USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 39
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Laura, Ella, Rosetta L., and one who died in in- faney. They are deceased with the exception of Joseph, Ida Belle and Rosetta L. The latter is the wife of John L. Corn, and has one daughter, Alice. Their home is now in Taylorville. Mrs. Wenzler, the mother of these children, was called from this life in 1878. She was a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and was a lady who was greatly beloved by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance.
For a number of years, Mr. Wenzler served in the capacity of Commissioner of Highways. Ile is greatly interested in educational movements, and served for several years as School Director, and was also School Trustee for one year. lle is a Republican in politics, and religiously holds mem- bership with the German Reformed Church. He is greatly esteemed by his neighbors and friends, and is unquestionably a man of high character and unblemished reputation.
ILLIAM W. BAILEY, one of the early settlers of Illinois, and a representative farmer, residing on section 35. Rosemond Township, has here lived since 1867. Ilis farm comprises two hundred acres of rich land, which was but slightly improved twenty-five years ago, but which he has transformed into rich and fertile fields. The little house which was npon it at the time of his purchase has been replaced by a sub- stantial and tasty faim residence, which he ereeted in 1882 at a cost of $4,000.
The owner of this desirable place was born in Springfield, Essex County, N. J., June 21. 1812, and is a son of David W. Bailey, who was also a native of New Jersey. The grandfather, Abram Bailey, was of Welsh descent. When a young man, David Bailey engaged in the manufacture of nails, afterward carried on a shoeshop, and later operated a gristmill. Ile married Elizabeth Vree- land, who was born in New Jersey and was of
Dutch descent. Their marriage was celebrated in Essex County, and there they spent their entire lives. Unto them were born nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom our subject is third in order of birthi.
W. W. Bailey acquired his education in the sub- scription schools of his native State, and at the age of twenty started out in life for himself. Since that time he has made his own way in the world. He began earning a livelihood by work- ing at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for some years. In 1835 he emigrated to Greene County, Ill., and aided in building the town of Jerseyville. During his residence there he helped divide Greene and Jersey Counties and to estab- lish Jerseyville as the county seat of the latter. Ile became Trustee of the town and was one of its prominent and influential citizens. Some of the first houses erected in that place were his handi- work, many of its important buildings were put up by him, and he was largely interested in prop- erty there for many years.
In 1843 Mr. Bailey was united in marriage with Mary A. Parker, a native of Hartford, Conn., who removed to Jerseyville when a little child. She died in 1874. Nine children had been born to them: John C., who served as Sergeant during the late war and is now deceased; Mary, widow of Rev. C. T. Deering, a Congregational minister; W. W., who served as one of the boys in blue and now resides in Bates City, Mo .; David W., of Leadville, Colo .; Laura, who died in infancy; Laura P., Lottie I. and Charles S., all at home; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Bailey eame direct to Christian County in 1867, and has since lived upon the farm which is now his home. In politics, he has always been a stalwart Republican. During the late war he tried to enter the army, but was not accepted on account of huis age. Although he has always taken an ac- tive part in political affairs, he has never been an office-seeker, and though onee elected Constable he refused to serve. lle was made a Mason in Morn- ing Sun Lodge No. 47, and later became a charter member of Darsey Lodge, A. F. & A. M .. of Jer- seyville. When he started out in life he was a poor boy, but he was ambitious and industrious,
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and he determined to win a foremost place among those with whom he should cast his lot. To this resolution he steadily adhered, and in the legiti- mate channels of business through well-directed efforts and perseverance he has acquired a compe- tency which places him among Christian Coun- ty's substantial citizens.
OHN RAYHILL, who is engaged in general farming on section 1. Pana Township, is a native of the Hoosier State. He was born in Washington County, Ind .. May 14, 1844, and is the sixth child and third son in a family of ten children. We see him in his boyhood spend- ing his time in work around the home and in the fields. or else engaged in the sports which furnish entertainment for farmer lads. He remained un- der the parental roof until eighteen years of age. when. prompted by patriotie impulses, he offered his services to the Government, enlisting as a drummer boy in Company B, Sixteenth Indiana Infantry. He thus served for one year, after which he was made Corporal. He participated in twenty-six regular engagements, and for forty- seven days aided in besieging Vicksburg. He was also in the siege of Jackson seven days, and took part in the Red River expedition. He served in the mounted infantry, and although he was at the front in so many important and hotly-contested en- gagements, he was never wounded. Ilis brother Cyrus, however, was wounded in his first battle, and entirely disabled for further duty. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his services, our subject was honorably discharged and mustered out at New Orleans. On the 22d of July, 1862, he went into camp, and on the 22d of July. 1865. just three years later, he arrived in Pana.
