APHICAIt I t Nl 1Y 19- Hfc LIBRAR.Y OF THE. tx , 920.077358 B524- W I IU.. HIST. SURVEY ^N is ) I H K Biographical Record OF DEWITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS. ii^i^LjSTKA'rKi >. 77/.' people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote an, estors will never in liievi anything' worthy to he remembered with priJe by remote generations. ," — Mac vulay. CHICAGi i I in S. I. Ci akki Pi in ishing Company. 1901 r PREFACE. HE greatest of English historian*. MACAULAY, and one of the most brilliant writers of the present century, has said : "The history of a country is best told in a record of the lives of its people.'' In con- formity with thi> idea, the Biographical Record has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few. our corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise and industry, brought this county to a rank second to none among those comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life struggles Xo more interesting or instructive matter could be pre-ented to an intelligent public. In this volume will be found a record of manv whose lives are worthy the imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in povertv, by industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, witli limited advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have ris L -n from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very manv. who. not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued the " even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercv — " Thev nave done what they could." It tells how many, in the pride and strength of young manhood, left the plow and the anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's call went forth valiantly " to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and ot every woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after. Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact that it contains so much that would never rind its way into public records, and which would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and everv opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written : and the publishers tlatter themselves that thev give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to biographical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the publishers are not to blame. Xot having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men never could be found, though repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business. December, 1901. The S. T. Clarke Publishing Co. PART I. BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. PAGE Adair. C. K 118 Adkisson, Frank 351 Allan, Andrew 58 Allyn, Edward 14(1 Amsden.C. F 313 i, S. M 468 Argo, William 201 Armstrong, Joseph 308 Armstrong, William 168 Atchison, C. W 256 ir, 1. N 252 Baker. Isaac 260 s, J. A. 312 Barnett, \V. A 307 Bayless, 1 P 260 Beatty, H. G. 242 Bell, David 36 Bell, Henrv . 42 Bell, [. E.. 46 Bentley, E. B 378 Bishop, C. W 100 Black, Robert HO Blome, J. H A 287 Blue, Uriah 420 b, William 112 Bowies, Hughes 'U7 lord, Charles 170 Breisford, William 124 Brittin, Newton 228 Brown, G. H 109 Bryant, I. B 145 Burton, Richard R -17 Butterworth, John 317 Byland, T.C 69 Cacklev & Company 338 Cackley, Jacob F... 142 , Cacklev, John G 114 Cantrail, James I7"> Cardiff. W. 11 444 Carter. S. K 365 Cash. S.J 395 Chapin. S. A .77 Clearwaters, Reuben 101 PAGE Clearwaters, Wesley 174 Cuffman.J. W..... 112 Cumming, R. V 132 Cunningham, Francis 296 Cunningham, I. M 121 Curl, f. A ..." 416 Danison, Edward 37'.' Davenport, Hugh 4o.", Davenport, Jeremiah 194 Davis, A. 1 " 233 Davis, J. K 7o Davis, Remus IriO 1 >. Boise, Lafayette 340 De Land, I. 1- ' 64 Dietrich, Joseph 301 Dix. J. F. 711 Donahue, Hon. Michael 93 Doqling, Rev. M. A 130 1 'owning, C. D 278 Edwards, Samuel A 30 Ellington, Isaac 398 Ellis, J.I 131 Evans, /. W F'.wing, Thomas '.'4 Ford, Peter 441 Fosnaugh, I. A 295 Foster, John W 287 Fruit, E. W 146 Fuller, John 122 ,G D 374 Gideon, C. R. 275 ■.denning, Charles, Y. S. . . 387 ly, I. K 239 Graham, Capt. J. D 128 Griffith, Harvey 378 < Inner. G. W. 249 Haldeman. [acob B 38 Hallowan, Philip 4_>1 Hamimll, J. \\ 324 Harrison, E. G. F 234 PAGE Harrold, F. I". 11:; Harrold, W. S 334 Hart, fuhn -Just Hansock, W. II 369 Helmick, Elihu 422 Helmick, G.W 282 Helmick, Nathaniel 304 Hickman, Warren Hill, R. P 407 Hirst. James 336 Hoffman, I' rederick 311 Holmes, S. E 462 Hougham.J. \V -.'411 I li useman. Isaac F _'l Hubbell, John F 152 Huffman, A. W 273 Huffman, G. F 100 Huffman. S. G 471 Hughes Brothers 43;i Hughes. William 134 Hume, J. H 135 Hunt, I'. E 377 Hurd. Charles 181 Hyde, G. W., M. D 136 Ingham, Judged. K 18 James, Criah Johnson, Mrs. Lydia M Johnson, N. P 310 Johnston, W. W -. C\rus 261 [ones, |ohn M 165 5, J. Q. A 446 -. I. W. and John B6 -. Preston 4'i4 Killough, |ohn 319 Kirby, W. G UJ Kirk", I. M 173 Rtrk.O. 1 60 Kissack.John 314 Lane, Alvis H 219 Lane, Elbert D 59 INDEX. Lane, Tillmon. Lane, \V. B.... LaTeer, J. D.. Lemon, R. A. . , Lighthall.G.L PAGE 288 ,. 342 . 225 .. 46a . 469 Myers, VV. H. Lisenby, J. A 4.">:t Litsinberger.G. A 429 Long, William 251 Maddox, J. T 29 Maddox, T. M 326 Magill, Henry It'. Magill, Henry A 54 Magill, Robert 4:1 Magill, Samuel 32 Magill, William 23 Marsh. Robert 161 Martin, S. H :t70 Mason, John' 143 Mason, Truman 825 Mav, Francis lid McCord, C. W 82 McCord, I. H 329 McCuddy. ( . II ISO \1. Farland, W. H 281 McHenry, A. I) 4oi Mcintosh, E. E 177 McKinney, A. T 396 Mi Murry, \V. C 226 M. Null. S. J 120 Metzger. William 231 Miller, Arthur F 66 Miller, A. K HO M iller, Benjamin 52 Miller, T. H 129 Montgomery, A. II ^7 Moody, C. E 145 Moore, Arthur ;;::'> Moor.-. Blish 181 Moore, «. lifton H 9 Moore, (i. W 202 Moon-, J. G 152 Morrison, |. M 451 Morrow. |. L Murphey, L.R 470 Murphey, W. W 77 Murray, W. M 47»; Myers, Samuel L39 N'agelv, Aaron.. Nelson, P. P.... Newell, S. E. Newman, A. E. . PAGl . 134 . 858 433 . 455 . 184 Parker, A. U 37t> Persinger, W. M 348 Peters, A. M 108 Phares, J. A 241 Phares, W. M 166 Pinkerton, F. E 820 Porter, Dr. Edward ]o4 Porter, f. G., M. I) 282 Price, James H i hi. in, 1,1, Henry 119 Randall. W. 11 254 Ready, Capt. |. W 398 Robb, Eli H..' 294 Robii, [oseph .... '_'7i'. Rogers, W, o 316 Ross, K. H 4rson J 183 Snell, Col. Thomas . 156 Spainhour, II. C 263 Spell, ri, I liumas 10* Staymates, Byron F II Story, W. M 346 Strange, James P '24 Summerville, John 7- PAGE Swan, Malco'm 41!» Swigart, Carl 420 Swigart, Mrs. Catherine 65 Swigart, E. C ::7.", Swisher, I. F 472 Taylor, W. II 285 Taylor, W. M 259 Thomas, Isaac W US Thorp, James W 1 ."> Thorpe, W. H 57 Thurber, Isaac C 176 Trenkle, Mrs. Caroline 213 Tuggle, |ohn 169 Turner, A. A 288 Turner. Dennis 360 Turner, William T 44 Tyler, A. [., Ml) 195 1 v In, John 1L, M. I) 189 Vance, Mrs. Franklin. 875 Wagner, H. J 271 WaJden, Maris 215 u aiker, Charles 87 Walker, Judge Robert 148 Warner, Hon, John 26 \\ eedman, 1 reoi ge 3. r >4 \\ ee.lnian. Mrs. Mary J l. r >K w eld, William .'. i. r .4 Wetzel I, George 3ii7 Whitehead, I. II 888 Whitehead, [. Q 217 Wightwick, John 210 W illiams, \lbert C. 228 Williams, S. D 868 Williams, W. C HMO Willson, P. K 356 Wilson, Andrew 244 Wilson. Mrs. Martha 196 Wilson Peter 220 Wolf. Philip 440 « Young, Mrs. Mary A 198 Ziegler, lacob 13 Zorger.C. K 864 ° CONTENTS '..V'/.-- INDEX TO FART II. Compendium of National Biography. Biographical Sketches of National Celebrities. PAGE Abbott, Lyman 144 Adams, Charles Kendall 143 Adams, John 25 Adams, John (juincy 61 Agassiz, Louis J. R 137 A Ig-er, Russell A 173 Allison, William B 131 Allston, Washington 190 Atgeld, John Pefer 1 4' » Andrews, Elisha B 184 Anthony, Susan B 62 Armour, Philip D 62 Arnold, Benedict 9 1 Arthur, Chester Allen 168 Astor, John Jacob 139 Audobon, John Jacob 166 Bailey, James Montgomery... 177 Bancroft, George T4 Barnard, Frederick A. P 179 Barnum, Phineas T 41 Barrett, Lawrence 1 56 Barton, Clara 209 Bayard, Thomas Francis 200 Beard, William H 196 Beauregard, Pierre G. T 203 Bt-i-c her. Henry Ward 26 Bell, Alexander Graham 96 Bennett, James Gordon 206 Benton, Thomas Hart ■>'■'• Bergh. Henry 160 -tadt, Albert 191 Billings, Josh 166 Blaine, James Gillespie 2*2 Bland, Richard Parks 196 PAGE Boone, Daniel 36 Booth, Edwin "'1 Booth, Junius Brutus 177 Brice, Calvin S 1-1 Bmoks, Philips 130 Brown, John 51 Bmwn, Charles Farrar 91 Brush, Charles Francis 133 Bryan, William Jennings 158 Bryant, William Cullen 44 Buchanan, Franklin 195 Buchanan, James 128 Buckner, Simon Boliver 188 Buniette, Robert J 103 Burr. Aaron Ill Butler, Benjamin Franklin.... 24 Calhoun, John Caldwell 23 Cameron, James Donald 141 Cameron, Simon 141 Cammack, Addison li'7 Campbell. Alexander 180 Carlisle, John G 133 Carnegie, Andrew 73 Carpenter, Matthew Hale 173 Carson, Christopher (Kit). ... 36 Cass, Lewis 110 Chase, Salmon Portland 65 Childs, George W Cboate, Kufus 207 Chaflin, Horace Brigham 107 Clay. Henry 21 Clemens, Samuel Langhorne. 88 Cleveland, Grover 174 Clews, Henry 153 PAGE Clinton, DeWitt 110 Colfax, Schuyler 13!* Conkling, Altred 32 Conkling, Roscoe 82 Cooley, Thomas Mclntyre... 14" Cooper, James Fenimore 58 Cooper, Peter 37 Copely, John Singleton 191 Corbin. Austin 205 Corcoran, W. W 196 Cornell, Ezra 161 Cramp, William I s '' Crockett, David 76 Cullom, Shelby Moore 116 Curtis, George William 144 Cushman, Charlotte 107 Custer, George A 95 Dana. Charles A B8 "Danbury News Man" 177 Davenport, Fanny 106 Da\ is, lefferson 24 I )ebs. Eugene V 132 Decatur, Stephen 1"! Deering, William 198 Depew, ihauncey Mitchell... 209 Dickinson, Anna 108 Dickinson, Hon M 139 1 tingle) . N< *<■!). Jr '21'. I loooell) . Ignatius 161 Douglas, Stephen Arnold. . . . Douglass, Frederick 4:: Dow.Neal 108 Draper, John William 1-4 TABLE OF CONTENTS— PART 1 1 PAGE Drexel, Anthony Joseph 124 Dupont, Henry 198 Edison, Thomas Alva 55 Edmunds, George F 201 Ellsworth, Oliver 168 Emerson, Ralph Waldo 57 Ericsson, John 127 Evarts, William Maxwell v '-' Farragut, David Glascoe 80 Field, Cyrus West 178 Field, David Dudley L26 Field, Marshall 59 Field, Stephen Johnson 216 Fillmore. Millard 118 Foote, Andrew Hull 176 I oraker, Joseph B 1 1" Forrest, Edwin 92 i rank lin, Benjamin 18 I- remont, fohn Chai les '-"■' Fuller, Melville Weston 168 Fulton, Robert , I.\ man J 71 Gallatin, Albert 11'-' Garfield, lames A 163 Garn ii, [ohn Work 200 ( ;,u i ison, William Lloyd 50 Cat. s, Horatio ' 10 Galling, Rii hard [ordan 116 [enry 203 < iibl S, l animal James 209 Gilmon . Tain, k Sarsfield 77 ( iirard, Stephen 187 b, John H 181 i .1. jay ■'- Gordon, John B 215 ( .lam. i 1} sses S 155 Gray, Asa Gray, Elisha 149 ley, Adolphus W 142 Greeley, Horace 20 Greene, Nathaniel 69 Gresham, Walter Quintin 183 Hale, Edward Everett 79 Hall, Charles Francis 167 Hamilton, Alexander SI Hamlin, Hannibal 214 Hampton, Wade 192 Hancock, Winfield Scott 146 Hanna, Marcus Alonzo 169 Harris, Isham G 214 Harrison, William Henry C Harrison, Benjamin 182 Harvard, John 129 Havemeyer, John Craig 182 Hawrhorne, Nathaniel 185 Hayes, Rutherford Birchard.. . 157 Hendricks, Thomas Andrew. . 212 Henry, Joseph 105 Henrv,» Patrick 83 Hill, David Bennett 90 Hobart, Garrett A 213 Holmes, Oliver Wendell 206 Hooker, Joseph 52 Howe, Elias ISO Howells, William Dean 104 PAGE Houston, Sam 120 Hughes, Archbishop John 157 Hughitt, Marvin 159 Hull, Isaac 169 Huntington, Collis Totter 94 Ingalls, John James 114 [ngersoll, Robert G 85 Irving, Washington 33 Jackson, Andrew 71 Jackson, " Stonewall " 67 Jackson, Thomas Jonathan 67 jay, John 89 Jefferson, Joseph 47 I - it • rson, Thomas 34 [obnson, Andrew 145 Johnson, Eastman 202 Johnston, [oseph Ei cleston... . 85 [ones, James K . 171 i, [ohn Paul ! '7 ones, Samuel Porter 115 Kane, Elisha Kent 125 Kearney, Philip 210 Kenton, Simon I -• Knox. John Jay 184 Lamar, Lucius Q. C 201 Landon, Melville 1> 109 Lee, Robert Edward Lewis, Charles B 193 Lincoln, Abraham 185 Livermore, Mar) Ashton Til I ... ke, I >a\ nl Ross 172 in, John A 26 i. II, .w, lleiu\ Wads worth 87 I i, James 56 Lowell, lames Russell lot Mackay, [ohn William 148 Madison, lames 42 Marshall. John 1"'''. Mather. Cotton 164 Mather, lm n ase 168 Maxim, Hiram S 194 Mil Ii Han, Georgi Brinton.. . . 47 Mc( oi mil k, < vrus Hall 172 Mel tonough, ( I nomas.. . 167 McKinley, w illiam 217 Meade, ( ieorge '■ iordon 75 Medill, Joseph 159 Miles. Nelson A 17 ,; Miller, Cincinnatus Heine 218 Miller, loaijuin 218 Mills, Roger Queries 211 Monroe, lames 54 Moody, Dwight L 207 Moran, Thomas 98 Morgan, John Pierpont 208 Morgan, John T 216 Morris, Robert 165 Morse, Samuel F. B 124 Morton, Levi P 142 Mortpn, Oliver Perry 215 Motley, John Lathrop . . 130 "Nye, Bill" 59 Nye, Edgar Wilson 59 PAGE O'Conor, Charles 1 *7 ( ilney, Richard 138 Paine, Thomas 147 Palmer, |ohn M 195 I'm khurst, Charles Henry 160 '■ Partington, Mrs." 202 Peabody, < ieorge 17ti Peek, George W IOT ivitr. , William A 164 Perkins, Eli 109 Perry, Oliver Hazard !»7 Phillips, Wendell 80 Pierce, Franklin 122 Pmgiee, ii,,. ten S 212 Plant, lb ins Ii 192 Poe, Edgar Allen 69 Polk, James Knox 102 1 orter, I (avid 1 (ixon 68 Ton. r, Noah 93 Prentii e, Geoi ge i lenison, . , 119 Presi .'it, William Ilicklmg. . .. 96 Pullman, Geoi ge Mortimer. .. 121 I, M 198 Matthew S 171 Randi ,1 ph 1 dmund 186 Read, Thomas Buchanan 132 Ree.i. Thomas Bra< kett 208 Rei.l. Whitelaw 149 Roai h. John 190 Rockefeller, John Davison..., 195 Root, ( Jeoi ge I rederick Rothermel, Peter T 118 Rutledj . , [ohn 57 21 1 ifield, John McAllister 199 Si Iiui :, Carl 201 Si ott, Thomas Alexander 204 Si ott, Winfield 79 Seward, William Henry .... 44 Sharon, William 165 Shaw. Henry W 166 Sheridan, Phillip Henry 40 Sherman, I bai l( - K 87 Sherman, [ohn 86 Shillaber, Benjamin Penhallow 202 Sherman, William Tecumseh.. 80 Smith, Edmund Kirby 114 S.nisa, [ohn Philip 60 Spreckels, Clans 159 Stanford, Leland 101 Stanton. Edwin McMasters... 17'.l Stanton, Elizabeth Cady 126 Stephens, Alexander Hamilton 32 Stepheiison.Aill.il Ewing... . 141 Stewart, Alexander T 58 Stewart, William Morris 213 Stowe, Harriet Elizabeth Beecher 66 Stuart, James E. B 122 Sumner, Charles 34 Talmage, Thomas DeWitt . . 60 Taney," Roger Broo'.~ 129 Taylor, Zachary 108 Teller, Henry M 127 TABLE OF CONTENTS— PART J 1 i \. i a, Nikola 193 Thomas, George H ','■'• Thomas, Theodore 172 Thurman, Allen G 90 Thurston, John M 166 Tilden, Samuel J '<■ Tillman, Benjamin Ryan 11;* Toombs, Robert " Twain, Mark " . John 98 Van Buren, Manin ". ■ Yanderhilt, Cornelius 35 Vail.Alfred 154 Vest, < ieorgc Graham 214 PAGE Vilas, William Freeman 140 Voorhees, Daniel Wolsey 95 \\ .iitc, Morrison Remich 125 Wallace, Lewis 199 Wall.uk, Lester 121 Wall. iik. John Lester 121 Wanamaker, Mm 89 Ward, "Artemus" '.'1 Washburne, Elihu Benjamin. . 189 U ashington, George 17 Watson, Thomas E 178 Watterson, Henry 76 Weaver, lames H 123 Webster, Daniel 19 PAGl Webster, Noah Weed, Thurlow 91 West, Benjamin 1 1 r. Whipple, Henry Benjamin. . . . 161 White, Stephen V 162 Whitefield, ('■(-..rye 150 Whitman, Walt r.'T Whitney, Eli 120 Whitney, William Collins 92 Whittier, John Greenleaf 67 Willard, Frances E 133 Wilson, William L Winchell, Alexander 17 Wmdom, William 138 PORTRAITS OF NATIONAL CELEBRITIES. PAGE Alger, Russell A. in son, William B 99 Anthony, Susan B Armour, Philip D 151 Arthur. Chester A 81 Barnum, Phineas T 117 her, Henry Ward 27 Blaine, lames G 151 Booth, Edwin 63 Bryan, Wm. J 63 Bryant, William Cullen Buchanan, James 81 Buckner, Simon B 16 Butler Benjamin F 151 Carlisle. John G 151 Chase, Salmon P 16 Chi) W 99 Clay. Henry 81 Cleveland, Grover 45 Cooper, Peter 99 Dana, Charles A 151 Depew, Chauncey M 117 Douglass, Fred Emerson, Ralph Waldo 27 Evarts. William M 99 Farragut, Com. D. G 185 Field, Cyrus W 63 PAGE Field. Marshall 117 Franklin, Benjamin 63 Fremont, Gen. John C 16 Gage, Lyman J 151 eld, lames A 45 Garrison, William Lloyd 63 t ieorge, Henry 117 Could, [ay. 99 Grant, Gen. I. S 185 Greeley, Horace - 1 Hampton, Wade 16 Hancock, Gen. Winfield S Hanna, Mark A 117 Harrison. Benjamin 81 Hayes, R. B 45 Hendricks, Thomas A 81 Holmes, Oliver W 151 Hooker, Gen. Joseph 16 I ngersoil, Robert G 117 I rving, Washington J7 Jackson, Andrew 4". Jefferson, Thomas 45 ohnston. Gen. J. E 16 Lee, Gen. Robert E 185 Lincoln, Abraham 81 Logan, Gen. John A 16 Longfellow, Henry W 185 PAGE Longstrc-t, Gen. James 16 Lowell. James Russell 27 McKinley, William L"> Morse. S. F. B Phillips, Wendell 27 Porter, Com. D. D 185 Pullman, George M 117 Quay, M. S Reed, Thomas B 151 Sage, Russell 117 , Gen. Winfield 185 Seward, William H 45 Sherman, John 99 Sherman, Gen. W. T 151 Stanton, Elizabeth Cady J7 Stowe. Harriet Beecher -J 7 Sumner, Charles 45 Talmage, T. DeWitt 63 Teller. Henry M Thurman, Allen G 81 Tilden, Samuel J 117 Van Buren, Martin 81 Yanderbilt, Commodore 99 Webster, Daniel 27 Whittier, John G 21 Washington, George A 5 Watterson, Henrv. 63 I BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD CLIFTON II. MOORE. In one of his most eloquent orations Charles Sumner said "peace hath her vic- tories no less renowned than war." It was the victories of peace which were won by Clifton 11. Mi ii>re. a man distinguished for his remarkable husiness ability ami sagacity, however, through the channels of legitimate business transactions, in which he gained wealth ami at the same time commanded in unusual degree the confidence and respect of his fellow men. During a long and suc- cessful business career, characterized by en- terprise, he ever maintained an enviable reputation for the highest honor and prin- ciple, and no unworthy deehiO. Uaac Moore, his son, the father of our subject, became a very successful busim 10 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. man. although little qualified by educational privileges. His natural ability, however, was very great, and as the years advanced he became a prosperous farmer. In i8n he removed to Kirkland, < mio, in company v\ ith his parents, an unmarried sister and three married sisters and their husbands There amid the scenes of pioneer life he estab- lished his home and accumulated a comfort- able ci unpetence. I te passed his last days in the In >me of his son Clifton, in DeWitl coun- ty, Illinois, dying on the 9th of October, 1882, when almost ninety years of age. lie had be« n three times married. His first wife was the mother of our subject, and they bad eight children. Mrs. Moore was a native oi Massachusetts and a daughter of Benjamin and Phebe (Skinner) Blish, who were Welsh descent, the ancestrj of the family being traced back to Abraham Blish, a na- if Wales, who came to America in 1637. Mrs. Moore was born in [796, and departed this life Max 1 (., 1832. Under the parental roof Clifton 11. M01 e spent his childhood days, and in the district sch< n 1- near his hi me began hi-- edu- cation, which was later supplemented by a course of study pursued under the direction a prominent clergyman of Bedford, Ohio. lie later became a student in Paynesville, < )hio, and in the \\ estern Reserve Teachers' Seminary at Kirkland. Well equipped with a liberal education, he then started out in life, determined to make the most of his opportunities and to gain success, lie en- gaged in teaching in Geauga and Cuyahoga counties. Ohio, and then determined to try his fortune in a more western district. In the spring of 1839 he followed the star of empire on its westward way. arriving at Pekin. Illinois, with a cash capital of less than five dollars. But this counted littli to the young man of resolute spirit, possessed of health and energy. lie soon secured a school, and while engaged in teaching spent his time outside of the schoolroom in read- ing law with the firm of Bail) & Wilmot, being admitted ti 1 the bar in [84 1 . In August of the same year Mr. Moore arrived in Clinton, being the first lawyer to establish an office here, and through many years he maintained his place as the first lawyer of the city, not only by reason oi his seniority in years of practice hut also on ac- count of his skill as a practitioner and his abilit) as a counsellor, llis knowledge of law was comprehensive and exact, and it soon became known that his devotion to his clients' interest was proverbial and that he prepared his cases with the greatest care and precision. He won his first suit and after- ward many others of much importance, even though he met in forensic combat such dis- tinguished lawyers as Abraham Lincoln, Judge David Davis and others. The only office which he ever filled was also on the line of his professii m. ha\ ing in 1 871 1 served as a member of the constitutional conven- tion of the state, m which body he left the impress "i his strong mind and profound al knowledge upon the organic law of the ci mmi nwcalth. At an earlj day Mr. Moore also began investing in land, and in this was long .asso- ciated with fudge David Davis, they to- gether owning at one lime thirty thousand acres. His investments were at first small, hut proving profitable, he wisely again in- vested the monej thus gained in other land, and in due course of time he won wealth that classed him among the millionaires of the state. Ilis business judgment was rarely, if ever, at fault, and his savings were so judiciously placed that he never failed to realize on an investment. 1 le was exceed- ingly considerate of his tenants, and never THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1 1 asked of them more than one-third of the cmp. or three dollars and a half per acre. So long as they proved themselves honest and industrious they were never asked to give p — essions, and some "t" them remained Upon his farms for from ten to twenty years or more. At his death one of them, who had occupied a farm for twenty-two ye i: "1 have lost the best friend 1 ever had." What higher tribute of praise could be given? While deeply engrossed with his busi- ness cares, he was in his home an ideal hus- band and father, kind, considerate and lov- ing, and lie erected for his family one of the finest residences in this section <•{ the state. It stands in the midst of a most attractive lawn adorned with walks, drives, shade trees and flowers, and one of its most attractive features is the library which fills two ro ms and ;s one of the finest collections of books in any home in the entire -tate. It contains many rare and interesting - old volumes well as the mi ire standard wi «ks. The 1 i for the mind was all that found its way there, and he had every reason to be proud of his splendid collection of -books, the con- tents of which were very familiar to him. He was a man of scholarly attainments and E irded his books as among his b friends. Mr. M< ore first married Mi-s Elizabeth Richmond, the wedding taking place Aug- ust 14. [845. The lady was a native of indaigua, New York, and a daughter of Hiram Richmond, later of Tremont, Taze- well county. Illinois. Four children were born unto them but only one i- now living. Arthur, who is extensively engaged in farm- ing. Mrs. M,,ore died May 30, 1872, and on the 26th of July. 1X74. Mr. Moore wed- ded Miss Rose Onstein, a native of North Amherst, Ohio, and a daughter of George ami Rosanna 1 Ruble) Onstein, the former of German de-cent and the latter of Scotch and German lineage. The father was born in Pennsylvania, became a fanner of Lor- aine county. Ohio, and died in hi- seventieth year, while his wife, also a native of the Keystone -tate. passed away at the age of enty-five. They were the parents of eight children. Mr. Moore was called to his final reward April 29, [901, after a brief illness of only five days. In his political views Mr. Moore was always a Republican, and could undoubtedly have won high political honors had he cared for such advancement, but he preferred to dev< ite his time and attentii in t> 1 his law prac- tice and his property interests. He was 1 member ^-r DeWitt Lodge, No. Si. F. & A. M.. and his life was in harmony with the principles of the craft which recognized the brotherhood of mankind. He recognized his duty to his fellow men and was chari- table, generous and sympathetic. He con- tributed with free hand to the upbuilding of churches and schools and was a ready as- sistant to all measures which he believed would promote the welfare of hi- adopted county. In manner he was dignified and quiet, but his friendship was sincere and un- changing, and everywhere he was -p< ken of in terms of the highest respect and esteem. Fearless in conduct, honorable in action and stainless in reputation, the life 1 f this man wa- -i beneficent influence in DeWitt county, and his example is one well worthy of emu- late 'ii. BYRON F. STAYM.V: Professor 1'.. 1". Staymates i- one of the influential citizen- of Clinton, a conspicu- ous figure in the business, literary and so- cial life of the city, exerting a strong in- 12 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. fluence in support of all progressive meas- ures for the public good. A man of splendid intellectual endowment, broad minded and viewing with comprehensive glance the needs of the community, he advocates all that tends to the general welfare and is accounted one of the valued residents of Clinton. As an earnest advocate of the Illinois Fireman's Association he has established a reputation that is not confined to the limits of the state, but as the statistician of thai organization he has established an acquaintance, not only throughout the United States, but his name is well known in many ol the cities oi Eu- 1 i ipe Professor Byron F. Staymates is a na- tive of the Buckeye state, his birth ba\ ing oc curred in Huntsville, October i. [852, and is a son of Hiram I.. Staymates. who settled in Texas township. DeWitl county, in 1856. One year later he removed to (reek town- ship, where he purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land known as the /imnni man farm, on which he continued to reside until [882. This farm he has greatly im- proved and placed under a high state of cul- tivation, lie also owns considerable prop- erty in Barnett township. Since [882 he has been a resident of Clinton, where he now lues retired from active labor. His success in life is due entirelj to his own efforts, as he had nothing to start on and that which he has accumulated has been hv his own hard labor, and he is to-day accounted one of the substantial men of the county. llis birth occurred in Licking count). Ohio, where lie was born on the 3d clay of October, [819, a son of Peter Staymates. who was a son of Phillip, who emigrated to this country prior to the Revolutionary war. in which he took a prominent part, being a major in the Amer- ican army. After the close of this memor- able war he received a errant of land near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1808 he was called to his final rest at the age of eighty- seven vcais. and his remains are interred at Greensburg, that state, where he passed his last days. The Slav mates family is of German ori- gin, the name formerly being spelled Stein- met/, and Phillip was the first to locate in this country. I lis descendants later settled in Ohio, where they became early settlers and where most of them died. The marriage of Hiram P. Staymates, our subject's father, with .Miss Charlotte Westbrook, who was also a native of Ohio, resulted in the birth of two children, name- ly: Byron F. and Elmer, who is now de- ceased. Mrs. Staymates died at the age of sixt) four years. \s before stated, our subject was born in Ohio, where he resided until he was four years of age, when he was brought to this county by his parents, lie received a good common school education in the Creek town- ship schools, after which he engaged in teaching for a short time. In [865 he en- tered the Wesleyan University at Blooming- ton, where he was graduated six years later as Bachelor and later as Master of Arts. I le then took up the study of law in the Wes- leyan Paw School and later was a professor in an academy at Smith's Grove, Kentucky, which position he held for one year. At the expiration of this period he took up his resi- dence in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he was admitted to the bar. but soon after he was compelled to leave the city, owing to the yellow fever scourge. We next find him located in Texas for a short time and from there he went to the republic of Mexico, but owing to a serious failing of the eyesight he was compelled to return home and abandon all professional work for a number of years. In iSSii be tilled the position of assistant THE RI( (GRAPHICAL RECORD. '3 editor of the Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Record, and during the Black and Beaver campaign of that year he became actively identified with the political interests of the state as a speaker and writer of more than ordinary ability. It might be well to men- tion here that since 187(1 he has spoken and upheld the principles of the Democratic party in every campaign. Going extensively through the state at the demands of the man- rig committees. In [889 he took an active part in the formation of the Illinois Firemen's Associa- tion, and has held the office of statistician since it- organization. In this work Mr. Staymates has taken more than an ordinary interest, and his work along this line de- mands more than a mere mention. In Jan- nary. iSSS. the Illinois Fireman's Associa- tion was formed in the city of Clinton and at its tenth annual convention, which was held in Clinton January [3, [899, Mr. Stay- mates read a paper in which he reviewed the work of the organization since its forma- tion. In detail he showed how it hail grown from a weak association of only a few mem- bers to one of the Strongest and largest in this country. He reviewed its work, it- meetings during the past ten years, and in clo-ing his remarks said: "This is hut an imperfect narrative of the first decade of the Illinois Fireman's Association. One of the results has been the early complete organiza- tion of the tire service of Illinois; another to raise its proficiency ami efficiency in the noble work of wealth saving to a laudable free. What the first association has saved Illinois the uncounted millions have not yet been shown. Of the grant ten years we can say Finis coronal opus." When the National Fireman's Associa- tion was formed in [897, Mr. Staymates was by the representatives of twelve state a- ciations chosen secretary and later was elect- ed corresponding secretary and in [900 rep- resented both the Illinois and National holl- ies at the great Parisian World's Congi oi Fire Engineers, spending several mouths in Europe, and . .11 his return he read an elab- orate report before the convention in this Country. In his report he showed his ability a- an observer and his paper abounded in observations of the European system of tire lighting. In 1893, at the World's Columbian Ex- position, he was chosen by the Illinois Board of Commissioners as a superintendent of the natural history exhibit and also lectured on the subjects of fish, forestry and s, ,ils, all of which has engaged his attention for many years. Since then he has lectured at many farmers' institutes in central Illinois, and has also gained a wide reputation as a contributor to the daily papers. Mr. Staymates has also made a close study of languages and is a proficient talker in German, Spanish and French. During the convention of the Pan-American Con- vention of Firemen, which was held at the Pan-American Exposition in [901, he served as chairman of the program committee, which position he tilled with much credit. Space will not permit us to go into fur- ther detail, hut such in brief outline is the personal history of our subject. lie has gained an enviable reputation and no bi- ography of the leading men of DeWitl coun- ty would he complete without mention of Professor I'.. F. Staymates. JACOB ZIEGLER. No foreign element has become a more important part in our American citizenship than that furnished by Germany. The em- 14 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. igrants from that land have brought with them to the New World the stability, enter- prise and perseverance characteristic of their people and have fused these qualities with the progressiveness and indomitable spirit of the \\ est. Mr. Ziegler, m >\v i me of the prom- inent farmers of DeWitt county, is a worthy representative of this class. The subject of this review was hern in the province of I'ermanse, Bavaria, Ger many, November 14. 1K44, a son of Jacob and Louisa (Gebhart) Ziegler, both natives of the same province as himself. In [852 Jacob Ziegler. with his wife and family, set sail from Havre, France, in a French sailing vessel, which consumed forty-two days be tween that port and Xew York City. Land ing at Castle Garden, the family went im- mediately to Brown county, < mio, where the father purchased a farm of one hundred acres and engaged in its operation for five years. At the end of thai time he sold out and removed to McLean county. Illinois. locating in Normal township, where he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of laud. 1 le engaged in operating this farm for many years and died there after reaching the ripe old age of ninety-eight years. I lis wife had preceded him some years before, being eighty-six years of age at the time of her death. To Jacob Ziegler, Sr., and wife were horn eighteen children, of whom nine arc- still living, as follows: Maria is the wife of F. 1 '. Bohrer and resides in Bloomington, Illinois: Louisa is the widow of Peter Kline and makes her home in Farmer City, Illi- nois; Louis has been a merchant of Spokane. Washington, for many years; Kate married Louis llaney and they reside in Springfield, Illinois; Jacob, our subject, is next in order of hirth ; Sophia is the wife of Herman ) lazenw inkle, a business man of Storm Lake, Iowa; Fredericka, widow of Henry Kunsch, is a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; Charles is a farmer of Pocahontas county, Iowa; and Eva, the youngest living child, is the wife of Louis Lowentrout, who is en- gaged in business in I Woo:.iington, Illinois. Our subject received his primary educa- tion in the schools of Germany, and after coming to America attended the district schools of Brown county, Ohii for a short tune, mil as Ins lather was in limited cir- cumstances and there were many mouths to feed, his education has been principally re- ceived through reading and observation in later years. Lip to the time he was twenty- six years of age, Jacob Ziegler remained at home, giving his labor and time to his fa- ther. In the spring of [870, having seen his father comfortably located upon his own farm in Normal township, our subject made arrangements with Judge David Davis, of Bloomington, to rent one . if his farms in I >e- W'itt county, consisting of eighteen hundred acres of land. With hut two hundred dol- lars in capital, he commenced his life labors and for eleven years he gave his time and attention to farming ami stock raising on a large scale. After meeting with good suc- cess for a few years, cholera got among his hogs, ami out of a herd of eighl hundred, six hundred SUCCUmbed to tin- disease. Noth- ing daunted by his ill fortune. Mr. Ziegler began anew, and in the fall of [88] pur- chased three hundred and twenty acres of land on section I. 'Texas township, which was under cultivation, but not improved. This farm Mr. Ziegler has converted into one "I the most desirable places in the coun- ty, erecting a beautiful country home at a cost of seven thousand dollars, which is sup- plied with all modern conveniences. On the 20th of December. 1877. Mt. Ziegler was united in marriage with Miss THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 15 Annie Elizabeth Simpson, a native of -Mi- ami county. Ohio, and a daughter of Henry and Annie (Hartsock) Simpson, also na- tives of < >hio, who came to Illinois in 1855. Mr. Simpson died at the age of seventy-four years, while his wife was one year younger at the time of her death. Mrs. Ziegler was the youngest "t three children horn to her parents. Two children have heen born to Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler: Wilfred I., horn October jo. 1878, is a graduate of the Springfield Busi- ness College, hut is now attending the State University at Champaign. Illinois; Jacob Frank, horn February 25, [882, is attending the high school in Clinton. Illinois. Mr. Ziegler gives his attention almost ex- clusively to stock farming, raising and feed- ing cattle, hogs and sheep for the market, preferring to sell his grain on the hoof. 1 [e has ever heen an advocate of all measures calculated to advance the moral or material welfare of his adopted county. He was chairman of several important committees and general manager of the Chautauqua As- sociation of Clinton for [901, and was in- strumental in promoting the organization of the same. He was also one of the promoters of the VVeldon Springs park, which has heen under his direct supervision ever since. For fifteen year- Mr. Ziegler was president and superintendent of the DeWitt County Fair Association, and to his personal efforts is due the prosperous condition of the same. While superintendent he advocated and suc- ceeded in having built the water works at the fair grounds, even before the city of Clinton had them. Mrs. Ziegler and her oldest son are members of the (Jniversalist church of Clinton, lit- is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic fra- ternity at Clinton, and he ever endeavors t< > live up to the tenets of the order. In politics Mr. Ziegler is a stanch Re- publican, and has been a member of the county central committee for many years. In the fall of [889 he was elected to the state legislature, serving two years in that body. As a public spirited and progressive citizen, he has given his support to all m< ure- for the public good and his life lias heen such as to command the confidence and re- spect of all with whom he has come in con- tact, either in public or private life. JAMES W. THORP. The farming interests of Harp township are well represented in James W. Thorp, who has spent almost his entire life in De- Witt county, ami is numbered among its most enterprising and successful agricult- urists. He was horn in Fall River, Massa- chusetts. June <>. 1S4S. and is of English de- scent. His father. Joseph Thorp, who is now living a retired life in Wapella, was born in Lancaster'shire. England, in [826, and about 1 S47 married Miss Elizabeth Holmes, a native of the same shire and a daughter of Joseph Holmes. In 1N47 they emigrated to the new world, sailing from Liver] 1 on an American vessel, the Niag- ara, which, after a voyage of five weeks and three days, landed them in New York in July of that year. They first settled in Fall River, Massachusetts, where the father worked in a cotton mill, and after thoroughly mastering the business was made overseer of a factory at Shirley, that state. Coming west in [856, he located permanently in DeWitt county. He purchased land in Wilson township and successfully engaged in farming there for nine years, though he had had no previous experience in agricultural pursuits and did i6 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. not even know how to harness a horse. Sell- ing his farm of eighty acres at the end of that time, he bought two hundred and forty aero in I [arp b w nship, of w hich sixty acres had been broken and a small house and barn erected thereon. lie lias since purchased other property and now owns four good farms, aggregating mx hundred acres, lie continued to engage in farming and stock raising until [898, when he removed to Wa- pella and has since lived a retired life, en- joying a well earned rest. lie is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, but has declined honors along political lines. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them. James \V. Thorp was quite young when he accompanied his parents an their removal t" this county, and he is indebted to its dis- trict schools for his educational advantages. lie attended school in winter until about twenty years of age and during the summer months gave his father the benefit of his labor upon the home farm, remaining un- der the parental roof until twenty-three, lie then purchased ninety-five acres of partially improved land in Harp township and has since engaged in farming on his own ac- count with marked success, lie has erected good and substantial buildings upon his place, has set out an orchard and ornamental trees, and has made many other improve- ments, which add greatly to the value and at- tractive appearance of the farm. lie has also h. night nn ire land and now owns a quar- ter section, and besides this he operates other tracts to the amount of si\ hundred acres. < >n the 27th of September, [877, Mr. Thorp was united in marriage with Miss Mary Alice Nelson, who was horn in Sanga- mon county. Illinois, and is a daughter of Louis and Abbie (Guard) Nelson. The fa- ther was horn in Norway and was a young man when he came to this country, hut the mother was a native of Indiana. ( )f the four children horn to Mr. and Mrs. Thorp one died in infancy. The Others are Claude, now attending the Clinton high school; Nelson; and Irvin. Mr. Thorp is public spirited and pro- gressive, and does all in his power to pro- mote those enterprises which he believes will prove of public benefit. lie :s now serving as treasurer of the Prairie (enter Telephone I ompany, hut he has never cared for po- litical office. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of die Republican party, and he takes an active interest in its suc- cess. Religiousl) he is a member of the Methodist Protestant church and steward of the sanie. Mis wife is also a member of that church. — •-•-• HENRY MAGILL. Clinton has been the home ami scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that should serve as an example to those who come after them hut have also been of important service to their city and state through various avenues of usefulness. Among them must he named Henry Magill, who passed away on the 5th of February, [883, after a life of industry, and rich in those rare possessions which only a high character can give. For many years he la- in red with all the strength of a great nature and all the earnestness of a true heart for the advancement of the county of his adop- tion, and when he was called to his final rest his best monument was found in the love and respect of the community in which he lived for so many years. A native of the Green Mountain state, <4-„i(L^ THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. '9 his birth occurred in Middlebury, Vermont, in 1832, his parents being Hugh and Eliza Magill, who emigrated to America from the north of Ireland about [816. They took up their abode upon a farm in Vermont and there the following named children were born unto them: William: Samuel: Re- becca E., who married C. 11. Carpenter; Henry; Mary Ann. who was called Mollie and became the wife of Nixon Denton; and Robert. In 1S41 the parents removed with their family to Malone, New York, where the father was engaged in business as the owner of a large cotton manufactory and a eral store. In his undertaking he met with splendid success and refused an offer of eighty thousand dollars for his mill prop- erty, but there came a time when by tire he lost all and was left a poorer man than when he arrived in Malone, for though his prop- erty had been insured, the insurance com- pany swindled him out of the entire amount. In [851 he went westward to Michigan City, Indiana, where s< * n afterward he was ji lined by his family. There Hugh Magill took a contract for grading and tiling the roadbed of the Michigan Central Railroad from Michigan City to Chicago, in which venture he was joined by his sons. When the work had been successfully executed he and his s'>n William went to Bloomington, Illinois, in February, [853, and took a c ntract for the building of the Chicago & Alton Rail- road from Bloomington to Lexington, under the firm name of the Emery-Magill Com- pany, and later they built sixteen mile- of the Illinois Central Railroad from Bloom- ington to Hudson. The four soii> became partners in their father's business and ex- tended their field of operations, opening a large general store in Bloomington, which was managed by Samuel and Henry Magill. while William and Robert assisted the father in the execution of the contracts. In [854 the family removed to Clinton, bringing with them a Mock of merchandise ti-om the Bloomington store. In [855 they sold the HI nington -ton- to Mr. Emery and bought out the firm of Phares & Shorer, at Clmt' n. This \\ a- the beginning of the extensive business s,, long successfully con- ducted by the Magill Company, consisting of the brothers William. Samuel and I lenry. In the same year the firm 1 »f Magill. Denton & Company took a contract to build a portion t> ck, in addition to their operation- along mercan- tile lines. Each of the br< thers had the su- perintendence of a certain portion of the business, which he successfully managed and thus added to the general capital. William and Robert had charge of the purchase stock, while Samuel and I lenry were in con- trol 1 f the business in the city. Every dol- lar which they had and every acre of land which was purchased went into a common fund, and by keeping their capital thus united they were enabled to carry on busi- ness 1 n a large scale and with greater pros- perity. Henry Magill possessed rare tact and business judgment, and as a financial man- ager he had but few equals in this part of the state. His brother generously attrib- uted much of the success of the firm of Magill & Company to him and hi- splendid executive ability and keen discernment. For some time the brother- owned but little laud. preferring to use their capital in enterprises 20 Till- BIOGRAPHIC \L RECORD. that would bring quicker returns, but with their usual foresight they saw that it was only ;• question of time when DeWitt county farms would he very valuable. Accord- ingly, they In night new land when oppor- tunity offered, and. retaining possession ol these, they have seen some of them more than double in value. They owned several thousand acres of the finesl land in the coun- ty, all of which is under a very high state of cultivation and improved with all the modem accessories and conveniences found upon model farms, in the year 1870 Ma- gill X' Company graded the roadbed and fur- nished and placed the ties and irons for the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad from Clinton to Gilman, ami Henry Magill was largely instrumental in securing the benefits of this road f' r Clinton, lie was also ac- tive in raising the money toward securing the h cation 1 1 the machine simps here, and thus, directly and indirectly, he contributed in large measure to the substantial upbuild- ing and improvement oi the city. On the death of Robert Magill, in [874, his share of the property was withdrawn from the Ihmiic^ for the use of his widow and children and the remaining bn theis or- ganized under the name .if Magill Brothers. This lirm also had an equal interest in the hanking house of John Warner & Company. Whatever the) became interested in pn a profitable venture. Although thej came to the west in verv limited financial circum- stances, within thirty years they were wealth) men. having control of mammoth business enterprises. The secret of their pn sperity is short and simple. It resulted from indefatigable and honest effort, sup- plemented by almost unerring judgment in business transactions. They belonged i" that class of representative American citizens who. while promoting individual success. also contribute in large measure to the gen- eral prosperity and welfare, and Clinton is indebted in large measure to their efforts in her behalf. They erected here a tine three- story brick hotel, yet known as the Magill House, and they gave generously to every enterprise which would benefit the city along material, social, educational and moral lines. Although they were not memhers of "the Methodist Episcopal church, they were most liberal contributors to the fund for the erec- 11 n of the h( nise 1 >f W( 'iship. The firm ever sustained an unassailable reputation for honesty in all trade transactions, and the w 1 ird 1 ne 1 >i the hi'' tthers vv as as g< .1 mI as his bond, and that was as g 1 as gold. Rarel) have brothers worked together in such perfect harmony: the ability and enter- prise of the one seemed to round out and make symmetrical that of the others, and in close companionship they continued their labors with mutual pleasure and in', lit. Although he led an extremely bus) hie, the interest of Henry Magill centered in his home and family. All of his efforts were put forth that he might add to their a mfort and happiness. I le was married . 11 the loth ■ f February, \Xy>. to Mis> Malissa F. Bowren, a native of Winchester. Kentucky, and a daughter of Alfred Bowren. She is a most estimable lady, who to her husband was ever a faithful companii n ami In 1; mate. The graces .if true womanhood, the culture of a nature essentially refined have made her most highly esteemed by all. and in her im- mediate circle of friends she is greatly loved. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Magill were horn the following named children: llattie Eliza, widow of Charles Finney Amsden; Harry Alfred; and M. Gertrude, wife of Dr. J. IX M< ore, a dentist of Decatur, Illinois. A man of strong character and forceful individuality. Mr. Magill's life was guided THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. by high principles, his example and influence were felt by all with whom he was associ- ated. His judgment was safe and reliable, pinions were just and his sympathy sure. His was the controlling mind in the business enterprise of the firm, yet there was irit of domination in any of his rela- tions with his brothers. He had no aspira- tions for political honors or office and could rarelv be induced to take part in public af- fairs. The only position he ever filled was that of school director, and he accepted that only when he was led to see that he might do better service for the school when in the office than out of it. Every measure cal- culated for the public good received bis en- d irsement, and substantial aid was given to all practical movements for the general wel- fare. In manner he was entirely free fn in ostentation, and the character of the individ- ual was the only thing which influenced his friendship inviolable. When once his con- fidence and friendship were given they were given for always unless he found that dis- honor sundered the tie. T< i his family he was most tenderly devoted. Purchasing the old Cushman home, he enlarged and remod- eled the residence and in that the family pass 1 seventeen happy years. He then re- moved it to its present site on North Mon- r e street, and on the site where it formerly stood he erected a very handsome residence. in which bis widow still resides — one of the most beautiful homes in the entire county. The home is surrounded by spacious grounds adorned with beautiful shade trees and beautified by the arts of the landscape gardener. Here Mr. Magill spent hi- last days. For almost three years prior t" his death be had suffered fn m ill health, but change of climate and medical skill proved ineffectual. He was honored and esteemed tily for his splendid business ability hut also for his many manly virtues and genu- ine worth. "llis life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And sav to all the w < >rld, 'This was a man.' ' ISAAC 1". HOUSEMAN. One of the most prominent an influential business men of farmer City is Isaac F. Houseman, vice-president of the Old First National Bank. He was born near Monti- cello. Piatt county. Illinois. March 25, [849, and is a son of Isaac P. and Elizabeth 1 Fisher) Houseman, and grandson of Isaac F. and Elizabeth Houseman. The grand- father, who was a farmer and stock raiser by occupation, died when over eighty years of age. In his family were seven children, two sons and rive daughters, the former be- ing Joseph and Isaac F. The father of our subject was born in Xew London. Ohio, and in early life removed to Piatt count}-. Illi- nois, where, as a farmer and stock raiser. he was meeting with good success at the time of his death, which occurred October 26, 1854, when be was forty-six years of age. His home was in Goose (.'reek township, that county. His wife died 111 [860, at the age of forty-four years and five months, and the remains of both were interred in Fisher cemetery. Champaign county. They bad a family 'of nine children, namely: Abigail M.. wife of C. I.. Mi mroe; John, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Emily M.. wife of \V. P. Shaffer; Prances .1-'.. wife >>\ John Withers: William, who wedded Mary free- love: Lydia A., deceased wife of W. A. Steen; James Ward, a resident of Kansas; Isaac P. our subject: and Charles (.'.. who married Kate Wright. 22 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Being left an orphan at an early age, our subject lias made his own wav in the world unaided. He first attended the public schools, and then engaged in teaching until he had earned enough to pay his wax through the Wesleyan Institute at Bloom- ington, Illinois, His time was practically de- voted to school teaching from [868 until 1884, when he was male assistant cashier of the (»lil First National Bank at Farmer City, with which he has since been connect ed in an official capacity. This bank, which is one "t" the best -1 the county, was organized June 1. \>>~-\. with a capital stoek of fifty thousand dollars, the officers being James 11. Harrison, president; Cary Burford, vice-president ; and I.. I'«. I win. cashier; while the stockholders were s Burford, James II. Harrison, Robert ( >. Crawford, Samuel I'.. Erwin, George W. Herrick. Andrew M. Cumming, David Eel- ley. William W. Murphy, William C. Wrathbun, W. G. Cochran, R. E. Moreland, George W. Snook and William Latham. In 1NS4 Mr. Harrison resigned, and R. O. 1 rawford served a-- president two years, be ing succeeded by Jacob B. Lewis, at which time A. M. Cummings was elected vice pres- ident. On the i>t of January, [886, R. O. iwford was elected president ; T. II. Slick, vice-president; J. 11. Harrison, cashier, and I. F. Houseman, assistant cashier. The next change made in its officers was January 1. 1891, when Mr. Harrison was succeeded by ('.. \V. Chisholm as vice-president. Up t.i the expiration of the charter in iS<>4. the cashiers of the hank were L. B. Erwin, until January 1. 1S75 : William Young, the fol- lowing year: A. F. Davison, the next; and F. J. Miller from the 1st of January. [877, until the 1st of January. [886, when he was succeeded by Mr. Harrison, and in [887 he was succeeded by Mr. Houseman. The hank was reorganized as the OKI Erst National I lank of Farmer City, January 1. [894, with a capital stock of sixty-live thousand dollars, the officers being R. ( ). Crawford, president; Jacob Swigart, vice-president; and I. F. Houseman, cashier, and D. L. Fuller, as- sistant cashier. On the death of Mr. Craw- ford, in August of that year, he was suc- ceeded by Mr. Swigart, and our subject was elected vice president and D. L. Fuller, cash- ier. The stockholders of the new organiza- tion are 1. F. Houseman. II. II. Gilmore, R. ( >. Crawford, Morton Kent. Gus Levy, M. T. Mace. Jacob Swigart, F. IV Sangster, ^ James Jacks,,u. John McDonald, r has taken a more active part in its upbuilding and development. A native of the Green Mountain state. Mr. Magill was- born in Middleburv. Ver- mont, September 8, 1823, and was a son of Hugh and Eliza Magill. who emigrated to America from Ireland about 1816. Our sub- ject was the eldest of their six children, the others being Samuel; Rel>ecca F., wife of C. H. Carpenter: Henry: Mary Ann, wife of Nixon Denton: and Robert. The family lived on a farm in Vermont until 1841. when they removed to Malone, New York, where the father carried on a large cotton manu- factory and a general store. There he met with excellent success in business until his property was all destroyed by tire, and as the insurance company swindled him out of his insurance, he lost everything. In 1851 he went to Michigan City, Indiana, and took a contract for grading and tiling the roadbed of the Michigan Central Railroad from that place to Chicago, in which venture he was joined by his son-. Being the oldest -on. Wiliam Magill sought employment im- mediately after his father's property in New York was burned, and he early developed ex- ceptional business and executive ability. When the work on the Michigan Central Railmad was completed he and his father went to Bloomington, Illinois, in February, [853, and took a contract for building the Chicago & Alton Railroad from that place to Lexington, under the linn name of Fm- erv-Magill Company, and later they built -ixteen miles of the Illinois Central Rail- road from Bloomington to Hudson. The four sons became partners in their father's business and extended their field of opera- tions, opening a large general store in Bloomington, which was managed by Sam- uel and Henry, while William and Robert as-isted the father in the execution of the contracts. After spending six years in Blooming- ton, William Magill came to Clinton, where the brothers opened a store, but subsequent- ly sold 1 mt to Mr. Emery and purchased the stock of Phares & Shorer. This store they conducted under the firm name of Magill Company, consisting of the brothers. Will- iam. Samuel and Henry. In 1855 the firm of Magill. Denton & Company took a con- tract to build a portion of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, and in 1S5S the firm of Mason. Magill. Denton & Company built a large part of the Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad. In the latter year the firm of Ma- gill & Company began dealing in stock, and having a special liking for that branch of the business. William Magill gave his at- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. tention throughout the remainder of his life to farming and stuck buying, in which he was assisted by his brother Robert, while Samuel and Henry had control of the busi- ness in the city. Every dollar which they had and every acre of land which was pur- chased went into a common \\u\A, and by keeping their capital thus united they were enabled to carry on business on a large scale and with greater prosperity. Foreseeing the n^e in value of DeWitt county property, they bought land quite extensively, and owned several thousand acres of the finest land in the county, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and improved with all the modern accessories and conveniences found upon model farms. The brothers were also interested in the banking house of John Warner & Company, at Clinton, and met with remarkable success in all their under- takings. < 'u coming to the west thej w in limited circumstances, hut within thirty s were wealthy men and their prosperity a just reward fur their cli Se appli cation to business, and well-directed, em effi irts. Mr. Magill was united in marriage with Miss Mary Sims, a daughter <>t Simon and Christianna (Lambert) Sims. Her father was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and a son of James and Margaret i Wilson) Sims, the former i if whom died at the age of sixty- four years, the latter at th< I sixty. Simon Sims was manager of mines in Scot- land, hut on coming to America he settled in Franklin county. New York, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He died when over sixty years of age, hut his wife, who was of German descent, died young. Their children were Isabel, Margaret, Jane, lames. Christiana, Jennette and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Magill were married in Malone, New York, and became the parents of the following children: ( 1 ) Eliza died at the age of twenty-three years. (2) Christiana is the wife of James Belknap, of Manchester. Iowa, and they have three sons: Frank, William and Bernard. (3) Henry died in infancy. (4) William, a farmer oi Man- chester. Iowa, married Lou Kates and has one daughter, Mary. (5) Mary Isabel is the wife of Frank Phares, of Clinton, and the) have two children. Hugh and Day. (6) Hugh, a resident of Clinton, married Anna Carroll and they have four children : Hugh Goodbreak, Carroll, Norme and Hon. (7) Callie is the wife of J. J. Pentley, of Man- chester. Iowa, and they have five children. Madge, Mazie, tiara. Joseph and Beatrice. Mr. Magill owned a beautiful home one mile east of Clinton, where he died Septem- ber 19, 1883, but his wife has since removed to ( 'lint on. where in [899 she erected a hand- some modern residence. She still owns con- siderable property, and in the management of her affairs has displayed excellent judg- ment and good business ability. Mr. Magill never aspired to office, 1ml was a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party, and ever cheerfull) gave his support to those enter prises that tend to public development. His name was a synonym for honorable business dealing ; he was always mentioned as one ol the invaluable citizens of the county, and among her leading and representative men his name should he among the foremost. JAMES P. STR VNGE. One of Waynesville's most honored and highly respected citizens is James I'. Strange, who has now laid aside all husiness cares and is living a retired life. He was horn in this county on the 1 8th of June, Till-. I'.K (GRAPHICAL RED IRD. -^5 [840, and is a worthy representative of a prominent pioneer family. His father, John S. Strange, was born near Louisville, Ken- tucky, where his ancestors located at an early ■> and built a large modern residence — one of the best in the town, lie was one of the tir-t st, ,ckh' ilders and is now a director of the Waynesville Bank, one of the substantial moneyed institutions of the county, which was organized in [892 and has a capital stock of twenty five thousand dollars. Mr. Strange was united in marriage I >< cember 3, [863, with Miss Nancj Smoot, who was born and reared in this state, and was a daughter of Henry Smoot. a native of Virginia, and a pioneer of DeWitt county. She died in tSj_>, leaving one son, Arthur, at home with his father, lie was for eleven years in the railway mail service of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. Mr. Strange was again married in this county. September [9, [878, hi- second union being with Miss Mary Booth, who grew to womanhood in Illinois, and is a daughter of John Booth, one of the early settler- of DeWitt county. Politically Mr. Strange supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and has taken quite an active ami influential part in local politics. He was elected and served as township collector three year-; supervisor one year ; assessor ten consecutive year- : and commissioner of highways thirteen years. 1 >n coming to Waynesville he was oppointed postmaster under President Cleveland, and acceptably filled that office for four years. He has also been a member of the vill board six years and president of the -ante one term, and while living mi the farm served twenty-four year- as school director, and al-o as clerk and president of the district a part of the time. He has held some office continually since [871, and his public duties have always been most faithfully and satis- factorily performed. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Christian church, and socially he belongs to Prairie State Lodge, No. 104. I. ( ). ( ). ]•'.. in which he has rilled all the chairs and is past grand and past district deputy. He has also represent- ed his lodge in the grand lodge three or four 26 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. times, and is a prominent member of Wayne Lodge, No. 172. F. & A. M., in which he is now serving as secretary, while both he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star and Re- bekah lodges. They are well known through- out this section of the county, and it is safe in say thai no couple in the community have im ire friends. HON. JOHN WARNER. There may be found in almost all Ameri- can communities quiet, retiring men, who never ask public office or appear prominent in public affairs, yet who, nevertheless, exert a widel) fell influence in the community in which they live and help to construct the proper foundation upon which the social and political world is built. Such a man is the I Inn. John Warner, of Clinton, who for more than a half century ha-- resided in De- Witt county. He lias been an important factor in business circles and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags, lie is public spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of Clinton, and with its growth has been iden- tified from the time when he came to the county and found Clinton a little village of less than one hundred inhabitants, lie is now the president of the John Warner Hank, hut this represents only one branch of his various actn ities. Mr. Warner was horn in Rockingham county. Virginia, July 24. [819, a son of David and Catherine (Kettner) Warner. The Warner family is of German lineage and was founded in Pennsylvania at an early period in the development of that state. The father of our subject was a native of the Keystone state, and throughout his en- tire life he followed farming. Removing to the Old Dominion, he there married Cath- erine Kettner, whose birth occurred in the same house in which her son John was horn. When the latter was fifteen years of age the parents removed with the family to Henry county. Indiana, where the father purchased a farm, which he continued to cultivate for a long period. lie died at the age of sev- enty years, his wife having passed away a few years previously. They were the par- ents of seven children, of whom John was the third in order of birth, and the only one who ever came to DeWitt countv. John Warner spenl the first fifteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and then became a resident of Indiana. I lis ed- ucational privileges were those afforded by the common schools, hut instruction was given him in both English and German. At the age of eighteen he entered upon his busi- ness career as a clerk in the dry goods store of Conner, Stephenson i\- Company, at Alex- andria. Indiana. In 1839, after Struggling for three years through the hard times which followed the financial panic of 1837, the linn was compelled to discontinue business and Mr. Warner was thus left without em- ployment. Me then began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Car- mine, at Anderson, Indiana, who directed his reading for about eighteen months, at the end of which time the Doctor departed this life. Mr. Warner then continued his studies at leisure months while engaged in teaching school, the winter season being de- ited to that profession. In November, 1X40, Mr. Warner was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Ann Gardner, a daughter of Thomas Gardner, a farmer of Middle-town. Indiana, and in the Spring of the following year they removed THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. t" DeWitt county, Illinois. Unto them were born four children, namely: Ves pasian, who is now congressman from the thirteenth district of Illinois: Mrs. Flora Mace, a resident of New York City; Mrs. Minnie Mettler. of Chicago; and Arabella, at home. After practicing in the count) a year Dr. Warner took up his abode in the village of Clinton — a mere hamlet, where the work of progress and upbuilding had hardly been begun. Here he engaged in the prac- tice of medicine for twelve years, on the ex- piration of which period he abandoned his profession. This was in the year 1S52. In 1848 he had been elected clerk of the cir- cuit court, and had discharged his duties in a prompt and commendable manner. On ceasing to practice medicine he engaged in dealing in real estate and in conducting a mercantile business until 1861. Then in [867, in company with Henry Magill. J. R. Warner and Lawrence VVeldon, he embarked in the banking business in Clinton, under the firm name of John Warner & Company. Operations have since been carried on under this name, although Mr. Warner is now the only surviving member of the original firm. The institution of which he is the president has weathered many financial panics, stand- ing strong before the storm, the confidence and support <( ).\. Prominent among the prosperous and substantial citizens of Harnett township is Joseph 'I'. Maddox, who owns and operates 30 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. a valuable farm of four hundred acres on section 19. He is one of the most success- ful stock dealers in the county, and has found that branch of his business quite profitable. A native of Illinois, he was born in Logan county, on the 15th of January. 1X4S, and is a son of Thomas M. Maddox, who is rep- resented on another page of this volume. Our subject was reared on the old home- stead farm in DeWitt count)', and acquired his education in the local schools. lie re- mained with his father until aboul thirty years of age and obtained a good practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits. Mr. Maddox was married in Logan county, October [6, [878, tO.Miss Mary C. Curry, who was horn in Gibson county. In- diana, hut was reared and educated in Logan couut\. Illinois. Her father, W. ( '. Curry, is now .1 resident of Beason. The children born to our subject and his wife are Elmer, who is now assisting his father in the opera- of the hi ime farm ; Estella Maud and Dora Elizabeth, both at home; and one son, \\ ho dud in infancy. After his marriage Mr. Maddox located on the farm where lie now resides, having pi cv ii >usly purchased twi 1 hundred acres, and to that amount he has since added until he now has four hundred acres of well im- proved and valuable land. His large and pleasant residence is surrounded by a good set "f outbuildings, and everything about the place indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner. He has two Other farms, one in Atlanta and the other in Waynesville townships, aggregating two hundred and seventy acres, and is a stockholder in the State Bank of Clinton. Throughout his business career he lias been interested in live- stock, ami feeds many head of cattle and hogs for market annually. He also breeds Percheron draft horse- and standard bred roadsters, and as a breeder has an enviable reputation throughout this section ol the state. Starting out in life for himself with no capital, his record is one well worthy of emulation and contains many valuable les- sens of incentive, showing the possibilities that are open to young men who wish to improve every opportunity for advancement, lie is a man of good business ability and sound judgment, and to his own well-direct- ed efforts is due his success in life. Since attaining his majority Mr. Mad- dox has always supported the Democratic party and its principles, and has taken quite an active part in local politics. He served as county supervisor from Barnett township for nine consecutive years, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his JtituentS, was chairman of the finance committee and a member of various other committees. He has ;iK. ■ 1 ecu a delegate to the countv and congressional conventions of his partv, and has exerted considerable influence in public affairs. Fraternally he is a member of Wayne Lodge, X". [72, I'. & A. M SAMUEL A. EDWARDS. Samuel A. Edwards, proprietor and pub- lisher of the Kenney Gazette, is a native of Whiteside county, Indiana, and was born on November _'_'. [868, and lived in his native place until lie was seven years of age. He is a son of Samuel and I.avina (Norris) Ed- wards, both of whom were natives of Ohio, and the father was a farmer all his life. He came to Illinois at an early date and rented land in Woodford county, where he engaged in farming for some years. Then he moved to White count), Indiana, where lie fanned until his death, which took place on Novem- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 3i her 25, 1875. His wife died in 1872 and she was buried at the home place in Indi- ana. She was the mother of nine children, only three of whom are living, two boys and one girl. After the death of his father our sub- ject was bound out to a farmer of Wood- ford county, near Roanoke, and here he re- mained for about five years. This man would not send our subject to school and the young hoy had such a desire for learning that he resolved to start out in life for him- self and be free to do as he wished with re- gard to attending school. With this idea in view he came to W'apella. where his eldest sister resided, and worked out by the month, attending school in the winter at Elm Grove school in Barnett township. It is wonder- ful how much education can he obtained un- der difficulties, for this young fellow with so few advantages studied so hard whenever he could that by the time he was seventeen he had secured a certificate to teach. Xever was anyone so proud of a medal conferred upon him as was our subject when he ob- tained permission to impart the information he had worked so hard for. to others. In the spring of 1885 he commenced to teach ami continued in this line until 1890. and by that time, although still so young, he was principal of the schools of DeWitt, Illinois. In 1890, [891, [892 and 1893 he was prin- cipal of the schools at Kenney. During all these years his active mind was constantly assimilating information, and in addition to his various duties he read law with the well- known firm of Munson & Mitchell, of Clin- ton, ami after two years of hard study he graduated from the Dixon Normal School in 1895 and received honors in literature and other lines. He also served as superintend- ent of the Mt. Pulaski city schools during 1895-6, hut was compelled to abandon teach- ing on account of ill health. Few people could have stood the strain this ambitious young man put upon himself, teaching all day and spending the greater part of the night gather together more information. Feeling the necessity of taking better care of himself he embarked in newspaper work, which his extensive studies had admirably fitted him for. and in March, 1897, he found- ed the Gazette and has continued it ever since, building up an excellent circulation and making it a popular paper with all class,.-, anil the organ of his party in that lo- cality. Mr. Edwards is an easy, fluent writer. His knowledge of current events is almost unbounded and his command of language such as to make his editorials play a promi- nent part in the management and de- velopment of local affairs. In addi- tion to being a fluent writer. Mr. Edwards is a good business manager and exhibits his executive ability in the conduct of the affairs of the Gazette, while his staff is particularly g 1. In politics he is a Democrat and is recognized as one of the party leaders. Since locating in Kenney he has served as town clerk to the entire sat- isfaction of not only his constituents, but also the city in general. I low ever, his many duties and his ever-absorbing love of read- ing and study keep bint from giving as much of his time and attention to public mat- ters as his patriotic spirit would lead him to. Socially he is an active member of the Or- der of Odd Fellows, Kenney Lodge. No Z57. On November 23, [898, Mr. Edwards was married at Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, to Miss Mayme Lynn, a native "i" Illinois and the charming and accomplished daughter of John \\ . Lynn, who is a prominent retired farmer now residing at Mt. Pulaski, Illinois. Mr. Lynn was one of the early settlers of 32 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Sangamon county, Illinois, but recently moved to Mi. Pulaski, whore he is surround- ed by the comforts of life his own industry has provided for him, and he enjoys the re- spect and esteem of a wide circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are very pleasant and intellectual young people, whom it is de- lightful to meet. Their friend- are num- bered 1>\ legions, and they are leader- in the social life of Kenney. Possessing in marked degree as they do the requisites of true hos- pitality, their home is often a |.le:i-ant gathering place for friend-, and no social event is complete without their presei SAMUEL .MM. 11.1. Samuel Magill, deceased, did as much to promote the commercial activity, advance the general welfare and secure the material development of Clinton as probably any other individual. As a business man he was enterprising, energetic and always abreast of the times, and was rewarded by an ample fortune. Mr. Magill wa- horn in Middlehury. Vermont, on the 14th of July. 1826, and was a -on of Hugh and Eliza Magill, who emigrated to America from the north of Ireland about [816 and settled on a farm in the Green Mountain -tale. Their chil- dren were William; Samuel: Rebecca E., wife of C. II. Carpenter; Henry: Mary Ann. wife of Nixon Denton; and Robert. In [84] the parent- removed with their family to Malone, New York, where the father was engaged in business as the owner of a large cotton manufactory and a general store. In his undertakings he met with splendid success and refused an offer of eighty thousand dollar- for his mill proper- ty, hut there came a time when by tire he lost all. and was left a poorer man than when he arrived in Malone. for though his property had been insured thei nsurance company swindled him out of the entire amount. In [851 he went westward to Michigan City. Indiana, where -0011 after- ward he was joined by his family. There Hugh Magill took a contract for grading and tiling the roadbed of the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad from Michigan City to Chi- o, m which venture he wa- joined by his -on-. When the work had been succ< fully executed he and hi- son William went to Bloomington, Illinois, in February, 1853, and took a contract for building the Chi- ■ & Alton Railroad from Bloomington to Lexington, under the linn name of the Emery-Magill Company, and later they built sixteen mile- of the Illinois Central Railroad from Bloomington to Hudson. The four sons became partners in their fa- ther'- business and extended their field of operations, opening a large general store in Bloomington, which wa- managed by Sam- uel and Henry Magill, while William and Robert assisted the father in the execution of the contrai t-. In [854 the family removed to Clinton. bringing with them a stock of merchandise from the Bloomington -tore. In 1855 they sold the Bloomington -tore to Mr. Emery and bought out the firm of I 'hare- & Shorer at Clinton. This was the beginning of the extensive business so long successfully con- ducted by the Magill Company, consisting of the brothers, William. Samuel and Hen- ry. In the same year the firm of Magill, Denton & Company took a contract to build a portion of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad. In iN;S the firm of Mason, Ma- gill, I teuton & Company built a large part the Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad.. SAMUEL MAGILL. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 35 The same year the firm of Magill & Com- pany began business as dealers in stock, in addition t" their operations along mercan tile lines. Bach of the brothers had the superintendence of a certain portion of the business, which he successfully managed and thus added to the general capital. William and Robert had charge of the pur- chase of st,,ek. while Samuel and Henry were in control of the business in the city. Every dollar which they had and every acre of land which was purchased went into a common fund, and by keeping their capital thus united they were enabled to carry on business on a large scale and with greater prosperity. I'Cr some time the brothers owned but little land, preferring to use their capital in enterprises that would bring quicker re- turns, hut with their usual foresight they saw that it was only a question of time when DeWitt county farms would he very valu- able. Accordingly they bought new land when opportunity offered and retaining pos- session of these they saw some of them more than double in value. They owned several thousand acres of the finest land in the county, all of which is under a very high state of cultivation and improved with all the modern accessories and conveniences found upon a model farm. In the year [870 Magill & Company graded the roadbed, and furnished and placed the ties and irons for the Gilman, Clinton & SpVingfield Railroad, from Clinton to Gilman. On the death of Robert Magill, in 1*74. his share of the property was withdrawn from the business for the use of his widow and children, ami the remaining brothers organized under the name of Magill Brothers. This linn also bad an equal interest in the banking house of John Warner & Company. Whatever they became interested in became a profit- able venture. Although they came to the west in very limited financial circumstam within thirty years they were wealthy men. having control of mammoth business inter- prises. The secrel of their prosperity is short and simple. It resulted from inde- fatigable and honest effort, supplemented by almost unerring judgment in business tran- sactions. They belonged to that class of representative American citizens, who. while promoting individual success, also contrib- ute in large measure to the general pros- perty and welfare, and Clinton is indebted in a large measure to their efforts in her be- half. They erected here a line three-story brick hotel, yet known as the Magill House, and they gave generously to every enter- prise which would benefit the city along material, social, educational and moral lines. Although they were not members of the \Uthodist Episcopal church they were most liberal contributors to the fund for the erec- tion of the house .if worship. While dur- ing their entire residence in Clinton, all the brothers attended and gave most liberally toward the erection and support of the Presbyterian church, of which their wives were active members. In April, [854, Samuel Magill was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor M. Seeley, a daughter of Nathan and Betsey (Irwin) Seeley, of Franklin county. Xew York. During his active business life her father followed farming, and after his re- tirement came to Clinton. While on a visit to our subject he died at the age of seventy- five years. His wife was eighty-eight \ears of age at the time of her death, and the re- mains of both were interred in Woodlawn cemetery. Clinton. Two children were horn to Mr. and Mrs. Magill, but Alfred 11.. who was a clerk in the Warner Rank, died at the age of twenty-seven years, and the daughter 36 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. died in infancy. After the death of her mother. Nellie H. Magill, a daughter of Rob- ert, came to live with our subject, and still makes her heme with Mrs. Magill, to whom she has been more than a daughter. In 1855 Mr. Magill boughl the Magraw property at 203 West Main street, on which was a small frame house. This he moved away in [862 and erected in its place the large and handsome resilience which his widow now occupies. For many years he was an active member of the blue lodge, chapter, council and commander) of the Masonic fraternity, and served as treasurer (if the lodge for some years. IK- was alder- man of the city fur a time, hut never cared for political honors, though he always .u.ivc his support t" all enterprises which he he lieved calculated to prove of public benefit. When with his brothers he began hnsiness in Clinton, there was not a sidewalk in the place, but he lived t" s^e it become a flour- ishing town and In .re a very active part 111 its development, lie was 11.4 only a man nf marked hnsiness ability, but was exceed- ingl) charitable and benevolent, and his pleasant, genial manner made for him many friends, wh. 1 esteemed him highly for his sterling worth. II is death occurred mi the 1 2th of November, 1883. His estimable wife still survives him. and is loved and es teemed by all who know her. D.W'ID BELL. David Bell, whose home is on section 28, Creek township, is one of the oldest and best-km »wn citizens 1 if that 1< icality. I le w as born on the 30th of November, 1829, in Wayne county, < >hio, and is a son of William L. and Nancy Ann ( McCelvy) Bell, both of whom were natives of Ireland, where their marriage was celebrated. By trade the fa- ther was a weaver, and he followed that occupation until his emigration to America in [821. lie first located in Wayne county, ( >hio, and later removed to Ashland county, that state, where he spent the remainder of his life upon a farm, his time and attention being devoted to agricultural pursuits. His wife died in 1865 at the age of sixt) one years, while he long survived her. passing away in iSSj, at the age of eighty-three years and si\ months, the remains of both being interred at Haysville, Ohio. They were the parents of nine children, of whom three died in infancy. The others were Samuel, now deceased; John, a resilient of Ashland county, Ohio; David, our subject Mary, wife of George McClure, of Hays- ville, Ohio; Joseph, deceased; and Eli, de- ceased, who was a member of Compan) E, One Hundred ami Twentieth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and took part in many en- gagements, including the battle of Gettys burg. Our subject began his education in the county of his nativity, and after the removal of the fannlv to Ashland county. Ohio, he attended school there during the winter months until eighteen years of age, the sum- mer s t -a^, ,n being devoted to work on the hoine farm. lie remained under the pa- rental roof until twenty-two. when his fa- ther purchased some timber land, which he divided among his two oldest boys, David's share being eighty acres, of which only three acres had been cleared, lie at once turned his attention to the improvement of his place, first felling the trees and then breaking the land, i'esides this tract of timber land, his entire possessions at that time consisted of a horse, bridle and saddle. After working eighteen months. Mr. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 37 Bell was married, June 14. 1853, to Miss Rebecca Messer, who was born in West- moreland county Pennsylvania, of which Mate her parent-. William and Hannah (McQure) Messer, were also natives, hut the fanner was of German and the latter of Irish descent. In 1833 the family removed to Ohio, Mrs. Bell being at that time only two years old. The journey was made in a wagon drawn by tour horses. Mr. Messer located in Richland county. Ohio, and pur- chased eighty acres of timber land, which he commenced to clear and cultivate, hut he later sold that place and bought another farm in the same county, though in a different township. Disposing of his property in Ohio, in [857, he came to Illinois and lo- cated on the farm adjoining our subject on the east. To the development and improve- ment of that place he devoted the remainder of his life, and erected the tine, large resi- dence now occupied by its present owner. Mr. Bennett. He died in [892, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years ami ten days, and his first wife. Mr-. Hell's mother, de- parted this life in November. l86r, at the of sixty-five, the remains of both being interred in the Texas town-hip cemetery. Unto them were horn two children, of whom Mrs. Bell is the older. George enlisted in [862 in Company F. < me Hundred and Sev- enth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private. hut was later promoted to first lieutenant. He died in a hospital during his service and was buried in the soldiers' cemetery at Knoxville, Tennessee. For his second wife Mr. Messer married Mr-. Catherine I '.rod- wick, by whom he had one chili!. Hannah Catherine. Mrs. Bell was born February 11, [831. By her marriage to qur -ubject -he ha- become the mother of the following children, namely: 1 1 ) William M.. a resi- dent of Lane Station, married Laura Daven- port and they have nine children : < iertrude, David T.. Frederick M.. Harry A., Anna J., Bessie, Telia II.. Glora and one unnamed. 1 j 1 David E., who is now carrying on the home farm, wedded Mary E. Reed ami they have eight children. Myrtle E., Matilda R., Franklin E., Mary F... Ellis R., David M. and ( >rlando. (3) 1 Iannah A. is the wife of Robert Seller-, of Iowa, and they have four children. David 1... Herbert J.. Ruby R. ami one unnamed. 1 4 i James \\ '.. a resident of St. Louis, married Tela Caddis, and they have four children. Ilattie '/... Eva I... Re- becca M. and Horace \Y. (5) Ilattie R. is the wife of Richard A. Stone, of Shelby county. Illinois, and they have six children. Luther. Walter. Diamond R., Minia, Wayne and I lattie I'. The maternal grandfather of Mr-. Bell was George McQure, a native of Ireland, who came to America when sixteen years of age and located in Kentucky during the day- of Boone. His wife. Sarah Finley, was the daughter of a Scotchman, who settled in Pennsylvania at an early day. Mr-. Hell's grandmother <>n her father'- side was Re- becca Robert-, of Scotch-Irish descent. On both -ide- the families were strict Christian people, the Robert- family being of the Quaker faith. In neither family was there ever a case of insanity or suicide. While principally farmer-, there were many min- isters, physicians and merchant- among the male members of it. The Finley- were Cov- enanters and the Met lure-. Presbyterians. The Messers were of German origin, but the grandfather of Mr.-. Bell, John Messer, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he lived and died. At the time of his marriage Mr. Bell had no home to which he could take hi- bride, but rented a log cabin near his farm, in which they lived until a small frame house could be 33 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. erected. It is still standing and was his home for five years while clearing and cultivating his farm, during which time he suffered many hardships and privations, tn 1857, in com- pany with his father-in- law he came to I >c Wilt county, Illinois, and being well pleased with the country purchased eight) acres of wild prairie land on section 28, Creek town- ship, "ii winch he raised a small crop the first year. In the fall after harvest, he returned to ( )hio, where he had left his w ife. w ho had seen to the planting and harvesting of a crop propert) there and brought In- fam- ily to their new home in DeWitt county, Illi- nois. The first year the) lived in a small log house which Mr. Bell rented while he built upon his farm a dwelling sixteen feet square with a pantry additional. When he purchased the land there was not a stiek oi timber upon the place nor an acre under cul tivation. Me set out many trees, which IIOW throw a grateful shade about the home and add much to the beauty of the place. Me now has a nice large residence, the front ing thirty by eighteen feet in dimensions and two stories in height, while the rear is forty b) sixteen feet, including the original struct- ure. Mere he and his wife are now spend- ing their declining years in ease and quiet, enjoying a well-earned rest. have a nice farm of one hundred and sixty acres under a high state of cultivation with up-to- date improvements. Since the organization of the Republican party Mr. Bell has been one of its stanch supporters, and he has efficiently tilled the 1 iffices 1 if n iad commissioner. t> i\\ nship tr< urer ami school director. Both he and his wife are active and faithful members oi the United Brethren church, of which he is now a trustee, and he has also served as steward. class leader and Sunday-school superintend- ent. They contributed to the erection of the church near their home. Center Chapel church, and have aided in building three school houses. They stand high in the com- munity where they have so long resided, and those who know them best are numbered among their warmest friends. JACOB B. HALDEMAN. Moii. .red and respected by all. there was no Hue in Clinton who pecupied a more en- viable position in business and financial cir- cles than Jacob B. Haldeman, not alone on account of the brilliant success he achieved, hut also 1. 11 account of the honorable, straightforward business policy he ever fol- lowed. ■ Me was horn in Hogestown, Cum- berland county, Pennsylvania, on the Kith of January. [826, and was a son of Jacob S. and \1111 1 Brandt) Haldeman, who were natives of Lancaster county, that state. After residing in Cumberland county for many years, the parents came to Illinois in [856, and spent their last days in I'.cnicnt. Piatt county. The father was a miller by occupation and came west for the purpose of following that vocation. < >n his arrival here he was not pleased with the country, hut our subject urged him to remain, being convinced that central Illinois would one day become the garden sp, >t of the world. Mis children were Jacob, l.ucetta. William, Fannie and 1 h trace. In the county of his nativity Jacob I'.. Haldeman was reared and educated, and with his father he learned the milling busi- ness. On first coming to Illinois, in [850, he followed his chosen occupation in Spring- field for a short time, and in Winchester JACOB B. HALDEMAN. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 4i for about two years. He then came to Clin- ton, where, in company with S. R. Powell, he erected a mill near where the depot is now located, but after conducting the same for about two years Mr. Powell sold liis interest to T. C Berger, who was subse- quently succeeded by William Haynie. Under the firm name of Haldeman & Hay- nie they carried on business for sixteen years, or until [874, when Mr. Haldeman purchased his partner's interest, and his son Charles was connected with him for two years. From 1876 until [883 he was alone in business, and then sold out to his former partner, William Haynie, spending the re- mainder of his life in ease and quiet. On Starting out in life for himself he received from his father a trunk, which lie always kept, and seventy-five dollars in money. Although his capital was small he was en- ergetic, enterprising and progressive, and possessed the firm determination to succeed. In business affairs he steadily prospered through his own well-directed efforts, and became one of the wealthiest men of Clin- ton. His accumulation he invested in real estate, which became very valuable as time passed, and he became the owner of twelve hundred acres of tine farming land in De- Witt and ether counties. After retiring from the milling business, he devoted his attention t" looking after his farming and landed interests. In the heart of Clinton he owned a beautiful residence, surrounded by spacious grounds, which was formerly the Gideon home. About 1870 he erected a handsome house in the center of the grounds, facing both East Main and East Washington streets, and the garden he con- verted into an elegant lawn. In [854 Mr. Haldeman was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Onstott, of Waynesville, this county, who died in [870. Of the three children horn of this union both Harry and Mary died in infancy. Charles, the eldest, is now extensively en- gaged in the st,,ck business in Colony, Kan- sas. For his second wife Mr. Haldeman married Miss Mara Shurtleff, a daughter of Rex. \sa Shurtleff, a Methodist Episcopal minister of Troy, Xew York. No children were born of this marriage, hut they had an adopted daughter. Mrs. Gertrude Kelsey. \ficr a long, busy and useful life Mr. Haldeman passed away March 3, [901. 'Hie Republican party always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, hut he never took a very active part in political affairs. ],, [885 he was elected alderman, and was twice re-elected to that office, though he cared nothing for political hon- ors, preferring n> give his undivided atten- tion to his business interests. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and in early life was connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. It is hut just and merited praise to say of Mr. Halde- man. that as a business man he ranked among the ablest; as a citizen he was hon- orable, prompt and true to every engage- ment: as a man he held the honor and es- teem of all classes of people, of all creeds and political proclivities; and as a husband and father he was a model worthy of imita- tion: unassuming in manner, sincere in friendship ami steadfast and unswerving in his loyalty to the right. His wife, who still survives him. is an earnest a|nd faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, and gives liberally of her time and means t, , its support. She is (me of those aristocratic. dignified ladies who are highly esteemed by all who know them and have main warm friends. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. HENRY BELL, Deceased. Among the men whose lives have lefl an impress upon the present civilization and upon the development of the great Mate of Illinois. Henry Bell, of Clinton, Illinois, now deceased, stands prominent in the memory oi his grateful fellow townsmen. He was born in Pickawa) county, Ohio, on August -"5. [8l2, and a son of John and Sarah 1 Will- iams) Bell. Lawrence Bell, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia, where he was Imrn in 1743. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and the traditional familv history says that during the progress of the war he went home on a furlough anil being unable to return, his son James went back and served in his place until the el. ise i if the war. I le was selected by < ieneral Wash- ington as an aide and was present when » 1 nwallis surrendered. John Bell, the lather of Henry, was also a native of Virginia, and he served as a pri- vate in the war of I S 1 _• . The latter pari of his life wes spent in Clinton, Illinois, where he died in 1861, aged about seventy-seven years. 1 1 i- wife survived him until 1869, when she passed away, aged about eighty years. All of their ten children are now ceased and of diem Henry was die third in order of birth. The remains of both these aged people are interred in the cemetery south of Clinton. Henry Bell was educated in Ohio, and became a farmer, lie purchased a farm in Hancock county, that state, hut latter re- moved to DeWitt county. Illinois, in 1853, and settled in Clinton. Here he entered into partnership with Henry Taylor, under the linn name of Tax lor & Bell, dealers in dry goods, groceries, etc. This linn continued until February. 1S5K. when the store and contents were destroyed by fire. During this time -Mr. Bell had purchased land in Wilson township, where he moved in the early sixties. He continued to reside there until [892, when he removed to Clinton, and here he passed away in April. [893. In 1859 he invented a new and improved Seeding machine, the patent papers of which are to-daj in the possession of the family. Mr. Bell was no exception to the an- cestors of his family for when the Civil war broke out lie did all he could to induce them to let him enlist, hut at that time he was in poor health, and he had to remain at home. hut he showed his love for his mother coun try h\ doing all that was possible to assist in raising troops and caring for the ones that had to he lefl at home unprovided for. \t his death he left one hundred and •sixty acres of tine land in section 32, Wilson township, which is now owned by his chil- dren, and the) rent it. In Wilson township there was formerly a small school house which was called after Mr. Hell, and in it 1 vices were held by the .Methodist denomina- tion, of which Mr. I '.ell was an earnest mem- ber. From the first he took a very active part in religious work and exerted himself to have a church erected. His labors wen -m- -ful and to-day upon the site of the primi- tive building stands a beautiful church, ap- propriately named. Bell Chapel. In 1834 Mr. Bell was united in man ii with Miss Rebecca Ewing, a native of Mary- land, ami a daughter of William and Mary Ewing. William Ewing was a native of Ireland, and his wife was born in Maryland where they were married. They had ten children and of them Mrs. Hell was the eighth in order of birth. To Mr. and Mis. Bell were horn four girls: Mary A. married Phillip Wolf, and they live in Clin- ton. Sarah C. married Thomas Dickey, who I 111-: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 43 died in 1SS0. ami lies buried at Farmer City. She resides in Clinton. Martha J. lives with Mrs. Dickey in Clinton. Alma E. mar- ried George Geer. and they also reside in Glint" in. Mrs. Bell died in [891, at the age "i* eighty years and lies in Wbodlawn cemetery by the side of her husband. In politics Mr. Bell was a strong sup porter of the Republican parly and in [856 was a member of the first board of trustees of the city of Clinton, lie also served as collector in his township and always took an active and prominent part in public affairs, and he discharged his duties in such positions with sterling uprightness of purpose, win- ning for himself many steadfast friends who still mourn his loss. He was made a Mason in Findlay, < )hio, in 1S5 1 . ROBERT MAGILL. Holding a prominent place among the successful business men of Clinton in early days was Robert Magill. a member of the well-known firm of Magill Brothers, whose name i- inseparably connected with the de- velopment and prosperity of the city. He was born in Middlebury. Vermont, in lS,^.^. and was a son of Hugh ami Eliza Magill, who were natives of Ireland and came to the United State- about 1 Sid. They were the parents of six children, namely: William; Samuel; Rebecca H.. wife of ( '. II. Car- penter; Henry; Mary Ann. wife of Nixon Denton: and Robert, all of whom were born in Vermont. On leaving that state, in 1841, the family removed to Malone, New York, where the father owned and operated a large woolen mill, and also conducted a general Store, but his property was afterward burned and he lost almost everything. His s, ,ns had been connected with the establishment. In the hope of retrieving his fortune. Hugh Ma- gill came west in 1S51. and was soon after- ward joined by his family. Locating in Michigan City. Indiana, he took a contract for grading the roadbed of the Michigan 1 aural Railn 'ail fr< mi that place to < Ihicagi ■. and in that undertaking was joined by his. s. nis. For a number of years they were en- gaged in railroad contracting, and after the removal of the family to Bloomington, Illi- nois, in 1853, they opened a large general store at that place, which was carried on by Samuel and Henry, while William and Rob- ert assisted the father in the execution of the contracts. The family came to Clinton in [854 and opened a store at this place, which they sold the following year and then bought out the firm of Phares & Shorer. The) also began dealing in stock, to which branch of their business Robert Magill gave his personal at- tention throughout the remainder of his life. Thep shipped stock quite extensively under the firm name of Magill Brothers, and con- ducted all business in partnership, their re- lations being most harmonious and pleasant, as well as profitable. Believing that De- Witt county farms would become very valu- able, they invested extensively in land, until they owned several thousand acres of the finest land in the county. On the death ^i Robert his share of the property was with- drawn from the business for the use of his w idow and children. Mr. Magill was fust married to Miss tiara Seelev, a daughter of Nathan and Bet- sey 1 Irwin 1 Seelev. She died, leaving one child. Nellie Eliza, a most accomplished young lady, who resides with her aunt Mrs. Samuel Magill, in Clinton, ami is a great favorite in society. She has considerable property in her own right, and is one of the 44 Till-: BIOGRAPHICAL RECOkh. o > workers in the Clinton library. For his second wife Mr. Magill married Miss Emma Lou I VI. and. a native of ( >hio and a daugh- ter of James and Emil) (Abbott) DeLand, who were both born in Rutland, Vermont, and from there removed to tin- Buckeye state. In early life the father was engaged in school teaching in Ohio, Iowa and Missouri, but after coming to Clinton, Illinois, in [860, turned his attention to stock dealing. Sub- sequently he was engaged in the grocer) business and still later in the drj goods and hardware business, becoming one ol Clin- ton's leading merchants, lie was also in- terested in railroad contracting, and assisted in organizing the National Bank of Clinton, of which he was a stockholder and \ president. As a Republican he took quite a prominent part in political affairs, and held the offices of supervisor, circuit clerk and mayor. He died in [896, at the age of sev- enty five years, and his wife in [872, at the age of fort) seven. Unto them were born five children: a son who died in infancy; Emma Lou, now Mrs. Magill; Mrs. John Day: \da M.. w ife . if VV. H. Wheeler ; John I'., who is represented elsewhere in this vol- ume; and Lillie, deceased. Mrs. Magill was ten years of age when she eame with her parents to Clinton, and was principally reared and educated in this city. She was married to our subject in [866 and has one son, Fred II.. who was born February 23, [868, and is a popular member of society in Clinton. He married Miss Pel Gandy, and to them were hern two children: Mar- guerite, win 1 is living : and Fred K.. who died in infancy. Mr. Magill died on the 15th of January, 1873, leaving a large estate, sufficient to secure his son a place among the capitalists of Clinton, and give his widow a handsome income. She lias sold their large residence and farm near Clinton, and has purchased a handsome cottage on West Main street, where she now makes her home, her time be- ing 1 iCCUpied in 1' 'i iking after her pn iperty in- terests and social duties, fur which her in- telligence and culture qualify her. and those intellectual enjoyments to which her Caste leads. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Magill was liberal in re- ligious belief, and was a stanch supporter of the Republican party. Courteous, genial, well informed, alert and enterprising, he was one of the representative men of the county — a man who would have been a power in any community. WILLIAM T. TURNER. One oi the prosperous and highl) re spec ted citizens of Wilson township, I >c\\ lit county, Illinois, is William T. Turner, of section 30, and he was born on December 28, 1841, in Logan county, Illinois, near At- lanta, lie was a s, ,n of Spencer and Nancy 1 Eioblil I Turner, and Spencer was a native of ( ihio, as was also his wife. Spencer came to Illinois and settled with his father Allen on Salt creek, where he remained until his mar- riage, when he moved to (, id there he worked as a miner for a few years. Later he moved to DeWitt county and rented land until [858, when he purchased eighty acres of Walter Karr in Wilson township, on sec- tion it;, of which a small portion had already been improved. On the land a small cabin had been erected. Taking this land in charge Spencer 'Turner improved the land, erected a substantial house, and later in life purchased three lots and houses in W'apella. where he resided for a few years before his death, living retired from active business. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 45 III- death occurred in April. [896, when he was eighty-one year- of age, and his wife died in mno. at the age of seventy-nine, and both arc buried in Sugar Grove cem- etery. Thirteen children were born to Spencer Turner and wife, of whom the following named grew to maturity: Margaret J., who married A. II. Murphy and they live in Kansas; Melicent, who married F. M. Willis, and resides in Wapella; William T.. our subject; .Mary C, who married Thomas Livingston, and lives in Gibson City, Illi- nois; Nancy A., who married Avery Bay- ment. and lives in Champaign county, llli- nois; Eveline, who married James McCan- non, and lives in Wilson township; C. 1).. who resides in Iowa: Edgar 1-'.. who resides in Logan county. Illinois: Ella M., who mar- ried H. T. Jones and resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. Spencer Turner was a Democrat in Poli- tics, and he and his good wife were active members of the Christian church. During his long and Useful life he made many friends, and his good deeds live after him. Always a g 1 citizen, an honorable man. a kind father anil loving- husband, he will long he remembered and his name honored as a thoroughly representative pioneer of this great o iiram tnwealth. Our subject was educated in a log sub- scription school, which he attended until he was about eighteen years of age, during the winter months, and working upon the farm in the summer. After finishing his scl I life he devoted himself exclusively to farm life until March 3, [863, when he married Miss Mercy A. Bolin, a native of this coun- ty, and she is a daughter of Myers F. and Rebecca Ann (Karr) Bolin. Myers Bolin was a native of Delaware and his wife of Ohio and they settled in Wapella in [832 and were large land owners. The father died in [875 at the age of fifty-four, hut his wife survived him some years, dying at the of eighty-three. They were buried at 1 ley- worth. Illinois. The) were the parents of nine children, four of whom are now living, namely: William II.. who resides m Harp township; 1 harles. who resides in Pike coun- ty, Illinois: Mrs. Turner: Isaac, who res- in Decatur. Illiu When our subject settled upon his pres- ent farm there were no improvements, ex- cept that a little of the land had been broken, hut since he took possession of it he has placed all of it under cultivation and owns one hundred and sixty acres in section 30, Wilson township. Upon this tine farming property he has erected good outbuildings, a substantial barn and one of the most com- fortable farm houses in the county. The fences are well kept up and the orchard and shade trees in excellent condition. The en- tire place bespeaks the good management of the proprietor, while the good housekeeping and toothsome table demonstrate that in her departments Mrs. Turner is equally profi- cient. A family of nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner, namely: Edgar, now deceased, who married and had two children. Nbla and l.elia: Fisher 1).. now deceased, who married ami had two children. June V. and Oliver R. ; Charles ( ).. who married and resides in Wayne county, Illi- nois, and has four children. Charles. Myrtle. I\a and Letie: John 1'... who married and resides in Wilson township, and they have four children. Esther E., George William, Floyd and Artie Ik: William T.. who resides in Wilson township, ami they have one child, Byile; Mercer F... who is at home: three children died in infancy. Mr. Turner is a Democrat and is now 46 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. serving the township as road commissioner and for nine years has been justice of the peace. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church at Long Point, in which lie is an elder. I le is alsi i a direct >r i if the Farmer's Grain, Coal & Lumber Co., of Wapella. Mr. Turner is a man of good ex- ecutive ability and early learned the lessons of industry and thrift. Ills propertj has been accumulated by legitimate husiucss methods, and he is justly proud of his suc- cess. • ■ » J. E. BELL. J. E. Bell, a well-known lumber dealer of Waynesville, is a native of [llinois, hem in Logan county, on the 17th of September, [859, and is a son of Joseph Bell, whose birth occurred in Virginia, in [807. I lis paternal grandfather, John Bell, was also a native of the Old Dominion, and at an earl) day removed from that state to Kentucky. where he Opened up a farm and reared his family. On reaching manhood, Joseph Bell was married in Ohio 1" Miss Maria Mi aels, who was born in Germany, hut spent her girlhood in Ohio, and they spent their early married life in the Buckeye state. In 1847 Mr. Bell came t" Illinois and made a permanent location in Logan county. He had charge of the Clark ranch for eight years, and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on -ccti< t Ins farm. On the 1 st of July. [895, Mr. Bell bought a half interest in the lumber mess at Waynesville, which he now car- ries on and subsequentl) became sole owner, lie purchased the other yard at Waynesville and consolidated the two. I le carries a large and complete stock of lumber ami builder's hardware, ami has built up a good trade, which is constantly increasing. Mr. Bell was married in Logan county. October 13. t88o, to Miss Ella Warrick, who was horn and reared in that county, and is a daughter of Charles Warrick, now a resi- dent of Waynesville. They have three chil- dren living, namely: Charles H., Edna M. and Marie. Mr. Bell is jusl completing a nice modern residence, which is one ot the best in Waynesville. He and his wife were reared in the Methodist Episcopal church THE BIOGRAPHICAL KF.CORD. 47 anil still adhere to that faith. Socially he is a member of Waynesville Lodge, I. O. O. 1-".. in which he is now serving as vice-grand, and his wife belongs to the Rebekah Lodj has rilled all its chairs and is past grand. Politically Mr. Bell has affiliated with the Democracy since he cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland in 1884, and while a resident of Logan county he served one term as but has never been an aspir- ant for office. He is a straightforward and conscientious business man and well merits the respect in which he is held by his fellow citizens. He possesses excellent business and executive ability, and his sound judg- ment, unflagging enterprise and capable man- agement have brought to him sucess RICHARD R. BURTON. Among the old and honored citizens DeW'itt county there is none more deserving of mention in this volume than the gentle- man whose name introduces this sketch. He first located in this county in 183O. and here the greater part of his life has since been passed, his present home being on section 17. Wapella township. He was born in Logan county. Ohio. January 27. [827, and is a son of Thomas Burton, who went to that state when a young man and there married Mi" Catherine Copes, who was of German par- entage. The father served as a soldier in the war of [812, and was engaged in farm- ing in Logan county. Ohio, for some years seven of his children being born there. In 1836 he came west by team and settled in Wapella township, DeW'itt township coun- ty. Illinois, where he resided four years. He then purchased a farm in Livingston county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dy- ing there about 1 S 5 5 . After his death his wife returned to DeWitt county to make her home with her children, and died here in 1865. In the family were four sons and four daughters, but only our subject and his sister. Mr-. Sarah Jones, of Hickory county, Missouri, are now living. Richard R. Burton was the second in order of birth in this family, and was a lad of nine years on the removal of the parents to this state. At that time deer and other wild game was found in abundance, and dur- ing his boyhocd and youth he killed many deer, wild turkeys and prairie chickens, as well as a large number of rattlesnakes. He also broke many acres of virgin soil, his time being principally devoted to that pursuit for fourteen seasons. He purchased the home farm in Livingston county and engaged in its operation until his father's death. In 1852 he went to California with ox teams, being six months upon the road, and spent one year in mining, at the end of which time he t< " >k passage on a vessel, and by way of the Panama route went to New York, whence he returned home, arriving there in April, 1853- In 1855 we again find Mr. Burton in De- W'itt county. He purchased one hundred acres of land on section 17, Wapella town- ship, where he m iw resides, ah >ut f< »rty a. of which had been broken and a little log house erected thereon, and to the further im- manent and cultivation of this place he has since devoted his energ He has erected a g 1 set of farm buildings, has planted an orchard, and has added to his property until he now has a valuable farm of two hundred acres. In McLean county, Illinois. Mr. Burton was married. January 27 ■. 1855. to Miss Sa- mantha Adkinson, a native of Clarke county, Ohio. Her father, John Adkinson, was born 4 8 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. and reared in Pennsylvania, and in Ohio married Elizabeth Critz, who was oi Ger- man birth. He died in the Buckeye state, and in 1836, his widow and children came to DeWitt county, Illinois. .Mr. and Mrs. Bur- ton have three children : (1) Sylvester, who now operates the home farm, married Aman- da Nichols, and they have three children, Carl, Jackson and Floyd. (2) Emma is wife of John Cunningham, of California, and the} also have three chilldren, Otis, Floyd and Clare. (3) Robert, who is also living on the home farm, married Jennie Wykles and has one son, William. Mr. Burton was reared a Whig, and since the organization of the Republican part) lias been one of its stanch supporters, but has never cared for office. In early life he had no educational advantages, and is purel) a self-made man. his success being due entirel) t" In- own industry, persever- ance and good business ability, lie is hon- ored and respected by all who know him. and is familiarly known as Dick by his many friends throughout the county. His esti- mable wife is a member of the Christian church. They have w itnessed almi st the en- tire development of this county and are de- serving of prominent mentii >n among its p neers. JUDGE GE< >RGE K. INGHAM The history of Judge Ingham is one de- serving of a prominent place in the annals of DeWitt comity, where the greater part of his life has been passed. The qualities of tin- capable lawyer, Strong in argument and reliable in council, are his. and his life record reflects credit and honor upon the county which has honored him by calling him to important judicial service. A native of Ohio, he was born July [9, [852, and is a son of Samuel Ingham. The ancestrj of the family may be traced back- to Jonathan Ingham whose parents crossed the Atlantic from Wales and established their home in the new world. Their son Jon- athan was a fuller by trade, following 'hat pursuit in order to provide for the wants of himself and family. In religious faith he was connected with the societj of Quakers or Friends, Me reared several sons who be- came prominent in their respective voca- tions. n Ten- new of Waynesville. who came to DeW'itt county about 1846 and died over thirty years ago. The marriage of the Judge and his wife has been blessed with three chil- dren. Leonard, Rolla and Helen. Socially he is connected with the Masonic lodge and the Knights of Pythias society in Clinton, and is a popular and valued member of those 1 irganizations. In politics he has always been a stalwart Republican, firm and loyal in his advocacy of the principles of the party. In 1N7N he was elected to represent his dis- trict in the legislature, and although one of the youngest members of the general as- sembly, being then but twenty-six years of age, he was recognized as a very active and capable member of the house. In 1X82 he was appointed judge of the county court UBRAKV UNIVERSITY Of »JUN0O 52 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ni DeWitl county, to till the vacancy caused by the resignatii m of Judge Md iraw, and he discharged his duties with such "even handed justico" that it "won golden opin- ions from all sorts of people." This term expired December, [882. Then in [886 he \\a-~ elected and has since been continued mi the bench by the will of the people, llis legal learning, his analytical mind, the readi- ness with which he grasps the points in ar- gument, all combine to make him one of the must capable jurists that has ever s.ii upon the bench of DeWitt county. BENJAMIN MILLER. Benjamin Miller, deceased, was .me oi the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of Creek township. A native of Illinois, he was born in Morgan county, on the 27th <>i December, [830, and was a son of John and Mary (Slatten) Miller. The father was born in Casey county, Kentucky, in [799, and in early life removed to Madison County, this state, where he was married in [818. Me subsequently spent a few years in Morgan county, Illinois, and from there he came to DeWitt county. On the 2 of January, [831, while looking up a new lo- cation, he entered a tract of land on section 1. Creek township, of which si\ acres had been cleared, fenced and broken, and a log cabin, fourteen by sixteen feet, and a log stable, twelve by fourteen feet, erected there- en. lie employed men t'> break the land. that at the end of the first season he had twenty acres of land under cultivation, and he set mit 1 uie hundred apple trees, which he procured near Decatur, this being the first attempt to start an orchard in that lo- cality. A few of the trees are still standing. In his family were seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom our subject is the second in order of birth. It was during the infancy of Benjamin Miller that his parents removed to Creek township, DeWitt county and he was still quite young when the family took Up their residence in Logan county, near the He- Witt county line, where he remained until he attained his majority, his education being acquired in the district schools. Mr. Miller was first united in marriage Miss Elizabeth Pledger, and they became the parents of live children: 1 1 ) Joseph, a resident of Piatt COUllty, Illinois, wedded Mary Flynn and has one child. Lawrence I'.. (2) George, a residenl of Macon coun- ty, married Augusta Geade and has had four children. Bessie, Floyd <.'., Homer II. and Bernard, deceased. (,}) Anna is the wife of James 1'ulliam of Macon county, and they have seven children. Samuel, who is married. Benjamin, Mamie. Julia. Joseph, James and Luther. 14) Stephen A. Doug- las, a resident of Macon county, married Anna Schuobshall, ami to them were horn children: William, deceased; Elizabeth; Benjamin; Ella and Francis Marion. (5) Ruth died in infancy The wife of our ijecl departed this life in 1865, and was laid to rest in Maroa cemetery. Macon ci lunty. For his second wife Mr. Miller chose Miss Martha I'ulliani. who was born Janu- ary jo. [843, near Taylorsville, Spencer county. Kentucky, of which state her par- ents, Gideon and Mary Jane (Gaoff) 1'ull- iam. were life-long residents. I ler father died when she was about live years old and her mother nine years later. I ler maternal grand- father, James 1'ulliam. was a well-known man in that section of the Line Grass state THE BIOGRAPHIC \L RECORD. 53 in which he lived. Mr<. Miller is the ol in a family of live children, the others being - follows: ' _• > James makes his home in Macon county. (3) Anna is the widow of G. W . Caplinger and a resident of Lincoln, Illinois. She has six children. Elizabeth, George, Lulu, Benjamin. William and Ar- thur. 14) Marion, a resident of Kentucky, married Anna Daly, of Spencer county, that state, and to them were horn three children: Martha. James and Mamie, but the last named and her mother are both now de- 5 1 Mildred, deceased, was the wife of Fletcher Layton, who lives in Lin- county, Illinois. She had five children, two <>i whom are still living, Mary and Gertrude: Bert, Josephine and James are dece: Mrs. Miller grew to womanhood in the place of her nativity and in 1865 came to Illinois. 1< eating at Atlanta. L »gan county. where she met the man who a few months later became her husband, their marriage being celebrated December 28, [865. Four children blessed their union, namely: < 1 ) Charles Y.. born February 9, 1S1.7. resides on the old homestead in Creek township. He married Elizabeth Huffman, and they have six children: Mary Marie. John Henry. Charles Y.. Jr.. William Jennii Adela May and Benjamin Franklin. Mary, born July 2<>, 186S. wedded David Barclay. Jr.. an attorney-at-law in Clinton. who died leaving two children : Martha, who anied for her grandmother; and Helen, who is 'also named, for her grandmother in Scotland. For her second husband Mary married Fred S. Mead. 1 3 1 Elizabeth, born May 14. 1878, i- the wife of VV. C. White, a commercial traveler, and makes her home with her mother in Clinton. She one child. Marian Catherine, born Au- gust '•. 1898. 141 Benjamin, born April 20, [882, i> engaged in farming in Creek township. After his marriage Mr. Miller located on section v ^o. Creek town-hip. where he purchased land which had been but slightly improved, but it was soon placed under a high state of cultivation. A large and beau- tiful two story frame residence, thirty by thirty- obtain the lntle school- ing offered he was obliged to walk three miles to school, and when one considers the 58 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. rigor of Illinois winters in the early days when there were no large cities or tall build- ings to break the severity of the cutting winds and drifting sm >w s ; when the little children had to wade breast high through huge bank< of snow or take lout;- "cuts" through the fields, the daily tramp of six miles goes far to demonstrate the desire for learning on the part of those who endured such hardships. When the schoolhouse was reached the heating facilities were insuffi- cient and the appliances crude and scanty, and vet in spite of all this those boys and girls laid a Foundation upon which many have built up a structure of learning that has enabled them to take prominent places among intelligent people and made them known in connection with the world's best thought and action. Mr. Thorpe continued t'> attend sch' » >1 during the \\ inter mi mths and wi irked upon the farm until he was twenty one, after which he devoted his attention t" farming exclusively, remaining with his parents until lie was twenty-three. At that age. >>n .March 23, [880, he was married to Miss Martha Rolofson, and she is a daughter of John B. and Mary Rolofson. After his marriage he resided in 1 [arp town- ship on rented land until, in [894, he pur chased bis father's place of eight) acres and upon this he built a line, large two-Story house and a good barn thirty-two by thirty- six feet. He also owns forty acres in Wil- son township and rents other land in addi- tion. In addition to his fanning interests Mr. Thorpe is president of the Farmers' ('.rain. Coal and Lumber Co., of Wapella, and under his wise management and execu- tive ability this concern has rapidly de- veloped into one of the prominent houses in the commercial life of that town and netted excellent profits to the stockholders. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe, namely: Ralph Wayne, who was born June 26, 1881, is now at- tending the Northern Normal School at Dixon, Illinois. During the taking of the census in Kjoo, he served most acceptably as enumerator of Harp township. Mary Eus nice, who was born June to. 1SS5, died at the age of three years, three months and one day. John William Thornton, who was born April -'7. [893, is attending the district school. In politics Mr. Thorpe is a Repub- lican and has served the township as road commissioner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe are active members 1 if the Christian church at Wapella. Mr. Thorpe is a man who finds his greatest enjoyment in the companionship of his family ami friends and is widely re- spected and esteemed. ANDREW ALLAN - . Among the many prominent and enter- prising men who have helped to raise the state of Illinois t" its proud prestige as .me of the most prolific agricultural regions of the Union is Andrew Allan, a Scotchman by birth, training and characteristics, an Amer- ican b\ adoption, assimilation and adaptabil- ity, an agriculturist and resident of Weldon, and a citizen whose success is limited only by his years of activity. A native of Ayrshire, Scotland, home of the immortal I '.urns, lie was born December 27, [830, a son of Thomas and Grace (Stirling) Allan, who came to America in [858 and located in Ran- dolph county, Illinois. The parents re- moved in [867, to Nixon township. DeWitt county, Illinois, ami purchased a tract ol eighty acres of land with growing crops for twenty-five dollars an acre, the proceeds from the crops practically paying for the THE BIOGkAl'IIh \\L RECORD. 59 land at the end of four months. The) con- tinued to live in DeWitt county until the death of the father September [8, 1S7J. ( if the children in the family. Grace, who is the wife of Alexander Brown, lives in Randolph county, as does also William and James Allan, while David and Alexander live in Nixon township. Thomas, who is a bach- elor, li\e> in Scotland, frequently visits his people in Illinois, and has crossed the At- lanta twenty-six times for that purpose. The maternal grandfather of the children. Alex- ander Stirling, was a farmer of Ayrshire. Scotland, and was prominent in affairs of the Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder. It may he said that Andrew Allan was reared by his grandfather, with whom he was a special favorite, and he received a liheral and practical education in the public schools. At the age of seventeen he located at Bridge- water, England, ami for nearly twenty year- was engaged in the dry-goods business with great success, and during this time he made frequent trips to America to visit his people and naturally became interested in the pros- perous conditions there prevailing. On different occasions he purchased property in Nixon township, and finally, when his inter- ests in Illinois became greater than those in England, he decided to locate in the midst ot the greater responsibilities, and took up his resilience in Nixon township, DeWitt coun- ty, in [883. Since then he has been f( >remi >st in agricultural matters, and owns six farms Comprising the best land in Nixon township. aggregating eight hundred and twenty acres in all. I le also owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in DeW'itt township, and a farm of eighty acres in Willow Branch town- ship. I'iatt county. for six years of his residence in Illinois he engaged in the 1 and lumber business at Weldon, and retired from the same in the fall of [901. His splendid and systematic management of his affairs allows of considerable leisure on his part, and as a reward for his ability and hard work he travels much, and observes keenly and intelligently. for several years he has escaped the biting Masts of Illinois winters by going to the salubrious climate of the Gulf of Mexico, in the vicinity of New < lr leans, and he also spent one season in • >kla- lioma. The first marriage of Mr. Allan was sol- emnized in [866, with Caroline Denhem, of Langport, Somersetshire. England, and who died April [8, (895. A second marriage was contracted May 12. [896, with Charity, daughter of Robert and Eliza (Walker) Flood, early settlers of this county. Mrs. Allan is a native of DeW'itt county, and for fourteen years previous to her marriage was engaged in educational work. She is a mosl refined and cultured woman, and is promi- nent in the affairs of the Methodist Protest- ant church, of Weldon. Mr. Allan is a Pres- byterian in religious belief, although he is an attendant and supporter of the Methodist 1'iotestant church. In national politics he is Independent. ELBERT If LANE. < )no of the line properties of DeWitt count) is the farm of Elbert D. Lane, locat- ed on section 23, Texas township. Here is a tine rural home, well tilled acres, abundant harvests and all modern equipments for suc- cessfully and scientifically carrying forward the work of fanning and stock raising. Upon the meadows graze large numbers of stock, line cattle and thoroughbred hoi including heavy draft horses, and the place 6o THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. has an air of neatness and thrift compatable with good judgment and excellent manage- ment. A son of the state which has yielded him such profitable returns for labor invested, Mr. Lane was born at Long Point, DeWiti county. Illinois. October .}. [837, and is therefore one of the pioneers of this section of the state. His parents, William and Ella ( Maxwell 1 Lane, were natives, respectively, of North and South Carolina, and the father came at an early day from Kentucky, and settled near Long Point, DeW'itt county. Illi- nois. As a preliminary to an extended farm- ing experience in his adopted county he erected a little log cabin upon the. eighty acres of land which he entered, and to which was later added twenty acres of timber land. For many years he successfully tilled his land and became a permanent fixture oi the community. However, he eventually re- moved to the town of Clinton, where he died at the age of fifty-nine years, his wife sur- viving him for five years, lie was a Demo- crat in politics, and was a member of the Christian church, as were his four children. two of whom are now living, and his wife. In the public schools ,,f DeW'itt county, Elbert D. Cane acquired the average educa- tion of the farmer boys of his neighborhood, following which he worked by the month for a number of years. About [876 he rent- ed land from C. II. .Mo. .re. and he still con- tinues to reside on the Moore property, which consists of two hundred and forty acres. April 14. 1S5S. he married Rosalie Percv, daughter of Silvanus and Anna ( Bel- lows ) Percy. Mrs. Lane is a native of Ohio, and her father was horn in Vermont, and removed to DeW'itt county in 1857, where he retired from his occupation of farming and settled in Clinton. To Mr. and Mrs. Lane have-been born the following chil- dren: Martha, who is deceased; William Alvus; James Alvin, who is a twin to William Alvus, and lives on a farm in Piatt county; Edward, who is living in DeW'itt county; Kate, who makes her home with her parents; and Elbert, who is a farmer in Clin- tonia township, DeW'itt county. Three chil- dren died in infancy. Mr. Cane cast his fust presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has since voted independently, although he is in favor of free silver, lie is a member of the Christian church, as are his wife ami daughter. When her sister's child, Miss Maude Bell, was four years of age, Mrs. Lane received her into the family, and since that time she has continued to reside with them. ORANGE L. KIRK. Orange L. Kirk, deceased, was for many years one of the representative busi- ness men anil prominent citizens of Clinton, lie was a native of Ohio, born in Xenia, November 1 1, [829, and was a son of Sam- uel and Elizabeth (Marshall) Kirk, who were farming people. The father was a middle aged man at the time of his death, which occurred mi his farm near Logans- port, Indiana, but the mother was only about twenty-one years old when she died. leaving two small children: Orange L. and Angeline, who subsequently became the wife of William Duvall. The father was twice married and had children by his sec- ond union. Our subject was reared on the home farm and when a young man learned brick manufacturing and brick building at Xenia. Later he engaged in contracting and build- ing at Bellefontaine, Ohio. In 1854 he O. L. KIRK. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 63 came to Clinton, Illinois, and was one of the pioneer contractors and builders, if not the first, at this place. At thai time Clin- ton was only a small town composed of log and frame buildings, hut he lived to see it develop into a fine modern city, containing many handsome brick structures, which still stand as monuments to his architectural skill. He owned and carried on a brick- yard "n the outskirts of the city, and dur- ing- his early residence here was connected with A. H. C. Barber in manufacturing and contract work until 1871. He was subse- quently in partnership with J. W. Bell and still later with his son. James M. Kirk, who is one of the most prominent builders of the city to-day. Our subject built all of the early brick buildings on the square, includ- ing the Magill Block and Hotel, the Union and Masonic Blocks, and the old First Presbyterian church, besides many private residences throughout the city. Mr. Kirk also engaged in the manufacture of tile for a time, and when the Springfield division of the Illinois Central Railroad was being built, he received the contract to build all the culverts from Oilman to Springfield. He laid the first sewers from the Magill House eahio, from which state he came to DeWitt county. Illinois, about [852. Here lie followed his trade of wagonmaker, his first shop being located on the site of Frank Palmer's livery stable, but the building has since been moved west and is now used as a poultry warehouse. He engaged in the manufacture of light and heavy wagons, and his work being of the best, many of his wagons are still in use. He patented the Morlan fifth wheel used on wagons to prevent the vehicle from over- turning. During his early residence here he took quite an active part in public affairs ami served as marshal of the city for a time. llis old home is now owned by Leon Kirk, a.son of our subject. Mr. Morlan died in 1892. aged eighty-three years, and his wife in 1890, aged eighty-four. They were the parents of two children: Lueretia. now Mrs. Kirk: and John A., a resident of Bloomington, Mini 'is. By his second marriage Mr. Kirk had the following children: (1) Thaddeus learned the brick mason's trade with his fa- ther, but later took up the study of medi- cine with Dr. D. W. Edministon, of Clin- ton, and was graduated at Rush Medical College. Chicago, with the degree of M. I >. He then located at St. lames. Minnesota. where he built up a large practice. He died very suddenly January 4. [890. Socially he was a prominent member of the Masonic bodies, lie married Annie Clinton and had oik- chiltl. now deceased. ( _• ) \ngelinc is the wife of James Dale, of Clinton, and they have two children living, Nora, wife of c. s. Cassidy, and Irene. Those de- ceased are Wilbur and James M. (3) 6 4 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Frank and 14) Olive were twins. The lat- ter is deceased. Frank, a contractor of St. Li mis, married Dilemma Bail and has three children: Annie L, Walter and Charles. (5) Lucretia is the wife of A. M. Hatfield, of Clinton, and the children born to them were Elmer and Frank, both living; and George and an infant daughter, both de- ceased. (6) Minnie is deceased. 17) Al- lien 1... station agent at Vandalia, Illinois, married Stella Dickinson and they have three children: Clyde. Lloyd and Pauline. (8) George is an engineer residing at home. (i)i Leon, a bookkeeper in Clinton, married Alice M. Wilson, and they have three chil- dren: Odell I... Harriet 1.. and Carl I.. 1 ml Edna died young. 1 11 ) William i- a railroad brakeman. ( 1 _• 1 Harry Y. is a boiler maker. During his boyhood Mr. Kirk united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and was throughout lite an active and faithful member, and served in various church of- fices. He did much fm- the cause of temper- ance, and was elected councilman mi the anti-license ticket several years. On the Kith of 1 (ctober, [860, he was made a Ma- son, and was ever afterward a consistent member of that body, following closely its precepts, ami serving as tyler of the lodge thirteen years. He died October 11. [897, and his death was widely and deeply mourned, fur he was a man of many ster- ling traits of character, who had a host of warm friends and was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. J( IHN F. DE LAND. James F. l)e Land, the well-known and popular cashier of the National Hank of Clinton, Illinois, was horn in that city mi the 27th of Decemher, 1861, and has been prominently identified with her financial in- terests since reaching manhood. His fa- ther. James De Land, was born in West Rut- land. Vermont, and was reared and educated in that state. Coming west, he was engaged in school teaching in Ohio. Iowa and Mis- souri until [860, when he removed to Clin- ton, Illinois, and turned his attention to stock-dealing, handling and shipping all kinds of stock. In [869 he opened a grocery stoic where Xicoli is now located and built what is now known as the Opera House block, but was first used as a town hall. Sub- sequently he was engaged in the dry-g Is business, and was also interested in the hard- ware trade for many years, becoming one of Clinton's leading merchants. He did rail- road contracting for a time, and in connec- tion with Colonel Suell Thomas and others organized the National Bank of Clinton, of which he was a stockholder and vice-presi- dent. He was a capable financier and was one of the ablest business men of the city. Politically he always affiliated with the Re- publican party, and took a very active and influential part in public affairs. He filled the office of supervisor and circuit clerk, and also served as mayor from t88l to [883. Mr. De Land was instrumental ill buying and locating the DeWitt county farm, and assisted in establishing the W llawn cemetery. I le died in [896, at the age 1 if se\ - enty-five years, honored ami respected by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emily Abbott, passed away in 1872, at the age of forty-nine. They had five children: a son. who died in infancy; Emma Lou. widow of Robert Magill; Ada M.. wife of W. H. Wheeler: John I-"., our subject: and Lillie. deceased. 1 taring his boyhood John F. ])e Land at- tended the public schools of Clinton, and THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 65 completed His education at the high school of Brandon, Vermont. He served as deputy circuit clerk under his father until i. v - when he entered the National Bank of Clin- ton as bookkeeper; was later promoted to - stant cashier, and in 1 S«>'< was made cash- ier, lie is also a stockholder and director of the hank, and is regarded as one of the most reliable business men of the city. In [883 Mr. De Land was united in mar- riage with Miss Belle Wolf. Her father. Philip Wolf, a retired citizen of Clinton, was horn in Bellefontaine, Logan county. Ohio, June i_\ 1834, and is a son of John B. Wolf, who was horn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, hut was reared in Ohio, and in 1S47 came to DeWitt county. Illinois. He tir-t located in Tunbridge township, hut in 1853 sold his farm and removed to Clinton, where he en- gaged in the lumber business. Here he died in 1868, at the age of sixty-four years. He married Rebecca Stout, of < )hio, who died at the age of eighty years. Their children were Elizabeth. Lydia. Philip, Margaret. Ruzella, Joseph, Mary. John and Catherine. Philip Wolf spent his early life upon a farm, and was then engaged in the dry-goods business in Clinton with E. W. Taylor, and still later in the implement and hardware business with J. W. Bell, and later on with A. I). Mo- Henry. He built the block now occupied by the hardware firm 1 f Bailor & Bryant : erect- ed a number of houses and owns consider- able farm property in this county. Having accumulated a comfortable property, he now living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of former toil, and is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Clinton, lie wedded Miss Mary, daughter of Henry Bell, an early settler of this county, and to them were born three children: I.ura. wife of Rev. E. A. Hamilton ; Annie, wife of J. R. Huston; and Belle, wife of our subject. In politics Mr. Wolf is a Republican, and in hi- social rela- tions is a member of the Masonic order. Unto Mr. and Mrs. De Land was horn only one child. Lota, w hod ied in iv«»o. at the age of fifteen year-. She was an exceptionally bright, accomplished girl, very refined in manner, and her death was a se\ ere blow, not only to her parent-, hut to her many friend-. The Republican party has always found in Mr. De Land a stanch supporter of it- principle-. He tilled the office of city tr< urer two year-, hut has never cared for po- litical honors. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and the Methodist Episcopal church. His father was also con- nected with that church, and was an ( >dd Fellow and Royal Arch Mason. In manner our subject is pleasant and social, and all who know him esteem him highly for his genuine worth. MRS. CATHERINE SWIGART. Mrs. Catherine Swigart, one of Farmer City's most esteemed ladies, has the distinc- tion of being the first white child horn in Santa Anna township. DeWitt county, the date of her birth being July i(>. [832. Her parents were Dennis and Mary (Council) Hurley, who were the first to settle in this locality, and were prominently identified with its early development and prosperity. A -ketch of these worthy pioneers i- given in connection with that of Mrs. Lydia M. Johnson, on another page of this volume. Mrs. Swigart was horn in the first hi built in the northeast part of the county, it being a primitive structure, not more than fifteen by sixteen feet in dimensions, con- structed of split logs, with a puncheon floor, one window and one door, hut it furnished 66 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. a home of comfort to a large family until better accommodations could he secured. Our subject was reared on a farm, and being .a strong, ambitious girl, she assisted in the work of both the house and the field, willing always to help her father as well as her mother. On the nth of March. [852, she was united in marriage with George Washing- ton Swigart. who was born in Marion coun- ty, Ohio. April 9, 1830, and was a son of Daniel Swigart. lie obtained a fair educa- tion in a little log school house, and in early life engaged in cattle feeding and working by the month as a farm hand. In [849 he came with his parents to 1 >eWitt county. I le was in limited circumstances at the time ol his marriage, and while the railroad was be- ing built through this section of the state he worked on it. while his wife kept boarders in a little shanty of one room, usually accom- modating about fourteen for meals. She made beds on the floor and Cooked over a fireplace out doors, doing all her baking in a covered skillet. Hue summer was passed in tins way. and at the end (if that time the vomig couple had saved fifty dollars. Bor- rowing one hundred dollars they entered eight) acres of land, which is now owned by Mr. McConkey.and upon the place they built a cabin of split logs, with a mud and stick chimney. Although it was a rude structure, it was their first home and they were happy in the possession of the same. In those early davs Mr. Swigart often remarked to his wife "some day you will have a tine home, ol which you are certainly deserving." While he engaged in the improvement and cultiva- tion of the land she cooked the meals for the harvest hands and carried water to quench their thirst. In 186(1 they sold their first farm and bought the Chapin place of three hundred acres, a part of which he sub- sequently sold, retaining one hundred and twenty acres. He then purchased thirty-six acres of the T. Gardner farm, where Mrs. Swigart now resides in a large new resi- dence, the barns and outbuildings being in perfect harmony therewith. Mr. and Mrs. Swigart bad no children of their own. but they reared Sarah F. Hedge, who was horn in 1857 and died in 1S77. She married Charles Everett, and at her death left two children: Mory, who married Gertie Lewis and has one son. ( )r- ville L.; and Sherman, who is now in the Philippines. Mrs. Swigart cared for these children, carefully rearing and educating them. In religious belief Mr. Swigart was a (Jniversalist, and in politics was a Republi- can, lie served as road commissioner for nine years, but never sought political honors. I le was a n< 'hie man. line 1' 11 iking and 1< i\ ed by all. and in his death, which occurred March 2, [890, the community realized that it had lost one of its most valued and useful citizens. I lis estimable wife still resides at their beautiful home in Farmer City, sur- rounded by all the comforts that make life worth the living. She is a typical pioneer woman, kind hearted and generous, and is held in the highest regard by all who know her. ARTHUR I". MILLER. Arthur F. Miller is one of the youngest members of the Clinton bar. but his promi- nence is by no means measured by his years, on the contrary he has won a reputation which many an older practitioner might well envy and is now creditably serving as state's attorney, being elected to that office on the Republican ticket in 1900. as a successor to John Fuller. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 67 Mr. Miller was r> irn in Holliston, Massa- chusetts, March u. 1S7J. and is a repre- sentative of a good old New England family. His father, Possidonius Miller, was a na- tive of Vermont, and was a direct dscendant ■ if an old colonial family, as his grandfather, Ferdinand Miller, was a memher of the "Boston Tea Tarty.'" He was also a native of Vermont By vocation the father of our subject was a journalist and for a nnmher <>f years was engaged in that profession. He married Miss Agnes Dillon, who was Inirn in Nova Scotia, hut came with her par- ents to the old Bay state when three years old. She is still living and resides at Cottage City, on the island of Martha's Vineyard. Her people were farmers by occupation. By her marriage with Mr. Miller she became the mother of three children, a- follow-: Celia. who died in infancy; Albert F.. who died at the age of nine years; and Arthur F.. our subject. Arthur F. Miller was educated at Trin- ity College, in Hartford. Connecticut, where he was graduated in 1895. Coming west he took up the study of law under Judge T. H. Dillon, of Petersburg. Indiana, and was ad- mitted to the bar of Illinois in 1897. In October of that year he located in Clinton and opened an office. His faithful attention to his profession soon won the attention of the public, who recognized in him a fitting candidate for the office which he now fills, and he was accordingly nominated and elect- ed in 1900. In the discharge of his official duties he has given the utmost satisfaction, and in his private practice he faithfully and conscientiously looks after the interests of his clients. In July. 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Rovenia Fosnaugh, daughter of J. A. Fosnaugh, one of Clinton's leading merchants. An extended sketch of the Fos- naugh family will be found on another page of this volume. Socially Mr. Miller 1- a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Mac- cabees and the Mutual Protective League. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, who makes many friends, and is held in high re- gard by all who know him. JOHN SHUE. John Shue. deceased, was for many years one of the leading farmers of Wilson town- ship, ami was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He was born in Perry county. Ohio, on the 5th of February. 