USA > Illinois > The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century > Part 76
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years of age, when a senior in college; then his health sud- denly, gave way, and it was discovered that he had a slight curvature of the spine and some internal organic disease. He left college and joined the Illinois Conference as a travelling preacher, on September 26th, 1843, on his twen- tieth birthday. Before being regularly recognized by the Conference, in the spring and summer of 1843, he traversed a region of one thousand miles in extent, preaching on every Saturday and Sunday, and three or four times during the week, always in company with his theological instructor, his text-book, and his seminary course. In September, 1845, he moved East, by order of the Conference, to present the cause of education and collect funds for the establish- ment of Methodist schools and colleges. On his journey he found himself on board of an Ohio river stcamer, on which were three hundred passengers. From the number of days the passengers had been together Mr. Milburn had become well informed of their character, and he found most prom- inent among the gentlemen were a number of members of Congress on their way to Washington. These gentlemen had attracted his attention on account of their exceptional habits. On Sunday morning Mr. Milburn was invited to prcach. He consented, and in due time began divine ser- vice. The members of Congress were among the congrega- tion, and by common consent had possession of the chairs nearest to the preacher. Mr. Milburn gave an address suitable to the occasion, full of eloquence and pathos, and was listened to throughout with intense interest. At the conclusion he stopped short, and turning his face, now beaming with fervent zeal, towards the " honorable gentle- men," he said : "Among the passengers on this steamer are a number of members of Congress. From their position they should be exemplars of good morals and dignified con- duct ; but from what I have heard of them they are not so. The union of thesc States, if dependent on such guardians, would be unsafe, and all the high hopes I have of the future of my country would be dashed to the ground. These gen- tlemen for days past have made the air heavy with profane conversation, have been constant patrons of the bar and encouragers of intemperance; nay, more, the night, which should be devoted to rest, has been dedicated to the horrid vices of gambling, profanity, and drunkenness. And," continued Mr. Milburn, with the solemnity of a man who spoke as if by inspiration, " there is but one chance of sal- vation for these great sinners in high places, and that is to humbly repent of their sins, call on the Saviour for forgive- . ness, and reform their lives." As might be supposed, lan- guage so bold from a delicate stripling, scarcely twenty-two years of age, had a startling effect, and made a deep impres- sion on the gentlemen particularly addressed. After Mr. Milburn had returned to his state-room a gentleman entered and said that he came with a message from the members of Congress ; that they had listened to his remarks, and in con- sideration of his boldness and eloquence they desired him to accept a purse of money which they had made up among
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themselves, and also their best wishes for his success and | this country and engaged in his trade, continuing therein happiness in life. Furthermore they offered to make him Chaplain to Congress at the approaching session-a promise which they fulfilled. And thus Mr. Milburn, at the age of twenty-two, entered upon the duties of his new and respon- sible position-the youngest man who has ever opened his mouth in either house of Congress. His election to the office of Chaplain to Congress, so honorably conferred, brought him before the nation, and his name became famil- iar in every part of the Union. His health still being deli- cate, in the year 1847 he went South for the advantage of a mild climate, and took charge of a church in Alabama. For six years he labored industriously in Montgomery and Mobile, and in four years of that time preached one thou- sand five hundred times and travelled over sixty thousand miles. In December, 1853, he was re-elected Chaplain to Congress, which post he held till March, 1855. During the summer of the last-named year he prepared a course of lectures, entitled " Sketches of the Early History and Set- tlement of the Mississippi Valley," which were first deliv- ILSON, EDWARD SMITH, Attorney-at-Law, was born in Palestine, Crawford county, Illinois, on June 25th, 1839. His father, Isaac N. Wil- son, was a native of Virginia, and settled in Illinois in 1814, where he engaged in farming and hotel-keeping; he is still living at Olney, at the age of seventy-two. Edward obtained his elementary education at the common schools of Palestine. On leaving school he commenced the study of law with Judge J. C. Allen, and was admitted to the bar in 1861. His studies were pursued at intervals, as his ordinary labors permitted. He commenced the practice of his profession at Robinson, Crawford county, and continued until 1864, when he moved to Olney, which has since been his home, and where he has been constantly occupied in the prosecution of his duties as a lawyer. In 1867 the partnership of Wilson & Hutchin- son was formed, and the firm enjoy the largest practice of any in the county. Mr. Wilson is largely engaged in real estate speculation, and is the possessor of a great extent of land, which he is cultivating. He was married in June, 1867, to Ann Rowland, of Olney, Illinois. ered before the Lowell Institute, at Boston, in December ; and afterwards published by Derby & Jackson, New York. The same firm also published " The Rifle, Axe, and Saddle- bags," in 1856; and "Ten Years of Preacher Life," in 1859. In 1857 Mr. Milburn went to Europe and remained about six months. He was everywhere cordially received both by Wesleyan and Church of England people, and preached and lectured wherever he went. In the spring of 1868 he again went to Europe for the purpose of having his eye operated upon by the celebrated oculist Von Graefe, of Berlin. The operation took place, but no increase of vision resulted therefrom. He is now unable to see any object, and has but a dim perception of light. In 1865, for per- sonal reasons, he joined the Episcopal Church, and in 1871, these reasons having ceased, he returned to the Methodists. For the past twenty years he has been largely engaged in lecturing ; he has spoken from Maine to California, from Minnesota to Louisiana. He speaks on an average seven times a week for nine months of the year, and travels thirty thousand miles. His health is now superb, and from pres- ent indications he has before him many years of activity and usefulness.
