USA > Illinois > Mason County > The History and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 89
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GEORGE W. LANGFORD, with W. C. Browning & Co., clothing merchants of New York ; residence, Havana ; was born in Fulton Co., Ill., March 17, 1831, and is a son of Asa and Nancy ( Nevitt ) Langford ; the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Kentucky ; he ( the elder Langford . removed to Illinois in 1824, and settled in Fulton Co., and there laid out the old town of Waterford. subsequently becoming one of the proprietors of Lewistown ( present capital of that county), and of Havana, this county, also connected, in various ways, with the early history of both counties. George W., the subject of these notes, when about 8 years of age. came with his father's family to Point Isabel, just across the river from the present city of Havani, and about seven years later, located in the latter place ; in 1848, he entered the employ of Walker. Hancock & Co., and, in 1856, became a partner in the farm ; this was the principal business house in Havana at that period, and had a large patronage-sales ranging from $75,000 to $110,000 per annum; in 1864, he engaged in general merchandise with C. 6. Krebaum, under the firm name of Langford & Krebauw, and about three years later went to Chicago, where he remained about one year, and then went to New York City ; since 1869, he has been with his present house -- W. C. Browning & Co., whole- sale clothiers. Mr. Langford has served as a member of the Town Board, and several terms as a school officer. He was married, in 1851, to Miss Hester A. Allen ; by this union there were two children-William, living in Havana, and Charles R, who vol- unteered to take the place of telegraph operator at Memphis, Teun., during the prev- alence of the yellow fever there in 1878, after all the operatives in the office had been stricken down with the terrible plague, and fell a victim to it himself, in 1878. Mr. L. was married to his present wife, Mrs. Amanda W. Blanchard (nce Walker), daugh- ter of James Walker, on June 22, 1878; she had. by her first marriage, three children -Frank W., Dell and Nellie. Mr. L. is a member of Havana Lodge, No. 88, A., F. & A. M.
HON. LYMAN LACEY, Cireuit and Appellate Judge; Havana; was born in Tompkins Co .. N. Y., May 9, 1832, and is a son of John and Chloe (Hurd ) Lacey, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of New York. In 1836, the family emigrated to Michigan, and the following year came to Illinois and settled in Fulton. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the common schools of this State, and subsequently entered Illinois College, at Jacksonville, where he graduated, in 1855, with the degree of A. M. He commenced the study of law the same year, with Hou. L. B. Ross, of Lewistown, Ill., and was admitted to the bar in 1856. In October of that year he located at Havana, where he followed the profession of law till 1862, when he was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature on the Democratie ticket, as Representative of Mason and Menard Cos., and served one term. He was elected in June, 1873, Circuit Judge of the Seventeenth District, comprising the counties of Mason, Menard, Logan and De Witt. In 1877, when the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Judicial Circuits were consolidated, and designated the Seventh Judicial District, embracing. in addition to the above-named counties, Cass, Greene, Jersey, Scott and Morgan, Judge Lacey was appointed by the Supreme Court Appellate Judge of the Third or Springfield District, and, in 1879, re-appointed to serve in the Second or Ottawa District. He was re-elected Circuit Judge June 2, 1879. He was married,
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May 9, 1860, to Caroline A. Potter, of Beardstown, Ill., who died Sept. 12, 1863. Two children by this union, one living-Lyman, Jr. May 19, 1865, he married Mattie A. Warner, of Havana, who was born in Ohio. By this union there were six children, four of whom are living-Charles, Frank, Mattic and Edward.
EDWARD F. LEONARD, teacher, Sec. 22; P. O. Havana; was born in Coshocton Co., Ohio, Dec. 29, 1855, but removed in childhood, with his father's family, to Illinois, locating in Havana Township, this county. In the spring of 1874, he entered the State Normal University at Bloomington. He commenced teaching in 1873, which occupation he has since followed, except when attending school. His father, Charles C. Leonard, was born in Massachusetts, Nov. 12, 1819, and came to Mason Co., Ill., in 1862. His death occurred July 9, 1869. Mrs. Leonard's father, Daniel Ott, came to Illinois in 1839. She was born in Bradford Co., Penn., and was married to Mr. Leonard April 9, 1842. They had five children, four of whom are living-Florence, wife of C. Travelute, who resides in Iowa ; Robert B., Edward F. and Charles C. Eddie F. died Feb. 25, 1854.