1833, an '' was a son "' Gottlieb and Nancy Ann 1 Franklin) Shue. His ma- ternal grandfather was a cousin of Benjamin Franklin. The father of our subject was a native of Germany and was a lad of fourteen years when he came to America with his parent-, who settled near Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, and spent the remainder of their lives there. Leaving home. Gottlieb Shue went to Ohio at an early day. and was engaged in tailoring in Perry county until 1872, when he came to DeWitt county. Illi- nois, to make his home with our subject. Here he died March. 1X70, at the age of eighty-three years, and his wife passed away March. 1S70. at the age of eighty-two. Of their eight children only two are now liv- ing, namely: Caroline, wife of Joshua Pyles, of DeWitt, Illinois, and Harriet, widow of Thomas Sadler. John Shue. of this sketch, was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, and remained at home until twenty-live years of age. aiding in the work of the farm. In 1858 he removed to Bloomington, lllii 68 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. and on the 3d of June, that year, was united in marriage with .Miss Sarah Michael, who was born in Darke county. Ohio, September 28, 1839, a daughter of Samuel and Barbara ( Putterbaugh) Michael, also natives of the Buckeye state. Her paternal grandparents were William and Margaret (Durlinger) Michael, the former a native of Germany, the latter of Ohio. William Michael was horn in 1750. and came to this country at the age of five years. IK- entered the Con- tinental army during the Revolutionary war. together with m\ snib. all of whom were killed in the service, he alone surviving. Mrs. Shue is one of a family of eight chil- li, and has two brothers living, namely: Christopher, a resident of Harp township; and William, of Kansas. The children bom to Mr. and Mi's. Shue are a> follows: 1 1 ) Austin R. is sheriff of DeWitl county, whose sketch appears on an- other page of this volume. 1 _• I Mary i- the wife of Wilbur Wilson, of Harp township, and they have one child, Fay. (3) John \. Logan, deceased, married Lull) Hall, who is now living in Lansing, Michigan. 1 |i Ulysses, who is now operating the home farm for his mother, married Minnie Hoots, who died leaving one child, Cecil. (5) Ed- ward, a resident of Harp township, married Minnie Page and has one child. Garrett. 101 Ella, deceased, was the wife of Bayard S. Griffith, of Clinton, and she left two chil- dren. Dexter 11. and Wayne. 171 Almeda is the wife <>\ Tony Moore, of Harp town- ship, and they have two children. Bliss and Opal. iSi Frederick married Mayme Polan and lives in Bloomington, Illinois. \fter his marriage Mr. Shue made his home in Bloomington, working at any- thing which he could find to do until [867, when he removed to Harp township, De- Witt county, and purchased eighty acres ^i land on sections S and 17. which at that time was all wild and unimproved, lie built a house, barn and fences, which are still stand- ing, hut after residing there for five years he sold the place and bought an improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Wilson township. He soon afterward sold fifteen acres of this, hut the remaining one hundred and live is still owned by his widow and is under a high state of cultivation. Throughout his life he followed farming verj successfully and became quite well-to- do. In politics he was an ardent Republi- can, but never cared for public office, pre- ferring to give his undivided attention to his farming interests. Hediedin [892, hon- ored and respected by all who knew him. and was laid to rest in Woodlawn cemetery, Clin- ton. In his death the community lost one of its best citizens, his neighbors a faithful friend, and his family a considerate husband and father. DAA ID SCHENCK. Of Holland ancestry. Mr. Schenck has applied his admirable national characteristics to the management of his farming interests in Macon and DeWitt counties, and as a re- sult has made a distinct success of his ch< sen lipation. lie is thorough in his work. conservative and sure in the manner of bis improvements, and studies farming from a scientific standpoint. For the first land pur- chased be paid fifteen dollars per acre, and for the last eighty dollars per acre, and he now owns five hundred and eighty a> of land, one hundred and fifty of which is in Macon county, and the remainder in DeWitt county. lie is the possessor of a quarter section in Rice county. Kan- sas, and the same amount in Hayes conn- THE I'.loCRAl'HICAI. RECORD. 69 t\. Nebraska, the former property being under a high state of cultivation. As early as 1S54 he became identified with DeWitt county, at which time he purchased sixty acres of land in Texas township, and forty acres across the road in Macon county, most of which was broken, and on which there were four log cabins. He built a la and substantial house in [868, planted the many trees which now have a venerable ap- pearance, ami which yield a sweeping shade in the heat of the summer, and has since eli- ded in general farming and stock-raising. And during the intervening years he has in no wise forfeited the tine and high regard in which lie is held by all who know him. ami value his friendship and his service in behalf of the locality of which he is a resi- dent. Many years ago the paternal grandfa- ther, ('.arret J. Schenck, emigrated from the home of his forefathers in Holland, and tied in Xew Jersey, .Monmouth county, after- wards removing to Ohio, where his death ntually occurred, lie farmed success- fully in Warren county, and accumulated quite a store of worldly possessions during his pilgrimage on earth, and was generally conceded to have lived a worth-while ami useful life. 1IU grandson, David, was born in Butlei county. Ohio, October 8, [825, a son of John and Catherine (Cooper) Schenck. natives of Xew Jersey. The par- ents were farmers and both died at the home place in ' >hio, and were the parents of three children, two of whom are living. David Schenck was educated in the public schi I >hio, and assisted his father in conduct- ing the farm. When almost a grown boy he learned the blacksmith's trade, and in 1854, as heretofore stated, came to this county. January 14. 1N47. in Ohio. Mr. Schenck married lluldah Long, daughter of Silas and Sally 1 Marshall) Long, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Schenck. who died in Illinois August 1,?. [893, was the mother of six children, four of whom are now living: Catherine, who is the wife of William Sloutenborough, living in retirement at Maroa; Sarah, who died in Ohio at the age of one year; Ann Eliza, who is li villi; at home: Ella, who was honi in ( )hi... and died at the age of twelve years; Alice, who is the wife of Charles Melnes. a farmer of Macon .county; and Silas ].. who is a farmer of Macon county, is married and has two children. Edith and Lydia. Mr. Schenck is a self-made man in the highest s t -ns C of the word, ami is indebt- ed to no good fortune for his rise in life. lie is a moral and progressive force in the community, and enjoys the esteem of all his fellow townsmen. With his wife he is a member ami worker in the Christian church. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and for four yeai 1 as justice of the peace, hut with the exception of school director he has not cared to accept office. !< (MAS CORWIN BYLAND. Thomas Corwin Byland, educator ami carriage maker, and a resident of VVeldon since 1876, was bom near Circleville, Pickaway county. Ohio, December j'l. 1852. I lis parents. Amos and Mary (John- s. .11 1 I '.viand, were also natives of < >hio, ami farmers by occupation, the father dying in Ohio in 1855. The ancestrj is English, Irish and German, ami the paternal grandfather, Janu-s Byland, was a fanner in Pern coun- ty, Ohio, while the maternal grandfather, Caac Johns. .n. was a fanner ..f Pickaway county, 1 ihio. ( )f the family of six children 70 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. left practically dependent upon their own re- sources, four besides Thomas C. attained maturity: Rebecca, who is now Mrs. George Hummel: Isaac; Jane; Erne. Af- ter the death of Amos 1'. viand his widow married Isaac Scibert and they had one child. Thomas Corwin Byland was but three years of age when his father died, and since he was ten years of age lie lias made his own way in the world, and at the age of thirteen he manfully shouldered the responsi- bility of his own maintenance. Departing from the homestead in Ohio he removed to Piatt county. Illinois, where he found em- ployment on a farm until twenty years of age. During this time he faithfully applied himself to the acquisition of such knowledge as was available at the public schools and at the academy at Danville, Illinois, and bj the fall of [874 had qualified for educational work. Subsequently he taught school in Shelby county, Illinois, for two years, and in [876 located in Weldon, ami continued to teach for four terms in Nixon ami De- Witt township-. lit- later taught in the public schools of Weldon on and off for four terms. In 1881 he prepared for future in- dependence bj learning the trade of carriage maker, which he ha- since successfully fol- lowed, his work being interspersed by oc- casional returns to teaching in Weldon. 'Die marriage of Mr. I'.yland and Mar- garet, daughter of Amos and Hannah Mc- Nier, Formerly of Ohio, now of Nixon town- ship, occurred March [8, 1879. Three chil- dren are the result of this union. Kittie L., Cora P. and Warren T. In politics Mr. Byland is a Republican, and has held several local offices, including that of township clerk, assessor, school director, collector ami presi- dent of the village board of Weldon. He is fraternally associated with the Weldon Lodge, Xo. 746, A. F. & A. M„ the Modern Woodmen and the Royal Circle. He is one of the most substantial citizens of the town, and his influence on education, good govern- ment and general progressiveness is a wide one. — ■ — ■ — ■» » » JONATHAN K. DAVIS. Jonathan K. Davis, a retired farmer re- siding in the city of Clinton, Illinois, has made his home in DeWitt county for almost half a century, and his name is inseparably connected with its agricultural and business interests. Hi- thoroughly American spirit and his great energy have enabled him to mount from a lowly position to one of af- fluence. One of his leading characteristics in business affairs is his tine sense of order and complete System, and the habit of giv- ing careful attention to details, without which success in an undertaking is never an assured fact. Mr. Davis started in life with nothing hut a strong determination to suc- ceed, and now that hi- fondest dreams have been realized he is -pending his last days in ease and quiet at his beautiful home in the city of Clinton, which was hut a mere hamlet when he first came to this county. Mr. Davi- wa- born in Perry county, Ohio, April 7, 1821, and is a son of John Davi- and grandson of William and Eliza- beth Davis, the former a native of Wales, who came to this country prior to the Revo- lutionary war. in which great struggle for American independence lie took an active part, serving from the beginning till the end under General Washington. He saw and endured many hardships and privations that the soldiers of those days were compelled to go through. He was with Washington the winter that this grand man encamped at Valley Forge, the history of which is fa- J. K. DAVIS. MRS. J. K. DAVIS. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 75 miliar to every one. After the close of this war he settled in Frederick county, Marx- land, where he made farming his life oc- cupation and where he was called to his final rest at the age of sixty-five years. His wife. Elizabeth, was an English lady, and lived to reach a good old age. They became the parents of the following children: Eliza- beth, Benjamin and John. John Davis, the father of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Frederick county, Maryland in 17S5. His early life was spent on a farm and he also run a hotel and at one time operated a ferry across the Monoxico creek, near where it flowed into the Potomac river. In 1816 he decided that the west 1 >ffered better induce- ments to a young man and accordingly bade g line to his native county and after ex- periencing all the hardships incident to travel in those early days he finally settled in I'crrv county, Ohio. This was just after the war of iNu. in which he took an active part. He was present at the burning of Washington by the British and took part in other important engagements. He was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Karshner. who was a native of Pennsyl- vania. The trip t < > Ohio was made by wagon, in which they lived for some time, or until a more suitable dwelling could he erected. Their stay in Perry county was of but a lew years' duration, when they re- moved to Senaca county and were one <>\ the first nine families to locate in Bloom town-hip. This was in [824 when Indians were more numerous than white men. Here he bought one hundred ami sixty acres of land, cut the trees and erected a rude log house in which to live. This dwelling was very primitive. At first it had no windows and later, when the march of improvements began to sweep over this vast western coun- try, windows were put in. and our subject can recall In iw queer they looked, a- they were the fust that he had ever seen. Soon the farm was cleared and after a few vears where the forest stood were well cultivated fields. On this place our subject's father remained until his death, which occurred on July o. [849. He was an earnest Christian man and a devout member of the Methodist church for over thirty years. His estimable wife also passed away on the old. homestead at the age of fifty years. They were the parents of eighl children, as follows: Will- iam, who is now living in Bloomville, < )hio; Jonathan l\.. our subject; Alfred ( >.. de- ceased: Sarah, who married J. W. Stinch- comb; Elizabeth married Smith Taylor; Thomas \V. is a physician and makes his home in Wapella, this county: Susanna; Milton R., of Charleston. Missouri. All these children were strong and robust and all lived to reach a good old age. with the exception of two, who died before reaching maturity. The educational privileges of our sub- ject were very meager, as he attended a log school house with greased paper for windows and split logs for seats, but in the face of all these obstacles he managed to secure a good elementary education. Then by work- ing at various occupations he managed to save enough to enable him to take a course of study in the Wesleyan University at Del- aware. Ohio, where he remained for six months. Since that time he has been a con- stant reader of good literature and to-day he is a finely educated man. It was at the age of twenty-five vears that he determined to start out in the world alone. He at first rented a sawmill and farmed on the shares. In this way he got a start and soon after bought eighty acres of land in Indiana, which he later disposed 7 6 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. of and purchased a half interest in his fa- ther's farm. After a time he sold this and bought <>ne hundred and sixty acres, Upon which he lived until he came to 1 >e\Vitt county, in [857. lie located in Clinton and entered into partnership with S. Taylor and engaged in mercantile business in a frame building that stood on the corner now oc cupied bj the Magill House. This partner- ship continued for about three months, when he retired from the business and bought ity acres of land in Wilson township, tin- county, which was first settled by a Mr. Cloud and which was partially improved. A log cabin had been erected and some fruit trees sel out. a few of which were still liv- ing. At that time the only tree in sight of the house was a Cottonwood that had been planted near the door. This grew to an enormous size. Soon a frame house took the place of the log cabin and from that time till the present day -Mr. Davis has steadily prospered in his undertakings, lie first added to his original purchase by pur- chasing the old Bell farm oi one hundred and sixty acres. To this he added the Lewis farm of one hundred ami twenty acres, then fifty-five acres .if timber land and still later an eighty-acre tract of par- tially improved land. In addition to his farming he made a specialty of tine cattle, horses and hogs, which he raised for mar- ket. At times he has had as high as sev- enty-five head of cattle ami one hundred and fifty head of hogs. His land he im- proved by tiling, putting several thousand dollars into tiles. At Tiffin. Ohio. , ,11 March S. [849, Mr. Davis led to the marriage altar Miss Mary S. Wilcox, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Dealander) Wilcox, who were early set- tlers in Ohio. Her father was a wagon- maker and lived to the good old age of eighty-four and his wife also attained the same age. Eight children blessed this union, as follows: Mary S. : Samuel; George; Uriah; Catherine, who married F. 1). Kestler; Peter; Lovina and Lurena. To our subject and his wife were horn six children, namely : Jesse S.. who is agent for the Jones scales, married Mary Ross, now deceased and they have one child, Kash ; Evander resides in Kansas; Merrick, a large ranch owner in Texas, married Belle Brown, and they have seven children, Chauncey R., Mabel S.. Jonathan. Harold. Ira. Grace and Ida Belle; Jonathan lx. and Mary are both deceased; U. S. Grant is a farmer of Harp township, who married Ma Thorp, and they have two children. Sahella and Bernice. for twentj four years Mr. Davis served as justice of the peace, and for two years as a member of the hoard oi supervisors. On August jo. 1859, he induced Rev. Will- iam Hemic], a local minister, to have serv- ices in the school house, as he was one to build the first school house in the township. Here he was chosen leader and he and his g 1 wife did all in their power to keep up the interest of these meetings. He was always found ready and willing to do even more than his share to help the g 1 work along. He was a very liberal giver to- wards the new church, which was erected in 1891, Rev. Walter Mitchell being the first minister to occupy its pulpit, but now it is under the past, .rate of Rev. Enis. When the school house was first built there were only seven families to send children to it, but now it is one of the best in the township. In 1895 Mr. Davis came to Clinton and purchased an elegant home, known as the White property, a large spacious residence with beautiful surrounding lawns and shade trees, a place he ami his wife can well enjoy THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 77 the remainder of their lives and entertain their host of friends. Politically Mr. Davi> is a stanch Republican, hut was originally a Whig, having cast his first vote for Henry Clay in 1S44. Mr. Davis is in all respects a self-made man. Through his own exertions he lias attained an honorable position and marked prestige among the representative men of DeWitt county, and with signal consistency it may he said that he is the architect of his own fortunes, and one whose success amply justifies the application of the somewhat hackneyed, hut most expressive title, "a self-made man." WILLIAM W. MURPHEY. Prominent among the energetic, enter- prising and successful business men Farmer City is William W. Murphey, presi- dent cf the Weedman National Bank, which is one of the safest and most conservative moneyed institutions of the county. It was established in 1S71 by Thomas Brothers and John Weedman, with a capital of forty thou- sand dollars, and when Oscar Thomas died Mr. Weedman purchased the other brother's interest and carried on the business alone, with J. B. Lewis as cashier and teller and W. K. Star as bookkeeper. On the 30th of November, [885, n was reorganized as the Weedman National Bank, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, the officers being Mathias (.'rum. president; Y. S. Lindsley, vice-president; and < '. M. C. Weedman, cashier. The hank building, which was a w len structure, was destroyed by tire Au- * 3. 1N04. hut immediately a handsome hrick building was erected on the same site, into which the company moved January 1, 1895. It is modern in its appointments throughout, and has the besl of deposit vaults. In January. [897, Mr. Murphey was made president of the hank and has since Tilled that office. In January. [893, C. M. I Weedman was succeeded by < '•■ M . Kin- caid as cashier, the latter having entered the employ of the company as clerk in r886 and gradually worked his way upward to cashier, which position he still tills m a most satisfactory manner. The capital stock was increased to seventy-five thousand dollars in [890, and there is now a surplus of twenty- five thousand. Mr. Murphey is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and his executive ability and excellent man- agement have brought to this concern a high degree of success. The safe, conserva- tive policy which he follows commends it- self to the judgment of all. and has secured a patronage which makes the volume of busi- ness transacted over it< counters of great importance and magnitude. Mr. Murphey was born in Frederick county, Virginia, < >ctober 15. 1838, a son of Hiram and Grace F. (Mitchell) Murphey, who were also natives of the < )ld Dominion. The father followed the saddler's trade for many years at Winchester, and on leaving there in 1S44 removed to Sheets Mills. Vir- ginia, whence he came with his family t< 1 1 )e- W'itt county. Illinois, in [852, locating in Santa Anna township, where he became a land owner and successful farmer, lie died August jo. [881, at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife passed away December 17. [880, at the age of seventy-three years. I loth were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In their family were the following children: Thomas I.. ami De- borah, both deceased; Mary F... widow of Alex Holmes; William W\. our Bubject; Robert A. and John I'., deceased: Prances 7» THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Rl., widow of George Page; Levi R. and Isaac, who is also deceased. In 1843 our subject went to live with bis uncle. John Smith, one of the honored pio- neers of this county. He was born in I tardy county, Virginia, February 27, 1805, and in 1835 came to DeWitt county, Illinois, and took up his residence in Mi. Pleasant, now Farmer City, opening the first hotel in the place and serving as its firsl postmaster, the office first being called Santa Anna. The office was then located on the cornet" of South Main street and Clinton avenue, where the marble works now stand. Mr. Smith subsequently followed farming and became the owner of a large amount of land in this county, lie married Miss Mary 1). Mitchell, one of the first school teachers in tins locality. As they had no children of their own they adopted our subject and were to him most indulgent parents. No mother ever loved a child more fondly than Mrs. Smith loved him or was willing to sacrifice more for his happiness. She died July 31, 1878, aged seventj seven years, and Mr. Smith died on the 8th of June, the same year, aged seventj three years. They were mosl estimable people and Mrs. Smith was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. and Mr. Smith gave liberally to its support. Mr. Murphej was educated in the pub- lic schools of this count}, and the Normal School at Normal, Illinois, and later engaged in teaching school for three terms. I lis fust purchase of land consisted of eighty acres known as the Burford farm, now owned by Mr. Brucken, and he subsequently traded that property for the Bracken farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he vet owns ami which he has greatly improved by tiling it and erecting an entire new set of farm buildings. Upon this place he makes his home and is successfully engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising in connection with his banking interests. In McLean county, Illinois, October 5, [865, Mr. Murphey married Miss Nancy Helen Burford, a daughter of Cary and Anna (Shields) Burford. Her father was a retired farmer of Farmer City. By this union were born five children, namely: Ed- win C. a prominent jeweler and esteemed citizen of Farmer City, who died in [898 at the age of thirty years; Grace \.. who is the wife of Benjamin Overstreel and has three children, Walter, Albert and Pearl; Mary Viola is the wife of Fred Swaney and has two children, Merval and Pearl; and Blanche E. and Wayne \\'.. both at home. < »n the inauguration of the Civil war Mr. Murphe) enlisted in July, [861, in Company F, Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and for gallant service was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He was twice wounded. first in the left arm at Fort Donelson, and later in the right hip during the siege of Jacks, in. Mississippi. These honorable scars he will carry with him to his grave, lie is now a prominent member and past com- mander of Lemon Lost, No. Jit. < '•■ A. K., at Farmer City, and the Independent Order -1 1 >dd Fellows, also of Farmer City, and is trustee of the Methodist church, to which he belongs. Politically he is a stanch Republi- can, and is as true to his duties of citizenship in days of peace as when he fought for the old flag and the cause it represented. JOHN SUMMERVILLE. John Summerville, who resides on sec- tion 4. Wapella township, owns and oper- ates a valuable farm of two hundred acres,, whose neat and thrifty appearance well in- THE BIOGKAIMIU )AL RECORD. 79 dicates his careful supervision! Substantial improvements arc surrounded by well tilled fields, and all of the accessories and con- veniences of a model farm arc there found. Mr. Summerville was born on the farm where he now resides, February 17. [8 and is a son of James Summerville, who came to this country in 1848, when a young man. and for ten years worked in the Illinois tral Railroad shops at Wapella. lie then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of the railroad company in Wapella township, and in 186] added to it a tract of forty acre-. for which he paid fifty dollars per acre After erecting a house upon his land he located thereon, and to the further improve- ment and cultivation of that farm devoted his attention for some time. He subsequent- ly bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clintonia township, and an adjoining tract of forty acres, his landed possessions then aggregating four hundred acres. He was in limited circumstances on coming to this county, but being industrious, enterpris- ing and persevering, he gradually worked his way upward until he was one of the well- to-do and prosperous citizens' of his com- munity. In [894 he retired from active labor and removed to Clinton, where he made his home until his death, which oc- curred December 31, [898. In this county he married Miss Elizabeth Heenan. who was born and reared in Ireland, but who sur- vived her husband, being a resident of Clin- ton until her death. August 14, 1 901. The children 1m .rn to them are William T.. a fanner of Clintonia township: John, of this review; Margaret, who is living in Clinton. John Summerville grew to manhood upon the home farm and was educated in the local schools. When his father retired he succeeded to the farm in Wapella town- ship, and has since successfully engaged in it^ operation, lie is a well-known breeder of Clydedale anil Englishshire horses, giv- ing particular attention to that branch of his business, and in all his undertakings has steadily prospered thus far. Politically he is a stalwart Democrat, having never failed in his allegiance to that party since casting his tirst presidential vote for Grover Cleve- land in [888. He was elected and served two years as commissioner of highways, and has always taken a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. Religiously he is a member of the Catholic church. I. FRANK Dl : V This well-known merchant of W'aynes- ville. Illinois, is a man whose sound com- mon sense and vigorous, able management of his affairs have been important factors in his success, and with his undoubted integ- rity of character have given him an honor- able position among his fellow men. He was born in Decatur county. Indiana, Sep- tember 6, [854, but during his infancy was brought to this state, where he has since made his home. His father. J. \Y. Dix. was a native of Virginia and a son of John Dix. J. W. Dix grew to manhood in Virginia and then removed to Ohio, and settled near Xenia. There he married Martha Smith, a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of William Smith, who was one of the early settlers Ohio. After his marriage he removed to Indiana, where he spent one year, and then in 1S54 came to Illinois and took Up his residence in Bloomington, where he fol- lowed blacksmithing for a few years, hav- ing learned that trade in early life. In [869 he removed to Waynesville, DeWitt county, 8o THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. and opened a wagon, repair and blacksmith shop, carrying on business here for some years. He next went to Kingman, Kansas, in 1882, and spent the remainder of his life at that place, dying there in 1888. His wife still survives him and resides with her youngest sun in Newton, Kansas. In the family were twelve children, four sons and eight daughters, all of whom reached ma- ture years, and all of the SOTIS and four of the daughters are still living. J. Frank Dix, of this review, was a lad of about fifteen years when he came with the family to DeWitt county. He received Ins early education in the common schools, which he attended during the winter months, while he worked on a farm through the summer season. After reaching manhood lie took charge of a store at Waynesville, which he success fully managed for two years, and during that time became thor- oughly familiar with the mercantile busi- nses. In May. 1879, be opened a small restaurant of his own, and as soon as he had secured sufficient capital he put in a small stuck of groceries, to which he added from time to time as his financial resources per- mitted, lie built up quite a g 1 business, hut in 1884 sold out, and for three years was engaged in buying and shipping grain. At the end of that time he bought hack his store and continued in the restaurant anil grocer} business until his building and stock were destroyed by tire in 1 Si) 1. With char- acteristic energy he at once rebuilt, and now 1 a! a large double store, and carries a well- selected stock of groceries, hardware, 1 ts. slioes, etc. Having made for himself an enviable reputation for fair dealing, lie re- ceded a liberal share of the public patron- age. On the organization of the Waym ville Hank he became one of the original stockholders, and three years later was made a director and vice-president, in which ca- pacity he has since served. He owns a nice residence in Waynesville, which he has re- cently remodeled, putting in hot water heat and all of the conveniences found in a city home. I >n the 15th of December, 1881, in De- W'itt county. Mr. Dix was united in mar- riage with Miss Laura Sprague, a native of Ohio and a daughter of James Sprague, who was one of the early settlers of this county and died in the service of his coun- try during the war of the Rebellion. Mrs. I>i\ was reared and educated in this county, and by her marriage to our subject has be- come the mother of two children. Fred and Fern. In political sentiment Mr. Nix is a Dem- ocrat, and has supported every presidential nominee of that party since casting his first vote for Grover Cleveland in [884. He has taken quite an active pa/1 in local politics; has served as township clerk, and since iS-c) has been school treasurer. lie was a mem- ber of the town board several years; was its president one term; ami was instrumental in securing the water works ami other needed improvements in the city. He also served four terms as township collector, and in whatever position be has been called upon to till he has most capably and satisfactorily harged its duties. Socially he is a mem- ber of Waynesville Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. ; Waynesville Lodge, F. & A. M. ; and At- lanta Chapter, R. A. M.: and both he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star Chapter. Mr. Nix belongs to thai class of men whom the world terms self-made, for beginning life without capital, he has conquered all the obstacles in the path to success, and has not only secured for himself a handsome com- petence, but by his efforts has materially advanced the interests of the community; THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 81 with which In lated. lit- is a prom- inent figure in business, political and social circles, and ranks among the leading citizens of Wavnesville. AUSTIN R. SHIT.. Among the county officials of Ik-Witt County there is probably none more popular than Austin K. Shue. who is now >. « effici- ently serving as sheriff. He was born in Clinton. Missouri, on the 1st of January. 85 . anil is a son <>i John and Sarah ( Mitchell I Shue. lx>th natives of ' >hio. His paternal grand father. Gotlieb Shue. came to this country from Germany, and followed the tailor's trade throughout the greater part of his life. He spent his last days in this county, and his remains were interred in Wilson township. A more extended men- tion of the Shue family will lie found on another page of this volume. The lather of our subject was horn in Muskingum county. Ohio, and in early life turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1869 he came t<> DeWitt county, Illinois. and after spending s. .me time in Harp town- ship located permanently in Wilson town- ship, where he followed farming quite suc- lly. He devoted his attention princi- pally to the raising of horses, and was one of the most successful breeders of Norman 5 in the county, raising many valuable animals. He died in 1894, at the a. fifty-nine years, honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife is still living. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Austin R., our subject: Mary, wife of T. W. Wilson, of thi> county: Lo- gan, deceased: Ulj jses G and Edward, who live in this county: Ella, deceased wife of 11. S. Griffith, of this county: Almeda. wife of T. Moore, of this county; and Fred, a resident of McLean county. Illinois. Austin R. Shue grew to manhood upon the home farm, and early in life made a study of the art of successful farming. He gan life for himself in. a small way upon an eighty-acre tract of land which his wife had inherited from her father, and to this property he has since added until they now have two hundred and fourteen acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultiva- tion. He has set out an orchard, erected a comfortable residence, a good barn and other buildings, and has made many other im- provements upon the place, which add itly to its valuable and attractive ap- pearance. It previously belonged to the old Harold estate. Mr. Shue successfully en- j _ed in general farming and stock raising until elected sheriff, and on his removal to Clinton to assume the duties of that office he rented his farm. In February. 1881, he married Miss Cora McCord, daughter of Washington McCord, an early settler and successful farmer of this county. It is worthy of mention that Mr. Shue is the third of Mr. McCord's sons-in-law elected sheriff of this county. Our subject and his wife have seven chil- dren, all living, namely: Hallie. Gertrude, Mary. Welby, Nellie, Ella and John Wash- ingti in. Mr. Shue has always taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs, and has been called upon to till several local offices, including those of school director and road commissioner. In the fall of [fi he was elected sheriff on the Republican ticket, and has since served in that capacity to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Py- thias and the Royal - f Americ 82 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. CHARLES W. McCORD. One of the prominent dealers in real es- tate, insurance and loans of Clinton. Illi- nois, is a native of the stale of Illinois and was bom in Santa Anna township, DeWitt county, on the 23d day of June. 1842. lie is a son of John and a grandson "t" James and a great-grandson of James, who was a native of Ireland and a son of Robert, who was a son of John, who in turn was a son of Robert, who in about [689 was a High- lander and chief of his clan in Scotland, and who met his death at the battle at Kille- crunkie Pass, in Scotland, during the Re hellion. 1 1 i> son John took part in numer- ous wars and died about 1 ~ 1 5 - llis sons were John, David, William. Robert, Samuel, Benjamin and James. These children after the death of their father removed to Stew- artstown, County Tyrone, Ireland, and about [720 John, David and William came to the United States and located in Penn- sylvania. John somewhat later moving to North Carolina. David and William were both killed by the Indians. The father ^\ these hoys. John, was bom in Argyle Skye, Scotland. llis coat of arms was a shield of gold in black and while, with three hearts and three lance heads on it. surmounted by a closed helmet. The history of the coat of arms is as fol- low - : "It seems t. . he a \ cry go< id one with its three hearts on golden ground and its three upward pointing arrow heads, which seem t" he typical of an upward aspiration. three, itself is a sacred and spiritual num- ber. There are first, three distinct folds in the drapery, which, taken with the parts. makes seven. The three hearts, three arrow heads and helmet make seven, another sacred number. The whole figure in its general outline is that of an upward pointing tri- angle, which in all religion is symbolical of spirit, hut all through the symbolism seems to he good." Families of the name of Mc- Cord still reside in the County of Tyrone, Ireland, and are all Presbyterians. James Met ord was horn in Ireland in [739 ami died at Spring (.'reek. Overton county. Tennessee, on .March 4, [824. lie went with his father to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, at the age of four years, afterwards removing to Wilkes and Iredell counties, North Carolina, and from there he went to Overton county, Tennessee. He served in the Revolutionarj war and was wagon master general under George Wash- ington, lie married in Wilkes county, North Carolina, Jane Scroggs (or Scruggs), a Scotch lady, who died No- vember 1 J. 1789. They had nine children. Their son James was born in Wilkes county, February _'_•. 1770. and died in DeWitt county. Illinois. December 3, 1852. lie was married in Overton county. Tennessee, tn Mary Moore, mi March jo, 1X04. She was the daughter of Charles Moore and was horn in Granville county. North Carolina, October 29, 1 77« *. and died in DeWitt coun- ty. Illinois, May 23, 1S5S. They first set- tled mi Peterman's Bend, of Obies river, Overton county. Tennessee, where all their children were horn. They moved to Spring (reek about l S I 7 and to DeWitt county in [832, on a farm now- owned by S. J. Thomas. At that time there were hut six families in this part of the state, namely: Dennis Hurley, John Weedman, Richard Kirhy. William Dailey. Robert Cummings and James M. Porter, who are supposed to he the original settlers of this section. At first they lived in a double log house with a hall running the entire length of same and a fireplace at either end. This was later replaced by a frame house, which was con- JOHN McCORD. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 85 sidered a good one for those days and is still standing. In this family were the following children: Charles, James \\\. William Y.. Mrs. Sarah Pool, Mrs. Martha Shinkle, Mrs. Hannah Wakefield, John, the father of our subject, Mrs. Mary Heath and Mrs. Elizabeth Brown. (harlc- Moore, the father of our sub- ject's grandmother, was of Welsh stock, a cooper l>\ trade and served in the Revolu- tionary war. lie also engaged in making tin canteens for the soldiers, lie married Sarah Smith, a lady of Scotch descent. The father of Charles W. McCord «;» 1.. in in ( herton county, Tennessee, April 5, 1814. Upon reaching man's estate he pur- chased a farm in DeW'itt township, this county, which is now owned by Mr. Mc- Kinley. and followed farming until within fifteen years of his death, the last few years <>f his life being passed in the city of Clin- ton, where he died in March. 1 NX 1 . hi politics he was an old line Whig and was on one occasion elected by the Democratic vote to the office of justice of the peace, hut at that time, as he was the only Republican in the township, he refused to qualify and serve. He married Sarah S.. the daughter of Gabriel Watt, who was a Methodist preacher and a pioneer of this county. She was horn in [819 and her death occurred in 1896. To them were horn three children. William J., who died at Knoxville, Ten- nessee. March lS. [86-£ while in the service and a member of Company ne Hundred Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Charles W., our subject, and his twin sister, Marie J., the widow of S. 1\. RiggS. She resides at Midland. Texas, and is the owner of a large stock ranch, comprising over forty sections of land. Charles W. McCord was raised on the farm of his parents and received the or- dinary common school education and later attended the Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. College, and then engaged m farming, buying what is now known as the Knob's farm in De- Witt township, comprising one hundred and twenty-seven acres. On this he resided for four years, making many improvements, when he disposed oi it and purchased one hundred and sixty aires in McLean coun- ty, which he improved and on which he re- sided for four years and then moved to Storm Lake. Iowa, where he carried on farming for eighteen years, lie then lived four years at Storm Lake Cit) and from there moved to Clinton. Illinois, to care for his mother, who was well advanced in years and where he has since made his home. Shortly after his arrival here he established his present business and has handled a large amount of property in this and adjoining states, and has also conducted a large insur- ance and loan business, in which he has been very successful. On Christmas day, [865, he married Margaret J. Swisher, daughter of Isaac one of the early and prominent settlers of this comity. A sketch of the Swisher family will he found on another page of this work, together with an engraving of Mr. Swisher. She died at the age of fifty-three years, < ),- toiler. [896, at Storm Lake. Iowa. She he- came the mother of four children: Ida M. married John A. Struble, of Clinton: and to them were horn two children. Harry and Mane. John died at the age of one year. Charles Frank, of Iowa, married Lithe Prysk, and to them were horn Lean Frank and Myrle. Katie Mane died at the age of nine months. Mr. McCord married for his second wife. October 23, [9OO, Mrs. \nianda ( '. Taylor, the daughter of Dr. c [brake, late of Clinton, and one of its most es- 86 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. teemed physicians and surgeons. Mr. Mc- Cord is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic fraternity, all of Clinton. JACOB W. AXD JOHN JONES. Anums;- the leading citizens and success- ful agriculturists of Barnetl township are numbered tin- Jones brothers, who reside on section to. and have been actively identified with the farming interests of this COUtttv since the fall of 1X511. They are natives >i Gibson county. Indiana, where Jacob W. was born January 25, iN_m. and John, March 13, [825. Their father, Charles Jones, was born in Madison county, Ken- tucky, in 171) 1. and was a son of Cadwall- ader Ji mes, w ho was a native 1 >f North Caro- lina and one of the firsl settlers of the Blue Grass state. For some time during his early residence in Kentucky his family had to live in the fort for protection from the Indian^. When a young man Charles Jones left his native state ami removed to Indi- ana, about 1 S 1 _' . and there he married Miss Eleanor Warrick, who was also born in Kentucky. Her father. Captain Warrick. was killed by the Indians in the battle of Tippecanoe, on the Wabash river, in 1S11. He was one of the firsl settlers of Gibson county. Indiana, having located there in [807. M:ere Mrs. Jones was reared, and there she continued to make her home after her marriage up to the time of her death, which occurred in 1N71. at the age of about seventy-two years. Her husband, who was a farmer by occupation, died in February, [864, ami both were laid to rest in the Owensville cemetery. They were the par- ents of twelve children, eleven of whom readied mature years, and seven sons are still living. The brothers in whom we are interested grew to manhood in Gibson county. Indiana, and their education was limited to a few months* attendance at the subscription schools of those days. They remained on the old homestead, engaged in farming and stock raising, until the fall of 1N50, when thev came to 1 leW'itt county. Illinois, hav- ing previously purchased three hundred and twenty .acres of land in Harnett township. To the further improvement and cultivation of that place thev have since devoted their energies with marked success, and as their financial resources have increased thev have extended the boundaries of their farm until thev now have nearly six hundred acres of rich and arable land. They have built a large and substantial resilience upon the place, good barns and other outbuildings, and have added all the accessories ami con- veniences usually found upon a model farm of the present day. John Jones gives con- siderable attention to the raising of pure- blooded short horn cattle, and is accounted one of the most successful stock-raisers oi the county, lie is one of the original stock- holders of the Waynesville Bank, and is also one of its directors. I lis 1 not her is a st,,ek- holder of the same institution and of the State Bank of Clinton. In October, [856, John Jones was mar- ried in Gibson county. Indiana, to Miss iv-r- nielia Montgomery, a native- of that county, as was also her father, J. W. Montgomery. Si\ children bless this union, namely: Ella, wife of W. T. Marvel, a farmer of Harnett township. DeWitt county. Illinois; War- rick. Charles ami Franklin, who are en- gaged in farming on the home place; and THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 87 Martha and Mary, twins, the latter the wife ol (i. A. Randolph, who is engaged in the banking business in Warrensburg, Illinois. In early life the Jones brothers affiliated with the Whig party, and J. W. cast his tir-t vole for Henry Clay in 1S44. and John voted for General Zachary Taylor in 1848, but they supported John C. Fremont in [856, and have since l>een identified with the Re- publican party. In business affairs they are prompt, energetic and notably reliable, and through their own well-directed efforts they have achieved excellent success, being now numbered among the well-to-do and pros- is farmers of their community. CHARLES WALKER. Charles Walker, a highly respected citi- zen of Harp township, section [9, was born in Sangamon county. Illinois, February 14. i860. He is the sixth child of Judge Rob- ert and Sarah < Fretz I Walker, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, but resided in Ohio many years before coming to Illinois. A biography of their lives is included else- where in this lxx>k. Charles Walker was educated in the schools of Harp township, but his education was not confined to that received at school. By a wise father and a devoted mother he was trained in all those Christian virtues which unite to form the highest type of American manhood. Oc- tober 3, 1889, he was united in marriage with Mi-s Kate C. Capron, a daughter of William and Laura ( Willis) Capron. Will- iam Capron was a native of New York, a soldier in the Civil war and was captured at the battle of Cross Roads and confined even months in Andersonville prison, from which he was released at the cli the war. The subject whose name introduces this -ketch ha- always lived on the same place since he came to tin- county with hi- par- ent- at the age of live year-. 1 lere he urew to manhood and obtained hi- practical knowledge of agriculture. Mr. Walker- farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land, which he de- votes to general farming. The cattle which he raise- are short horns and are eligible to registry. He is also the owner of the im- ported Percheron stallion Sicot. He has good buildings on his farm, and everywhere are signs that the les.-oii- in agriculture which he learned from his father are being DUt to a wise use. J'hat he i- a successful farmer is evidenced by the fact that he has been chosen president of the Farmers 1 Insti- tute. He is also president of the Prairie Center Telephone Company, with head- quarters at Clinton. In politics be i- a Pro- hibitionist, and would like to see the curse of drunkeness removed from our beloved country. Charles Walker and his wife are the par- ent- of rive children, of whom one. an infant -0:1. 1- dead. Carl. Helen and the twins. Sarah and Laura, who are named after their two grandmothers, live to gladden the home of Charles and Kate Walker. Mr. Walker and his wife are prominent mem! of the Presbyterian church at Clinton. Ik- has been an elder in the church for four years and is a faithful adherent to the re- ligion of his father-. ALFRED HOMER MONTGOMERY. Prominent among the influential in paper men of DeWitt county is Alfred Homer Montgomery, editor of the Weldon 38 THE BIOGRAPHICAL- RECORD. Record. Many causes contribute to the suc- cess of Mr. Montgomery, not the least of which is an extended journalistic experi- ence, an intuitive knowledge of the demands of the leading public, and forceful, clear- cut, sensible ideas upon leading and inter- esting questions of the day. The tolerance and breadth of mind ventilated through the editorials and general columns of the Rec- ord challenge respect and attention from all who peruse its well-printed pages, no mat- ter what their individual political and other view-. A hard and conscientious worker, the editor of the Record has trodden no royal road to his present position, hut is in- debted solely to his own untiring efforts in learning ever) detail, from the bottom up. ..i newspaper work. He was born Febru- ary 15. [876, near Middletown, Logan coun- ty, Illinois, a s, ,11 of William and Sarah (Dunmire) Montgomery. William Mont- gomery, s, ,11 of Thomas Jefferson, was one of a family of seventeen children, four daughters and thirteen sons, and his death occurred in 1NN1. when his son, A. 11.. was but five years of age. The lad lived on the home farm until 1SS4. when he accompanied lis mother, now Mrs. R. M. Ewing. and his step-father, to Farmerl City, Illinois, where the latter purchased the Farmer City Re- publican. Then began the career of the embryo journalist, for at the age of nine ars he entered the printing office of the Republican, attending also the public schools as opportunity afforded. The printing business seems to have been paramount at this time, for upon reaching the sophomore year he abandoned for the present further attempt at school education, and devoted himself exclusively to the affairs of the news- paper office. After the sale of the Republi- can his services were enlisted with the Farmer City Record, purchased by his mother and brother, H. E., with his step- father. R. M. Ewing, as editor-in-chief. After a fitful career of a year and a month in Farmer City under the new management, the outfit of the Record was taken to Wel- don, Mr. Montgomery arriving to contrib- ute his share toward manipulating the enter- prise in its new quarters in March of 1893. The control of the Record underwent a change in 1895, owing to the death of Mr. Ewing, at which time a partnership was formed between Mr. Montgomery and his brother, 11. H.. and continued amicably un- til the substitution of J. H. for II. 1-".. Mont- gomery, Upon the retirement of the latter t" Clinton in [896. By mutual consent the Record force was dissolved in [898, Alfred i lomer Ah tntgomery assuming complete con- trol of the sheet. Since [899 the periodical has been issued from its new home, a com- modious and well-planned office building of brick, fitted with all modern conveniences, ; nd rendered acceptable to the eye by large plate glas> windows and elegant appropri- ate fixtures. The hospitable and delightful home of Mr. Montgomery is presided over by his wife, formerly Birdie McAboy, of Lane, Illinois, whom he married February 15, [898. 1 U' this union there are two chil- dren, Helen Irene and Robert William Har- rold Nates. The friends w\\,, delight in the surroundings of the beautiful Montgomery home are legion, and the utmost good fel- lowship, refinement and culture prevail to an unusual degree. MRS. LYDIA M. JOHNSON. The state of Illinois owes its high stand- ing among the sovereign commonwealths that make up the United States to the high ELIAS JOHNSON AND WIFE. Till-. r.loC.KAHIk- \I. RKCORD. 91 character and dauntless spirit of her pioneers. To their inspiration and work 1-- due her wonderful progress in agriculture, manu- facturing and the art-. They transformed the wild prairie lands into beautiful homes and farms, and in the midst of the wilder- ness established churches and >i-In » ils. lay- ing the foundations for the grand institu- tions of philanthropy and learning which are the glory of the state at the present day. Among those brave and far-sighted pioneers the family to which Mrs. Johnson belongs holds a prominent place. They came t" what is now DeWitt county in 1830, and were the first to locate in Farmer City, where she now makes her home. Her father. Dennis Hurley, was horn in Trenton. New Jersey, March 11. 171)7. an 'l was a son of James Hurley, who spent his last 1 lays in Illinois, where he died when a very old man. his remains being interred in Camp Ground cemetery. Santa Anna town- ship. His wife had previously died in the east. Their children were John. Robert, Timothy. Dennis. Catherine. Sarah and Mary. In early life Dennis Hurley removed to Ohio, where he wedded Miss Mary M. Con- nell. who was horn in Lancaster county.. Pennsylvania, October 27, [796. Her par- ent-. John and Margaret (Trice) Conneli, were natives of Ireland and Germany, re- spectively, and on their emigration to Amer- ica first settled in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, hut later removed to the line!-. state. Mr. Conneli was killed by a falling tree just west of Newark, Ohio. He was a weaver of broadcloth and also followed school teaching. In his family were eight children, namely: Adam. John. Mathew, David. Mary. Sarah. Margaret, Elizabeth and James. Mr. and Mrs. Hurley had ten children who grew to man and womanhood, whose name- and dates of birth were a- fol- lows: Sarah Ann. July 17. [820; ( aroline, October 28, 1821; Lydia M.. September 29, :S_>j; Jeremiah, April 17. [825; John. Sep- tember 22, 1826; Adeline. December 26 [828; Mary Jane and Lewis, twin-. Febru- ary 4. 1830; Catherine, Jul) [6, [832; and David, December _'. 1834. Adam, the old- est, died young; a -on who was fifth in order of birth, died in infancy; and Dennis ami lame- died young. After hi- marriage Dennis Hurley made hi- home in Ohio for several years, hut in September, [830, started westward with a four-horse team and a new Virginia wagon, which contained his household goods and family. He was accompanied bj hi- brother- in-law, Richard Kirby, and his family. They were many days in making the journey, ar- riving at what i- now Bloomington, Illinois, during the second week of October. That city then contained only three log cahins, which were owned by James Allen. One wa- used a- a blacksmith shop, one a- a pro- vision store, and in the other the family lived. There the party camped to rest, near an old Indian camp, five miles south of Bloomington. Leaving hi- family there. Mr. Hurley started out to look for a loca- tion. He first settled at what is new known as Hurley's Grove, in DeWitt county, where lie built a split log cabin, eighteen feet square, which was afterward moved to the Mckinley Hotel for an outbuilding. After spending the winter there he went to South Prairie in the spring of [83] and located a farm, which he entered in 1833, when the first land agency was established in this -, tion of the -tate. This farm i- now the property of Hiram Stock. It consisted of eighty acres ,,f prairie laud and forty a< of timber. The first year Mr. Hurley broke twenty acre-, -et out an orchard and plant- 92 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ed a garden. The first house lie erected here served as his residence for six years, hut at the end of that time, believing his pasture to be a im >re suitable location, he there built a hewed log house, with a split shingle mi if ami puncheon floor, winch was con- sidered a fine resilience fur those days. There were three m. mis down stairs and one up. All the Clinking was done I >\ er the fireplace at one end of the kitchen. In those early days the family suffered many hard- ships and privations incident to life on the frontier. It was a long ways to either mar- ket nr mill, but wild game of all kinds was very plentiful and furnished many a meal fn|- the early settlers, there being deer. prairie chickens, wild turkeys, geese, dudes, etc. Mr. Hurley being a great hunter and a good slmt. his family always had an abundance of venison and other wild meat. The prairie wolves, together with the gray and black wolves, were very common and caused the earl) settlers much annoyance. Selling his first farm. Mr. Hurlej removed t'> what is now known as the Gillespie farm. but a tew years later disposed of that place bought a farm adjoining his old home. lie continued to reside mi this place until called to his final rest June 26, [866. I lis wife died July 6, 1S50, and thus passed away one of the oldesl and most honored pioneer couples in this section of the state. After the death of his first wife Mr. Hurley married a Mi's. Day and after her demise married Mrs. Gesford, who survived him. huring the third year of their residence here they were visited by the Kickapoo and Pottawattamie Indians, who proved very friendly and seemed t < > appreciate any kind- ness shown them. That same year Mr. Hurley and his eldest daughter attended a cam]) meeting at Randolph Grove, and he- came converted, joining the Methodist Epis- copal church. On his return home he es- tablished a Methodist Society in his neigh- borhood, consisting of his and Mr. Kirby's families, there being hut six members at the start. As soon as a school house was built in the neighborhood, he was instrumental in securing preachers to hold services there, the first being the Rev. Hall, followed by Rev. 1\. Clarke and Rev. 1'. Curnmings, who preached once in four weeks. Mr. Hurley was a class leader and held meetings at his own home. He led an upright, honorable and useful life, and was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. Mrs. Johnson, whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Newark, < >hio, Sep- tember 29, [822, ami was eight years of age when she came with her parents In this coun- ty, where she grew to womanh 1. < In the 4th ..f February, [842, she gave her hand in marriage to Elias Johnson, who was burn in [ackson county, < >hio, and was a son of Silas and Elizabeth (Craig) Johnson. Ih- father was a native of Virginia, and fnnn that state removed to Jackson coun- ty, Ohio, and later came to Illinois, settling first in Vermilion county, and later in Rut- ledge township, DeWitt county, taking up land on the north fork of Salt creek, where he made his home for many years. He died at a g 1 1 'Id age and his wife was eighty- six at the time of her death, their remains being interred in the North Fork burying ground. In their family were eight chil- dren, namely: Thomas, John, Elias, Pres- ley, Lucinda, Nancy. Elizabeth and, Ellen, Elias Johnson acquired his education in an old log school house si. common during his boyh 1. In [837 he came with the family to DeWitt county, and began his business career as a farmer by purchasing fortv acres of land in Santa Anna township and entering a tract of similar size. Ill THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 93 health preventing him from engaging in ag- ricultural pursuit-, he subsequently traded his farm for mill property on Salt creek, which he operated nine months. In i lie removed to Fanner City, and devoted the • of his life to loaning money. He was th men- tally and physically, and appears much v. anger than she really is. Hi IN. MICHAEL DON Mill The man who achieves success in the legal profession is even more strictly the "architect of his own fortunes" than the average .-elf-made business man. there being in the keen competitions of the lawyer's life, with its constantly recurring mental duel between eager and determined antagonists, no chance for the operation of influences which may l>e called to the aid of the mer- chant, the manufacturer or the financier. Among the men of 1 leWitt county who have demonstrated their ability in this difficult I the Hon. Michael Donahue holds leading place, and his history affords an in- teresting example of ambition rightly directed and pursued with a zeal which oxer- come- all obstacle-. Mr. Donahue was born at Horseheads, r Elmira, New York. March 17. 1841, and i- a son of Neal (('Donahue and Ann O'Riley) Donahue, both native- nty Tyrone. Ireland. The father followed the occupation of a teamster throughout the ter part of his life. In 1843 ' ,e r( -' m ' to Chicago, where he died at the age of about fifty years, while his wife died at the of forty-five. They hail two children: Michael, our subject: and Thomas, an teemed citizen of Clinton. When the family removed to Chicago it had a population - of only five thousand. After the death of his parents Michael Don- ahue was bound out t«> Rev. Isaac Merium, :. Baptist minister living near Tremont, Illi- nois, with whom he remained until |8« He then went to live with a Mrs. \. < >. Mer- ium. who was a mother to him. From her he learned many valuable which b been a guide to him through life, and he still tenderly cheri-hes her memory. In early manhood he commenced learning the liar- 94 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ness maker's trade with William Metzger, oi Waynesville, Illinois, but soon afterward decided to study law, and worked at vari- ous occupations in order to earn the money with which to meet his expenses while pre- paring for the legal profession. He pur- sued his studies under the direction of C. II. Moore and Henry S. Green, of Clinton, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1863. In August of the same year he removed to Boonesboro, Iowa, where he remained till the spring of [864, when he returned to Clinton and opened an office and continued in the practice of his profession until [884, when he removed to 1 )maha, Nebraska. 1 1< again returned to Clinton m [888, where lie has since resided and practices his profes- sion. In [867 he Formed a partnership with lonel J. J. Kelley. who was later suc- ceeded by his son \Y. R, Kelley. This partnership continued till [878, when it was diss, iKed by mutual consent. In [864 Mr. Donahue was united in mar- riage with Miss Mar\ Clagg, daughter of William Clagg, of this county, and to them have been born four children : Mrs. Nancy Gill, of Kansas; Rosie; Florence; and Edna. As a Republican he has always been promi- nently identified with political affairs, and in 187O was elected to represent the Bloom- ington district in the state senate. So ceptably did he till the office that he was re- elected from the DeWitt and Macon coun- ties senatorial district at the end of his first term. From [862 until [869 he served as city attorney of Clinton, and was again elected to that office in 1892, filling it up to the present time. As a trial lawyer he has shown unusual force and has developed great strength as well in the systematic and care- ful preparation of his cases and the shrewd and thorough examination of witnesses as in the eloquent, logical and convincing man- ner of their presentation before court and jury. He is one of the most prominent Re- publican politicians of the county, and was one of the presidential electors who elected Hayes in [876. lie has taken an active in- terest not only in politics hut also in the welfare and progress of the county. Re- ligiously lie is a member of the Presbyterian church and a teacher in the Sabbath school, ,md socially is a member of the .Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias, having been connected with the former fraternity since [862. •—-+ THOMAS EWING. Mr. Ewing is one of the public-spirited citizens of Clinton, to whose energy and foresight that citj is indebted for many im- provements. While Mr. Ewing, as a pros- perous husniess man. has given close atten- tion to his own private affairs, he has never gotten or ignored that bond of common interest which should unite the people of e\er\ community, and he has ever been ready to promote progress in every line, lie was horn near Zanesville, Ohio, May J4, 1N4J. and is a son of John Ewing, who was horn in Guernsey county. Ohio, September 17. 1 S 1 4 . lie was a shoemaker by trade, hut for sixteen years operated a coal mine near Zancs\ illc, before coming to DeWitl county. In 1N5N he located in Barnett township, and later bought a farm in Harp township, which he cultivated until he reached his eighty-third year, when he re- tired and went to live with our subject. John Ewing is a son of Robert, who was a native of Virginia, whose father, with three brothers, came from the north of Ire- land. Robert Ewing was one of the early THOMAS EWING. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 97 settlers of Ohio, emigrating from the Old Dominion. He was a shoemaker by trade, and lived i" reach the age of eighty years. His wife, who was Mar) Beymer, died at the age of seventy years. Their children were as follows: Phillip, John, Simon, Stewart. Julia. Elizabeth, Ellen and l'.ina- line. The parents were members of the Methodist church. The subject of this review, Thomas Ew- ing, is one of the largest dealers in all kinds of grain and coal in the county, lie buys grain, shipping mostly to Chicago, south to Xew Orleans and east to quite an extent. This business was established about [878, by John J. McGraw, and about [883, this. together with the beautiful he •me. was pur- chased by Mr. Ewing. But the impn ments have been so great that it would hard- ly be recognized. A new office, scales, etc., have been erected, and the lawns surround- ing the spacious house are beautiful. This pretty home is located in the southern part of Clinton, at what is known as McGraw's Addition. Aside from this property our subject owns the old farm in Harp town- ship, which he has added to until he now lias a quarter section of well cultivated land. The early life of Thomas Ewing was spent on his father's farm, where he se- cured a good education in the public schools 0/ the district, which was supplemented by a course of study in the Wesleyan Univer- sity at Bloomington, Illinois. In 1862, he- mg of a patriotic nature, he enlisted in Com- pany E, Sixty-eighth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, as a private, hut his worth was soon recognized and he was promoted to ser- geant, in which position he served faithfully until the close of his enlistment. In [864 he began teaching, which profession he fol- lowed for fourteen years, all this time con- lining himself to three districts in this coun- ty. At the end of this period he entered into his present business. Our subject's mother was Miss Matilda Richey, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Jackson) Richey. who were natives of Pennsylvania, and who came to DeWitt county as farmers in 1854. Mr. Richey died at the age of eighty-three years and the wife at sixty-eight They became the parents of the foil,, wing named children: Matilda, who became the mother of our sub- ject; Maria; Alexis J.; Catherine; Susan: Samuel J.: Austin J.; Hatr.:ah Ann; ami Abel Thomas. To Mr. and Mrs. John Ewing were horn the following named children: Andinet. who married John Harnett and is now deceased; Austin, who died at the age of four years; Thomas, whose name introduces this re- view, was the next in order of birth; Ellen, who married James Harnett; Simon, a resi- dent of White Heath, this state, married Miss Metta Mitchell: Nora, who married Madison Warrick, of Clinton. Mr. Ewing chose for a helpmate in life Miss Ordelia A., daughter of Isaac Mc- Cuddy, one of the early farmers of DeWitt county. As a result of this union the fol- lowing children have been horn: Russell, a farmer in this county, who married Mis^ NellieFohley ; Mont V.. formerly a baggage man on the main line of the Illinois Central Railroad, hut who is now connected with his father in the grain and coal business, married Tern 'Thomas; Blanche is the wife of Walter Marvel, and they reside in Tree- port, they have one child. Louise; Louise, the youngest daughter, died at the age of ft ,11 r v ears. The Democratic party has no m Stanch Supporter than the man whose name introduces this sketch, and for four years served his township as justice of the peace. 9 3 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. and as school trustee for several years. He is a member of tin.' Knights of Pythias and was chairman of the building committee of erecting the K. of 1'. building in Clinton, ami has held several offices of the order with much credit to himself, lie is also a mem- ber of Frank Lowry Post No. 157, G. A. R. Mr. Ewing has also taken a prominent part in the organization of the Clinton Chautau- qua, which held its first meeting in August, [901. The following, which we copy from the Clinton Daily Public, will be read with interesl : "About the first of this year a few of the citi/ens of Clinton conceived the idea of organizing a Chautauqua at Weldon Springs, the only natural place in Central [llinois for such an undertaking. A meet i'ng was called and held in the o unity court 1 to sel( is and tlic •,,, called un- lucky number of thirteen was present, and election of the following directors : — 'I'h. .mas Ewing, Judge < '•. K. fngham, W. II. Ogle bee, John Fuller, W. B. Readey, F. C. Hill, rj Hughes, F. E. Pinkerton, and C. R. Adair. The directors elected the following cers:- 1 'resident. < i. K. fngham; Vice- sident, F. E. Pinkerton; Second Vice- President, \\ . B. Readey; Secretary, F. C. Hill; Treasurer. Thomas Ewing. "The foundation of the association are those who first subscribed for fifteen dollars worth of tickets and to the guarantee fund, 1 aggreeing to pay a deficit of one hun- dred dollars each and others three hundred dollars each. These guarantees entitle mem- bers 1.. one vote each for every ten tickets and one vote each for each one hundred dollar guarantee. Thirty-two citizens of Clinton and vicinity signed this guarantee. The am. .tint of the guarantee fund was M -\ - en thousand dollars, which will not be called for as there is a surplus to be used as a re- serve fund for next year. Up to the pres- ent time there are sixty-two members of the Chautauqua association." In life Mr. Ewing fully demonstrated the word success, which is dus entirely to his own well directed efforts, for without the aid of influence or wealth, he started out to make his own way in the world, and today is one of the most substantial and properous man in his community, as well as one of the most llighlj esteemed citizens. MRS. M \UY RU rLEDGE. Mrs. Mary Rutledge, one of the oldest and most esteemed residents of Rutledge township, as well as one of the pioneers of this section ^<\ the state, was horn in Clai- borne county. Tennessee, June 2, [822, and i^ a daughter of Jacob and Rachel ( Hughes) Van Deventer, both of whom were natives of Sullivan county, Tennessee. Her pa- ternal grandparents were' Abraham and Martha Van Deventer, the former of Ger- man and the latter of English descent. They were farming people and lived to a good old age. In their large family of children there were five sons, Thomas, Abraham, John. Peter and Jacob. In 1831 Jacob Van Deventer came with his family to Illinois and settled in McLean county, where he died in the fall of 1833, his remains being inter- red at LeRoy. He foughl in the war of [812 under General Jackson. His wife en- tered land in McLean county, and with the i stance of her children improved it, mak- ing it her home throughout the remainder of her life. She was a devout ('liristian, being a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian church, and died in that faith, at the age of eighty-three years. She had a fam- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 99 ily of five sons and five daughters, namely: Tin .mas; Abraham; John; David, a min- ister >>t" the Cumberland Presbyterian church: Martha: .Mary: Mahala and Mar- ana, twins: James: and Louisa. Mrs. Rutledge was about nine years of when she accompanied her parents on their removal to this state, and on her mother's farm in McLean county she grew to womanhood. She was married, Janu- ary 17. 1839, to William Jackson Rutledge, who was 1 >« >m in White county, Illinois, June 23, 1816, a son of Thomas and Sarah ifficer) Rutledge. His father was born in North Carolina, of English ancestry, and hsi mother in South Carolina, of Irish par- entage: History -ays the family was founded in Georgia. While living in Ken- tucky Thomas Rutle ed as a ranger in the war of 1812, and after i: mi- grated to White county, Illinois, where he made his home until [828, and then removed to what i- now Randolph Grove, McLean inty. There he died in 1830, at the age sixty-two years. His wife was well ad- vanced in years at the time of her death. which occurred thirteen years later. In their family of ten children were lame-. Mark. Officer, Robert, William J.. Mrs. Jane Qickinson, Mrs. Polly Craig, Mrs. Sally Cline and Mrs. Betsey Britten. William J. Rutledge aided hi- mother in the operation of the home farm until nine- teei 1 age, and made the most of the educational advantages afforded him by the public conducted in an old log school-house near hi- home. He first mar- ried Mi-- Eliza Duffield, a daughter of Rob- ert Duffield. She died three years after their marriage, leaving two children: Mar- tha J. and John A., who died, leaving large families that are represented elsewhere in this work. For his second wife Mr. Rut- ledge wedded our subject, as previously stated. In 1838 Mr. Rutledge bought a claim ami entered one hundred and sixty acre- prairie and timber land on section 17 of what is now known as Rutledge town-hip. it being named in his honor. His tir-t home here was a -mall log house, twenty by eight- een feet in dimensions, with two doors hut no windows. There was a large fireplace at one end, with a mud and -tick chimney. rind the furniture of the cabin was all of the mo^t primitive sort. This house was sub- sequently replaced by a small frame resi- dence, and when that was destroyed by lire the present home of Mrs. Rutledge was built, though it has since been remodeled and enlarged. In [846 while her husband was working with his oxen he -tuck his Cottonwood whip in the lane and it took 1 and grew, so that it is to-day a beautiful tin standing in the center of the road half mile ea-t of hi- residence — a landmark of early days. The oldest pear tree of Rut- _c township, if not of DeWitt county. stands in his yard at the corner of the r running north of section 17. and many of the 1 'Id residents of that locality have eaten of its fruit. It was grafted on an apple tree. Mr. Rutledge was a man of exceptional business ability and an able financier, and at hi- death, which occurred July 6, iSS_\ he had accumulated over seven hundred acres of land. Charitable and benevolent, he gave to all worthc enterprises for the public good, and he assisted many of the early settlers in buying houses, often loaning hi- friends money without interest. In politic- he was a stalwart Democrat, hut never aspired to office. Religiously he was an active mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and was a man highly respected and es- IOO THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. teemed, his memory being cherished by all who knew him. His widow is in possession of the old homestead, which goes to the grandchildren at her death. She is a most estimable woman, who has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who hold her in high regard. C1IAKI.ES \V. BISHOP. Charles W. Bishop, who lives with Mrs. Rutledge on the did homestead, was born in McLean county, Illinois. November -7. [860, and is a son "f Jacob C. and Mary Ann 1 Little) Bishop and grandson of Jacob and Mary A. (Weedman) Bishop. His grandfather died in McLean county at the advanced age of ninety-three years, and the grandmother at an advanced age. She was a daughter of George and Charlotte Weed man. and was born in Pennsylvania. At an early da\ she removed with her parents to Perry county, Ohio, and from there came to McLean county, Illinois. On the 10th of May, [821, -ho gave her hand in mar- riage t<> facob Bishop, and at the time of her death had thirteen children, eighty grandchildren and five greal grandchildren. She was a devout Christian. Her children were Sarah Ann. Charity, George, Jacob. Anna ML, Charlotte, Fletcher, John S., Elizabeth, Asbury M.. Joseph, Harriet and I lannah. Jacob C. Bishop, the father of Charles \\'.. is Mill living in Heyworth, McLean county. His wife died at the age of forty- five years. They were the parents of nine children, namely: John \\\. Mary Ellen, Alice. Fremont, Charles \\\. James. Emma, Fanny and Sanford Dick. Charles W. Bishop was reared upon the home farm and educated in the common schools of the neighborhood. In 1890 he went to Weldon. Illinois, where he spent one year, and then located on the old Rut- ledge homestead, where he still lives, his time and attention being devoted to the op- tratioii of the farm. lie married Miss Mar- tha I). Turner, a daughter of Dennis and Martha J. (Rutledge) Turner, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Her ma- ternal grandfather was William J. Rut- ledge, mentioned in the preceding sketch. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bishop were Fred \\ .. Mary A.. Homer A., Alice II . ; Charles D., who died at the age of four mi 'in h-. ; and Ralph L. The father is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, while the mother is a Methodist in religious belief. Socially Mr. Bishop affili- with the Masonic fraternity and the In- endenl < >rder of < >dd Fellows at LeRoy. In his political views he is a Republican, and he has filled the office of school director. GE< >RGE FRANKLIN HUFFMAN, Among the heroes who helped to lib th< yoke "f English oppression from the shoul- ders of the Colonists during the Revolution- ary war. was the paternal great-grandfather, Christian Huffman, who was born in Penn- sylvania, and there lived for many years. Added to his service of four and a half years under the banner of Washington, was an equally meritorious and courageous serv- ice in the war of iNij. when he fought for eighteen months after his removal to Vir- ginia. What was most remarkable was the fact that during both of the conflicts he was neither wounded or captured, or laid up in the hospital. Both himself and wife, who was formerly a Miss Cole, of Virginia, lived to an advanced age, and reared to usefulness- Till-: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 101 a family of eight children, of whom S mon, the paternal grandfather, was Ix.rn in Virginia, and carried "ii farming enterpris in Pendleton county, where lie died in i> at the ghty-one year-. The mater- nal grandparents of e f( und on another rd; F. : and Nora, who is the - E. Holmes George Franklin red and I in Rul in- side from the education acquired in the publi ended for a term the X. I C. Normal school, at Dixon. Bef lining his majority he combined with his father in the purchase of a farm ■•!' one hun- 1 and til' in Santa Anna township. unty, his interest being disp of to hi> father at a later day. He then pur- 1 farm of two hundred a< lion x> ion town-hip. Piatt county, which ill) operated for four 1 ill own-, and which ha- pn a most remunerative and satisfactory invest- ment. In December, ith in Piatt and DeWitt couties. He is a member the United Brethren church. February 11. iN'>7. Mr. Huffman 1 ried Emma L., 'laughter of William and Elizabeth Riley, of Wilson township, De- Witt county. Of this union there daughter. Verna Belle. REUBEN CLEARWATERf. Reuben Clearwal j prominent con- tractor ami builder of Farmer City, is the -on of Nathan Clearwater^, the honored founder of that place. Hi- paternal grand- father wa- Reuben Clearv > North Carolina, who went to Tei early life and there married lane Miller, who wa- ln.rn on the south branch of the mac in Virginia, and removed with her parents to Tennessee at an early da} In this worthy couple, accompanied by their children, emigrated t.. Highland coun- Ihio, where they -pent the followii ami then remov< inklin county, Indiana. Later the\ lived m M 102 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Putnam counties, that state, for a time, and in 1830 removed to Vermilion, Illinois, and two years later to Buckle Grove, .Mel. can county, where our subject's grandfather took up a large tract of land. He also en- tend land in DeWitt county, at one time owning the II. Huddleston farm, but he spent his last days in McLean county, where he died in [866, at the age of eighty-five years, his wife in 1864, at the age of sev- enty-two, and both were buried in the Le- Roj cemetery. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and held 3-meetings at their home. The grand- father was also an active member of the .Stui-. of Temperance. Ilis children were John, Nathan, Mrs. Susan Westfall, Mrs. M.ilinda Royston, Mrs. Elizabeth Huddle- ston, Dr, Jacob Clearwaters, Mrs. Jane Kimbler and Dr. Reuben Clearwaters. Nathan Clearwaters. the father of our subject, wa- horn in Greene county. Tennes- May 7. (807, and accompanied his par- ents on their various removals during his boyhood and youth, receiving fair educa tional advantages for those days. On the 7th of August, [828, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary M. Danner, who was born in Harrison county, Indiana, Novem- ber 29, 1812. Her parents, John and Cath- erine (Zenor) Danner, wen pioneers of 1 >e\Vitt county, where their deaths oc- curred. Their children were: Absalom, who was married in [837 1. 1 I.ucretia ( '< wc\ , this being the first wedding performed in ta Anna township; Allen B. ; John Z. : Samuel: Rachel: David; William: Isaac; Catherine: and Mary M. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Clearwaters were as foll6ws: Jane, who died at the age of six years and was the first person buried at Farmer City; William I... who died at the age of eight years: John W.. who died at the age of twenty-two; Malinda, wife of J. Griffith; Absalom, a resident of Kansas; America, wife of M. E. Knight; Perlina R., who died at the age of twenty: Patton, who died at the age of ten: Reuben, our subject; Allen, who died at the age of fifty ; and Pat- ton W., a residenl of Farmer City. After his marriage the father of our sub- made his home in Vermilion county, Illinois, until (832, when he removed to what is now Santa Anna township, DeWitt county, hut at that time formed a part of McLean county, ami he entered land on sec- tion 28, where Farmer City now stands. \t that time he squatted and built a log cabin near the present home of J, Q. Jones, but three or four years later creeled a good , two story, hewed log house where the mar- hie works are now located al the south end of Main street. There he opened a hotel for the entertainment of the emigrants on their way west, it being the first hotel in this section of the state and the only one for miles around. Although a rude structure, it was a pleasant home for all, where the corn was converted into sweet pone cakes and thoroughly relished by the passing trav- eler. After conducting this hostelry for four years, Mr. Clearwaters was succeeded by William McKinley, and then built a. house where Stephen Covey now lives. In 1.851 he bought the John Danner property, on Clinton avenue, owned to-day by 0. J. Smith, and there made his home until his death, which occurred December 30, 1SS4. lie turned the first furrow where the city now stands, and later helped to la\ "tit the town, his wife giving it the name of Mt. Pleasant, which was later changed to Farmer City. She died December 25. iS.SC For half a century they were prominently identified with the development and up- building of this locality, and their names- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 103 should l>c among the foremost in the roll of DeWitt county's honored pioneers. Reuben Clearwaters, of this review, was born on the <>1<1 Covey farm in Santa Anna township, May 17. 1847, ;u,( ' followed farming until [870, when he took up car- penter work, and since 1S75 lias succei fully engaged in contracting and building, erecting many of the private residences and business blocks in Farmer city. He gives employment t<> many men, often having a [ eight. In [873 he purchased a large l"i in Huddleston second addition, and erected thereon a house and work-shop, has set out shade and fruit trees, making it 1 most attractive home. In 1SS1 lie and his In-other Wesley bought the Public Reaper, which they published at Farmer City for a r, and then sold to R. M. Ewing, who Conducted it for the same length of time. The paper was then changed to the DeWitt 1 unty Republican, and is now published at Weldon, this county, as the Weldon Record. Mr. Clearwaters was married May 31, 1870, to Miss Catherine Danner, a daugh ter of Jacob Danner, of Louisville, Ken- tucky, and to them were horn five children: Carrie A., who died at the age of three years ; J. Allen, who died at the age of twenty-one; and Clarke E., Lester A. and George, who are all working with their father. Mr. Clearwaters is a prominent mem- ber of several civic societies. In [872 he was made a Master Mason and a charter member Lodge No. 710. at Farmer City, of which he is past master. He is also a charter member and past officer in the chapter. R. M.: became a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in [875, and served as chancellor eleven consecutive terms, lie i~ also a member of the Rath- lone Sisters, an auxiliary of the latter or- der. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; served as grand high priest of his lodge four terms, has tilled all the chairs in the encampment, and is a member of the Rebekahs. lie is also a member of the Golden Eagle and deputy of the supreme chapter of the state: and i- nected with the Loyal Sons of America. During the existence of the \ii.'(\ Men's lodge in Farmer City he was a member of that order, and with the Good Templars when in vogue here. In his religious views Mr. Clearwaters is liberal, and in politics is a. stalwart Democrat. He has always taken great interest in public affairs, and has prob- ably done more than any other one man to advance the welfare of his city. He has served five years as alderman of the ward m which he resides, and he is pre-eminently public-spirited and progressive. GEORGE \V. SMIT George \V. Smith, an energetic and pro- gressive business man of Waynesville, now dealing in grain, is one of DeWitt county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Barnett township. July 27, [864. His fa- ther. Charles R. Smith, was horn in Gibson county. Indiana, about [838, an ' on reaching manhood was there united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Marvel. They con- tinued their residence in Gibson county, In- diana, until after the birth r>f two of their sons, and then came to DeWitt county, Illi- nois. Purchasing a farm in Harnett town- ship, the father devoted the remainder of his life to its improvement and cultivation. and died there in [891. His wife still sur- vives him. In their family were seven s. ,ns and three daughters, all of whom grew to man and womanhood, and four s, ,ns and 104 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. two daughters arc living at the present writing, in 1901, and are heads of families. The early life of our subject was passed Upon the In 'ine farm, and his education was acquired in the district schools of the neigh- borhood. B) assisting in the work of the farm he soon became thoroughly familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and after reaching man- hood he had charge of the place for several years. One year he was engaged in the m business al Midland City, and from there he eame to VVaynesville and purchased an interest in the already established hiiM- r.ess of Baxton Marvel, being associated with him for live years. In the spring of .'-I he bought the elevator of E. W. Mar- vel, and is now doing a successful business dealer in grain. Mr. Smith was married near Beason, Illinois, in [884, to Miss Susan E. Ke who was born in I 'ike county, Illinois, but was reared in Logan county. She died in September, 1899, leaving five childr< namely: Mary E. ; Lottie 1. : Wilbur; Lu- cile:and Helen. On the 23d of May, 1901, in VVaynesville township, this county, Mr. Smith was again married, his second union being with Miss Kate Hammitt, a native of 1 leWitt county. His home is a large mod- ern residence, which has ]\--\ heeii com- pleted, is heated by steam and tastefully furnished. Since attaining his majority Mr. Smith has affiliated with the Democratic party, and cast his first presidential ballot for Grover Cleveland in [888. He has efficiently served on the town hoard ami was presi- dent of the same one year, but he has never been a politician in the sense of office sack- ing. Both he and his wife are members of the Tabor Methodist Episcopal church, and he is also a member of Waynesville Lodge, Xo. 172, E. & A. M., in which he is now- serving as senior warden; the Independent Order of odd Fellows at Waynesville; and the Modern Woodmen tamp, of which he has been hanker for three or four years. I lis strict integrity and honorable dealing in business commend him to the confidence of all; his pleasant manner wins him friends; .ud he is one of the popular and honored citizens of Waynesville. DR. EDWARD PORTER (Deceased). ( »h March 1st. [879, there passed away from his home in Clinton a well beloved physician, whose man) years of faithful toil in his profession made his name a house- hold word in that community. Nor had his influence and efforts been confined to pro- fessional lines only, for in all the varied ac- tivities of ntn common life he had taken a helpful part as a loyal citizen, devoting his abilities to the cause of progress, Dr. Porter was a man whose death was felt as a loss among all classes and the following brief account of i,ne so esteemed will he read with unusual interest. I >r. I'orter was a native of ( )li i. . and was horn at Sinking Springs, Highland county, February <>. [833. His father. George Porter, was horn in Pennsylvania, hut when a child came to ' Mi 10, w here he grew to man- hood and foil,, we, 1 the pursuits ,,f a farmer. Here he married Miss Eliza Lee Lowe, daughter of John W. I. owe and a second cousin t,. Robert I-".. Lee. They reared a family of three children, as follows: — Ed- ward, whose name heads this review ; John \\\. of Clinton, .and L. Josephine, who mar- ried Isaac X. Tully, a physician of Red Cloud, Nebraska. In [852 George I'orter EDWARD PORTER, M. D THE BIOGRAPHICAL Kl-.O »KD 107 came with his sons to DeWitt county, [Hi— nios, where he purchased a farm in Barnett township. Where he spent his remaining days, dying in 1859, at the age <>t' fiftj years, his wife attaining the age of seventy. Hi- >i n his return to Clinton, he bought the practice of Dr. Mitchell and soon became one of the leading physicians of DeWitt county. He was a man of great force of character and strong prejudice, yet the warm impulses of hi- nature made him a gener- ous enemy while he wa- the truest of friends. Whatever he believed wa- right, he believed with his whole soul, and gave hi- convic- tion the full strength of hi- manhood. ( >n June 18, [856, he wa- united in mar- riage with Mi-- I.ucv E. Mill-, whose father was one of the early settlers of | kWitt coun- ty. As a result of this union the following named children were horn: Chancey II., of Lincoln, Illinois; George 1'... of South Da- kota: Mrs. Susan II. 'Wilson, county super- intendent of schools, of Clinton, Illinois; Mrs. Lucy E. Turner, of Lincoln. Illinois; J. Guernsey, a practicing physician of Clin- ton. In the spring of [888, he wa- L, r radu- ated from the Clinton high school and was then associated with the American Expn Company, of Springfield, Illinois, but later promoted to messenger and served in that capacity until [895. I lav ins; devoted a great deal of time to the study of medicine, he entered the Chicago Homeopathic Medi- cal College, where lie was graduated in [899. He at once came to Clinton where he has already built up a lucrative practice, and is fast reaching the degree his father held in the science of medicine, lie i- a member of DeWitt I, dge V F. & A. M.. Goodbrake Chapter and Clinton Council, all of Clinton. He i- also a member and examining physi- cian of the Modern Woodmen. Forest* Court of Honor, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Loyal Sons of America. Giles G., a physician in Warren. Arkan- i- the next in order of birth; Mr-. Eliza I. Gatchell; Mr-. Nellie I". Owen, and the youngest member of the family i- Freddie A., a teacher of Clinton. Dr. Edward Porter was an ardent sup- porter of tin- men and measures of the 1 publican party ami in religion wa- a firm believer in the teachings of Swedenb ioS THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. A vigorous writer, he could ably defend his professional and religious views. His morality was of the highest type and his voice and influence was at all times on the side which favored and upheld good govern- ment. ANDREW M. PETERS. Andrew M. Peters is one of the highly respected citizens of DeWitt pounty, and owns and occupies one hundred and twenty acres of rich farming land located on - tions (j and 4. of Texas township, his resi- dence being on section 9; He was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, April 23, [824, and is i son of John and Hannah (Trulinger) Peters, the former of whom was a native of Vermont and the latter a native of Mary- land. John Peters moved into ( »hio whei young man and engaged in farming in 1 1am- ilton county, where he remained until lie re- moved west. For the last twenty years of lis life he was an invalid am! died in 1870, in Cincinnati, < mio. When our subject was about four years old his parents moved to Indiana, but they remained there only one -on, moving then to (."lark county, Mi- is, where Andrew was reared. The mother remained on the farm in Clark county until our subject had reached ma- turity, when it was sold, and this devoted son purchased a small farm for her. erected :• comfortable residence, and there she lived until her life ended at ahotit the age of sixty-five years. She was the mother of seven children and lived to see all hut two pass out of life. Although many sorrows fell upon her. she was ever a devout member of the Methodist church, and many experi- . ced her kindness and she was universally beli ived. Andrew M. Peters obtained his early ed- ucation in Clark county. Illinois, and grew up working ami superintending the home farm. In 1S51 he came to DeWitt county, locating in Clintonia township, where he rented a farm of eighty acres, and lived upon it for two years. He then moved into Texas township, on a farm of eighty acres. and continued to operate that for the suc- ceeding two years and then purchased his 1 resent home, which consisted of fort} acres, ;.ml to this he subsequentlj added eighty At the time of purchase this was all wild land, and the first forty acres cost him two dollars and fifty cents per acre. This he cleared of timber and broke up the land, then built a house and made his home, tak- .i pardonable pride in it when completed. tin January 1. [864, lie was obliged to see the little home and all its valued contents de- stroyed by lire. This disaster would have discouraged a weaker man. hut Mr. Peters was made of sterner stuff, and with added energ) went to work amidst the ruins, built evv house, erected a tine barn and made improvements in every way. which has con- verted the wild land into a productive and valuable farm. Mr. Peters is a consistent membet the (Jniversalist church. In politics he has been ever an old Jeffersonian Democrat. He was made one of the first road rnmmiv- sioners in this township after its organiza- tion, and under his supervision almost all the roads have been laid out. He held this important office for some fourteen year-, was also constable at one time, and for many years served on the school hoard. Although he has never desired any active part in the political life of the neighborh 1. he has always been public-spirited and has been an .-dvocate of men and measures where he could see the community would he benefited THE BIOGRAPHICAL RED »RD. 109 by their advancement. Since 1862 he has been connected with the odd Fellows. Tlie first marriage of Mr. Peters w; January 17. [847, to Miss Sarah Ann Oker- son, who was born in Kentucky. She died in 1878, at the home in Texas township, at the age of fifty-four year-. Her religious connection was with the Baptist church, and she was buried in Texas township, in the Hill burying ground. She left no children. The second marriage of Mr. Peters was in [878, to Mrs. Adeline Deakoff, the widow of Frederick Deakoff, and the daughter of J..hn Giechee, who was a native of Ger- many, dying there some twenty years on his farm. No children have been born ti Mr. and Mrs. Peters. When Mr. Peters first came to DeWitt county it was nearly all wild land, timber prairie, and his was the fourth house that was built in the northwestern pan of a- township. He has witnessed nearly all the county changes from this wild si to its present highly cultivated condition; in fact, he is one "t" those who have helped to brint^ the change about. When this pioneer came to the county there were but two grain mills in this township, one in the east part called the Smallwood mill, which had been built by a man by the name of Fordyce, at a very early day. and this was later used carding mill as well. This mill was tn \rd some years ago — an old landmark e, — but a notice of it will bring recol- ion tn many of the older residents who re obliged to travel many mile- to reach it. The other mill was in the south part of the township and was called the Wilson Allen mill. located just where the Illinois tral Railroad now 1 Salt creek, and it suffered destruction when the rail- I was built. Another interesting remi- - i- that Mr. Peters ran the first threshing-machine that was brought into the Count)', and continued its operation for .teen years. I lis first machine called "Buffalo Pit," anil the second one, "Massillion." He also ran the first binder in Texas township, and the first reaper, be- ing the most progressive among his farmer neighbors, among whom he was regarded 1 wonder, ami the) came long distai to sci- him manage these wonderful con- ti ivai Mr. Peters has rented his farm, retain- ing only a small portion, which he mana§ himself, as he is very active and enjoys the exercise, lie is a self-made man and has always enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, which they displayed in 'die offices in which they have called him serve. GEI >RGE 11. BR< >\\ X. e of die most enterprising and thrifty farmers of Wapella township i- George II. Brown, whose home is on section _>;. A native of Illinois, he was horn in McLean county, on the 5th of October, 1854. His father. John Brown, was horn in Ohio in 1817, but moved to Kentucky in childhood and there grew to manhood and married Miss Melinda Tolle, also a native of that State, where they continued to make their home until after the birth of two of their children. About [852 they came to Illinois -.tiled in McLean county, where the father engaged in farming on rented land for a few years, and then purchased one hun- dred anil eighty aires win I his ~,,ns now resides. This was a wild tract, entirely unimproved, hut he s, h m broke and i< it and later added to it a trad of eighty I le erected a u 1 r< sub- 'IIO THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. stantial barns and outbuildings, tiled the land and set out fruit and shade trees, mak- ing it a very attractive and desirable place His last years were spent in ease and retire- ment at Wapella, where he died in April, [898, being laid to rest in Sugar Grove cem- etery, llis wife is still living— a hale and hearty old lady of seventy-seven years — and Continues to make her heme in Wapella. In their family were six children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of George W. Woy, of Clin- Lon ; Mary, wife of Rufus Wilson, of Wa- pella : < ie >rge 1 1 .. 1 »ur subject ; I >a\ is, a resi- dent of Farmer City; Eliazor, who is oper- ng the old home farm; and Belle, wife ol Merrick Davis, of Seymour, Texas. George II. Brown was educated in the home school and remained under the par- ental roof, aiding in the work of the farm. until reaching man's estate. On the 30th of September, [895, he was married in De Witt county to Miss Carrie Moreland, who was born, reared and educated in the city of Clinton and successfullj engaged in teach- ing prior to her marriage. Her father. John \. Moreland, was originally from Pennsyl- vania, and was an early settler of Clinton. Our subject and his wife have one son, < ierald. \fter attaining his majority Mr. Brown rented land for several years and success- fully engaged in its operation, but prior to his marriage he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixtj acres on section 25, Wapella township, DeWitl county, and has since devoted his time and energies to its improvement and cultivation. He has erected a good set of buildings, and the 1 and thrifty appearance of the place plainly indicate-- his careful supervision, lie raises a good grade of stock, and in all his under- takings is meeting' with g 1 success. Like his father. Mr. Brown is an ardent Republican, having never failed in his alle- giance to that party since casting his first presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes in [876. lie served as road commissioner ■i\ consecutive years, and is now tilling- the office of school trustee. Both he and his wife are active members of the Long Point Methodist Episcopal church and of the (.burcti auxiliary societies, and he is now one "f the church stewards, and Mrs. Brown is i ssistant superintendent of the Sunda) school. Fraternally he is a member of Wa- pella Lodge, No. -'55. 1. O. O. F., and has tilled all the chairs, being past grand at the present time. Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, he has the confidence . nd esteem of his fellow citizens, and is held ill high regard by all who know him. ROBERT BLACK. We are now permitted to touch briefly upon the life history of one who has retained a personal association with the affairs of De- Witt county for forty five years, llis life has been one of honesl and earnest endeavor and due success has not been denied him, so that he is now one oi the prosperous citi- zens of Harnett township, his home being on tion 32, adjoining the village of Midland City. A natiw of Ohio, Mr. Black was born in Logan county, thai state. March 20, 1835, and is a son of James and Nancy 1 Powers) Black. llis father was horn in the north of Ireland of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and was a child when brought to the new world by his father, Alexander Black, one of the pio- neers of Pennsylvania and who lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and four years. Our subject's maternal grandfather THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. i ii ;ils« > reached an advanced age, being ninety- one ai die lime of his death. James Black wa- reared in Pennsylvania, and there married Miss Nancy Powqrs, a name of that state. At an early day they crossed the Cumber- land mountains on horseback ami settled in Logan county, < mio, being numbered among the pioneers of that locality. The father first purchased a small piece of land, t" which he subsequently added until he had cue hundred and fifty-six acres, which is now owned and occupied by his son. < Hiver S. Black. In the family were ten children, •f whom are still living, namely: Will- iam, a resident of Iowa: Oliver S., who Ii near the old homestead: Henry, who lives with, our subject; Robert, of this review: Mrs. I.etitia E. Short, a resident of Belle- fontaine, Ohio; and Mrs. Nancy E. Huber, of Noble county, Indiana. Our subject, who was the seventh son in this family, used to aid his. mother in the household work and in spinning during his boyhood. He also worked with his father in the fields and attended school during the winter months, when his services were not needed at home. In 1856 he came west, ar- riving in DeWitt county. September 8. and here he worked as a farm hand for about two years. Mr. Black was married in this county June 10. 1858, to Mr-. Margaret Humphrey, a native of Madison county. Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel NfcClinans, with whom -he came to Illinois in childhood. They be- came the parents of five children, of whom four are living: Curtis L. is married and follows farming in this county: Mary Ma- tilda is the wife of William C. Wallace, of Midland City: Joseph E. i- also married and is engaged in farming in this county; Rachel - lied at the age of two years: David M. i- married and helps carry on his father's farm. Besides their own children Mr. and Mr-. Black have, out of the kindness of their heart-, given homes to four other-, three girls, who were aged four, five and eleven year-, respectively, when they came to live with them. All are now grown and married and the boy i- also grown. For one year after his marriage Mr. Black wa- engaged in farming on rented land, and then removed to his present place. which was a farm of two hundred and forty acre-, belonging to his wife. To the im- provement and cultivation of this farm he has devoted the greater part of his atten- tion ever since. There are two houses, barns and outbuildings upon the place, and every- thing is in first-class condition. Mr. Black also owns an adjoining farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and has one hundred and ten acre- of timber land, besides other prop- erty. For about ten years he wa- success- fully engaged in buying and shipping stock, and now gives considerable attention to the breeding of standardised road horses, in which he also ileal-. He laid out the villi of Midland City upon hi- farm, and for sev- eral years wa- engaged in merchandising there. Mr. Black hail no capital with which to begin life, and his career proves that am- bition, perseverance, steadfast purpose and indefatigable industry, combined with sound business principles, will be rewarded, and that true success follows individual effort only. In politics he has been a life-long Demo- crat and cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas in iX. He ha- been a delegate to state and county conventions of his party, has -er\ed as commissioner of highways; was a member of the school board twenty years: and president of the district eight years. Religiously both be and hi- wife, are active and faithful member- of the Mid- I 12 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. land City Christian church, in which he served as both deacon and elder, and they receive and merit the high regard of tlie entire community in which they live. WILLIAM BOOTH. William Booth, attorney at law and mas- ter in chancery of 1 >e\\ itt county, resid in Clinton, was horn on the -'4th of April, iNmi. m Cedarville, Greene county, Ohio. IM- father, John Booth, was horn in Berke- ley county. West Virginia, and in early life removed to Ohio, where he married Rosa Piles, a native of that state. During the litter part of tin- '40s he came to Illinois for the purpose of herding cattle <>n the wild prairies, driving them back to Ohio in the m11. Being so favorably impressed with the country, he moved his family to this state in 1N51 and settled near Waynesville. DeWitt county, where he purchased a parti- ally improved farm. After residing there ew years he removed to Waynesville, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in [890, at the age of sixty-five years, but is still survived by his wife. \ continues to make her home in Waynesville. They were the parents of four children: William, our subject; Mr-. Mary Strange; Mrs. Nancy Williamson; and Melda. William Booth was only two years old when the family came to this county, and he is indebted to its public schools for his early educational advantages. Later he entered the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloom- ington, Illinois, and was graduated at that institution in 1S74 and was admitted to practice law in [879. Since then he has en- _ed in practice in Clinton, being alone. with the exception of about a year, when '■.. S. Wan Meter was associated with him. i' n mi 1880 until 1892 he served a- state's attorney, being elected on the Republican ticket, and later he was appointed master in chancery, which office he still retains. In [890 Mr. Booth was united in mar- riage with Miss Theresa Crang, a daugh- ter of Richard Crang, of Clinton. She pre- sides with gracious dignity over their beau- tiful home at j leading citizens as well as one of its ablest law yers. JAMES WILLI \.M O IFFMAN. ( Ine of the most prominent and progi ive agriculturists of DeWitl county i- the gentleman whose name head- this review. lie was born in Augusta county. Virginia, near Staunton, on January 8, 1842. and is ■11 of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth 1 Swick 1 Milan, both of whom were natives of Vir- ginia. In 1853 these parents settled near Sweetwater. Menard county. Illinois, where they remained two years, they then moved to [owa and were residents of that -tate live years, the father'- death occurring there in 1858. In i860 his widow and family re- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ■'3 turned to Menard county, where she married Robert \\ . Hardin. In iSSj death again robbed her of her helpmate and she came to Nixon township, DeWitt county, where she has since resided. Her children by her first husband all grew to ma- turity, namely: Cornelia, now deceased; Maggie, deceased; James VV. ; Henry i Zachariah T.. deceased; Emanuel F.; Charles I..: and Samuel !>.. deceased. By her second union she became the mother of one sun. Thomas B. 1 lanlin. The grandfather of our subject was Christopher Coffman, a native of Germany, who came to Pennsylvania with his parents and on attaining his majority removed to Virginia, where he engaged in farming. He was twice married and became the father of eleven children. His demise occurred in that state. The maternal grandfather was Eman- uel Swick, a native of Augusta county, Vir- ginia, and of German descent. He followed the occupation of a farmer and in later life moved to [owa, where he: passed the re- mainder of his life. I lis wife was Miss Bar- bara Croft. As state before, the subject of this re- view came to this State with his parents and later removed to Iowa. In [860 he returned to Illinois with his widowed mother and in 1873 settled in Nixon township, where he engaged in teaching, which profession he had previously followed for fifteen years in Menard county. He continued teaching in this county for ten years. In 1882 he mar- ried, his wife owning eighty acres on section [8, to which he later added seventy-two acres, making in all one hundred and fifty- two acres of well improved land. lie has placed it under a high state of cultivation and to-day has one of the best farms in this section of DeWitt county. On March 16, 18N2 he was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte A., daughter of Evan and Mary (Applegate) Barrick- inau. of Nixon township. Her people were natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respective- ly. As a result of this union three children were horn: Elizabeth Florence; James VV., Jr.; and Edith, who is now deceased. Mrs. Coffman departed this life May 25, [S Socially Mr. Coffman is a member of Mo/an Lodge, No. 96, K. of P., of Weldon. Politically he has at all times taken an active interest in the Republican party and has been called upon to till the office of assessor for thirteen years and collector of his township for twelve years. FRANK K. HARROLD. One of the most prominent young men of DeWitt count)- is Frank I-'.. Harrold, who is now so creditabl) serving a- clerk of the circuit court. He is a native of this county, horn near the village of DeWitt, on the 6th of January, [873, and is a representative of a prominent old family of that locality. His father. Jesse F. Harrold, was born in Henry County. Indiana. January iS. [838, and is a son of Eli and Carrie (Ayres) Harrold, both natives of Virginia. < >ur subject's pa- ternal great grandfather. William Harrold, was born in England, and on coming to the United States first settled in North Carolina, and from there removed to the Old 1' minion, lie fought for American independ- ence in the Revolutionary war. The Avrcs family were among the French Huguenots who settled in North Carolina at a very early dav in the development of this country. Their name was formerly He Ayres. In [842 Eli Harrold. our subject's grandfather, came to DeWitt county. Illinois, from Henry 114 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. comity, Indiana, and located on the farm in Harp township now owned by J. F. Harrold. There he died at the age of eighty-four years. and his wife pased away at the age of fifty- four. They had seven children, namely: .Mrs. Lucinda L William-: Elicum; Mrs. Frances Arbogast; Alfred: Martha, who first married a Mr. Walters, and. second, a Mr. Mulkev; Mrs. [Catherine Cardiff; and [esse 1'". All lived to old age, and all are de- ceased with the exception of the last two named. Locating in Harp township Jesse F. Har- rold followed farming and stock-raising quite successfully throughout his active Imsi- ness life, and was one of the first breeders < if thoroughbred ( Chester hi igs in tin- count) , lie still owns a well-improved farm, lint is now living a retired life in DeWitt, enjoying the fruits of former toil. During the dark days of the Rebellion he laid aside all pi sonal interests ami enlisted in July. t86l, in Company F. Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private, hut the following sear was commissioned captain of his com- pany, lie is now an honored member oi James Hutchinson Post, No. 201, G. A. I\.. of which he is past commander, and is also a member of Vmon Lodge, No. 261, F. & \. M.. of DeWitt. In early life he took quite a prominent part in public affairs, and in 1X74 was elected state senator on the Independent Reform ticket. lie served as school treas- urer for the long period of thirty years. In [865 he wedded Miss Mary Robbins, who was horn in DeWitt. and is a daughter of Darnell F. Robbins, and by this union were horn five children : Lawrence, a farmer of Harp township: Annie, deceased wife oi L. E. Reed: Frank F... our subject; Ira 0., a merchant of DeWitt: and Maud, at home with her parents. The early ancestors of our Subject were members of the Society of Friends, while later they were Baptists in religious belief, and his parents are now members of the Mehodist Episcopal church. The early education of our subject was acquired in the public schools of this county, and he later attended the Normal College at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he was grad- uated in [893. Nc engaged in teaching for seven years, being principal of the schools of De Witt two years of that time, and then with his brother Ira < >. he succeeded the firm of Watt Brothers in mercantile business in DeWitt and still owns an interest in the Store. In [900 he was elected clerk of the circuit court on the Republican ticket to suc- ceed W. 0. Rogers, and is now filling that office with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. On the 26th of December, 1900, Mr. Harrold married Miss (Hive Hammers, of /aiH'sv illc.i Hno. lie is a prominent member and past master of Anion Lodge, No. -"<> 1 , F. & A. M., .if DeWitt, and is aK,. a mem- ber of ( j. lodhrake Chapter, R. A. M. : anil 1 >i the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and the Knights of the Maccabees. Whether in public or pri- vate life he is always a courteous, genial gentleman, and is well deserving the high regard in which he is held. |< )ll\ (,. CACKLEY. For many years the sub j eel of this re- view was one of the most highly respected and valued citizens of Clinton, and was prominently identified with her upbuilding and development. lie was horn in l'oca- hoiitas county. We.st Virginia, in 1832, and was a son of William and Jennie (Cay) Cacklev. who were also natives of that state. JOHN G CACKLEY. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 117 The father ran a general store at Hunt, ville. West Virginia, for many years, and en his retirement from active busil came to Clinton about 1856 to make his !i"ine with his >. >ns. Here lie died at the of sixty-eight years, and his wife at the of seventy. He was a soldier of the war nf 1812 and took part in many important tents. \s "iie of the leading and influential citizens of his community, he In >ncred with several important official sitions, being a member of the West Vir- ginia legislature twelve years, and sheriff of his county fur several terms. He also tilled the office of justice of the peace. In politics he was a supiwrter of the Democratic party. and in his religious views was liberal. His children were Robert, Mary. Leah. William, Hannah. Ann. Fry. A. David, John G., Sarah. Louise, and one who died in infancy. When nineteen years of age John < '•. kley came to DeWitt county empty- handed, and through his own unaided ef- forts worked his way steadily upward to a iition of affluence. He was actively iden- tified with a number of business enterpris and owned considerable real estate, includ- ing residence property besides his own beau- tiful home. He built the block now occu- pied by the National Bank of Clinl which he continued to own up to the time of his death, and which is now in possession of his son Clayburn. He purchased the Hickman Mills farm o£ two hundred and eighty acres, which is now owned and car- ried on by his widow. Throughout life he devoted the greater part of his time and at- tention to farming and sti >ck raising, mak- ing somewhat of a specialty of high grade cattle, and in business affairs he steadily prospered, becoming quite well-to-do. On April [3, 1858, Mr. Cackley mar- ried Miss Alcinda E. Cundiff, a daughter 6 of Thornton and Eleanor (Beatty) Cun- ditt. Her father, who was a native of Po- cahontas county. West Virginia, came to Clinton in 1851, and for a time conducted a lmtel where the Masonic block is now lo- cated. Later he purchased a farm near Farmer City, this county, ami turned his at- tention to agricultural pursuits. There he died at the age <>i fifty \ears, and his wife aed away at the age of sixty-two. They had seven children, namely.: William: John; Alcinda E., now' Mrs. Cackley: Sarah, wife of Captain James North: Mary, wife of James Kirk: Jennie, wife of Richard Kin- e; and Amanda, wife of Joseph Ranier. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cackley were born six children: William T.. now a resident of Texas: Clayburn. of Clinton: Minnie, wife of Ernest Drake, of Lexington. Kentucky; Fred and liert. both of Clinton: and Cay, whi ' died young. Mr. Cackley died mi the 7th of June, 1 Si )<>. and his funeral, which was a very large one, was conducted by the Independent < >rder of ( Idd Fellows, of which he was an active member. He was a great favorite with bub old and young, and was known - Uncle John by his many friends. He lived an upright, honorable life and com- manded the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. either in bus- iness ,,r social affairs. Although not a mem- ber of any religious denomination, he leaned very strongly toward the Universalis! faith, and often attended the services of that church. His nature was remarkably toler- ant, patient and forgiving, and he was ex- ceedingly charitable and benevolent. His estimable wife, who still survives him. is a lady of culture and refinement, and her pleasant, genial manner makes her a general favorite. Her husband's business was left entirely in her hands .at his death, and 111 i iS THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the management of the estate she has dis- played remarkable aptitude for business and sound judgment. ISAAC W. THOMAS. This well known citizen of Farmer City, \vh<> for over twenty years has served as constable, was horn in Indiana, on the 8th of February, [833, and came to this county with his parents in 1N47. His father, Abra- ham Thomas, was born al Fori Brownville, Pennsylvania, and was a son oi Michael Thomas, a soldier of the Revolutionary war and a farmer bj occupation. The family came originally from Wales. The grandfa- ther of our subjecl was one of the early set- tlers of Ross county, Ohio, where he spent his last days, lie was twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth Bennett, who died young, leaving two children, Abraham and Tabitha. For his second wife he married a Miss Downing, by whom he had five chil dren, namely: Michael, William, Daniel, Mary and Rachel. Abraham Thomas, our subject's father, married Arlinda Gardner, a name of Pike county, ( >hio, and a daugh- ter of Thomas Gardner. Unto them were bom the following children : Michael, I ■ cas, Thomas G., Elizabeth, George D., Nan- cy, Greenbury, William. Biddy Ann, Ma- rion G. and Isaac W. The father served as an ensign in the war of iSi_\ From In- diana he removed with his family to De- Witt county. Illinois, in 1X47. and purchased fort) acres of Mr. Hall, it being now the farm of Mrs. II. Trinkle. in Santa Anna township, lie als,, entered an adjoining tract of eighty acres, hut after spending nine years here he S( 'Id 1 iut and went t' 1 Iowa. He soon returned, however, and died in this county in 1858, at the age of seventy-three years, llis wife died in 1855, at the age of sixty-five. During his early life Isaac W. Thomas engaged in farming ami after locating in Farmer City he first engaged in teaming, later in plastering, ami still later in contract- ing, hut is now practically living a retired life on Mast Green street, lie was married in [856 to Miss Elizabeth Stucky, a native of Fountain county, Indiana, and a daughter of James Stucky. She died in [893, and the live children horn to them — Anderson, Will- iam. Helen, Marion and James A., all died in infant Mr. Thomas was one of the early mem- bers of the Masonic fraternity in Farmer City, and religiously is a member of the Christian church. During the last twenty years of the nineteenth century he served as constable, and was again elected to that of- fice in [901. lie is widely and favorably known throughout the county, and has hosts of warm friends in and around Farmei City. CHARLES R. ADAIR. ^mong the legal profession of DeWitt country are many brilliant and brainy men, hut to-day then- are none that stand higher in the esteem of the people than the gentle- man whose name introduces this biography. Although a comparatively young man he has rapidly forged to the front in his chosen pro- fession and there are few, if any. that have brighter prospects than Charles R. Adair. A native of Logan county, he was horn March 11, [868 and is a son of James M. and Sarah J. ( Barr) Adair, who at that time was a leading farmer of Logan county, Illi- nois, but who removed with his family to THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 119 DeWitt county when our subject was a small child. Here he carried on farming and stock- raising until [896, when he returned to Lo- gan county, where he has taken up farming and where he is now residing. The early education of our subject was lined in the commi >n sch< n ils 1 if this o iun- ty. and was supplemented by a course in the Northwestern University. He then en- jed in teaching, which occupation he fol- lowed one year. At the end of that time he entered the Kent Law School, of Chic: where he was graduated in [894. Immedi- ately thereafter he came to Clinton, where he tied an office and engaged in the practice law for five years. In July. 1899, he formed a partnership with Fred Ball, and for -ix months they were associated ■ther. At the end of this Mr. Adair took charge "f the l Daily and Weekly Times, which lie continued to edit tor one year, when he embarked in the practice of law. ' 14. [895, -Mr. Adair led to the marriage altar Mi-- Mary A., daughter - town, of Easton, Illinois. As a f this union two children have been rn : Charles T. and Mary Ellen. Since attaining his majority Mr. Adair was a stanch supporter of the men and m< ures of the Republican party until [896, since which time he has voted and supported the principles of the Democracy and is now retary of the county Democratic central committee. In 1898 he was the Democratic candidate for county judge, and he has al- ways taken an active and influential part in public affairs. Upright, reliable and hon- orable, hi- Strict adherence to principles com- mands the respect of all. The place that lie has won in the legal profession is accorded him in recognition of his skill and ability, ami the place which he occupies in the social world i> a tribute to that genius, worth .and true nobleness of character which are uni- versally recognized and honored. Both Mr. and Mr-. Adair are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Clinton, and since [895 Mr. Adair has been a member of the official board and is now serving a- -tew aid. HENRY QUERFELD. Henry Querfeld, one of the substan- tial German-American farmers of De- Witt county, Illinois, was horn in llan- nany, February 9, [834, and emigrated to the United Slate- in (868. A happy inspiration caused him to direct his steps to Illinois, where for a number of years he farmed on eighty acre- of rented land in DeWitt county. He later rented a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Clintonia township, and successfully managed and worked the same until his removal to Texas township, where he rented another farm un- til about twelve year- ago. He then became the possessor of the one hundred and sixty acres at present owned by him on section 17. Texas township, upon which he has institut- ed many improvements, remodeled and in- ised the size of the house, and added many needed and substantial buildings for general use. lie i- engaged in general farm- ing ami Stock-raising on a large scale, and has 1 >ne of the best appointed and best equipped farms in the county. The parents of Mr. Querfeld, William and Mary (Magers) Querfeld, were horn, reared and spent their entire lives in the fatherland, and died before their son came to America. There were only three children in the family, the sister, Minnie, having died 120 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. two years after her brother Henry left home. In the meantime he has never heard from his brother, and is in doubt as to whether he is alive or dead. .May 20, [856, Mr. Querfeld married Christine Peters, at Mon- delsloh, Germany, daughter of Henry and Mary (Hinneman) Peters. Henry Peters was a fanner during the greater part of his life, although for sixteen years he was a soldier in the British army. The parents died in Germany, having reared a familj oi six children, all "i" whom with one exception came to America, but Mrs. Querfeld is the only one living now. To Mr. and Mrs. Querfeld have been born seven children, live of whom are now living: Minnie C, who was horn in Germany December [3, 1857, is now the wife of Daniel B. Stivers, of Clin- ton, formerly chief of police of the town for many year.-, and has two children. Charles and Waller: Sophia, who was horn in Ger- many Februarj _•_•. [859, is the wife of Jacob Hoffman, of DeVVitt township, and has six children. Mildred. Minnie. Frank, Edna, Russell and Kay. all horn in DeWitt township; Henry, who was born in Pcr- manv 1 >Ctober [8, [863, and died in his na- tive land January S. [865, at the age of fif- teen months : Mary P.. who was horn June [3, 1S1.7. and died in DeWitt county June 14, [884; Frank P.. who was horn February _'4. 1N70. married Sarah Beckman, has orte child, Helen, and farms in Clintonia town- ship; and Hermann P.. who was horn Jan- uary 4. [872, is a fanner on the home pi was formerly president of the Christian En- deavor Society of Clinton, has been a deacon in the Christian church at Clinton for four years, and is fraternally a Knight of Pythias, and a member of Mozart Lodge, No. 96, of Weldon : William, who was horn ( )ctober 28, [877, in DeWitt county, and lives on the home farm. The children were all educated at the public schools of Germany, and De- Witt county. Illinois. Mr. and Airs. Querfeld are members of the Christian church of Clinton and in pol- itics he is a Republican, but has never cared f( >r < iflice. STONEWALL J. McNUTT. Stonewall J. McNutt, now a resident of I he village of Wapella, was for s, ,nic years successfully engaged in farming and stock- raising in Wapella township, and stills owns a line farm of one hundred and sixty acres ■ n section 25. lie was born in Lewis coun- ty. Kentucky, November 26, [866, and is a s, ,n of John McNutt, whose birth occurred in the same county, in iS_'S. his paternal grandfather, John McNutt, Sr., being one of the early settlers of that locality. On reaching manhood the father married Miss Sarah Ann Fenwick, also a native of Lewis county, and a daughter of William Fen- wick, one of its pioneers. In early life John McNutt, Jr., learned the blacksmith's trade, and is si ill carrying on a shop at tageville in his native county, and also owns and operates a grisl mill there. Loth he and his wife are members of the Presby- terian church at that place and are most es- timable people. Mr. McNutt, of this review, was reared to agricultural pursuits upon the home farm and acquired his literary education in the I I uaii' in schi » ils ■ >f the neighbi irh< « >d. Leav- ing home at the age of twenty years he came to DeWitt county. Illinois, where he worked by the month for two years, and then engaged in farming for himself upon rented land for several years. At Wapella. December _>g. 1896, Mr. McNutt was united in marriage with Mis- Till-: l;lM«.k Ai'ilhAI. RECORD. i ji Elizabeth Downing, who was born and reared in iliis county. Her father, James I Downing, was one of the pioneers and prominent farmers of DeWitt county, hav- ing come here from Mason county, Ken- tucky, at an earl) day. For one year alter 1 1 !•> marriage Mr. McNutt continued t" te rented land, and then removed to the ci!\m M. Cunningham, a prominent and influential farmer of Wilson township, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March u. [828, and is a & n of a g< » id hi iuse, barn and feint's. converting it into a mosl desirable farm. In his fanning operations he lias met with marked success, and as his financial resources have increased he has added to his lauded possessions until he now has three hundred and fiftj acres of valuable farm laud in Wil- son and Wapella townships. 1 1 is life affords an example to the young in thai he com- menced lure without capital, but having a determination to succeed he industriously ap- plied himself until he has acquired a good property, and 1- now on^ of the well-to-do, as well as one of the highly esteemed citi- zens of his community. Politically Mr. Cun- ningham is a supporter of the Democratic party, and has efficiently filled the offices of assessor and collector in his township. lie and his estimable wife are both active mem bers of the Christian church at Long Point, this County, and he is now serving as one of Us elders. Jl MIX FULLER. One of the ablest and most successful lawyers of Clinton. Illinois, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He is a native of DeWitt county, horn in Rutledge township. May 9. 1859, and on both the paternal and maternal sides is of Irish de- scent. His great-grandfather, Daniel Ful- ler, St., was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and on his emigration to America joined the early settlers in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, where he followed the cooper's trade. There the grandfather. Daniel Ful- ler. Jr., was horn in 1790, and in early life learned the blacksmith's trade, which he fol- lowed for a time, but later gave his atten- tion to farming, his home being in Greene county. Pennsylvania, lie married Nancy Whitlatch, who was born in that county, in 1 Son, and was a daughter of William and Nancy Whitlatch, natives of England, He died in j s 7 1 . and her death occurred a year 1. Their children were William. Daniel,. Barnett, David, Smith. Bowman, John and Jonah, all of whom reached manhood, and were members of the liaptist church. \\ illiam Fuller, the father of our subject, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, 1)1 nary hi. [8231 and was there reared and educated. For six years he engaged in teaching school, a part of that time being spent in Madison county, Ohio, and during his vacations he bought cattle and hogs in Ohio, driving the former to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, .and the latter to Baltimore, Maryland. In early manhood he was mar- ried in Pennsylvania to Miss .Martha Gil- lett, who died with her infant daughter. Subsequently he was again married in Madi- son county, Ohio, his second union being with Miss Rebecca Parker, a daughter of Solomon and Rebecca (Caskaden) Parker. Her father was a native of Virginia and a son of Aaron Parker, who was of Irish an- cestry and the father of five children, name- ly: Mrs. Betsy Lodaman, Mrs. Mary John- son. Solomon. Nathan and Aaron. Solo- mon Parker was a farmer by occupation THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. '^3 and one of the early settlers of Madison county, Ohio, where he died at the age of fifty-five years, his wife at the age of seven- ty-rive. Cm., them were born the following children: Samuel, Harvey, Betsy, Mary, Eliza, Rebecca, Catherine. Martha. Rachel, Thomas and Solomon. The children born t<> William and Rebecca i Parker) Fuller were Daniel; David; a daughter who died in in- fancy: .Mrs. Rebecca J. Vance, who now owns the old homestead in this county: Thomas J.: Mrs. Josephine Mitchell; John, our subject; Wiliam and Sylvanus, l«>th de- sed. In 1848 the father came to DeWitt inty, Illinois, and here taught school and read law with E. H. Palmer, being admit- ted to the bar in iNer of the Masonic Lodge No. 04. of DeWitt. He died in 1894, at the nty-one years, and his wife departed this life in January. 1897, at about the same During his boyhood and youth John Fuller attended the public of this linty, and then took a literary course at the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, where he was graduated in iS«)i. and from the law department of the same institution in the following year. During this time, seven years, he worked during tin- summer months on the farm and used the money earned in that way t<> pay his own tuition. He imme- diately opened an office in Clinton, and the same year was elected state's attorney, be- ing the first and only one elected to that of- fice during the first year of practice, which -hows that his ability in the line of his chosen profession was soon widely rec nized. This was in the fall of [892. That same election Grover Cleveland carried the county by 28 votes, while Mr. Fuller re- ceived 151. And the next time he was el( ed McKinley carried the county by about 1, while he was elected by a majority of I'll. So acceptably did he till the office that he was re-elected for a second term, serv- ing in all eight years, lie i- now succes fully engaged in private practice, and is much interested in the p of Clinton, where he owns considerable property, in- cluding a tine home. On January [6,1893, Mr. Fuller married Miss llattie L. Fields, a daughter of James. Fields, who was formerly a resident of White county, but i< now living in Wayne City. Illinois. Socially Mr. Fuller i> a mem- ber of the blue lodge, chapter ami command- ery of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of 1 Fellows, and the Modern Wood- men of America, all <<\ Clinton. In 1898 he was elected president of the DeWitt Courity Agricultural and Me- chanical Society, which was established in 1854, and has given much time and atten- tion to promoting its interests. The Demo- cratic party has always found him a stanch supporter of its principles, and he takes quite an active ami influential part in public affair-. The place he ha- won in the legal profession i- accorded him in recognition 124 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. of his skill and ability, and the place he oc- cupies in the social world is a tribute to his genuine worth. WILLI \M BRELSFORD. If one desires to gain a vivid realization of the rapid advance in civilization which the last few decades have broughl about, he can listen to the Stories of men. who are still living among us, of the early days. The l"t; cabin home, the still ruder school house, with its rough seats made oi slabs, its limited range of studies and its brief terms, arranged on a subscription plan, the routine of work at home, unrelieved by any modern devices by which machinery is made to do in a short time what formerly occu- pied the entire year,— these and many sim- ilar descriptions will bring up in sharp eon trast the advantages of today. The sub ject of this sketch, a venerable and highly respected citizen of Tunbridge township. has many interesting reminiscences ol the pioneer days, which he takes pleasure in re tating. William Brelsford was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 22nd of November, 1825, a son of Pierson and Mary 1 llntchin) Brelsford. both natives of Pennsylvania, but who moved t" Ohio, where the father en gaged in farming. Both passed their last years in that state. Of the eight children born to these parents, but three are now liv- ing: Pierson, a prominent farmer oi Butler county, Ohio, operating the old homestead: Laura, wife of Mr. Schenck. who resides in Butler county. Ohio, where he is engaged in farming: William, our subject William Brelsford passed Ins boyhood davs in Butler county. Ohio, receiving his education and remaining on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he commenced farming for himself. After four years he determined to come west, and in the spring of 1850 we find him at Pe- oria, Illinois, where he remained for several weeks, while waiting for an Opportunity to reach DeW'itt comity. There were compar- atively no roads at that time, hut finally, after a hard and tedious trip, getting off to break the ice many times, he reached De- Witt county by wagon and located in what is now Tunbridge township. Here he bouglll three hundred acres of land and hav- ing no money, gave three notes, the last one falling due at the expiration of three years, but befi re the tune had passed he paid the entire amount and had limit a g 1 home upon the place. At the time of his purchase the land was worth ten dollars an acre, but after he had finished improving it. he sold a portion at a greatly advanced figure and tlu- remainder he still owns. To this he has added until he now owns four hun- dred and thirty-three acres on sections 14, 15 and 1 1. all under a high state of cultiva- tion, with a large and substantial brick home upon it. together with other good im- provements. < »ur subject owns other prop- cm in DeWitl county, amounting in all to about eight thousand acres under cultiva- tion, and upon of which he has made all the impn >vements. William Brelsford was united in mar- riage with Miss Lydia Rhoda Craig. Janu- ary [3, [848. She was a native of Butler county. Ohio, and a daughter of James Craig, also of that county. To our suhject and wife five children were horn, three of whom are still living: James E-. resides in Kansas, hem- an accountant in a large Store. He is also interested in farm land in that state. Everett is a farmer of Tun- bridge township. He married Mary Spicer WILLIAM BRELSFORD. MRS. WILLIAM BRELSFORD. THE BIOGRAPHICAL REG • and they have three children. Vivia, Lydia and Herbert. Charles H. is represented •where in this volume. Mrs. Brelsford, who was an earnest, consistent metnbei the Methodist church. lo her final reward on July 19, 1896, and is interred in the private cemetery of the family in Tun- bridge township. In his political views Mr. Brelsford ■ his national r Democracy, but in li elections for the man he considers qualified for the position, regardle-s of party lines. He has never consented t<> hold any office, preterm . his time to his tensive business int< interest in anything tending to improve the material welfare of his adopti nty. 1". r fifl [ ears Mr. Brelsford has been a resident of Illinois, and is the few living pioneers coming to the • men who have witnessed it- change from a ;1 wilderness to the most productive state in the union, and third in wealth and j>- >i»r.- lation. In the great changes that have been made, he has taken no inconsiderable part, and is justly entitled to all the honors that can be conferred upon one who has endured the trials of pioneer life. When he came to DeWitt county it was a- a poor man with - le seventeen dollars in hi- »n. The 'ie has achieved has not l*en the distance from others, but through his own industry, thrift and perseverance, and in his life the younf can find much worthy of emulat: THOMAS H. MILLER. Thomas H. Miller, a leading and influ- ential citizen of Creek township, who is now so efficiently serving a- supervisor, was l>orn in that township on the 15th of October, 1845, and 1- a worthy rcprc-entati prominent old family of this count son of Abraham K. and Rebecca i 1 Welch 1 Miller, whose -ketch appear- el where in this volume. He tir.-t attended the old Jack Lane school a mile and a quar- ter easl of the present village of Lane. This structure with -lab benches and puncheon tl. ».r. and our subject was a stu- dent here for only twenty- Ik- next pursued his studies for three months in a red brick school house north of Lane, the school ' 1 ducted on 1 no- tion plan then ii _ mpleted his education in the Clinton sch< ols and the Normal at Normal, Illinios. He then taught school in Creek township for ce that time has devoted hi- attention to fanning, starting with forty acre- in that township. He now opera! two hundred and fifty-six acres on section 3, Creek township, while his son has chai of eight-. rion _'_*. Mr. Miller was married November 23, 1. to Miss Mar§ in. a native of Ohio, in which state her parents, James and Barbara Glenn, were also born. During her childhood the family came to thi< county in i N 5 . j . but afterward returned t' ■ .ml did ni >t locate permanently here until 18 when they settled in Harp township, where Mr. and Mrs. Glenn -pent the remainder • •!' their lives. They had fifteen children, all twins but three. Mr .and Mr-. Miller h en children, namely: Noel W., who mar- ried Rhoda Miller and lives in Creek town- ship: Tessie, wife oi Radley, of the same township; Emmett, Pn and Vesper, all at home. For thirty years Mr. Miller has been a minister of the old Christian or \ew Light church and has always pre gratuitioi 130 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ly. He lias been called to points all over the stau- to deliver sermons on test ques- tions and doctrinal points. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and has heen a delegate to various conventions of his party. lie never fails to vote his party ticket at National elections, hut at local elections where no is- sue is involved he supports the hest men for the offices regardless of party lines. For the pa^t twelve years he has efficiently served as school trustee, and has ever taken an act- ive interest in educational affairs. lie is also rilling the office of supervisor of Creek town- ship in a most creditable and satisfactory manner, and is a member of the bridge com- mittee and chairman of the committee of abatement. As a public-spirited and enter prising citizen he gives a liberal support to all measures calculated to advance the moral. educational or material welfare of his town- ship and county, and has always heen found true ai:d faithful to every trust reposed in him. -*♦-• REV. MICH Ml. A. 1>< K ILING. As past i of St. Joim's Catholic church Father Dooling is exerting a strong inlhu in Clinton .and throughout DeWitt county, where ' dcarcd himself to many peo- ple through his devotion to the welfare and to the material as well as spiritual progress of those who come under his ministrations. lie has been pastor of the church since the 26th of December, [890, — the first resilient r in Clint in. About twenty years ago C. II. Moore donated one lot in Clinton, at the cornet North Monroe and Macon streets to the Catholic society for a church. At that time Father Reves was resident pastor at VVapella and came to Clinton to hold mass in the homes of the memhers of the parish. A frame church was built facing on Monroe street and called St. John's Catholic church. The first pastor was succeeded in turn by lathers Met hath. Delhaur, O'Callahan, Cur- lew Conatey and Dooling;. The last named was horn in the city of Carlow, Carlow county, Ireland. April 11, [862, a son of Michael and Catherine ( Mun- hall) Dooling, who came to the United States in [862, locating in Pottsville, Penn- sylvania. The father engaged in railroad building and died June _', 1S77, at the age of fifty years, while his wife passed away in April. [898, at the age of seventy. They w ere the parents 1 >f ten children, six 1 if vvhi 'in reached adult age. Father Dooling was an infant when brought to America. lie attended the pub- lic schools and then entered St. Vincent Col- lege, at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, while later he was a student in St. Charles College, at Elli- cott City, Maryland. lit' next matriculated in Viatorian College, at Kankakee. Illinois, and after graduating in that institution lie was ordained to the priesthood, at Kanka- kee. June Hi. 1885. lie was then made pro- fess, ir in the ci illege and master 1 if discipline, being thus engaged until [890, when he was called to the pasti irate of St. John's church in Clinton, lie was resident pastor at VVapella for two years before locating in this city. When he began his labors here, there v only twelve families who were memhers of the church, hut there are now six hundred Souls in this parish. father I tooling also officiates at VVapella ill St. Patrick's church, which numbers seventy-five families, and he has remodeled ami enlarged the house of wroship there. 1 le established a congregation at VVeldon and at Kenney and in fact offi- ciates and holds mass for all the Catholics of the cminty save those at Farmer City THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 131 ami in the extreme northwestern part of the county. He now has the plans for a modern new- church which is to be erected on the site of the old one in Ginton in 1902. It will be a brick edifice, modern in all its appointments ami beautifully decorated. It will have a : : 1 1 ir capacity *>i five hundred, not includ- ing the galleries. The parochial residence which occupies the corner lot was erected by Father Dooling and is a very hands, .me mod- ern home, heated by steam and supplied with and electric lights. He has established a number of societies in connection with the church, including the Married Men of St. Johi 5 ety; Young Men of St. Mich:.' S iety; Married Ladies of St. Monii . : Young Ladies Society of the Blessed Virgin; and the Children of Mary's Society. In his work he was assisted by the Rev. Fa- ther Jeremiah Donovan. He takes an active interest in the education and progressive movements of Clinton, is a valued citizen and has endeared himself to the people of all de- nomination by reason of ids blameless life. he teaches by precept as well as example. rOHN L. ELLIS. As a representative of the agricultural who has met witl in his independent calling, we take pleasure a brief sketch of the gentleman name appears at the head of this not: The birth of our subject occurred in Newton, Hamilton county. Ohio, May 18, ami he ■ if James and S (Curley) Ellis, who were natives of Nova Scotia. About 1820, they came to < >hio anil I land and lived the life of farmer- but in the fall of 1839 they moved to Mor§ county, Illinois, where he carried on the same ocupation. The mother died at about forty-five \cars of aye and the father at eighty-two. Eight children were bom this worthy couple, two of whom are now livii When our subject was hut twelve years of age he came with his parents to [llir remaining with them and assisting on the home farm until his marriage which 1 curred September 5. 1S51. His choice was Miss Sarah Ann Whorton, daughter of John Whorton. She was a native of Illinois, ami her parents were 1m >th originally from Ken- tucky. One child blessed this union. Sarah Emma, now the widow of Joseph Worbur- ton. Mrs. Ellis's death occurred in i8« and her remains were interred in Concord, Morgan county. Illinois, and on March 25, 1856, our subject was again united in mar- riage with Miss Hannah M. Funk, a daugh- ter of Nimrod and Eve) (Leib) Funk. She - a native of Morgan county. Illinois, and was one of twelve children. To this second union eight children were born, of whom six are now living, namely: 1 1 1 Milton G. resides in McLean county; 121 Susan F. now deceased, was the wife of Edward Farmer City, one son. Ralph, ddened their home: (3) Dora is the win I ('Neil, of Fanner City; 14) Janu-s Benton, deceased lie married Charles Johnson, and resides in DeWitt townshi] Maud become the wife of Colburn Hammit, a farmer in DeWitt town- ship: 17) Xoiiie is single and resides at home, she is a teacher in DeWitt township; Lydia als< 1 resides at hi u S ■!) after hi 1 marriage Mr. Ellis removed to McLean county, and purchased two hundred and forty-six acr» od farm land which he improved and placed un- 132 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. der a high state of cultivation. 