USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 44
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another farm of one hundred acres, his possessions therefore aggregating seven hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and yields to the owner a good income. llis son, Asa O., now operates the old home place.
For many years Mr. Simpson has now engaged in general farming and stock-raising. IIe gives his special attention to the latter branch of busi- ness at this writing and now has over one hundred head of cattle. Our subject started out in life a poor man, with no capital save a young man's bright hope of the future and a determination to win snecess if it could be achieved through industry and perseverance. He has succeeded, having more than realized the hopes of his early man- hood. That his prosperity is well deserved is ac- knowledged by all. In politics, Mr. Simpson has been a supporter of Republican principles since the organization of the party, and socially is a member of the Masonie fraternity. He is num- bered among the early settlers of this community, and among the leading citizens of Christian County.
B ENJAMIN FRANKLIN LANTZ occupies the position of Postmaster of Taylorville, ,and is proving himself a capable and ef- ficient officer, as well as a popular one. Ile is widely known throughout the community, and is a man who has many warm friends. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, October 19, 1840, and his parents, Martin and Lavina (Hines) Lantz, were also natives of the Buckeye State. They had only two children, Benjamin, and Samuel W., who now resides in Lyons, Kan. The father car- ried on the butchering business in Lancaster for many years. At length he came to Illinois, in 1870, and located in Taylorville, where he carried on business until his death, which occurred in 1873, at the age of fifty-six years. Ihis wife sur- vived him, and departed this life in 1883, at the
age of sixty-nine. The paternal grandfather, Martin Lantz, was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and became one of the early settlers of Ohio. Ile en- tered land within three miles of Lancaster, and there made his home until his death, which oc- eurred when more than eighty years of age. Hle was twice married, and reared a family of seven children,
The gentleman whose name heads this record . spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native city, and there acquired a good practical English education. At the age of eighteen, he began learning the blacksmith's trade, at which he served a three-years apprenticeship, but on the breaking out of the war he abandoned the forge and shouldered the musket. Prompted by patri- otic impulses, he responded to the President's call for troops in the beginning of the strife, and served for nearly four years in Company F, Forty- sixth Ohio Infantry. At the battle of Pittsburg Landing, in which he participated, during the first day of the struggle he was taken prisoner, and after being incarcerated for about thirty days, he was paroled, but was not exchanged for almost a year, returning to his regiment just a year after he had been made a prisoner. The next battle in which he took part was at Memphis, Tenn., it commenc- ing on the 2d of May, at Resaca. He was in front of Atlanta during the siege of that city, and on account of a wound received on the 5th of Au- gust was incapacitated for duty for thirty days. Rejoining his regiment at Jonesboro, he went into battle there and remained with the troops until reaching Washington, when he left the Capitol City for Louisville, Ky., where he was mustered out. Mr. Lantz saw much hard service, but he remained true to the Old Flag and to the cause of the Union until the fact of her preservation was an established one.
Our subjeet was then returned to Lancaster, Ohio, and worked at his trade for a year. In 1866, he went to Decatur, Ill., where he joined an old army comrade. Forming a partnership, they went to Wheatland, and, opening a blacksmith shop, there did business for a year, from which place Mr. Lantz came to Taylorville. 1Ie was here em- ployed in the agricultural implement warehouse
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of Sattley Brothers for four years, after which he secured a position with Brooks & Shutler, with whom he remained for about three years. He then served as Deputy in the office of the County Clerk, under William H. Kirkwood. On the 17th of June, 1875, he entered the postoffice as assistant to John J. Squires, and has here remained contin- uously since. On the 27th of January, 1891, he was made Postmaster by President Harrison, and is the present incumbent. His connection with the office covers a period of eighteen years, a fact which well indicates faithfulness to duty, prompt- ness and fidelity.
Turning from the public to the private life of . Mr. Lantz, we record that on the 8th of October, 1867, was celebrated his marriage with Miss Ber- lina J. Dean, a daughter of Allen and Maria ( Webb) Dean, of Lancaster, Ohio. Four children grace this union, Albert E., Bertha, Roy and Minnie, and they also lost a daughter in infancy. Albert, a cigarmaker of Taylorville, married Miss Belle Murphy, and unto them has been born a son, La- Moine.