FRANCIS LOW, banker, Havana; was born in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Mass., Sept. 28, 1813, and is the son of Nathaniel and Mary (Kendall) Low, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. He received his education at the Lancaster and Berlin Academies, and when about 18 years of age, removed with his brothers, Thomas and Eliphaz, to Louisville, Ky., where, for a period of two years, they engaged in mercantile pursuits. From Louisville, the subject of this sketch went to Cincinnati, where he fol- lowed the same business, and also to St. Louis ; thence, he came to Havana, where his brothers, named above, had preceded him a short time. They built a steam saw-mill here, which they afterward sold to Pulaski Scoville. Mr. Low served as Deputy Sheriff of Tazewell Co. when this part of Mason was included in Tazewell ; was also elected the first Sheriff of Mason after its formation as a county, an office he held for two terms. He was connected, at an early day, with the Illinois River Railroad (now the Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville), and was one of its Directors. He is President of the Havana & San Jose Narrow-Gauge Railroad Company, a company formed for the purpose of build- ing a narrow-gauge road from Havana to San Jose, to connect with the Rantoul, Havana & Western Narrow-Gauge. He took an active part in the organization of the Havana National Bank, of which he has been President during its entire existence. Mr. Low has been married twice. By the first marriage, there were three children, of whom two are living-William and Thomas; Frank, the youngest, is dead. He has no children by his last marriage. Mr. Low is a man of education, and of fine literary tastes and attain- ments, and his ample means enable him to gratify his inclinations in this direction to his entire satisfaction. A personal friend of Lincoln and Trumbull, and the leading men of the times, he has entertained them at his elegant home whenever they visited the city of Havana, as business sometimes led them to do.
SAMUEL A. MURDOCK, junior editor of the Democrat, Havana ; was born in Mt. Holly, N. J., Jan. 12, 1848, and is a son of N. R. and Phoebe B. (Scott ) Murdock. In 1836, his father moved to Illinois, and located in Mason Co., and, after remaining some years, returned to New Jersey, where he resided until 1854, when he again removed to Mason Co .. where he still lives. The subject of this sketch has four brothers living-John S., Charles H. (now in the regular army, and 1st Duty Sergeant of Co. F., 6th U. S. Infantry, stationed at Ft. Buford, Dakota), James R. and William M., and one dead, Jacob L. Three sisters, two living; Sarah C. and Mary E., living, and Hannah Elmira, dead. Two half-brothers living-Andrew J. and Thozas K. Mr. Murdock spent his early life on a farm, until his enlistment in the late war, from which he was mustered out in October, 1865. He served in Co. F, 11th Ill. Cav., of which R. G. Ingersoll was the first Colonel. After his discharge from the army, he worked on a farm until February, 1868, when he went to New Jersey, and attended school five months, then returned to Illinois, in October, and commenced teaching. He taught and went to school alternately, until 1875, when he commenced the study of law with Fullerton & Wallace, and remained with them until admitted to the bar, in January, 1878, before the Supreme Court. In April, 1878, he was elected Assessor of Havana
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
Township, and, in August. 1878, in connection with John F. Mounts, he bought the Havana Democrat, in which he is a partner, and of which he is junior editor. In April, 1879, he was again elected Assessor of the township. Is a member of the Mason Lodge, No. 143, I O. O. F .. and of State Encampment, No. 34. I. O. O. F., also of Havana Lodge, No. 743, Knights of Honor. He was married, Sept. 23, 1877, to Miss Minnie Eagles, daughter of T. M. and Agnes ( Fink ) Eagles, of Indiana. They have one daughter, Phuche Agnes.
