USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 50
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The subject of this sketch is a twin brother of George. They are the youngest and the only mem- bers of the family now living. Charles remained with his parents for some years, and when quite young accompanied them to Great Falls, N. H., where his father died when he was five years of age, leaving the mother with eight children to support. When a youth of nine years our sub- ject began working for William Shaw, of North
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Berwick, Me., with whom he remained for two years, when, at the age of eleven, he went to Farmington, N. Il., where he spent two years in the employ of Benjamin Wingate. On the ex- piration of that period he went to Milton, N. II., to make his home with his unele, Joseph Pearl, with whom he remained until twenty years of age. His place of residence then changed, and we find him at Natiek, Mass., in the family of Vice-Presi- dent Henry Wilson, who was reared by an aunt of our subject, Mrs. Temperance Knight, of Farm- ington. From 1846 until 1849, Mr. Hill there re- maineil, and in September of the last-named year he went to Gilmanton Academy, which he at- tended for three years, He taught school at Strat- ford, N. H., in the winter of 1849-50, returning to the academy in the spring.
On the 26th of December, 1854. in Gilmanton, N. Il., Mr. Ilill was united in marriage with Mary F., daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Smith) Morgan, the former a native of Brentwood, N. II., and the latter of Ipswich, Mass. Both were of English descent. Mrs. Morgan was the youngest in a family of four sons and three daughters and was born in Gilmanton, N. Il. After his marriage, Mr. Hill was employed with the firm of A. G. Far- well & Co., wholesale flour merchants, for ten years, and in December, 1863, was appointed Pay- master of the United States navy, with his head- quarters on the steamer "Saco" for three years. On the 15th of April, 1866, he left that position and was appointed Constable in Massachusetts, serv- ing as such until 1868, when he came to Rose- mond, Ill., where he has since resided. Ile is now serving as Notary Public, and for four years was Justice of the Peace.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hill were born four children, George C .; Charles R., who died leaving a wife and two children, George R. and Bessie W .; Min- nie W., wife of Henry P. Denbow, of Pana, by whom she has a daughter, Pearl I .; and Susan E., wife of Howard A. Koogle, of Pana. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have a most pleasant home and own a tine farm of fifty-one acres. In his social relations he is a Mason, belonging to Pana Lodge No. 226, and he is also a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In the public duties which
he has been called upon to fill, he has ever per- formed his part with faithfulness and fidelity and to the credit of himself and the satisfaction of his constituents. His life has been an honorable and upright one, and the high regard of all with whom business or pleasure has brought him in contact is his.
C APT. ALFRED COWGILL, who is one of the honored veterans of the late war, hay- ing as a member of the boys in blue de- fended the Union in her hour of peril, is now a grain and hay dealer in Rosemond. He is widely known throughout this community, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of his life work. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on the 16th of August, 1833, and comes of an old Canadian family, his great-grand- father having been born in Canada. llis grand- father was Samuel Cowgill, and the father of our subject also bore the name of Samuel. The latter was a native of Delaware, and throughout his entire life followed the occupation of farming in pursuit of fortune. Ile married Louise Dorsey, a native of Maryland, and a daughter of Seth Dorsey. The wedding ceremony was performed in Tuscarawas County, where they lived for many years. In 1853, they came to Christian County, III., locating in Rosemond Township, where the father died at the age of eighty-seven years, while the mother survived him until she had reached the allotted three-score years and ten of the Psalmist.
Our subject is the eldest in a family of five sons and two daughters, He lived quietly in the county of his nativity until he had attained his majority, spending his boyhood days midst play and work and acquiring a good English education in the common schools of the neighborhood. At the age of twenty-one he came to Christian County. 1 :- ter the breaking out of the late war, he entered the service of his country, in August, 1861, and was assigned to Company HI, Ninth Ilinois Infantry. Ile was promoted to the rank of Second Lieu-
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tenant, and was afterwards made First Lieutenant. In October, 1863, he was transferred to the Vet- eran Reserve Corps as First Lieutenant, and was mustered out with the rank of Captain in 1865, after more than four years of faithful service. He participated in many hard-fought battles, includ- ing the engagements at Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth and many others. Ile was wounded by a minie-ball in the left knee at the last-named bat- tle on the 3d of October, 1862, and was struck in the breast. Had it not been for some letters and a memorandum book which he had in his pocket he would have been killed. He was always found at his post of duty and stood by the Old Flag until the war was over, and the Stars and Stripes floated triumphantly over the united Nation.
