USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume I > Part 39
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W. SMITH McGEHEE, a farmer, living four and a half miles west of Shawneetown, Ill., was born April 16, 1850, on the farm adjoining the one where he now lives. His grandfather, William McGehee, was born in Scotland, but came to America in his early manhood, locating in Maryland. There he married Catherine Little and in 1806 settled in Gallatin county, Ill. He entered a tract of land 320 acres in extent, paying twelve and a half cents an acre for it. Game was plentiful in Southern Illinois at that time and he made quite a reputation as a hunter and marksman. He died when about fifty years of age, but his wife lived to the age of eighty-four. They
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had eleven children, all of whom grew to maturity. One of these children was Charles W., the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born on Gold Hill, Gallatin county, Sept. 10, 1820, not far from where his son, W. Smith, now lives, and there grew to manhood. He married Mahala Moreland, who was born in the same neighborhood in 1823, and followed farming all his life. His wife died in March, 1865, and he passed away in 1887. She was a member of the Bap- tist church and he was a Presbyterian. They always lived in Gold Hill township, where he was a successful farmer and stock raiser, owning at one time 900 acres of land. They had the following chil- dren : Angeline, Samuel, George, Catherine and Nora, all deceased ; Emily, wife of William Miller, living in the vicinity ; Francis M., liv- ing at Cisne, Ill .; Lizzie, wife of Benjamin Smith; W. Smith; Charles, a farmer of Gold Hill township; and John, also a farmer in that township. W. Smith McGehee was educated in the common schools and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. On Sept. 23, 1873, he was married to Miss Jennie Pellum, of Ridgway, and about a year later settled on the farm where he now lives. He owns 400 acres, more than three-fourths of which lies in the valley, and devotes considerable attention to raising stock. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and is a Republican politically. His wife and children belong to the Presbyterian church. Their children are: Hettie, Mrs. Edward Dale; Nora, who died in infancy ; Edward S. of Junction City ; Ethel and Gilbert, at home.
THOMAS J. FROHOCK, a farmer liv- ing near Junction City, Ill., is a native of Tennessee, having been born in Smith county of that state, Feb. 28, 1841. He is one of a family of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters. All the sons and five of the daughters grew to matur- ity, but only three are now living. Those are Mrs. A. G. King, Thomas J., and David Franklin, a farmer not far from Junction City. When the subject of this sketch was about fifteen years of age his parents removed to Kentucky, and there he grew to manhod. In 1866 he came to Gallatin county, Ill., where for about fifteen years he worked by the month for the farmers of . Eagle Creek township. He then bought the farm where he now lives,
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consisting of 160 acres, though at the time there was but very little cleared land on the place. By his industry and good management he has now one of the best improved farms in the neighborhood, and in addition to his home farm owns 200 acres elsewhere, which he has accumulated by his thrift. Young men can learn from his career the lessons of economy and self-denial. Beginning life a poor boy, he had only his will and determination to succeed for a start in life. But by the proper exercise of these qualities, and by denying himself many of the so-called pleasures of youth, he is to-day one of the substantial citizens of the community in which he lives. Mr. Frohock is a Demo- crat in his political opinions and takes a laudable interest in public questions. In 1869 he was married to Miss Mary S. Strickland, a native of Saline county, and to this union there were born the follow- ing children: John H., Thomas G., Dallas, Lee, Franklin, George, David, Charlie and Mary A., all living in the immediate vicinity, and all useful members of society.
DAVID A. LOGAN, a farmer near Junction City, Ill., and trustee of the town- ship in which he resides, was born, March II, 1843, in what is now West Virginia. When he was about twelve years of age he came with his parents to Gallatin coun,- ty, Ill., and lived there with them until Aug. 15, 1862, when he enlisted as a pri- vate in Company D, One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois volunteer infantry. The regiment was mustered in at Springfield for "three years or during the war," and soon afterward sent to Memphis on guard and patrol duty. There Mr. Logan contracted smallpox and before he fully recovered he was taken ill with typhoid fever. The two maladies kept him in the hospital for nearly five months. A few days after the fall of Vicksburg he reported there for duty and rejoined his regiment at Lake Providence, La., where it was sta- tioned on guard duty. In September, 1863, it was ordered back to Memphis, after which it was at Corinth, Miss., Lagrange, Tenn., again at Memphis, then on the Guntown raid through Mississippi, and up the Tennessee river. It was mustered out at Memphis, Sept. 10, 1865, and the men returned to their homes. Since the war he has devoted his attention and energies to farming, and although he
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has but 100 acres he has one of the best improved farms in the neighborhood. In his political convictions Mr. Logan is a stalwart Republican, and for the last twenty years has held the office of township trustee. No better recommendation of his honor, popu- larity, and trustworthiness is needed than this long record as a pub- lic official, during which he has ever maintained the confidence and respect of the citizens who have entrusted him with the administra- tion of township affairs. He is a charter member of M. K. Law- ler Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Junction. Shortly after the war he was married to Miss Elizabeth Munch, and to this union there have been born the following children : Alfred, Moses, Arthur, Chester, Harrison, Walter, Clarence, and twins who died in infancy. Alfred and Arthur are in the State of Washington, Chester is at home, and the others live in the vicinity. Mr. Logan has lived on the farm he now occupies ever since his marriage.
