The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 78

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 78
USA > Illinois > Menard County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 78

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

AARON THOMPSON, farmer ; P. O. Petersburg; son of Anson and Elizabeth. (Eldredge) Thompson; was born in Cape May Co., N. J., Jan. 28, 1810, where he was raised and educated ; he came to Illinois in 1837, locating in Sangamon Co., and, for a time, taught school, and afterward entered a general store as clerk ; Mr. Thompson located where he now resides in 1848, and Sept. 21, 1848, married Miss Sarah J. Car- son, of Sangamon Co., Ill .; she died Oct. 19, 1854, leaving three children, two of whom are now living. . Mr. Thompson's present wife is Amanda, daughter of Zadoc W. and Elizabeth (Hill) Flinn ; she was born in Morgan Co., Ill., Sept. 3, 1827, where she was raised and received her education ; Feb. 10, 1848, she married Mr. George M. Obanion, a highly respected and prominent man of Morgan Co .; he died Sept. 15, 1852, leav- ing one child ; April 18, 1856, she was married to Mr. Aaron Thompson, the subject of this sketch ; by her he has six children ; they are considered among the wealthy citi- zens of Menard Co., and make their wealth a means of comfort and happiness to them- selves and to others ; they are surrounded by a pleasant and promising family.

MRS. MARY J. THOMPSON, farmer ; P. O. Petersburg; daughter of Joseph B. and Catharine (Hall) Ayres, who were early settlers of Menard Co. She was born near Athens, March 16, 1849, and was there raised and schooled. She was married to Mr. James H. Thompson Dec. 20, 1864 ; they located upon the farm where she now resides. Mr. Thompson was a prominent pioneer of this county ; he passed away April 14, 1878. Mr. Thompson had a family of eight by first wife and one by his last wife. He left a fine property ; the farm consists of 350 acres of finely improved land, with a good residence.

ANSON THOMPSON, County Clerk, Petersburg ; son of James H. and Sarah (Brown) Thompson, who are of English origin, and came to Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1835, and after a time removed to Cass Co , where Anson was born, November 6, 1844. They removed to Mcnard Co. in 1846, where they passed the remainder of their days. She died Nov. 20, 1862, leaving a family of seven children, and he died April 4, 1878. They were beloved by friends and relatives, and respected by all who knew them. The subject of this sketch was raised upon a farm, and his early education obtained at dis- trict school, after which he attended Illinois College at Jacksonville. In 1863, he entered Michigan University, where he completed a fine business education, and returned to Petersburg and entered the store of Brahm & Lanning as clerk ; he con- tinued there till 1873, when he was elected County Clerk, and re-elected in 1877.

JOHN TICE, County Judge, Petersburg ; son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Thomas) Ticc, and grandson of Jacob and Susannah M. (Querie) Ticc. His grandfather was a native of Germany, who came to this country and settled in Maryland in 1756. There his father was born March 8, 1786, and raised in Shenandoah Co., Va. In 1806, his father removed to Floyd Co., Va., engaged in agricultural pursuits and was a soldier of the war of 1812; he emigrated with his family to Illinois in 1831, settling in what is. now Menard Co., and at what is now the village of Athens. In the spring of 1832, he purchased a farm at what is now Tice Station, on the Springfield & Northwestern . Railroad, where he resided, a prominent farmer, until his death, which occurred Oct. 11, 1856, his wife having died at the same place March 14, 1845. They were the parents of eight children. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of the family, and was born in Floyd Co., Va., Feb. 22, 1823. He passed his early life in the homestead

at 'Tice Station. During his early life, school advantages were limited, but, by home study, he succeeded in acquiring a good business education. After the death of his parents, the responsibility of educating and looking after the wants of his brothers and sisters devolved upon him, and nobly did he meet it, his devotion to them never ccasing till all were amply able to meet the pressing duties of life. For a number of years, Mr. Ticc served as Justice of the Peace, and, in 1849, was elected to the office of Associate Judge of Menard Co., continuing until 1853. In 1955, he was appointed Duputy County Surveyor, and for thirteen consecutive years performed the duties of Surveyor, almost the entire responsibility of the office resting upon him. In 1857, he was elected to the office of Assessor and Treasurer of Menard Co., the official duties of which he performed for cight consecutive years. In 1866, he was elected to the office of Sheriff

