USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 53
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When in his twenty-third year, Mr. Bugg wed- ded Miss Laura A. Bradley, the date of the event being July 4, 1868. Mrs. Bugg's parents were early settlers of Christian County. The young couple commenced housekeeping on a farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres which our subject inherited from his father's estate, and here they have made their home continuously. The boundaries of the farm have been extended, and at the present time our subject owns some one hundred and sixty-five acres, well improved and cultivated. The place is situated six miles southeast of. Taylorville, and would bring a good price if put on the market.
Five children have blessed the union of our worthy subject and his wife. Emma is the wife of Allen MeKnight, who is a farmer of Clay County, 111 .; Luella E. is the wife of Will Atkinson, who is engaged in farming in Christian County; Ger- trude and Glenn are still at home; and Jessie died in infancy. Mrs. Bugg and her elder daughters are members of the United Presbyterian Church.
Preferring rather to give his entire energy and time to carrying on his farm, Mr. Bugg has steadily refused to serve in positions of trust and honor in his township. He deposits his ballot in favor of the nominces and principles of the Republican party. Though he is not identified with any choreh or- ganization, he is interested in their prosperity and contributes to their support. He is well and favor- ably known in this county as a man whose word is as good as his bond, and by his genial and friendly manner he has always made every one his friend.
OYES LADD, one of the early settlers and representative farmers of Christian Coun- ty, who now resides on section 23, Buck- hart Township, was born in Franklin Township, New London County, Conn., on the 31st of March, 1822. llis father, Noyes Ladd, Sr., and his grand- father, Darius Ladd, were both natives of the Nut- meg State, and the family is of English descent. The former married Harriet Williams, who was born in Connecticut, and was a descendant of Elias Williams, a sea-captain, a descendant of William Williams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and of Capt. W. Stanton, who served in the Revolutionary War. His father, Joseph Stanton, was a son of Thomas Stanton, who ran away from home when a boy of fifteen years, took passage on the " Mayflower." and came to America with the Pilgrim Fathers. Here he learned the lan- guage of the Indians and became an interpreter. He was considered a man of prominence and influ- ence in the community where he lived. Fifty out
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of one hundred and one of the colonists dying the first winter. he left them and went among the Indians, Chief Massasoit being the one who taught him to become an interpreter. He was afterward the interpreter for the five colonies until his death, and he assisted Chief Uncas in writing the history of their achievements. After leaving the Indians he returned to his father, who fitted him out with a store at Hartford.
Mr. Ladd is a third cousin to President Cleve- land. Mrs. Ladd's paternal ancestors married into the Ilyde family of England, to which family Mr. Cleveland traces his lineage, and through which the Cleveland family made claim to Hyde Park, London. There is no doubt of their inheritance eentering there, but there are missing links in the evidence for the claim. Chauney Cleveland, an eminent lawyer and Governor of Connecticut, made a strong effort, but finally abandoned it.
Our subject became first acquainted in Spring- field, Ill., with Abraham Lincoln, he being the first man he got acquainted with in that place. Afterward he became the bosom friend of Lincoln, many times discussing the slavery question with him at Lincoln's home until midnight. Mr. Ladd has in his possession a rare relie, in the shape of a pieture of his grandfather, Capt. Elias Willis, a painting over a hundred years old, painted on glass, and a picture of his grandmother, taken over fifty years ago. She died in Charleston, S. C., of yellow fever.
The parents of our subject were married in the Nutmeg State, and located on a farm in Franklin Township, New London County, where they re- sided until 1834, when they removed to Stoning- ton. Conn., where the father died at the age of forty-one. The mother afterward came to Illinois, and departed this life in the home of our subject, at the age of seventy-two. They had been the parents of the following children: Noyes, of this sketch; Harriet Z., who died when one year old; William, who died at the age of sixteen; Elizabeth, widow of John A. Rolston, and a resi- dent of Springfield, Mo., whose son is W. C. Rol- ston, Judge of Pocahontas County, lowa; Curtis K., who died at the age of nineteen; and Cyrus F., Darius, Nathan and Elias, all of whom were
drowned from the steamer "Empire," on North River, off Newburg, N. Y., while coming to this State. Our subject, his wife and three children and his mother were on the same boat, but were saved. In that collision, however, fifty-four lives were lost.
