USA > Illinois > Mason County > The History and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 90
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JOSEPH B. PAUL, physician and surgeon, Havana; was born in Solon, Me, April 30, 1823, but removed, when about 16 years of age, to Waldo Co., and
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subsequently to Penobseot. He received his education at the Foxcroft Academy, and for several years followed teaching in different localities, having charge of schools at Houlton, Calais and Bangor, Me. In 1851, on account of failing health, he came West and located at Peoria, Ill., where he resumed his vocation, serving as Principal of the Fourth Ward School from the above date till 1855, during which period his spare time was given to the study of medicine. He came to Havana, his present home, in the fall of 1855, and took charge of the public schools. In February, 1857, he graduated at Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and commenced the practice of medicine at Havana, where he has since followed the practice of his profession a period of twenty-two years. He was married, in 1848, to Lavina G. Laughton, who was born in Harmony, Somerset Co., Me., March 17, 1827. They have three children-Edward, who is a graduate of the Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Ill. ; Charles A. and Catharine C. In 1862, he was appointed, by Gov. Yates, United States Examiner for Recruits Ile is a mem- ber of the Brainard District Medical Society ; also a member of the following Masonic bodies : Havana Lodge, No. SS, and Havana Chapter, No. 86. In Doctor Paul we see exemplified the truth of the saying, "The will is father to the way." Privileges of schooling in the backwoods of Maine were not great, therefore he sought abroad what could not be readily obtained at home; carving, so to speak, out of the solid rock. with his own pick and pen, his own way in the world, ever bear- ing in mind the fact that " He who would thrive himself must either hold or drive." Hence his success in his chosen profession.
JESSE P. PIPKIN, of the firm of Pipkin & Cunningham, manufacturers of farm and spring wagons, Havana; was born in Jackson Co .. Teun., March 18. 1850, but in early childhood came to Illinois with his father's family and located at Havana. He followed farming until about 19 years of age, when he learned the black- smith trade, and, in 1874, commenced business under the above firm name. He was elected Alderman of the First Ward in the spring of 1879. In June. 1878, he was married to Miss Mary Lienesch, who was born in Germany. The firm of which Mr. P. is a member manufactures farm and light wagons, and plows, but their specialty is the manufacture of farm wagons. All their work is warranted thoroughly first-class.
GEORGE W. PARKINS, physician and surgeon, Havana; was born in Greenbrier Co., W. Va., Dec. 20, 1821, where he resided until about 12 years of age, when he removed to Champaign Co., Ohio. He commenced the study of medicine in 1844, and the practice of the same in 1819. He removed to Illinois in 1850, and located in Schuyler Co., where his father's family had settled in 1810. Here he engaged in the practice of medicine in partnership with Dr. MeMurphy. He was married. in 1853, to Mrs. Rosa Bell Maxwell (Stevenson ), a native of Kentucky. He removed to Havana in 1853, the year of his marriage, and has practiced his profession here ever since-a period of twenty-six years. He has one son -Horace G., a graduate of' the Chicago University. Dr. Parkins is a member of Mason Lodge, No. 143, I. O. O. F.
JACOB PRETTYMAN, Justice of the Peace, Havana; was born in Salem Co., N. J., March 23, 1824; son of Isaac and Mary (Jones) Prettyman ; his father was born in Delaware, and served in the war of 1812, and in the Black Hawk war; the sub- jest of this sketch, when about 21 years of age, removed to Philadelphia, where he resided seven years, then to his birthplace, and in November, 1857, came West and located in Havana Township, where he followed farming until 1864, when he located in Havana, and engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and, three years later, gave up this line of trade, and embarked in the grocery business; in 1861, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and, although engaged in other business, has held the office since. and, during 1870 and 1871, he served, also, as Police Magistrate, but resigned the lat- ter office in 1871. He was married, in 1845, to Miss Hannah 1. Mullen, who was born in Gloucester Co., N. J .. April 25, 1826; eleven children by this union, nine of whom are living-Jacob H., who served in Co. K. 85th I. V. 1 .. and was with Gen. Sherman in his march to the sea, and now resides in Peoria; William M. and George W. (twins ) -- the former residing in Sherman Township, and the latter in Forest City ; Isaac P'., residing in Havana; Ida V., Elwood, Sylvester. Lena and Charles F .; last
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three and Ida at home; Elwood resides at Peoria ; two deceased-Edward M., born Nov. 6, 1852, and died March 13, 1873; Henry, born Jan. 14, 1862, and died Feb. 4, 1863. Mr. Prettyman is a member of Havana Lodge, No. 88, A., F. & A. M.