Mr. Rayhill at once embarked in farming at the place of his present residence. Hle was married February 21, 1867, the lady of his choice being Mary Brooks, a native of Kentucky, who came to
Illinois when a maiden of seventeen summers. In early life she was left an orphan, and has no recollection of her parents. Six children were born of this union, but Alexander died at the age of seven years; and John died at the age of six- teen months. Lillia M., twenty years of age; Nel- lie B., aged seventeen; and Frank and Fred, twins, aged ten, are still with their parents.
The Republican party finds in Mr. Rayhill a stalwart advocate. He has been honored with dif- ferent local offices, for six years acceptably filling the position of Highway Commissioner, and he has also served as School Director. to the satisfaction of all concerned. Socially, he holds membership with Pope Post No. 411. G. A. R., of Pana. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, and does all in his power for the best interests of the community, but his time and attention are chiefly given to his business interests. He owns a half- interest in the old homestead farm of one hundred and forty acres, and in connection with the cul- tivation of the fields he also carries on stock-rais- ing. He has long been a resident of this commu- nity and is both widely and favorably known.
OIIN E. NEELY is a contractor and builder of Pana. Ile has made his home in this city for thirty-five years, and has been closely identified with its growth and prog- On all sides may be seen evidences of his ress. handiwork, for many of the business houses and residences of the city were erected under his su- pervision. In other ways, aside from his business, he has also aided in the promotion of Pana's best interests.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Neely was born in Chesapeake County March 19, 1828. His par- ents, William and Maria (IIesseick) Neely, were also natives of the Keystone State. Of their fam- ily of eleven children, numbering six sons and five daughters, seven are yet living: Rachel Ann, wife of Albert Dilworth, of Pennsylvania; Anna
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Maria, widow of Philip Hughes; Emma Jane, wife of Thomas Wyun; Sarah, wife of S. MeAfee; John E., William and Frank. The father of this family was a Pennsylvanian farmer, and died in his na- tive State in 1873, at the age of seventy-three. His wife had passed away some twenty years pre- vious, in the faith of the Methodist Church, with which she held membership. Mr. Neely was reared as an Episcopalian, and was ever a great student of the Bible. The family is of Irish origin, hav- ing been founded in America by James Neely, the grandfather of our subjeet, who was a native of the Emerald Isle. The maternal grandfather, John Hesseick, was an agriculturist of Pennsyl- vania, his native State.
In taking up the personal history of our subjeet, we present to our readers the life record of one of Pana's influential citizens. Ilis boyhood days were quietly passed under the parental roof, where he was reared to habits of industry and useful- ness, and in the public seliools of Chesapeake County he acquired his education. Not wishing to devote himself to agricultural pursuits through- out life, when a young man he learned the ear- penter's trade, which he has followed in connee- tion with the undertaking business continuously sinee. llis excellent workmanship, and the faith- fulness with which he performs his part of a con- traet, have won him an excellent trade, which in turn has yielded him a good income.
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The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Nee- ly was in her maidenhood Mary Ann Millard, daughter of Joseph and Maria ( Heatherly) Mil- lard, natives of Pennsylvania. Five children were born to our subjeet and his wife, but Emma Jane and John are now deecased. The three still live ing are Ida, William M. and Hannah Maria.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Neely was form_ erly a Republican, but is now independent in pol- ities. His wife is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Ile has twice served on the City Council, but has never been an office-seeker in the popular sense of the term, preferring to devote his attention to business interests. As his finan- eial resources have increased, he has made judi- cious investments in real estate, and now owns one hundred and sixty aeres of good farming land
in Missouri, besides his home and other city prop- erty in Pana. le is a publie-spirited and pro- gressive man, and during his residence here of more than a third of a century his life of upright- ness has won him warm regard.
