The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 77

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

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obliged to discontinue his professional labors. Upon his recovery he again returned to his practice, in which he is now engaged. In the year preceding the capture of Vicks- burg he was tendered the position of Surgeon in the Van Buren Hospital, at Milliken's bend, above Vicksburg, or that of assistant on the Floating Hospital, then lying at Montgomery's Point. Upon arriving at the head-quarters of General Grant, however, where he was ordered to report, his pulmonary troubles harassed him so seriously that he was prevented from accepting either position. HIe has been eminently successful as a practitioner, and is widely known as a physician of unusual gencral culture, and ster- ling scientific acquirements. He has performed four times the operation of tracheaotomy, and, in three of those cases, his efforts were crowned with entire success. The fatal case proved unsuccessful, not on account of the operation, but on account of the presence simultaneously of intercurrent

pneumonia. His first case of this kind occurred thirty years ago, before chloroform or kersone was in use. To reach the case, a boy six years of age, four miles distant, he was obliged to ford the Wabash river by moonlight, whilst the stream was covered with sheet ice. The operation was performed while his assistant held a candle, and, penetrat- ing the trachea, he succeeded in relieving the boy of a grain of corn. IIe has been prominently identified with medical societies, was a member of the State Medical Society, and was also one of the Board of Censors of the Æsculapian Society of Lawrenceville. He has also been importantly identified with the order of Odd Fellows, and was one of its most zealous adherents. He has filled all the offices in the subordinate lodges, and in 1848 was Acting Grand Master. In 1849 he officiated as Grand Warden, and was District Deputy for the district in which he lived. He was one of the original members of the Grand Encamp- ment, and as such wielded considerable influence. In 1863 he was appointed United States Examining Surgeon of Pensioners, a position still occupied by him. He was married in November, 1851, to Eliza E. Smith, daughter of Lyman J. Smith, of Litchfield, Connecticut.

OSS, LEWIS W., Lawyer, and ex-Member of Con- gress, was born in Scneca county, New York, in ISI2. His parents came to Illinois in 1821. His father, Ossian M. Ross, laid out the town of Lewistown, the present county-seat of Fulton county. His mother, Mary ( Winans) Ross, was from New York State. His preliminary education was acquired at the Illinois College, in Jacksonville, where he spent three years in study. He then entered upon a course of legal studies in that town, under the preceptorship of Josiah Lamborn, in his timc one of the more prominent men of the State, and in 1838 was admitted to the bar, beginning to practice his profession at his home in Lewistown. In'

1840 he was elected to the lower House of the Illinois Legislature, and in 1844 secured a re-election. IIe was a member of the Constitutional Conventions of 1862 and 1870, and, while acting with those bodies, conducted himself with energy and ability. During the progress of the war with Mexico he raised and organized a company in Fulton county, with which he proceeded to the scene of warfarc as Captain. In 1863 he was elected to Congress on the Democratic ticket, representing the Ninth Congressional District, composed of the counties of Fulton, McDonough, Schuyler, Pike, Brown, Mason, Cass, and Menard. He served three terms in Congress, during which time he was a member of the following committees: on Pensions, on Indian Affairs, on Agriculture, and on Public Buildings. Since the expiration of his last term he has devoted his time and attention to overlooking his general business interests, which are large and important, leaving him no time to apply to the conduct of his original profession. He was married in 1839 to Frances Simms, of Virginia. His oldest son, John W. Ross, is at present practising law in Wash- ington, District of Columbia.

RYE, JOSEPH C., M. D., was born in Winchester, Virginia, September 28th, 1811. His parents were George M. Frye and Mary (Wolfe) Frye, both of whom were Virginians. His father was a Methodist minister. He was educated at the academies located in the vicinity of his home until he had attained his eighteenth year, when he entered a drug store, and, at the same time, commenced the study of medi- cine. He continued thus occupied during the ensuing three years, and attended the first course of lectures in Baltimore, at the University of Maryland. In 1832 hc removed to Columbus, Ohio. July 7th, 1834, he settled in Peoria, Illinois, ergaging there in the study and also practice of medicine. In 1838 he graduated from the Ohio Medical College, and since that period has been constantly and actively employed in attending to his professional duties. He was the first and only delegate from Illinois to the American Medical Association, at the time of its organization in Philadelphia, in May, 1847. Shortly after his return from the scene of operations of this body, he organized the Peoria Medical Association, and for several years officiated as its President. He has also been for many years an active and influential member of the State Medical Society. He is known as an earnest student, and a man of unusual pro- fessional and scholarly attainments. He is the possessor of one of the finest medical libraries in the State, and his opinion on medical and scientific subjects is received, by all that know him, with deference and respect. He was mar- ried, in Columbus, Ohio, in 1835, to Eliza Wright, daughter of Dr. M. B. Wright, who for many years was Professor in the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati.