GEORGE MACK (Dehm & Mack ), proprietor of Havana Brewery, Havana , was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 29, 1845 ; he came to America in 1864, locating at Freeport, Ill., thence to St Louis, Mo., the following year. In 1868, he started a brewery at Edwardsville, Ill., where he remained about one year, and then returned to St. Louis. In 1873, he went to Keokuk, Iowa, and, two years later, removed to Havana, his present home ; here he was employed as foreman of the brewery till 1877, since which date he has been a member of the above firm; he was married, in 1866. to Mrs. Ernestine Wirth ( Franzlaur), who was born in Germany. Six children, the first four by her first marriage-Anna, wife of G. Il. Carl; Zelle, Mary, Ella and Ludy ; Maggie and George F. Willie. Mr. Mack is a member of Havana Grove, No. 40, D. O. A. D.
WILLIAM B. MORGAN. proprietor of the Taylor House, Havana ; was born in Fleming Co., Ky., Dec. 29, 1853, but removed with his parents when about 8 years of age, to Champaign, Champaign Co., Ill. In 1870, he was employed in the office of the United States Express Company, and about two years later, as agent of the Company, went on the Havana extension of the 1., B. & W. Railway, serving in the capacity of messenger on this road, until February, 1878, when he located at Havana, his present home. He engaged in the hotel business, and on the 24th of May, 1879, became proprietor of the Taylor House. The excellent manner in which he keeps his house, his well-spread table, an | his universal courtesy and kindness to guests, show him to be-what he is-a model landlord. He was married, in October, 1878, to Miss Ida Sanford, who was born in Griggsville, Pike Co., Ill. They have one child-Maud M., born Aug. 12, 1879.
JACOB T. MOWDER. farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Havana ; was born in Lycoming C'u., Penn., March 24, 1836, but removed, in early childhood, with his father's family, to Illinois, locating in Havana Township, this county, in May, 1839, where he has since resided. He was married, Nov. 25, 1867, to Miss Margaret J. Pond, who was born in Menard Co., Ill .; they have three children-Emma, Frank and Freddie. Mr. Mowder his served as Supervisor one term. Commissioner of Highways six years. Town Clerk one term, and School Director several years ; also School Trustee. He owns 273 acres of land in Havana and Crane Creek townships. Mr. Mowder, aside from farming, has followed teaching for the last twelve years, mostly during the winter season.
ISAAC N. MITCHELL, insurance and real estate, Havana ; was born in Morgan Co., Ill., Feb. 13, 1829 ; is a son of Isaac and Frances ( Stribling ) Mitchell, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky ; his parents removed from Kentucky to Morgan Co., Ill. in 1828; here they resided till 1846; then removed to Field's Prairie in this county. Isaxe N. followed farming until about 21 years of age, com- bining with it wolf-hunting, usually devoting Saturdays to that amusement ; when he left the farm, he entered the employ of B. & J. M. Beesley, of Bath ; from 1850 to 1861, followed the mercantile trade. He subsequently served one term as Constable, and, for two years, followed steamboating on the Ilinois River. In 1867, he was elected 'Treasurer of Mason Co., and, two years later, elected County Clerk, serving in that capacity four years. He was elected Mayor of the city of Havana in 1875; was also a member of the School Board, and with his associates ( Messrs. Wheeler and Foster), er eted the present fine school edifice. In 1856, he was married to Miss Ann L., daughter of P. W. Campbell; four children by this union, two of whom are living- Franklin I. and Gay Edgar; Charles W. died May 1, 1872; Thomas N. died in infancy. Mr. Mitchell is a member of the following Masonic bodies : Havana Lodge, No. S8; Havana Chapter, No. SG ; Damascus Commandery. No. 12.