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and Collector of Menard Co., serving one term, since which time he has served as. Deputy, until November, 1877; when he was elected County Judge. Mr. Tice has served the people of Menard Co., in some public capacity, for about thirty years, which, alone, testifies to his worth and popularity. His long and faithful career as an officer he may well be proud of, as the duties were performed with credit and honor to himself and those he represented ; by economy and good financiering, he has amassed a large prop- erty, and is benevolent and public-spirited. He married Lydia, daughter of John and Hannah Bowers, of Rockingham Co., Va., March 26, 1857.

ROBERT WORTHINGTON, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Petersburg. Son of Robert and Ann E. (Whiting) Worthington ; born in Ross Co., Ohio, Nov. 8, 1815, where he was raised and schooled. He began business for himself at 21, engaging in agricultural pursuits. He has twice married-first, to Eleanor Haynes, of Ross Co., Ohio, Nov. 10, 1836, who died Feb. 1, 1839, leaving two children ; second, to Miss Margaret Clark, of Ross Co., Ohio, Feb. 10, 1842. They came to Illinois in the fall of 1851, and, in the spring, bought and settled where he now resides. He owns 480 acres of fine land ; has a fine and beautifully located residence. His family consists of nine children by his last wife.

S. WINTERS, farmer and lumber manufacturer ; P. O. Petersburg ; was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., April 4, 1817 ; son of Nathan and Grace (Kelsey) Winters, of English origin ; his father died in 1827, and his mother in 1852. During the early life of Mr. Winters, he learned the trade of a wagon-maker. He came to Menard Co., Ill., in 1854, locating at Athens, where he followed his trade; and, in 1856, was elected Justice of the Peace. He resigned and removed to where he now lives, in 1857, and bought the saw-mill which he still operates ; this mill was one of the first in this county, and is still in good working order. Here Mr. W. began to do business with a deter- mination, and he gradually succeeded in business, and, at different. times, bought small tracts of land adjoining .the mill, until now he has a fine farm of 170 acres. His wife was Miss Louisa A. Minkler ; they were married Feb. 24, 1841 ; they have raised a family of six.

W. C. WARING, merchant, Petersburg ; son of George G. and Elizabeth (Clark) Waring; was born in Ross Co., Ohio, April 2, 1841 ; and, at the age of 11, was brought by his parents to this county, and raised upon a farm. During his early life, the advan- tages for an education were limited. In 1863, Mr. Waring emigrated to Petaluma, Cal., remaining but one year ; then returned to Menard Co., and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He began in mercantile life at Newmanville, Cass Co., Ill. ; there he was a successful merchant for three years ; then he came to Petersburg and established his present business. Is one of the flourishing merchants of Petersburg, and has a fine property, and a good trade. He married Jenette, daughter of James and Margaret Shephard, who were among the early settlers of Menard Co.

SILAS WATKINS, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Petersburg; was born in Menard Co., Ill., Jan. 23, 1836; son of William G. and Jane (Denton) Watkins. His mother died while he was quite young ; his father was a prominent pioneer and stock- dealer of Menard Co., Ill., and died in 1876, leaving a good property. Silas began doing for himself while yet a boy, with but a limited schooling, and by home study and . practice acquired a fair business education. He has accumulated a fine property, owning 400 acres. He married Miss Elizabeth Elmore in 1856; she died in 1873, leaving two children. March 15, 1874, he married Miss Louisa Smith, by whom he has one child. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins are members of the Baptist Church.

