USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 38
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October 20, 1869, Mr. Morrison married Miss Annie C. Perkins, a native of Springfield and daughter of Joseph Perkins, an old resident of Sangamon County. Her death occurred March 20, 1874, and she left one child, James L. D. Morrison, Jr., who is now at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, completing his law studies, and will graduate in the Class of '94. Our subject, having gone to Iowa in 1882, was
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active in the canvass of that State for Cleveland, and afterward was one of the first to bring Mr. Boies into prominence as the Democratic eandi- date for Governor in Iowa.
AMES MONROE SIMPSON, one of the old settlers of Christian County, has been for long years engaged in farming in Bear Creek Township, and is one of the most substantial and prosperous agrieulturists of the lo- cality. He is especially interested in stock-raising, and introduced the first thoroughbred horse into the county. Ile has handled some of the finest racehorses in America, and has won a national reputation in that line. Many of the business con- eerns and enterprises of Palmer have been furth- ered by the influence and means of Mr. Simpson, who is publie-spirited to a marked degree.
The parents of our subjeet were Thomas and Caroline (Badger) Simpson. The former, who was born in Virginia, was a son of Andrew Simpson, also of. the Old Dominion, who was one of the early settlers of Kentucky, where he made his home for many years. He followed agricultural pursuits for a livelihood, and was the owner of a large number of slaves. In 1835 he went to Springfield, Ill., where he died at the age of lifty- six years. His family consisted of six daughters and two sons. Mrs. Simpson, whose birth occurred in Kentucky, was one of ten children, eight daugh- ters and two sons, whose father was David Badger. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, born in Virginia in 1777, and died in Indiana in 1849. Ile followed the life of a farmer and was a man of considerable wealth. At the time of his death he was sixty-six years of age.
The family of Thomas and Caroline Simpson consisted of two daughters and four sons, namely : Andrew, David, James M., Emily, Mary and Ham- ilton. James M. is the only survivor. In 1835 the father brought his family to Illinois, spending
his first winter in the Prairie State in Springfield. Afterward he settled in Mechanicsburg, where he made his home until 1846. Ile then removed to this county, buying a farm of two hundred and sixty-two aeres in Bear Creek Township, one mile northeast of the present site of Palmer. For this property he paid $800 and made a good bargain, as the place was improved and had a good house, barns and fences upon it. At that time it was the best-improved farm in the county. The owner afterward extended his possessions, until at the time of his death he owned four hundred and forty-four acres. One traet of one hundred and sixty acres he secured by paying only $125. On this farm he made his home until his demise, which occurred in December, 1856, at the age of fifty-six years. Ilis wife died in 1842, and was buried in Sangamon County. Mr. Simpson was a promi- nent Mason, and during the early days held vari- ous township offices, both in Sangamon and Chris- tian Counties, once serving as County Commis- sioner.
The birth of our subject occurred near Sharps- burg, Ky., October 3, 1834, and he was just a year old on the day when his father set out for Illinois. lle was a lad of eleven years when he came to this county. which has since been the scene of his life career. Though his educational advantages were limited, he improved what opportunities he had, and by observation and study has become a well- informed man. In 1853 he crossed the plains to California, taking five months to make the trip. For the succeeding six years he was engaged in mining much of the time, but also raised, bought and sold cattle in partnership with his brother David. In December, 1858, he returned to his old home, which he inherited. IIe has made great im- provements on the place since it became his, and now owns one thousand acres. For the property which he has purchased in addition to the old home place, he has paid from 81.25 to 840 per acre. llis place he has turned into a stock farm, and he makes a specialty of breeding fine horses. For his first thoroughbred horse he paid $1,025 when he was onty a year old. At the present time there are from sixty to seventy head of horses on the farm. Mr. Simpson is constantly raising, buying and
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selling high-grade horses and has made a decided success of the business.
A marriage ceremony was performed on the 29th of March, 1860, uniting the fortunes of Mr. Simpson and Miss Margaret Rieks, who is a daughter of William S. and Margaret (Bond) Ricks, natives of Christian County, Ky. Of the children born to our subject and his wife, An- drew, Nellie, Eva and Katie are deceased. Cyrus D. married Miss Mary Dietz and lives near the old homestead. Quintas I. married Miss Rosa Miller, and resides near Palmer. Andrew is the next in order of birth. Thomas L. married Miss Effie May Chapel and lives in Oklahoma. Jessie P., Caroline, Eugene, Emma and Hamilton complete the family.