Returning to Christian County in 1865, Capt. Cowgill embarked in the hardware business in As- sumption, as a member of the firm of H. H. Baltz- ley & Co .. which connection was continued three years, when he sold out and removed to Pana. There he worked for Joel Beckwith in the grain business for two years, after which he entered the employ of S. M. Hawood & Son, grain dealers, as manager. In 1874, he came to Rosemond, and here carried on the grain business for that firm for two years. His place of residence changed again in 1876, when he went to Montrose. Mo., where he dealt in grain for a year. He then returned to Rosemond. and ic-entered the employ of Hlawood & Son, with whom he continued until 1878. Since 1891 he has been connected with J. B. Wadding- ton in the grain business, and the firm is now en- joying a good trade.
In 1864, in New Philadelphia, Ohio, Capt. Cow- gill was united in marriage with Sarah Bear, a na- tive of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. By their union have been born seven children: Catherine, wife of B. F. Carper, of Rosemond; Sarah, who is engaged in teaching; Alfred B., of Rosemond; Edward G., deceased; Mary, who is also a teacher; Casanna, deceased; and Jesse, who completes the family.
Our subject is a member of Pope Post No. 411, G. A. R., of Pana, He has followed in the polit- ical footsteps of his father, voting with the Re- publican party, of whose principles he is a stanch advocate. He is a man of good business ability,
and is now doing well in the enterprise to which he devotes his time and attention. He is a faith- ful citizen in times of peace as well as in times of war, and Rosemond recognizes in him a valued representative of the community.
OHN SMITH is an extensive land-owner and one of the representative farmers and stock-raisers of Christian County, owning one of the best farms in May Township, his residence being on section 15. He was born in England, on the 18th of April, 1838, being a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Cooper) Smith. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are deccased.
Our subject's father was reared in England, and came in 1844 to seek a home in Illinois. He re- mained for a short time in Pike County, and in the following year entered land in Christian Coun- ty. He was one of the pioneers and leading men of the county in an early day. The farm which he entered is now owned and operated by our subject. At the time of his death the father left about four hundred acres of property, upon which he had made good improvements. On leaving Pike County, his wife and family remained, and in some unaccountable way they lost all trace of each other. After a quarter of a century had elapsed they accidentally met, and the children who were young when he left them, were all grown up at that time.
Mr. Smith was for twenty-six years Justice of the Peace in this township. His death occurred in January, 1877, and he was placed to rest in the Ilarris Cemetery. His wife was also a native of England, and her death occurred in Adams Coun- ty, in October, 1873. In 1814 the mother of our subject was left with her fonr small children in Pike County. On account of poor health the whole family had chills and fevers. Mrs. Smith's parents desired her to leave and go to Jackson- ville. Her husband wrote a number of letters,
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but, failing to receive any reply, concluded that she had deserted him and returned to her parents. In a few years he was therefore married in Sanga- mon County, and after the death of his wife he was again married, but afterward obtained a di- voree.
After a few months from the time of her hus- band's departure, the mother of our subjeet re- moved to Jacksonville, Ill., and therefore on his return to Pike County he could learn nothing of their whereabouts. At the end of twenty-six years, during which time he had accumulated a large estate, Mr. Smith again began searching for them, and at last his labor was rewarded. Ile found that his wife, thinking he was dead, had married in the mean time Daniel Levilton. who was then deceased. Of his family. but two were living, William and our subject, who were both married and had families. The mother was mak- ing her home with our subject. After the matter had been thoroughly investigated, it was found that Mrs. Smith's relatives were to blame for the whole trouble.
John Smith was only six years old when his father left home, and he went to live with a farmer, with whom he made his home for a year. Next, going to Naples, he worked for a man who ran an hotel and livery stable. For a year he ran errands and waited on the table, after which he went to Jack- sonville and drove a stage from that point to Brighton, and also helped at the hotel at odd times for three years. Then, being fifteen years old, he hired out to farmers for the following two years. The next five years he was employed in Brown County, Ill., and then returned to Pike County, where he rented a farm for three years.