FRED WILKINSON, Sheriff, Petersburg; son of John and Sarah (Goble) Wilkinson, who were of English extraction, and among the early settlers of Menard Co .; was born in this county Aug. 17, 1840, upon the homestead farm at Sugar Grove, where his parents settled in an early day ; his early education was such as could be obtained from the schools of the neighborhood in which he resided, and he soon became proficient in the branches commonly taught ; his father was also his teacher for a con- siderable period of time, and under his care he made rapid advancement ; as was com- mon in those days, some months of the year were spent at work on the farm, and the

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

winter months mainly devoted to schooling; his youth and early manhood passed with- out noteworthy events. At the age of 27, he married, Nov. 19, 1869, Miss Mary E. Wade, of this county ; her parents, F. A. and Louisa M. Wade, were formerly residents of Bath Co., Ky .; he soon began farming, which he followed for several years; in 1870, he was elected Sheriff of the county, and, at the expiration of the term, Was re-elected. His wife died June 23, 1874, leaving two children, but one of whom is now living. His official position has been filled with credit and honor.

THOMAS WATKINS, farmer; P. O. Petersburg; among the pioneers of Menard Co., none is better known than the name of Watkins; his father, Thomas Watkins, was a settler in the Territory of Illinois previous to the war of 1812, and during that war served as a ranger and obtained money to enter land. The subject of this sketch was born near where he now resides Nov. 16, 1824; he has seen the entire growth of the county ; he served one year in the Mexican war ; he has accumulated a good property and now owns 310 acres adjoining the town of Petersburg. He married Miss Mary Goldsby Jan. 25, 1848; they have raised a family of nine children.

McCLANE WATKINS, farmer; P. O. Petersburg ; son of Thomas and Mary (Greene) Watkins, among the first white settlers of the Territory of Illinois; they came from Kentucky to this Territory before the war of 1812, and during the war of 1812 he served as a ranger for three years, and settled at Clary's Grove in 1819; he · had done much in his time for the development of the country, and had accumulated a good property, which he left to his children. The subject of this sketch was born near where he now resides Dec. 28, 1826, and this has always been his home; his knowl- edge of the early settlement of Menard Co. is thorough and reliable, and the name of Watkins as pioneers is well known throughout Central Illinois; "he owns 392 acres of fine land. He has twice married, first to Miss Hannah E. Jones, of this county, Sept. 6, 1858; she died Oct. 13, 1866, leaving two children ; in 1870, he married his pres- ent wife.

WILLIAM M. WHITE, contractor and builder, Petersburg; is one of the pioneers of Menard Co. He came with his parents, Aaron B. and Elizabeth (Murray) White, to this county at a very early day, and well remembers when this was a wild. region, with but now and then a settler. He has witnessed the entire growth of the county. His parents settled at Clary's Grove, and there his father operated a saw- mill for a number of years ; then settled in Petersburg, following contracting and build- ing. William chose the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he learned under his father. After a time, his parents removed to Ohio, but he remained here and followed contracting and building, and many of the principal public and private buildings have been erccted by him. He was born near Lexington, Ky., Jan. 30, 1824. His life has been one of industry and energy. His wife was Miss Rebecca Perkins; they were married April 21, 1846. They raised a large family, seven of whom are now living.

H. A. WOOD, nursery, Petersburg; H. A. Wood is a specimen of the Yankees of the Empire State ; born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., June 30, 1842 ; son of Solomon and Anna Shuman Wood; the Shumans are of German and the Woods of English descent; Horace's father was a farmer, and reared H. A. to this business ; after he had attained his manhood, was engaged several years as traveling salesman, and was success- ful in this direction, and, attracting the attention of Mr. Spaulding, of Springfield, he engaged his services and continued with him two years, with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his employers. Dec. 29, 1869, married Lizzie Miles; born in Petersburg March 14, 1850; daughter of Maj. Miles; one child-Florence, born April 13, 1874. Since his marriage, he has been engaged in the nursery business on his own account; keeps a general assortment of fruit and shade trees, shrubbery and hardy plants ; Mr. Wood's long experience in the business enables him to give satisfac- tion to his customers, and from his upright and manly deportment, has secured the good will and liberal patronage of the people. Is a member of the Christian Church.