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HON. JOHN A. MALLORY. Judge of County Court of Mason, Havana ; was born in the city of Lexington, Ky., Nov. 17, 1830 ; but, when 5 years of age, his par- ents removed to Illinois and located in Jacksonville; his father, Ambrose Mallory, who was a native of Virginia, was among the early settlers of Jacksonville, and it was in this city that the subject of this sketch received his education. At the age of 17, he engaged in the printing business, first with the Pike County Free Press, of Griggsville, Ill., and in 1848, with the Morgan Journal, Jacksonville, which paper he edited for six months. He was afterward connected with the Eagle and Enquirer, of Memphis, Tenn., for one year. A man of fine literary tastes, a poet and an editor, he has given to the world of letters many bright gems of more exalted merit than he himself cares to " admit. He was the successful competitor for a silver eup, valued at $50, offered in the city of Memphis, for the best poem on the New Year, in 1860. As a New-Year's poem, it is pronounced almost unequaled. He came to Havana in 1858; afterward studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1868. On the breaking-out of the late war, though a Southern man by birth, he deemed it his duty to unite with the Union army ; and, accordingly, he enlisted in Co. B, 85th I. V. I., as Second Lieutenant, in which regi- ment he served until February, 1863, when he resigned. In 1865, he was elected Police Justice to fill a vacancy, and, afterward, elected for a full term. He was elected County Judge in 1869, and re-elected in 1873, by the largest majority any officer ever received in Mason Co. He was again re-elected in 1877, and still holds the office. His official record is without blot or blemish, and his decisions are made according to the law and testimony.
HENRY W. McFADDEN, banking and grain, Havana ; was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 26, 1826, where he resided until 1848, at which time he came West and located at Peoria, Ill. In 1849, he was appointed Deputy County Surveyor of Peoria Co., and in November, of the same year, elected to that office and served four years. He then engaged in farming in Akron Township, that county; in the spring of 1856, he sold his farm and spent the summer traveling in Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas in company with J. Moffit, and, in the fall of that year, located at Chillicothe, Peoria Co., Ill., and engaged in the grain and lumber business under the firm name of McFadden & Moffit; in 1863, he engaged in the grain and lumber business at Havana, under the firm name of H. W. McFadden & Co., still continuing his business at Chilli- cothe until 1865, being associated there with various partners; in 1866, the banking firm of McFadden, Coppel & Kemp was established and continued under the above firm name until the death of Mr. Kemp in 1867, when the present firm name (McFadder. & Coppel) was adopted; in 1868, Mr. McFadden removed to Chicago, where he attended to the purchase and sale of lumber and grain for the firm here, and, also, during the winter of 1869-70, with William J. Dobbins and John E. McClure, built the Central City Elevator at Peoria, which was the first built in that city ; since 1873, Mr. McFadden has made Havana his home. In 1851, he was married to Miss Harriet M. Munson, who was born in Monroe Co., N. Y .; by this union there were five chil- dren, four of whom are living-Bruce H. (member of the firm of MeFadden & Co. ), George C., Benjamin L. and Henry L. ; John W. died in 1873.
RUDOLPH MEYER, farmer, See. 18; P. O. Havana; was born in Hanover, Germany, Feb. 15, 1841, but removed to America in childhood with his father's family ; they came via New Orleans and located in Bath Township, this county, in the fall of' 1848: his father was Harman Meyer and his mother's maiden name was Margaret Ilorstman ; both were born in Hanover, Germany. On the 16th of May, 1867, Mr. Meyer married Miss Joanna M. Dierker, who was born in Bath Township, this county, Aug. 13, 1846; her parents came to the county in the spring of 1838; they were natives of Ilanover, Germany. Mr. Meyer owns 365 acres of land in Havana Town- ship; they have four children living-Harman II., John W., August R. and Auna M .; John H. died Aug. 26, 1878.