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ARSH, JOHN L., Coal Operator, Real-Estate | the county. While he was a resident of Tazewell county he Dealer and Agriculturalist, was born in Paris, filled the office of Supervisor for six years; was President of the Peru State Bank at Washington, Illinois, and was active in the construction of the western branch of the Chi- cago & Alton Railroad. He was, in fact, the only one who negotiated the bonds for this road, after many others had failed, and he it was who made the first purchase of iron. His career has been one of unexampled activity, and his private and public enterprises have carned him the lasting gratitude of the people of this section. Oneida county, New York, October 21st, 1805, being the son of James Marsh, a farmer. The maiden name of his mother was Elizabeth Case. His youth was spent on a farm, and in attendance at the common schools. When seventeen years of age he taught during the winter, and followed farming during the summer. When twenty-one years of age he entered upon a clerkship in a dry-goods store in Oneida county, and filled it three years, when he went into the general merchandising trade upon his own account, and pursued it for seven years. Upon the expiration of this period he came to Tazewell county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming and mercantile busi- ORGAN, SIDNEY S., Surveyor, Agriculturalist and Capitalist, was born in Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, January 25th, 1823, from English and Welsh ancestry. Ilis grandfather was a prominent Unitarian clergyman, who had twelve sons, each of whom received a scientific and classical education. His father upon leaving college studied practical civil engineering. He came to America in 1818 and settled in Berkshire county, his first engagement in railroad engineering being on the line of the Camden & Amboy road. He was the projector of the Boston & Albany, New York & Albany, Hudson River, Chicago & Galcna, Milwaukee & Mississippi, Chicago & Rock Island, Daven- port & Iowa City, Peoria & Oquaka railroads. Hc also made experimental surveys too numerous to be enumcrated here. He is still living, though at the advanced age of cighty-five years, and is still active in business, being engaged in New York on a new railroad project. The boyhood and youth of Sidney S. was largely spent in accompanying his father from point to point in assisting him in his surveys. There werc intervals in this association which he improved by study in school. In the fall of 1842 his father with his family of three sons located in Kendall county, Illinois. Sidncy had then just attained his majority, and he set out in life for himself. For a year or two he followed farming, and in 1844 acted with his father in surveying the route of the Galena Railroad as principal assistant. Subsequently they surveyed the Mil- waukee & Mississippi route, and in close succession the pro- posed lines of the Chicago & Rock Island, and the Peoria & Oquaka roads, ending his career as civil engineer with the latter enterprise. For several ensuing years he con- tracted largely for the construction of steam roads. In 1855 he moved to Livingston county, Illinois, where he purchased a half interest in a very large tract of farm lands, and en- gaged actively in the work of erecting a town. The monu- ment of these labors may be seen in the enterprising town of Odell, which stands upon the site of what was once a part of his farm lands. The remainder lies in the immediate vicinity of the place. To carry out his public-spirited in- tentions, he pushed rapidly forward the construction of public roads leading from all directions to a common centre, and ness for six years. He then visited Chicago, remaining there seven years. In 1852 and 1853 he entered lands on the line of the Illinois Central Railroad. During his resi- dence in Chicago he dealt extensively and profitably in general produce, corn and wool. He returned to Tazewell county after this absence of seven years, rented his farms, and speculated in land, continuing in that county seven years. He would perhaps have remained much longer thus engaged had he not conceived the idea that there were coal beds underlying a portion of the eastern part of the State. Between La Salle and Alton, east of the Illinois river, there had never been any coal found, and there were believed to be no beds in that section. In 1861 he commenced to prospect, and chiscovered a five-foot vein at a depth of 220 feet at Fair- bury, Livingston county. In the following year he com- menccd to sink a shaft. At a depth of 35 feet he encoun- tered quicksand and water, which stopped further progress. The same causes compelled the abandonment of a second shaft. A third was begun, 12 feet wide by 21 in length. When this was sunk to a depth of 40 feet he commenced to timber up from the bottom a shaft 7 by 15 feet, leaving a space of about 2 feet between the inner and outer curbing, which was puddled with blue clay. This completely blocked the water, and resulted in the successful sinking of the shaft. This application of puddled clay was the first of its kind in this country. From that time down to the present Mr. Marsh has been continuously engaged in operating this shaft, which is one of the most successful in that section of the State. In all his mining interests his son, Henry L. Marsh, has been identified with him. During this time Mr. Marsh was very extensively engaged in farming. In 1858 he laid out an addition to the town of Fairbury, on its western side, and in 1868 laid out another. He has built up these sections, and they are now the seat of an enterprising community. The opening of the Fairbury shaft by Mr. Marsh, who has the unquestioned credit of discovering the coal resources of that section, rapidly increased the value of land in the neigh- borhood, and was the signal for a general prospecting move- ment on the part of capitalists. He is the owner of land aggregating 2805 acres, of which 1000 acres are in improved farms in and adjoining Fairbury, and in remote sections of this the new town. The new community grew prosperously.