ARTHUR YOUNG, Justice of the Peace and insurance agent, Petersburg ; son of Samuel and Sophia V. (Craven) Young; was born in Montgomery Co., Md.,

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TALLULA PRECINCT.

Aug. 1, 1847, where he was raised and received his early schooling. In 1865, he. came to Illinois, locating in Jacksonville, and there attended Illinois College, returning home in 1867. In 1869, he came to Illinois again and settled in Petersburg, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he abandoned after a time on account of his health. In 1876, he was elected Justice of the Peace to fill a vacancy, and clected regularly in 1877, which position he now holds. He is a good business man, of fine social qualities, and has won the esteem and respect of all who know him. He married Miss Belle Cissel, of his native State, April 19, 1870 ; they have three children.

TALLULA PRECINCT.

REV. S. B. AYERS, minister and farmer ; P. O. Tallula; was born in North- ampton Co., Penn., Aug. 13, 1811. Early in life, he began preparing for the ministry. In 1831, he entered Princeton College, graduating in 1834, and graduating from the Theological Seminary in 1837. He began the work of the ministry with the Presby- terian denomination. In the spring of 1838, he was ordained, and took charge of the church at Montague, N. J., where he remained three years, thence to Ellenville (Ulster Co.), where he remained upward of fourteen years. He, with family, came to Menard Co., Ill., in the fall of 1854; here he has since worked diligently in the cause of Chris- tianity, and also superintends his home farm, which consists of 100 acres. He is now the regular minister for the Pleasant Plains Church (which church he was instrumental in building). He is also a regular minister for the Ashland Church. Mr. Ayers has had a long and fruitful career in the work of the ministry, and has won the estecm and respect of all who know him. He was twice married; first, to Miss Sarah H. Roy, of New Jersey, Sept. 13, 1838; she died Sept. 3, 1851, leaving five children. He married his present wife May 17, 1853; her maiden name was Miss Frances B. Parshall, of Orange Co., N. Y. They have five children.

JOHN E. ACKERMANN, farmer ; P. O. Tallula; was born in Prussia Dec. 21, 1827, where he was raised and schooled; he came to this country in 1854, locating in Menard Co., Ill., and found employment as a farm laborer ; in 1867, he had saved up quite a little money and bought a piece of land ; he now owns 480 acres of fine land, wholly the result of his own energy and industry. His wife was Mrs. Norcis Atter- bury, daughter of George Davis, an early settler of the county; they were married in March, 1857; they had a family of five children, viz., Mary, Jemima, George (deceased), Etta and Jane.

D. S. BELL, farmer ; P. O. Tallula ; son of A. B. and Mary (White) Bell, who were among the first settlers of this county, and came from Green Co., Ky., in 1820, locating near where D. S. now lives, and where the father died Aug. 7, 1872; she still survives; the subject of this sketch was born upon the old homestead Oct. 16, 1834; he was raised a farmer, which business he has followed thus far through life. He has twice married ; first to Margaret B., daughter of Dr. Bennett, of Petersburg, Feb. 1, 1854; she died Oct. 10, 1859, leaving one child-Chester W., and May 9, 1864, he married Miss Hannah E. Smedly of this county. During the late war, he enlisted with the 14th I. V. I .; served upward of three years, and participated in many of the most severe battles of the war, having many hairbreadth escapes, but escaping without a scratch. He removed to Logan Co. in 1866, and, on May 23, 1872, his wife died, leaving one child-Sarah A. . Mr. Bell now owns fifty-two acres of the old home farm and takes care of his aged mother. He is prominently connected with the Sunday-school work of this county. He is an upright, benevolent and highly respected citizen.