Mr. Ladd whose name heads this record was reared in Connecticut, and on the 20th of Janu- ary, 1843, married Phoebe Williams, a native of New London County, that State. Seven children were born unto them: Anna, now deceased; Har- riet II., wife of Samuel Headen; William Stanton, who died at the age of sixteen; Curtis K., of South Fork Township; John P. W., also a farmer of South Fork Township; Jesse Y., a farmer of Taylorville Township; and Julia, who died in infancy. The mother of this family died, and January 30, 1868, Mr. Ladd married Eliza J. Kennard, a native of Mifflin County, Pa., but reared in Pickaway Coun- ty, Ohio. Three children grace this marriage, Eliza Jane, Emily Augusta and Lillie.
Our subjeet carried on farming in Connecticut until 1848, which year witnessed his arrival in Christian County. The farm on which he now resides he entered from the Government. It was a raw tract of land, upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. The en- tire county was wild and undeveloped. There were only nine voters in the township, six miles square. Mr. Ladd has been prominently identi- fied with the development and upbuilding of the community. He was one of the committee to build the first schoolhouse in the township, and was taxed for that purpose $1.50. Ilis entire taxes were only $20. Ile is now the oldest resident of the township, the others who were here at his ar- rival having removed or been called to the home beyond. Ile devotes his energies untiringly to the cultivation of his farm, and at one time owned one thousand acres of land. Ilis possessions have all been acquired through his own efforts and stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.
Mr. Ladd was a Whig in early life. Although not old enough to vote himself. he aided the elec- tion of Gen. Harrison by carrying voters to the polls. In 1856 he supported Fremont, and has since been a stalwart advocate of the Republican
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party. He was instrumental in the convention which nominated Gov. Bissell, the first Republican Governor of Illinois, and did campaign work in his behalf, making speeches throughout this part of the State. He lias never been an office-seeker. in fact has steadily refused to hold ollice.
Mr. Ladd holds membership with the Presby- terian Church. The history of pioneer life in Christian County is certainly familiar to him, and the county owes to him a debt of gratitude for the labors he has performed in its behalf. Hle has done all in his power to aid in its upbuilding and advancement, and his labors have not been without their result. As an honored pioneer and valued citizen of the community, he well deserves representation in this volume.
1 ETER L. MYERS, a resident of Assump- tion, is one of the honored old settlers of the county, where he has resided for thir- ty-two years. He has ever taken an act- ive part in its growth and has been identified with its welfare. He is a native of Ohio, born in Fair- field County, December 1, 1828, and is a son of Ilenry F. Myers, who was a native of the Key- stone State. The latter on arriving at man's es- tate removed to Ohio, settling in Fairfield County. in the wilderness, where he cleared and improved a farm. Ile married Miss Sarah Clare, whose birth occurred in Ohio, and whose father, Adam Clare, was one of the first settlers of Fairfield County. After a residence in the Buckeye State of a num- ber of years, Henry F. Myers removed to Illinois, in 1854, and passed the remaining years of his life in Tazewell County. His demise occurred in 1860, and his wife. after surviving him a few years, passed away. in 1872. and lies buried beside her husband in Holland Grove Cemetery.
The subject of this sketch is one of a family of five sons and ten daughters. Of the number. thir- teen are still living. The youth of Mr. Myers was passed in his native county, and his educa-
tional privileges were of the most limited descrip- tion. In 1854, he came to Illinois and first located in Tazewell County, where he bought land and cleared a farm. For eight years he devoted him- self to this enterprise and in time found himself possessed of three hundred and twenty acres, which he had entered and developed. A portion of this was located in Christian County and the remain- der in Shelby County. It was in 1861 that he removed to the farm which he still owns and operates. In the year 1865, he purchased a farm in Assumption Township, which is now un- der good cultivation and has become a desirable piece of property. At times since 1864, Mr. My- ers has engaged in the butcher's business and was the first to open a meat-market in Assumption. Ile was one of the organizers of the Assumption Coal and Mining Company, of which he was made the first President. This position he held to the satisfaction of all until he saw fit to resign, in the summer of 1893.