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and vigorously, and it is to-day one of the largest shipping points for live stock and grain on the line of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad. To Mr. Morgan, more than to any other man, is due the honor of having founded and firmly established the prosperity of this place, which is one of the handsomest, as to location and adornment, that one can possibly find in travelling from Chicago to St. Louis. During the last twenty years Mr. Morgan has dealt largely in real estate, and has amassed a very large fortune whose benefits he generously dispenses. He is a man of great vital temperament, of rare energy and perseverance. To every project which promises the public good he gives a practical support, and by his constant efforts as an enterprising citizen has earned the esteem of the entire community, which will last far beyond his own years.

LLEN, JAMES N., M. D., was born in Marine, Madison county, Illinois, November 15th, 1820. Ilis father, George C. Allen, was a sea captain. James was educated in Illinois, and at the comple- tion of his preparatory course of studies decided to embrace the medical profession. He then commenced the study of medicine with Dr. George T. Allen, now Surgeon in charge of the Marine Hospital at St. Louis. In 1843, at the termination of a full course, he graduated at the University of Missouri, and located him- self in Clayton, Adams county, Illinois, where he practised during the ensuing year. He removed to Mount Sterling in 1844. In 1862 he entered the service of the United States as Surgeon of the 119th Regiment, but was subse- quently detached on hospital duty. At the close of the war he returned to Mount Sterling, and there resumed the civil practice of his profession. He is a physician of sound scien- tific acquirements, and, while possessing a varied general practice, now gives special attention to the treatment of female affections and diseases. IIe is a member of the State Medical Society, and Examining Surgeon for Pensioners for Brown county. He was married in 1846 to Phobe II. Burton, of Kentucky.

cDOWELL, WILLIAM M., M. D., was born in Danville, Montour county, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber IIth, 1820. His parents were John Mc- Dowell and Margaret ( Montgomery) McDowell. His father, an able medical practitioner, was pro- fessionally occupied during a period of fifty-two years. His grandfather was for a time professor of Latin and Greek at the University of Pennsylvania, after graduating in the medical department of that institution. He practised for many years in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. IIis grand- father's brother, John McDowell, LL.D., was a lawyer of

eminence, also at one time Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, and a warm friend of General Washington. William's preparatory education was acquired at the Marshall College, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, and in 1839 he entered upon a course of medical studies under the instructions of his father. He matriculated at the University of New York, graduating from this institution in the class of 1843, and commenced to practise in Mercersburg, where he resided during the ensuing two years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Republic, Ohio, where he remained for three years. Eventually he established himself in Canton, Illinois, in 1847, where he has since permanently resided, occupied constantly and successfully in attending to the numerous duties attendant on his extensive practice. Ile is a member of the Canton County Medical Society, and was chosen to fill the presidential chair of this association upon its organization. Ile is a member also of the Canton City Medical Society. He was married in 1849 to Malvina S. Tyler, of New York State.