UDSON, RICHARD II., Clerk of the Circuit Court, Twenty-fourth Judicial District, Illinois, was born at Potter Brompton, Yorkshire, Eng- land, on April 4th, IS12. His parents were English, who emigrated to this country in 1835, and at once located at Mount Carmel, Illinois, where they engaged in farming until their death. Richard II. was educated in the common schools of England. On leaving school he was apprenticed to a tailor, with whom he learned his trade, serving seven years. He subsequently worked as a journeyman for two years, when he came to
until 1856. He was then bookkeeper for R. Parkinson & Co. for a period of four years. In the fall of 1860 he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court for the term of four years, and since then has been re-elected three times ; this office he now fills. He has also served as Master of Chancery for six years. Previous to this, and while engaged in tailoring, he was elected Magistrate and served six years. He is a zealous member of the order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all the offices from the lowest to the highest in the subordi- nate lodges and encampments, reaching the office of Repre- . sentative to the Grand Lodge. He was married in April, 1835, to Sibellah Johnson, of Yorkshire, England, who died in September, 1837. A second time he was married, on May 15th, 1842, to Eliza Smith, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, who died in August, 1853.
UTCHINSON, TIMOTHY W., Attorney-at-Law, was born in Oxford county, Mainc, on November 2Ist, 1832. His father, Galen Hutchinson, was a native of Maine, but of English extraction. The family were represented in the settlement of Mas- sachusetts, and have, with the exception of the subject of this sketch, always rcsided in New England. Timothy attended the Oxford Normal Institute, at South Paris, Maine, and graduated from Urbana University, at Urbana, Ohio. On leaving the latter he was engaged in school teaching in the State of Ohio for a short period dur- ing which he commenced the study of law, and graduated
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from the Cleveland Law School. He then moved to Illinois, and located at Louisville, where he engaged in the practice of the law, continuing there for four years. At this time he removed to Olney and took the place of Judge Canby in the law firm of Canby & Wilson, at that place, Mr. Canby having been elevated to the bench. He has resided in Olney ever since, and, with his partner, enjoys the largest and most lucrative practice of any lawyer in the county. He was appointed Register in Bankruptcy by President Grant, and still holds that office. He was mar- · ried in 1862 to Anna L. Canby, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, daughter of Judge R. S. Canby.
