The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 82

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 82
USA > Illinois > Menard County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 82

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E. D. THOMAS, physician, Athens, son of Joseph R. and Sarah (Hawthorne) Thomas, was born in St. Clair Co., Ill., Feb. 28, 1844 ; his father was, for a number of years, a prominent attorney of Baton Rouge, La., married in Mississippi, and came to Illinois about 1844. The subject of this sketch obtained his early education at Waverly, Morgan Co., Ill .; in 1861, he enlisted with 10th I. V. I .; he served in the late war four and a half years, participating in many of the most severe battles and skirmishes; he was one of the fortunate ones who escaped without injury ; after the war, he returned and took a commercial course at Springfield, and began the study of med- icine, under Dr. A. H. Lanphear, of Springfield ; he took up the practice of medicine at Athens in 1868, and has since devoted his time and attention to his practice; he is a well-read and able physician. In 1873 and 1874, he attended the Sterling Medical College, from which he graduated. He married Miss Mary Shipps, of Chatham, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1868; she was born Sept. 21, 1849. They have three children-Helen A., born Oct. 28, 1869 ; Gaillard D., June 23, 1874 ; Nathaniel H., Aug 14, 1877.

W. B. THOMPSON, Professor of the North Sangamon Academy, son of Elihu and Mary (McKnight) Thompson, was born in Meigs Co., Ohio, Dec. 13, 1848; his early education was obtained at Chester Academy, and he has since added to his store of knowledge by close application to books, and by teaching; he came with his parents to Illinois in 1861, served for a time in the late war, and located in Richland Co .; he removed to Minnesota in 1867, and taught school in Winona Co., and, in 1869, went to Allegan Co., Mich., thence to Clairmont, Ill., where he was engaged as teacher, until 1872, when he was appointed Principal of the North Sangamon Academy for a time, after which he taught the Power Settlement School for over four years, and was then

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appointed to his present position ; he is a young man of fine mental powers. He mar- ricd Miss Laura J., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Higgins) White, March 14, 1878. They have had one child, Mary E., born Jan. 5, 1879.

R. F. WHITE, son of Robert White, was born in St. Clair Co., Ill., Feb. 27, 1819, and came with his parents to Illinois, in 1819, and in 1820, to where R. F. now lived, and where his parents died. His father died Nov. 27, 1847, and his mother, April 2, 1867 ; they raised a family of five, three of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Rachel E., daughter of Necdham and Frances (Hamilton) Roach, Oct. 31, 1844. They have had seven children, three only of whom are now living-John E., Mary E. and Esther A., now Mrs. William T. Moore. Mr. and Mrs. White reside upon the old homestead, of which they own 240 acres ; they have lived a useful life, and are highly respected.

COL. JOHN WILLIAMS, President and Manager of the Springfield & North- Western Railroad, and President of the First National Bank of Springfield ; is the son of James and Hannah (Mappin) Williams, and was born in Bath Co., Ky., Sept. 11, 1808 ; he came to Illinois with his parents in 1823, who located where the Colonel now resides. Here they entered a large tract of land, and the Colonel entered one section ; here his father died in 1834, and his mother in 1855. A further mention of his parents is given in the general and township history. During the late war, Mr. Will- iams was appointed, by Gov. Yates, to the office of Commissary General of the State ; lie served in this capacity about two years, then was appointed Manager of Sanitary. affairs ; he served in a number of honorable and prominent positions during the war. He has been prominently connected with the First National Bank of Springfield for many years, and has accumulated a large property. He became connected with the S. & N .- W. R. R. in 1871. He owns and superintends a 1,400-acre stock farm, and has always been identified with public affairs. His wife is Lydia, daughter of Asa Porter, of Lima, N. Y .; they were married March 31, 1840 ; she was born Aug. 28, 1821 ; they have raised a family of six, who bid fair to become worthy citizens of this or any community in which they may ultimately locate.

J. C. WEST, farmer ; son of Jacob West ; was born in Sumner Co., Tenn., April 14, 1808, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1833, locating in Knox Co., at which time J. C. West came to Menard Co., where he has since lived. His mother died in September, 1858, at the age of 81, and his father in March, 1868, aged 92. The sub- ject of this sketch was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of Robert and Esther (McNabb) White, March 13, 1834; she was born in Green Co., Ky., Fcb. 20, 1812; they are the parents of eight children, only two of whom are now living-John M., a practicing physician, of Williamsville, Ill., born Dec. 22, 1836, and Jacob B., farmer, born Dec. 3, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. West are workers in the Christian cause, and are respected citizens.