The Lantz family has a pleasant home in Tay- lorville, which is the abode of hospitality. and the members of the household rank high in the social circles in which they move. Mr. Lantz is a warm advocate of Republican principles, and socially is connected with F. M. Long Post No. 392, G. A. R. His wife is a consistent member of the Methi- odist Church. One of the honored boys in blue, a public-spirited citizen and a faithful officer, Mr. Lantz well deserves representation in this history of his adopted county.
ILLIAM C. HAINES, who occupies the re- sponsible position of County Clerk of Christian County, and makes his home in Taylorville, is a native of Virginia. He was born in Rappahannock County, September 21, 1832, and is a son of Isaac and Lucy C. (Ferguson)
Haines, who were also natives of the Old Domin- ion. The paternal grandfather, Ezekiel Haines, was born in Virginia, and was of German descent. lle was a farmer by occupation, and spent his en- tire life in the State of his nativity. In religious belief he was a Methodist. He reared a large family of fourteen children, and lived to quite an advanced age.
Rev. Isaac laines, father of our subject, was a farmer, and also a minister of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Ile came to Illinois with his family in 1836, and located in Cooper Township, Sanga- mon County, four miles east of Rochester, where he died in 1838, at the age of thirty-one years and three months. At the time of his death he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the Legis- lature. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Haines married Thomas S. Young, by whom she had a daughter, Ellen T., now the wife of F. M. Young, a farmer of Christian County. She, too, was a member of the Methodist Church, and died in Christian County in August, 1849, at the age of forty-four years. Her father, Benjamin Frank- lin Ferguson, was a Virginia farmer and quite a prominent and public-spirited man. The Fergu- sons are of Scotch descent, and in religious belief the grandfather of our subject was an Episco- palian.
William C. Haines was one of four children, but has only a sister now living, Lucy, wife of Joseph N. Clark, of Frederickstown, Mo. Our subject was only four years old when his parents came to Illinois. He received his early education in the old-fashioned subscription schools, and in his youth he worked at the carpenter's trade for two years. Attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he went by wagon to the Pacific Slope in 1852, and there engaged in mining until 1859, when he returned home, reaching his destination on the 5th of October.
On the 16th of November following, Mr. Ilaines was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Ellen, daughter of Ezekiel and Naney (Jones) Young, who were natives of Kentucky. Her father was the first County Clerk of Christian County. Two children were born of their union: Maude E., who died in infancy; and Dora Eugenia, now the wife
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of Amos Johnson. They have two children, Clarence and Eleanor. Mrs. Haines, who was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died November 14, 1864, and Mr. Ilaines was again married, in 1866, his second union being with Miss Margaret E., daughter of Henderson Hancock, of Kentucky. By this marriage eight children have been born: Belle; Clarence, now deceased; Will- iam C., Irene, Eugene H., Mamie, Anna F., and one that died in infancy.
After his return from California, Mr. Haines engaged in farming until 1861, when he went to Texas. where he remained ten months. Ile then carried on farming in this eounty until 1878, his home being located a mile west of Taylorville. In November of that year he was appointed Dep- uty Sheriff under A. L. Clark, and served for six- teen months, when Mr. Clark died and Mr. Hames was appointed Sheriff to fill the unexpired term. Ile was then elected to the ollice for two years. Under the new law he was again elected, and served a term of four years. On leaving that office he embarked in the grocery business in partnership with Charles B. Young, which connection contin- ued for two years. He then purchased his part- ner's interest and carried on the business alone for a year, when he admitted John Lewis to partner- ship. After eighteen months, Mr. Lewis sold his interest to Jolin W. Bedwell, and business is now carried on under the firm name of Ilaines & Bed- well. In March, 1893, Mr. Haines was elected at a special election to the office of County Clerk to fill the unexpired term of Charles Whitmer, who resigned to accept the first clerkship in the State Auditor's office. Mr. Haines has also served as Alderman for six years. It is needless to say to those who know him that it has been faithful per- formance of duty that has kept him in office for such Jong-continued periods, and that the honor thus conferred upon him has been well merited.