'ANBY, JUDGE RICHARD SPRIGG, Lawyer, ex-Judge and ex-Member of Congress, was born in Green county, Ohio, September 30th, ISOS. His father, Dr. Joseph Canby, was a native of Loudon county, Virginia, whence he moved to Mason county, Kentucky, with his parents. There he grew to man's estate, and studied medicine, with Dr. Duke, of Maysville, as his preceptor. He subsequently crossed the Ohio river into the State of Ohio, in ISO6, and located himself at Chillicothe, where he practised his pro- fession for some time in company with Dr. Edmiston, removing later to Waynesville, Warren county, in the same State. From this place he moved to Lebanon, where he resided from 1809 to IS25, during that time practising con- tinuously his profession. In the spring of the latter year he removed to Logan county, and was there professionally occupied until 1843, the date of his decease. He was edu- cated at Lebanon and at the Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Upon leaving college, in 1829, he was employed until 1838 in a mercantile establishment, and while thus engaged commenced the study of law with Benjamin Stanton, of Bellefontaine, Ohio. At the expiration of two years, passed in study, he was admitted to the bar, and entered upon the active practice of his profession in Belle- fontaine. In IS41 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for that county, and acted in this capacity until 1844. In the fall of the same year he was elected to the Legislature from this district, and in IS46 was elected to Congress from the Twelfth Congressional District. At the close of his term he returned to Bellefontaine, and during a brief period resumed the practice of his profession. He then retired to a farm, where he remained until 1857. Afterward return- ing to Bellefontaine, he resided there until 1862, when he moved to Illinois in IS63, locating himself in Olney, which has since been his home. In 1867 he was elected Circuit Judge of the Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit, and continued to officiate in that capacity until IS73, since which time he has been absorbed in professional occupations. Until the formation of the Republican party he was a Whig, and ince then has been a constant adherent to Republican
movements and measures. He was married, March 16th, 1835, to Eliza Simpson, of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
CKEAIG, GEORGE WILLIAMSON, Postmaster at Cairo, Illinois, was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, on May 20th, 1824. His father was a native of Kentucky, of Scotch-Irish parentage. His mother was also a native of that State, and of Welsh parentage. He was educated at a pri- vate institution in Kentucky until he was sixteen years old. At the age of twenty he volunteered and became a soldier in the Ist Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, who entered during the Mexican war. He participated in the battles of Buena Vista and Monterey, and served until the close of the war. Then he returned to his home in Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained a few months, when he went t to Hanover College, Indiana. He subsequently entered the law department of Bloomington University. After attending two sessions he located at Shawneetown, Gallatin county, Illinois, in IS51. In IS52 he was licensed to practice by the Supreme Court of the State, and in the following year he received an appointment from President Pierce as Postmaster at Shawneetown, which office he filled until I857. In 1856 he was commissioned by the Gover- nor of the State a Justice of the Peace, and he held the position until 1862. In 1862 he was commissioned by the Governor as Colonel of the 120th Regiment Illinois In- fantry, and remained in the service of the United States until September, 1865. He participated in the battles of Guntown, Mississippi, Salem, Mississippi, various skir- mishes around Corinth, and in the entire siege of Vicks- burg; was also at the battle of Milliken's Bend, Louisiana. After being mustered out of the service of the United States he removed from Shawneetown to Cairo, Illinois, in IS65, where he continued the practice of the law until 1870, when he was commissioned by President Grant as Post- master at Cairo. This office he now holds. Besides his postmastership Colonel McKeaig is engaged in real estate speculations. He was married on October 19th, IS52, to Loru A. Posey, of Shawneetown, Illinois.
TEWART, ELAM L., M. D., was born in Carmi, White county, Illinois, November 6th, IS24. His father, Dr. Josiah Stewart, was a native of Georgia ; his mother was a native of Kentucky. They were married in Indiana, and settled in Carmi in IS16, where the doctor practised con- tinuously until 1865, the date of his decease. The common schools of Carmi afforded all the educational advantages which he was then able to secure. Upon relinquishing school life he was engaged for a period of two years as
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elerk in a mercantile establishment, and during this time commenced the study of medicine under the instructions of his father. He then attended lectures at the medical school of the Louisville University, in 1849, and eventually entered upon the active practice of his profession in Carmi, where he was engaged until 1859. At that date he entered the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1860. Returning to his home he then resumed his professional labors, to which he afterward devoted his time and attention until the outbreak of the civil war. In 1862 he was appointed Surgeon of the 87th Regiment of Illinois Infantry. He participated with his regiment in the siege of Vicksburg and in the actions at Jackson and New Orleans, serving also with General Banks through the campaign in the Red river country. On his return from the field he was appointed Medical Director of the 19th Army Corps, at Morganza, an office which he filled until November, 1864, when he was transferred to the Eastern District of Arkansas, at IIelena, and appointed Surgeon-in-Chief. IIe remained in IIelena, acting in this capacity with noted skill and fidelity, until the close of the war, when he returned to his home and resumed his practice, at the present time the most extensive in the county. In 1872 he was elected first Mayor of Carmi. Ile is the oldest native citizen in this city, and is esteemed as an able physician and useful citizen. He was married, October 23d, 1850, to Margaret Hargrave, of Carmi, Illinois.