The first property owned by our subject was a tract of eighty acres in Adams County. He be- eame a thorough agriculturist and success crowned his labors, for in 1878 his property in that county comprised three hundred and fifty acres. This farm he still owns, but in 1878 he came to take possession of the farm that was given him by his father. This place comprises three hundred and sixty acres, and is one of the best-improved farms in the township.
On the 10th of April, 1864, Mr. Smith and
Miss Ruth Kaylor were joined in matrimony. She was born in Pike County, Ill., and died in 1875, having had four children: Lydia E., who is now the wife of John Robinson, a farmer of Christian County; Ellen G., deceased; George Thomas, who is also a farmer of this eounty; and John Will- iam, who is still at home. On the 7th of Novem- ber, 1875, our subject married Miss Sarah E. Lane, who was born in Adams County, Ill., and is a daughter of Jasper Lane. Four children have been born of this union, three of whom died in infancy. Myrtle resides with her parents.
In politics, Mr. Smith is a supporter of the Pro- hibition party. With his wife, he holds mem- bership with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile has never been desirous of official positions, but at one time served as Road Commissioner. As his boyhood years were passed under such unusual circumstances, it can plainly be seen that his edu- cational facilities were almost entirely lacking, and whatever he has accomplished in life has been en- tirely due to his courage and other other worthy qualities. lle has surely had the greatest ditti- culties to surmount, but even in childhood was brave and ambitious to succeed, and he has been prospered beyond his expectations.
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OSEPHI C. CREIGHTON is an able mem- ber of the legal profession of Taylorville. Christian County has many lawyers of wide reputation-some, men of years and experi- enee, and others comparatively young in practice. Among the latter class is our subjeet, but skill and ability have won him a reputation which may well be envied by many an older practitioner.
Mr. Creighton is descended from Southern fam- ilies, and on his father's side traces his ancestry back to Scotland, although his progenitors lived for two or three generations in Ireland prior to coming to this country, and one branch of the family remained in the Emerald Isle, where many of the descendants are still to be found. The
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great-grandfather. John Creighton, reared eight sons. six of whom, with most of their descendants, remained in the Southern States, the others being seattered in the North and West. The family in Scotland, Ireland. England and America has eon- tributed largely to the clerical profession. and has also furnished many distinguished physicians and lawyers. The grandfather of our subject, Joseph Creighton, was born in South Carolina, and came to the Territory of Illinois about 1868, locating in what is now White County. The maternal grandfather, John Crews, was a native of Virginia, and came to Illinois in 1817, loeating in what is now Wayne County. Both grandfathers were farmers and Methodist peachers.
The father of our subject, John M. Creighton, was born in White County, Ill., in 1821, and wedded Mary Ann Crews, who was born in Wayne County, in 1827. They had eight sons and one daughter, namely: James A., Judge of the Cir- cuit Court of Springfield, Ill .; Jacob R., now an attorney of Fairfield, Ill., who has been twice elected as State's Attorney and was candidate for Attorney-General on the Democratic State ticket; Charles E., a Methodist minister, now deceased; Joseph C., of this sketeh; Martha E., wife of Dr. W. S. Borah, of Baldwin, La .; Walter, who died in infaney; Milton M., an attorney of Litchfield, 111 .; and John M. and Thomas F., both of whom are living on the home farm in Wayne County. The father of this family died in 1869, but the mother is still living on the old homestead, four iniles east of Fairfield.
We now take up the personal history of Joseph C. Creighton, whose birth occurred in Wayne County on the 13th of January, 1855. lle was reared to manhood under the parental roof, and remained in the county of his nativity until All- gust. 1881, when he came to this county. lle fitted himself for his profession by reading law with his brother, Judge Creighton, of Springfield, Ill. Ile was admitted to the Bar in Taylorville, and here opened an office in 1881. Four years later the present firm of Ricks & Creighton was formed. and has since continued. They have had a successful carcer, and Mr. Creighton has been honored with the following official positions: In
1882, he was elected City Attorney, and re-elected in 1884. The same year he was appointed Master in Chancery, was re-appointed in 1886, and filled the office until 1888. In that year he was elected State's Attorney for the county, was again chosen for the position in 1892, and is still ereditably filling the office.