1 le only re- mained here for a short time, however, when he moved to Jacksonville, where lie spent two years. He next moved smith of Clinton and purchased nnu-ty acres ,it im- proved land, lie remained lure for four years, when he again made a change, trading the present farm for a larger one but nol mi highly cultivated. After three years in this place, he came to DeWitl township as a tenant mi the C. II. Moore property of i hundred and eighty acres and here he has since resided, making many improve- ments and placing the land in a high state of cultivate 'ii. Although he takes no active part in po- litical affairs, he is a linn believer in high protection and his ballot is always cast in support of the men and measures of the Re- publican party. I lis first presidential \ was cast for John C. Fremont. Socially he i member of the Masonic lodge and is a Master Mason. He has always been an ac live member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is deservedly popular and has made host-, of warm friends since coming to DeWitt county, where he is numbered ammig the most valued and enterprising farmers. +~~* ROBERT V WVK CUMMING. Robert Vance Cumming, the well-known and popular proprietor of the Xew Com- mercial Hotel of Farmer City, is a native of DeWitt county, born in Santa Anna township. December n, 1838, and is a worth}- representative of one of its oldesl and most influential families, being a son of Rev. Paxton and I'riscilla Eliza (David- son) Cumming. His paternal great-grand- father was born in Scotland of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and was the founder of the family in America. The grandfather. Andrew M. Cumming, was born in Rockbridge town- ship. Rockbridge county. Virginia, and was there married and became the father of seven smis. namely: Paxton, James. Wiliam, Harvey, John. Joseph, the name of the last is not known, all ol whom became preachers. At an early day the grandparents removed to Tennessee and spent their last years near Know ille. Rev. Paxton Cumming. the father of our subject, was horn in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in [8oi, and was reared and edu- cated in Tennessee. When a young man he became converted to Christianity, and en- tered the ministry of the Methodist Epis- copal church. While traveling as a circuit rider in the Holton conference of North i ilina, he met Miss I'riscilla Eliza I >a vidson, who became Ins wife on the 27th of December, [828. She was horn in Hay- wood county, that state. September -'o, 1X1 1 . and was a daughter of William Mitch- ell and Elizabeth (Vance) Davidson, the latter an aunt of Senator Vance. Her pa- ternal grandparents were William and Mar- garet (McConnell) Davidson. In a letter she wrote a short time prior to her death she said that the schools of her locality were very ] r, hut that her dear mother did the best she could to educate her children. She als, , said that she was always religiously in- clined, and in her sixteenth year united with the Methodist church mi probation, and was made a full-fledged member the following year. Mr. Cummings continued his minis- terial work in 'Tennessee until [835, when he came to DeWitt county, Illinois, to es- cape the baneful influences of human slav- ery and to rear his children among the peo- ple who opposed it. On his removal to this county, he was accompanied by his brother, THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 133 Rev. William Cummings. He was the first ilar minister to locate in Santa Anna township, and preached 1". >r many miles around, services being held in log school houses ami dwellings. He exerted a great influence for good in the new settlement. being one of the men whose judgment was supreme, and was often called upon t" ad- \ ise his neighbors and settle disputes, lie brought with him to the county the tirsi set of blacksmith's tools ever brought to this tion of the state, and often assisted the pioneers in repairing their rude machinery. Mr. Cummingj bought land grants and en- tered land in this county, becoming owner of considerable property, but his life was mainly devoted to his religious duties Dur- ing the erection of the preacher's stand at the camp meeting grove where Mr. Mc rd now lives, he assisted in digging the • holes and thus contracted a severe cold, which developed into typhoid fever, from which lie died August 21, [839, honored and lected by all who knew him. In the spring of 1840. his widow drove hack to North Carolina, being familiar with the way, die had driven a horse and wagon on Coining to this state. There she was again married. August 21, 1842, her second hus- band being Rev. David White, a native of North Carolina, and together they returned to Farmer City by team. During the Civil war he served as chaplain of a regiment and later was chaplain in the regular army. He finally located in Lawrence. Kansas. where Mrs. White died March jj. 1901, at the advanced age of ninety years. She was a devout Christian, and was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church for almost three-quarters of a century. She always took an active part in the class mi ings and love feasts, often speaking and praying in public, and conducted family prayers in her home half of the time when her husband was there and all the while he was away. She was a faithful attendant at Sunday-schools, and hundreds of chil- dren owe their religious teaching to her. By her first husband she was the mother of six children, Andrew M . Jane Elizabeth, James II.. Ruth, Celia A. and Robert \ .. and by her second marriage she had seven children, Amanda. Wilbur F., Harriet. Sarah. John, Etta and Emma. Robert V. Cummingj whose name in- troduces this sketch, grew to manhoood in DeWitt county amid pioneer scenes, and was educated in the public selling. \- the best method of obtaining money during his early life was by breaking prairie, he turned his attention to that occupation. Al- though he had no money his reputation such as to enable him to buy eight yoke of oxen on credit, only two of which had been broken. He attached one yoke of the broken oxen just in front of the plow and the oth- ahead of these, driving them as best he could. The plow was a rude affair made of iron with no handles, hut heavy enought to keep its place and turned a furrow twenty- six inches wide. Mr. Cummings hired a man to do the plowing at fifty cents per day. lie entered land on sections 5, 14 and J 1 , Santa Anna township, consisting of two hundred acres, known as the Rowland Wheeler tract at W eednian Station. At that time he usually worked sixteen hours per day. When the Civil war broke out he laid aside all personal interests and enlisted in August, iSi'j. in Company I. One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and was promoted to first lieu- tenant July 30, [865. During the battle of Kenesaw Mountain he was shot near the right eye. shattering the bone and leaving 134 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. irl>ctt . who were natives of Delawan en chil- dren were born ti> this marriage, and our subject. William 11. Myers is the eighth in order of birth. In politics Samuel Myers has always been a Republican, but has attended i ly t" hi> bn>ine>s to find time to seek - The family to which William 11. Myers ne well and favorably known in many sta U . v Nine of the eleven children still survive, these being, aside from himself: Jane, who is the wife of b>hn Farrell, a resident of Hamilton county, Iowa; Sher- man, who resides in Kansas City. Missouri; Lucy, who is the wife of John Mcllvenna, a k t. iwnship; Ida. who is the wife of John Stone, of Hamilton county, Iov t. who is a re- cek township; Emma, who is the wife of Harry Shields, of Macon county. Illinois; William II.. who L our subject: and Myrtle and . twins, the former residing at home, the latter living with his family in Creek township. William II. Myers received his educa- i in the common if DeWitt coun- ty, and at the age of twenty-one years he- ll ::i which occupation he con- tinued for three years. Then he purchased the mercantile business of J. R. Pennington, who was a leading merchant at Lane, Illi- nois, and has since that time been engaged in this line. All his life he has been an ardent Republican, although not an officc- • ker, his appointment being an honor con- ferred upon him by President McKinley on February [6, 1901, when he was made post- master at Lane. 'ally Mr. Myers is connected with Gilmore Lodge, No. 455. K. of P., in which order he hancellor : and member of Lane Lamp, No. [728, of the order M. W. A. He is one of the energetic and pi mng men of this locality, and is regarded as a truly representative ell. 1« MIX II. HUME. John H. Hume, whose farm is just out- side the corporate limits of \\ apella. ■ tion 35, Wapella township, is a native of llli- 5, his birth having occurred in I 'ike coun- ty, on the oth of May. [843. His father, rge A. Hume, was born in Pendleton nty, Kentucky. March 4. 1809, of English and Scotch ancestry, and he was a lineal de- ndant of | >avid 1 lume, the noted English historian. In his native state A. I lume 1 d and married .V Melinda Hume, who was born in Grant county, Kentucky, and was a daughter of James Hume. lative of that state. About 1830 they came to Illinois, and : settled in Brown county. It was in Septem- ber, J £57. that the family removed to ! Witt county, where the father purchased four hundred acres of land and dly engaged in fanning throughout the remain- der of his life. The subject of this sketch was a lad of fourteen years when he located here. His primary education was obtained in the pub- lic schools of this state, and in 185Q, he en- tered the State Normal at Normal, Illin where he was a student when the Civil war broke out. Laying aside his text L., ,ks ho 136 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. enlisted, October 14. [861, in Company L, Fourth Illinois Cavalry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and he par- ticipated in a number of important engage- ments, including the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and Hatchie's Run; the siege of \ icksburg; the first battle at Jackson, Ten- nessee; and the Meridian campaign, besii many skirmishes and scouting expeditions, innately he was never wounded, though a bullet once passed through his cartridge box and clothing, grazing the flesh and 1. ing a swelling. I li- three years of enlistment having expired, he was h< tm >rably discharged in November, 1864, and returned hi. me. Mr. Hume was married in Brown coun- ty, Illinois, on the 27th of November, [864, to Miss Ann '/.. Stone, who was born, reared and educated in that county. Her parents. Myram and Eunice M. (Riggs) Stonewere natives of Vermont, and pioneers of Brown county, Illinois. Her mother was an own cousin of President Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Hume have a fainib of nine children, name- ly: Elton, wife of A. McHugh, of Wapella; George A., a fanner of Wapella township; Charles M.. who is carrying on the home farm; Ida ( i.. wife of Alonzo Swisher, of Wapella: Jessie P., wife of Louis Williams, of Wapella; Sadie E., wife of Charles Swearingen, of Wapella township; and Ephraim C, Stacy A. and John Thomas, all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hume began their domes- tic life « m the 1 >ld hi imestead, and ah. iut 187J removed to their present farm, which con- sists of eighty acres on section 35, Wapella township, adjoining the village. Here they have a nice home, surrounded by fruit and shade trees, and supplied with all modern improvements. Politically .Mr. Hume has been a life-long Republican, his first presi- dential ballot being cast for Abraham Lin- coln in 1804, and he has supported every nominee of the party since that time. He served one term as township clerk, and has been clerk of the school board, but has never cared for official honors. He is a member of Wapella Post, (i. A. R., in which he served 1 ne term as commander, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who kno\\ him. .. possessing the typical, progressive spirit of the west, stands to-day a leading representative of the medi- cal fraternity of DeWitl county. He is now located in the city of Clinton, and throughout the surrounding country has an extensive practice, which his skill and ability justly merits. The Doctor was born in Derbyshire, England, April 11. [829, and is a son of William and Susan (Walker) Hyde, both of whom were natives of England. The fa- ther was a carpenter by trade and spent his entire life in his native land, where our sub- ject was reared to manhood. His educa- tion was obtained in the public and Episco- pal schools, he also studied and practiced medicine there. He then determined to es- tablish a home in the new world, coming to America in [857 and locating in Iroquois county, this state, where he practiced during the war. In 1873 he moved to Clinton, where, although there were several other physicians, he built up a lucrative practice, which extended through this and adjoining counties. Three years later be took a spe- cial course at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in the same year. Owing to bis success in his pro- G. W. HYDE. Till KAI'HU AI. RF.O »RD. n, Dr. Hyde's practice Ik that he \ to confine himself t<> city \\<>rk almost entirelj some time - .in Main street, but In- built a commodious home, in which he lias •ice. at ith Ma street, where he has always kep( - sortment of n and tilled his own pre- Along the lines of his profession, the well read, a thorough student ami practitioner, keej»in^ fully a' with the times, and socially anil profes ally - high. There is none more flit after than he. regardless of his dining 5, and the many familii which he has been practicing cannot •lv other physician. •■ subject w:i~. married in England to .h Owen, who was born in Bir- mingham, and a daughter Six children have gladdened this home, four of whom are now living, namely: Mary Ann: Alfred W., who is practicing medicine in South Dakota: Walter i> follow - :ltural pursuits in South Dakota: and William F-, formerly a druggist, hut .1 farmer in Jefferson county. Illinois, ver rift i )r. Hyde has been a meml>er of the Baptist church, holding dif- and contributing freely to- port He is a member of Mi- Eclectic Society and the National Eclectical Society. In jm ditics he is a Re- publican, but has never aspired for public preferring to devote his whole time to -Mil. He eautiful home, surrounded by well-kept lawns, and very tastefully laid out with shade tree-, shrubbery and ferns, and r's own hands that have made tttractive. 1 1 ]>rac- _eoiis in the COUn- 1 >c\\ itt. and ha^ won honor an teem through fas well chosen pi .one me will be handed down from - S \MIT.L MYI Among the highly n and infl intonia township, 1 teWitt county. Illinois : muel My< lxirn in Adams county. Pennsylvania 1831 . and he is tl 1 I \n drew and whom were natives of Adams county. Penn- sylvania, and of German descent, who married in Adams county. Pennsylvania. The father was a hatter by trade and in or 1834 he went I ty, ( >hio, where he started a hat shop and conducted it for about m\ or eight years. After this he _cd in farming and continued farming the remainder of his life. To Andrew- Myers and wife w ere born eleven childn wh< mi live are in >w living, namely : Samuel ; Henry, who lives in Line •In. Xehraska. eti- in the stm.-k bus I. K.. died in California ami he is buried in Texas town- ship; Beckey married Hames Nelson, and they li\e in DeVVitt; Wiliam, who li. Xehraska and is a farmer and grocer, parents are now deceased. The father i> buried in wnship ami the mother is buried in Maroa, Macon county. The little education Samuel •■ him in a three months' course at a sub- scription school w ne dollar a month. He learned the hatter'^ trade in two his father's shop, and then althoug en he en- tered into an agreement for two sears at a salary of twenty-five dollai 140 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. tii learn the shoemaker's trade. So well was Ik* pleased at the treatment he received thai when the two years expired, he remained with the same employer for four years more, and in 1S55 came to DeWitl county where lie herded rattle the first summer which he had brought with him from Ohio. In the fall of that year he opened a shop in the vil- lage Ml" DeWitt and worked at his trade for about eight years, then sold out and pur- chased a farm in (reek township "t" eighty acres in [863. This land had been broken and it had a small house mi it fourteen by sixteen feet and the farm was located in section 20. To this eighty acres he later added forty tin ire in the same section. lie also owns eighty acres in section 35, seventy acres in section S. he owning in all two hun- dred and seventy acres all well improved and w 1 n'ked hv his si nis at the present lime. After obtaining Ins first farm Mr. Myers be- gan farming and he continued to operate his land until July 1. [900, when he purchased three lots joining the city limits of Clinton and here built a comfortable house where he tii iw resides enjoying the good things 'it life his industry has secured. Mr. Myers was married June <■. t86l, at DeWitt to Miss Elizabeth 1'. Torbett, a native of Madison county, < Uiio, and she is a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Torbett, and they were natives of Delaware. Thi parents had seven children, of whom Mrs. Myers was the youngest. Mr. and Myers have had eleven children. viz.: Jane, who married John Ferrell and they live in Iowa, and he was a soldier in an Ohio regiment, ami they have -ix children; Sherman is a carpenter by trade and lives in Kansas City and married Anna Robinson; Ida. win 1 married John Stone and they live in Iowa and have four children; Joseph Grant, who lives in Creek township and he married Dura Bird and they have two chil- dren: Lucy, win' married John Mcllvenna, and they live in (.'reek township and have three children : Emma, who married Harry Shields and they live in Macon county and have three children; William, who conducts a grocery store and is postmaster at Lane Station, (reek township, a sketch of win mi appears elsewhere in this volume; Charles married Mahle llaitsachs and they have one child, and they live in ('reek township; Myr- tle, a twin of Charles, lives with the father; May. who died June 9, [876; Lewis, who died AugUSl 27, [879. Mr. Myers is an enthusiastic member of the Order of Odd Fellows and takes an active part in all matters pertaining to that li idge. I le is a stanch Republican and sen i'd as assess ,v for two years of DeWitf town- ship, lie has also been road supervisor in I reek township and is school director of the same township. Mrs. Myers is a membei the United Brethren church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Myers are highly esteemed m the com- munity in which they reside and their pride in their stalwart sons and comely daughters, as well as interesting grandchildren, is wor- thy of notice ami no mote beautiful picture could he imagined than these two good peo- ple surrounded by the children they have reared by their own hard work and trained by good example to noble manhood and womanhood. EDWARD ALLYX. Man) of DeWitl county's adopted sons served faithfully during the war of the Re- hellion, and among this number is the gentle- man whose name intn iduces this review. He is one of Clinton's most esteemed citizens ami one of the oldest public school teachers Till- r.MNikAHllc'AI. RECORD. 1. 1 1 «>f DeWitt county, having taught thirty-two terms in twelve different schools. Edward Allyn first saw the light >, w here he was tx >rn, December 17. 1837, son of Palatiah and An- geline (Joslin ) Allyn, both of whom wi old New England ancestry, His father was born at Barkhamsted, Connecticut, ami his mother is a native of Rutland, Vermont. When our subject's father was hut a child he was brought to ( )hio where he ami his father spent the remainder of their days as farmers. Palatiah Allyn learned the carpenter's trade and settled at Iliram. Ohio, where he took the contract for building Hiram 1 and most of Ids work in this line was done at that place and Garrettsville. Edward Allyn began his intellectual training in the o mmon sch< « ils 1 if his native County, which was supplemented by a course in Hiram College, graduating from that in- stitution in [859. The same year he came ti 1 DeWitt county, Illinois, where he secured a ion as teacher in the Excelsior school. Harp township. 1 )uring the following sum- mer he worked as a farm hand and in the fall 1 in Wapella township. At thecli se of this term he took a special normal course for teaching at Normal, Illinois. Just at this time the country was thoroughly aroused and Mr. Allyn showed his loyalty and patriotism by enlisting in August, [861, in t )< tmpany A. Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served four years and four months during the latter part of which he served as clerk. His regiment took part in many important engagements and our subject was always found where duty called him. < >n his return to 1 >eWitt county he again took up the profession of teaching in Clin- tonia township. Later he taught in DeWitt and Bametl townships and four terms in McLean county, Illinois. His thirty-second and last term was taught in Clintonia town- ship. In the early eighties he sen el three \ ears in Clinton and the same length of time in Bement as agent for the Pacific Express npany. It is as a teacher that Mr. \llyii is best known to the citizens ,.f hi- adopted county. Mis was the model school-room, ruled by kindness and not by rod. The old saying, "Spare the rod ami spoil the child," was not his motto.' lie was at all times gentle hut firm with his students and to-day he is held in the highest esteem by all those who know him best. 1 lur subject received a part of his mental training under the able teaching of 1 \.< .ariield long before that noble and grand man was called upon to serve as presidi this -real commonwealth, and it was under his pastorate that he was converted and bap- tized, becoming a member of the Christian church in 1857. (In March iS. 1N0-. he was united in marriage with Mrs, Adelia F. Thomas, widow of John I-'.. Thomas, who was a farm- er by occupation and a veteran of the Civil w ar, sen ing tw< > years as a member of < !om- pany F, Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infan- try. He was discharged on account of sick- as a result of expi 'sure at Ft irt I ■ son and from the effects of which he died. June 6, 1864, aged twenty-three years. By his marriage one son. John !■".., was born. I le died aged 1 'lie \ ear. Mis. \llyn is a daughter "f Thomas S. Hutcherson, who was a native of 1 cunty. Kentucky. He came to Illinois in 11850, \vlicre he bought ami engaged ill farming, and to DeWitt county in 1 S 5 5 , and started the first hack line ever in the city. His wife. Susan 1 I leurv 1 Hutcherson. was; a direct descendant of Patrick I lenrv. i 4 2 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. To our subject and his wife has been born brother, John G. Cackley, for a short time. one child, Nellie, born July 17. [872, who but soon went oul on the prairie and began died aged three years, six months, thirteen to work at Earming. He later went toPeters- days. Mrs. Allyn is a member and president burg, Illinois, and engaged in the butcher of the Woman's Relief Corps, and both Mr. business there for three years, returning to and Mrs. \il\n are devout members of the DeWitt county in [861. Here he engaged Christian church. for a couple of years in the butcher business During the past several years Mr. Allyn at Clinton, and then came into Texas town- has acted as correspondent to the city press ship and continued in the same line for a and local papers. He has also written many couple of years. In the meantime he had interesting articles on the early settlement of bought five acres of land on section 5, and litis county and at the present time is a rcpre- here he began to farm, adding as time went sentative of the Union Publishing Company on eighty-five acres more, and here he has of Chicago, publishers of scientific works. erected a substantial and comfortable house Twenty-eight years ago Mr. Allyn and other buildings and has successfullj pn bought lots and built a small house where his gaged in farming, fruit-growing and gar- present commodious home now stands. Mir- dening. rounded b) beautiful shade trees, making an Mr. Cackley has taken an interested part ideal place in which to spend their remaining in public affairs in the township and has days. He is a prominent and active member been one of the most efficient commissioners of the Grand Vrmj Post of Clinton, and its [ or t | R . past three years. In politics, he up- present commander, in which order he has holds the principles of the Democratic party, served in the various other offices. Pre- The marriage of Mr. Cackley was in eminently public-spirited, he has always Virginia, to Rebecca Lowry, who was born done all in his power to further the ad- in Virginia and died at the home place, about vancement along educational lines of De- twenty-nine years ago. She was the '\^ Witt county. voted mother of six children, as follows: Thomas W., who conducts a grocery busi +~~*~- riess 111 Clinton; Ella, who is the wife oi James Chamberlain, a farmer of Tunbridge JACOB 1 CA< KLEY. township; Richard, who is ,,, the saloon business in Macon City, Illinois; Charles, One of the early and highly respected who is in the saloon business in Clinton; citizens of DeWitt county, Illinois, who has Lulu, who married Samuel Middletown, a been a resilient of the state since 1X57. is merchant of Heyworth, Illinois; and an in- lacoh F. Cackley, who owns and operates fant, unnamed. ninety acres of rich farm land, located on When Mr. Cackle) first came to Texas section 5, Texas township. township, the land was nearly all covered The birth of Mr. Cackley occurred in with a growth of timber, hut he has wit- West Virginia, February 1 7. [827, and there nessed this all changed, and now nothing can he lived until he had reached man's estate, he seen hut the beautiful cultivated fields lie came to Illinois in 1S57 and located at which yield great crops of grain. Mr. Caek- Clinton, DeWitt county, living with his ley has done his share in this development THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. U J ami has l>een i>nc of the pi e men of this locality. Much is due 1 1 i ~~ energy and industry in making of this county what it is to-day, >. 'me of the richest land in this part of the grand old state of lllii JUDGE Rl (BERT WALKER. There arc in every community men of it force of character and exceptional ability, who by reason of their capacity for leadership become 1 >remost citizens, and bear a m<>st important part in the development and pr< . the locality with which they have been connected. Such a man was Judge Robert Walker. \vh< > l*>rn March 1. 1823, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and was son of John Walk- er, who was a native of the same county, his birth having occurred December 16, 17114. His lather. Samuel Walker, was na- tive of Pennsylvania. He was eighteen [ age when the famous battle of ndywine was fought and was a member of the Continental army at that time, but his regiment arrived too late to take part in that famous conflict He was a wealthy farmer and land owner ami in addition t< > eral hundred acres of land in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, he also entered fif- teen hundred acre- of government land in Hamilton county, Ohio. To him and his wifi orn a family of eight children, four ~on- and four daughters. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian. He lived to a ri|>e old a. As bef ted, John Walker, the ther of our subject, was I*.™ in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. Here he received the usual common-school education and learned the trade of a tanner, hut after oper- ating a tan yard of his own. he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1832 moved to Ashland county, < 'hi", where '•■wed farm" id of which time he disposed of his in- ts in ( »hi.i ami joining th< n tide of emigration. He and his family jour: 1>\ wagon to Sangamon county, Illinois. Here he purchased two hundred and thirty of land upon which he resided until he was sixty-three years of age. A few months later his wife passed away. Her maiden name was Miss Hliza Skinner, and, like her husband, was a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where she was born June 22, 1 — < j- .. Her father was of English d( and a Pennsylvanian by birth. For many he owned and conducted a tavern at Skinner'^ gap, on the road from Baltimore ti' Pittsburg. At one time he also owned a mill and died from injuries received in it at the age of sixty \ears. They reared a fam- ily of twelve children, all of whom grew to man ami womanh 1. The mother of these children passed to her final reward at the 1 ninety years, being a resilient of Bradford county. Pennsylvania, at the time of her demise. The death of John Walker occurred in September, 1859. Judge Robert Walker was the third son of a family of eleven children, the others be- ing as follows; Samuel. Enoch, Stephen A.. John. James. Eliza, Mary and Isabel. He was ten years of age when he a< panied his parents on their ren Ash- land county, Ohio. Here he continued his education, walking two miles to the in school which was like all country - - in < >hio at that time. mad< His summer months were spent upon 1; ther's farm, where he remained until attain- ing his majority. That summer he worked by the month and the following winter 144 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. taught school. The next year he worked his father's farm on shares and in a short time had accumulated a sufficient sum to en- able him t' i liny l'< irty acres of land in \\ i n id county. Here lie remained until the fall of [849, when he went t< 1 Macon county. Illi- nois, where he spent three months. He m-\t purchased seventy-four acres of land in Sangamon county. There he established his hi .me and resided thereon t""i" fifteen years. By industry, economy and frugality he added n> his original purchase until he owned two hundred and thirty five acres "f land, most of which was under a high slate of cultivation. In 1861 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in DeWitt county, and in 1865 he took up his residence thereon, making it his home up to a few years before his death, when he moved to his beautiful home on section -. Harp town- ship. In 1845 he was united in marriage with IWiss Sarah Fretz, who like himself was a native of Pennsylvania, her birth having oc- curred in Bucks county, January 29, [826. She was a daughter of John and Kate ( I lance 1 Fretz, both of whom were natives of the same slate. Later they removed to Ashland county. Ohio, where they lived to reach a ripe old assing the remaining \ears of their life in that county. Judge and Mrs. Walker became the par- ents of the following children : Lewis, who died at the age of eighteen; Enoch, a resi- dent of the state of Alabama, married Eu- genia Gasard, and they are the parents of three children. Fred, Ernest and Mabel; Katie, the wife of H. W cller. lives at Davis City. Iowa: Carrie married 1 '. K. Wilson, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Charles is also represented else- where in this volume; Jane resides with her mother; Anna became the wife of ( ieorge Throp and they re- side in Wapella, Illinois, being the parents of the following children: Dwight, Walk- er. Clara. Esther, ami George Howard; Lauretta married John Tackett and they are residents of Clintonia township. They are the parents of live children. Lstella, Lula. Dora, Raymond and John Robert. Judge Walker believed it was the duty of those who have the right of suffrage to study governmental affairs thai they may be able to v < ite intelligently, and 51 1 help n> make our nation what it should he. lie was a linn believer in. ami supporter of the prin- ciples of the Republican party and ever took an active part in politics since he cast his fir I ite for 1 lenrv ( lay. In 1870, Harp township took up the question of bonding the township for a rail- road. Judge Walker fought it heartily and ran oil the Anti-Bond ticket, hut was de- feated by three votes for to one against. Wv still opposed the bonding of the township and again in 1S71 he was made the Anti- Bond candidate against the same man who defeated him the previous year, and this time he made it a tie vote. ( )n casting lots he was declared the supervisoi Having always the welfare of Ids township at heart he served it faithfully to the best of his ability and time has proved that his judg- ment was excellent. In [873 Mr. Walker was elected to the office of county judge which place for four years he most credit- ably and acceptably tilled. He was a man of rare business qualifications, a great reader and an excellent conversationalist, lie and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church at Clinton. lie was an eider in the church for the last sixteen years of his life and also taught the Sunday-school in the rural districts. The congregation showed their confidence in him by choosing hint THE BIOGRAPHICAL REG >RD. '45 as their delegate on several important asions. But his broad mind and great heart did not stop with his own church for he ever displayed a deep interest in the cause of Christianity. He died June 2, 1897, aj nty-four years, and i- buried in Woodlawn cemetery at Clinton. He is gone but not forgotten for his good deeds live after him. The name of Judge Walker is one which has long been identified with the history of De- Witt county and by his patriotism and wise counsel he earned the right to have his name enduringly inscribed on the pages of of its histi >rv. Mrs. Walker now lives in her pleasant house in Harp township and many of her children and grandchildren live within a few miles of Iter home. She has been a model wife and mother. She possesses good business qualities and is a lady of rare in- telligence and Christian virtues, a woman worthy t<> wear the name of that honored citixen and sincerely Christian man. Judge Robert Walker. I. II. BRYANT. Among the prominent farmers and old settlers of DeWitt county, Illinois, J. 15. Bry- ant is recognized as one of the most eminent. both I'll account of his long residence and also from the fact that his efficient service a- road commissioner has entitled him to the high tegard of his neighbors. The birth of Mr. Bryant occurred in Sangamon county. Illinois, on Fel>- ruary 20, 1831, this year being noted the one of the greatest severity experinced in that part of the state. He was a son of Reuben and Kg- nes (Simms) Bryant, the former of whom was born in Virginia, ami the latter was |„ ,ni in Kentucky. Reuben Bryant came to ir county, Illinois, married there and then mo sangamon county. His death curred in Menard county, after which his widow married William Mc.Murry. who one of the pioneer settlers of | >eY\ itt county. She was a daughter of James Simms. who was one of the first settlers of Sangamon county, and was the first man to erect and rate a grist mill in that part of the S | Usui- horse-power. A family of nine chil- dren was born i" Reuben Bryant and wife, eight of these children growing to maturity, and of these, J. B., who j. , „,- subject, and liis hrother. Thomas, deputy-sheriff, are the only residents of DeWitt count v. J. 1'.. Bryant had hut limited educational advantages, and was obliged to be contented with a few weeks of schooling during the winter months, as at that time this populous and flourishing part of the county was hut a pioneer settlement. At the age of twenty- one he rented laud in Sangamon county and began t" engage in farming for himself, put- ting int.. practice the principles he had learned during his former years. Mr. Bryant was married on the 24th of April 1853, t" Miss Matilda Y. Duff, who was horn in Sangamon count v. about live miles west of Springfield. Her grand- father, who was Abraham Duff, settled on Spring (reek when there was hut one hi 1 where the city ..f Springfield now star and the Indians were abundant. He was the first blacksmith in this part of the state, and as in those days all travel was necessarily by means of oxen or hows, he was a very us ful and busy man. I le alsi . engaged in farm- ing and reared a large family. His son, Combs Duff, was the father of Mis. Bryant, and he became a fanner of Sangamon coun- ty and resided there many years, then moved 146 II I !•: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. into DeWitt n unitw later moving to Macon comity, where he died at the age of sixty-six years, lie and his wife reared a family of ten children, and of these, Mrs. Bryant and her two ho 'ther-, Benjamin and John, still survive. The latter reside in Creek town- ship. This was a loyal family during the Civil war. all of the live Si ns serving in the Tenth Illinois Cavalry and returning in safe- ty t< 1 iheir homes. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bryant re- sided in Sangamon comity until [865, and then came to the present home in DeWitt county. This is pleasantly located on ■ tion -'5. Clintonia township, ami cnsists ,.| fifty-four acres of some "i the besl improved land in the county. Here Mr. Bryant has be Come identified with all of the leading inter- ests and for thirty consecutive years has been the efficient road commissioner and general overseer < »f n *ads, all 1 >f the excellent and se cure bridges having been erected under his supervision. The township has a reputa tn .ii For its excellent roads ami Mr. Bryant has received much praise from the residents for the g 1 judgment he has shown, ^i\ ing the farmers excellent highways w ithout caus ing unnecessary taxation. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant and family are well and favorably known through the county. Si\ children have been born to them ; two of these died in infancy, a son and a daughter, and the survivors an : Jacquess, who lives in Sacramento. California, married Mamie Williams, and they have one son— George; John E., who lives in Clintonia township, married Minnie Met/ and has two children — Clyde and Lyle; Charles F., who is engaged in the shoe and hoot business, married Cuby Phares, deceased, and has one daughter — Helen Louise: and Sophia, who married Philo S. T°ncs, lives in Clinton and has two children — Clinton and Rea. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant are consistent mem- bers of the Methodist church, having become such under the ministrations of the hoy evan- gelist, 1 larrisoii. In this church they are val- ued for their true Christian characters and most exemplary lives. In politics Mr. Bry- ant is a stanch Republican, hut cast his first vote for Filmore. The DeWitt County Agricultural Soci- ety, at its fair in [900, wishing to do honor to these most estimable residents, presented to Mr. and Mrs. Bryant a solid silver spoon in remembrance of their being the oldest couple of the county horn previous to the deep snow oi [831, this being a notable event in the history of the state. EDMUND W. FRUIT. The Fruit family were among the early settlers and pioneers of DeWitl county. On the paternal side they are of Welsh ances- try and on the maternal of Scotch-Irish. Two brothers bearing the name left Wales and emigrated to America prior to the old French and Indian war. and one of them was witii Braddock in his disastrous defeat. But before the battle the brothers were sep- arated and the one was never heard of after- wards. John Fruit, the survivor, who was the founder of the present family, after the war settled in the Carol inas. Ili- son. James Fruit, lefl I arolina and went to Kentucky in the early days of that territory, where he lived for many years, but later came to De- Witt county, in the fall of 1830, where he died that fall. Thomas Fruit, the father of Edmund W., was horn on October 5. [784 In [802 he removed with his parents to Kentucky and settled in Christian countv. EDMUND W. FRUIT. MRS. E. W. FRUIT. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. >5' where lie remained until 1834, when he came to Illinois and settled in what is now known as DeWitt county, but which was then a part of Macon. The family landed here on November 15 of that year. In 1827, in company with >'>me friends and land explorers, he came to the state and entered land, hut he did not lo- cate here permanently until 1834, when he ded on section 14. in what is now known lunbridge township. Here he remained until his death, which occurred on Decem- ber 15, [871. While a resident of Chris- tian county. Kentucky, he married Eliza- beth Thompson. July 31. 1 Sot ,. She died March 28, 1 866. By that marriage there were lx>rn six sons and six daughters. The mother of our suhject was a native of North Carolina and was sixteen years of when she went to Kentucky. She was the youngest child in her family, and when a mere child had the misfortune to lose her mother, who was drowned. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fruit took up their residence on a tract of six hun- dred acres of wild land and he at once commenced improving it ami erect- ing the necessary buildings and a log house for the shelter of the family. He and his wife did the necessary labor of those pioneer days and had the satisfaction of de- veloping a tine farm. The log house twenty by twenty feet and although the property was large, he fenced it and spared no pains to improve both his land and home. The name- of the children horn to Mr. and Mr-. Thoma- were a- follows: Susan \V., James S.. Thompson C, William L., Mary K.. Sabilla, Sidney (.'.. Edmund W.. Mar- tha J., Enoch A.. John 1).. Elizabeth 1'. The survivors of this large family are as follows: Martha J., who is the widow of John Henson, and -he resides in Clinton. Illinois, and has a number of children: John 1).. who is a prominent fanner of Tunbrii town-hip. and Edmund W.. our subji Edmund W. Fruit was horn in Chris- tian county. Kentucky. September 21, iS and came to DeWitt county. Illinois, at the • n year- with his parent-. I I he was reared among the customary sur- roundings of pioneer life. Hi- early educa- tion was obtained in the log school hou of the day, chinked with mud and floored with split- puncheons full of -livers. At the of twenty he began life on his own ac- count and worked at whatever he could to do, hi- only posessions being the clothes he wore and one horse. 1 le traded the hi for a forty-acre tract, which is the nucl< of his present large landed e-tate and was the first piece of land he ever owned. His success was wonderful, as he now owns over twenty-five hundred acres of land, as fertile a- any in the -tate. After his marriage he and his wife be- gan housekeeping in the little log house that stood on the land on section 26, where In long resided. Mr. Fruit worked hard, and in time had money enough to buy more land and continued to add to his possessions until he i- now one of the wealthiest landholders in this vicinity. His e-tate i- well fenced and under a high -tate of cultivation. He has he-ides hi- farms in Tunbridge and Barnett townships, valuable interest- in Ken- ney. consisting of business blocks, dwelling On his farming land he has fourteen dwelling houses and rent- most of his farms at present. In 1891 he moved from the old homestead to his present location on the edge "f the town limit of Keuney. where he owns one hundred and seventy-one acres of ellent land in section 15. Tunbridge township, upon which he has erected a las modern house, supplied with all modern 15: THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. conveniences, and here he resides, surround- ed by all the comforts of life. Mr. Fruit was married March 6, [845, to Elizabeth Boyd, he having returned to Kentucky t>> claim his bride. She was born and reared in Christian county, Kentucky. and died in DeWitt county, Illinois, August 28, [852. Five children were born "I tins uni. .n. namely: Phoebe A. was Ik .111 in Christian county, Kentucky, ami died in infancy in DeWitt county, Illinois. Sidney Jane married John Harnett, a prom inent farmer of Harnett township, and they have a large, family of children, namely: < >tlinc ; Mary, who is the w il'e of I >a\ id Hartley, of Harnett township; Kt'tie. who is the wife <>f Mosrs Boles, of Clintonia town- ship: Alberta R. ; Laura: Zoe; John; Charles; Frederick and Arthur. James V, who resides in Tunbridge township, married Sarah J. Stoutenborough, and thej reside on section _•<>, where he farms, and they have three children, namely: Garrett E., Harry and Rose. Mary married Frank Barnett, and thej reside on section 14, run- bridge township, and they have live children, namely: Frank, George, James. William, ami Flody C. William, who died in in- fancy. Mr. Fruit married again on November 5, [857, Miss Sarah E. Blue, a native of West Virginia, and three children were horn to them, namely: Arthur W., who is a prominent farmer of Tunbridge township, married Ella J. Squires, and they have seven children, namely: Charles ('.. Clementine, Elizabeth, Elsie, Mabel, Nellie, Edmund. Laura B. is the wife of Benoni G. (lark, a fanner of Tunbridge township, and they have two children, namely: Mary E. and Ed- mund W. Charles T. died at the age of two years. The mother of these children died on April 28, 1873. All the children of our subject were horn in Tunbridge township, with the exception of the eldest, who was a native of Kentucky. The grandchildren were all horn in DeW'itt county, in Tun- bridge and Harnett townships. Mr. Fruit married again in 1 S 7 ^ . Susan E. Blue, who was horn in West Virginia, and died Jan- uary Hi. [880, without issue. lie then married a sister of his late wife. Miss lsa- bella Hlue. a mosl estimable lady, daughter of Garrett I. Hlue. who was a native of Hampshire county. West Virginia. Mr. Blue was there reared and died, having been a pn iminent farmer in his da) . Mr. Fruit has very decided opinions Upon all subjects and is a Democrat in pol- itics, hut was originally a Whig, casting his firsl vote for Henry Clay, and his first Democratic vote for George I'.. McClellan. lie is a man who finds his greatest en- joyment in the companionship ol his family and friends and he inspires admiration for his successful development of hi- land, as well as for his many excellent qualities. Among his neighbors ami friends he is recognized as a man oi rare foresight and open handed charity, and he enjoys a well deserved pi ipularity. Ji ill.X F. HUBBELL. This well known and prominent citizen of Wilson township, who has made farming his life work, was horn on the 17th of No vember, [833, in Lewis county. Kentucky, and is a son of Luther S. and Eliza ( Ferris) lluhhell. I lis father was horn in Ohio, of Scotch ancestry, while his mother was a na- tive of Kentucky and of Irish descent. They were married in Lewis county, of the latter state, and from there removed to Fayette THE BIOGRAPHICAL RE< ORD. :nty. Indiana, and later t. i Cincinnati, Ohio, where the father conducted a cooper shop for a few years, employing several hands, he being a cooper by trade. Sul quently the family returned to Kentucky, and in 1852 came to Illinois, locating in whal now Wapella township, DeWitt county, on the JJil ■ >f March. There the father 1 in farming on rented land, and later operated a rented tract in Wilson township, hut his last lays were -pent in the former township, where he died at the age of fifty-eight year-, his remains being interred in Sugar Gr cemetery at Long Point, lie became the owner of land in both Wapella and Wils town-hips. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and as one of the leading and influential citizens of hi- com- munity. he w as called up n U > rill the 1 (ffice of supervise ir of Wils. >n t> iwnship. 1 '•> th he and his wife were earnest ami consistent members of the Christian church, and he served as one > elders Mrs. Hul>l>ell survived her husband only alxmt eleven months, and was ".-eight years of age at the time her death. This worthy couple were the parents nine children, namely : 1 Ie< >rge T., a resident of Oklahoma, married Judith Bird and hail ten children. Oscar, Owen, John. Minnie. Kate. Maude, Claude. Susan. Margaret, and one deceased. 1 _' > John F., our subject, is the second in order of birth. 1 3 1 Ephraim enlisted in Company E Twentieth lllii unteer Infantry, during the Civil war. and was killed in the battle of Shiloh. 1 4 ) Joseph ' Iscar, a resident of [owa, served in the same war as a member of Compan) Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He tir-t married Catherine Vance, who died, leaving one child who is still living, t 'hai anil for his second wife he married Tillie Ellis, by whom he has three children. I larry. Paul and Guy. 151 Fran a member of the same company and regiment a- his brother, Joseph < ).. and i- now He married Olivia he-, who with her two children, Charles and Fanny, live- in De- catur, I Ilii 1 lame-, a resident of \\a- township, married Elizabeth Cunning- ham, and ha- seven children: Lilly. Fred, Cora, Nora, Abe and John. 171 Paris -V. a resident of [owa, married Minnie Mov- er and has one child. Jess • Mary is the wife, of John T. Brown, of Iowa, and they have live children, Charl. \lma and Allie. S trah mar- ried Philip Carr. and they died, leaving three children, two of whom are -till living, L. and Jennie. John F. HubbeH was educated in the ative state, and remained with his parents until he attained hi- major- ity, coming with them to Illinois. < m -tart- ing out in life for himself he v. fjed in CUttinj the tir-t winter, cutting fifty • >f four-foot wood, which he -old to the Illinois Central Railroad Company. In the following spring he and hi- oldest brother rented a farm near Heyworth, McLean coun- ty, which they operated one year, and then ged in farming together on rented land in Wilson town-hip, DeWitt county, for live yeai the r 3th of September, 1856, our sub- ject was united in marriage with Mi-- Eliza- beth Terhune, a daughter of Henry am rail 1 Brown 1 Terhune. who were nativi Kentucky and Pennsylvania, tively. She is the second in order of birth in their famil) of -i\ children, the other- beii follow-: 1 1 ) Ruth is the wife of Alva El- : [owa, and to them were born nine children: Millard. John. Alvin, William. Edward, Frank, Emma and Fannie, all liv- ind Ida. deceased. < ,\ > Mar} i- the 154 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. wife of William Carr, of St. Louis, and they have six children: Walter, Louis, Harry, Charles, Belle and Etta. (4) Anna lives near Lane Station in Creek township, this county. (5) Daniel, deceased, was a mem- ber of Companj K. Ninth Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry, during the Civil war. lie married Melvina Thompson, who is still liv- ing in Minnesota, and they had two chil- dren, George and Louis. (6) Marine, who is now living in Kansas, was a member ol Company A, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, lie married Mary Dunbar and has three children. Carter, Charles and Susan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hubbell were born the following children : (1) Francis Ephraim, a resident of Wilson township, this county, married Catherine Parlier, and they have one child. Elmer. (2) ( Ulie is the wife of Ed- ward I »e \tle\. of Wapella. 1 ;, 1 Alice is the wife of Edward Bell, of Wilson town- ship, and they have three children. Lyle, ( arle and ( >pal. 1 | 1 Mary, and 1 5 I Will- iam, are bi >th at home. His home in Wilson township being burned in (862, Mr. Hubbell then removed ti 1 Wapella ti >w nship, where he rented a farm tMr aboul two years, and then purchased one hundred and si\tv acres of land "ii sections iS and jo. Wilson township, where he has since made his home. One-half of this tract had previously been broken, ami to its fur- ther improvement and cultivation he has since devoted his energies with most grati- fying result-, lie has built a nice residence and barn, has set out fruit and shade trees. and in other ways has d< ne much to enhance the value and attractive appearance of the place. At one time he was interested in the breeding- of short horn cattle and made but- ter quite extensively, hut his specialty now is Jersey stock. Since casting his first presidential vote for John (A Frftmotit, Mr. Hubbell has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and he has been honored with several local offices, serving as assessor thirteen years, school treasurer twenty-three years, and road commissioner three years. He ably dis- charged the duties of these various posi- tions, and is recognized as one of the most valuable and useful citizens of his commun- ity — oik- who i> always ready to give his in- fluence to any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit. He and his wife are members of the Christian church at Point, and it is safe to say that no cou- ple in Wilson tow nship are held in higher re- gard than Mr. ami Mrs. John F. I luhhell. WILLIAM WELD. In studying the lives and characters of our leading men. we are naturally led to in- quire into the secret of their success and the motives that have prompted their action. Success is a question of genius, as held hv many, hut is it no1 rather a matter of ex- perience and sound judgment?' When we trace the career of those who stand highest in public esteem we find in nearly every case they are those who have risen gradually, lighting their wax in the face of all opposi- tion. Self-reliance, conscientiousness, en- ergy and honesty are the traits of character that insure the highest emoluments and greatest success, and to these we may at- tribute the success that crowned the efforts of our subject. Mr. Weld was horn in Roxbufy, Massa- chusetts, February 4. i. .me small articles for the house, hut most of their furniture was bought in Pekin, Illinois. Mr. Giddii purchased one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land in Clintonia township, which was then in a wild state, and also one hundred and twenty acres of timber land in Creek township. He placed his farm under culti- vation, set out orchards, built fences, barns and a house, which are still standing. Sub- sequently he sold that property and pur- chased forty acres of land just south of Clinton, which he owned at the time of his death, but' which has since been sold, lie was a carpenter by trade, and followed that occupation in connection with farming for many years. In politics he was first an old- line Whig and later a Republican, hut he would never accept office, lie died in Jan- uary. 1S7.V and his wife in the same month two years later, both being nearly sixty-tive years of age at the time of their deaths. 'Their remains were interred in the Wood- lawn cemetery. Unto this worthy couple were horn three children, of whom Mrs. Weld is the second in order of birth. Edward, the oldest, was horn in Vermont, and is now deceased. 1 le spent most of his life in Clinton, Illinois. with exception of the few years he lived in Florida and the time he was in the war of the Rebellion, as a member of Company I'.. One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. He enlisted as a private and for meritorious service was promoted to cap- tain of his company. He married Elizabeth Slater. ..f 1'ana. who still resides in this State. His remains were interred in the Woodlawn cemetery of Clinton. Milton Giddings, Mrs. Weld's younger brother, was horn in < ttlio, and served as a private in the company of which his brother was captain, and was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea. He married I'hidclia Col- i 5 8 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. well, who died, leaving two daughters, Min- nie ami Ada. who reside with him in Florida. Mrs. Weld was born and reared in < Ihio, and as previously stated, came with her par- ents to Clinton, Illinois, in [850. Three years later she gave her hand in marriage to John Hickman, a native of Kentucky, who came to this county some years prior to his marriage. B3 trade he was a blacksmith, hnt principally followed farming, owning and operating land in Clintonia township. lie was first a Whig and later a Republi- can in politics, and was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, lie died December 3, 18511. and was buried in the Hickman fam- ily cemetery, lie left two children, John Milton and Sarah I... both of whom died at the age of sixteen years and were laid I" rest iii Woodlawn cemetery. Bj her second marriage Mrs. Weld became the mother of three children : Nellie, who died at the age ■ >f fifteen months; Fannie, who lives with her mother: and Ella May, wife of \rthnr (, ["ennant, who is a clerk in the emploj of the Illinois Central Railroad at Clinton, lie was honi in Lancastershire, England, and is a son of Walter and Eliza 1 Bradburj 1 Ten- nant. llis father lived for some years in America, hnt died in England, and his mother, who is a native of Yorkshire, now makes her home in Chicago. They had nine children, of whom seven are still living. To Arthur rn of this union were Elijah; Mary J.; Sarah: James T. ; Charlotte; Har- riet: Martlia: Hannah: William A.; and Rebecca and Julia, twins, who died young. Besides their own family the parents reai two orphan children. For his second wife Mr. McCord married Polly Herold, by wlmm he had four children. John, Amanda, C«>ra and I. aura. In 1830 Mr. McCord came to DeWitt mty, Illinois, hut after looking over the prairies he returned to Tennessee, and did not locate here until March 17. [834, when he entered forty acres of land, this the southeast quarter of the southwest quar- ter of section 2 3 ta Anna township. This was the third entry of land made in the township. When he came to this county a nd time he was accompanied by his fam- ily, and brought the few household effi which could he conveyed from his old home by team and wagon. Upon his land he built a log cabin :n. and then turned his attention to the improvement and culti- vation of his land. He subsequently en- tered another tract of forty acres, and still later a one-hundred-acre tract, and erected a more convenient and commodious house, around whose large fireplace his fam- ily spent many a delightful hour. Mr. Mc- 1 made many improvements upon his farm, which is now one of the best in the county and is owned by Henrv Reiser. Ik and his wife were among the six who con- stituted the first Methodist society in this locality and were earnest, consistent tian people, highly respected and esteemed by all who knew them. They assisted in building the first house of worship in Santa Anna township, and always t'-'k an act part in all church work. In 1S50, during the gold excitement in California, Mr. Me- ed the plains and spent fifteen months on the Pacific slope, but he often re- marked that during that time he saw noth- ing so grand and s, , promising as the praii of Illinois. ( in his return home he resumed farming and carried it on ully that he accumulated a comfortable property which enabled him to spend his declin years in ease and quiet. He died at his home in DeWitt. November 21, [895, and and was laid to rest in Fullerton cemetery. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic ler, and always lived up to its teaching Mrs. VVeedman was horn in Jackson county. Tennessee, May 25, [830, and grew t' 1 wi >manhood in this o iunty. On Decem- ber [6, 1S47. she gave her hand in marfi. \mos Weedman. who was l>oru in Perry county. Ohio, May 12, 1826, and in i v came to Illinois with his parents, John and Rachel 1 Wilson t Weedman. The family first located near Heyworth, McLean coun- ty, hut in [836 removed to Santa Anna township, DeWitt county, where Mr. We man spent his early life. Here he made his first purchase of land in [850, hut sold the property three years later and bought land in I'iatt county, where his son, Smith Y.. now resides. Later he purch; nil on section 32, Santa Anna township. ! Witt county, where he illy en- eneral farming and stock-raising until elected sheriff of the county in 1876, on the Republican ticket. So acceptably did i6o THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. he fill that office that he was i\\ ice re-elected, and after serving three consecutive terms re- fused a renomination. While in office he was called upon l" execute the first man hanged in this county — Patsy Divine, who murdered Aaron Goodfellow — this proved a memorable occasion to Mr. Weedman as it occurred on his fifty-sixth birthday. Being a man of strong nerves, cool and deliberate, he never shirked the arduous duties of his ce and he proved one of the besl sheriffs DeWitt county has ever had. After his n tirement from office he located in Farmer City, in 1882, and there made hi- home throughout the remainder of his life. lie became prominently identified with munic- ipal affairs, and served a- alderman of the city for a time, hut his attention was mostly devoted to his real estate interests. lie owned one of the best improved and most valuable farms in Santa \nna township. Socially he was a member of the blue lodge, No. 7 in. F. & \. M.. in which he served .is master: and also belonged t" the chapter, No. 60, R. A. M. : while both he and his wife were members of the Eastern Star Chapter and <>f the Methodist Episcopal church. In all of the relations of life he was found true to every trust reposed in him whether public or private, and he com- manded the respect and confidence of the- entire community. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Weed- man were two s, ,,i„, namel) : (i) William Rucker, a resident of farmer City, where he lives a retired life, married Kate Page, and they have three children, h'.sk. Wallace and Laura M. I _' ) Smith Y.. a farmer of Piatt county. Illinois, married Lottie Thorite and they have six children: Harriet, who is now the wife of ( ',. Burford, and has one child. Freeman Y. : Amos: Otto; Jessie: Judson S. ; and Ward. REMUS HANTS. In a little log cabin on the east hank of llanlcy's Creek, Davis county, Kentucky, Remus Davis was horn. November 7, [819. I lis childhood days were passed in assisting in the duties around his father's farm, and in attending the early subscription schools whenever the home work would permit of his absence. I lis father. Phillip, was horn in Maryland, and his mother, Margaret 1 Reed 1 Davis, daughter of Thomas Reed, was a native of West Virginia. Phillip Da- vis was a farmer during the greater part of his life, and in [836 emigrated to the west, settling in what is now DeWitt. hut what was then Macon county. Illinois, where he entered claim for eighty acres of land, thirty acres of which was prairie. In this wilder- ness the parents started to make themselves a home, erecting a little log cabin in which the) entered upon their housekeeping, hut their plans were alas doomed to unexpected change, for the following fall the mother was taken from her family by death. Five vears later the father also died. There were in the family thirteen children, of whom eleven grew to he men and women. Remits being at the present time the only one liv- ing, lie was seventeen years of age when the family came to Illinois, and therefore a large share of the work in the new and un- cultivated region fell to his share, and among other things he hewed the logs for the build- ing of the cabin. Though eighty-two years of age, he recalls all of the changes through which he has passed, and his memories and active life entitle him to a place among the very early pioneers of the state. In 1X4(1 Mr. Davis enlisted in Company E, fourth Illinois Yolunteer Infantry, and served through the Mexican war under Gen- erals Winfield Scott, Shields, Patterson and REMUS DAVIS. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 163 Polk, and was at the batl rdo and Vera Cruz. He enjoys the distinction of being the only living veteran of the Mex- ican war in DeWitt county. After the war lie came hack t<> his home and bought land which he improved, and later bought saw -mill in this section, which he con- tinued to run on and off for forty years. In 50 he married Elizabeth Jones, of Indi- ana, and of this union there has been eig children, although only one survives, Mary the wife of Lew Mr. Foster - >f Andrew Foster, who came t" Illinois at an early date. s.'ine time in the thirties. Andrew Foster was born about 1818, and was a farmer and millwright by trade, and ran a saw and grist-mill for many in 1883, hut his wife sur- vive^ him. and is living with her son. James. 1 lint"ii. Illinois. The union- of Lewis -:er and Mary Belle Davis occurred Aug 884, and of this union there are seven children : Mable, Edna. Edith. tile, Homer, William J., and Lulu. Mr. Davis is now the i" - f sixty- six acres of finely improved land, having I the land that he originally purch; the prairies. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and cast his first v< >te f< >r William Henry Harrison. He is a member of the Christian church, as was also his wife and helpmate, wh September 5, 1892, at the g sixty years. 4 ■ » WILLIAM ARMSTRl >NG. England has furnished to the United nany bright, enterprising y< iung men, who have left the L'.ritidi empire to enter the business circles of this country with its n pr< g methods, livelier competition and advancement more rapidly secured. Among this number is William Armstrong. He in- herited somewhat of the Si persevering and plodding characteristics de- veloped by his early environment, which, coupled by the livelier impulses of his Celtic blood, made him at an early day seek wider Is in which to give full scope t" hi- am- bition and industry — his dominate qualiti He found the opportunity he sought in the freedom ami appreciation in the growing stern portion of the country. Though bom across the broad Atlantic, he is a thor- Ji American in thought and feeling, ami his patriotism and love for the -tar- and stripes is fully demonstrated by his valiant service during the war .if the Rebellion. His career i- identified with the growth and de- velopment of DeWitt county, where he has not "illy acquired fortune hut where he i- one of the most highly respected citizi ;ir subject is a native of Eng- land, horn in Cumberland count}-, July 1831, and of Joseph and Anna (Hetherington) Armstr The former was born at Barnetl nd, and the latter was a nan imberland coun- ty. She became the mother of five children : Joseph, lane. William, deceased, and William, our subject. The mother these children died when in the prime life, and for his second wife the father of our subject married Jane Shinimean. and a- :i result of this union the following children were horn: John. Elizabeth. Thomas and James. After the death of his second wife he married Mary Ann Malson. Both are no'/ ed. The first of the Armstrong famil come to this country was a brother of our subject, George, who in 1S5 _■ located in ! Witt county. He was followed by Joseph in 1854, and William, whose name intro- duce- this review, located here in 1856. 164 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Prior to the emigration of William Armstrong to this county he bad received a very good education in Ids native country, after the completion of which he worked as a farm hand and also as a hrakeman on the New Castle & Carlisle Railroad. The first two months after his arrival in this country lie w.Tked as a farm hand, and in [858 he began farming on shares in Clintonia town- ship. Later lie moved to Larnctt township, where he was farming on rented land at the breaking out of the Civil war. Like so many of our foreign born citizens, he mani- fested his patriotism 1>\ enlisting, on Aug- ust 1. [862, in Company l». One Hundred d Seventh Volunteer Infantry, hut later he was transferred to Battery K. under the command of John 11. Calvin, of Chicaj lie participated in several important en- gagements, and at the battle of Lean Sta- tion. December [4, [863, he was seriously injured in the hip and incapacitated further active service, and at Know ille. Tennessee, oh June [9, [865, he was mus- tered out of the service of tin- United States and paid off at Springfield, Mini During his term of enlistment his de- votion to his country was fully tested, lie was a gallant soldier, and on the field of action was always found ready and will- ing to do his duty. He is now a member of the Grand Army Post of Clinton, in which he has served as chaplain and is now senii >r vice-c immander. On November 14. 1858, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Ann M. Sprague, who was horn in Ohio, a daughter of Charles L. and Mary (Wat- kins) Sprague. Her father was a native of Vermont, and soon after his marriage removed to Ohio and later to DeW'itt coun- ty, where he purchased a farm, which he improved and placed tinder a high state of cultivation, and where lie died in 1K77. Jn addition to this he owned two other fine farms. The old homestead is now owned and occupied by his son. His first wife de- parted this life in March, [866, at the age of fifty-two years. For his second wife Mr. Sprague married Julia A. Smith. By tlie first marriage he became the father of the following children: Frances; Eliza; Mary L. ; Samuel: Peter; Rebecca; Joseph; Margaret; John; James; Brazella; and Ruth. There were no children bj his sec- ond marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have hen born the following named children: 1 1 | rles J., who was horn September 2, [859, and died in [891. lie married Miss Molly Smith and she died October J |. n;00. They became the parents of three children: Freddie; Maudie;and Lillian. 1 _• » Georgei I'... horn May iS, [862, is a farmer and stock raiser of DeWitt county. He married Miss Margaret Roben, and to them have been horn eight children: Walter: Rena ; Sylvia; Eliza; Goldie; Deverj ; Robert; and Ruby S. (3) William 11.. horn May jo, [866, 1- 1 lie of the young and prominent farmers and stock-raisers of DeWitt coun- ty. Miss Edith Baker became his wife. As a result of this union the following children have been horn: William; Harry; Joseph; Grace; Hiram; and Blanche. Two others died in infancy. (41 Edward J., horn June [5, [868, is also engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising in this county. He married Emma Mathews and they have three children: William; Wesley: and Georgie. 15) John T.. born May 14, [870, married Miss Leoria Alwood. They have four children: May: Louise: Floy; and Marie. He is a farmer by oc- cupation. io| Jacob M.. horn August _m, 1872, died March 7, 1874. (7) Ro]>ert S., THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. born October _*. 1S74. married Miss R Bailey, and they have two children, Chai and Leland. He 1- als »ed in agri- cultural pursuits in this county. (8) War- ren Wesley, born October 8, 1876, en- '1 in the Spanish-American war May 4. 1898. Soon after going into camp at Lexington, Kentucky, he was taken ill with fever and discharged, Aug n after his recovery he re-enlisted. Jan- uary 5. 1899, and was sent to Manila from California. He crossed the Suez canal, and. in all. has traveled about fourteen thousand miles. During this time he has participated in several important engag ments. and is now quartermaster's mounted orderly with the Fourth L'nited S Regulars, Company 1! Moses I... born March 25, [878, died September 25, 1879. M01 Mary A., born February ; ■ >. died in infancy. ( 1 1 ) Alice F... born April 3. [881, graduated from the Clint, in high school in the class of 1901. After the return of William Armstr from the war he purchased a tract of land in Barnett township, and with the character- istic energy that has marked his pathway through life he at mice began the cultivation "f the same. He alsO entered into the busi- ness of raising horses, cattle and hogs for market, and in this as well as in his farm- ing operations he has prospered. With the help of his father-in-law he erected large and substantial buildings, and as his means allowed he supplied his farm with all the conveniences ami accessories necessary !" carry on the business, and in his under- takings he has steadily prospered, meeting with nmre than ordinary suca hat he was able to lay aside the more active duties of life and remove to the city of Clinton, where lie now resides. Since earlv manhood William Arm- has been an active member and an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. For many years he has been a class-leader and trustee, and in 1*S<> he was sent as a delegate to the World's Sunday - ool Convention, which was held in Lon- don. England, and in [890 was a d the International Sunday-school Con- vention, which convened at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He was the mention which was held at Jacksonville, this state, in i v Such, in brief outline, is the histOT William Armstrong, who when a young man came to this country with a British shilling and full of determination to make his life a success. Hi< fondest dreams have been realized, and to-day he is enabled t. . lay aside all busines and spend his last years in ease and quiet. It is a just reward for a busy life, and when he is finally called to his final rest he will not only be sadly missed by his own immediate fam- ily but by all with whom he has come in cntact. — *—* — - * J< IHN M.JONES. John M. Jones, the well-known and effi- cient postmaster of Midland City, Illinois, was born in Decatur county. Indiana. <>n the 17th of February. 1836, and James S. and Nancy 1 Bay) Jones, both na- tives of Kentucky. His paternal grandfa- ther. Benjamin Jones, was a native of North Carolina, but from early manhood made his home in Kentucky. There James S. Jones was born in [807, and on leaving home when a young man went to Decatur county. Indi- ana, where he followed farming me years. He was married in that county and there five of his children were born. In 1851 1 66 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. lie came to DeWitt county, [llinois, and opened up a farm of one hundred acres ad- joining the present village of Midland City, en which he spent the remainder of his life. J lis death occurred in i S 7 5 . and his wife, who survived him for several years, died in 1883. rhe subject of this sketch was a lad of fifteen years when he came with the family to this comity, and he aided his father in the work of the farm until after the Civil war broke out. On the 9th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Twenty-third Corps, Arm\ of the Ohio, lie was firsl under lire at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and was then in the Burnside expedition in East Tennes- see. I le took part in the battle at II; Ferry on the Tennessee river; the enga incut a1 ( ampbell Statii m ami the sieg< Knoxville. Later his command went on a foraging expedition through Tennessee, and assisted in driving I .< mgstreel from the st; The following spring they joined Sherman's a1 Tunnel I [ill, ami took part in all the engage I the Atlanta campaign, after which the regiment returned to Nash- ville. Mr. Jones was taken ill at Atlanta, and was in the hospital at Knoxville for a time, ami was then sent home <>n a sick fur- lough. < In rejoining his regimenl at \\ . ington, D. C, they went by boal to Smith ville. North Carolina, and took part in the battles at Wilmington and Fort Anderson on the Cape Fear river. They then j< ined < ien- eral Sherman at Goldsboro in time to take part m the battle at that place, and were then mustered out of service at Salisbury, North 1 irolina, being honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois, in July. [865. \fter the war Mr. Jones engaged in farming on the old homestead for a number of years, lie purchased the interests of the other heirs and succeeded to the place. I le finally sold a part of the farm and removed to Midland City, where he bought a resi- dence property, lie was married in Ver- milion county, Illinois, in [893, to Miss Sa- rah Chandler, who was horn in Kentucky, hut was reared in that county, where lier father, James Chandler, located with his family in [856. Tin- Republican party has always found 111 Mr, Ji iks a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples since he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln 111 [860. hour years later he again voted for the marts 1 president while home on a furlough. During Presi- dent MS administration he was ap- pointed postmaster of Midland City, and lie ing re-appointed under President McKinley, he is now serving his second term in that . luce, lie has heen three tunes elected JUS- 1 the p< ace. and is also filling thai p Hon in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. Both he and his wife are members of the Midland City Cumberland Presbyter- ian church, ami he is elder and clerk of the session. Fraternally, he is an honored mem- ber of the Grand Army Post at Clinton, and is a man who commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in either in s< icial 1 ir business hie. WILLIAM M. PHARES. William M. 1 'hares, one 'if the early and successful farmers of DeWitt county, Illinois, owns and occupies four hun- dred and sixteen acres of rich, highly improved land, on section 26, Te township. Although previously the owner oi divers other properties in the state, he THE r.K i<;RAP1IIC\L RECORD. came into ; n of th( I farm about seven yeai the hoi built large and substantial barns and c venient outhouses, and h:i< since been en- neral farming and si Nor does hi> home inti sent the extent of his participati »n in the affairs DeWitt county, for he is a representati Illinois farmer, in torch with eral happenings in the world, and keenly alive to all that pertains to the improvement of his township. He has therefore taken an acl part in the administration of the politi nch and uncompromising Republican has been su] iur different terms, h.u i g held the n during his thirteen ye residence in Macon county. Fraternally he iated with the Blue 1 dge of Ma- Maroa, Illinois, Maroa Chapter, R. A. M., and the Commandery at Clinton, and of the former li . ed for ten the worshipful master. He has also passed all of the chairs of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has served as repre- tative of the Maroa lodge, to the grand A native of Greene county, Ohio, Mr. Phares was horn November i. 1828, and mained on the home farm until 1S47. when he came overland to Illinois with his par- ents. His father. Samuel C. Phares, was lH.rn in Hamilton county. Ohio, August 15. ged in farming until coming t" Illinois. He here settled at first near Waynesville, DeWitt county, where he rented land and where lie lived for about five years. After removing to Clinton he engaged in the butchering business for eral years, and then located in Texas town- ship, remaining with his -, ,u. William, for about eighteen years. He subsequently lived in Macon county for some md returned to Texas township, but event- ually settled with his daughter in Clinton, where his death occurred March 23, 19 at the age of ninet] months and When he first came to Illi- nois he was a member of the Methodist church, hut afterwards changed to the Christian church. He Repub- 1 and was justice of tin lin- t' m The • f Will- iam Phares, fonnerl) Sarah Marshal!, horn in Virginia, and cai Ihio when a small child. She was the mother of thirteen children, eleven of whom are living, and her death occurred October 17. 1877, at the home of her son. William, in Texas town- ship, her age being sixty-eight y< William M. Phi ruled the district completing his early education in the public scln 1 >e\\ itt county. Illinois. After leaving the home- id he purchased a piece of land in Clin- ton, which was later traded for a farm in Texas township, and that disposed of for hi- present farm. October 7. 1858, he mar- ried Elizabeth Nagely, a native of Madison inty, Ohio, and daughter of Aaron ami Eliza 1 Adams 1 Nagely, who resided in Ohio during the early part of their h I came to Illinois about [849, settling near Clinton. The father engaged in agri- culture in Ohio and Illinois, and is now liv- ing a retired life in Clinton, his wife having died about four years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Phares have been horn tin > and two daughters, all of whom are living: Oscar M. lives on the home place and ■si- his father in the management of the ;e: Edgar t'.. who is an unusually pros- perous citi/en of Kansas City, Missouri, en- gaged in the lumber brokerage busii 1 68 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. owning three lumber yards of his own, is married to -Mary Craig, of Mama. Illinois, and has two children, William and Kyle; William G., who married Arabella Wilt, a native of Pennsylvania, has two children, Lucile and Helen, and lives on the home place with his older brother; Eliza is the wife nf Clarence Sigler, of Decatur, Illi- nois, a traveling salesman, and has two chil- dren. Beth and 1'haies; Emma, the oldest child, is the w ife i if I h ward Ra) . >•'< Mama, Illinois. All >>i the Phares chil- dren were born in the county, and all re- ceived a substantial common-school educa- te m. While residing in Mama. Illinois, Mr. Phares formed a stock company and built the Mar. i.i Masonic Temple, at a COS) «'!' twentj two thousand dollars. To this work he gave his almost undivided attention For a period oi six months, and on its comple- tion had the satisfaction of knowing that they had erected one of the besl Masonic buildings in central Illinois. To the indi- vidual efforts of Mr. I 'hares the building was made possible, and it will ever stand as as a monument to his memory, as well as furnishing a home to the fraternity for many years to come. To such men as William M. Phares the present prosperous condition of DeWitt county is largely t\\w. The present and fu- ture generations can little realize what these men had to endure, what hardships were undergone, and under what disadvantages they obtained the necessary schooling "i the day. The educational and social advantages now enjoyed were made possible by men of this stamp, and those now living can never repay the deht of gratitude due to the pioneers of this fair state. Yet those pio- neers have erected to their memory some- thing that will endure for all time to come. The broad and fertile fields testify to what they have done, and untold generations will yet rise up and called them hlessed. WILLI \M M. SAMPSON. - gentleman has been a life-long resi dent of Waynesville, and for over a third of a century has been prominently identified with its business interests. Thoroughness and persistenc) have ever characterized his business career, and supplemented by care- ful attention to details and by honorable, straightforward effort, have gained him a most excellent and enviable reputation. Mr. Sampson was horn in Waynesville mi the 3d of November, 1S44. anil is a son of Junius M. Sampson, whose birth oc curred in Bath county, Kentucky, llis pa- ternal grandfather, Captain Francis Samp- . was a native of England and a sea cap- tain for some years, making his home in Baltimore, Maryland. At an early day he removed to Kentucky, and finally came to Illinois, spending the remainder ol his life in Menard county, lie was a will educated man and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. Junius M. Sampson was reared in his native state and accompanied his father mi his removal to Menard county. Illinois, where they opened up a farm. 1 le was mar- ried in Sangamon county, this state, to Miss Elizabeth Crumb, who was born in Maryland and came west with an aunt. For a few years after his marriage he followed farming in Sangamon county, and in 1 s 44 came to DeWitt county, taking up his resi- dence in Waynesville. By trade he was a millwright and cabinetmaker, and on lm-at- ing here he purchased a mill, which he op- TIIK IIIOC.RAPHICAL RECORD. erated for some years. He filled the offices of justice of the peace and postmaster ;m a man of influence in the communities where he made his home at different times. He died in VVaynesville in 1871, and his wife passed away two or three years pre- viou As liis early school privileges were rather limited, William M. Sampson is prac- tically a self-educated man. In January, [864, when nineteen years ■ f age, he joined the !><>>> in blue of Company K. Twenty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service throughout the remainder of the war. taking part in the Atlanta cam- paign and the march to the sea under Sher- man. He was also in the Carolina cam- paign under General John A. Logan, and wa- present at the surrender of General Jo- h E Johnston, after which his command mvrched to Washington, D. (.'.. and partici- pated in the grand review at that place. The war having ended he was honorably dis- charged at Springfield. Illinois, July 28, ■ and returned home. Mr. Sampson began his business career a carpenter. For six years he served deputy postmaster of Waynesville under his father, ami was then made the first agent of the Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad at that place, in 1N74. He learned telegraphy and attended to the whole duties of the office for twenty-two years, when he was succeed- ed by his sun William, the present agent, his retirement from that position he ned a furniture store, which he still ear- on in connection with the undertaking business, and has built up a good trade. Besides his business property he owns a nice residence — one of the best in town. On the 4th of July. 1867, Mr. Samp- was married in Waynesville to Miss Re- becca Dunham, also a native of this county and a daughter "f Jeremiah Dunham. irly settlers. I Iks have a famil I six children: Carrie, now the wife of Thur- man I I McLean county, Illi- William, who i^ also married and is agent for the railroad company at Waynes- ville; Jennie, wife of Earl Buck, of \\ ville: and Gertie, Maud and Glenn, all at home. Since casting his first presidential for I 5. I inl in 1868, Mr. Sampson has been an ardent supporter of the Repuh part\'. and he has served as ;i member of the tow 11 hoard and as township clerk, i iously he and his wife are memliers of the •yterian church, and socially he member of Waynesville Lodge, I. O. ( >. I". in which he has filled all the chairs and is now • d. He is public spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, social and material wel- fare of his native town, and has done much to advance its interests along various lines. lolIX TUGGLE. John Tuggle, a well-known and prosper- ous citizen of Harp township. lives in section 16. He was born October 31, 1840, in Harp township, son of Charles ami Mary i Spencer ) Tu as a native of Kentucky, born in 1814, and the s. .11 of William Tuggle, who was bom and died in that state v hail. ucated in Kentucky and married there, lie came to DeWitl county. Harp township, in about 1835 and rented land for a number of years. His first purchase was one hun- dred and twenty acres of wild land, now a part of the farm owned by the subject of this sketch. He put all the land under cnlti- 170 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ration, creeled good buildings and made improvements. In this pleasant home, sur- rounded by family and friends, he spenl the resl of his life, dying April <>. [863. His wife died in 1888 and both are buried in this township. They were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are now liv- ing, fames is a fanner and lives in Har- rison county. .Missouri: William. Solomon, Allen and ( re< >rge live in this t< wnship; their daughters, Elizabeth Sarah and Mary, and one 1 tries, are now dead ; I haiT itte is the wife of William O'Brien, and lives in North Dakota. Charles Tuggle wa believer in the principles of the Democratic party. By industry and thrift he became a well-to-do farmer and was a good citizen. a Tuggle was the third soil and fifth child in hi father's family. 1 le tt cated in the district of this township. At the age of twenty one he went to Clinton ami worked at th \flcr a shi >rt time he returned to th< and at the age of twenty five, on September 1 \. 1865, he married Miss Martha Price, a daughter of William and Louvisa (Wetldle) Price. Mr. and Mrs. Trice were both natives of Kentucky, had been married in that state and came to Texas township in [863. They rented land for a few years, then purchased a farm. To them were horn ten children, five of whom are now living. The deceased are Rachel. Elizabeth, Sophia, Edna ami Martha, who was the first wife of the sub- ject of this sketch. Isaiah lives in Missouri. Eliza is the wife of Myer Hansen and lives in Kansas. Leanna is now the wife of Mr. Tuggle Charli in Wilson township. John William resides in the -late of Wash- ington. .Mr. Trice was a strong supporter of the Democratic party. He died in [867 at the age of fifty-five years. I lis wife now lives with Mr. Tuggle' s family. Though eighty-seven years old last March, she is a very active lady for one of that age. To Mr. Tuggle were horn seven chil- dren. Ills oldest son. William, married Myrtle Miller and lives in Harp township. Their children arc Tail, Ruby, Verna and Ethel. Charles married Retta Webb and they, with their three children. Clarence, Rufus and the baby, live in the same town- ship. James died in infancy. Melvin, Eliza, Fred C. and Aletha still live at home. Mr. gle's wife. Martha, died \pnl 23, [897, and is buried in Wilmore cemetery in Harp township. The next year he married Le anna I "rice, the sister of his first wife. John Tuggle has been a farmer since IS'.;' and a very successful one. lie now owns three hundred and sixty acres of well- improved land, which he uses for general farming, llis broad acres of waving grain are a standing monument to his industry and thrift. 1u politics he affiliates with the Tern- atic party, lie has held the offices oi assessor and collector, which proves that he has won tlu- esteem and confidence of the community in which he lives, llis wife is a member of the Christian church. CHARLES BRELSFI >RD. Among the leading citizens of Kenney, Illinois, is Charles Brelsford, the present mayor of the town. lie is a native. son of DeWitt county, being horn in Tunbridge township. December _■<). (859, to William and Lydia (Craig) Brelsford, who are rep- resented on another page of this review. Charles Brelsford, our subject, remained on the home farm until he reached maturity, receiving his education in the common schools of the township and assisting' his fa- TH1-: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ther "ii the farm. In 1892 he moved u> the village "i Kenney and opened a real estate office, which business he continued i<>r some and then entered the insurance busi- ness, being the representative of all the prominent old line companies. In 190 lected president of the village board on itizens ticket, and is of the leading representatives of his party in this locality. Fraternally he is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, Kyle f Kenney. in which he has occupied all the chairs, being past chan< In bus lolitical and social circles Mr. sford stands high and well meril general esteem which he receives. TAMES M. KIRK. James M. Kirk, one of the leading and representative business men of Clinton, De- Witt county, Illinois, was born in Belle- fontaine, < >hio, July 26, 1854, and is : inge and Sarah 1 Robinson 1 Kirk, and a grandson of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Mar- shall ) Kirk. L. Kirk was a native of the Buckeye state and was born in Xenia, where, after receiving a common-school education, he learned the trade of brick masonry. There he remained until 1856, when he came to Clinton. S'H>n after hie arrival in this place he began the manufacture of brick, as the ]>p .]ier clay for that purpose was found in the m •rth and east part < »f the ti -w n. He was tir^t associated with A. H. C. Barber, they established a large plant. At that time the town of Ginton had just been laid out, with si>me three hundred people living with- in its corporate limits. Being a new town the demand f< >r brick was large and in their enter]. n met with excel!. r Mr. Barber retired from the firm and I. \\ . Bell was taken into partnership. They manufactured brick for many of the m prominent buildings of the place, among which was the old Presbyterian church and a number of the present bi docks which inding in the central part of the city. In addition to his brick business he lit quite extensively in real and became one of the leading business men I Hnton. Socially h< member of DeWitt L dge, \'o. 84, A. F. & A. M.. member of the chapter and the oil. B) his marriage with t ah Rob- inson he became the father of two children: mel, who is a brick contractor and James M.. whose name in; duces this review. When but twenty -one years of ag( iber 4. 1855, Mrs. Kirk was called to her final 1 buried in the Bellefontaine cemetery. For his - ond wife Samuel Kirk was united in mar- riage with Miss Lucretia Morian, who sur- vives him. Mr. Kirk departed this life in [897, at the age of sixty-eight years, hon- ored and respected by all who knew him. The common schools afforded James M. Kirk his educational advantages, and up the time that he was twenty-one years of age he gave his father the benefit <- erate. He was a son of Joseph and Lydia •ok 1 Johnson, who were natives of Prov- idenc.-. Rhode Island, where his birth a urred August [3, 1 S 1 4 . Joseph Join emigrated to Ohio with his family and tied. Here he began farming and in his un- 174 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. dertakings prospered, until at one time he had some five hundred acres of land under .1 high state of cultivation. In the family were the following children : Ira C. Cylinda, Al- lnra. Joseph, Lydia and one that died in in- fancy. Eason Johnson, the father of Mrs. Kirk, was born and reared in Ohio, where he re- ceived a common-school education, the school being held in a log school house and in those early days greased paper was used for windows. He remained in Ohio until after his marriage, which was celebrated on December 17. [835, Miss Alice Calendar be- lling his wife. As a result of this union the following children were born: Mary, who is now deceased: Amos ; Huldah; Ira: Alice, deceased, who was the wife of John C. Kirkley; Joseph E. ; Allura, deceased; Lovina, also deceased, and Emma, who is the wife of the subject of this personal sketch, in [859 Mr. Johnson, accompanied by his family, went by water 1" Texas. where he intended to remain. Inn soon after his arrival lie became convinced that he would nol Ik- pleased with the country and determined !■■ return to the north. Alter a long and tiresome trip he arrived in De- Witt county in i860 and located <>n section 3, Texas township, where he still resides. Although both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are well along in years the) an and in excellent health. By economy and persever- ance they ha\e accumulated a comfortable competence and to-day are recognized as • Mie of the representative, families of Clin- ton county. I'm our subject ami his wife have been born the following children: Marshall died at the age of two months; James Rob- ert is associated with his father: Alice L. resides at home; Willoughby E. is a me- chanic; Fred K. and Reuben \\ . are stu- dents. \iter working some years as a journey- man the subject of this sketch began con- tracting mi his own account and fur the past twenty four years has been actively identified with the business and commercial interests of Clinton, and is new recognized as the leading contractor ami builder of De- Witt county. Among the mure prominent buildings that he has had under his per- sonal supervision is the Register block, the remodeling and enlarging the Renick opera house, Christian church, Lincoln school building, gas plant and many "thers tOO 1111- m< n 'Us ti ' mentii »n. Socially Mr. Kirk holds a prominent place. lie is a member and recorder of Clinton Commandery, No. 66, K. T., T. I. M. Clinton Council. No. 74, R. & S. M., P. II. P. I [brake < Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M.. I'. M. DeWitt Lodge, No. 84, A. F. & A. M.. and I'. \\ . I'. Myrtle Chapter. No. [31, O. I'.. S. Iii polities he has never taken more than the interest thai ever) puhlie spir- ited man should, hut at all times he stands ready and willing to do all in his power to further the interests of his adopted city, lie served one year — iNNi-iNNj — as city mar- shal of the city of Clinton, and two years in the city council from the first ward. \\ I'.SI.HY CLEARWATER!- This well-known resident of Farmer City was born on the 2nd of March. [854, in the suburbs of that city, on a place now owned by ( ). J. Smith. His parents were Nathan and Mary M. (Danner) Cleanvaters, of whom extended mention is made in the 'in:: r.KKiUAPincAL record. >;- sketch of Reuben Clearwaters on another page "t this volume. At the age of twelve years our subject entered the office of J. S Harper, who was then publishing a weekly paper in Farmer City, ami with him served an apprenticeship t" the printer's trade. In [888 he established the Public Reaper, which he Sold two year- later to his brother Reuben, ami then removed t" Rose Hill. Iowa, where he edited the Rose llill Sun for nine months, lie next went t< > Craw- fordsville, Indiana, where he worked a- a journeyman printer until his removal t" Petersburg, that state. There he started the Tallula Express, which he conducted for five months, and on selling out returned to Farmer City, where the following year was parsed. Mr. Clearwaters was next engaged in the laundry business at Frankfort, Indiana, for a year, and at the end of that time - out and opened a steam laundry in Farmer City, in iS<)-i. it being the first in the place. After conducting it for four years he -old out. and has since worked with his brother Reuben at the carpenter's trade, though he is now practically living a retired life on account of ill health. In the spring and summer of 1901 he assisted in building the beautiful modern residence — the largest in Farmer City — now occupied by himself and family, together with < >. J. Smith, who has made his home with them for some time. and is considered one of the family. In 1875 Mr. Clearwaters married Miss llettie Blandin, a native of McLean county, Illinois, and a daughter of Thomas ami lise (Myers) Blandin. Six children blessed tin- union: Ola; Ora, deceased; John; one who died in infancy; Darrow I >. ; and Grace E. The parents are both mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Clearwater- 1- a stanch supporter of the Democratic party ami it- principle- lie is widely and favorably known in tin ti"ii of the county, where the greater part of his life ha- been passed, and wherever he ha- gone he ha- made many friends. I \.\IKS CANTRA1 I This well known agriculturist, wl home i- on section 32, Waynesville town- ship, just south of the village of VVaym ville. was horn on dial farm. June [9, 1845, and i- a worthy representative of an honored pioneer familj of DeWitt county. The first of the family to come to America was his great-great-grandfather, Zebulon Cantrall, who was born in Wale- of Scotch ancestry, and crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 17110. He located in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and built the first brick house in that city. In his family were two -, ms, Joseph and Joshua. The latter, who was the great- grandfather of our subject] fought for American independence in the Revolutionary war. lie wa- a native 1 if Virginia, and died there. Joshua, hi- grandfather, removed to Kentucky in [789. Later he went to Ohio, and from there came to Illinois in [835, ar- riving in what i- now DeWitt county on the 7th of October. Here he successfully en- ged in farming and acquired eighteen hun- dred acre- of land, which at hi- death he left ti > hi- children. Joshua Cantrall, Jr.. our subject's fa- ther, was born in Clark county. Ohio, Sep- tember J'K 1818, and was seventeen year- of age on the removal of his familj to this county. Here he wedded Miss Mar\ Jane Robb, who was born near Nashville, Ten- nessee, and was a daughter of John Robb, one of the first settlers of DeWitt county. 176 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. She died September 20, [855, leaving two children, who reached mature years, namely : lames, of this review ; and Mrs. Rachel C. In-hain. a residenl of Warrensburg, Macon county, Illinois. The father was again mar- ried and continued to reside on the "Id home- stead near Waynesville until 1X7*1. when he built in Waynesville and resided there until his death. March 31, [897. Throughoul life he followed I man) years he was the elders and a prominent and active member of the Presbyterian church of Waynesville, and ever took an active interest in Sunday-school work, serv- ing as superintendent for twi en con- secutive years, and thirty-three years in all. He declined longer to accept that office, hav- ing' by that time become quite "Id. though he continued a Sunday-school worker up to the time of his death. During his boyhood Jai irall at- tended the public and select schools of Waynesville, and aided his father in the work "i~ the farm until twenty-five year lie was then married in Decatur, llli- nois, t" .Miss Marx I. I.anham. and brought his bride t>> the old homestead, which lie carried on for his father during his declin- ing years. He new owns the farm, which consists of sixty-eight of rich and arable land, and in connection with its op- eration he has under cultivation over two hundred acres. He has always given con- siderable attention to breeding, raising and dealing in stuck, making a specialty ol line draft horses of the Englishshire breed. He iimw owns a share m Aulhra George, a pure- blooded stallion, which is one of the best in the county. Mr. Cantrall's first wife died March 30. 1889, leaving two daughters. Nellie M. and Mabel C. On the --Nth of November, the same rear, he was again married in Decatur. his second union being with Mrs. Christine II. (Huckleberry) Stewart, who was born in Indiana, hut spent her early life in Illi- nois. Mr. Cantrall and his family all hold membership in the Waynesville Presbyterian church, and are people of prominence in the community where thev reside. His political support has always been given the men and measures of the Republican parte since he i his lirsi presidential vote for General I . S. ( Irani, in [8l 8, hut he has never cared office, his time being wholly taken up by his business affairs, lie is well known in the community where his entire life his been passed, and all his interests from boy- hood have been closely associated with that tlity. He has seen the wild land trans- formed into beautiful homes and farms, and in the worl mpro\ ement he has e\ er I 1 ii ue his part. ISAAC C. THURBER. No one in DeWitt county is more thor- oughly identified with the interests thereof than is Isaac C. Thurber, who. for the past sixteen years, has lived on and managed a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on tion tvventv two, Texas township. To quite a large extent he is engaged in stock-rais- ing, making a specialty of short horns, usually having about a hundred head, he- sides an average of thirty-five- head of horses and four hundred and fifty sheep. In addition to his other responsibility he has charge of the pasture land of the Moore es- tate of twelve hundred acres located on Salt Creek, the property running a mile and a half east and west, and one and a half miles north and south along Salt Creek, in Texas township. Although prac- ISAAC C. THURBER. MRS. I. C. THURBER. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 181 tically independent in politics, he usua votes the Democratic ticket, and has held many important offices within the gift of the township. For several years he has been constable and assessor, and has I icon school director nearly all of his residence in the county, ami still holds the position. Frater- nally he is connected with Clinton Lodge, No. 84, A. F. & A. M. Of smrdv Scotch-English ancestry, Mr. Thurber was born in Liverpool, England, May 21, [838, and came to the Unite : with his parents when les> than a year old. His father. Benjamin, and his mother, Per- Thurber, were horn respectively in .Scotland and England, and after coming to America the former worked at his trade < f carpenter and millwright, having been a ship carpenter in the old country. After living for a short time in Canada, the fam- ily located at Fort Wayne. Indiana, and here the father successfully followed his trade until his death at die . sixty years. J lis wife, who was the mother of nine children, six of whom are living, died when her son [saac was seven ye He remained, at home until about fifteen year- old, at which time he started out to face an independent future, working on farms in In- diana. With the outbreak of the Civil war lie enlisted in Compan) ( . One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, and was a corporal under Captain James M. Hunter, serving until the close of the war. After his honorable discharge September 11. 1865, at Memphis. Tennes- he returned to DeWitt county. Illinois, and for several years lived on rented farms, eventually settling upon the farm upon which he ha- lived for so many \i In January of 1868 Mr. Thurber married Charlotte Swisher, daughter of James and Ruth 1 Ma\ all ) Swisher, of whom the latter i- deceased, and the former resides in township with his son-in-law. To Mr. and Mr-. Thurber have been horn eight chil- dren, -even of whom are living: Mary Esther, who i-> the wife of James A. Lane, a farmer living near Weldon, DeWitt county, and has two children, Chelsea and Harold; Florence, who died when nineteen months old; Olive, who i- the wife of Ralph White- head., of Decatur, Illinois, and has three chil- dren, (.lady-. Robert and Matilda : k who married 1 .1 ie Bennett, daughter of John Bennett, of (reek township, and is liv- me place : Amy. Ruth. I and Zettie, w living at home. The and daughters were educated in the publii . and all were horn in Texas township. Mr. Thurber stands high in the community of which he is an honored mem- ber, and numbers his tried and tr friends bv th< CHARLES Ill'UD. Charles Hurd, a prosperous and substan- tial agriculturist of Wilson township, is typical self-made man. and in the follow rd of hi- career there is much to an respect ami esteem, lie has always made the most of his advat tnd by his indus- perseverance and good management has worked his way steadily upward and now stands among the successful few. A native of New Hampshire. Mr. Hurd 1). .rn in Sullivan county. December 27, 1830, and i- a son of Elisha and Florinda (Stevens) Hurd. The father was a native of the same county and a son of Peter and Merihah (Atwood) Hurd. the former of whom was a -"li of Nathan Hurd. The Hurd family came originally from England 182 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. and was founded in Connecticut by four brothers soon after the landing of the Pil- grims who came to this country in the May- flower. The father of our subject, who was a farmer by occupation, died in New Hamp- shire in [874, Inn the mother is '-till living at the advanced age of ninet) one years and possesses her mental and physical faculties to a remarkable degree. She makes her In une with her youngest son, Bela, in New Hampshire, on the "Id homestead. Relig- iously she is a member of the Christian church, t" which her husband belonged, and in p. >hiies he was a Democrat. Their chil- dren were Jul. ma. wife of (enter 1.. CuttS, 1 if Massachusetts; George \\ .. a resident Xew Hampshire; Bela, who lives on the old homestead in that state; and Charles, of this review. Three children died in child- h 1. while Mrs. Ellen Gardner died after reaching maturity, as did Lois, who died in young womanhood. t lur subject grew t" manhood among the hills of the old Granite State and attended the district scho, ,1s near his home and later the academies at Newport and Washington, Sullivan county, where he finished his edu- cation and tilted himself for teaching, to which profession he turned his attention at the age of twenty. For some tune he taught in the district schools during the winter months, while the summer season was de- voted to farming. On the 17th of March. 1S57. Mr. llurd married Miss Sarah F. Alden, a daughter of Thomas and Huldah (Blodgett) Alden. and granddaughter of Levi and Boadicia (Warner) Alden. Her paternal great- grandfather was Captain Thomas Warner, who served with distinction all through the Revolutionary war as an officer under Gen- eral Washington. Mrs. llurd's father was of the seventh veneration in direct descent from John Alden. who was immortalized by Longfellow's poem — The Courtship of Miles Standish. None of that generation are now living. Thomas Alden died in [892, at the age of eighty-five years, and his wife the same year, at the same age. II is children were Caroline, deceased; Sarah F., wife of 1 >ur subject : < re< irge, w hi 1 died j 1 mng ; I telen I... deceased wife of George W. Ilurd, a brother of our subject; Anna C deceased wife of Milton I'. Bailey; and John, a resi- dent of \ew Hampshire. Of the four chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. llurd one died in infancy. Those living are as follows: ( 1 t John Alden. a residenl "t Wilson town- ship, this county, married Isadora Mason and has two children. Carl (I. and Malvola. 1 Flora S. is the wife of Melvin Johnson. • a' the same township, and they have one child, Raymond. (3) Charles E. married Annabel 1 1 end rick sou and liv is on the home farm 1 if 1 mr subject . Iii [863 Mr. llurd came west and first located in Menard county, Illinois, where he had two uncles living, and he taught school there until 1868. In the meantime he ac- quired some farm land in that county, which he s, ,1,1 in [868, and then removed to De Witt county, buying a one-hundred-acre tract of timberland on section 28, Harp township. Here he resumed teaching and continued to follow that pursuit for two years. Selling his property in 1S71. he re- moved to Wilson township and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of improved land "ii sections 28 and _'«). and also a ten- acre tract of timber land, which he suhse- quently cleared and sold, lie also taught school in Wilson township for two years. day he is the owner of a line farm, well fenced and tiled and under a high state of cultivation. Along the highway he has set out some lovely maple trees, which not only THi RAPHICAL RECORD. add to the beauty of his place, but which a cast a grateful shade over l eler. In [891 he built a ni> and erected a good barn in [8 . that he now has one of the best improved and most at- tractive places of the township. Religiously lx>th Mr. and Mrs. Hup members of the Uni church and litically he is identified with the Democratic party. His fellow citizens, reo his \\<>rth and ability, have called upon him to rill several local positions of honor and tr township supervisor two terms, and - r, township clerk and school director. His public service has been most exemplary, and his private life has been marked by the utmost fidelity to duty. Hi thoroughly identified with the intei hi> adopted county, and is well known as an enterprising and reliable business man. who is held in the big' em by all with wh< >m he is brought in contact. ORSOX T. SMITH. The world instinctively . pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved — one who has overcome the ob- stacles in his path and through his own un- aided efforts has attained a position of afflu- ence. Mr. Smith, by the improvement of opportunities by which all are surrounded, teadily and honorably worked his way upward, and is to-day one of the wealthy citizen- of Farmer City. A native of Xew York, he was born in Caoandaigua, Ontario county. July 30, 1827, and is a s, , n . if Jao to and Submit ( Jan • Smith. His paternal grandfather was John Smith, who was born in Schoharie county. Xev. York, and died in the western part of that state at about I He was twice married and had children by Inith wives. Those of the first union w< b. Nelson, William. Ma Maria. Smith, the father of our sub- ■ bom in Schoharie county, and I t.. ( Intario county, where he purchased the property owned by the Jameson heirs, and successfully 1 in farming throughout life. He died at the ity-thrc. hi-s w Jf e ; ,t the nty-four. The} had a familj ten children, namely : Maria Jane. I.. Hugh J.. John. Charles. Frances J.. Ann, Helen. Mittie ( '. and Albert. The early education of our subject I in the common scl tive state, and he commenced teaching at the ;i ghteen years. ;i t fifty-: ir months and a half. With the money thus earned he paid his way at the my, and in me -'.. where he could receive a b< rv. He first taught in Sangamon county, Illi- nois, and devoted his attention to that ;• sion for over twenty years, hi being in Santa Anna township. DeWitt county, where he received sixty dollars per month. This was in [866. In 1857 ne removed to Blue Ridge, Piatt county. Illi- nois, where he made his homi ie time. During the time he v in teaching Mr. Smith invested his money in Illinois land, being fully convinced that it was the best in the world. His first pure' consisted of a tract of one hundred ami sixty acres in I'iatt county, bought of William 'it. and he • ighl an ad- joining tract of the same size, on which be has erected ta Anna township, DeWitt 1 84 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. county, which he later sold to V. S. Lindsey, and then purchased the A. Jones farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he lias built a new house and barn. He pur- chased forty-four acres near it of the M. Johnson heirs, and the old Clearwaters farm of forty and a half acres near Farmer City, mi which lie erected a good residence and barn. Besides t hi- property lie owns six hundred and forty acres of land in Stafford county, Kansas, near St. John, and at differ- ent times has owned other places, including the line residence now occupied by William Drybread. His ability as a financier is wide- ly recognized and he has done quite a suc- cessful! in loaning monej forhimself and eastern firms. Since [880 he has prac- tically lived a retired life in Farmer City. though he still looks after hi- investment-. I le purchased the Richard Webb property on •; Water street, moved the old residence hack, and in i < >o 1 built an elegant fourteen- with basement, it being the la and finest in the city. It i- supplied with hot and cold water, heated by steam and lighted by electricity, in fact it hi the conveniences of a city home. Besides this beautiful place Mr. Smith owns several houses, which lie rents, and some vacant lots in Farmer City. In religious faith he is a Universalist, and engaged in preaching for that denom- ination in l'i.att county from [868 t" 1875. lie is an Ancient ( >dd Fellow and a support- E the Republican party. 1 le ha- filled the office of justice of the peace, but has newer been an aspirant for political honors. A line writer and eloquent speaker, he has heen often called upon to exercise these talents. lie has written considerable for the press and has heen a regular correspondent to dif- ferent journals. The extracts from hi- pen include poetry as well as prose. As a busi- ness man he has been remarkably successful, and his success ha- come to him through en- ergy, labor and perseverance, directed by an evenly balanced mind ami b) honorable busi- ness principle-. AURELIUS E. NEWMAN. An interesting and eventful life was that 01 Aurelius E. Newman, successful farmer, extensive traveler, large laud owner, and honored citizen, who came to an untimely death May <>. 1893, in DeWitt county, through the accident of runaway horses. In 1 health and spirits he left his home in the early morning, hi- destina- tion being the home of his son-in-law, Elza it a mile distant, where he in- get a -talk rake. The wagon struck a stump, throwing him forward on , and causing the hi >rses ti 1 run. It i- thought that he w.a- dragged at ; forty rod- by the frightened horses, wh( 1 1 only when 1 me 1 if them fell ti 1 the ground, .and it was then red that Mr. Xew man's neck had heen broken, and that a wound seven inches long had heen made in the side of hi- head. Hi- Ion- and useful and well-directed life was then re- called amid scenes of greatest sorrow, and the sympathies of the whole county were enlisted for the family to whom his taking off meant loneliness and hitter grief. ' ii supposed remote Iri-h ancestry, .Mr. Newman was horn in Guilford county, North Carolina, October 1, 1827, and his life spanned sixty-five years, seven months and five day-. His parents, Joseph and Frances (Woodard) Newman, were born, reared and married in North Carolina, .and in their native- -tate their last years were spent. The father was a farmer A. E. NEWMAN. Ki«*ajffi^^rt&iSK MRS. A. E. NEWMAN. Till-. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. and wagorunaker, and it is said of him that he \\a- an expert in hi- line, and abli make a complete wagon from rough hewn timber. In the parental family were ten sons and daughters, Aurelius being fifth in f birth. I le wa- reared in his state and acquired the education of the pub- Iic • remaining on the home farm until 1847, when he faced the responsibili- ties of self-support with courage and del mination. Making his way to Illinois he worked on the farms ,,f Butler county for sixty-two and a half cents a day. and owing t.> the meagerness of his recompense suf- fered at times actual deprivation. In [£ he went down the Mississippi river with a • Load of ice t" Baton Rouge, Louisiana, returning afterward t< • I.a Salle county, Illinois, where he worked by the month until the spring of lie then started out to cr. iss the plains to California with an :eam. his way being thr the American river, where he staked out a claim and engaged in mining for a few days L er he brought up in Eldor; county, California, then I - .memo. finally arriving at a place cal the Yuba river, where he prosecuted his until 1852. The same 3 1 he returned east via Panama, and then b from Greytown to New Orleans, from where he continued his journej rlc-st. .11. and thence to Rocky Mound. Virginia. I r into Kortl lina, lie remained for a short time, and be- • many weeks was back in La nit- ty. 'Mini In 1853 Mr. Newman came to Ik-Witt inty, where he worked by the month and then bought one hundred and of land on section thirty-one, Tunbridge township, which he proceeded improve, and where he lived for man, In 1865 he 1m night f' township, upon which he moved his family, and later added 1 this prop- erty. This farm was disposed "' a couple of years before his death, and he then bought the land now occupied by his wife and chil- li. A man of u""d judgment and finan- cial ability, he was the soul of industry, by the fact that vv 11 unaided efforts he accumulated property valued at $ His fust laud in I.a st him one dollar p. and the deed for the same he received the he became 1 In 1856 Mr. Newman married Sanian- tha Troxell, a native of DeWitt county. Illi- nd a daughter of Frederick and J ['roxell, who came to DeWitt county in the early days, being among the pi He died in Kansas, while his \ in DeWitt county. Of this union there born seven children, four of whom are 1 living: Albert died at the .r died when tv now Mrs. 1 1 tig, living I and sixty acres 'in I . 11- ship, and has one child. lues on the home place with his mother, and held the school tn inn if Jl 'III! ship, and has a daughter . and Fran- is the wife of Benjamin S farmer iwnship. Mr. New man \ a member of the Christian church, and dur- his entire life lived up to t! tile ii' iblest and bi :l\" 11. TYLER, M. D. There is no profession mot talent than the medical. Advancement among its representatives must he 190 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the price of earnest, persistent and conscien- tious effort; it must depend, too, upon strong intellectual force, readiness in grasp- ing a situation and correctness in applying theroetical knowledge to the needs of suffer- ing humanity. Keen discrimination is, therefore, one of the concomitants of suc- and a nicety of judgment In tic under- stood by the laity is necessary to one who is nut content with mediocrity, but would gain a position among the successful lew. Dr. .11 the qualificatii which go l" make the skilled physician, and to-day he is the oldest medical practitioner and i m|" I >c\\ in ci unity, lie is hon- d by the profession and the pub hi- life merited the confidence ami respect of his fellow men. A native of (Hum. the Doctor was born in Mansfield, August _'.). 1827, his parents thy and I I y- ler. I lis paternal gi icr, Nathan Ty- |< 1 . Irish extraction. His s< m, Tim- was a native of Maine and served his country in the war of 1812. After arri ;' maturil married Elizabeth Taylor, a daughter of Captain San aring man. v\', birtl red in Massachusetts. Mrs. Ty- ler Ijorn at Cap husetts, and By her marriage she became the mother of a large family, but the Doctor is now the only sun I he father died at a comparative- ly ( , and the mother passed away in Mansfield, ( Hum. in 1854, at the age of sixty- en. The Doctor pursued his education in the public schools near his boyhood's home and in Mansfield Academy, lie afterward en- engaged in teaching school for a short time, but determining to make the practic< medicine his life work, he began studying under the direction of Dr. J. \V. Griffith, in Perryville, Ohio. lie pursued his first course of lectures in the Starling .Medical College, at Columbus, and afterward began practice in Perryville, hut in 1855 he de- termined to try his fortune in a more western district and accordiilgl) made his way to I >e Witt county, Illinois, settling in the cit) of 1 >c\\'itt. I [ere he began practice in connec- tion w ith 1 )r. B. S. Lewis. In the fall of 1856 he entered the Rush Medical College of Chicago, where hi raduated in Feb- ruary of the following year. This partner- ship was maintained until 1862, since which time he has been alone in practice. From the inning he has enjoyed a large patron and. has easily maintained a 1 place in the ranks of the medical fraternity, for unlike many men, when years are encroach- ing upon them, he h contented him- self with the knowledge previously acquired, bul n continuously a student, read- ing and study carrying his investiga- ti' m forward alot ing in touch with the learning and work of his contemporaries in the profession. In [888 he sold his beautiful home in DeWitl to William Nixon and removed to ' locating on North ( eet. In [891 ted a vers large and handsome residence and n South Center street, one of the finest homes in the city. Here he has an office supplied with every modern conven- ience and appliance of assistance in carry- ins; on his pr< ifessional work. I le is a mem- the National Medical Association, the American Medical Association and the De- Witt County Medical Association. The last named he aided to establish and is now the only living charter member. For many years he served as its president and has been very active in making its work effective and ben- eficial. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 191 i >n the Jjih of March, [861, th< was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Cain, a daughter of Charles C Cain, am nati " try popular in • ciety circles and as a member of van charitable ami church organizal In ilr their object the benefit and uplifting of mankind, and her influence lely felt. Unto the Doctor and his wife were bom three children : Aldora, of wh mention is made later: Charles, who died in if six yeai^ : and Alice . at In une. The opinions and labors of Dr. Tyler have been a potent influence in political cir- -. and for many years lie has been known truest Republican. He was 1, I by the party with the nomination as a can eneral assembly in 1874, and ■ represent the twenty- ninth si of De- Witt and Mai inties, in the upper during the twenty-ninth ami thirty-: and left the imp his individuality upon tin i"ii en- acted at that time. He laid .red earnestl; ure the adoption of those me. lich he believed would contribute to the general 1 and carefully considered each question. When he determined upon his course lie was unwavering in his allegiance thereto, and neither fear nor favor could bias him in his judgment. He was a conscientious lator and hi mmended him to the confidence of even those opposed to him litically. 1 member of Amon A. M.. and was its hi ninred master for twenty years, i hapter, R. A. M., and Clinton Council, X". 74. K. & 1. Hi- emely busy and Whatever tends to prom the interests of his ; 1 and place be- fore man the key to the 1 1 that Mem. which we call life, attn his interest and tion. He i- a man character and i ly may ' the fi Ten linton. — * ■ » FRANCIS MAY. Francis M the influential citizei \y >rn July hi. [835, in P nty, < >hio. 1 le i- the s. .11 of David .May. who was born in the unty alu lUt 1 799. I li- motl Sarah iHicklei May. a native of the same 1 in 1814 and hio ami farmer b pation. He in ultural pursuits and he- came well t" do. lie and his wife reared a family of two girls and I whom id May. father of the subject of this sketch, was one. John May was an old-line Whig, and took an part in 1 le was citizen and ligious man. He died in ! the age of eighty-three years. David May, father of our sul ined hi- education in his native state, ' >hio, in 1 if the 1 'Id I that day. 192 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. After attaining manhood he became a farm- er and owned one hundred and twenty acres of choice farm land in Ross county. In 1855 lie sold his property and with his fam- ily, l>v team and wagon, made the overland trip t<> DeWitt county and bought one hun- dred acres "f land in Clintonia township. I le impn >\ ed the land and lived there fi lur years, and then moved to \\ ilson township upon a rented farm, where he lived until [863, when he then took up his residence in Harp town ship, on the farm he had purchased. There lie made his home till his death. February 14. [890, at the age of eighty-four years. Though nol among the earliest settlers of the county, he did good pioneer service and desen es a place in the history of its pi< meers. In religious belief he was a Lutheran and in politics a Whig and Republican. To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom Francis is the oldest. His brother 5 ! and sisters are Miranda, wife oi tsaian I tavenport, who resides in Texas. Mr. I >a\ enport > ildier in Company A, Thirty- third Volunteer Infantry, of Illinois, and was in the >er\ice four years. Margaret married James Morrison; he is dead and res, 1 lintonia township, DeWitt coun- ty. Jacob, who enlisted in Company B, 1 >ne Hundred Seventh Volunteer Infantry, of Illinois, lives in Clinton. Susan, who mar ried Enoch Betzer, 1- a widow and lives in Nebraska. Henry resides in Nebraska. 1 rus lives on his father's old farm in Harp township; Elsina married Samuel Newell and lives in Clintonia township. Francis May received his education in Ross county, Ohio, and came to DeWitt county w ith his parents. ! le li\ ed with them till he was twentx seven years of age, when. on August 6, 1862, he enlisted at Clinton, Illinois, in Company D, One Hundred Sev- enth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Cap- tain Kelly, and saw very active service. He started with Sherman on his inarch to the sea, going thirty miles south of Atlanta, when his corps returned to Tennessee, where they took part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. They then went east to Wash- ington, thence down into North Carolina to join Sherman again. < hi the way they took the two forts of Anderson and Wilmington, and were present at the surrender of < icneral Johnston. The regiment was discharged al Salisbury, North Carolina, and was mus- tered oul at Springfield,- Illinois. Francis May, the honored soldier, returned home July 4, [865. lie began farming for him- self, and February _•_'. [867, he was married to Miss Eliza Baldwin, a daughter of Dan- iel and Hannah (Williams) Baldwin. Her father was horn m Kentucky and her mother was a native of < >hio. Mr. Baldwin died in ( )hio m 1 865, at tl e; entj three mil his wife in [847, aged fort) five I hej were the pai ents 1 >i eight chil- dren, seven boys and one daughter, now the wife of the subject of this biography. 01 the se\ en b >\ s, six w ere 51 ildiers, who in the war of the Rebellion, and the seventh was prevented from enlisting by ill health. Warren, who enlisted at the first call, was the only one wounded in the service oi country, and he but slightly. Of the seven loch, Clark and Warren are now dead. Uriah lives in Hardin county, Ohio, Jesse in Missouri, Philander in Mississippi, and I leiiry in ( )hio. Francis .May and his wife have a familv of five children: Lola, wife of William Kinnamon, resides in Wilson township: Ed- ward married Blanche Shaw and they re- side m Harp township; Lottie, Delia and I Larry are all at home. Mr. May owns and cultivates one hun- dred and sixty acres of highly improved. THi: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. land with well-kept buildii lie en- eral farming, ra - and cattle for the market, and makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, lie votes with the Re- publican party. He i* a member ft" Frank I . V R., at Clinton. I le ami ife are faithful members of the Pi ant Methodist church. MRS. MARY A. Y< IUXG. Mrs. Mary A. .; highl; med lady of Farmer City, where she has a very pleasant hemic that stands in the midst of a spacious lawn adorned with t ami flowers. She has in DeWitt county an tensive circle of friends and acquaintani many of whom have known her through a long period. She is the widow of William Young, a self-made man, who was 1 ■ • 1 1 ^ ass dated with the mercantile interests of he- Witt county. He was born in Edinburg, : tland, April 29, 1 *_>_•. a son of William ung, and as far hack as can he traced his ancestors v - of the land of hills and heather. In 1829 his parents re- moved to Liverpool, England, where they it their remaining days, and in that city William Young was apprenticed to a leading merchant. He also acquired a ga »d edu- cation, which served a* the ba*is of his suc- upled with his training in the store. Hearing favorable rejiort* of the oppor- tunities which America extended to her citi- zen*, and wishing to make the most of life. Mr. Young came to the United States in 50, landing at New Orleans, whence he made his way up the Mississippi river to He then traveled over the coun- try to some extent. >-eekiiik r '■<■ favorable lo- cation, and finally took up his abode at Mount Pleasant, now Farmer City, Hiiro Here he entered nix mi his business careei lerk in the empl >r. Jacob 1 water and later he was with Mr. 1 About i860 he 1 \ busi- ness on In* own account, buying the old Brewster residence, which he converted into a store. It stood on the present site of the in. This buildii yed by lire in the conflagration which ept over much of the city in 1871, but phce- nix-like the storeof Mr. Youi 1 'in the ashes. I leerected a double brick building, but in June. 1879, tin* was also burned and he m built a business block adjoining the -He now occupied by hi* son Thomas. There he continued in tin :itil 1891, when he retired from the Hade, lb- had enjoyed a liberal patronage through many years, resulting from his earnest desire to please, hi* reasonable prices and his straightforward business method*. Thus hi* income was annually augmented until he was in ; :i of a handsome com- petence. At an early day. in connection with a Mr. A. S. Bissell, he patented the Reading cultivator, which was one of the »uc- - nil machines here. Soon after the or- ganization of the I"ir*t National Bank, Mr. Yi >ung sen ed 1 >ne year a* I* >. kkeeper. In 1853 occurred the marriage of Mr. Young and Mi** Mary A. Bowser, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, while their wedding was celebrated in Warren county. Illinois. The lady is a daughter of ami Elizabeth (Maning) Bowser. Her fa- ther was a native of Pennsylvania and was n of Guy Bowser, who was born in < ier- manv. The former, at the age of twenty- five year*, removed from the Keystone state to Ohio ami in 1N5J located in Warren county, Illinois. Rater he resided in Iowa and then in Missouri. Throughout hi* act- 194 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ive business career he followed farming. It was his plan to buy and improve a farm and then sell it and in this way he prospered, making judicious investments in his land. which brought to him a good return, fie died in Boone county, Missouri, at the age of eighty-one, and his wife passed away four years later, at the same age. Their children were John, Hannah. Henry. Mary A.. The- ophilus and Thomas, all of whom reached adult age. The marriage of .Mr. and Mrs. YQling was blessed with six children: Walter Scott, f Clinton, wedded Clara Harwood, and their children are Emery, Bruce, Aleda and Harwood; Celia Belle died at the age of fourteen years; Will- iam Wallace died at th< twenty-two months; Zelma, one of the popular young ladies of Farmer City, is at home with her mother: and Thomas, who is engaged in the grocer) bu ty, wedded Maude Gilbert and has one child. Melva. In 1872 Mr. Young erected a line n dence on what was then the Crawford farm. but i^ now within the city limits. It is a spa- cious home, beautifully situated, ami the in- terior furnishings and exterior adornments indicate the cultured and refined taste of the family. In his political views Mr. Young was a stanch Democrat, but never aspin office, although lie once acted as city tr< nrer. lie was reared in the old school I' byterian church and always adhered to that faith. His life was pright and hon- orable and when lie was called to his final rest June 23, [893, the community mourned the loss of one of its most valuable citizens, a man whose record was in every way worthy of emulation and who enjoyed the unqualified confidence and regard of his many friends. Mis. Young and her daugh- ter, Zelma. spent the winter and spring of 1901 in various districts of California and anions; the mountains of the Pacific slope, and on their return broughl to their many friends valuable souvenirs of their trip, which are high!) prized l>\ the recipients. Mrs. Young and her daughter are \er\ pop ular in the best social circles of Fan City and their home is noted for its gracious and genen >us hi ispitality. JEREMIAH DAVENPORT. Jeremiah Davenport, a prominent retired farmer of VVeldon, late of Creek township, was horn in Clintonia township, this county. February to, 1839, a son of Isaiah and Nancy ( ( ihipley ) I >avenport, both natives of Kentucky. His paternal grandfather was horn of Irish p in North Carolina. Later he removed to Kentucky and in [824 came to Illinois and settled in Morgan coun- ty, later moved to DeWitt count), long be- fore DeWitl county was organized. Here he lived as a farmer till his death in [837. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Stewart, and to them were horn eight children, of whom two were sons. Hugh and Isaiah. The lat- ter, who was our subject's father, was horn in Casey county. Kentucky, in [814, and in [824 came west with his parents and settled in Morgan county, hut soon after came to DeWitt county, before it was organized, where he tilled the soil for a livelih 1. Later he moved to Texas township and then to Creek township, near Lane station, where he died in [885. He was a soldier in both THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the Black I lawk and Mexican war-. For his first wife he chose Miss \*ancy Cliipli and they were blessed with twelve children, namely: Elizabeth, who became Mrs. fohn Linbert; Sarah A., who married John Ben- nett; Lucy S., now widow of Jerry Shu- maker; Jeremiah, our subject; Alsorena, now Mrs. A. T. Corner; Hugh ami Will- iam; the other five dying in infancy. His •lxl choice wa-- Miss Jane, daughter of brie! Bennett, of Creek township. Hi- nd marriage resulted in the birth of six children, a- foil fbrie' I'..: Green 1.. : Laura B., who became the wife of Ami; Bell; John; Goldman, and Nancy A., who is now Mrs. 1 louglas Sutton. Jeremiah Davenport was reared in < - and Creek townships, tin- coun- ty, and .>n attaining his majority he began life a- a farmer in (.'reek township, but in I to Missouri. When the Civil war broke out he was a member of the Mis- militia and entered the govern- ment service in August, 1862, as a nun of Company A. Thirty-fifth Missouri Volun- teer Infantry. He took part in s< kir- mishes; battle of Helena. Arkansas. July 4. 3, and 1 in the battle at Shell Mound, Mississippi, the same year, and July 16, 1 Si .5. was honorably discharged m the United Si For eij sided in Missouri, hut at the end •hat time, in 1869, he returned to (reek nship, where he purchased eighty a< ' ind, to which he - ntly added tw< • -. making a very desirable farm •ne hundred aero, which he placed under a I of cultivation. Here he mained for several f a ing disposition, working early and 1 he was enabled in the year 1 the care- of the farm and move to Weldon, where he ha- since lived a retired life. ( >n January 28, 1S5S. he led to tin tar Mi-- Sarah I., daugl ihn and Rel township. To this \ ouple were born five chil • whom four jrrcw I turity, namely: Laura, who became M her Dillavan; Marion C. ; Farn B., who became the wife of Gilbert l m; ami John. All who married M me. and the old homestead. Mr. Davenpeirt and wife are membei the Shiloh United Brethren church, and the Abner McNier Post, X I. A. R Weldon. Politically he affiliates with the 1 )em< cratic party. ALDORA J. TYLER, M. 1 >. Dr. Aldora J. Tyler is the only lady phy- ian practicing in DeWitt county. Her reer pn that the sterner - have no monopoly upon ntative of t ; ier place in its ranks in this porfion than Dr. Tyler, whose broad and com] hensive km ami accurate skill h en her pre many who 1 much longer been followers art. She ha- always resided in DeWitt nty ami I >r. J. 11. Tyler. She attended the hi{ city — DeWitt — ami was afterwai cut in the Weslevan l"ni\ 1 111 life work she matriculated in Woman'- Medical ' where she \ dent of het ml then spent I month- in the h of that institution in ■ aining was broad and tl gh, the theoretical knowledge of th 196 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. room being supplemented by the practical work in the hospital. Her equipment was thus unusually good, and returning to Clin- ton she found that her talent and skill in the profession --nun won recognition in a liberal patronage, and it was nol long before she held a place in the medical profession in the o unit) sea flutii >n. Jacob Vandeventer and wife were mar- ried in Sullivan county. Tennessee, and later the) moved i" Claybourn county, that stale, and 111 the fall of [83] the) settled oil the hanks of the north branch of Salt Creek, in what is now Wilson township. There they took up one hundred and sixty acres ol timber and prairie laud ami erected a house, which contained four rooms, two below and two above. In one of the lower rooms a tire place was built and there all the cooking and baking was done. The bed- steads were the old "cord" ones and they had great fat feather beds to put on them. Jacob broke up the land and raised whi and corn, and ai an early date all of it had to he hauled by team to Chicago. Several farmers would start together on Mom morning and if they met with no delays would get hack by Friday night. They would haul in their produce and bring back the necessary provisions and clothing. The fall the familv settled in Wilson township was the year of the great snow and Mrs. Wilson distinctly remembers the hardships they all suffered and wonders that any es- caped. MRS. MARTHA WILSON. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. "99 To Jacob ami Rachel Vandeventer were 1). tii four ijirls and threi John; ivid, who was a minister of the Cuml land Presbyterian church; .Martha, now Mrs. Wilson; Mary, who is now Mrs. Rut- ledge, and she lives in the township of that name, this county, the township being ca after her husband; Mahala. deceased, and her twin sister, Marana. who married a Mr. Hurley, and they live in Iowa; lame-, who is also deceased, Jacob Vandeventer died in 183; s nty years, and is buried in the LeRoy cemetery. The mother died me of Mrs. Wilson at the ghty-three and is also buried in LeRoy cemetery. Both these good 1 pie were Presbyterians of the old school. Mrv Wilson lived with her mother until she married, in [838, Edward Wilson, who was born in Ohio, and was a son of Asa Wilson. Asa Wilson was S tch descent, and an account <>t" the Wilson family will he found in the sketch of Andrew Wilson, :■ nephew of Edward Wilson, which will lie fmind elsehere in this volume. Edward Wilson and the father of Andrew Wilson came to this country together. Edward Wil- son located on what is now section thirty- five. Wilson township 1 the township is named for him), and when he married, Mrs. Wilson's mother gave her forty acres ad- joining the property of Mr. Wilson. This land, together with his own. Mr. Wils cultivated and resided upon until his death. which occurred in May. 1861. He is buried in Walter's cemetery, and he attained the of sixty year> when he died. To hhn- and wife were lx.rn the following chil- dren, three of whom are ww living: James, deceased, married, and his widow resides in DeWitt and has five children: Rachael, deceased: Noah married ( allie Last, and he lives in Clinton and he has one child. Maude, who married William Xael. lave two children: Sarah, de- Mary, deceased: Isaiah lives in Rut- ledge township, and he is married and has two children. Ella and Ethel, and these two are both married: Mahala. deceased; Louisa married a Mr. Spidle and -he resides with her mother in Clinton; one child died in in- fancy : James, deceased. When Mr. Wilson died he left his wife with a family of small children and. a farm of one hundred and sixty acres to man; and the way she succeeded in doing both would retlect credit upon anyone. She lived upon this farm until about 1SS5. when • purchased a pleasant home on North Madi- son ami East Julia street-, in Clinton, Illi- nois, and there she has since resided. Mrs. Wilson well remembers the early days of the county and the hardships endured by all the people at that time. The wolves would come tip to the very door of the cabin, as did also wild game of all kinds, and the In- dians passed up and down the hanks of the creek in front of their little home, often in crowd- of two ami three hundreds. After her husband's death Mrs. Wilson went to market at Wapella. which was eight miles distant, on horseback, with her butter, eggs and bacon in a large willow basket in front of her and one of the children on behind. was a woman of keen intellect, and thor- oughly understood farming in all its details. This excellent farm she now rents and is very proud of. forty acres of it never hav- ing passed from her possession since it was given her by her mother at the time of her marriage, and it is a portion of the original land taken up by her father in 1831. Mrs. Wilson is a stanch member of the Presby- terian church of Clinton and is a lad) of rare judgment, kindly hospitality and gentle character. Many women placed a- she was 200 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. with a large family on her hands and alone on a tract of only partially improved land. would have given up in despair, but such was not the character of Mrs. Wilson. With determination she conquered the difficulties and had the satisfaction of seeing her chil- dren and their children after them, grow up about lu-r and her propert) become some of the most valuable farm lands in the state. She is In mured by her neighbors and friends as well a- beloved by her family, and is a in .1 ilc type of the American woman who have d.me s. > much towards placing the American nation in it s position to-day. T. B. SAM 11 I. The deserved reward .if a well-spent life i- an In inured retirement from business in which tn enjoy the fruit- of former toil. day, after a useful ami beneficial career. T. I'.. Samuel is quietly living at hi- pl< ant In une in llallsville. lie was born near Indianapolis, in Marion county, Indiana. March 23, 1836, and 1- a son of Rol Samuel, whose birth occurred in Virginia in 171)7. Hi- paternal grandfather, Si|uirj Samuel, was also a native of Virginia, from which state he removed to Kentucky about 1805, being among the I ttlers of urbon county. Robert Samuel grev manhood in Kentucky and married Ellen Anderson, a native of that state, where they continued to make their home until ai the birth of three of their children. They then remo Indiana, becoming pio- rs of Marion county, where in the midst of the forest the father of our subject cleared and improved a farm, and he sub- uently owned and operated a sawmill. In the fall of 1 S 5 1 he came t< > DeWitt coun- ty, Illinois, and purchased a tract of wild land in Harnett township, t" which he sub- sequently added until he had a nice farm. There he died in March. 1S74. his wife in mber, [870. They were the parents leven children who reached year- of ma- turity, hut only three are now living, namely: John 1\, a resident of Pierson, Illinois; Charles G., of Clinton; and T. B., 1 if this review . Our subject -pent the first fifteen years of hi- life in the county of his nativity, and then came with the family to DeWitt coun- ty. Illinois, where lie engaged in breaking prairie for three years and aided in the ardu sk of developing a new farm. On leaving the parental roof at the age of teen years, he commenced farming on vented lain!, and while thus engaged al-o owned and operated a threshing ma- chine for ten seasons or more. In [866 he made hi- first purchase of land, consist of sixty acre-, which he operated in con- nection with other lands that he rented. Selling hi- pn perty in 1S7J. he removed to Xeo-ha county. Kansas, on account of his ih. and while hi- smis engaged in farm- ing he turned his attention to the Stock business. In the fall of 1S74 he returned to this county, bringing with him one hun- dred head of cattle, which he fed for mar- ket, lie rented a farm of two hundred and forty acre- in Harnett town-hip. mi which lie lived for fifteen years, and in connection with it- operation continued t' in buying and -hipping stock, lie subse- quently purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and later bought an adjoining tract of forty acre-, where he made hi- home until 1889, when he rented the farm and moved to Ilall-ville. Purchasing a half in- terest in a -tore, he was engaged in mer- chandising at that place for two year-, ami THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 20I then sold out and returned to the farm, but in 1895 he again came to Hallsville, where he engaged in the grocery bus 1 two 'hi disposing of that business, he became interested in the grain trade :it Ken- ney, where he spent several months. After living retired for a year or so, he bought an interest with his son in the grain business at Bos well, Indiana, where he rem . fifteen months. Since then he has lived a retired life ;it Hallsville, Illinois, enjoying a well-earned n In Barnett township Mr. Samuel was married, February 3, 1859, t" Miss Eliza- beth I. Williams, who was born in Posej county, Indiana, and was a child of thir- teen years when she came to DeWitt county, Illinois, with her father. Simon Williams, in 1851. By this union were born ten chil- dren, as follows: Spencer A. married and died, leaving one daughter, Maud: Amedia J. i^ the wife of William Conner, of Bar- nett township, and they have two children. Elva and Willis: Willi- and Frank are en I in the grain business in partnership at Bos well, Indiana; Lora B. married Charles Downs and died, leaving one son, Dudley, who now finds a home with our subject; llattie is the wifi I. Kirby, of Barnett townshilp, and has two sons, Harold A. and Warren: Ella married John II McKinney and is now deceased: llet- the wife of W . A. Yoder, agent for the Illinois Central Railroad at Mt. (Hive. Illinois, and they have one child, Maurine; Thomas E. is employed in a st,,r, town, Illinois; and at home with parents. Mr. Samuel and his wife and daughter are memb the Hallsville Christian church. Politically he has always been identified with the Democratic party since casting his first presidential Stephen A. Douglas in i860, but has eared for political positions, prefi give his tune ami attention t" his interests, lie started out in life for hi empty-handed, hut. being industrious ic and enter] pered, and is to-daj one of the 1 citizens of his community, as well the honored residents of Hallsville, \\ II. I AM ARG< I. Prominent among the business me: Clinton is William Argo, who throug life has been closely identified with the in- 1 is now pn the State Hank at that place. He was born 1 mi the 20th of March. 1S4.4. in th( where he still resides, and Alex- ander and Eliza A. 1 Walravei llis paternal grandfather was Moses Vrgo, win 1 was born in New I 1 French try, and from that state removed t<> Virginia and later to < Ihii 1. I Ic w farmer by occupation and a soldier of the of 1 S 1 _> . Alexander Argo, the father <>f our ject, was born in the Buckeye state in and was reared b) his uncle, Robert Wat- kins, with whom he served i r ap- prenticeship t" the wagonmaker's trade. which he continued to follow t" somi tent throughout his active life. Me acquired some property in Ohio, which he traded for a lot of spinning wl lie shipped by boat dow 11 the ( Hiio and up the Mississippi air t< • Pekin, this s' then • • land to Clinton and throughout i ! »n, manj being still found in I >e\\ nt county. M 202 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. visited this locality in [840, ami purchased the old homestead of Daniel Newcomb, but did not locate permanently here until 1844, when he opened a wagon shop in .Clinton and made by hand the first and most sub- stantial wagons used by the pioneers oi the vicinity. He also devoted some time to the cultivation and improvement of the propertj purchased in [840. Being a man of good business ability and sound judg mem. he acquired a fortune, and was re- garded as one of tlie leading citizens oi nti m The railroad now passes 1 <\ er the site of his second shop. He had just began the erection of this when the rail- road was surveyed, and. as it passed over ihe site, he moved it up town, where alter a time it was occupied by R. R. Craig. In early life Mr. ^rgo was a member of the Methodist church, and was instrumental in establishing and building the church in Clinton, of which he was an active member until death. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. lie died at his home, on the corner of Madison and Jet' ferson streets in [883, honored and re spected by all who knew him. Ills estim- able wife, who was horn September 19, [815, in Clermont county, Ohio, passed away August 17. [899. They were the parents of si\ children, namely: Mrs. l'hilena Campbell; Samuel M.; Emanuel »,.; Thomas J.; William, our subject; and Martin Luther, who died in infancy. William Argo received his early train- ing Upon the home farm and obtained his literary education in the public schools of the neighborhood. In iSj<> he embarked in the ice husincss with his brother Eman- uel, and continued to carry on that husi- ness in Clinton until 1899. when he sold out. The brothers own considerable real estate, including eighty acres of fine farm- ing land on section n, I hup township, and two hundred and sixty-five acres on section 32 and 33. the same township. On the 1st of July, [890, he assisted in the establish- ment of the Stale I lank of Clinton, which was organized with a capital of fifty thou- sand dollars. Its first officers were Thomas II. Slick, president; Dr. J. X. Wilcox, vice- president; and James II. Harrison, cashier. Late '■ Slick was succeeded by Thomas M. Levett as president, and since then J. I'.. Holderman and D. T. Ga) have also tilled that office, while Mr. Argo has served in that capacitj since [898. Dr. Wilcox has always been vice-president, and the other officers at the present time are Lewis Mur- pby, cashier; George G. Argo, assistant cashier; and A. R. Young, bookkeeper. Ihe hank purchased a new block erected hv lohu ( i. Cackley, and have built a tire and burglar-proof vault with deposit boxes and . nine lo,k safe. It is now in a flourishing condition, ami is considered one of the most reliable financial institutions of the county. lis success i s eeiiaiulv due in a large mei ure to Mr. \.rgO, who is one of the most conservative business men and ablest finan- ciers of Clinton, lie is a man of keen dis- crimination ami sound judgment, and in all his undertakings has been quite successful, lie occupies a prominent position in husi- ncss circles, and is a worthy representative of an old and honored family of DeWitt count v. GEORGE W. MOORE. George W. Moore, now deceased, was one of the leading men of Wilson township. 1 >eWitt count v. Illinois, and during his later davs he resided on section thirty, lie was horn in Casey count v. Kentucky, in Fehru- GEORGE W. MOORE. MRS. GEORGE W MOORK. THE BI< (GRAPHICAL REC< >RD. -°7 ary. iSjo, and he w; of Henry and Elizabeth (Cooley) Moore. lli- education was received in the com- mon schools of Kentucky, and although the advantages wore few, he managed to secure od foundation for it. to which he added during his life by reading. In 1830 he re- moved with his parents to Sangamon coun- ty, Illinois, but later moved back to Ken- tucky, and in [843 was there married Miss Matilda Porter, who was bqrn in Cas county, Kentucky. She was a daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Grammer) Porter, both of whom were native- of Virginia, and who were married in their native state and moved to Kentucky, \yhere they lived and. died,. Mr. Porter was a well-to-do fanner, and he and his wife were the parent- of nine children, namely: Isaac; Samuel, deceased; John, deceased; Mrs. Porter; Jeffere who died in infancy: Abigail, who resides in Casey county, Kentucky: Lucinda, who married James Mitchell and they reside in Washington county, Illinois; James; and Delia, deceased. After marriage our subject remained in Kentucky f< rs, then returned to Sangamon county. Illinois, where he mained until he removed to DeWitl county just a few day- prior to the assassination of President Lino 'In. Mr. Moore settled upon eighty acre- of land which was partly improved in Wilson township, and there he -pent the remainder of his life. lli- days were peacefully spent in farming and he brought his land into a fine state of cultiva- tion. The buildings upon the place he ei ed, and he took great pride in keeping the entire ''arm in excellent condition. lite fence- were all kept in g 1 order; the hedges neatly trimmed, while hi- ham and building never allowed to get out ol repair. Not far from the house he planted a line orchard, a- well a- some shadi and his widow, who resides upon this model farm, can -ee the result of his careful man- nent "ii ever) side. Later Mr. Mot added forty acre- to hi- eighty acre- and the farm now consists of one hundred and twent) acre-. In addition he also owned sixty-five acre- of timber land in Wapello township, which he partly cleared. From this tine strip of timber land Mr. Ma hauled the last load of wood the President ever used and he wa- an intimate friend Mr. Lincoln and never tired of relating en- tertaining incident- of the great man's kindly life. No man wa- to,, humble for his notice, and in his -ad death Mr. Mi always claimed the country received a blow from which it could never recover. A brother of Mr. Moore married a Miss Sarah Foster, who wa- a daughter of Aimer and Ellender (Moore) Foster, both of whom were native- of Virginia. Mr. ami M Foster were married in Kentucky and lived there a few years, then removed to K.n in the early fifties and there they died, he in 1887 at the age of sixty-five, and -he in 07 at the age of seventy-thre< the brother of our subject and his wife \ horn the following family. Elvira n ried Thomas Highfield and the; in Kansas. Ellen married Henry Hick- man, and they have two children: R Nellie, who married L. II. Longbrake, and they have one child. George Wilbur; and Katie. Mr. Longbrake rents the farm Mr-. Moore, and they make their home her. Mary i". resides in Kansas. M |ohn and Miner an lia married William Goff, who in Kai samuel and I. side in Kansas. One child wa- l>orn to Mr. and Mr-. Moore, John Hamilton, hut he died in childhood. Mr. M e v\ 208 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Republican in politics, but would never ac- cept public office, believing thai he could serve his township better as a private citi- zen and also being absorbed in his duties pertaining to his farming life. Both he and his excellent wife early joined tile Methodist church and he always took an active part in its work. 'I'lie example of a good life well spent is great and no better heritage can he left than an untarnished name. Mr. Mo was a man whose whole life was without blemish. Hard-working and frugal he labor- ed earnestlj to provide for hi-- beloved wife and leave her in comfortable circumstances. To his neighbors he was always a kind friend, and no "lie in need ever appealed t" him in vain. His life was above reproach and he died as he had lived, a truly Christ man. In the township, among the church members, and more illy at his own fireside, is this good man missed, and his can never he tilled. VIES I. M< >RR< IVV. James 1 .. Morrow is one • arly and highly respected citi He- Witt county, residing on a fruit farm of forty acres on section [3, in Texas town- ship. He w; m the village of LeRoy Mel. can county. Illinois, on January ~. 1840, and remained there until he was about twelve year .. when he moved with iarents t> 1 Bli ©mington, Illin The parents of James 1,. Morrow were ■iard P. and Sarah I-".. 1 Williams 1 Mor- row, the former of whom was a native of the state of Ohio, and came to Illinois about 50, locating in McLean county. By trade he was a saddler, and he followed that occupation for many years j n LeRoy, ami later in Bloomington, where he also en- gaged in the manufacture of brick. Upon coming to DeWitt counl\'. with Thomas Snell he engaged in the manufacture of brick, and one year later engaged in the business alone, following this interest in Texas township until about the time of his death, also doing some farming, llis ;h occurred when he was aboul sixty- live years of age. Although a stanch Dem- ocrat, he had never accepted party publicity, although he was always interested in public affairs and ready to use his influence in the direction of improvements, llis burial was in Rose 'cemetery, t 'reek township, his widow survived him some nine years and died at the home of our subject, at the age of seventy-two years. For aboul nine le had been a helpless hut patient in- valid, and was the mother of nine children, live of the i .111 nix still surviving. James 1.. Morrow, of this sketch, ob- tained his education in the district scho of Texas township, and .is-isu-d his father both in his farming and in his brick-making erations until his death, and then took care of his loved mother, filling this filial duty with care and affection until her de- He took charge of the home place and farmed it. and still resides there. Mr. Morrow has planted his whole forty acres in fruit, and. nearly all of his trees are in bearing condition and are yielding great returns. Like his father, he i inch Democrat, hut has never sought office, al- though he consented to serve through one term as road commissioner. During that time he proved his capacity and inaugurated many needed reforms. The marriage of Mr. Morrow was in 1 Si.i. in Clinton, Illinois, to Miss Amanda 11 IRAPHICAL RECi >RD. Miii. 'wen, who was a dau Mi ■ ttler of i Wit t county. Mr. Mc< isted foi in tin- ■ ling lieuten. pan wentieth Illin. -i^ Volunt< duty until tl urred at his home at Princeton, Bureau county, wh< number dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. rrow, \ i. ■ : Le< ward, who in -ts his father in the fruit bu and who married Alii 1 they have il : and n, who did not live be- infancy. marriage of Mr. lock, wb 'i"n in De\\ ity, and win nd Margaret ( Mam f( irmer ■ I >e\Vitt in tarn vn- leath occurred more than a p, at the fty- children have been born Morrow, viz : I. m April 4. the kvnship, and he has • h.-me all his life, obtaining hi- edu- n the tlistr :■ mi- ii, Frank, died at ■ ■ Mr. Morrow has a vivid re n of unty when it was all prairie and timl>er land. There were but few build- very few school-hou which hurches. The men wh«> have changed all these conditions v tillers of the soil. DeWitt county i> a t< nial to the energy, the tireless industry ami the pn such men a- our subject and his honored fail they m all tl permanent bet the men who truly represent this county. JOHN HART. This well-known and honored resident a native of Ireland, and v ibout nini when he crossed the bi with his make their home in lie ■ itember 1 2, in I.. of Jai itherine i.\l 1 [art 1" |"hn and Mai •. whi 1 were born in Dublin county, farmer in his land l' 1 ears nam< father: John iter and came to the I hut later returned fo Ireland, where he died: ind William were both | the Roma lie church; 1 mar- ried M. McLoughlin; 1'.: e the 1 in this county : Ann mar: . who hut .she is still livii Clinton; Catherine, now I, became the wife of I. Maehan. <>i tin The father lived t. » reach tin years and the mother about nim In Hart, our subj< ther. came to Wapella, DeWitt county, where he lived fur one year, lie tin tied in Clintonia township, where he |iur- 1 a farm, and for thirty y< agricultural pursuits with m; At the time of his death, which 210 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. occurred July 10, 1898, he was in his sev- enty-fifth year. His wife, who still resides on the old homestead, has reached the good '.M age of eighty. To this estimable couple wore bom nine children, as follows: John, the subject of this review; Bridget, now deceased; Mathew, of Springfield; Mrs. Maria Barry, of Springfield; Thorn- deceased; William. \\\\<> is now a road commissioner of Clintonia township; Peter, a fanner in the county; Michael, deceased; Patrick, a farmer in this county; and James, deceased. When John llart first came with his parents t" YVapella he worked in the rail- road shop as a fireman and helper for about ten years, lie then eatne to Clinton and accepted a position as engineer of Clinton Electric Light & Heat Company, which place he acceptably tilled for five years. At the end of this time he entered the Illinois Central Railroad shops, where he remained until .May 1. 1899, when he was appointed engineer of the Clinton water works, which was established in [887, and which in 1898 was remodeled and ■ larged, until to-day it is one of the fin< equipped water supplying establishments in the country. On August 1. 1877, a ceremony was performed which united Mr. llart in mar- riage with Miss Marj A. l'.urk. win. was born in Ohio August 12, 1857, and is daughter of Edward l'.urk. <.t" Wapella, Illi- nois. To them were horn six children, namely: William and Edward, machinists; Emmett, Paul and Leo. student-: and Jo- seph, an infant. < >ur subject has built a very pleasant home at the corner of South George and [efferson streets, and is a member of the DeWitt County Building Association, which he is a director. He lias always taken an active part in the progress of his adopted city, and has never withheld his support from any object which he believed would prove '•i public benefit, lli- hie has been an upright, honorable and useful one and he is held in high regard b) all who know him. — ■> » » - Jt MIX WIGHTWK K For almost fort) years John Wightwick was a rc>idei;t of Clinton and was one of us most highly respected citizens, lie \ a native of England, horn in Tenderten, Count) Knit. January 6, [827, and w.i son of John and eth Wightwick. The mother dying when our subject was very young, the father married again, his second union being with Miss Harriet Sidders. In 1850 they came to America and settled in Joliet, Illinois, where lit- engaged in the lumber business until his death, which oc- curred in 1853. His wife died in Clinton in 1876, at the age of eighty-one years, and her remains were interred in Woodlawn cemetery. The children of the family were: John, our subject; Humphrey, a minister the established Church of England, who died in London; James. w ho came to America with his father and was associ- ated with him in business at Joliet. Illinois; and Elizabeth, deceased, wife of R. R. Crang. John Wightwick was educated in the common scln e o untrv. and m early age was apprenticed to a dry is merchant in Tunbridge, Wales, serv- ing seven years. On the expiration of that time he engaged in clerking for the same firm for eleven years. In September, 1853, r the death of his father, he came to the United States and first located in Chicago. JOHN WIGHTWICK. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. While there he was married in a parsonage on Clark street. May _• i . [854, to Miss rah Ann Appleton, to whom he was engaged before leaving England, and who came to this country t<> meet her husband. She was 1 in England, July 31, [821, a daughter of John and Sarah Appleton. Her father was a merchant in Hampton street. Lou- don, dealing in only the very finest of g ceries. I le died r 2, 1852, at of fifty-six years, and was buried in the Islington churchyard, London. His wife had died eight years prior to this at the age of forty-five, and her remains were interred in the Henrietta street chapel vaults of the same city. Their children were: John, who died in infancy: Sarah Ann. now Mrs. Wightwick; John William, a resident of London; Ellen Elizabeth, wife of Thomas J. Addinsell, of Dubuque, Iowa; Thomas. ; resident of llanley. Staffordshire, Eng- land; Maria, deceased, wife ■•!' Gale Smith: Emily Jane. Robert and Henry, all de- ceased. For three years Mr. Wightwick made his home in Chicago, where he held the sition of bookkeeper in a large wholes house, and then went to Aurora. Illinois. where lie took the business of his brother, Tames, who died a short time prior, and con- tinued in the dry goods business. Selling out in l86l, he then came to Clinton, where lie clerked for R. R. Crang for nine years, and then retired from business, having re- ceived a larg< from England. The children horn to Mr. and Mi's. Wightwick were as follows: I 1 1 Anna Maria died in [877. 1 _• 1 Elizabeth is liv- ing with her mother in Clinton, i.^i R Nellie is the wife of John < i. M. Appleton, who L engaged in the real estate business in Chicago, ami they have two children. Lou- ise and Lillian. 1 4 1 Emily Jane is the wife 10 Kcil, of Buffalo, New York, who is in the employ of the New York < Cen- tral Railroad Company, and they have four children: Herbert Wightwick, Ethel, Em- ily and I lelen. At the eventeen Mr. Wightwick became converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and throughout life was an earnest and consistent Christian. He ma- terially assisted in building the Methodist church at Clinton and held the offices steward and trustee in the same. In politics he was an ardent Republican, hut could never he prevailed upon to accept official honors. He died November 29, [899, and was laid t" rest in the Woodlawn cemetery I !linton. His life was exemplary in many iects,and he gave an earnest support to those interests which were calculated to up- lift and benefit humanity, while his owtl moral worth was deserving of the high commendation. His wife still survives him at the age of eighty years, and at her beauti- ful home on East Main street. Clinton, is surrounded by many warm friends who J her in highest regard. MRS. C \K< (LINE TRENKLE. Mi's. Caroline Trenkle, of Farmer City., i-. a lady not less well known for her splen- did business and executive ability than for her social qualities which render her plei home a favorite resort among the best people of the city and locality in which resides. She is the widow of the late An- ton Trenkle, who was horn in Baden, < ier- many. a son of John and Catherine 1 Hen) Trenkle. who were also natives of the same country. The father died in earl) man- 1 1 hut the mother attained to a ripe old age. 214 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. In the country of his nativity Anton Trenkle followed farming until [853, when he came to the United States, believing that he would have better opportunities to secure ;•. home of his own in this land than in the older countries of Europe, lie made his way in Menard county, Illinois, where he worked for ["homas Kincaid as a farm hand for eleven years at two hundred dol- lars a year, lie was thus employed until, as a result of his industry and economy, he had accumulated three thousand dollars. Then, in connection with his brother Jo- seph, he purchased a farm of two hundred and fourteen acres east of Petersburg, Illi- nois, for forty-five dollars per acre, and with characteristic energj began its devel- opment and further improvement. Later lie sold it fur sixtj five dollars per acre, thus realizing a handsome profit on his in- vestment. In [872 he came to DeWitt county. Illinois, and purchased the Ken- nan farm of two hundred acres in Santa Anna township. This is still in possession of his widow. In [860 Mr. Trenkle went to California, where he engaged in farming for two years, hut. preferring the broad prairies of Illinois as a more desirable pi to carry on agricultural pursuits, he re- turned to tins state and here engaged in the tilling ^i the s,,il until his life's labors were ended in death. In [868 Mr. Trenkle returned to Ger- many to visit his people and tell them of the possibilities which America offered to people of determination and enterprise. While there he formed the acquaintance of Miss Caroline Yeagle, who was horn in Baden in 1840. Desiring to come to America and thus improve her opportuni- ties, she came with Mr. Trenkle on his re- turn. The acquaintance thus formed ripened into love, and they were married in Springfield, Illinois, on the Kith of Oc- tober, [868. The lady is a daughter of Nicholas and Anna (Donner) Yeagle. Her parents are both now deceased, her father having passed awaj at the age of seventy- one, while her mother's death occurred when she was eighty six years of age. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Trenkle was blessed with nine children, who are a credit to the name. Anna M., the eldest, is the wife of Alfred Ploussara, a farmer of Rut- ledge township, by whom she has Eour chil- dren. Mane, Edwin, Charles and Louise; Minnie resides with her mother in Farmer City; Catherine was successfully engaged in teaching school for eight years and then married John J. Clifford, an engineer on the Illinois Central railroad, by whom she has two children, John and Margaret; An- thony, an agriculturist of McLean county, married Mary Howard and has two chil- dren, William and Raymond; Charles L. als. 1 carries on agricultural pursuits; John V is a stenographer in Chicago; Fred W. follows stenography in Bloomington, Illi- nois; Caroline J. is with her mother; and Martin A. is a resident farmer of DeWitt county. Mr. Trenkle provided a very comfort- able home for his family, lie made many improvements upon his farm, including the erection of a new residence and other build- ings, and at his death he left to his family one of the finest farms in the county, he- sides other property. He was a self-made man. resolute and energetic, and his care- fully directed labors brought to him grati- fying and well-deserved prosperity. He held membership in the Catholic church and was esteemed by all who knew him lor his many admirable traits of character. After the death of her husband, realiz- ing that the care of the family devolved THE r.IOCKAPHRWL RECORD. -'5 upon her. Mrs. Trenkle began to plan w; whereby she might aid her children rt ill life. She 1» mght hundred and twenty acre- of land in Rut- ledge township, known as the Ha/el farm, built a new barn there, and now her daughter and her husband, Mr. ami Mr-. • :a. are li that place and have made it a highly cultivated tract of land. Next Mrs. Trenkle pur. ne hundred ami sixty acres in West township, McLean :iy. erected a new residence, and An- thony resides there. By another purcha made in December, i. Mrs. Trenkle be- came the owner of what was known as the ible property in Farmer City, and on that land she erected a very pleasing and at- tractive modern residence, in which she i- living with her two daughters. Here has a tine residence, surrounded by well- kept grounds, and the home is the center a cultured society circle. Mrs. Trenkle cceptional business ability. She y has the power to plan, but is de- termined in executing her plans, and throughout the community she is respected her capable management and keen crimination in business affairs. She has made many friends in DeWitt county, and and her family enjoy the warm regard ill who know them. MARIS WALDEN. Among the soldier-citizens of Wi! township. DeWitt county. Illinois, one of the most prominent is Maris Walden, who section 27 and was l>orn at Ran- dolph e long re- membered by many a person whose suffer- ing was relieved by the gentle charity that never sought to lie known of men. To William Walden and wife were I m ■ni thirteen children, of whom seven grew to maturity, namely: James. d; Fli- jah. who lives in Wilson township; Isaac, eased; Thomas, who resides in Wil 2l6 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. township; Maris, our subject; William P., who lives in Wilson township; Jessie, who resides in Arkansas. Maris Walden was seven years "1,1 when he began his education, and he attended the firsl school built in the township At this time there were only fourteen voters in the township and money for the erection of the school was raised b) subscription as well and timber. The structure was the frame building of the time, with slab benches, and the onl) hook aside from the "speller" our subject possessed was ;1 end reader. lie had to walk a mile to school ami never was able to attend except when there was ii" work upon the farm that required his attention. When but twenty-two years of age he enlisted, on Augusl <>. [862, ton, llli- 5, in Company 1'.. One 1 lunched and Sex • enth 111' ilunteer Infantry, under Cap- tain Turner, ami the regiment did guard duty until June. [863, on the Louisvill [Nashville Railroad. After this the) I lowed Ah rgan 1 Kentucky and In- diana and into Wot Virginia] They then went hack to Lexington, Kentucky, the; east Tennessee, where our subject was placed in the Pi orps. which had to open roads and rebuild hi 1 This he did until the Knoxville siege, and that win- ter he marched up and down east Tennessee with scarcely enough to eat. the ran being reduced to an ear of corn a day. lie was with Sherman until the battle in which McPherson was killed, and his regiment went hack to Tennessee, where they fought against General Johnson, and there thej main- of their officers. After this they went hack t.. Nashville and Franklin and participated in the second day's engage ment on December 15 and id under Gen- eral Thomas. They then went up the Ohio river and on to Washington. The next move was into North Carolina, and the regiment witnessed in the surrender of General Johnston to General Sherman. Mr. Walden was honorably discharged at Salis- htin . \< irth Carolina, after a li >ng and faith- ful service, and mustered oul at Camp But- ler, Springfield, Illinois, July to, [865. After his war experience our subject re- turned home and went to work upon the farm, and upon November 8, [866, was married to l.avina J. Belt, and she bore him three children, namely: Charles 11.. who resides in St. Louis, .Missouri; Albert, who tesides with his father: Lafayette B., who resides in Barnett township and is a farmer. Mr. Walden married for a second time Mrs. Marj ( I ,aj ton. The farm upon which Mr. Walden sides is a well-improved piece of property, and it is well kept up in ever) respect. In he is a Republican, and. although he does not seek public preferment, he is a man of public spirit and one who occu- pies a prominent place in the township in which he has made his home for s, 1 many years. ■> « » WILLIAM o. ROGERS. 'The subject of this sketch, who is now i in the abstract business, has ], a resident of DeWitt county for more than forty years, and is numbered among its highl) esteemed citizens, lie was born in 1 11 lisle. Nicholas county, Kentucky. Scp- tember <>. 1836, and is a son of John and Elenore (Heldreth) Rogers and a grand- son of Ezekiel, who was of Irish ancestry. John Rogers was a native of Virginia, and when a young man took up the study of the Bible and became a minister of the Chris- JOHN Q. WHITEHEAD. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 217 tian church, which calling lie followed until his death, which occurred when he w;h sixty-seven years of age. His wife, who was also a native of that state, died in [838. They wore the parents of seven children, as follows: Eliza; Jane; David; Ann; John: 5 rah; and William. During his ministry lie answered calls to preach in Illinois, In- diana and Virginia, besides those of his na- tive state. When but a child our subject was ap- prenticed to a saddler, which occupation he followed for five years, lie then took up clerking, but in 1856 came to Clinton, Illi- nois, where he stayed but a short time. ng later to Logan county, where he tilled the -oil for a livelihood. In [858 he re- turned to Clinton and acted a- salesman in the dard & Hildreth, which jition he held for about two years. In > he visited his native state, hut a- the war was about to break out he returned to the north in 1861, and in September of the same year enlisted in Company L, Fourth Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, under Col. F. Lisle Dickey, as a private, hut was soon promoted to first sergeant, lie served in this capacity for three years and two months. Although he was in several heavy battles, he was never seriously injured. At the E his war career he returned to Clinton. Illinois, and a little later engaged in farming in Harnett township for one year, when he was married and removed to Tazewell county, where he carried ..11 farm- ing for three years. At the end of that time he returned to I'.arnett township and opened a general store at Eiallsville, which he very successfully carried "ii for sixteen years, and for three years under the firm of Humphrey & Rogers. For the same length of time he .acted as postmaster, being the first man appointed to that office in the place. At the death of Spuiie Fossett, jus- tice of the peace. Mr. Rogers was elected to fill the unexpired term. For a number .ears he served as school and township treasurer, and in 1888 was nominated by the Republican party for clerk of the cir- cuit court and was elected and re-elected, holding the office for twelve consecutive lie also engaged in the abstract business, which he now carries on, and has a full and complete set of abstract I ks. Mr. Rogers married Miss Mary A., daughter of John Barclay, ^i DeWitt coun- ty. This union resulted in the birth of three children: Minnie is the wife of \\\ A. Prim, of St. Joseph, Missouri; they h child. I-' John is following agri- cultural pursuits in this county: Maud mar- ried C. F. Crum, who is a leading of Clinton; they have three children, Lovell, 1 lelen and Rachel. tally Mr. Rogers is a member of the A. F. & \. M., chapter, council and com- mandery; is member of the Frank Lowrey Post, No. 157. < '•. A. R., ••] Clin- ton, lie is the owner of a tine property in Clinton, and is a pleasant, genial gentle- man, who makes many friends, and his life l.as ever been such as to win him the con- fidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or social life. |< )H\ Q. WHITEHEAD. John Q. Whitehead is a native of But- ler county. Ohio, and was born on June 17. 1824. He lived at his place of birth until he was twenty-live years of age. Mi- early education was obtained in the common Schools and he assisted his father upon the farm. I le wa of I )aniel and Ann 218 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. (Whitehead) Whitehead, both of whom were natives of England. Daniel was a shoemaker by trade, and when he settled in Ohio, about [820, he located in Butler county and engaged in the practice of his calling. The father also purchased a farm and was \cr\ successful. lie died upon the farm, but his wife died in Rush county, In- diana, and both died at an advanced age. Our subject was one of six children, onl) two of whom are now living, and our sub- ject was the youngest in the family. Aftjer leaving his childhood borne i'.i 1859, Mr. Whitehead located in Shelby county, Indiana, and embarked in the sta- tionery business, and continued in same for .seme year-.. At the rail of duty. 1 >n Feb ruary 9, 1863, he enlisted in Company I. One Hundred and Twenty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned i" Hoover's division, lie was through the Atlanta campaign, then participated in the Franklin fight, and his was the first regi- ment tn enter Fort Anderson at the sur- render. Me was mustered out at Lexit ton, North Carolina, and was discharged <>n August 23, 1865, having been a brave and faithful soldier. \fter his war experience he came to Illi- ii. 'is and located in Woodford county, near Washburn, where he remained three ye and then came to DeWitt county and set tied in Texas township and rented land and engaged in farming and stock-raising for smne years. During this time Mr. White- head farmed to senile extent in partnership with his sun James. About eighteen years ■■■ he purchased his present farm and has resided here ever since, on section [3, Tun- bridge township, and is engaged in fruit farming. Mr. Whitehead married, in Indiana. Miss Leath Lightner, and she was a native of Pennsylvania, having been horn near Harrisburg. She died in Shelby county, Indiana, and had home her husband a fam- ily of four children, two hoys and two girls, three of whom are still surviving, namely: Anna Eliza, who married Monroe Young, of Rush county, Indiana; James II.; |ohn, who died at the age of fort\ six wars and left a wife and one child; Emma, who is the wife of Franklin Scott, of Bloomington, Illinois, and they have four children, viz: Muneld, Manic. John and Marie. Mr. Whitehead was married a second time, and his choice was Marilda Phillips, a native ol Indiana. This marriage oc- curred on April 1 1. [868, and she was a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Wickens) Phillips. Both Mr. and Mrs. Phillips wi natives of Pennsylvania and came to Indi- at a very early day and died in that state when both were over eighty years of age, after over sixty years of happy mar- ried life. These two good people had a family of twelve children, seven of whom now living. All of the life of Mr. Phil- lips was spent in farming, and he was very successful, leaving behind him not only a g 1 name hut also a comfortable compe- tence fi 'i' his family. To Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead were horn eight children, six of whom are now living, namely; Mary, who is the wife of Jacob Thompson, a farmer of Tunbridge town- ship, and they have one child. Ross; Ella, who is the wife of Harry Marshall, of De- catur, and they have seven children; George, who is in Texas township, a farmer, and he married Laura Coppenbarger and they have three children. Nettie, Rosy and Edna; < >inie. who resides in Rush county, Indi- ana: Ralph, who resides in Decatur and runs a transfer business, married Ollie Thurhcr, a daughter of Isaac Thurber. of I HL I'.H H'.RAPHIC \I- RECORD. 219 wnship, and Ralph and his wife have three children, Gladys, Robert and Malvina; Chalmer, who is at home; Nettie and Elizabeth died in infant Mr. Whitehead is an active member of Grand Army of the Republic and has been connected with the lodge of ' l<.w- for a number of years. He and his wife arc members "i" the Baptist church and are of the old hard-shelled school. When our subject first came to DeWitt county the entire locality was wild prairie land, upon which the native trees reared their rustling heads. No plow had dis- turbed the virgin soil and wild game roamed unharmed over the rolling prairie-. Up and down the streams Indians paddled their rude crafts and the clatter of machinery < «r the roar of the engine had not been heard in the land. Now, through the wonderful activity and foresight of its pioneers, De Witt county takes front rank among the counties of Illinois not only as a fine agri- cultural district but also as a commercial center, and it has a large population of in- telligent, patriotic, thinking men and wo- men. many of whom are prominently known mnection with the state's best thought and action. » ■ » ALVIS H. LANE, Prominent among the wealthy farmers and influential citizens of Waynesville town- ship is numbered the subject "i' this sketch. whose home is on section 25. He was i>. ,rn • •n the jd of February, 1840, on the old homestead on the same section, and belongs very <>ld and highly respected family of this county, who took an important part in its early development and upbuilding. His father, Jesse II Lane, was lx,m in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 181 1, and was a son "l Tilmon Lane, who removed with his family to DeWitt county, Illini in [83O, and entered land on section 25, Waynesville township, where he improved •.rni. hut was not long permitted to eu- his new home, as he died about [833. Jesse 11. Lane, our subject's father, came with the family to this county and -ted his father in opening up the farm On the hitter's death he succeeded to thci place, and throughout life ulh en- ged m agricultural pursuits, becoming • lie of the substantial farmers of the coun- ty. In early life he married Miss Jane Hayes, who came here when a young lady and died in i860. His death occurred in [877, and both were laid to rest in Rock Creek cemetery, where a suitable monu- ment has been erected to their memory. They were prominent members of the Rock t reek Christian church, which Mr. Lane assisted in organizing, and of which he was ;, deacon for many years. He was a s,,ldier of -the Black Hawk war and served as road commissioner in his township for a time. Our subject is the second in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being: Sarah Ann. wife of Ami . of Logan county. Illinois; Margaret J., wife of Jacob Coppenberger, of Waynesville, DeWitt county; and Lineliiie and James 1 both deceased. Mr. Lane, of this review, grew to man- hood upon the home farm, assisting his fa- ther in the arduous task of transforming the wild land into well-cultivated fields. Many a day has he devoted to breaking prairie with three yoke of oxen. His edu- cation was acquired in the district schools :<.iu\ the Clinton high school, \fter reach- ing man's estate he was married in this county, September 2, i860, to Miss Sarah 220 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Jane Bayless, who was horn in Indiana but was reared in DeWitt county, [llinois, where she died in 1874, leaving two chil- dren who are Still living, namely: Malimla, now the wife of John Jeffrey, who is living in southwestern Missouri; and Jesse II.. who is married and resides in Waynesville township, this county. On the 6th of I 1 ruary, 1876, Mr. Lane was again married. his second union being with Miss Nancy Vinson, a daughter of \. J. Vinson, of Clinton, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. She was born, reared and educated in this county. There is one son by the second marriage, Charles II.. win. is ii,.w operating a part of his father's farm. lie is married and lias one son ] low aid. After his iirsi marriage Mr. Lane lo- cated 'ill the farm where he n<<\\ resides. commencing with one hundred acres of land, to which he has added from timi time until he now owils five hundred and fort} acres in one body. This is well tiled and fenced and is supplied with all tl veniences and ries found upon a model farm of the present day. The build- ings are in first class condition, and every- thing about the place betokens a thrifty and painstaking owner who thoroughly •w- derstands the vocation he has chosen ; life work, lie raises a good grade of stock and is accounted one of the most skillful farmers of his community. .Mr. Lane's first presidential vote was cast for General George IV McClellan, and he has always been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and its principles, hut has never cared for office, lie served, how- ever, as road commissioner three years, as a member of the school hoard a tew years, and as clerk ami president of the district, having always taken an active interest in educational affairs. He and his family at- tend the Christian church, having 'been reared in that faith, and he is one of the most highly respected and esteemed citi- ens of Waynesville township. PI I Kk \\ [LSON. Peter Wilson, a highly respected citizen of section three, Harp township, was born ( >ci oher 15. 1834, in Perry county, Ohio, and son of Thomas and Charlotte (Deffen- baugh) Wilson. He is of Scotch Irish de- scent on his father's side and German on his mother's side. I lis parents were both horn in .Maryland, hut were married in Perry county, Ohio, at the ages of nineteen and is. They lived in ( )hio till 1835 when, with their children and accompanied by his brothers, Edwin and Isaiah Wilson, they came by wagons to begin life anew on the uncultivated prairies of Illinois, locating in what was then Macon county, DeV comity not having been formed at that time. Here Peter Wilson attended with his broth- and sisters the log school house. Sitting on its rude wooden benches he learned his alphabet and how to join the letters into words and then to read sentences by putting the words together in the g 1 if slow old- fashioned way. ( )n eld winter mornings he warmed his numbed fingers by the crack- ling log lire in the greal open fireplace, then did his '"sums" in arithmetic and learned to print and write lie helped his fa- ther to cultivate his land, to herd his cattle, to cut wood for their lire, to hunt the wolves that killed their (locks, to saw lumber in his saw mill, to grind the grain their neigh bors brought many miles 1. . Thomas Wilsi m's grist mill. And while he helped he learned PETER WILSON. MRS PETER WILSON. hi; raphical reo >rd. from his father lessons in industry and hon- esty and foresight and pereseverance. After his father's death he u«rr. lives in Harp township; Effie, who married, William I.its- enb - dead. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wilson are the par- ents of live children. Their oldest daughter, Ida. married William Reiley and lives in Harp township. They have two children. Helen and Fern. Edmond and hi- wife. Laura Povens, and their daughter, Pe; live in DeWitt comity. Illinois. Albert J. and William Harley are at home with their parents. Ollie Emmett died when four years 1 'f ag Mr. Wilson i- a supporter of the Repub- lican party but does not seek the honors office, lie ha- led a quiet home life and tells with satisfaction that he was never drawn on a jury. No higher tribute can he paid to hi- just and peaceful character than that he has never been sited in hi- life. He 1- a faithful Presbyterian and his wife i- a devoted member of the Methodist Episi church. He 1- a l; I citi/en. an upright man. honored b) all who have the good for- tune to know him. JERSEY l>. LA TEER. Jersej D. La leer is the junior member of the firm of Crosby & I. a 'leer, who are now successfully engaged in the rea loan and lire insurance business in Farmer lie i- lint a recent a< iv of progressive business men in that thriving town, but his ability, enter- prise and upright methods have already tablished for him an enviable reputation. Although he i- >till a young man com- paratively his popularity i- established on a linn that of his own well-tested merit. Mr. La leer v\a- horn near Bellflower, McLean county. Illinois, Inly [6, [867, and i- a -. >n of David A. I.i Teer, now a resident of Ford cunty. tin- state. Our subject acquire I In- early education in the disl hi- boyll 1 home, and later ended the Gibson high school. In i> he entered the printing office of the Gibson City l.nteipri-e. and in less tha 1 thrte years worked his way upward to foreman. < hi the 1 of August, [887, he became connected with the Illinois Central Railroad as sta- ll. .11 agent at Kumler, Illinois; later he wa- clerk in the freight office at Springfield, ami subsequent!) wa- station agent Chestnut, New Holland, Roberts and Farmer Citj S< ering his connection with the company, he formed a partner-hip with E. L. Crosby, Jul) _•.}. [900, and the) have 226 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. since engaged in their present business. So successful have they been that they are now at the head of a large and profitable business, which is constantly increasing, and now extends n"t only throughout De- Witt and adjoining counties, hut in other states as well. Mr. l.a Teer was married in iSSS to Miss Alice Anelia Heller, a daughter of Daniel II. Heller, of Piatt county, and to them were born two children: a son who died in infancy; and II. Lynne. They have a nice home, which is centrally located on Plum street, and which was purchased of .Mi. B. I-'. Garver. In politics Mr. l.a leer is a mp >ng Re- publican, has served as alderman of the city, and is now a member "i the improve- ment board. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent < irder I I >M Fellows, the blue lodge, No. 710, F. X A. M.; the Chapter, R. A. M.; and the Eastern Star, to which his wife also belongs, lie 1- one of the energetic, pro- gressive and reliable business men ol Farmer 1. ity and is very popular among his fellow citizen^. WILLIAM C. McMURRY. . One of the esteemed residents ,,1" Farmer City is William C. McMurry, ex-sheriff of DeWitt county and in former years a lead- in- and enterprising business man. lie is now living a retired life for his faithful -exe- cution of his business interests in former years brought to him a comfortable com- petence, and now he is enjoying a well- merited rest. He was horn in Sangamon county, nine miles west of Springfield, Illi- October _•, [826, a son of William and Elizabeth (Clampit) McMurry. The fa- ther was horn in Botetourt county. Vir- ginia, and at an early day removed to Ken- tucks, thence to Sangamon county. Illinois, whence he went to Clinton in [849, settling on what is now known as the Lewis (amp- hell farm, where he successfully followed farming, lie was born in 170,:; ami passed away in 1875, while his wife, who was born in Kentucky, in [801, died in [850. Their children wen-: James Logan: Elizabeth: Nancy; William C. ; Lewis R., who died in [850; Moses ('., who served in the Civil war; Samuel I'... who died in the army while protecting the Union; Joseph D., of Baxter Spring, Kansas; Ann Jane, of Baxter Spring, Kansas; Peter A., who was also one of the boys in blue during the war of the Rebellion; anil five who died in infancy. The members of the family now living are William ('.. Moses *'., Joseph 1).. Ann J. and Peter A. After the death of his first wife the father married Mrs. Agnes Bry- ant, hut they had no children. In politics lie was fust a Whig and later became a stanch Republican. Of the Methodist Episcopal church he was an earnest and con- sistent member, living an exemplary Chris- tian life. Mr. McMurry. of this review, spent his childhood in Sangamon county, and in 1S47 took up his abode in Clinton, where, in con- nection witli Joel Hall and T. S. Smith, he built a mill, operating the first circular saw- mill in the county. A year later this was removed to I'.arnelt township, where they engaged in tin- manufacture of lumber. Subsequently Mr. McMurry returned to Clinton and erected a mill near the site of the present flouring mills. This was con- ducted for s, ,me years hy McMurry and Daniel Newcomb. Afterward Mr. Mc- Murry turned his attention to blacksmith- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ing. learning the trade under the direction of Mr. Maxon. Subsequently he carried on that business alone. In 1851 he rem. the town of DeWitt, where he condui smithy until the fall oi hen he - after which he operated the Mori - : creek mill. In 1856 he settled in Mt. -ant. now Farmer City. the 4th of September, I Mr. McMurry mam ilty to his country by enlisting as a memb m- pany 1. Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, with which he served for three nd five nths. He was captured at Drur Bluff, Virginia, and was incarcerated at Libby Prison. Andersonville and Florence, being one of the few who survived long im- prisonment in those loathsome places, where ry hard-hip was endured. He v. thin when at last r^ ind hail a rack- cough, so that his friends feared for his life, hut to-day appears to be a splend'd specimen of physical manhood and in ap- pearance resembles a man of not more than sixty-rive ye As soon as his health permitted Mr. Mc- Murry resumed work at his trade, and was thus employed when, in 1866, he elected 'on the Republican ticket to the office -heriff of DeWitt county. On his re- tirement from the county office he in Parmer City, and was there made city marshal. In 1S77 he was appointed post- master, and served until one year after the incoming of the Cleveland, administration. He ha- a!-. Keen notary public and justice • f the peace, hut he ha- retired from office be entered i' — with the confidence and 1 will of the public He i- now enjoy- ing a well-earned rest, ami is a man of up- right character, who. in the evening of life. 1- held in the highe-t resect by reason of terling character. Mr. McMurry has been twice mat in ie wedded Jane Cumm g fjhtei I the Re\ . P; the »1 regular minister in \ n- ship, and who had strong influence in the moral development of the community at an early day. Mrs. McMurry died in 1 hildren were: Will- iam, who died in inl dwin, d< Ann Eliza, the widow of I. P. Jackson, by whom she had two children, Eugene C. and I. lame.-; Ida Gertrude, who mar; Tlioma- Cheney and I n children. William. Edwin. Ida Gertrude, Edna, Lew- Vlartha and Thomas; Martha Ague-, the widow of Prank Gay, by whom -he had one child. Murry P.: and James M.. who mar- ried Fannie McCart and ha- five children, Julia. Richard, J. Willi-. Francis and Harry Pee. For his second wife Mr. McMurry chose Mrs. Lucinda E. dimming, the widow of lame- dimming and a daugh- ter of Jame- Washington McCord. The children of the second marriage are I. Eliah and Ruth, hut the latter is now de- The former married Edwin Coll- ver and has three children. William P.. 1 >• -r- othy and Murry < i. Through long year- Mr. McMurry has been a representative member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. He belonged to the old lodge. No. 224, of Parmer City, and served ft r four term- a- it- master. When the r.ew lodge was instituted, in 1857, he he- came one of it- charter members ami its first master, and in that capacity he for -everal term-, lie was tnrer of the district, and ha- been n earnest and active in promoting the cause Masonry. He also belongs to the chapter. He likewise holds membership with the nd Army of the Republic, and beloi to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which 228 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. he has served as steward and class leader several times. He has ever been faithful to the trusts reposed in him, loyal to his duties of citizenship and true to his responsibili- ties m every relation of life, arid his ex- ample is well worthy of emulation. NEWTON BRITTIN. Among the representative men of V township, PeW'itt county, Illinois, is Newton Brittin, on - - was born, reared and has always lived in this locality. He is a son of Henry and Almira (Crippin ) Brittin, and Henry Brittin is a native of McLean county, Illinois, to which count v his father came in the year of the big snow. Henry Brittin now resides in LeRoy to which localit) he removed aboul nine years ago and now lives retired from e business. Newton Brittin has spent hi- life upon the farm, receiving a good education in the the township during the winter months, and working upon the farm in the summer. When lie became twenty-one he began to work for himself and now owns and operates a tine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, lie carrying on general farming and stock-raising. His buildings .ire in excellent condition and his house is verj comfortable, while he never neglects any part ' z o S CO > r 03 W /D H O r r > THE I'.H (GRAPHICAL RECORD. rid was buried tl his wife, but >he lived t. ■ be seventy six y< The father was in the war of 1812 but 9 means and exerted his infiu the ut- most to advance the g 1 cause. 1: ••.inch Democrat. < >f the - children born to these g 1 • are now living - i farm- er of Bowling Green, Kentucky, who : Anna, the widow I [enry Storts, now i in Clint Mir is ged ninety-three years, who lias f her faculties in a remarkable Allien i Albert G. Williams received his educa- tion in a subscripts - •! in his native state, and tells entertaining of the litt'< g s - slab bene and crude appliances, in which however the pupils were well grounded in the princi] learning. At an early ag itered a wholesale ^r. eery h< >use at Alexandria. Vir- - - it as lie had earned sufficient money he again atter. and when twenty or twenty-one tar. This line he continued for ei teaching in varii rict the winter montl About 1832 he married Mi-s Anna Mur- phy at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and this uni 1 three children : Anna. married Willis Reed and resides in Kans She is the mother of nine children, viz.: Charles, who married and lives in McLean inty, Illinois, and has three children: Lula. who married Ruel Dennan and they live in Oklahoma and have "lie child: Jar who married and lives in I VAVitt county, Illinois, and has two children: Frank, who lives in Harp township: Harry. I Robert, Florence and Hazel, all of whom live in Kansas with their mother. Nancy, tl child of "iir subject, married Elijah ind thej have two childrei ip and children, Nancy and Clareno k; Albert, who married and li I has t\\" children, Kuth and Balman. the third child iur subj< nil. Mr. Williai married for the Sarah B< and to this union was born one child, vi ih. who died and is buried at Wei. Ion, Mr>. Williams died and is bur;. in the old cemetery at Clinton, Illinois Februar $83, Mr. Williams married Mrs. PI r, a native of Ne k. who came to Illinois in [857. No children have been born to this ui After ' »e Mr. Willi imenced farming in Illinois near bun;, and after eight or nine year- he re- moved to Creek township, DeWitt county. • 5 5 purchas hundro of wild land. From time to time this imnien- rv- iiis own use one tion in s< . twenty-four. This land has all been put into a tine - cultivation and the comfortable hous lands up irm erected by him. Part of the property is now farmed by 1 ind the remainder is rent. Mr. Willi.- retired from active life in [883 and r< to the . linton. Here he and his timable wife reside in a house which • :ed by her ami it has t> tly im- proved and enlarged until it is one of the most homelike houses in Clinton, and i- ed upon South Jackson avenue, corner Adam- Mr. Williams is a strong Democrat and r Andrew Jackson, ami 232 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Erom that time till the present he lias never missed voting for the Democratic candidate _, for president. For a number of years he served his party and fellow townsmen upon the school board and has always taken a deep and active interest in township affairs, and although he has attained to the unusual age of four score years and ten, he is -till an important factor in political matters. Both he and Mrs. Williams are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, to which they are liberal supporters. Through- out the entire community Mr. Williams is universally respected and beloved Eor his public spirit and his high moral character, while the people of Clinton are proud oi his energj and the fact that he is in posses n of his faculties, and is able to read without glasses at so advanced an age. J. GUERNSEY POR1 ER, M. D. This prominent and successful physi- cian and surgeon of Clinton was born iu iton, July i-'. [868, and is descended from an old substantial family, who have In .rue an important part in the history of this country. His grandfather, George Porter, was born in Pennsylvania, but when a child was taken to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and followed the pursuits ol a farmer. He there married Miss Kliza Lee Lowe, daughter of John W. Lowe and a second cousin to Robert L. Lee. They reared a family of three children. as follows: Edward, our subject's father; John \\\. of Clinton; and L. Josephine, who married Isaac X. Tully, a physician of Red (loud, Nebraska. In [852, George Porter came with his sons to DeWitt county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm in Harnett township, where he spent his remaining days, dying in [859 at the age of fifty-six _\ ears. ] li-, wife attained the age 1 if se\ enty. Ills son |bhn, who is now retired in Clin- ton, served from t86i to [865 in Company E, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to second lieutenant. Edward Porter was born in Sinking Springs, Highland county. Ohio, on Feb- ruary i<. 1833, where he spent his boyhood days and attended the common schools, and, as before stated, in [852 came with his parents to DeWitt county. He was an in- dustrious lad and eager to obtain a good education, and aside front his regular scl ling he sought the knowledge of authors, spending all his leisure time in reading the best literature, which was bene- ficial to him in his future profession. At seventeen years of age he began teaching, often having pupils older than himself. In [85] he began the stud) of medicine, which he kept up for several years, devoting what time he could spare to it. In [862 he proved his patriotism h\ enlisting in the One Hundred and Seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. in which he faithfully served for two years and was then discharged for physi- cal disability. In [864 he was nomi- nated by the Republican party for county treasurer and was elected by a large ma- jority, which office he filled with so much credit to himself that he was re-elected in 1 St .(.. The next two years were spent on the farm, after which he attended a course of medical lectures in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, in the Homeopathic College, from which he graduated with honors. He then returned to Clinton and bought Dr. Mitchell's practice, but this was not neces- sary, for almost immediately his skill was THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. rec s and he \\:l> acknowledg one of the leading physicians of the county. He was a great reader, spendii . arc moments in the study of able writ scientious practitioner, a noted writer and an eloquent speaker, believing firmly in the teachings of Swedenl June 1856, he was united in marriage with Lucy E. Mills, whose father was one of the early ers of DeVVitt county. Their children were Chancey II.. of Lincoln, Mini George !'•.. of South Dakota; Mr- - H. Wilson, county superintendent of schools el" Clinton. Illinois; Mrs. Lucy E. Turner, of Lincoln. Illinois; J. Guerns our subject; G., a physician of War- ren. Arkansas; Mr-. Lliza J. Gatchell, Mrs. Nellie E. Owen: and Freddie A., a teacher of Gin ton. The father <>i this fam- ily died March 1. 1879. He was a member the A. F. & A. M. Lodge. His widow, who survives, has a beautiful brick resi- dence, where our subject also make- his home. In the spring of 1888 J. Guernsey Por- ter graduatet 1 from the Clinton high school and was then associated with the American Ex] impany, of Springfield, Illinois, but was later promoted to messenger and served in that capacity until 1895. Having devoted a good deal of time to the study of medicine, he entered the Chicago Homeo- pathic Medical College and graduated in nee came to Clinton, where he ha- already built up a lucrative practice ami i- l'a-t reaching the degree his father held in the science of medicine. He member of DeWitl V F. & A. M.. dkrake Chapter and Clinton Council, all of Clinton. He is als,, a member and examining physician of the Modern Wood- men. Foresters, Court of Honor, A. t >. C. W.. and Loyal Sons of America. ANDREW J WkSi ».\ DAVIS. And rev • lent of - was born m Madison county. September 8, 1851, and is of \\ illiara and Ruth \ is. lx .th of whom are now <1< father was a native of Tennessee and the mother of the Blue I this worthy couple were born nine children, our subje the fourth in birth. The other six living an 1". J. D William Harrison Davis, John W< Amanda Ann. Louis Richard, and Thomas Washington. Andrew Davis received his education from the schools in Hmingham coUnty and remained upon the home farm until he was nineteen year ge, at which time lie rented a tract of land and started 01 journey for him- I In August 11, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Wilson, daughter of Philip Margaret Wilson, both of whom hav( partetl this life. Mr. Wilson was a native of Pennsylvania and Mrs. Wilson of Ohio, in which state Miss Sarah was Inirn. Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of rive children, as follows: Emma R who became the wife of Ezra Westlake, now resides m Logan count v. Their chil- dren are Irvin. Ruth ami Ruby, twins; and Pearl. Amy Estella married George Young, and r< 1 the home township. iiildren. I Ralph ami Earl. Cora is the wife of James Reed, and they are the parents .if two daughters, Ha- zel and Pansy. Pearl and Bessie, the young- est children, are at home with their parents. In [888 Mr. Davis moved t" DeWitl county ami continued in the agricultural pursuits until iS<)4. when he open era! store at Birkbeck, his being the only !34 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. store in that place for about five years. In [896 our subject was appointed postmaster of Birkbeck, under President Cleveland, and although a stanch Democrat he has given such satisfaction that he has held the office through the Republican administra tion to the present tunc. For two terms he was township clerk and has also served as tool director. Religiously, Mr. Davis is a member of the Christian church of Char- ter I lak. EZEKI1 1 G. F. II PRISON. After years of active labor, devoted principally to farming and stock-rais- ing, llr. Harrison is now living a retired life in Clinton, having a nice home at No. 719 North (.'enter street. A native ol Illinois, he was born in Sanga- mon county, "ii the 1 ith of November, 1828. His father. Ezekiel I'.. Harrison, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, and traced his ancestr) hack to Benjamin Harris, .11. the father of William 11. Harrison, ex-pi ident of the United States. When a boy the father of our Subject went to Kentucky. where he grew to inanh 1 and was united in marriage with Miss Anna James Bell, who was also a native of the 1 >Id Dominion. About [822 he came to Illinois and settled in Sangamon county, where he bought and improved a farm, making his home then until [848, when he removed to Petersburg, Illinois. There he died at the age of sixty- seven, llis wife, who passed away some years previous, was about fifty years of age at the time of her death. Both were active and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united at the age of twelve years, afterward becom- ing a local preacher of that denomination. In politics he was a Whig, lie had eleven children, of win 'in two died in infancy, but only three are now living, namely: Milton I'... a resident of Petersburg, Menard coun- ty, Illinois; Lucinda Priscilla, wife of Enoch McGrady, of Belleville, Republic county, Kansas; and Ezekiel, our subject. \h. I [arrison, of this review, was reared and educated in Menard county, attending first the subscription schools and later the district schools, lie was graduated at the Petersburg high school, and then commenced teaching in the district schools, following that pursuit, together with clerking, for •it ten years. For a time he carried on a general store of his own at Petersburg. In 1861 he came to DeWitt county and pur- chased eighty acres of partially improved land in Barnett township, and 011 selli that propert) bought a trad of one hundred and twentj acres in the same township. Subsequent!) he disposed of that property and removed to Wilson township, where he bought one hundred and sixt) acres of land. To this he later added another tract of one hundred ami sixty acres, making a g 1 farm of three hundred and twenty acres of well-developed land. Mr. Harrison n many improvements upon this place and suc- cessfully engaged in its cultivation, ami also made a specialt) of the raisii te stock until [891, when he rented the farm ami re- moved to Clinton, where he owns an impos- ing home. I [ere, surrounded by all the com- forts of life, he i> U"\\ living retired, enjoy - a well-earned rest. In 1857 Mr. Harrison married Miss Em- ily Jane Carman, a native of this state, and a daughter of Charles L. and Arenia (Per- kins) Carman. Her father was born in New York state. Our subject and his wife are the parents of ten children, namely: ( 1) William died in infancy; (2) Charles, E. G. F. HARRISON THI IRAPHICAL RECORD. wh in llit- furniture - m Clinton as a member of the firm of Lemon . married Laura Barnett, and e child, Edith Kohim ink 1 5 ind is • in importing hou Edwin !.. a resident Illinois, married Sarah B d they 1 had four children, two of whom died in in- fancy, the others are Wilbur and Heli All>ert. died in infancy: :. a Xorm Burwell and tor Marie. Ven Elbert Iredell, and an infant : (7) Lilly May is the v - ler- nian Grant Hul' linton, they have one child. Cecile; (Si Minnie 1 in infancy; (9) Ruby Tune is the wife \V. Edward nton, who is in the em; the Illinois Central Railr mpany; irence Lucile 1- at home with her pari Mr. H career has ' up- and he has I •ice and ill who know him. His wif membership in the M al church, and the family receive and merit the hnj 1 of the entire com- munity. WILLIAM METZGER. Williaiti M 1 retired citizen of Clinton, Ulini itive of Pennsyl- vania, born in Bedford county. February ind Mary Ann 1 Wort/ 1 Metzger. The father of our suliji man that was actively iden- tified with the county in which he and . t the time of death, which occurred when he was alx>ut thirty The mother 11 ir chil- Audrew J.; -i.ih. and William. William Mi un- til he ermined to mak in the rid. 1 le li- ft time. In 1846 he re 1 >e- Witt county, and tl lent tnd harness-ma- ker. 1 1 by Mr I. Jack- W. P. Hunt, and in lE In dr. Mel of the f the ti was ,1c me on h in demand, -• unknown and lid ride in any direction. Il ( mmon tl i if nick trip made tl other way but I ry different from what they are at the present time. were short with small I at the end. to lengthen or shorten >uld require. Machim ere unki that everything must be made by hand, ■in the ■ ti\e cattle. ned at the near l>v vil- lle continued there until 1865, whi he - le to Clinton, where he continued in the same bl • :r- chased the inter. I le c ried on a ver\ successful business until hen he -old out. At the end this time, at the request of his many friend-. the I >e\\ nty National Bank, which position he tilled for <• time with credit to himself ami 238 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the institution. From the time of the organ- ization of the bank he lias been a director and in \X')4 he was made vice-president. which position he still holds. By marriage Mr. Metzger was united with Miss Rachel, daughter of William Cantrall, who came to DeWitt county in the fall of 1835 and took Up a tract of land and made farming his life occupation, al- though he was engaged in stock-raising and dairying to a large extent. He died on the home farm at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife at the age of sixty-four. She ua> a Miss Mary McClure and a native of Virginia. This couple became the par ents of the following named children: Henry: Rachel; Margaret; and William II.. who resides on the old homestead in tin- county. 1" our subject and his wile have been born the following named chil- dren: Minnie, who died at the age of eight years, ami Henry M.. who i> largely intet ested in the cold storage business at Grand Rapids, Michigan, lie married Mi-- Kattie Beaumont. In [865, when Mr. Metzger located in Clinton, the town was in it- infancy and contained but a few hundred souls. Willi the thought that it was sure to become a thriving little city. Mr. Mel get purchased five acre- of land northwest of the public square, which he divided off into town lot-. Since then he ha- disposed of most of it and i,. daj it i- "ne of the best resident portions of Clinton. His own commodious residence stand- on a portion of the original purchase. Socially Mr. Metzger i- a charter mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, and since the first meeting has always been present unless he was obliged to remain at home on account of illness. Since the organiza- tion of the Republican party he ha- been a stanch supporter of its principles and in former years took an active interest in polit- ical affairs. From the very first he has taken an active interest in the welfare and prosperity of his adopted city and has at all tunc- been found ready and willing to do all in his power to further its interests, and now that he has reached old age he can look back and see that his effort- were ni >t in vain. Such live- arc worthv of emu- latii mi. ALLEN A. TURNER. Allen A. Turner, one of tin- leading ag- riculturists and prominent citizens of Rut- ledge township, was born March .18, 1853, on the farm in that town-hip where his father, lienui- Turner, >till lives. A sketch of the latter will be found on another page of tin- volume. Our subject grew to man- h 1 upon the home farm and gave his fa- ther the benefit of hi- labor-, until twenty- two years of age, when he boughl the John Andrew farm of one hundred and forty acre- in Rutledge town-hip. The place was under cultivation, but there were no build- ings thereon, lie set out shade and fruit tree-, erected a nice residence and two large barn-. In connection with the cultivation of hi- land he is quite extensivelj engaged in the raising of stock, making a specialty of cattle and sheep, of which he has a flock of two hundred, lli- farm i- made to yield a golden tribute to the care and labor be- stowed upon it. and he has raised a- high as seventy bushels of corn per acre and sixty bushels of oat-. On the 22d of February, 1876, Mr. Turner was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca J. Lappin, who was also born in Rutledge township, June uj, 1854, a daugh- Till". l;i()C,k.\rHK"AL RECORD. 239 ter of William and Catherine (Johnson) Lappin. Her grandfather, James Lappin, who was a native of ' )hio, came to DeWitt county late in life and died here when seventy years of age, his remains being in- terred in the LeRoy cemetery. Ili> children were William. Samuel. Rebecca, Sally, Isaac, John and James. William Lappin, Mr-. Turner's father, was horn in Mad is county. Ohio, and on coming to De- W'itt county. Illinois, purchased the Van Deventer farm in Rutledge township, and carried it on until his death, which occurred March 26, [880, when he was fifty-eight yea- ge. His wife long survived him. dying July 8, 1901. at the age of seventy- two. In their family were nine children, namely: Louisa, wife of J. W. Walte Phebe, wife of E. Gilmore; Samuel: Re- becca J., wife of our subject; Sarah, de- ceased; Mary, wife of J. Lash: l.ydia. wife I . Vndrews; Laura: and Olive, wife of A. L. Fuller. Unto Mr. ami Mrs. Turner were l*>rn seven children, as follows: Min- nie, who married F. 1'.. Stiver-, of Web- City, Iowa, and has one child. Arlie: Nellie R.; Estella M.: Mary Elsie; Charles W\. who died in infancy: Freddie H.; and n. who died in infancy. By his ballot Mr. Turner supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and his fellow citizens have called upon him to serve a- highway commissioner twelve consecutive year-, and school tr< urer twenty-two years, and he -till hold- 'he latter office. He takes quite an active in- terest in civic societies, and i- a prominent member of a number of orders, including the Masonic fraternity, the Knight- of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Loyal Son- of America. He joined Anion Lodge, No. 261, A. 1-'. & A. M.. of DeWitt. January 26, [883. He 1- lilK-ral in his religious views, while his wife 1- a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He i> a man of recognized ability and sterl- ing worth, and the success he ha- achieved is justly merited. -IJ'H R. GRADY. - distinct a pioneer of Illinois i- Mr. Grady that he vividly recalls when Macon and DeWitt counties were wild and uncul- tivated, and when but lew had emigrated here and availed themselves of the latent fertility. During the long year- of his wisely directed life he has played an im- portant part in developing the locality of which he is now a resident, though at pres- ent retired from the active work of tilling and gathering harvests. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born near Hunting- don. Huntingdon county. March _\ iSjj, and lived at the place of his birth and in the western part of the state until 1856. Hi- parents. Hiram and Elizabeth t Work) Grady, were horn in Pennsylvania, the lat- ter, in Lancaster county, where he eng in fanning for many year-, later remov- ing to Huntingdon county, where his death occurred at the age of seventy- two years, his wife having pre-deceased him in 1866. Into the family were horn nine children, three of whom are living, and of these Joseph i- oldest. In the early subscription and later pub- lic schools Mr. Grady received hi- educa- tion, and until twenty-four year- of age lived at home and assisted hi- father with the farm work. In the western part of the State he rented a farm which he managed successfully for several years, ami after- wards worked at day laln.r for some time. 240 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Upon coming to Illinois he located first near Clinton, in Texas township, DeWitt county, but after a short time removed to Logan county and later to Warren county, where he remained for a year, but eventu- ally returned to DeWitt county. lie then purchased eighty acres of land in Texas township from the Illinois Central Kail- road Company, which he cleared up and upon which he erected a small hoi and prepared to cultivate In- land. Here lie lived for about forty years, and is still the owner of the property, which is now- fanned by his youngest son. This la was added 1' 1 fp 'in time to lime until il sumed the large proportions oi four hun- dred acres, all of which is now divided among his children. While occupying his farm he engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and was successful beyond his expectations, ["hough a I )un> icr.it 111 polil ics and a worker fi >r 1 nicipal puritj . he n< 1 ed for political office, though he held the office of ward commissioner for two terms and school director for several terms. Fraternally In an Odd Fellow, having joined that organ- ization thirty years ago, ami 1- now a mem- ber 1 if Mar. >a 1 .odge, N T o. ,^14. In Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Gi irried, February 24, [857, with Isabella Jane McCartney, a native of Huntington county, Pennsylvania, and daughter of John and Isabella McCartney, a farmer in the state of William l'enn. To Mr. and Mrs. Grady have been horn seven children, four of whom are living. Tryphena Grady was horn on the home place in Texas township, became the wife of George I . Farran, a farmer of Friend's Creek, Macon county, and died, leaving seven children, seven years ago. The chil- dren are:. Allie. Ida. Joseph. Jennie. Vfaude, Grace, and Viola. Hiram Grady is one oi the substantial fanners of Texas township, and has a comfortable home on his farm of two hundred and seventy- nine acres on sections 26 and 36. lie is prominent in the affairs of the coun-s tv. and is ;it present serving as a member of tin' school hoard. Mrs. Hiram Grady was formerly Agnes Mayall. and she is the mother of four children. Hubert, Pearl, Hazel, and Mary. Samuel Gradj died at about the age of nine years; he was born in the home place in Texas township, [da M., 1- the wile of Robert M. Mayall, who lias a farm of eighty acres on section 26, d'exas township, comprising a portion oi the Gradj property. In the family there are four children, Mabel, Homer. .Leo and Mane. Geneva is the wife of \. |. Shoe maker, who works a farm .'I one hundred and twenty acres in (feck township, forty acres of which he owns, and the balance beli »ng • ti 1 his father in law. The} hi two children, John and Emma. Emma dy died at the In ime place al the age i >i seven years. Lewis lives on eight} ai of the home place, married l.ydia Bennett, daughter of Henrj Bennett, a prominent and wealthy farmer of Creek township, and ur children, Francis, Opal, Her- s.all. and Lucy. All of the children were horn on the home place, and were educated in the public S< hi k lis Jl IHN W. IK HJGHAM. John W. Hougham, a well known agri- culturist residing on section 36, Waynes- ville township, is a native of DeWitt coun- ty, his birth having occurred in W'apclla township, on the 15th of November, [855. Till iRAPHICAL RECORD. M' His parent- were John and Sainain kins. 11 i 1 [ougham, this inty, where tlieir marri § brated. The father died b :rth • air subject. The mother resides in \\ tvnship. She was a nati *hio John Atkinson, one the pioneers of this county. The subject of t': w remained with his mother until about grown, and was educated in the commoi De- Witt count) . ! irm by the month, and then wenl ifornia, carrying "ii a ranch in S mento county f lie returned to Illim t a farm in Wapella township, which he operal -. but in 1894 he - 'Id th; purchased his present tan ghty acres . >, Waynesville township, lie further improvement ami cultivation which he has since devoted his i with ii tifying results. He has re- modeled the residence, erect* il fruit, and made many other useful and valuable improvements. After he had been in' California three irs Mr. : . i returned to hi- n.v inty, where he was married on the 25th April. 1878, t< > Mi— Mary Jane Scott* who rn in Knox county, Missouri, in Her father. W. I.. Scott, a native To lHiii"is when a -:i . ami hi t" manhood and mar- Drusilla Cox, a native of Mis- ri. He subsequentlj removed to Knox • itej hut i- now living in Adair county, Missouri. In political sentiment Mr. Hougham is a Republican, and on national issues ah supports that party, hut at local 1 he tes for the men whom he believes qualified t>> till \'. ■ high* 1 has been a member of the .md a d iunty : hi- part) . hi- trus- 'ii \\ aynes\ ille town- ship. R< a member of the •nan church, cially 1- a member Waynesville, with which he united in rably known tin. out the county where almost his entire life and he -tand- high in the m of hi- fellow I' >H.\ PHARES. er half a century th h has 1 < f ] >e\Vitt county, ami for many y< lively identified w ith the ton, but i- now practically living an life. He n of the late Satin I'hares. a nati incinnati, ml a sou of Robert and Amy (Clevii I'hares. who removed from Virginia to Ohio. In [847 the father of ou came to DeW'itt county. Illinois, and. spendi n a rented farm Waynesville, he located in Clinton, where , • <1 in the butcher business, his; -hop being on the present site of Harris' -tore, on the southwest con;. He carried on that bus For about five years. Having in earl) life studied and practiced veterinary surgery, he then turned his attention to that pi and in its practice he here met with excel- lent success, his ding throughout this and adjoining 242 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. During the Civil war lie served in the Sixty- eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and af- terward drew a pension. He died in 1900. at the advanced age of ninety-three years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Marshall, passed away in 1 S 7 7 . They were the parents of thirteen children. namely: William and Robertj twins; Eliza- beth; John A.: Henry C. : Francis M.: Elizabeth; Malissa J.: Julia and Marjorie, twins: Mary I-"..; and Samuel. AH are liv- ing with the exception of Robert and Ma- liss.i J. h>hn A. 1 'hares was born in Xenia. Greene county, < >hio, June 2, [832, and was fifteen years of age when he came with his parents to this county, lie spent his early life upon a farm, and in [850 came to Clin- ton to learn the carpenter's trade, hut. find- ing that employment uncongenial, he began operating the McPherson farm of one hun- dred acres, which at that time was owned by his wife. lie made many improve- ments and still owns the place. Rent- ing his farm in [876, he returned to Qin- ton and opened pool and billiard parlors. which he successfull) conducted until 1890 and has since lived retired. lie purchased the Jesse Stout propertj on hast Main street and huilt a tine two-story building for hotel purposes, known as the Phares Hotel, and on the south end of the same lot erected a tenement cottage. He has dealt in real estate to some extent and has met with fair success in all his undertakings. In [855 Mr. Phares married Miss Mar- garet J. Met haw. a daughter of John J. Mc- Graw. She was horn in [839 and died in [876. By this union were horn the follow- ing named children : Charles l.eander. who married Kate Offenhaugh and follows farm- ing three miles south of Maroa; Sarah, wife of T. C. Cackley. of Clinton: Mary Eliza- hetli. wife of William Stagg. of Spring- field. Illinois: Effie, wife of Loran Hil- dreth, of Texas township: Francis M.. who married Effie Holloway and follows fann- ing in DeWitt county: John Allen, an elec- trician, who married Myrtle Ball and re- sides in Clinton; and Ella, wife of Charles Richie, of Chicago. Socially Mr. Phares is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the blue lodge, chap- ter, council and commandery. all of Clinton. While living in the country he served as school director for the long period of twen- ty-one years, representing the Republican party; was township treasurer two years; and superintendent of the DeWitl County Agricultural Association thirteen years, and president of the same two years. lie be- 1. ngs to an old and highly esteemed family of this county, of rare constitutions, and ail take great pleasure and pride in their fam- ily reunions, which they hold annually. HENRY *.. BEATTY. One of the leading business men and most highly respected citizens of Clinton is Henry G. I '.catty, a well-known wholesale and retail dealer in harness, buggies, etc.. having one of the largest and oldest estab- lishments of the kind in DeWitt county. 1 lis hand-made harness and saddlery, especi- ally, has won for him an excellent reputa- tion in business circles. Mr. Beatty was horn in Hancock coun- ty. Ohio. April 14. 1845. a son of Isaac B. and Eliza (Crowl) Beatty. The father was horn in Findlay, Ohio, and was also engaged in the harness and saddlery busi- ness. In 1848 he came to Clinton, ami was one of the first to engage in that enterprise the p,ror.R.\rincAL RECORD. in this city. Here he carried <>n business until 1875, when Ik- sold out i<> Daniel Hampshire and removed to Normal, Illi- nois, in order to give his children better educational advantages. After spending two >>r three years at that place he returned t<> Clinton and entered into business with his sen. Thomas 0., hut two years later he I his interest to our subject and retired. His first wife, who was the mother of <>ur subject, died about 1850, at the age "f forty years. By that union he had six children: William and Charles, both deceased; Henry i. and James C, twins, the latter now a resident of Decatur, Illinois; Isaac B., de- ceased; anil Julia, wife of 11. C. Adams, of 'd. his property was de- stroyed by tire when the whole business center of the place was burned. Mr. Beatty's loss was thirty-three hundred dol- lars, which was all that he had. it repre- senting his entire accumulations. He was one of the enterprising business men of the village who at once set on foot a movement to rebuild the business portion in brick, but not meeting with sufficient support, he re- turned to Clinton, and purchased the stock of William Metzger. Renting a building in the Union block, he once more embarked 111 the harness and saddlery business at this place and soon built up a good trade, lb- has since purchased the building known as the I >. C. Jones store, where he carried 011 his business until 1901, when he moved out and into the building where he learned his trade, and to-day carries a large and well- selected stock of light and heavy harness, whips, robes, etc.. and a tine line of car- riages and traps — the best which the town affords. He employs four -killed harness makers and trimmers, and manufactures some of the best harness found anywhere on the market. He is now rebuilding a hand- some brick block, twenty-two by one hun- dred and twenty-four feet in dimensions and two stories in height, which will be ready for occupancy November 1. He has also purchased the Barker property on West Main street, where he has a tine home. In [867 Mr. Beatty married Miss Car- oline S. Stocking, a daughter of John T. Stocking. She was a native of Trempealeau. Wisconsin, and died November 3. 1899, at the age of fifty-one years. By this union were born live children: Nellie F.. who married C. B. Armstrong, of Decatur. Illi- nois, and has one child. Sylvia: Ernest, who wedded Mary T. Stewart and is ara Arnold and i- a hart:' 244 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. maker of Clinton; James R., a laundryman, who is now sojourning in Colorado; and ] [obert, also a harness maker. Mr. Beatt) is an active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Clinton, in which he has served as trus- tee, class leader and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. Fraternally lie is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of < ^\<\ Fel- lows, the Rebekahs and the (.rand Arm) the Republic; and is past commander of his post. I le has always made the m of his opportunities, and his life illustrates what can be accomplished through industry. perseve - ood management and a de- termination to succeed. While a residenl of Kenney atn! took quite an active and prom- inent part in public affairs, and served as president of the town and also filled the e of alderman. VNDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson i- a fine representative of the native horn eiti i >wn- ship. Within the hound- of the farm in ion two. which i-> now his home, he was horn Vpril j. [843, to Thomas and Charlotte (Deffenbaugh) Wilson. Ilis mother was horn in Maryland, July 13, 1800. Hi- ther. Thomas Wilson, born November 22, 1799, was also a native of Maryland. Thorn- Wilson moved when a hoy to Perry coun- ty, < >hio. during the early day- of the settle- ment of that state. There he was married to hi- wife. Charlotte, and made that his home for many years. Not satisfied to help settle 01 in 1835, with his family, he took the long and tiresome journey in < I her 3, [826, and died March i_\ 1881 : Mary, horn September 18, 1828, died Aug- 31, 1854; Sarah, born October 26, i> became the wife of W. II. Anderson and died November 30, 1872; Asa, who was honi October 27, 1832, lives at DeWitt. Peter, who now lives in Harp township, was er 15, iS.%4- Rachel was 1 >, and died April i<). 18 Harriet. Lorn July 27, 1838. died February 24. 1 S 5 7 ; Caroline was horn March [3, 1841, and died April 19, 1859. Andrew, the subject of this sketch, and youi ' the twelve children, grew to manh 1 in Harp township and here . was educated. When a hoy he attended a school-house which was furnished with slab benches, heated by a large open tire- place and had a puncheon floor. It- win- dows were low and narrow* and a hoard put under them served as a writing desk. At an early age Andrew Wilson b< to till tl n his father's farm. At the. of twenty he took up his life work. After his father's death he managed the home farm for his mother. Later he pur- chased of her two hundred and sixty-nine acres of improved land. 'I this he has added more till he now owns over live hundred acres of well cultivated land. A part of this which is in Wilson township he rent-. His farms are well fenced and have fine build- ings. Liking to see things looking their he keeps his property in excellent order He takes just pride in his herds of registered Short Horn cattle. Mr. Wilson was married Februar 1870, to Miss Mary M. Field, who was horn in Ohio. October 8, 1S4.). She was the daughter of Jonathan and Mary Field. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of three children, two of whom. Thomas and Jesse, are now living, and both are at home. Charlotte died February 14. 1901. Mrs. Wilson died Februar) ;. She was a member of the United Brethren church and a woman whose life was so helpful and cheerful that she won the respect and I of all who knew her. March 22, [892, Mr. Wilson married Miss Clarinda Smith, who was born in De- Witt county. Illinois. She is a daughter of John A. and Hannah (Rosencrans) Smith. Her father. Mr. Smith, born on the river Rhine, in France, in 1827, is at present a resident of Wapella township. Her mother was born in Butler county. Ohio. April 15, iSjS. She died April 11. 1892, and is buried in Crum cemetery, near Wapella. Andrew Wilson is a man of excellent business qualification-. He i- a strong sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. For a number of years he has held the office of road supervisor ami school di- rector. As a citizen he ranks as one of the most prominent and- influential of his town- ship, a worthy son of his efficient pioneer father. GEORGF W. GRINER. Among the highly respected and hon- ored citizens of Barnett township is num- bered George W. Griner, who dates his residence in DeWitt county from October, 185,}. and whose home is now on section 31, Barnett town-hip. He was horn in Xew Jersey, on the 22d of June. 1835, a •5o THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. son of William and a Miss (Brooks) Griner, also natives of that stale. His pa- ternal grandfather. James Griner. was born in Germany, and on coming to the new- world in colonial days, settled in New Jer- sey. He served with distinction as a cap- tain in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war. His last years were spent in Indiana, where lie died at the ex- treme "Id age of one hundred and ten years. About [838 the father of our subject, ao companied by his family, removed to Mar- ion county. Indiana, where his death oc- curred in 1850. The mother had died in her native state, and the father subsequently married again. George VV. Griner had hut a meager chance to gain an education, as he was only able to attend school for a few weeks .lur- ing the winter, and from an early age he was dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood. For five years he and his brother engaged in farming together upon rented land. In [853 he came to DeWitt county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand by the month for two years. In Tunbridge township, this county. Mr. Griner was married. November _'.;. 1855, 'o Miss Mary Copenberger, who was horn here. Here father. George Copenhagen, was born in Tennessee, and about 1825, when a young man. he came to Illinois ami served in one of the early Indian wars ol this section. He married Miss Nancy Henderson, a native of Kentucky ami a daughter of John Henderson, who was one of the first settlers of DeWitt county. Illi- nois, hut afterward returned to Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Copenberger were married in this county, and made their home in Tun- bridge township, where he followed farm- ing f( ir many years. For a vear after his marriage Mr. Griner engaged in fanning on rented land, and then removed to a tract of forty acres in Barnett township owned by his wife, it being a part of their present farm. To it he has since added eighty acres, and has made many useful and valuable improvements thereon until it is now one of the most de- sirable farms id' its size in the locality. Mr. Griner has always given considerable at- tention to stock-raising, and now makes a Specialty of a high grade of Hereford cat- tle, which he keeps for dairy purposes, and he is accounted one of the best butter mak- ers in his part of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Griner are the parents ol the following named children: 1 1 1 Jane is tin- wife of Alfred Trowbridge, of Mid- land City, and they have four children: Aila. who is the wife of George Phelps and has one son. Fillmore; Ura, wife of David McClimans; Charles; and Homer. ( _> ) Nancy married < i. E. Kimble, of Missouri, where she died in February, i<)oi, leaving four children, Elsie, George William. Ethel and Oldman. (3) George lb aids his fa- ther in carrying on tin home farm. 14 I ( >llie May. who is the wife of J. II. Decker, it for the Illinois Central Railroad at Midland City, and they have two children, Nellie and Delia. (5) Mary is the wife -1 Robert Jenkins, a farmer of this county, and they have three children. Dudley. Pearl, Ara l.ucile. MO Ida M. is the wife of William Britton, of Clintonia township, this count v. and they have one child, Mary. Since attaining his majority Mr. Griner has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and has supported every presidential candidate of that party since casting his fust vote for James Buchanan. He served two terms as school director, but has never cared for official honors. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbvterian church. Till", r.hxik U'lln \1. RECORD. -5< and both arc held in high regard by all who know them on account of their sterling worth. ■» • » WILLIAM LONG. This well-known and highly-respected citizen ni (.'reek township, residing on sec tion 17. is a native of Carroll county, Ohio, horn October 17. 1838, and is a son of Young Benjamin and Catherine (Weaver) Long, natives of Ohio and Maryland, re Spectively. The parents were married in the Buckeye state, where they continued to live for some years, and about [850 re- moved to Bartholomew county. Indiana. where the father purchased a farm and en- gaged in its operation until called to hi-- final rest in [852, at the age of fifty years. His wife survived him many year-, passing away in 1893, at the age >'i seventy-nine. They had ten children, of whom -even are now living, namely: William, our subject; John, a resident of Indiana: Betsy, wife of Thomas Miller, of that state; Ellen, wife of Hiram Royse, of-Piatt county. Illinois: Mary, wife of Peter Stilabower, of Indiana: Hannah, wife of John Walter, of the same state: and Isaac, also a resident of the Hoosier state; Philip was killed at Gun- town, Mississippi, during the war of the Rebellion. William Long began his education in the public school- of Ohio and finished it in Indiana after the removal of the family to that state. < hi leaving the parental roof, at the age of twenty-two year-, he worked I farm hand for a few year-. In [868 he went to Kansas, hut remained there only a few days, and on hi- return -topped in Macon county. Illinois, where he -pent two years in farming upon rented land. At the end of that time he purchased an unim- proved farm of eight) acre- on section -~, Creek township, DeVVitt county, which, through hi- perseverance ami painstaking efforts, he ha- placed under a high State of cultivation, and to which he ha- added from time to time until he now has a well-im- proved ami valuable farm of two hundred and forty acre-. Besides hi- nice home. • lie of the most notable feature- of the place i- a never-failing well of pure water. On the 30th of November, 1860, Mr. I ong wa- united in marriage with Mi- Marietta Royse, who was horn in Indiana. I Kr parents, Aaron I'.. and Elizabeth (Mc- Guire) Royse, were both native- of the .-.line state, and were of W cl-h and Scotch de-cent. Her mother resides in Indiana, at the age of eighty-one year-, while her father died in that -tate. < >f the thirteen children horn to them, -even are -till liv- ing, namely: Henry, a resident of Monti- celln, Illinois; George, a resident of Piatt county, this -tale: John. Louis and Alice, all of Indiana: and Marietta, wife of our subject. Mr-. Long i> the third in order of birth in this family, and is the mother of nine children, a- follow-: < 1 1 Martha Alice i- the wife of Michael Taylor, of Ma- con county. Illinois, and they have three children. William Cleveland, Cynthia Etta and [da May. (2) John Henry, a resident of Creek township, DeWitt county, mar- ried • '•'.'la Threasher and has four chil- dren. Maude. Josie, Clarence H. ami Flor- ence. (3) Arie, also of Creek township, married Minnie Bennett and ha- three chil- dren, John Henry, George Leslie and Ruby May. i^) Charles, of Creek township, married Laura Farran and ha- three chil- 1. Jay Bennett, Zella lav and Raymond. 151 Daniel is at home. (6) Delia married David Gano, of Creek town-hip. ami did. •52 Tin-: mock \pinr.\L record. leaving one child, May Marie. Three ether children are also deceased. The parents are both active and consistent members ol the United Brethren church, and are most estimable people. In polities Mr. Long is Democrat, and has filled some minor offices. ■+-++ ISAAC X. B \ll.< IR. Among the leading business men of Clinton non< are more deserving of m lion in this volume than Isaac X. Bailor, the senior member of the firm of Bailor & Bryant, dealers in all kinds of hardware. ricultural implements, wagons, buggies, etc. They carrj a large stock, utilizing three floors, and have a tin shop and plumb- ing establishment in connection with their re. Mr. Bailor was born near I ancaster, Ohio, nil the 26th of \pril. 1850, and is a son of Lew is R. and t lharlotte 1 Martin ) Bailor, who were also natives of that state and were farming people. The father died in his forty seventh year, the mother in her fifty-sixth year, as she passed away in [877. They were the parents of eiglil children, namely: Catherine, wife of S. J. Thomas; Rebecca, deceased wife of Reuben Bannett; lisa, wife of William Moore; Isaac X.. cur subject; Ellen, wife of J. Lysinger; Annie, wife of \. Vbbott; Jennie, win W. Pierce; and John M., deceased. Our subject remained upon the home farm, giving his father the benefit of his labors until twenty-live years of age, and then engaged in the grocery business in Shelhvville. Illinois, for one year. In 1876 he came to DeWitt county. Illinois, and rented a farm in DeWitt township, which he operated quite successfully, at the same time giving considerable attention to the raising of horses, hogs and short horn cat- tle. In [883 he removed to Clinton and purchased an interest in his present busi- ness, which was established by Philip Wolf in [872. Later the linn became Wolf & McHenry, and when Mr. Bailor purchased Mr. Wolf's interest the name was changed to McHenry & Bailor. In [89] Mr. New man succeeded Mr. McHenry, and lie, in turn, was succeeded 1>\ John h'.. Bryant in September, [900, since winch time business has been carried ( >n under the firm name of Bailor X Bryant. Upright and reliable business men. thev command a liberal share of the public patronage, ami to-day enjoy an I ade which is constantly increas- ing. Besides his business property Mr. Bailor owns a fine residence at No 513 North tenter street, which was erected by linn. Mr. Bailor married Mis- Orilla Lemon. I ler father. ( '< ill irge B. I .euion. was born in Clark county, Ohio, October 1, [809, and was a son of John R. and Re- 11. John R. I : 'in mi vva - a farm- er bv occupation ami served as judge of the county court for several veal's. Colonel Lemon first married Miss Charily Swisher, also a native of (lark o unty. Ohio, and by that union he had six children, live of whom reached man and womanhood. The wife and mother died in 1X4,}. and the fol- lowing year the Colonel wedded Mary J. Woods, and of this union there were six children, all living. lie came to DeWitt county, Illinois, just before the deep snow in [83I, and in [837 was chosen colonel of the state militia, which position he held until [848, taking an active part in raising troops for the Mexican war. with the ex- ception of about one year, during which time he conducted a driig store in Clinton. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. He was a stanch Republican cm<>. ''^ - married to Mis-, (.race Stubblefield. She was horn in Harp township and is the daughter of M. 11. and Mary 1 Foley) Stub- blefield. M. H. Stubblefield was horn in McLean county on April 12, 1S41. and he i- the son of Absalom and Eliza (Pi Stubblefield. Th< ndparents were from Ohio hut moved to Indiana and then to McLean county, Illinois, in 1827, and there the grandfather died in iN<)4. a. eighty years, but his wife died when s wa- only twenty-seven years of age. M. II. Stubblefield, father of Mr-. Scott. Idier in Company A. < >ne Hundred and .■•nth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he was with Grant at Vicksburg, Smith at \\v<\ River and Sherman in his fan* march througl sjia. In [866 Mr. Stubblefield in Harp town-hip, where he now resides with his son-in-law, Ernest Lit Hi- wife died on' May 26, 1900, and -he is buried in \V 1- burn cemetery at Clinton. To Mr. and Mrs. Stubblefield were horn four children, viz: Lafayette, who did in childh I: Edna, who married Ernest Litsinberger, and they live in Harp township and h; two children. Lucile and Lela : Grace, who married Mr. Scott: and Waller, who with hi- father. After his marriage Mr. Sett farmed a year on rented land in 1 wn-hip and then rented hi- father-in-law's farm two hundred and eighty acre- in Harp township, which he now live- upon and where he carries on general farming ami k-raising. He own- one of the tx 254 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. bred " Aberdeen Angus" bulls in the county. The remainder of bis cattle are high-grade Aberdeen AngUS. One child has been burn to Mr. and Mrs. Scott, namely: Ralph E., a bright little fellow. Mr. Scott is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Scott is an earnest member of the Methodist church. They are both enterprising young people, whose future is very bright, and they are destined to be- come wealthy and influential representa- tives '>\ the agricultural interests of De Witt county. \\ 11.1.1AM 11. R.WD \l.l. N'ot only is Mr. Randall one of the prominent farmers of DeWitt county but be i-~ also a business man of ability, and closely identified with all thai promotes en- terprise and enlarges the commercial and oilier welfare of his township and stale. A native of Ohio, he was born in Preble county. September l6, 1S51, and is a s, ,n of Andrew C. and Ursula (Cox) Randall, na- tives, respectively, <>i Treble and Butler counties. Ohio, and the former one of the lust known of the pioneers who came to DeWitt county in the latter fifties. Will- iam II. received his education in the public schools of DeWitl county, and lived on the home farm until twenty-one years <'i age. llis natural ambition and independence then asserted itself, and he started out to face the problem of an individual livelihood. .\s a preliminary, he rented land on section 31, Texas township, for eight years, and eventually purchased one hundred and sis acres on section 30. in the same township. From time to time other lands have come into his possession, and he now also owns a quarter section on section 25, Tunbridge township, llis land is well tilled, and yields satisfactory harvests in response to his in- cessant industry and excellent management. \ large and substantial dwelling has been erected, convenient barns and outhouses, and it is needless to say that all modern implements which tend to scientific and up- to-date farming have been added, regard- less of cost. Eight years ago Mr. Randall purchased an interest in tin- Row ell Eleva- tor Company, of which he is manager, the elevator having a capacity of twenty thou- sand bushels. In politics he is a Republican, and has held the office of collector and school trustee, although he makes 110 effort to se- cure official recognition. Fraternally he is associated with the Kyle Lodge, No. 282, Knights of Pythias, of Kenney, Illinois. On December 3, 1873, Mr. Randall mar- ried Alice Putnam, a native of Scott coun- ty, Illinois, and a daughter of Jason and Eliza (Drummond) Putnam, the former a native of New Jerse) and a farmer during the years of his activity. Mr. Putnam re- moved to DeWitt county manj years ago, and during the latter part of his life lived in Texas township, but later moved to Mis- souri. Barton county, where his death oc- curred in 1881, at the age of fifty-seven years. He was well-to-do ami a reliable and upright man. and v\ . emed by all who knew him. llis wife died before he re- moved to Texas township. 'To Mr. and Mrs. Randall have been born the following children: Frank, who is attending the col- lege at Valparaiso, Indiana, is twenty-seven years of age, and has for some time taught school in 'Texas township; l.uella. who is the wife of Fred Owens, has one child, Hubert, and lives on a farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres on section 19, Texas township: Fred, who is assisting with the Tin-: biographical record. 255 care ami management of the home farm: Harry; Mabel; and Rolla. The children were all born in Texas township, all were educated in the public schools, and the last three named, are living at home. Andrew C. Randall, the father of Will- iam 11.. 1- one of the strong and reliable pioneers in whose keeping has rested the accepted responsibility of bringing aboul the splendid agricultural prosperity of De Witt county. From lands wild and timber covered he has participated in the general development, watched with the eye of the enthusiast the clearing of the trees, the erec tit >n of comfortable homes and the incre ing fertility and yield of the well-tilled acres. A man < the wife of Alfred Geiling, of Ed- gar county. Illinois, and ha- the following named children: Pearl, (ail. Frank, Eva, Homer and Raj ; John, who married Mag- gie Revis, ha- .me child, Alva, and lives on a farm in Piatt county; l.ettie. who is the wife of Corwin Smallwood, has two chil- dren. Clarence and [na, and live- on the home place with her father and husband; Cornelius, wh" i-, a farmer in I'iatt county; and James, who i- farming in I'iatt county with his brother Cornelius, has two chil- dren. Freda ami I. eta. By a former mar- riage with a Mi-- Cochran, who died -even ! 5 6 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. years ago, James Randall had one child. Adelpha. Of the ancestry of the Randall family, the paternal grandfather of Andrew Ran- dall was of English descent, was born in South Carolina and moved to Ohio many years ago with his father and five brothers and tw> sisters, and here the grandparents lived and died. < >n the maternal side the idfather was John Conrow, a native of New Jersey, and of English- Welsh scent, ami who removed t>> Ohio, where he eventually died at an advanced age. CHARLES WALKER ATCHISON. Anient;- the prosperous and substantial fanner- of Waync-villc township there is probabh none more energetic or thorouj going than the gentleman whose name in- troduces tin- sketch. Walker Atchison, as he i- familiarly called, now own- and opi ate- a large and valuable farm on section thirty-one, including the old homestead where he was hern on the 17th of April, 1842. Hi- ancestors on the paternal side were of English and Scotch extraction and were early settler- of Virginia. Hi- lather. [sham Atchison, was hern in that state, in 1X04. and wa- a son of George Atchison, al-< 1 a native of the Old Dominion. At an early day the family removed t" Kentucky. where they were numbered among the pio- neers, and where Isham Atchison grew to manhood and wedded Miss Mary Crawford, a native of that state. They -continued make their In .me there until after the birth ..I' three of their children, ami then came to Illinois in 1833, locating in DeWitt county, where the father entered -nine land and bought mure, it being now the property our subject. The first home of the family 11: this county was a rude cabin, which was later replaced by a more substantial struc- ture of hewed logs. A number 01 war- later the present residence was built and many other useful and valuable improvements have been made as time ha- passed until it i- now a most attractive and desirable farm. In earl) life the father of our sub ject learned the blacksmith's trade, and r coming to this county did hi- own \ oik in that line. He died here in [880 honoied and respected b) all who knew him. The mother departed tin- life in [866 leaving five children, namely: George, now deceased: John l\. who is living with his brother on the old home farm: Charles Walker, of thi- review ; David, a residenl of Waynes\ ille : and Mrs. Elizabeth Eskew, of Peoria, Illinois. Walker Atchison never left the parental roof, and at an earl- ok charge of the farm ami business for his father, who wa- in- well along in years Later he boughl the interests of some of the heir- ami - ceiled to the farm, and has since added to hi- landed possessions until he now has four hundred ami thirt) five acre- of ven valu- able land. Tin- hi >use w here 1 >ur m >w lives and which is now one of the large and substantial country houses of the county. was 1 mill 111 [840, and in it our subject was Imtii. and while many improvements have keen made, it is yet practically the same as the year it wa- built. ( >n the i-t of September, 1864, in Logan county, Mr. Atchison was united in mar- riage with Mi-- Maria Hull, who died July 11, [865, leaving one -on. Isham Johnson, who was reared mi the home farm and edu- cated in the schools of Waynesville. He married Mi— Vina Gambrel, a daughter of William < iamhrel. one of the prominent men ISHAM ATCHISON. THE BIOGRAPHICAL kl < I ut Barnett township, this county, and they on- child, Ethel. For his second wife our subject married Miss Fanny Gordon, of • a county, who died January 29, 1871, and the <'ii!y child born of thai union, Ber 1.. died at the age of tw.. years, ["he last wife of Mr. Atchison was Mrs. Sarah A. ' ivho died Augusi 23, 1892. Mr. Atchison and his brothers arc all stanch supporters of the men and measures of the Republican party, and both John and Walker cast their first presidential ballots Abraham Lincoln, the former in [860, and the latter in 1864. They are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Waynesville, of which our subject has been a trustee for some years, and they are among the most highly respected and hon- ored citizens of the community in which they made their home and at widely known. WALTER M. TAYL< >R. This well-known business man of Clin- ton was born in the city where he still re- September 27. 1865, and is a son of William H. and Lucy (Merrill) Ta and a grandson of Henry and Mary (Mil- ; raylor. The grandfather was born in Delaware in 1816, and in early life re- tinville, Ohio, where he made his home until coming to Clinton, Illinois, -3. Here he embarked in merchan- g as a member of the firm of Taylor & Bell. They purchased the corner now oc- cupied by the Magill House and erected a three-story frame building, stocking the same with a large line of dry goods, boots and shoes. Misfortune them about 1859, when their store was destroyed by fire and they lost almost everything. 12 Durmg the latter part of the Civil war Henry Taylor opened another stoic where Mr. Katz is now engag eneral mer- chandising, and there carried on busini under the firm name 1 if I .. > v Company until 1872, when he commenced dealing in lime, wood, a OUT subject is now located, in a small one-story building formerly known as the iperty. At his death he was eded by his son Fletcher C, who had become ciated with him in business in i>S8o, and in 1894 our subject and his father bought the interest of Fletchei and Walter M. became a member of the firm. The grandfather died in 1891, alter an hi 1 rable and useful Hi /enty-fivi Mis wife passe. 1 away at the ity- two. They had ' children, some whom died young, the othei William II., Homer 11., Fletcher Frank ]'... Mrs. Nellie A. Blackford and Annie I I. William II. Taylor, the father of our rn in < >hio, June 1 . (836, and followed fanning until he joined the I "nil in army in [861, enlistii in Company F, Forty-first Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. His sketch ap] where in this work. Walter M. Taylor, of this review his boyhood and youth in his native city, and at the hig ' in the He then spent threi in southwestern Mexico, where he was in- terested in mining, and on his rein;:, home lined a position as fireman on the Illi- ntral Railroad, remaining in the em- ploy of' that company until injured in a wreck. His spine was injured, and from the effects of the same he has never fully re- as he v. en- e in active business he 1" m- 26o THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. nected w ith the business established by his grandfather, and was in partnership with his father, William H. Taylor, from 1894 until June. 1899, when he became sole pro- prietor. He has purchased more Land, built coal sheds and warehouses, and has remodeled and enlarged the other buildings, and under his able management the busi- ness has increased from a small business thirty thousand dollars per year. He deals in coal, wood, cement, paints, glass, etc., ami has built up a fine trade. He is a wide- awake, energetic business man. who by un- tiring industry and sound judgment has won a merited success, and is to-day con- sidered one of the leading business men the city. Socially he is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and Eastern Star chap ter of the Masonic order, and is quite popu- lar in both business and social circle-, He married Mi-- Cora Robinson, a daughter of R. \Y. Robinson, of Clinton, and they have one child. Lucy A. JOHN" P. BAYLESS. The subject of this personal narrative is one of the most enterprising and progn ive farmers and stock-raisers within the borders of Waynesville township, his home being on the north line of the county, on section 18. He has made his special held of industry an eminent success, and now owns and operates a well improved and val- uable farm of two hundred and forty acres. Mr. Bayless was born in Rush county, Indiana. September [3, (835. His father, Daniel Bayless, was a native of Ohio, born in 1 S 1 _• . and was a son of Daniel Bayless, Sr., who took his family to Rush county. Indiana, in 1820, becoming one of the pioneers of that region. There our subject's father grew to manhood and married Miss Malinda Jones, a sister of Colonel Jones, of DeWitt county, Illinois. Mr. Bayless opened up a farm in Rush county, Indiana, and continued its opera- tion until 1856, when he removed to De- Witt count}, Illinois, and settled in what is now Waynesville township. John P. Bayless was reared and edu- cated in the county of his nativity, but as his school privileges were meager, he is al- most wholly a self-educated man. lie ac- npanied the family on their removal to this county, and remained under the par- ental roof until twent) six years of age. Here he taught school through the winter months for about eight years. Mr. Bayless was twice married, and to these unions were burn eight children. Politically Mr. Bayless is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for John ( . Fremont in 1850, though at local elec- tions he votes independent of party lines. He made the first assessment in Waynes- ville town-hip. but has never cared for office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his farm and business inter- ests. He was made a Mason in [86l, and is now probably the oldest living member of Waynesville Lodge. ISAAC BAKER. Isaac Baker, a practical and enterprising agriculturist of Waynesville township, owns and operates a well-improved and highly- cultivated farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 23. His possessions have been acquired through his own efforts, and as the result of his consecutive endeavor he has become quite well-to-do. Mr. Baker was born on the 19th of Feb- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 261 ruary, 1847, m Morgan county, Ohio, which was also the birthplace of hi> par- ents, Isaac and .Mary (Nulse) Baker. I lis paternal grandfather, Samuel Baker, was one of the first settlers of that state, and at a very early day came to Illinois, locating in McLean county. The father of our sub- ject was horn in 1813, and in early lite fol- lowed the cooper's trade. In the fall of 1859 he and his family came to Waynes- ville, Illinois, hut the following year re- moved to McLean county, where he re- 1 ~ome years. Later he returned to De- Witt county to make his home with a daughter, where lie died in 1885. His wife survived him about three years, dying in [888. They were the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom reached mature years, ami three sons and two daughters are still living. the home farm in McLean county Mr. Baker, of this review, grew to man- hood, receiving his education in the district schools of the neighborhood and in the vil- lage >cho,.ls of Waynesville. He early be- came familiar with every department of farm work, and after leaving the parental 1 in farming on rented land un- til 1887. when he purchased eighty acres of bis present farm, which was then but ijhtly improved. Later be added to it a tract of tdrty acres, making a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 14 and 23. He has built a good residence, a large barn and other outbuildings, has set out fruit and shade trees and made many other improvements generally found upon a model farm of the present day. Resides his own farm, he operates two hundred and seven acres of land elsewhere, and is also successfully engaged in stock-raising. On the 6th of March, 1872. in McLean county. Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Miss Luanda Johnson, a native of that county, and a daughter of Jesse Johnson, who came to this state from Indiana at an early day. She died March 4. [890, leav- ing five children, namely: Frances Ellen, wife of Charles Cunningham, of McLean county; Olive L.. at home: Jacob 1'.. who is married and engaged in farming in Waynesville township: Arthur L. and Sid- ney L.. who assist their father in the opera- tion of the farm. Mr. Baker was again married in DeWitt county. October 21, [891, his second union being with Mrs. Laura Y. Buck, who was born in Logan county. Illinois, and is a daughter of Will- iam Russun, who came to this state from Ohio. By this marriage Mr. Baker has two children. Isaac and Emeline. In his political affiliations he is a - wart Democrat, and cast his first presiden- tial vote in [868, but at local elections he supports the men whom he believes hest qualified for office, regardless of party lines. His life has been one of industry and use- fulness and due success has not been denied him. CYRUS J0N1 3 Cyrus Jones, who is now serving as a >unty a ironer 1 if DeWitt ci lunty, and one of the highly-esteemed citizens of Clinton, was horn in Madison county. Ohio, on the 5th of February, [836. His father. Allen Jones. was born in Culpeper county. Virginia, in [805, and was a son of William Jones, who was probably of Welsh descent. His an- cestors settled in Virginia prior to the Revo- lutionary war. and the records show that several of the family participated in that struggle. The grandfather of our subject followed farming throughout life and died 262 HI]-: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. at an advanced age. His children were Mason. William. Allen, Charles, Mrs. Betsy Rosbery, .Mrs. Lydia Bates, Mrs. Sarah Jones, Mrs. South and Mrs. Nancy Dockum. In early life Allen Jones, the father of our subject, removed to Madison county, Ohio, where he followed the carpenter's and wagonmaker's trades until [855, and then came to Clinton, Illinois. Immediately after he went to Macon county, hut in the fall of 1856 returned to Clinton, where he worked at his trade until his health compelled his retirement, lie bought a story-and-a-half building on the northeasl corner of the square, used as the first postoffice, and after moving it he remodeled the building, con- verting it into a good residence, it being now owned by Charles Hanger. He served eight years as justice of the peace and was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. When a hoy he was a noted flute player and won considerable praise for his playing, lie also played a life for soldiers of 181.', though quite small, a compan) Her- being camped near his fathi home. He wedded Miss Mary Dockum, who was horn in 1807 and died in [865. They were the parents of seventeen children, namel) ssa; Henry, deceased; Ma- tilda, wife of William Tonguet ; Thomas: Milton and 1 >a\id. both deceased : Cyrus, our subject; Amanda and Argus, both deceased; ( 'harle- : Lemuel D. : Samuel ; Charlotte W. : Mrs. Lucretia Ludwick; Mrs. Maria An- derson; John (_). ; and Emma, deceased. rmg his boyhood and youth Cyrus engaged in agricultural pursuits. He accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, and when the Civil war broke out he enlisted in August, 1862, as a pri in Company B. One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participat- ed in a number of engagements and re- mained in the service until the close of the war. being honorably discharged in July, (865. 1 li- first battle was the noted engage- ment at Huff's Ferry, during the siege of Knoxville, and he took part in all the en- gagements in which his company participat- ed, being in the campaign from Chattanoi Atlanta, Nashville and Franklin. ( In his Min to Clinton he resumed work at his trade and has built more fences in the coun- ty than any other man. his specialty being tine picket and fancy fences. lie bought the \\ eger property, which was his home some time, hut later traded it for the Lydia Taylor place, on East Washington street. which lie has remodeled and enlarged, mak- ing a very comfortable residence. Mr. Jones married Miss [sabel Bate-, a native of ( >hio and a daughter of \-,a Bate-, who on coming to this state settled in Springfield. By this union were horn seven children, as follows-. 1 1 1 Edward B. died when only a year old. (2) Herbert C, an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, re- siding in Centralia, married Allie Pulsifrr and they have three children, Goldie, Gale and Maud. (3) tail, junior member of the firm of Caldwell & Jones, who have on, the largest and most popular furniture sto of Clinton, married Susie Edward and they have one child. Doris. 14) Lottie and Xettie are engaged in dressmaking in Clin- ton. Mm Mabel, who is noted for her mu- ll talent, was graduated in music at the Wesleyan College in 1901, and is assist teacher in that institution. 17) Blanch B at home with her parents. In his religious views Mr. Jones B a Methodist, and in his social relations is a member of the Grand Army Post at Clin- ton, of which he was a trustee for several years. Politically he lias always been identi- IHE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 563 tied with the Republican party, and on that ticket was elected coroner of. the county in 2 and 1900, being the present incumbent He i> widely and favorably known, and is held in high regard by his many friends. h. c. SPAiximuk. H. C. Spainhour, who is now living a retired life "ii section 9, Creek township, was bom in Texas township, this county, Feb- ruary 26, [843, and is a son of Thomas - ainhour, whose birth occurred in Casey county, Kentucky, in August, 1819. His paternal grandparents. Warner and Polly (Davenport) Spainhour, were both natives of North Carolina, and after residing in Kentucky for several years came to Illinois in 1817, locating in Sangamon county when this section of the state was inhabited prin- cipally by the red men. Here the father our subject grew to manhood and for many years he was engaged in farming in DeWitt county, but is now living a retired life in Creek township. He tirst married Matilda Willis, also a native of Kentucky, and the mother of our subject. By that union six children were born, three sons and three daughters, of whom three sons are still liv- ing. Since the mother's death the father has been twice married, and by the last union also has six children. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth in Texas and Creek townships, and began his education in a primitive log school hi with its slab benches and puncheon floor. The writing desk was made by a plank laid upon pegs driven into the wall, and where a log was cut out greased paper was tacked over the opening to form a window. The school house was about a mile from the Spainhour homestead. Our subject was only able to attend school during the winter months, but he had some good teachers, in- cluding Logan McMurray, his first teacher. As there was no mill in this locality during his boyhood, his grandfather Willis made a o luple of burrs > lut 1 >f niggerhead rocks to grind meal, and continued to operate these cveral year-. During the Civil war Mr. Spainhour en- listed March 10. tSo_>. in Company < '. Forty- first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Col- onel I. C. Pugh. and tirst went t<> Pittsburg Landing. During the first day of the battle of Shiloh — April 6, 1862 — he was wounded in the left arm and was under the surgeon's care for ten days. On rejoining his com- mand he took part in the siege of Corinth anil then went to Grand Junction, Missis- sippi, and from there to Holly Springs, tak- ing part in the engagement at the latter place. Returning to Grand Junction his regiment went from there to Boliver, Ten- nessee, in the spring of [863. They were next ordered to the Tallahatchie river to in- tercept General Hardy and keep him from crossing that stream. From there they went t< > Memphis and with Grant's ex]>edition started for Yicksburg. but on reaching Cof- feyville they found that the rebels had de- stroyed their rations at Corinth and were compelled to fall back to Holly Springs, where they lived for a week on parched corn without salt until Sherman arrived with pro- vision.-. Returning to Memphis they took boats for the Yazoo river heights above Yicksburg. ami after capturing the fort and raying the magazine at that place they crossed the river ami were in cam]) opposite Vicksburg for a week. They were then as- signed to the extreme left of Grant's army, and were under tire in the siege of Yicks- 264 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. burg for forty-nine days. From there they marched to Jackson. Mississippi, and in the hard-fought battle which occurred there July 12, 1864. the regiment lost heavily, only six- teen out of the three hundred and fifty men who entered the light being able to stack arms around the colors after the engage- ment was over. The remnant of the regi- ment returned to Memphis, and in August, 1864, the survivors were mustered out. Our subject remained in the service, however, and was with General Smith on the Red river expedition, and for a time was at Marietta, Georgia, and Kenesaw Mountain guarding railroads. His command was with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign and cn the march to the sea, and were then given charge of the prisoners captured on that march. By boat they proceeded to Fort Beaufort, South Carolina, and then marched with Sherman to Goldsboro, North Carolina, where Mr. Spainhour was mustered out March 29, [865. He returned home im- mediately, arriving here 'Hi the [3th of April. For two years after the war Mr. Spain- hour was engaged in farming on the shares for Asbury Smallwood. During that time he was married. January [8, 1866, to Miss Deborah Smallwood, a daughter of Asbury and Elizabeth Smallw 1. natives of Vir- ginia. Her father was one of the earliest settlers of Macon county. Illinois, having located there before the winter of the "deep snow." Unto our subject and his wife fif- teen children were horn, seven of whom died young, and David, the oldest, died May 20, 1892, at the age of twenty-four years. Those living are Lura. who is now the wife of John L. Tackwell, of (reek township, and has one child. William Carl: Cory, who married Carrie Harrow and is operating a part of liis father's land; Virvin and Ellis, both at home ; and Xettie, Maude, Russell and Alma, all in school. After leaving his father-in-law's farm Mr. Spainhour operated a grist and sawmill on Salt creek, in Texas township, and then returned to the Smallwood farm. Later he erected a flouringmill on the Sangamon river in Macon county, but after running it six months he sold out and returned to Creek township. DeWitt county, where he rented the Peter Murphy farm one year. lie then returned to the old place and remained there until 1874, when he bought eight) acres of land in Nixon township. This he disposed of six months later, and then purchased one hundred and sixtv acres of his present farm in ("reek township, to which lie has added from time to time until he now has four hundred and twenty five acres of well im- proved and highly cultivated land on sections 4, 5 and 9, and also has eight; acres on section 10. lie has given considerable at- tention to stock raising, hut in [901 laid aside all business cares and is now living a retired life. lie started on bis b sines- leer without a dollar, and the success that be lias achieved is due entirely to bis own in- dustry, good management and excellent busi- ness ability. During the war hi ded in saving thirteen hundred dollars. In politics Mr. Spainhour is a Democrat, and as one of the leading and prominent citizens of bis community be has been called upon to till official positions of honor and trust, lie served as collector several terms, and was county supervisor six consecutive terms, during which time he yas a member of all of the important committees, such as the finance and poor farm committees. He is a member of ( iilman Lodge, No. 455. K. 1'.. and his wife is a member of the Chris- tian church. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 265 JOHN II. SAVELEY. John Henry Saveley, one of Clin wide-awake business men, whose success in painting, paper hanging and bill posting has brought him into prominence, was born in Urbana, Champaign county, Ohio, on the 2ist of May, 1845. and is a s<.>n oi Henry and Ellen T. (Niles - eley. natives Virginia and New York, respectively. His paternal grandparents. Jacob and Elizabeth Saveley. were also natives of the Old 1 >o- minion. From that state they removed to Ohio and in 1S52 came to Illinois, living for a time in Clark, Schuyler and Shelby counties. The grandfather, who was a farm- er by 1 -ccupation, died at the age of seventy- His children who reached y< of maturity were John. Jacob, M. D., Ge 3 rah Ann. Laney. Polly and Hen- ry. The father of our subject also followed farming and died in Ohio, at the ty-four years, leaving two children: John II.. and Elizabeth, wife of Mat Crable. of Paris. Illinois. The mother subsequently be- came the wif : Sai el S rords, by whom she had two children. Lincoln and Emma. She died July 21, 1S7S. at the age of fifty- six year-. Being quite young when his father died John H. Saveley made his home with his pa- ternal grandfather until ten years of age, and then started out to make his own way in the world, first working as a farm hand. Later he learned the plasterer's trade. While living in Shelby county, in 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company F. Fifty-fourth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and served nearly four years. He had previ' lusly had but little Opportunity to attend school, having pur- sued his studies only for a few months in a log school house, but while in the service he became interested in education, and while not on duty devoted his time to studying the books which he bought. After his return home he attended school for a time, and by reading and study has never ceased to im- prove his mind. On the 3d of November, 1865, ^' r - - v ley came to Clinton and opened an ovster sa- loon, to which he later added a stock of arrying on that business for a year and a half. He subsequently worked at the plasterer's trade, and on the 18th of July, [870, began painting and paper hanging, which business he has successfully followed ever since, employing many men during the bus !. He commenced bill posting in a small way in 1870. using old build on which to post his bills, his first place be- ing the old coal house on the court h< ire. covering its sides and roof. Later he had a bill board around the court h< square and has kept on increasing the space until he now has room f< >r fourteen hundred -beets. He is a charter member of the Illi- ii' >is Bill Posters' Association. In his paint- ing, papering and decorating he is unex- celled by any one in the county. He has been distributing agent for the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad in this city for the past five years, and i- recognized as one of the most energetic and enterprising business men of the place. He is now the oldest resident of Monn >e street, his home being at 515. where he first erected a two-room house, but has since enlarged and improved it. and now owns two residence- across the street. Mr. Saveley married Miss Ada Dalzell, who was l>orn in South Egremont, Mas chusetts, May 10. [849, and i- a .laughter of John and Eliza (Seeley) Dalzell. The father was born on the uth of July, t8l6, in County Down. Ireland, where hi- parents, Robert and Mary (Ballentine) Dalzell. -pent their entire lives. He and his brother 266 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. David emigrated to America and located in' South Egremont, Massachusetts, where he served a seven-years' apprenticeship at car riage trimming. He subsequently went to Cleveland, < >hio, and still later to CJnionville, that state, and worked at his trade. While there he entered the Union army in 1861. Firsl Ohio Regiment Artillery Volun- teers, Company C, serving until the close "i the war. In [ 872 he came to Clinton, Illinois, and trimmed the first phaeton made at this place. He was an expert at liis trade. From ■choice he Spent hi-- lasl days at the Soldiers' Home in Dayton, < Ihio, where he died Sep- tember 13, 1890, and at his request was buried there. His wife, who was born Sep- tember 14, 1816, died in [860. Their chil- dren were George and Ann Eliza, both de ceased: \da. wife of our subject; Charles Henry, a residenl of Texas; and William, deceased. For twenty-six years Mrs. Save- ley carried on dressmaking in Clinton, era ploying from three to five girls and receiv- ing the patronage of the leading families of the city, 1>\ whom she is held in high esteem. She was very successful in business, and is very pi ipular and well liked. Mr. and Mrs. Savele) have four chil- dren, Charles Henn learned his trade with his father and worked with him until [899, when he went to Chicago, a id is now special police for the Chicago & Alton Railroad. He married Anna Cochran. Warren S.. a painter and paper hanger and hill poster of Clinton, married Dora Williams, and the) have one child. Edward. David L., who is in the employ of the telephone company at Clinton, married Mannae Bower and has one son, Henry. William !•'.. also a painter ol Clinton, married Cordelia Phillips, and their only son died in infancy. In politics Mr. Saveley is a stanch Re- publican and served as alderman from his ward two years. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and religiously he and his wife are 1: e ibci - of the Methodist Episcopal church. JAMES 11. PRICE. Among the energetic and successful tanners of Wavnesv illc township, whose success is due entirely to their own unaided efforts, is numbered the subject of this bi- ography, who now owns and operates a line farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 10, within a mile and a half of the \ illage 1 if Waynesville. I fe was born on the t2th of September, [839, in Page county, Virginia, of which state his ancestors were early settlers. I lis father, William Price, was also horn in that county, aboul [799, and on reaching manhood was united in marriage with Miss Mar) Decker, a native of the < >ld Dominion and of German de- scent. After farming for some years in his native county, William Price came to Illinois, in [850, and settled at Brooks Drove. Tazewell county, where he died in [852. I lis wife only survived him about two years. After the death of his parents James ||. Price was thrown upon his own resources, and his early life was fraught with many hardships and privations, For some time he worked as a farm hand. In [854 he came to DeWitt county and was in the eiTlploj of Samuel llainmitt for four or live years. Feeling that his country needed his services during the dark days of the Civil war, he enlisted in August, [862, in Company A, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. His first engage- JAMES H. PRICE. MRS. J. H. PRICE. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ment was the battle of Krioxville, Tennes see, and was followed b) the Atlanta cam- paign. After the battle of Resaca Mr. Price was taken ill and sent to the hospital in Knoxville, where he remained three weeks. lie was then placed "ii detached duty in the quartermaster's department, where he served until the close «'t' the war. lie was mustered out at Knoxville and honorabl) discharged in time to reach home on the 4th day ot' July. 1865. For several year- there after he was engaged in farming "ii rented land. In September, [867, in this county, Mr. Price was united in marriage with Miss I'.ar- thena Williams, who was hum on the farm where Mr. Price now resides, and was a daughter of Moses and Catherine E. Will- iams, of whom extended mention is made 111 the sketch of S. Dean Williams, mi another page of thi> volume. About 1871 he pur- chased his farm on section 19, Waynesville township, and to its further improvement and cultivation he has since devoted his at- tention with good results. The land is now well tiled ami fenced and under excellent cul- tivation, and a good set of .buildings adorn the place, making it a most desirable farm. In connection with general farming our suh- ject is also engaged in stock raising. Mr. Trice's first wife died in [879, and was laid to rest in Fremont cemetery. Mc- Lean county. She left three children, name- ly: 1 1 1 William M. is a well educated young man. having attended the Waynes- ville Academy, and also taking a commer- cial course at a business college in Lexing- ton. Kentucky. For eight or ten years he successfully engaged in teaching school, hut is now assisting his father in carrying on the home farm, lie possesses - 1 business ability and takes quite an active and promi- nent part in local politics, serving as a incin her of the count) hoard of supervisors three terms of two years each. While filling that office he was chairman of some important committees, and a member of a number of Others. lie has also served as township trustee three years, and has been a delegate to numerous comity and congressional con- ventions of the Democratic party, with which he always affiliates. (2) Mrs. Mvra Griffin is the next of the family. (3 1 Mar) Catherine is the wife of Matthew Connell, the present supervisor of Waynesville town- ship. Their only child. John S., died in in- fancy. In [88] Mr. Price married Mrs. Sarah Milhurn, who was horn in < Ihio, but was reared in Logan county, Illinois, where she was first married. By the second union there are two children, Leslie and Leo. The Democratic parly has always found in Mr. Price a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples, and he cast his first presidential vote For Stephen A. Douglos, "the Little Giant," in i860. He served six years as commis- sioner of highways, and was an efficient member of the school hoard ten or twelve years. He and his son William M. are both members of Waynesville Lodge, F. & A. M., and he als.. belongs to the Grand Army Post at that place, and his son to the < )dd Fellows lodge, in which he has filled all the chairs and is now past grand. For the success that he has achieved in life Mr. Price deserves great credit, ami he well merits the high re- gard in which he is held by his fellow citi- zens. HENRY J( ISEPH WAGNER. This well-known farmer, residing on sec- tion [5, Wilson township, is a man whose Successful Struggle with adverse circum- 1 inces shows what can be accomplished by 272 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. industry and economy, especially if a sensi- ble wife seconds his efforts to secure a home and competence. Coming to this country with no capital he was obliged to make his way in the world without the aids which are usually considered essential to success. Mr. Wagner was horn in Prussia, Ger- many, January _'_'. [836, and is a son of John Joseph and Anna Man 1 Kaus) Wag- ner, who spent their entire lives in that coun- try, the father being a well-to-do farmer. In the family were nine children, all oi whom are still living. Those who came to America are John, a gas litter of New York City; Charles, a blacksmith of the same place; Eliza, who is living in New York state; and llcnrv J., of this rex iew. As is customary in his native land our subject attended the public schools until fourteen years of age and dien learned a trade, working in a hatter's establishment for two years and a half. I 1c then returned home, where he spent aboul six months, and later was employed in a hotel for a time. Believing that the new world furnished bet- ter opportunities to ambitious young men. he came to America in [854 on the old sail- in- vessel. New York, which landed him safely in New York City after a pleasant voyage of thirty-two days, lie was accom- panied on this trip by his brother John. For about s, x months Mr. Wagner re- mained in New York, working at anything which he could find to do, and then went to Pennsylvania, where he worked as a farm hand at eight dollars per month for six months. In [855 he went to Lee county. Illinois, where he was employed in a hotel for two years and a half, and then secured work on a canal boat on the Michigan & Illinois canal, where he remained until [860. He then went down the Mississippi river to Vickshurg. where he worked as a mason's assistant until the fall of that year, when he went to Xew ( Irleans and was employed as a bus driver until the Civil war broke out. Returning to Illinois, Mr. Wagner en- gaged in chopping wood during the follow- ing summer, and then worked in the harvest fields of southern Illinois, and later around Bloomington, as the crops there were not readj tor harvesting quite as soon as those farther south. At the close of the harvest season he found employment in a brickyard at LeRoy, McLean county, where he re- mained two years and a half, and was next engaged in farming on rented land, in part- nership with another gentleman, for six years. On the expiration of that time he bought eighty acres of laud on section 15, Wilson township, DeWkt county, a part of which had been broken, with an old house standing thereon, hut there were no other im- provements. He planted hedges, set out fruit and shade trees, erected a good resi- dence and nice barn, and made many other improvements, so that he now has one of the best farms in the locality. He has also extended its boundaries from time to time until he now has two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land under a high state 1 if cultivate m. On the 17th of December. [864, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Bohn, also a native of Germany, who came to this country in [854 at the age of ten years, and to them were born nine children, as follows: 11) Charles, now a resident of Iowa, is married and lias three children. John. Sarah and Blanche. 12) Anna is the wife of William Jones, of Bloomington, Illinois, and has three chil- dren, Margaret. Frank and Anna. (3) Mar- garet is the wife of Peter Quailey. of Cali- fornia, and they have two children. 141 Xancv is the wife of Daniel Sullivan, of THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 273 Memphis. Tennessee, and they have two chil- dren, Albert and Frances. 1 5 1 John, a resi- dent of Wapella. married Minerva Green and they have one child. Laurence. ath- erine is a resident of Bloomington. 1 - Henry, (8) Frank and (9) lames are all at lv>me. The mother of these children died in 1884. Mr. Wagner was again married. October 15, 1805. his second wife being Mrs. Berttie Kline, who was horn in Germany, and re- mained at home with her parents until 1872. her father being a wealthy farmer. She then took passage on a steamer at Hamburg, and after nine days spent upon the water landed in Xew York City. Three days later she started for Bloomington, where she worked out for a year, and in 1873 was united in marriage with James Johnson, an English- man, who died February 7. 1883, leaving two sons. Herman and Frank. She was without a dollar in the world, all that she had being her trunk and a few clothes, and at once sought employment that she might support herself and children. She worked as a housekeeper and at other occu- pations until July 12. 1884. when she wedded Joseph Kline, also a native of the father- land. They started in life with nothing, but by their combined effort- and untiring in- dustry they acquired five city lots in Normal, Illinois, which she still owns. Mr. Kline 1 early in the year 1895. and in the fol- lowing October she became the wife of our subject, as previously stated. She had only -i-ter. who died in Bloomington about 0. Mrs. Wagner i< a most estimable woman, who has proved to her husband a true helpmate, aiding him in every possible way. and to her he attribute- not a little of his success in life. He i- -till successfully in general farming and stork-rais- ing, and is now cue of the well-to-do citi- zen- of his community. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as school director. but has never card for p tlitical horn Both he and hi> wife are member- of St. Pat- rick'- church at Wapella, and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them for their genuine worth and many ex- cellencies of character. AIAIX W. HUFFMAN. Alvin W. Huffman, of Farmer City, is the proprietor of one of the finest and larg- livery and boarding stables in DeWitt county, and is one of its most energetic and progressive business mert. He was born in this county on the 5th of July, i860, and is of German descent. His paternal great- grandfather, Christian Huffman, not only served four and a half years in the Revo- lutionary war. but was also in the war [812 for eighteen months. His earlv home was in Pennsylvania, but his last days were spent in the ( )ld Dominion, where he died at the age of eighty years. He had eight chil- dren, namely: Daniel, George. Laban, Christian, Jonas, Mr-. Elizabeth Helmick, Mrs. Arbogast ami Solomon. The last named. Solomon Huffman, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born in Greene count). Virginia, and was married in Randolph county, that state, to Elizabeth Westfall, who died young, leaving two children. Benjamin and Cornelius. For his second wife he married Hester Bonner, by whom he also had two children. Job and Sylvanus. Throughout life he followed farming and died in Pendleton county, Vir- ginia, in 1884, at the age of eight} years. He was a member of the Method i-t Epis- copal church and a man of many -terling qualities. , 274 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Cornelius Huffman, our subject"* father, was born in Pendleton county, Virginia, Au- gust 4. [833, and in early life traveled con- siderably. In 1854 he came to 1 )eWitt coun- ty. Illinois, and purchased a small tract of railroad land, which had been slightly im- proved by Henry Huffman. To its further development and cultivation he devoted his energies for some years, and as time passed added tn his original purchase until he is new a large land owner. Since [895 he has lived a retired life in Farmer City, where he owns a line home. 1 le is an earnest member of the United Brethren church and a Pro- hibitionist in iH.litics. lie married Mi-- Elizabeth Vance, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hensley) Vance, earl) settlers of thi-> cunty. She was lmrn in Athens county. Ohio, March 5. [838, and died Jan- uary 4. 1890. She was the mother of the following children : Alvin \V.. our subject; a son who died in infancy; Sophronia E., wife of S. F. Lewis; Sylvanus G., a resident of Clinton; Laura C, at home; George F., a resident of Weldon; and Nora B., wife S. E. I [1 'line-. Alvin W. Huffman grew to manhood upon hi- father's farm anil assisted in its labor. lie began life for himself upon a farm of eighty acres, which he subsequently sold, and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in McLean county. ( >n disposing of that place be pur- chased a farm in Santa Anna township, De- Witt county. He now own? two hundred and forty acres of land in Sangamon town- ship, Piatt county, Illinois, where for some time be was successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of fine horses. He has owned some valuable trot- ting stock, and for bis age is considered one of the best judges of horses and other stock- in this county. Besides his property in this state Mr. Huffman owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Kansas. On the tst of November, 1900, he purchased of J. D. Ingles a good livery business in Farmer City, which was established in [889 by J. E. Foster. Renting his farm he has since given his attention to the livery business, and is meeting with excellent success. He has en- larged and remodeled his barn until it is now- one of the best in the county, and it is well equipped, as he keeps about thirty head 1 >l' hi irses and twent) di >uble and single turn- outs, besides two 'buses and two cabs. He is always on hand to meet the sixteen trains which arrive daily in Farmer City, and in the conduct of his business employs six hands. .Mr. Huffman was first united in mar- riage with Mi-- Martha Rutledge, a daughter of John A. Rutledge. She died \la\ jo, [886, and in [889 Mr. Huffman married Miss Belle Mcrilield, a daughter of John ami Rebecca (Johnson) Mcrilield. Her maternal grandfather was John John- son, an earl\ settler of Wilson township, this county. ( In the paternal side her great- grandparents were James and Hannah Mcri- lield. natives of Virginia, who died near Le- l\oy, Illinois, the former at the age of eighty seven years, the latter at the age of sixty-five. Their children were Henry, John, Olive, Mary, Sarah, Nellie, Otha and Sam- uel. Henry Mcrilield, Mrs. Huffman's grandfather, was born in Greene county, Ohio, and died at the age of seventy-seven years. He made farming his life work, and efficiently served as sheriff of DeWitt coun- ty. 1 lis wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Conway, died when about seventy years of age. Unto them were born the fol- lowing children: John. Benjamin, Rachel, William, Aquilla, Newton, Providence, Mary, Hannah. Emilv, Harvev and lames. John THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Merifield, the father of Mr>. Huffman, born in McLean county Illinois, August i. •id in early life followed farming in Wilson township, DeWitt county, but in - Id his property there and bought a place near Farmer City, where he now re- he joined the boys in bhu mpany G, Ninety-Fourth Illinois Volun- Infantry. and served until the close of the war. He is now an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is nch Republican in politics. He has ten children, namely: James 11.. Charles E., n I\. Belle, Addie, Cera. Sherman, Jacob, Maud and Ilattie. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman are the parents three children: Ray. John and Dewey. Relig they are members of the United Brethren church, and politically he is identi- fied with the Democratic party. In business affairs he is prompt and notably reliable, and he commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact. [ARLES R. GIDEON". One of the busi -t energetic and most enterprising men of Clinton is Charles R. Gideon, who deals in alT kinds of paper and paints and carries on a large bush painting, papering and decorating. He was born on the 3d of July, 1850, on East Main street, Clinton, in a house that occupied the site where Mrs. Holderman nsw reside- is a son of George William Gideon, wh for many years an honored citizen of this place. The founder of the family in Amer- ica was Peter Gideon. Sr.. a native of Hol- land, who, in company with his wife and son, Peter, Jr., started for the new world prior to the Revolutionary war. but the wife died en voyage. Peter, Jr., located in Maryland, Inn afterward remo .oudoun county, \ irginia, where he followed fanning until his death. Both he ami his father. Peter, S fought for the independence of the colonies in the Revolutionary war. The former died at the advanced age of ninety-six year-. He had three son-. ' William and Henry. Of this famil) Gideon was the nd father of our subject. He was born in Maryland and about 1819 removed to Cham- paign county. Ohio, where he made his home until coming to Clinton, Illinois, in 1S47. Here he conducted a hotel, where the Ma- ic block i- now located, but the build- ing was afterward m the father ur subject, remodeled and converted into what is now known as the City Hotel. The grandfather laid out the Gideon additi to Clinton, it being now a residence portion 'ie city, and his home was on East Main street, where Mr-. Holderman now li Socially he was a member of the Mas< >nic der. He died at the age of ninety-tw and his wife, who bore the maiden nann Elizabeth Miller, and v a native Virginia, died at the Their children were ' s Armstead; Peter; Wesley; Samuel: Jacob; Mr-. Sarah therine, who first married a Mr. Gerry and second a Mr. Campbell: ) Ann Parker: and Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell. subject's father, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1813, and accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, and later to Illinois. He purchased a farm of eighty acres adjoii Clinton, on which the Woodlawn cemet has since been laid out. and he tied what is now the Charles Kellogg plai in the _ business in Clinton, and later bought the old Campbell store, which was a twostory 276 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. building. This he moved to the lot adjoin- ing the City Hotel, and up to the time that he was railed to his final rest he conducted a hotel in this building. lie attained the age of seventy-six years. As one of the leading and influential citizens he was several times elected to the town council, and also filled the office of justice of the peace for a time. Fraternalh he was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. In early life he married Miss Lydia Kidder, who was born near Hartford, Connecticut, in 1811, and died in 1868. She was a dan-liter of Nathaniel Kidder. In early life Charles R. Gideon, of this review, learned the art of house painting, papering and decorating, to which business he lias since devoted his energies, and is to- day one oi the leading business men in his line in the city, employing seven or more men during the busy season. Since reaching manhood his sons have been associated with him. 1 te has done the painting and decorat- ing on man\ of the principal buildings of the city, and his own handsome residence. erected in 1900, excells all others in decora- tions. He possesses mpch artistic talent and has a rare and choice collection of drawings and paintings which he executed himself. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the l'ni\ersalist church, to which his father also belonged, but his grandfather held membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal church. In [873 Mr. Gideon wedded Miss Mary C. Bell, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of George and Phcebe Bell, of this county. By this union were born five children: George Walter. Paul, Edwin, Flora Belle and Pheebe Ellen. The si ins are all associated with their father in business. George Walter married Mrs. May Stell. JOSEPH ROBB. Prominent among the citizens of DeWitt county, who have witnessed almost the en- tire development of this section t<\ the state, is Joseph Robb, a thrifty and successful farmer residing on section 34, Waynesville township. IK' was born on his present farm May 2, 1830, and is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of this county. He is a brother of Eli 11. Robb, of Clinton, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this \"l- ume. Amid pioneer scenes our subject passed his boyhood and youth on the old homestead, receiving but a limited education, his time being principally devoted t" assisting his fa- ther in the arduous task of transforming the wild land into well cultivated fields. He re- mained at home, caring for his parents in their declining years, and after the death of his father traded for and bought the inter- ests of the other heirs, and succeeded to the farm, which comprises one hundred and sev- enty acres. After his marriage he located upon a part of the place, but a few years later returned to the parental roof that he might better care for his parents. He has since built a good house and barn and made many ■ ■tiler useful and valuable improvements. On the 4th of November, 1852, in De- Witt county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Robb and Miss Uhoda Ann Baker, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel C. I'.aker, who came to this county in 1836, and was numbered among its pioneers. For forty years she was an invalid, and her suf- ferings ended in death July II, 1897. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church for forty-five years and hers was an ideal Christian life. Mr. Robb has two daughters: Mary L., wife of Charles L. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 177 Morris, of Elm Grove, Barnett township, this county; and Anna K.. who is now the widow of Charles M. Finfrock, and resides with her father. The latter had seven chil- dren, namely: Eva, who met death in a railroad accident. July [6, io<«>. when si enteen years of aye: Harrv R.; Ada; Edna: Alva: Leslie and Wilbur. In politics Mr. Robb was originally an old-line Whig, hut he supported Ahraham Lincoln for the presidency in [860, and has since been a stanch Republican, hut he has never cared f< >r i iffice. 1 le is a faithful mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, of Waynes- ville, and is a man highly respected and es- teemed by all who know him. He can re- late many interesting incidents of pioneer days, when this locality was almost an un- broken wilderness, and in the wonderful transformation that has since taken place he '; a very active part in early days. In September, 1899, he and his daughter had a most enjoyable trip through the east, visit- ing .id Independence Hall and other points of interest in Philadelphia, and also the cities of New York. Washington and other places along the Atlantic coast. He went to the top of Washington monument, where he had an elegant view of the capital city and the Potomac as its threads its way through most beautiful scenery down to the sea, also visiting Arlington Heights. .Mount Vernon and the mountain- of Tennessee and Virginia, coming home through Kentucky and crossing the Ohio nver at Cincinnati. STILLMAN A. CHAPIN. Stillman A. Chapin, one of the oldest living ami most highly respected pioneers of DeWitt count\. who is now passing his last years in ease and quiet at his home in DeWitt, was born on August [3, [821, in Madison county. Illinois, and i- a son of Hiram and Martha 1 Day 1 Chapin. By oc- cupation the father of our subject was a farmer ami in [819 came to this State and tir-t settled in Madison county and later re- moved to Sangamon county, hut the place where he settled is now in Menard county. Here he resided until 1828. In that year he came to this county and took up his resi- dence near Waynesville. Here he remained for a number of years and successfully en- i-d in his chosen occupation. In 1835 he removed to DeWitt township where he lived until 1S54. He died in McLean county in 1871, :., enty-four years. In life he was successful, and on locating in this coun- ty he entered a number of acres of land, which he placed under a high state of culti- vation. In politics he was a Democrat and was called upon to till most of the township offices. The maternal grandfather of our sull- ied. Edward Day. was a soldier in the Rev- olutionary war. and came to this county with Hiram Chapin. where he resided until he was called to his final rest at the aye of sev- enty-seven years. His remains are buried in the DeWitt cemetery. Stillman A. Chapin, like most of the boys in those early days, received nothing more than a common-school education, but along the lines of work his training was not limited, and he early acquired the art of farming. Up to the time of his marriage he remained at home and gave his father the benefit of his services. His union with Miss S -an Larterty t. >ok place in [843. She is a daughter of Samuel Lal'ferty. who was a native of Virginia. Later in years he he- came an early settler of Ohio and in 1869 he came to this state, where he died in 1872. 278 THE P.IOGRAPHICAL RECORD. As a resull of the marriage of our subject his wife bore him the following children: John, who died in infancy; i _• ) Hiram, a resident of McLean county, a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, and now engaged in the practice of his profession; Samuel, also a resident of McLean county, a graduate of Jefferson Medical Col- lege, Philadelphi in the prac- tice of medicine; i 4 ) Mary, now the widow of Thomas Cottingham; William and Finis, both deceased . (5) < harles, who is uate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, a practicing physician in Blooinington. In 1N4S or [849 our subject entered one hundred and sixty acre- of unimproved land in DeWitt township. This he placed under cultivation and also erected a good set oi farm buildings, including a line residence. Here he resided until 1856, when he traded for other land in the immediate vic'imtj on this he made his home until [864. Hav- ing sold this he next bought land near the village of DeWitt. where he resided until 1S70. when he moved into the village of De- Witt, and here he has since resided. In con- nection with farming he was als< d in the raising of horses, cattle and hogs for market, and at one time he was interested in the mercantile business of the villi has always been a linn believer in the Democratic party and by that party he was elected to till the office of justice of the peace, which position he continued to till for almost thirty years. His first presidential vote was cast for lame- K. Polk. Frater- nally he is a member of the Masonic order of DeWitt. belonging to lodge No. 261, and i- now sen ing as chaplain. Religiously both he and his wife are active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Chapin have the distinc- tion of being the two oldest living settlers of DeWitt township and are one of the old- est married couples in the county, having been married Eor fifty-eight year-. They are people of the highest respectability and count their friends by the score. CHARLES D. D< (WNING. This enterprising and progressive citizen of VVapella, who is now engaged in the grain business, was born on the old homestead farm near that village, Ma\ 2, [863, and be- longs to an old Kentucky family, his pa- ternal grandfather, Reason Downing, being a pioneer of Mason county, that state. Tl the lather, lame- E. Downing, was born Ma\ 22, 1823, and on reaching manhood was married there to Mis- Susan Downing, who was also a native of Mason county. Her grandfather, Timoth) Downing, who was one of the first settlers of that locality, took part in some of the frontier wars became a noted Indian fighter. In 1852 father of our subject came to Illinois, and er farming for about a year in McLean inty, purchased eighty acres of land in Wapella township, DeWitt county, which he broke and improved, opening up a good farm. His first home here was a log house. in which he lived for several years, and he later built a good large residence. He add- ed to his landed posessions from time to time and becami the substantia] farm- er- and stock 1 of the county. His 31 wife died in [868, and on the 2ist of 1 vtober, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Best, also a native of Ma-011 county. Kentucky. lie died Janu- ary 31. 1884. honored and respected by all who knew him. By his first marriage he had seven children, five of whom reached C. D. DOWNING. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 28f years "t" maturity, namely: Eleanor; Reason; Joseph, James T. and Charles D. The children by the second union were Elizabeth R., wife of S. J. McNutt, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Besl and an infant daughter, deceased. During his boyhood Charles 1 >. Down- ing attended the home -«.]i< >■ »1 . and remained with his father until the later' s death, after which he had charge of the old farm for a few year-. lie was married in this county. September 28, [892, to Miss Mary 11. Mc- Nutt, a sister of S. J. McNutt, previously mentioned. She was born and reared in Kentucky. After his marriage, Mr. Downing lo- cated on a farm in Wapella township, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, and he made many improvements upon the place, transforming it into a line farm with good buildings, a nice orchard and well tilled fields. In connection with farming he also engaged in raising and feeding grade and pure blooded polled Angus cattle and 1 horses, and was accounted one of the most thrifty and enterprising agriculturists of his community. Renting his farm he removed to Wapella in [90b, and now has charge of the grain and coal business of the Roger Bacon & Company of Chicago, hav- ing control of their elevator there since .897. Mr. Downing has always given his po- litical support to the men and measures of the Democratic party, as did his father be- fore him. and he cast his first presidential ballot for Grover Cleveland, lie has been a delegate to county, congressional and state conventions, and for a number of years has been a member of the county central com- mittee, with which he i- still connected. He exerts considerable influence in the councils of his party, and ha- taken a 13 very active and prominent part in public affairs, lie served two consecutive terms o< count) supervisor, and while a member of the hoard he served on the finance, road and bridges and poor farm committees, lie was also township collector one term and a member of the school board several years. Mr. Downing i-^ a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors, fraternal insurance societies, and 1- one of the most popular and highly respected citizens of Wapella. WILLIAM 11. McFARLAND. William II. Mcbarland is one of Clin- ton's most highl) respected citi/ens. whose useful and well-spent life has not only gained for him the confidence of his fellow men but has also secured for him a comfortable competence, which enables him to lay aside all business cares and spend his declining days in ease and retirement. Mr. McFarland was born in Fayette county, Ohio, February [9, [832, and during boyh 1 was taken by his parents, Jesse and Lavina McFarland, to Marshall count). Illi- nois, where he was reared upon a farm. In early life he became interested in the grocery business at Wenona, this state, lie came to Clinton in [863 and in partner-hip with I 'aniel Wright, under the firm name of Mc- Farland & Wright, opened a general Sfc on the present site of Katz' clothing store. Three years later our subject sold out and -pent eleven year- a- a commercial traveler, lie next conducted a drug -tore .'lie year, and at the cud of that time formed a part- nership with J. 1). Rogers, under the firm name of McFarland & Rogers, in the furni- ture business. Shortly afterward he pur- 282 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. chased Mr. Rogers' interest, and after being alone for a time he admitted Mr. Mcintosh to a partnership in the business, their store being where the firm of Lemon & Harris is now located. On disposing of his interest in the furniture business Mr. McFarland practically lived retired for seven years, but being of an active temperament he tired of this and in [888 embarked in the same line of trade with M. R. Colwell and Carl Jones, under the firm name of McFarland, Colwell & [ones. They carried on business together until the isi of September, [900, when Mr. McFarland sold his interest and has since lived retired. During the seven years lie previously spent in retiremem from active labor, lie engaged in the lire and life insur- ance business 1,1 a limited extent, and still does a little in the way of life insurance. In connection with Daniel Wright he built the brick residence adjoining his present In .me, and subsequent!) purchased Mr. Wright's interest in the place, making it his home for thirty years. He still owns the house, but * ten years ago built the handsome residence which has smce been his home. lie also erected the adjoining house on the east seven years ago. He owns other real estate, in- cluding the block now occupied by l.al'terty & Bosserman as a shoe store, erected by him in 1876 on the site of the old Mahan grocery. In 1892 he erected the tWO-Story brick block now occupied by Colwell & Jones. In [851 Mr. McFarland was united in marriage with Miss Eliza, daughter of Ira Wright, of Marshall county. Illinois, ami to them were born six children, all of whom are now deceased, namely: Sarah, who died at the age of thirty-three years; Ira, at the age of seven years; Curtis, at the age of five and a half years; Benjamin A., at the age of nineteen months; Clara Belle, in infancy; and William, at the age of one year. Sarah married Augustus V. Lisenby, who was born in this county and served several years as deputy clerk under his father. James Lisen- by, and later was elected county clerk two consecutive terms. Subsequently he went to Fresno, California, and is now cashier in the Fresno Savings Hank. He built a tine house east of Mr. McFarland, which is now owned by our subject, In politics he is a Democrat. For his second wife he married a niece of our subject's wife. Emma Wright, daughter of Daniel Wright, and to them has been In n'u < me s, ,11, t arl. In his political affiliations Mr. McFar- land is a Prohibitionist, being an earnest advocate of temperance principles. He has served as alderman of the city, but has never taken an important part in public affairs. Religiousl) he is an active and faithful mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as class leader and in other official capacities; and socially is a member of the Odd fellows Lodge, En- campment and Rebekah Lodge, being past grand of the subordinate branch. During the long years of his residence in Clinton he has championed every movement designed to promote the general welfare, has support- ed every enterprise for the public g 1. and has materially aided in advancing the social and moral interests of the city. After a use- ful and honorable career he can well afford to lav aside all business cares and live in ease and retirement. GEORGE W. HELMICK. ( )ne of Santa Anna township's most suc- cessful farmers and stock raisers js ( ieorge W. Helmick, whose entire life has been passed in DeWitt county. He was born in THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 'S3 Rntledge township, on the 27th of August, 1859, and i- a son of Elihu Helmick, whose sketch appear.-- elsewhere in this work, He grew to manhood on the home farm, and received the best of training in agricultural pursuits under the able direction of his fa- ther. He assisted in the work of the home farm until twenty-five years of age and then took charge of the place, carrying it on for years. With all the views of an ambi- tious young man. full of energy and life, lie entered largely into the stock business, and has successfully engaged in that pursuit ever since. He bought the Mickens farm, now- owned by Mr. Haynes, but after operating it two years he -old out and removed to Farm- er City, where he was engaged in the ice business for some time, being the only dealer in that commodity in the city. While resid- ing on the farm he also engaged in threshing and corn shelling. Disposing of hi- business there in 1895, Mr. Helmick purchased one hundred and twenty-three acres known as the C. H. Hud- dleston farm, and also bought an adjoining forty-acre tract known as the Crum farm, both being located in Santa Anna township. He has since enlarged the barn, built corn cribs and made other improvements, and in the 1 >perati' in 1 >f his land shi >w s that he is one of the most systematic and successful agri- culturists of his locality. He has a tine herd of thoroughbred Shorthorn and polled Dur- ham cattle, and is also breeding thorough- bred Poland China hogs. He is fast coming to the front as one of the most successful Stock-feeders in the county, and in all his undertakings he has steadily prospered, be- ing a man of more than ordinary business ability and sound judgment. Mr. Helmick was married October 29, 1885. to Miss 1.' mine Fuller, a daughter of Daniel Fuller, and they have one child. Min- nie May, who vvas born in Rutledge town- ship, September 2, [889. After attaining his majority Mr. Helmick voted the Demo- cratic ticket for some time, but is now a standi supporter of the Prohibition party, having always been a strong temperance man. In [899 he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is now an active member and steward of the same. FLOYD C. SHEPHERD. The family of which our subject. Floyd C. Shepherd, is a worthy descendant., orig- inated many generation- ago in Ireland, some members of it coming to America and locating in Kentucky about 1792. Grandfa- ther Louis Shepherd, a native of Kentucky, engaged in farming in that state, and became known as a successful stock-raiser. In 1829 he moved to Morgan county, Illi- nois, and was one of the pioneer settler-. There he died, leaving a family of six chil- dren, five boys and one girl. Francis Shepherd, who was a son of Louis and the father of our subject, was b >m in Morgan county. Illinois. February [833, and there grew to manhood on a farm and married Clementine Wilmore March S, [857. Her death occurred on the 1 2th day of December. [860. Floyd C. her only child, wa- born November 10. [860. Following this Mr. Shepherd enlisted August 15. 1862, Company F, < Ine Hundred and Twenty-sec- ond Infantry Volunteers of Illinois, for serv- ice in the Civil war. faithfully performing his duty until its close. He participated in the battle- of barker'- CrOss Roads. Ten- >see, December ,^. [862; Tupelo, Missis- sippi. July 14. [864; Nashville, Tennessee, December 15-10. 1864, and also siege of 284 Mil-: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Fort Blakeley and Mobile, Alabama. He was discharge at Mobile, Alabama, July 15. [865, and mustered out at Springfield, II line >is. '- ugust 4, [8l 15. After his return from the army Mr. Shepherd engaged in various lines, both in DeWitt and in Macoupin counties. Janu- ary 27, 1 Si .7, in the- latter county, he v married to Miss Kate 1. Cobb, of Lawrence burg, Kentucky. In [868 Mr. Shepherd moved to Franklin county, Kansas. There lie engaged in farming and stock raising un- til [895, when lie removed to Richmond, Kansas, where he and wife lived a retired life, no children having been born ol this marriage. Floyd C. Shepherd was horn in Harp township, DeWitt county, Illinois, and after (he untimely death of his young mother, he was taken to the home of his grandparents, James P. and Martha Wilmore. The) were natives of Virginia, but came to DeWitt county in [846, and settled in what is now known as Harp township, and here engaged for many years in farming, he dying in 1S77. while his wife passed away in 1873. 11. »yd Shepherd grew to manhood in DeWitt county, remaining their comfort and sup- port until their death, when he returned to his father in Kansas, and resided with him for one half years, at the expiration of that time returning to DeWitt county, where he received his schooling. Mr. Shepherd began t" depend entirely up' m his own resources at an early age. I le began t<> engage in farm work in the locality where he was well known, being emplo; first by J. M. Britton, and continued in this line until [882. However, during the win ters the work mi the farm is almost suspend- ed, and in 1879 Mr. Shepherd began to teach during this season, through ('reek and Mai"]) townships, and succeeded so well that he continued in this profession until [895. In 1883 he moved into Lane Creek town- ship ami for two years was engaged in the tile business with Lane & Thompson, and also engaged in [arming and stock raising in Harp township after his marriage, which took place the next year. In [895 he began buying grain, dealing fur himself, hut later he located in liirkhcck and entered into ne- gotiations which resulted in his being made rent in this line for the great linn of Rogers, Bacon Company, of Chicago. I he marriage of Mi-. Shepherd was on March [3, [884, t<> Miss \11na Ik Lane, who was horn in (reek township, and who was a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Ann Lane. This family was one of the. old ones 111 the county, and came from Tennessee. Mrs. Shepherd was one of eighl children horn to her parents, and was the sixth in or- der of birth, the survivors being: Cicero, who lives in Sullivan, Illinois: Sarah, the wife of Edward Danjson, lives in Lane: Margaret, the w ife of M . ( '. I )avenpi >rt, lives in (reek township; William lives in Lane. The children horn to Mr. and Mrs. Shep- herd are two bright, intelligent school boys, Wilson Epler, who was born on June ~j, [885, and Benjamin Otto, who was horn ( (ctober 20, [886. In politics Mr. Shepherd is a Democrat and has served fout terms as supervisor and has keen a member of a number of important committees in the township, and has efficient- ly held every township office, except that of constable, lie is a frequent delegate to the various political conventions and has been an e member • if his party. Socially Mr. Shepherd is connected with the order M. W. A.. Clinton ( lamp, X". ,}"4- He is a leading member of the Christian. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RED >KD. church of Clinton, in which he is a deacon ami a liberal supporter. Mr. Shepherd nuns one hundred and thirteen aero of land on and 29, and i- regarded as one of the substantial men of this locality. lli> siness brings him into association with many, and he is noted for his honesty in dealing, as well as his g 1 judgment in buyii g WILLIAM II. TAYLOR. William II. Taylor, who is one of Clin- ton's representative citizens and a popular traveling salesman, was horn on the 4th of June. 1836, in Muskingum county. Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Mary E. ( Miller 1 Taylor. History records 'hat there were four brothers of the Taylor family who came to this country from Scotland, one locating in Pennsylvania, another in Delaware, and the third in Virginia, while the fourth, be- ing a sea captain, was lost at sea. Nathaniel Taylor, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a son of the one who settled in Dela- ware. He married arid throughout life fol- lowed farming. Henry Taylor, our subject's father, was horn in Delaware and in early life emigrated !•• ( >hio, where he wedded Miss Mary E. Miller, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1853 they came to Clinton. Illinois, which was then a small town, and in company with Henry and I I Jell and Henry Lutzen- barger, Mr. Taylor purchased the vacant Corner where the Magill House now stands. and erected a large two-story frame build- ing, which they Stocked with general mer- chandise, being Successfully engaged in busi- ness there until 1857, when a tire destroyed their store and its contents. Later Mr. Taylor, in partnership with A. J. Blackford, rented a building and again embarked in merchandising, under the linn name of Tay- lor & Blackford, but dining the panic of [873 they failed ami he again lost every- thing. Nothing daunted, however, be opened a small coal office, where our subject's son, Walter, is now carrying on business, and his son, Fletcher, became associated with him in 1880 and later succeeded to the business. He was a strong man. Imth physically and mentally, and although he twice met with misfortune in business he always gave lib- erally of his means to all enterprises tor the public good. His fellow citizens recogniz- ing his worth ami ability called upon him to till many official positions. Both he and his wife were active members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and were highly re- spected and esteemed by all who knew them. He died in 1891, at the age of seventy-seven years, and she departed this life in [898, when over eighty years of age. 'Their chil- dren were George; William IT: Samuel K.; Mary E. ; Homer 1!.; John T.. who died in infancy; Fletcher C. : a daughter who died in infancy: Frank X. : and Annie. William H. "Taylor, of this review, came to Clinton with his parents, and assisted his father in business until 1857, when he opened a shoe store in the rear of his father's place of business. After the fire which de- pyed their property, he formed a partner- ship with Mr. Toury, and carried on the same line of business until after the Civil war broke out. In [86i Mr. 'Taylor enlisted in Company F, Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to second lieu- tenant in March. [862, and to first lieutenant on the 1st of l Kt' 'her of the same year, after which he served as adjutant of the r< ment. He was in the service three years and one month. Being si\ feet in height, broad shouldered and of line physique, his was a 286 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ci immanding figure, and lie made a hand- some officer. Those who served under him still speak in glowing terms i if their first lieu- tenant. On his return from the war Mr. Taylor again engaged in the general store business until [872, when he went upon the road as a traveling salesman for the grocery house of Harmon, Merrian & Company of Chica- go, which since the death of Mr. Harmon lias become Merrian, Collins & Dexter. During the years thai have since passed Mr. Taylor has remained in their employ, hav- ing now been with them almost a quarter of a century. In [868 the Magill Brothers built what is known as the Magill House, which i^ a large three-Story brick structure on North (enter street, extending from the square to Washington street. This our sub- ject bought in [898, and has since remod- eled and enlarged it by building a thirty-two- Fool addition on the west. Ii is to-day a g 1 modern hotel— the best in the city. For his home he purchased the Coverdale propertj at [OO6 Easl .Main street, which is a beautiful place, the elegant residence being surrounded by wide lawns, shady dri . lovely trees and shrubs. His first home was on the corner of Washington and Jackson streets. Mr. Taylor has been twice married, his first wife being Lucy, daughter of James II. Merill, and to them were horn three children: Walter M.. whose sketch appears elsewhere in tins volume; Emma, whii died young: and Lula. who died in infancy. The wife and mother died in 1S73. at the age of thirty-four years. In 1875 Mr. Taylor mar- ried Miss Jennie Renick, by whom he also had three children: Xellie married Dr. Charles Bogardus, a prominent physician of Clinton, ami died in 1901, at the age of twenty-five years. She was one of the lead- ing young ladies of the city and very pop- ular. William H. enlisted in 1900 as a pri- vate in Company 1), Thirteenth United States Regiment, and is now serving at Dangupon, Philippines Islands. Edward M. was also in the service, enlisting at Den- ver, Colorado, in May, [898, in the First Colorado Infantry, at the first call for troops t.. In- sent to Manilla. With his regiment he started for San Francisco, May 17. and on the 14th of June, on the steamer China, for Honolulu. On the 4th t>f July they stopped at Wakes Island, where General Green ami Colonel Hill planted the United States flag, and fourteen days later landed at Camp Dewey, on the Island of Luzon, seven miles from the city of Manilla. There they began throwing up entrench- ments within one hundred and twenty-five yards of the enemy's lines. They took part in the famous battle of Manilla, and the bat- tles of Hesty, Manquena, Antapelo and I'ar- anaque, besides many skirmishes, being un- der fire iii' -1 ' if the time. < >n the 4th 1 if July, itjoo. they received orders at Manilla ii' embark for home, and arrived at San Francisco on the toth of August. Edward M. Taylor was mustered out on the 8th of the following September and returned home. In 1901 he opened a grocery store in Clin- ton, in connection with his brother Walter II.. and is now conducting 'he same. He can relate main thrilling experiences of his life in the Philippines, which if written would make a very fascinating book. Fraternally Mr. Taylor is a member of Lodge No. 84, F. & \. M., of which he was master three terms, and was a member and high priest of the Chapter. He is now serv- ing as trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which the family have been connected for several generations, and have always been active church workers. Our THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. subject lias never cared for office, but lias always taken a commendable interest in all enterprises calculated to advance the welfare of the city which has now been In* borne for almost fifty yeai JOHN VV. FOSTER. John W. Foster, who is now so suc- tlly conducting the county farm of De- Witt county, in Barnett township, was horn in Logan county, Illinois, on the 6th of March. 1 84' .. and i> a representative of one of the early families of New Jersey. There his paternal grandfather, William 1 was born, reared and married, and later re- moved to Ohio, but he subsequently re- turned to his native state, where his death occurred. A. J. Foster, the father of our subject, was horn in Xew Jersey hut was 1 in Ohio, and there married Mis< Eleanor Morgan, a native of that state. At an early day they removed to M county. Illinois, where they were numbered ami ing the pioneers, and fri 'in there went to Logan county, where the father, whi a miller by trade, owned and operated "i flouring mill six miles west of Atlanta. In he took up his residence in Wapella township. DeWitt county, and devoted his attentii >n t> > farming there and in Tun- 1 2 t. iwnship throughout the remainder of his life. The subject of this review was prin- cipally reared in this county, and educate! in its common • - After reaching manhood he was in the employ of the lib- eral Railroad for two years, but with that exception his life has been mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits. Receiv- ing the appointment as superintendent of the county poor farm, he took charge of the place on the i-t of January. 1900, and has since given his entire time and attention to it* management with most gratifying re- sults. On two different occasions during his incumbency the honorable county board has made a thorough examination of the way affair* have been conducted upon the farm, and all have been greatly pleased with the present management, believing that they have found the right man for the rig place. On the 25th of November, [875, in this county. Mr. Foster was united in marriage with Miss Elva Metz, a native of Pike coun- ty. Illinois, and a daughter of J. 1',. Met/. who is now a resident of Wapella. She died in 1804. leaving two children: Ruth- erford, who subsequently died at the age of seventeen years: ami Ambrose, who assists his father in the management of the county farm. Mr. Foster was again married in Logan county, in 1S0O. his second union being with Mi^ Emma Wingate, who was born in that county. Her father was Dr. Wingate, who died in Kansas. The only child born <>f our subject's second man-. died in infancy. By his ballot Mr. Foster has always been stanch supporter of the men and m< ures of tlie Democracy. He was made an ( ) state. He died in 1853, at thi fifty-two years, and his wife in [846, at the of forty-two years. They were the par- ent- of seven children, who reached mature irs, and four of the family are still liv- ing, namely: Tillmon, of this review: William 1!.. who is represented mi another page of this volume; Marinda, a resident of Nebraska; and Polly Ann. wife of Jerry Lane, of Lane, Illinois. For a short time during his boyhood Tillmon Lane pursued his studies in the sub- scription schools of Hamilton county. The old school house was built of 1> >!^s with a puncheon floor, greased paper windows, and hewed log benches. Here he was a student a few weeks during the winter. After the removal of the family to DeWitt county he spent six months in school on Rock Creek, about two miles east of Waynesville, which was really a good school for those days. This completed his education with the excep- tion of a week of study in a school located about two miles from his home in Creek township. At that time there were no roads in this locality, and in going t. > and from school lie would have to break his own way through the snow and brush. Mr. Lane was reared to farm work, and remained at home until twenty-one years of when he entered eighty acres 1 if land in ■k township at the land office in Dan- ville, it requiring three days to make the trip. In 1N47 he laid the first government land warrant entered at that place, it being a Mexican war land warrant. In 1847 and 1848 Mr. Lane broke forty acres of his land and built a one-room house, sixteen by eighteen feet, besides fencing his land. I his first crop of wheat he received fifty-seven cents per bushel, selling the first crop at Clinton for one hundred and fifty dollar-. which was the most mone) up to that time. Later he hauled 1 lels of wheat to Chicago, which was then a -mall town and a veritable mudhole. This trip consumed twelve days. A- he prospered in his farming operation- he added more land to the original purchase and to-day owns three hundred acres, having sold one hun- dred acres in lots which now form the town ■ I Lane. This place was laid out in 1873, and he has since made two additions. Mr. Lane ha- engaged in general fanning hut has devoted his attention principally to the raising of cattle and hog-. Since 1873 he has also been interested in grain buying, and in [898 was made agent for the Middle Di- vision Grain Company at Lane. On the 15th of November, 1848, Mr. Lane married Miss Elizabeth Thompson, who was horn in Kentucky, of which state her parents. Jeremiah and Nancy Thomp- son, were also natives. During her infancy the family removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, and in the fall of [836 came to De- Witt county, locating in what is now Creek township, where Mr. Thompson took up g eminent land and engaged in farming. Both he and his wife lived to a ripe old age, he dying at the age of eighty-six years, audi she when about eight}- years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lane were born children, as follows: 1 1 1 James ck- dealer, shipping to Chicago and Blooming- ton market-, married Mis- Susanna Graham, ami they have six children, namely: \\"lhy. Una, Lizzie'. Tillmon, Ruth and Montgom- ery; ( _' ) Ellen, who married David Lark' of Creek township, and died, le ice children, namely: lame-. Ona, Nathan, Noble and Ira; (3) Martha, who is the wife of George Gibson, of Forrest City, Mason county. Illinois; 14) Jane, deceased, was the wife of Harvey Graham, of Creek town- 294 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ship; (5) Richard, who has charge of the grain business for his father at Lane. He married Erne Luttrell, and they have one child. French; (6) Jerimah, residing on one of Mr. Lane's farms, is married to Miss Nel- lie Roberts; (7) Ezekiel, a resident of Ne- braska, and a farmer by occupation; (8) William, a farmer, and now a resident of Lane. Lelander and John J. are both de- ceased. Mrs. Lane, who was a consistent mem- ber of the Christian church, died February 21, [884, and was laid to rest in the Lisenby cemeter} of Creek township. For his second wife .air subject married Mrs. Sarah Mc- Aboy, \\i«l<'\\ of Benjamin McAboy, of Creek township. For alm>>st half a century Mr. Lane has been an active and prominent member ol the Christian church, and ha- been officially con- nected with it for many years, lie 1 member of Delphi Lodge, X". 84, F. & A. M., of Clinton, and 1- a stanch supporter of the Democratic part) and it- principles. He ha.- served a number of term-, a- supervisor, and was a member of many important com- mittees, including those -elected to purchase .1 -ite f^r the 1 r farm and sell the swamp lands (if the county. In [872 he was elected to the general assembly, and was a member .if that body when the statutes of the state were revised. Through the sixty-six years of his residence in He Witt county Mr. Lane has become widely known and his many ex- cellent traits of character have gained him the high regard of main friend-. Hi witnessed almost the entire development of the county and has taken a very prominent part in it- improvement. When he located in Creek township there were but fifty acres of land under cultivation within its borders, and there were no roads and fences. Game of all kinds was plentiful, and a number of Indians were still here. In early days Mr. Lane bought stock all over central Illinois, and rode hundreds of miles on horseback Over the wild prairies. l-.l.l HUGH l« IBB. Among DeWitt county's honored pio lieers none are more deserving of mention in this volume than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, and who i- now living a retired life in Clinton, lie was horn in Maury county. Tennessee, July 27, [825, and is of Irish descent, hi- paternal grandfather having been a native of the Emerald Isle. His father. John Robb, was horn near Charleston, West Virginia, and -pent hi- early life as a planter in Ken- tucky, where he married Mi— Barbara Rob- inson, lie then removed to Maun county, nessee, where he became owner 01 small farm and engaged in agricultural pur- suits. Selling his place for four hundred dollar-, he started for Illinois. May 3, iS-'O, with two yoke of oxen, accompanied bj wife and ten children. On their arrival in DeWitt county he took up a tract of eighty acre- of government land, now owned by his son Joseph. He was one of the earliest settlers of the county, and suffered all of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. His first home here w a- a rude log cabin, which was subsequently replaced by ;, g 1 hewed-log house, where he reared his family around the old-fashioned fire- place. At that time it took two or three days to go to mill and market. As the years passed he prospered in his new home, and at the time of his death owned four hundred and fifty-five acres of land. His children were: James R., Samuel H., Will— THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 295 i;mi K.. Elilm. Thomas C, Elizabeth G., Isabel, Mary Jane and Lovina C., all 1>< >ra in Ten- s nd Joseph, G id John, born in this county. All readied man anil womanhood with the exception of Isabel, who died at the aye of seventeen years. Mr. Robb, of this review, spent his boy- hood and youth on the home farm, and on leaving the parental mot. at the aye of twenty-two years, rented his brother's farm, which lie Operated until three years after his marriage, and then bought one hundred and - of land in Barnett township, which he greatly improved and still owns. He continued to carry on farming until ?93, when he rented his place and removed to Clinton, where he is now living a retired life, enjoying a well-earned n In 184S Mr. Robb married Mi-s Clarissa B. Lanter. who was lx.ni eight miles west of Springfield. Illinois. April 14. 1827, ami is a daughter of Rev. Peter and Eliza I.. 1 Pivi- ner t Lanter. By this union were horn the following children: 1 1 1 James H. married Margaret J. Martin and has three children. Samuel E., Marie E. and James 0. - - Charles E. married Harriet D. Lynce and has one daughter. Helen M. (3) Peter married Dora Bradley and has two sons, < ■. Lester and Thomas B. 141 Perry R. wed- ded Mary Boyce and has >ix children: Al- bert Ferrill, Clarissa A., Ruby D.. Luella and Pearl. (5) Julia B. is deceased. (6) Ida May is the wife of Henry Teal and has six children: Maud. Chester, Lester, Jo- seph, Florence and Nellie. (7) Samuel P. maried Lena Morse and has one child. Roger K. (8) Luella F. is the wife of C. Britten and has one daughter, Lura I'. Mr. Robb i- a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and for the long period of fifty-four years has been a faithful and con- sistent member of the Presbvterian church. He has never used profane language, to- bacco or liquor, and is a most exemplary Chri-tian gentleman, who commands the re- spect and confidence of all who know him. JAMES A. FOSNAUGH. Among the leading merchants and rep- resentative business men of Clinton, lllii i> James A. Fosnaugh, proprietor of one of the best general st> ire> 1 »f the place. 1 le horn in Fairfield county. Ohio, September I'). [848, a son of Ezra and Eliza 1 Bushee) Fosnaugh. His paternal grandfather Jacob Fosnaugh, who was horn in Penn- sylvania of German ancestry, and who a farmer by occupation. He was twice mar- ried and by the first union had six children, namely: Eli, Noah, Amos, Edward, Mrs. Eliza Swarts and Mrs. Lape. The children by the second marriage were Hiram. La- fayette. Cornelius. Jerome, Archibald, Ade- line and Artemes he maternal grand- father of our subject was Jacob Busl who was of French descent, and lived to be over eighty yea:- His children were Maria. Martha. Mary. Eliza, John and Jesse. In 1856 the father of our subject came to Illinois and located on a farm in Piatt county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying there I October 1. iNj,}. at the age of forty-nine years. His wife, who was a native of Fairfield county. Ohio, died in m 'i. at the aye of seventy years. They were the parents ,,f eight children: Jar A., of this review; Salina, wife of George McCabe; Theodore, a resident of Spring- field, Illinois; Europe, of Lane. Mini Eiifus, of Piatt county: Dora Alice, wife of William Dungen; Laura Belle, wife of I. Dilsaver, of White Heath; and Irvin. of I Kcatur. 296 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. The subject of this sketch was only eight rs old on the removal of the .family to Piatt county, Illinois, and he grew to man- hood '>n the home farm, his education being acquired in an old time log school house, where he pursued his studies until fifteen pears of age. During the following ten vcars he engaged in farming, and then en tered the employ of the Indianapolis, Bloom- ington & Western Railroad, being appointed station agent at Lane, DeWitt county, in [875, and filling that position for three and half years. In 1878 he opened a g eral store at that place as successor to the firm of Nilson & Kidder, and also built the residence known to-daj as the Ed Danison home. Later he opened a branch store at DeWitt, which he conducted for a year and a halt', and then, in 1NN7. removed his stock 1 if goi »ls fn in that place to ( llinton. Leav- ing his bn ither Eun >pe in charge 1 >t the si, ire at Lane, he has since given his personal at- tention t" his lmsiness in t llinton. He 1 ries a large and w< d stock 1 >1 dry- goods, l)i h.is. shu/s, groceries, in fact every- thing found in a first-class general store.and lias built up an excellent trade, lie began mercantile business on a capital of eight hun- dred dollars saved from his hard earned salary, hut being energetic, enterprising and industrious, he has prospered, and is to- day one of the besl rated merchants of the County. lie is also connected with tin' electric light plant. As a home, he bought the Kelly residence, which he has since greatly impri >\ ed. In [872 Mr. Fosnaugh was united in marriage with Miss Kitty Cunningham, a native of New York city, who lost her par- ents in childhood and was reared and edu- cated by James Wade, of Worcester. Massa chusetts. She is a handsome woman of high social qualities and verj popular, being a leader in society. By this union were horn four children: Rovenia, now the wile ol A. 1-". .Miller, state's attorney of DeWitt county; Irwin !•".., who is his father's assist- ant; Austin, who is studying law with A. I". Miller; and Lee, who is also with his lather in the si, ire. Fraternally, Mr. Fosnaugh is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and politically is a supporter of the Democratic party. While a resident of Lane he served as justice of the peace four years, lie is not only one of the leading business men of Clinton, hut is a public-spirited citizen who is thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the ci immunity. FRANCIS CUNNINGHAM. The subject of this sketch, who has passed the Psalmist's span of life of three score years and ten. is now living retired with his son, C. F. Cunningham, upon the old homestead on section 17. Wapcll.t town- ship, lie was horn in Washington county. Pennsylvania, August 31, 1830, and is a son of William Cunningham, of Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, lie was edu- ed in the common schools near his boy- hood home, and assisted his mother in carrying on the farm until reaching man's estate. In [853 Mr. Cunningham first came to DeWitt county, Illinois, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 17. and twelve aires of timber land on section 21, Wapella township, hut did not locate there- on until the following spring. There was an old frame house upon the place and a portion of the land hail been broken, To FRANK CUNNINGHAM. MRS. FRANK CUNNINGHAM. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 3° r its further improvement and cultivation he ;it i •nee turned his attention, erecting u; « »« •• 1 and substantial buildings and placing the entire tract under cultivation. lie a added to his original tract until he had one hundred and sixty-four acres <>t" rich and arable land, and continued its cultivation for many years. For some time he made his home in Heyworth, but is now living a retired life on the old homestead, enjoy- ing a well earned rest. lie yet owns a dwelling house and t\\<> lots, and also a liv- ery barn and one lot in Heyworth. In Randolph township. McLean county, Mr. Cunningham was married in 1856 to Miss charity Gossard, a native of R county, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth Gossard, who came t" Illinois about 1855 and settled in McLean county. By this union were born nine children, of whom the following named are still living: John married Emma Burton and resi< in California: William married Delia Honey and lives in Nebraska; May is the wife of John Wykle of Denver. Colorado: Lou is the wife of Lean Williams of De- Witt county, llinois; Charles married Ella Baker and is now operating the old home farm: George married Jessie Hedrick and i- engaged in the livery business in Hey- worth, Illinois; Fred is a farmer of Mc- Lean comity, and is married to Xettie Brock; and Ed is at home and is married to Eva Jackson; and Eva, died when about one year old. The mother <>i the family passed away in [891, and was laid to rest in Sugar Grove cemetery. DeWitt county. She was a member of the Methodist Epico- pal church. Politically Mr. Cunningham ha- been a life-long Democrat, and has supported ev- ery presidential candidate of that party since voting for James Buchanan in [856. He was a member of the Methodist 1' pal church at Sugar and i- a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. J< >SEPH DIETRICH. Prominent among the German-American citizens residing in DeWitt county is this well-known and thrifty fanner whose home is on section 33, Barnett township. He was born July 26, 1841, in Baden, Germany, of which place his parents. Michael and Jo sephine 1 Pikel) Dietrich, were also natives. In [857 the family emigrated to America and settled in Sangamon county. [Him where the father died shortly afterward, The children were then reared by the mother in that county. There Joseph Dietrich grew to manhood with limited educational advantages as he had but little opportunity to attend school. He is therefore almost wholly a self-edu- cated as well as a self-made man. After leaving home he worked by the month as a farm hand for several years, and then com- menced fanning for himself upon rented land. His time was thus passed in San- gamon county until 1N74. when he removed to Logan county and operated a farm near Lincoln for over twentj In [894 he removed to Barnett township, DeWitt coun- ty, where he had previously purchased the farm of one hundred and sb'.ty acres which he now owns and occupies. This is now under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good and substantial build- ings. In Sangamon county, March 4. [869, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dietrich and Miss Elizabeth I Messier, who was Ix.rn in Bayer, Germany, and in [861 came to the 302 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. new world with her parents, George and Valentine Pressler, who spent their last days in Sangamon county, Illinois. There Mrs. Dietrich was reared, making her home in Springfield for several years. To our sub- ject and his wife were horn ten children, live sons and five daughters, namely: Joseph and George, both farmers of Macon county, Illinois; Jacob, a resident of towa; John and Henry, who are now carrying on the home farm; Mary Louisa, who is now ke ing house for her brother George; Elizabeth, wife of Anton Farlow, of Springfield; Emma, wife of George Bloye, of DeWitt county; and Minnie ami Carrie, both at home with their parents. Mr. Dietrich east his first presidential ballol for Abraham Lincoln in [864, and since that time has never failed to support the Republican party at each presidential election, lie is a member of the school board in his district, and does all in Ins power to advance the moral, educational and material welfare of the community in which lie resides, lie and his wife v reared in the Lutheran faith and are people of the highest respectability. They began their married life in limited eircumstam hut by their combined efforts have steadily- prospered until they are now quite well- do. MARTIN P. SO i Among the comfortably situated citi- zens of Texas township who have sur- rounded themselves by the necessities and some of the luxuries of life by their own efforts and habits of high morality, thrift and perseverance, is Martin i\ Scott. I lis birth occurred near Rock ('reek. DeWitt county, Illinois, on March 27, 1850, and he is a son of John \Y. and Lieuenda (Blair) Scott. John \V. Scott was a farmer all his life as well as a physician by profession, and for a number of years after locating in Rock Creek he practiced in that locality as well as in Clinton, but as he grew older he de- voted his attention to his farming interests, and in whatever he undertook was very suc- cessful. This good man lived until our subject was about forty years of age and died while erecting a pleasant home for his family and himself in Texas township aboul two miles si .nth of the city of Clinton. J lis willow, who passed her eighty-seventh birthday in February, [901, resides with our subject in Texas township. Eight children were horn to this good man and his wife, namely: Elizabeth, who married Abraham Mooney, oi California; Sarah Ann, who married Robert Bennett, of Clinton, Iowa, and he is a contractor ami carpenter; Mary, who is the widow of William Kirby, who died about four years ago in Tunbridge township, and he was a fanner: Zirelda, who is the wife of II. C. Strange, and he is a fanner of I e\as township; Lorenzo Dow, a farmer of California; our subject; Vina, who is the wife of Henry 111-1111111. of Tun- bridge township, who is a farmer; John was killed by a train in Tunbridge about seven years ago, and he was a farmer, ami left a wife and children. Martin I'. Scott obtained his education in DeWitt county in tin- common schools and remained Upon the home place with his mother until he was fifteen. At that time, young as he was. this enterprising young fellow started out in life for himself and worked by the month for the farmers in the neighborhood. lie afterwards rented a farm in Texas township, which he farmed for one year, and then, having saved a suffi- II IK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 303 cienl amount of money, he purchased a small farm. After cultivating 11 and plac- ing it in excellent condition, this young business man disposed of it at a g 1 profit and invested his money in real estate until he is now the possessor of one hundred and sixteen acres of rich farming land in Tun- bridge township, in section [3, which ho has in a fine state of cultivation and on which is a good house and the necessary buildings, lie also farms what is known a- the Hall farm in Texas township, and it consists .if one hundred and thirty-live acres of the best land to he found in the State. This farm he operates himself and rents his other farm. In addition to carrying on gen- eral farming he raises stock to a certain ex- tent, and his product always finds ready ..11 account of the excellent condition of the cattle and horses. Not only is Mr. Scott an owner of farm property hut he also owns live good houses and lots in the city of Clinton and one house and lot in Kenney. On November 15. 1871. Mr. Scott was rried to Miss Hattie Baker, a daughter of Lanson liaker, of Texas township. Mr. I laker was one of the early settlers and farmers of the county, and he died in 1872, and his widow survived him until June. I'lim. The part taken in local affairs by Mr. Raker was a prominent one. and he came to this locality front Logan county, ' >hi. 1. about 1S60. Eight children have been horn to Mr. and Mr-. Scott, all of whom are living, namely: Aha, who is the wife of Charles Kirk, of Kenney; Charles, who resides four miles north of Birkbeck, engaged in farm- ing, ami he married Grace Stubblefield and they have one child, viz: Ralph: Ida. who is the wife of Fred Henderson, and he is a son of |bhn Henderson, of Tunhridge town- ship, and Fred is a fanner of Tunbridge town. hip: Effie, Blanche, Matie and [na, all of whom were born in DeWitt county, ! exas tow nship, are at home. Mr. Scott and wife are active members die Christian church, to which he is a very liberal supporter and in which they are well liked. Socially Mr. Scott is connected with the order of < )dd Fellows, and has al- ways taken a great interest in that organi- ton. From the time he cast his first vote Mr. Scott has upheld the principles of the Republican party, and his influence in party matters is of weight throughout the town- ship. Starting out in life with a view of making a success ,,f his endeavors, he con- centrated his natural abilities upon this en. I. and. possessing a thorough knowledge of his business, he has forged steadily on until lie is novv of the substantial men of DeWitt county and a highly respected one. JOSEPH ARMSTRt >NG. Joseph Armstrong, who is familiarly called Uncle Joe by his numerous friends, owns and operates a well-improved and val- uable farm, pleasantly located .mi section _>, Wapella township, within a half mile of the village of Wapella. Jle has made his home in DeWitt county since [855, and dates his residence in the state from 1853. A native of England, Mr. Armstrong was horn in ( 'umberlandshire, on Christmas ei e, [829, and is a son of Joseph and Ann 1 Hatherton) Armstrong. T7ie mother died in that country and about [859 the father came to America, and spent the remainder of his life in Clinton, Illinois. At one time he Started for California, but on reaching Omaha, Nebraska, he retraced Ins steps and 304 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. again took up his residence in Clinton, where he died when about eighty one years of age. He married his third wife in this country, and she survived him, dying in [890. Mr. Armstrong, whose name introduces tin- review, grew to manhood upon a farm in his name land, and as hi- school privi- leges were limited in early life, he is almost wholly a self educated, as well a- a self-made man. In [853 he took passage at Liverpool on the Ocean Herald, an American sailing vessel, and made what was then considered a quick trip of twenty eight day-, arriving in New York in June of thai year. I le came direct to Illinois, and celebrated his firsl 4th of July in Bloomington. For a shori time he worked for Jesse Fell, a blacksmith of Normal, and was then employed a- a farm hand by the month in 1'iatt county, where he spent two years. In [855, as previously stated, Mr. Arm- strong came to DeWitl county, where he worked by the month several years, and later engaged in farming on rented land for some years. His first purchase consisted ol eighty acres on section 35, Wapella town- ship, which was then but slightly improved, and t.i its further development and cultiva- tion he has since devoted his energies, lie has added to this a tract of thirty-six and a half acres, has tiled and fenced the land, has built a Lrge, neat residence, barn and out- buildings, and today has a well-improved and beautiful farm. In connection with general fanning he is also engaged in stock raising. Mr. Armstrong was married in this comity, to Miss Ellen Stafford, who was also born and reared in England, and came to the new world when a young woman. They have only one child living: Isaac, who is married and now operates the home farm for his father. Joseph, another son. died in infancy, while Elizabeth, the only daugh- ter, grew to mature years and married Harry Mabie, and died leaving one child. Maud Elizabeth, who finds a home with her grand- parents. Politically Mr. Armstrong is a Repub- lican, hut he has never cared for office, pre- ferring to give his undivided attention to his farming interests. He came to the new world empty handed and began life among strangers with 110 money to aid him. hut by his own labor and enterprise he has met with success, and is now the owner ot a good property. He has also won the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has come in contact l>v Ins upright, honorable course ill life. NATHANIEL HELMICK. farmer City is the home of many men who are now passing their last days re- tired from the more active duties of life. Among this class of citizens we find the honored subjeel of this sketch, who, al- though now in his eighty-fifth year, is still hale and hearty. Mr. Ilelnuck was born in West Vir- ginia, lulv jo. [816, and is a son of Adam and Katherine t Hoffman ) Helmick. both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where the family settled prior to the Revolu- tionary war, in which great struggle for American independence both the .paternal and maternal grandfathers of our subject took an active part, serving under General ( icorge Washington. Adam Helmick was twice married and it was from his second union that Nathaniel was horn. His father was poor in this world's goods and as a consequence could NATHANIEL HELMICK. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 307 iii >t be of much assistance in a temporal sense. He was nevertheles "1 man and sought In 'th by precept and example t" instill good principles into his children, and his last thoughts and words were to the effect that they might lead good lives and meet him in heaven. Nathaniel Ilehnick continued to reside in the place of his nativity until the 2_>d of September, [846, when he started fur 111- linois, then the far west. After a full month ■ mi the way by wagon and team, he arrived near Taylorville, Christian county, Illinois. Here he remained but a short time, moving from there to Rutledge township, DeWitt county, i'ii the 7th day of February, 1S47. Here he made his home until March. [879, when he moved t" Farmer City, where he has since made his home. On September 1. 1836, he married Miss Mary Tringler and as a reush of this union the following children were burn: James, Adam. Crusla. Letitia. Jane. F.lihu Wesley. Felix 1'i'lk. Mary Catherine. Henry Frank- lin. Susan Minerva, Nathaniel Tierce. Charles Jackson, and Stephen A. All the children \ in full manhood and womanhood and had families of their own before there was a break in the large family by death. Leti- tia Jane, who was married to a Mr. Harper, was the first t' 1 answer the summons of death, passing away on the 17th day of December, iNN_>. and on the 20th day of November, t886, Susan Minerva, who was married to Frank Horn, was called to her final reward. James, the oldest boy, died in Arkansas September 21, 1891. In July. [876, after the family had all been reared. Mrs. Helmick passed away, after almosl furty years of faithfulness t" her husband and df service ami devotion t" her home. She was a noble Christian woman and was mourned by all who knew her. 14 On July 7, [878, Mr. Helmick was again married, his second union being with Mary A. McClain. who is still his faithful and devoted companion. Mr. Helmick is strictl) a self-made man and what success he has achieved in this world is the result of his own well di- rected efforts, his economy, frugalitj and perseverance, n 1S47. when he landed in Rutledge township, his whole earth} pi sessions consisted of a wife. sc-\en children, two burses and a wagon load of household goods, and mie hundred and seventy-live dollars in cash. His first purchase of land consisted of forty acres, upon which lie erected a rude log house. He added to his ^inal purchase until he had enough land 1" give each one of his children one hundred acres. With hardly the necessities of life, he began his residence in this state and bore his share of the hardships incident to the life of a pioneer. Bui he started life with these high principles: t" work hard, to be honest in all his dealings with his fellow- men, and to be economical. For over fifty years he has been an earnest and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his many friends will testify to the true Christian life which he has always led. Such men's lives are \\orth\- of emulation and in 1 work devoted to the lives of the pio- neers of DeWitt county would be compli without the record of Nathaniel Ilehnick. WILLIAM ALEXANDER BARNETT. Clinton probably has no more energetic ur enterprising business man than this well- known bridge manufacturer, who is to-day the only manufacturer in the city. lie also conducts a general repair shop for repairing 3 o8 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. all kind- of machinery, and lias built up a large and constantly increasing trade. A native of 1 )eWitt county, he was born < )cto- ber i<). [858, in Clintonia township, on a farm which he now owns. From his father, William 1'.. Barnett, he traces his ancestry hack through Alexander I... John and James Barnett, tojbhn Barnett, of whom tradition saw that he was a soldier and surgeon under General Greene in the Revolutionary war. and took pari in the battle of Cowpens, South Carolina, lie was born m Virginia, n!" Scotch parentage, and was considered one of the mosl skillful physicians and surgeons of his day, having written a book on the treatment of all kinds of diseases. I lis son, James, who was also a native of Virginia, followed surveying in early life and later en- gaged m farming. John Barnett, the son of James, was born in the < >ld Dominion, moved to Ken- tucky, near Paris, Bourbon county, and married Sally Kinney, b) whom he had the following named children : Robert F., born in 1807, died in 1864; Franklin, born in [808, died in [871; Alexander I... born in [810, died in 1 886; Maria, born in 1812, and Juliette. l»>rn in 1N14. both died in infancx ; Elizabeth, born in [816, died in 1862 ; James, 1 in 1819, died in [889. ( )f this family Alexander 1.. Barnett was the grandfather of our subject, lie was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, Octo- ber 1;. 1 Sin. and became a planter anil slave holder, but being subsequently con- vinced that slavery was wrong, he freed his slaxes and then followed farming in his na- tive state. In [832 he came to what is now DeWitt county, Illinois, and entered six or seven hundred acres of land. lie died in Clinton. Illinois, at the residence of \Y. 1!. Barnett, \pril 30, 1886. His wife, who was Miss Elizabeth II. Hall, a daughter of Mahlon Hall, was horn in Kentucky, Feb- ruary 28, [813, and died December 7. [893. Their children were William I'... the father of our subject; James R., who was horn No vemher 17, [836, and is still living; Eliza, who was born May [3, [838, and died Sep- tember 2j. [839; Cassander, who was horn Februar) 29, [840, and is still living; Sarah, who was horn November [9, [841, and died October [6, [864; Juliet, who was born No- vember J. [842, and is still living; John, who was horn November 10. 1045. and died November [9, [900; triplets, one hoy and two -nls, who were horn January 29, 1N4K, and died at birth; Alexander was horn No- vember 25, [849, and is still living; and Nancy, who was born < tctober 15. 1N51, and died AugUSl l8, [853. William 1!. Barnett, our subject's fa- ther, was bom in Barnett township, this countw August _'i. 1835, and after reaching manhood received forty acres of choice prairie land in Clintonia township, where he made his home throughoul the greater part of his life. When sewing machines were first introduced in the west he became agent for the same, and for twenty-five years han- dled all kinds «,f sewing machines. I lis hon- orable dealings won for him the confidi and respect of all with whom he came in contact. In [880 he removed to Clinton and opened an office, but longing lor his country home, he soon returned to the farm to please both himself and wife. They came to Clinton again in [886 and here spent the remainder of their lives. On the 26th of August, [855, was celebrated his marriage with Miss Sarah E. Duncan, who was horn near Lexington, Kentucky, August 29, 1 Sjj, and in [838 came to DeWitt county. Illi- nois, with her parents, Samuel and Mary (Cockrell) Duncan, locating in Clintonia township, on the Eli Brown farm. She is Till- HIOCKAPIIICAL RED IRD. 309 one of a family of six children, the others being John A.. .Martha. James, Louis and Lucretia Duncan. The only child l>'>rn to William B. and Sarah E. 1 Duncan) Barnett 1- William Alexander, our subject. The la- ther died September 14. [898, but themother i- still 1 i \ i 1 1 u and continues t< 1 make her home in Clinton. William A. Barnett, of this review, passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm and received his earl) education in a log school house, where he certainly im- proved every opportunity, for at the age of fifteen years he passed an examination and was recommended to teaching, being given a first-grade certificate on a standing of ninet) - seven and a half per cent. His however, prevented him from teaching and he did not begin that occupation until Octo- ber 15. [876. After his third term he took a course at the Wesleyan University, Bloom- ington, beginning September, 1879. During the summer months he assisted his father on the farm until 1883, when he commenced selling school furniture. In [886 he rep sented the road machines of Phillips & Pres- ton, of Peoria, and the next year the West- ern Wheel Scraper Company, in the mean- time teaching during the winter months. In [888 he resigned his school during the last part of the term and acepted the position of state agent for Western Wheel & Scraper Company, manufacturers of road niacin and earth moving tools. IK- also touk up bridge building,which he followed quite suc- sfully until [894, when he was accident- ally shot in the arm while hunting, and was idle from September _'. [894, to April. [895. From the 1 >t of April. [895, until January, iX<)h. Ik- engaged in bridge contracting, ami the following year. 1897, became state agent for the Bellefontaine Bridge & Iron Com- pany, holding that position until January, 10 'i. lie then opened a simp for the man- ufacture of iron bridges and repair work. In this factory he now employs from t : to eight men and has two men upon the road. He is also engaged in bridge building and has taken a number of contracts for iron work in Clinton, including that for the I ni- versalist church and for al! the buildings erected lately. tober 17. [883, Air. Barnetl married Miss Lucy J. Moore, daughter of William and Hannah (Wright) Moore, and grand- daughter of Mason and Margaret (Adams) Moore. Her grandfather was a native of Virginia, hut spent his last days in Ohio, whither he removed in [839. 1 1 i -> children were Townsend, .Miriam. William M., Franklin, Serepta J. and Joseph. Mrs. Har- nett's father was horn in Loudoun county, Virginia, December 25, [831, and in 1N57 came to DeWitt county, Illinois, locating on what is now know 11 as the II. L. Stamats farm in Creek township. Later he was as- sociated with Magill Brothers in stock-rais- ing ami shipping, and in [878 was elected superintendent of the county farm at ilills- ville, which position he filled for four year-. He died January 28, [886, honored ami re- ted by all who knew him. His children were Franklin M., horn October 26, [856; Lucy Jane. December <>. [858; Humphrey A.. February 25, [87] : and William M., I tober [9, [872. Mr. and Mrs. Harnett have two children: Sylvia, horn February 13, [886; and Ira Mason, horn June 7. iSSS. Fraternally Mr. Harnett affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and is now acceptably serving his second term as alderman of the city. A man of superior executive ability 3io THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. and sound judgment, he already occupies a good position in the business world, and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. XKI.S P. JOHNSON. Sweden has furnished to America many of its best and most enterprising citizens, and among those who have settled in De Witt county is Nels P. Johnson, who now owns and operates a valuable farm in Santa Anna township, and is also successfully en- gaged in stock raising. He was born in Halsenburg, Sweden, Vpril 22, [861, and is a son of Jen and Hannah | Pierson) John- son, who spent their entire lives a^ farming people in thai country. Mr. Johnson was reared and educated in his native land. Being possessed of a bright and active brain, and hearing glowing ac- counts of the advantages offered ambitious and energetic young men in the new world. he decided to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. So bidding goodbj to home and friends, he came to the United States in [882 and has never had occasion to regret his emigration ( oming to Illinois, he first worked for Mark Dunham, of Du Page county, the greal horse breeder. He then went to Weldon, DeWitt county, where he- was employed l>v the month as a farm hand for three years, during which time he saved every cent possible, lie next engaged in farming upon rented land, and then, in pari nership with B. Magison, purchased one hundred and sixt) acres in the Kentuck) tlement. After two years of hard and suc- cessful work he sold his interest in the place and operated a rented farm for five years. He next bought one hundred and sixty acres of W. Gray and 1). Drew, which he traded. in [898, for the Harry Swigart farm in Santa Anna township, consisting of three hundred and seven acres. This place was then all run down, but he rebuilt the fences, remodeled the old barn, set up a windmill, which pumps the water for his stock, and has set out all kinds of fruit, si 1 that he now has one of the best farms in this pari oi the county. He raises a high grade of horses ami cattle, including some thoroughbred tock, and in all his undertakings is meeting with well deserved success. Mr. Joryison married Miss lata Hatfield. Her father. Thomas Hatfield, was horn in Lancaster. England, May 21, [848, and in [861 came to America with his parents, Peter and Mary Ann (Combs) Hatfield, the family locating on a farm in Champaign county, Illinois In England Peter Hatfield followed the weaver's trade and became su- perintendent of a large manufactory, but here lu- engaged in farming. During the ( i\ il war he left home to go to the front and was never heard from again. His wife died when about fortj three years of age and most ,,f their nine children died young. Thomas Hatfield grew to manhood upon a farm ami married Miss Barbara C. Prough, a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Cresingei 1 Prough. Throughout his active business life he has followed agricultural pursuits and is now superintending the beautiful farm of E. i lelmick in Rutledge t. iw nship, ha\ ing come to this county in [898. In his family were twelve children : Minnie, deceased; Clinton; Laura ; Etta ; Eugene; Belle; Bert ; < >llie. de- ceased; Nellie; Nora; Mamie and Leatha. Religiously Mr. Johnson is a member of the Lutheran church, and fraternally is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Ratlibone Sisters. His political support is always given the men and measures of the Republican party. He is one of the self THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. si i men of die comity and credit i"<>r the chieved, as he came to this country empty handed, and he lias had to make his way in the world entirely unaided. FREDERICK HOFFMAN. Frederick Hoffman, of section 27, I « township. 1 >e\\ itt county. 11'inois, was horn on June 22, 1849, at Hesse Darmstadt, Ger- many. He is a sou of Nicholas and Mar- I [offman. The father came to the United States in [853 with his family. They -ailed from Bremen and had a very long and stormy passage, being on the water nearly three months. At the end of this journey they landed in New York and came at once to Illinois, locating at Peoria. Here they remained the first winter and the father worked with his brother-in-law. In the spring h< i in farming for himself, renting a farm near Peoria and there continued for eight year-. At the expiration of that time he purchased one hundred and sixty acre- of wild prairic- land in Peoria county, and this he improved and put under cultivation, creating a good and substantial home and erected a comfort- able house Here he continued until his ih. which occurred when he was sixtv- eight year- of a| The mother of our subject died when she - ninety year- of age, in 1899 in Macon county. Illinois, < >ur subject was one of -ix children born to his parents and the fifth in order of birth. Five of these children are still living. The father was a Democrat in jtolitics and the parents were both members of the Catholic church. The education of our subject was ob- tained in the common schools of Peoria county. Children of the present day 1 no realization of the hardships endured by their parent cure the 1 them. The tiny |i . with walls filled witn mud and floored with rough slabs of w filled with "-liver-" for tender feet, would he poorly heated by the open fireplace situat- ed in one end of the room. The hack' ts were made of pieces of wood unplaned and rough, with pegs for legs, and a hole in the wall gave a little light and fresh air. Aside from the "speller" and a tattered ln-ok or two. generally the property of the "teach- er." the only fund from which information could he drawn was the Bible, so that small wonder was it that in the early day- of this ntry, although Sunday-schools were un- known, for children to be made familiar with 1 1. >ly Writ from infancy up. For two years after his father'- death our subject remained at home, conducting the property for the estate. In 1S74 he re- moved to DeWitt county, ariving in Novem- ber of that year and rented land. Later he removed to Macon county, but after seven year- returned to DeWitt county and pur- chased seventy-nine and one-half acres of land on section 27, Texas town-hip. This property he has improved and upon it he has led a comfortable home and reside'! in it ever since. Hi- broad acre- -how the result of his careful cultivation and ,ul of his build- ings are in excellent condition. Mr. Hoff- man understands thoroughly the latest im- proved method- of farming and owns and uses machinery in the operation of his work. Hi- cattle are of a good breed and his hors kept in excellent condition, although he <\ not aim to do any extensive breeding, de- voting his time to general farming. Mr. Hoffman married Mary A. Mallard on April 14. 1873, in Peoria county. She i- 315 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the daughter of Jefferson V. Mallard, who was born in North Carolina, but came to Illi- nois about 1855 and located at Pontiac, Illi- nois. By trade he was a blacksmith and formed one of the many who did so much to make Illinois the great commonwealth it is 1 1 day. Eight children were born to the man i of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman, namel) : [Cath- erine, who is the wife of William De Priest, a farmer of Texas township; Mary, who is at home; Delia, who is the wife of Charles White, of towa; Minnie: Bertha; Carl; William and Freda. All of these children have grown to be a credit and pleasure to their parents, and while some have flittered from the home, those who are left make cheer} the pleasant house and join the par- ents in showing delightful hospitality to the visiti >rs within their gates. In politics Mr. Hoffman is a Democrat, and so deepl} do his friends and fellow townsmen recognize his merits that he has been called upon to serve as school director and is now holding that office, while he has also served the township in various other ca- pacities, meeting the obligations of his charges in a manner that reflects great credit. not only on Mr. Hoffman himself, but also on those who elected him to positions of trust and respi insibilitv. [AMES A. BATES. lames A. Hates, one of Chilton's lai plastering contractors, was horn in that city on the 15th of September, [857. I lis father, George Washington Bates, was born in Ma- rion. Ohio, December 14. 1829, and was a son of \sa and Lydia (Rosebury) Bates. The grandfather was a large landowner of 1 (hio, where he was extensively engaged in farming and stock dealing for some years, but he and his wife spent their last days in Springfield, Illinois. Their children were Angeline, Temperance. George Washing- ton, Zenus, Elizabeth, Sarah. Isabel and Franklin, George W. Bates received a good educa- tion in the public schools of his native state, and then taught school for some time. Com- ing to Clinton, DeWitt county, he learned the plasterer's trade, and soon began con- tracting in that line. About [872 lie re- ed to l inner City, where he built a fine residence, and successfull} engaged in plas- tering and paper hanging at that place until his death, which occurred August [2, 1892. llis widow is still a resident of Farmer City. In her maidenhood she was Miss Ann Maria Wo, idward, a daughter of I >r. James W. and Mary (Blakemore) Woodward. Her fa- ther was horn in Lee county, Virginia, July jS. [813, a s, m of James and Jane (Hay den) Woodward. The Doctor's paternal grand- father came to this country from Wheatland, England, and participated in the Revolution- ary war. By occupation he was a farmer, as was also his son. James Woodward. The latter was 1 k ►111 in Stafford o unty. Virginia, and about [832 came to Logan county. Illi- nois, where he died when ah, nit sixt} years and his wife at the age of seventy- six. She was a daughter of Harry i iavden. also a native of the Old Dominion, and a soldier of the Revolutionary war. In the family of James and Jane ( I Iavden ) Wood- ward were the following children: Henry, I 'oily. Lemuel, Lydia, Lucy, John, Nancy, Emily, Jane. Jessie, James W. and David. The last two are still living. During his boyhood and youth Dr. W Iward attended the public schools until sixteen years of age and then commenced the Till'. IHOCRAriUCAI. KI-VOKR 313 study "i medicine under Dr. Abram Still, of Lee county, Virginia, one of tin- noted physi- cians of his clay. Dr. Woodward began practice in Logan county, Illinois, at the age <>t" twenty-two years, and about 1S44 came to Clinton, but in [855 he removed to Farm- er City, where lie still resides. For many years he enjoyed an excellent practice at that place, hut for the past decade has practically lived retired, hut is still called in consulta- tion many times. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Masonic order and the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and also the Eastern Star Chapter and Rebekah branch of those fraternities. lie has been twice married, his first wife being Mary Blake more, daughter of Charles Blakemore. She died when over forty years of age, leaving five children: Mrs. Olive Bullock, Mrs. Ann M. Bates, Mrs. [sabel McDonald, Mr. W. Blakemore Woodward and Mrs. Ellen Hal- low ay. The Doctor's present wife was Miss Sarah W. Chambers, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Rev. William and Sarah ( McReynolds t Chambers. I ler father was a native of Maryland and a Methodist Episco- pal minister. By 1 his second union Dr. Woodward has two daughters, Mrs. Laura French and Mrs. Minnie Bach. Mr. Bates, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared and educated in Clinton, and during his boyhood commenced learning the plasterer's trade with his father at Farm- er City, hut completed his apprenticeship with an uncle at Clinton. He then worked as a journeyman until [886, and since that time has engaged in contracting in Clinton, doing the work in his line on nearly all of the principal buildings erected lure, includ- ing the south ward school house, the east ward school house, the Universalis! church and Mi's. Henry Magill's residence. He has als.> taken contracts of high grade work in Farmer City, DeVYitt and Weldon, this county. Mr. Bates was united in marriage with Miss Carrie E. Bordwell, a daughter of Marcus Bordwell, of Manteno, Illinois, ami the) have become the parents of three chil- dren: Ethel M. and Opal M.. twins, hum August t8, 1882 ; and Claud S., born August jo. 1SN7. The family have a pleasant home in Clinton, which was erected by Mr. Bates in [896. He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternities, and has held office in the latter lodge. (II \1M.KS FINNEY \.\IS1 >h.\. During tin- few shorl years that Charles Finney Amsden was numbered among the leading business nun of Clinton, he won the ■-teem of all here and his death was widely mourned. Before coming here he was en- gaged in the banking business and was also largely interested in a creamer) enterprisi Manchester. Iowa. When Henry Magill's health failed he urged Mr. Amsden, his son- in-law, to come to Clinton and assist him in his business. Accordingly he severed other business relations and removed to this pi, hut his own health, never robust, soon be- gan to fail. ( )n the death of Mr. Magill lie purchased a half interest in the dry g Is store formerly owned by Magill Brothers, and the other half was sold to William hunk, at which time the firm name of Amsden & Funk was assumed. Three years later Mr. Funk sold his interest to \. II. Magill, and under the new management the husim-ss was successfully continued. During the winter of [886-7 Mr Amsden' S health failed and he went to Hot Springs, Arkansas. He also 3>4 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. traveled extensively, hoping to be benefited thereby, but death came to him on the 21 t of December, [888, at the home of his par- ents. In the fall of iSSj Mr. ^msden mar- ried Miss Hattie Eliza Magill, a daughter of the late Henry Magill, whose name is in- separably interwoven with the substantial development and upbuilding of this por- tion of Illinois. Mr. ^msden was a man of rare intellectual accomplishments and lie possessed thai culture and knowl edge which only travel can bring, lie had several times heen abroad and in for- eign lands lie had gleaned many interesting facts and anecdotes, winch enriched his con- versation and made him a mosl entertaining companion. I lis social, genial nature and manly worth also made him very popular. I lis death was a great loss t<> Clinton, not onlj on account of his excellent Ihmius^ ability, which contributed to the commercial prosperity, but also on accou i oi his social nature and his patriotic citizenship. I le was an active member of the Masonic; lodge, and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit dt" the fraternity. Mrs. Amsden now lives w ith her mother in Clinti in. |( ) 1 IX KISSACK. It is astonishing to witness the success of young men who have emigrated to Amer- ica without capital and have worked their way upward to a position of affluence. The readiness with which they adapt themselves to circumstances and take advantage oi the opportunities offered, brings to them suc- cess and wins them a place among the lead- ing men of the community in which they re- side. To this class belongs John Kissack, a large land owner and successful farmer, who is now living in a beautiful residence in the suburbs of Farmer City. I le was 1" irn on the Isle of Man. Febru- ary i.(. [844, and is a son of John and Cath- erine (Craine) Kissack. who were of Manx ancestry and spent their entire lives on the Isle of Man. They were hardy people, of Strong constitutions, and lived to a ripe old age, the father being seventy-four at the time oi his death and the mother eighty- I lur subject is the second in order oi birth in their family of ten children, the others being Eleanor, Thomas. William, Robert, Caesar, Daniel, David, Edward and James. During his minority. Mr. Kissack re- mained on the island home and during the last three years of his residence there worked as a laborer away from home. At the age of twenty-two he determined to come to America. Borrowing part of the money with which to pay his passage, he crossed the Atlantic and landed in Port land. Maine, whence he proceeded to Ro- chester. \ew York, where he found em- ployment as a farm hand, hut believing the west was the best place for a young man. he decided to conn- i,, Mlniois m [867 and grow up with the country. Subsequent years demonstrated that he displayed excel- lent judgment in making a selection for a home, lie was first employed in a warehouse in Tazewell county, then engaged in brick- making, and later in agricultural pursuits, being willing to work at anything whereby he could earn an honest dollar. The height of Mr. Kissack's ambition at that lime was to own a farm, and in the spring of [870 he purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land in McLean county of II. C. Luce, and to its cultivation and im- provement he at once turned his attention. JOHN KISSACK. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 317 Success crowned his well -directed efforts, and the fields yielded a bountiful return for the care and labor bestowed upon them. Later Mr. Kissack purchased two hundred and eighty acres of land, fort) acres of which is in Piatt county, and in [890 bought the Pat Campbell farm of "tie hundred and ninet) acres in Santa Anna township, He- Witt county, and in the fall of [901 bought two hundred and eight) acre- of the Will- iam Lindsey farm and now has eight hun- dred and thirty acres in all. lie has al- ways given considerable attention to the raising of stock, and keeps a high grade of horse-, cattle, sheep and hogs, his specialty being largely mixed Shropshire sheep. He now makes his home on his farm it; Santa Anna township, and in the midst of a beauti- ful grove has erected a very large and ele- gant modem residence. Mr. Kissack was married in [879 to Miss Clarissa M. Maxlield. a native of Ma- coupin county. Illinois, and a daughter of Robert 11. and Sarah (Petefish) Maxlield. and granddaughter of George and Sarah 1 Thomas 1 Maxtield. all of whom were born in Kentucky and at an early day removed to Macoupin county. Illinois. There the grandfather died when over seventy years of age, and his wife passed away at the age of eighty-nine. Their children were George W., Charles, Thomas. Porter. Clara, Sarah. Margaret and Eliza. Robert 11. Maxlield. who was a carpenter and farmer by occupation, died at the age of sixty-six years, and his wife is still living at the age of eighty-four. They had a family of eight children, namely: John W., S. Elizabeth, James K.. Ellen P., Clarissa M.. Luther R., M. Bell and Edwin ('•. The children horn to Mr. and Mrs. Kissack were Ellen Olivia, who died at the age of three months: John Robert, who is attending the Farmer City high school; and Luther M.. who died at the age 1 >f seven years. Politically Mr. Kissack is a strong Pro- hibitionist; and religiously is an active and faithful member of the Methodisl Epicopal church, in which he has served as steward, trustee, class leader, superintendent of the Sunday school and is now Bible class teach- er, lie has led an upright, honorable and useful life, well worthy of emulation, and is held in the highest respect by all who know him. ■» »» jo I IX BUTTERWORTH. The subject of this sketch has the dis- tinction of having won the proud American title of a self-made man. For almost half a century he has been identified with the ag- ricultural interests .if DeWitt county, and still owns and occupies a good farm on sec- tii 'ii 32, Wilson t< iwuship. Mr. Lutterworth was born September 26, [826, in Lancastershire, England, of which county his parents, Gouther and Hannah 1 Mathews) Lutterworth, were also natives, though the latter was of Welsh descent, her father being a Welshman. ( )ur subject's pa- ternal grandfather was John Lutterworth, who was a farmer and veterinary surgeon, and spent his entire life in England. Gouther Butterworth was a cotton weav- er by trade and followed that occupation in England until [842, when he came to the United States, sailing from Liverpool to New York City. I lis destination was Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he had friends living and where he soon found em- ployment in the cotton mills. The following year he was joined by his family, whom he had left in England, and in 184(1 removed to a small town near Providence, Rhode ts- 3iS THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. land where lie worked in cotton mills for a year. He next made his home at Fall River, Massachusetts, where he was living when gold was discovered in California. During the excitement of (849 he. in company with other men. went to the Pacific coast by way of Cape 1 torn, and was never heard En im bu1 once after arriving there, it being supposed that he was killed Eor his money. His wife subsequently came west with our subjed and died in this county, in [875, at the age of seventj two years, her remains being in- terred in Sugar Grove cemetery. She was a good Christian woman, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church ?nd devoted her life to carefullj rearing her children. In the family were eight children, of whom our subjed is the oldest, the others being Betsy, who married John Thorp, one ol the early settlers of this county, and both are now deceased; Samuel, a resident ot Sumner county. Kansas; Sarah, who died young in England; James, a resident ol Bloomington, Illinois; Mice, wife of A.verj l\es. of Nebraska; Susanna, wife of Her bert Ives, of Kansas; and Robert, of Bloom- ington, Illinois. During his boyhood John Butterworth learned the cotton weaver's trade and worked in the mills of John Bright, of England, un- til the emigration of the family to America, in 1843, when he joined his father in Bridge port, Connecticut. Being the oldesl of the family the responsibility of caring for the mother and the younger children devolved upon him when the father went to California in 1X411. The following year they removed to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he worked in the cotton mills for about three years, and at the end of that time went to Shakersville, that state, whrre he left the family on coming w est. It was in .March. [855, that Mr. Butter worth came to Illinois, and on his way, in ( Ihicago, met another young man. Together they proceeded to DeWitt county, where our subject purchased three hundred and twenty acres of wild prairie land of the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad Company, three and a quarter miles east ol \\ apella on what is now section 32, Wilson township. He then sent word for his mother and other members of the family to join him here, and after their ar- rival in [856 he and his brother Samuel erected a small house on what is now the James Butterworth place, it being ready for occupancy in the fall of that year. It is still standing, hut has since been enlarged and improved. The brothers all set to work to improve the farm, breaking the land with four yoke of cattle, hut it was slow and tedious work for them, as they were entire!} unfamiliar with agricultural pursuits, hav- ing been brought up to work- in cotton mills. ( me hundred and sixty acres of the original tract is still in possession of die family, our subject owning half of this amount. Ills laud is under a high state of cultivation and is well improved. I le has set out many trees along the highway, which are a source ol great pleasure to those who drive along the road. lie also owns a forty acre tract of land on section 29, Wilson township, and some property in the village of VVapella, all of which has been acquired through his own unaided efforts. Being a man of g 1 busi- ih'ss ability ami sound judgment he has Steadily prospered, ami well merits the suc- cess that he has achieved in life. Mr. Butterworth was married February _}. [858, to Miss Hannah D. .Martin, who was horn either in Ohio or Virginia. Her parents, Samuel and Rebecca Martin, were both natives of the Old Dominion, and were carle settlers of Randolph township, Mc- Lean county. Illinois. By this union were Till-. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 3'9 1» Tii five children, namel) : 11) Mary is now the wife Adolphus Mitchell, of Iowa, ami has seven children, Ezra, Irvin, Charles, Bessie, John, Ray and Inez. (2) Charles, a resident of California, married Ida Petra and has three children, Earl, Mabel and cue un- named. (3) Anna is the wife of Lincoln Walden, of Wilson township, and they have three children. Clarence. Blanche and George. 141 Laura A. is the wife of A. R. Black, who lives on the home place with our subject, and they have four children, lrcia, John. Clara and Archie. (5) Clara is the wife of Grant Walden. of Wilson township, and they have two children, Fern and Lotas. The wife of our subject died in [899, at the age of sixty-nine years, and was laid to rest in the Sugar Grove cemetery. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episi pal church, to which Mr. Butterworth also belongs, and he has served as a trustee of the same. Politically he is a supporter of the Republican party, and has held the office of township clerk, lie is known among his fellow citizens for his reliability in all things, and he justly merits their confidence and re- gard. JOHN" KILLOUGH. This gentleman is entitled to distinction a- one of the most progressive and enterpris- ing men of Clinton, and has for man) years been prominently identified with her business and political interests. Upon the commercial activity of a community depends it- pros perity and the men who are now recognized a- leading citizen- are those who are at the head of paying business enterprises, such as Mr. Killough, who i- the senior member of the firm of Killough & Johnson, well-known hardware merchants of Clinton. Mr. Killough was born near Fulton House, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, cember 10. [845, and 1- a son of Robert and Sidney 1 Hoopes) Killough, who were farm- ing people. The father attained the age of enty-three years, and the mother sixty- nine. Our subject grew to manh 1 on the home farm, and after attending the public schools of the neighborhood for some time, he entered tin- Stale Normal School at Mil- lersville, Pennsylvania, afjer which he en- gaged in teaching and later he spent a year and a half at a polytechnic college in Phila- delphia, where he took a course in civil en- gineering. Mr. Killough came west in [868, to take- up civil engineering, but for one term en- gaged in teaching near Delavan, Tazewell county, Illinois. Subsequently he was with the engineering corps of the Chicago & Alton Railroad for two year- and a half on con- struction work, and then went t.> Canada in the emplo) of what is now the Michigan 1 entral Railroad one year. During the fol- lowing two years he was with the Hamilton & Lake Erie Railroad, headquarters at Ham- ilton, ( >ntario. At the end of this period he determined to change his vocation, and hav- ing accumulated enough to embark in busi- - and establish a home for himself. Mr. Killough came to Clinton, Illinois, in 1S75. having heard good reports of tin- progres- sive little city and the line country surround- ing it. He purchased II. II. Harwood's in- terest in the firm of Harwood & Merriam, hardware dealer-. Under the linn of Mer- riam & Killough they carried on business un- til [878, when our subject purchased his partner's interest.and was then alone in busi- ness until February 1. [901. He bought the building which hail been erected bj William Clagg iii [865. It wa- then eighty by twen- ty-two feet in dimensions. Mr. Killough 320 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. built an addition in the rear, making it one hundred and twenty-four feet deep. He utilizes both the first and second floors, as well as the basement. * >n the 20th of April. [885, the building collapsed, water having damaged the brick foundation so that die walls fell in, crushing everything with it. \- this occurred on Sunday morning no lives were lost. In it^ place Mr. Killough erected ..id substantial brick building, which lie now occupies. He also rents the second fi of an adjoining building, and has built a warehouse, sixtj five b) thirtj feet, across the street from hi^ store. Besides his busi- ness property he owns a line residence. Buy- ing the property of J. R. Melrvin on East Main street, lie lore down the brick house standing thereon, and erected, in its place a line two-Story frame resilience, which is sur- rounded by a large modern piazza and spa- cious, well-shaded grounds. It is one of the best and most attractive homes in the city. Mr. Killougll married Miss Delia BriggS, daughter of Uriah Briggs, of Delavan, Illi- nois, and to them was horn one child. Merna C, who was graduated in the Clinton high sch' 10I in [901. When the Civil war broke out Mr. Kil- lough desired to enlist, hut his parents re- fused their consent, believing him too young to enter the service. At length, in July, [863, he enlisted in the State Militia for one hundred days, and in [864 enlisted in the I 'nited States service Me is now a promi- nent member and past commander of the Grand Army Post at Clinton. In his re- ligious views he is liberal. His father's peo- ple were Presbyterians, while his mother's people were members of the Societj oi Friends. Politically Mr. Killough is a stanch Republican, ami has taken a very active and influential part in public affairs. During his residence in Clinton he served four years as county surveyor; in 1882 was elected supervisor, which office he held nine consecutive years; was school director seven wars; and in iS<><; was elected mayor of the city. During his administration of two years a number of very important improvements were made, including the paving of the square, lie takes an active interesl in all enterprises calculated to promote the general welfare. It is to such men that the west owes us prosperity and progress, and ii Clin- ton had more such men she would soon rank among the finest cities oi her size in the state. Mr. Killough is a past master of the Masonic Lodge, and also a member of the chapter, commandery and Eastern Star. F. E. PINKERTON. \s the founder and proprietor of the leading daily and weekly paper of Clinton, Mr. Pinkerton, during his short residence in this city has become prominently identi- fied with her business and social interests. lie was horn in Tremont, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. December _'o, [852, and is a s,.n of Colonel C. 1.. and Fann] (Singer) Pinkerton, and a grandson of George Pink- erton. who was also a native of the Key- st' >ne state. 1 . .1. mel P. P. 1 'inkerfc in w as b >rn in Halifax. Pennsylvania, and received his early mental training in the public schools. For a while he engaged in teaching Put when a young man took up the study of law and later was admitted to the bar of the state. As a lawyer he obtained a wide- spread reputation and was sent to the legis- lature by the Republican party, of which political faith he was a strong advo- cate. During the Civil war he served on F. E. PINKERTON. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 323 the staff of Governor Curtis. He was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His marriage with Miss Fanny Singer resulted in the birth of nine children, five of whom arc now liv- ing, namely: Margaret; F. E., our subject; Jane Mary: Edward K. : and Bertrand I ). The two latter arc residents of this state, the former is engaged in paper box manu- facturing in Chicago, while the latter is one of the editors and part owner of the News Herald, of Lincoln. Illinois. About a year previous to the death of our subject's fa ther, he emigrated west and the death of Loth he and his wife occurred in this state. F. E. Pinkerton availed himself of the common schools and of a night school and in this way obtained a good elementary edu- cation. While still at home he began learn- ing the trade of a printer, being for two years in the employ of the "Tremont News." The succeeding two years was spent at Ply- mouth. Pennsylvania, where he was em- ployed a~- a printer on the "Star." Thinking that a larger city offered better inducements, he secured a position as a compositor on the "Scrahtbn Republican," which position he retained for six months. At the end of that period he engaged in reportorial work on the "Scranton Times." where he remained an- other six mouths. He the:; became iden- tified with the Xichols,,,i Examiner, which paper he conducted for two years, or until 1875. In that year he came west and lo- cated at Rantoul, where he gained posses- sion of the "Rantoul Journal." which he published for two years. Then in partner- ship with 11. E. Bullock, they consolidated the Journal and the "Rantoul News" ami established a new paper called "The Ran- toulian." Later he purchased his partner's interest and changed the name to "The Ran- toul PfCSS," which paper he conducted for eighteen years. In the publication of this pa- per, Mr. Pinkerton met with success and in [896 he disposed of it for four thousand dollars. This was in [895, and in May of the same year we find him a citizen of Clin- where he purchased the "Clinton Week- ly Public," which Ik- continued to publish for about six mouths. Thinking that Clin- ton offered a field for an evening daily pa- per, he established the "Clinton Daih Pub- lic," which he continued to publish until until April 15. moi. when he formed a partnership with his brother, B. E. Pink- erton, ami F. R. Cross, under the linn name of Pinkerton. Cross & Co. They then pur- chased the "Lincoln Daily News" and "The Weekly Herald." both of Lincoln. Illinois, which they consolidated and now publish under the name of "The Lincoln Daily News-Herald" and "The Weekly Herald." This company also continue the publication of the Clinton Daily and Weekly Public, which are under the direct supervision of our subject. In addition to his newspaper interests. Mr. Pinkerton is a half owner of the Paper Box Factory in Chicago, which is under the management of his bn 'ther. Mr. Pinkerton's venture has prosed a profitable one and his paper has become a power, not only as a newspaper, hut as a fearless exponent of the principles of the Republican party. In [88l Mr. Pinkerton was united in marriage with Miss Mollie E. Boise, of Rantoul, a daughter of J. J. and Lucy S. I',, use. Lor thirty-live wars Mr. Poise held the position of station agent for the Illinois Central. He is now deceased, hut his wife is still living and makes her home in Pan toul. To Mr .and Mrs. Pinkerton have been born the foil, , wing children : Charles, who 324 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. has a position in his father's and uncle's box factory in Chicago; Francis; Leon; and Maisie, all at home. Fraternally Mr. Pinkerton is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias, both of Clinton. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton attend the Method- ist Episcopal church. In polities Mr. Pink ton i^ an ardent supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party, and while a resident of Rantoul was secretarj of the ucation for six years. Since coming to Clinton our subject has always been found ready and willing to do all in his power to advance any cause which promised to he for the public good. lie was one of the thirteen gentlemen that or- ganized the Clinton Chautauqua and has never hesitated to use the columns ol his paper to promote its interests. JAMES VV. 1IAM.MI I Among the leading citizens of DeWitt county who have been identified with its in- terests since pioneer days is James \\ . I lam- mitt, who dates his residence here from < >c- tober, [833. He has by honest toil and in- dustry succeeded in acquiring a handsome competence, which now enables him to spend the sunset of life in ease anil retirement on the old homestead on section iS. Waynesville township, which is now carried on by his son ( )scar. A native of Ohio. Mr. 1 lammitt was horn in Morgan county. July 11. [818, and is a 5 tnuel 1 lammitt. whose birth oc- curred near Wheeling, West Virginia, in [789. His paternal grandfather, Benja- min Hammitt, was born in Rhode Island of tch ancestry and at an early day removed to West Virginia, where he died during the infancy of his son Samuel. On reaching manhood the latter left his native state and went to Ohio, living first in Muskingum county and later in Morgan county, where he opened up and improved a farm. In [833 he came to Illinois, and settled in what is now Waynesville township, DeWitt coun- ty, where he entered land and purchased a tract of eight) acres. In course of time lie had a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he made his home until called to his final rest in [862. at the a-e of seventj three years, llis wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine McElhiney, passed awaj some years previously. James W. I lammitt was a lad of fifteen years when he came with the family to this county, and he rendered his father valuable istance in opening up the farm, remain- ing at home until twenty-seven years of age. lie was then married in Logan county. Illi- nois, ( (ctober <>. [845, to Miss Susan Brock, a native of Indiana and a daughter of An- drew Brock, "in- of the first settlers of this section of the state, having located here in [829. Mrs. Hammitt was reared in Illinois and was to her husband a faithful companion and helpmeet for near fifty-one years. She- died in [896 and was laid to rest in Waynes- ville cemetery. Air. Hammitt has nine chil- dren living, namely: Sebastian, a farmer of Iowa; Hannah, wife of < >. II. Buck, of Mc- Lean county. Illinois; Guy, a resident of At- lanta. I - ; Martin, who . iwns and operates the -Id I lammitt homestead; I at, a resident of Atlanta; < >scar, who was mar- ried in June. 100 1. to Emma McMillen, of Waynesville township, and is now carrying on the home farm: James, a farmer of Mc- Lean county; Benjamin, who operates a part . if the In ime farm : and Katie, wife of George Smith, of Waynesville, whose sketch ap- Til]-. BIOCKAPHICAL RECORD. 325 pear- elsewhere in this work. John died at the age of twenty-four year-, and two chil- dren died in infancy. Alter his marriage Mr. llammitt located on section 18, Waynesville township, where he entered forty acre- of land, and at once began the improvement and cultivation of that place Subsequently he entered an ad- joining eighty-acre tract, and still later bought more land from time to time until he had four hundred and sixty acre- on ti >ns t8 and [9, Waynesville township, DeW'itt county, and eighty acres in Logan county. His lirst home wu a log cabin, which in later years was replaced by a g 1 frame residence: good barns and outbuild- ings were also erected, fruit and -hade tret- were set out and many other improvements made to the place. There are now two sets of buildings upon the farm and everything is in first-class order. Mr. llammitt contin- ued to actively engage in farming until 1895, when he rented his land to his sons and has since lived a retired life, enjoying- a well earned rest. The Democratic party has always found in Mr. llammitt a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has never failed to for each presidential candidate of that party since casting his first ballot for Martin Van Buren in 1840. He has d< me all in his power to advance the educational interests of his community, and for many years efficiently served as a member of the school board and president of the district For the long period Jit years he has made his home in DeWitt county, during which time he has -ecu \ illages and cities spring up within its borders, the wild land transformed into beautiful homes and farms, railroad- built and the telegraphs and telephones intro- duced. Deer and other wild game was very plentiful when he first came to the county. At that time the nearest postoffice was at Bloomington, twenty mile- away, (due his father went to the office for the mail and finding the postmaster out he hunted him up on the street. When found that official took off his hat. in which he carried a hunch of letters, and from the number -elected the one intended for Mr. Hammitt, who then paid the twenty-five cents charged a- postage at that time. In the spring of [go] a cyclone struck a granary, cow house and two corn cribs and -entered them all over the farm besides de- stroying shade trees and doing other dam- age. — ■» • » — TRUMAN MASON. The subject of this -ketch, who was tor many year- actively identified with the ag- ricultural interests of Wilson township, and i- now living a retired life in Wapella, was born July 10. 1842, in Logan county. Illin 011 the Tazewell county line. His father, Oliver Mason, was horn in Pennsylvania, about 1S17. and was a son of Truman Ma- . who brought his family to Illinois about 1827 and first settled in Sangamon county, where he -pent two years, and then removed to Logan county, where he purchased land and opened up a farm on the Tazewell coun- ty line. His la-t days, however, were spent in McLean county. Oliver Mason grew to manhood in Logan county, and in later years he became the owner of a well-improved ami valuable farm of -i\ hundred and twen- ty acres in Tazewell county, being "lie of the substantial farmers of his locality. He married [sabel Adams, a native of Tennes- see, who. when a child, came with her par- ent- to Illinois prior to the Black Hawk war. Her father. Captain John Adams, command- 326 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ed a company in that war. and was killed in Stillman's defeat near Chicago, where a monumenl is now being erected to his mem ory. lie was also a native of Tennessee. The father of < >nr subject spent his last years in Armington, Illinois, where he died in iN<>_\ and the mother passed awaj in [898. Thej were the parents of eight children, sex en now living, five sons and two daugh- ters. Truman Mason, the oldesl child, passed his boyh 1 and youth on the old homestead in Tazewell county, and received a good practical education in the local schools. Dur- ing the Civil war he manifested his patriot ism by enlisting in Vugust, [863, in pany A, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illi- nois \ olunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. For about two years he did guard duty at Memphis, but was also in a number of engagements, in- cluding the battles of Holl; Springs and Pleasanl Hill, Louisiana. For si\ months lie was ill in the hospital at tjnincv. Illinois, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged in June. [865. The following two years were spent upon his father' farm. In McLean county, on the 1 ith of 1 d tober, r866, Mr. Mason was united in mar- riage with Miss Jane L. Heard, who was horn in I (hio, but was reared and educated in Tazewell and McLean counties, this state, where her father. William II. Heard, was engaged in farming. Three children blessed this union, namely: Delia, now the wife of S. F. Merritield. who is now operating the Mason farm; I >li\er 1'.. at home: and Dora. wife of John A. llnrd. of Wilson township. 1 >c\\ itt county. For one year after his marriage Mr. Ma- son continued to engage in farming in Taze- well county, but in the fall of [867 removed to a farm in Wilson township, this county. and to its improvement and cultivation de- voted his time and attention for some years. lie erected good and substantial buildings upon the place and converted it into one oi the most highly cultivated and desirable farms of its size in that locality. It consisted of oik- hundred and twenty acres. In C899 Mr. Mason removed to W'apella and bought a nice residence, where he has since lived re- tired, enjoying the fruits of former toil. By his ballot Mr. Mason has supported the Republican party and its principles since casting his first presidential vote for General (J. S. Grant in [868, and he has ever taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs. Me served several terms as com- missioner of highways, and for some years was a member of the school hoard, having always supported all enterprises calculated to advance the moral, educational or material welfare of his community. Jle attends the Christian church and is a charter member "f Mapella I'ost, ( ,. .\. R. As a public-spir- ited and progressive citizen he has always been found as true to his duties of citi 1 ship in days of peace as when he followed the old flag to victory on southern battle- fields. ■» • » THOMAS M. MADDOX. For almost half a century Thomas M. Maddox has been identified with the inter- ests of DeWitl county, and is still success- fully engaged in farming on section 20, Barnett township. He was born in Gibson county, Indiana, on the 1st of September, 1 Sic;. I lis father. Dr. John W. Maddox, was a native of Kentucky, but at an early day removed to Indiana, where he married Mrs. Jane 1 Montgomery) Warrick, whose tirst husband was killed by the Indians in T. M. MADDOX. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 520. the battle of Tippecanoe on the Wabash river. For a few years the Doctor was en- gaged in practice in Gibson county, and from there he went to the Red River coun- try. He subsequently came to Illinois and purchased a place in Sangamon county, ■ of Springfield, but died there before the arrival of his family. When the news of his death reached them they decided to re- main in Gibson county, Indiana, and there the mother reared her three children, of whom Thomas M. was the onlj .-on and youngest child. Our subject received a fair common- school education, and at the age of fourteen year- started out to make his own way in the world. He was married in his native county in October, [842, to Miss Elizabeth Teal, who was al>o born there and was a daughter of Adam Teal. They began their domestic life in Gibson county upon land which Mr. Maddox had leased, hut at the end of two year- he sold his lease and came to Illinois in [846. lie first lo- cated in Logan county, where he bought eighty acre- of land and entered forty acre- more, and to the improvement and cultiva- tion of that place he devoted hi- attention for five years. Selling out in [852, he came DeWitt county and purchased his pri ent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Harnett township. Only a few acres in one corner was then under cultivation, hut soon acre after acre was placed under the plow until it was all broken. Hi- first home wa- a -mall frame re-idei which in later year- was replaced by a more commodious dwelling. He also built a large barn, set out fruit and shade trees, and made many other valuable improve- ments upon the place. He also owned an- other farm of one hundred acre-, which i- now the property of hi- son, Joseph T., and 15 in connection with general farming he suc- cessfully engaged in the raising of cattle, !'.• irses, sheep and hi g Mr. Maddox'- first wife, who was to him a faithful companion and helpmeel for thirty-eight year-, died June 13, 1880, leav- ing three children, namely: John \\ .. who 1- now carrying on a ranch in Colorado; Joseph T., whose sketch appears el-ewherc in this work; and Nancy Jane, wife of James Hall, a farmer of llallville. DeWitt count). Mr. Maddox was again married in Logan county, Illinois, July 14. [881, hi- -croud union being with Miss Ann Sumner, who was Lorn in the same neighborhood a- her husband in Gibson county, Indiana, but was reared in Logan county, this state, and prior to the death of hi- first wife lived in the family for some year-. Politically Mr. Maddox has been a life- long Democrat, and cast his first presiden- tial vote for Martin Van Buren in 1X40. lie has never missed a presidential election since that time though he once had to he car- ried to the polls on account of a broken leg. For three consecutive terms he was an influ- ential member of the county hoard of super- visors and served on several important com- mittee-, lie ha- also filled the offices of highway commissioner and school director, and has ever made a faithful and efficient officer. Religiously his wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and both are highly respected and esteemed by all who km >vv them. J( IHN HENRY McCORD. ( hie of the most beautiful a ntntry hi imes I >e\\ itl county i- that of John 1 1. Mc- ilture and artistic taste of it- 330 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. cupants being reflected in its appointments, while .1 gracious hospitality adds a charm to its material comforts. Mr. McCord, who is a successful farmer and stock-dealer oi Santa Anna township, was born December Hi. [838, on the farm where he now resides, and is the only child of William Young and 1 [arriel 1 Weedman ) McCord. ( In the paternal side he traces his ances- try hark to Robert MacCord, a highlander and chief of his clan, who was killed in the battle of Killecrankie Pass, Scotland, aboul [689, during the rebellion. I lis son, John MacCord, the next in direct descent in our subject, took part in numerous wars and died in Scotland about [715 or 1717. I lis sons were John, David, William, Robert, Samuel. Benjamin and James, who after their father's death went to Stew artSt >w n. mtj Tyrone, Ireland, and about 17-'" John, David and William came to the new world and located in Pennsylvania. John later removed to North Carolina, while David and William were killed by the In- dians. The coat of arms of tins family was a shield i.f gold and black and white, with three hearts and three lance heads on it. sur- mounted by a clos r ,i helmet. Families of this name still reside in County Tyrone, Ire- land, and all are Presbyterians. James McCord, great-grandfather of our subject, was born in County Tyrone, Ire- land, in 1739, and was four years "Id when he came to America with his father. Robert McCord, who was one of the seven brothers previously mentioned. After the death of their father these brothers changed the fam- ily name from MacCord \<> McCord. James McCord spent his early life in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and from there went io Wilkes county, North Carolina, where he married Miss Jane Scroggs, who was also oi Scotch descent. Subsequently he removed to Iredell county, the same state, and from there to Overton county. Tennessee, where he died November 4. [824. He served as general wagonmaster in the Revolutionary war under Washington, llis wife died No- vember t_\ [789. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, one of whom was lames Mc- Cord. the grandfather of our subject, lie was born in Wilkes county, North Carolina, February 22, 1 77<>. and was married in ( Iverton county. Tennessee, March 29, 1X04, to Miss Mary Moore, a daughter of Charles and Sarah t Smith I Moore, the former of Welsh and the latter . if Scotch descent. I ler lather was a cooper by trade, and during the Revolutionary war made canteens for the army. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McCord located at Peterman's Bend on the ()hies river in Overton county, Tennessee, where all their children were horn. About 1 Si - they removed to Spring (reek, and in 1832 came to DeWitl county, Illinois, locat- ing on a farm in DeWitt township now owned by S. J. Thomas. At that time there were only six families in that locality, these being Dennis Hurley, John Weedman. Rich- ard Kirby, William Daley, Robert Cum- mings, James M. Porter, who were supposed to be the original settlers. The first home of the McCord family was a double log house with a hall through the center and a fireplace at each end. In later years this was replaced by a good frame residence, which is still standing. I [ere the grandfather of our sub- ject died December ,}. [852, and his wife, who was horn in Granville county, North rolina, October 29, \jj<). passed away May 23, [858. Their children were Charles ; James W. : William Y.. the father of our subject; Mi's. Sarah Pool; Mrs. Martha THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 33i Shinkle; Mrs. Hannah Wakefield and John, twins: Mrs. Mary Heath: and Mrs. Eliza- beth Brown. William V. McCord was horn in Over- ton county, Tennessee, October 29, 1816, and accompanied his parents on their re- moval to DeWitt county. In 1837 he en- tered eighty acres of land on section 31, Santa Anna township, where our sub j eel now lives, and to that tract he added until he had two hundred acres. Hi- first heme. which was a small house, was destroyed by tire in iSn_>. and he then erected a commodi- ous and hands, mie brick residence — one of the largest and finest in the county. He cut black walnut timber and had it kiln dried for the inside w 1 work, making an elegant finish, as it is all hand work and is still in a fine condition. In 186] he set cut fruit and shade trees, which now spread wide their branches and add greatly to the beauty and attractive appearance of the place. This de- lightful home is t>n a natural elevation, one mile west of Farmer City, and it invariably attracts the eye of the passing traveler. In early days, after his crops were harvested, William V. McCord used to. take much en- joyment with his neighbors in hunting, and owned several tine horse- to be used on such occasions, lie was a fine rifle shot, and deer and other wild game was then plentiful. He and his neighbors would club together to rid the country of the wolves which killed their Stock, ami he i- -aid to have brought down more deer and wolves than any other man in this section of the state. lie fenced off a park upon John Weedman'* farm, in which he kept over twenty deer. When young ami getting a -tart in life he often hauled his produce to Chicago, ami then took g 1- from there to St. Louis by wagon, a- that was the only means of transportation at that time. It required ab Ut three weeks to make these trips. In company with John Weed- man. Jr., he erected a flouring mill at a cost of twenty thousand dollars — the tir-t in Farmer City, it being located near the pr< rut water work-, but after running it nine year- he disposed of hi- interests, and later it was destroyed bj lire. Mr. McCord was a Stanch Republican and took a very active and prominent part in political affair-, lie served as town-hip assessor a number of year-, during which time the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Peoria Railroad, now known as the Big Four, was built, and he wa- one of the directors up to the time of his death, lie served as justice of the peace twenty years, and assessor seventeen years, ami his official duties were always discharged with credit to himself ami to the entire -atisfac- tion of his constituents. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church at farmer City, with which he was officially connected, and gave liberally to the erection of both the old and new churches. As a citi- zen of the community in which he so long lived and was so active, he was highly re- spected for his genuine worth, enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him and was re- garded as a man of excellent judgment. On the Nth of February, [838, William Y. McCord married Mi-- Harriet Weed- man, a daughter of John and Rachel i Wil- son) Weedman. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1700. and wa- a -on of Weedman. who was of German and English extraction. At an early day John Weedman removed to Ohio; and in [830 came t. ■ 1 11 i it .i-. li eating in Rand, ilph ( in i\ e, McLean county, first, but settling in Hur- ley's Grove, Santa Anna township, DeWitt county, in [835. Here he spent the re- mainder of his life as a farmer and -tock- raiser and died at an advanced age. He married Rachel Wilson, a daughter of Asa 33 = THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Wilson, who was a native of Maryland, and from that state removed to Ohio and later to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Weedman had ten children, namely: Asa, Harriet, George, Amos, John, Isaiah. Luanda. Eliza E., Za- dok and Thomas S. The father of our sub- ject died January [8, [880, at the age of sixty-three, and the mother in September, i S< 1 7 . at the age of seventy-four years. Reared on the home [arm, John II. Mc Cord acquired his elementary education in a log school house of the neighborhood, and later attended the Wesleyan University at Bloomington for one year. Hi- life has been di i farming and stock-raising, with the exception of the nine years when he was with his father in the milling busim at Farmer City. II* succeeded to the old homestead, and has added to it until he now owns three hundred and twent) acres of land, under a higli state of cultivation. The fields. de\ i >;ed u i the raising of grain, he m iw rents, while he keeps the pasture laud for his st< ick, de\ i 'tin- his entire time and atten- tion to the raisin- of standard-bred hoi and a high grade of cattle. H nnually threi ds of cattle and In igs for the market. Mr. McCord has been twice married, his tirst wife being Miss Sarah A. Slick. Her grandparents. Philip and Mary (Panteli Slick, were earl) settlers of (his state, where the former died at the age of sevent) years, the latter at the age of eighty-two. Their children were Thomas, William. Isaiah. Samuel. John. Margaret and Mary. Thomas Slick. Mrs. McCord" s father, was horn in Frederick county. Maryland, and wedded Miss Rachel Moss, also a nativt that state and a daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth (Dill) Moss. They settled in Santa Anna township. DeWitt county, in j. and ten vears later removed to Farmer City, where Mr. Slick died in 1889, at the age of eighty-one years, hut his wife is still living. They had eight children, iiame- 1\ : Mrs. Mary E. Wisegarver, Mrs. Aman- da Thew . 1 lamilt< >n. Mrs. Sarah A. Met '< >rd, Mis. Eliza Graft, Mrs. Almeda Weedman, Mrs. Jane Cook and Marion I >. Mrs. Mc- Cord, who was horn in [840, died August 1SS4. leaving three children, as follows: 1 1 1 Lora Xettie. now deceased, married William A. Cummings and had five children, I ikv. Vida, Shannah, Laura and Harriet. > _• 1 William II.. after graduating at the Farmer City high school, entered the Illi- nois University at Champaign, where he graduated in mechanical engineering, and then went to California to follow his pro- fession. I le at i ipidly that he soon found it advisable to take a more advanced course, and for that purpose attended Stan- ford University of California, where he was also graduated, lie is now superintendent of a verj large gold mine near Nevada City, California, lie married Frances Black and they have one son, John Thomas. (3) Ruin- is at home with her father. For his second wife Mi. McCord married Miss Annie Lee, daughter of Clinton Lee. and to them have been horn two children. John Merle and Inez. Socially Mr. McCord 1- a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and religiously is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as steward and trustee. The Republican party has al- ways found in him an ardent supporter, hut he has never cared for political honors, has an enviable reputation as a straightfor- ward, honorable business man. and his ad- vice and counsel are often sought by his neighbors and many friends, ivho recogfiize his ability and sound judgment in business affairs. He is a man of influence in his community and quite popular. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 333 kCKLEY & COMPANY. The firm of Cackle) & Company are ]>r. ■prit-t- -r> of what is known as the i on the east side of the square, which is the la- eery, provision and meat market establishment ii"t only in nton but in DeWitt comity. Both men of - qualities, who-, - in life is due entirely to their own well-directed rts. By straightforward, honorable 'ing they have built up an excellent trade, and rank to-day among the leading business men < if the city. T. W. Cackley, the senior member the firm, was b>rn in Pocohontas county. Virginia. May 10. : 857 F. Cackley, df this county. At the age of thirteen years he lost his mother, and com- menced clerking for his uncle, in wh employ he remained t\ - He next accepted a position with Wilson & Com- pany, grocers, as clerk in the t which he is now one of the proprietors, and re- mained with that firm eleven years. Dur- g this time he saved enough money with which to embark in business tor himself. iblishing the first free delivery retail oil >s in Clinton, and built up trade. With the assistance of his uncle he purchased a team and fitted up a delivery wagon, and continued to successfully fol- low that bu now one hundred and thirty-two feet deep and twenty-two feet wide. It has a tine concrete basement with cold si S nd elevator, and is fitted up with the latest improvements, such ers. marble ectric fans, etc. In connection with the meat market the firm carry all kinds of poultry and game in - 'ii. They have the finest window dis- play of any gri >cerv in the city, and their floors are rat proof. They have quite trade, in addition to their retail business, and employ fourteen assist- ants. while two double teams with tine deliv- erv wagons are kept in constant use. Mr. Cackley was united in marriage with Miss 5 lie J. Phares, daughter of John A. Phares. whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Our subject purchased the Cro-by property on East Washington street, and when the old house standing thereon was destroyed by fire he built a tine, large, modern residence and re- modled the stable, making a very desirable place. He is a member of the blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery of the Masonic order, and in connection with his win 50 a member of the Eastern Star chapter of the same fraternity. He has been president of the blue lodge ten years. In his religion- views lie i- a Presbyterian, and in polil stanch Republican. Thomas L. Kellv. of the firm >rder of Foresters and the Knights of Pythias, having served as chancellor and represented his lodge in the grand lodge of the latter order. Like his partner in busi- ness, Mr. Kelly is a self-made man, and both deserve great credit for the sueeess that they have achieved in life. W. SO >TT HARROLD. Prominent among the successful farm- ers and stock-raisers of W'apella township is W. Scott Harrold, who owns and op- erates a line farm of two hundred and twenty-one acres, pleasantly located on sec tion .}_' within two miles of the village of W'apella. Me is a native of this county, horn on the old home farm near where he now resides, January 8, 1841;, and is a worthy representative of a prominent pio- neer family. Isam Harrold, the father of our sub- ject, was horn in North Carolina in 1N15, and was a son of Jonathan Harrold, who removed with his family to Virginia in 1825, and a few years later went to Indiana. where he opened up a farm, making his home there for a few years. In [833 he came to Illinois, and made a permanent lo cation near Waynesville, DeWitt county. Mere Lain llarrold entire. 1 several tracts of land, including that owned and occupied by our subject, and from the wild land de- veloped a good farm in W'apella township, becoming one of the most substantia] agri- culturists ,,f his community. Me wedded Miss Mary Ann Lisenhy. who was horn in Monroe county. Kentucky, hut was reared in DeWitt county. Illinois, from the age of nine years, her father. Alexander Lisenhy, being one of the pioneers of this region, having located here the winter of the deep snow. Mr. Harrold died February -•<>. 1893, and his wife passed away in Sep- tember, [891, both heing laid to rest in the Crum cemetery. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. - :t Harrold, of this review, is the only son ami fourth in order "t" birth in their family <\\a: Rebecca, wife of Allied Wilson, "f Wapella township, this county: Ruth, wife of J. H. Borders, of the same township; Mr-. Nancy Troxel, a widow, who owns the old home farm but now re- sides in Normal, Illinois: and Laura, wife of C. J. Riddle, a thrifty farmer of Wapella township. On the old home farm our subject grew to manhood, and obtained his education in the district schools of the neighborhood and the schools of Wapella. During his minor- ity he gave his father the benefits of his labor, and at the age of twenty-one took charge of the farm. After his marriage be located on the farm where he now resides, built a good residence, barn and outbuild- ings and made many other improvements which add greatly to the value and attract- ive appearance of the place. In addition to eral farming he carries on stock-raising with marked success, and i- to-day one of the nn >st prosperous ami substantial citizens of Wapella township. Mr. Harrold has been twice married, bis tirst wife being Miss Eveline Cantrell, who was born in Waynesville township, this county, and died here June i_\ 1885, leav- ing three children, namely: Roy M.. who i- now married and engaged in farming in this county: I'.erzie A., who was educated at the Clinton high school and the State Nor- mal School, at Normal, Illinois, and i- now one of the successful teachers of DeWitt county: and Bernice, at home. On the 30th of December, [886, Mr. Harrold was united in marriage with Miss Alice King, also a native of DeWitt count)', and a daughter of Robert King, who was one of the early settlers here. She was educated in the public schools of Waynes- ville and LeRoy ami the State Normal School, and prior to her marriage SUCO fully engaged in teaching for several years. The children born of this union are Helen and Welby K. Mr-. Harrold i- an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Wapella and its auxiliary societies, and in active worker in the Sunday-school. The Republican party has always found in Mr. Harrold a stanch supporter of its principle- since he cast hi- tirst presidential vote for General I". S. Grant in [872, but he ha- never cared for office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business affairs. He was elected, however, and efficiently served as president of the board of township trustees for some years, and he has never withheld his support from any enterprise having for its object the d of tin' community in which he lives. He has witnessed the wonderful develop- ment and progress that has been made in this section of the state during the past half century, and has ever borne bis part in the work of upbuilding, s, , that he is accounted one of the most useful and valued citizens of Wapella township. ARTHUR M( >ORE. Arthur Moore, of Clinton, is the only son of the late C. II. Moore, who w; many year- prominently identified with the interests of Clinton, and i- represented on another page of this volume. Our subject wa- born in Tremont, Tazewell county, Il- linois. September 28, [846, but was reared in Clinton, a- the family removed to this during his childhood. He received a 336 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. g ! collegiate education and a thorough business training, his time being de- voted to assisting his father in looking ter his agricultural interests when not in school, IK- gave such strict attention to business that on attaining his majority he was well prepared to begin the battle of life for himself, having made- a close study of the precepts and practice- of our ah financiers. Preferring an independent ca- reer, he accepted a position with Magill Brothers at twelve dollars per month and board, much against In- father's wishes, hut ere long was prevailed upon t" enter his father's office a- private secretary. Later he was made superintendent of his father'- vast estate, having charge of In- farms, stock, etc. lie oversaw the laying of i five hundred miles of tiling, but this ne< sitated his being out in all kind- of weather. which finally impaired hi- health and was compelled t" seek a change of climate. Since hi- father'- death, however, he has made hi- heme uninterruptedly in Clinton, that he may have better control of the vast interests left t.> him. Here he owns a beau- tiful residence, which was begun bj hi- la- ther and i- constructed of brick. In [854 the real' wall was blown down, but wa- re- built the following year, ami in 1867 the building wa- enlarged and improved, mak- ing a commodious and hand-Mine residence, 1. ne ..I the finest in the country. It is sur- rounded by a spacious and well-kept lawn and shady walk- and drives. In his hi farm Mr. Moore ha- -i\ hundred acre- of land, and this i- only one pf the main line farm- which he own- in DeWitt county. lie has always been a very active and ener- getic man. and has been able to carry for- ward to a successful completion whatever he has undertaken. The highly accomplished lady who now hears the name of Mrs. Moore was in her maidenhood Miss Mary C. Piper, a daugh- ter of Orlando F. and Mary V 1 Hawkins) Piper, "f Macomb, McDonough county, Il- linois. Her father was born in Palestine, Illinois, and from there removed to La Porte, Indiana. lie died at Macomb in the fall mi' [890, at the age of seyent} eight years, hut the mother is still living at the age of seventy-three. They were tin- par- ent- mi' eight children, namely: Edward, deceased; Mice 1'..; Mary C. ; Annie, de ceased; Walter I... deceased; Charles \V.. deceased; Lewis; and Orlando II. The three -mii- and one daughter died of typhoid ic\cw hut at different time-. Mr. Moore's home ha- been a very happy one. lie has always taken great pride in keeping high grade cattle and horses, and ha- -Mine line specimens upon hi- place. Public affairs have claimed his attention at different times, and he ha- served a- deputy sheriff under Thomas Gardner. In [900 he was elected county surveyor and made J. S Brown hi- deputy, lie take- a deep inter- est in everything pertaining to the public welfare of his city and county, ami with- hold- hi- support from no enterprise cal- culated to prove m|' public benefit. FAMES HIRST. lame- llir-t. a prominent retired farmer now living in Farmer City, ha- been a resi- lient of DeWitt county since i<\-v He was born near Leeds, England, January X. iS_>N. and i- a son of Edward and Hannah llir-t. The father was born in Huderslield. near Hull, and belonged to a good old English family. He served in the army under the Duke Mt' Wellington, and participated in the- JAMES HIRST. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 339 battle of Water!. »i. His business «;i~ that of a broadcloth manufacturer. In 1840 he came to America, accompanied by his wife and nine children. His wife was in poor health, and believing that an ocean voyage ami a change of climate would prove bene- ficial they crossed the Atlantic, but she died in 1842, at the age of sixty-two years. Her birth occurred in Dublin, Ireland. Her children were: John: Mary, who remained in England; William; Henry. Edward, who was in the same company and regiment as our subject, and was killed at the battle of Deep Bottom, Virginia, August i_\ 1864, after serving three years: Eliza; James; Eli; Maria: Hannah: and two who died in infancy. < >ur subject and his sister, Maria, are the only ones now living. She now resides in Springfield, Ohio. For his second wife the father married a Miss Sams. by whom he had one son. George W. The lather owned and operated a farm in Ed- wards county. Illinois, until called to his final rest in 1846, at the age of seventy year-. The subject of this sketch accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United. State-, and grew to manhood in Edwards count}'. Illinois. At the age of twenty he went to Clark county. Ohio, where he fol- lowed farming until 1853, and then cam< DeW'itt county. Illinois, where he worked for John Weedman until his marriage. He then rented land and 1 g in farm on his own account until the Civil war broke out. In October, 1861, Mr. Hirst enlisted in mpany I. Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and went with his command first to St. Louis. Missouri, from there to W'ill- iamsport, Maryland, and then to Hancock, Virginia, taking part in the battle at that place. He was also in the battle of Win- chester, and then went up the Shenandoah valley to Fredericksburg, Virginia, whence the command was ordered hack to ] ', ,rt Re- public, and took part in the engagement at that place. The regiment was then sent to Harrison's Landing to cover McClelland's retreat, and subsequently marched to York- town. They went into winter quarters at Suffolk, and the following spring proceeded Port Royal. South Carolina. When his regiment veteranized in [863 he was dis- charged on account of disability and re- turned home, having fought most valiantly under the stars and stripes, showing great devotion to the cause of his adopted country. \fter his return home. Mr. Hirst bought .mi ..f eight\" acres in Santa Anna town- ship belonging to the Jacob Kirby heirs, and to the improvement and cultivation of that place he devoted his energies for several years, meeting with good success in his farming operations and accumulating a nice property. He still owns the farm, hut in [897 he removed to Farmer City and pur- chased a nice residence on William street. built by Edwin Embry, and here he is now living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of former toil. He deserves great credit for the success that lie has achieved in life, hav- ing received no outside aid or financial as- sistance, but being a man of sound judg- ment and good business ability, he has stead- ily prospered until he is now quite well-to- Socially he is a prominent and influen- tial member of the Grand Army l'ost at Farmer City, in which he has tilled offices, and is now junior vice-commander, and he gs to the Masonic Lodge. No. 710. and the Independent Order of < )A<\ bellows, both of Farmer City. On the 1st of January, 1856, Mr. Hirst married Miss Ruby Dart, a daughter of Mrs. Ruby Dart. By this union were born four children: William, who died 34Q THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. in infancy; Frances, of Farmer City; Mar) I., of Chicago; and James Louis, a farmer, who married Emma F. I 'aye and has two daughters, Ruby and Lois. The wife of our subject died in 1863, at the age of thirty-four years, and he was again mar- ried, October 15. c866, his second union be- ing with Mrs. Mary E. Kirby, a daughter of Phineas Page and widow of Jacob Kirby, who at his death left two children. William II. and Flora E. Mr>. Hirst died March i_\ 1898, ai the age of sixty-nine years. By Ins second marriage our subjeel hail one daughter, Winifred Jane, who married Lewis Rutledge aftd has one son, Hirst Rut- ledge, who is Mr. Hirst's onlj grandson. Hirst Rutledge traces his ancestry back to Thomas and Sarah (Officer) Rutledge, wlio were of English and Irish descent. The former, a native of Georgia, hnt was a n denl of Kentucky while serving as ,1 ranger in the war of iSu, and at an early day came to Illinois. \fter living for some time in White county, he removed to McLean coun- ty in [828, and there died two years later, at the aye of sixty-two. Mis wife survived him about thirteen years. They were the parents of ten children, including: Cynthia, Jane. Robert, Officer, Mark and William Jackson. William Jackson Rutledge, just men- tioned, was horn in White county. Illinois. June 23, (8l6. lie had \er\ little oppOT trinity to attend school, hut nature did much for him. and he was a fine man in every sense. Through his own efforts he became a well-educated man and successful farmer. In early life he assisted in the support of his mother and the younger members of the fam- ily until nineteen years of aye. He then married Eliza Duffield, who died three years later, leaving two children: Martha J., de- ceased; and John Allen, the grandfather of Hirst Rutledge. The father of these chil- dren was again married in 1839, his second union being with Mary YanDevender, daughter of Jacob VanDevender. Mr. Rut- ledge died at the age of sixty six years. He w as 1 me < >f the pn iminent anil w ell -n i-di 1 cit- izens of his community, and Rutledge town- ship. DeWitt county .was named in his honi ir. John Allen Rutledge succeeded to his father's estate, which consisted of over six hundred acres, and successfully followed farming throughout life, lie married Miss Calistia J. ^.rbogast, a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Wood) Arbogast, and she still siir\i\cs her husband, making her home in Farmer City. The children horn to them wen' as follows; t 1 ) Charles Jasper died young, i _• 1 George V wedded Mary J. Fuller and they have four children. Lula I.. J. Clyde, \manda and David. (3)Martha A., the deceased wife of A. Huffman. (4) William J. married Lucy Parvin and they have four children. George, Omer, Cecil A. and I 'earl. (5) John S. married ( 'larinda I. Andrew. (6) Lewis M. married Wini- fred J. Hirst, and they have one son, I hist. 1 7 1 ( )llie I I. is the wife of Flora I >Oty and they have three children. Owen M.. Arthur I;., and Lott. (8) Mary E. is the wife of M. B. Kincaid. (9) Mamie I), is the wife of C. II. Judd. ( mi One son died in in- fancy. LAFAYETTF. I ):■; HOICK. This well-known resident of Clinton, who was one of the first men to make a suc- cess as a breeder of line thoroughbred trot- ting horses, was born in Johnson county. Iowa, February 8, 1853, and comes of good old Revolutionary stock, being a great- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 34 1 grandson of John De 1 >< 'ico. who fought for American independence. He was born in Paris. France, May 15. 1750. ami came to this country with the French Huguenots who were driven from their native land on account "f their religious belief. He set- tled in Shaftsburg, Vermont, where he died in i—<>i. There he had married Amy How- let, who was horn at that place January [2, 1753. and died in [823. The only known son of this worthy couple was William Lud- low De Boice, the grandfather of our suh- ject. He wa- married. September 29, [806, to Philanda Merrick, of Windham county. Vermont. She was horn in Dummerston, that county. April i<). 17S4. and died Feb- ruary 7. [873. They had one son, Will- iam II. De Boice, who was horn in Onon- dagua county. New York. June 28, 1S10. and died in Clinton. Illinois, in 1891. On the 7th of March. 