USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 40
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D R. B. GREENWOOD, a leading physician of Edinburgh, has long made his home in this county, dating his arrival from 1865, and well deserves representation among its early set- tlers. In the years which have since come and gone he has been prominently connected with the growth and upbuilding of the community, and has ever borne his part in the work of public improvement and advancement. Ile was born in Barren County, Ky., September 29, 1810, and is a son of John Greenwood, a native of Virginia. llis grandfa- ther, Dr. Basil Greenwood, was a native of Eng- land, in that country was reared and married, and then emigrated to America, taking up his residence in the Old Dominion.
Jolin Greenwood married Triphena Garretson, who was born in Virginia, of Welsh parentage, their union being celebrated in Bowling Green, Ky., where they resided for two years. Remov- ing to St. Louis at that time, they spent only a few months in the West, being driven out by the
Indians. They then went baek to Kentucky, but afterward went to Ilinoistown, near St. Louis. Again they were driven away by the redmen, and the Doctor, who was then only four years old, was separated from his parents. He was taken by the savages and lived with them for several years, and in 1819 he was taken by them to where the city of Springfield now stands. About 1824 he was ransomed by the Government, and remained in the Government employ for several years as an interpreter.
In 1836 Dr. Greenwood engaged with the firm of Cope & Harpester, drovers, to lead the lead-ox from Springfield to Philadelphia, Pa. While on the way his employers failed, and thus he, without money or friends, was left to work his way back as he might. After three months he again reached Springfield, where he began serving an apprenticeship to the millwright and carpenter's trade. He then em- barked in business for himself, and in the next few years built mills in lowa, Illinois and Mis- souri. During this time he was studying medi- cine, and was graduated from the old Missouri Medical Institute in 1817. Locating in Spring- field, he there remained for two years, when he sold out and went with an emigrant train en- gaged in exploration under Fremont.
Returning to Springfield, the Doctor was there married, November 15, 1849, to Eliza A. Town- send, a native of Cape May. N. J. In 1852 he joined the Illinois & California Mutual Insurance Company for a trip across the plains. Return- ing in the fall of 1856, he formed a partnership with a brother physician and engaged in the practice of medicine. The war came on and his property was all destroyed, so he again went to Springfield to make a new start. On the 14th of February, 1865, however, he came to Christian County, locating four miles from his present office, for the town of Edinburgh had not then sprung into existence. In connection with medical prac- tice, he conducted a general store and a grist and saw mill. At length he sold out and removed to Edinburgh, establishing the first store in the place. He assisted in starting many lines of business, in fact the growth and success of the town are due in no small degree to his labors. At his own ex-
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pense, and at a great cost, he sunk the first coal shaft. A company who worked the mine was afterward incorporated with a capital stock of 850,000, and the Doctor was elected President. This company is now known as the Electric Light, Coal and Tile and Brick Company, and has a eapi- tal stock of $150,000, all of which has grown out of the first efforts of our subject, who is still President of the company. He has continuously carried on the practice of medicine with good success, and has been connected with other business interests. Green wood Township was named in his honor.
U'nto the Doctor and his wife have been born four children: Triphena A., wife of Charles Whit- mer, of Springfield; Parthenia, deceased; John R., assistant superintendent of the coal shaft of Edin- burgh; Sarah M., wife of Robert H. Poole; and Julia A., wife of Asa II. Culver, now of Bates County, Mo. The mother of this family died in 1885, leaving many friends to mourn her loss.
The Doctor was a Whig in early life, but since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its staneh supporters. Ile was a personal friend of Lincoln, with whom he worked in his early years, and was also a personal friend of Douglas. Few men in Christian County are bet- ter known than Dr. Greenwood, on account of his connection with its npbuilding and development. He may well be called one of the founders of Edinburgh. ITis life has been a well-spent and use- ful one, and has been quite eventful. Wherever he has gone he has made friends, and in the com- munity where he now lives he is alike estcemed by young and old, rich and poor.