In politics, Mr. Simpson is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. Besides his extensive farm and stock-raising interests he is a partner in the firm of Simpson & Boyd, dealers in hardware, ag- ricultural implements and furniture in Palmer.
AMES PARKER WALKER, who after a successful career is now living a retired life in Taylorville, was born near Almira, in Tioga County, N. Y., July 23, 1828, and is a son of Daniel E. and Rachel (Miller) Walker, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvania. In 1835, the family removed to Champaign County, Ohio, and in 1839 came to Illinois, locating in Springfield. The father was a farmer and stock-raiser. In 1847 he came with his family to Christian County, and settled in Greenwood Township, where he secured eight hundred and eighty acres of land, of which only sixty acres had been improved, paying $1.25, 85 and $10 per acre. He also obtained a part of it on land warrants, and the cost of that was about ninety-two cents per acre. Here he carried on farming until 1862, when be went to Montgomery County, and there carried on agricultural pursuits. His death occurred February 11, 1882, in his eighty-third year. He had improved the greater
part of his land, was an extensive farmer, and be- came quite wealthy. For a number of years before his death he lived retired. His wife passed away in 1872, at the age of seventy-six years. Their family numbered eight children, five of whom are now living. Charlotte, widow of George Comp- ton, is living in Christian County; two members of the family reside in Montgomery County; and one brother is living in Texas.
The first seven years of his life our subject spent in the State of his nativity, and then accom- panied his parents to Ohio. He was a lad of eleven years at the time of the removal to Illinois. Upon the home farm he remained, and to his fa- ther gave the benefit of his services, until nine- teen years of age, when he left the parental roof, and became overseer on a farm six miles south of Springfield, receiving from $12 to $20 per month for his services. In connection with his brother William, he then began improving Congress land, as he had not enough money to enter land from the Government. He soon, however, managed to purchase a land warrant of one hundred and sixty acres for $150, and thus secured a farm. Upon it he built a eabin and with his brother kept "bach- elors' hall." They lived in primitive style in this rude and hastily constructed log cabin, their table being a dry-goods box, and their chairs rude benches. They did their cooking at a fire place.
He again entered land, in 1851 and 1852, in Jolson and Greenwood Townships, and de- voted his energies to its cultivation during the summer months, and also engaged in breaking prairie for 82.50 per acre, his team being made up of five yoke of oxen. In winter he would pur- chase hogs and drive them to the St. Louis market. In this way he secured money with which he pur- chased land warrants, and in time he and his brother became owners of six hundred acres.
On the 14th of March, 1854, Mr. Walker wedded Nancy, daughter of John and Margaret ( Randall) Bowman, who had settled in Johnson Township in 1852. Unto them were born two sons: Joshua Bowman, who is book-keeper for the First Na- tional Bank, of Taylorville; and Charles Henry, who is at the head of a large publishing house in Ilonston, Tex.
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Mr. and Mrs. Walker began their domestic life upon the farm, the young husband devoting him- self to the improvement of his land, while the wife cared for the household. Ile grew corn, wheat and oats exclusively for a few years, and then be- gan feeding and shipping cattle and hogs, which business he carried on until 1870. During the three last years of the war, especially, he had an extensive and profitable trade in that line. In 1870, he left his farm, removing to Pana, where for three years he engaged in the grocery business under the firm name of Walker & Vandever. They had two stores in that place and did an ex- tensive business. After disposing of his interest, Mr. Walker engaged in stock-dealing for two years in connection with Messrs. Miller & Abel, owning two farms near Pana. lle then embarked in the dry-goods business with his old partner of the grocery trade. They carried a stock of 823,- 000, and from the beginning they enjoyed a lib- eral patronage, which yielded them excellent re- turns. Again he sold out after three years, and for two years dealt in stock with his former part- ners, Messrs. Miller and Abel. In 1881 he began dealing in real estate. The following year he dis- posed of all his businss interests in Pana, includ- ing a bank, with which he had been associated and which had proven quite a successful venture, and came to Taylorville, where a year later he opened a grocery store, which he carried on for three years. his son Joshua being his partner. The firm of Walker & Son also carried on a mar- ble-yard for eighteen months. To quite an ex- tent our subjeet has dealt in real estate all along his business life, and he still owns three hundred acres of land, a part of which he had entered from the Government at a cost of about ninety-two cents per acre. Ile holds the reputation of a care- ful, shrewd financier, and no man in the county stands higher among business associates.