1858, lie married Miss Annie S. Taylor, of Madison county. Ohio. who was horn in Bangor, Maine. Septem- ber 5, [821. The children horn of this union were William Harrison, who died in I ronton. Missouri, January 3, [862, from injuries received in the war of the Rehel- I1011 : Frank Marion, who was injured in the siege of Vicksburg and died at Memphis. Tennessee, January 18, [863; Amy A., wife of E. Sylvester Miller, of Clinton. Illinois; Sylvia Cerepita, wife of Charles Taylor, of Mexico: Annie Marie, wife of J. Warner, of Chicago; and Lafayette, of this review, lor his second wife the father married Mrs. Alma Ward, a -ister of Peter Hagle. of Clinton. She i- now living in Springfield, Illinois. By this marriage were horn two children: Fred W.. a resident of Kansas City; and Clara Jane, deceased wife oi Richard I 'aimer. In early life the father removed to Madison county. Ohio: later went to Iowa, and in [854 came to Clinton, Illinois. He purchased the Betzer farm in thi- county, which he improved, hut after owning the same for ten years he sold and bought what is now known as the L. Ab- bott farm. This he disposed of in [872, when he retired from active labor and re- moved to Clinton, buying the Leader prop- erty. He was a Republican in politics and served as commissioner of his town-hip for a time. Socially he affiliated with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. It was during the infancy of our subject that the family came to DeWitt county, and until seventeen years of age he followed farming here. He then went to Kansas and was engaged in freighting first from Wichita and later from Wellington. Cald- well and Reno, this being before the day of railroads in the west. In the fall of 1X71. he returned to Clinton and was connected with the Sylvester mills for two years, hut failing health soon forced him to seek out- door employment. He then purchased the William • '•. Savage farm of fifty acres, and turned his attention to the raising and train- ing of trotting horses. I le ha- since owned some of the hest breeds in the state, and usually sells from ten to fifteen annually. He now owns the noted stallion. Al. Kone, which is one of the finest in central Illinois, and which was purchased by him in [892 when two years old. He also has Edna Kone. and has raised Sadie 1). and Easter Lily, besides several two. three and four- year-olds, which he -till owns. He eight breeding mares and keep- hue trot- ters on hand all the time. Each year he has a regular -ale. He has won races in various part- of the -tate. anil wherever his horses have been entered they have gained such a wide reputation that large crowds gather to see them. They have won a large percentage of the race- in which they have 342 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. been entered, His fine, large stable upon his place was destroyed bj fire in i<)oo, and he has since used the stable a1 the Clin- ton Fair grounds, where he has plenty of opportunity to exercise his horses, lie em ploys only the must competenl men to assist him in caring for his horses, but he breaks and drives all of them himself. Mr. De Boice married Miss Ida Savage, a daughter of William Gibson Savage, de ;ed, who was one of the esteemed citi zens of Clinton, lie was born near Lake Champlain, New York, in August, i8n. Her grandfather, Gibson Savage, was horn in Xew England, of Scotch and English parentage, and removed to Ohio prior to [820. There her father grew to manh< and learned the tanner's and saddler's trades, but later followed farming in Cham- paign county, Ohio, until 1849, when he came to DeWitl county, Illinois. He con- tinued to engage in agricultural pursuits for some years and also dealt largel) in real estate, especially in hnsiness property, lie amassed quite a fortune, and died honored and respected by all who knew him. In August. 1835, he married Miss Sarah Gid- eon. -I Champaign county, Ohio, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, Novem her < ■. 1N14. and is a daughter ' Geot and Elizabeth 1 Miller 1 Gideon. She proved a valuable counsellor and helpmeet to her husband, ami since his death has dis- played much hnsiness ability in the man- agement of the large propert) left her. She is now erecting a fine residence for hersell in Clinton. Very charitable and hem lent, she gives liberally to all enterprises calculated to advance the public welfare. Mr. and Mrs. De II. .ice have four children: Sadie (.'.. who was graduated with honors at the Clinton high school in 1901 ; Will- iam II.; Edna; and Bennie. The Republican party has always found in Mr. De Boice a stanch supporter of its principles, and he is now efficiently serving his third term as commissioner of high- ways. In religious beliel he is a Univer- s.dist. ami in his social relations is a mem- ber of the Uniform Rank of Knights of Pythias, the United Protective League and the Masonic fraternitv. Will I \.\l I!. LANE. It requires some effort of the imagina- tion and the authentic stories of the old pio neers t,, enable the modern tourist to associ- ate the smiling fields of grain, the comfort- able homes ami varied improvements t.> be found in DeWitt county, Illinois, with the time when, hnt a few \cars ago, this was a remote frontier, with no communication with civilization except by days of slow travel over trails made l.v wild beasts or In dians. This was the condition of the land when our subject, who is William I'.. Lane, came t. . this prosperous O >nntv . The birth of Mr. Lane was in Monroe comity. Kentucky, on September [6, \Xjj. and he was hnt six weeks old when his par- ents, who were Lzekiel and Talilha Lane. came t.. Hamilton county, Illinois. Both of them were natives of Tennessee, who after marriage had moved to Kentucky, and as indicated, located in Illinois. For eighl years they engaged in farming in Hamilton county, hnt in 1835, Mr. Lane walked all the distance to Danville, and there entered one hundred and sixty acres of governmenl land in what is now DeWitt comity, and in what was later named (reek township. For many years Ezekiel Lane was known to the people of this neighborhood as a faithful CO r > 2 m > z D THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. minister in the New Light church, and lxith he and his wife were known as kind, good neighbors, among the early settlers. Mr. lane died at the aye of fifty-two years, his wife passing away at tl g i forty-two. ir of their eight children still survive. these being: Tillmon, a resident of Lane: William IV. our subject; Marinda, the widow of John St>>ne. an early settler of this county, and now resides with a daughter in \V 1 River, Nebraska: and Mary Ann. who married Jerry Lane, now living in Lane. Mir. The early education of our subject, Will- iam P.. Lane, was necessarily very limited. The school-house was made of logs and the canvas which supplied the lack window - - admitted more cold and in than light, but the time spent there ', for the eager little student who trudged through the snow during the bitter winter weather, only regretting that lie * -pared from the farm work only a few day- in the week. However, the knowl- _ ■.• now I by Mr. Lane is of a practical kind, r a - ciation with men of affair- has developed and broadened his st' >re • if infi irmati< »ri, and he is one of the intelligent citizens of Lane. Early in life our subject learned the hardships of pioneer farming, and for many S ultural pursuits ex- clusively. In the meantime the town of ne, named in his honor, had been estab- lished on a portion of hi- land, and in it he removed thither and opened up a grocery hich he nducted for a i>eriod of twelve years, since which he has lived in comparative retirement, in his pleasant home in Lane. His means are am- ple, and he . >w ns a farm < if . me hundred acres in Creek township. Mr. Lane was first married in 1 S 5 1 to Jane Murphy, who was a daughter of Lieu- tenant Richard Murphy, who was killed in the Mexican war. and seven children were born to this union, viz.: Talitha, who mar- ried George Peck, and resides in Color. ilorado, and has two children; E rah, who is the widow of 01< > 'leson, of Decatur, has five children, two girl- and thr© Ezekiel, who conduct- a restaur- ant in Clinton. Illinois, married Julia Kile- linger, and has three children: John, who reside- at Storm Lake. Iowa, married Annie Arnold, and has four children: Louisa, de- ceased, married Fred Wemple, of Texar- kana. Arkansas, and left one child: Lewi-, who lives at Champaign. Minois, in the railroad business, married Susan Mac- Mahon and has four children: his second marriage being t< 1 G >ra Frank, fn >ui which lias resulted one child: and Maggie, who lives in Colorado Springs, the wife of Henry Gouker, and they have two children. In 1877 the mother of these children died, and the second marriage of Mr. Lane was on October 17. r88o, to Mrs. Hannah Kranich, who was the widow of Alfred Kranich. She - kiel Lisenby, who was a native of Tennessee, and came to DeWitt county in the early day- it- settlement. He moved to Kansas and there his wife died soon after, at the age of seventy-two, but he survived until he ity-four d. Mrs. Lane is one a family of fifteen children, seven of whom are yet living, although no others have lo- cated in this county. By her first marri was born one daughter — Ida. now the wife ■ if < ie< irge St< me, of 1 1 ., n . Mini and she has eight children. By her second marriage Mrs. Lane is the mother -on — Orville, who was born on August n>, and who lives at home. Mr-. Lane early learned thi - in- 346 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. cident to pioneer life, and experienced its privations to the fullest extent. When she was but seven years old she had spun enough wool to make herself a dress, and she con- tinued to spin wool for that purpose until she was eighteen years of age. Vs her fa- ther was a cripple, and there were no boys in the family with the exception of the youngest child, she and her sisters worked in the fields, chopped wood in the timber, and in other ways performed the tasks and duties of a man. She split die rails for mam rods of fence, and then laid them, but in looking hack over those days long since gone, she finds that with all the hard work her life was a happy one. Surely the young men and women of this day owe a debt of gratitude to such noble women, who en- dured SO much to make possible what all lmw enjoy. Mi Mr. and Mrs. I.aue are consistent members of the Christian church, in winch, fur a long peril id. Mr. Lane was an officer and superintendent of the Sunday-school. For forty-five years he has been a member its further improve- ment and cultivation. In [850 he and our subject made an overland trip to California with a cattle train and twenty-three wagons, and were six months and seven days upon the mad. arriving at the gold diggings at Hangtown on the 7th of September. They spent eleven months in searching fm" the precious metal with fair success, and then returned by way of the Panama route. Ar- riving in New Y"i'k City, they went up the Hudson river to Albany, thence by train to Chicago, and by canal and the Illinois river tn their h. ime. their arrival being a ^reat surprise tn their family and friends. Sub- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. sequently the father removed t. ■ Bloomii g ton, where he was in the grocery • ness for some years, and he died in that city in 1883. Hi> wife survived him al>"iit five ye; On coming to Illinois William M. Story was seven years ije, and amid so common t<> frontier life he grew to man- d. When only fifteen he took chai the home farm and carried it on quite ally until he and his father went to ifornia. After his return he bought the place, and at different times purchased other tracts of land until he had two hundred and forty acres in McLean and DeWitt coun- ties, which he operated with good success a number of years. In 18'K) he moved to Caldwell county. Missouri, in company with Daniel Proctor, and together they a section of government land under the graduation act. He improved this tract :hree hundred and twenty acres, and en- g ged in its cultivation for three years. He then returned to the old homestead in this o >unty, and followed farming here for some 5, but is now living a retired life. In December. 1851, Mr. Story was mar- ried in DeWitt county to Miss Eliza C. Phares. a native of Butler county. Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph and Ellen Phares. who came to this county about 1850. Her mother is still living, at the advanced eighty-six years. For nearly half a cen- tury Mr. and Mrs. Story traveled lif journey together, sharing it< joys and - rows, its trials and hardships, but he has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died January 20. i v The children born to them were as fol- lows: Palmer J. is married and resides in Iowa: Mary E. is the wife of Baxter Bobee, of Iowa; Cynthia J. is the wife of P>. B. Shafer, of Adair county, Missouri; John is married and engaged in farming in DeWitt county. Illinois; Sarah L. married E. L. Yocom, a substantial farmer of this county. who died January ing two children. Harry and Dell: Dell, a daughter of our subject, is the wife of James Baker, of Scotland county. Missouri; Lucy died at the age of nineteen years. In politics Mr. Story is a stanch Repub- lican, and in his social relations is a mem- ber of the Ma>ouic lodge at Waynesville. He ha< many interesting reminiscences of early days, and is one of the honored pio- neers of this county. In early life he was eat hunter, bringing down many a deer in this section, while in the west he has killed elk and buffalo. Although now well advanced in years, he is still a g sh< >t with a rifle, his eye being keen and his ner steady. Of recent years he has tra\ considerably over the west, through Mis- souri. Colorado. Kansas and Nebraska, and in 1897 made a trip to Alaska, where he had many thrilling exepriences and came near losing his life in a snow slide. HUGHES BOWLES. 1 iu-!ies Bowles, a well-known citizen of Hallsville, is the posse — r of a go d prop- erty which now enables him to spend his years in the pleasurable enjoyment of his accumulations. The record of his life, pre- vious to 1900, is that of an active, enter- prising, methodical and sagacious busil man. who bent his em the honor- able acquirement ui a comfortable compe- tence for himself and family. Mr. Bowles is one of DeWitt county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Tunbridge township, December 5, 1842. His father. Henry Bowles, was 1>, ,rn in 348 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Bourbon county, Kentucky, July in. 1S1S. and was a son of Hughes Bowles, a farmer of thai county, who, in the twenties, before the winter of the deep snow, brought his family to DeWitt county, Illinois, being one of the first to locate here, lie took up a large amount of government land and be- came owner <<\ several hundred acres. 1'lie father .if our Sllbjecl was reared in this countj and married Miss I assie Hall, who was also hern in Kentuck) and was quite young when she came to this state. Her mother, Mar) Mall, was another of the pioneers of DeWitt county. Henry Bowles followed farming, and plowed much of his land with a team consisting of one horse and an ox. lie died September 20, 1845, at the age of 1 ighl years, and his wile died March 25, 1 N_s 1 . at the age of twent) five. She was born April 7. 1826. \fter the death of his mother our sub- ject made his home with his maternal grand- mother, Mi>. Mary Hall, and. other relatives imiil he was grown, and received a good common school education, lie then worked b) the month as a farm hand for a few years, bul after his marriage bought a farm of "in- hundred and twenty acres near Farmer City, but in McLean county, and at comt enced i<> break the virgin soil and improve the place b) the erection oi fences and good and substantial buildings. \ fiii residing th twenty-one years he sold the place and bought residence prop- erty in Hallsville and a farm in Tunbridge township, DeWitt comity. He rented his farm, and while making his home in the village he operated a farm nearer that place fi ir six years. I !■■ then 1 erro n ed ti 1 I falls ville and successfully ei in farming for five years. He then retired from act labor and returned to Hallsville, in Febru- ary, 1900. He is still the owner of a good farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres of land near Kinney, hut is now living a re- tired life. In Harnett ti i\\ nship, this county, Mr. Bowles was married, February 5, [868, to Miss Rachel Bartley, who was born in Mad- ison connt\. Ohio, but during infancy was brought to DeWitt county, Illinois, where she was reared. Her father, John Hartley, was a native of Pennsylvania, and in early life went to Ohio, where he married Miss Xancx McCHmans, a native of that state. Six children blessed the union of Mr. and Mis Bowles, nameh : Myrtie C, now the wife of l.d P. Hildreth, a merchant of Kin- ney; Lora I... wife of Skillman Hunter, ticket agent and telegraph operator at Halls ville; Mont I'... who is married and engaged in farming on his father's place: l.avcnie and Edna, both at home; and an infant, deceased. Originally Mr. Bowles was a Democrat in politics, and casl his first presidential vote foi General George B. McClellan in 1N114, lint of later years he has been ideilti- with the I 'n ihibitii m party. I le has served on the school hoard, but has nevei cared for public office. Religiousl) he and his wife are members of the Christian church at Hallsville, ami as a public-spirited and progressive man he gives a liberal sup- port to all measures calculated to advance the moral, educational and material welfare of the community in which he resides. So- cially he is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. W. M. PERSINGER. The fertile prairies of Illinois have opened up possibilities before the expectant eyes of man) of her adopted son- W. M. PERSINGER MRS. W. M. PERSINGER. THE l'dnCRAI'IUCXL RECORD. 353 none have better improved their chanc- es than W. M. Persing of the farmers and stock-raisers of DeWitt county. A nati l ie Buckeye state, he was born - Iney, Shelby county, December 2, - ami :- of William R. and Priscilla (Beatty) Persinger, nati. iia and Maryland. Both ren from the place- of their nativity to Ohio about 1813, and were there united in mar- They were among the early settlers Shelby county, and there made their homes during the remainder of their lives. the father dying at the age of eighty-four, and the mother when sixty-nine years They were both mem the Methodist Episcopal church and died in the faith. By occupation the father was a farmer, which : in he followed throughout life. In politics he was a Whig. In the family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom ' sd two daughters now living. The paternal grandfather of our subject. Jacob Persinger, removed with irly in 181 3. and leav- them there, enlisted in t! I war with Great Britain, and served about six months. \\ illiam M. Persinger was third in order of birth in his father's family. In his native he grew to manhood, and was educated in its public si At the age of twenty- one he started out to earn an independent livelihood by working on a farm by the month. When twenty-three yea he rented land ami carried on general farm- veral years, anil in me to DeWitt county. Illinois, where he also rent- ed land which he continued to farm until While still residing in Ohio, and during the dark days of the Civil war. on t of May. [864, Mr. Persinger enlisted in 16 Company K. One Hundred and Thirty- fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The r< f ment w; the Tenth Arm; under command of General Butler, in front of Richmond, and was ii I minor en- cments during its term but was principally occupied in picket duty. At the close of his term of service. Mr. Per- honorably disc! Septem- at Columbus. Ohii ■. On the 6th of Aug 54, was emnized the marriage of Mr. Persinger and Miss Eliza Chrisman, a daughter of David and Leana Chrisman. the former a native Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia. They were the parents of ten children, live of whom are yet living. To Mr. and Mrs. Persinger have been horn five children: Harvey 11.. Newton R., Charles Florence, and Xettie Priscilla. Of these.. Newton R. married Miss Amy Howard, a native of Kenney, Illinois, and they have two children. Rosanna and Newton R., Jr. Lenora Florence married L. 1 >. Scott, now- living in California, and they have six chil- dren. Harry. Mamie. Lewis, Roy. Xettie and Ralph. Charles G. married Adelia Tay- lor, and they reside in Macon county, with their two children. Linn and Fl< irence. In 367 ne year prior to his removal to DeWitt county. Mr. Persinger bought forty a and. which entually I, and eighty acres purchased in its pi and this in turn was disposed <>i and hundred and forty acres purchased. To this he later added until he now owns two bun dred and twenty acres of land in DeWitt county. upon which he ral farming and stock-: lie also ow eighty acre- of well improved land in Macon county. Illinois, and eighty acres of tin:' land in California. The latter ed with a heavy growth of pine, and on account 354 THE MOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the remarkable growth of the box industry in that locality, it is rapidly increasing in value. Ml of the improvements on the home farm were made by him, and his farm is one i if tin.- best in his township. In politics Mr. Persinger ^ a Republi- can, and for two terms he served as justice of the peace, and for twelve years he was a member of the school board. Fraternally lie is a member of Kenny Lodge, [. O. O. ] . and has passed all the chairs. As a citizen he is enterprising and progressive, and never shirks his duty in any respect. I lis friends are numerous in both DeWitt and Macon o 'unties. GE< >RGE WEEDMAN. irge Weedman, deceased, was oni honored pi' mi 1 representative citi- zens of DeWitl county, his last days being spenl in Farmer City, where his widow now resides. He belonged to a family of Hol- land origin, which was founded in Penn- sylvania prior to the Revolutionary war by his grandfather, George Weedman. \ made his home there for s'.me years ai his marriage. His first wife was also of lh 'Hand descent. At an early day they re- moved to Perry county, Ohio, and in 1830 came to Heyworth, McLean county, Illinois, where they experienced many hardships and trials incident to frontier life. There the first wife died a few years after their ar- rival, and he later married Phehc llalsey. Who survived him. living t" he over Eour- 1 ■! age. fohn Weedman. the second child George, was hern in Pennsylvania, in 17')". and was quite young when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. On reaching man's estate he married Miss Racial Wilson, a daughter of Asa Wilson, who removed with his family from Mary- land i" the Buckeye state when Mrs. Weed- man was young. Her parents both died in ( >hio at a ripe "Id age. In [830 Mr. Weed- man came t" Illinois, and settled in Ran- dolph's Grove, .McLean county, bul in 1835 removed to Santa Anna township, De- Witt county, where his wife died in 1854, at the age of fiftj eight years. I le then sold his place in this county and spent his last days in Webster City, Iowa, where he died in 1866, at the age of seventy-four. For his second wife lu- married .Mrs. Minerva 1 Ya/cll 1 • lamble, a native of Ohio, who re- turned to Farmer City, Illinois, after Mr. Weedman's death, and Lin married Major I licks. Mr. Weedman was a very line man. uprighl and honorable in all busini transactions, ami was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. At his death he left a large estate. B) his first wife he had ten children, namely: Asa, Harriet. George, Vmos, John, Isaiah, Lu cinda, Eliza Emma, Zadok Casey and Thomas St. < lair. orge Weedman. whose name intro- duces this sketch, was born m I '• mty, ( )hi". March 28, iS_'4. and was eleven years of age when he came with his parents to DeWitt county, Illinois, and was here reared t" manhood amid pioneer scenes, lie re- ceived a good education for those times. On the 17th nf April. [845, he married Miss Catherine Danner. a daughter of John and Catherine (Zener) I tanner, who came to Illinois in 1834, ami were among the pio- rs of this section of the state. Her fa- ther was a native of Maryland and a son of David and Catherine (Bonner) Danner, who were probably of German birth. Their other children were William, David, Lena, THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 355 S lly ami Maria. Mrs. Weedman's father lived for some time in Kentucky, later in Harrison county, Indiana, and then in Montgomery county, this state, when he came to Illinois. He was a shoemaker, 1 ing learned that trade in Louisville, Ken- tucky, and on coming to this state he I lowed that occupation in Farmer City until his death. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and in •.. be- lief was a Methodist, being an active mem- ber and class-leader in that church. In Kentucky he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Zener, who was a native "i Pennsylvania and of German descent. In early life she was a member of the United Brethren church, but later joined the Meth- ist Episcopal church. To this worthy couple were born the following children: Absalom, who married Lucretia Covey; Jacob, who tirst married Paulina Long and rod Hannah Oviatt; Polly, who mar- ried Nathan Clearwatens; Allen, who mar- ried Mary J. Crawford: John, who married Sarah Sercey; Rachel, wto married Gilbert Johnson and Ross Payne; nuel, who died unmarried at the age ^i thirty-five years; David, who is single; William, who married Hester Johnson; Isaac, who married Caroline Draper: and Catherine, who married George Weedman, his review. Mr. Danner w lier in the war of [812. Mr. ami Mr-. Weedman became the par- ents of ten children, namely: 11) Jacob 1'.. whi i died in icjoi, at the age of fifty-five years, married Almeda Slick and had one child. Thornton. At the time of the break- ing out of the Civil war he enlisted in Com- pany I, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, ami was on the skirmish line when Lee surrendered. ( _> ) Squire William, a resident of Denver, Colorado, married Anna Chapman, of Kansas, and they have six children. Effie, George, Karl. Almeda. Ruby and Annie. 131 Rachel i- the widow of Henry Farmer and lives in banner City. Her children were Mrs. Adelia McClure, deceased; Mrs. Pearl Wilson; and Henry. 14) Harriet is the wife of J. W. Baker, of Holyrood, Kansas, and they have three children, Bert, Katie and Georgia. (5) Sally is the wife of William Swiney, of Kingman, Kansas. (6) Jennie married M. B. Xeal. of Farmer City. Illinois, and to them were born two children: Rolla B. and Gladys Lucy Ann. who died at the age of two and a half years. (8) Ella married tirst J. 1". Rollings, ''i Bellflower, and they had one child. Grace. After the death of Mr. Rol- lings she married Balm Leady, of St. Louis, am! the_\' have one child. Roscoe. (9) Za- doc married Jennie Romine, of Farmer City. Illinois, and they have four children, Kern. Fay. I I Abra- ham I... a resident of Holyrood, Kansas, married Ida Gilmore and they have three children. Opal, l'earl and Ruby. On tiie 19th of March. [850, Mr. Weed- man, in company with four brother-, started across the plains for California with teams and wagons, and arrived in Hang- town on the 4th of July. After spending le time in the gold fields he went to San Francisco, where he took pas a sail- ing-vessel, and by water proceeded down the -t to the Isthmus of Panama. The ves- sel encountered some severe -tonus and was delayed forty-six days. After crossing the isthumus he went down through the Gulf "i Mexico and up the Mississippi and Illi- nois rivers to Pekin, this state, arriving home just thirteen month- to a day from the time he left it. He then turned his at- tention to farming and stock-raising, and 356 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. so successful was he iii his business affairs that he accumulated several hundred acres of land, becoming one of the wealthiesl and most substantial men in his community. In [888 he retired from active labor and re- moved t" Farmer City, where he built a fine residence, making it his home until called to his tinai resl m (893, at the age of si nine years. In politics he was an ardent Republican, and he filled the office of school trustee. Socially he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fraternity, and religiousl) was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. of which lie was a steward. lie was a man of the highest respectability, and those who were ni"st intimately . d with him speak in unqualified terms of his sterling integrity, his honor in business and his lideluv to ever} trust reposed in him. His wife is also an acini' member of the Metho- disi 1 h. and is loved and re- spected by all who know her. PETER K. \\ ILLSON. Peter K. Willson, a practical and enter- prising agriculturist of Harp township, owns and operat of the valuable and highh proved farms of that locality, and is als<> successfully engaged in stock and the grain business at Birkbeck. He was horn in Scott county. Illinois, in [857 July _><». and is a son of Samuel and 1 cinda (Kimble) Willson. who are now liv- ing in Clinton. The father was horn in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, on the nth of October, 1825, and was a son of Ezra Willson and grandson of John Will- son, both natives of \ew Jersey, and of Welsh extraction. Ezra Willson married Nancy Flatt, a native of eastern Pennsyl- vania and a daughter of Andrew Flatt, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, en- tering the service when a hoy of sixteen. I he lather of our subject is the youngest in .1 family of ten children. lie was educated in the schools of his native county, and ai the age of nineteen learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for some time. In 1^41) he went overland to California with an ox-team ind spent four years on the I 'a eitic slope. ( )n his return east he located in Scott county, Illinois, where he engaged in blacksmithing for two years, and then removed to Sangamon county, where hi' made his home until [873. During that year he came to Harp township, DeWitt mty, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising until his retirement from ai tne labor in [890, and has since been a resi dent of Clinton. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and in his church relations is a Meih odist. On the [si of March. [855, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Kim- ble, also a native of Lycoming comity, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Jacob and Man 1 mi Kimble, whi 1 were horn in the same -late. Her grandfather, Pete: Kimble, was a soldier of the war of iNu. Mr. and Mis. Willson have three children: er K., our subject; llcnrv ('.; and Jen nie. It was during the infancy of our subject that the family removed to Sangamon county, and there he was reared and edu cated, attending first the public schools ami later a business college at Springfield. At early age he became thoroughly familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. After coming to DeWitt county he gave his father the benefit of his labors until lie attained his majority, and re- mained home until twenty-five years of age THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 357 On the 6th of September, 188.2, Mr. Willson was united in marriage with Miss Caroline P. Walker, a native of DeVVitt county, and a daughter of Judge Robert Walker, of Harp township, who was one the id prominent citizens of the county. He was originally from Penn- .ania. but came to Illinois from Ohio, and after living in Sangamon county for a time took up his residence in DeWitt county, where he died in 1897. He served as coun- ty judge and : supervisor of Harp township for a number of terms, and was very prominent in Republican circles, though lie later became a Prohibitionist. He was a member of the Presbyterian church of Clinton, and commanded the re- spect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact either in a husiin rial way. His widow now lives with a daugh- ter in Harp township. They were the par- ents of nine children. Nine children have also been horn to our subject and his wife, hut one daughter died in infancy. Th living are Charles. Harry. May. Alice. Clara. Mary. Ruth and Nellie. After his marriage Mr. Willson com- menced farming on sections 29 and 30, Harp township, where he lived for a num- ber of year-, and then removed to his fa- ther's place, where he built a residence at a cosl of four thousand dollars. He now owns four hundred and eighty acre- of rich and arable land, and his wife has one hun- dred and eighty acres, both tracts being in Harp township. Mr. Willson gives the iter part of attention to the raising and feeding of stock, and he usually keeps on hand one hundred and fifty head of cattle and fmni one hundred and fifty to four hun- dred hogs. He has a tine herd of pure-bred short horn-. In iS<)<) Mr. Willson built an elevator at Birkbeck, and has. since engaged in the grain business in connection with his ■ •tlier business. He i- one of the most en- ergetic and progressive men of his com- munity, and generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes. Mr. Willson is a member of the Metho- dist Protestant church at Prairie Center, and. 1- a stanch supporter •>!" the Republican party and its principles. He has served as school director twenty-one years, and has also tilled the office >>\ town clerk, hut would never accept other public positions, prefer- ring to give his undivided attention to his extensive business interests. He i- a gen- erous, liberal-minded and progressive citi- zen, and is held in high regard by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. IK \.\K ADKISS< >N. Frank Adkisson, special agent of the Phenix Insurance Company at Clinton, is one of DeWitt county'- native -on-, his birth having occurred in Clintonia township, July 10. 1N00. Hi- father, John Adkisson, was horn in Tennessee, in [819, and about [830 came u > Illinois. He firsl located in Winchester. Scotl county, hut in 1S57 came t" Clinton, DeWitt county, and purchased the property now owned by Dr. Warner. On selling that place to Aaron Negley, he bought a larger farm, now owned bj J. I. Sprague, and there lie made hi- home until his death, which occurred in [871. He married Corrilla Thomas, who was horn in Kentucky in [820, and died in 1SS7. Their children were Thomas Kenton, a resident of California: Mary, deceased; twins, who died in infancy: Ellen and George, both de- ceased; Horace, of Clinton; Frank, our sub- 358 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ject ; William, deceased; and a daughter, -who died in infancy. The early life of Frank Adkisson was passed upon a farm, and he was educated in Clinton. In i88i he became agent For the Phenix [nsurance Company, and so success- ful was lie in this business that he was made special agent in 1890, his territory being central and northern Illinois, though he practically does business all over the state, ranking second in 1901 among the repre- sentatives of that company in Illinois. Air. Adkisson married Miss Anna Sew- ard, of Hillsboro, Illinois. Her father. Clarence S. Seward, was horn in Hillsboro, Montgomery county, December 25, 1831, and is a - n of Israel A. Seward and grand- son of John Seward. The latter was a na- tive of Albany, New York, and a surveyor h\ profession. lie Spent his last days in Illinois, and died in Hillsboro, at the age eight) Four years. I lis children were But ler. Israel. Harrison, Jane. Maria and Nancy. Israel Seward was also born in Al- bany, New York, and from there went t" Morristown, New Jersey. In r8 18 he came to Vandalia, Illinois, and for some tune was a surveyor in the emplo) of the government. Subsequently he located in Hillsboro, where he died in [868, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Slayhack. was born in Kentucky in [799, and died in [877. He owned and operated different farms in this state, and participated in the Black Hawk war. In his famil) were the following children: William. George, Charles, Henry, Caroline, Clarence S., James Frances, Ed- ward, Cornelia and Martha. Clarence S. Seward, the father >>f Mrs. Adkisson, was reared on a farm, and in (849 went over- land to California, where he spent ten years in mining and other work. On his return to Illinois, in [860, he followed farming near Hillsboro until [895, when he removed t( 1 Clinton. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious belief is a Presbyterian. He mar- ried Sarah Vrooman, a daughter of Minard Vrooman, of Fundy, New York, and to them were horn four children: Freddit, who died young; Anna, deceased wile of our subject; Agnes, wife of |. Miller; and Sylvia, deceased. Mrs. Adkisson died in 1 000. at the age of thirty-two years, leav- ing 1 'lie child. I. call A. Mr. Adkisson has never taken any part in political affairs, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. i.ill\- he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and also belongs to the blue lodge, chapter and commander) of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Knight I emplai al I itchfield, Illinois, in [883, being at that time the youngest member ol the commandery there. I lis close applica- tion to business compels him at times to take needed rest, and on these occasions he indulges his love for the rod and reel, spend- ing his vacations near the beautiful wat of northern Wisconsin. As a fisherman he has met wonderful success, and he has a fine specimen of muscalonge. weighing twenty pounds, which he caught and has mounted as a trophy. lie has a nice home in Clinton, surrounded by spacious grounds, having purchased the Philip Wolfe prop- erty. AARON NAGELY. Aaron Xagely. one of Clinton's oldest and most honored citizens, was horn in Clark county. Ohio, on the 26th of March, THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 359 1817, and i- a son "t' John and Elizabeth gely, and grandson of and Sarah 1 I 'hares ) Nagely. The grand- father, who was a fanner by occupation, is I*.™ in Randolph county, Virginia, and atx in 1810 removed to Ohio, where he he- came a large land owner, giving four of his e hundred acres. The other chil- dren he helped by giving them money. Both he and his wife died when about seventy \e. Their children were Chris- tina, John. Henry. I Eli, Jacob, Da- vid.. Sampson, Pa'ilser, Margaret and Xcl>- s maternal grandpar- ents were William and Margaret I Dunkle) so lived to old age. They were natives of Pendleton county. V Virginia, the former of Irish descent r • 1 I the latu ■ man origin. In their fam- ily were the following children: William. Elizabeth, Annie. George, Margaret, Mary. Reuben and Zebedee. The father of 1 >ur subject served in the state militia during the war of 1812, and made farming and stock- ing his life occupation, owning and crating three hundred acres of land in Mad- hio. In the spring of 1 v he started for California, and died there the e year, at the i >ixty-four. Hi- wife died at the ag sixty-nine ye They had >i\ children, namely: Mary. Icha- bod, Christiana. Aaron, William and Rotn ert. Aan.n Nagley spent hi- early life in hi-; native state, and in 1849 came to [Hill locating in Clinton. His first home here was the old court-house which is now the property of Mr-. Lowery. For some time he was quite extensively engaged in stock- dealing, and as there were no railroads here at that time, he drove his stock to market, selling his hogs mainly in Pekin and hi< cat- tle in Lancaster, Pennsylvania At that time it to. ik about three months to make the round trip. At one time he had one thou- sand hogs in one drove. From 1852 until 1857 he was engaged in merchandising with A. R. Phares, hauling the lumber for his e from Indiana and erecting a building where the National Bank now stands. Later Mr. Nagely turned his attention to brick manufacturing for a short time, and during President Lincoln's administration served as postmaster of Clinton, the office then being located on the presenl site of Mr. Xichlis' -tore. On his retirement from office he resumed stock-dealing, to which he devoted his time and energies until he laid .ires in [895, and has Mary Elizabeth is the wife of A. Johnson, and their children are rles. Clarkus. Cadius, Clay. Clarence. Clara. Clinton. Permelia and Eason. They lost one. Emma. (41 William < I. i- a lent of Denver. Colorado. 1 ; 1 Aman- da Malissa i- deceased Permelia is the wife of Thomas Bossier, of 1.,.- Ai . California, and they have two children, Eliza and Kay. 171 Jennie i- the wife of Thomas Hull, of Clinton. (8) DeWitt Clinton is also a resident of Clinton. (9) Charlie married Miss Ella Robins, of De- Witt, Illinois, and they have two children, I [elen and Louise. The Republican party finds in Mr. Nag- ely a stanch supporter of its principles, and he served as enrolling officer during the war 360 THE niOCR \PMICAL RECORD. of the Rebellion. For fourteen years he filled the office of township and cit) as sessor. In [844 he was made a Mason, and in [850 helped organize the first lodge in Clinton, No. 84, A.. F. & A. M.. in which he served as the first junior warden. He and his wife were also among the first memtx of the Eastern Star chapter. Since [854 lie has been connected with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been a member of the Universalis! church for four years. In the interests of his business he traveled all over the county on horseback in early days, and has probably traveled more miles in thai way than any man in the coun- ty. Although now eighty-four years of age, he is still active and energetic, and 1 es a wonderful memory. He is widely known and universally respected, having a large circle of friends and acquaintan throughout this section of the state. DENNIS TURNER. Dennis Turner, who is now practically living a retired life On his farm in Rutledge township, has made his home there for al- most sixty veafs. and is one of the most es- teemed citizens of that locality. lie was born on the 24th of September, 1829, in Windsor county. Vermont, which was also the birthplace of his father. Perry Turner. Ills paternal grandfather was drowned in the Connecticut river in early life and little is known of the family except that his an- cestors settled in Xew England in colonial days. Perry Turner married Rhoda Stod- dard, who was also a native of the <■! Mountain state. About 1 833 he removed to Champaign county. Ohio, and in [842 came to McLean county, Illinois, and here lived on rented land for two years, when he moved to DeWitt county, where he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres ol land ■ in section 17. Rutledge township, which had been entered by Isaac Williamson, and about one-half of which had been broken and a log house erected thereon. This farm is -nil the home of our subject. Here his father died of fever in [845, at the age of fort) years, ami the mother passed away in 1N17, at the age of forty-eight. Their chil- dren were: I tennis, Marshall \\\, William I'., and .Mary A I., all of whom died befi >re the mother with exception of our subject. Mr. Turner, of this review, succeeded to the old homestead, and having entered nuie land and purchased other tracts, he now ''vviis over live hundred acres. I le built a frame house upon his place, ami later re- placed this by a mi »re a unmi idii »us am! better residence. He also erected a good set of outbuildings, has set out fruit and shade trcis. and now has one of the best improved farms in the locality. In early days he gave o msiderable attentii m t< ■ the raising of sheep, keeping a flock of about four hundred, bul finding other enterprises more profitable, he discontinued that business, and for some years has made a specialty of raisin- a high grade 1 if cattle and hi >gs. In 1851 Mr. Turner was united in mar- riage with Miss Martha J. Rutledge, who was born 111 McLean county in [835. Her father was William Jackson Rutledge, a sketch ot whom appears on another page of this volume. Mrs. Turner was a faithful helpmate to her husband in aiding him finan- cially and in rearing their line family, an.' she was a devout Christian, loved by all who knew her. She died in 1866, leaving live children, namely: Allen A., who is represented elsewhere in this work; Charles J., a farmer of Rutledge township; Mary DENNIS TURNER. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RED >RD. 363 J., wife of J. \ the same township; a farmer of Rul >wn- ship; and Martha I)., wi \\ . Bishop, whose sketch is foimd elsewhere in this ume. ! second wife Mr. Turner v. I Miss Man a native of Virginia, by whom he has 1. Samuel, a farmer uiship. g his majority Mr. Turner has affiliated with the Democratic party, and has ibly served as justice of the He has lirector, and lias ever taken an active part in educational affair-, the first school house of Rutledge township being erected his farm. He has filled the office of township collector, and is regarded as one spirited and enterprising citizens of his community. For some time rented his land but still 1 its n. In his relig i\ iews h< a Universalist and is a man of integrity and honor, whose word is sidered as ! as his bond. Although he is now quite well- '■>. Ik- i- plain and unassuming in man- ner, and commands the respect and confi- dence of all who know him. DEAN WILLIAMS :i Williams, one of the leading farmers and representative citizens of Waynesville township, is now fully carrying on the « -1« 1 home farm of nearly two hundred acr ction 16. He was horn in that township on the 8th of October, -+. and throughout his active business life has l>een identified with it- agricultural in- tere-' - His father. Moses k his l>ri.!. Bureau county. Illinois, and in ime DeWitt county, where -he died in June, 1 >f the -i\ children horn of that union only two reached maturity, and both of these are now deceased. E '.in returning Id home in Mus- kingum county. Ohio, Moses G. William- was married. September 10. 1845, '" Mi-s therine E. McElhiney, also a native of that county and a sister of his first wife. Her father. Judge Matthew McElhiney, was horn in Ohio, and became a prominent citi- zen of Muskingum county, where he served two or three terms as county judge. By trade he was a wheelwright, and followed that occupation for many year-. He came to Illinois and entered land in DeWitt coun- ty, on which Mr. Williams settled, mak- ing it his home until death. The father of our subject died here May 19, 1854, at the g of forty-two years, when in the prime of life. His widow then took charge of the farm and business, which she managed with marked skill and ability, at the same time uniformly held. she removed to the farm of one hundred and twenty acres "it section 16, Waynesville township, where she now resides. She • timable lady, who is loved and re- spected by all who know her. The subject of this -ketch is the you e-t in her family of four children, the others beii th M. married Wyley Marvel, of Waynesville. ami died. leaving eight children, who are now all 364 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. grown. Mary E. is the wife of William Jeffreys, of Schuyler county, Missouri, and they have five children living. Barthena married James Price and died, leaving three children, who are still living. Since the age of six years I Kan Will- iams has resided upon the farm where he now lues, and since the age of fourteen has had charge <■! tin' place, relieving his mother oi the responsibility and care of the same, lie became self-reliant at a ver\ early age, as his father was dead, and he is to da) one (if the mosl thrifty and skillful farmers and ck raiser- <■! his community. The 1 Id homestead is a well-improved place, the buildings being neat and substantial, and the entire surroundings are in perfect harmony therew ith. In Wapella township, this county, Sep- tember .;. 1879, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. William and Miss Elizabeth Cunningham, a daughter of Frank Cun- ningham, "tie nf the 1 'Id settlers and substan tial nun of that township, whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this work. She was reared and educated in this county. Mi". and Mrs. Williams have three children: Frank D., Nellie M. and Gladys V. Since casting his first presidential vote fur Samuel J. filden in 1876, Mr. \\ ill— iams has always affiliated with the Demo- cratic part\. lie is one of the popular and influential citizens of his community, and is well worthy the high regard in which he is unformly held. til VRLES K. ZORGER. Among Clinton's prominent and sue tul citizens who have retired from active business js Charles K. Zorger, who was burn in Newbury township, York county, Penn- sylvania, January 1. 1831, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Keister) Zorger, also natives of the Keystone state, llis paternal grandfather was Peter Zorger, who died young. The father, who followed farming and ran a still house, died when about fort) years of age, when our subject was only two years and a half old. The mother long sur- vived him. passing away in [866, at the of seventj eight. Their children were: Su- sanna, wife of I!. Brubacher; Adam Henry, deceased; Michael, a resident oi White coun- ty, ndiana; Jacob K., of Clinton, llinois; and ( 'harles K., 1 mr subje 1 In early life Charles K. Zorger worked at farming until eighteen years of age, and then went to Vork, Pennsylvania, where he learned the plasterer's trade. Subsequently he followed that occupation in \\ 1; 1 coun- ty, Ohio, f"f two years. On the 171I1 of April. [854, he landed in Clinton, Illinois. and having become master of his trade, he began business here as a contractor. Among his first work which is still standing are the homes of Dr. Edmiston and Mrs. Bishop, and several Stores on the northeast corner of the square. During the (Til war Mr. Zorger enlisted in [862, in Company 1'.. One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. lie was promoted as sergeant, and was serving as first lieutenant when discharged, lie is now an In mi ired member of the < iraml Army 1 '1 >st at Clinton, in which he has held office. For a year and a half after his return from the war. Mr. Zorger worked at In- trade, and then bought the Ray farm of two hundred acres in Texas township, which he improved and operated for some time and which he still owns. In connection with his brother, facob K.. he next bought the Alex. THE BIOGK APHICAL KFXORD. 365 Kelly farm of one hundred and sixty-eight acres in Creek township; the Greei farm of sixty-five acres in Texas township; the Da- \ is farm of two hundred and forty acres in Clintonia township. For many years he suc- cessfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and was one of the larj horse breeders and raisers in the county, making a specialty of English draft horses. There is probably nut a better judge of horses in the a iunty, and in this line of busi- ness he met with most excellent success. In [883 he practically retired from business and removed to Clinton, purchasing the J. North property, which lie improved and later sold, it being now used as the Presbyterian par- sonage. Buying the G. W. Gideon property, he replaced the old house bj a line modern residence. Mr. Zorger still retains poss sion of his farms, which he rents. In addi- tion t" this property he owns in partnership with George W. Woy the block <>n the west corner of East Main and South Monroe streets, which is used fur store purposes. Mr. Zorger has been married three times. his first wife being Miss Rachel Strominger, a daughter of Jacob Strominger, of York county. Pennsylvania, and to them were born five children, hut only two are now living: Lincoln, an engineer, "f Clinton, who mar- ried Anna Smallwood and has one child. Louis; and Ella, who resiles at home Mr. Zorger next married Mrs. Martha it 1 Wilmore. Hi- third wife was .\|j,, Hulda Johnson, a daughter at Eason Johnson, one of the oldest citizens of Clinton. Her father was hc,rn near Providence, Rhode Island. August 13. [814, a son of Joseph ami I.y- dia (Cook) Johnson, who were natives of the same state ami from there removed to Ohio, where his mother died. His father. who was a large land owner in Ohio, spent his last days in Clinton. Illinois, where he died at the age of eighty-two \ears. Eason Johnson grew to manhood in Ohio, and on the 17th of December, 1835, married Mis- Alice Calender, who was also born in Ohio, December 2.5, 1816. They are now the old- est married couple in Clinton, and are highly esteemed by all who know them. Their chil- dren are: Nancy, Amos, lluldah. Ira. Alice. Joseph !■:., Allura. Lovina and Emma. Politically Mr. Zorger is identified with the Republican party, and fraternally he affil- iates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Encampment and Rebekahs. He is the oldest Odd Fellow in Clinton and i- past -rand of his lodge. A man of keen perception, of unbounded enterprise, his suc- 5 in life is due entirely to his own effi and he deserves prominent mention am. .li- the leading and representative citizens 1 if I )e- VVitt county. STEPHEN Ix. CARTER. It has been said that only those lives are worthy of record that have been potential factors in the public progress in promoting the general welfare or advancing the educa- tional or moral interests of the community. Mr. Carter was ever faithful to his duties of citizenship, taking a very active and prom- inent part in public affairs, and during his intry's hour of trial fought bravely for the cause of freedom and union. He was horn in Smithfield, Jefferson inty, Ohio, January 7. [843, and was a son of William E. am! Ruthana (Kinsej 1 Carter, who were also natives of that county. His paternal grandparents were Joshua and Sarah 1 Evans) Carter, natives of Maryland ami Pennsylvania, respectively. His mother died December 31. 1849, and was laid ton in the Smithfield cemetery. She has four 366 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. children, two sons, both now deceased; and two daughters* Mrs. John I >. Rogers, of Clinton, Illinois; and Mrs. Charles Kerner, of [ndianapolis, Indiana. For bis second wife the father married Miss Anna Kinsey Jordan, who was also b >rn in Jefferson coun- ty, ( >hio, and is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Kinsey) Jordan, the formet native of Maryland, the latter of North I olina. William E. Carter was a cabinet maker by trade and followed that occupation in Ohio. As a local politician he filled sev- eral in his native county, including that of justice of the peace In [855 he came west, and after spending aboul a year in Davenport, Iowa, located in Bloomington, Illinois, where the following two years v passed. In [858 he came to Clinton, and for some time was in the emplo) of the Illinois ( entral and Wabash Railroad Companies. lie is buried in Springfield, Illinois. In pol itics he was a Whit;. His wile still survives him and makes her home < >n North Quinc) street. Clinton. By his second marriage he had two children, of whom one is still liv- ing, Edwin, a resident of Decatur, Illinois. After his father left Ohio, Stephen K. ter went to live with his grandparents, and remained with them until the winter of [858, when he came t" Clinton, where his lather had just located. Here he attended school until the Civil war broke out. Laying aside his l ks, he enlisted in [86l, ill Com- pany 1'".. Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, and at the battle of Shiloh received a gunshot wound in the left leg. He was con- fined in a hospital for some time, and not re- covering from his wound was finally dis- charged, lie returned home and for many years was compelled to walk with crutches. This wound troubled him throughout life, anil at times was exceedingly painful. After his return from the war. Mr. Car- ter attended the Illinois State Normal at Normal for two years, wo/king his way dirough college by taking care of horses and doing chores for the professor with whom he hoarded. After his graduation he was elected county superintendent of schools in DeWitt county, and while filling that office devoted his leisure time to the study of law. ig admitted to the har in 1X70. Two years later he was elected state's attorney, and subsequently was selected to till out the unexpired term of James A. Wilson as coun- ty treasurer, lie also served as county and city clerk for one term each. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and his career in office indicated the confidence reposed in him by his fellow cil ( >n the 9th of April, [867, Mr. Carter was taiited in marriage with Miss America R. Madden, and to them were born six chil- dren, namely: 1 1 1 Grace, the oldest, is de- ceased. 1 _• 1 Wilbur M.. who is now engaged in the real estate ami insurance business in Clinton, married Leila Vauleu. and they havi Id. Marian Josephine. (3) Ste- phen Kinsey, a farmer of liar]) township, married Julia McAboy, ami they have two children. Floyd McAboj and Maude Louise. Ira I... a resident of Clinton, married Daisy Egan and they have one child, Stephen Edwin. 151 William J. married Clara Cor- bett and lues in Clinton, id) llattie Belle is deceased. Dr. X. II. Madden, the father of Mrs. Carter, was horn in Kentucky. December 1 _\ [816, and was a son of Dr. Thomas and Ruth (Hollingsworth) Madden, both of Scotch-Irish descent. The Dr. Thomas Madden died in Vermillion county, Illinois, at the age of eighty years, his wife at lin- age of seventy-two. Mrs. Carter's father was reared and educated in Kentucky, and when about sixteen years of age commenced THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 367 the study of medicine, later attending Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he was graduated with the degree of M. I >. He was married March id. [842, to Miss Aman- da Carter, by whom he had two children: : and America R., now Mrs 1 ter. The wife and mother died October 7. 1X44. when about twenty years of age Hie Doctor was again married, October 1. [848, his second union being with Mi-s Angeline Downey, a native of Virginia, and a dauj ter of Darby and Mary ( Burgess) Downey. Her father was a soldier of the war of iSu. and her grandfather fought in the Revolu- tionary war. At the time of his second mar- riage Dr. Madden was living in Danville, Vermillion county, Illinois, and from thi dme to Clinton, DeVVitt county, in Febru- ary, 1856. Here he built up a very la practice, covering a radius of twenty miles an>nnd Clinton. On hi- removal to this place he sold nearly all of his household ids, and the family had ti 1 eat . iff 1 if bi >xes until some furniture could be made, as there was 111 1 furniture store in the small hamlet at that time. Dr. Madden successfully en- :ed in tlie practice of medicine up to the time of his death, which occurred April 4. 1876. He owned a large tract of land ad- joining the city on the northeast, which he laid out in town lots, it being now known as Madden's addition. His political support was given the Democracy, and the cause of temperance found in him an earnest advo- cate. He served as alderman of Clinton, ami at the opening of the Civil war presided at the first meeting for volunteers in tin- city. His health did not permit hi- entering the ice. but lie gave liberally of his means ami time in aiding the soldiers ami their widows and orphans and would never take any compensation for such service, lie was an active member of the National, State and Count) Medical S and w treasurer of the DeWitl Count} Medical So- ciety while he lay on his deathbed. I iously he wa- an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as 1- also his widow, whi. -till resides in Clinton. Their children were: Mrs. Laura 1 ". McPherson, Tin una-. Franklin, Downey, Lockland and Mrs. Mary Ruth Johnston. I" the city of Clinton Mr. Carter was I loyal friend ami one of her foremost citizen-. 1 le wa- a 111:111 1 if the time-. 1 minded, public-spirited and pn His influence was great ami always fur \ His duties were performed with thi care, and throughout life his personal honor and integrity were without blemish. GE< IRGE WETZELL. Among the well-known ami respected citizens of Farmer City, Illinois, Wetzell, the efficient and enterprising edi- tor and proprietor of the Farmer City Sun, having occupied this position since October 1. 1899, succeeding Devore & Lawrence. The birth of Mr. Wetzell occurred near Abingdon, Virginia, October 9, [857, and he i- a -mi of Jefferson Wetzel, who was born in Wythe county, Virginia, )uu^- 30, 1832. The W/etzel family traces it- an- cestry far hack t.i one John Wetzel, who came t.> America either from Germany or Switzerland, and wa- the first settler in what i- now the city of Wheeling, West Virginia. He wa- a fanner and wa- killed by the Indian-, his -mi Lewi- avenging his father- death by slaying the murderer. The children of John were as follows: Martin. Lewis. Jacob, John, I -an ami Christina. 368 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. George Wetzel, who was the greal great-grandfather of our subject, removed to Maryland and little is known of him in the family, except thai he left a son, Peter. Peter Wetzel was a farmer in south- western Virginia and operated a mill in Wythe county. His children were Michael, Elizabeth, George, John, Peter and Jessie. He died at the age of seventy years. George Wetzel, the grandfather of our subject, removed to DeWitt county, Illinois, in [852, coming by team to Farmer City. By trade he was a cooper, and also engaged in farming in connection with work at his coopering. The grandmother of our sub- ject was Margaret, a daughter of Michael Commany, who was born in Virginia. The family born to these grandparents included these children: Henry, Isaac, Si .Martin. Annie. Catherine. Rebecca, Mar- et, [efferson, Ambrose, George, David, and Michael. During the war of [812 Grandfather Wetzel started to join the army, but peace was declared he reached the seat of war. In politics he was formerly a Whig, hut later became a Re- publican, while the religious connection of the family was with the Lutheran church. [efferson Wet/el. the father of our sub- ject, was educated in the public and »aged in farming. In [862 he enlisted in Company 1. One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Drum Corps, and later organized a brass band. \\ hen a young man he learned the carpenter trade and followed that in connection with farming, llis marri; was to Miss Catherine Christ, who was horn in Virginia, and was a daughter of Daniel and Amanda Minnick) Christ. The children of this marriage were as follows: William A., who married Ella Cummings, lives in Salt Lake City: David C. was a minister in the Christian church, hut is now de- ceased, his death occurring in San Fran- cisco: Benjamin F. ; George \V., of this sketch: Anna Belle, married C. F. Holmes, of I'iatt county; Laura M. married A. ( i. Albright; Vinnie R. married Harry R. Bates, of Seattle. Washington; Nettie F. is deceased; Delia Maud is also deceased; and Pearl married L. S. Webb. Mr. Wetzel] has been senior vice-com- mander of the ( i. A. R. post and has filled with efficienc) several political offices, nota- bly that of tax collector. Formerly he was a Whig, hut is now an ardent and active Republican, and has done some excellent reportorial work on the Bloomington, Illi- nois, newspapers. For many years he has been an elder in the Christian church, and lias been long connected with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has held high office. It was in [859 that George Wetzell, our subject, accompanied his parents to Farmer City and as early as his fourteenth ■ began a career which has been one of considerable prominence. Under John S. 1 harper, who was one of the earliest pub- lishers in this city, he served an appren- ticeship, graduating into a lirst-class printer, lied not only in the mechanical part of the business, hut comprehending with ability and intelligence to other branches of the newspaper work. In 1SN1 he went to 'i and there became the foreman ,.f tlu- Bloomington Daily Leader, remain- ing for a period of four years, going from there to (iieenview. Manard county, to es- tablish the Drcenvicw Mail, which for four years was one of the brightest little jour- nals of that part of the county. Returning to Bloomington he became associated with the Bloomington Pantagraph and remained THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 369 in that city for eleven years, leaving that l-known journal to purchase his pres- ent newspaper in this city. Mr. Wetzell was married to Miss Julia. the accomplished daughter of Abraham and Sarah Pratt, of Bloomington, and their three children are: Herbert VV., Frances Gail and Gertrude. Fraternally Mr. Wetzell is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. Politically he is independent, and at the present time h< a member of the Farmer City school board. lie i- recognized as a man of ability and has increased the pat] of his paper in a remarkable !jree since taking charge. Liberal-minded and careful, it has been the aim of Mr. Wet- zell to furnish the news to the residents of iter City in agreeable form, to mold public sentiment in the direction of progress and improvement, to advance the inter of worthy enterprises in their midst and to them a paper worthy of their support. WILLIAM H. HARTSOCK. Among the successful farmers of Creek township. DeWitt county. Illinois, is Will- iam II. Hartsock, whi - on section [6. He was born in Greene county. Ohio. Feb- ruary 25, 1859. and i- a sou 1 je and Emily (James) Hartsock, both of whom natives of < Ihio. The parents of George Hartsock were natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Ohio and there lived and died. The father of our subject followed farming in < >hio, where he was educated and where he married Emily James, making that state his home until 1853, when, fired with the spirit of emigration, he removed to Texas township, DeWitt county. Illinois, where he had purchased land prior to com- ing to the Prairie state. There was but a little log cabin on the land, but the brave pioneer worked ahead, improved his land and dwelling house, and in time prospered until he had four hundred and forty acre- of improved land. ( )n December 27, [899, he died and was buried in W llawn cemetery, Clinton. His widow is still living in Clin- ton. Illinois. Mr. and Mrs, I re rge Hartsock were the parent- of six children, all living, namely: Emerson, who i- engaged in the grain busi- ness and also farm- to some extent in Creek township: William II.. our subject: Charles M.. who resides in Texas township on the home place: E. May. who is making her home with her mother; Ralph, who in Clinton with his mother. Mr. Hartsock attended the schools Texas township and worked upon his fath- er's farm until he was twenty-one. when he and his brother. James, undertook the man- agement of the old homestead. This part- nership continued for three years, when our subject was married and ren tion 16, Creek' township, where he owns and operates one hundred and forty ;-. rich farm land which he devote- to general farm- ing and stock-raising. The farm is kept in excellent condition and the house, barn and outbuildings are well cared \ On December 25, 1883, our subject was married to Miss Emma Ziegler, a native DeWitt county, and a daughter of Henry Ziegler. one of the early settlers. He born in Germany but was brought to Amer- ica when a baby and has always f farming with the exception of a lew \> Spent in a plow factory when a young man. Mrs. Hartsock . of nine children, -ix of whom are still living, namely: Mary, 37° THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. who married Henry Weber and they reside in Iowa; Henry, who resides in Clinton; Mrs. Hartsock; Rose, who married Samuel McFail, and they reside in New Jersej : Ja- cob, who resides in Iowa, and Arthur, who resides in Iowa. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hartsock, namely: Edna, Winnie, Gussie and Bert, ail four in school; and Roscoe and ( Ima. Mr. Hartsock is a member of Gilmore I odge, X". 455. 1\. I'., ami is "ne <>f the most active workers in tl nization. In pi ilitics he is a 1 Jemocrat and has sen ed most acceptably as collector and has also been commissioner of the township but ha- never ired office, preferring to devote his at- tention to tlie affairs of his home and family, lie i- a man of high character and Sterling integrity, and enjoy- universal esteem in the community in which he resides. SAMUEL II. M \K I IX. Few of Waynesville's citizens are more prominent or more widely known than Samuel II- Martin, who has been cashier of the Waynesville Bank for the past seven years. He was horn in Logan county, this state, November _•<). 1862, and of James S. Martin, who i- a leading farmer of that comity. Hi- paternal grandfather, James 1'. Martin, was a native of Ireland. but during his infancy was brought to the United States by his parents, the family l.>- cating in Pennsylvania, where he grev manhood. Later he spent some years in Ohio, and then came to Illinois, making a permanent location in h ounty, where he was numbered among the pioneers. Jame- S. Martin, the father of our sub- ject, was horn in Ohio, in [837, but was reared in Logan comity. Illinois, and there married Miss Caroline Hoblit, a native of the county and a daughter of Squire Samuel Hoblit, who was another of its early settler-. Mr. Martin became a prosperous farmer of that county, and a mtinued t< 1 engage in agri- cultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred 111 1 SS 1 . Ili- wife survived him a few years. They were the parents of six children, three -on- and three daughters, of whom Samuel II. is the eldest. The other- are: Ellen M., wife of George W. Carlock, of Evanston, Illinois; Charles !•'.., ;■ business man of Klw 1, Indiana: Mary, who died about [895, and the w ife of I I airy 1 Quisenberry, Jr.. a resident of Logan county; Clinton I ).. a business man of Kan- 1 it\. Missouri; and Melhc. who 1- living with her sister in Evansti >n. The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed upon the old home farm in Lo- gan county, and his primary education \ received in the public schools of that local- ity. Later he attended Lincoln University at Lincoln and the State Normal School a! Normal, Illinois, and then took a commer cial course at Bryanl iV Stratton Business lege in Chicago. After leaving school he epted a pi >-i t i< ma tor in the First National Bank at Lincoln, and later was promoted to assistant bookkeeper, remain- ing with that institution until September, [894, when he w.as elected cashier of the Waynesville Lank, and bj able management has seen it grow strong and able to meet the demands of a p ity and rich farm immunity. In this capacity he lias since sen ed. 1 [e pi issesses superior busi- ness ability and stands high in commercial circles. I lis attention is not wholly confined to the hanking business, for he i- interested in a number of different enterprises. He own- one-sixth of the stock of the Mt. Nebo Anthracite Coal Company at Russellville, Arkansas, where an anthracite coal mine is THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 373 now in successful operation, it being the only one known in the United States out- side "i" Pennsylvania. The company ship their coal throughout the west. Mr. Martin is also the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred and eight acres in Bamett township, DeWitt county. ( )n the [8th of < >ctober, 1887, in Bloom- ington, Indiana, Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Miss Florence Payne, who is a native of thai state, as was also her par- ent,-. William L. and Catherine Payne. Sin- was reared and educated in Bloomingti and attended the Indiana State University. By her marriage she became the mother of three children: Fay E., James P. and Philip S. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. .Martin are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Waynesville, and fraternally he affiliates with Waynesville Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; the Odd Fellows Lodge of the same place: Keokuk Tribe, I. O. R. M., of Lincoln. Since attaining hi- majority he ha- been identified with the Republican party, and cast hi- first presidential vote for James G. Blaine in [884, but he ha- never cared for political hom irs. 1 le ha- served 1 >n the t< >\\ n board and al9o the school board, and is pre- eminently public-spirited and progressive, taking a commendable interest in all enter- prises which he believes will advance the welfare of hi- town and county. His pleas- . genial manner makes him many friends and he is held in high regard by all who know him. — ■»» » '• — PROFESSOR KMMukY B. BENTLEY. Professor Emmory B. Bentley, who has Keen superintendent of the Clinton schools for the past three year-, was born in Wesl 17 Middelsex, Pennsylvania, Januarj 27, 1865, and i- a son of William II. and Margaret 1 Bailev 1 Bentley, who were farming people. Our subject was reared on the home farm and began his education in the public schools. Subsequently he engaged in teaching in the district schools, and in this way earned the money t<> finish hi- education, a- many of our ablest and most distinguished men have done. In [885 he entered Mt. Union Col- e of Ohio, alternating his attendance there by teaching until he was graduated in 1 So 1 . The following year Professor Bentley was principal of the schools at Makanda, Illinois; was principal of the high school at Murphysboro the same length of time, and later wa- principal of the schools at 1 )on- gola one year, and Anna for four years. This was a gradual promotion, being given larger schools each time and better salaries. In [898 he came to Clinton a- superintend- ent of the c it) schools, 1 '"ich position he has e most efficient!) tilled. During this time the schools have made wonderful progn the enrollment ha- been increased from nine hundred to eleven hundred and twenty-two. < >n his arrival here the high school had but forty-four pupil-, while to-day it has one hundred and thirty-eight. This has been mainly due to the untiring labor- of Profes- tley, who ha- exerted all his influ- ence to build up the schools and pronn their welfare. The increase in scholarship will eventually raise the literary standing of the city and he of great benefit to coming generations. The Professor ha- not only stimulated a desire in hi- pupils for the more advanced studies but ha- also done much for their amusement, establishing athletic and oratorical department-, in which he has in- troduced foot hall and other pastimes. In contests with other scnools the Clinton 374 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. schools have gained marked distinction, and to day they rank second to none. The high soli, m] was built in [867, and the Lincoln school in iS<)7. The present teachers are follows: Jennie M. G 1. principal of the high school and teacher of mathematics; \11na Taggart, first assistant and Latin teacher; Helen Bryden, second assistant and English teacher; Edna Peltz and Lida B. Mix in the eighth grade; Trophy \\ right in the seventh; Gertrude Emerson in the sixth mti seventh; (Catherine < (liver in the sixth; Grace McHugh, Anna McPherson and Fred- die Porter in the fifth; Ida Strain and I tha Miller in the fourth; Clara P.rener, Min- Bn iwn and Bell Gideon in the third : May < 1 inn. 1 L01 Lett and Bessie Sutton in the ond; and Minnie Bradfield, Nettie Berry- man and \dila I Innter in the fit Professor Bentley married Miss Delia Chase, daughter of Charles Chase, of Jones- boro, Illinois, and they have two children: Beulah B. and I toward 1 1. Socially the Pro- fessor is a member of the Knights of Pyth- ias fraternity, lie is a man of many ster- ling qualities, whose success in life i- due entirelj to his own unaided efforts, and the city 1 if Clint m owes mi • ogress in the past three years to his untiring (,!•( >RGE D. GANI >. George D. Gano, one of the prosperous farmer- of Creek township, resides upon section 14. and has been a property owner of DeWitt county for many year-. IK born in Greene county, Ohio, May C>. and was the son of George and Jane (Steele) Gano, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The lather died when our subject was eighteen month- of age. Dur- ing his life he worked at his trade of black- smith. George I >. is the only survivor in a fam- ily of six children. lie remained with his mother until he was five years of age, when he was taken by Mr. I'yle. of Clarke coun- ty, Ohio, with whom he remained until his benefactor died when George was Fourteen years old. Since then he has depended upon his own exertion-. The only education the ho\ obtained was in the district schools and he had but Few of the advantages of- d by these. \fter the death of Mr. Pyle he worked for an uncle for twelve months for thirty dollars and then to work for a cousin at five dollars a month, remain- ing with this relative nearly a year. \itcr working until he was twenty-seven at va- rious lines of business, our subject wen! chopping wood for a railroad for four- 11 dollars a month. After finishing that labor he commenced farming upon rented i in I 'nil in lint) . ( Hiio, but la moved hack to Clarke county . where he re- sided until 1867, when he came to Creek town-hip, DeWitt county, Illinois, and pur- chased one hundred acres of unimpro land. From time to tune he has added to this property and now has a large farm consisting of two hundred acre- of land, while at one time he owned four hundred and seventy-five acre-. Upon this excellent farm lie carries on general farming and make- a specialty of grain raising, lie has put many thousand feet of tile on hi- prop- erty and has redeemed part of it from the -wamp. making the land one of the he-; farms in DeWitt county. In politics he is a Republican and prior to the formation oi that party wa- a Whig, lie ha- never ta- ken any prominent part in party matter-. preferring to give his attention to his own affairs. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ir subject mar- •un- ty. i r of Abijah Ward, ■ ro Mr. and Mr-. n born the following chil- - ill married D. X. Merrick. ship, and have six children — Emanu< Jess Libbie, Lloyd, rie, and Maude. Margaret is the wife - I '. Merrill, a brother of her - •and. and they reside in Creek town- ship; Samuel is a resident of Keokuk coun- ty, Iowa, and married Mellie B and they had one child, which is now de Frank, a resident of Creek township, this inty, married Sarah Mansfield and they had four children, namely. — Welby, In in. Roy and Bert, deceased. William. iship, married Bina Edwa I they had r children, namely. — Harr\ . ina. and an in- fant de id, living with our sub- ject, marrie a and they had a child lx>rn to them. — May Marie, and Mrs. ed when the little one but an infant. Mr I in the c munity where he has made his home for - many years and d the prosperity which has attended his en n efforts, integ- ritv and thrift. CHARLES SWIGART. E. Charles S igart, mayor of Farmer ;. [Hinoi lx.rn in DeWitt town- ship, this county. March 14. 1859, and is - m of Jacob Swigart. He was educated in the common and l>egan his busi- ness career as a farmer, purchasing a farm from Thomas Bryant, of Blue Ridge town- ship, Pratt county, and ii - Anna township, DeWitt county, consisting hundred and eight} erty lie made many improvements anil con- duct general farming and stock-ra 3 until 1893, when he rented his farm and removed to Farmer City, where he purchased the William Allen property. E prominent did he become that he was lected as alderman, and after serving I years in 191 mayor of Farmer City, which high office he tills with distinction. In politics hi a Republican and is a leader of his party in litj*. Mr. - . rt married Clara Arboyart, .rhoyart. one of the wealthy men of Farmer City. One child n born to Mr. and Mr irt, na ].. who died when but fifteen months of age. ' '—• subject i> a member of the K. of P. and is deservedly popular. MRS. FRANKLIN VANCE. the best known and most highly respected la Clinton, Illinois, is Mrs. Franklin Vance, whose maiden name was becca Parkes. She was horn in Madis county. Ohio, and was the daughter of Sol- onion and Rebecca Parkes, probably na- tives of Virginia. Her husband. Franklin Wince, was born in Pendleton county. W Virgini; - mber 16, 1837, and was a j • and 1 larrii rof) \ ance. When but seventeen years of age he came ge township, DeWitt county. Il- linois, with his parents and they settled on fifty-four acres, which they greatly im- proved. The children born to Jesse Vance 376 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. and wife were: Franklin; Sylvanus; Den- isa; Pleasant; Dunn; Rexread; Catherine; Susan; Robert; Julia; [asbelia; Belia and Adelia. After his marriage Franklin Vance set lied upon a nice farm which he placed in a high state of cultivation and engaged in general farming and the raising of high- bred short-horn cattle and draught horses for the market, becoming very successful. Ih- death occurred on March 17. 1895, and his loss was greatly lamented. Five children were born to Mr. and Mis. Vance, namely: An infant son. Mae. Eva, Dais) \. and William F., and the four children who grew t<> maturity proved to be great comforts to their parents. Mr. Vance was supervisor for seven years, having been elected on the Demo cratic ticket, and was also township trustee for several years, always serving his con- stituents with faithfulness and upholding the principles of his party. Socially he was an active member of the Masonic fraternity and was great!) respected in the commun- ity in which he resided. \l. VNSON I". PARKER 1 I »eceas( Mans, 01 I'. Parker, deceased, one of the prominent early settlers of DeWitt county, Illinois, was horn in Union county. Ohio, and when a hoy moved with his parents to DeWitt county, where he Heed until his death, which took place at his home four miles southwest of Clinton, \pnl 8, [887, at th, fortyeight years, five months and twenty-nine days. .Mr. Parker was a son of John and Clarinda Parker, who resided in DeWitt county for a great many years and both died here. The father was a farmer of Har- nett township and at their pleasant home their deaths occurred. Eight children were horn to them, hut only two are now living. Mr. Parker was a supporter of the Christian church and he was school direc- tor ol fexas township for some years, be- ing a Democrat in politics. lie is buried in Woodlawn cemeterj of Clintonia town ship, lie was an industrious, upright man. a good citizen, kind and devoted to his chil- dren, and a loving husband, and he is not only missed by his immediate family, bul hv a large circle 1 if friends. On December [9, [867, he married Miss Maggie Mills, a native of Kentucky, a daughter of William \. and Artimecia (.Curl) Mills. Mr. Mills was born in Vir- ginia and his wife in Kentucky, lie was inner ami followed that occupation dur- ing his active life in Kentucky. lie came to Illinois with his family in [860 and d in Clintonia township. DeWitt county, where he resumed his ch Ihng, carry- ing on general farming and stock-raising to some extent. lie died when about fifty yeai me four years after coming to Illinois. Mr. Mills affiliated with the Whig party and was a member of the Christian church. His wife survived him many years she died. in Clintonia town- ship at tin' age of seventy two years. They hail eight children and seven of them are still living and residing in this county, namely: Catherine. who married Eli Brown, a retired farmer of Clinton; Mar- garet, wife of Mr. Parker; Polly, who is un- married: Nathan, who died at the age ol twenty-two years; Zachariah. who resides in Texas township and is a farmer; Lucetta, who is unmarried and resides in Clintonia r |ohn. who C a farmer and resides in Clin- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 377 tonia township; Harriet, who is the wife of [saiah Samuel, a farmer of Clintonia township; and James, \\h" is a farmer and i Clintonia township. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker were born four children, of whom tv -till liv- ing, namely: Fran' in operating the homestead farm, which cons - ninety- four acres of land and he has it in excellent condition. He i- a member >>t" the Christian church. Tossie married Dickerson W and they reside on the home place with Mrs. Parker and Mrs. W Is, being engaged in farming with Frank. Mr. Wood was lx.rn in Texas township, where he has always resided. His parents, John and Sus (Norris) Wood, are -till living in that township, his father being a farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson Wood three children have been born, namely: Lloyd, horn on December 1. 1894; Bruce C. horn Aug n : ami Marguerite, horn on February jo. 1901. At the present time Mr. Wo, ..I is collector of the township. He is a member iur subject's paternal grandfather, Stephen Hunt, was a native -■I Virginia and was a pioneer of ('reek township. Jasper county. Illinois, where he improved a half section of laud on what is known as Hunt's branch, this place being named after him. The postofhee at Hunt City i* al-o named for the family. His wife, whose name was Elizabeth, bore him en children, namely: William, who be- came our subject's father: Sarah, who be- came Mrs. William Henson ; Joseph ; Steph- en: Uriah; Elizabeth, who married Levi Bonham; and Mary, who became the wife of Alex White. Both grandparents lived and died in Jasper county, he reaching the d old age of ninety-three The maternal father was William Timmons, formerly of Ohio, a pioneer and prominent farmer of Edgar county. Illin William Hunt, the father of the gentle- man whose name intn his review, was reared and married in Ohio, and with his parents they all came to Illinois in 1837, locating in Jasper county. He drove a one- horse wagon, with his wife, son and daugh- ter, and his father drove three horses with his family. William Hunt took up two hundred and eighty acres of land, which he improved and at the same time worked at the carpenter's trade, of which he has a g d knowledge. Here he spent the re- mainder of his days, dying in [852 at the age of thirty-four years. He was the fa- ther of ten children, of whom eight grew to maturity, as follows: Francis, Sarah married Norman Matheney, Nathan, John, Mary became Mr-. Louis Dew William. Uriah E., our subject: ami James. All are now deceased except L'riah. ami Nathan. L'riah Hunt was reared on the "Id homestead in Jasper county, where he re- ceived as good an education as the public schools at that time afforded. At the ; of seventeen years he was employed a- a farm hand in Cole count v. where he re- 3/8 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. mained two years. At the end of that time he rented land in the same county and tilled the soil for his own interests. Here he re- mained until [875, when lie purchased eight) acres of land in Creek township, Ma- son county, continuing there for seven years, lie then disposed "t' that property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres on sections 32 and 33 in Nixon township, where he has since resided. 'in December 24, [868, Mr. Hunt took for a helpmate Miss Lucy, daughter of Henrj Beem, of Cole, Illinois, hut former- ly from < >hio. This union was blessed with twelve children, namely: Henry A.; Liset- tie. deceased; Eva, now Mrs. William Ba- ker; Emma married Gibson Monroe; Dor- an; Charles; Mamie became wife of Charles \dams; Roberl < '. : \da : Lizzie; William; and Lester. While only fifty-two years age, Mr. limit ha en grandchildren. Religiouslj Mr. limit and family are members of the United Brethren church. Socially he is a member of Weldon Lodge, No. 746, V F. & A. M.. Mozarl Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen, 1787, Protection League, \ T o. 235. Po- litically he is identified with the Democratic party, and has held office of supervis* r, col- lector and assessor of Nixon township, He ha- al\\a\> given his support to tli- >><.• m< ures which he believed to prove of public hem M i^RVEY GRIFFITH. Among the prosperous farmers of Harp township is Harvey Griffith, of section t6, who was born on ( Ictober 22, [853, and is a sun of Bayard and Leah (Deffenbauh) Griffith. The father was born in Ohio, about [819, and was educated in Ross coun- ty, that state. Upon coming to Illinois he first settled in Mason county, and entered one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie land. On this he huilt a cabin and broke the land with very primitive appliances. At the time oi his death he owned about two thou- sand acres in Harp township, DeWitt coun- ty, three hundred acres in Shelby county, Illinois, and one thousand acres in Kansas I lis wife died in [858, and the father later married Miss Savilla Reed. lie died in 1892. By his first marriage he had the fol lowing children: Levi, a farmer of Chase COUllty, Kansas; Wesley, an extensive farm- er nf St. Clair county, Missouri; Newton, who is a farmer of Chase county, Kansas. and owns twenty-five hundred acres; Daniel and Uaac, dec-eased: CdVnelillS, a farmer oi Nebraska; our subject; and Amanda, who married C. C. Wrighl and they reside in Clinton. By his second marriage the fathei had six children and five of them are still living. I le was .1 I lenn icrat, hut ne\ er aspired to ofl Harvey Griffith was educated in the trie! schools and when he was seventeen he went west 1. 1 Minnesota and Kansas, where he remained until he was twent) live. At this time he returned home and married Ida Bodkin, who was born in Lo- gan county, Illinois, and was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Walter) Bod- kin, both of whom were native of Ohio and are now dead. After his marriage Mr. Griffith v hack to Minnesota and there remained for eight years engaged in farming, lie then returned to this county and now owns in addition t.i the one hundred acres he re- ceived from his father's estate, twenty acres he added to it. This farm he devotes to grain raising and he has been very success- ful. In politics he is a stanch Democrat THE BI< (GRAPHICAL REC( >RD. 179 and is a man held in high esteem by his neighbors. To himself and wife have been 1 m .rn three children, two of whom aru now living, as follows: Jacob, who died when eight years "i" age; and < lertrude and Frank, who arc at home. EDWARD DANISON. Among the well-known representative business men of Lane, Illinois, Mr. Edward nison, of the firm of Danison & llart- :k, grain and lumber dealers, is worthy of special mention not only on account of - business enterprise, but also because his many excellent traits of character. He was born in Franklin county, Ohio, No- vember 7. [854, and was a son of Isaac and Barbara [Bossinger) Danison. the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father moved from his native state to Ohio with his parents when yet a bo) and settled in Perry county, where he married, hnt later went to Frank- lin county, the same state. When our sub- ject was eleven years of age the family came to Illinois and located in Creek town- ship, DeWitt county, where the father pur- chased land and engaged in farming for a number of year-. He died in 188] at the nty-eight and was buried in Rose cemetery. Creek township. His widow is living "ii the farm at the age of eighty- six. Of the mx children born to them. four are now living, as follows: Eli, who live* at home with his mother farming the old homestead; Mary, widow of Amps linegarden and a resident of Br-anW4 township; Michael, who is living in Idaho Springs, Colorado, where he is mining; and Edward, our subject. The early education of our subject was received in Ohio. He came to Illinois with hi> parents, remaining upon the home farm until he reached the aye of twenty-one. when he began business life for himself. After his marriage, winch occurred when he \ twenty-five, he rented a farm in Dou las comity. Illinois, for three years and then returned to he Witt county, where he purchased land in Creek township, three and one half miles southeast of the town of Cane. This farm he operated for four years, giving the greater portion of his at- tention • sing for the market and making quite a - f this undertaking. In 1894 he came to Lane and purchased elevator, which he conducted together with Tillman Lane for two years. This partner- 1 was then dissolved and Mr. Danison embarked in the hardware business and con- tinued in this line for about a year. In n;oo Mr. Danison formed a partnership with Em- erson Hartsock, under the firm style of Dan- ison & Hartsock. They have erected a line elevator which has a capacity of thirty thou- sand bushels of grain, and conduct a nour- ishing grain, lumber and coal busine which has already assumed large propor- tions. By adopting and sustaining a uni- form method of upright dealing, the mem- bers of this firm have established themsel firmly in the commercial life of Lane and built for themselves a g 1 financial stand- ing among the soli l,s; 7.s- to Miss Sarah J. Lane, a native DeWitt county, and the daughter of Jerry Lane, who was one of the earl) set- tlers ot this county and is now residing in Lane. Three children were horn to Mr. and Mrs. Danison. namely: Eli < Mis. who died at the aye of three years; La May, 3 So THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. who died at the age of six years; Edward William, who died at the age of three years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Danison are very active members of the Christian church, in which they arc highly respected and to whose support the} are very liberal contrib- utors. Mr. Danison is a member ol Gil- man Lodge, No. 455. K. of 1'.. and is also a member of Lane Camp, X". 1782, M em Wpodmen of America. In politics lie is a strong Republican ami cast hi- first vote for I 'residenl I fayes, bul has ne sought or held office, feeling that his pri- vate affairs were more than sufficient to occupy his time. W. C. WILLI VMS More than sixty-two years have passed since this gentleman arrived in DeWitt county, and he is justly numbered among her honored pioneers and leading citizens. During all of this time he ha- made his In inn- in Harp township and ha- been prom- inently identified with hi iltural inter- ests, lie was born near Covington, Kenton county, Kentucky, October 23, 1823, and is a -.in of Presley and Rebecca (Bohannan) Williams, both native- of Virginia. The William- family came originalh from W and was founded in America in early colon- ial days. Our subject's grandfather, John William-, took part in the early Indian wars and also in the Revolution, and after the lat- ter struggle removed with his family to k tucky, the father of our subject being at that time a mere lad. Presley William- grew to manhood in that -tate and there followed farming until called to his final rest at the age of forty-eight years. Hi- widow subse- quently came to Illinois with our subject in [839. In the family were ten children, hut only three are now living, namely: -Mr-. Lizzie I'.. Harrold, a widow living in De- Witt county; Sarah, a resident of Jackson- ville, Illinois; and W. C, of this review. Mr. Williams acquired a limited educa- tion in the subscription schools of Ken- tuck), and at the age of sixteen came with the family to Illinois, hi- home having since been in DeWitt county, lie lived with his mother in what is now Harp township until he wa- married. On hi- arrival here there were but few families in the town-hip. and these made their home in the timber, SO that for many years one could ride or drive over the prairie- in any direction without passing a single cabin. Hunting was also g 1 for many year-, ami Mr. Williams has often -ecu forty or fifty deer in a herd. I le would break prairie with four or six yoke of oxen and a twentv two inch plow, it being impos- sible to use horses for that purpose a- they could not stand the hard work. Mr. Will- iam- \ i-iied ( ihicagi 1 in [842 and again in the spring of [901, witnessing the remarkable changes that had been made in that time, the place being l>nt a -mall town when he first went there. 1 >n the 5th of < (ctober, [843, Mr. Will- iams married Mi-- I.ucimla Harrold. who was horn in Virginia, March [8, [822, and was a daughter of Eli Harrold. one of the earl} -eider- of DeWitt county. Six chil- en blessed this union, namely: 1 1 ) Eli Presley, born Augusl [9, [844, is now a residenl of Kansas. He married Stella Fletcher and they have two children. Elmer and Charlie. 1 -' ) Martha Ann. horn June [9, [846, i- the wife of George Lemon, of Kansas, ami they have one child, < >ra. (3) Rebecca Frances married Philetis Wakefield, and .lied at the age of thirty five years, leav- ing three children, Ira, Bertie and Lulu. (4) W. C. WILLIAMS. MRS. W. C. WILLIAMS. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Emma is the wife of Charles Fisher, of Chi- •id they have one child, Nettie, ira married M. C. Enos, and died, leaving children, Henry. Mattie, Freddie, Delia. Bessie and Sarah. (6) Luella is the wife of Walter Nixon, of Chicago, and they have two children. Charles and Luella. Afte happy married life of almost fifty-eight years, the wife of "tir subject passed away. March 15. 1 «><>i . and was laid to rest in the DeWitt cemetery. She was a faithful mem- ber of the Methodist Protestant church and a n lable lady. two years after his marriage Mr. Williams remained with his mother on the home farm and then purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in Harp town- ship near his present home, only forty a. which had been broken and a log house 1, fourteen by sixteen feet, stood thereon. This place was his home for many rs and is still in \ of the family. Mr. Williams met with marked success in his farming operations, and as time passed added to his landed until he had eight hundred acres, but has since given a part of this to his children, still retaining about five hundred acres. He made a spe- cialty of the raising and feeding of stock for market, which he found a profitable source income, and for year- was the leading k-dealer of his locality, hut for the p years he has practically lived a retired life. Always a hard-working, ambitious man. his - in life is but the result his own industry, perseverance and good management. Thoroughly reliable in all things, his word in business transactions is considered ;: g as his bond, and he justly recognized as one of the leading and representative citizens of the county, as well ne of its honored pioneers. In politi he was originally a Whig, but is now a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and is an earnest member of the Methodist Protestant church. W. W. JOHNSTON. One of the early and highly respected citizens of DeWitt county residing at the village of Kenney is W. W. Johnston, who was born in Madison county. < >hio, on June t3, 1*47. and came to Illinois in 1852 with parents, John and Mary i McClem- ans) Johnston. The father was also a native of Madison county. Ohio, and was a farmer by occupation. When about forty- eight years of age he came to Illinois and tied in Wilson township. DeWitt county, where he rented a farm and cultivated it until the spring of [867, when he moved with his family to Tunbridge township and engaged in farming on sections (,. 15 and 10. Here he resided until his death, which occurred on the home farm in [865. He never aspired to public office and was a Democrat in politics and a very public- spirited man. His widow survived him un- til 1898, when she died in Kenney at the home of our subject. She was a member of the Methodist church and has been since childhood. She is buried at Kenney. Thi parents had five children, two of whom died in infancy. The living are as folio IC .who makes his home with our sub- ject, having retired from active life, and held some of the township offices, among which was that of constable; William, our subject: Nancy Margaret, who married George E. Mitchell, a minister of the Chi tian church of Olney, Richland county. Illi- nois. The deceased children were I at and Mary. 3 S6 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. William \V. Johnston, our subject, re- mained "ii the home farm until he attained maturity, associated with his Father in farm- ing, and continued to manage the farm a few years after his father's death, llis earl) education was obtained in the common sch' miK of the neighborhood and of Tun- bridge. In [868 he left the home farm, which was situated on part of the prfeent of the town of Kenney, which hi to survey and laj out. \ftcr leaving the farm Mr. Johnston became a clerk in a large mercantile establishment in Kenney and in 1876 lie engaged in business for him- self in partnership with Robert Orr under the firm style of Orr & Johnson, ami they conducted a general store. This partner- ship : for twenty-two years without change. In [898 Messrs. Orr and John- ston disposed of their business and for two years Mr. Johnston engaged in a gem collection and real estate lntsiness and justice of the peace, which office he still holds. 1 1< ted a blacksmith shop on the site of his old store building in [899, hut lie does not give his personal attention to this business, aldiough he l;i\cs it a gen- eral oversight. \t the present time he is one of the aldermen of the village, lie was one of the tirst members of the board ol trustees of the village atnl has been holding that office almost continuously since, and has been president of the town hoard for the past two years, lie has held every official p. -in. m in the township with the exception supervisor and many of them for more that one term. Mr. Johnston is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Henderson Lodge, No. 8202; Modern Woodmen of America. Camp No. 4.20; Court of Honor; and the Farmers' Federation, lie has been cretar) of the Masonic lodge of Kenney since its organization. He has also held office in the Modern Woodmen of America since the organization of the camp at Ken- ne\ . Mr. Johnsti in is als< 1 a a insistent mem- ber of the Christian church, which his fam- ily also attend. In 1N74 Mr. Johnston was married in Springfield, Illinois, to A.ddie B. Turley, who was a native of Sangamon count) and a daughter of James and Mary B. 1 Ken ney) Turley. Mr. Turley was a native of nd n ming to 1 1 1 in- >is at an early day, the greater part of his life was spent in Sangamon county, lie moved to Ken ney. where he died about [866, after a few years' residence. By occupation he was a farmer. The mother of Mis. Johnston is still living and resides with our subject part of tiie time and the remainder of her time makes her home with her daughter in ■•anion o unty. The uncle of Mrs. John- Kenney, resided at Kenney for a greal many years and was one of the early settlers. lie helped to la) out the town and it was named after him, although he lived hut a sh.n Mine after that honor was ci inferred upon him. Mr. and J\li's. Johnston w ere \>< irn ten children, all of whom ate still living, name- ly: Sylvia Max, now the wife of W. L. Watson, cif Macon count), four miles south of Kenney. and has one child, Clifford; Lusa Myrtle, who reside^ at home: William II.. who resides at home and is engaged with a railroad: Robert Melvin, who is at lie and is a hlacksnlith by trade, hav- ing charge of his father's shop: "In Imo, who is at In une ; Edna K., in &hi ml : Gro and Ki\ Tom. twins: Lolo. who is at home: Raymond T.. w ho i> at home. When Mr. Johnston first came to Tun- bridge township, DeWitt count)' was nearly all wild land, lie has seen the county changed from its wild state into the rich THE BIOGRAPHICAL REO >RD. farm land it i> today and has been one of the men who have helped make it what it i>. He has always taken a great d< interest in the improvements of the ■ specially in educational matters, and he eon a member of the school board for at man. and vva- clerk of the when the >ch< •« 1 building erect- ed. He considers the sch this town- ship sufficiently thorough to give hi> ehil- ilrcn a g 2 nunon \ all his fellow citizens. Witt county, and the children lx>rn of this union are as follow ecil Allen and Pearl. In politics Mr. Rutlei a Democrat and is now serving as road commissioner. Although still a young man has demonstrated his ability as a farmer and his influence among the people of the township i- giving him an e sition in the community and making for l.im many friends. CHARLES GLENDIXXING, Y. S. WILLIAM J < KSOX RUTLEDGE. Among the prosperous farmer- i f Rut- township, DeWitt county, Illinois, is William Jackson Rutledge. who owns and operate- a line farm and takes an active in- in the affairs of the locality in which he resid •■ subject was horn on the old home- stead on - 7, that. township, in and here mal lli- education was received in the schools of the district during the summer months 1' ither upon the farm. When he had attained his majority he began farmii . himself upon forty acre- of land, to which he has added cue hundred and twenty acres. All tl Jaced under a tine state of cultivation andjpuilt the necessary barn and I comfortable house. At one time hi> farm consisted of two hun- dred acres, of which his father purchased one hundred and he one hundred acre-, but lie ha- di-po-ed of part of this. Mr. Rutledge was married to Lucy Par- \in. a daughter of George Parvin, of De- Among the popular and prosperous men of Clinton, DeWitt county. Illinois, one that deserves special mention i- Char' - i. Glendinning, Y. S., who was horn in Glas- - otland, on April 23, 1863. Hi- par- ents moved to Canada in [864, having -ailed from Glasgow. The father was a weaver by trade and followed that occupa- tion all his life, although he also fanned some extent in the County of Peal, < >n- tario, Canada. The mother died in i v at the iv year-. ( >ur subject was one of a family of five .n'irls and three boys and he has a brother who i- also a veterinary surgeon. Dr. Glendinning was educated first in the common sch Canada and at the of twenty-three he entered < mtario Vet- erinary College at Toronto, and there he remained for two year-, taking the full rse. In 1889 he was graduated from the institution and came direct to Clinton, Illinois, where he opened an office and has since practiced his profession, lli- client- have so increased that he now has 11 than he can attend to and is sent for from all parts of the four neighboring counties • m December 25, 1891, he married Miss THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Florence Newton, who is a native of Illi- nois, and whose parents are now both de- ceased. Dr. Glendinning is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, the Mutual Protection League, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a Republican, but does not take an active part in party affairs. Both he and his wife are active members of the ist church, in which he is a steward and treasurer of the Sunday school, Mrs. Glendinning is a teacher of the Sun- day school and vice-president of the Epworth I eague. They are both very worth) people and highly esteemed in the imunity where they reside. J \.\li:s II. WHITEHEAD. James II. Whitehead, who is the proud possessor of one of the finest farms in Texas township, and is himself one ot the most scientific and thorough prosecutors of agricultural enterprises iii the state, native of Illinois, and was horn in Montgomerj county. August 20, 1850. 1 1 i- parent- are John Q. and Leah-(Light- ner 1 Whitehead, the fi >rmer a nativ e of But- ler county. Ohio, and an engineer by trade. The elder Whitehead is a man of pr< >n< iunced characti and is now living in ret ment on a small fruit farm in Tunbrii township, lie came to Illinois in (849, and after remaining for a year returned to the vicinity of Hamilton. Ohio, where he was an engineer for nearly eight years. He sub- equently for a time lived in Indiana, and in the fall of 1S07. settled in Woodford countv. near Roanoke. Illinois, and 1 in farming for some years. Eventually, however, he settled in Tunbridge township. DeWitl county, where he now lives, and where, at the age of seventy-six, he is hale and hearty, and able to take his place among the active citizens oi the place. He is a Republican in politics, and in religion is a hard shell Baptist. Dur- ing the Civil war he enlisted in [863 in Compan) 1. < >ue Hundred and Twenty- third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. participating in s, Hue of the impi n'tant battles. I le is a mem- ber of the Grand Vrmy of the Republic. The mother of Mr. Whitehead died at the home in Norristown, Indiana, when he was eight years ol age, and is buried in the cemetery of that place. 'The lather later married Ma- tilda Phillips, a native of Indiana, and the mother of six children. Of the first union there were four children, three of whom are livini Mr. Whitehead acquired his education in the public schools of DeWitt county. Illi- nois, and shortly after the death of his mother he began to worl< on the farms in the neighborh 1, and was thus very early impressed with the serifcus and responsible side of life. By 1886 he was enabled to pur- chase the present home place, which he has improved and transformed into a model and remunerative property. .\t first the family lived in a small frame house, hut in (899 he erected the substantial and comfortable rural house, and has also put up splendid barns, and convenient general buildings. He is engaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing, and has a line orchard which yii abundantly. His land comprises one hun- dred and twent res of land on section j j. besides live acres of timber, and he also rents and farms two hundred and twenty acres on section 27. He is a Republican in politics, and has held the office of road commissioner anil school director. Frater- JAMES H. WHITEHEAD. MRS. J. H. WHITEHEAD. THE BIOGRAPHICAL REG >RD. nally he is connected with the Independent Order of < >n January _'4. [886, he was married to Miss Addie D. Armstrong, who was born in Tunbridge township. DeWitt coun- ty, and is a daughter of Hiram and Mary (Burkett) Armstrong. Hiram Armstn ■ a fanner of thai township, where he lived until a few years before his death, which occurred about five years ago al New- man, Douglas county, Illinois, and his wife died about two years earlier. To Mr. and Mrs. Cash five children have bees born and four of them are still living. They were as follows: Leah and Eva, both at home: B tie, who died at the age of three years; William and Cordon. All of the living children are receiving excellent educations in the public schools and all of them were horn at Rowell, Texas township, where Mr. Cash has resided since his marriage. 396 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ARCHIBALD T. McKINNEY. One of the early settlers and highl) re spected citizens of DeWitt county, Illinois, is Archibald T. McKinney, who owns and occupies two hundred acres of rich farm land on section 22, Texas township, lie is a native of Indiana, born May 24, [837, and moved from there October 14. 1847, with his parents to DeWitt county, Illinois, they settling in Clintonia township, where the) remained ten yea Our subject is a son of Archibald T. ; Polly (Givens) .McKinney. The fa- ther was a native of Kentucky and cam< Indiana at an early day and located in Pi sey county, where he engaged in farming until moving i" Illinois. After coming t'> this state he continued farming and at the i his ten years' residence in Clintonia township he removed t" Texas township, where he purchased a farm 1 'it section -'.^. Here he lived until hi-- death, which curred in July. [873, when he was seventy years of age. I lis wife passed awav when Our subject was only three years of age and is buried at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Both the parents were devout members of the hard-shell Baptist church. Oftheir eighl children, our subject is the only one now living and he was next t.> the youngset in order of birth. Archibald T. McKinney remained at the home place until he was twenty-one ) 1 of age, and then engaged in farming for himself in Texas township, where he pur- chased five acres of land, which he still owns. IK- added to this piece of land, but rents the property which he farms and has heed upon it for over twenty-two u'aix. lie has engaged in general farming and stock-raising, the latter being his principal business for many years. Our subject raises high bred cattle, horses and hogs. For the past twenty years he has been road commis- sioner and is holding that office at the pres- ent time. In politics be is a Democrat and is verj acini.- in the working of the party. On January 22, 1857, he was married to Amanda ('ox. She is a native of De- Witt county and a daughter of George and Mary 1\. (Fruit) Cox. -Mr. Cox was a native of Kentucky, as was his wife. They came to Illinois about [829 and located in Texas township, DeWitt count) (then Ma- con county). They purchased a home just south of Mr. Melxiuuey's present home. The father died on this farm at the age of Port) eight and his widow survived him and died about four years ago. During her girlhood days Mrs. McKinney lived with her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Thompson) Fruit, who came to Illinois at a very earl) day and located in Tunbridge township, where they resided un- til their death, the grandfather dying at the age 1 if eight and his wife at about seventy-five, lie was a farmer all his and was quite successful. From the time she was two years of age until her mar riage Mis McKinne) made her home with those excellent people and was very much attached ti 1 them. Her paternal grandparents, David and Polly (McGee) Cox, came from Kentucky to Illinois about [820 and located in 'Texas township, where both died at an advanced During his active life Mr. Cox was farmer. 'The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Xb Kinney were as follows: George T., who resides mi the home place: John T.. who also resides on the home place and has the resides in Clinton. Illinois, and married misfortune of being blind: Charles \\\. who Emma Lauereaux; Flora, who is the wife THE BIOGRAPHICAL RED )RD. Martin Williams, a retired fanner of Clinton, Illinois; Seymour, who resides in Creek township, DeWitt count) - , and mar- tidy, a daughter of John idy, late of Texas township; Laura, who the wife of M. B. Jenkins, a tanner of Texas township; Enoch, who died at the of eleven months: Birdie, who died at the age of nine months; James, who resides in Decatur. Illinois, and married Gertrude den. who is a native of Texas town- ship; Robert, who married Emma Blasin- game am • in Texas township. All of the children were horn in De- Witt county and all except Laura and h were born in Texas township. When McKinney first came to Texas township it was nearly all wild land and he n it developed from its primitive state to one of the richest farming districts in the state. In fact he and his father were among the men who helped make DeWitt county what it is today. i LGE D. RUDAVILLE. Among the prominent and highly es- teemed residents of DeWitt county, during his busy and useful life, was je D. ille. who was horn in Logan county. Ohio, on April 20. 1852, and v of Winfield and Lydia (Sutton) Ruda- ville, the former of whom was a native of lia. and the latter 1 .1' < >hi. .. 1 I Rudaville was reared on the farm where his father died and where the mother is still living, lie was the third in order of birth in their family of eight children. Mr. Rudaville acquired his education in the common schoools of Logan county. Ohio, and lived there until coming to | Witt county. Illinois, in [873. For one year after coming to this state he lived with an uncle and then rented land and v to farming, deciding to make this e his home. In [882 he bought sixty acres of land, all of which was heavily tim- bered, later bought forty acres more and still later sixty acres At the time of his marriage he and wife w< 1 a tract of ty acres adjoining the forty, hut it. I was unimproved, twenty of which was cov- ered with timber. They lived in a small house here until their elegant resilience was fin- ished in 1896. .Much of his success Mr. Rudaville attributed to the ready am! cheer- ful assistance given him by his most esti- mable wife. On April 1. 1875, Mr. Rudaville mar- ried Miss Emily Torbett, who v\a^ a daugh- ter of Charles P. and Susanna (Fenner) Torbett. 'The father was a native of Dela- ware, the mother of Ohio, hut Mrs. Ruda- ville was born in this county. 'The chil- dren of .Mr. and Mrs. Torbett numbered twelve, as follows: William, a resident Jacksonville: Lucy J., who married Ge R. Sutton: Sarah Elizabeth, deceased: Em- ily, the widow of Mr. Rudaville: Elmira, who married A. Lincoln I.eman. an under- taker of Clinton: Charles R.. deceased; Rhoda, who married Calvin Talbert and lives in Kansas; Kl'tie. who married a Mr. Hinchley and lives in Clinton: F., a resident of Harp township; John, de- ceased; Alice and Ora, twins. 'The father and mother reside at Clinton, in a pleasant home on East Main street. Mr. and Mrs. Rudaville had a family of two children. — Asa ].. who was edu- cated at the Dixon Business . where lie took a full course after going through 398 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the Clinton high school, and is a very bright young man; and Oro. The death of Mr. Rudaville occurred March iS, [898, and he lies at rest in VVoodlawn cemetery. He was prominent in the councils of the Democratic part) and served most efficient- 1) as road commissioner for a long period. Hi- religious connection was with the Chris tian church at VVapella, while his son, the efficient manager of the farm, is a member of the Methodist church. In the Masonic order Mr. Rudaville was well and favorably known, lie was a man of superior order of mind, public-spirited and progressive and did his part toward the growth and develop- ment of the natural resources of DeWitt ci iunty. — ♦ « » — ( \IT MX I. \\ . RE \I»N On November 4. 1847, he was married to Miss \Kie Morris, a daughter of Jack and Mary Morns, and eight children were born of this union, namely: Luanda, who married John Watson ; John, who married Clara Ried, is an attorney; Robert C, who married Finette Melton; James M.: Ros- ella. deceased; Wesley M.. who is an at- torney and married May Miller and after her death married Lizzie Fetter; Mary, de sed; ( harles \\ .. who is single and a tanner. Captain Read) is an earnest member of the Christian church, as is Ins wife of the Baptist church, and both arc very worth) and good people and highl) respected by a large circle of friends lie 1- also an ac- tive member of the Grand Arm) of the Re public and takes a great interest in all mat- ters pertaining to the pi 1st. ptain J. W. Ready has been a 1 dent of this locality -nice [866, when he came to DeWitl county, Illinois, settling in Rutledge township, where he engaged in farming on sixt) acre- which he pur- chased. Later he bought the adjoining one hundred acres and now owns one hundred and ninety acres, on which his oldest resides. All of this propert) is highly im- proved and contains a requisite number ol buildings. Our subject was horn in Virginia in [846, near Hagerstown, and after several removals came to Illinois. In iNoj 1 listed in Company C. Illinois Volunteer In- fantrv. being made captain of that company. After a Ion- and faithful service, during which he participated in many of the im- portant battles of the Civil war. he was honorably discharged on account oi dis- ability in i8<>4. and returned to his peace- ful occupations. ISA \c ELLINGTON. 1 here i- particular satisfaction in rev< ing to the life history of the honored and venerable gentleman whose name introdi this review . since his mind hears the impi 1 of the historical annals of the state of Illi- nois from early pioneer days. Smce [828 he has made his home in this section oi stale, and has been a resident of DeWitt county for over half a century, lie is now living on section [6, Barnett township, where he has an excellent farm of four hun- dred and eight) a. Mr. Ellington was born on the 6th of April, ioj_>. in Madison county, Ohio, and coi ies 1 if l; 1 old Revolutionary stock. I lis paternal grandfather, John Ellington, aided the colonies in their struggle for independ- ence, ami became one of the pioneers of Ken- ISAAC ELLINGTON. i;:t&${&*:M?n$;i»>!&:*; ^■"■v* mm -v 1 I v w ^ . 1^ . 1 MRS. ISAAC ELLINGTON. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECOK1'. 403 tucky. ( >ur subject's father, David Elling- ton, was lwrn in that state, and at an earl) day removed with his father to ( >hio, where ew to manhood and married Miss I'ath- erine Huffman, a native of Ohio. Her la- ther. Esquire Huffman, was soldier of the Revolutionary war. For some years after his marriage David Ellington was en- I in farming in the Buckeye state, and in 1828 came to Illinois by wagon. He took nj) a claim in McLean county, where he im- proved a small farm, but later removed to what is now VVaynesville township, DeWitt county, and bought a farm of two hundred acres, "ii which he spent the remainder of his life. I le 'lied in [886, and his wife died later, both being laid to rot in the VVaynes- ville cemetery. Isaac Ellington, of this review, was principally reared in McLean county, ami well remembers when Bloomington con- tained but three houses, and one of these was a blacksmith shop. In those early days when this region was all wild and unim- ed the family were forced to endure many hardships and privations such as are incident to pioneer life. Our subject as- his father in the arduous task of open- ing up a new farm, and with his breaking team has turned many an acre of virgin -oil. In 184'' Mr. Ellington was married in VVaynesville to Miss Lucy Ann Nichols, who was horn in Muskingum county. Ohio, March 12, 1830. Her father. M. P. Nich- ols, was Itorn in England in lNu. and when a child came to the new world, locating in Ohio, where he wedded Miss Mary McCon- naha, a native of Muskingum county. In 1838 they came to DeWitt County, Illinois, and settled in Wapella township, where Mr-. Nichols died. July 18, [839, and her hus- band the day following. Their remain- were interred in Wapella cemetery. In the fall 18 after the death of her parents. Mrs. I'll: ton returned to Ohio with an aunt and there spent the winter. The following Spring she and a younger sister again came to Illinois with a family, hut had to walk the entire distance of five hundred and fifty miles, sleeping on the ground at night. She then made her home with David Ellington until her marriage. Her early life was full of hard-hip-, hut she always made the most of her advantages, ami by her industry and economy materially assisted her husband in getting a -tart in life. They began their do- me-tic life in a small house on the farm where he still resides, hut at that time they had no near neighbors and were often very lonely. For fifty-five years they traveled life's journey together, sharing ii- joy- and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity, and — -ire only parted when death claimed Mrs. Ellmgton, September '>, 1901. She left man_\ friends as well as her immediate fam- ily to mourn her lo--. After his marriage Mr. Ellington re- mained tin the home farm with his father until 1850, when he purchased eighty acres y>\ wild prairie land where he now resides, and commenced the improvement of his farm, which he has increased until it now contains four hundred ami eighty acre-, and i- under a high state of cultivation. His home is a large neat residence, and every- thing about the place is in perfect harmony therewith. Besides his valuable property he owns two piece- of timber land of fifty-six acres. Hi- life ha- been one of industry and illness, and due success ha- not been de- nied him. The Democratic party has always found in him a stanch supporter of it- prin- ciples, hut he has never cared for office, pre- ferring to give his entire time and attention to his farming interests. Mr. Ellington has two children : Cyrus, 404 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the only son, helps to carry on the home farm, and like his father, votes the Demo- cratic ticket. Martha is now the wife of Jefferson Sprague, who also lives with our subject, and they have five children, name- ly: Carter. Harry, Ralph. Frank and Carl. The family is one of prominence in the com- munity where they reside. AL( )\/( » D. M< HENRY. Alonzo 1 >. Mel lenry. one of the suhstan- tial business men of Clinton. Illinois, was horn .hi November 15. [834, in Muskin- gum county, < 'hi", and is a son of Alex- ander and Mary Unth 1 Mel lenry I Alt ander, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. The great-grandfather came from the north of Ireland and he was of Scotch-Irish descent. Bodi he and grand- fatli r subject were brave soldiers oi the Revolution. Alexander Mel lenry. the father, w a-- a harness maker by trade. In [837 he moved to Illinois, settling in Peoria count), and thence came to Clinton, where he worked at his trade until his death, which occurred in 1857. The mother died in [840. Six children were born to these parents, three of whom are now living, namely: Buretta, who live- in California and married John Smith : B. P., who re-ides in Clinton; Alt mzo 1).. our subject, who was the third in order of birth. Alonzo D. Mel lenry was educated in the im .11 schools nf the district in the winter and wmked upon the farm in the summer. When he was about fifteen he lost his mother, and lie then learned the trade of wagon maker. During the excitement over discoveries of gold in the west. Mr. McHenry made a trip t. F. Brown. I le participated in a number of engagements, including the battle of Shiloh and was at Vicksburg until after the siege was ended. I le was with Sherman in his campaigns, and at Jackson. Mississippi, he had the misfor- tune tn lose hi> left leg just below the knee. Lying wounded upon the field of battle he was taken prisoner and the only care lie re- ceived was from his comrades in affliction. I lad his wound not been neg shame- fully his leg would probably nol have had to he amputated. On Januarj (., [864, he was sent t" Jefferson barracks and thence he made hi- way hack to Clinton t" resume his life struggle, having given of his best to his uintrv. In the fall of 1864 he was elected sheriff and after two year- he was made deputy sheriff and at the expiration of his services in the latter capacity he wa- again elected sheriff. In [870 he associated himself with the firm of Wolf & Mel lenry. hardware ■its. but after irs he was in business for himself for one year. Hi- next busi- ness venture was with a furniture house and continued in that line until [882, when he 1 his interest and speculated in mules, (lour, grain and other commodities, being quite successful. Later he embarked in the hardware business w ith a Mr. Wolf, but after a year the latter withdrew and I. X. Barton entered the firm under the style of Mel lenry & Barton. This continued until January, iS.|_>. when Mr. McHenry sold his interest and retired. Although not actively engaged in busi- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 405 ness life, Mr. McHenry is largelj interested in some very productive coal mines and is vice-president of the old electric light and heal company. For a number of times he served as mayor of the city, having been elected on the Republican ticket and has been an alderman for a great many year-. Hi- devotion to his party is well known and he is recognized as a leader in local affairs. Always taking a deep interest in school mat- ters, he has long been a member of the school board, and for two years served as it- presi- dent. On January ;. [865, he was married to Miss Meline Miller, at Pekin, Illinois, and she was a daughter of John and Ellen Miller. John Miller was a native of Virginia and his wife of Indiana. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McHenry. namely: Ida, who lives at home; Grace, who married D. D. e, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and they have one child. Alonzo Dean: Winifred, who married Dr. S. 1.. Thorp, of Kansas, and they have two children, Vita and Alonzo V. ; Mary J., who married Julius G. Royce, in the grocery business at Clifton, and they have one child. Mefcialu; Arthur M. The beloved mother died on March _>7. [880, and is interred in Woodlawn cemetery, having been about thirty-seven years of age at the time <>i' her death. dally Mr. McHenry is a member of the Masonic fraternity, DeWitt Lodge, No. 84, and Goodrich Chapter, No. 59, of which he has been high priest for the past ten year-. lie ha- al-o held minor offices in the lodge. Mr. McHenry i- al-o an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has held the position of assistant commander in the Clifton Post. lie possesses the ran' combination of keen business sagacity with open-hearted, open-handed generosity and and he is universally respected .and beloved for his public spirit and his high moral icter. — +—+ — HUGH DAVENPORT. < >ne of the prosperous farmer- of ('reek township. DeWitt county. Illinois, is Hugh Davenport, who was born in Texas town- ship, DeWitt county. October 27, [844, and i- a son of l-aiah and Nancy (Shiplej 1 Davenport, who were born in Kentucky, of Irish de-cent, and were married in DeWitt county. Illinois. When l-aiah was four- teen years of age, in [826, his father, George Davenport, came with his wife and family to this portion of the state in an ox- cart and settled upon ten acre- of land west of Springfield where he built a log house. The family born to George Davenport and In- wife was as follows: Betsy, Polly, Katie. Isaiah, Nancy and Hugh. The father of our subject wa- educated in the district schools ami worked upon the farm of his father. After attaining to manhood he came to DeWitt county with his brother Hugh and settled in Clintonia township, where he entered one hundred and twenty acres of wild prairie land and erected the first house in what is now Clin- ton, as that city is located upon this farm. After living tin about ten years he sold the property and purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of wild land in Texas township, of which he cultivated eighty and left forty for timber. The house he built upon this land in iXjn is -till thought to be standing. In 1851 he sold lus prop- erty there and bought eight) acres in Creek town-hip. which our subject now owns. A small portion of this was broken and a 406 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. small cabin, fourteen by sixteen feet, was erected upon the property. This house Mr. Davenport improved and afterward rebuilt, and he put the farm in excellent condition. Here he resided until l88l, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres and sold the eighty acre-. Later he sold thai property and purchased eight) acres mile south on sections to and 11. (.'reek township, where he died the 27th of Octo ber, (886. By his first marriage Isaiah Davenport had fourteen children, of whom our subject is the seventh in order of birth. Five ol these fourteen children are now living, namely: Lucinda, who married Joseph Hanson and lives in Creek township; Jerry, who i> a retired farmer at Weldon, Nixon township; Alsiena, who married Asa * nfer and lives in Kansas; Hugh, our sub jeel ; and William, who lives in Kansas. The mother died in [853, when aboul thirty-live years of age, and was buried in Texas town- ship. The father later married Miss Jane Bennett, a native of Illinois, and to this union were horn five children, who are liv- ing, namely: Gabriel 1'... who lives in Kan- sas; Green I... who lives in Franklin coun- ty, Illinois; Laura, who married Monroe Bell and lives in Lane: Nancy, who mar- ried \V. Sutton and resides in Macon coun- ty. Illinois: and Goldman, who lives in Iowa. The second wife died in 1878, when aboul fifty-five, and was buried in Texas township. Isaiah Davenport and both wives were earnest members of the Baptist church and he was a very religious man. In poli- tics he was a Democrat and held many of the local offices, including that of justice oi the peace f( r many years. Hugh Davenport received a very limited, education in the district school held in a log cabin with slab benches and -teased paper windows. lie also attended a subscription school, but as his father's family was a large one the children were obliged to take turns, for he could not afford to send them all at once. Before he was seventeen our subject, fired with the spirit of patriotism, enlisted on August 1. [861, for three years at Clinton in Compan) F, Forty-first llli- is Volunteer Infantry, Captain David Brown in Command. .Mr. Davenport was in the battles of Forts Henrj and Donelson, Shiloh, Carthage, Tallahassee, forty days' siege "i Vicksburg, and Jackson, Mississip pi and participated in part of the celebrated inarch to the sea. lie was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois. He never received a wound or was captured. When he returned home he commenced farming in Creek township. In 1S70 he purchased forty acres of land, to which he added eighty acres more, and then sold that farm and purchased an eighty-acre tract. < >u this property he erected a large and com- fortable house and necessar) outbuildings, planted shade and fruit trees, and now has one of the most pleasant homes in the coun- ty. The farm is devoted to -rain ami stock- in- and Mr. Davenport is very sure. ink On October _'_•. 1865, he was married to Miss Mary A. Hull, a native of Sanga mon county, Illinois, and a daughter of lames and Kate (Davenport) Hull. Mr. Hull was born in Scotland and came to this country at an early day. Mrs. Hull was from Kentucky. To them live children were born, all of whom are still living, namely: Andrew, who lives at Clinton; lames, who is in Mason county; Hugh, who lives in the state of Texas; Elizabeth, who married William Davenport, of Kansas; Mary A., wife of our subject. Seven chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Davenport, THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 407 namely: James, woh died in childhood; Katie, who married Nelson Luttell, a native of Illinois, and they have six children, — James, Dorvin, Guy, Raymond, Grace and ■Nellie, I; David, who died young; Ollie; Allien; Cora; and VVinfield, who died in childhood. Mr. Davenport and family are members of the Christian church, in which he was and elder, but resigned. In polities he is a Democrat and served for a number of years commissioner of highways. Socially he is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias of Lane, and is as popular in that I inization as he is highly repsected throughout the neighborhood in which he resides. RODNEY P. HILL. Rodney P. Hill, who descends from an old English family and is one of the influ- ential men of Clinton. Illinois, was horn on April 20, 1834, in Henry county. Ken- tucky, and is a son of I ieorge L. and Louisa V. (Hickman) Hill. The father was a native of Virginia and the mother of Ken- tucky. The maternal grandfather, Hick- man, participated in the war of the Revo- lution. orge Hill went to Kentucky when a small hoy with his mother, his father hav- ing died when he was in infancy, and he re- ceived his education in Kentucky, where he remained until 1837, October 14th. when he came to Illinois and purchased six hundred ami forty acres of land in Texas township, DeWitt county, paying five dol- lars an acre for it. Very little of the land had been broken and there was hut a small lo^r C abin with dirt floor on the property. Realizing how rough and difficult life would he in such wilds. George went to work and 1 had a nice house put up that had four :ns down stairs and two in the loft, and also erected a log Stable. He hauled the n to Chicago with ox teams, taking 10 last three weeks and bringing hack provisions and necessities 1 for a year. He also dealt exten- sively in salt, selling it to his neighbors at ninety cents per bushel, and also shelled his corn and that of his neighbors. His method of doing this was original. He placed the ears of corn through a hole in the wagon box and forced them through by hand. By hard work lie was enabled to place the greater portion of his land under cultivation and lived to see green fields where he had found tracts of timber. In polities Georg Hill was an old-line Whig and later a Republican. Roth he and his wife were members of the Baptist church and always took an active part in all its work. For several years services were held in his house and he was a deacon in that body. The influence of his noble, Christian life was widely felt throughout the community, for he was a man who lived his religion in his life, and on account of his integrity his word was always consid- 1 as his bond. This honorable and honored man lived to the advanced of ninety years, dying in 1887, and his wife died the previous year, when about eighty- six years, and both are interred in \Y. lawn cemetery at Clinton. The part t! took in the settlement of this portion of the state was minent one. liny were anion-- the first settlers and they not only endured the privations, but aided others to bearoip under their load and many a weary life was brightened by the efforts of Deacon Hill and his most excellent wife. Rodney 1'. Hill, our subject, came to DeWitl county with his parents when hut 4o8 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RED >RD. three years old, making the trip overland in a wagon, although his mother rode on horse hack all the way, with the- youngesl boy in her arms, and during that long jour- ney but one night was spent in shelter. Rodney was educated in the log school house of tin.- neighborhood, with its rude benches and many inconveniences, and worked upon the farm during the summer months. This school was a subscription ^uu' and the children had to take turns in attending, as the expense was too great to admit of their gi ling all at once. After he reached the aye of eighteen the school ad- vantages "f our subject ceased and since then he has been obliged t" teach himself. Until his marriage Mr. Ilill remained at home, but when he was twen . "ii April ,}. [858, he married Miss Ellen Reese, wlii 1 was 1 1« irn in Wales in [829. 1 ler parents, Morgan and Esther Reese, came to Amer- ica, landing in Xew York City, and settled in Whitesboro, Xew York. In 1855 Miss Kee^e came to Clinton to visit her hri >tlier. who was the pastor of the I'.aptist church of that city, and in this way she bcame acquainted with Mr. Ilill. and they were married as above stated. They began their married life upon land given by Mr. Hill's father out of his original -rant, consisting of one hundred acres, part of which was timber. At time of the father's death our subject pur- chased fifty-seven acres more. When he first obtained his land there was no house upon the property, hut he built a frame structure. Later he moved this one quarter i<\ a mile further north and in [899 he re- built his residence and today lias a pleasant story and a half house, thirty by forty feet in dimensions, surrounded by tine shade trees. There is an excellent barn and orch- ard on the farm and all the land is well cul- tivated and devoted to general farming, sti 'ck and grain-raising. Mie wife of our subject died on April 17, [899, and, was interred in Woodlawn cemetery in Clinton, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Hill were born fi ur children, one girl and three boys, namely: Esther Ann. who nber 23, i<)<«>. aged FortA eighl years, and. was interred in Woodlawn ceme- tery, Clinton; Joseph, now deceased, who married Ellen Swam, who keeps house for our subject and has one child, Nellie; Will- iam M.. who married Amelia (oats and re -ides in Nebraska, where he operates a line far mof one hundred and sixty acres, and he has three children. Neva, Ethel and Jes sie; and Frederick C, who married Miss Mabel llulett and who is an attorney-at- law of Clinton. After 'he death of his wife Mr. Hill moved to Clinton and purchased a tine house and -rounds 011 West Van Buren street, where he makes his home. lie now rents '■is farm and lives a somewhat retired life. In politics he is a strong Republican ami has served a.s school trustee one term and school director for twentv years. In religion he is a most earnest member of ami deacon in in the Baptist church and in this denomina- tion Mrs. Hill also held membership. Mr. Hill is a man who finds his greatest joyment in the companionship of his fam- and friends, and having devoted so many years of his life to hard work, he can now rest upon the results of his labors, feel- ing well content with himself in that he was able to bring s, , much out of little. TIlo.M \S SPENCER. The agricultural interests of Illinois are well represented all over the state hut per- haps nowhere better than in DeWitl county. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 409 where there arc gathered together in each township men of substance and experi< who understand farming in all it- branches and who are ever) day putting to practical test the knowledge gained during year- of hard work. Among the representative farm- one of the most prominent is Thomas Spencer, of Texas township .\h" was born here, February 9, 1858, and educated in the district SChi He 1- a s, ,n of Littleberry and Lucinda (Blair) Spencer. The father was a native of Kentucky and came to DeWitt county, Illinois, when he was only three years of His parents settled in DeWitt county and engaged in farming in Clintonia town- ship. They died here, the grandfather at the age of seventy-nine, while the grand- niotlier was ninety-six at the time of her death. The lather of our subject was one of eleven children, seven of whom grew t" maturity and four are now living, two "i" whom reside in DeWitt county. These liv- ing are as follows: Levi, who lives in the southern part of Texas township and is the youngest of the family: John, who lives in Clintnoia township, and is engaged in farm- ing: James D., who live- in Indian Terri- tory: Mildred, who married Henry Webb and they reside in Wayne county. Littleberry Spencer, the father of our subject, engaged in general farming ami stock-raising and in the ea ly part of his business career worked at brick making in Texas township. His farm was on section 10. Texas township, and .although a small one was well cultivated. In politic- he ' a -tanch Republican, and he was also a de- vout member of the christian church. His death took place at his home in Texas town- ship, January 1. 1900, and he is buried at Woodlawn cemetery. He was a public-spir- ited man and earnestly advocated all im- provements tending towards the adv.i ment of the township. Hi- widow survive eighty-one year- of age, and resides in Tun- bridge town-hip. Their children w< Thomas, our subject; Alexander, deceased; Allien, who resides in 1 vnship on a farm on section 10. and he married M. Anna McElroy, and they have six children; Frank, who resides in Clinton and is married and has a family. The father. Littleberry Spencer, enlisted in [862, in company F, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer nfantry, and served three years, participating in many of the important battles of the Civil war and proving himself a brave soldier and a de- voted L'nion man. Thomas Spencer, the subject of this sketch, remained on the homestead farm un- til he was twenty-four, when he left home and engaged in business for himself by rent- ing the property he now owns. The farm is an excellent one. in good condition, with comfortable buildings and nice house, sur- rounded with shade trees. The field- are well cultivated and the orchard in first rate C< inditii 111. Mr. Spencer was married. January 3, [879, to Mis- Isabelle Baker, a daughter of Laws, ,n and Mary Baker, both of whom are now deceased. The following family has been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Spencer: Fred; Francis M.: Orville; rnestine; Elmer; Syl- via : Annie: Hugh : Erick : Carl ; Nellie: Elsie and four children who died in infancy. Mr. Spencer i- a progressive farmer and public-spirited citizen and his many excel- lent traits of character have won for him the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends, while his estimable wife is equally popular among her friends. At their pleasant home they dispense a generous hospitality and they are enjoying life surrounded by their family 4io THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. of interesting children in whose bright faces and energetic actions can be read the bright futures be fiire tll( Levi Spencer, a brother of Littleberry Spencer, was born in Clintonia township, l (ctober 27, [846, and has lived in DeWitl county all his life engaged in farming, lie resides in Texas t< iwnship 1 m seel ii m 8, where he owns twenty acres of land, which is well cultivated and yields a good return for Ins efforts. In politics he 1- a standi Repub- lican bul has never soughl 01 accepted office, preferring to devote ins attention to his own affairs. The entire Spencer family is In, respected throughout DeWitt count) whi its representatives have lived so long. A. K. MILLER. Since the spring of 1830 V K. Miller has been a resident of DeWitt county and lias therefore been an eye witness oi the en- tile development of the county, lie has seen its wild lands transformed into beau- tiful In unes and farina; towns and cities spring up. and all of the interests and evi- dences 1 if an advanced civilization intro- duced. Mr. Miller was born in Grayson county, Kentucky, February 21, 1822, and is a son (.f John and Nancy (Music) Miller, the former a native of Viriginia, the latter of Tennessee. The Miller family is of tier- man origin, and was founded in Virginia in early colonial days. Some of its repre- sentatives took part in the Revolutionary war. and a maternal uncle of our subjeel was at the battle of New Orleans during the war of [812, arriving at the close of the engagement. When aboul sixteen years of age John Miller removed with bis parents in Kentucky, and later purchased a farm in that state, which lie operated until our subjeel was six years of age and then came t" Illinois. He at first located in Macon county, mi the present site of the fair grounds at Decatur, the locality then formed a part of Sangamon county. \ iter residing there two seasons he came in De- Witt county in the spring of [830, and took up his residence in what is now Tunbridge township, where he purchased a farm. Sub- sequentl) he resided in t reek township, and later spent a short time in Clinti mia t. iwn- ship. after which he returned to (.'reek town- ship and purchased a farm, which he made I is home fi'i" many years. Both he and his wile were sixty-seven years of age at the time of their deaths. They were the par- ents of sixteen children, of whom twelve died years of maturity, and six are still living, namely: Matthew, a residenl of Joplin, Missouri; A. K., our subjeel : Mar- garet, wife of Jacob Zorger of Weldon, llli- iH 'is; John, a resident of Rutledge town- ship, this county; Sarah, wife of Allen I lar- rold, of Indian Territorj ; and Martha, wife of John Shinkle, of Springfield, Illinois. Mr. Miller, of this review, was only able tn attend seli,.,,i aboul three months during boyhood, and this was in a primitive log school In 'Use, with, its puncheon floor greased paper windows and huge lire place. lie learned t, 1 read b) studying the speeches d debates of Lincoln and Douglas, and alsn the Bible and Xew Testament, and his education has been mainly acquired by read- ing and observation. When a small boy he began hoeing corn and cotton, and in this way gained a practical knowledge of farming, which he made his life work. At the age of fifteen he commenced watching the best farmers and by copying the meth- A. K. MILLER. MRS. A. K. MILLER. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 4>5 ods which they followed soon becami thorough ami successful agriculturist. At this time he also assisted in work on the first railroad attempted in Illinois, from Pekin to Bloomington, but which was abandoned before completion. For many years he broke prairie with oxen, using four yoke as 1 rses could not stand the hard work. On leaving home at the age of twen- ty-two Mr. Miller pre-empted one hundred and titty-six acres <>i land on section 3, Creek township, which he entered with a land warrant at Danville, paying one dollar per acre. Although it was so cheap, he had a hard time just then to raise the required amount. His place was entirely unim- proved when it came into his posesssion, and the first building he erected thereon was a hewed log cabin of one room, sixteen feet square, into which he and his bride moved. On the 14th of March. 1S44. Mr. Miller married Mis- Rebecca Jane Welch, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Rev. Thomas Welch, who was a minister of the Christian, or what was then known as the New Right Church, and who preached for many years without compensation. At the time of his marriage. Mr. Miller had hut one dollar and twelve cents in cash, and this he paid for the marriage license, the minister per- forming the ceremony for nothing. Work- ing on a farm until after harvest, he found himself the r of ten dollars. Going to Decatur he invested a portion of it in a calico dress for his wife and with the bal- ance purchased household furniture. Mrs. Miller proved a true helpmate to her hus- band, and their married life, which cov- ered fifty-five years, was an ideal one. Unto them were lxirn twelve children, six of whom are now living, namely: Thomas, the present supervisor of Creek township, who married Margaret Glenn, and is a minister of the Christian church; Nancy, home with her father; Hmeline. wife ot Allan Spainhour, of Creek township; Mary, wife of William Brown, of Piatt county. Illinois; Edward, who married I.illie Hoge and lives in (reek town- ship, they have one child. Percy; and Eli- jah 1'.. who married Mary Cowless and has two children. A. K., Jr.. and Martha Re- becca. He lives on a farm with his father. The wife and mother, who was an earliest and consistent christian and a most estima- ble woman, passed away May _•<>. 