The marriage of Mr. Myers was celebrated in Fairfield County. Ohio, November 5, 1850, when Miss Mary M. Kemmerer became his wife. Mrs. Myers is a sister of Philip B. Kemmerer, whose sketch may be found on another page of this work. Two children came to bless this union, the eldest of whom, Meredith M., is a partner of his father in the meat business and resides in Assump- tion; the daughter is the wife of Lloyd B. Fer- rell, and lives in Wichita, Kan., where Mr. Ferrell is engaged in the real-estate business.
Mr. Myers since the organization of the Repub- hean party has been loyal to it. Recognizing his ability and worth, the friends and neighbors of Mr. Myers have frequently elected him to hold local official positions, and the wisdom of their choice has been always shown. lle has always been a true friend and upholder of our public- school system, and was one of the prime movers in securing the first schoolhouse in Assumption. For a number of years he has served as a member of the School Board, and has given liberally of his time, influence and means for benevolent purposes and movements for the general good. He is friendly to churches and has contributed to every church building in the village. With his worthy
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wife, son and daughter, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has belonged to the Masonic fraternity for many years; is a Master Mason and has passed nearly all the chairs of that order. He is President of the Fair Association, having served as such since its organization, and having always taken a leading part in its success. Ile is also President of the Building and Loan Association, and, in short, there are few local movements or enterprises with which he has not been identified.
E DMUND B. BILYEU. a farmer residing on section 21, Prairieton Township, is one of the well-to-do and enterprising agricultor- ists of the community, and one of the early set- tlers, his residence dating from 1841. Numbered among Illinois' native sons, he was born in Sanga- mon County, February 15, 1839. His father, John 11. Bilyeu. was born and reared in Kentucky. Ile was twice married, his second union being with Elizabeth Workime, a native of Kentucky. Re- moving to Illinois, he located in Sangamon Coun- ty, becoming one of its first settlers. Subsequent- ly he went to Miller County, Mo., but after four years spent in that place he came to Sangamon County, Ill., once more, and made it his home un- til March, 1841, when he removed to Christian County. Ilere he opened up a large farm and spent his remaining days, his death occurring in May, 1867. His wife still survives him, and has now reached the age of eighty years. Mr. Bilyeu had a family of twelve children, eight of whom are yet living: Peter, a farmer of this county; John S., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Sampson B., deceased; Lydia, wife of Isom Adams, whose sketch is also given elsewhere; Ed- mund, of this sketch; Josiah. deceased; George and Isaac, who are living on the old homestead; Iliram C., who is now in the West; Sarah Ann, who died in Lockwood, Mo., leaving four chil- dren; and David Bilyen, of Blue Mound
The subject of this sketch spent his youth in this county, being reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier. He remained with his father until after he had attained his majority, and then set- tled upon an eighty-acre farm, where he resided until February, 1864. It was a traet of raw prai- rie, but the first season he broke forty acres and planted it in corn. Hle built a little house, fenced the entire farm, and in course of time placed it all under cultivation. Ile has since purchased two hundred and eighty acres, and now has about three hundred and sixty acres, of which two hun- dred and forty are in the home farm. This is a fine body of land, under a high state of cultiva- tion, and improved with all the accessories of a model farm. The owner has erected a commo- dious and substantial residence, good barns and outbuildings, and may well feel a just pride in this valuable homestead.
On Christmas Day of 1861, Mr. Bilyeu married Miss Percy Reed, a native of Christian County, who died July 5, 1889. There were nine children born of that union: John H., who is married and follows farming in this county; Lydia Ann, wife of Thomas Barnett; Edmund, who is married, and follows farming; Elizabeth; Sarah; Linda, wife of George Jacobs; Peter C., Isom and Wilbur P. Mr. Bilyeu was again married, September 29, 1891, his second union being with Mrs. Naney Easley, daughter of John Finn. She is a native of this State, and by her former marriage has three chil- dien. The second union has been blessed with one son, Earl, who is the joy and light of the household.
Mr. Bilyeu is a member of the Christian Church and his wife belongs to the Baptist Church. Since casting his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860, he has supported cach Presidential nominee of the Democratic party, but has never sought or .
desired public office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. Ile has met with excellent success in his undertak- ings and by his own enterprise and industry has accumulated a handsome competency, which numbers him among the well-to-do farmers of Christian County. For the period of fifty-two years, he has made his home in this county, and
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has witnessed almost its entire growth and devel- opment. Ile has seen its wild land transformed into beautiful homes and farms, and hamlets have become thriving towns during his residence here. In the work of publie improvement he has over borne his part, and in the history of his adopted e unty he well deserves mention.
