The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 37

Author: Robson, Charles, ed
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy
Number of Pages: 770

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cCORD, D. H., M. D., was born in Bond county, Illinois, January 23d, 1821. His parents, Jamcs S. McCord, a native of Georgia, and Anna McCord, a native of North Carolina, emigrated to the State of Illinois in 1820. He was educated at the academy in Bond county, and upon com- pleting his allotted course of studies decided to embrace the medical profession, and began, under the preceptorship of Dr. Park of Greenville, the study of medicine. After a preparation of two years he entered the Medical Depart- ment of the Illinois College, graduating finally from that institution in 1847. He then commenced the active prac- tice of his profession in Marion county, residing there per- manently for a period of seven years. At the expiration of that time hc removed to Centralia, where he has ever since been professionally and successfully occupied. In 1855 he attended the lecturcs at the St. Louis Medical College, and ultimately took a degree in this institution. His career as a medical practitioner, covering more than a quarter of a century, has been eminently prosperous, and beginning in the early pioneer days of the State, is replete with many episodes and incidents of a most interesting and instructive character. For ten years he was constantly in the saddle, and thus mounted went daily his professional rounds through a section of wild and sparsely settled country, many miles in extent. Centralia and the surrounding region was a vast and desolate waste of land, and the innumerable improve- ments now visible there, with its rapid development, have had him as a witness of their rise and progress. He pos- sesses the confidence and esteem of his professional brethren and the general community, and for several terms has filled the position of Alderman, and been prominently connected also with the management of the schools. He has always eschewed politics, and those offices which he has held he

OVEJOY, REV. ELIJAH PARISH, Clergyman and Editor, was the son of Rev. Daniel and Eliz- abeth Lovejoy, of Albion, Kennebec county, Maine. His father was a man of strong religious convictions, and of rare independence and force of character. He was in the ministry for twenty- eight years, and died in it. His unflinching, outspoken and sturdy Christian character was inherited by both his sons, Elijah Parish Lovejoy and Owen Lovejoy, each of whom attained national reputations for their purity of conduct, their zeal in all humanitarian movements, and their rare eloquence and skill as logicians. Elijah was born in Al- bion, Maine, November 9th, 1802, just thirty-five years prior to the day of his burial. He was one of a large family of children, of whom three brothers and two sisters survived him. His early life gave promise of great future usefulness, and gave external evidence of those traits which distinguished his brother and himself. He attended college at Waterville, Maine, and graduated with the first honors of his class in 1826. He was a man of poetic genius, and composed verses of no usual degree of merit both as regards their themes and tuneful numbers. In May, 1826, the year of his graduation from college, he went West and settled in St. Louis, where he engaged in teaching school. A year afterwards he entered upon the more public and important career of editor. In 1832 he was converted, and resolved to prepare himself for the ministry. He took a course in the Theological Seminary of Princeton College, and in April, 1833, was licensed to preach by the Second Presby- tery of Philadelphia. For some months in that year he preached at Newport, Rhode Island, and in New York city, receiving at the latter place the tidings of his father's death. He soon returned to St. Louis, and was urged by a circle of friends to edit a religious paper in that city. He con- sented, and varied his journalistic duties by occasionally supplying pulpits in St. Louis and its vicinity. In his edi- torial carecr le soon achieved fame and honor, falling at length as a martyr to his zeal in advocating the principle of American liberty. He was not, like his brother Owen, a distinct and avowed abolitionist, but was outspoken and emphatic in comment both upon the questions of slavery and popery. His fearless conduct as an editor soon drew