JAMES QUICK, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Topeka ; was born in Somerset Co., N. J., July 14, 1820, where he resided until his removal to Illinois in 1841; arriving at Jacksonville in June of that year, and the following spring locating in Havana Town- ship, this county, where he has since resided ; he has served as School Director about fourteen years. He was married, Jan. 7, 1847, to Miss Julia A. Simmons, who was born in Mason Co., Ky .; her father, Pollard Simmons, and John Ritter were both from Mason Co., Ky., and perhaps for the sake of its familiar and homelike sound, selected the name which was adopted for this county ; the following are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Quick : Richard R., George W., William T., Harriet, Lucy, Emma and J. Thomas ; they have lost three-Lucretia, John and Charles. Mr. Quick has resided on his present farm since 1847; he owns 207 aeres of farm land, and 40 acres of' timber.
GEN. JAMES M. RUGGLES, retired, Havana; was born in Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, March 7, 1818, and in 1837 came to Illinois; at the age of 15, he engaged in the printing business, which vocation he followed some years after locating in this State; in 1846, he settled in the town of Bath, then the seat of Justice of Mason Co .; although he had studied law and been admitted to the bar, he laid it aside and engaged actively in merchandising; all through the sanguinary war, between Havana and Bath, on the county seat question, Mr. Ruggles fought the battle for Bath against overwhelming odds ; in 1852, he was elected to the State Senate for the district, composed of the counties of Sangamon, Menard and Mason, where he served four years with distinction. Mr. Lincoln was a member of the Lower House at the time, and was a candidate for the United States Senate against Lyman Trumbull ; he solicited the support of Mr. Ruggles, which was given with the utmost zeal and cordiality-so much so, that he was carried to the Senate Chamber upon a sick-bed, to cast his vote for Mr. Lincoln ; he was ever a warm friend and ardent admirer of the martyred President, and was a delegate to the Chicago Convention in 1860 ; about 1850, Mr. Ruggles began the agitation of an Illinois River railroad, and during his term as Senator pre- pared a charter, which, mainly through his influence, passed both Houses ; he was one of its corporators, and from the first inception of the enterprise, until the road was completed, took an active interest in it, working faithfully, till the requisite amount of stock was subscribed, to insure its success ; alone and unaided, he drafted the first plat- form on which the Republican party in Illinois was founded ; he, together with Mr. Lincoln and Ebenezer Peck, were appointed a committee for that purpose, during the session of the Legislature in February, 1856, but the other two being otherwise engaged, the work devolved on Mr. Ruggles ; at the Convention, the same year, he was his party's candidate for Lieutenant Governor, but declined in favor of a German can- didate. At the beginning of the late war, he entered the army, and was appointed Lieutenant and Quartermaster by Gov. Yates, in the 1st I. V. C., and was sent to Mis- souri, but, dissatisfied with the inactivity of his position, at his earnest solicitation, he was sent to the front, by order of Gen. Grant, and promoted to Major in the 3d I. V. C., in which regiment he served, until mustered out in 1864 : at Pea Ridge he was pro- moted to Lieutenant Colonel, and for a time commanded the regiment ; at the close of the war, he was breveted Brigadier General for meritorious services; after the war, he served a time as Master in Chancery, but has never been afflicted with the mania for office. In all the various positions held by Gen. Ruggles, his official duties have been performed with unswerving fidelity; a scholar, and a man of fine literary tastes, he enjoys, and is sought by the best class of society ; he wields an able pen, but has never been forced to the necessity of using it for a livelihood ; his latest, and perhaps his best literary effort, is the writing of the general history of this work, which is done in the most thorough manner. The reputation he achieved in his younger days, as the editor of a country paper in Scott Co., made him the candidate of the Whig party for State printer in the Legislature of 1844; in all the early enterprises to improve the country