L YMAN WILCOX, who carries on agrieul- tural pursuits on sections 14 and 23, Rose- mond Township, is one of the worthy citi- zens that New York has furnished to Christian County. He was born in Oneida County, near Utica, and is one of eight children, three sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. The father of this family, Charles Wileox, was born in the Empire State, was of Eng- lish descent, and was a machinist by trade. 1Ie married Harriet Robinson, a native of Oneida County, and a daughter of Nathan Robinson, who was born in Connecticut, of English parentage. Ilis occupation was that of farming. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wileox located in the town of Paris, N. Y., where he worked as a ma- chinist. Subsequently they removed to Niagara Falls, where the father died at the age of sixty- nine. The mother passed away the same year.
In the county of his nativity. Lyman Wileox spent his boyhood and youth. and at the early age of fourteen years began to make his own way in the world, so that he is now a self-made man. Ile commenced learning the shoemaker's trade, serv- ing an apprenticeship of six years, and receiving on an average $35 per year. Of this sum he re- quired $30 to clothe himself, and the remaining $5 went for miscellaneous expenses. Ile earned his first money when a youth of eleven, working at six and a-fourth cents per day printing ealico by hand. When he had learned the shoemaker's trade, he worked as a journeyman for two years, and subsequently started in business for himself in Oriskany, N. Y., in 1833.
During his residence there, Mr. Wileox was mar- ried, in 1835, to Sallie Osborn, a native of Fair-
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field County, Conn., and a daughter of Daniel Osborn, of the same county. Her parents died when she was fourteen years of age, after which she went to Oneida County, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox removed to Verona, N. Y., where he en- gaged in farming until 1866, when he came to Christian County with his family, taking up his residence on the farm which is now his home. In 1887 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 8th of April, the fifty-sec- ond anniversary of their marriage. Four chil- dren were born unto them: llarriet R., Catherine E. and Sarah, who died in childhood; and Will- iam, who aids his father in the cultivation of the home farm. The latter was born in Oneida County, N. Y., and married Emma, daughter of O. M. and Debby Aurelia (Hawley) Hawkes. They have seven children: Charles Arthur, Clara E., Mary O. and Martha II. (twins), Herbert R., Ilattie A. and Ethel M. William Wilcox is an enterprising and progressive farmer.
In connection with his son, our subject owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land, and they are successfully engaged in general farming. During the late war, the latter entered the service of his country, enlisting in 1861 as a member of the Third New York Cavalry. After his previ- ous term had expired, he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment as a veteran, and remained in the service throughout the entire war. He never received a wound, although he participated in many hard-fought battles. Ile was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He is now a member of Pope Post No. 411, G. A. R., of Pana, and holds membership with the Congregational Church, in which he is now serving as Trustec. Mr. Wilcox was Chairman of the first Republican convention held in the Third Assembly District of Oneida County, N. Y., and assisted in organizing the party there.
Lyman Wilcox is an inflexible adherent of Re- publican principles, and served as Highway Com- missioner of Rosemond Township for three years. Ile belongs to the Congregational Church, and in church work takes an active interest, doing all in his power to promote the cause. At various in- tervals through sixty years he was Superintendent
of the Sunday-school, and through his training of the young exerted an influence for good which will be felt long after he has passed to his reward. He is a stanch advocate of temperance principles and never uses tobacco or intoxicants in any form. His life has been a true and upright one, devoted to the cause of the Master, and full of kindly and generous deeds. His example is well worthy of emulation, for it will never lead to wrong.
R OBERT WATT, who carries on general farming on section 9, Rosemond Township, is numbered among the honored pioneers of Christian County, his residence here, which covers a period of forty-one years, dating from 1852. Ile has therefore been an eye-witness of the greater part of the growth and develop- ment of the county, and has seen the transforma- tion which has changed it from an unbroken and unsettled tract to a region of comfortable homes, good farms and flourishing towns.