GREENVIEW PRECINCT.

J. D. ALKIRE, banker, Greenview ; was born in Menard Co .. Ill., Fcb. 10, 1832; he is the youngest son of Leonard and Catharine (Davis) Alkirc, who came from Ohio to Illinois in 1823, and settled in Sugar Grove ; here our subject passed his youth and early manhood on the farm of his father ; he received such education as could be obtained from the schools of that early day ; at the age of 19, he and his brother Leon- ard built a storeroom in the then newly laid-out town of Sweetwater, and put in a general stock of goods. Neither had had any experience in the mercantile business ; and, strange as it may sccm, they succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectation ; they continued in this business for a period of eight years, when they sold the store and contents to William Engle & Son ; not long after, they bought out Engle & Son, and continued in business for more than a year ; they then sold out to a Mr. Whipp. In all of these transactions they were very successful, making money at every change

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they made ; this was about the year 1862 ; then for a period of eleven years, the two brothers engaged in farming and the live-stock trade; in this, as in mercantile business, they were very successful ; about this time they went to the Far West, where they improved a large ranch, and handled a large number of sheep ; at the end of two and a half years, the partnership that had existed between the brothers, for a period of twenty-four years, ceased-J. D., our subject, taking the property they owned in Menard Co., Ill., and his brother the ranch and stock in Colorado ; after J. D. Alkire's return to his native State, he, and his eldest brother, Milcm, started a private bank in the village of Greenview ; this was the first enterprise of that kind in Eastern Menard Co .; they continued in business one year, with a capital of $100,000; at the expiration of that time they dissolved, and a new bank was started, under the name of Marbold, Alkire & Co .; this is one of the best and safest banking-houses in the State, represent- ing a capital of $150,000. He was united in marriage with Caroline D. Stone, April 15, 1860 ; she is a native of Bath Co., Ky .; from this union there were nine children, seven of whom are now living-William P., John D., Eva E., Henry, Ethalinda, Mary E., and a babe not named ; the names of those deceased were Edwin D. and Ida H. Mr. Alkire is one of Menard Co.'s wealthiest and most respected citizens, and a self- made man. A Democrat in politics, but quite liberal in his views.

DEDERICH AMERKAMP, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 6; P. O. Greenview ; was born in Hanover, Germany, Oct. 3, 1817. He passed his youth and early man- hood in his native country, working on a farm and attending school. In 1843, he was united in marriage with Mary Ottman. From this union there were four children -- Harmon, Annie K., Catharine M. and Eliza M. All are married, and live in Menard Co. In 1860, he emigrated to the United States, and located in Greenview Precinct, Menard Co., Ill., where he has since resided, and owns 500 acres of nicely improved land, which he has obtained by close attention to business, combined with honesty and industry. He was again married Oct. 29, 1860; this time to Mary Wansing, a native of Germany, and a most estimable lady. Mr. Amerkamp is one of the most intelligent and influential men in the county.

GEORGE W. BLANE, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 24; P. O. Greenview ; was born in Menard Co., Ill., July 12, 1836 ; son of George Blane, who came to Sugar Grove, Menard .Co., in 1819. Irish Grove derives its name from the fact that in that year Mr. George Blane, his mother, thrce brothers and a sister stopped for some time in that grove. They were natives of Ireland, and were the first white persons who ever lived in that grove. He was married soon after settling in Sugar Grove to Miss Mary M. Alkire, sister of Leonard Alkire, one of the early settlers of Sugar Grove. The subject of this sketch was brought up to farming, in which he has always continued. He received a good education-much better than most of the boys of that period who lived in the country. He remained with his father on the farm until 27 years of age. He was married to Harriet Cleveland Dec. 18, 1862, daughter of Asa and Experience (Avery) Cleveland, who was born in Menard Co., Ill., May 11, 1841. Her parents came to Menard Co. in 1840. Mr. Cleveland was a native of Vermont, and his wife of New Hampshire. From this union there were ten children, scven of whom are now living-Minnie V., Jennie K., Lizzie B., Mary A., Jessie M., Geo. W. and Jay E. The names of those deceased were Herbert, Emma A. and Sadie A. Mr. Blane is a Republican, and at present a candidate for County Commissioner.