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towards him the concentrated animosity of the friends of | his attention to the dry goods business until 1873, when he both these institutions. He was threatened with violence became associated in a partnership connection with D. L. Parker, with whom he became engaged in the banking business, the firm assuming the style of Parker & Allen. He is a business man of acknowledged capability, and by his keen insight into the fluctuations of trade and commerce and his extensive knowledge of financial and monetary matters, has possessed himself of the esteem and entire con- fidence of the inhabitants of Galena and the neighboring sections of Iroquois county. The institution with which he is connected is in good repute, and as a reliable house takes rank with the most prosperous establishments of the State. He was married in IS59 to Mrs. Laura C. Chandler of Williamsport, Indiana. and death, but could not be intimidated in his determina- tion to maintain the freedom of the press. His St. Louis office was torn out by a mob, and his press destroyed. He re-established his paper at Alton, Illinois, amid much en- couragement and opposition, and on more than one occasion was publicly assaulted. Once he was assailed in the pres- ence of his family, and was saved by the heroism of his wife. Three times his press and printing materials were destroyed at Alton by mobs, and when a fourth press was announced as on its way to the city, a force of volunteers, friendly to him and his cause, undertook to defend it against the ravages of the ruffians who had shattered all its prede- cessors. It arrived in safety and was warehoused on the night of November 7th, 1837, and about a dozen men, in- cluding Mr. Lovejoy, stationed themselves about the build- ing to guard it. At ten o'clock they were attacked by the mob, and retreated into the building, through the windows of which their assailants fired, and through which they re- turned vollcy for volley. Finding it impossible to dislodge them, the enemy fired the warehouse, and when Mr. Love- joy opened a door for the purpose of reconnoitring he was shot and mortally wounded, five bullets having been lodged in his body. He ran into the second story of the building, falling upon the floor of the counting-room, where he soon expired. IIis friends were then compelled to surrender to the mob, and the fourth and last press which he had brought to Alton was utterly destroyed. He fell a noble martyr in a noble cause, and was the precursor of the countless thou- sands who were sacrificed during the late war in maintain- ing the principles which he had, with no uncertain voice, always advocated. He was a man of rare capacity as a journalist, independent in thought and action, who could tell the truth, however bitter, when there was truth to be told. The mob which was guilty of his murder was com- posed of pro-slavery men, who had firmly determined to bridle the independence of the press or destroy it altogether.

LLEN, JAMES HI., Merchant and Banker, was born in Preble county, Ohio, January 24th, IS32. Ile is the son of Andrew Allen and Sophia Allen. His earlier education was acquired in the schools of his native State, and at the age of eight years he was sent to Indiana, there completing finally a course of study in the higher branches. Until he attained his twenty-second year he lived on the paternal farm, and then engaged in mercantile business, in which he continued until 1860. In the spring of 1861 he removed with his family to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he continued to prosecute the business begun in 1860. He remained thus occupied, mecting with great and merited success, until 1869. At that date he removed to Gilman, and devoted

ENNINGS, THOMAS C., M. D., was born in Bloomfield, New York, May 8th, IS37. He is the son of Rev. Thomas I. Jennings of that place. His earlier and preparatory education was ac- quired at the academy at Painesville, Lake county, Ohio. Upon the termination of his al- lotted course of studies in this institution, he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. A. II. Hayes, with whom he remained for a period of three years, attending lectures subsequently at the Rush Medical College, where he graduated in 1858. He then removed to Wis- consin, and remained there about eighteen months, engaged during that time in the practice of his profession. He after- ward removed to Belleville, St. Clair county, Illinois, and was here professionally and successfully occupied until IS62, when he entered the service of the United States in the capacity of Assistant Surgeon of the 117th Regiment of Illinois Infantry, and continued in active service until the close of the war. Returning from the field to Illinois. he made East St. Louis his home, and there has since perma- nently resided, constantly engrossed in the multifarious duties and cares which are the concomitants of an extensive and increasing practice. IIe was married in 1868 to Clem- entine Ilinski, a former resident of Cahokia, St. Clair county, Illinois.

HILLIPS, THOMAS II., Lawyer, was born at Belleville, St. Clair county, Illinois, November 23d, 1837. His father was a native of Virginia, his mother of Tennessee, and they emigrated to Illinois in 1816, being among the earlier pioneers and settlers of that State, now so thickly settled and so marvellously developed. Losing his father in early life he, when but fifteen years of age, went out into the world to make unaided a road to fortune. During fifteen years he lived at various times in twenty different States ; and in the meanwhile, laboring constantly at one or another occupation, put aside sufficient money to educate and fit