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by the establishment uf wagon roads and buildling of railroads, Gen Ruzzles has been active and energetic ; he was the author of the first drainage law in Illinois, gotten up for the purpose of draining the lands in Havana and Bath Townships, which law was extensively copied into other local laws, for the same purpose. Gen. Ruggles comes of no ignoble stock. Brigadier Timothy Ruggles, President of the first Congress that met in America, in 1765, in the city of New York, and one of the most noted men in New England before the Revolution, was a brother of his grandfather. John Ruggles, another branch of the family, was three times electel to the United States Senate from the State of Maine, and Bujamin Ruggles was the first United States Senator elected from Ohio in 1818, in which body he served for eighteen years. JJudge Spooner Rug- gies, the father of Gen. Ruggles, was elected to the State Senate from Orle and Win uebago Cos. in 1812, and was a man of note for his integrity aul ability in Ohio, as well as in Illinois.
JOHN ROAT, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Havana; was born in New Jersey March 7, 1509, but removed, when about 7 years of age, with his father's family, to Warren C'o .. Ohio, residing in this and Clermont Co., until his removal to Illinois, in the fall of 1851, locating in Havana Township, this county. in the fall of tha' year ; his present residence is located within three quarters of a mile of where he first settled. In 1829. he was married to Miss Sophie Schuyler, who was born in Warren Co., N. J., Jan 4, 1811; eight children by this union, six of whom are living-Anna, wife of Joel Crater, born April 27, 1830; Jacob, Aug. 23, 1832; Margaret, widow of D. Athy, Dec. 3. 1833; John W., Aug. 9. 1841; Christina Aug. 24, 1845 ; George W. M., Jan. 1, 1850. The names of the deceased are Elsie C., born March 31, 1837, died in Feb- ruary, 1868, and William, who eniisted in Co. L. 11th Ill. Cav., Dec. 7, 1861-died while in the service, at Bolivar Ang. 30, 1862 ; he was born Sept 22, 1838.
JOHN W. RHODES, agricultural implements, Havana. The subject of these lines was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., Nov. 7. 1841, where he remained until July, 1854, when he removed to Illinois, and settled in Whiteside Co. In April, 1861, he culisted in Co. B. 13th I. V. [, and served until the close of the war, a period of four years and eleven months. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in May, 1863 ; in fall of same year, was promoted to First Lieutenant, and to Captain in the early part of 1864. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Jackson, Miss .. siege of Vicksburg, Atlanta, Lookout Mountain, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. After the war ended, he remained one year in Louisiana, and engaged in the cultivation of cotton, after which he returned to Whiteside Co. In 1869, he came to Masen Co., where he has since been actively engaged in farming and merchandising. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Cyrene H. Hancock, who was born in Havana, her father having settled here as early as Is 12, when buildings of any kind were scarce- their dwelling being used for a court-room at an early session of Mason County Court. They have three children-Walter H., Lizzie and Ruth. Mr. R. is a member of Havana Lodge, No. SS., A., F. & A. M.
MRS. ANN M. ROBERTS, farming, See. 3; P. O. Havana ; was born in Montreal, Canada, Oct. 25, 1-29 ; when about 15 years of age she went to New York. and, in 1945, was married to Edward A. Schermerhorn, who was born in New York City. His death occurred June 15. 1855. They had four children-Edward .A., resides in Havana ; George H., has charge of the farm ; Kate M., the wife of Charles G. Howell, resides in Nebraska ; John W. resides in Iowa. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Roberts removed to Illinois, loeating in Havana in 1855. In 1861, she was married to Daniel M. Roberts, who was born in Berks Co .. Penn., Sept. 5, 1807 ; he settled in Mason Co. in 1×12. Mr. Roberts died Dec. 2. 1873. The only child by this union was Harriet A., whose death occurred Aug. 1, 1864. Mrs. Roberts owns 172 acres of land in Havana Township.