JOHN P. BLANE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Greenview; was born in Menard Co., Ill., July 25, 1845 ; is a son of George and Mary (Alkire) Blane, both of whom were among the first settlers of Menard Co. The father was a native of Ireland, and came to Illinois as early as 1818, and to Sugar Grove, Menard Co., in 1819. He died in 1864. John P. passed his youth and early manhood on his father's farm. He received such an education as the schools of that day afforded. He was united in mar- riage with Mary A. Bracken Feb. 7, 1867. She was born in Menard Co., Ill., and is a daughter of O. P. Bracken, one of the pioneers of Menard Co. From this union there were four children, three of whom are now living-Ella M., born Jan. 19, 1871 ; Carrie M., born May 31, 1875, and Lee E., born March 8, 1877. The name of the one

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deceased was Emma F., born Dec. 22, 1867, died March 21, 1869. Mr. Blane owns 364 acres of well-improved land ; is a Republican in politics and a self-made man.

O. P. BRADLEY, farmer and dealer in live-stock, Sec. 31; P. O. Greenview ; was born in Bath Co., Ky., Feb. 28, 1831; son of Elijah and Martha (Hornback) Bradley, both natives of Kentucky. The father was a blacksmith, and was drowned in the Licking River when his son was 14 years of age. This left a family of nine children to the care of the mother and older members of the family. Mr. Bradley passed his youth in Kentucky, assisting his mother to care for the family. At the age of 20, he commenced business for himself. He worked by the month for some time, then rented a farm, and for some years remained there and followed farming. In 1853, he and his mother and family came to Menard Co., Ill., and located on Salt Creek. Here he and his brother bought 196 acres of wild prairie land. Since that time he has not only purchased his brother's share of the land, but now owns 800 acres of well-improved land, 200 of which joins the village of Greenview. His Salt Creek farm is one of the best improved and most pleasantly situated in the county. At the time of his coming to Illinois he had but $250, and what he now has is due to close attention to business, honesty and industry. He was united in marriage with Amelia A. McDonald in 1856. She is a native of Bath Co., Ky. From this union there were eight children, seven of whom are now living-Almeda, William N., Lewis, Leander, Charles, Henry and Luther C. The name of the one deceased was Trinville. Mr. Bradley has devoted his time almost entirely to farming, and his skill and energy have met with deserved success. His judg- ment in handling live stock has also been a source of material advantage. He has always voted the Democratic ticket, but is quite liberal in his views of men and things. He has always been liberal in his support of moral and educational enterprises, the churches and schools of the neighborhood, and has ever been foremost in the develop- ment of the best interests of the county.

J. W. CALLAWAY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 16; P. O. Greenview; was born in Woodford Co., Ill., Jan. 9, 1838, to which county his parents removed in 1837. In 1846, they came to Menard Co., where our subject has since resided. He passed his youth and early manhood on his father's farm, and received such education as the schools of that early day afforded. On the breaking-out of the rebellion he enlisted in Company A, 10th I. V. C., and served four years and eight months. He was in all the battles in which the "brave old Tenth" was engaged. There are few men who saw so much service and escaped without a wound. He was united in mar- riage to Sarah A. Glaspy Dec. 5, 1868. She was born in Morgan Co., Ill., April 4, 1850. From this union there are four children-Leonard, George, Edwin and Harry E. Mr. Callaway is a stanch Republican in politics, and owns eighty acres of nicely improved land. and is, in the fullest sense of the word, a self-made man.

WILLIAM CLAYPOOL, farmer and dealer in live stock, See. 18; P. O. Green- view ; was born in Menard Co., Ill., March 14, 1831 ; his father, Levi, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, whose maiden name was Melinda Rollins, was a native of Kentucky ; they came to Illinois in 1826, and located near where the village of Athens now is; here he lived until his death, which occurred Feb. 2, 1867 ; his wife survives him, and now resides in the village of Athens; William remained with his father, and assisted him on his farm until 28 years of age; he received a good common-school education, such as the advantages of those early days afforded. He was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Engle Sept. 30, 1863; she was born in Menard Co., Ill., March 26, 1846, and is the daughter of William Engle, one of the early settlers of Sugar Grove; they have one child-Edward Everett, born July 19, 1865. Mr. Claypool has been a resident of Greenview Precinct since 1864, and owns a nicely improved farm of 480 acres, which he has made by his own exertions.

W. R. DONALDSON, farmer and dealer in live stock, Sec. 9; P.O. Greenview; was born in Bath Co., Ky., July 16, 1824; son of Alex. and Sarah (Power) Donaldson, both natives of Kentucky ; in 1850, they came to Menard Co., and located five miles east of Petersburg; he died in 1855, and his wife survives him and is now 83 years of age ; she is the mother of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. W. R.

