The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 76

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 848

USA > Illinois > Mason County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 76
USA > Illinois > Menard County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 76

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JONATHAN COLBY, farmer ; P. O. Petersburg; born in Hopkinton, N. H., March 10, 1808; son of Timothy and Lydia (Herrick ) Colby, and lived together as husband and wife for sixty years, their combined ages reaching 172 years ; they were of English descent ; the subject of this sketch came to Illinois in 1834, and located where he now resides ; during his early life, he obtained a fair education, and, for a number of years, worked as a clerk ; since residing in Illinois, he has followed agricultural pursuits, and is one of the practical and prosperous farmers of Menard Co. April 13, 1837, he married Miss Lydia Ingalls, of this county ; she was born in Pomfret, Conn., June 20, 1809, and died in September, 1858, leaving a family of six. He owns 460 acres. .

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HENRY CLARK, farmer ; P. O. Petersburg; among those who came to Menard Co. in an early day, none is more prominently known than the above gentleman, who experienced the trials and hardships of a pioneer life ; he was born in Barren . Co., Ky., in December, 1805, where he was raised and began doing for himself. He married Miss Mary Slinker April 21, 1823, and, in 1826, came to Illinois, locating where he now resides, and which has been his home for over fifty-three years ; he has always mani- fested an interest in all matters pertaining to the good of the community, particularly in church and school affairs ; he has accumulated a good property and raised a family of seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have lived happily together as man and wife for upward of fifty-six years, and now live to see the usefulness and prosperity of their children.

P. L. CONRAD, mining, Petersburg; was born near Albany, N. Y., Jan. 14, 1828 ; during his early life, he formed a liking for railroading, which he followed many years, and, by his untiring energy, had become quite prominent with many railroad companies ; while quite young. he went South, visiting the Isthmus of Darien, and spending a number of years in different parts of the country ; his many prominent busi- ness connections with railroads indicate that he is a practical railroader ; he came to Illi- nois in 1860, locating in Petersburg, and, for a time, superintended mining at the coal shaft of C. B. Lanning & Co., after which, he built the railroad from Jacksonville to Virden ; in 1874, he was appointed Superintendent of the South Valley Coal Shaft, acting in that capacity until 1878, when he leased said shaft, and still operates in mining ; the vein is 63 feet; the advantages for mining are superior to any in this country, and, having had considerable experience, he is enabled to manage the business profitably and satisfactorily ; he is also interested in the manufacturing of tiles of all kinds-in fact, he is a thorough business man. He married Miss Ann M. Doxtaber, of New York, July 20, 1852; they have one child-Edgar.

S. DEERWESTER, manufacturer of wagons and carriages, Petersburg, of the firm of Bryant & Deerwester ; was born in Hamilton Co., Olio, March 1, 1830, where he was raised and educated ; he is the son of Joseph and Elenor (Parker) Deerwester ; in early life, he chose the trade of wagon-making, and, being'of a mechanical turn of mind, soon became an able workman ; he came to Petersburg in 1853, where he has since lived ; and the result of his industry and energy is a good property and a large trade, built up by integrity and fair dealing ; he entered into his present partnership in 1865 ; they began on a small scale, and are now the largest carriage and wagon manu- facturers in the county. Mr. Deerwester married Miss Catherine McHenry, of this place, Feb. 13, 1855 ; they have a family of two-Anna and Ella.

C. E. ELLIOTT, physician, Petersburg; was born in Portage Co., Ohio, April 24, 1835 ; his preliminary education was attained at district school, after which, he attended the Eclectic College of Hiram, Ohio, about four years, when he began teach- ing school and improving all leisure time by reading medicine; in 1864, he took one course at the Charity Hospital Medical College of Cleveland, after whichi, he began practice ; in 1868, he returned and finished his course, graduating in 1869; he settled in Petersburg the same year ; in 1871, he graduated in the Medical Department of the University of Wooster, Ohio, since which time he has devoted his time and energy to the practice of his profession, and has built up a large practice. He married Miss Mary A. Earl, of his native county, April 2, 1857; they have one child-C. Everest. EUGENE W. EADS, Deputy County Sheriff, Petersburg; was born in Menard Co., Ill., May 10, 1850 ; son of Wesley T. and Mary A. (Brassfield) Eads, who were · early settlers of this county. They settled at what is known as Indian Point. His father died while he was quite young, and at the age of 9 his mother began traveling for her health, and Eugene accompanied her through the Southern States. He returned to Menard Co. in 1865. He attended Illinois College, at Jacksonville, and there acquired a good business education. In 1872, he embarked in the livery business at Petersburg. In 1874, he visited his mother in California, spending quite a time in the Western country, returning in 1875, and then visiting the Eastern States. He returned to Petersburg and, in 1876, was appointed upon the police force and elected City Marshal in 1877. In the spring of 1879 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff.

