USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 43
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S AMUEL ANDERSON, a member of the well-known firm of Anderson Bros., ex- tensive briek manufacturers and contrac- tors and builders of Taylorville, has been connected with this business since a lad of thir- teen years, for his uncle was then owner of a vard, and in course of time he succeeded to an in- terest in the same. IIis history is the life record of a self-made man. He was born December 3, 1853, near Bloomfield, Greene County, Ind., and
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when he was only three years of age the family re- moved to Montgomery County, Ill., locating upon a farm. His father, William Anderson, was a na- tive of Kentucky. While en route for Illinois he was taken siek, and died a few days after reaching his destination, leaving his widow with six chil- dren to care for and support.
Mrs. Anderson bore the maiden name of Naney Turner, and is a native of Tennessee. At her husband's death her eldest child was only ten years of age. They had secured forty aeres of land, and she began to make a home for her chil- dren, resolving to keep the family together if possible. In order to supply their needs and wants, she engaged in weaving carpets and jeans, and thus met the expenses of the family. As soon as the boys were old enough they would secure work with neighboring farmers, and thus the fam- ily income was somewhat increased. Upon the home farm Mrs. Anderson remained until 1865. In the spring of the following year she came to Taylorville, where she is now living at the age of sixty-five years. Hers has been a noble life, and her labors in behalf of her children will never be forgotten. While providing for the temporal wants of ber ebildren, she also instilled into their minds lessons of honor and morality. and she is now blessed with the knowledge that her sons are honored and respected wherever they go. She is a faithful and consistent member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church.
The second son of the family, William T. An- derson, purchased a brickyard in 1872, but after carrying it on a few months bis death occurred, in 1873, and the business was closed up. Charles T., the youngest son, died just ten days before his brother, of the same disease-cerebro-spinal mengitis.
As before stated, at the age of thirteen years, Samuel Anderson began working in a brickyard, and for some time continued in the employ of his uncle. J. R. Turner. His brothers also learned this business, and after a number of years they succeeded to the business owned by their unele. In the fall of 1873 Samuel and Cyrus went to Denver, Colo., where they engaged in laying briek. In 1880 the firm of Anderson Bros. was
established, composed of Samuel, Arehelaus and James R. They began the manufacture of briek and tile with a capital of about 83,000, and dur- ing the first year manufactured about seventy- five thousand tile and one million brick. They now have about $15,000 invested in the business, and during the past year they made one million eight hundred thousand briek and about five hun- dred thousand tile. They operate two factories, one situated on the east side of the town near the coal shaft, and the other to the southeast. With these are twelve and sixteen acres of clay, respect- ively. Employment is furnished to about twenty- five hands, and all of the latest improved machin- ery is used. The brick is burned in both up and down draft kilns. The business is now established on a solid financial basis and is constantly in- ereasing.
The firm of Anderson Bros. is also engaged in contraeting and building, and does an annual busi- ness amounting to about 815,000. Besides doing briek work, they also contract for the entire building, and have erected some of the most im- portant structures in this community, including the High School building at a cost of $23,000, the new double briek block at the southeast corner of the square at a cost of $11,500, and the brick work on the new Methodist Episcopal Church. The members of the firm are men of good business ability, practical and progressive, and, as a result of their enterprise and labor, have achieved sue- cess.
On the 29th of May, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Samuel Anderson and Miss Emma Slater, daughter of Dr. L. B. and Sarah Slater. Their union has been blessed with one son, Everett Slater, who was born December 26, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are worthy members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in social circles they hold an enviable position. Our snb- jeet also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. In connection with his other business in- terests, he is also Vice-President of the Taylorville Coal Company, was one of its incorporators, and since its organization has been one of its board of managers, consisting of three members. To this enterprise he has given considerable time and at-
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tention, and it is one of the leading coneeins of the city. To such men as Anderson Bros. the prosperity of the town is due, and they are num- bered among its valued citizens.