In polities. Mr. Walker and his sons are Demo- crats. For forty-three years he has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and has served as Trustee and in oth- er official positions. He has been active in raising money for the building of a new church in Tay- lorville, and does all in his power for the cause of
Christianity. The cause of temperance finds in him a true friend, and socially he is connected with the Masonie fraternity and the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen. Mr. Walker may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out in life without a cent, and all that he has acquired has been gained through his own efforts. Ile car- ries forward to a successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his prosperity is the just reward of his labors. He is numbered among Christian County's representative and honored citizens.
ILLIAM GRIMES, a farmer residing on section 30. Rosemond Township, claims Maryland as the State of his nativity. He was born in Baltimore County, seven miles east of the city of Baltimore, January 30. 1811. Ilis fa- ther. Nicholas Grimes, was born in the same State, was of English descent, and was a farmer by ocen- pation. Ile married Keziah Rolland, who was born in the same State and is of German lineage. Our subject, who is their eldest child, was reared in the county of his nativity until seventeen years old. He then began learning the blacksmith's trade. at which he served a three-years apprenticeship, and then worked at that business in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Mississippi. In 1835 he came to III- nois, locating in Macoupin County, where he suc- cessfully followed his chosen occupation for some years. and later engaged in farming until his re- moval to Christian County, in 1873. Since then he has devoted his time to farming, and he now owns eight hundred and fifty acres of valuable land in the home farm in Rosemond Township, besides other tracts elsewhere in the county.
In 1837 Mr. Grimes was married to Nancy Wag- ner. a native of Madison County. Ill .. who died many years ago. leaving three children, a son and two daughters: Elizabeth K., wife of F. M. Adams, of Maconpin County; Mary Ann, widow of John Kessinger; and Stephen N., who now operates the home farm.
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Mr. Grimes east his first Presidential vote for Andrew Jackson, and has since been a supporter of the Democracy, the principles of which he warmly advocates. He was onee a member of the Blacksmiths' and Mechanics' Society, of Balti- more, Md. All that he has he has made by his own efforts, and he may truly be ealled a self-made man. When he became one of the pioneer settlers of Macoupin County, Ill., he was in quite limited circumstances, having nothing to depend upon but his own exertions. He has led an industri- ous, busy and useful life, and as the result of his labors, good management and business ability he has risen to a position of wealth and affluence. He is one of the largest land-holders of Christian County, his possessions aggregating some two thousand aeres in Christian, Montgomery and Macoupin Counties. His children now manage part of his land and the remainder is rented. Mr. Grimes is now practically living a retired life, and his rest is certainly well earned after the years of arduous toil which have preceded it. Ilis exam- ple may well serve to encourage others who like himself have been dependent upon their own ex- ertions from an early age. Success is not the result of chance, but is the reward of labor and may come to all.
ANIEL K. CORNELL, M. D., has been continuously engaged in the practice of the medical profession in Taylorville since the spring of 1877, and is recognized as one of the leading and successful practitioners of the county, his ability being attested by the liberal patronage which he receives. The Doetor comes from the far East. He was born in Providence, R. I., on the 18th of January, 1840, and the Cornell family traces its ancestors back two hundred years. llis parents, Serril and Eliza (Hopkins) Cornell, were also natives of Rhode Island, and the mother was a direct descendant of Stephen Hopkins, one
of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In 1858 the family eame to Illinois, locating in Bloomington, and two years later removed to Cen- tralia, where the mother is still living, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-three years. The father, who was born in 1812, was called to his final rest No- vember 23, 1889. Ile was a tanner by trade, and established a tannery in Centralia. Almost up to the day of his death he carried on business, his last illness covering only a week.