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Donaldson came to Menard Co. six months before his parents ; in 1852, he went overland to California with a large drove of sheep, starting in the montli of February, and . arrived in the Sacramento Valley in October, the same year; he remained there four years and was engaged in different kinds of business, in all of which he was very suc- ful; while he was a resident of Kentucky, he enlisted in Co. G, 3d Ky. V. I., and served as a soldier in the war with Mexico; was under Gen. Scott, and participated in all the engagements, from the coast to the ancient city of the Montczumas; after his return from California, he engaged in the live-stock trade, in which business he con- tinued for a number of years with varied success ; in 1864, he purchased 420 acres of wild prairie land, six miles northeast of the village of Greenview; by close attention to business, he has not only nicely improved the land he at that time purchased, but has since purchased seventy-five acres, and now owns 515 acres of nicely improved land. His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Sours, is a most estimable lady and has greatly assisted him in acquiring what they now have; they have four children- Richard W., Alexander, George and John. Mr. Donaldson is a Democrat and an ear- nest advocate of the principles of the party, and is, in the fullest sense of the word, a self-made man.

M. M. ENGLE, merchant, Greenview; among the prominent merchants and influential citizens of Menard Co. is Mr. M. M. Engle, whose father, William Engle, was one of the first settlers of Sugar Grove, having , come there in 1823. His wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Alkire, sister of Leonard Alkire, the well-known pioneer. Mr. Engle, in his life-time, was a prominent and influential man, and proba- bly did as much to build up the interests and morals of the county as any other man of his time ; he was the father of twelve children, of whom our subject is the youngest but three. He passed his youth at the old homestead in the village of Swectwater, assisting his father on the farm and helping his mother indoors, as there were no girls sufficiently large to help her in the care of this large family. Mr. Engle, Sr., was born in 1801 and departed this life in 1870 ; his wife survives him and resides with her son, John, near Sweetwater. M. M. Engle received such education in early life as the schools . of that day afforded; at the age of 17, he was sent to Eureka College, where he remained a year ; he then attended Berean College, at Jacksonville, two years, at the expiration of which time he camne home, and, together with his father, bought out the Alkire Bros. in Sweetwater ; this was his introduction to mercantile business ; he and his father kept the store some time, and then sold out. Soon after this, April 17, 1860, he was united in marriage with Annie M. Marbold, a native of Hanover, Germany, born May 6, 1841 ; from this union there were six children, five of whom are now liv- ing-Milem M., Elizabeth, Henry S., Charles L. and Lewis F. W .; the name of the one deceased was Harmon W. Mr. Engle is at this time engaged in the mercantile business in the village of Greenview ; he has a good trade and is a thorough business man.

J. T. FOSTER, merchant, Greenview; in Marion County, Ind., July 25, 1836, the subject of this sketch first saw the light ; he is the son of Augustine E. and Permclia · Foster, both natives of Kentucky; their removal from Kentucky to Indiana occurred in 1835 ; there they remained a few years and then returned to Kentucky ; here they lived until their removal to Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1843. The son was brought up to farm labor, in which he continued until 1865, when he engaged in mercantile business in the town of Greenvicw, Menard Co .; in this he has since continued. He was united in marriage with Martha E. Smith April 10, 1856; she ,was born in Owen Co., Ind., July 28, 1837 ; eight children have been born to them, six of whom are now living- Martha A., Rosetta P., Maggie E., Thomas L., Sarah E. and Addie M .; deceased, James A. and Lincoln J. Mr. Foster is a stanch Republican and a consistent member of the M. E. Church.

GAGE S. GRITMAN, farmer and stock raiscr, Sec. 11 ; P. O. Greenview ; was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Dec. 13, 1835; his father, Hiram Gritman, was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., July 23, 1807, and his mother, whose maiden name was Lydia D. Luther, was born Nov. 27, 1805, in Massachusetts. Gage S. passed his youth and early

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manhood on his father's farm, assisting him in raising erops during the spring and summer, and in the winter teaching school ; in the spring of 1856, he eame West and resided at Middletown, Logan Co., Ill., for a period of three years ; engaged in farming and school teaching. In August, 1862, he was enrolled as Fifth Sergeant in Co. K, 106th I. V. I .; soon after he was chosen Orderly Sergeant of his company, whichi position he hield about two years; he was then commissioned First Lieutenant of his company, which office he held until July, 1865, when he received his discharge ; soon after his return from the army, he was united in marriage with Ruth A. Jackson, who was born in Ohio Nov. 25, 1844; from this union there are six children-William L., born Dec. 14, 1866; Harry E., Jan. 14, 1869; Blanche E., Feb. 8, 1871; Harvey L., Aug. 8, 1873 ; Frank H., Nov. 15, 1876; and Charles E., Oct. 18, 1878. Mr. Gritman has been a resident of Greenview Precinct since 1858, and owns 160 acres of improved land, the results of his untiring energy and toil. In politics he has always been a Republican, although liberal and generous in his views of men and things.

