of, and is a stockholder in, the Pana Fair Association, and up to within a year was superintendent of the textile department. In connection with others he was prominent in the development of the coal interests, which have proven one of the leading industries of this locality. Our subject is a man of excellent business ability, sagacious and far-sighted, enterprising and pro- gressive, and to his efforts the upbuilding and prosperity of the community are due in no small degree. Ilis labors have brought him snecess, and he is now the owner of a handsome competency as the result of his good management.
RTHUR CLARK BUTLER, who is Prinei- pal of the Taylorville Township High School, and is recognized as one of the leading edueators of central Illinois, has spent his entire life in this State, being numbered among her native sons. lle was born near Jack- sonville, in Morgan County, on the 11th of April, 1848. Ilis father, James L. Butler, was a native of Virginia, and after arriving at years of matur- ity he married Oletha Sargent, who was born in the Buekeye State.
Prof. Butler spent the first fourteen years of his life in the county of his nativity, and from that time until he had arrived at man's estate he lived upon a prairie farm in Macon County, near Blue Mound. Hle early became familiar with agrieul- tural pursuits, and aided his father in the enltiva- tion of the land until he had arrived at years of maturity. Ilis educational privileges previous to that time were limited. Ile had attended the common schools, and for two years was a student in the State Normal. Anxious to acquire a good education, his own labors made it possible for him to carry out this desire. While still upon the home farm he engaged in teaching, and for some years his time was spent between teaching and study
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in the State Normal. It was seven years before he had completed the four-year course of that in- stitution. as his studies were interrupted by the teaching, which made it possible for him to pay his tuition and meet his other expenses.
At length, however, Prof. Butler was graduated in 1878, and among twenty-six pupils carried off the class honors. He also studied the languages, not included in the regular course. Since that time he has been continuously engaged in educa- tional work. For two years he was employed as Principal of the schools of Virginia, Cass County, and then went to Beardstown, where for nine years he was employed as Superintendent of the schools of that city of five thousand inhabitants. While there he introduced manual training into the schools, a feature which attracted much atten- tion among educators. In July, 1891, he came to Taylorville, where he has now taught for two years. This was an instance of the place seeking the man, for after the committee visited his school at Beardstown the position was offered him.
On the 15th of June, 1871, in Christian County, Prof. Butler married Miss Eliza Eaton, of Prairie- town Township, a daughter of William K. and E. Eaton, early settlers of this county. Unto them have been born three children: Wilbur F., who is now serving as operator in Taylorville; Gazella, who devotes her time to the study of music; and Ruby Alberta. The ancestors of our subject were prom- inent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he and his family hold the same faith. lle takes quite an active part in church work, is a member of the Board of Trustees, and has borne a prominent part in building the new house of wor- ship. Ile was made a Mason in Beardstown.
Mr. Butler devotes much of his vacations to in- stitute work. He is a member of the State Teach- ers' Association, and for one year was President of the Central Illinois Teachers' Association. IIe has contributed many able articles to educational journals, and in 1892 the Blackburn University, of Carlinville, conferred upon him the honorary de- gree of A. M. In May, 1893, he commenced a series of articles in the School News, entitled "Tea-table Talks on Education," These articles are of special interest to teachers, and have re-
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