In his social relations, Mr. Haines is connected with the Independent Order of Mutual Aid. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In public and private life his career has been alike above reproach, in his business dealings he is upright and honorable, in his official duties he is prompt and careful. All who know Mr.
Haines esteem him for his sterling worth and many exeelleneies of character, and as one of the influen- tial eitizens of Taylorville he well deserves rep- resentation in this volume.
C. SHAFER, a merchant and undertaker of Assumption, is one of the early settlers of Christian County. He is a native of Ohio, born in Fairfield County July 7, 1853. His father, G. A. Shafer, was also born in the same county, the date of that event being November 14, 1827. The latter on his arrival at mature years wedded Miss C. A. Myers, also of the same county. For many years Mr. Shafer engaged in farming in Ohio, and in 1854 removed to Illi- nois. llis first location in this State was Shelby- ville, where he remained only a short time, how- ever. Ile purchased some land in Christian County, but engaged in farming in Tazewell County until 1872, at which time he sold his farm and bought land adjoining Assumption. For the succeeding fourteen years he devoted his energies to improving and cultivating this farm. He has now retired from business affairs, and though well along in years is hale and hearty, bidding fair to live many years longer.
The boyhood of our subject was passed without any unusual event, in the manner of farmer lads, his time being divided between work on the farm and attendance at the district schools. He was studious and made the most of his advantages, and in later years has been an extensive reader. thus becoming well informed on all the leading ques- tions of the day. He came to Christian County when a young man and engaged in farming for some time with his father. Hle afterward sold farm machinery for the Walter A. Wood Manufacturing Company, and next worked for his brother in the hardware business. Mr. Shafer next became agent for the Glidden Barb Wire Manufactoring Com- pany. In 1884, he left the road and went to Kansas, where he engaged in farming for three
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years. In 1887 he bought his present business and has since added sewing-machines and organs. Ile makes a specialty of undertaking and embalm- ing. Hle owns a large farm in Kansas and has a pleasant home in Assumption.
The marriage of Mr. Shafer was celebrated in 1871, in Litchfield, Ill., with Miss Clara C. Ben- ope, who was born in Ohio, but grew to woman- hood and was educated in Illinois. She passed away in 1872. In 1874, Mr. Shafer wedded Miss Tranna Ellis, the ceremony being performed in Tazewell County. The lady was born in Tazewell County, Ill., and passed her girlhood and was mar- ried in the house she was born in. She has be- come the mother of two children: Royal and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer are members of the Christian Church.
Our subject is greatly interested in civie so- cieties, belonging to the Odd Fellows, in which he has served as Past Grand, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is Chief Ex- ecutive of his lodge. also of the Knights of Honor. In polities, he supports the principles and nom- inees of the Republican party, and is zealous in the cause. He is recognized as a man of good busi- ness ability, and with his estimable wife has the high esteem and respect of all.
C ASSIUS DE LOSS CUTLER. one of Chris- tian County's most prominent, progressive and successful farmers, resides on section 33, Pana Township. Few citizens are more widely or favorably known than our subject, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present this record of his life to our readers, knowing that it will be received with interest by many.
Mr. Cutler was born in Ohio, on the 1st of Jan- uary, 1848, and comes of one of the old families of Massachusetts. Ilis grandfather, John Cutler, was a Massachusetts farmer. The family came originally from England, and the great-great-great- grandfather of our subject was born in that coun-
try. The father of our subject aiso bore the name of John Cutler, and was a native of Ohio. By trade he was a carpenter, and followed contracting for many years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary A. Parks, was also born in the Buckeye State, and was of French descent. Their family numbered seven children, five sons and two daugh- ters, of whom our subject is the eldest.
Mr. Cutler whose name heads this record at- tended the schools of Benton, Ohio, and became familiar with the common English branches of learning. No event of any special importance occurred during his youth, and the history of any farmer lad is almost identical with that of the early years of our subject. He was a young man of nineteen years when he left the State of his nativity and emigrated Westward to Illinois. The year 1865 witnessed his arrival in Christian Coun- ty, and March 18, 1869, having attained to mature years, he celebrated his marriage. At that time he was united with Miss Agnes McConnell, also a native of Ohio. Her death occurred April 28, 1878, and she left three sons to mourn her loss, namely: Harry A., on the farm; Frank A., a book- keeper in Schuyler's Bank, in Pana; and Alvin R., at home. Mr. Cutler was afterward married, on the 23d of March, 1880, his second union being with Miss Mollie Dickey, a native of this county.