REBS, JOHN M., Attorney-at- Law and ex-Member of Congress, was born in Loudon county, Vir- ginia, April 9th, 1830. IIis parents were born in Virginia, and emigrated to Illinois, their pres- ent home, in 1837. Ilis education was acquired in the common schools of White county, and at the conclusion of his allotted course of studies he became engaged in farming, continuing at this occupation until he arrived at the age of twenty-one. He then commer.ced the study of law with Judge W. HI. Wilson, at one time Chief-Justice of the State of Illinois. In 1853 he was ad- mitted to the bar, and in the following year entered upon the active practice of his profession, in which, with the ex- ception of those periods occupied by military and Congres- sional labors, he has since been continuously employed. IIis business has been extensive and lucrative, and he has conducted to successful issues various cases of notable importance. In politics he was reared with predilections for the Whig party, and until its dissolution affiliated with its supporters. Ile then attached himself to the Demo- cratic party, of which he has since been a valued and an influential member. In August, 1862, he was elected to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 87th Regiment of Illinois Infantry, and in 1863 was promoted to the position of Colonel of that body, serving actively with it until the elose
of the civil war. He served through the Vicksburg campaign, and was present at the capture of the city of Vicksburg. He participated also in the Jackson campaign, immediately following. From there he was subsequently transferred to the Department of the Gulf, then under the command of General Banks, where he took part in the Opelousas campaign, in the fall of 1863. In the ensuing spring he participated in the Red river campaign, at the battles of Yellow Bayou, Sabine Cross Roads, Wilson's IIill, Pleasant Hill and Martinsville. Returning, he even- tually reached the Mississippi river at Milliken's bend. During the major portion of this campaign he had charge of a brigade of cavalry, his regiment at that time consisting of mounted infantry. During the summer and fall of 1864 he was stationed at Morganza bend, his forces doing duty as scouts from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, up to the mouth of the White river, and thence as far as St. Charles. During the winter he was stationed in Arkansas, and did scout duty in that State as far up as the lines of Missouri, and also in the State of Mississippi. During a considerable portion of this time the command was constantly engaged in fights and skirmishes. His troops were finally mustered out at Helena, Arkansas, in June, 1865, and discharged at Springfield, Illinois, in July, 1865. IIe then returned to his home and engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1866 he re- ceived the nomination of candidate for the office of Super- intendent of Public Instruction, by the Democratie party, in opposition to Newton Bateman. IIe made a canvass of the State, delivering speeches and addresses in each Con- gressional district, but, while running considerably ahead of his ticket, failed to secure an election, being defeated in company with the whole of his associates of the Democratie party. In 1868 he was again nominated by this party for Congress, from the Thirteenth Congressional District, con- sisting of the counties of Alexander, Union, Jackson, Perry, White, Wabash, Edwards, Gallatin, Saline, Hardin, Pope, Johnson, Massoe, Williamson and Pulaski. This, although a Republican district and one carried by General U. S. Grant in the same election, elected him by a majority of five hundred-an incident presenting in a strong light his wide- spread popularity and the excellence of his reputation as a trustworthy citizen. In 1870 he was again nominated by his party, and was elected by. one thousand five hundred and eighty six majority, serving efficiently until the ex- piration of his term, in 1873. While acting with the Congressional body he took a decided stand against the Reconstruction policy of the Administration, and sustained with energy his opposing views. He also placed himself in opposition to railroad grants, steamship subsidics, patent extensions, and to all tariffs except for revenue purposes. Ile similarly favored the equalization of bounties to all soldiers engaged in the late rebellion, and introduced the bill for that purpose, which finally passed the House but met with failure in the Senate. IIe urged also an entire and radical change in the mode ef paying pensions, by
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John f Larcher - In.
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abolishing pension agencies and making their duties de- | volve on postmasters. He voted persistently against the bill for the increase of salaries of all government officers, and after the passage of that bill returned his increase of salary to the United States treasury. On his return from Congress he again resumed the practice of his profession. He was married, in October, 1857, to Annie Stewart, daughter of Dr. Josias Stewart, of Carmi, White county, Illinois.