On the 17th of June, 1884, Mr. Creighton was united in marriage with Miss Cordelia B. Allen, an accomplished young lady of Taylorville. They occupy prominent positions in social circles and are highly esteemed by all. They are people of literary tastes, and Mr. Creighton has in his library a very valuable, as well as rare, work on medical jurisprudence, which formerly was owned by Abra- ham Lincoln, and as such is cherished as an inter- esting relie. The public and private life of our subject are alike above reproach, and the faithful- ness and fidelity with which he has ever performed his official duties have won him the highest com- mendation of all concerned, whether of his polit- ical belief or not.
LONZO A. AUSTIN, one of the repre- sentative agriculturists of Pana Town- ship, residing on section 33, has the honor of being a native of Illinois. He was born in St. Clair County January 21, 1861, and is the eldest child of Jesse W. and Mary M. ( Miles) Austin. His father, who is now deceased, was a prominent farmer of this community. He was born in Indiana September 19, 1832, and was the third child of George and Polly Austin, the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter a na- tive of the Hoosier State. Jesse Austin was reared from infancy in St. Clair County, Ill., and the publie schools afforded him his educational privi- leges. At the age of eighteen he started out in life for himself. Going to St. Louis, he spent a portion of his time in a livery stable and on a farm. Three years later he went to Cairo, Ill.,
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where he worked in a sawmill for a time and then returned to St. Clair County, where he ran a threshing-machine.
Mr. Austin was married March 19, 1860, to Mary Miles, and they began their domestic life in St. Clair County, coming thence to Christian County in 1867. He here purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 35, Pana Town- ship, and began its improvement. In 1879, he added to it two hundred and forty acres and built a fine residence. Ile was a very prosperous farmer and accumulated a handsome property. In early life he was a Democrat and voted for Stephen A. Douglas, but at the breaking out of the war be- came a Republican. He held membership with the Odd Fellows' Lodge. IIe died July 3, 1891. Ilis widow still lives on the homestead.
Mrs. Austin, mother of our subject, was born in St. Clair County February 2, 1842, and is the daughter of Alex and Sarah (Clarke) Mills, both natives of New York. Her father died when she was only eight years old. Her mother is now living in St. Clair County, at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Austin was the third child in order of birth in a family of twelve. She has become the mother of four children: Alonzo A., William J., Owen J., and Amy, wife of Jesse Adams. Mrs. Austin is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is now rented to her son William.
In taking up the personal history of Alonzo Austin we learn that he spent the first six years of his life in his native county, and then came with his parents to Christian County. Ile had previ- ously begun his education, which was completed in the schools of Pana. To his father he gave the benefit of his services throughout his youth, remaining at home until twenty-five years of age. Ile then chose as a companion and help- mate on life's journey Miss Maria, daughter of Cyrus and Hannah ( Wilson) Rayhill. She was born in Indiana, and their marriage was celebrated March 11, 1886. One child graces their union, Epho F., born February 20, 1889.
Mr. Austin located upon his present farm in 1876. Hle here owns one hundred and twenty acres, and in addition has one hundred and ten
acres on sections 27 and 36. which he rents. In politics, he is an advocate of the Republican party, and is now serving as School Director. He belongs to Pana Lodge No. 226, A. F. & A. M., and also to the Woodman Lodge of Pana, and to the Protective Association. Ile carries on general farming and stock-raising, and is recognized as one of the leading young agriculturists of Chris- tian County. Ile possesses good business ability, is industrious, and the success that comes from earnest toil will no doubt crown his efforts in a high degree.
C OL. WILLIAM M. READING, one of the popular citizens and prominent stock-buyers of Pana Township, residing on section 6, well deserves representation in the history of his adopted county, and with pleasure we present this record of his life to our readers. He was born in Pike County, Mo., June 25, 1828. Ilis grandfather, George Reading, was born near Reading, Pa., and in an carly day removed to Kentucky. He was a miller and farmer, and built a gristmill in that State. John Reading, father of the Colonel, was born in Harrison, Ky., and after arriving at years of maturity married Sarah D. Maxwell. who was born in Bourbon County, Ky. The marriage of this couple was celebrated in Pike County, Mo., and they immediately afterwards located on a farm near the border of Louisiana, their respective families having removed thither in an early day. The paternal grandfather and the maternal great- grandfather were both Revolutionary soldiers. In 1830, the parents removed to what was then Marion County, Mo., but afterwards became Lewis County, Mo. The father there built a grist and saw mill, but he was not long permitted to enjoy bis new home, his death occurring in 1832, at the age of thirty-six years. Ihis wife long survived him and passed away at the age of sixty-eight. The Colonel is their only son, but they had five daughters, all of whom grew to womanhood.