The father of Mrs. Cutler, Dr. Salem Dickey, deceased, was a pioneer physician of this commu- nity, in fact one of the earliest settlers of the county. His business interests made him widely known, and he became a leading and influential citizen. Of his family of four children, Mrs. Cut- ler was the third in order of birth. By her mar- riage she has become the mother of five children, two sons and three daughters, as follows: Bertha, Elmer, Eva, John and an infant unnamed.
The Cutler farm comprises two hundred and ninety acres of valuable land. under a high state of cultivation, and well improved with all the acces- sories and equipments of a model farm. There are a substantial residence, barns and outbuildings, which are models of convenience, and the latest improved machinery, etc. A glance at this place shows the owner to be a most thrifty and progress- ive agriculturist. On one occasion he received
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the majority of votes cast at the Pana Fair for the best farmer in the county, and received the prize for the same, a fine road cart. Ile owns one hun- dred acres of land in Shelby County, which is also under his personal supervision and yields to him a good income.
Mr. Cutler excreises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party. He formerly served as Road Commissioner, and is now Assistant Supervisor of Pana Township. Hle takes consid- erable interest in civic societies and is a member of Pana Lodge No. 222, A. F. & A. M .; Chapter No. 115, R. A. M .; and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Cutler certainly deserves great credit for his success in life, for it is the result of his own efforts, and his business career is certainly worthy of emulation.
OHN WICKLIFFE KITCHELL, one of Christian County's most prominent attor- neys, is a resident of Pana, and belongs to one of the honored pioneer families of the State. He is one of Illinois' native sons, his birth having occurred in Palestine, Crawford County, May 30, 1835. His father, Wiekliff Kitehell, was born in New York, and came to Illinois in 1818, the year of its admission to the Union. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Ross, was a native of New Jersey, and had a family of eleven children, of whom three daughters are now living, and our subject, who is the youngest in the family, and the only one residing in Christian County.
Wickliff Kitehell removed to Hillsboro, Mont- gomery County, in 1838. Wherever he resided he at once became recognized as a prominent and influential citizen. He at one time served as Attorney-General of the State, to which position he was appointed by the Governor. He was also State's Attorney, and was Register of the Land Office located at Palestine. Ile was, at one time, candidate for Congress. In politics, he was a
Democrat until the close of the Mexican War. A firm opponent of the extension of slavery, he was a strong anti-Nebraska man, and became one of the founders of the Republican party in Illinois, and attended the first Republican State Convention, held at Bloomington in 1856. In 1847, he left Illinois, and spent seven years in Ft. Madison, Iowa, after which he returned, and henceforth was identified with the interests of Illinois. Ile was acquainted with all the promi- nent men of the State, and was intimately associ- ated in law and politics with A. T. Fields, Gen. James Shields, U. F. Linder, John M. Palmer, O. B. Ficklin, Stephen A. Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, Lyman Trumbull and Joseph Gillespie. He took a very active interest in public affairs, and his in- fluence was widely felt. lle was a man of advanced views, fitted to mould public opinion and to be a leader of the people. He owned a section of land near Pana, Christian County, which he was improving at the time of his death, in 1869, when in his eightieth year. Ilis wife had passed away in October, 1862.
Judge Alfred Kitchell, the eldest son of this worthy couple, was a prominent lawyer of Olney, Ill. Ile served several terms as State's Attorney, and about 1860 was elected to the Bench as Judge of the Circuit Court. In 1866, he removed to Galesburg, Ill., where his death occurred ten years later. Edward Kitehell, the second son, residing in Olney, was also a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. In 1862, he enlisted, and was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninety- eighth Illinois Infantry, and was afterwards breveted Brigadier-General for gallant service on the field. He was Collector of Internal Revenue for his district, and ran as Republican candidate for Congress, making a strong race. His death occurred in Olney, in 1870.