1899, leaving many friends as well as her imme- diate family to mourn her loss. She was laid to rest in Lisenby cemetery. Creek town- ship. ( >n starting out in life for himself Mr. Miller thought forty acres would he as much land as he would require, hut as time passed he kept adding to his landed posesssions un- til now he has eighteen hundred acre- valuable farm land in Re Witt count v. Illi- nois, and at Storm Cake. Buena Vista county. Iowa. He has always given con- siderable attention to stock raising and found that business quite profitable. At the time of his marriage he was in limited cir- cumstances, and as times were hard he took took up coopering, which he soon mastered, and by following that trade added not a lit- tle to his income. His wife, also aided him by making brooms and in this way they were al- ways able to meet the payments on their land when due and secure a g 1 start in life. For many years Mr. Miller was one of the 1 active and successful farmers and si. raisers of the county, but is now living a retired life on his farm on section _• 1 . Creek township, enjoying the fruits of former toil. Religiously he is a member of the Chris- 4i6 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. tian church, and was also a member of the Grange as long as it was in existence. In politics he is a strong Jeffersonian Demo- crat, but would never accept office, save that of school director and road commissioner. lie can relate many incidents of pioneer days, which if written would make a large and interesting volume, lie well remem- bers when the family removed from Ken- tucky t" Illinois. They started with their bedding on pack horses and the little chil- dren "ii top of the load, but after traveling this way for a few days the) stopped at a cousin's house and bought a wagon, in which the women and most of the children of the party rode, though our subject walked beside the wagon most of the waj and dn the cows. The journey was a long and tire- some one, consuming many days, and the family all contracted sore eves in trying to gaze far over the trackless prairie-. In those days the earl) settlers were far more hos- pitable than the people of the present time, and at their humble homes a stranger never sought shelter in vain, and the members the household would do all they could for him. When the Miller family arrived in this county they found only a few wigwams scat- tered along the creek, the Indian- being far more numerous than the white settlers. The land was just a- nature left it. and all kind- of wild game was plentiful, including prairie chicken-, turkeys, deer and wild hogs! At that time malaria and ague W( quite prevalent, ami a- there were no phy- sicians for mile- around the people did their own doctoring with herbs. Being unable to get their grain ground, Mr. Miller pound- ed it in a mortar to make meal for his fa- ther's large family during one winter. He look a very active part in the early develop- ment and upbuilding of this comity, and is deserving of prominent mention among its honored pioneers and representative citi- zens. ■ ■+-— THOMAS A. CURL. Thomas A. Curl, who for the past thirty years has been a valued contributor to the Chicago and Burlington papers, was horn in Champaign county, Ohio, August 26, [848, and 1- a -on of Jeremiah and l.nciiula (Summers) Curl, both of whom were na- tive- of Ohio and were married in [840. I"he father, a farmer by occupation, in 1S55 came to I )e Witt comity. Illinois, and pur- chased forty acre- of wild, unbroken land, which he placed under cultivation and en ed a house and bam thereon. \fler consid erably enhancing the value of the land, he 1 n and removed to Creek township, where he rented property. In 1862 he in listed at Clinton in Compan) I). One Hun- dred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, a- a private, and was mutered in in Kentucky. I lis term of enlistment was for three year-, bill he was discharged at Louis \ ilk- in [863 on account of disability, and then returned home and purchased a -mall farm in Harp township where he -pent the remainder of hi- day-, dying in [873 at the age of sixt) one. Ill- widow survived him until 1893 when she. ton, pa— ed away, aged sevent) five, and both werre interred at De Witt. In politics the father was a Republi- 1, hut he would never accept town-hip of- fice- although he was president of the Union League of the count) for a number of years. Both he and hi- good wife were consistent members of the New Light Church in which they were active workers. To them were horn eight children, four of whom died in infancy and the remainder are still living, THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 4'7 namely: Sarah married John Miller, a farm- Wilson township; John, :i merchant of De Witt, enlisted in the Second Mini >i- Jit Artillery under Capt. Powell, July _\ 1864, and being taken prisoner was confined in Andersonville for -ix months. This impaired liis health that he never full) recov- ered but died after hi< return In Mile, and li is widow now resides in Clinton; Thomas A., "tir subject, is the next in the family: Jeremiah married . S nalley and they live in Clinton, where he i- engaged in the cantile business. ■ subject was educated in tin Of Waynesville and the schools of Harp and Creek townships, until he was twenty-cue. attending school in the winter and working upon the farm in the summer. In 1869 he began teaching in the district sch. «'ls and was thus engaged for fifteen About 1883 he purchased forty a< of land on which he erected a house and later added forty acres to the property. The farm is now in a tine state of cultivation and his home is a I tted with all modern conveniences. Upon this farm he carrii - general farming ami has become very successful. Many year- ago hi-, atten- tion was turned to literature and he began writing for the different papers. His sketches, which are of a comic nature, were accepted and he now greatly augments his income by the children of hij pen. Living the heart of nature upon his farm. he gains idea- and gathers his inspirations from nature itself so that his writing- have a flavor of the early sunrise, the dewy mead- ving kine. the waving field- of In, the twittering birds and the sweet -cent of the clover full blown, about them. Reading hi- articles one i- transplanted from the dingy office, the crowded tenement and the noise-racking cities to the country >till fresh a- when it came from the Creal hand. Not only are hi- article- pertail to the fruitful months delightful, for lie can read .hidden meanings in the snow-covered und, can hear music in the sound of the vehicle or sturdy pedestrian on the -now, 'earn a lesson from the patience of the cattle huddeld together on the warm side of a -tack. Through the blinding snow his clear mind \ seize the lessons humanity, and while studying na- ture so closely Mr. Curl learns to place a true estimate upon mankind. Judging the race by nature, he can place a broader ga upon his opinions and tone down his criti- cisms with the leaven of charity. So in- stinct are his articles with tin he 111s from his broads fields and country life, that they will always meet with a warm welcome from those confined in our larg cities, a- well as the favored one- who can test the trueness of his impre.--i.iii- by their own experience-. In 1880 Mr. Curl was married to Miss Lucy E. Tyler, a daughter of Samuel and Mary 1 Shults 1 Tyler. Four children have been born of this marriage, namely: Claude. Warner. Charles ami Mary, all at home. E ■ ally Mr. Curl is a member of the Amer- ican Lodge of the Masonic fraternity and has held various offices of this order, in- cluding those of junior and senior deacon. Politically he i- a Republican, and has been clerk of the election and justice of the peace for a number of years and held minor 1 in connection with the government. HENRY C. RYBi >LT. Henry C. Rybolt, one of the earl) tier- and highly respected citizen- of De- Witt county, Illinois, now residing in the 4i8 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. village of Kenney, is a native of < )hio, born in Clermont county, November 17. [825, and resided in the place of his birth until he was twenty-eighl years of age. He is a son of Ji >hn and ( !atherine Rybolt. The father was a native of one of the south- ern states and rami.- to Ohio when aboul nine years of age. lie was a fanner all his active life and lived and died in ( lei mont county, Ohio, his death occurring October 3, 1 S 5 7 . when he was about sixty rs old. The mother died when our sub- ject was only one year old, so he was de- prived of her love and care when he mosl needed it. Like the majority of farmer boys, Mr. Rybolt attended the district schools of his native county in the winter and worked upon his father's farm in the summer. The educational advantages were very hum and the structure in which the school was held was made of logs. Remaining with his father until his death, our subject then came to Illinois and settled in Tunbridge township, DeVVitt county, where he has since made his heme, becoming thoroughly identified with the best interests of the com- munity. lie first purchased one hundred and ty acres of prairie land on section 17. which - the first land he ever owned and was accordinglj highly prized, lie broke the land and erected a large brick house on it and put up other buildings, all of which were somewhat of a luxury in th'-c days of hardships and log houses. In this pie; ant home he resided until October, [891, when he leased the remainder of the farm and retired to some twenty-one acres, where he lives surrounded by the comforts of lite. From time to time he added to his original farm until he is now one of the largest property owners in the county, lie 01 over thirty-seven hundred acres in DeWitt and Macon counties and six hundred and forty acres in Calhoun county, Iowa. On these farms are substantial dwellings and buildings, numbering fifteen in all. The six hundred and forty acres 111 Iowa is a cattle ranch. Our subject started out in life a poor 11 with nothing to assist him but a pair of willing hands and the determination to win for himself a position in life worth) of his ambitions. That he has succeeded his present prosperity amply- demonstrates, for nine years he has lived retired from active labor in the pleasant town of Kenney, where he built a hands, .me and substantial house. l)u his pr,.pert\ he tried no new or specu- lative methods of becoming wealth), but carried on general farming^and stock rais- ing, using his own common sense and thorough knowledge of all the details of farm life in directing the management of affairs. In addition to his farm property .Mr. Ryboldt also possesses some valuable real estate and 111 [898 he erected the Opera house of Kenney, which is a very tine build- ing, comprising three stores, ami is consid- 1 one ..f the best business structures in the t. .'.ill. Mr. Rybolt was married Mardh 28, 1850, to Miss Mary Hester Shaw. She was born in Clermont county, Ohio, and was a daughter of John and Casiah ( Smith 1 Shaw, both of whom are now de- ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Rybolt were born six children, four of whom are living. Thi .had are Charles and Henry, both of whom died in infancy. The living are as follows: Amos married Annie Reiser, who died two years ago last spring, and he operates the old homestead farm on section 27, Tun- bridge township; John married Annie Todd anil resides on one of his father's farms in THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 419' Austin township, Macon county; Robert re- side ction 27, Tuntbridge township, where he farms tun hundred and forty a his father's land, and he married Alice Jump; Martha married Robert Monroe, suction n\ Tunbridge township, DeWitt inty, where he farms five hundred a ■ his father. When Mr. Rybolt first came to this inty it was all wild prairie land. Xow it • if the richest farm- § districts in Illinois. This great chai has ben brought about by the industry and lie spirit of the men who had the cour- age to brave the perils and discomforts of the wilderness and push forward the ad- vance of civilization. Their own reward bee: but it is well deserved, for it »h the droughts of summer and the discoun rms of winter that they toiled. Beside the clear stream sprang up towns and cities, and churches aner month, and there he continued for about six years. Mr. Swan was frugal and industrious and n benight a tract of eighty acres in Creek township, which he later increa-ed to one hundred and sixty acres. At the time purchase this was all wild prairie, but perseverance and industry has put it under a tine state of cultivation, and his improve- ments in the way of house, barns and fenc- compare most favorably with the farms of much older residents of the county. In 1S72 our subject was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Sprague, who a native of Ohio, and to this union six chil- dren have been born: Charles, deceased: Anna, who married Archibald Edwards, Creek township, and have one child. Mar- t: and Ruth: Mary: Jane; and Katie; In politics Mr. Swan has always been in sympathy with the Democratic party, but he has never sought office. In 180.0 our subject rented his tine farm and decided to spend the rest of his life in 420 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the enjoyment of what his industry has earned. With this end in view he purchased of the most comfortable homes in Clin- ton, located on West South street, and to- day is one of the highly esteemed citizens of this pleasant little city. CRIAll BLUE. Uriah Blue, deceased, was oik- of the highly respected citizens of I >e\Vitt county ided at the time of his death in Te township. Mr. Blue was horn in Hamp- shire county, Virginia, August pi. 1850, and when three years of age cam: - with his parents. Uriah and Jemima 1 Welton) lllne. Both were nativi - of Vir- ginia, and after comnig to Illinois, about [853, they located in Texas township, wh< ngaged in farming for main years and where he died at an ad- vanced age. His widow survived, him some year- and died in 1S7 1 . Uriah Blue, 1 ur subject, remained the home place until he attained his major- ity, at which time he married, and then he purchased a home of his own. to which he added from time to time until at the time of his death he owned one hundred and fifty acr - od farm land, all of which was under cultivation. In politics he was a Democrat, and at the time of his demise was serving a- justice of the peace, which office he had held for many year-, ciallv he was a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. (hi March [6, [871, Mr. Blue was mar- ried to Jennie P. Eckert. who was horn in Butler county. Ohio, and was a diughtet Henry K. and Sarah M. ( Squire 1 Eckert. Henry Eckert was horn in Ohio, as was also his wife. They came to Illinois in January. 1 No-, and settled in Texas township, De- Witt coumy. where the father engaged in farming. lie now re-ides with his daugh- ter. Mrs. lllue. and i- aged seventy-six. lie is a member of the I'.aptist church. The mother of Mrs. Blue was a member of the United Brethren church and died in [866. She was the mother of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Blue were horn seven children: Frank, who died at the age oi six month-: Charles F... who died when three years old; Lilly, who died at the age . f two years; Edmund W., who 5 on the home place and i- assessor of the town- ship: Carl I).. William < >. and Clara Alice. all at home. All of the children were horn in Texas township, DeWitt county, and were or are being educated there. The family reside in the line modern house Mr. I 'due erected oil the homestead. Mr. Blue died on December 23, 1891, r a short illness, lie was a public-spir- i man and an advocal 11 that tended toward- the advancement of the interests of tin- neighborhood in which he resided. lie wa- very libera! and devoted to his home and family. In his death the com- munity suffered by the 1"-- of a friend to the itizen and a man 1 if upright life and high standiri CARL SWIGART. Among the honored and highly es- teemed citizens of Weldon i- the gentleman whose name head- this sketch. lie was horn in DeWitt township, this county. No- vember 14. [854, and is a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Doirs) Swigart, both "f whom were natives of Ohio. The paternal grandfather of our subject wa- Daniel Swigart, a native of Lancaster county. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 421 Pennsylvania, and a sun of Daniel and Catherine 1 Swigart, who wore . natives of Pennsylvania, but of German parentage. Daniel Swigart, Sr., \\a- a • dier of the war of 1812, serving under den- oral Harrison, and fought with him against General Hull at Fort Meigs and other bat- that war. Daniel. Jr.. was horn at Mercerbury, Pennsylvania, in 1793, and came to Pickoway county, Illinois, with his parents in 1810. H( jrew to manhood and married Elizabeth Coonrod, a native of Greenbrier county. Virginia, and a daughter of Jacob and Eve (Vandevinder) lie also served in the war 2 under t leneral Harrison, hut his posi- tion in the quartermaster's department pre- vented him from taking' any part in any of the battles. The maternal grandparents our subject were James and Elizaheth Da- ds, natives of Ohio, hut came to DeWitt inty in 1837 and located near Farmer City, on land which is now within the 1 poration limits of that town. S trt was reared in his native inty, and from the public schools received preliminary .education. While very ing he started out in life as a farmer, and is now the owner of twelve hundred and eighty acres of highly improved land. There is five hundred and eighty acres in DeWitt county, three hundred and twenty acres in Mason county, two hundred and - in Piatt and one hundred acres in Champaign, all under a high state of cul- tivation. In addition to his farming inter- deal-, extensively in stock, mak- ing a specialt) of cattle, sheep and hogs for market. Since [888 lie has resided in Weldon, eight years of which time he has been en- ijed in the hanking business. He has twice been united in marriage, his first union being with Miss Sarah A., daughter of Archibald ami Lydia (Runyon) Mc- kley, of DeWitt township, formerly of Ohio. As a result of this union three chil- dren were horn, as follows: Vespascian ' .: Harry F. and Grace M. .Mis. Swigart was called to her final rest in 1887 and in i : Mr. Swigart was married, his second wife being Miss Kate, 'laughter of James ami Emma (McPherson) McConkley, by whom he has one daughter, Clara. ally Mr. Swigart is a member of Mozart Lodge, No. 96, K. of ]'.. of Wel- don; Weldon Lodge, No. 74''. V F. & A. M.; G lbrake Chapter, R. A. M.. of Clin- ton, and Clinton Commandery, No. 66. In politics he has always been a warm sup- porter of the men and measures of the Re- publican party, and from 1894 until [898 served as supervisor of Nixon township and is now the representative from the 19th dis- tricl in the state legislature, and takes an active interest in all measures calculated to prove of benefit to the public. PHILIP HALLOWAI Among the prosperous and ssful citizens of fanner City. Illinois, is Philip Hallowa*t"who was horn in McLean coun- ty, this state, October 30, 1*4-'. ami is a of Jorial Hallowan, who was horn in [8l2. His mother, whose maiden name - Susanna Hand, was horn in 1818, and was a daughter of George and Barbara Hand. Jorial Hallowan and wife removed to Illinois in the early days in the history of the state and by hard work and ceaseless saving accumulated property and died p sessed of some sixty-five acres of land, all of which was well cultivated and supplied with house, barn and necessary buildil i 422 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. In religious matters they were active mem- bers of the Methodist church. To these good people were born the following chil- dren: Henry, William, Barbara, John W., Nancy J. and Jonathan. Jorial was a farmer all his life and his memory is cher- ished as that of a good, kind-hearted man. in whose death the community sustained a severe 1 Philip Hallowan was educated in the schools of his district, .and after attaining to manhi od's estate he engaged in farming. hut in 1861, fired with patriotism, he en- listed in Company 1. Thirty-ninth lllii Volunteer Infantry, and gave his country thro of his life, although he was very fortunate in not being wounded or cap- tured. After concluding his war experience Mr. Hallowan resumed farming and continued to pursue that calling for four years, when he engaged in business in Farmer City for some years a- a merchant. At present he i- one of the leading ice dealers in that lo- cality and has built up a large and flourish- ing business. Socially, he i- a member ol the Independent Order of Odd 3, in which he has been past grand: of the Grand Army of the Republic, No. 2ii, Lemon Post, "f which he ha- been commander. Mr. Hallowan married Miss Nancy H. Walls, and they had two children: Maud. eased; and Eliza M., who married a Mr. Yarina. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hallowan are members of the Methodist church. 1-1.1 1 IT HELMICK. Among the residents of Farmer City none are more deserving of representation in this volume than Elihu Helmick, who for many years was actively identified with the agricultural interests of DeWitt county, and who has, through his well-directed efforts, gained a handsome competence, so that he is now numbered among the largest land owner- of this section of the state. Keen discrimination, unflagging industry anil res- olute purpose are numbered among his sali- ent characteristic-, and thus he ha- won that prosperity which is the merited reward of h< mest effort. .Mr. Helmick was horn in Pendleton county, We-t Virginia, March 26, iS_>_\ and is a -on of Vlam Helmick and grandson of Jacob Helmick. The latter wa- probably a native of Germany, and was one <>i the pioneers of West Virginia, where he fol- lowed farming throughout life, dying at a id old age. lie married Miss Borer and to them were horn seven children, among the number being Jacob, John, Adam and Abraham. Adam Helmick, our subject's father, was born in Valley River, Randolph county, West Virginia, and -pent his entire life as inner in his native state, his sons having tried in vain to persuade him to come to Illinois. During the war of iSi_> he en- listed, hut before he arrived on the scene . if actii 'ii peai ed. He was twice married, his first wife being Hannah Teeter, who died leaving five children, namely: Abel, Cornelius, Moses, Elizabeth and An- nie. For 1 ' 1 wife he married Cath- erine Huffman, a daughter of Christian Huffman, who was a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war. Mr. Helmick died at the of sixty-five years, and his widow subse- quently came to DeWitt county, Illinois make her home with her sons, and here died at the age of seventy. She was a native of Bath county, Virginia, and the mother, oi five children, of whom two died in infancy h ♦ ^j m't M 9 ELIHU HELMICK. MRS. ELIHU HELMICK. THE BIOGRAPHICAL KLCukD. 427 ;ukI Reuben died when young. Those who reached years of maturity were Nathaniel, who is represented on another page of this work, and Elihu. The parents were both devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church and reared their children in that faith. In 1846 Elihu Helmick, in company with his brother Nathaniel and his family, started by wagon for Central Illinois. ( >n their ar- rival in Christian county, the others stop- ped while our subject came north on a pros- pecting tour, looking up a suitable location. Being pleased with DeWitt county he de- cided to settle here and rent a farm until he found a favorable opportunity to buy. hav- . accumulated two hundred and fifty dollars. In February he rented a Miiall place and sent for his brother and family. Subsequently they bought an ad- joining tract of a Mr^XHwg+ttr-this being a claim of one hundr sixty acre- on section 21. Rutledge township; AAly a very few acres of which had been broken. This place is .-till owned by our subject. He first built a small frame house, which he later re- placed by a more commodious and substan- itructure. Mr. Helmick was married in 1X47 • Mary Trimble, who was born in High- land county. Virginia, January 20, [824, and i- a daughter of James and Elizabeth law I Trimble. Her father, who was a 11a- of Scotland, died in middle age. his death being caused by drinking from a coo! spring when overheated by work. If only two children. <. lezekiah and Mary. The mother subsequently married Frederick Wayman, by whom she had three children. Sarah A.. Susie and Jacob. She was eighty-four year- of age at the time of her death. 1 1 ) Eliza Jane married Will- iam Vance, and died leasing four children, 19 Willis. Clara. Fannie and Walter. Elizabeth i- the wife of lame- Bland, and they have six children living, Ashley, Mary A.. Ilattie. Walter 1'.. Bessie and Dell. George Ewell and Bertha are deceased. 1 ,:; 1 Annie J. married Thomas VVarman died leasing one -on. W'ilber. 14) Simeon Clark married [da Johnson and has four children, Charles, Mary, Francis and Ivy Jane. W. is represented on an- other paj lis, volume. (<>) Charles \. married Eliza Gammon. 17) Francis M. died at the age of sixteen years, and the two who were born prior to Eliza Jane died in infancy. In his business affairs Mr. Helmick has been ably assisted by the encouragement and aiil rendered him by his wife, who has been him a true helpmate, and by their com- bined efforts met with success. A- soon as they got one farm paid for they purchi another, and to-day own four hundred and forty acres of line farming land in De- Witt county: six hundred and eighty acres in Champaign county; and over two hun- dred acres in McLean county, all of which property has been acquired through their industry, economy and perseverance. When Mr. Helmick found that he could no lor, say to hi- sons, come boys, but had to boys, while he could only look on and superintend the work, he decided to retire, and removed to Farmer City, where he has since made his home, having purchased the Vaneman property there. During his younger years he was considered one of the best -lock raisers of his community, and always kept from fifty to one hundred head of cattle and as many hog-. He also rai fine horses. Hi- farms are well improved, are tiled and drained, and supplied with : buildings, while fruit and shade tree- add greatly to their beauty. 428 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Politically Mr. Helmick affiliates with the Democratic party, and although he has never sought office he ha- been called upon to serve as supervisor and school director. Both he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they contribute liberally, and they are among the most highl) esteemed citizens ol Farmer City. PTAIN J< U1X I). GRAHAM. ptain John I >. < iraham, residing on ion 2, Creek township, DeWitt county, Illinois, has lived in this canity since [852. lie was born in Pike county, < >hio, in [828, and was a son of Samuel 1 1, and Lucj 1 I >an- 1) Graham, who were natives of Vir- ginia and Maryland, respectively. The fa- ther was a son of Arthur (iraham. who was a native 1 r£ Ireland, born of Scotch Irish parentage. Arthur Craham came to Amer- vvhen a young man and located in \ ir- ginia, where he married, but later removed to Tike county, Ohio, about 1822, and was one of the earl) settlers of that county. He l in farming. The parents of the mother of our subject also removed to Ohio at an early day and assisted in the develop- ment of the state. Samuel 11. (iraham was also a farmer during his entire life. He removed to De- Witt county, Illinois, and located on what is now (.'reek township, making that his home during the remainder of his life, and d there at the age of sixty years. His widow was seventy-eight years of age when she died. Both are buried in the Lisenby ceme- tery in (reek township. Prior to his mar- riage with the mother of our subject, Sam- uel II. (iraham married Nancy Thomas, by whom he had one child. Christian, who has been dead many years. Sex en children were horn to Samuel II. Graham and his wife Lucy, as follows: Our subject; .Mary, who resides with her brother Harvey in tieek township; Absalom, who died in (864, when only twenty-nine years of age; Keziah, who married William Lisenby, of (reek township; Dorcas, who died in child- hood; James Henry, who resides in Salt Lake City, Utah; Harvey, who resides in Creek township. Captain John I >. (iraham attended the schools of Fairfield county. Ohio, to which locality bis father had removed when he was about three years of age. The school- houses were made of logs, with puncheon benches with pegs for legs. At one end was an immense fireplace which was not largi li to heat the little room suffi- ciently, and the greased paper at the windows was a poor substitute for glass. The little to ti udge a mile and a half ti 1 ool through the snows of winter and the heat of summer, and yet considered himself fortunate that he was given this oppor- tunity of obtaining an education. Later he attended the Greenfield Academy in Green- field township. Fairfield county, thus receiv- ing a much better education than his asso- ciate rly in life John was forced to take upon his shoulders the work of a man. While he was yet at school hi- father broke his leg, and the faithful son left school and assumed the father's tasks, remaining with the family until after their removal to De- Witt county. Illinois, and the father's death. In 1862 John 1). (iraham enlisted in mpany F, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Thomas Snell. and was mustered in at Camp Butler as first lieutenant of the com- pany. The regiment was sent to Jeffer- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORH. 429 sonville, Indiana, tirst doing camp duty and drilling, and later, when they crossed into Kentucky, they wore in .several engaj ments against General Morgan. Our sub- ject participated in the siege of Knoxville and the engagements at Campbell Station and Huff's Ferry. He .was in the battles at Blaine's Cross k"ads. Strawberry Plains and Mi ek, and then started on the campaign through Georgia, by the way of Knoxville and Chattanoogo, and' was in sev- eral spirited engagements as well as in the battle of Decatur. Georgia. After this last named battle our subject was honorably discharged on account of disability, in Oc- tober, 1864, with rank of captain, having been promoted in the spring of that year at Knoxville, Tennessee. During the time he was absent his be- loved father had passed away, and John, with a brother, engaged in farming, and have .always remained partners. They now own five hundred and eighty acre- of rich farm land in Creek township, which is de- voted principally to stock-raising, and their product meets with ready sale in the market on account of its excellence: On March 1. [866, Captain John D. ham was married to Miss Rebecca Van Ness, who was born in Ohio and is a daugh- ter of Cornelius Van Ness, a native of Ver- mont. Mrs. Graham was one of seven chil- dren and the youngest of the family. Her parents never left Ohio, where they died. ■ tain and Mrs. Graham four children have been born, namely: Minnie and Nel- lie, who both died in infancy; Samuel I at home assisting hi- father; and George F., also working on the home farm. Mrs. Graham is an active member of the ristian church, as are her sons. In poli- tics Captain Graham is a Democrat in na- tional matter-, but in local affair- he votes rather for the man than for party principles. lie has served most acceptably as collector for several term-, as well as several terms supervisor. While he was on the board of supervisors the railroad was built, and he took an active part in pn the interests of his township. Captain Graham has also served as school director. Having lived in this comity for SO many year-, he can re- member when the entire locality was wild land, and he ha- often gone by wagon or on horseback to Springfield for the necessary groceries and to Bloomington for flour, but later he went to LeRoy, McLean count), for such article-, lie i- a pleasant, genial gen- tleman, who possesses the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friend- ami the confidence 1 >f the entire community. GE< IRGE A. LITSINBERGER. George A. Litsinberger was born in Hancock county. Ohio, April 16, [851, and i- the son of Henry and Margaret (Bell) Litsinberger. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother was a native of Ohio. The parents were married in Ohio, where the father followed the occupa- tion of a farmer. In 185(1 the father was engaged in railroading, and finally came to Illinois, locating in Wilson township, De- Witt county, where he entered one hundred and twenty acres .of wild land. Only a small portion of this was broken and a small log house was the only residence. This contained two rooms and a loft, but the little nily lived in this small abode and worked hard to make a plea-ant home. Shade and fruit tree- were set Out, which to-day fur- nish fine fruit and afford grateful shade. In 1N74 the father erected the present coin- 43° THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. fortable house, to which improvements have been added from time to time. He was a Republican during his later years, although a Democrat until 1856, bul would never ac cept office. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church and he was an officer until the increasing infirmi- ties o| ipelled him to decline further election. The mother was also very active in the church, winch was held in what was known as the Bell school-house, on the site the present Bell chapel. The father died , in 1893, aged eighty-six years, while the mother died in 1874, aged sixty, and both are interred in Woodlawn cemetery. Eight children were born to them, namely: Will- iam, who resides at (.'cntralia. Illinois; a child who died in infancy; Allen, who re- sides at Decatur, Illinois; John (I.. who re- sides in Bloomington; Emily J., who mar- ried I). \V. Hickman and lives in Tennes- see: Milton A., who 111 Wilson town- ship, this county; and our subject. >rge A. Litsinberger came to the county when hut five and re ccived hi- education in the common scln of his district, attending school in the winter and working upon the farm in the summer until he was twenty-two. after which nined hi arm work. his father's death he purchased the interests of the "tlier heirs and now conducts the home farm, which he has largely impro On this property he carries on general farm- ing and stock-raising, making a ) of raising draught horses for the market. Ills place 1 ' kepi farms in the township, and his good management is demonstrated on every side. In [876 Mr. Litsinberger married Miss Margarel E. Smith, who was horn in Ohio 1 was a daughter of William and Ellen 1 Taylor 1 Smith. Two children were horn to our subject and his wife, namely: Ern- est, a resident of Harp township, married Edna Stubblefield and they have two chil- dren, Lucile and I. eland. Gertrude resides with our subject. Mrs. Litsinberger died in February, 1900, at forty-eight years of age, and was interred in Woodlawn ceme- tery. Both our subject and his wife early connected themselves with the Methodist church. lie is now one of the stewards and trustees of the church as well as class leader, and he takes a very active and earnest pari in all the work of the denomination. In politics he is a Democrat, hut has never taken an active part in politics, his own affairs and church matters absorbing all of his attention. 1 II \RI.TS 11. M. 1 I I IDY. Among the prominent citizens now if life, who have been identified with the growth and development of Wil . Illinois, the name i if < liarles IT McCuddy takes a leading place. 'The birth of our subject 1 ccurred in Spsingfield, < Ihio, on Max 8, [832, and he was a son of c and Mary (Whitridge) McCuddy, the fi riner of whom was a native of Kei tucky and the latter of Massachusetts, although they were married in < >hio. In [836 the) came to Illinois and settled in Mc an county, a short time Later moving to liar]) township, in DeWitt county, when both passed awaj and weje laid to rest in Woodlawn cemetery at Clinton. 'The} had a family of ten children, of whom our sub- ject was the third in the order of birth. Charles II. McCuddy was educated in the common schools of this county, where he grev\ to manhood, and on January 28, [859, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- Till IRAPHICAL RECORD. 431 beth Surface, who was born in Mad inty, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth 1 Weaver) Surface, both of whom were natives of Virginia and were married in Ohio, where the former died in 1850, at the age of fifty y< In iS;j the mother of Mrs. McCuddy rted with her children for DeWitt county, Illinois, with the intention of joining who resided in Texas township. They were obliged t>> drive overland, coming ng what was then known as the "Na- tional Pike," and were about twelve days d. The nights during this trip wet I in small shelter cottages which had been erected for the convenience of the travelers who were continually "ii the move westward. The conveyances that came in consisted of three large covered wagons, which conveyed all their household belong- ed a carriage, in which the party rode. For the younger members this was but a pleasant experience, but the older ones rcely enjoyed it so much, for at that date the west was considered full of unknown dangers. The noble and faithful mother passed away in t88i, at the age of eighty- years, and she was tenderly laid away in the beautiful Woodlawn cemetery. She had been the mother of four children, namely: George, deceased; Jacob, who died young; John, who is now a resident of Kansas; and Elizabeth, the widow of our subject. Both Mr. and Mrs. Surface were worthy and consistent members of the Methodist church. After his marriage Mr. McCuddy lived for two years on a small farm in Nixon township, but later moved to Texas town- ship, where he took up two hundred and enty acres, about one-half of which was covered with a valuable growth of timber. The only building was an old log cabin, which was occupied but a short time, and now in its place has been erected a com- modious and comfortable residence. This land Mr. McCuddy placed under cultiva- tion and also entered extensively in the breeding of fine cat; »heep, preferring the Shorthorn cattle and the < »xl \ 11s p. He proved a g 1 business man, both his farm and stock always being kept up to the highest point of excellence. In 1893 Mr. McCuddy purchased a de- ble lot in Clinton, located in a portion the town where the surroundings were isant and promised to he of greater value, and he erected one of the largest and most .Milt residences on South (.'enter street. Here his useful life ended, in 1897. With other members of the family, he rests in Woodlawn cemetery in Clinton. Renting the farm in Texas township, Mrs. McCuddy lives in her beautiful home in Clinton, her son Frank residing with her. The one daughter of the family was Carrie, who married Jacob Zorger and resides in Indiana. In politics Mr. McCuddy was a life-long Republican, hut never sought office, though consenting to serve in some of the minor po- sitions, such as road commissioner, in order to do what he considered a true citizen's duty. During his long life in the county he had built up a reputation for strict in- rity, and left not only an ample com- petency to his family, but, still better, a name reflecting honor upon all who hear it. P.I.ISII M<>< (RE. Among th< sful farmers of De- Witt county one of the most prominent is Blish Moore, residing on section 11. Harp 432 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. township, who has lived in this county for half a century. He was born in Kirkland, Ohio, July 6, 1826, and he was a son of Isaac and Philena Moore, both of whom wen- born near Albany. New York. Tin.' Moore famil) from which our sub- ject sprang was originally from Ireland but settled in Paris. The -real uarml father came to America ami located a little west iif the present city of Albany. New York, lie and bis entire family, with the excep- tion of the grandfather of our subject, then a small buy, were killed by the Indians. The grandfather hid in a hollow tree. and. almost dead with terror, traveled two nights and "lie day to the fort, subsisting upon routs ami berries. lie became \ er\ useful ' tu the officers at the furl, and during the Revolution was a small scoul for General Washington himself. Our subject remem- bers distinctly his grandfather telling thrilling tale- of In- adventures, for he was sent right into the enemy's camp, he being si 1 small that he could go and come without being suspected. So successful was he that his little figure became a well-known one in the colonial camp, and many a piece of cake and pie were handed him by her whom the patriotic soldiers loved to call "Lady Wash ington." When the grandfather grew tu manhood he settled in New York and was married there, but. .after residing in the state some time, removed tu what was later Lake county, < >hio, and there he died at the advanced age of ninety-four years, lie reared a family >>\ five children, of whom Isaac, father of our subject, was fourth in order of birth. Isaac Moore grew to manhood in New Yqrk state, and after the removal of the family tu Ohio he virtually took charge of his father's affairs. Upon his land the famous Mormon temple was built, and the present town of Kirkland is on the site of the old Moore homestead, lie came tu De- Witt county, Illinois, in 1NS0, and spent the remainder of his life with his children. He died here at an advanced age, and his wife had passed away in Ohio. Of his eight children, three girls and five boys, those- now living are our subject ami Milan, who re- sides 111 DeWitt county and is a jeweler of Farmer City. Blish Moore attended a select school in Ohio, and he received a good education I'm" those early days, lie first worked on a farm in Ohio, and in 1N44 came to [llinois, traveling by way of Detroil and Cleveland by water and then by railroad hall across the stale. The next portion of the journey was made by stage to St. Joseph, whence he took a boat to Chicago. At that tune Chi- cago was a town of about live thousand people ami the streets were so poor that in going to tlu- hotel a four-horse team was stranded in the mud. from Chicago Mr. Moore traveled to Peru by stage, and there lie remained for some time teaching school. In addition, he kept bonks for a linn in that city. but. having an opportunity to come to Clinton. Illinois, by private conveyance, he made the trip, and after arriving here taught school for about a year and for a year more worked as a wagon maker. At this time Clinton was a village of some three hundred people. for two years he clerked in a store, and then, having saved his money all this time, he was enabled to purchase a stock ol ds, and took them to Oskaloosa, b'vva, by water as far as Keokuk and thence by stage. For about a year he remained in Oskaloosa, but he then returned to Clinton and clerked in Mitchell's store. In 1851 he engaged in farming in Clintonia township, acting as foreman of the farms owned by his brothers. So successful was he in his. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 433 fanning operations that in 1871 he pur- chased one hundred and thirty-five acres of his present farm, to which he has added twenty-five acres more, and now possesses the southeast quarter of section II, Harp township. This farm is highly cultivated, and on it Mr. Moore makes a specialty >>f raising grain and hogs. He is very suc- cessful. On March 27, 1851, he married Susan McCuddy, of < >hio, who died November 23, 1854. By this marriage one child was born, Alice, who was l>orn on May _•_*. 1852, and died when she was about fourteen years I )n ( >ctol>er 28, [869, Mr. Moore married Miss Martha Phillips, a native of Ohio, and to them four children have been born, namely: Harry, who died in child- hood; Minnie, who died in childhood: Tonie n-maker by trade, who married Meda Sline, and they have two children. 1 Ilisli and Thelma Opal; and Nellie, who is at home. Mrs. M.» .re is a member of the Methodist church of DeWitt. and Mr. Moore is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, being the first man made a Master Ma- in DeWitt county, in the winter > and has been town clerk and sch< H.l director, as well as held other town- ship offices. He is universally respected and ved for his public spirit and his high m. iral character. PARLEY PRATT NELSON. One of the prosperous and pr. _ farmers of Creek township is Parley I'ratt Nelson, who was born in Washington county. Illinois, December 4. 1850, a son of Thomas and Lucretia (Mauzy) Nelson. The father was a native of Tennessee and the mother was born in St. Louis, of French scent. The paternal grandfather served in the war of the Revolution. The father came t.. Illinois in [813, when hut a hoy. with his parents, and located in (reck township. DeWitt county, in [865, at the close of the Civil war. Here he pur- chased four hundred acres of laud on the high ground, and fenced it and erected two cabins thereon. Later he removed to Ma- son county, where he .lied in 1888. His wife died when about eighty-three, and both are buried in Mason county. In politics the father was a Democrat, but never sought l..r office. Both parents of our subject were consistent members of the Methodist church and to.k an active part in church work. To them were born the following chil- dren: William G., who lives in Kansas and was first lieutenant in Company II. Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry: Thomas La- fayette, a business man of Nashville, Ten- nessee: Augusta, who married Moses ('..x, of Kansas: John, who lives in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and was captain ..f Company II. Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war: Robert, deceased, who was or- derly sergeant in the same company and now resides in Denver. Colorado; James, who resides in DeWitt county. Illinois, and was in Company < ',. One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Mary, who mar- ried a Mr. Sales ami resides in Lincoln, Ne- braska; Benedict, who lives in Fort Dodj Iowa: Caroline, who married a Mr. East and is now decease.!: and ..ur subject. Until he was about twenty years of age our subject went to school and worked up the homestead, and then began farming for himself. He now has one of the best farms in the county, upon which he has made all the improvements, erecting the comfortable house, the commodious barn and numerous buildings, setting out the orchard and put- 434 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ting up fences. Upon this property lie car- ries cm general farming and stock-raising, owning one hundred and twenty acres oi fine land. i in .March 26, 1872, he married Miss Susie M. Cloud, a native of this county and a daughter of Daniel Cloud. The mother died when Mrs. Nelson was born, and her father, who was a native of Ohio, came to Illinois at a verj early date. To Mr. and .Mrs. Kelson were l> Lir children. namely: Samuel, who died at the three years; Effie Etta, who lives at home; and two children who died in infancy. In politics Mr. Nelson is a Republican, and supports the candidates of his party, although he never has been an office-seeker. lie is a man who finds his greatest enjoy- ment in the companionship of his family and friends, and enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire community. WILLIAM HUGH William Hughes, deceased, was for sev- eral wars one of the most highly respected and honored citizens of Texas township. He was born on the 1 6th of February, 1N11. in Clermont county, Ohio, ?nd on the pa ternal side was of Irish descent, though the familv have made their home in this country for several generations. In 1801, his grand- father, William Hughes, removed with his family from North Carolina to Ohio, settling on land which now forms a part of the city of Cincinnati. W that time the finest build- ing on what is now Main street was :i cabin. By occupation he was a farmer. He never held office, desiring only to serve his country in the private walks of life that he might more fully enjoy the quiet of his home. In his family were seven children. six s, ,ns and one daughter, namely: Levi, Nathaniel, tsaac, Jesse, James. Sina and Cyrus. James Hughes, die father of our subject, was horn in North Carolina, in 1 7S0. and was fifteen years old when his parents moved to Ohio. In [806 he was united in marri; with Miss \nn Dunnurn, who died a few- months later, and in t8o8 he married Miss Catherine Johnson, who was horn in New J»rsev. and with her parents moved to Ohio in [789, settling in Clermont county. Eight clnl : the second unii in, li. e Si ins and three daughters: John. William. Re- becca, Ann. Jacob, Jane. Silas and James. Onh two are now living: lames at \1- :. Indiana, and Silas, at Goshen, Ohio. The father served in the war of 1 S 1 _• and was at Fort Defiance at the tune of Perry's \ icti in on Lake I In the county of his nativity Mr. Hughes ol this review, grew to manh 1 and con- tinued to make his home there- until forty- two years of age. 'in the <>th of No- vember, 1842, he married Miss Margaret Cain. Her father. Richard Cain, was horn in Virginia, Mav S. 171)5. and while young removed with his parents to Clermont coun- ty. Ohio. At tin if seventeen years he entered the service of his country as a sol- dier of die war of 1812 and served until its close. lie then returned to his old home, where he was married in 1 N ; 7 to Miss Eliza Danbury, who was horn near Trenton. New Jersey, and was also quite young when she- removed with her parents to Clermont county, < >hio. By this union were born one son and three daughters, namely : Margaret, William. Milly and Mary. The mother of these children died in [828, after which the father removed to Darke county. Ohio, in [853, and there died in [859, aged sixty- four years. WILLIAM HUGHES MRS. WILLIAM HIV.HES Till-: IUOC.RAI'IIICAL RECORD. 439 In the fall of 1853, Mr. Hughes, in com- pany with his family, came to DeWitl coun- ty, Illinois, and 1< tattil cm a farm in Texas township, whore ho continued i" make his home until called t" his final rest February 5. 1^74. when nearly sixty-four years of age. Politically Ik- was always a stanch Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson in 1832, but he held no office except those < upright, honorable life gained for him the confidence of all with whom he came in contact, ami his fellow citizens held him in the highest esteem. Unto .Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were horn en children, of whom the eldest died in infancy. Those still living are Albert M.. a contracting carpenter of Clinton; Nelson R.. who ha- served a- county superintendent of schools, having been elected to that office in November, 1890, and make- his home in Clinton: Warren h".. a farmer of Texas township; George W. and Perry, who have been in the newspaper business in Clinton since 1885; and Eliza, also a resident ton. In January. 1892, the mother moved from the farm to Clinton, where -he- died on the [3th of the following Novemb at the age of seventy-four year-. She was a most estimable lady, and an active mem- ber of the Texas Christian church, with which she united in 1875. " cr husband was al-o a member of th: t church. HUGHES BR( >THERS. The Clinton Register, the Democratic paper of DeWitt county, i- published by Hughes Brothers. The t'ir-t issue of this pa- per wa- published May 29, [868, by A. J. ckford, ami he continued it< publication until November 27, of the -ante year, when \\ . L. I rlessner and C. ( ',. Stone, to w horn he -old the paper, became it- editors and pub- lishers. This partnership continued until September 15, [873, when Mr. Stone -old his interest to F. M. VanLue, who retired from the business August 7. [874. Mr. - ci mtinued its publicatii in until ( )cti 1- ber 1. r88i, when J. II. Waggoner & Son, who had bought the plant, took chat ■. Ihe\ owned and published the paper just four years. They retired September 28, 1885, when George W. and berry Hughes, who had been reared near Clinton, became editor- and proprietors, and have since published it un- der the firm name of Hughes Brothers. The frequent changes had not been beneficial to the paper, as but little money had been ex- pended in equipping the plant. When Hughes Brothers assumed control the pa] was four-page, the paid circulation about -i\ hundred, and all the machinery of the plant was not worth five hundred dollars. Since that time the paper and plant have undergone a transformation rarely known in a country printing office. The paper out- grew its dingy quarters in an up-stairs room and a building lot was bought in 1X1)4. In 1895 a two-story brick building with base- ment was built, and dedicated Augusl <>. of that year, addresses being made bj lion. 1-".. A. Snively, of Springfield; Hon. Owen -. of Bloomington, and Hon. V. Warner of Clinton. With the new home for the Register had come new presses, new folder. new boiler and engine) new type. etc. Nearly six thousand dollar- wa- -pent within four month- equipping the plant, and providing a home for the paper, which was increased from four to eight page-, all home print. Since that time a twenty by twenty-two foot job room ha- been added, making two thousand -ix hundred ami eighty square feet of floor space used. The circulation of the 440 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. paper has been increased more than twice ami a half, and the plant is said to be the host in the state in any city no larger than Clinton, and better than is found in many cities double its population. The machinery bought new, consisting of news press, three job presses, boiler and engine, folder, cutter, perforator, stapler and small pieces, cost over three thousand dollars. orge W. Hughes, senior member of the firm, was bom June 9, [853, in Clermont county, Ohio, his parent- moving to De Witt county, Illinois; in September of that year. After completing the studies of the public schools, he attended VVesleyan (Jni- sity at Bloomington, and. in [878, com- pleted the course of the Springfield Business College. lie taught five terms of school in his home township, four of them being the same school, lie was the Democratic nom- inee for state senator in the thirteenth dis t riit in [89 1 September 28, 1893, ' u ' was married t<> Miss Eliza l'>. Shaw, eldest daughter of Achilles 1'.. and Harriet B. Shaw . 1 if Texas t. w\ nship. Terry Hughes was ln.ru in Texas town- ship. April -'-'. [856, and lived on the home farm until iSSj. when he was employed in the Register office b) J. II. Waggoner & Si 'ii. lie w as pi istmaster 1 if <. lint' m during Cleveland's second term, lie is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Clinton. December 13, 1888, he was married to .Mis- Florence Argo, eldest daughter of Emanual ( i. and Sarah Argo, of Clintonia township. 'They have one child, Ruth Argo. PHILIP WOLF. 'The prosperity of Clinton. Illinois, is largely due to the eft". >rts of the men who by their industry and commercial foresight de- veloped the natural advantages of the local- ity, and among them the name of Philip Wolf is prominent. lie is a son i>i John I'.. Wolf, who settled in Tunbridge town- ship in 1847. The latter was horn in Lan- caster county. Pennsylvania, and he was the son of Wright and Mary Wolf. Wrighl Wolf, a native of Germany, died while still a young man. but his widow survived him many years and died at Peoria. Illinois, at the age of seventy-two. 'Their family con- sisted of two children. John B. Wolf continued farming in Tunbridge township until [853, when he sold his property and located in Clinton and engaged in the lumber business. He. died in 1862, at the age of sixty-four years, The maiden name of his wife was Rebecca Stout, and she was a daughter of Philip Stout, of Logan county. Ohio, who died in Bond county. Illinois. To the parents of our suh- ject these children were horn. namel\ : Elizabeth, Lydia, Philip, Margaret, Ruzella, Joseph^ Mary, John and Catherine. • Mir subject was horn in Logan county, Ohio, near Bellefontaine, on January 14. 1834. During his early life he engaged iit farming, but later settled at Clinton, Illinois. and, in partnership with P. W. 'Taylor, em- harked in the mercantile business. His nexl commercial venture was at Payne, Illi- nois, where he engaged in the hardware and implement business with J. W. Bell for two years. For thirteen years he was in husi- ness with A. I). McHenry at Clinton, from which connection he retired in iSjj. Later he was associated with the firm of Bailer & Bryant, and after two years joined in busi- ness with Mr. Savage, a real estate dealer in Clinton. At present his attention is taken up with the management of his own prop- erty, which is considerable in Clinton and the surrounding country. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 441 Mr. Wolf married Miss Mary Bell, who i- a daughter ■•!' Henrj Bell, one of the old of DeWitt county. To our sub- ject and wife have been born three children, namely: Laura, who married Rev. E. A. Hammond, a Methodist clergyman of Ma- con city, and they have one child, Edna; Annie, who married Reuben Hurlis, of Monticello, Illinois; and Belle, who married J. F. Deland, and they have one child. Lotta. Mr. Wolf lias been honored with the . ffice of alderman and t< m .k a very decid stand upon the liquor question, he being an anti-license man. Socially he is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and is now past master of his lodge. He is an en- jetic business man and has always taken an active part in local affairs. PETER FORD. One of the early and highly respected citizens of DeWitt county and one who owns and occupies one hundred and sixty acres of rich farm land on section ^4. Texas township, is Peter ford. He was horn in Ireland on February 14. 1829, and is a of John and Margaret (Beirne) Ford, both of whom were native- of Ireland, where the father was horn in 1783 anil the mother in 1815. The father was a farmer by occu- pation and died, in Ireland at the old home. < >ur subject was one of twelve children and the tenth in order of birth, and is the only one of the sons living. Of the six girls there is also only one now living and she resides in Ireland, hut passed twenty years of her life in the United States. She is un- married. In 1850 Peter Ford came to the United States ami landed in New York, but soon removed to New Jersey and later to Canada in 1854. He went to Chicago on June IO, 1855, and there worked a- a member of the construction crew on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and the Chicago & North- western railroad-. These railroad compan- ies also employed him as foreman of the grade two years. | n [856 he came to Maroa, Illinois, and entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad as a track re- pairer. In this capacity he was employed for fifteen years and resided in the village of Maroa. In [863 he purchased land in T< township, DeWitt county, consisting of a farm of eighty acres, which forms par; his present property. This land he im- proved until he had it all under cultivation and to it he added more land, from time to time until he now owns one hundred and sixty acres, all of which is improved. 1 le re- he has since made his home, with the excep- tion of two years spent at Decatur. Ellin Mr. Ford was married on July 4. 1857, to Margaret Burden, a native of Ireland. She came to the United States with her father. ( leorge Burden, who settled in Du Page county. Illinois, and resided there until his death. He was a farmer during all of his active life. To Mr. and Mrs. Ford nine children have been horn, and all are living, namely: John, who resides in California and is a fruit shipper: George Rennet: Charles, who is a traveling man and resides at home: William, who is also a traveling man: Frank; Kate; Anna: and Ella and Jennie, both of whom are teachers. In politics Mr. Ford is independent, and been honored with the office of school director, which he tilled to the satisfaction of his constituents. He always for the man he deems best fitted for the place. Both he and his family are members of the- 442 THE BIOGRAPHICAL REO >RD. Catholic church, and they arc very highly respected in the community in which they reside. WILLIAM G. ECIRBY. i William G. Kirby, now deceased, was a native of Ohio, born in Warren county, ' tclicr i_'. 1833, where he resided until he was twelve years of age, when he came to Illinois with his parents, and 1 Waynesville, DeWitt county, lie was a si >n of Ri >bert and Phcebe 1 < irahai Kirhv . both of whom ai the father dying in Texas and his wife in I Witt county. They were very worthy peo pie and resided ill this count) for a num- ber of years, gaining the respect and este< 1 if all who knew them. William < i. Kirby remained on the home farm until grown and then married Miss Mary Ellis, by win mi he had one child, who died when but nine months old, while the young mother passed awaj a year a iter mar- riage. In July, '873, he purchased a I farm of fifty-four acres on section i_\ Tun- bridge township, where his widow now re- sides, and he addeil to this property until at the time of his death he owned two hundred and twenty-live acres on sections 1 and 1 _* of Tun 1 ' iwnship, only part of which wa-~ under cultivation. For a number o\ years Mr. Kirby was school director and also road commissioner for several terms, and he held a number of the minor offices. In religion he was a (Jniversalist, but was not a member of any church. He was a public-spirited man and an advocate of every measure tending- towards the advancement i>i the o immunity. Mr. Kirby married, March 3, [872, Mrs. Mary Bruner, and to them were horn five children, all living, as follows: Irvin X., horn in May. 1S74, resides in Tunbridge township, and he married Pearl Byerly, hy whom he has two children, June and Verna B. James A. resides at home with his mi ther. Emma L. married Walter An- drews, who resides in Tunbridge township, where he is engaged in farming, and they have one child. Emmet. Eva resides in Kenney and is the wife of J. C. Todd, who is a school teacher of that place and a soil of J. S. [odd, of Kenney. a retired farmer. Mr and Mrs. J. C. Todd have one child, Vela May. \ era resides at home, Ml the chil- dren were horn in Tunbridge township on the hi une place. Mrs. Kirby was the widow ol lames 11. Bruner, late of Texas township. lie was lative of I h \\ itt county, Illinois, and was horn in 1843. All his life he followed fanning in Texas township, 1 [e enlisted in l ompaii) ( '. Fort) first Illinois Volunteer [nfantry, and served three years during the 1 il war. After this In- returned to Texas township, where he continued farming until his death, which occurred on October J. [869, No children were horn to Mr. and Mrs. Bruner. Mrs. Kirby was the daugh ter of John W. and Lucinda (Blair) Scott. Her father was a native of Kentucky and came to Illinois at a very early dale, settling in DeWitt county, where he lived until his death, which occurred in December, [854. 1 \\ . Scott and wife were horn nine children. The occupation of this most ex- cellent man was that of a farmer, and when he died he left his family well provided for. Later his widow married L. B. Spencer, who was also a very early settler of Texas town- ship, having come to DeWitt county when he was only two years of age. He was horn in 1833 and died January _', 1900. leaving his widow and three sons in good Till'. I'.IOGRAPHICAL REC< IRD. 443 circumstances, arid all of them now reside in 1 )e\\ in county. Mrs. Kirby i- a lady of great executive ability, ami since the death of her liusband has managed the affairs of her farm in a manner which reflects great credit upon her. She understands thoroughly every detail of farm work, and can direct her workmen as clearly and concisely as though her place had always been at the head of affairs. ie women are bortl to lead, and wli ever circumstances require them t>> grasp the helm they are n« >i found wanting in abil- ity or knowledge. The pleasant home, sur- rounded with large shade trees, is none the less inviting because it- mistress also de- cides upon the various crops in the sur- rounding fields and !^i\es supervision to the farm and poultry yards as well as the dairy. 'I"he outbuildings are in good condition and the big barn gives shelter to excellent cattle and an ample number of sleek, well-fed horses. All the fences show that a master mind is at the head of affairs, and the whole farm is in the best possible shape. In her work and management .Mrs. Kirb) is ably isted by her son. James A.,, while Miss Vera helps her in the household duties and : young lady of taste and ability. A most charming hospitality is dispensed homestead of the Kirby family and rela- tives and friends are alike made welcome- b\ the genial hi »stes |< MIX .MAS' ).\". John Mason, di was born near Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, September 16, [807. His 1 Thomas Mason, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and never came west. John Mason was one of fourteen children born to hi- par- ents, and while he and his brother George were still small the burden of support of the family fell upon them, as their father died while still a young man. Until he was thirty year- of age J Mason worked by the mouth, and. having then saved up seventeen hundred dollars in -old. he came to Illinois, locating in Clintonia township. DeWitt county, where he pur- chased eighty acres of land, paying twenty- three hundred dollar- for it in the fall of the year [856. The following spring he re- turned io In- native state for his wife and children and brought them to the new home, lie located on the farm, which was but slightly improved, the only house being a 1< 1- one. The next Spring he moved into a little one storj frame house which was four- teen by sixteen feet. Here the family lived for a few years until sufficient means were gathered together to build a comfortable He. lie afterward added to his eighty acres, and at the time of his death had one hundred and sixty acres in Clintonia town- ship and two hundred and seventy a< near 1 lannibal, Missouri. In 1 S44 Mr. Mason was married in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, to Mary Jane Smith, a nativi miibu-. Ohio. She was a daughter ofj Nathaniel W. Smith, a native of Virginia, who had removed to Blairsville when it was a small village and resided there for some years. lie w.i jeweler and silversmith by occupation, lie din! in Decatur, Illinois, at the age of 31 enty-eight years. To Mr. Mason and wife were born three children, namely: Robert < '•.. who reside- in Englewood, Chicago, engaged in real estate business, married Anna Abbott, Witt county, and they have one child. Maude. < >ne daughter died in infancy. Wilson S. i- mentioned below. 444 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ( >n March 22, 1884, Mr. Mason died, aged seventj seven years, and was buried in the Clinton cemetery. Mrs. Mason died July 23, [900, at her home and is also bur- ied in the ( ilinti »n cemeterj . She was a lady of many excellent traits of character. Mr. Mason was a man of sterling honesty, and held the respect and esteem of all who knew him. II u-\ woe consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics he was a Republican, but he newer would ace offi< 1 Wilson S. Mason was born in W moreland county, Pennsylvania, on May _'_•. [851, and was six years old when, his par- ents came west, and lie. therefore, received In-, education in the schools of tlliin 1 irsl attending the district schools^ he later went tn the Clinton high school and then to the Wesleyan College, of Bloomington. After completing his education Mr. Mason took a hunting trip of fourteen weeks through the west with five Main- men. and during the entire time none of them slepl on a lied, it being their intention to follow the life of a hunter in every detail. Re- turning home, he worked upon the farm for some time w ith his lather, hut later n to southern Missouri and in the lumber and hardware business at Rockville. Later he went to Colorado and embarked in the hardware business at Holyoke. He also engaged in the lumber trade at )v burg with a partner, bul the firm was in ex- istence only a short time. In [890 Mr. Mason returned to DeWitt county and took charge of the old home- stead, and since that time he has been en- gaged in general farming, stock-raising ami dairying, lie raises and feeds cattle and hogs for the market, and his product com- mands a good price because of its excellence. On November <>. [878, Mr. Mason was married to Mar\ J. Judy, 6f Iroquois coun- ty, Illinois, who died March 3, 1881. On December 31, [884, Mr. Mason was mar- ried to Miss \cKlie May Porter, of Law- rence county, Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of John and Mary Porter, natives of Pennsylvania, who are still residing in Lawrence count), that state, where Mr. Porter is engaged in farming, although for mam years he was a blacksmith in that lo- cality. Mrs. Mason is one of five children horn to her parents and she is the youngest in order of birth. One child has been horn to our subject and his wife. Frank B., horn October iS, [888, in Holyoke, Colorado. Mr. and Mis. Mason are members of the Methodist church of Prairie Center and he is one of the officials of the church ami was very active in securing money for the erec- tion of the church building. Mrs. Mason is also active in church work, and is a teacher in the Sundaj school. In politics he 1- a Republican, hut he has never aspired t, 1 office. It.iu rnallj he is a member 1 <\ Clinton (amp. M. \\ . A., of ( lmton. WILLIAM II. CARDIFF. Among the worthy farmers ol liar]) township now deceased should he mentioned William II. Cardiff, who was horn in Mar- ion county. ( )hio. on June 25, [836, and he was H son of William and Elizabeth (Grif- fith) Cardiff. I he father of our subjeel removed to Ohio from Maryland and later to Iowa and then returned to DeWitt coun- ty. Illinois, in 1842. For some years prior to his death he led a retired life, and he died at the home of William II. Cardiff. ( lur subject was educated in Ohio and located in DeWitt county, Illinois, in 1842. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 44 5 ginning with two acres, he purchas land in various parts of the county, and the time of his death he owned three hun- dred and twenty acres, all cultivated and the improvements made by him. - itember to, 1854, Mr. Cardiff was married to Kitura Harrold, a daughter of Eli and Carrie Ann Harrold. Mr. Ham Id was a native of North Carolina and his wi'fe of Virginia. He died in 1881, 1 about eighty-four, and she pass away in 1853, both being buried in DeWitt county. Mr. Harrold came to this county in the early days and he settled in Harp township, taking up forty acres, which he cultivate!. He was successful, own- at the time of his death a large amount of property. Mr. Harrold was tirst a Whig and later a Republican, and held all the town 5, and he was a very prominent man in the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Cardiff were born the g children: Charles Wesley, who lives in Harp township, is married to R - etta Tyler and they have twelve children. larence, Ernest, Zella, Nel- lie. Nora, Ada, R .1. Harry. El- mer and Ellis. Jesse < (liver married Mary Nixon and lives in DeWitt township, where lie is a farmer. e sin buyer of Clinton, married Ida Marquis and they have child. Minnie. Viola Anna married IC Robinson, who lives with Mrs. Car- diff, and have four children, Mima, Wi iam. Kittie and Frank. Mr. Cardiff died December 25, 1895, and was at DeWitt. He was a Demo- crat, and for twenty-five years held the Hector. He a member of the Masonic fraternity at De- Witt and was very active in the lodge. The M: '••: charge of affairs at the fune and the ceremony was very impressive. Mr. Cardiff is remembered a-- a man of kindly character, great enterprise and industry, and in his untimely demise the township good citi/en and kind neighbor and his fam- ily a tender husband and father. Mrs. Cardiff is an active member of the Metho- dist church at Birkbeck. CHARLES E. MOODY. Charles I-".. Moody, one ,,f the prosper- ous and highly respected citizei eek township. DeWitt county. Illinois, was born in Mahoning county. Ohio, April 5, 1S4,}. and is a -on of John and Martha 1 I laun 1 Moody. The father was of Eng- lish de-cent, but was born in this county, while the mother > German descent. Early in life he was a school teacher. He had the misfortunte to lose a leg, but this ident did not deter him from farming quite extensively. His sons moved to VVil- township, DeWitt county, Illinois, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land of what was known as the J. K. Davis farm, in [856, and to this property the father came. They all worked to im- prove the land and erected a log cabin upon upon it. Gradually they brought it to a line state of cultivation, planted an orchard and built various outbuildings and a com- fortable home. The trip the family made from Ohio to DeWitt county. Illinois, was a 1' They first went t" St. Louis 111 the < >hio river and thence by team to Wapella. From this town to their destina- tion the journey was made with four yoke of oxen. The following family was born to the father .and mother of our subject: Garrett, a resident of Texas town-hip; I mfort, of Nebraska; Bruce, of Illin 446 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. our subject: and Fanny and Martha, both ■ deceased. The little education obtained by our sub- ject was from the district schools of the neighborhood, but as they were only log school houses and the teachers very often incompetent and the appliances scanty and poor, the few months of instruction amid the terrible blizzards of Illinois winters of nearly half a century ago did little beyond encouraging a ' - and teach the rudiments of knowledge. Early in life he was taught the trade of blacksmith, but has devoted the greater part of his atten- tion to farming. Eighty acres of his p ent farm of two hundred and seventy a were a portion of the old homestead in Creek township, which originally consisted of .me hundred and sixty acres of unbroken land. The home in Wilson township was disposed of at a g 1 price in iNi>_>. .Mr. Moody bought his eighty acres in 1870 and has to it from time t" time. All of the land is well improved and the build- ings and comfortable hom< ill been erected by him. During the Civil war Mr. M ly fought bravely for the Union, lie enlisted in Com- pany e Hundred and Fifty-second Il- linois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain James Hunter at Clinton and was mustered out at Springfield. His army record is < >nc <.<{ which he may well feel proud. In 1866 Mr. M ly was married to Miss char 1 a native of Creek township and a daughter of Solomon and Martha Cn>ss. Mr. Cross was one of the early settlers of that township and did much to aid in the development of the coun- ty. Mr. and Mrs. Moody have the fol- lowing children born to them: Henry, who married Emma Tucker and resides in the township: Ida. who married Frank Bow- ,man and resides at Lane station: Everett, who resides with bis father; Charles. ■ married Flora Williams, ami reside in (reck township; Nora; Homer: and three children who died in infancy. Both Mr. Mid Mrs. Moody are members of the United Brethren church. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and has served most acceptably as road commissioner and member of the sdh 11 '1 b iard. J. Q. A. JONES One "f the most prominent citizens and cessful farmi : inta Anna township is John Quincy Adams Jones, who was born in Madison county. <>hi", February 10, [850. I lis paternal grandfather was Will- iam Jones, a farmer of Culpeper county, Virginia, who attained a good "Id age. The children of his family, so far as known, were \llen. Mason, William. Charles, Mr-. Nancy Rosebeny, Mrs. Lydia Bates, Mrs. Sarah Jones and a Mrs. South. Allen Jones, the father of our subj was born iu Culpeper county, Virginia, in 15, and at an early age removed to < >hio, where he was united in marriage with Mis- Mary Dockum, who w 1 in Ohio. Little is known of her family history. In [855 Mr. Jones came to this state ami after spending one year in Macon county he took Up his residence in Clinton. DeWitt county, in the fall of [856. As a carpenter and contractor he ei in business in that place, which at that time contained but a few hundred s.>uls. Many of the buildings that he erected are still standing, including the "Id grist mill in the southwest pari the city and the Charles Hanger home, lie continued in this line of business for a num- ber of years and when he retired from active labor he was elected as justice of the peace. J. Q. A. JONES. THE BIOGRAPHICAL RED »RD. 45 1 which position he retained for the period of eight years. In iSi>4 the death of his first wife occurred. She became the mother of the following children: Clarissa, Matilda, David, Cyrus, Josephine, Argus, Lemuel, Henry, Thomas, Milton, Amanda. Lucretia, Charles, Samuel, John Q. V. Maria and Emma. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Jones was again united in marriage, his •\u\ union being with Mrs. F.liza Wren. On January I. 1887, he was called to his final rest, hut his widow still survives him and makes her home in Clinton. Tlie subject of tliis -ketch accompanied his parents on their removal to Clinton, and was educated in the public schools of that city. He began his business career a- a farmer, and throughout life that ha- been his principal occupation. On November 1. 1870, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Hester A. Brennan, widow of lame- Bren- nan and a daughter of Elias and Lydia M. Johnson, a sketch of whom appear- else- where in this work. In [875 Mr. Jones removed to Piatt inty, Illinois, where he operated a large farm for over eight years, lie then re- moved to Farmer City, where for eighteen months he conducted a restaurant on the of the present postoffice, hut the close confinement proved injurious to his health. lie next removed to Centralia, where he lived for a year and a half, and then returned to Farmer City. At this time Mr-. Jones came into possession of her portion of her father"- e-tate and they purchased one hun- dred and thirty-seven acres of land in Santa Anna town-hip of Dr. Rogers, of Qtica, < )hio. and one hundred and sixty acres of the Dick W'ehl) farm. Since that he has re- modeled the buildings and made man) other improvements; so that they now have a very tine farm. During the '50s the old house 20 and barn that stood on the place accomm dated many a wear) traveler and hi- beast that -topped here for rest and refreshments, it being a public house. Abraham Lincoln always -topped here for hi- meal- when on his way front Springfield to various place- north and east. The house at that time • owned by James Watson and the same is still standing, being used a- a store house In 1 S< j 5 Mr. Jones erected a fine new hot and in [900 erected a large barn for hay. He has - set out fruit tree-, and ha- the largest and finest maple grove in the county. lie keep- a tine herd of high grade cattle, includ- ing some thoroughbred short-horns, and has twelve line draft and road horses. Al- though he raises considerable grain, hay is his chief product, and he ha- one hundred and twenty acre- of meadow' land. SO that he probably raises more hay than any other man in the count}-. Mr. Jones was reared under the teach ings of the Methodist Episcopal church, but is liberal in his religious views, lie i- a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and i- now serving a- noble grand oi his lodge. In political sentiment be i- a stalwart Republican, and for the past nine years be ha- most creditably and acceptably served a- president of the board of com missioners. lie ha- also been a member of the school board, and i- one of the most pro- gressive and public-spirited citizens of his c< immunity. — • » » — JAMES M. MORRIS) 'X. ^mong those who have passed to the reward awaiting them none i- more worthy of mention than James M. Morrison, ol Clintonia township, DeWitt county. Illinois, who wa- horn in Kellcfontaine. Ohio, in 452 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1S33. His father, a native of Ohio, was engaged in the mercantile business at Belle- fontaine, but later came to Illinois and lo- cated in DeWitt county, where he died. James M. Morrison received his edu- cation in the excellent schools of Ohio and came to Illinois with his parents, living with them in Clintonia township. DeWitl county, until he became a grown man. When lie was married he rented a farm for several years and then purchased the present home- stead "i eighty acres, which is very nicely kepi up and has an excellent orchard and good shade trees, while the buildings and fences are in good condition. This farm Mr. Morrison 1 I >e\\ ut »unt ) with her parents and settled in Harp town- ship. Her education was received in Ohio. To Mr. ami Mrs. Morrison were born three children, namely: Cina married Charles Johnson and they make their home in Cham- paign, Illinois, where Mr. Johnson is en- ged in the Illinois Central shops and they have had one son who died in infancy; Cyrus Henry, who died when eleven weeks old; Charles Elmer, who is farming on the old homestead, married Bertha Thorpe, of 1 larp t. w nship. a daughter 1 if Ji 'lm I'h' irpe, one of (lie oldest settlers of DeWitl coun- ty, and they have one child. Carl Russell. The death of Mr. Morrison occurred October 20, 1NN7. when he was fifty-four years of age. After his death, until her > took charge of affairs. Mrs. Morrison conducted the farm herself very success- fully. Both she and her husband were earnest members of the Methodist church, in which Mr. Morrison was an officer for a number of years. In his death the com- munity lost a zealous, puhlic-spirited man, a good neighbor and honorable citizen, while in his home he is mourned deeply and sincerely. Although a strong Republican in politics and supporting the candidates of his party, Mr. Morrison never wished lor 1 iffice. * »♦ JOSEPH (".. MOORE. One of the largest cattle feeders in cen- tral Illinois i-, Joseph G. Moure, of Farmer City, Illinois, who was horn near Concord, Xew Hampshire, October <>. [838, and is a son of Jacob and Cynthia A. t < larrick ) Moore, a grandson of Joseph (iarrick. Jacob Moore, who was a farmer and stock dealer, went to Brown county. Ohio, in 1S40. and to I 'ike county. Illinois, ten years later. He died at the age of eighty-five and his wife when she was aboul eighty years of age. They hail live children, name- ly: Fanny I'.. Joseph G., Phoebe K., George II. and Albert II. In all his opera- tions Jacob Moore was successful, as has been his s. ,n. our subject. Joseph G. Moore went to McLean coun- ty. Illinois, in i860 and engaged in fanning wild land for some six years, doing this work with oxen. At this time wild game was to he found on every hand. Quite early in his business career Mr. Moore's attention was called to the great profit there was in dealing in cattle by a business trans- action in which he was engaged, selling some fifty head which he had bought for five dollars each for thirty dollars a head THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 453 after keeping them a year. The money lu- thus made he used in larger transactions and as his pretits accumulated he invested in land, and he now owns over a thousand acnes, the greater pari of which he rents, just retaining a sufficient amount to make good pasturage for the number of cattle he annually feeds. Recently he located in Fanner City, where he owns and occupies a comfortable home, beautifully furnished and surrounded by well cultivated grounds. Mr. Moore married Miss Sabina Ens- minder, a daughter of Philip and Mariah (Myers) Ensminder, k>th of whom are now deceased. Mr. Ensminder dying when thirty-seven and his wife at the aye of sev- enty-one. No children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. M JOIIX ALMON LISENBY. Among the enterprising and wide awake business men of Weldon is numbered John Almon Lisenby. He was horn in Creek township. Februarj 27, [851, and is a son of Charles Simpson .md Eliza (McKinley) Lisenby, who were natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. 1 1 is great-grand- father, Abraham Lisenby, was born in North Carolina and married Rebecca Lyon. a native of Tennessee. He was a son of Reuben Lisenby, who was a Revolutionarj lier and lost his life during the sii Charleston. Abraham was hound out to- a North Carolinian soon after the war. and on attaining his majority removed to east Tennessee and thence to Illinois. He and his wife were the parents of ten chil- dren, six suns and four daughters, lie was buried on the tract of land he had lected as a home and which i> still used as a cemetery. The paternal grandparents of our sub- jecl were Benjamin G. and Margaret (Simpson) Lisenby, both of whom were horn in Tennessee, hut in the early part of the nineteenth century moved to Kentucky. In 1828 Benjamin Lisenby brought his family to Sangamon county, Illinois, hut two years later settled in what is now known a- Creek township, where he im- proved one hundred and sixty acres of prairie and one hundred and five acres of timber land. Here he spent the remainder of his life. He was the father of six chil- dren, all of whom grew tO_ maturity, they are as follows: Charles S., our subject's father; Rebecca, who married Thomas Ritcher; Nancy A., who became Mrs. Su- rer: Ritta married T. 1). Fisher; William I.: Sarah, who became Mrs. J. H. Salis- bury. Charles Simpson Lisenby, the father of the gentleman whose name heads this re- view, was horn in Monroe county. Ken- tucky. January 30, [822, and when hut eighl years of aye came with his parents to Creek township. Here he was reared to manhood and his life from youth to age was one of almost incessant labor, ami the • t education which he received was ob- tained in the district schools. While liv- ing with his father he improved a farm in the same township, preparatory to making a home for himself. On March .}. [847, was celebrated his marriage with Miss Eliza A. McKinley. a native of Ohio, and a daughter of William and Susan McKinley, of Farmer City 1 formerly called Mount Pelasant 1, this county. This union resulted in the birth of live children, all of whom grew to maturity, namely: Missoura, who married William Winslow; James F. ; John 454 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. V. our subject; .Minnie A., now Mrs. Jo- seph G. Garrigus: and Maude, who mar- ried Edward Sackett. Air. Lisenby acquired a considerable amount of property, owning one Fourth of the entire town of Weldon, which place lie took a very active part in settling and laying out, and his farm land in the imme- diate neighborh ! consisted of about one thousand acres, lie built the first residence in Weldon in [872. In [88i he erected an elevator, and with the assistance of his son : H-d on an extensive business as ;i lum- ber, grain and coal merchant. For several s he served as supervisor in Nixon township, and. was always an industrious. enterprising, liberal man. enjoying the con- fidence and esteem of Ins friends and neigh- bors, lie departed this life January _'_;. [882. n Almon Lisenby was reared on the famil) homestead in ("reek township and received a common school education. Me moved to Weldon with his parents in [872, where for three years he engaged in the agricultural pursuits. \s before stated, he then became associated with his father in tin.' lumber, main and coal business, where he continued until his father's death. From that time until 1898 he was engaged in the breeding of Norman horses. In March. 1900, he embarked in the grocery business at Weldon, in which he has since continued. meeting with marked success in all his un- dertakings, his being the only exclusive gn icery store in the town. Mr. Lisenby was first united in mar- riage with Miss Alice, daughter of David M. and Jane Cavcnder. of Nixon township, the ceremony being celebrated on Septem- ber [2, [876. This union was Messed with three children, of whom two survive: Al- bert L. and Charles C. Mrs. Lisenby de- parted this life May [9, [892, and on Oc- tober K). [893, Mr. Lisenby look for his si coin! wife Ada. daughter of James and Anna (Wilson) Rhodes, of Ohio. R\ this second union two children were horn: lily A. and Myrtel Lucille. Mr. Lisenby held the office of super- visor of Nixon township for one term, and served three terms of two years each as president of the village of Weldon. Fra- ternally he is a member of Weldon Lodge, No. 7 p'. A. F. & V M.; Goodbrake Chap- ter, No. 94, R. A. M.. of Clinton; Mozart Chapter, No. ~~. < >. !•'.. S. ; Weldon an. I Rainier Circle. No. '26, Weldon. Politically he is an ardent supporter of the Democratic ticket. -•♦••- URIAH JAMES. I hie of the ( >ldest settlers of Texas n >vv 11 ship. DeWitt county. Illinois, and one who has seen the township developed from wild prairie land into a succession of line farms is Uriah James, who now occupies two hundred and fort) acres of rich farm land 1 u sectii iii 30 of this l< iw nship. Uriah James was horn on September 14, 1X41), in Texas township. DeWitt coun ty, and was a s. .11 of William and Susan ( Belfbrd 1 James. The father was a native of Ohio and came to Illinois at an early day and he settled in DeWitt county and engaged in farming in Texas township until his death, which occurred when he was about fifty-four years of age, and our subject was eighteen years old. lie was a member of the Christian church for many years, but later joined the Baptist denomi- nation. In politics he was a Democrat and was a prosperous and progressive man. The place where our subject now resides THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 455 was the old homestead, where the father ■ !. and where also the mother in the spring of [883 passed away, and lmth are buried i'-. the cemetery in Texas township. Eleven children were born t<> Mr. and Mrs. William James, six of whom are still liv- ing. The subject received his education in the district schools and assisted his father on the home farm. After the death of his fa- ther he purchased the homestead of the heirs and erected a new and large h and substantial outbuildings and has im- proved the land and fences until his is one one of the model farms of the town-hip. All of the land is under cultivation and vie' s g d crop-. Mr. James is a mem- ber of Maroa Lodge, No. 109, K. of P. Mr. James was married to Mary E. Wilson, a native of Ohio, and a daughter ind Amanda Wilson. Mr. Wil- was a native of Ohio and came to Illi- nois during the latter part of his life and •ted in Mason county, where he engag in farming, dying in Decatur, where he was leading a retired life. The wife is still liv- ing and reside- at Decatur. This wife of our subject died in 1S71 at the home place in Texas township and she left three children, all of whom are still living, namely: Lucy, who is now the wife <>f Charles Slauter- bor a f Macon county, and he is prosper us farmer and they have three b viz. — Anthony. Harold and Russell: Nellie, now the wife of William I Macon county, win. is a farmer, and their one child ' in infancy: May now resides in Clin- ton with her uncle. J. M. Wilcox, M. D. Mr. James married again and his ond choice was Miss Mary C. Scholby, who . native of Mason county. Illinois, and a daughter of Kenneth and Maria Scholby. Her parents are both living and reside in Texas township, where Mr. Scholby is en- Sjed in farming Mr. and Mr-, lames have been horn two children, name- ly: Edna and Hazel. All of the chil- dren of Mr. James were horn on the home- 1 in Texas township, where he. to... was horn. It is a source of much gratification to Mr. Jame- to contrast the present con- dition of the town-hip to that of his boy- h 1 and to retlect what large part he and his family have borne in the development of the natural resources of the land until it is now one of the richest farming districts in the state. - MUEL E. NEWELL. Among the successful farmers of Clin- ton township i- Samuel E. New ell. who was born September 21, 1849, m Hancock. Ohio, and is f Thomas and Hannah I Rough 1 Newell, both of whom died when our subject was a -mall child. The father came to Piatt county. Illinois, in 1852, and look up land, which he farmed, and . conducted a saw-mill until his death, be- ing a millwright by trade. Ten children were born to the parents of our subjeci follows: William. James, Thomas, and Jo- seph, all deceased; John, who is m Mon- tana; Caroline, who married Jacob Burgit, and they r Missouri; « de- ceased; Samuel E.. our subject; Almeda, who married Benjamin Grady; and Frank, who resides in Kans r subject was married in Piatt and DeWitt counties and also attended a sul>- scription school kept in his own home by a maiden lady, to whom six children were sent. His father dying when he was but a child, he soon had to care for himself, and 456 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. from [869 until 1871 he worked upon the farms of the neighborhood. In 1871 tie was employed by the Illinois Central Rail- road in the neighborhood of Decatur for about a year. I )n March 4. 1873, Mr. Newell was mar- ried tn 1 if Tl* mias Snell. a na- tive of New Jerse) and of German ancestry. In early life he learned the trade of builder and contractor, which he followed for many years. Me became an earl) settler of tins state, hut in [836, the year of the cholera, he passed a\\a\ at his home in Pekin. I le married Elizabeth Stark, a native of North Carolina, and daughter of II. Stark, who was of Scotch descent. Mrs. Snell died in Jasper county, Iowa, and her remains were interred in the cemetery at Clinton. Colonel Snell was the fourth in order 0! birth in a famil) of five children and re- ceived his early intellectual training in the district schools of his native slate. In those days the temple of learning was a log building situated in the center of some neighborhood where it would he about an equal distance from the homes of the pio- neers. When eleven years of age he was brought by his parents to this state. The) settled in Pekin and from that time until 1845 our subject passed his time in that place and in Tazewell county. While a resident of the latter place he engaged in mercantile pursuits and continued in that line of business until after his removal to Clinton, hut the slow, plodding life of a country merchant was not the vocation he wanted: there was not enough scope for that great brain, the brain that was never idle. It needed stimulus and that was not to he found in a business where the most ex- citing event of the day was when the farm- er- came in and disposed of their stock of THE BIOGKAI'llirXL UIECORD. and butter. He wanted activity, and in [852 he abandoned commerce and en- I in the construction of railroads, and railroad contractor he became one of the most prominent builders in tlii - sec tion of Illinois, constructing many of the leading lines of the state, such as the illi- Central; the Chicago & Southwestern (in Iowa i: Joliet & Qiicago; Racine & Mississippi; Ohio & Dayton; Blooming Lafayette & Western; and the Lafayette & Muncie. He graded and bridged the road from Champaign to Havana and was ap- pointed its first president, lie was con- nected with the railways of the state for some fifteen years, but even this was not enough for that wonderful brain. He could not hear to he idle for one minute. He had to be doing something and while in the railroad work he entered into partnership with S. L. Keith in 1859, and together they established a large wagon manufacturing plant at Aurora. This partnership was continued for -ix years. At times they had a force of nearly three hundred men at work and it was then that the Colonel was in his glory. His was the dominate mind. It was he that did the planning and devis- •id it was he that at all times carried •1 ending all undertakings that were entered into by the firm. First here and then there, he was always <>n th It has been said of him that in tl he never slept. No matter what important business came up the Colonel was 011 hand to look after the interests of the firm and if a railroad contract wa- to he let he was there. In this his quick perception and keen judgment was especially valuable, as many times he was able to grasp an idea and in an instant have a reply ready that would take others hour- to decide. Con- tractors who were at that time in the habit of looking up contracts in this section of the -late SOOI1 learned that it wa- useless to compete with the Colonel. At about tin- time, when he wa- mosl heavih interested in different enterprises, the new- wa- flashed over the wire- that Fort Sumter had been tired upon. It was the spark that steadily glowed, fanned by the dispatches that followed, until at last it burst into a grand demonstration. Ili- tory tells us what the loyal and patriotic citizens of the north did. hut it i- only in biography that we learn of the personal !- of men who gave up all and rushed die front to defend that flag that has never yet been conquered. Some, yes thou- sands, were only able to offer them-el but there were other- who were able not only to offer themselves, hut were able to do more, and to this latter class belongs the gentleman whose name introduces this review. The devotion of Colonel Snell to hi- country is -, , well known to those who will read this biography that we will no! into details, hut it would not he right to pass it by without a little more than ordi- nary mention. In August, [862, he raised the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois In- fantry and was elected its colonel, in which capacity he served four month-. During that time he was ready and willing to not only do hi- duty, hut often did more. I lis course wa- radical, lie believed it right and proper f< r every man to do all in his power to put down this rebellion that threatened the destruction of the country. In politics he has always taken a very prominent part. In [860 he was a candi- date for the office of lieutenant governor on the Breckenridge ticket and at that time there was no man in central Illinois that wielded a more powerful influence over the people than did the Colonel. So wonder- 453 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. fill was his power that those two great men, Stephen \. Douglas and General McClel- lan deemed it necessary to journey here in a special car for the purpose of getting the Colonel to support the Democratic ticket. Money, and large amounts of it. was offered, position, and important ones, were promised, but to all this the man who is now passing his last days in the citj of Clinton turned a deal' ear. lie was as il carved from stone, so firm did he stand for the principles that he deemed right, ami after their departure he labored the harder, not only with eloquence, hut with money. Any enterprise that was calculated to ad- vance the interests of not only the state, hut the nation, received his support. From early manhood up to the present time he has been a man with more than ordinary force of character, a man of in- trepid spirit and indomitable will, and these traits, with large enterprise and great • ecutive ability, have placed him in the front ranks of the men of wealth in this county. lie is a man of strong convictions ami is outspoken in his views. Perhaps no man has displayed more real public spirit or been more interested in advancing the welfare of the comity than the Colonel, and to no man is it more -really indebted for its present high financial standing. ( !olon< I Snell was united in mar; with Mis- Sarah E. Church, of Washing- ton. Illinois, and hy this union were horn i children, three of whom are living. Octo- ber II. i S 7 5 . death invaded the pleasant home of our subject and took from him his beloved wife. She was a woman of per- fect character, in whom all the higher wo- manly qualities were blended. She was kindness itself in her relations with others, always gentle, considerate and just. Her charitableness was well known, and many who have been benefitted by it hless her memory. Such in brief outline is the history of Colonel Thomas Snell. His life record is one well worthy of emulation and contains many valuable lessons of incentive, show- ing the possibilities that are open to young men who wish to improve every opportun- ity for advancement. Upright and honor- able in all the relations of life, he merits and receives the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact. lie is now passing his last days retired from ac- tive labor, Inn although eighty-three years of age. he is hale and hearty and the same Colonel Snell that he was when in touch with the leading men of the state and nation. Mis is a life well spent and no history of the leading men of I )e\\ ill count) would he complete without a review of his more than ordinan career. WARREN HICKMAN. M.n hi ii among the leading citizens oi Clinton, lilin. i-. i- numbered Warren Hick- man, who has taken quite an active and in- fluential part in political affairs, ami is now reditably serving a- county clerk of I >e- Witt county. lie was horn October 7, 1863, in the city where he now resides, and is a sou of Llewellyn 1!. Hickman, who was mie of the first, if not the very first, mer- chant tailor in Clinton. The father was a native of Kentucky. On coming to l.'lin- he 1 ipened a sh< ip 111 an abandoned p; car which stood 011 tin- present site of the hardware store of Dudley Watson, and there he engaged in business until his health failed. In the meantime he had built a residence, which George Greer now owns, and there he worked at his trade to a limited extent as long as his health permitted. lie I WARREN HICKMAN. THK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. died in 1869, at tin- age of sixty-two \> In 1850 he married Mr-. Cynthia V. 1 Rose) Brown, who was l>"rn in Alabama and first married Andrew Brown, by whom she had one son, Thomas. The children born of her second marriag William I., a resident of Springfield, Illinois: Mrs. Fan- nie Zeigler; Warren.of this sketch, and John 1... who died at the age of forty-two years. The mother was again married in 1878, her third husband being 1'.. I. F. Mitchell. She was a consistent member of the Christian church, and died in that faith June 8, igoo. During his boyhood and youth Warren Hickman attended the public schools of Clinton and the Wavnesville Academy. On completing his education in [879, he began his business career as a laborer at agricult- ural pursuits, but shortly afterward ac- cepted a position as clerk in the general ston f R. 11. Dragstrem, and he gave such satisfaction that his services were retained for eighteen year-. He then went to Peoria and entered the wholesale house of a wagon manufacturer, holding that position until elected county clerk. He has since dis- charged the duties of that office, and has proved a very popular and efficient officer, his services giving the utm sfaction. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. and is a man highly respected ami esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Hickman married Mis- Ella Dean, who was left an orphan at an early age and was reared by Mrs. Lemuel E. Thompson, Wavnesville. They now have two chil- dren: Walter Dean and Ella Thompson. RALPH H. R( Ralph H. Ross, of Clinton. Illinois, who has gained a prominent place in the esteem of it- residents and history a- a brick con- tractor ami builder, is a man of sterling qualities, whose work -peak- for hi- pains- taking and desirable workmanship. < hir worthy subject' was horn in Delaware, < >hio, April [9, 1843, ;m '' ' s a son "' John and Lorette (Welsh) Ross. The father was a brick manufacturer and builder, spending his entire life in < >hio. He died at the age of eighty-four year-, the mother passing away at the age of seventy-six. They were the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, most of them reaching 1 old age. Under his fa- ther"- careful training our subject learned his trade, which he followed diligently un- til the commencement of the Civil war. Be- ing then eighteen years of age. he enlisted in Company 1'.. Forty-eighth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, as a private, serving two year-. He was in the battle of Shiloh, and saw his share of the hard-hips of a s,,ldier. He re-enlisted in the navy for one year and was assigned to United States Rattler. No. ]. flagship of the Mississippi squadron. He was sent ashore with twenty-two and a lieutenant, sold by the captain and made prisoner after a -light skirmish in the night with Harrison'- Brigade, Louisi- ana Cavalry, September 4. iN<>4. After be- ing exchanged he was sent to the Cham- pion and discharged in June. [865. Mr. Ross then came to DeWitt county, where he worked at his trade and assisted his brother Edward for four years. The next three years he -pent in Clinton as a journeyman ami then began contracting. Since that time he has built many of the best residences, remodeling and enlarged xal of the business places, also built the city engine Ik •use. the library, waterworks, electric light plant and many other buildings which alone prove his wonderful ability as a builder. None -how the wonderful sue- 462 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. cess of his life's calling more than his own beautiful brick residence at the corner of Johnson and Jackson street-. It is a home one should he proud of, having all the mod- ern style and workmanship, every conven ience that means and good taste could sup- ply. Our subject chose a- a helpmate through this life's journej Miss Emma Rogers, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Alexan- der Rogers, who was an early settler in Clinton, where he worked as a teamster and was for several years a mail carrier. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, as follows: Ahhic. a teacher by profession, was for eight years in the high schools of Clinton and is now principal of the high school at Washington, this slate. \\ 'infield, who is a bricklayer, makes his home in Chicago. lie married Miss Bessie Bower. Carl is also a brick- layer. Jennie is a teacher. Edward 1- a brakeman on the Illinois Central Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. S \Ml'l 1. EDWARD HOLMES Mercantile interests at Weldon have been materially strengthened by the suc- cessful business of Samuel Edward Holmes. the leading hardware merchant, and dealer in farm implements, carriages and buggies. He was horn in Goos Creek township, Piatt county, Illinois. December 31, 1874, a son of Zachary Taylor and Mary ( V. Holmes, natives respectively of Indiana and England. The maternal grandfather, Will- iam Holmes, was a pioneer of Clark coun- ty, Illinois, and a successful farmer. For several years he lived in Minnesota and is now a resident of Farmer City, Illinois. To himself and wife, Betsej (Hoge) I lolmcs, have been horn ten children : John ; Evelyn, who is the wife of Clinton Lee: Oliver; Polly A., who is now Mrs. William Dawson; Oscar; Zachary T. ; Sarah, who is the wife of Fulton Aikens; Frank: Alice, who is the wife of Charles Stortts; and Alexander. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Wood, was a native of England and came to America about 1N50. locating in Philadelphia, lie later removed to Can- ton, Illinois, where he engaged for several years in the harness business, after which he located in Goose Creek township. Piatt county, and 1 in farming until his death. The parents of S. E. Holmes were married at the Wood homestead in Goose (reek township and continued to live there until L899, when the\ located in their pres cut home. There were three children in the family. Samuel I-'..; Oscar A.; and 1 barles < Hyde. rhe earl) part of Mr. Holmes' life was spent in Piatt county, where he received a common school education, and assisted his father about the farm. He left the old familiar surroundings in the fall oi [898 to engage in the agricultural implement business in Farmer City, remaining there until March of [900. Thinking to better his business prospects he then sold out his Stock and removed to Weldon and entered upon the successful business career which is a matter of pride to his fellow towns- men. He carries a complete line of hard- ware, agricultural implements, buggies and wagons, and selects his stock with due re- gard to improvements and late innovations, and all possible demands on the part of cus- tomers. He is prominent in all enterprises of importance in the city, has a genial and strong personality, and enjoys the confi- THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 463 dence of all who are associated with him, whether in a business or social way. < »n the 7th of April, 1896, Mr. Holmes married Nora I'., daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Vance) Huffman, of Farm- er City, and of this union there are two children, Adeline and Vernelle. Mr. Holmes is a Democrat in politics, and 1- at the present time serving his first term as villa ere clerk of Weldon. RICHARD A. LEMON. Richard A. Lemon was l*>rn at Berlin, Sangamon county, Illinois, October 16, 184.8, and when a small boy removed with his parents to Blue Ridge township, Piatt county. Illinois, to a raw prairie farm. where they resided at the beginning of the Civil war. when three of his elder brothers enlisted and went to war. all of whom gave their lives to the cause 1 i the Union: James :' the Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteers 1 Yates Phalanx). William and John I., of Ine Hundred and Seventh Illinois V< I- unteers. In the last year of the war the sub- ject of this brief sketch served as a recruit in the "Yates Phalanx." at the age of fifteen years, as a private soldier in the ranks, par- ticipating in the Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia, campaign, and returning home as :ily survivor of the foui brothers. He resumed his studies in different schools, ob- taining an academic education. On account of the diminution in the working force in the family ( one hmther having died at home during the war), and the failing health < f the father, the farm was disposed of and the remaining meml>ers of the family removed to El Paso, Woodford county. Illinois, in when and where the subject of this sketch entered the law office 1 1 W. < '•■ Ran- dall and pursued the study of law under his direction for about one year, l>ut becoming disc uraged he abandoned it and secured a position 1 n the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Kai'road at that place a- freight transferer. He was also a switchman and in other minor capacities served this company, when, in [868, he resumed his studies, this time in the office of [ngersoll, Harper a I assell, completing the same in [870, when he was admitted to the bar, Augusl 13 of that year, and 1 pened a law office in Farmer City, He- Witt county, Illinois, where his efforts were rewarded with indifferent success until Aug- USl [3, [877, when he removed to Clinton, the county seat, where he has been engaged in the practice of the law ever since. lie loves his profession, and believes in it. It is his business to the exclusion < i all Hi- never carried "side lines." such money loans, insurance, real estate, etc.. believing that the practice of law affords enough opportunity for one to devote his en- tire time and energies. In 1874 he was married to Mis- Opha Kyle, and they have three sons: Frank K.. Carl W.. and Lawrence W. Mr. Lemon is not wealthy hut has al- ways made an economical living for his fam- ily. He ha- never held any office worth mentioning, except possibly, member of the State Board of Pardon-, to which he was ap- pointed by < '•• vernor John R. Tinner, July 1. 1897, and held the same a- chairman the !» ard until 19 He knows little about hi- rem< te ances try. and cares k-ss. Respects the doctrine that "blood wili tell," l>ut believes more strongly in individualism. If the person has the right --tuff in him it is immaterial how- he gol it. and the only sure test i- t.. see the results. 464 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. From what lias been said, it scarcely seems necessary to sa) that in politics he is a Republican, and we may add that his views upon this as well as other public questions are radical and pronounced, lie is not p< p- ular in the sense of a dissembling, cringing, hypocritical trimmer, but is an outspoken, 11 field fighter, contending to the last for. what he believes to be right, regardless of ci msequences. PRESTI IN [ONES. Among the honored pioneers and rep- resentative citizens of DeWitt county is numbered 1'reston Junes, who is now liv- ing a retired life in Farmer City, enjoying a well earned rest. lie was horn in 'laze- well, cast rennessee, Movember 12, 1831, and on the paternal side is of Welsh de- scent. The first of the family to come to America was Edward Jones, who settled in Virginia. His son, William Jones, was horn in that state in 1751. and on the break- ing out of tin- Revolutionary war espoused the cause of the patriots ami enlisted under Washington in the Continental army, re- maining in the service until hi >stilities ceased. lie carried despatches and "was often en- trusted with matters , f greal moment. It was he who com eyed the glad tidings of Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown to the Continental congress. In [H09 or [810 he removed to Kentucky, hut after a short time spent in that state went to Overton inty, Tennessee, where he died in 1839. His wife, who bore the maiden name Susan Clark, was horn in Virginia, of French ancestry, and died in 1S40. In their family were ten children, including Robert, William, John. James and Mrs. Su- san llolden. Of this family. John Jones, the father of our subject, was horn in Mecklenburg county, Virginia, January 24, 1801, and was therefore quite small when he removed with Ins parents to rennessee, where he grew to manhood upon a farm. In [837, in company with his family, he came to Illinois, making the journey with a Penn- sylvania covered wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen, and arriving in Rutledge town- ship, DeWitt county, on the 28th of Octo- ber, thai year. lie first rented a small tract of land where J. 11. McCord now lives. There was a small log cabin upon this place and a few acres had 1 ecu broken. After buying his pork for the winter Mr. Jones found that he had only fifteen cents re- maining, lie operated this farm for a year and also engaged in breaking prairie for the early settlers, lie next rented the Rev. Paxton Cummings' farm two years, and the Benjamin Newberry farm one year. Having saved some money during this time he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which was covered with tim- ber fort) acres of prairie land, and there were no improvements upon the place, hut he at once set to work to build a log house, which is still stand- ing — one of the few landmarks of pioneer times. Mr. Jones soon cleared his land and broke the prairie, converting it into the line farm now owned by Jacob Swigart. Prospering in farming operations, he bought more land, and at one time owned nine hundred acres of the besl farming land in the county, lie may truly he numbered among the self-made men, as he never re- ceived any outside aid or support, his suc- - in life being due to his natural ability, d constitution and sound judgment in THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 465 business affairs. He cast his first presiden- tial vote for Andrew Jackson in 1824, and never failed in his allegiance to the Demo- cratic party. 1 _ sly both he and his wife were active members of the United Brethren church, and gave liberally to its support and the erection of the t'irst churches in this section of the state. He was mar- ried in Tennessee in [828 t" Miss Elizabeth, daughter of David and Sarah (Belcher) Fullington. She died in 1890 at the age <>f eighty-five years, and his death occurred September 14. [889, when he was eighty- eight year- . i age. They had three chil- dren: Preston, our subject; Campbell, who died in Kansas: and Albert, who died in Texas. At one time all of the sons were I in farming- in Santa Anna town- ship, this county. Preston Jones was the only child of the family 1 >n their removal to this state. Al- though quite small he well remembers the long and tedious journey of thirty-six days. The young people of the present day ean have litttle conception of the discomforts of riding behind slow-going ams for that length of time. Our subject, however, has many pleasant recollections of the trip, especially the camping out at night. As a boy he usi greatly enjoy seeing his mother prepare a meal over the large, old- fashioned tire-place. He pursued his studies in an old log school house with its puncheon ts, where he gained a good practical edu- cation, which has been of greater benefit to him than a college training' to many another man. In early manhood Mr. Jones wedded Miss Mary Johnson, a daughter of Matthew- Johnson. She was born in New Jersey. and in the spring of 1837 came with her parents to DeW'iit county. Illinois, locating on land now owned l>\ ( ). J. Smith. She died in 1857, at the age of thirty-three years. There were five children born of this union, namely: Lucinda and Melvina both died in infancy. Cynthia Ann mar- ried Samuel Hoover ami they have five children: Preston, Charles. Clyde. (' ter and Loma. Albert, a farmer of Rut- ledge township, this county, married Ellen Johnson, who died leaving live children. Belle completes the family. For his second wife Mr. Jones married Miss Laura Riggs, who was born in Bloom- on. Illinois. January 24, 1852, and is a daughter of Andrew J. Riggs. a farmer of McLean county, who died in Blooming- ton at the age of sixty-four years, his wife at the age of fifty-six. By his second mar- riage Mr. Jones has nine children, namely: William, an employe of the Standard ( >il Company at Bloomington, married Cora Nelson and has one child, Sylvia. Bertha Maud married William Drum, a farmer of DeWitt county, and has one child. Shel- ley. Frank, who lives on the homestead farm, married Alice Johnson and has two children. Iris and Hope. L> ttie is the wife of Lincoln Kibby. of Bloomington. John is a farmer of this county. May is at home. Ola is the wife of Roy Cook, of Bloom- ington. Pearl and Lance are both at home. Mr. Jones has reared his sons to habits of industry and honesty, and to-day has a fam- ily of which any parent might well be proud. Mr. Jones bought his father's farm in Santa Anna township, on sections 8 and 9, and has added to it until he now has five hundred and four acres, his home being on section 9. The first house built upon the place was of split logs and rudely con- structed, but later a good frame residence was erected. Mr. Jones has made many 466 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. other improvements, which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the farm. In early manhood he used to haul grain and produce to the Chicago markets, considering twenty-five bushels a g 1 load, and after selling his wheal for seventy-five cents or a dollars per bushel, he would buy salt for one dollar per barrel, and on his return home would sell it for four dollars per barrel. It required nine or ten days to make a trip of this kind. The firsl boots he ever had he In night with his own money, secured by raising beans, which he sold in Chicago. lie used to walk ami drive his hogs to market at lYkiu. Illinois. In [859 he crossed the plains t, , I 'ike's Teak, where he followed prospecting and mining for two years, but as a home he preferred the beautiful a irn bell 1 >i Hiiro 'is. During the dark days of the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Jones enlisted in iNf>_> in Companj I. One Hundred and Seventh Il- linois Volunteer Infantry, ami was in the service until hostilities ceased. lie was first made a corporal, subsequently was promoted to sergeant and still later to - ond lieutenant. lie is now a member of the Grand Army Post at Farmer City, and is .[ supporter of the Democratic party, lie has filled the offices of road commis- sioner and school director, ami served as tax collector in igoo. He is liberal in his religions views and is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. In 1895 he retired from active labor ami removed to Farmer City, purchasing two acres near the depot, where he has since made his home, enjoying a well earned rest. His home is noted for its hospitality and good cheer, and his many friends are always sure of a hearty wel- come within its doors. ZADOK VV. EVANS. Zadok W. Evans, of Clinton, is one of the most successful, as well as the most popular photographers of this section of the state, lie has thoroughly mastered ev- ery detail of his profession and in artistic taste and excellent results his work com- pares favorably with anj produced in Illi- nois. \ native of this state, he was horn in Williamson county, January [3, [861, and is a son of Charles \V. and Margaret CEvans) Evans. Ilis father was one of the most progressive farmers in southern j. thiols. / ( )nr subjeel remained on the home farm until sixteen years of age, and then, join- ing his brother, they embarked in the photo- graph business under the linn name of I'". vans Brothers, doing a successful busi- ness until [879, when by mutual consent the partnership was dissolved, our subject locating in (eutralia. Illinois, where he did a tine business. In [883 Mr. Kvaiis was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Alice Gillett, daugh- ter of Sidney B. ami Martha (Smith) ( ril- lett, ^i (eutralia. Our subject remained in that city until [888, when lie sold Ins business and with his wife removed to Los Angeles, California, but the following year they returned to (eutralia and Mr. Evans purchased the gallery winch be had former- ly conducted, lie met with most excellent success there, but still being in love with California, he returned to the Pacific slope in 1892, and remained there until tin- spring of 1893. On again coming to Illinois, at that time. Mr. Evans located in Clinton and at once Opened a studio. It was not long Till- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 467 before the people lure recognized the su- periorit) of his work over the old photogra- phers located here and gave him their p ronage, so that he was soon the only one here. Since then others have come and gone, but he has mastered his art so thor oughly that he commands the most of the trade. He has an elegant suite of rooms, including parlors, dressing rooms, operat- ing and work rooms, equipped with every- thing needed in his profession. He carries a large Stock of kodak supplies and dors all kinds of up-to-date work pertaining to his art. He ranks high among the pro- fessional brethren, and in 1900 and [9 was second vice-president of the Pho- tographers' Association of Illinois. Jn 1900, at the state convention of photographers, held in Springfield, the displays of our sub- ject were awarded two medals for superior v 1 irk. Socially Mr. Evans is a member and ex-officer of the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity: was a charter member of the Knights of the .Maccabees of Clinton and its first secretary. Through his own un- aided efforts he has prospered in business affairs, and is today the owner of five houses and a vacant lot in Clinton, one of these being his handsome resilience on West Main street, which he purchased of Charles Wat- n. He built two of the other buildings owned bv him. kOilRRT MARSH. ( )ne of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of DeWitt township is Robert Marsh, who. since attaining man's estate, has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of that locality. Me was born in DeWitt township, on the 23d of May, [850, and is a son of John and Ann Eliza (Forsman) Marsh, both of whom were natives of ( >lno. ,\t an early day the father came to DeWitt county, Il- linois, and entered eighty acres of timber land and one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land, which he placed under culti- vation. Upon his farm he first built a log house, in which our subject was born, but later erected a better and more modern frame residence. He also built a barn, fenced his place, and made many other im- provements. As time went by he acquired four hundred and forty acres, two hun- dred of which he placed under cultivation, but in [882 he sold out and removed to Kansas, where he bought a quarter section of land, making his home there until his- death, which occurred in 1890, when he was seventy-six years of age. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and he was called upon to till various township offices of honor and trust, serving as supervisor for some time and as school director a number of years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge at DeWitt, and was a highly respect- ed man and esteemed by all who knew him. Ills estimable wife died when about sixty- n years of age. In the family of this worthy couple were sixteen children, of whom our subject is the twelfth in order of tilth, and eight of the number are still living. Robert Marsh grew to manh 1 upon the home farm) and acquired his education in the country schools of tin- neighborhood. He gave his father the benefit of his labors in the work of the farm until twenty-five years of age, when he was' united in mar- riage with Miss Catherine BoSSman. Her father. Daniel Bossman, was a native of Ohio, and came to this county in 18O0, 1<>- 468 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. eating in DeWitt township, where he pur- chased one hundred and twenty acres oi land, lint he later sold that place and bought the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which his widow still resides, lie died at the age "t' seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are the parents of en children, all living, namely : Charles. Ollie, Thomas, Stella, Daniel, Carrie and Minnie. All are still at home with the ex- ception of Charles, who i- married and re- sides in DeWitt township. lie has made farming his principal occupation, but he is now i I in school ten hing. In 1882 Mr. Marsh purchased a partial- ly improved farm of one hundred and twen- ty acres, and to its further improvement and cultivation he has since devoted his en ies with most gratifying results. Upon his place he lias erected a good residence, the necessan hams and outbuildings, and its neat and thrifty appearance testifies to the careful supervision of a painstaking owner, one who thoroughly understands the vocation he follows. | k- now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land and also operates a tract of similar size. Po- litically he is identified with the Republi- can party, and gives his support to all measures which he believes will prove oi public benefit. SAMUEL MORTON ARGO. This well known and highly esteemed citizen of Lincoln. Illinois, was horn on the 1st of September, 1836, in New Rich- mond. Clermont county. Ohio, and is of Scotch and French descent. On coming to .America his ancestors located in New jer- sey, and from there removed to Virginia. Later the family made their home in Ohio, and its representatives have since lived in Indiana and Illinois. Moses Argo, the pa- ternal grandfather of our subject, was horn in New Jersey, February 15, 1 771 >, and died in Cleves. Indiana. June _'o. 1842. By occupation he was a farmer. I lis wife bore the maiden name of Sarah liruen and was horn March iS. 1771). Their children wen Libbie, Lucinda, Alexander. Khenezer, Anna. Elizabeth, William and Sarah. Alexander Argo, our subject's father, was born in Hamilton county, < >lu.>. Sep tember [3, 1807, and was reared by his uncle. Robert YVatkins, a wagon maker, with whom he served a regular apprentice- ship. He trailed his property in Ohio for a large stock of spinning wheels, which he shipped down the Ohio river and up the .Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and tin erland to Clinton, where he put them together and sold them to the pioneers, this being the first lot of wheels brought into this section of the state. This was m 1842. Being well pleased with the country Mr. Argo moved his family t" Clinton in 1S44 and opened a wagon shop on the corner of Madison and [efferson streets. He was the first wagon maker to Incite here, and si > durable wen' the wagons which he manufactured that some are still in existence. < In his firsl visit to the county in 1840 he purchased of Jesse Fell a tract 1 if land adjoining Clinton on the east, and suc- cessfully carried on farming; and stock-rais- ing in connection with his othef husiness. He amassed quite a fortune, owning several farms at the time of his death, which oc- curred August 8, [883. lie was an active member of the Methodist Epicopal church. and gave liberally to the erection of the house of worship! In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. In early THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. manhood lie married Miss Eliza A. VVal- raven, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio. September 19, (815, ami died Au- -• 17. iN'><>. 1 1 1-> death occurred in Clin- ton in 1883. Unto this worthy couple were horn the following children: Philena P., who was born August 1. 1835, and mar- ried 1.. Campbell; Samuel Morton, our sub- ject; Emanuel (irul>l>. horn August 17. Hiomas J., born July i_\ 1N41 : W'ill- ian.y horn March 20, 1N44: and Martin Luther, who was born July 5, 1848, and died January 20, 1849. Those living are residents of Clinton. During his majority Samuel M. Arsjn remained upon the home farm, and in [859 went overland to Pike's Peak, ado, and during the long trip, which lasted many weeks, had several thrilling encounters with the Indians. He followed mining for two years and then returned home. In the fall ^>i [862 Mr. Argo offered his services to the government to assist in putting down the rebellion, hut failed to pass the physical examination on account of defective near- He then turned his attention to farm- ing, buying a place of his father in Clintonia township, which he greatly improved and , in 1N70. it being now the property of William Fuller. For the past twenty year- he has efficiently tilled the p>sition of su- perintendent of Colonel Thomas Snell's large estate adjoining Clinton, having charge of five thousand ..ere- of farming land. The erection of new buildings and the remodeling of others has all been done under his supervision, and his long reten- tion in so responsible a position plainly in- dicates his ability and the confidence and trust reposed in him. Hi- ha- been a very active ami busy life, and he has acquired some valuable property. He ha- been elect- ed collector and commissioner of highways 21 on the independent ticket, and tilled the lat- ter office nme years. Mr. Argo has been twice married, his first union being with Mi-s I'ermelia A. Rogers, a daughter of Robert 1'. Rogers, of Clinton. She was horn March 15. 1840 and died July 7. 1881. By this marriage were horn seven children, namely: Will- iam U.. horn October 5, 1862, became an engineer, and was killed in a wreck at Guth- rie, Illinois. July jo. 1892; Martin Luther. l>orn July 30. 1864, married Annie Hull and follows farming; Eliza Ann. horn October 5. t866, i- at home: Harriet, horn March 30, 1868, i- the widow of William Fuller and has two children, William and Helen; Alexander, horn February 9, i> married Iva Dunham and his children are Annie. John and Alexander; Thomas, horn April (j. 1875. died April 9, 1876; and Philena. horn December <>. 187(1, died May t4. 1881. For his second wife Mr. Arj married Mi-s Mary F. Weddle. daughter of John Weddle. of Kentucky. She died Janu- ary 15, [890, leaving three children: Sam- uel M.. horn July 19, 1884; James Sargent, 11 Fehruary 19, 1887; and David, horn March 13, [8 GE< IRGE L. LIGHTHALL. ( >ne of the most energetic and enterpris- ing young men of DeWitt county 1- George L. Lighthall, who for the past tour years has been successfully engaged in business in Wapella a- a dealer in hardware, agricultur- al implements, buggies, w; s He was born in that village on the 23d of February, [871, and is a representative of an old New York family. His paternal grandfather, John L. Lighthall, was horn in the Empire 47° THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. state, and on coming west, abonl i860, lo- cated in DeWitt county, Illinois. Our sub- ject's father, A. II. Lighthall, was also a native of Now York, and came with the family to this state. When the Livil war broke oul he entered the service of his country, and for four years valiantly fought for the old flag and the cause it represented. When hostilities ceased he returned home and settled in Wapella. lie wedded Mis- Alary Scoggin, a native of this county, and a daughter of Aaron Scoggin, one of its pioneers. Two children blessed this union: Carrie, wife of II. E. Duncan, who is now holding a position in our subject's si,, re: and George I... of this review. Our subject was reared and educated in Wapella, and began his business career as clerk in a hardware si,, re. where he remained lour years, gaining a thorough, practical business training. In 1897 he embarked in business for himself on borrowed capital. having only ten dollars with which to start, but at the end of the first week he had a stock valued at sixtj dollars and was only in debt for half the amount. He steadily prospered and soon built up a good trade; his business amounted to two thousand dol- lars the first year. He also had a mail eon- tract. In [900 he did thirty-five hundred dollars worth of business, and in 19O] over four thousand dollars worth. As his finan- cial resources have increased he has en- larged his business, and now carries a line stock of shelf and heavy hardware, farm implements, buggies, wagons, etc. He probably sells more buggies than any other dealer in the county, having sold one hun- dred and fourteen from the ist of January until the 15th of August, 1901. lie may take a just pride in his success, for it is due entirely to his own unaided efforts, d management, and excellent busi- ness ability. lie bought a lot and erected one of the neatest residences in Wapella. Air. Lighthall was married December 21, [895, to Miss Belle E. Duncan, who was born in this county, but was reared in Kan- sas. Her father, J. E. Duncan, was an old settler here and a resident of Wapella. as well as a veteran of the Civil war. Our subject and his wife have four sons. Lewis. Wilfred, Thomas and George. Politically Mr. Lighthall is a stanch Re- publican, and has served his fellow citizens as a member of the town board and town- ship clerk two years. Fraternal! J he be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of .America, and religiouslj both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Wapella. LEVI R. MURPHEY. Levi R, Murphey, cashier of the State Hank of Clinton, Illinois, is one of the enter prising business men of DeWitt county, and one who has won and retained the confidence of the entire community. lie was born in Frederick county. Virginia, December 28, 1S47, and is a son of Hiram Murphey, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere 111 tins vi lume. Air. Murphey was brought to lllin, is by his parents in [853 and was reared to farm life. Lie attended the pub- liools and the high school at farmer Cite until he was twenty-two. lie then left the farm and taught school in this county and Linn county. Kansas. At the death of his parents, lie returned home and engaged in farming, lb- now owns a farm of two hundred and forty acres. Here he makes a specialty of raising high grade cat- tle and has been very successfully at his work, both upon the farm and in commercial life. THE BIOGR \riIIC\L RECORD. 4,-1 In 1890 Mr. Murphey was elected sheriff of DeWitt county, which office he to thf entire satisfaction of everyone. In 1893 lie was made cashier 1 f the State Bank of Clinton, one of the sound financial institutions of the county. While he was discharg g the > their beautiful home near Farmer City, and now live there surrounded by the comforts of lwth city and country life. He has served acceptably as Hector, road supervisor and school director, as well as justice of the and treasurer of the t iwnship. Mr. Murphe} r of the Fanner City Fair Association, of which he was of the organ 1 ir subject was married to Miss Mary M.. a daughter of James Bracken, late of Farmer City. Two children have beer, of this union, namely: All>ert I"., who o]>erates his father's farm, and Earl C. who brother. Both are very enei ; young men and excellent farmers. Mr. Murphey is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. Lodge X f \i Farmer City, and 1 i the Knights 1 >f Pythias. X Both he and his wife are active menilu the Methodist church, of which they are lil>- eral supporters. Mr. Murphey is a man in whom supreme trust is placed for he is rec- ognized I man of sterling honesty. strictest integrity and a high sense of honor. HUFFMAN. - I 1. Huffman, proprietor of the la -. and boarding stable in Clinton, was born in Rutledge township, this county. No- vember >>. [8< : irnelius Huff- man, of Farmer City. His paternal great- tndfather, Christian Huffman, was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestry, and spent his last 'lays in Virginia, where he died at the ghty years. He not only served four and a half-years in the Revolutii nary war. but • in the war '•\ 1812 for eighteen months. In his family were the following children: Daniel, George. Laban, Christian, Jonas. Solomon. Mrs. Elizabeth Helmick and Mrs. Arbogast. imon Huffman, the grandfather of ■ subject, was born in Greene county, Vir- ginia, and was married in Randolph county, that state, to Elizabeth Westfall, who died young, leaving two children. Benjamin and For his second wife he married Hester Bonner, by whom he also had two children. Job and Sylvanius. Throughout life he followed farming and died in Pendle- ton county. Virginia, in 1884, at the ag< eighty years. He was a member of the . Methodist Episcopal church and a man many sterling qualities. Cornelius Huffman, our subject's father, was born in Pendleton county. Virginia, August 4. 1833, and was reared in the south. In [853 he came to Illinois, and after spend- ing one year in McLean county, located in Ik-Witt county, having purchased sixty acres of land of Henry Huffman. Later he I that place and bought one hundred and twenty acres of railroad land, which he still owns. He has since purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of George Freelove, and forty acres of 1 >. Turner, both adjoin- ing his farm, and he successfully engaged in the operation of his land until 1895, when he rented the place and removed to Farmer City, where he bought the J W heeler prop- erty and converted it into a nice home. He 1 earnest member of the United Brethren church ami a Prohibitionist in politics, lie 472 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. married .Miss Elizabeth Vance, a daughter of John and Elizabeth I Hrnslej i Vance, na- tives of Virginia, who removed from that slate tn Athens enmity. Ohio, and from there tn Vermilion enmity. Illinois, where Mr. Vance died. The death of his wife occurred in DeWitt county. Mrs. Huffman was In irn in Alliens e< unity. < Mm i. March 5, 1 838, and died January 4. [890. She was the mother of the following children: Alvin Warren, whose sketeh appears on another page of this volume; a son, who died in in- fancy; Sophronia E., wife of S. F. Lewis; Svlvanns G., our subject : I. aura «... at home : George I A a resident of Weldon; and Nora 1'... wife nf S. E. 1 h 'lines. Our subject was reared upon the home farm and 1 >i 1 reaching nianlx >od w ent U 1 Kan s:is. where he engaged in farming and stock- raising for a time. While there he was united in marriage with Miss Willie Brown, 1 if Dodge City, a daughter of Frank M. Brown. Bj this union were born four chil dren, namely: Vera, Esther, Beulah, de- ceased : and W'alda. After his marriage Mr. Huffman re- moved tn Mansfield. Illinois, where lie en- gaged in horse dealing for six months, and then carried on the livery business at Wel- don fnr fourteen months. Coming to Clin- ton in February, [900, he purchased three hundred and thirty acres nf land in Texas township, known as the T. W. Warner farm. built new barns and sheds upon the place, and embarked in stock raising, keeping from fifty tn one hundred head ^i Durham eattle and from one hundred tn one hundred ami fifty Poland China hogs, lie also breeds road and draft horses, and owns a tine Hambletonian stallion of Kentucky bred. On the 4th i'\ November, [900, Mr. Huff- man bought the livery stock nf J, A. Curl, including thirty head of horses, some of which he has since sold and buying others now has forty head. 1 le has also purchased a line line oi carriages, busses and other vehicles, and now has one of the largesl and best equipped siables in the enmity, emplo) ing from twelve to fifteen hands. Frater- nally Mr. Huffman is a member of the Royal League nf America. ISAAC FRANKLIN SWISHER. Isaac Franklin Swisher, nnw deceased. was born nn March 20, 1N40, in Harp town- ship, DeWitt county, Illinois, and was a son <>\ William Swisher, who was a native of < Him and a snn of Jacob Swisher, who was a native of Virginia and an early settler of < >hio, a tanner by occupation. Jacob Swish- er was a soldier ni the Revolution and died at an advanced old age. William Swisher the father nf our subject, grew i<> manhood in (>hin. and in [837 came in Harp town- ship, this county, overland in a wagon. He entered a tract >'i land from the govemmenl ami he and his family lived in a log cabin. lie led a very active life until [842, when he retired from business. He married Fan- nie Foley, who was also a native of Ohio, and she bore her husband one child, our subject. She died jusl before her husband. Her father. William Foley, was born in ( (hio, ami was one nf the extensive farmers of thai state ami was nnc n\ the pioneer set tiers in Logan county, Illinois, where he died at an advanced age. Isaac Franklin Swisher was bereft nf his parents at an early age, and was reared by his grandparents ami uncles. His educa- tion was secured in the primitive log school- houses of that period with slab benches and a hole in the wall for light. At the age of ISAAC F. SWISHER THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 47 5 twenty years he began to support himself and was employed by his uncle, Isaac Swish- er. He subsequently began to farm for himself on land left him by his father, which he operated until 1 880, when he pur- chased eight) acres in Clintonia township where he resided until a few years prior to his death. The war record of Mr. Swisher was such to reflect credit upon any man. He en listed in August, 1862, in Company D., One Hundred ami Seventh Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, ami toOk an active part in several important battles. He fought at Huff's Ferry and Campbell's Station, and was pro- cm at the siege of Knoxville. He faced the ichels at Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia, and met the enemy at Resaca, the same state, and took an active part in the battles and skirmishes after the battle of Resaca. Dur- ing this time his regiment was detailed to guard duty. He took part in the battle Ww Hope Church, and then moved around the Kenesaw mountains and skirmished the right flank of the enemy. At Marietta. Georgia, he was in the hospital for a month and joined his regiment at Nashville, Ten- nessee, in time to take part in the battle at that place, and from there went east to Washington City and then southward to Fort Anderson, Xorth Carolina, and met Sherman at Raleigh, North Carolina, where they were when peace was declared. He was mustered out June 21. [865 Mr. Swisher was a strong Republican in politics and was a member of the Frank 1.. .wry Post, No. 157. Grand Army of the Republic, at Clinton. He departed this life on August 14. M/OO. and is interred in VVoodlawn cemetery in Clinton. Mr. Swish- er wa- also a member of the Modern Wood- men of America and was a faithful member of the Methodist church, as i? also his widow. He left a line farm and a beautiful home on South Madison street, Clinton, where Mis. Swisher now resides, lie was universally respected and beloved for his public-spirit and his high moral character, and his loss was deeply mounted. Mr. Swisher was married on July S. j. to Miss Elnora Piatt, a native of Ohio, born August i. 1842. Five children were horn to this marriage, namely: (i) Eva Alice, who is now the wife of William Xeble and they reside in DeWitt county: 1 _' I William Sherman married Lena Light hall and they now reside at Wapella: (3) Anna Dell married Claude Long- brake and they live in Clinton; (4) Alonzo Franklin married Ida Hume. They are residents of Wapella: (5) Nellie died at the age of eight years. Mrs. Swisher died in May. 1 895. Our subject was married again in Jan- uary. iSiji), to Mrs. Eliza (Lem.en) Fisher, who was bom in Clark county. Ohio, in 1849. She is a daughter of John R. and Lucinda J. (Hummer) Lemen. both natives of Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lemen occurred in 1S40 and they had eleven children, three of whom died in infancy, and five are now living. Mr. Lemen was a farmer and later studied med- icine and practiced in Indiana and Missouri, but died in the latter state on February <>. (892, at the age of seventy-six years, having been born on August ,} 1 . 1816. The live living children born to Mr. and Mis. I. emeu are as follows: 1 1 I Milton: 1 _• ) Eliza, the willow of our subject; (3) lames; 14) Lucinda: and 1 5 I Edward, At the age of fifteen Mrs. Swisher made her home with her uncle. Dr. J. A. Lemen. in Mis- souri, fnnn whence they removed to Clin- ton, DeWitt county. Illinois, in [866, and she here met and married Joseph Fisher, a 476 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. native of Germany, who came to the United Slates when only fifteen years of age. Mr. Fisher owned a farm in Clintonia township. To this union were horn two children: George \\ .. who resides in Omaha, Ne- braska; Anna, who married Charles Hen- dricks and resides in Clinton, where he is manager of the Clinton ice plant. They have one child: Lucile. Mr. Fisher died October 29, [895, and is interred in Wo< d lawn cemetery in Clinton. Mrs. Swisher is a lady of high attain ments and many excellent qualities and is regarded as one of the most highly esteemed ladies of Clinton. KIA WILLI \M M. MURRAY. Rev. William M. Murray is the presenl pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian church al DeWitt, Illinois, but makes his home 111 lua-.Mii. Logan county, where he is successfully engaged in but i< s as a dealer in buggies, farm implements, etc. He was born on the i st of June. 1S44. in Bond comity. Illinois, ami is a son of William and Amanda J. 1 Harris) Murray, the former a native of Virginia, the latter ol Kentucky. The mother died in Illinois. < >ur subject's grandfather, Morgan Murray, made his home in the old Dominion, where he died on his return from the Revolutionary war fnun womids received in the service. Mr. Murray, of this review, acquired bill a limited education in the schools of Bond and Fayette counties as he was obliged to help in the support of the family during his early life. On reaching inanh 1 he en- gaged in the stock business and took con tracts for getting ou1 railroad ties, being thus employed until he was ordained a min- ister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church by the Rev. M. A. Marlow, of Fairfield, Illi- nois. September 27 . 1875. Immediately thereafter he was installed as pastor of the church at Fairfield, where he remained in charge of the congregation tor twelve years. Subsequently he filled one or two minor po- sitions, and in [889 was called to the church at I Iwensville, Indiana, where he was pastor until May, [897. Vs a preacher he has 1 en wr\ successful, being a man of pleas- ing presence and commanding ways, as well as a good orator, and his loss to the congre- gation at Owensville has been greatly re- gretted, lie came to Beason to accept the pastorate of a much larger congregation, where he believed he could do more good. Here he continued as pastor until April 1. [901, w hen he resigned. I le has been iden- tified with the DeWitt church since the _'nd of May, 1901. The congregation numbers 'wo hundred and fifty families, and here Mr. Murray has done an excellent work. (in November 30, [865, Mr. Murray married Anna < Ireen, a daughter of Edmond Green, of Tennessee, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom six sur- vive, namely: Maggie I..: Roy W., who married Miss [_. Keys, daughter of J. J. Ke\s, deceased; Florence; Loretta; Anna; and Carrie. The children have been reared in the Cumberland Presbyterian belief, and are a family of which any parents might w i 11 he- pr< 'lid. Fraternally Mr. Murray is a Royal Arch Mas, ,11. and is alsi>a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Grand Army of the Republic. During the Civil war he was one of the defenders of the old flag and the cause it represented, being a member of Companj I >. Ninet) eighth Illi- nois Mounted tnfantry, under command oi Captain flood, and served with distinction THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 47? until hostilities ceased, being honorably dis- charged September 18, 1865. He enlisted in March, 18 . Politically he affiliates with tlu* Republican party. He has been a ite to the genera] assembly of his church, four different times and since enter- ing the ministry has given m< «st of his time to his pastoral duties. In the pulpit he is especially gifted 1 n account of his 1 ratori- cal ability and h\- pleasing delivery. His discourses arc scholarly and effective in their appeals to follows the Master, and lit- is held in high esteem not only by the people of his own congregation, but by the resi- dents of DeWitt and Beason generally. EUGENE EDWIN McINT »SH. Among the representative business men of Clinton, Illinois, is Eugene E. Mcintosh, a well-known jeweler, who own the largest Store in his line in DeWitt county. Ik- carries a well selected stock of silverware. clocks, jewelry, diamond-, etc.. and enjoys and excellent trade. A native of New York. he was bom in Sloansville, -August 22, and is a son of Hiram and Anna M. (Childs) Mcintosh. His paternal grand- father was Wiliam Mcintosh, a native of Connecticut. 