ANCE, HIRAM, M.D., was born in Floyd county, Indiana, September 23d, 1822. He is the son of William Nance and Nancy (Smith) Nance. His earlier education was acquired in the schools in the neighborhood of his home. At fourteen years of age he availed himself of an academical course at New Albany, Indiana. In 1836 he came with his parents to Illinois, locating in Adams county. He subse- quently attended school for a short time at Columbus. When quite a young man he was engaged in a drug store, and at the post-office at Columbus. When in his nineteenth year he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. W. Hol- lowbush, with whom he remained for three years. After securing a thorough course at the University of Missouri, in St. Louis, he graduated from that institution in the spring of 1847. He then entered on the practice of his profession in Lafayette, Stark county, Illinois, and was constantly cn- gaged there during the following fifteen years. He thence removed in 1860 to Kewanee, his present home, where he has since been successfully occupied, and stands at the head of his profession. Before graduating at St. Louis he prac- tised during one season at Lafayette. He attends to a gen- eral medical practice combined with surgery. He is a member of the American Medical Association, and a mem- ber also of the State Medical Society. He was one of the originators of the Military Tract Medical Socicty, which is composed of practitioners in the counties of Bureau, Henry, Mercer, Knox, Stark, Warren and Henderson, and was the second President of this society. Outside of his professional duties he has, since his residence in Kewanee, engaged ex- tensively in real estate and financial operations, in which enterprises he has met with great success. He was married, April 20th, 1847, to Sarah R. Smith, of Knox county, who

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is still living. The issue from this union has been twelve | 1861, when he entered the army as Corporal of Company E, children (nine of whom are still living), viz. : Albinus, aged twenty-seven years, a member of the last Legislature of Nebraska, and at the present time United States Revenue Agent ; Adelle, aged twenty-four years, a graduate of the Normal University at Bloomington, for several years suc- cessfully engaged in teaching at Weathersfield, Galva and Moline, in this State; Laclede, born October 16th, 1852, died February 14th, 1858; Hiram Irving, aged twenty-one years, now preparing for the medical profession at the Rush Medical College of Chicago; S. Belle, aged nineteen years, who was educated at the Normal University of Blooming- ton ; Roswell S., aged seventeen years; Claude B., born June 9th, 1860, died September 28th, 1867; Roy, aged thir- teen years ; Frederick B., aged eleven years ; Grace Lillian, born May 17th, 1866, died September 28th, 1867; Charles II., aged seven years ; and Willis Orville, aged four years.

ANDES, SILAS Z., Attorney-at-Law, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, on May 15th, 1842. His father and mother were both natives of Vir- ginia. The former is still living and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Wabash county. Silas

was educated at the common schools of Virginia until he was fourteen years of age; then attended school in Edgar county, and completed his educational course at the Edgar County Academy. On leaving school he commenced the study of the law with Amos Green, of Paris, Illinois, and at the expiration of two years was admitted to the bar. He at once entered on practice in Mount Carmel, where he has ever since continued. His clientage has grown steadily since its commencement, and he now enjoys a full share of the law business of the district. In politics he has always affiliated with the Democratic party. He has been elected to the office of City Attorney of Mount Carmel for three terms, and in 1873 was chosen State's Attorney for Wabash county, which he now fills. He was married on October 3Ist, 1865, to Clara A. Sears, of Mount Carmel, Illinois.