We now take up the personal history of John Wickliffe Kitchell. At an early age it became his desire to enter the legal profession, and when a young man of seventeen he began reading law with the firm of Miller & Beck, both distinguished attorneys of Ft. Madison, lowa, the former a member of Congress, and the latter afterwards Supreme Judge for more than twenty years.
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After one year's study, he was admitted to the Iowa Bar. He began practice in Hillsboro, Ill., while still in his minority, being for a time a partner of Judge E. Y. Rice, and he remained in Hillsboro until after the elose of the War of the Rebellion, except for one year, which he spent in Charleston, Ill.
In 1854, the members elect of the Illinois Gen- eral Assembly consisted of Old-line Whigs and Democrats and a few so-called Anti-Nebraska Democrats. The opposition to the Democrats combined, eleeted the officers, and subsequently Lyman Trumbull to the United States Senate. Mr. Kitehell, then in his twentieth year, applied for a position, and was elected Assistant Clerk of the House of Representatives. The session was made memorable by a severe snow-storm, which happened during an adjournment, blockading the railroads in the northern portion of the State, and keeping away a majority of the members for many days. The Assistant Clerk went to Chicago, along with others, and his recollections of the re- turn are not the most agreeable, as the train was frozen in beyond Pontiac. A walk of a dozen miles, with the mereury many degrees below zero, and a passage by sleigh the balance of the way to the capital ended that adventure.
The sweeping triumph of the Republican party in the fall of 1860 gave to Illinois its first Repub- lican Legislature, and Mr. Kitehell was for a second time chosen First Assistant Clerk of the House, and performed the duties of Reading Clerk throughout the entire session. After the elose of the sittings each day, the elerks had to make up the journals to be read the following day, and this frequently kept them until the small hours of the morning. Just prior to the final adjourn- ment, on motion of Mr. Church, a resolution, perhaps the only one of the kind to be found on the journals of the Legislature, was unanimously passed, granting to the chief clerk and his first assistant extra pay for work performed after midnight. The session of 1860-61 was doubtless the most important and exciting in the history of the State. S. M. Cullom, afterwards Governor, and now United States Senator, was Speaker of the Hlouse, and Church and Hurlbut leaders on the
Republican side, and those who heard Gov. Yates' inaugural address, will long remember it. Re- maining after the elose of the session to finish up the journals, Mr. Kitchell had the good fortune to be among those who assembled to bid farewell to Mr. Lincoln as he took his departure for Wash- ington, and to hear, from the platform of the car on which he stood, the memorable last words which the President elect uttered at his old home to the throng of anxious friends. The next time he saw Mr. Lincoln was on that sadder occasion, when the body of the martyred President was lying in state at the capitol in Springfield, and when thousands passed by the sareophagus, Mr. Kitchell being one of the staff-otlicers detailed for duty as guard within the chamber on that day.
Returning to his home at Hillsboro, only a few weeks elapsed until Mr. Lincoln made his first call for seventy-five thousand troops to aid in crush- ing out the rebellion, and Mr. Kitchell at once enlisted in the first company raised in Montgomery County, On arriving at Springfield, he resigned his clerkship in the Legislature, and went to Camp Yates with his company. He was chosen First Lieutenant, then appointed Adjutant of the regi- ment, and afterwards Captain of Company II, and on the expiration of his term was discharged. At the next most pressing call for troops, in 1862. he was principally instrumental in raising a com- pany, of which he was to have been the Captain, but the sudden sickness and subsequent death of his mother detained him at home until the company was filled and sworn into service and already in the field. Anxious to do his part in the then desperate struggle, and disappointed in his purpose to enter the service with his compan- ions and friends, he then established and con- ducted the Hillsboro Monitor. He had previously been engaged in journalistic work, having pub- lished the Montgomery County Herald, a non- partisan paper, for a couple of years, and edited the Charleston Courier, a Republican paper, during his residence in that town. The Monitor took strong grounds in favor of the prosecution of the war, and greatly aided the Union eause, and many copies weekly found their way to the front to cheer the absent soldiers. When the draft
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