JOSEPH MOWDER, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Havana ; was born in Columbia Co., Penn., July 3, 1808 ; when about 6 years of age, his father's family removed to Harrison Co., but he remained with his grandfather ; he removed to Lycoming Co., 11 HI
1
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
Penn., when about 25 years of age, and, on the 31st of July, 1833, was married to Miss Judith Stroup, who was born in Columbia Co., Penu., Dec. 4, 1810; by this union there were ten children, five of whom are living-Jacob T., John, Elizabeth ( wife of George Lewis, who lives in Nemaha Co., Neb. ), Martha J. (wife of John Blakely, who resides in Mason Co .. Ill. ) and Charles C .; the five deceased are David, Mary C., died in October, 1845 ; Harriet A .. Aug. 2, 1834; one died in infancy. Mr. Mowder removed to Havana Township. this county, in May, 1839, and now resides within one- fourth of a mile of where he first settled ; he says his first residence was constructed of logs and not encumbered with either upper or lower floor. Many of the early settlers had their houses so arranged that (if they were wealthy enough to own a horse) they could hitch to a log of wood and " haul" it in at one door and pass out with the horse at the other, thus securing their fuel by horse power. He now owns 240 acres of land in Havana Township.
JOHN II. NETELER, deceased ; was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1801 ; he came to America in August, 1832, locating first at Baltimore, Md., thence to New Orleans, La., the following spring, where he worked at his trade, blacksmithing, some two years, and then removed to Illinois, stopping for a short time in Menard Co .; in the spring of 1835, he entered land.in what is now Havana Township, Mason Co .. and returned to New Orleans, where he was married to Miss Margaret R. Speckmann, also a native of Hanover, Germany. In the spring of 1836. Mr. Neteler and wife located in Havana Township, which was their home up to the time of their death. Mr. Neteler's death occurred Dec. 3, 1863, his wife having died some four years previous. Mr. Neteler, after his location in Mason Co., gave his attention for the most part to farming, but for a time worked at his trade, and is frequently mentioned by the carly settlers in this connection, fully appreciating his services, as mechanics in these early days were very rare ; he also assisted Mr. Lincoln in the early surveys of Mason Co. The following are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Netcler : Hannah (deceased, wife of John H. Bruning). Henry ( whose sketch is given below), Mary ( wife of Henry Von- hold , Lucy ( deceased, wife of John Carman ), Rebecca (deceased , Katrina ( deceased ) and Rebecca.
HENRY NETELER, farmer. See. 12; P. O. Havana; is a son of John H. Neteler, whose sketch is given above, and was born in Havana Township Dee. 16, 1848; he now resides on the old homestead near Havana and owns a farin of about 300 acres. He was married, Oct. 7, 1875, to Miss Anna K. E. Devermann, who was born in this township Oct. 10, 1856 : they have one child-Lucy M. Mr. Neteler has served as School Trustee and Highway Commissioner one term each.
JAMES C. NEWLIN, Constable, Havana ; was born in Scotland July 27, 1828, and came to the United States with his father's family when a bairn but 1 year old. The family located in Butler Co., Ohio. In 1851, his father came to Illinois, and died in Putnam Co. in 1854. James C., the subject of this sketch remained in Butler Co .. Ohio, till 1858; then went to California overland, and remained there until 1864, engaged mostly in mining, but was two years in the employ of Wells, Fargo & Co .; returned to Butler Co., Ohio, and was married, in 1866, to Miss Jane Lesourd, who was born in Ohio ; one child-Rosa. Is a member of Rose of Sharon Lodge, No. 77, A., F. & A. M., in Butler Co., Ohio, has been a member about twenty two years. He came to Illinois in 1867. and located in Quiver Township, in this county, and engaged in farming ; removed into Havana in 1873.
HARMON R. NORTRUP, attorney-at-law, Havana ; was born near Quacken- bruck, Hanover, Germany, April 6, 1852; he came to America when abont 13 years of age, and located at Havana, his present home, in the fall of 1865; here he followed clerking and book-keeping for a few years, and, in 1870, was appointed Deputy County Clerk, of Mason Co., serving in that capacity for a period of about three years. He entered the Lincoln ( Ill. ) University in 1873, and, two years later, went to Chicago, where he remained for a few months; he then returned to Havana, and read law in the office of Dearborn & Campbell until the fall of 1877, when he entered the law school at Albany, N. Y., from which he graduated May 21. 1878, and was admitted to the bar of
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that State the same date ; he then returned to Havana and opened a law office, being admitted to the bar of Illinois in June, 1878. Mr. Nortrup is a member of Havana Lodge, No. 88, A., F. & A. M. He is now City Attorney and Public Administrator of Mason Co.