SPENCER GIBBS, retired farmer, See. 11; P. O. Middletown ; the grand- father of Speneer Gibbs was an emigrant from England, and, on his arrival in this country, settled in Delaware, and, with his son Stephen (father of Spencer), worked in the well-known powder-mills of Dupont, the old gentleman superintending the work ; from there they went to Baltimore, Md., to superintend the running of the powder- mills of James Beatty, of that city ; in that place, Sept. 16, 1825, Spencer Gibbs was born ; his mother's maiden name was Mary Ellis; she died in 1842 ; in the fall of 1839, the grandfather and his sons came West and located in different parts of Menard Co., Ill. ; Stephen Gibbs settled near Athens and remained two years, when he removed to Irish Grove, where he lived and followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1876. The subject of this sketeh passed his early life on his father's farm ; at 17 years of age, he was apprenticed to the blacksmith trade; this business he has followed, together with farming, all his life. He was married to Louisa Alkire Dec. 24, 1845 ; she was born in Menard Co. March 28, 1827; her father, John Alkire, was one of the first settlers of Sugar Grove ; from this union there were five children, three of whom are now living-William R., born July 24, 1847; Charles, June 27, 1851; Laura, Aug. 10, 1868; thic names of those deceased are Lavina, born April 6, 1849, died May 17, 1849, and John, born Feb. 7, 1855, died in early life. Mrs. Gibbs died Oct. 14, 1878. Mr. Gibbs' habits of earnest thought and thorough investigation have led him to take a decided stand in regard to the issues of the day ; he was an Old Line Whig, and cast his first vote for Zachary Taylor; on the organization of the Republican party he joined it. He owns 103 acres of land, and is emphatically a self-made man.

ELDER DANIEL TRAVIS HUGHES, druggist, Greenview ; was born near Flemingsburg, Fleming Co., Ky., Jan. 3, 1829; the youngest, but two, of a family of eight sons and four daughters, of James Hughes, extensively known in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, as a devout Christian and a minister in the Christian Church. He, with his family, emigrated to Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1830, and settled at Sugar Grove, then in Sangamon Co., but now in Menard, but was permitted to remain with his family in their new home but a short time, when, after a long and severe illness, he was called to his reward. This occurred Dec. 11, 1834. Soon after, the older members of the family scattered abroad to do for themselves, leaving the mother with the eare of four little ones and but little means. This lady, the second wife of James Hughes, and a woman of strong constitution, firm faith in God and unyielding determination, provided for these children, and maintained them until they grew up, by labor at her loom and spinning- wheel. Three of them died before she was called to her reward. Her death occurred Oct. 8, 1858. Daniel, the subject of this sketch, at the age of 15, on confession of his faith in Christ, was immersed by Rev. John A. Powell, but, owing to the somewhat unsettled state of the Church at the time, he did not identify himself with it, and, in the course of a few years, had become what is usually termed a "backslider." In this eon- dition he did not long remain, and, at a meeting held at Sugar Grove, in 1852, by Elder Philemon Vawter, he was received into the fellowship of the Church, and at once became one of its strongest supporters and earnest workers. In the fall of 1859, he was chosen

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one of the Elders of said Church, and, in July, 1862, he was ordained an Evangelist, which office he has ever since held. Those officiating at the ordination were Elders William Engle, D. A. Alkire and John H. Hughes, an older brother of his, who was an Evangelist in that Church. On the 14th of September, 1856, he was united in marriage with Martha J. Brown. From this union there were eight children, three of whom are now living. Mr. Hughes has held the office of Justice of the Peace for a number of years, and was for four years a member of the County Court. His labors in the Church have been confined for most part to Menard and adjoining counties, although he has labored in Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, where he is known as a devout Christian and a successful minister of the Gospel. At present, he is engaged during the week in his drug store, and attending to the duties of his office of Justice of the Peace, and, on Sun - day, preaches in the Christian Church at Greenview, and in those of the surrounding country, and is one of the most prominent and influential men in the county.

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The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 82

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