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MRS. RACHEL H. FRACKELTON, retired, Petersburg; widow of Robert D. Frackelton, who was born in Dramore, County Down, Ireland, Feb. 22, 1822; there he was raised and schooled. In 1843, he came, with his brother, D. S., to this country, locating in Springfield, Ill., and for some time taught school, after which he removed to Petersburg and embarked in mercantile life, together with banking, in com- pany with his brother, which business he continued in while he lived. He was an active business man and a useful Christian. He died Aug. 15, 1874, beloved by friends and relatives, and respected by all who knew him. His wife was Miss Rachel H. Bcers, of Wayne Co., N. Y .; they were married Dec. 19, 1871; she was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., Feb. 4, 1834. Through industry and energy, her husband had accumulated a fine property, and she is now spending her later days enjoying the society of many warm friends and devoted relatives. Her residence is one of the finest in Petersburg and beautifully located.

D. S. FRACKELTON, banker, Petersburg; was born in County Down, Ireland, Feb. 14, 1827, son of William and Elizabeth (Waddell) Frackelton. His father being a merchant, he early followed mercantile life, and by energy, industry and uprightness has placed himself in his present prominent and highly respected position. His father died while he was quite young. The rest of the family came to this country, though at different times. The subject of this sketch, with his brother, came and located in Springfield in 1843; there they taught school for a time, and finally located in Peters- burg in 1844, and embarked in mercantile business and were quite successful in this and banking. His brother died in 1874, while he still continues in mercantile and banking business. His brother James, who came to this country in 1848, is a pros- perous merchant, with whom he is connected in the mercantile department. D. S. has long been a member of the Presbyterian Church and is prominently connected with its growth and prosperity, serving as an elder for many years, and the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him is the result of an honorable and upright life. He married Louise, daughter of Dr. Chandler (the founder and prominent citizen of Chandlersville, Ill.), March 13, 1856. They have five children living.

REV. A. H. GOODPASTURE, minister, Petersburg; son of John and Margery (Bryan) Goodpasture ; was born in Overton Co., Tenn., June 21, 1812; his aneestors were prominent pioneers of Virginia; his grandfather built the first Court House at Richmond ; the subject of this sketch is the sixth child of a family of fourtcen chil- dren; about the age of 21, he began doing for himself, and removed to Central Ala- bama; it was on this journey that he stopped for a time and attended eamp-meeting, and experienced religion, resolving ever after to be a worker for the cause of Christ ; he soon began to study for the ministry, and, in April, 1835, was licensed by the Talladega Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to preach ; he began the work of the ministry at Mardisville, Ala., and, after an absence of twenty-five months, returned to his people a preacher ; in 1836, he eame to Illinois on a visit, and was persuaded to remain and engage here in the ministry, which he did; at that time, his circuit embraced several counties ; the privations and hardships incident to a new country werc common to him ; after eighteen months' labor in the wilds of Illinois, he returned to his people in Alabama, and there preached until 1842, when he again came to this State, locating in Menard Co., where he has sinee diligently labored in the work of the ministry. Mr. Goodpasture is one of the pioneer preachers of Illinois, and is at pres- ent Pastor of the Concord Church, near where he now resides. He married Miss Dulcina B. Williams, of this county, Jan. 10, 1843; she was born in Bath Co., Ky., March 19, 1819; they are the parents of six children, only three of whom are now living. He owns a farm of 200 acres, which he superintends. They are well known and highly respected citizens.

MRS. JEMIMA GUM, farmer, P. O. Petersburg; daughter of Robert and Ellen (Davis) Carter, who emigrated from Kentucky in an early day; they settled where Mrs. Gum now resides as early as 1830, and here Mr. Robert Carter died March 26, 1866; he had raised a family of six boys and two girls ; Mrs. Carter still survives, and enjoys good health at the ripe old age of 83. The subject of this sketch married

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Mr. Thomas D. Gum Jan. 17, 1839, and during his life was known as one of the most industrious and energetic farmers of Menard Co .; he died Nov. 18, 1859, leaving a family of seven, only four of whom are now living. . During life, Mr. Gum had accu- mulated a good property, and, through good management, Mrs. Gum has added to the property and supported the family; she now owns 420 acres of fine land, and still superintends the farm.