Mr. Watt was born in the North of Ireland, March 22, 1833, and is a son of Robert Watt, who was also born in the same locality. The fa- ther was a flax manufacturer and owned two mills. He was killed in one of his mills on the 1st of August, 1840. ITis wife, who was in her maiden- hood Margaret MeNickal, was also born in Ireland, and never left that land. They became the pa- rents of five children.
. The subject of this sketch, who is the second in order of birth and the eldest son, spent the first fourteen years of liis life on the Green Isle of Erin, and then crossed the broad Atlantic to Amer- ica. He landed in Philadelphia, Pa., and in that city spent the five succeeding years of his life, working by the day and month at various pur- suits whereby he might earn an honest living. Thinking the West furnished better opportunities for young men than the older and more thickly- settled States of the East, with the desire of bene- fiting his financial condition he came to Illinois
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at the age of nineteen years. He worked by the month as a farm hand in Christian County for some years, but since 1872 has resided upon the farm which is now his home.
In 1861 Mr. Watt wedded Miss Mary Hines, a native of Ireland. Their union has been blessed with a family of five children, a son and four daughters, viz .: Mary, Eliza, Maggie, Josephine and George W. The family have a pleasant home in the midst of a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres. The greater part of this land is under a high state of cultivation. In connection with the residence there are good barns and other necessary outbuildings, and these are sur- rounded by well-tilled fields. The place is neat and thrifty in appearance, a fact which indicates the careful supervision of the owner. Mr. Watt is recognized as one of the representative and progressive agriculturists of the community. He possesses the sturdy independence and force of the Irish people, and has therefore won success, Ile has always borne his part in the advancement and upbuilding of the county in which he has so long made his home, and well deserves represen- tation among its honored pioneers.
ON. CHARLES A. MANNERS, of Taylor- ville, who has been prominent in public af- fairs in this county, is an example of the self-made men in which the Northwestern States abound. A native of New Jersey, he was born in Somerset County, on the 2d of August, 1827, and is a son of John S. and Penelope (Stout) Manners, who were also born in the same State. His father was a farmer in moderate bnt comfortable circum- stances.
Our subject received a fair common-school edu- cation and excellent training in mathematics, his preceptor being a retired sea-captain, from whom he doubtless imbibed a love of the ocean, for after leaving school he went to sea, where he remained
until the age of twenty-two years, commencing as a boy before the mast and steadily advancing until he had attained to be second in command of a merchant trader. In this service he made several voyages around the navigable world, but at length his health broke down, and in consequence he dis- continned nautical pursuits. In 1850, at the age of twenty-three years, the scene of his labors was changed.
At that time Mr. Manners came to the West, lo- cating in Christian County, Ill., where he still re- sides. In the following year he was elected Connty Surveyor, which position he filled for three years. In 1855, he was employed by the United States Survey Department to fix the boundary between the States of Kansas and Nebraska, and he continued on the public surveys of the latter State until 1860. In that year he returned to Illinois, and in 1862 he was elected Sheriff of Christian County, a posi- tion which he filled until 1864, since which time he has been extensively engaged in the construction of railroads, being one of the largest and most suc- cessful contractors in the West. He built a section of thirty-four miles of the Pana & Northwestern Railroad, from Pana to Rochester; sixty miles of the Toledo, Wabash & Western, from Decatur to Litchfield, and also a division of the Vandalia Line. He aided in extending the Terre Haute and Rich- mond Line from Terre Haute Westward to the State line, and built a division of the Springfield, Gil- man & Clinton Railroad, and the Warren Division of the Ashtabula, Youngstown & Pittsburg Rail- road. Ile also received a contract for the Port- land Division of the Cincinnati, Richmond & Ft. Wayne Railroad; the Indiana & Illinois Central from Decatur, Ill., to Montezuma, Ind .; and the Cairo Short Line from New Athens to Du Quoin. Mr. Manners also built a portion of the Indianapo- lis & St. Louis Road between Terre Hante and In- dianapolis, and in connection with his railroad work he has been engaged in various other enter- prises. It is his custom to carry forward to a sue- cessful completion whatever he undertakes, and in consequence he has accumulated a competence.