LEONARD SCHWENK, Cirenit Clerk, Mason Co .. Havana; was born in Wur- temberg, Germany, July 23, 1532; came to this country in 1854, locating at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Penn., where he resided till his removal to Illinois. In 1864, he removed to Mason Co., Ill .. and located in Manito Township, where he engaged in farming. In
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the fall of 1872, Mr. Schwenk was elected to his present office and removed his family to Havana ; he was re-elected in 1876. While a resident of Manito Township, he served as Collector three years, and School Director four years. In 1856, he married Miss Rebecca Singley, who was born in Wayne Co., Ohio; they have eight children-Annie E., wife of Frank Sedlatzeck ; John L., George D., Mary E., William H., Paulina M., Catharine Louisa and Sarah R. Mr. Schwenk still owns a farm of 320 acres of land in Manito 'Township.
MARTIN SCOTT, farmer, Sec. 24; Havana ; was born in Rahway, Union Co., N. J., June 10, 1814, where he resided till his removal to Illinois. In the fall of 1837, his father's family came to Illinois ; their first location was at Beardstown, on the 3d of December of that year, and the following February, they located in Crane Creek Town- ship, this county ; they removed to Havana Township in January, 1839, locating on the farm where Mr. Scott and his brother now reside. His father, Aaron Scott, was born in New Jersey, Jan. 22, 1786; his death occurred April 1, 1847. His mother, Mary (Evens) Scott, was born in New Jersey, Dec. 25, 1787, died Aug. 30, 1859. Mr. Scott has served as Assessor six years and Commissioner of Highways three years. He learned the blacksmith's trade when about 16 years of age, and worked in the shops of the Camden & Amboy Railroad, from 1834 to 1837. From 1842 to 1847, he worked at his trade in this county, since which he has followed farming. Owns 160 acres of land in Havana, and 200 acres in Sherman Township.
THEODORE STEPHENSON. of the firm of Stephenson & Wahlfeld, groceries and provisions, Havana ; was born in Denmark Jan. 6, 1834; came to the United States in the summer of 1867, landing in New York City July 4th, and the following year removed to Mason Co., Ill., where he engaged in farming, which occupation he followed about one year ; he then entered the store of John H. Bruning as clerk. In 1871, he com- menced business at Bishop Station on his own account, and, some four years later, sold out and visited the place of his nativity. On his return, in 1875, he engaged in business under the present firm name. He was married, in 1879, to Mrs. Margaret Bodecker ( Deverman), who was born in Germany. She has two children by her first husband- Emma, wife of B. Zelle, and Otto. Mr. Stephenson is a member of Havana Grove, No. 40, U. A. O. D., and also of the Mutual Aid Society.
NICHOLAS SIEBENALER, tobacconist, Havana ; was born in the Province of . Luxemburg July 22, 1834, and emigrated to this country in 1848, with his father's family, locating at St. Louis, Mo., and had come from the old country via New Orleans. In 1853, he went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, reaching the Pacific Slope on the 15th of May, and engaged in trade at McCulma Hill mines. He returned to St. Louis in 1858, and workeil at his trade of tobacconist. In the spring of 1859, he came to Havana, and commenced the manufacture of cigars. He was elected City Treasurer in 1877, and served two years. He was married, Nov. 22, 1860, to Miss Sarah E. Graham, who was born in Scotland Nov. 12, 1844. The result of this mar- riage is five children-Katie I., William, Lucy. Albert and Gracie. He is a member of Mason Lodge, No. 143, I. O. O. F., and Encampment, also of Havana Lodge No. SS, A., F. & A. M .. Havana Chapter, No. 86, Royal Arch Masons, and Damascus Com- mandery, No. 42, Knights Templar, and Havana Grove, No. 40, U. A. O. D.