1 SOM ADAMS, an extensive farmer of Prairie- ton Township, is one of the honored early set- llers of Christian County. His home is on section 21, where he has resided since 1856, hav- ing succeeded to a portion of his father's old homestead. He was a lad of only five years when his parents permanently located here, and thus he has passed over half a century in this immediate locality.
Our subject was born in Montgomery County, Ky., February 21, 1831, his parents being Allerton and Elizabeth (Gordon) Adams, who were both likewise from the Blue Grass region. The father followed agricultural pursuits in his native State, and removed to Illinois in 1833, spending a few years in Sangamon County. In 1836 he made a settlement in what is now known as Adams Grove, this county, where he developed a large farm and reared his family.
Isom Adams is the eldest son and second in or- der of birth in a family of seven sons and three daughters, who with the exception of one brother all grew to manhood and womanhood. Our sub- ject's youth was passed on his father's homestead, where he remained until grown. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Jacobs, and for five years after this event he continued on his father's farm. In 1856 he removed to the place which he still cultivates. As the years passed, he added to his original inheritance, until he now possesses over seven hundred acres of valuable and fertile land. lis farm is one of the most thrifty and well-kept places in the county, and has been entirely developed from its virgin state by the owner.
Mrs. Adams was called from this life in Janu- ary, 1854, and left two children, namely: Nancy
Isabel, now deceased, who was the wife of Will- iam Gordon. of Macon County; and one child who died in infancy. In April, 1858, Mr. Adams was again married, Miss Lydia Bilyeu becoming his wife. She is a daughter of John Bilyen, one of the honored early settlers of this region. Mrs. Adams is a native of Sangamon County, Ill., and by her marriage became the mother of thirteen chil- dren. The two eldest are deceased, Allington dying in infancy, and Josiah at the age of sixteen years. Elizabeth is the wife of George Crews; John is a well-to-do farmer of Christian County; Lucy J. is the wife of James Workman; Sallie Ann is the wife of Alexander Mathews, also of this county; Viren- da is the wife of Jacob Bilyeu; Wilbur is a prosper- ous farmer of Macon County; James is assisting in carrying on the homestead; and Minerva, Thomas J., Malinda and Isom complete the surviving mem- bers of the family.
Mrs. Adams is a member of the Christian Church, in which she is an earnest worker. Our subject has always been known as a friend to education, and is a firm believer in our excellent public- school system. Ile served for a number of years as a member of the School Board, but has never cared for political preferment. For over half a century he has taken his share in forwarding all enterprises tending to the development and good of this section, and is favorably known in this and adjoining counties. He and his estimable wife en- joy the friendship and high esteem of their many friends and neighbors, and are well worthy to have their names placed in this biographical record of representative eitizens.
AMES RIDGE is one of the most enterpris- ing and well-to-do farmers of Assumption Township, his home being on section 21. Ile is a native of England, having been born in Devonshire, January 11, 1829, and is a son of James and Charity ( Lewerthy) Ridge, both
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likewise natives of Devonshire. Our subject grew to manhood in England, having fairly good edu- cational advantages. Having arrived at the age of twenty-two years, he took passage on a vessel bound from Plymouth to Quebee, and arrived at his destination May 5, 1851. Hle proceeded di- rectly to Illinois, and joined relatives in Greene County. His wife's brother, Richard Tncker, had located in 1844 in the Prairie State, and this influenced our subject's choice of a settlement. For the first year he worked as a farm hand, and then rented land, which he engaged in farming for eight years.
In 1859 Mr. Ridge left Greene County and lo- cated in Christian County, settling on a tract of land he had purchased the fall previous. This consisted of one hundred and twenty aeres of wild land, with only a log cabin on it in the way of improvement, and was the home of the Ridge family for several years. With character- istic energy, our subject proceeded to clear and cultivate the farm, and after some years had passed he bought an adjoining forty aeres, now having one hundred and sixty acres within the boundaries of his farm. It is all under good cultivation, has a commodious residence, good barns and outbuildings. The house is about forty rods back from the main road, and the entire farm is fenced with a neat and well-trimmed osage hedge. There is also a beautiful grove of forest trees. which were planted by Mr. Ridge, and these trees now measure nearly two feet in diameter.