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himself for his projected profession. Upon the completion of | and an honored and active member of the American Medical his course of studies at Shurtleff College, Illinois, he began Association. He is a public-spirited and an useful citizen, as well as a reliable and skilful physician. He was mar- ried in 1860 to Kathrine Berghoff, formerly a resident of St. Louis, Missouri. to read law under the supervision and able guidance of Hon. W. H. Underwood, of Belleville, Illinois, and at the ex- piration of his allotted term of probation under that precep- tor, passed his examination, and happening to be at Cairo, Illinois, while the court was in session, was there admitted to the bar. Returning thence to Belleville, he there re- mained for a brief period, then removed to Pana, Christian county, Illinois, beginning there the active practice of his profession. Subsequently, at the expiration of two years, he removed from that place to Anna, Union county, in the same State, where he has since permanently resided, the honored possessor of an extensive and remunerative client- age, his practice covering several counties of southern Illi- nois. In politics his principles and sentiments have always inclined him to the Republican party, and upon various oc- casions he has ably sustained the actions and theories of that party, and vindicated its procedures. During the clos- ing year of the late war he officiated as Deputy Provost Marshal for the Thirteenth Congressional District of Illi- nois, covering fifteen counties. In 1870 he was elected City Attorney, and served in that position until 1874. He was married in 1867 to Ellen A. Hughes, a former resident of Belleville, Illinois.

OHL, JULIUS, M. D., President of the First National Bank of Belleville, Illinois, was born in Herzog zum, Nassau, Germany, April 18th, 1838. His parents were natives of that vicinity. His mother died in Germany, but his father, with six children, emigrated to this country in 1853, and settled in the State of Illinois. He was at this time fifteen years of age, and had received in his native land a thorough classical education. Immediately after settling in Illinois, he began the study of the English language under the di- rections of a private tutor. He subsequently entered upon the study of pharmacy, to which he devoted his attention for three years, then commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Trapp. He afterward en- tered the St. Louis Medical College, from which institution he ultimately graduated. He was then engaged for one year as Assistant Physician in the St. Louis City Hospital. Removing finally to Centralia, he was there occupied pro- fessionally and successfully for two years, at the expiration of which time he established himself in Belleville, practising in the counties of Monroe and St. Clair. This town he has made his permanent home, and his practice there and in the environs is surpassed in extent by but few. He is the President of the First National Bank of Belleville, and is recognized as a prudent and far-seeing financier. He also occupies the Presidency of a well-known and flourishing literary association entitled " The Catholic Casino." He is Corresponding Secretary of the St. Clair Medical Society,

INAKER, JOHN J., Lawyer, was born in Balti- more, Maryland, in 1830, his parents being John and Eliza (Young) Rinaker, who removed to Illinois in 1837, and located near Springfield. His early instruction was obtained in the common schools, and upon quitting these he attended McKendree College, in St. Clair county, Illinois, securing by careful and conscientious study a very substantial educa- tion. In 1852 he commenced to read law with John M. Palmer, subsequently Governor of Illinois, and in 1854 was admitted to the bar. He entered upon his professional du- ties at Carlinsville, and continued them without interruption until 1862, when he entered the United States service as Colonel of the 122d Illinois Volunteers, and served with that command until the close of the Rebellion. He was brevetted Brigadier-General for his gallant services. He was with the army of Tennessee, the 16th Corps, and fie- quently was invested with the command of brigades and divisions. Upon his return from the field he resumed his practice. He has attained a leading position as a legal practitioner, being thoroughly read in the law, and familiar with all its modes and forms. He is able in argument, con- vincing in his logic, and eloquent in his address. He was married in 1855 to Clarissey Keplinger.