G. W. S. BELL, merchant, Tallula ; son of Abraham B. and Mary (White) Bell, who were early settlers of Menard Co .; was born in Menard Co. Oct. 15, 1830, and is the third son of a family of seven boys. During his early life, he began to study for the ministry ; in 1849, he entered Shurtleff College, of Alton, Ill., and the same year

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

was licensed to preach in the Baptist Church. March 10, 1854, he married Miss Matilda N. Clayton, after which they removed into Scott Co., where he was ordained a minister and there preached for about three years ; he then resigned and removed to Richmond, Iowa, where he had charge of a church until 1860, thence to Coffey Co., Kan., and took up agricultural pursuits. In 1862, he enlisted in the 12th Kan. V. I., and was mustered in as First Lieutenant and afterward promoted to Captain. He served in the army some three years and escaped without a scratch. After the war he returned to Kansas, where he remained until 1868, then came to Scott Co., Ill., and took charge of the Baptist Church at Winchester, where he preached until his health began to fail. He came to Tallula in 1870, where he has since lived an enterprising merchant and farmer. He has a family of five children.

HENRY C. BELL, farmer ; P. O. Tallula ; son of Abraham B. and Mary (White) Bell, who were among the first settlers of Menard Co. He was born in this county March 12, 1829 ; during his early life, he acquired a good common schooling ; he was raised a farmer and has made agricultural pursuits his business thus far through life. He married Miss Nancy A., daughter of Rev. G. Curry (a prominent minister) of this county, March 14, 1850 ; they have lived an industrious and upright life, accu- mulating a fine property. They own a fine farm of 200 acres. They have raised a family of five children, viz., Thomas T., born Dec. 31, 1850, and died Nov. 1, 1873 ; Robert C., born Aug. 10, 1853 ; Frederick S., born June 10, 1857 ; Charles H., born Nov. 1, 1859, and John G., born March 23, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are prominently connected with the Baptist Church, and highly respected citizens.

REUBEN CORSON, farmer ; P. O. Tallula ; was born in Cape May Co., N. J., June 16, 1831, where he was raised and schooled. He is the son of Nathan and Abigail (Hand) Corson, of English origin. He came with his parents to Illinois in 1849, locating in Menard Co. ; here Reuben has lived a well-to-do and much respected citizen, and has made agricultural pursuits his principal business thus far through life. He is industrious and energetic, and has accumulated a good property, consisting of 200 acres of fine land. He married Miss Rachel Nottingham Feb. 23, 1859, the . daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Smith) Nottingham ; she was born in Sangamon Co., Ill., Jan. 17, 1839. They have raised a family of five children-Hannah N., Charles P., Edward E., Bertha and Nathan. Mr. and Mrs. Corson have been workers in the M. E. Church for many years.

E. R. COUCHMAN, farmer ; P. O. Tallula; son of Benjamin and Millicent (Riggs) Couchman. He was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Dec. 13, 1819, and was brought by his parents to Morgan Co., Ill., in 1825, locating near where Jacksonville now stands. His father bought land of Hon. W. May, and there E. R. Couchman was raised and educated. Sept. 30, 1841, he was married to Sophia, daughter of Squire D. Henderson, of Morgan Co. In 1850, he bought land in Menard Co., of Jonathan Masterson, upon which he located in 1825; he sold this and bought where he now lives, in 1866. He has a fine farm, consisting of 287 acres. Feb. 17, 1871, his wife died, leaving four children-Margaret J., David R., William J. and James C. He married his present wife, Miss Julia A. Mackintire, of Missouri, April 1, 1875.