CHARLES GUM, farmer ; P. O. Petersburg; son of Jesse and Mary (Dills) Gum, who were among the first settlers of Menard Co. ; he was a native of Kentucky and she of South Carolina; when this now well settled and finely developed county was but a wild and desolate country, they settled at what is known as Clarries' Grove, Menard Co. Jesse Gum ranked with the influential and reliable men of the county, and had accumulated a good property. The subject of this sketch is likewise a well-to- do farmer. He married Martha, daughter of Elijah and Nancy (Armstrong) Jones, who were early settlers of Menard Co .; they were married in February, 1850; they have seven children, and own 255 acres of fine land that he settled on when this was but a wild and desolate country, with settlers far apart.

WILLIAM M. GOLDSBY, farmer and minister, Petersburg ; was born in Green Co., Ky., Oct. 16, 1818, and son of James and Elizabeth (Bingley) Goldsby ; his father was a soldier of the war of 1812; they came to this county in 1830, and his father was the first Sheriff of Menard Co., and served six years, and did his duty well. William M. has worked faithfully as a minister of the Baptist Church for upward of twenty-five years, and still labors with vigor for the good cause, having two churches at which he now preaches. His wife was Miss Eliza Pierce; they were married Aug. 15, 1839 ; they have six children, all members of church, and who are well-to-do.

W. T. HUTCHERSON, farmer, P. O. Petersburg; son of Thomas and Catharine (Philips) Hutcherson ; was born in Green Co., Ky., April 6, 1828. He was left to battle with the hardships of the world, without parental care and advice, at an early age. Previous to their death, they had removed to Sangamon Co., Ill., where he spent a great part of his early life. When the Mexican war broke out, Mr. Hutcherson enlisted with the 4th Regiment, I. V. I., under Maj. L. Harris, and served to the close. Mr. H. is one deserving great credit; he began a poor boy, with limited advantages, and to day enjoys a good reputation, and is surrounded by a pleasant family, and owns a beautiful farm, known as Fairview Farm, consisting of 220 acres.

JACOB HOFING, proprietor of the Menard House, Petersburg. The number of commercial travelers who register at the Menard is witness to its accommoda- tions and good table. Mr. Hofing has managed this house for many years. He was born in Hanover, Germany, Aug. 21, 1838 ; he came to this country in 1857, locating in Menard Co., and for a number of years followed farming, together with stock- dealing. In 1866, he sold out and bought the Menard House, and at once refitted and renovated it, so that it is pleasant and homelike. He has twice married-first to Miss Elizabeth Davis in February, 1863; she died in November, 1868, leaving one child- Alice. He married his second wife Aug. 24, 1875 ; she was Mrs. Clarissa J. Cram- mer, of Petersburg ; they have one child-Cora B.

HOBART HAMILTON, civil engineer, Petersburg ; son of Jamin and Elizabeth (Little) Hamilton ; was born in Chittenden Co., Vt., June 26, 1831. Here he spent the early part of his life, and received his academical education. He graduated from the Vermont University at Burlington, in 1853; his course in civil engineering was thorough, and he took up that profession, and soon became an able engineer. He came West in 1857, locating in Petersburg, and began in the employ of the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad, now a branch of the. C., B. & Q. Railroad, as civil engineer, and continued it some three years ; then engaged with the Tonica & Petersburg, now a branch of the C. & A. Railroad ; here he served as civil engineer until the fall of 1858, when he bought and began to publish a paper known as the Menard Index. He continued as proprietor and editor of this paper till 1863, when he received the appointment of Quartermaster of the 102d I. V. I .; this position he held till the close of the war. In the fall of 1865, he was elected County Clerk of Menard Co., and appointed Master in

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Chancery, serving as County Clerk one term and Master in Chancery eight years. He was appointed Chief Engineer of the Springfield & North-Western Railroad in 1870, filling this position until 1873. The many prominent and responsible positions that have been confided to him have been filled with credit. He married Clara, daughter' of John McDougall, of Oneida Co., N. Y., Dec. 24, 1860. She is a lady of culture and fine social qualitics; they have a beautiful residence, finely located, and a promising family of six children.