TOKER, WILLIAM, Attorney-at- Law, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, November 10th, IS22. He is of German extraction. His parents were Isaac Stoker and Massie Stoker. His ear- lier education was acquired at the common schools of Ohio. At the age of twenty he began the study of the law with Benjamin Bond of Carlisle, Clin- ton county, and under his instructions completed the usual term of probation, and was licensed as an attorney in 1844. He then entered at once upon the active practice of his pro- fession in the town of Salem. He remained there, however, but for a brief period, some three months or more, when, owing to an affection of the eyes, he was obliged to abandon the further prosecution of his practice until 1848. In 1846, when troops were needed for the continuance of the war with Mexico, he was among the number who enlisted in the 2d Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, serving thirteen months and taking an active part in the battle of Buena Vista, and in various other engagements. Upon arriving home after being mustered out, he settled in Clay county, and again entered into the practice of the law, the improved condition

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of his eyesight permitting him to resume his studies. In that locality he remained until 1854, building up in the mean- time a large and lucrative practice. In Junc, 1854, he es- tablished his office in Centralia, making this town his perma- nent home, and ranking as its oldest lawyer as well as one of its most honored citizens. In addition to his business in Centralia, he has an extensive general practice throughout southern Illinois, and in Clay county especially, his clientage is of a varied and remunerative character. Hc has held the office of Notary Public for nearly twenty years, and for many years officiated as Alderman, and also acted in the capacity of a member of the School Board. At the present time he holds the office of United States Commissioner for the South- ern District of Illinois. He is prominent in religious circles, and was one of the Lay Delegates to the General Methodist Conference from southern Illinois; he is also one of the Trustees of his church, and a valuable and energetic coadju- tor in the questions and movements constantly arising con- cerning the spread of the gospel, and the maintenance of religious power and influence. He is one of the Trustees also of the McKendree College at Lebanon, and has ever manifested a warm interest in the welfare of that institution ; and a Trustee of the American Central Insurance Company of St. Louis, Missouri. He was married June 27th, 1849, to Martha A. Green, a former resident of Louisville, Illinois. His son, Eugene L. Stoker, associated with him in the law business, is well-known as a skilful and upright practitioner.

ATES, ERASTUS NEWTON, Lawyer, Operator in Lumber, and Brevet Brigadier General, was born in Plainfield, Massachusetts, February 29th, 1828. He is a descendant in a direct line of the immortal Pilgrims of the Mayflower. His father, Erastus Bates, was engaged extensively in the woollen manufacture in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, but failing in business in 1836, moved with his family to Ohio, where he shortly after died. Upon the death of his parent he was sent, while in his eighth ycar, to live with an uncle. Upon attaining his seventeenth year he commenced teaching school, in this manner occupying his time in the winter months, while during the summer season he was em- ployed in working on the farm. His time and energies were thus utilized during the ensuing three years. At the expira- tion of that period he determined to secure a collegiate training, and with this end in view entered the Grand River Academy in order to undergo a course of preparatory studies. In that educational establishment he remained for one year, meeting the attendant expenses by chopping wood at 37 1/2 cents per cord. In the fall of 1849 he entered Williams' College, going through a full course, and graduated from that institution in 1853. Removing subscquently to New York city, and having decided to embrace the legal profes- sion, he there prosecuted the study of law, liquidating his

current expenses in the meanwhile, by giving instructions in the dead languages and the natural sciences, at one dollar per lesson of one hour each. In his ardent pursuit of knowl- edge, however, he miscalculated the extent of his powers of endurance, and having scriously enfcebled his health by a too close application to his studies, was obliged to abandon them entirely for a time, and remove to Minnesota. In that State he remained during the following three and a half years. Erecting there a large steam mill, he allied himself with the vast lumber interests of the surrounding country, and was until 1856 actively and importantly identified with them. He was then elected to the State Constitutional Con- vention of Minnesota, where he conducted himself with marked ability and admirable acumen. In 1857 he was elected to the Senate, and served with that body for a term of two years. While thus variously occupied, he prosecuted also the profession of law. In the fall of 1859 he moved to Centralia, Illinois, and there entered into active legal practice, meeting with merited success, and securing an extensive clientage. In August, 1862, he entered the service of the United States as Major of the Soth Illinois In- fantry, and became subsequently an active and noted partici- pant in many serious engagements. May 30th, 1863, Strait's Brigade, while on a raid, found themselves in the rear of Bragg's army, and were captured, he being made prisoner in company with a portion of his command; he was taken finally to Libby Prison, and there incarcerated with the rest of his companions in misfortune. His imprisonment had continued for about ten months, when securing possession of a parcel sent to him from home, he found in it a complete suit of clothing, which serving as a disguise, enabled him to walk unquestioned and unmolested beyond the Confederate line of sentinels; this occurring January 30th, 1864, at eleven o'clock A. M. He started at once for Williamsburg, but had been so enfeebled by confinement and lack of proper food, that after proceeding a distance of about eighteen miles his strength deserted him completely, and he was re- captured. He was then sentenced to thirty days close con- finement, and later was one of the fifty officers selected from twelve hundred to be taken to Charleston, and submitted to the fire of the Union batteries at Morris Island. While there hc fortunately escaped injury, however, and was.ulti- mately exchanged, reaching home August 11th, 1864, after an imprisonment of fifteen months, a living skeleton weigh- ing but ninety pounds. After remaining at his home during the following six months, he returned to his command, re- maining with it until the close of the war. He was succes- sively promoted to the positions of Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel, and finally on account of gallant and meritorious service was appointed Brevet Brigadier-General. Upon his return from the field he resumed the practice of his profes- sion, and in 1867 was elected to the Legislature, serving one term with fidelity and efficiency. In 1868 he was elected State Treasurer, and in 1870 re-elected to the same office, serving four years. From his earliest days he has been