S TEPHEN WILLEY. deceased, was born on the 7th of June, 1827. in Hamilton Coun- ty, Ohio, and came to this county with his parents about 1843. Here he grew to manhood. No event of special importance occur- red during his boyhood and youth. but after arriving at years of maturity he was married. on the 26th of December, 1849. to Miss Nancy Blunt, a native of Tennessee, born March 10, 1831. She came to this county with her father when quite a small child, and it has since been her home.
Mr. Willey began life for himself a poor boy, but he possessed an indomitable will. energy, courage and perseverance, and made the most of his opportunities. Steadily he worked his way upward, and at the time of his death he left a valuable estate of seven hundred and twenty acres of choice land. He was a very prominent farmer and stock-dealer, and brought the first herd of Shorthorn cattle to this county, also in- troduced some line hogs. Mr. Willey was of German descent, and possessed the excellent traits of character of that people. He was progressive and public-spirited, and the community found in him one of its valued citizens, who always gave his support and co-operation to those enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit. Hle took quite an active interest in political affairs, and was a staneh supporter of the Republican party and its principles. Ihis death occurred on the 2d of August, 1870, and he was laid to rest in Tay- Forville Cometery. His wife passed away July 5. 1890, and was placed by his side. She was of English and Irish extraction.
Both of the children of the Willey family are yet living. Mary, the elder, was born March 15,
1851. in Christian County. She acquired a good education, and remained at home until twenty years of age. when. on the 20th of February, 1871, she became the wife of William J. Ettinger, who was born October 17. 1811, in Dauphin County, Pa. He became a harness-dealer of Tay- lorville, and there carried on that business for a number of years previous to his death, which oc- curred May 11. 1882. Hle too was buried in Tay- lorville Cemetery. During the late war, he vali- antly served for three years and nine months in the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and took part in many important engagements.
Mr. Ettinger left three children. Hayden, who was born July 1, 1873, is a highly-educated young man, who now aids his mother in managing the home farm; Jessie was born July 10, 1877; and Allen on the 6th of May, 1881. Mrs. Ettinger is still living upon her farm of four hundred and forty acres, which is one of the best in the county. It is improved with all modern conveniences and accessories, being complete in all its appointments. She also owns an eighty-acre farm in Taylorville Township, and a residence in the city of Taylor- ville, where she spends the winter seasons, while in the summer months she again goes to the farm. On her father's death, in 1870, she inherited two hundred and forty acres of land, to which she has added, from time to time, until she now has five hundred and twenty acres. She possesses most. excellent business and executive ability, and her property has been increased through her own good management and well-directed efforts. She pos- sesses many excellencies of character, and is a most estimable lady, whose friends throughout the community are many. Her brother Anthony is a progressive farmer of this county. The family is honored in the town of Willey, which bears their name.
E ZRA M. MILLER, who resides in Assump- tion, is numbered among the honored early pioneers of this part of Illinois. He lo- cated in Shelby County, near the present town of
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Assumption, when this region was an undeveloped wilderness. In many places the grass grew as high as a man's head while sitting on his horse. The few settlements were widely scattered. and the work of progress and development seemed hardly begun.
Mr. Miller is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born on the 9th of December, 1832. His father, Christian Miller, was a native of Germany, and when a child eame to the New World with his parents. the family locating in Pennsylvania. There he grew to manhood, and when a young man went to Ohio, locating in Fairfield County, where he was married. Ile was a cooper, carpen- ter and millwright, and followed all three trades in the Buckeye State. In 1842 he emigrated Westward to Illinois, locating in Shelby County, where he bought a tract of land and opened up a nice farm. There he reared his family and spent the last years of his life. lle was called to his final rest February 24, 1893, at the advanced age of eighty- nine years and four months. Ile was twice mar- ried, his first wife dying in 1837, and his second in February, 1879. Two children were born of the former marriage, Ezra M., and James C., now de- ceased. and by the latter union there were seven children.
