The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 80

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 80
USA > Illinois > Menard County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 80

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H. H. IRWIN, farmer ; P. O. Tallula ; son of Hugh B. and Priscilla (Kyle) Irwin ; he was born in Sangamon Co., Ill., May 8, 1844; his parents were among the early settlers of Sangamon Co .; they came to Menard Co. in 1846; here Henry H. has since lived, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is now one of the well-to-do, enterprising farmers of Menard Co. He entered the army in 1862, with the 114th I. V. I., and participated in many heavy battles and skirmishes of the war, serving three years, and escaped uninjured. After the war, he returned and resumed farming. Oct. 21, 1868, he married Miss Frances E. Primm, of this county ; she died Oct. 12, 1873, leaving one child-Elenora, and, Feb. 10, 1875, he married Sylvia A. Houghton ; she died May 6, 1877.

COL. JAMES W. JUDY, dealer in stock, Tallula ; was born in Clark Co., Ky., May 8, 1822, and, at the age of 14, his parents removed to Montgomery Co., where James spent his early life upon a farm ; he began for himself at the age of 21; he came to Menard Co., Ill., in 1851, and began farming; Aug. 24, 1854, he made his first short-horn sale, which was for the late Judge Stephen Dunlap, of Morgan Co .; here he displayed a talent in that direction which surpassed all other salesmen, and he was frequently called upon to make sales in different parts of the State; bis reputation as a short-horn auctioncer began in 1854, and has increased from that to the present timc, and is not confined to this State, but extends from the far East to the far West, and now he enjoys the reputation of being the leading short-horn salesman of the United States ; his reputation is the result of many years' study and practice, through which he has amassed a large property ; his home farm consists of 565 acres, and is one of the finest places in Central Illinois. During the late war, he organized a com- pany at Tallula, and was made Captain, and removed to Camp Butler, Ill., where he organized the 114th I. V. I., and was elected Colonel without opposition, and entered the army in 1862, serving one year, during which time he participated in a number of battles, including siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, and many skirmishes ; his family need- ing his closest attention on account of sickness, he was compelled to resign. His wife is Catharine A., daughter of .James W. and Emma (Hathaway) Simpson ; they were married March 23, 1851; they are the parents of six children, two only of whom are living; Mrs. Judy was brought to Illinois when but 8 months old, by her parents, who settled and passed their lives upon the old homestead farm, which is now a part, of the Judy place.

E. T. METCALF, physician, Tallula ; was born in Macoupin Co., Ill., July 27, 1843; son of Dr. J. M. Metcalf; he spent his boyhood days with his parents, and was educated at Waverly ; he enlisted in the army in 1862, with the 101st I. V. I., Co. G ; after the service of about eight months, his health became so impaired that he was dis- charged, after which, he returned and took up the study of medicine under Dr. J. Minor, of Waverly. Sept. 11, 1864, he married Miss Chattie Burnett, of Waverly, and, in the winter of 1864-65, he attended Rush Medical College ; he located in Tallula in 1867, and began the practice of his profession; they are parents of four children, viz., Daisy B. (deccased), Milton, Anna B. and George O.

JONATHAN NOTTINGHAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Pleasant Plains ; son of Jonathan and Sophia (Eldridge) Nottingham ; he was born in Cape May Co., N. J., Sept. 25, 1808, where he was raised and schoolcd. In 1831, he married Miss Hannah Smith, of his native county ; they came to Illinois in 1837, locating in Sangamon Co., and, with energy, they set out to prepare a home; they bought a small farm, which he afterward sold, and in 1840 settled upon the farm where he now lives ; he

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

has been one of the most industrious farmers of the county ; is now considered one of the solid men of Sangamon Co .; he has been enterprising, always assisting in all mat- ters pertaining to the general good of the community. His wife died July 19, 1850, ·leaving eleven children, viz., Reuben L. (who died in the late war), John, Abijah S., Franklin F., Rachel M. (now Mrs. Reuben Corson), Almarine T., Clark, James S., Jane M. (now Mrs. Henry Hoff), Elizabeth (now Mrs. Alexander Higgins), and Charles W. Mr. Nottingham married his present wife Aug. 29, 1852; she was Mrs. Mary A. Townsend, formerly of his native county ; his home farm consists of 600 acres of as fine land as may be found in the county ; he has been an active worker in the M. E. Church for many years.