OSES HUTCHINS is the owner of one of Christian County's fine farms. Ile resides on seetion 22, Rosemond Township, where he has one hundred and sixty aeres of valuable land, whereon he has made his home since 1875. In all its appointments the place is com- plete and may well be numbered among the model
farms of the community. The substantial and pleasant residence was erected in 1875, at a cost of $2,000. Good barns and other necessary out- buildings stand in the midst of well-tilled fields, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the careful supervision of the owner, who is both practical and progressive.
Mr. Hutchins was born in Edwardsville, Madi- son County, Ill., on the 10th of January, 1845, and on both the paternal and maternal sides is of English descent. His father, Williar. Hutchins, was born in St. Mary's, Md., April 20, 1802, was there reared to manhood, and wedded Matilda Dorsey, who was born in 1808, in Calvert County, Md., and was a daughter of William Dorsey, of that State. They located on a farm in Maryland, and in 1842 removed to Baltimore, spending two years in that city. In 1844 they came to the West, locating in Madison County, Ill., upon a farm, where they spent their remaining days. The father died at the age of eighty-seven, and his wife passed away when sixty-three years of age. They were members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, in which Mr. Hutchins served as Elder for some time. In polities, he was first a Whig, and afterward a Republican. Their family of four children numbered three sons and a daugh- ter, but the latter, Susan, died at the age of nine years; Daniel died at the age of twenty-seven; and David is living in Madison County, Ill.
Moses, who is the youngest of the family, was reared in the county of his nativity until twenty- three years of age, and conned his lessons in the district schools of the neighborhood. In 1869 he removed to this county and took up his residence on section 20, Rosemond Township, where he pur- chased a farm, to which he devoted his time and attention until 1875. Ile then purchased and removed to the farm which has since been his home. Ile now has it under a high state of eul- tivation, and in connection with its improvement he also engages quite extensively in stock-raising, making a specialty of cattle and hogs.
In 1871 Mr. Hutchins was united in marriage with Sarah J. Estabrook, a native of Madison County, Ill., and a daughter of John and Nancy Estabrook, who were early settlers of that county,
I. C. Ander
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there locating in 1818, at which time the father secured the land from the Government and began the development of a home on the frontier. Of the family of ten children, Mrs. Hutchins is the youngest. By her marriage she became the mother of three daughters: Clara May, Emeline Matilda and Bessie Estabrook, all at home.
As his financial resources have increased, Mr. Hutchins has made additional purchases of land, until he is now the owner of eight hundred acres in Christian County, all acquired through his good management, diligence and business ability. In politics he is a supporter of Republican prin- ciples. He holds membership with the Congrega- tional Church of Rosemond, and is now serving as Trustee. He takes an active part in church work, and gives his support and co-operation to all that tends to promote its growth and insure its upbuilding.
IRAM ROUNTREE ANDERSON. In the death of HI. R. Anderson, which occurred September 5, 1890, Taylorville lost one of its most useful and enterprising citizens. Ile was a son of W. W. Anderson, whose biography will be found on another page of this work, and was born in Taylorville April 30, 1861. ITis school days were spent at Lake Forest, Ill., and at the Illinois Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, his education being completed at the latter institu- tion in 1881. Shortly after graduation, he en- tered the banking business with his father, under the firm name of W. W. Anderson & Co., and he de- voted his great energy, talents and business ability to extending the popularity of that enterprise. Ile made a thorough study of the laws relating to banking and finance, and the success of the First National Bank of Taylorville is principally due to his exceptional capacity, industry and faithfulness in its management. Associated with his father, he was the prime mover in its organization, and
occupied the responsible position of cashier until failing health, in January, 1890, compelled him to resign. Ile was ambitious and energetic to a marked degree, and his name was a synonym for truth and honor. With qualities such as these, his prospects for fame and fortune were very brilliant, but his spirit was too strong for his frail body, and in early manhood he perished at the threshhold of the goal he hoped to win.