CHARLES CRESSE, farmer ; P. O. Tallula ; was born in Cape May Co., N. J., Oct. 7, 1812, where he was raised and schooled. He spent some fifteen years of his early life at sea, coasting in transient trade a number of years. In 1837, his father bought a vessel (Fame), and he was made captain ; this he sailed some two years. In 1839, his father built the vessel Glide, which he sailed some five years. The latter boat was a 175-ton vessel. He sailed the M. Marcy for a time. He abandoned the life of a sailor, and came to Illinois in 1849, with his family, settling where he now resides. He has a fine farm of 240 acres. His wife was Jecoliah Cresse, of his native county. They were married in November, 1840. She died in July, 1875, leaving a family of five- Philip. Judith, Margaret, Anthony and Charles M.

SAMUEL W. CALDWELL, farmer ; P. O. Tallula ; was born in Green Co., Ky., Jan. 13, 1817; son of John and Elizabeth (Conover) Caldwell; in 1822, his father died, and his mother and her five children moved into Adair Co., where they

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resided until 1829, when they came to what is now Menard Co., Ill., locating at Clary's Grove, where his mother died in 1855; only three of the family are now living-Sam- uel W. (the subject of this sketch), Mrs. Eveline Wyatt, of Tallula, and Mrs. Lydia A. Wright, of Cass Co. Mr. Caldwell married Miss Martha A. Bright, April 4, 1839 ; she was born in Christian Co., Ky, March 14, 1817; they settled where they now reside shortly after marrying, at which time this was but a wild and desolate country ; the trials and hardships of a pioneer life are yet fresh in their memory ; they began in life together, with willing hands and determined minds, but no means ; their honeymoon was spent quite differently from the custom of the present day ; they set out on a wed- ding trip from Clary's Grove to where they now live, and together built their first house, which was a log cabin, 12x14; it was completed the same week, and they settled in their new cabin home with a happiness not surpassed in any home; with industry and perseverance, they have gradually built themselves up to their present high stand- ing; after assisting their children to property, they yet have 106 acres of land, and one of the finest farm residences in Menard Co .; they are the parents of seven chil- dren, three only of whom are now living, viz .- Mary M. (now Mrs. G. E. Boston, of Morgan Co.), Winfield S. and James E .; the two latter remain upon the old home- stead ; as a family, they are highly respected.

GEORGE W. CODINGTON, farmer ; P. O. Tallula ; son of Joseph and Jane E. (Leeper) Codington ; was born where he now lives Oct. 11, 1831, upon the old homestead where his parents settled in 1831. They came from Barren Co., Ky. ; they raised a family of eight children, and improved a large tract of land; they were indus- trious, well-to-do and much-respected citizens. They died and are buried upon the homestead farm. His father died April 13, 1863, at the age of 70, and his mother, June 12, 1866. They left a good property to their children. The subject of this sketch owns 312 acres of the old farm. He married Miss Mary A., daughter of George G. and Elizabeth (Clark) Waring, Nov. 26, 1868. She was born July 3, 1846; they have two children-George H. and Amanda F.

JOHN A. DINKEL; P. O. Tallula; was born in Baden, Germany, Sept. 19, 1838; son of Philip and Catharine (Spingler) Dinkel ; was brought to this country by his parents in 1847, coming directly to Springfield, Ill., and locating upon a farm where he was raised and schooled, and where his father raised a family of five children. His father died there in August, 1857, and there his mother still survives. The subject of . this sketch entered the army ,with the 10th I. V. Cav., and served three years and three months. He participated in a number of engagements and skirmishes, escaping without injury. After the war, he returned and engaged in the cabinet business, which he has since followed. He married Miss Elizabeth Stahl, of Springfield, May 13, 1865 ; she was born March 26, 1847. They removed to Tallula in September, 1869, and became manufacturer and dealer in furniture and undertaking, which he has since continued. They are the parents of six children-Elizabeth, born Sept. 13, 1867 ; Sophia, May 13, 1870, died Dec. 31, 1874; John, born Aug. 31, 1872; Frederick, June 4, 1875; George S. and William W., born Oct. 3, 1878; William W. died July 29, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Dinkel are members of the Baptist Church.

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The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 78

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