C. STEVENS, dentist, Havana ; was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, March 7, 1834. When about 19 years of age, he came West, and located at Peoria, Ill., where he resided until his removal to Havana, in the fall of 1868, with the exception of an interval of about three years. He commenced the study of dentistry in 185S. a profession he has since followed. In 1855, he was married to Miss Kate Stevison, who was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. The result of this union is four children-May, wife of Charles Con- nelly ; Frank E., Kate and Gracie B. He is a member of A. O. U. W.
JACOB F. STRICKLE, dealer in dry goods, Havana ; was born in Wilmington, Clinton Co., Ohio, Feb. 2, 1845, where he resided till his removal to Bloomington, McLean Co., in 1867 ; there he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for about six years, then removed to Chicago, Ill., and, about two years later, located at Havana, his present home. In December, 1878, he was married to Miss Angie Biggs, who was born in
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Clinton Co., Ohio. Mr. Strickle has a fine stock, and full assortment of staple and fancy dry goods, hats, caps, boots and shoes, constantly on hand.
CHARLES STUART, farmer, See. 4; P. O. Havana; was born in Havana Township, Mason Co., Ill., Jan. 19, 1848 ; his father, Alexander Stuart, of Havana, was one of the earlier settlers of Mason Co., locating here in 1837. Charles S., was married, Nov. 29, 1867, to Miss Marilda Rose, who was born in Buffalo, N. Y .; they have two children-Walter and Jennie.
CHARLES SCHILL, dealer in stoves, tinware, etc., Havana ; was born in Baden, Germany, Nov. 30. 1538. He came to America in 1854, locating first in New York City, and two years later came West and located at Havana, his present home. In 1862, he commenced in his present business, having partially learned the tinner's trade in his native country, and completed it in New York. Mr. S. is a member of the following Masonic bodies : Havana Lodge, No. 88, Havana Chapter, No. 86, and Damas- eus Commandery, No. 42.
AUGUST SCHILL, firm of A. & W. Schill, meat market, Havana ; was born in Baden, Germany, May 30, 1830, and came to America in 1851, locating in New York City, where he engaged in the business he now follows, and which he learned when but 10 years of age ; he left home at the age of 18, traveled through Switzerland, France and Southern Germany, being employed in different places. In 1857, removed from New York to Peoria, and with others established the City Market, at corner of Fulton and Madison streets. In 1860, he came to Havana and engaged in his present business. He was a member of the first Board of Aldermen after Havana was organized as a city. He was married JJan. 1, 1861. to Miss Bertha Bruder, who was born in Baden, Germany. They have six children-Emma, August, William, Charles M., Ida and Bertha. He is a member of Havana Grove No. 40, U. A. O. D.
ROBERT M. SCANLAND, dentist, Havana ; was born 'in Pittsfield, Pike Co., Ill., Oct. 16. 1853. His grandfather, William Watson, was one of the first settlers of that county. In 1872, the Doctor commenced the study of dentistry with Dr. A. B. Carey, of Pittsfield, Hl., and two years later removed to Havana, his present home. He was married, in 1878, to Miss Virginia R. Woollen, who was born in Franklin. Ind. They have one child, William W.
HENRY H. SHERMEYER, saddle and harness manufacturer, Havana : was born in Hanover, Germany, Jan. 25, 1826; he came to America about 1846, locating first at York, Penn., where he learned the harness-maker's trade ; after a residence here of some five years, he worked at his trade in Cincinnati, Johnstown and Ports- mouth, Ohio, and in Maysville, Ky. In 1853, he came to Danville, IN., thence to Bloomington, and from there to Petersburg. Since the 4th of July, 1855, he has been a resident of the city of Havana. Has served one year as member of the Town Board. He was married, in 1859, to Miss Elizabeth M. Wilson, who was born in Pennsylvania. They have had six children, four living-Eddie, Fannie, Freddie and Myrtie L .; the names of the deceased are Allie and William.