The following extract from the funeral address, made by one who was privileged to know him intimately, Rev. W. A. Smith, pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bloomington, Ill., will serve to show his character: "Some of you were acquainted with his home life, and knew how pure, true and devoted he was to his own, within the sacred precincts of home. In all these relations, he was an honest, honorable, manly man. Ile was a man who had a mother, a real, true, genuine mother, who left the stamp of her goodness and refinement on the heart and life of her son. Through all his years on earth, he car- ried the impress of her loving touch, and felt the inspiration of her noble life, which was a part of that deathles; life beyond. Ile lived largely within himself and his home, mingling only with congenial associates; he could not be a companion of one who was coarse or uncouth. He was a man of principle, of high aims and good purposes, and scorned to stoop to any unmanly act. He pos- sessed a kcen mentality, a well-stored mind, a re- tentive memory, and was a remarkable conver- sationalist. He took an active and intelligent in- terest in the affairs of men, and in men of affairs. Ile was a wide reader, and was abreast of the times in the advanced thought of the day. Ile delighted in music, and was himself an accomplished musi- cian, was a lover of flowers, appreciated art of all kind, and the beautiful in nature wherever found. Regarding religious matters, he was somewhat in- dependent in his thought, but liberal in the best sense, and perfectly sincere and conscientious in his views, while he was in harmony with the orthodox teaching of the day on the cardinal and essential facts of Christianity. There was no re- ligious cant or hypocrisy about him. He pinned his faith to the Bible of Christ and the Christ of
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the Bible. ITe said: 'I can never feel anyway but kindly towards my mother's church.' Dying, he pillowed his head on the promises that supported her, and has probably already met that mother and greeted her in Heaven. for in his last hours he had victory, through his Lord and Savior."
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G EORGE LIENHART is proprietor of a wagon factory and blacksmith and paint shop of Taylorville. The record of his life is as follows: A native of Alsace, Germany, he was born on the 6th of May, 1834, and was reared to manhood in his native land. His boyhood days were spent midst play and work and in his youth he served a two-years apprenticeship to the trade of wagon-making and blacksmithing. Ilearing favorable accounts of the opportunities and ad- vantages afforded young men in the New World, he determined to test the truth of these reports by emigrating to America and trying his fortune in this land of freedom. Crossing the briny deep in 1852, he spent the first six months after his arrival in Buffalo, N. Y., and during the succeeding year was employed in that county.
The year 1854 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Lien- hart in Illinois. For one year he worked as a journeyman in Springfield, and in 1855 came to Taylorville, where he spent two and a-half years in the employ of Amos Cheny. In 1858, he went to Dallas, Tex., remaining in the South for nearly ten years, when, in July, 1868, he returned to this place. On again reaching Taylorville, Mr. Lien- hart established himself in business in his present line, and has since carried on operations. IIe thoroughly understands his business in all its de- tails, and as the result of his excellent workman- ship and fair dealing, he has gained a liberal pat- ronage. Ilis trade has so increased that he now furnishes employment to three men.
On the 4th of September, 1860, in Dallas, Tex., Mr. Lienhart was joined in wedlock with Mary Adeline Ridgeway, a native of Tennessee. Three
children have been born unto them: Margaret Eliza- beth; John Edward, a druggist; and Mary Ida, who became the wife of John E. Harrison, of Owen County, Ind., and died November 20, 1892, at the age of twenty-six years, leaving an infant son, George Chase Harrison, who is now with his grand- parents.
Mr. Lienhart has made considerable investments in real estate and built five residences in Taylor- ville. His home is situated in the midst of a tract of four and a-half acres. He also owns a number of city lots in Dallas, Tex. When he left the South property could not be sold except at a very low figure, but it has now greatly risen in value. Our subject is an industrious and enterprising man and his well-directed efforts and untiring labors have brought him the property which now places him among the substantial citizens of the community. ITis wife is a member of the Christian Church, and both are highly respected people, having many friends in Taylorville.
OSEPH N. EMERSON, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on his well-equipped and ably-conducted farm, lo- cated on section 32, Stonington Township, is a native of this county, having been born March 4, 1856, in the same township where he still makes his home. He is a son of Richard N. and Ann E. (Keiser) Emerson, whose sketch may be found in another portion of this volume.
Our subject is the second child in a family of eleven, and passed his boyhood on his father's old homestead, which was his birthplace. Ile was only a youth of fifteen years when death deprived him of a father's eare, and he therefore continued to live with his mother, rendering her dutiful as- sistance on the home farm, until he was twenty- eight years of age.