C. M. ROBERTSON, physician, Tallula ; was born in Logan Co., Ky., June 10, 1821; the son of Martin and Sarah (Morton) Robertson, who were of Scotch and English origin, and located in Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Ill., in 1827 ; his mother died while he was quite young ; his father was educated for the practice of law, but had a greater inclination toward mercantile life, which he followed through life ; he was one of the first merchants of Schuyler Co., where he did business as early as 1828, at Rushville ; he died in April, 1849, at the age of 74 years. The subject of this sketch removed to Woodford Co., Ky., in 1844, where he began the study of medicine under his brother, a practicing physician of that county, continuing there until 1845, when he took up his study with his brother, a physician at Rocheport, Mo ; he began the practice of his profession in Cass Co., Ill., where he practiced until 1850, when he came to Menard Co., settling at what was known as Robinson's Mill; in 1857, he removed to Plattsburg, Mo., where he remained until the fall of 1859, when he came and located in Tallula, where he has since lived, devoting his time and attention to his practice, except four years, beginning in 1869, during which time he served as County Judge of Menard Co. He is a man of fine social qualities and acknowledged ability. His wife was Salina E. Harris, of Menard Co. ; they were married May 20, 1847; they have a promising family of six children, viz., William, Edward D., Henry C., Mary E., Thomas M. and Sarah I.

. JOHN B. RICHARDSON, farmer ; P. O. Tallula ; son of Daniel and Mary (Bright) Richardson, who came to Morgan Co., Ill., in an early day. They were mar- ried in Cass Co., but located in Morgan, where they lived a long and useful life, raising a family of six-John B. (the subject of this sketch), William H., Henry F., Thomas C., James L. and Fannie ; their parents died in Morgan Co., Ill .; their mother passed away in March, 1863, and their father, Nov. 15, 1868; they were beloved by friends and relatives, and respected by all who knew them ; they left a good property to their family, who located in Menard Co., Ill., in 1870 and 1871.

GEORGE H. SANFORD, physician, Tallula ; was born in Madison Co., Ohio, Oct. 6, 1838, and was raised upon a farm, receiving a good common schooling ; during his early life, he had a great desire to become a physician, and, in the spring of 1862, he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. C. Neff, of Lima, Ohio. He enlisted in the army Aug. 30, 1862, and, August 31, he married Miss Elizabeth M., daughter of Rev. Warren Nichols, of Lima, Ohio; on the 1st of September, he started for the front ; he participated in a number of battles and skirmishes, serving to the close of the war, after which he returned and resumed his study of medicine, entering the Medical Department of the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor ; he graduated March 25, 1868; he then came to Illinois, locating at Franklin, and there began the practice of his pro- fession ; he came to Tallula in 1870, and began practice ; he is a well-read physician, and has met with good success. He has two children-Frederick W. and Wilbert H.

JOHN Q. SPEARS, merchant and farmer ; P. O. Tallula ; son of George and Maria W. (Blankenship) Spears, prominent pioneers of this county ; born Nov. 28, 1828, upon the old homestead where his father now lives; his early life was that of a farmer's son ; he attended the common schools, and, late in life, through observation and experience, acquired a good business education ; he has made this his home and followed agricultural pursuits thus far through life ; when he began in life for himself, his father gave him a farm, and he has added to this until, to-day, he is considered one of

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TALLULA PRECINCT.

the solid men of Menard Co .; he owns 1,176 aeres, and mueh other property ; he is a man of publie spirit and benevolence. He has twiee married-first, to Miss Susan J., daughter of Jaeob Merrill, May 2, 1854; she died Dee. 16, 1873, leaving three ehil- dren-William H., born June 20, 1859 : James J., Feb. 27, 1861, and Charles G., July 6, 1869 ; Mr. Spears married his present wife, Martha R., daughter of John L. and Mary 1 .. (Hawks) Turner, of Mason Co., Dee. 2, 1875; she was born Oet. 16, 1837. Mr. Spears is now engaged in mercantile and grain business, and in this, also, is quite successful.