On the 2d of October, 1861, Mr. Manners was joined in wedlock with Miss Elizabeth A. Long, daughter of the late Maj. Thomas Long, of Taylor-
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ville, and their union has been blessed with two children, a son and daughter: Tom and Frances C. The family is one widely and favorably known in this community, and the parents hold an envia- ble position in social circles.
In politics, Mr. Manners is a supporter of Dem- ocratic principles. lle is a most energetic and ac- tive business man, and his prosperity in life is mainly due to the promptness which has charac- terized all his transactions.
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UDGE ANDREW SIMPSON was born near Mt. Sterling, Ky., October 22, 1830, and was a son of Thomas and Caroline (Badger) Simpson, also natives of Kentucky. Ilis paternal grandfather, Andrew Simpson, was born of English parentage. He reared a large fam- ily of two sons and seven daughters, one of whom. Thomas, became the father of the Judge. He was a farmer by occupation, and followed that pursuit in his native State until 1831. when he emigrated to Sangamon County, Ill. About 1848 he came to Christian County, locating on the present site of Palmer, at the head of Bear Creek, where he made his home until his death, which occurred about 1853. The family num- bered six children, four sons and two daughters, but James is the only one now living.
Andrew Simpson was a lad of nine summers when the family came to Illinois. In the public schools he acquired his education, and upon the home farm was reared, remaining under the pa- rental roof until nineteen years of age, when he ac- cepted a position in the office of the County Clerk (tlicn Judge William Moore), in Taylorville. It then became his desire to enter the legal profes- sion, and, after studying for some time, lie en- gaged in practice for a number of years. ITis natural and acquired ability made him a success- ful practitioner, placed him in the front ranks of his professional brethren, and won him the honor of an election to the office of County Judge,
though a Republican in a Democratic County, which position he creditably filled for some years. llis rulings were always wise and just, and the attorneys with whom he was associated in busi- ness always held him in the highest regard.
The Judge was twice married. Ile wedded Miss Eliza Caldwell, of Mt. Sterling, Ky., who died about 1861. Soon after her death he entered the army as a member of Company II, Fourteenth Ill- inois Infantry, which company he had himself raised in Taylorville, and of which he was elected Captain. He was wounded at the battle of Pitts- burg Landing, in April, 1862, and on the 4th of October following resigned. Returning home, he resumed his law practice. On the 5th of August, 1863, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Almeda daughter of Dr. Richard and Mary A. (Fender) Fulton, the former a na- tive of Loudoun County, Va., and the latter of Wayne County, Ind. Her paternal grandfather, Elisha W. Fulton, was a native of Virginia. He died at the age of seventy-two years, his last days being spent in Putnam County, Ind. " The maternal grandfather, Henry L. Fender, was born in North Carolina, and was a farmer by occupa- tion and a soldier in 1812. He died in Wayne County, aged eighty-three years. Richard Ful- ton was a physician, and successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Wayne, Union and Putnam Counties, Ind., for some years. After her husband's death, he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Simpson, until called to his final rest, in April, 1893, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife still survives him and is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Simpson. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was her husband.
Unto the Judge and Mrs. Simpson were born three children, a son and two daughters. Cullen, who died at the age of seven years; Mary, wife of William Scott, a shoe dealer of Taylorville, by whom she has a little daughter, Eleanor; and Caroline, an accomplished young lady, who gradu- ated from De Pauw University, in Greencastle, Ind., in the Class of '91, and who lives at home.
Mr. Simpson was a stalwart Republican in poli- tics. He was a deep thinker and a logical reasoner,
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and his conclusions were reached as the result of earnest and careful meditation. He was firm in support of what he believed to be right, and neither fear nor favor could change his purpose. In his business dealings he was very success- ful, and became the owner of nineteen hundred and forty acres of land in Christian County, be- sides his fine residence and a number of business houses on the square of Taylorville. He was a lover of fine horses, and always had some excel- lent specimens of the noble steed in his stable. Possessing many excellencies of character, he gained many warm friends and won their high regard. Ile passed away Mareh 10, 1883, at the age of fifty-three years, and his loss was widely mourned. llis widow is still living in the home which he left her, and she shares its comforts with her mother. She is a faithful member of the Metli- odist Church, and, like her husband, has the con- fidence and respect of all.
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