The marriage of Mr. Ridge and Mrs. Sarah Sage was celebrated in Devonshire, England, in the spring of 1851. Two children graced the union : David, whose sketeh appears on another page of this work; and Sarah A., wife of William Moreton, who is engaged in farming on the Ridge homestead. They have a daughter, Mrs. M. E. Litt, who resides in Assumption. Mr. and Mrs. Ridge and daughter are members of the Baptist Church.
Since becoming a voter Mr. Ridge has been identified with the Republican party, and cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln. Ile has never de- sired official recognition, but has preferred to de- vote his entire time and attention to his farm. He
was one of the first Directors of the school dis- trict, and served as a member of the School Board for nearly a quarter of a century. Largely through his influence the first schoolhouse in the district was erected. Ile is a member of the Assumption Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was elected President of the Association in January, 1893, after having acted in the capacity of Treasurer for fifteen years. During the thirty-four years which have elapsed sinee his settlement in Illinois he has seen great changes, and has assisted mate- rially in its welfare. He is a man of pride and integrity and manly worth, and is held in the highest regard by all who come in contact with him. In 1883, accompanied by his daughter, he returned to England and spent several months visiting old friends and the scenes of his youth.
OHN S. HAYWARD, who was one of the largest land-owners and one of the fore- most citizens, not only of Hillsboro, but of Illinois, was a native of Massachusetts, hav- ing been born at Bridgewater in the year 1803. The family is of English extraction, and the pub- lished genealogy contains accounts of the family ยท dating back to 1638. John S. was educated in Massachusetts, and for several years after complet- ing his scholastic course acted as accountant in one of the most extensive business houses of Bos- ton, where he gained the entire confidence of his employer.
It was in 1832 that our subject came to Illinois, and two years later he located in llillsboro, Montgomery County, where he engaged in the mercantile business. After a short but eminently successful and honorable career as a merchant, Mr. Hayward turned his attention to the more congenial occupation of operating in lands. This he pursued on a most magnifieent scale, his trans- actions covering the princely and unprecedented amount of seventy-five thousand acres. The vast wealth which rewarded his uncommon sagacity
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found investment in the promotion of all worthy enterprises and in the most unobtrusive and kindly charities. But it was not as a millionaire that he was most distinguished, for in every relation of life he played his role well and won the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. Upright and unassuming as a citizen, sympathetic to an un- common degree, of refined and most elevated tastes, an affectionate husband, a kind and indulgent father, a generous friend and most exemplary Christian man, his pure soul knew no guile, and it may truly be said that he was an honor to his race, and an example of whom any community might well be proud.
In 1840 Mr. Hayward married Miss Harriet F. Comstock, of Hartford, Conn., by whom he bad three children who grew to maturity, but Will- iam Eugene, the eldest, is the only one now living. Mr. Hayward's death occurred at his residence in Hillsboro, May 3, 1869. His wife, survived him five years, dying in Pana in 1874. In educational matters Mr. Hayward always took a deep inter- est, and gave his personal attention to the fur- therance of schemes for their welfare. Believing in the education of the people, he was an early and ever a strong advocate of the free-school system, and, though paying yearly large sums in the way of taxes for the support of schools in which he could have no personal interest, he always did it cheerfully.
NTIIONY ALDERSON, one of the exten sive land-owners of Pana Township, re- siding on section 26, is a native of York- shire, England, and the date of his birth is February 9. 1824. His father, Anthony Alder- son, was born in the same locality, and his occupa- tion was that of mining. He married Ann Sun- ter, who died in England at the age of fifty-four. In 1852, he crossed the Atlantic to America, and located in Ohio, where he spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of sixty-eight.