GEORGE SPEARS, farmer; P. O. Tallula ; son of George and Mary (Neely) Spears ; was born in Green Co., Ky., March 9, 1805, where his parents settled in an early day, and improved a large tract of land; George was raised upon a farm, and received a good common sehooling. Aug. 19, 1824, he married Miss Maria W., daughter of James and Mary (Stringer) Blankenskip, in the following September ; eame to Illinois with his parents, locating where George now lives, buying a large tract of land. His father died here April 16, 1838, at the ripe old age of 74, his mother surviv- ing until Jan. 26, 1852, when she finished a useful career of 90 years. The subject of this sketeh has bought and improved a large traet of land-some three thousand acres ; he burned the briek and built his present residenee in 1829, in which he has sinee resided ; at that time, this was the second brick building in the territory which now constitutes Sangamon, Menard, Mason, Logan and part of Cass Cos .; here Mr. Spears has lived a long and prosperous life, and raised a family of five-Mary C. (now Mrs. Wm. T. Beekman), William N. (deceased), John Q., Henry C. (deceased) and Elizabeth F. (now Mrs. George C. Spears). Mr. and Mrs. Spears celebrated' their golden wedding Aug. 19, 1874, with a large attendance of the pioneers, friends and relatives. Mrs. Spears died June 23, 1878, beloved by friends and relatives, and respeeted by all who knew her. Mr. Spears still owns a large traet of land, and resides upon the homestead where he has lived for upward of half a century ; he is yet hale and hearty, and lives to see the usefulness and prosperity of his children.

GEORGE C. SPEARS, farmer ; P. O. Tallula ; was born in Green Co., Ky., April 18, 1822, and is the son of Jaeob and Letitia S. (Ewing) Spears ; during his early life he obtained a good common schooling; he left his Kentucky home in 1843 and removed to Missouri; during the Mexican war he, with a brother, enlisted and served under Col. Doniphan ; they participated in many skirmishes, during one of which his brother was killed ; George C. served one year, after which he returned to Missouri. He came to this eounty in' 1849, and, Dee. 20, 1849, married Elizabeth, daughter of George Spears, Esq .; they have a family of six, viz., William B., born Sept. 17, 1850 ; Maria L., Nov. 11, 1853; Yates, Oet. 30, 1859; Henrietta, Feb. 15, 1863 ; George W., May 1, 1869, and Pauline B., Oct. 30, 1870 .. Mr. Spears is giving his family a good education. He has improved a fine farm, which consists of 320 aeres, situated in the immediate vicinity of the pleasant village of Tallula.

R. B. THROPP, nurseryman ; P. O. Tallula ; was born in Lyeoming Co., Penn., June 10, 1842, and was brought to Illinois by his parents in 1844, locating in Riehland Co., where he was raised and schooled till 1851, when they removed to Lynn Co., Iowa, to avail themselves of better sehool advantages ; he there attended the Western College, (at Western), where lie graduated in 1855 ; in 1856, the family returned to Riehland Co., and he came to Tallula and engaged in mereantile business, which he continued until 1862, when he enlisted with the 114th I. V. I .; he participated in many of the most severe battles of the war; was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Gun- town, Miss., and lay a prisoner for eleven months; after the war, he returned to Tallula and embarked in the mereantile business, and, in 1870, he became a partner in the Tallula Nursery and became sole proprietor in 1875 ; in 1878, he sold out his merean- tile business and has sinee given his time and attention to the nursery, which is the only one worthy of mention in the county ; he makes a specialty of small fruits and shrub- bery, of which he has a fine assortment ; the grounds are situated half a mile from the village of Tallula. His wife was Miss Clementine Jones; they were married Nov. 30, 1866 ; she is a native of Kentucky ; they have a family of four children.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