JAMES P. SMITH, baggage and transfer express, Havana ; was born in Fulton Co., Ill., April 22. 1844; his father, Jacob L. Smith, who now resides in Texas, was born near Knoxville, Tenn., and settled in Fulton Co., this State, as early as 1834. The subject of these lines followed farming till 1873, when he removed to Havana and engaged in his present business. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Mary R. Weese, who was born in Fulton Co., Ill. ; they have one child living-Clement V. Mr. Smith is a member of the A. O. U. W. His wife's parents were also early settlers of Fulton Co., having settled there in about 1835.
JOHN W. SARFF, farmer and hedge-grower. See. 6; P. O. Havana ; was born in Union City, Randolph Co., Ind., March 26, 1844; he came to Ilinois in 1860 with his father's family and located at Snicarte, Lynchburg Township, Mason Co .; in the spring of 1465, he came to Havana Township, and was employed by A. P. Glenn, then engaged in hedge growing; in 1869, Mr. Sarff commenced in the same business on his own account, which he has since followed together with farming ; he has now about forty acres in hedge plants. He was married, Nov. 5, 1865, to Miss Sarah Ilill, who
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was born in Sussex, England ; they have three children-Lawrence, Ella and Harry. Mr. Sarff owns about 300 acres of land in Lynchburg Township, this county, where his parents now reside. His father, Jacob C., was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother, Sarah (Russell) Sarff, is also a native of the same State.
REV. GEORGE SEIBERT, Pastor of the Reformed Church in America; residence, Havana ; was born in Frankinfeldt Laudkeright, New Stadt Auderich, Germany, Jan. 24, 1839, and is a son of John and Barbara ( Heffer) Seibert; in early childhood, he came to America with his father's family, locating in Hudson Co., N. J .; in 1858, he entered Rutger's College (Grammar Department) at New Brunswick, N. J., and, a year later. commenced the college course, which he continued for two years, and then enlisted in Co. G. 1st N. J. V. I., May 28, 1861 ; he participated in the first battle at Bull Run and the battle of the Wilderness ; on the 15th of January, 1863, he was discharged from the service by reason of surgeon's certificate of disability. Mr. Seibert spent his spare time after entering the army in study, completing the college course, and, in June, 1862, graduated, receiving the A. B. and A. M. degrees ; in the fall of 1864, he entered the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, graduating at that institution in the summer of 1866, and was ordained and licensed to preach by the Classis of Monmouth, N. J., Aug. 12, of the same year ; he was installed by them at the same time Pastor of the Reformed Church of Middletown, N. J., and served in that capacity till March, 1873, when he accepted the appointment by the Board of Domestic Missions to occupy the field at Havana, Ill., and commenced his labors there April 1, 1873. He was married June 20, 1866, to Miss Mary F. Gurnew, who was born in New York City Jan. 30. 1841 ; they have five children-George G., Edward T., Henry P., Frank A. and their adopted daughter, Jennie. Mr. Seibert is a charter member of the Grand Lodge of Illinois K. of H., also Grand Chaplain of the same.
PETER SPECKMANN, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Havana ; was born in Havana Township, this county, March 14, 1838; his father, Frederick Speckmann, who was born in Hanover, Germany, came to America in 1835, and settled in Mason Co. in the fall of 1836; he died Nov. 27, 1854 ; his mother, Ann M. (Netler) Speckmann, was born in Hanover, Germany ; settled here May 5, 1837 ; her death occurred Aug. 22, 1875. The subject of this sketch was married, Oct. 3, 1865, to Miss Eliza J. Ermel- ing, who was born in Bath Township, this county, Nov. 28, 1847 ; they have had eight children, four living, Anna-born Oct. 3, 1867 ; Amelia, March 9, 1869; Frederick, Dec. 31, 1870, and Eda, Sept. 10, 1878. Mr. Speckmann has served as Commissioner of Highways two years and School Director several terms. He owns 340 acres of farm lands and 215 acres of timber in Havana Township.
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