IIth Missouri Infantry; was at the battle of Corinth, and there was wounded in the left hand, in consequence of which he was discharged in the spring of 1863. IIe then returned home. Ile was next engaged in clerking in a hotel in Michigan City, Indiana, where he remained about eighteen months. Then he went to Cincinnati and was engaged as salesman in a wholesale establishment, and con- tinued there until 1867, when he returned home. IIe then took charge of his father's farm, and pursued the study of theology for two years. This study of theology was pursued as a stepping-stone to that of the law, which study he com- menced at home. Having married Miss Wright, second daughter of Judge Wright, he moved to Olney, and contin- ucd the study of law, under the guidance of Judge Wright, until January, 1874. He was examined at the January term of the Supreme Court, at Springfield, and there admitted to the bar of the State. He at once commenced the practice of his profession, in partnership with Hon. R. S. Canby, ex- Circuit Judge, which he still continues.

cDOWELL, CHARLES E., Attorney-at-Law, Member of Constitutional Convention of 1870, was born in Wabash county, Illinois, on July 22d, 1838. His father, James McDowell, was a native of Virginia, who emigrated first to Ohio and then to Illinois. He was engaged in merchandising, and subsequently practised as an attorney-at-law. Charles E. was educated at the common schools of Wabash county. On leaving school he was engaged in teaching in Indiana for a short period, when he commenced the study of law with John E. Whiting, at Carmi, and was admitted to the bar in 1861. He at once commenced the practice of the law, and has continued in it ever since. His business has been a large and lucrative one. He has always been iden- tified with the Democratic party, and as its candidate was Superintendent of the Schools for White county for seven years, and in 1870 was elected a member of the Constitu- tional Convention from the counties of White and Edwards, and served on the Committees on Suffrage and Canal Lands. He was married in 1864 to May C. Youngkem, of Wabash county.

KEY, WILLIAM M., Attorney-at-Law, was born in Richland county, Illinois, on November 25th, 1842. His father, Samucl Ekey, was a native of Ohio, who emigrated to Illinois in 1839, and ICE, ERASMUS DARWIN, M. D., was born in Worcester county, Massachusetts, in 1805. His parents were Asaph Rice and Abigail (Sawyer) Rice. His father was a physician of acknowl- edged skill. He was educated at the Dartmouth College, and took his diploma from that institu- tion in 1830. He shortly after emigrated to Lewistown, pursued his business of blacksmithing, in which he is still engaged, and also farming. He is of Irish extraction. The family is remarkable for longevity ; the third generation back, consisting of thirteen children, have reached the average age of sixty-two. William attended the common schools of Richland county. On leaving school he was engaged in a mercantile establishment until | Illinois, where he has since permanently resided, engaged

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in an extensive and remunerative practice. During the | tice of his profession, residing there during the ensuing winter of 1866-67 he took a course of lectures at the Belle- vue Hospital College, in New York. He is one of the oldest citizens of Lewistown, and has always been a prime and useful mover in all matters pertaining to its educa- tional and religious advancement. He was married March 29th, 1831, to Thalia Norton Owen, of New York State.

TEWART, JAMES T., M. D., was born in Bond county, Illinois, in 1824. He is the son of Wil- liam Stewart and Elizabeth (Willis) Stewart. He was educated primarily at home, and passed his freshman year at the Knox College, Galcs- burg, Illinois. Upon leaving that institution, in 1847, he removed to Peoria, in the same State, and entered the office of Dr. J. C. Frye. In 1848 he matriculated at the Ohio Medical College, and in the spring of 1850 gradu- ated from the University of Pennsylvania. He then com- menced the practice of his profession in Peoria, at which he continued until the outbreak of the rebellion. In 1861 he entered the service of the United States as Surgeon of the 64th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He served with his SBORNE, THOMAS O., Lawyer, was born on August 11th, 1832, in Jersey, Licking county, Ohio. After preliminary training in the schools of his native place, he entered the University of Ohio, and graduated with honors therefrom in 1854. Soon afterwards he began to read law with Lewis Wallace (now major-general), in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He was admitted to the bar in 1858, and almost regiment until July, 1864, when he was wounded in a skir- mish which took place before Atlanta. In the spring of 1865 he was on service at Post Hospital, in Charleston, South Carolina, and remained there until September of that year. He then returned to Peoria and resumed his prac- tice, devoting special attention to surgery. He is a member of the State and city medical associations, and is known as a botanist of considerable learning, his collection of herbs, immediately removed to Chicago. He was rising rapidly in etc .- the fruits of the gleaning of more than fifteen years- being large and valuable. Possessing an extensive and varied general practice, he applies himself with peculiar success to the treatment of cases demanding surgical treat- ment. He was married in 1856 to Maria White, of Wor- cester, Massachusetts.

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 77

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