CAPT. C. B. THACHER, Justice of the Peace, Tallula; was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., June 22, 1836; son of Simeon and Elizabeth (MeClean) Thacher ; he was taken by his parents to Victoria Co., Canada, where he was raised and schooled, and, at the early age of 14, he began for himself, learning the trade of a car- penter and joiner ; in 1857, he returned to New York, locating near Buffalo, and there followed his trade; he came to Menard Co., Ill., in June, 1858, and, for many years, followed contracting and building in Menard and Cass Counties, and many fine buildings stand as monuments of his workmanship; lie enlisted in the late war of the rebellion, in 1862, with the 124th I. V. I., serving nearly four years, and was promoted to the office of Captain ; after the war, he located at Tallula, where he has since lived, a well-to-do citizen; he has served as Justice of the Peace since 1868; in 1875, he began to pros- peet for coal, and was instrumental in opening the Tallula coal shaft ; he is enterprising, public spirited and benevolent. He married Miss Mary J. White, in February, 1869, the daughter of Robert C. White, a prominent pioneer of this county ; they have two children living-Bertha and Edna.

F. S. THRAPP, druggist, Tallula ; was born in Madison Co., Ohio, Jan. 2, 1835 ; son of Bennett S. and Ann (Stewart) Thrapp; he was brought to Illinois in 1840 by his parents, locating in Richland Co .; thenee to Menard Co. in 1853; Mr. Thrapp received a good common schooling and began as a dry-goods clerk ; in 1857, he began in mercantile business on his own account; he established the first store of Tallula and has operated in mercantile life ever sinee; he is a man of fine social qualities and good business ability, always interesting· himself in all matters pertaining to the good of the community. He has twice married, first to Emily A., daughter of William Smeadley, a prominent pioneer of Menard Co., Dec. 9, 1855 ; she died April 22, 1877, leaving two children-Martha Etta and Anna E. His present wife is Anna R., daughter of Rev. F. R. Holland, of Hope, Ind .; they were married Dee. 26, 1878.

ALBERT VON HUGEL, farmer ; P. O. Tallula ; was born in Hanover, Germany, May 30, 1820 ; he came to this country in 1853, locating in Menard Co., Ill .; he began as a farm laborer, and, by economy and industry, saved up some money and bought a farm near Salem, which he improved, and, in 1869, sold it and removed to Tallula, where he rented a farm for a time; he bought his present farm in 1872. He has twice married ; first to Miss Rachel Rayman in January, 1857; she died in July, 1869, leaving two children-Mary and Mate; and, in December, 1871, he married Mrs. H. Spalda, of Springfield. They are enterprising and among the well-to-do citizens of the county.

GEORGE B. WELSH, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Tallula; was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, April 1, 1838, and was brought by his parents to Upper Canada, near Toronto, in 1849 ; his parents were John and Joanna (Baxter) Welsh. . He was married, while in Canada, to Miss Catharine Miller April 15, 1859; they came to Illinois in 1863, settling near where he now resides ; he has by industry and economy accumulated a fine property ; he owns 300 acres of well-improved land; they have a family of seven children-John, Jennie, Gains, George, Herbert, Christina and May. Mr. Welsh has always interested himself in all matters pertaining to the welfare . of the community in which he has lived and is a much respected citizen.

MICHAEL WITTINGER, farmer and stoek-raiser; P. O. Tallula ; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Feb. 14, 1823; he came to this country in 1842, locating in Cass Co., where he began as a farm laborer; in 1849, he, like many others, was taken with the California fever and left for the gold fields ; he spent some fourteen months in mining and was quite successful ; he returned and bought a piece of land and engaged in farming, where he now resides ; he now owns 360 acres of fine land ; he is one of the well-to-do farmers of the county. He married Miss Anna Heabig, of Cass Co., Ill., Nov. 2, 1865 ; she was born in Hessin, Germany, Nov. 12, 1840; they have four children-Amelia E .. Anna K., Rosa M. and Julia S.