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Nancy M. is now the widow of Robert Creasy, of Lewis County, Mo .; Elizabeth is the widow of Daniel Creasy, and resides in the same county; Jane E. is the wife of James Dickson, of Quincy, Ill .; Sarah Ann is now deceased; and Mrs. Rebecca Susan Jennings has also passed away.
Col. Reading, who was the fourth in order of birth, was reared in the county of his nativity and was educated in the district schools. He was a lad of only four years when his father died. When he was still quite young the care of bis widowed mother and sisters fell upon him. They lived in a new country. and the development of the land was an arduous task. In 1853, he went to La Grange, Mo .. where he was employed as a collector for a general store. In 1855. he bought an interest in the business and continued operations in that line until 1861, when he sold out.
In August, 1862, Mr. Reading organized a regi- ment of militia in Lewis and Clark Counties Mo., and on the 19th of December. that year, he was commissioned Colonel of the Sixty-ninth Mis- souri Infantry. Ile commanded his troops until 1864, and was engaged in fighting bushwhackers and guerrillas and in keeping order in that much- disputed territory, his headquarters being at La Grange, Mo. He received an appointment as Assessor of the Tenth Division of the Second Dis- triet of Missouri, and discharged the duties con- nected with that position, when not engaged in skirmisbing. The regiment was ordered to dis- band in 1864. Col. Reading then resumed mer- chandising in La Grange. where he remaind until 1878. That year witnessed his arrival in Christian County, Ill., since which time he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising Hle is now one of the largest stock-dealers in the community.
The Colonel was married May 23, 1848, to Sarah Ann Hampton, who was born in Missouri, and died April 12, 1854, leaving two daughters: Sarah. wife of Charles Roth, of East Germantown, Ind .: and Susan, wife of Calvin Wiseman. of Lewis County, Mo. On the Ist of November, 1855, Mr. Reading was joined in marriage with Miss Mary J. Ring, a native of Greenbrier County, W. Va. They have had a family of nine children: John J., deceased; William M., of St. Paul, Minn .; Anna
Mary, who died in infancy; Joseph G., at home; James A., who died in infancy; Nannie May, wife of Edward Coonrod, of this county; Emma .J .. who is engaged in teaching; Maud, who is also a teach- er; and Grace, a student in the High School at Taylorville.
In politics, the Colonel was a Whig until the or- ganization of the American party, and since 1864 he has been a stalwart Republican. He served as Councilman and Treasurer of the town of La Grange, and in politics takes quite a prominent part. He has organized many Republican clubs, and does all in his power to promote the interests of his party. lle is a popular, genial gentleman, who makes friends wherever he goes. He is a man of kindly and generous impulses, and his sociabil- ity and sterling qualities have gained bim univer- sal confidence and esteem.
OUN S. FRALEY was a snecessful farmer of May Township for a great many years, and at the time of his death left a considerable estate. Ilis children are numbered among the best citizens of the community, as they were reared to lives of usefulness and industry. The birth of Mr. Fraley occurred in Franklin County, Ohio, June 6, 1818. In 1850 he removed to Christian County, Ill., casting in his lot with the few pioneers who had previously located here.
On the 26th of July, 1867, Mr. Fraley and Miss Augusta Anderson were married. The lady was born January 17, 1841, in Wyandotte County, Ohio, being a daughter of William and Eliza (MeCoy) Anderson. The father was a native of Pittsburgh and grew to manhood in Pennsylvania. Ile came to Christian County after his marriage, arriving here in 1851, and engaged in farming for a number of years in this county. Ilis death occurred in Colorado at the age of eighty-three years. Ile was of German descent, while his wife's people were of Irish ancestry. She was the mother
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