GILLESPIE, DAVID, Lawyer, was born in Ed- wardsville, Madison county, Illinois, September 29th, 1828. He is the son of Matthew Gillespie, who moved to the Northwest from New York State, and Nancy (Gordon) Gillespie. His pre- liminary education was acquired at the Shurtliffe College, Alton, Illinois. In 1844 he commenced the study of law with Joseph Gillespie, and at the completion of the customary probationary term he was admitted to the bar in 1848, and entered at once upon the active practice of his profession in Edwardsville. In 1865 he was elected to the County Judgeship, in which position he officiated for one term. He has always devoted his time and attention closely and successfully to his profession, and persistently declined to mingle in the political contests of the day. He was married, October 8th, 1855, to Minna A. Barnsback, of Edwardsville, Illinois.
RAHAM, ROSS, Attorney-at-Law, Mayor of Carmi, was born in White county, Illinois, February 27th, 1839. His father, Matthew Graham, a native of Pennsylvania, emigrated to Ohio, and from there to Illinois, where he engaged in farm- ing, at which he continued until his decease in 1854 , His earlier cducation was acquired in the common schools of his native place. Upon relinquishing school life he found employment as a school teacher, continuing thus occupied until the outbreak of the civil war. He then entered the service of the United States, enlisting as a private in the Ist Regiment of Illinois Cavalry, and serving for a period of twelve months, when that body was mustered out. Returning to his home, he again enlisted in a newly formed company, and, on its organization, was elected Second Lieutenant. This company was attached to the 87th Regiment of Illinois Infantry, and remained in service until the close of the rebellion. In September, 1862, he was promoted to the First Lieutenancy, and in December, 1363, was again promoted to the rank of Captain, acting in that capacity until the mustering out of the regiment. He was a participant at the siege of Vicksburg, and served in the Jackson campaign. The regiment was then mounted, and took part in the Opelousas campaign, and in that also of the Red river country. He was present at the battles of five years, on account of pulmonary affections, he was
Yellow Bayou, Sabine Cross Roads, Wilson's Hill, Pleasant Hill, and Marksville. He was then stationed at Morganza bend, where he did duty as scout, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to the mouth of White river, where he was de- tached and placed in charge of two companies, and stationed at the St. Charles river. That body subsequently did similar duty in Arkansas, and was mustered out at Helena, in June, 1865. After his return from the field he commenced the study of law under the instructions of Hon. John M. Crebs and C. S. Conger, and in 1871 was admitted to the bar. He then entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he has since continued, mecting with much success. In 1875 he was elected Mayor of Carmi, which position he still fills.
ESCHER, JOHN JACOB, M. D., was born in Womelsdorf, Berks county, Pennsylvania, March 13th, 1821. On both sides of the family he is of Swiss descent. Ilis father's ancestors were from Basle, Switzerland. His parents were born in Pennsylvania, his father in Lancaster county, his mother in Lebanon county. The former, Dr. Jacob Lescher, emigrated to Ohio in 1832, and settled at Dayton. The journey was made by land, and occupied a period of four weeks, he being accompanied by his wife and nine children. Subsequently the family removed to Mount Carmel, Illinois, where the doctor established himself in the practice of his profession. His library, a fine collection of valuable works, was moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, over the mountains, in a wagon drawn by four horses. His practice was extensive and lucrative, his reputation for skill and learning excellent and merited. After an active pro- fessional career, covering a period of half a century, he died at Mount Carmel, August 31st, 1854, at the age of sev- enty-one years. John's earlier education, owing to the limited facilities of the neighboring schools, was limited in kind and inferior in degree. Upon leaving school he commenced the study of medicine with his father, his means not per- mitting him to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the various medical colleges. He afterward practised his profession for several years, until able to sccure a proper collegiate course of training. He then entered the Ohio Medical College, and attended one course of lectures at that institution. A few years later he attended the Wash- ington Medical University at Baltimore, where his degree was conferred upon him. Subsequently he attended also the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and at the same time was in attendance at two hospitals. At the medieal and surgical clinies, during 1850-51, in the Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, he was also a regular attendant. In the following winter he matriculated from the Jefferson College. He then returned to Mount Carmel, Illinois, and there resumed his practiee. For a period of
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