The marriage of Mr. Emerson and Miss Angie O'Brien, also a native of Stonington Township, was celebrated April 8, 1884. Two children have
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been born of their union, a son and a daughter, namely: Ila G. and Clarence W. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson are well received in the social circles of the neighborhood, where they are well known. having made their home here since their births. Mrs. Emerson is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
Like his father before him, our subject is a true- blue Republican. He has always been interested in promoting the cause of education, has served as School Director for several terms, and is now School Trustee of his district. His desirable farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of fertile and well-cultivated land. It is well adapted for general farming and stock-raising. to which it is devoted. The greater portion of the farm repre- sents our subject's own earnings and is the result of his years of industry. The place is located only two and a-half miles southwest of Stonington, and is considered one of the best farms in the township. In his business enterprises Mr. Emer- son lias been abundantly blessed with success, and it is eminently fitting that such should be the case, for his transactions are marked with justice and fair dealing. He bears an enviable reputa- tion in the county as a man of honor and strict observance of his word and contracts.
ILLIAM A. NEWELL. The business in- terests of Pana are well represented by the gentleman whose name heads this sketeh. Ile is one of the leading grocers. having estab- lished himself in business in this line some twelve years since. By his earnest desire to please his customers and fair.dealings he has won the conti- dence and good-will of all. and has seenred a lib- eral share of the public patronage.
Mr. Newell is a Canadian by birth. lle was born in Peterboro, Ontario, March 30, 1857, and is one of twelve children whose parents were Alfred and Harriet (Ryan) Newell. The paternal grand- father, John Newell, spent his entire life in Eng-
land, his native land. He was long a soldier, continuing in the service for twenty-seven years. His death occurred at the age of eighty-seven. The maternal grandfather, Thomas Ryan, was a native of Ireland, an inn-keeper of that country. He was called to his final rest at the age of fifty.
The father of our subject was born and reared in England, and throughout the greater part of his life devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, which he followed many years in Canada and Michigan. He came to the United States in 1857, and made his home in Michigan until 1878, when he came to Pana, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred January 3, 1886, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife survived him a few years and passed away on Christmas Day. 1890, also at the age of seventy-two. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and their lives were in harmony with their pro- fession. Of their five sons and seven daughters, Ann Jane is now the wife of Robert Bennett, of Marshall, Mich .; Maggie is the wife of James C. Essick. of Chicago; JJulia is the wife of John Mur- dock, of Ft. Worth, Tex .; Bessie is the wife of James Limer, of Rosemond, Ill .; Eva is the widow of Preston W. Smith, of Chicago; Robert is living in Rosemond: and William A. and Thomas C. complete the family.
William A. Newell, whose name heads this rec- ord, was still in his infancy when his parents left Canada. He was reared on his father's farm, and acquired his education in the schools of Kalama- zoo, Mich. lle may truly be called a self-made man, for at the age of fourteen he began to earn his own livelihood and has since been dependent upon his own resources. In 1880, he came to Pana, where he has since made his home, and em- barked in the bakery business, which he conducted for a year, and then opened a grocery store, which he has successfully carried on continuously since.
An important event in the life of Mr. Newell occurred October 31, 1883, when was celebrated his marriage with Miss Arabella Higgins, daughter of L. D. and Cordelia (McDaniels) Higgins, of Pana. Four children have been born unto them, a son and three danghters: Cordelia, .June, Creigh- ton and Pearl. The family has a pleasant home,
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and the parents are prominent people in the eom- munity. Mr. Newell is a member of the Tonti fraternity, and in politics is a supporter of Repub- lican principles, but has never been an aspirant for publie office, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with prosperity. Working his way upward from an humble beginning, he has now reached a place among the substantial citizens of the com- munity.
ARREN CORZINE is one of the leading merchants and business men of Christian County, and has been successfully en- gaged in the lumber and coal business in Ston- ington for several years. In addition to this, he owns a half-interest in a general merchandise store in the village, and a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres in this county, which is well im- proved, besides one hundred and twenty acres in- herited by his wife.