Our subjeet is the youngest of three sons in a family of eleven children. At the age of seven years he began working in a lead mine, and a year later was transferred to a coal mine eighteen hun- dred feet below the surface of the earth. On reaching the mine, he had to go about three miles to where the digging was done. Between the ages of seven and twenty-five years our subject was thus employed. Ile then determined to seek a home elsewhere, hoping to better his financial con- dition. Crossing the broad Atlantie to America, he went to Ohio, where he again followed coal mining for two years. On the expiration of that period. he purchased land in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, buying eighty acres, upon which he opened a coal mine. Ile had less than $100 at the time of his purchase, but in two years he had cleared $4,000. At length, in the spring of 1864, he sold out and came to Christian County, Ill .. and pur- chased eighty acres of land, part of his present farm. Then he opened a coal mine on forty acres in Shelby County, which he carried on for some time.
Ere leaving his native land. Mr. Alderson was married, in 1841, at the age of twenty, to Mary Moore, who was also born in Yorkshire, England. In 1891 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was called to her final rest on the 30th of November. Seven children had been born of that union: Thomas, now a prominent farmer and stock-dealer of Shelby County, owning seven hundred acres of land; Anthony, who died at the age of seventeen years; Dr. John J., a well-known physician of Chicago; William M. C., who died at the age of twenty-five; Albert M., a leading agri- culturist of Christian County, who owns eighty acres in this county and five hundred acres in Fayette County; Sarah Alice, who keeps house for her father; and Charles II., who died at the age of seventeen months.
The home farm comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich and highly cultivated land, and in all its appointments it is complete. Mr. Alderson also owns one hundred and sixty aeres in Shelby County, and one hundred and twenty- five aeres in Fayette County. At one time his landed possessions were much more extensive, but
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he has sinee sold a considerable portion of it. He now owns a fine house of fifteen rooms in Pana, which he has rented. He has been very successful in his business interests sinee coming to Christian County, and has now laid aside business eares, his income from his farms making it possible for him to live a retired life. Ile lias met with many re- verses, and where many another man would have been discouraged he has kept on his way with a courage and determination that have ultimately brought him prosperity. His example in this par- tieular is certainly well worthy of emulation. In politics, he is a supporter of Republican principles and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man of kindly and benevolent impulses, and throughout the community has a wide cirele of friends, who esteem him higlily for his many excellencies of character.
EWIS R. HEDRICK, one of the honored veterans of the late war, is now prominent in business circles in Taylorville, being proprietor of one of its leading stores. Ile car- ries a large stock of groceries, queensware, stoves, hardware, tinware, etc., and is enjoying a con- stantly increasing trade. From the first he has received a liberal patronage, and by his fair deal- ing and earnest desire to please his customers he has gained their confidence and good-will. His snceess is certainly well merited.
Mr. Iledrick is a native of Sangamon County, Ill. Ile was born May 7, 1838, and is one of a family of ten children, whose parents were Alfred and Nancy (Hoover) Iledrick, the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Ohio. Of their five sons and five daughters, six are yet living, namely: Lewis R .; Louisa, wife of William Art- man, of Wellington, Kan .; Margaret Jane, wife of James George, of Christian County, Ill .; Caroline F., wife of James H. Williams, who resides near Cicero, Kan .; William, also of Cicero; and Henry, who is living near Bentonville, Ark. The father
of this family was for many years a resident of Sangamon County, Ill., where he located in a very early day. In 1867, he removed to Christian County and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Bear Creek Township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. lle died July 20, 1892, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away in 1890, at the age of seventy-five years. She was a member of the Christian Church.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Hedrick, was a native of Tennessee. Ilis father, however, was born in Germany, and was the founder of the family in America. Samuel fol- lowed the occupation of farming, and reared a large family. In religious faith he was a Hard- shell Baptist. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Lewis Renault, was a native of France.
Lewis R. lledrick spent the days of his boy- hood in Sangamon County, and remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age, when he responded to the country's call for troops and en- listed in Company E, One Hundred and Four- teenth Illinois Infantry, in which he served for three years. Ile was in the siege of Vieksburg and helped to take Jackson, Miss., three times. Ile entered the service as a private, but his meritori- _ ous conduct and bravery on the field of battle won him promotion to the rank of Second Lieutenant. A fearless soldier, he was ever found at his post of duty, faithfully defending the Old Flag. After his return from the war, he located in Blue Mound Township, Macon County, upon a farm, where he remained for a year. lle then removed to South Fork Township, Christian County, where he ear- ried on agricultural pursuits for four years, and then came to Taylorville, where he has since made his home.