C. L. HATFIELD, lumber, Petersburg; son of Aaron and Martha (Stout) Hat- field; was born in Morgan Co., Ill., Aug. 17, 1845. His parents gave him the advan- tage of a thorough education. After attending district school for a time, he began at North Sangamon Academy, and, in 1865-66, attended the Illinois College at Jackson- ville ; thence to Lincoln University, of Lincoln, Ill., where he took a thorough course, graduating in 1868. Shortly after, he removed to Caldwell Co., Ky., where he was appointed Principal of the Bethlehem Academy, and after a year returned to Peters- burg and embarked in the dry-goods business, which he continued until January, 1875, when he engaged in teaching near Lincoln, Ill., and was appointed Principal of the Broadwell High School the following fall. In the fall of 1876, he was appointed Principal of the Graded School of Petersburg. In the fall of 1877, he embarked in the lumber business with his father, the firm being A. & C. L. Hatfield, and has since continued in this business, but on his own account since April, 1879. He is a man of fine mental powers and good business ability. He has been married twice-first to Miss Mattie E. Edgar, of Lincoln, Ill., Aug. 30, 1868; she died Dec. 15, 1874, leav- ing two children. May 14, 1878, he married Miss Ella A. Fisher, of Petersburg, Ill .; they have one child. They are active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he has served as Elder since 1874.

JOHN A. HURD, farmer ; P. O. Petersburg; was born in Newport, N. H., Nov. 28, 1806, where he was raised and schooled. He is the son of Peter and Meribah (Atwood) Hurd, who were also natives of New Hampshire. During early life, he learned the trade of a clothier, which he soon abandoned, as his inclinations were toward agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Elizabeth Jewett, of his native place, Jan. 30, 1828. He then took charge of the home farm, which he managed until 1838, when he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Cass Co., where he remained until 1844, when they removed to Petersburg. He took charge of the clothier's department of the woolen mill, continuing therc some two years; then removed to where he now resides. Mrs. Hurd died May 13, 1872. They had three children-Martha, John J., who died in the army, and Celania C., now Mrs. James E. Dickerson, who is the only sur- viving child. John A. Hurd is an enterprising, benevolent and highly respected citizen. His home farm consists of 160 acres of fine land.

GEORGE HUDSPETH, farmer; P. O. Petersburg; one of the pioneers of Menard Co .; was born in Madison Co., Ala., July 28, 1815. His father died when he was but 11 months old, and then his mother and family, consisting of five children, removed to Overton Co., Tenn., remaining there until 1822, when they removed to Illinois, locating in Jefferson Co., and in 1823, in Menard Co., and began to prepare a home. George remained with his mother and family until 1833, when he began doing business for himself. He was married May 10, 1836, to Peggy Ann Jarvis, also of Menard Co .; they are the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. During his carly life, school advantages were limited. Hc owns 235 acres of fine land. He has always taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the good of the com- munity in which he has lived. Mr. and Mrs. Hudspeth are now living to see the use- fulness and prosperity of their children. They are and have been active workers in the Church for upward of forty years.

ALMON HURD, farmer ; P. O. Petersburg; son of Hiram and Esther (Patten) Hurd, who are natives of New Hampshire. The former was born June 3, 1800, and the latter Dec. 22, 1804. They were married Jan. 26, 1826. They have now lived together for over fifty-threc years. They came West with their family in 1855. Almon is the only son and was born in Sullivan Co., N. H., March 13, 1838, and has always

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resided with his parents, and, since their coming West, has supcrintended the affairs of his parents. He married Mary J., daughter of James Miles, a prominent pioneer of Menard Co. They were married Oct. 31, 1867. They have a son and a daughter. Mr. Hurd owns 160 acres.

JUDGE BREESE JOHNSON, attorney, Petersburg; son of Philip and Mary Johnson ; is a native of Frederick Co., Va., where he was raised and educated. After obtaining a good education, he began teaching school and reading medicine. A year and a half later, he was persuaded by his brother to abandon medicine, and take up the study of law with him, and, after studying under his brother, W. R., he began under Gen. Brisco G. Baldwin, of Stanton, Va. His desire to become an able attorney causcd him to apply himself diligently, an I he became a well-read lawyer, and was admitted to the bar in 1835. He took up the practice of law in his native county, and soon won a good reputation. Mr. Johnson came to Menard Co. in 1861, and bought land, upon which he resided for a time. He came and located in Petersburg in 1870, since which time he has given his attention to the practice of law.