PHILIP OPP, farmer, Secs. 9 and 10 ; P. O. Havana ; was born in Lehigh Co., Penn., May 3, 1814, where he resided till about 25 years of age ; then removed to Trumbull Co., Ohio. In the fall of 1842, he removed to Illinois, locating in Havana Township, Mason Co., where he has since followed farming. In the fall of 1838, he was married to Miss Margaret Roberts, who was born in Berks Co., Penn. They have had eight chil- dren ; five are now living-John A., Benwell H., Benjamin F., George W. and Almira J. Mr. Opp has resided on his present farm, in Havana Township, over thirty years ; he owns 240 acres of land in this township, and 120 acres in Sherman. His parents, Conrad and Margaret ( Weise) Opp, were born in Lehigh Co., Penn.
CHARLES PULLING, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. O. Havana ; was born in Bucking- hamshire, England, Jan. 31, 1827, but emigrated to America when about 3 years of age, with his father's family ; they located near Philadelphia, Penn., and soon after removed to Jefferson Co., Ohio. In March, 1848, they removed to Mason Co., Ill. The subject of this sketch worked first at brickmaking, for S. C. Conwell, and in 1849 engaged in farming on his own account. In 1852, he went to Oregon, where he was for about three years engaged in the lumber business; then returned to this township, where he has since resided. He has served as School Director nine years; owns 340 acres of land in Havana Township. Was married, in April, 1849, to Miss Eliza Leaf, who was born in England ; she died in 1850. By this union, there were two children (twins), Adaline and Caroline, born Jan. 18, 1850, the former, deceased, wife of Charles Waterworth. Mr. Pulling was married to Louisa A. Samms, Dec. 2, 1855 ; she was born in Greene Co., Ill. Nine children by this union, three of whom are living- Jonathan, born Nov. 30, 1858; Clark, Feb. 20, 1862; Evelina, July 23, 1868. The following are the deceased-Charles, born Dec. 30, 1860; Thomas, Dec. 21, 1865 ; Jacob, Sept. 15, 1866; Junetta, Oct. 17, 1871; Ann, Ang. 31, 1873; Sarah J., Oct. 10, 1875 ; Josephine, April 5, 1877.
ISAAC P. PRETTYMAN, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. O. Havana ; was born in Cum- berland Co., N. J., Jan. 14, 1822 ; when about 16 years of age, his father's family removed to Philadelphia, Penn., where he learned the cooper's trade. His father, Isaac Prettyman, served in the war of 1812 ; he was born in the State of Delaware, and his mother, Mary (Jones) Prettyman, was born in Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1856, Isaac Prettyman removed to Illinois, and located on the farm where he now resides, and has since that date been a tiller of the soil. He has served as School Director and School Trustee, several years. In 1870, he was married to Miss Minerva Beckwith, who was born in Mason Co., Ill. Five children by this union-Perry, Venus, Emeline, Henry and Phil S. Mr. Prettyman owns 301 acres of land in Havana Township.
JOHN W. PITMAN, attorney at law, Havana ; was born in Madison Co., Ky., Dec. 11, 1832, where he remained until the fall of 1842, when his father removed to Illinois, locating near Canton, Fulton Co., and engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch worked on the farm until 1852, attending the common schools during the winter. Entered Lombard University, at Galesburg, in the fall of 1852, remaining until 1856, teaching during a portion of vacations. In the spring of 1857, commenced the study of law with Judge G. C. Lanphere, of Galesburg. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1859, and commenced practice in Galesburg. Went into the army as Adjutant of 102d I. V. I., in 1862. In 1863. came to Havana, and has practiced his profession here ever since. He was married, in 1860, to Miss Nancy A. Haley, who was born at Monmouth, Warren Co., Ill .; she died in August, 1870. Three children, two of whom are living-Park W., Paul B .; former graduated at Havana High School. May L. died in 1870. Second marriage took place Oct. 2, 1878, to Amanda K. Allen, who was born in Shelbyville, Ind.
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