W. J. WILKS, a farmer near Shawnee- town, Ill., was born on March 10, 1860, not far from Madisonville, Hopkins coun- ty, Ky. He is the youngest of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, born to H. J. and Pauline Wilks. Only two of the family are now living. When he was about two years of age his mother died and in 1866 his father came with the fam- ily to Gallatin county, Ill., where he bought 120 acres of land in the river bot- toms and died there the following year. After the death of his father the subject of this sketch lived with a family named Duvall, working for his board and clothes, with the privilege of attending school a few months each year, until he was seventeen years old. He then com- menced life on his own responsibilities as a farm hand, which occu- pation he followed for several years, saving his money with a view to some day becoming a farmer on his own land. On Aug. 12, 1888, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Laura Meek, a daughter of Thomas Logsdon, and for the next four years was the manager of Charles Carroll's farm. At the end of that time he bought the farm where he now lives, five miles from Shawneetown, and began farm- ing on his own account. Since then he has bought and paid for 80 acres in New Haven township. On the two farms he has 150
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acres under cultivation. Mr. Wilks is a Democrat in politics, though the only office he has ever held was that of school director, which he occupied to the entire satisfaction of his neighbors for three years. He is a modest, unassuming gentleman, whose chief aim in life seems to be to mind his own business, and it is to this trait of character that much of his success in life is due. Naturally such a man possesses the confidence and respect of the people around him, and few men in the community stand higher in a general way than Mr. Wilks.
MARTIN DOHERTY, a farmer and stock raiser, six miles east of Ridgway, Ill., was born on a farm in County Kil- kenny, Ireland, not far from the city of Waterford, Dec. 19, 1838. He is the sec- ond of six children born to James and Nellie (Merry) Doherty. Mary the eld- est, lives in Ireland; Ellen and Stephen came to America in 1863 and both died in this country; Richard died at the age of eighteen months, and one other died in Ireland. When he was sixteen years of age Martin, Doherty commenced learning the trade of ship carpenter. For the first year and a half he received no wages. Then he received a dollar a week, with an increase of twelve and a half cents a week each year during the rest of his four and a half years' apprenticeship. On June 29, 1860, he set sail for America, on one of the old sailing vessels of that day, and after a voyage of six weeks and four days he landed in Quebec. From there he came to the United States, working in the city of Cincin- nati at anything he could find to do, then in the boat yards at Evansville, Ind., and in the spring of 1865 came to Shawneetown, Ill., where he helped to build a wharf-boat. He then went to Gol- conda, where he aided in the building of another wharf-boat, and in April, 1867, located on the farm where he now lives. However, he continued to work at his trade that year, not taking up farming for a livelihood until the following spring. Mr. Doherty now owns 408 acres of land in Ridgway township; 240 in New Haven township, and 40 in Gold Hill township. For the last twelve years he has been raising registered Hereford cattle, in which he has been quite successful. In politics he is a Democrat and for thirteen years held the office of
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justice of the peace. In 1904 he visited his native land, and by a coincidence sailed on June 29, the same day that he first left Ire- land for America. Instead of a voyage of six weeks and four days he made the trip in six and one half days. After his return from Ireland he visited the great World's Fair at St. Louis. Mr. Doherty has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united on Sept. 6, 1866, was Miss Mary McGuire. To this marriage there were born the following children: John, who attended Notre Dame uni- versity and now lives near Ridgway; Eliza, wife of Arthur Maloney, also in the vicinity; Hannah, educated at the St. Vincent convent, in Union county, Ky., now the wife of John Duffy; Stephen, a mid- shipman in the United States navy at Annapolis; James, who died at the age of nineteen years; Ella, who married William Maloney and died in September, 1896; May, who died at the age of fifteen months ; Maggie, who died at the age of nine months, and Mary, who died at the age of six months. Stephen is a noted athlete. He is one of the foot ball team of the naval academy and has won numerous medals for running, broad jumping, hurdle races, etc. The mother of these children died in July, 1883, and in June, 1885, Mr. Doherty was united in marriage to Margaret, daughter of Thomas R. Lawler, and a niece of Gen. M. K. Lawler, whose sketch appears in this work.