The birthplace of Mr. Corzine is in Guernsey County, Ohio. He was born January 24, 1857, to Allen and Mary Ann (Warren) Corzine. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom our subject is the sixth child. All bnt one of the family are still living. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, where he lived until reaching manhood. Going to Guern- sey County, he bought a tract of wild land, which he cultivated until 1868. Then, com- ing to this connty, he located on a farm, which he carried on for a number of years, but is now living a retired life in Assumption, being eighty- seven years of age. llis grandfather was a na- tive of Ilolland, and was killed during the War of 1812, while he was in the service. Our sub- ject's mother, who was born in the Buckeye State, is of German descent, and, though nearly eighty years of age, is still living.
The early years of Warren Corzine were passed on his father's farm, where he remained until
reaching his majority. He acquired a good edu- cation in the common schools, and, on starting out to carve his own fortune, rented a farm for a short time. The first land he ever owned was located in Otoe County, Neb., near the village of Douglas. After a couple of years spent in cul- tivating his Western farm, Mr. Corzine returned to Christian County and engaged in farming until 1888, when he sold his property in Nebraska and became a resident of Stonington. Since that time he has been engaged in the lumber and coal busi- ness, of which he has made a good success. Only a few years ago he was a poor boy, but now he owns the leading lumber and coal yard in Ston- ington, and has money invested in various other profitable business enterprises.
The marriage of Mr. Corzine and Miss Emma Burdick was celebrated in October, 1881. The lady is a native of this county, and by her mar- riage has become the mother of five children, all of whom are now living. They are as follows: Maud E., Charles J., Jessie M .. Lutie Pearl and Edith. Mr. Corzine is a member of the Presby- terian Church, while his wife belongs to the Meth- odist denomination. For two terms our subject served as Tax Collector of the township, and for a like period has acted in the capacity of Trustee of Stonington. Ile is a stanch Republican, being a firm believer in a high protective tariff.
ACOB KAUFFMAN EBERLE, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Pana, was born in Petersburg, Huntingdon County, Pa., May 17, 1824, and is the fourth son and seventh child born of the union of Jacob Eberle and Catherine Hewitt. The Eberle family emigrated to Pennsylvania from Switzerland with the Kauffmans, Neffs, Freylinghuysens, Muhlen- burgs and Newcomes. Nicholas Hewitt, the mater- nal grandfather of our subject, was a Revolution- ary hero and served under Washington. The pa- ternal grandfather, Henry Eberle, accompanied by
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his two older brothers, emigrated from Switzer- land and settled in Lancaster County, Pa., where he carried on a large gun factory in the interest of the State during the Revolutionary War. It is said that he was one of the most ingenious men in the working of iron in Pennsylvania, and his sons all inherited this trait. Jacob Eberle, father of our subject, was born in 1782, at about the time of the elose of the struggle for independence. A prominent relative of our subject was Prof. John Eberle, one of the founders of Jefferson Medical College, and who, with Prof. Drake, founded the first medical college in Ohio. He was the author of several standard medical works, and his untir- ing mind and industry marked out a way for many a befogged allopathic student to reach his mooring. He was also a thorough linguist. be- ing familiar with eight languages. He died in Lexington, Ky., in 1836.
Dr. Eberle, whose name heads this record, spent four years in Alleghany College, of Meadville. Pa., with the intention of entering the ministry, and on returning home in July, 1850, was licensed as a local preacher. In January, 1851, he was recommended to the Baltimore Conference, which would convene in February, but during the in- terval he visited a young lady friend who was at the point of death, and after conversing with her and her cousin the thought flashed through his mind that he could do much greater good as a local preacher and doctor. Telling this to his friends, they at once advised him to withdraw his recommendation to the conference and begin the . study of medicine. In April, 1851, he entered the office of Dr. John D. Ross, an eminent physi- cian of Williamsburg, Pa., and fitted himself to enter the medical college of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1854. lle also grad- uated at the Warrington Obstetrical Institute, of Philadelphia. Not long after, Dr. Eberle entered the office of Dr. Bishop, of that city, but as sum- mer came on he left for Salladasbargh. Lycoming County. While there he received a letter asking him to go to Upper Canada and take a practice which an old physician wished to give up. He, however, refused, and in the fall returned home, and from there he went to Martinsburg, Pa., where
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