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allied with the Republican party, and has always brought to its support a zealous co-operation, and abilities of no mean order. He was married in the fall of 1855, in New York city.

EDGWICK, S. P., M. D., was born in Westmore- land, Oneida county, New York, February 7th, IS22. His father, Parker Sedgwick, was an old and well-known medical practitioner of Oneida county for many years, and subsequently practised also in Du Page county, Illinois. He was en- dowed with unusual abilities and learning, and during a professional career of half a century, secured a widespread and merited reputation ; his mother, Eusebia Sedgwick, née Buck, was from New Milford, Connecticut. His preliminary education was acquired at the schools in his native place, whence he was sent to Cazenovia, New York, where he became a student in the Oneida Conference Seminary. Upon the completion of his allotted course of studies, he decided to embrace the medical profession, and follow in the footsteps of his father. Accordingly in 1841 he entered the Geneva Medical College, and graduated from that insti- tution in the spring of 1843. In the opening months of the following year he turned to the West, and located himself in the northern section of Du Page county, at Bloomingdale, Illinois. In this place he practised successfully for a period of twenty-two years, removing subsequently to Wheaton, the county seat, about twenty-five miles west from Chicago, in which flourishing town he has since resided, continuously occupied in attending to the demands of a large and ever increasing practice. At the breaking out of the southern rebellion he immediately raised and organized a company of cavalry, which was ultimately attached to the Sth Regiment of Illinois cavalry; of this organization he was tendered the captaincy, but was compelled to decline the proffered honor on account of the enfeebled state of his health. The 8th Illinois Cavalry was subsequently commanded by Colonel, afterward General John F. Farnsworth. In 1864 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for the State Legislature, and was clected by a large majority. From the opening until the final closing of the civil conflict he was fearless and inflexible in his adherence to the cause of the Union, and in many unostentatious ways rendered the gov- ernment services of a very effective nature. Though ear- nestly interested in the movements, political and social, which affect the interest of his State and country, he has an aversion to the agitation and tumult of political life, which interferc with his predilections for scientific study. In 1864 he was appointed State Commissioner from Illinois to proceed to the field and receive the soldiers' pay. In the fall of 1874 he was appointed Professor of Diseases of the Lungs, Hcart and Throat in the Bennett Medical College of Chicago. During a long period of time he has made a special study of the above-mentioned diseases, and in his treatment of

| them cvinces the possession of thorough knowledge and skilful ability. Ile was married in 1843 to Ethelinda D. Pendleton, from Rhode Island, who died in 1854; subse- quently to Hulda C. Cody, sister of Judge Cody, of Bloom- ingdale, Illinois, whose demise occurred in 1858; and again in 1859 to Louisa M. Cody, youngest sister of the above- named judge.

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 37

Author: Robson, Charles, ed Publication date: 1875 Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy Number of Pages: 770

Author: Robson, Charles, ed
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy
Number of Pages: 770