In the city of his birth, Dr. Cornell spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and at the age of eighteen was graduated from the Iligh School of Providence. He then came with his parents to the West, and at the age of nineteen began teach- ing, following that profession through the winter season. His choice of a life work falling upon the practice of medieine, he began reading in the office of Dr. D. H. McCord, in Centralia, Ill., and subsequently, in order to further perfect himself, entered the St. Louis Medical College, from which institution he was graduated in 1866, with the de- gree of M. D. In October, 1861, he had enlisted in the late war as a musician in the Twenty-sev- enth Illinois Infantry, becoming cornetist in the band of that regiment, but as the full number of musicians was not secured, he was discharged, af- ter being stationed at Cairo for three months.
Dr. Cornell began practice in Centralia. as a partner of Dr. McCord, his old preceptor, and for three years the connection was continued. He then removed to St. Anne, Kankakee County, Ill., where he spent the succeeding seven years of his life, after which he came to Taylorville. Dr. Kitz- miller and Dr. Fiery are the only physicians now in practice who were here on his arrival. Having ever been a close student of his profession, the Doctor is abreast with all the discoveries and thec - ries connected with the science, and his skill and ability have gained bim an excellent reputation. On coming to Taylorville, he was made surgeon of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company, and served as such until the Ist of January, 1893.
On the 11th of June, 1870, in Centralia, Dr. Cornell and Miss Mary Hay were married. The lady is a native of Illinois. By their union were born three eluldren. Lynn, who studied dentistry
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with Dr. Bonbrake, was graduated from the Illi- nois College at Jacksonville in 1892, with the de- gree of B. A. He has spent the summer of 1893 as express messenger on the Northern Pacific Rail- road, but in the autumn he expects to enter the Cincinnati Dental College. Margaret is now a student of elocution in St. Paul, Minn .; and Cora is still at home.
For some years the Doctor has been a member of the Board of Health, and is a member of the Central District Medical Society. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and he and his wife hold membership with the Presbyterian Church, in which he serves as Elder. He has taken a prominent part in church work, contributes liberally to its support, and has done much for its npbuilding. Few men are more widely known in Christian County than the Doctor, and he has a host of friends among all classes of people.
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C YRUS RAYIIILL, who is numbered among the early settlers of the county, where he has lived since 1864, now resides on see- tion 22, Pana Township. With the agricultural interests of the community he was identified for a quarter of a century, but is now living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. Ile was born in Washington County, Ind., near New Philadelphia. April 21, 1835, and is a son of John and. Elizabeth (Catheart) Rayhill. The paternal grandfather was a native of Virginia. The father was born in Botetourt County, Va., in 1810, and at the age of six years accompanied his parents on their removal to Washington County, Ind., where he was reared to manhood. Ile there married Miss Cathcart, who was born lifty miles from Charles- ton, S. C., February 4, 1814. Her father, Ilugh Cathcart, was a native of the same State, and was of Irish descent. Their marriage was celebrated December 16, 1831, and they began their domestic life near New Philadelphia, where Mr. Rayhill fol- lowed farming, though he was a tanner by trade. In
1864, he came direct to Christian County, Ill., and located upon a farm in Pana Township, where he spent his remaining days, dying in 1883. Ilis widow still survives him.
The Rayhill family numbered ten children: Catherine S., now the wife of Harry C. Johnson; Cyrus, of this sketch; Alexander, of Davis County, Ind .; Henrietta, now deceased; Elizabeth, widow of John Snyder; John, of Pana Township; Sarah Jane, wife of C. Yount, of Pana; Carrie L. C., wife of William Hoyle, of Pana; and two children who died in infancy.
Mr. Rayhill of this sketch, who is the eldest son, was reared in the county of his nativity and early became familiar with the tanning business, working in his father's tanyard. lle was trained to habits of industry and usefulness and through his labors in early life developed self-reliance and force of char- aeter which have proven of much benefit to him in his later years. On attaining to man's estate, he left home and in 1860 was joined in marriage with Miss Hannah E. Wilson, a native of Indiana. Eight chil- dren were born unto them, namely: John M., de- ceased; Maria E., wife of A. A. Austin, of Pana Townslup; James A., of Pana Township; C. W., who is employed as a salesman in Chicago; Joseph C. and David R., both of whom reside in Pana Township; one child who died in infancy; and Sarah A. who died at the age of fourteen years. Mrs. Rayhill died at her home in Pana Town- ship, August 16, 1878, at the age of forty-four years, and her remains were interred in the West Cemetery, of Pana.