JOHN DAILY, a farmer, living in what is known as the "Pond Settlement," near Ridgway, Ill., is of Irish descent. His father, William Daily, was a native of Queen's county, Ireland, a cousin of Gen. M. K. Lawler, and came to Amer.ca about the same time. The voyage was made on a sailing vessel and he was nine weeks on the water. He reached. Gallatin county, Ill., with something like $10 in his pocket, and commenced working by the month for the farmers living in the vicinity of Shaw- neetown. After several years in this way he purchased a tract of 120 acres, about a mile from where the sub- ject of this sketch now lives, and began farming for himself. At the time of his death in 1858 he was the owner of about 1,000 acres of good land and was one of the leading stock raisers of the county. He was married three times. His first wife was Sylvelia Cusick, and
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to this union there were born the following children: Thomas, died young ; John and Mary, twins, the latter of whom died at the age of twelve months; Sarah and Margaret, also twins, both deceased; Wil- liam and Joseph. The subject of this sketch is the only one now living. William Daily's second wife was Martha Huston, by whom he had four children, Hannah, James. Samuel, and one who died in infancy. The mother of these children died from the effects of a mad dog's bite, and although John and his father were both bitten by the same dog, neither became affected with rabies. The third wife was a Mrs. Mary Luttrell, who is still living in White county, Ill., at the age of eighty years. She had one child, now deceased. John Daily was born on the first farm his father ever owned, June 9, 1839. His first school was in a log house that stood on his father's farm. It had no floor and the seats were made of sassafras saplings split in halves with pins driven in the half-round sides for legs. The next school was a mile and a half away, but the house had a puncheon floor, which was at that time regarded as a luxury in a school house. The teacher of this school was a man named Watkins. When only nineteen years of age Mr. Daily commenced farming for himself, on the place where he now lives. The following year he was married to Miss Eleanora Stout, who was born near Mansfield, O., her parents being William and Mary (Van Horn) Stout. Mr. and Mrs. Daily began keeping house in a box frame dwelling with but one room and a kitchen, and only fifteen acres of cleared land upon which to raise a crop. But by the exercise of industrious hab- its and good judgment they have prospered until, in addition to his home place, Mr. Daily owns another farm of 80 acres. Politically he is a Democrat who always stands up for his principles, and with his family belongs to the Catholic church, of which his father before him was an honored member. Mr. and Mrs. Daily have had the following children: William, who now has charge of the farm; Henry, who died in 1898; Aaron, who died at the age of twenty- three years; twins, who died in infancy ; Mary A., wife of John Frey ; John, Jr., who married Eunice Harrelson, and lives on a farm near his father; Sarah, wife of Leonard Frey; Thomas, an attorney at Shawneetown; Carrie, wife of Peter Zirkelbach, of Evansville, Ind .; Charles, at home with his parents; and one who died in infancy. Mary A. and Sarah Frey are both living in the same neighborhood as their parents.
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ALOIS WINTERBERGER, a farmer and grain dealer, living near Junction City, Ill., is a native of the historic province of Alsace-Lorraine, where he was born April 4, 1845, of French parentage. In 1854, in company with his parents, two brothers and two sisters, he came to the United States. For about a year after arriving in this country his father followed his trade of gunsmith in Cincinnati, at the end of which time they came on to Shawneetown, Ill. There the father worked at his trade until about 1856, when he bought a farm of fifty acres near Junction, and died there Sept. 21, 1899, aged seventy-nine years. The mother died on April 4, 1902, in the eighty- fourth year of her age. Alois was eleven years of age when the family settled at Shawneetown. He attended the common schools and on Aug. 15, 1862, enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois volunteer infantry, as a private. In May, 1863, he was made a corporal, and on April 6, 1864, was promoted to orderly sergeant, which rank he held for the remainder of his service. The regiment was mustered in at Springfield, sent to Memphis, Tenn., on patrol and provost duty, then to Vicksburg, where it par- ticipated in the siege. After the fall of Vicksburg it was on guard duty at Lake Providence, La., Memphis and Lagrange, Tenn., Cor- inth, Miss., and in June, 1864, took part in the famous Guntown raid. He was once severely wounded by a ball which struck him in the back of the head, passed under the scalp, and killed the next man in the line. On Sept. 10, 1865, he was mustered out with the regi- ment at Memphis and returned to Gallatin, county. He soon returned to Memphis, however, where for three years he worked at the trade of carpenter. From that time until 1880 he was engaged in contract- ing and building in Gallatin county. During the next five years he worked as a millwright in different parts of the country. In 1885 he built what is known as the "Little Gem" Flour mill at New Haven and conducted it in connection with a grain buying business until 1892. He then removed to the farm where he now lives, though he still does considerable business as a grain buyer at Junction City. Mr. Winterberger owns 165 acres in the home farm, and fifty acres in another tract. He has made all the improvements on his farms, among which may be especially mentioned several thousand rods of
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tile drain, his farm in this respect being one of the best supplied in the county. Politically he is a Republican and from 1898 to 1902 held the office of township supervisor. At the present time he is one of the three drainage commissioners for the Cyprus special drain- age district. He is a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar ; served as Worshipful Master of Warren Lodge, No. 14, Free and Accepted Masons, of Shawneetown in 1876; and is a Past Commander of Rhodes Post, No. 586, Grand Army of the Republic, of New Haven. In 1877 Mr. Winterberger and Miss Kate Wallace were united in marriage and they had two sons: Louis, deceased, and Ralph, now in the United States navy on board the steamship Tacoma. He attended the State university for two years before entering the navy. The mother of these two boys died in 1881 and in 1883 Mr. Winter- berger was married to Miss Mary Krauser, a native of Ports- mouth, O.
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THE BOUND TO PLEASE Heckman
Ki Bindery INC.
JUNE.65
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
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