On the 19th of September, 1865, Mr. Hedrick wedded Miss Sarah A., daughter of Davis and Mary ( Newcomer) Meredith, of Sangamon County. There are a number of singular coincidences in the Hedrick and Meredith families. The father and father-in-law of our subject were born on the same day, and the mother and mother-in-law. Their marriages were celebrated on the same day and each family had seven children when Lewis R.
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Hedrick and Sarah A. Meredith were married. By the union of our subject and his wife have been born eight children, but five of the number are now deceased, namely: Charles D., Nannie A., Rosa, Robert I. and Calvin D. Mary S .. Alice and Alfred are still living. The parents are both members of the Christian Church, in which Mr. Hedrick has served as Elder for many years, and are faithful workers in its interest. He was for- merly a Republican in politics, but is now a sup- porter of the Prohibition party. The best inter- ests of Taylorville always find in him a friend, and he is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, whose aid is never withheld from any enterprise calculated to advance the general welfare.
ESLEY SIMPSON, one of the early set- tlers of Christian County, now residing on section 13, Rosemond Township, is numbered among the extensive land-owners of the community, his possessions aggregating seven hundred and sixty acres. In his business affairs he has been very successful and has achieved a prosperity which numbers him among the substan- tial citizens of central Illinois.
Mr. Simpson was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 9, 1831, and is of Irish descent. Ilis grandfather, John Simpson, was born in the Emerald Isle, and when a young man emigrated to America. He became one of the early settlers of Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1810, and afterwards removed to Harrison County, where he took up land from the Government, making his home thereon until called to his final rest. The father of our subjeet, Alexander Simpson, was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., in 1796, and at the age of six years accompanied his parents to the Buck- eye State. He married Eliza Mary Evans, a na- tive of Ireland, who was a maiden of sixteen sum- mers when she came with her sister to America. Their union was celebrated in Harrison County, and they began their domestic life upon a farm,
Mr. Simpson entering land from the Government. About 1860, they came to Christian County, Ill., locating in Rosemond Township, where the mother passed away. The death of the father occurred in Kansas. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, seven sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, while nine are now living.
Our subjeet, who is the third in order of birth, remained upon the home farm until he had at- tained his majority, his childhood being passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. In 1852, he started Westward, hoping to benefit his financial condition thereby. Loeating in Pike County, IN., he worked by the month as a farm hand for a time, and then engaged in clerking in a store. Subse- quently he returned to Ohio, where, January 17, 1856, he married Miss Sarah J. Cheney, at New Cum- berland. Mrs. Simpson was born in Jackson Coun- ty, Va., February 14, 1834. To them was born a family of nine children: Charles W., Asa O., Elmer E., Jennie, William G., Clyde, Austin U. and Royal D., all of whom are living, and Sarah E., who died in childhood. The mother of this family died May 30, 1873. She was for many years a member of the Methodist Church.
On the 6th of December, 1877, Mr. Simpson was again married, when Miss Martha S. Cheney became his wife. She is a niece of his former wife, and a native of Louisville, Ky. Six children were born of this union, but two died in infancy. Those living are Frank, Emma J., John A. Logan and Mary E. Again coming to this State, Mr. Simpson made a location upon a farm in Pike County, which he operated for a year, and then came to Christian County, the date of his arrival being April, 1857.
Mr. Simpson here rented a farm for a year at the head of South Fork, and then purchased railroad land of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, in what is now Greenwood Township, and turned his attention to general farming. He devoted his energies to the development and cultivation of his first purchase until 1886, when he removed to the farm on which he now resides, comprising five hundred aeres. The old homestead is one hun- dred and sixty acres in extent, and he also has
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