Mr. and Mrs. Rayhill began their domestic life in Washington County, Ind., but in 1862, he left home to enter the service of his country as a member of Company B. Sixteenth Indiana Infan- try. lle aided in raising his company and was elected First Lieutenant. During his first battle, at Richmond, Ky., he was wounded by a piece of shell, which passed through the lower part of his left arm. This disabled him for further duty, and in 1863 he was honorably discharged.
Mr. Rayhill at once returned to his home in Indiana, and in 1864 came with his family to Christian County, Ill. Locating on a farm in Pana Township, he has since here made his home,
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and to its cultivation he gave his time and atten- tion until the year 1887, but since then has lived' retired. Under his arduous labors acre after acre was placed under the plow, until waving fields of grain took the place of the once barren tract, and the farm became a valuable and desirable place. Our subject has led a useful and busy life and has now a handsome competence, which surrounds him with many comforts and luxuries. He keeps up his army acquaintance through his relations with Pope Post No. 411, G. A. R., of which he is a charter member. He also belongs to Adair Lodge, No. 334, I. O. O. F., and is a demitted Mason. In politics, he is a supporter of the Republican party, and at one time served as Assistant Super- visor.
C IIRISTIAN WENZLER, who is engaged in farming on section 35, Bear Creek Town- ship, has been a resident of Illinois for about forty years. It is now over two decades since he cast in his lot with the citizens of Bear Creek Township, his home being still on the farm where he first located. He has accumulated a large property by his own industry and thriftiness, and is highly esteemed by his neighbors and friends. They have honored him a number of times by electing him to fill positions of trust, and their confidenee has never been misplaced.
Mr. Wenzler is a native of Germany, having been born in Wurtemberg, December 20, 1831. He is a son of Joseph and Monica (llaller). Wenz- ler, both natives of Germany. The grandfather of our subject, George Wenzler, was a cabinet- maker by trade, and was a fine musician. He was the father of a large family, and lived to be about fifty-five years of age. Mathias Haller, the mater- nal grandfather, was celebrated as a teacher, and conducted a school in one town for forty-seven years. He died at the age of sixty-six years.
Joseph Wenzler was also a wood-turner and cabinet-maker by trade. He was a musician in the regular standing army of Germany, and died
in his native land at the age of sixty years. His wife died some years previously. They were both adherents of the Catholic faith. Their family comprised eight sons and four daughters, namely: Christian, Paulina (deceased), Kate, Mary Ann (deceased). Magdalene, Bertha, Mary, Paulina (de- ceased), Ludwig, Stephen (deceased), John, and one who died in infancy.
The subject of this sketch in his youth learned from his father the cabinet-maker's and wood- turner's trade, and followed that vocation until twenty-eight years old, when he was obliged to ahandon it on account of failing eyesight. Be- lieving he could better make a livelihood in America, he left his native land in 1851, and for a short time, as he did not know what other means to take, continued at his trade in Pike County, Pa. In the fall of 1853 he removed to Indiana, and in the following year located at Springfield, Ill., where he worked at various occupations for the following six years.
In 1860, Mr. Wenzler concluded to try his hand at farming, and rented a farm in Pawnee Township, Sangamon County, where for the eleven years succeeding he farmed on rented land. In 1872, he came to Christian County, and invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bear Creek Township, which has been his home ever since. To his original purchase he has since added fifty acres. Ile has made good improvements upon the farm, which has upon it substantial build- ings and is one of the most fertile and best-culti- vated places in the district.
The marriage of Mr. Wenzler was celebrated July 19, 1860, with Miss Hester Ann Staley, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Fikes) Staley. The father, who was a native of Kentucky, was a man of patriotic impulses, and although past the usual age when he enlisted, served for two years as a soldier in the late war. He was wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and afterward died of his injuries at Benton Barracks, near St. Louis, Mo. His father before him was also a pa- triot, being in the service during the War of 1812. Nine children blessed the union of our subject and wife. In order of birth they are as follows: Will- iam T., Louis C., Joseph E., Mary Ann, Ida Belle,
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