J. F. WATHEN, merchant and hotel-keeper, Tallula; the first thing to point out to the traveling publie is a place at which to stop and satisfactorily replenish the wants of the inner man, and this can truthfully be said of the Wathen House, which is new

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ATHENS PRECINCT.

and elegantly furnished, and the table well supplied with delieaeies. Mr. and Mrs. Wathen take pleasure in supplying the wants of guests, and making everything appear homelike and pleasant. Mr. Wathen was born in Shawneetown, Ill., June 18, 1838, and is a self-made, praetieal business man ; he was thrown upon his own resourees with- out parental eare and advice at the early age of 12 years ; he came to Menard Co., Ill., in 1851, and engaged as a farm laborer for a time ; then, in 1854, he removed to Peoria, where he served a regular apprenticeship at the trade of a tinner ; he saved up a little money, and, in 1860, eame to Tallula and opened a small tin-shop, and Dee. 2, 1860, married Miss Naney A., daughter of Lewis and Martha A. Martin, who were early set- tlers of this eounty ; she was born in this eounty July 3, 1840; in 1862, he enlisted with the 114th Ill. V. I .; he served in the army some three years, during which time he participated in many of the most severe battles and sieges of the war ; was wounded at the siege of Vieksburg, which disabled him for a short time; after the war he returned to Tallula and re-opened his stove and tin-shop. Mrs. Wathen, being of an industrious turn of mind, desiring to assist in accumulating property, for a time opened a small millinery store, and from that to the present time they have worked with that energy and industry which is sure to be erowned with success in due time, and to-day Mr. Wathen is one of the leading merchants of the county ; they have one child, promising daughter of 12 years.

ATHENS PRECINCT.

W. B. AYERS, Athens ; son of Joseph B. and Catharine ( Hall) Ayers, who were among the early settlers of Menard Co., and have lived to see the change from a wild to a thiekly settled country, and have been workers in all matters pertaining to the good of the community ; the subject of this sketeh was born in this county Sept. 29, 1842; he had good sehool advantages, and obtained a good English education; in 1858, he attended the North Sangamon Academy; during the late war, he served for a time with the 71st I. V. I .; after the war, he was, for a time, engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Clay Co., Ind., after which he took charge of the home farmn. He was mar- ried to Miss Mary Riner, of Mason Co., Feb. 6, 1868; she died June 8, 1879, leaving three children-Etta M., Lou and Fred. Mr. Ayers is now engaged in the business of a livery, sale and feed stable, at Athens, together with the superintending of his farm, which consists of 170 aeres.

MRS. ELIZABETH CANTRALL, Athens; widow of Thomas Cantrall, and daughter of William and Mary (Williams) Estill ; she was born in Bath Co., Ky., Jan. 28, 1820, and eame to this county at an early day. She married Mr. Cantrall June 12, 1851 ; he was the son of Levi and Fanny (England) Cantrall, and was born Oet. 11, 1810. He was a prominent and respected eitizen in this county, and died June 22, 1856, leaving four children-Emma M., born June 12, 1849, and died April ' 29, 1870 (wife of David Vandeventer) ; Robert H., born July 16, 1851 ; William M., April 16, 1853; Charles H., Dee. 25, 1855. William now works the home farm.