THOMAS S. KNOLES, attorney and counselor at law ; is a native of Menard Co., Ill., and was born about six miles east of Petersburg Sept. 8, 1850. His father, Asa Knoles, was born in the State of Indiana Nov. 19, 1818, and was married to Dorcas Stone in 1837, in Indiana. She was born in Kentucky in 1823; they emi- grated to Menard Co., Ill., in 1848, where Asa Knoles became a leading citizen, stock- dealer and farmer. Although not a graduate, he was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and kept pace with the events of the day. Dorcas Knoles, as wife, mother, neighbor and Christian, was a model, and truly consistent; she was beloved and esteemed by all who knew hier, and died Aug. 27, 1857. She was the mother of eleven children, seven boys, all living, and four girls, of whom but one is living. . Asa Knoles died Nov. 12, 1863. Their remains repose in Bee Grove burying-ground, in the northeast part of Menard Co. Of the seven boys, five were soldiers in the late war, among whom we mention the Hon. S. S. Knoles. The subject of this sketch was thrown on his own resources at the age of 13; was married to Miss Laura E. Hart in 1872 ; admitted to the bar in 1873; he is the author of a political speech on."The Functions of Money," and of " Moses was not mistaken," both productions of consid- erable merit ; he was a candidate for Clerk of the Superior Court in 1878, receiving upward of 17,000 votes. Four children have been born to T. S. and L. E. Knoles- Isabelle Grace, the oldest, deceased; Tully C .; Nellie Hart, deccased ; C. Rollin, now three months old.

S. S. KNOLES, editor, Petersburg; was born in Gibson Co., Ind., March 20, 1840, and during his early life, obtained a fair education. He came to Illinois, with his father, in 1846 ; he read law with N. M. Broadwell, of Springfield, for a time, then with Hon. T. W. McNcely, of Petersburg, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. Dur- ing the late war, he enlisted with the 114th I. V. I., and served three years as Sergeant. During his service, he participated in many of the most severe battles of the war, and was severely wounded. He lay a prisoner for several months at Andersonville, and at Mobile. In 1865, he was elected Treasurer of Menard Co., and re-elected in 1867, serving four years. In 1870, he was elected to represent Cass and Menard Cos. in the Twenty-seventh General Assembly. . In July, 1878, he became one of the proprietors and editors ot the Petersburg Democrat, which was established by C. Clay, in 1859, as the. Menard Axis. In 1868, it was purchased by a joint-stock company, and edited by one M. B. Friend, and then took the name of the Petersburg Democrat. In 1871, E. F. McElwain became editor and proprietor. In 1877, A. E. Mick became the proprietor and editor, continuing such until Mr. Knoles became a partner, since which time it has been under the exclusive control and editorial management of Mick & Knoles. It has a large and flourishing circulation. In politics, Democratic. ·

REV. ROBERT MILLER, minister and County Superintendent of Schools, Petersburg; was born Feb. 3, 1838, in Pettis Co., Mo., near the present site of the city of Secalia ; his father, William A. Miller, was born in Kentucky in 1804, and emigrated to Missouri in 1820 ; he was a politician and legislator of some notoriety ; he

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died in 1847; his wife (the mother of the subject of this sketch), whose maiden name was Mitchell, was born May 13, 1805, on the French Broad River in Tennessee ; her father, Capt. Thomas Mitchell, removed to Missouri in 1814, and together with a few others, lived three years in old Ft. Cole, in what is now Cooper Co .; Daniel Boone was for some time an inmate of Cole's Fort, and died in that section of the country; Mrs. Miller (now a widow) is living with a son in Oregon. The subject of these' notes. received his early education at the district schools, which he attended until he was 16 years old, when he entered Chapel Hill College, Mo., and began a regular classical course, but lacked one year of completing it ; he then commenced the study of medi- cine, to which he closely applied himself for eighteen months and then abandoned it ; he moved to Petersburg in 1874, where he has since resided. Mr. Miller joined the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church in September, 1858; was licensed to preach in 1860, and ordained in 1864 ; he has spent fourteen years in teaching, and was appointed Superin- tendent of Schools for Menard Co. in January, 1877, and elected to the office in the fall of the same year, by a majority of 913, the largest majority ever given in the county, the next largest being 640 ; he is Pastor of the C. P. Church, of Petersburg, one of the largest and most prosperous in the city. Mr. Miller was married Dec. 24, 1856, to Miss C. A. Riche, in Buchanan Co., Mo .; they have six children living, five girls and one boy, and one boy, George Mitchell, was killed by the cars March 25, 1879, aged 10 years and 2 months; the names of those living are as follows: Sarah M., Mollie A., Emma E., Leyria A., Rosa P. and Robert D. F.

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The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 76

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 848

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 848