We now take up the personal history of our subject, who was a lad of only ten summers when he came to Illinois, where his boyhood and youth were passed. lle had but limited school advant- ages in his early life and is almost wholly self- educated. Ile remained with his father until he had arrived at years of maturity, when he began to earn his own livelihood by hauling rails. Af- ter one winter spent in this way he engaged in trading in stock, and the succeeding year em- barked as a dealer in hedge plants. For fifteen years his energies were devoted to the raising and setting out of hedge fences. Ile has planted miles and miles of hedge in Shelby and Christian Counties. In 1862 he turned his attention to farming, and was actively and successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits for twenty years. Hle first purchased forty acres of - land, to which he added from time to time until he now owns four hundred aeres of valuable and well-improved
land about six miles east of Assumption, and also another tract of forty acres just east of the cor- poration limits. Ile is also the owner of a fine residence property in Assumption, in which he now makes his home. 1Ie is a worthy example of a self-made man, who commenced life for himself at the lowest round of fortune's ladder, and has steadily climbed upward to a position of affluence, being now numbered among the substantial eiti- zens of the county.
On the 8th of December, 1849. in Shelby County, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Alice McSherry, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of John W. McSherry, who died in the Hoosier State. Four children have been born of their union: Eva L., wife of George Diekson, a merchant of Finley. Ill .; Lillian, wife of Lon Milligan, a railroad en- gineer, residing in Amory, Miss .; Rose, wife of W. L. Ilinto, a merchant of Decatur; and Mand A., a young lady at home. They also lost three sons and a daughter in early childhood. The par- ents have given all their daughters good educa- tions.
Politically, Mr. Miller has been identified with the Republican party since casting his first Presi- dential vote for Hon. John C. Fremont, in 1856. He always votes the Republican ticket at State and national elections, but in local elections votes independently, supporting the man whom he thinks best qualified for the office, regardless of party affiliations. Mr. Miller has spent almost his en- tire life in Shelby and Christian Counties, and is well known here and in adjoining counties. Ile possesses good business ability and is an excellent financier, hence his success in life. He is a man of upright character and sterling worth, and he and his estimable wife have the respect and esteem of all who know them.
G EORGE E. MAXON, a resident of Morrison - ville, is one of the large land-owners of Christian County, where he has lived since 1878. In 1881 he located in this village, where he has a fine residence property. He was born in
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Watertown, N. Y., January 9, 1838, and is the son of George W. and Julama (Moore) Maxon. The father was a farmer in the Empire State, and re- moved to Wisconsin about the year 1860, locating near Princeton, where he carried on farming. llis death occurred in 1885. at which time he was sev- enty-six years of age. His father was a native of Scotland, and emigrated to America when very young with his father, who settled in New York. lle was a farmer and died while still in the prime of life. lle had a family of five sons and three daughters. Our subject's mother died when sey- enty-four years of age, in 1882, in the faith of the Methodist Church, to which she had belonged for many years. Her father, Verannis Moore. was a native of New York State, and lived to be nearly four-score years of age. llis life was also de- voted to agricultural pursuits.
George E. is the youngest of four children, the others being Ellen, wife of Warren Baker, a resi- dent of Marcellus, N. Y .; and Orin and Clark, both deceased. The early years of our subject were passed in the Empire State, and until he was seventeen years of age he continned to live with his parents on the farm. receiving his early educa- tion in the district schools. In 1855 he removed to Chicago, where he entered the employ of a firm dealing in hides, wool and leather. At the end of six years, or in 1861, he purchased the interest of J. C. Coe, of the firm of Coe & Van Duyn, of Spring- field, Ill. The firm then became G. A. Van Duyn & Co., Mr. Maxon being the "Co." Two years later the firm bought twelve hundred aeres of land in this county, near Morrisonville. Mr. Maxton's chief reason for becoming a farmer was on account of his poor health. lle still, however, retained his interest in the business in Springfield until 1878, when he made an arrangement by which Mr. Van Duyn became proprietor of his interest in the Springfield concern, and he the exclusive owner of the land in this county. In 1891. he sold the land and first located in Christian County, and in the same year, in company with Messrs N. D. Ricks and William Provine, of Taylorville, purchased the Tuse interest in what is known as the Darcy tract of land, lying near Morrisonville and com- prising nearly six thousand acres. all of which is
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