ROBERT COUNCIL, farmer; son of Hardy and Jane Couneil; was born in Barren Co., Ky., March 3, 1831, and was brought, while quite young, to Sanga- mon Co., Ill., where his father entered land, and where Robert was raised a farmer, which business he has followed thus far through life. He married Ellen, daugh- ter of George and Maria Cresse, Sept. 22, 1863; she was born in this county April 14, 1844 ; her people came from New Jersey in 1839. Mr. Couneil is one of the well-to- do citizens of the county ; has fine land, a beautiful residence ; their family are as fol- lows: John W., born Jan. 17, 1865 ; Herbert, May 18, 1867, and died Dec. 13, 1872 ; Mabel J., born May 20, 1869; Lillie M., March 24, 1871; Eddie, March 22, 1874, and died April 21, 1875 ; Lulu C., born April 27, 1876; Robert C., Oet. 25, 1878.

MRS. NARCISSA CANTRALL, widow of MeDonald Cantrall, and daughter of Jonathan and Julia (Holland) Hedrick, was born in Sangamon Co., Ill., May 15, 1835.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

She was married to Mr. McDonald Cantrall March 29, 1853; they settled where she now lives in 1854 ; he died Sept. 15, 1873, leaving one child, Charles, who was born Feb. 14, 1854. Mrs. Cantrall, with her son Charles, manages the farm, which consists of 444 acres. Charles is yet a young man, and is a respected citizen.

CORYDON CLARK, farmer and tile manufacturer, son of Elisha and Sarah ( Gard ) Clark, was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 12, 1820, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1824, where they passed their latter days in Sangamon Co. He came to Menard County in 1846, where he has since lived. He married Matilda J., daughter of Abner and Jane ( Overstreet ) Hall. They have a family of ten living. For thirty-three years Mr. Hall has been engaged in the manufacture of brick, and for the last four years has engaged extensively in the manufacture of tile, and produces the best quality. His yards are the largest and best arranged in the county, and he manufac- tures upon a large scale. His tile are from seven to three in size and of fine quality. Mr. Clark is one of the enterprising, industrious and well-to-do citizens of Menard County.

JAMES M. DERRY, farmer, son of Christian and Susannah ( Carnes ) Derry, was born in Loudoun Co., Va., Sept. 19, 1822, and came to Illinois about 1849, locating in Springfield. He was married to Miss Cordelia A. Kalb, of Springfield, in April, 1851. She died Oct. 5, 1854, leaving two children. He married his present wife in 1861, she was Miss Martha J. Pallock, of this county. Mr. Derry located upon his present farm, in 1866, which consists of 280 acres of excellent land. Mr. and Mrs. Derry are members of the Free Methodist Church.

J. W. ESTILL, farmer, son of William and Mary ( Williams ) Estill, was born in Fleming Co., Ky., March 6, 1823, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1823. His father was born in Barren Co., Ky., Aug. 30, 1794, and now resides in this county at the ripc age of 85 years. His mother died Sept. 27, 1842. He is one of a family of fourteen, two of whom died in the army, in the late war, and nine are yet living. He was married to Jane E., daughter of Milo and Elizabeth A. (Telford) Wood, who came from Tennessee, and settled in Illinois in 1821. They were married Oct. 5, 1843, and have liad five children, one now living, William M., born Aug. 23, 1848. Mr. Estill spent several years traveling through the west, visiting California, Oregon and Colorado, and returning in 1856, since which time he has followed farming; he is a well-to-do and respected citizen.

LEVI GIBBS, shoemaker, Athens ; was born in Sussex Co., England, March 3, 1805, and is the son of William and Elizabeth ( Fuller ) Gibbs. Hc came with his parents to this country in 1818, locating for a time in Delaware, thence to Maryland in 1825, and there his mother died in 1832. In 1820, Levi was bound as an apprentice to the trade of a shoemaker at Wilmington, Del. In 1839, his father with family came to Illinois, locating at Athens. His father had been an extensive powder manufacturer in England, and also in the Eastern States, and had acquired a good property, and died in 1851. . Levi is one of a family of eleven, but three of whom are now living. He married Miss Anna M. Gasser of Wilmington, Del., in April, 1827. They raised two children, Mary J., now Mrs. W. O. Ward, of Clay Co., Ind., and William F., who dicd in the army at Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 3, 1865. Mr. Gibbs is prosperous and respected.

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The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 80

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