1 1 is father was l>orn in Sara- New York, and in early life received an excellent education. For some time he was engaged in the hotel business in Cen- tral Bridge and Sloansville. New York, but on coming to Clinton. Illinois, in 1893, he Opened a jewelry store under the firm name of Mcintosh & Son. his si in, William W.. being associated with him. He purchased ;. lot on North Center street, where his widow now lives, but in order to make it a desirable piece of property he had to till up a creek that flowed across the lot, making it very low. This required hundreds of I 1 1 earth, but it is to , lay one of the valu- able corners of the city, with its large brick residence and beautiful grounds, shaded by fruit and ornamental trees. Besides this place he owned other property. He died m 1888, at the age of sixtj four years, honorerd and respected by all who knew him. He commanded the confidence of all with whom he came in contact, either in business or social life, and his circle of friend seemed only limited by his circle of acquaintances. In Clyde, New York, he married .Miss Anna M. Child, a native of New York city, and a daughter of Sylves- ter and Eliza (Carpenter) Child. Her fa- ther, who was a shipbuilder, spent his last days in Clyde, where he died when he was forty-tive years of age, and his wife at the of fifty-five. They had seven children, namely: Carrie, Juliet, Anna. Eugene, William. Edwin and Sylvester. < >ur sub- ject is the youngest in a family of three children, of whom Willie died in infancy, and William W. is now engaged in the real estate business in Akron. Ohio. The latter married Grace Bishop and they have two children, Bishop and Margaret. The par- ents of our subject were both faithful mem- bers of the Presbyterian church, and the fa- ther always took a very active part in its work. Eugene E. Mcintosh spent his boyhood and youth in the Empire state, and was edu- cated at Central Bridge, .Yew York, and Jackson, Michigan. At the latter place he also learned the jeweler's trade with his uncle. William W. Child, who was a very successful man in that business. In [886 Mr. Mcintosh started in business for him- sell at \\ eldon. this county, and later was 478 THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. located ;it Gibson City and Fairbury, Il- linois. In [89] he returned to Clinton and purchased his brother's store, the latter hav- ing succeeded the father in business here. He has since bought the Burroughs prop- erty mi the north side of the square and lias remodeled it, putting in the first beveled plate glass, and also laying the first concrete sidewalk on the square. He now has an elegant store, well stocked, and also owns two cottages, besides other propertj here, and is one of the most enterprising business men of the place. Keen discrim- ination, unflagging industry and resolute pu-rpose are numbered among his salient characteristics, and thus he has won the suc- cess which is the merited reward of honest effort. Mr. Mcintosh is a prominent Ma- sun, belonging t" the Consistory and Mys- tic Shrine, and in religious belief is a Pres- byterian. In [892 he married Miss Belle M . Wade, of Fairbury, Illinois, and to them have been born two children, Ella Child and Wade I >onald. PART II COMPENDIUM < >F BIOGRAPHY . COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY . OF Celebrated Americans ^v^v^v^ WASHINGTON, the first president of the Unit- ed States, called the "Father of his Country," was one of the most celebrated characters "^Tt.T" in history. He was born Feb- * ruary 22, [732, in Washing- ton Parish, Westmoreland county, Virginia. His father, Augustine Washington, first married Jane Butler, who bcre him four children, and March i, .,"3°. he married Mary Ball. Of six children by his second marriage, George was the eldest. Little is known of the eariy years of Washington, beyond the fact that the house in which he was born was burned during his early childhood, and that his father there- upon moved to another farm, inherited from hu paternal ancestors, situated in Stafford county, on the north bank of the Rappahan- nock, and died there in 1743. From earliest childhood George developed a noble charac- ter. His education was somewhat defective, being confined to the elementary branches taught him by his mother and at a neighbor- ing school. On leaving school he resided • • time at Mount Vernon with his half ~> V brother, Lawrence, who acted as his guar di .111. George's inclinations were for a sea- faring career, and a midshipman's warrant was procured for him; but through the oppo- sition of his mother the project was aban- doned, and at the ag? of sixteen he was appointed survivor to the immense estates of the eccentric Lord Fairfax. Three years were passed by Washington in a rough fron- tier life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very essential to him. In 175 1, when the Virginia militia were put under training with a view to active service against France, Washington, though only nineteen years of age, was appointed adjutant, with the rank of major. In 1752 Lawrence Washington died, leaving his large property to an infant daughter. In his will George was named one of the executors and as an eventual heir to Mount Vernon, and by the death of the infant niece, soon succeeded to that estate. In j 7 5 3 George was commis- sioned adjutant-general of the Virginia militia, and performed important work at the outbreak of the French and Indian war, was rapidly promoted, and at the close of that war we rind him commander-in-chief of &H«;M \W.. I, On. A. <>,U 1 .V 18 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. all the forces raised in Virginia. A cessation of Indian hostilities on the frontier having followed the expulsion of the French from the Ohio, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Virginia forces, and then proceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in the Virginia Assembly, of which he had been elected a member. January 17, 1759, Washington married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Curtis, a young and beautiful widow of great wealth, and devoted himself for the ensuing fifteen years to the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter rupted only by the annual attendance in winter upon the colonial legislature at Williamsburg, until summoned by his coun- try to iMiter upon that other arena in which his fame was to become world-wide. The war for independence called Washington into service again, ami he was made com- mander-in-chief oi the colonial forces, and was the most gallant and conspicuous I in that bloody struggle, serving until Eng- land acknowledged the independence of each of the thirteen Mates, ami negotiated with them jointly, as separate sovereignties. December 4, 1783, the great commander took leave of his officers in most. affection- ate and patriotic terms, and went to An- napolis, Maryland, where the congress of the States was in session, and to that body, when peace and order prevailed everywhere, resigned his commission and retired to Mount Vernon. It was in 1789 that Washington was called to the chief magistracy of the na- tion. The inauguration took place April 30, in the presence of an immense multi- tude which had assembled to witness the new and imposing ceremony. In the manifold de- tails of his civil administration Washington proved himself fully equal to the requirements of his position. In 1792, at the second presi- dential election, Washington was desirous to retire; but he yielded to the general wish of the country, and was again chosen presi- dent. At the third election, in 1796, he was again most urgently entreated to con- sent to remain in the executive chair. This he positively refused, and after March 4, 1797, he again retired to Mount Vernon for peace, quiet, and repose. Of the call again made on this illustrious chief to quit his repose at Mount Ver- non and take command of all the United States forces, with rank of lieutenant-gen- eral, when war was threatened with France in 1798, nothing iued here be stated, ex- cept to note the fact as an unmistakable testimonial of the high regard in which lie was still held by his countrymen of all shades of political opinion. He patriotic- ally accepted this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop to all action under it. He again retired to Mount Vernon, where he died December 14, 1799, in the sixty -eighth year of his age. His remains were depos- ited in a family vault on the banks of the I'.iomm, , at Mount Vernon, where they still lie entombed. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, an eminent American statesman and scientist, was born of poor parentage, January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was appren- ticed to his brother James to learn the print- er's trade to prevent his running away and going to sea, and also because of the numer- ous family his parents had to support (there being seventeen children, Benjamin being the fifteenth). He was a great reader, and soon developed a taste for writing, and pre- pared a number of articles and had them published in the paper without his brother's knowledge, and when the authorship be- came known it resulted in difficulty for the MPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl young apprentice, although his articles had ived with favor by the public. James was afterwards thrown into prison for political reasons, and young Benjamin con- ducted the paper alone during the time. In however, he determined to endure his bonds no longer, and ran away, going to Philadelphia, where he arrived with only three pence as his store of wealth. With these he purchased three rolls, and ate them as he walked along the streets. He soon found employment as a journeyman printer. Two years later he was sent to England by the governor of Pennsylvania, and was promised the public printing, but did not get it. On his return to Philadelphia he estab- lished the ••Pennsylvania Gazette," and soon found himself a person of great popu- larity in the province, his ability as a writer, philosopher, and politician having reached the neighboring colonies. He rapidly grew in prominence, founded the Philadelphia Li- brary in 1S42, and two years later the American Philosophical Society and the University of Pennsylvania. He was made Fellow of the Royal Society in London in 1775. His world-famous investigations in electricity and lightning began in 1746. He became postmaster-general of the colonies in 1753, having devised an inter-colonial postal system. He advocated the rights of the colonies at all times, and procured the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. He was elected to the Continental congress of 1775, and in 1776 was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, being one of the commit- tee appointed to draft that paper. He rep- resented the new nation in the courts of Europe, especially at Paris, where his simple dignity and homely wisdom won him the admiration of the court and the favor of the people. He was governor of Pennsylvania ears; was also a member of the con- vention in 17S7 that drafted the constitution of the I Dited States. His writings upon political topics, anti- slavery, finance, and economics, stamp him as one of the greatest statesmen of his time, while his "Autobiography" and "Poor Richard's Almanac" give him precedence in the literary iield. In early life he was an avowed skeptic in religious matters, but later in life his utterances on this subject were less extreme, though he never ex- pressed approval of any sect or creed. He died in Philadelphia April 17, 1790. DANIEL WEBSTER.— Of world wide reputation for statesmanship, diplo- macy, and oratory, there is perhaps no more prominent figure in the history of our coun- try in the interval between 181 5 and 1 861, than Daniel Webster. He was born ar Salisbury (now Franklin), New Hampshire, January 18, 1782, and was the second son of Ebenezer and Abigail (Eastman) Webster. He enjoyed but limited educational advan- tages in childhood, but spent a few months in 1797, at Phillip Exeter Academy. He completed his preparation for college in the family of Rev. Samuel Wood, at Boscawen, and entered Dartmouth College in the fall of 1797. He supported himself most of the time during these years by teaching school and graduated in 1801, having the credit of being the foremost scholar of his class. He entered the law office of Hon. Thomas W. Thompson, at Salisbury. In 1S02 he con- tinued his legal studies at Fryeburg, Maine, where he was principal of the academy and copyist in the office of the register of deeds. In the office of Christopher Gore, at Boston, he completed his studies in 1804-5, ar, d was admitted to the bar in the latter year, and at Boscawen and at Ports- mouth soon rose to eminence in his proles- £ ) COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. siun. ile became known as a federalist but die! not court political honors; but, at- tracting attention by his eloquence in oppos- ing the war with England, he was elected to congress in [8l2. During the special session of May, 1813, he was appointed on the committee on foreign affairs and made his maiden speech June 10, 1813. Through- out this session (as afterwards) he showed his mastery of the great economic questions of the day. He was re-elected in 1814. In 18 16 he removed to Boston and for seven years devoted himself to his profession, sarning by his arguments in the celebrated " Dartmouth College Case" rank among ihe most distinguished jurists of the country. In 1820 Mr. Webster was chosen a member of the state convention of Massachusetts, to e the constitution. The same year he delivered the famous discourse on the " Pil grim fathers," which laid the fouiidati.ni foi his fame as an orator. Declining a nomi- nation for United States senator, in 1822 he was elected to the lower house of congress and was re-elected in 1N24 and 1826, but in [827 was transferred to the senate. He retained his seat in the latter chamber until 1841. During this time his voice was ever lifted in defence of the national life and honor and although politically opposed to him he gave his support to the administra- tion of President Jackson in the hitter's con- test with nullification. Through all these /ears he was ever found upon the side of i'ight and justice and his speeches upon all the great questions of the day have be- come household words in almost every I iiiuly. In 1841 Mr. \\ >l>ster was appointed secretary of state by President Harrison and was continued in the same office by President Tyler. While an incumbent of this office he showed consummate ability as a diplomat in the negotiation of the "Ash- burton treaty " of August 9, 1849, which settled many points of dispute between the United States and England. In May, 1843. he resigned his post and resumed his pro- fession, and in December, 1845, took his place again in the senate. He contributed in an unofficial way to the solution of the Oregon question with Great Britain in 1847. He was disappointed in 1848 in not receiv- ing the nomination for the presidency. He ee secretary of state under President Fillmore in 1S50 and in dealing with all the complicated questions of the day showed a wonderful mastery of the arts of diplomacy. Being hurt in an accident he retired to his home at Marshfield, where he died Octo- ber 24, 1852. HORACE GREELEY.— As journalist, author, statesman and political leader, there is none mote widely known than the man whose name heads this article. He was born in Amherst, New Hampshire, Feb- ruary 3, 181 1, and was reared upon a farm. At an early age he evinced a remarkable intelligence and love of learning, and at the age of ten had read every book he could borrow for miles around. About 1^21 the family removed to Westhaven, Vermont, and for some years young Greeley assisted in carrying on the farm. In 1 826 heentered the office of a weekly newspaper at East Poultney, Vermont, where he remained about four years. On the discontinuance of this paper he followed his father's family to Erie county, Pennsylvania, whither they had moved, and for a time worked at the printer's trade in that neigh- borhood. In 1 83 1 Horace went to New York City, and for a time found employ- ment as journeyman printer. January, 1833, in partnership with Francis Story, he published the Morning Post, the first penny \;r i:\mr.\i OF BIOGRAPHr. 21 paper ever printed. This proved a failure and was discontinued ;ifter three weeks. The business of job printing wascarrii however, until the death of Mr. Story in July following. In company with Jonas Winchester, March 22, 1834, Mr. Greeley commenced the publication of the New Yorker, a weekly paper of a high character. financial 5, at the same time, Greeley wrote leaders for other papers, and, in 1838, took editorial charge of the soman, a Whig paper published at Albany. In 1 S40, on the discontinuance of that sheet, he devoted his energies to the Log Cabin, a campaign paper in the interests of the Whig party. In the fall of 1841 the latter paper was consolidated with the New Yorker, un- der the name of the Tribune, the first num- ber of which was issued April 10, 1S41. At the head of this paper Mr. Greeley remained until the day of his death. In [848 Horace Greeley was elected to the national house of representatives to fill a vacancy, and was a member of that body until March 4, 1 S49. In 1S51 he went to Europe and served as a juror at the World's Fair at the Crystal Palace, Lon- don. In 1855, he made a second visit to the old world. In 1 S 59 he crossed the plains and received a public reception at San Francisco and Sacramento. He was a member of the Republican national con- vention, at Chicago in i860, and assisted in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for President. The same year he was a presi- dential elector for the state of New York, and a delegate to the Loyalist convention at Philadelphia. At the close of the war, in 1865, Mr. Greeley became a strong advocate of uni- versal amnesty and complete pacification, and in pursuance of this consented to be- come one of the bondsmen for Jefferson I Davis, who was imprisoned for treason. In lie was a delegate to tile New York state convention for the revision of the constitution. In 1S70 he was defeated for congress in the Sixth New York district. At the Liberal convention, which met in Cincinnati, in May, 1 S 7 j , on the fifth ballot Horace Greeley was nominated for presi- dent and July following was nominated for the same office by the Democratic conven- tion at Baltimore. He was defeated by a large majority. The large amount of work done by him during the campaign, together with the loss of his wife about the same time, undermined his strong constitution, and he was seized with inflammation of the brain, and died November 29, 1872. In addition to his journalistic work, Mr. Greeley was the author of several meritori- ous works, among which were: "Hints- toward reform," "Glances at Europe," " History of the struggle for slavery exten sion," "Overland journey to San Francis- co," "The American conflict," and " Rec- ollections of a busy life." HENRY CLAY.— In writing of this em- inent American, Horace Greeley once said: "He was a matchless party chief, an admirable orator, a skillful legislator, wield- ing unequaled influence, not only over his friends, but even over those of his political antagonists who were subjected to the magic of his conversation and manners. " A law- yer, legislator, orator, and statesman, few men in history have wielded greater influ- ence, or occupied so prominent a plai the hearts of the generation in which they lived. Henry Clay was born near Richmond, in Hanover county, Virginia, April 12, 1777, the son of a poor Baptist preacher who died when Henry was but five years 22 COMPEXD1CM OF BIOGRAPHY. old. The mother married again about ten years later and :emoved to Kentucky leav- ing Henry a clerk in a store at Richmond. Soon afterward Henry Clay secured a posi- tion as copyist in the office of the clerk of the high court of chancery, and four years later entered the law office of Robert Brooke, then attorney general and later governor of his native state. In 1797 Henry Clay was licensed as a lawyer and followed his mother to Kentucky, opening an office at Lexington and soon built up a profitable practice. Soon afterward Kentucky, in separating from Virginia, called a state convention for the purpose of framing a constitution, and Clay at that time took a prominent part, publicly urging the adoption of a clause providing for the abolition of slavery, but in this he was overruled, as he was fifty years later, when in the height of his fame he again ad- vised the same course when the state con- stitution was revised in 1850. Young Clay took a very active and conspicuous part in the presidential campaign in 1800, favoring the election of Jefferson; and in 1803 was choson to represent Fayette county in the state 'egislature. In 1S06 General John Adair, then United States senator from Kentucky, resigned and Henry Clay was elected to fill the vacancy by the legislature and served through one session in which he at once assumed a prominent place. In 1807 he was again a representative in the legislature and was elected speaker of the house. At this time originated his trouble with Humphrey Marshall. Clay proposed that each member clothe himself and family wholly in American fabrics, which Marshall characterized as the " language of a dema- gogue." This led to a duel in which both parties were slightly injured. In 1809 Henry Clay was again elected to fill a va- cancy m the United States senate, and two years later elected representative inttie low- er house of congress, being chosen speaker of the house. About this time warwas de- clared against Great Britain, and Clay took a prominent public place during this strug- gle and was later one of the commissioners sent to Europe by President Madison to ne- gotiate peace, returning in September, 1815. having been re-elected speaker of the house during his absence, and was re-elect- ed unanimously. He was afterward re- elected to congress and then became secre- tary of state under John Quincy Adams. In 1 83 1 he was again elected senator from Kentucky and remained in the senate most of the time until his death. Henry Clay was three times a candidate for the presidency, and once very nearly elected. He was the unanimous choice of the Whig party in 1*44 for the presidency, and a great effort was made to elect him but without success, his opponent, James K. Polk, carrying both Pennsylvania and New York by a very slender margin, while either of them alone would have elected Clay. Henry Clay died at Washington June 29, 1 S5 j. JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE was one of the most distinguished of American statesmen and legislators. He was born January 31, 1830, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and received a thorough edu- cation, graduating at Washington College in 1847. In early life he removed to Maine and engaged in newspaper work, becoming editor of the Portland "Advertiser." While yet a young man he gained distinction as a debater and became a conspicuous figure in political and public affairs. In 1862 he was elected to congress on the Republican ticket in Maine and was re-elected five times. In March, 1869, he was chosen speaker of the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. house of representatives and was re-elected in 1871 and again in 1873. In 1876 he was a representative in the lower house of con- gress and daring that year was appointed United States senator by the Governor to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Morrill, who had been appointed secretary of the treasury. Mr. Blaine served in the senate until March 5, 1881, when President Garfield appointed him sec- retary of state, which position he-resigned in December, 1881. Mr. Blaine was nom- inated for the presidency by the Republic- ans, at Chicago in June, 1884, but was de- feated by Grover Cleveland after an exciting and spirited campaign. During the later years of his life Mr. Blaine devoted most of his time to the completion of his work "Twenty Years in Congress," which had a remarkably large sale throughout the United States. Blaine was a man of great mental ability and force of character and during the latter part of his life was one of the most noted men of his time. He was the origina- tor of what is termed the " reciprocity idea" in tariff matters, and outlined the plato of carrying it into practical effect. In 1876 Robert G. Ingersoll in making a nominating speech placing Blaine's name as a candidate for president before the national Republican convention at Cincinnati, referred to Blaine as the " Plumed Knight " and this title clung to him during the remainder of his life. His death occurred at Washington, January 27, 1893- JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN, a dis- tinguished American statesman, was a native of South Carolina, born in Abbeville district, March iS, 1782. He was given the advantages of a thorough education, graduating at Yaie College in 1804, and adopted the caiiing of a lawyer. A Demo- crat politically, at that time, he took a fore- most part in the councils of his party and was elected to congress in [Si I, supporting the tariff of 1816 and the establishing of the United States Bank. In 1 S 1 7 be be- came secretary of war in President Monroe's cabinet, and in 1 824 was elected vice-president of the United States, on the ticket with John Quincy Adams, and re-elected in 1828, on the ticket with General Jackson. Shortly after this Mr. Calhoun became one of the strongest advocates of free trade and the principle of sovereignty of the states and was one of the originators of the doctrine that " any state could nullify unconstitutional laws of congress." Meanwhile Calhoun had be- come an aspirant for the presidency, and the fact that General Jackson advanced the interests of his opponent. Van Buren, led to a quarrel, and Calhoun resigned the vice- presidency in 1832 and was elected United States senator from South Carolina. It was during the same year that a convention was held in South Carolina at which the " Nul- lification ordinance " was adopted, the >b- ject of which was to test the constitution- ality of the protective tariff measures, and to prevent if possible the collection of im- port duties in that state which had been levied more for the purpose of "protection " than revenue. This ordinance was to go into effect in February, 1 S 3 3 , and created a great deal of uneasiness throughout the country as it was feared there would be a clash between the state and federal authori- ties. It was in this serious condition ot public affairs that Henry Clay came forward with the the famous "tariff compromise of 1833, to which measure Calhoun and must of his followers gave their support and the crisis was averted. In [843 Mr. Cal- houn was appointed secretary oi state in President Tyier's cabinet, and it was under 24 COMPEXDUM O/-- BIOGRAPHT. his administration that the treaty concern- ing the annexation of Texas was negotiated In 1845 he was re-elected to the United States senate and continued in the senate until his death, which occurred in March, 1 850. He occupied a high rank as a scholar, student and orator, and it is conceded that he was one of the greatest debaters America has produced. The famous debate between Calhoun and Webster, in 1833, is regarded as the most noted for ability and eloquence in the history of the country. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BUTLER, one of America's most brilliant and pro- found lawyers and noted public nun. was a native of New England, born at Deer- field, New Hampshire, November 5, 1 8 1 8. His father, Captain John Butler, was a prominent man in his day, commanded a company during the war of 1812, and 1 under Jackson at New Orleans. Benjamin F. Butler was given an excellent education, graduated at Waterville Col Maine, studied law, was admitted to tin bar in 1S40, at Lowell, Massachu where he commenced the practice of his profession and gained a wide reputation for his ability at the bar, acquiring an extensive practice and a fortune. Early in life he began taking an active interest in military affairs and served in the state militia through all grades from private to brigadier-general. In 1853 he was elected to the state legisla- ture on the Democratic ticket in Lowell, and took a prominent part in the passage of legislation in the interests of labor. Dur- ing the same year he was a member of the constitutional convention, and in 1859 rep- resented his district in the Massachusetts senate. When the Civil war broke out General Butler took the field and remained at the front most of the time during that bloody struggle. Part of the time he had charge of Fortress Monroe, and in Febru- ary, 1862, took command of troops forming part of the expedition against New Orleans, and later had charge of the department of the Gulf. He was a conspicuous figure dur- ing the continuance of the war. After the close of hostilities General Butler resumed his law practice in Massachusetts and in 1866 was elected to congress from the Es- sex district. In 1882 he was elected gov- ernor, of Massachusetts, and in 1SS4 was the nominee of the "Greenback" party for president of the United States. He con- tinued his legal practice, and maintained his place as one of the most prominent men in New England until the time of his death, which occurred January 10, 1893. JEFFERSON DAVIS, an officer, states- man and legislator of prominence in America, gained the greater part of his fame from the fact that he was president of the southern confederacy. Mr. Davis was born in Christian county, Kentucky, June 3, 1S0S, and his early education and surround- ings were such that his sympathies and in- clinations were wholly with the southern people. He received a thorough education, graduated at West Point in 1828. and for a number of years served in the army at west- ern posts and in frontier service, first as lieutenant and later as adjutant. In 1835 he resigned and became a cotton planter in Warren county, Mississippi, where he took an active interest in public affairs and be- came a conspicuous figure in politics. In 1S44 he was a presidential elector from Mississippi and during the two following years served as congressman from his d ; s- trict. He then became colonel of a Missis- sippi regiment in the war with Mexico ana participated in some of the most severe out- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 25 ties, being seriously wounded at Buena Vista. Upon his return to private life he again took a prominent part in political af- fairs and represented his state in the United States senate from I S47 to 1851. Hethen entered President Pierce's cabinet as secre- tary of war, after which he again entered the United States senate, remaining until the outbreak of the Civil war. Hethen be- came president of the southern confederacy and served as such until captured in May, . at Irwinville, Georgia. He was held as prisoner of war at Fortress Monroe, until . when he was released on bail and finally set free in 1868. His death occurred December 6, 1889. Jefferson Davis was a man of excellent abilities and was recognized as one of the best organizers of his day. He was a forceful and fluent speaker and a ready writer. He wrote and published the " Rise and Fall of the Southern Confederacy," a work which is considered as authority by the southern people JOHN" ADAMS, the second president of the United States, and one of the most conspicuous figures in the early struggles of his country for independence, was born in the present town of Quincy, then a portion of Braintree, Massachusetts, October 30, 1735. He received a thorough education, dilating at Harvard College in 1755. studied law and was admitted to the bar in 175.S. He was well adapted for this profes- sion and after opening an office in his native town rapidly grew in prominence and public favor and soon was regarded as one of the leading lawyers of the country. His atten- tion was called to political affairs by the passage of the S'.amp Act, in 1765, and he drew up a set of resolutions on the Fubject ^vhich were very popular. In 1,768 he re- moved to Boston and became one of the most courageous and prominent advocates of the popular cause and was chosen a member of the Colonial legislature from Boston. 1 le was one of the delegates that represented Massachusetts in the first C.on^ tinental congress, which met in September, 1774. In a letter written at this crisis he uttered the famous words: "The die is now cast; I have passed the Rubicon. Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish with my country, is my unalterable determination." He was a prominent figure in congress and advocated the movement for independence when a majority of the members were in- clined to temporize and to petition the King. In May, 1776, he presented a resolution in congress that the colonies should assume the duty of self-government, which was passed. In June, of the same year, a reso- lution that the United States "are, and oi right ought to be, free and independent,' was moved by Richard H. Lee, seconded by Mr. Adams and adopted by a small majority. Mr. Adams was a member of the committee of five appointed June 1 1 to prepare a declaration of independence, in support of which he made an eloquent speech. He was chairman of the Board of War in 1776 and in t 778 was sent as commissioner to France, but returned the following year. In 17S0 he went to Europe, having been appointed as minister to negotiate a treaty of peace and commerce with Great Britain. Con- jointly with Franklin and Jay he negotiated a treaty in 1782. He was employed as a minister to the Court of St. James from 17.S5 to 1788, and during that period wrote Ins famous "Defence of the American Con- stitutions." In 1 7S9 he became vice-presi- de nt of the United States and was re-elected in 1792. In 1796 Mr. Adams was chosen presi- 20 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. dent of the United States, his competitor being Thomas Jefferson, who became vice- president. In 1800 he was the Federal candidate for president, but he was not cordially supported by Gen. Hamilton, the favorite leader of his party, and was de- feated by Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Adams then retired from public life to his large estate at Quincy, Mass., where he died July 4, 1826, on the same day that witnessed the death of Thomas Jefferson. Though his physical frame began to give way many years before his death, his mental powers retained their strength and vigor to the last. In his ninetieth year he wasglad- dened by .the elevation of his son, John Quincy Adams, to the presidential office. HENRY WARD Ml ( HER, one of the most celebrated American preachers and authors, was bornat-Litchheld, Connec- ticut, June 24, 1813. His father was Dr. Ly- man Beecher, also an eminent divine. At an early age Henry Ward Beecher had a strong predilection for a sea-faring life, and it wis practically decided that he would fol- low this inclination, but about this time, in consequence of deep religious impressions which he experienced during a revival, he renounced his former intention and decided to enter the ministry. After having uated at Amherst College, in 1834, he stud- ied theology at Lane Seminary under the tuition of his father, who was then presi of that institution. In 18.47 be became pas- tor of the Plymouth Congregational church in Brooklyn, where his oratorical ability and original eloquence attracted one of the larg- est congregations in the country. He con- tinued to served this church until the time of his death. March 8, 1887. Mr. Beecher ;.lsi ♦ound time for a great amount of liter- ary work- For a number of years he was editor of the "Independent" and also the "Christian Union." He also produced many works which are widely known. Among his principal productions are "Lectures to Young Men," " Star Papers, " "Life of Christ," "Life Thoughts," "Royal Truths" (a novel), "Norwood," " Evolution and Rev- olution," and " Sermons on Evolution and Religion. " Mr. Beecher was also long a prominent advocate of anti-slavery princi- ples and temperance reform, and, at a later period, of the rights of women. JOHN A. LOGAN, the illustrious states- man and general, was born in Jackson count}, Illinois, February 9, 1824. In his boyhood days he received but a limited edu- cation in the schools of his native county. On the breaking out of the war with Mexico he enlisted in the First Illinois Volunteers and became its quartermaster. At the close of hostilities he returned home and was elected clerk ol the courts of Jackson county in 1849. Determining to supplement his education Logan entered the Louisville Uni- versity, from which he graduated in 1 S 5 j and taking up the study of law was admitted to the bar. He attained popularity and suc- cess in his chosen profession and was elected to the legislature in 1852, 1853, 1856 and [857. He was prosecuting attorney from [853 to 1X57. He was elected to congress in 1858 to fill a vacancy and again in i860. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, Logan re- signed his office and entered the arms, and in September, [861, was appointed colonel of the Thirty-first Illinois Infantry, which he led in the battles of Belmont and Fort Don- elson. In the latter engagement he was wounded. In March, 1862, he was pro- moted to be brigadier-general and in the Wowing month participated in the battles of p itisburg Landing. In November, 1862, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. t illant conduct he was made major- eral. Throughout the Vicksburg campaign he was in command of a division of the Sev- enteenth Corps and was distinguished at Port Gibson, Champion Hills and in the siege and capture of Vicksburg. In Octob< r he w.is placed in command of the Fifteenth Corps, which he led with great credit. During the terrible conflict before Atlanta, July 22, [864, on the death of General McPherson, Logan, assuming com- mand of the Army of the Tennessee, led it on to victory, saving the day by his energy and ability. He was shortly after succeeded b) General O. O. Howard and returned to the command of his corps. He remained in command until the presidential election, when, feeling that his influence was needed at home he returned thither and there re- mained until the arrival of Sherman at Sa- vannah, when General Logan rejoined his command. In May, 1865, he succeeded General Howard at the head of the Army of the Tennessee. He resigned from the army in August, the same year, and in November was appointed minister to Mexico, but de- clined the honor. He served in the lower house of the fortieth and forty-first con- gresses, and was elected United States sena- tor from his native state in 1870, 1878 and i He was nominated for the vice-presi- dency in 1884 on the ticket with Blaine, but was defeated. General Logan was the author of "'The Great Conspiracy, its origin and history," published in 1885. He died at Washington, December 26, 1886. JOHN CHARLES FREMONT, the first Republican can ! nt, was i born in Savannah. Georgia, January 2 1 1813. He graduated from Charleston Col- lege South Carolina 1 in 1 830, and turned his attention t « civil engineering. He was shortly afterward employed in the department of government surveys on the Mississippi, and constructing maps of that region. He was mule lieutenant of engineers, and laii fore the war department a plan for pene- trating the Rocky Mountain regions, which was accepted, and in 1 s 4 J be set out upon his first famous exploring expedition and ex- plored the South Pass. He also planned an expedition to Oregon by a new route further south, but afterward joined his expedition with that of Wilkes in the region of the Great Salt Lake. He made a later expedi- tion which penetrated the Sierra W-vadas, and the San Joaquin and Sacramento river valleys, making maps of all regions explored. In 1 845 he conducted the great expedi- tion which resulted in the acquisition of California, which it was believed the Mexi- can government was about to dispose of to England. Learning that the Mexican gov- ernor was preparing to attack tne American settlements in his dominion, Fremont deter- mined to forestall him. The settlers rallied to his camp, and in June, 1846, he defeated the Mexican forces at Sonoma Pass, and a month later completely routed the governor and his entire army. The Americans at once declared their independence of Mexico, and Fremont was elected governor of Cali- fornia. By this time Commodore Stockton had reached the coast with instructions from Washington to conquer California. Fre- mont at once joined him in that effort, which resulted in the annexation of California with its untold mineral wealth. Later Fremont became involved in a difficulty with fellow officers which resulted in a court martial, and the surrender of his commission. He declined to accept reinstatement. He af- terward laid out a great road from the Mis- sissippi ri\rk. He died July 1 3, 1890. WENDELL PHILLIPS, the orator and abolitionist, and a conspicuous figure in American history, was born November 29, 181 1, at Boston, Massachusetts. He received a good education at Harvard College, from which he graduated in 1831, and then entered the Cambridge 1 .aw School. After completing his course in that institu- tion, in 1833, he was admitted to the bar, in 1834, at Suffolk. He entered the arena of life at the time when the forces of lib- erty and slaver)' had already begun their struggle that was to culminate in the Civil war. William Lloyd Garrison, by his clear- headed, courageous declarations of the anti- slavery principles, had done much to bring about this struggle. Mr. Phillips was not a man that could stand aside and see a great struggle being carried on in the interest of humanity and look passively on. He first attracted attention as an orator in 1837, at a meeting that was called to protest against the murder of the Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy. The meeting would have ended in a few perfunctory resolutions had not Mr. Phillip? by his manly eloquence taken the meeting out of the hands of the few that were in- clined to temporize and avoid radical utter- ances. Having once started out in this ca- reer as an abolitionist Phillips never swerved from what he deemed his duty, and never turned back. He gave up his legal practice and launched himself heart and soul in the movement for the liberation of the slaves. He was an orator of vi ry great ability and by his earnest efforts and eloquence he did much in arousing public sentiment in behalf of the anti-slavery cause — possibly more than any one man of his time. After the abolition of slavery Mr. Phillips was, if pos- sible, even busier than before in the literary and lecture field. Besides temperance and women's rights, he lectured often and wrote much on finance, and the relations of labor and capital, and his utterances on whatever subject always bore the stamp of having emanated from a master mind. Eminent eiities have stated that it might fairly be questioned whether there has ever spoken in America an orator superior to Phillips. The death of this great man occurred Feb- ruary 4, 1884. WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN was one of the greatest generals that the world has ever produced and won im- mortal fame by that strategic and famous " march to the sea," in the war of the Re- bellion. He was born February 8,. 1820, at Lancaster, Ohio, and was reared in the family of the Hon. Thomas Ewing, as his father died when he was but nine years of age. He entered West Point in 1836, was graduated from the same in 1840, and ap- pointed a second lieutenant in the Third UPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY, 81 Artillery. He passed through the various grades of the service and at the outbreak of th" Civil war was appointed colonel of the Thirteenth Regular Infantry. A full history i Sherman's conspicuous services i be to repeat a history of the army. He commanded a division at Shiloh, and ostrumental in the winning of that bat- tle, and was also present at the siege of Vicks- burg. On July 4. 1863, he was appointed lier-general of the regular army, ami shared with Hooker the victory of Mission- ary Ridge. He was commander of the De- partment of the Tennessee from October 27th until the appointment of General Grant as lieutenant-general, by whom he ippointed to the command of the De- jartment of the Mississippi, which he as- sumed in March, 1864. He at once I organizing the army and enlarging his com- munications preparatory to his inarch upon Atlanta, which he started the same time of ung of the Richmond campaign by Grant. He started on May 6, and was op- posed by Johnston, who had fifty thousand men, but by consummate generalship, he captured Atlanta, on September 2, after several months of hard lighting and a - loss of men. General Sherman started on his famous march to the sea November 15, and by December 10 he was before Savannah, which he took on Decemb This campaign is a monument to the genius of General Sherman as he only lost 567 men from Atlanta to the sea. After rest- ing his army he moved northward and occu- pied the following places: Columbia, Cheraw, Fayetteville, Ayersboro, Benton- ville, Goldsboro, Raleigh, and April l8, he accepted the surrender of Johnston's army on a basis of agreement that was not re- 1 by the Government with favor, but finally accorded Johnston the same terms as Lee was given by General Grant. He was present at the grand review at Washington, and after the close of the war was appointed to the command of the military division of the Mississippi; later was appointed lieu- tenant-general, and assigned to the military division of the Missouri. When General Giant was elected president Sherman became 1, March 4, 1869, and succeeded to the command of the army. His death oc- curred February 14, 1891, at Washington. ALEXANDER HAMILTON, one of the most prominent of the early American statesmen and financiers, was born in Nevis, an island of the West Indies, January 11, 1757, his father being a Scotchman and his motherof Huguenot descent. Owing tothe death of his mother and business reverses which came to his father, young Hamilton was sent to his mother's relatives in Santa Cruz; a few years later was sent to a gram- mar school at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and in 1773 entered what is now known as Columbia College. Even at that time he began taking an active part in public affairs and his speeches, pamphlets, and newspaper articles on political affairs of the day at- tracted considerable attention. In 1776 he received a captain's commission and served in Washington's army with credit, becoming aide-de-camp to Washington with rank of lieutenant-colonel. In 1 78 1 he resigned his commission because of a rebuke from Gen- eral Washington. He next received com- mand of a New York battalion and partici- pated in the battle of Yorktown. After this Hamilton studied law, served several terms in congress and was a member of the convention at which the Federal Constitu- tion was drawn up. His work connected with "The Federalist'' at about this time attracted much attention. Mr. Hamilton 32 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRA P II }'. was chosen as the first secretary of the United States treasury and as such was the author of the funding system and founder of the United States Bank. In 1798 he was made inspector-general of the army with the rank of major-general and was also for a short time commander-in-chief. In 1804 Aaron Burr, then candidate for governor of New York, challenged Alexander Hamilton to fight a duel, Burr attributing his defeat to Hamilton's opposition, and Hamilton, though declaring the code as a relic of bar- barism, accepted the challenge. They met at Weehawken, New Jersey. July 11, 1804. Hamilton declined to fire at his adversary, but at Burr's first (ire was fatally wounded and died July 12, 1804. ALEXANDER HAMILTON STEPH- ENS, vice-president of the southern confederacy, a former I nited Mates senator and governor of Georgia, ranks among the great men of American history. He was born February 11, iSij, near Crawfordsville, Georgia. He was a graduate of the Uni- versity of Georgia, and admitted to the bar in 1834. In 1837 he made his debut in political life as a member of the state house of representatives, and in 1 841 declined the nomination for the same office; but in 1842 he was chosen by the same constituency as state senator. Mr. Stephens was one of the promoters of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. In 1S43 he was sent by his dis- trict to the national house of representatives, which office he held for sixteen consec- utive years. He was a member of the house during the passing of the Compromise Bill, and was one of its ablest and most active supporters. The same year (1850) Mr. Stephens was a delegate to the state •convention that framed the celebrated " Georgia Platform." and was also a dele- gate to the convention that passed the ordi- nance of secession, though he bitterly op- posed that bill by voice and vote, yet he readily acquiesced in their decision after it received the votes of the majority of the convention. He was chosen vice-president of the confederacy without opposition, and in 1S65 he was the head of the commis- sion sent by the south to the Hampton Roads conference. He was arrested after the fall of the confederacy and was con- fined in Fort Warren as a prisoner of state but was released on his own parole. Mr. Stephens was elected to the fort) -third, forty-fourth, forty-fifth, forty-sixth and for- ty-seventh congresses, with hardly more than nominal opposition. He was one of the Jeffersonian school of American politics. He wrote a number of works, principal among which are: "Constitutional View of the War between the States," and a "Compendium of the History of the United States." He was inaugurated as governor of Georgia November 4th, 1882, but died March 4, 1883, before the completion of his term. ROSCOE CONKLING was one of the most noted and famous of American statesmen. He was among the most fin- ished, fluent and eloquent orators that have ever graced the halls of the American con- gress; ever ready, witty and bitter in de- bate he was at once admired and feared by his political opponents and revered by his followers. True to his friends, loyal to the last degree to those with whom his inter- ests were associated, he was unsparing to his foes and it is said "never forgot an injury." Roscoe Conkling was born at Albany, New York, on the 30th of October, 1829, being a son of Alfred Conkling. Alfred Conkling was also a native of New York, \fPENDIVM OF BIOGRAPHY. 88 born at East Hampton, October i- and b ne of the most eminent law- yers in the Empire state; published several I a tei in in c< ingress; aft- erward as United States district judge for hern New York, and in iS;j was min- ister to Mexico. Alfred Conkling died in Roscoe Conkling, whose name heads this article, at an early age took up tin- study of law and soon became successful and prominent at the bar. About 1S46 he re- 1 to Utica and in 1858 was elected mayor of that city. He was elected repre- sentative in congress from this district and - re-elected three times. In 1S67 he v. elected United States senator from the state of New York and was re-elected in 1873 and 1879. In May. 1881, he resigned on account of differences with the president. In March. 1 882, he was appointed and con- firmed as associate justice of the United States supreme court but declined to serve. His death occurred April 18, 1888. WASHINGTON IRVING, one of the most eminent, talented and popu- lar of American authors, was born in New York City. April 3. 1 7 s 3 . His father was William Irving, a merchant and a native of Scotland, who had married an English lady and emigrated to America some twenty years prior to the birth of Washington. 1 of the older sons, William and Peter, were partially occupied with newspaper work and literary pursuits, and this fact naturally inclined Washington to follow their example. Washington Irving was given the advantages afforded by the common schools until about sixteen years of age when he began studying law, but continued to acquire his literary training by diligent perusal at home of the older English writers. W'lun nineteen he made his first literary venture by printing in the " Morning Chroni- tlltll edited by his brother, l)r. i Irving, a series of local sketches under the nom-de-plume of "Jonathan Oldstyle." In he began an extensive trip th; Europe, returned in 1806, quickly com- .1 studies and was admitted to the bar, but never practiced the profession. In 1807 he began the amusing serial " Sal- magundi," which had an immediate suc- cess, and not only decided his future career but long determined the charac- ter of his writings. In 1808, assisted by his brother Peter, he wrote " Knickerbock- er's History of New York," and in 1810 an excellent biography of Campbell, the poet. After this, for some time, Irving's attention was occupied by mercantile interests, but the commercial house in which he was a partner failed in 1817. In 18 14 he was editor of the Philadelphia "Analectic Maga- zine." About 1 8 1 8 appeared his "Sketch- Book, " over the nom-de-plume of ' "Geoffrey Crayon," which laid the foundation of Ir- ving's fortune and permanent fame. This was soon followed by the legends of "Sleepy Hollow," an'd " Kip Van Winkle," which at once took high rank as literary productions, and Irving's reputation was firmly established in both the old and new worlds. After this the path of Irving was smooth, and his subsequent writings ap- peared with rapidity, including " Brace- bridge Hall," "The Tales of a Traveler," " History of the Life and Voyages of Chris- topher Columbus," "The Conquest of Granada," "The Alhambra," "Tour on the Prairies," "Astoria,'' "Adventures of Captain Bonneville,'' " Wolfert's Koost," " Mahomet and his Successors," and "Life of Washington," besides other works. Washington Irving was never married. 34 COMPEXDIIM OF BIOGRAPHT. He resided during the closing years of his life at Sunnyside (Tarrytown) on the Hud- son, where he died November 28, 1859. CHARLES SUMNER.— Boldly outlined on the pages of our history stands out the rugged figure of Charles Sumner, states- man, lawyer and writer. A man of unim- peachable integrity, indomitable will and with the power of tireless toil, he was a fit leader in troublous times. First in rank as an anti-slavery leader in the halls of con- gress, he has stamped his image upon the annals of his time. As an orator he took front rank and, in wealth of illustration, rhetoric and loft}' tone his eloquence equals anything to be found in history, Charles Sumner was born in Boston, Massachusetts, January 6, [8ll, and was the son of Charles P. and Relief J. Sumner. The family had long been prominent in that state. Charles was educated at the Boston Public Latin School; entered Harvard Col- lege in 1826, and graduated therefrom in 1830. In 1 S3 1 he joined the Harvard Law School, then und •■ of Judge Story, and gave himself up to the study of law with enthusiasm. His leisure was devoted to contributing to the American Jurist. Ad- mitted to the bar in 1834 he was appointed reporter to the circuit court by Judge Story. He published several works about this time, and from 1835 to 1837 and again in 1843 was lecturer in the law school. He had planned a lawyer's life, but in 1845 he gave his attention to politics, speakingand working against the admission of Texas to the Union and subsequently against the Mexican war. In 1848 he was defeated for congress on the Free Soil ticket. His stand on the anti- slavery question at that time alienated both friends and clients, but he never swerved from his convictions. In 1 8 5 1 he was elected to the United States senate and took his seat therein December 1 of that year. From this time his life became the history of the anti-slavery cause in congress. In August, 1S52, he began his attacks on slaver}' by a masterly argument for the repeal of the fugitive slave law. On May 22, 1856, Pres- ton Brooks, nephew of Senator Butler, of South Carolina, made an attack upon Mr. Sumner, at his desk in the senate, striking him over the head with a heavy cane. The attack was quite serious in its effects and kept Mr. Sunnier absent from his seat in the senate for about four years. In 1857, 1863 and 1 S09 he was re-elected to the office of senator, passing some twenty-three years in that position, always advocating the rights of freedom and equity. He died March I 1, THOMAS JEFFERSON, the third pres- ident of the United States, was bom near Charlottesville, Albemarle count}-, Vir- ginia, April 13, 1743, and was the son of Peter and Jane (Randolph) Jefferson. He received the elements of a good education, and in 1760 entered William and Mary Col- lege. After remaining in that institution for two years he took up the study of law with George Wythe, of Williamsburg, Virginia, one of the foremost lawyers of his day, and was admitted to practice in 1767. He ob- tained a large and profitable practice, which he held for eight years. The conflict be- tween Great Britain and the Colonies then drew him into public life, he having for some time given his attention to the study of the sources of law, the origin of liberty and equal rights. Mr. Jefferson was elected to the Virginia hoiase of burgesses in 1769, and served in that body several years, a firm supporter of liberal measures, and, although a slave- MPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. 85 holder himself, an opponent of slavery. With others, he was a leader among the op- position to the king. He took his place as a member of the Continental congress June 21, 1775, and after serving on several com- mittees was appointed to draught a Declara- tion of Independence, which he did. corrections being suggested by Dr. Franklin and John Adams. This document was pre- sented to congress June 28, 1776, and after six days' debate was passed and was signed. In the following September Mr. Jefferson resumed his seat in the Virginia legislature. and gave much time to the adapting of laws of that state to the new condition of things. He drew up the law, the first ever passed by a legislature or adopted by a government, which secured perfect religious freedom. June 1, 1779, he succeeded Patrick Henry as governor of Virginia, an office which, after co operating with Washington in de- fending the country, he resigned two years later. One of his own estates was ravaged by the British, and his house at Monticello was held by Tarleton for several days, and Jefferson narrowly escaped capture. After the death of his wife, in 17S2, he accepted the position of plenipotentiary to France, which he had declined in 1776. Before leaving he served a short time in congress at Annapolis, and succeeded in carrying a bill for establishing our present decimal sys- tem of currency, one of his most useful pub- lic services. He remained in an official ca- pacity until October, 1789, and was a most active and vigilant minister. Besides the onerous duties of I is office, during this time, he published "Notes on Virginia," sent to the United States seeds, shrubs and plants, forwarded literary and scientific news and gave useful advice to some of the lead the French Revolution. Mr. Jefferson landed in Virginia Novem- ber 18, 1789, having obtained a leave of absence from his post, and shortly after ac- cepted Washington's offer of the portfolio of the department of state in his cabinet. He entered upon the duties of his office in March, 1 79 1 , and held it until January I, 1794, when he tendered his resignation. About this time he and Alexander Hamilton became decided and aggressive political op- ponents, Jefferson being in warm sympathy with the people in the French revolution and strongly democratic in his feelings, while Hamilton took the opposite side. In 1796 Jefferson was elected vice-president of the United States. In 1S00 he was elected to the presidency and was inaugurated March 4, 1801. During his administration, which lasted for eight years, he having been re-elected in 1S04, he waged a successful war against the Tripolitan pirates; purchased Louisiana of Napoleon; reduced the public debt, and was the originator of many wise measures. Declining a nomination for a third term he returned to Monticello, where he died July 4, 1826, but a few hours before the death of his friend, John Adams. Mr. Jefferson was married January 1, 1772, to Mrs. Martha Skelton, a young, beautiful, and wealthy widow, who died September 6, 17S2, leaving three children, three more having died previous to her demise. CORNELIUS VANDERBILT known as ' ' Commodore " Vanderbilt, was the founder of what constitutes the present im- mense fortune of the Vanderbilt family. He was born May 27, 1794, at Port Richmond. Staten Island, Richmond county. New York, and we find him at sixteen years run- ning a small vessel between his home and New York City. The fortification^ of Sta- ten and Long Islands were just in course of 86 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. construction, and he carried the laborers from New York to the fortifications in his " perianger, " as it was called, in the day, and at night carried supplies to the fort on the Hudson. Later he removed to New York, where he added to his little fleet. At the age of twenty-three he was free from debt and was worth $9,000, and in 1S17, with a partner he built the first steamboat that was run between New York and New Brunswick, New Jersey, and became her captain at a salary of $1,000 a year. The next year he took command of .1 larger and better boat and by 1S24 he was in complete control of the Gibbon's Line, as it was called, which he had brought up to a point where it paid $40,000 a year. Commodore Vanderbilt acquired the ferry between New York and Elizabethport, New Jersey, on a f. >ui teen years' lease and conducted this on a paying basis. He severed his connections with Gibbons in 1829 and engaged in 'business alone and for twenty years he was •the leading steamboat man in the country, building and operating steamboats on the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, on the Delaware River and the route to Boston, and he had the monopoly of trade on these routes. In 1850 he determined to broaden his field of operation and accordingly built the steamship Prometheus and sailed for the Isthmus of Darien, where he desired to make a personal investigation of the pros- pects of the American Atlantic and Pacific Ship Canal Company, in which he had pur- chased a controlling interest. Commodore Vanderbilt planned, as a result of this visit, a transit route from Greytown on the At- lantic coast to San Juan del Sud on the Pa- cific coast, which was a saving of 700 miles over the old route. In 185 1 he placed three steamers on the Atlantic side and four on the Pacific side to accommodate the enor- mous traffic occasioned by the discovery of gold in California. The following year three more vessels were added to his fleet and a branch line established from New Orleans to Greytown. In 1853 the Com- modore sold out hisNicarauguaTransit Com- pany, which had netted him $1,000,000 and built the renowned steam yacht, the "North Star." He continued in the ship- ping business nine years longer and accu- mulated some $10,000,000. In 1S61 he presented to the government his magnifi- cent steamer " Vanderbilt, " which had cost him $800,000 and for which he received the thanks of congress. In 1844 he became interested in the railroad business which he followed in later years and became one of the greatest railroad magnates of his time. He founded the Vanderbilt University at a cost of $1,000,000. He died January 4, 1877, leaving a fortune estimated at over $100,000,000 to his children. DANIEL BOONE was one of the most famous of the many American scouts, pioneers and hunters which the early settle- ment of the western states brought into prominence. Daniel Boone was born Feb- ruary 11, 1735, in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, but while yet a young man removed to North Carolina, where he was married. In 1769, with five companions, he pene- trated into the forests and wilds of Kentucky — then uninhabited by white men. He had frequent conflicts with the Indians and was captured by them but escaped and continued to hunt in and explore that region for over a year, when, in 177 1 , he returned to his home. In the summer of 1773, he removed with his own and five other families into what was then the wilderness of Kentucky, and to defend his colony against the savages, he built, in 1775, a fort at Boonesborough, co.u/'/:x/>/r.u of biographt. I 7 on the Kentucky river. This fort was at- tacked by the Indians several times in i," ." but they were repulsed. The following year, however, Boone was surprised and captured by them. They took him to De- troit and treated him with leniency, but he soon escaped and returned to his fort which he defended with success against four hun- dred and fifty Indians in August, 1778. His son, Enoch Boone, was the first white male child born in the state of Kentucky. In Daniel Boone removed with his family to Missouri, locating about forty-five miles f the present site of St. Louis, where he found fresh fields for his favorita pursuits — adventure, hunting, and pioneer life. His death occurred September 20, 1820. HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFEL- LOW, said to have been America's greatest "poet of the people," was born at Portland, Maine, February 27, 1807. He entered Bowdoin College at the age of four- teen, and graduated in 1825. During his college days he distinguished himself in mod- ern languages, and wrote several short poems, one of the best known of which was the " Hymn of the Moravian Nuis." After his graduation he entered the law office of his father, but the following year was offered the professorship of modern languages at Bowdoin, with the privilege of three years study in Europe to perfect himself in French, Spanish, Italian and German. After the three years were passed he returned to the United States and entered upon his profes- sorship in 1829. His first volume was a small essay on the "Moral and Devotional Poetry of Spain" in 1833. In 1835 he pub- lished some prose sketches of travel under the title of "Outre Mer, a Pilgrimage be- yond the Sea." In 1835 he was elected to the chair of modern languages and literature at Harvard University and spent a year in Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland, culti- vating a knowledge of early Scandinavian literature and entered upon his professor- ship in 1836. Mr. Longfellow published in 1839 " Hyperion, a Romance," and "Voices of the Night, " and his first volume of original verse comprising the selected poems of twenty years work, procured him immediate recognition as a poet. " Ballads and other poems" appeared in 1842, the "Spanish Student" a drama in three acts, in 1843, "The Belfry of Bruges " in 1846, "Evan- geline, a Tale of Acadia," in 1847, which was considered his master piece. In 1845 he published a large volume of the "Poets and Poetry of Europe," 1849 " Kavanagh, a Tale," ''The Seaside and Fireside" in 1850, "The Golden Legend " in 185 1, "The Song of Hiawatha " in 1855, " The Court- ship of Miles Standish " in 1858, " Tales of a Wayside Inn " in 1863; " Flower de Luce'' in 1866;" "New England Tragedies" in 1869; "The Divine Tragedy" in 1871; "Three Books of Song" in 1872; "The Hanging of the Crane" in 1874. He also published a masterly translation of Dante in 1867-70 and the " Morituri Salutamus," a poem read at the fiftieth anniversary of his class at Bowdoin College. Prof. Long- fellow resigned his chair at Harvard Univer- sity in iS54,but continued to reside at Cam- bridge. Some of his poetical works have been translated into many languages, and their popularity rivals that of the best mod- ern English poetry. He died March 24, 1882, but has left an imperishable fame as one of the foremost of American poets. PETER COOPER was in three partic- ulars — as a capitalist and manufacturer, as an inventor, and as a philanthropist — connected intimately with some of the most 88 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. important and useful accessions to the in- dustrial arts uf America, its progress in in- ve ition and the promotion of educational and benexolent institutions intended for the benefit of people at large. He was born in New York city, February 12, 1 791 . His life was one of labor and struggle, as it was with most of America's successful men. fn early boyhood he commenced to help his 'ather as a manufacturer of hats. He at- tended school only for half of each day for a single year, and beyond this his acquisi- tions were all his own. When seventeen vears old he was placed with John Wood- ward to learn the trade of coach-making and served his apprenticeship so satisfactorily that his master oF~red to set him up in busi- ness, but this he declined because of the debt and obligation it would involve. The foundation of Mr. Cooper's fortune was laid in the invention of an improvement in machines for shearing cloth. This was largely called into use during the war ol 18 1 2 with England when all importations of cloth from that country were stopped. The machines lost their value, however, on the declaration of peace. Mr. Cooper then turned his shop into the manufacture of cabinet ware. He afterwards went into the grocery business in New York and finally he engaged in the manufacture of glue and isin- glass which he carried on for more than fifty years. In 1830 he erected iron works in Canton, near Baltimore. Subsequenily he erected a rolling and a wire mill in the city of New York, in which he first success- fully applied anthracite to the puddling of iron. In these works, he was the first to roll wrought-iron beams for fire-proof build- ings. These works grew to be very exten- sive, including mines, blast furnaces, etc. While in Baltimore Mr. Cooper built in 1830, after his own designs, the first loco- motive engine ever constructed on this con- tinent and it was successfully operated on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He also took a great interest and invested large cap- ital in the extension of the electric telegraph, also in the laying of the first Atlantic cable; besides interesting himself largely in the New York state canals. But the most cherished object of Mr. Cooper's life was the establishment of an institution for the instruction of the industrial classes, which he carried out on a magnificent scale in New York city, where the "Cooper Union" ranks among the most important institu- tions. In May, 1876, the Independent party nominated Mr. Cooper for president of the United States, and at the election following he received nearly 100,000 votes. His death occurred April 4, 1883. GNERAL ROBERT EDWARD LEE, one of the most conspicuous Confeder- ate generals during the Civil war, and one of the ablest military commanders of mod- ern times, was born at Stratford House. Westmoreland county, Virginia, January 19, 1807. In 1825 he entered the West Point academy and was graduated second in his class in 1829, and attached to the army as second lieutenant of engineers. For a number of years he was thus engaged in en- gineering work, aiding in establishing the boundary line between Ohio and Michigan, and superintended various river and harbor improvements, becoming captain of engi- neers in 1838. He first saw field service in the Mexican war, and under General Scott performed valuable and efficient service. In that brilliant campaign he was conspicu- ous for professional ability as well as gallant and meritorious conduct, winning in quick succession the brevets of major, lieutenant com r i:\niiM of biography. colonel, and colonel for his part in the bat- tles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco, Chapultepec. and in the capture of the city Mexico. At the close of that war he re- sumed his engineering work in connection with defences along the Atlantic coast, and from i S52 to I S 3 5 was superintendent of the Military Academy, a position which he gave up to become lieutenant-colonel Second Cavalry. For several years there- after he served on the Texas border, but happening to be near Washington at the time of John Brown's raid, October \~ to 25, 1859, Colonel Lee was placed in com- mand of the Federal forces employed in its repression. He soon returned to his regi- ment in Texas where he remained the greater part of 1S60, and March 16, 1S61, became colonel of his regiment by regular promotion. Three weeks later, April 25, he resigned upon the secession of Virginia, went at once to Richmond and tendered his services to the governor of that state, being by acclamation appointed commander-in- chief of its military and naval forces, with the rank of major-general. He at once set to work to organize and develop the defensive resources of his state and within a month directed the occupation in force of Manassas Junction. Meanwhile Virginia having entered the confederacy and Richmond become the capitol, Lee became one of the foremost of its military officers and was closely connected with Jefferson Davis in planning the moves of that tragic time. Lee participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war among which were Fair Oaks, White Lake Swamps, Cold Harbor, and the Chickahominy, Ma- nassas, Cedar Run, Antietam, Fredericks- burg, Chancellorsville, Malvern Hill, Get- tysburg, the battles of the Wilderness cam- paign, all the campaigns about Richmond, Petersburg, Five Forks, and others. Lee's surrender at Appomatox brought the war to a close. It is said of General Lee that but few commanders in history have been so quick to detect the purposes of an opponent or so quick to act upon it. Never surpassed. if ever equaled, in the art of winning the passionate, personal love and admiration of his troops, he acquired and held an influ- ence over his army to the very last, founded upon a supreme trust in his judgment, science and skill, coupled with his cool, stable, equable courage. A great writer has' said of him: "As regards the proper meas- ure of General Lee's rank among the sol- diers of history, seeing what he wrought with such resources as he had, under all the disadvantages that ever attended his oper- ations, it is impossible to measure what he might have achieved in campaigns and bat- tles with resources at his own disposition I equal to those against which he invariably contended." Left at the close of the war without es- tate or profession, he accepted the presi- dency of Washington College at Lexington, Virginia, where he died October 12, 1870. JOHN JAY, first chief-justice of the United States, was born in New York, December 12, 1745. He took up the study of law, graduated from King's College (Columbia College), and was admitted to the bar in 1768. He was chosen a member of the committee of New York citizens to protest against the enforcement by the British government of the Boston Port Bill, was elected to the Continental congress which met in 1774, and was author of the addresses to the people of Great Britian and of Canada adopted by that and the suc- ceeding congress. He was chosen to the provincial assembly of his own state, and to COMPEXD1UM OF BIOGRAPJI )\ resigned from the Continental congress to serve in that body, wrote most of its public papers, including the constitution of the new state, and was then made chief-justice. He was again chosen as a member of the Con- tinental congress in 1778, and became presi- dent of that body. He was sent to Spain as minister in 1780, and his services there resulted in substantial and moral aid for the stru^ling colonists. Jay, Franklin, and Adams negotiated the treaty of peace with Great Britain in 1782, and Jay was ap- pointed secretary of foreign affairs in 1784. and held the position until the adoption of the Federal constitution. During this time he had contributed strong articles to the "Federalist" in favor of the adoption of the constitution, and was largely instru- mental in securing the ratification of that instrument by his state. He was appointed by Washington as first chief-justice of the United States in 1789. In this high capac- ity the great interstate and international questions that arose for immediate settle- ment came before him for treatment. In 1794, at a time when the people in gratitude for the aid that France had ex- tended to us, were clamoring for the privilege of going to the aid of that nation in her struggle with Great Britain and her own op- pressors, John Jay was sent to England as special envoy to negotiate a treaty with that power. The instrument known as "Jay's Treaty " was the result, and while in many of its features it favored our nation, yet the neutrality clause in it so angered the masses that it was denounced throughout the entire country, and John Jay was burned in effigy in the city of New York. The treaty was finally ratified by Washington, and approved, in August, 1795. Having been elected governor of his state for three consecutive terms, he then retired from active life, declining an appointment as chief-justice of the supreme court, made by John Adams and confirmed by the senate. He died in New York in 1829. PHILLIP HENRY SHERIDAN was one of the greatest American cavalry generals. He was born March 6, 1831, at Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, and was ap- pointed to the United States Military Acad- emy at West Point, from which he graduat- ed and was assigned to the First Infantry as brevet second lieutenant July 1, 1853. After serving in Texas, on the Pacific coast, in Washington and Oregon territories until the fall of 1 86 1, he was recalled to the states and assigned to the army of south- west Missouri as chief quartermaster from the duties of which he was soon relieved. After the battle of Pea Ridge, he was quar- termaster in the Corinth campaign, and on May 25 he was appointed colonel of the Second Michigan Cavalry. On July 1, in command of a cavalry brigade, he defeated a superior force of the enemy and was com- missioned brigadier-general of volunteers. General Sheridan was then transferred to the army of the Ohio, and commanded a division in the battle of Perrysville and also did good service at the battle of Murfrees- boro, where he was commissioned major- general of volunteers. He fought with great gallantry at Chickamauga, after which Rosecrans was succeeded by General Grant, under whom Sheridan fought the battle of Chattanooga and won additional renown. Upon the promotion of Grant to lieutenant- general, he applied for the transfer of Gen- eral Sheridan to the east, and appoint d him chief of cavalry in the army of the Potomac. During the campaign of 1 864 the cavalry covered the front and flanks "I the infa:.try until May 8, when it was \\u.. COMl'i:\ Pit \f OF BIOGRAPHY, 41 drawn and General Sheridan started on a raid against the Confederate lints of com- munication with Richmond and on May 25 he rejoined the army, having destroyed con- siderable of the confederate stores and de- feated their cavalry under General Stuart at Yellow Tavern. The outer line of defences around Richmond were taken, but the sec- ond line was too strong to be taken by as- sault, and accordingly Sheridan crossed the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge, reaching James River May 14. and thence by White House and Hanover Court House back to the army. The cavalry occupied Cold Harbor May 31, which they held until the arrival of the infantry. On General Sheri- dan's next raid he routed Wade Hampton's cavalry, and August 7 was assigned to the command of the Middle Military division, and during the campaign of the Shenan- doah Valley he performed the unheard of feat of " destroying an entire army." He was appointed brigadier-general of the reg- ular army and for his victory at Cedar Creek he was promoted to the rank of major-gen- eral. General Sheridan started out Febru- ary 27, 1865, with ten thousand cavalry and destroyed the Virginia Central Railroad and the James River Canal and joined the army again at Petersburg March 27. He commanded at the battle of Five Forks, the decisive victory which compelled Lee to evacuate Petersburg. On April 9, Lee tried to break through Sheridan's dismounted command but when the General drew aside his cavalry and disclosed the deep lines of infantry the attempt was abandoned. Gen- eral Sheridan mounted his men and was about tc charge when a white flag was flown at the head of Lee's column which betokened the surrender of the army. After the war Gen- eral Sheridan had command of the armv of the southwest, of tne gulf and the depart- ment of Missouri until he was appointed nant-general and assigned to the di- vision of Missouri with headquarters at Chi- cago, and assumed supreme command of the army November 1, 1883, which post he held until his death, Augusts, 1888. PHINKAS T. BARNUM, the greatest showman the world has ever seen, was born at Danbury, Connecticut, July 5, 1810. At the age of eighteen years he began busi- ness on his own account. He opened a re- tail fruit and confectionery house, including a barrel of ale, in one part of an old car- riage house. He spent fifty dollars in fitting up the store and the stock cost him seventy dollars. Three years later he put in a lull stock, such as is generally carried in a country store, and the same year he started a Democratic newspaper, known as the "Herald of Freedom." He soon found himself in jail under a sixty days' sentence for libel. During the winter of 1834-5 he went to New York and began soliciting busi- ness for several Chatham street houses. In 1835 he embarked in the show business at Niblo's Garden, having purchased the cele- brated " Joice Heth" for one thousand dol- lars. He afterward engaged the celebrated athlete, Sig. Vivalia, and Barnum made his ' ' first appearance on any stage, " acting as a "super" to Sig. Vivalia on his opening night. . He became ticket seller, secretary and treasurer of Aaron Turner's circus in [836 and traveled with it about the country. His next venture was the purchase of a steamboat on the Mississippi, and engaged a theatrical company to show in the princi- pal towns along that river. In 1S40 he opened Yaux Hall Garden, New York, with variety performances, and introduced Un- celebrated jig dancer, John Diamond, to the public. The next vear he quit ihe show 42 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY business and settled down in New York as agent of Sear's Pictorial Illustration of the Bible, but a few months later again leased Vaux Hall. In September of the same year he again left the business, and became ' ' puff " writer for the Bowery Amphitheater. In December he bought the Scudder Museum, and a year later introduced the celebrated Tom Thumb to the world, taking him to England in 1844, ar >d remaining there three years. He then returned to New York, and in 1849, through James Hall Wilson, he en- gaged the "Swedish Nightingale," Jenny Lind, to come to this country and make a tour under his management. He also had sent the Swiss Bell Ringers to America in [844. He became owner of the Baltimore Museum and the Lyceum and Museum at Philadelphia. In iS 50 he brought a dozen elephants from Ceylon to make a tourof this country, and in 1851 sent the " Bateman Children" to London. During 1851 and [852 he traveled as a temperance lecturer, and became president of a bank at Pequon- nock, Connecticut. In 1852 he started a weekly pictorial paper known as the " Illus- trated News " In iS('5 his Museum was destroyed by fire, and he immediately leased the Winter Garden Theatre, where he played his company until he opened his own Museum. This was destroyed by fire in . and he then purchased an interest in the George Wood Museum. After dipping into politics to some ex- tent, he began his career as a really great showman in 1871. Three years later he erected an immense circular building in New York, in which he produced his panoramas. He has frequently appeared as a lecturer, some times on temperance, and some times on other topics, among which were ''Hum- bugs of the World," "Struggles and Triumphs," etc. He was owner of the im- mense menagerie and circus known as the "Greatest Show on Earth," and his fame extended throughout Europe and America. He died in 1891. JAMES MADISON, the fourth president of the United States, 1809-17, was born at Port Conway, Prince George coun- ty, Virginia, March r6, 1 ~ 5 1 . He was the son of a wealthy planter, who lived on a line estate called " Montpelier, " which was but twenty-five miles from Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Madison was the eldest of a family of seven children, all of whom attained maturity. He received his early education at home under a private tutor, and consecrated himself with unusual vigor to study. At a very early age he was a proficient scholar in Latin, Creek, French and Spanish, and in [ 769 he entered Prince- ton College, New Jersey. He graduated in 1771, but remained for several months after his graduation to pursue a course of study under the guidance of Dr. Witherspoon. He permanently injured his health at this time and returned to Virginia in 177-, and for two years he was immersed in the study of law, and at the same time made extend- ed researches in theology, general literature, and philosophical studies. He then directed his full attention to the impending struggle of the colonies for indi pendence, and also took a prominent part in the religious con- troversy at that time regarding so called persecution of other religious denominations by the Church of England. Mr. Madison was elected to the Virginia assembly in 1776 and in November, 1777, he was chosen a member of the council of state. He took his seat in the continental congress in March, 1780. He was made chairman of the committee on foreign relations, and drafted an able memoranda for the use of COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 18 the American ministers to the French and S nish governments, that established the claims of the republic to the territories be- tween the Alleghany Mountains and the Mississippi River. He acted as chairman of the ways and means committee in t 7S3 and as a member of the Virginia legislature in [784— 86 be rendered important services to the state. Mr. Madison represented Yir- giana in the national constitutional conven- tion at Philadelphia in 1787, and was one of the chief framers of the constitution. He was a member of the first four congresses, 97, and gradually became identified with the anti-federalist or republican party of which he eventually became the leader. He remained in private life during the ad- ministration of John Adams, and was secre- tary of state under President Jefferson. Mr. Madison administered the affairs of that with such great ability that he was the natural successor of the chief magistrate and was chosen president by an electoral vote of 122 to 53. He was inaugurated March 4, 1809, at that critical period in our history when the feelings of the people were embittered with those of England, and his first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels, which finally resulted in the declaration of war, June 18, 1S12. In the autumn of that year President Madison was re-elected by a vote of 128 to 89, and conducted the war for three years with varying success and defeat in Canada, by glorious victories at sea, and by the battle of New Orleans that was fought after the treaty of peace had been signed at Ghent, December 24, 1814. During this war the national capitol at hington was burned, and many valuable papers were destroyed, but the declaration of independence was saved to the country !>>• the bravery and courage of Mr. Madi- son's illustrious wife. A commercial treaty was negotiated with Great Britain in 1815, and in April, 1S16, a national bank was in- corporated by congress. Mr. Madison was succeeded, March 4, [817, by James Monroe, and retired into private life on his estate at Montpelier, where he died June 28, 1836. FREDERICK DOUGLASS, a noted American character, was a protege of, the great abolitionist. William Lloyd Garri- son, by whom he was aided in gaining his education. Mr. Douglass was born in Tuck- ahoe county, Maryland, in February, 1817, his mother being a negro woman and his father a white man. He was born in slav- ery and belonged to a man by the name of Lloyd, under which name he went until he ran away from his master and changed it to Douglass. At the age of ten years he was sent to Baltimore where he learned to read and write, and later his owner allowed him to hire out his own time for three dollars a week in a shipyard. In September, 1838, he fled from Baltimore and made his way to New York, and from thence went to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Here he was mar- ried and supported himself and family by working at the wharves and in various work- shops. In the summer of 1S41 he attended an anti-slavery convention at Nantucket, and made a speech which was so well re- ceived that he was offered the agency of the Massachusetts Anti-slavery Society. In this capacity he traveled through the New En- gland states, and about the same time he published his first book called "Narrative of my Experience in Slavery." Mr. Doug- lass went to England in 1845 and lectured on slavery to large and enthusiastic audi- ences in all the lar^- towns of the country, and his friends made up a purse of seven hundred and fifty dollars and purchased his freedom in due form of law. 44 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY, Mr. Douglass applied himself to the de- livery of lyceum lectures after the abolition of slavery, and in 1870 he became the editor of the " New National Era " in Washington. In 1871 he was appointed assistant secretary of the commission to San Domingo and on his return he was appointed one of the ter- ritorial council for the District of Colorado by President Grant. He was elected presi- dential elector-at-large for the state of New York and was appointed to carry the elect- oral vote to Washington. He was also United States marshal for the District of Columbia in 1876, and later was recorder of deeds for the same, from which position he was removed by President Cleveland in 1886. In the fall of that year he visited England to inform the friends that he had made while there, of the progress of the colored race in America, and on his return he was appointed minister to Hayti, by President Harrison in 1889. His career as a benefactor of his race was closed by his death in February, 1895, near Washington. WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.— The ear for rhythm ami the talent for graceful expression are the gifts of nature, and they were plentifully endowed on the above named poet. The principal charac- teristic of his poetry is the thoughtfulness and intellectual process by which his ideas ripened in his mind, as all his poems are bright, clear and sweet. Mr. Bryant was born November 3, 1794, at Cummington, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, and was educated at Williams College, from which he graduated, having entered it in 18 10. He took up the study of law, and in 1815 was admitted to the bar, but after practicing successfully for ten years at Plainfield and Great Barrington, he removed to New York in 1825. The following year he became the editor of the "Evening Post," which he edited until his death, and under his di- rection this paper maintained, through a long series of years, a high standing by the boldness of its protests against slavery be- fore the war, by its vigorous support of the government during the war, and by the fidelity and ability of its advocacy of the Democratic freedom in trade. Mr. Bry- ant visited Europe in 1834, 1845, 1 849 and 1857, and presented to the literary world the fruit of his travels in the series of "Let- ters of a Traveler," and "Letters from Spain and Other Countries." In the world of literature he is known chiefly as a poet, and here Mr. Bryant's name is illustrious, both at home and abroad. He contributed verses to the "Country Gazette " before he was ten years of age, and at the age of nine- teen he wrote " Thanatopsis," the most im- pressive and widely known of his poems. The later outgrowth of his genius was his translation of Homer's "Iliad" in 1870 and the "Odyssey" in 1S71. He also made several speeches and addresses which have been collected in a comprehensive vol- ume called " Orations and Addresses." He was honored in many ways by his fellow citizens, who delighted to pay tributes of respect to his literary eminence, the breadth of his public spirit, the faithfulness of his service, and the worth of his private char- acter. Mr. Bryant died in New York City June 12, 1S78. WILLIAM HENRY SEWARD, the secretary of state during one of the most critical times in the history of our country, and the right hand man of Presi- dent Lincoln, ranks among the greatest statesmen America has produced. Mr. Seward was born May 16, 1801, at Florida, Orange county, New York, and with such -//•)/ of /;/<»(, A'. \riir 17 facilities as the place afforded he fitted him- self for a college course. He attended Union College .it Schenectady, New York, at the age of fifteen, and took his the regular course, with signs of promise in after which he diligently addn himself to the study of law under competent instructors, and started in the practice of his profession in i S j 3 . Mr. Seward entered the political arena and in 1S2S we find him presiding over a convention in New York, its purpose being the nomination of John yuincy Adams for a second term. He was married in 1S24 and in 1830 was elected to the state senate. From 1838 to 1S42 he was governor of the state of New York. Mr. Seward's next im- portant position was that of United States senator from New York. W. H. Seward was chosen by President Lincoln to fill the important office of the secretary of state, and by his firmness and diplomacy in the face of difficulties, he aided in piloting the Union through that period of strife, and won an everlasting fame. This great statesman died at Auburn, New York, October 10, 1S72. in the seventy-second year of his eventful life. J' >SEPH JEFFERSON, a name as dear as it is familiar to the theater-going world in America, suggests first of all a fun- loving, drink-loving, mellow voiced, good- natured Dutchman, and the name of "Rip Van Winkle " suggests the pleasant features of Joe Jefferson, so intimately are play and player associated in the minds of th<>se who have had ttie good fortune to shed tears of laughter and sympathy as a tribute to the greatness of his art. Joseph Jefferson was born in Philadelphia, February 20, : enius was an inheritance, if there be such, as his great-grandfather, Thomas 3 Jefferson, was a manager and actor in Eng land. His grandfather, Joseph Jefferson, was the most popular comedian of the New York Stage 1:1 his time, and his father, | - epfa Jefferson, the second, was a good actor also, but the third Joseph Jefferson out- shone them all. At the age of three years Joseph Jeffer- son came on the stage as the child in l'i- zarro, and his training was upon the stage from childhood. Later on he lived and acted in Chicago, Mobile, and Texas. After repeated misfortunes he returned to New Orleans from Texas, and his brother-m-law, Charles Burke, gave him money to reach Philadelphia, where he joined the Burton theater company. Here his genius soon as- I itself, and his future became promis- ing and brilliant. His engagements through- out the United States and Australia were generally successful, and when he went to England in 1865 Mr. Boucicault consented to make some important changes in his dramatization of frving's story of Rip Van Winkle, and Mr. Jefferson at once placed it in the front rank as a comedy. He made a fortune out of it, and played nothing else for many years. In later years, however, Mr. Jefferson acquitted himself of the charge of being a one-part actor, and the parts of "Bob Acres," "Caleb Plummer" and "Golightly " all testify to the versatility of his genius. GEORGE BRINTON M CLELLAN, a noted American general, was born in Philadelphia, December 3, 1S26. He graduated from the University of Pennsyl- vania, and in 1846 from West Point, and was breveted second lieutenant of engii He was with Scott i:i the Mexican war, taking part in all the engagements from Vera Cruz to the final capture of the Men- is COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. can capital, and was breveted first lieuten- ant and captain for gallantry displayed on various occasions. In 1857 he resigned his commission and accepted the position of chief engineer in the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad, and became presi- dent of the St. Louis & Cincinnati Railroad Company. He was commissioned major- general by the state of Ohio in 1861, placed in command of the department of the Ohio, and organized the first volunteers called for from that state. In May he was appointed major-general in the United States army, and ordered to disperse the confederates overrunning West Virginia. He accomplished this task promptly, and received the thanks of congress. After the first disaster at Bull Run he was placed in command of the department of Wash- ington, and a few weeks later of the Army of the Potomac. Upon retirement of General Scott the command of the en- tire United States army devolved upon Mc- Clellan, but he was relieved of it within a few months. In March, 1862, after elabor- ate preparation, he moved upon Manassas, only to find it deserted by the Confederate army, which had been withdrawn to im- pregnable defenses prepared nearer Rich- mond. He then embarked his armies for Fortress Monroe and after a long delay at Yorktown, began the disastrous Peninsular campaign, which resulted in the Army of the Potomac being cooped up on the James River below Richmond. His forces were then called to the support of General Pope, near Washington, and he was left without an army. After Pope's defeat McClellan was placed in command of the troops for the de- fense of the capital, and after a thorough or- ganization he followed Lee into Maryland and the battles of Antietam and South Moun- tain ensued. The delay which followed caused general dissatisfaction, and he was re- lieved of his command, and retired from active service. In 1864 McClellan was nominated for the presidency by the Democrats, and over- whelmingly defeated by Lincoln, three states only casting their electoral votes for McClellan. On election day he resigned his commission and a few months later went to Europe where he spent several years. He wrote a number of military textbooks and reports. His death occurred October 29, 1885. SAMUEL J. TILDEN. — Among the great statesmen whose names adorn the pages of American history may be found that of the subject of this sketch. Known as a lawyer of highest ability, his greatest claim to immortality will ever lie in his successful battle against the corrupt rings of his native state and the elevation of the standard of official life. Samuel J. Tilden was born in New Leb- anon, New York, February 9, 1S14. He pursued his academic studies at Yale Col- lege and the University of New York, tak- ing the course of law at the latter. He was admitted to the bar in 1S41. His rare ability as a thinker and writer upon public topics attracted the attention of President Van Buren, of whose policy and adminis- tration he became an active and efficient champion. He made for himself a high place in his profession and amassed quite a fortune as the result of his industry and judgment. During the days of his greatest professional labor he was ever one of the leaders and trusted counsellors of the Demo- cratic party. He was a member of the conventions to revise the state constitution, both in 1846 and 1S67, and served two terms in the lower branch of the state leg- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. I'.' islature. He was one of the controlling spirits in the overthrow of the notorious "Tweed ring" and the reformation of the government of the city of New York. In he was elected governor of the state of New York. While in this position he assailed corruption in high places, success- fully battling with the iniquitous "canal ring " and crushed its sway over all depart- ments of the government. Recognizing his character and executive ability Mr. Tilden was nominated for president by the na- tional Democratic convention in [876. At the (.lection he received a much larger popu- lar vote than his opponent, and 184 uncon- tested electoral votes. There being some electoral votes contested, a commission ap- pointed by congress decided in favor of the Republican electors and Mr. Hayes, the can- didate of that party was declared elected. In 1SS0, the Democratic party, feeling that Mr. Tilden had been lawfully elected to the presidency tendered the nomination for the same office to Mr. Tilden, but he declined, retiring from all public functions, owing to failing health. He died August 4, 1886. By will he bequeathed several millions of dollars toward the founding of public libra- ries in New York City, Yonkers, etc. NOAH WEBSTER.— As a scholar, law- yer, author and journalist, there is no one who stands on a higher plane, or whose reputation is better established than the honored gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was a native of West Hartford, Connecticut, and was born October 17, 1758. He came of an old New England family, his mother being a descendant of Governor William Bradford, of the Ply- mouth colony. After acquiring a solid edu- cation in early life I >r. Webster entered Yale College, from which he graduated in 1778. For a while he taught school in Hartford, at the same time studying law, ami was admitted to the bar in 17X1. He taught a classical school at Goshen, Orange county, New York, in 1782-83, and while there prepared his spelling book, grammar and reader, which was issued under the title of "A Grammatical Institute of the English Language," in three parts, — so successful a work that up to 1S76 something like forty million of the spelling books had been sold. In 1786 he delivered a course of lec- tures on the English language in the seaboard cities and the following year taught an academy at Philadelphia. From December 17, 1787. until November. 17S8, he edited the "American Magazine, "a periodical that proved unsuccessful. In 17S9-93 he prac- ticed law in Hartford having in the former year married the daughter of William Green- leaf, of Boston. He returned to New York and November, 1793, founded a daily paper, the "Minerva," to which was soon added a semi-weekly edition under the name of the " Herald." The former is still in existence under the name of the "Commercial Adver- tiser." In this paper, over the signature of "Curtius," he published a lengthy and schol- arly defense of "John Jay's treaty." In 1798, Dr. Webster moved to New Haven and in 1807 commenced the prepar- ation of his great work, the "American Dic- tionary of the English Language," which was not completed and published until 1828. He made his home in Amherst, Massachu- setts, for the ten years succeeding 181 2, and was instrumental in the establishment of Amherst College, of which institution he was the first president of the board of trustees. During 1824-5 he resided in Europe, pursu- ing his philological studies in Paris. He completed his dictionary from the libraries of Cambridge University in 1825, and de- .-,11 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. voted his leisure for the remainder of his life to the revision of that and his school books. Dr. Webster was a member of the legis- latures of both Connecticut and Massachu- setts, was judge of one of the courts of the former state and was identified with nearly all the literary and scientific societies in the neighborhood of Amherst College. He died in New Haven, May 28, 1843. Among the more prominent works ema- nating from the fecund pen of Dr. Noah Webster besides those mentioned above are the following: "Sketches of American Policy," " Winthrop's Journal," " A Brief History of Epidemics," " Rights of Neutral Nations in time of War," " A Philosophical and Practical Grammar of the English Lan- guage," "Dissertations on the English Language," "A Collection of Essays," "The Revolution in France," "Political Progress of Britain," "Origin, History, and Connection of the Languages of Western Asia and of Europe," and many others. WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON, the great anti-slavery pioneer and leader, was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, December 12, 1804. He was apprenticed to the printing business, and in 1828 was in- duced to take charge of the "Journal of the Times" at Bennington, Vermont. While supporting John Quincy Adams for the presi- dency he took occasion in that paper to give expression of his views on slavery. These articles attracted notice, and a Quaker named Lundy, editor of the "Genius of Emancipation," published in Baltimore, in- duced him to enter a partnership with him for the conduct of his paper. It soon transpired that the views of the partners were not in harmony, Lundy favoring grad- ,uai emancipation, while Garrison favored immediate freedom. In 1850 Mr. Garrison was thrown into prison for libel, not being able to pay a fine of fifty dollars and costs. In his cell he wrote a number of poems which stirred the entire north, and a mer- chant, Mr. Tappan, of New York, paid his fine and liberated him, after seven weeks of confinement. He at once began a lecture tour of the northern cities, denouncing slavery as a sin before God, and demanding its immediate abolition in the name of re- ligion and humanity. He opposed the col- onization scheme of President Monroe and other leaders, and declared the right of every slave to immediate freedom. In 1 83 1 he formed a partnership with Isaac Ivnapp, and began the publication of the "Liberator" at Boston. The " imme- diate abolition " idea began to gather power in the north, while the south became alarmed at the bold utterance of this jour- nal. The mayor of Boston was besought by southern influence to interfere, and upon investigation, reported upon the insignifi- cance, obscurity, and poverty of the editor and his staff, which report was widely published throughout the country. Re- wards were offered by the southern states for his arrest and conviction. Later Garri- son brought from England, where an eman- cipation measure had just been passed, some of the great advocates to work for the cause in this country. In 1835 a mob broke into his office, broke up a meeting of women, dragged Garrison through the streei with a rope around his body, and his liie was saved only by the interference of the police, who lodged him in jail. Garrison declined to sit in the World's Anti-Slaverv convention at London in 1840, because that body had refused women representa- tion. He opposed the formation of a po- litical party with emancipation as its basis. VfPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 51 He favored a dissolution of the union, and declared the constitution which bound the free states to the slave states " A covenant with death and an agreement with hell." In i 843 he became president of the Amer- ican Anti-Slavery society, which position he held until 1865, when slavery was no more. During all this time the " Liberator" had continued to promulgate anti-slavery doc- trines, but in 1S65 Garrison resigned his position, and declared his work was com- pleted. He died May 24, 1S79. JOHN BROWN" ("Brown of Ossawato- mie"), a noted character in American history, wasbornatTorrington, Connecticut, May 9, 1800. In his childhood he removed to Ohio, where he learned the tanner's trade. He married there, and in 1S55 set- tled in Kansas. He lived at the village of Ossawatomie in that state, and there began his fiqht against slavery. He advocated im- mediate emancipation, and held that the negroes of the slave states merely waited for a leader in an insurrection that would re- sult in their freedom. He attended the convention called at Chatham, Canada, in 1S59, and was the leading spirit in organiz- ing a raid upon the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. His plans were well laid, and carried out in great secrecy. He ren f ed a farm house near Harper's Ferry in the summer of 1859, and on October 16th of that year, with about twenty follow- ers, he surprised and captured the United States arsenal, with all its supplies and arms. To*his surprise, the negroes did not come to his support, and the next day he was attacked by the Virginia state militia, wounded and captured. He was tried in the courts of the state, convicted, and was hanged at Charlestown, December 2, 1859. The raid and its results had a tremendous effect, and hastened the culmination of the troubles between the north and south. The south had the advantage in discussing tlii^ event, claiming that the sentiment which inspired this act of violence was shared by the anti-slavery element of the country. EDWIN BOOTH had no peer upon the American stage during his long career as a star actor. He was the son of a famous actor, Junius Brutus Booth, and was born in 1833 at his father's home at Belair, near Baltimore. At the age of sixteen he made his first appearance on the stage, at the Boston Museum, in a minor part in " Richard III." It was while playing in California in 1851 that an eminent critic called general atten- tion to the young actor's unusual talent. However, it was not until 1863, at the great Shakspearian revival at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York, that the brilliancy ol his career began. His Hamlet held the boards for 100 nights in succession, and from that time forth Booth's reputation was established. In 1868 he opened his own theatre (Booth's Theater) in New York. Mr. Booth never succeeded as a manager, however, but as an actor he was undoubted- ly the most popular man on the American stage, and perhaps the most eminent one in the world. In England he also won the greatest applause. Mr. Booth's work was confined mostly to Shakspearean roles, and his art was characterized by intellectual acuteness, fervor, and poetic feeling. His Hamlet, Richard II, Richard III, and Richelieu gave play to his greatest powers. In 1865, when his brother, John Wilkes Booth, enacted his great crime, Edwin Booth re- solved to retire from the stage, but was pur- suaded to reconsider that decision. The odium did not in any way attach to the 52 COMPEXD/CM OF BIOGRAPHY. great actor, and his popularity was not affected. In all his work Mr. Booth clung closely to the legitimate and the traditional in drama, making no experiments, and offer- ing little encouragement to new dramatic authors. His death occurred in New York, June 7, 1894. JOSEPH HOOKER, a noted American officer, was born at Hadley, Massachu- setts. November 13, 18 14. He graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1837, and was appointed lieutenant of artillery. He served in Florida in the Seminole war, and in garrison until the outbreak of the Mexican war. During the latter he saw service as a staff officer and was breveted capt;'i" major and lieutenant-colonel for gallantry at Monterey, National Bridge and ChapulteDec. Resigning his commission in 1 833 he took up farming in California, which he followed until 1861. During this time he acted as superintendent of military roads in Oregon. At the outbreak of the Rebel- lion Hooker tendered his services to the government, and, May 17, 1861, was ap- pointed brigadier-general of volunteers. He served in the defence of Washington and on the lower Potomac until his appointment to the command of a division in the Third Corps, in March, 1862. For gallant con- duct at the siege of Yorktown and in the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Fra- zier's Farm and Malvern Hill he was made major-general. At the head of his division he participated in the battles of Manassas and Chantillv. September 6. 1862, he was placed at the head of the First Corps, and in the battles of South Mountain and An- tietam acted with his usual gallantry, being wounded in the latter engagement. On re- joining the army in November he was made brigadier-general in the regular army. On General Burnside attaining the command of the Army of the Potomac General Hooker was placed in command of the center grand division, consisting of the Second and Fifth Corps. At the head of these gallant men he participated in the battle of Fred- ericksburg, December 13, 1862. In Janu- ary, 1863, General Hooker assumed com- mand of the Army of the Potomac, and in May following fought the battle of Chan- cellorsville. At the time of the invasion of Pennsylvania, owing to a dispute with Gen- eral Halleck, Hooker requested to be re- lieved of his command, and June 28 was succeeded by George G. Meade. In Sep- tember, [863, General Hooker was given command of the Twentieth Corps and trans- ferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and distinguished himself at the battles of Look- out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ring- gold. In the Atlanta campaign he saw almost daily service and merited his well- known nickname of "Fighting Joe." Jul}' 30, 1 S64, at his own request, he was re- lieved of his command. He subsequently was in command of several military depart- ments in the north, and in October, 1868, was retired with the full rank of major-gen- eral. He died October 31, 1879. JAY GOULD, one of the greatest finan- ciers that the world has ever produced, was born May 27, 1836, at Roxbury, Dela- ware county, New York. He spent his early years on his father's farm and at the age of fourteen entered Hobart Academy, New York, and kept books for the village black- smith. He acquired a taste for mathematics and surveying and on leaving school found employment in making the surveyors map of Ulster county. He surveyed very exten- sively in the state and accumulated five thi >u- sand dollars as the fruits of his labor. He \fPENDIUM OF /:/<><;/<. i /'//}; ,:; was then stric*r-i with typhoid fever but re- covered and m»ae the acquaintance of one Zadock Pr.itt, who sent liim into the west- ern part of the state to locate a site for a tannery. He chose a fine hemlock grove, built a sawmill and blacksmith shop and was soon doing a large lumber business with Mr. Pratt. Mr. Gould soon secured control of the entire plant, which he sold out just before the panic of 1857 and in this year he became the largest stockholderin the Strouds- burg, Pennsylvania, bank. Shortly after the crisis he bought the bonds of the Rutland & Washington Railroad at ten cents on the dollar, and put all his money into railroad securities. For a long tinie he conducted this road which he consolidated with the Rensselaer & Saratoga Railroad. In 1 he removed to New York and became a heavy investor in Erie Railroad stocks, en- tered that company and was president until its reorganizat'on in [872. In December, 1880, Mr. Gould was in control of ten thou- sand miles of railroad. In 1887 he pur- chased the controlling interest in the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Co., and was a joint owner with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Raiiroad Co. of the western portion of the Southern Pacific line. Other lines soon came under his control, aggregat- ing thousand of miles, and he soon was rec- ognised as one of the world's greatest rail- road magnates. He continued to hold his place as one of the master financiers of the century until the time of his death which occurred December 2. 1S92. THOMAS HART BENTON, a very prominent United States senator and statesman, was born at Hillsborough, North Carolina, Marcn 14. 1782. He removed to Tennessee in pariv life, studied law, and be- gan to practice at Nashville about 18 10. During the war of 1 N 1 2 [815 he served as colonel of a Tennessee re giment undei < ■ .red earnestly to obliterate all traces of war and promote an era of good feeling be- tween all sections of the country. He took up his residence in New Orleans, and took an active interest and prominent part in public affairs, served as surveyor of that port for several years; was commissioner of engineers for Louisiana, served four years as school commissioner, etc. In i S7 5 he was appointed supervisor of internal revenue and settled in Georgia. After that time he served four years as United States minister to Turkey, and also for a number of was United States marshal of Georgia, be- sides having held other important official positions. JOHN RUTLEDGE, the second chief- justice of the United States, was born at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1739. He was a son of John Rutledge, who had left Ireland for America about five years prior to the birth of our subject, and a brother of Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. John Rut- ledge received his legal education at the Temple, London, after which he returned to Charleston and soon won distinction at the bar. He was elected to the old Colonial congress in 1765 to protest against 1 1 1 • - "Stamp Act," and was a member of the South Carolina convention of 1774, and of the Continental congress of that and the succeeding year. In 1770 he was chairman of the committee that draughted the con- stitution of his state, and was president of the congress of that state. He was not pleased with the state constitution, how- ever, and resigned. In 1770 he was again chosen governor of the state, and granted extraordinary powers, and he at once took the field to repel the British. He joined the army of General Gates in 1782, and the same year was elected to congress. He was a member of the constitutional con- vention which framed our present constitu- tion. In 1 ;S/■ iuoc,n.\riiy. 65 vania, in 1765, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. At the age of seventeen he removed to Phila- delphia, and there and in New York en- gaged in miniature painting with success both from a pecuniar) - and artistic point of view. With the results of his labors he pur- chased a farm for the support of his mother. He went to London and studied under the great painter, Benjamin West, and all through life retained his fondness for art and gave evidence of much ability in that line. While in England he was brought in contact with the Duke of Bridgewater, the father of the English canal system; Lord Stanhope, an eminent mechanician, and James Watt, the inventor of the steam en- gine. Their influence turned his mind to its true field of labor, that of mechanical in- vention. Machines for flax spinning, marble sawing, rope making, and for remov- ing earth from excavations, are among his earliest ventures. His "Treatise on the Improvement of Canal Navigation," issued in 1 796, and a series of essays on canals were soon followed by an English patent for canal improvements. In 1797 he went to Paris, where he resided until 1806, and there invented a submarine torpedo boat for maritime defense, but which was rejected by the governments of France, England and the United States. In 1803 he offered to con- struct for the Emperor Napoleon a steam- boat that would assist in carrying out the plan of invading Great Britain then medi- tated by that great captain In pursuance he constructed his first steamboat on the Seine, but it did not prove a full success and the idea was abandoned by the French government. By the aid of Livingston, then United States minister to France, Fulton purchased, in 1806, an engine which he brought to this country. After studying the defects of his own and other attempts in this line he built and launched in 1807 the Clermont, the first successful steamboat. This craft only attained a speed of five miles an hour while going up North river. His first patent not fully covering his in- vention, Fulton was engaged in many law suits for infringement. He constructed many steamboats, ferryboats, etc., among these being the United States steamer '• Fulton the First," built in 1814, the first war steamer ever built. This craft never attained any great speed owing to some de- fects in construction and accidentally blew up in 1829. Fulton died in New York, Feb- ruary 21, l8l 5. SALMON PORTLAND CHASE, sixth chief-justice of the United States, and one of the most eminent of American jurists, was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, Jan- uary 13, 1808. At the age of nine he was left in poverty by the death of his father, but means were found to educate him. He was sent to his uncle, a bishop, who con- ducted an academy near Columbus. Ohio, and here young Chase worked on the farm and attended school. At the age of fifteen he returned to his native state and entered Dartmouth College, from which he gradu- ated in 1 826. He then went to Washington, and engaged in teaching school, and study- ing law under the instruction of William Wirt. He was licensed to practice in 1S29, and went to Cincinnati, where he had a hard struggle for several years following. He had in the meantime prepared notes on the statutes of Ohio, which, when published, brought him into prominence locally. He was soon after appointed solicitor of the United States Bank. In 1837 he appeared as counsel for a fugitive slave woman, Ma- tilda, and sought by all the powers of his learning and eloquence to prevent her owner 66 COMPEXDICM OF BIOG RA />// T. from reclaiming her. He acted in many other cases, and devolved the trite expres- sion, "Slavery is sectional, freedom is na- tional." He was employed to defend Van Zandt before the supreme court of the United States in 1846, which was one of the most noted cases connected with the great strug- gle against slavery. By this time Mr. Chase had become the recognized leader of that element known as " free-soilers." He was elected to the United States senate in 1849, and was chosen governor of Ohio in 1855 and re-elected in 1857. He was chosen to the United States senate from Ohio in 1861, but was made secretary of the treasury by Lincoln and accepted. He inaugurated a financial system to replenish the exhausted treasury and meet the demands of the great- est war in history and at tin- same time to revive the industries of the country. One of the measures which afterward called for his judicial attention was the issuance of currency notes which were made a legal tender in payment of debts. When this question came before him as chief-justice of the United States he reversed his former n ami declared the measure unconstitu- tional. The national banking system, by which all notes issued were to be based on funded gov< rnment bonds of equal or greater amounts, had its direct origin with Mr. Chase. Mr. Chase resigned the treasury port- folio in 1864, and was appointed the same year as chief-justice of the United States supreme court. The great questions that came up before him at this crisis in the life of the nation were no less than those which confronted the first chief-justice at the for- mation of our government. Reconstruction, private, state and national interests, the constitutionality of the acts of congress passed in times of great excitement, the construction and interpretation to be placed upon the several amendments to the national constitution, — these were among the vital questions requiring prompt decision. He received a paralytic stroke in 1870, which impaired his health, thcugh his mental powers were not affected. He continued to pn Mile at the opening terms for two years following and died May 7, 1S73. HARRIET ELIZABETH BEECHER STOWE, a celebrated American writ- er, was born June 14, l8l2, at Litchfield, Connecticut. She was a daughter of Lyman Beecher and a sister of Henry Ward Beecher, two noted divines; was carefully educated, and taught school for several years at Hart- ford, Connecticut. In 1832 Miss Beecher married Professor Stowe, then of Lane Semi- nar}', Cincinnati, Ohio, and afterwards at Bowdoin College and Andover Seminary. Mrs. Stowe published in 1 S49 "The May- Bower, or sketches of the descendants of the Pilgrims," and in 1851 commenced in the "National Era "of Washington, a serial story which was published separately in 1 S52 under the title of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." This book attained almost unparalleled su< both at home and abroad, and within ten years it had been translated in almost every lan- guage of the civilized world. Mis Stowe pub- lished in 1853 a "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin" in winch the data that she used was published and its truthfulness was corroborated. In 1853 she accompanied her husband and brother to Europe, and on her return pub- lished "Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands" in 1854. Mrs. Stowe was for some time one of the editors of the " Atlantic Monthly " and the " Hearth and Home," for which she had written a number of articles. Among these, also published separately, are ' ' Dred, a tale of the Great Dismal Swamp " (later published under the title of "Nina \fPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 67 Gord. The Minister's Wooing;" "The Pearl of Orr's Island;" "Af nto;" •■Old: ks;""My Wife and I nes," and "A 1' g's Mission." Mrs. h occurred July i, 1S96, at Hartford, Conne.ticut. THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON, bet- ter known as "Si newall" Jackson, was one of the m 1 of the Confeder- ate gene-als of the Civil war. \ soldier by nature, an incomparable lieuten- ant, sure to execute any operation entrusted to him with marvellous precis and courage, and all his individual cam- paigns and combats bore the stamp of a masterly capacity for war. He was born January 21, 1S24. at Clarksburg, Hai county. West Virginia. He was early in life imbued with the desire to be a soldier and it is said walked from the mountains of Virginia to Washington, secured the aid of his congressman, and was appointed cadet at the United States Military Academy at - Point from which he was graduated in 1846. Attached to the army as brevet sec- ond lieutenant of the First Artillery, his service was as a subaltern with Magruder's battery of light artillery in the Mexican war. He participated at the reduction of Cruz, and was noticed for gallantry in the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Moline del Rey, Chapultepec, and the capture of the city of Mexico, receiving the brevets of captain for conduct at Contreras and Cher- ubusco and of major at Chapultepec. In the meantime he had been advanced by regular promotion to be first lieutenant in -2. the war having closed, he ied and became professor of natural and experimental philosophy and artillery instructor at the Virginia State Military Institute at Lexington. Virginia, where he remained until Virginia decla: he becoming chiefly noted for intense us sentiment coupled with pei eccentricities. Upon the breaking the war he was made colonel and placed in command of a force sent to sieze Harper's . which he accomplished Ma\ Relieved by General J. E. Johnston, May 23, he took command of the brigade of Valley Virginians, whom be moulded into that brave corps, baptized at the first Manassas, and ev«r after famous as the newall Brigade." After this "Stone- wall " Jackson was made a n leral, 1, and participated until his death in all the famous campaigns about Richmond and in Virginia, and was a conspicuoi: ure in the memorable battles of that time. May 2. 1863, at Chancellorsville, he was wounded severely by his own troops, two balls shattering his left arm and another passing through the palm of his right hand. The left arm was amputated, but pneumonia intervened, and, weakened by the great loss of blood, he died May 10. 1863. The more his operations in the Shenandoah valley in 1862 are studied the more striking must the merits of this great soldier appear. JOHN J Near GREENLEAF WHITTIER.— :ar to the heart of the people of the Anglo-Saxon race will ever lie the verses of this, the "Quaker Poet." The author of "Barclay of Ury," "Maud Muller" and "Barbara Frietchie," always pure, fervid and direct, will be remembered when many a more ambitious writer has been forgotten. John G. Whittier was born at Haver- hill, Massachusetts, December 7, 1807. of Ouaker parentage. He had but a common- school education and passed his boyhood days upon a farm. In early life he learned the trade of shoemaker At the age of 63 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. eighteen he began to write verses for the Haverhill " Gazette." He spent two years after that at the Haverhill academy, after which, in 1829, he became editor of the "American Manufacturer," at Boston. In 1830 he succeeded George D. Prentice as editor of the "New England Weekly Re- view," but the following year returned to Haverhill and engaged in farming. In 1832 and in 1836 he edited the "Gazette." In 1835 he was elected a member of the legis- lature, serving two years. In 1836 he became secretary of the Anti-slavery Society of Phil- adelphia. In 1S38 and 1839 he edited the " Pennsylvania Freeman," but in the latter year the office was sacked and burned by a mob. In 1840 Whittier settled at Ames- bury, Massachusetts. In 1847 he became corresponding editor of the " National Era," an anti-slavery paper published at Washing- ton, and contributed to its columns many of his anti-slavery and other favorite lyrics. Mr. Whittier lived for many years in retire- ment of Quaker simplicity, publishing several volumes of poetry which have raised him to a high place among American authors and brought to him the love and admiration of his countrymen. In the electoral colleges of iS6oand 1864 Whittier was a member. Much of his time after 18/6 was spent at Oak Knoll, Danvers, Massachusetts, but still retained his residence at Amesbury. He never married. His death occurred Sep- tember 7, 1892. The more prominent prose writings of John G. Whittier are as follows: "Legends of New England," "Justice and Expediency, or Slavery Considered with a View to Its Abo- lition." " The Stranger in Lowell," "Super- naturalism in New England," " Leaves from Margaret Smith's Journal," "Old Portraits and Modern Sketches" and "Literary Sketches." DAVID DLXON PORTER, illustrious as admiral of the United States navy, and famous as one of the most able naval offi- cers of America, was born in Pennsylvania, June 8, 1 8 14. His father was also a naval officer of distinction, who left the service of the United States to become commander of the naval forces of Mexico during the war between that country and Spain, and through this fact David Dixon Porter was appointed a midshipman in the Mexican navy. Two years later David D. Porter joined the United States navy as midship- man, rose in rank and eighteen years later as a lieutenant he is found actively engaged in all the operations of our navy along the east coast of Mexico. When the Civil war broke out Porter, then a commander, was dispatched in the Powhattan to the relief of Fort Pickens, Florida. This duty accom- plished, he fitted out a mortar flotilla for the reduction of the forts guarding the ap- proaches to New Orleans, which it was con- sidered of vital importance for the govern- ment to get possession of. After the fall of New Orleans the mortar flotilla was actively engaged at Vicksburg, and in the fall of 1862 Porter was made a rear-admiral and placed in command of all the naval forces on the western rivers above New Orleans. The ability of the man was now con- spicuously manifested, not only in the bat- tles in which he was engaged, but also in the creation of a formidable fleet out of river steamboats, which he covered with such plating as they would bear. In 1864 he was transferred to the Atlantic coast to command the naval forces destined to oper- ate against the defences of Wilmington, North Carolina, and on Jan. 15, 1865, the fall of Fort Fisher was hailed by the country as a glorious termination of his arduous war service. In 1866 he was made vice-admiral MPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. fo and appointed superintendent of the N Academy. On the death of Farragut, in iS/C, he succeeded that able man as ad- miral of the navy. His death occurred at Washington, February 13, 1S91. NATHANIEL GREENE was one of the best known of the distinguished erals who led the Continental soldiery against the hosts of Great Britain during the Revolutionary war. He was the son of Quaker parents, and was born at War- wick, Rhode Island, May 27, \~ \z. In youth he acquired a good education, chiefly by his own efforts, as he was a tireless reader. In 1770 he was elected a member of the Assembly of his native state. The news of the battle of Lexington stirred his blood, and he offered his services to the government of the colonies, receiving the rank of brigadier-general and the com- mand of the troops from Rhode Island. He led them to the camp at Cambridge, and for thus violating the tenets of their faith, he was cast out of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. He soon won the es- teem of General Washington. In August, " " Congress promoted Greene to the rank cf major-general, and in the battles of Trenton and Princeton he led a division. At the battle of Brandy wine, September 11, . he greatly distinguished himself, pro- tecting the retreat of the Continentals by his firm stand. At the battle of German- town, October 4, the same year, he com- manded the left wing of the army with credit. In March, 1778, he reluctantly ac- cepted the office of quartermaster-general, but only with the understanding that his rank in the army would not be affected and that in action he should retain his command. On the bloody field of Monmouth, June 28, 1778, he commanded the right wing, as he did at the battle of Tiverton Heights. He was in command of the army in 1780, dur- ing the absence of Washington, and was president of the court-martial that tried and condemned Major Andre. After General Gates' defeat at Camden, North Carolina, in the summer of 1780, General Greene was ap- pointed to the command of the southern army. He sent out a .force under General Morgan who defeated General Tarleton at Cowpens, January 17. 17S1. On joining his lieuten- ant, in February, he found himself out num- bered by the British and retreated in good order to Virginia, but being reinforced re- turned to North Carolina where he fought the battle of Guilford, and a few days later compelled the retreat of Lord Cornwallis. The British were followed by Greene part of the way, when the American army marched into South Carolina. After vary- ing success he fought the battle of Eutaw Springs, September 8, 1781. For the latter battle and its glorious consequences, which virtually closed the war in the Carolinas, Greene received a medal from Congress and many valuable grants of land from the colonies of North and South Carolina and Georgia. On the return of peace, after a year spent in Rhode Island, General Greene took up his residence on his estate near Savannah, Georgia, where he died June 19, 1786. EDGAR ALLEN POE.— Among the many great literary men whom this country has produced, there is perhaps no name more widely known than that of Ed- gar Allen Poe. He was born at Boston, Massachusetts, February 19, 1809. His parents were David and Elizabeth (Arnold) Poe, both actors, the mother said to have been the natural daughter of Benedict Ar- nold. The parents died while Edgar was 70 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY still a child and he was adopted by John Allen, a wealthy and influential resident of Richmond, Virginia. Edgar was sent to school at Stoke, Newington, England, where he remained until he was thirteen years old; was prepared for college by pri- vate tutors, ami in i 826 entered the Virginia University at Clfarlol lie made rapid progress in his studies, and was dis- tinguished fur his scholarship, but was ex- pelled within a year for gambling, after which for several years he resided with his benefactor at Richmond. He then went to Baltimore, and in 1829 published a 7 1 -page pamphlel called "Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems," which, however, at- tracted no attention and contained nothing of particular merit. In 1830 he was ad- mitted as a cadet at West Point, but was expelled about a year later for irregulari- ties. Returning to the home of Mr. Allen he remained for some time, and finally quarrelled with his benefactor an I enl as a private soldier in the (J. S. aim}, but remained only a short time. Soon after this, in (833, Poe won several prizi literary work, and as a result secured the position of editor of the "Southern Liter- ary Messenger," at Richmond, Virginia. Here he married his cousin, Virginia Clemm, who clung to him with fond devo- tion through all the many trials that came to them until her death in January, [848. Poe remained with the "Messenger" for several years, writing meanwhile many tales, reviews, essays and poems. He aft- erward earned a precarious living by his pen in New York for a time; in 1839 be- came editor of "Burton's Gentleman's Magazine" ; in 1840 to 1842 was editor of "Graham's Magazine," and drifted around from one place to another, returning to New York in \%xx. In 184^ his best known production, "The Raven," appeared in the "Whig Review," and gained him a reputation which is now almost world-wide. He then acted as editor and contributor on various magazines and periodicals until the death of his faithful wife in 1848. In the summer of 18.40 he was engaged to be mar- ried to a l.nlv of fortune in Richmond, Vir- ginia, and the day set for the wedding. arted for New York to make prepara- tions tor . lit, but, it is said, P an drinking, was attacked with dilirium tre- mens in Baltimore and was removed to a hospital, where lie died, October 7, 1849. The works of Edgar Allen Poe have been tedly published since his death, both in Ei ica, and have att an immense popularity. Hi IRATP > GA IPS. one of the prom- inent figures in the American war for Independence, was not a native of the col- Nut was born in England in 1728. In early life he entered the British army and attained the rank of major. At the capture i| Marti nico he was aide to General Monk- ton and after the 1 I Aix la Cha] in 1748, he was among the first troops that landed at Halifax. IP- was with Braddock at his defeat in 1 75 5, and was there severe- ly wounded. At the conclusion of the French and Indian war Gates purchased an 111 \ irginia, and, resigning from the British army, settled down to life as a planter. On the breaking out of the Rev- olutionary war he entered the service of the colonies and was made adjutant-gemi the Continental forces with the rank of brigadier-general. He accompanied Wash- ington when he assumed the command o\ the army. In June, 1776, he was appoint- ed to the command of the army of Canada, but was superseded in May of the following COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. V! year by General Schuyler. In August, . however, the command of that army was restored to General Gates and Septem- ber 19 he fought the battle of Bemis Heights. October 7, the same year, he won the battle of Stillwater, or Saratoga, and October 17 received the surrender of General Burgoyne and his army, the pivotal point of the war. This gave him a brilliant reputation. June 13, 17 So, General Gates was appointed to the command of the southern military division, and August 16 of that year suffered defeat at the hands of Lord Cornwallis. at Camden, North Car- olina. In December following he was superseded in the command by General Nathaniel Greene. On the signing of the peace treaty Gen- eral Gates retired to his plantation in Berkeley county, Virginia, where he lived until 1790, when, emancipating all his slaves, he removed to New York City, where he resided until his death, April 10, 1806. LYMAN J. GAGE.— When President Mc- Kinley selected Lyman J. Gage as sec- retary of the treasury he chose one of the most eminent financiers of the century. Mr. Gage was born June 28, 1836, at De Ruy- ter, Madison county. New York, and was of English descent. He went to Rome, New York, with his parents when he was ten years old, and received his early education in the Rome Academy. Mr. Gage gradu- ated from the same, and his first position was that of a clerk in the post office. When he was fifteen years of age he was detailed as mail agent on the Rome & Watertown K R. until the postmaster-general appointed regular agents for the route. In 1854, when he was in his eighteenth year, he entered the Oneida Central Bank at Rome as a junior clerk at a salary of one hundred dol- lars per year. Being unable at the end 01 one year and a half's service to obtain an 5e in salary he determined to seek a wider field of labor. Mr. Gage set out in the fall of 1 S 5 5 and arrived in Chicago, Illinois, on October 3, and soon obtained a situation in Nathan Cobb's lumber yard and planing mill. Ke remained there three years as a bookkeeper, teamster, etc., and left on account of change in the management. But not being able to find anything else to do he accepted the position of night watchman in the place for a period of six weeks. He then became a bookkeeper for the Mer- chants Saving, Loan and Trust Company at a salary of five hundred dollars per year. He rapidly advanced in the service of this company and in 1868 he was made cashier. Mr. Gage was next offered the position of cashier of the First National Bank and ac- cepted the offer. He became the president of the First National Bank of Chicago Jan- uary 24, 1S91, and in 1897 he was appointed secretary of the treasury. His ability as a ! financier and the prominent part he took in the discussion of financial affairs while presi- dent of the great Chicago bank gave him a national reputation. NDREW JACKSON, the seventh pres- A NDREW ident of at the Waxhaw settlement, Union county, N.>rth Carolina, March 15, 1767. His parents were Scotch-Irish, natives of Carr- ickfergus, who came to this country in 1665 and settled on Twelve-Mile creek, a trib- utary of the Catawba. His father, who was a poor farm laborer, died shortly be- fore Andrew's birth, when the mother re- moved to Waxhaw, where some relatives lived. Andrew's education was very limited, he showing no aptitude for study. In 17S0 when but thirteen years of age, he and his 72 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. brother Robert volunteered to serve in the American partisan troops under General Sumter, and witnessed the defeat at Hang- ing Rock. The following year the boys were both taken prisoners by the enemy and endured brutal treatment from the British officers while confined at Camden. They both took the small pox, when the mother procured their exchange but Robert died shortly after. The mother died in Charleston of ship fever, the same year. Young Jackson, now in destitute cir- cumstances, worked for about six months in a saddler's shop, and then turned school master, although but little fitted for the position. He now began to think of a pro- fession and at Salisbury, North Carolina, entered upon the study of law, but from all accounts gave but little attention to his books, being one of the most roistering, rollicking fellows in that town, indulging in many of the vices of his time. In 1786 he was admitted to the bar and in 1788 re- moved to Nashville, then in North Carolina, with the appointment of public prosecutor, then an office of little honor or emolument, but requiring much nerve, for which young Jackson was already noted. Two years later, when Tennessee became a territory he was appointed by Washington to the position of United States attorney for that district. In 1791 he married Mrs. Rachel Robards, a daughter of Colonel John Don- elson, who was supposed at the time to have been divorced from her former hus- band that year by act of legislature of Vir- ginia, but two years later, on finding that this divorce was not legal, and a new bill of separation being granted by the courts of Kentucky, they were remarried in 1793. This was used as a handle by his oppo- nents in the political campaign afterwards. Jackson was untiring in his efforts as United States attorney and obtained much influence. He was chosen a member of the Constitu- tional Convention of 1796, when Tennessee became a state and was its first represent- ative in congress. In 1797 he was chosen United States senator, but resigned the fol- lowing year to accept a seat on the supreme court of Tennessee which he held until 1804. He was elected major-general of the militia of that state in 1801. In 1804, being unsuccessful in obtaining the govern- orship of Louisiana, the new territory, he retired from public life to the Hermitage, his plantation. On the outbreak of the war with Great Britain in 1812 he tendered his services to the government and went to New Orleans with the Tennessee troops in January, [813. In March of that year he was ordered to disband his troops, but later marched against the Cherokee Indians, de- feating them at Talladega, Emuckfaw and Tallapoosa. Having now a national reputation, he was appointed major-general in the United States army and was sent against the British in Florida. He con- ducted the defence of Mobile and seized Pensacola. He then went with his troops to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he gained the famous victory of January 8, 1815. In 1817-18 he conducted a war against the Seminoles, and in 1821 was made governor of the new territory of Florida. In 1823 he was elected United States senator, but in 1 824 was the contestant with J. O. Adams for the presidency. Four years later he. was elected president, and served two terms. In 1832 he took vigorous action against the nullifiers of South Carolina, and the next year removed the public money from the United States bank. During his second term the national debt was extinguished. At- the close of his administration he retired to the Hermitage, where he died June 8, 1845. COMPKXDirM OF BIOGRAPIir. 78 ANDREW CARNEGIE, the largest manu- facturer of pig-iron, steel rails and coke in the world, well deserves a place among America's celebrated men. II born November 25, 1 S 5 5 . at Dunfermline, Scotland, and emigrated to the United States with his father in 1845, settling in Pittsburg. Two years later Mr. Carnegie began his business career by attending a small station- ary engine. This work did not suit him and he became a telegraph messenger with the Atlantic and Ohio Co., and later he became an operator, and was one of the first to read telegraphic signals by sound. Mr. Carnegie was afterward sent to the Pittsburg office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., as clerk to the superintendent and manager of the telegraph lines. While in this position he made the acquaintance of Mr. Woodruff, the inventor of the sleeping-car. Mr. Carnegie immediately became interested and was one of the organizers of the company for its con- struction after the railroad had adopted it, and the success of this venture gave him the nucleus of his wealth. He was promoted to the superintendence - of the Pittsburg division of the Pennsylvania Railroad and about this time was one of the syndicate that purchased the Storey farm on Oil Creek which cost forty thousand dollars and in one year it yielded over one million dollars in cash dividends. Mr. Carnegie later was as- sociated with others in establishing a rolling- mill, and from this has grown the most ex- tensive and complete system of iron and steel industries ever controlled by one indi- vidual, embracing the Edgar Thomson Steel Works; Pittsburg Bessemer Steel Works; Lucy Furnaces; Union Iron Mills; Union Mill; Keystone Bridge Works; Hart- man Steel Works; Frick Coke Co.; Scotia Ore Mines. Besides directing his immense iron industries he owned eighteen English newspapers which he ran in the interest o; the Radicals. He has also devoted large sums of money to benevolent and educational purposes. In [879 he erected commodious swimming baths for the people of Dunferm- line, Scotland, and in the following year gave forty thousand dollars for a free library. Mr. Carnegie gave fifty thousand dollars to Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1884 to found what is now called "Carnegie Lab- oratory," and in 1885 gave five hundred thousand dollars to Pittsburg for a public library. He also gave two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for a music hall and library in Allegheny City in 18S6, and two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to Edinburgh, Scot- land, for a free library. He also established free libraries at Braddock, Pennsylvania, and other places for the benefit of his em- ployes. He also published the following works, "An American Four-in-hand in Britain;" " Round the World;" "Trium- phant Democracy; or Fifty Years' March of the Republic." GEORGE H. THOMAS, the "Rock of Chickamauga," one of the best known commanders during the late Civil war, was born in Southampton county, Virginia, July 3t, 1 8 16. his parents being of Welsh and French origin respectively. In 1836 young Thomas was appointed a cadet at the Mili- tary Academy, at West Point, from which he graduated in 1S40, and was promoted to the office of second lieutenant in the Third Artillery. Shortly after, with his company, he went to Florida, where he served for two years against the Seminole Indians. In 1S41 he was brevetted first lieutenant for gallant conduct. He remained in garrison in the south and southwest until 1845, at which date with the regiment he joined the army under General Taylor, and participate 74 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. ed .'r Me defense of Fort Brown, the storm- ing of Monterey and the battle of Buena Vists After the latter event he remained in garrison, now brevetted major, until the close of the Mexican war. After a year spent in Florida, Captain Thomas was or- dered to West Point, where fie served as in- structor until 1S54. He then was trans- ferred to California. In May, 1855, Thom- as was appointed major of the Second Cav- alry, with whom he spent five years in Texas. Although a southern man, and surrounded by brother officers who all were afterwards n the Confederate service, Major Thomas never swerved from his allegiance to the- government. A. S. Johnston was the col- onel of the regiment, R. E. Lee the lieuten- ant-colonel, and W. J. Hardee, senior ma- jor, while among the younger officers were Hood, Fitz Hugh Lee, Van Dorn and Kirby Smith. When these officers left the regi- ment to take up arms for the Confederate cause he remained with it, and April 17th, 1 86 1, crossed the Potomac into his native state, at its head. After taking an active part in the opening scenes of the war on the Poto- mac and Shenandoah, in August, 186 1, he was promoted to be brigadier-general and transferred to the Arm)- of the Cumberland. January 19-20, 1862, Thomas defeated Crittenden at Mill Springs, and this brought him into notice and laid the foundation of his fame. He continued in command of his division until September 20, 1862, except during the Corinth campaign when he com- manded the right wing of the Army of the Tennessee. He was in command of the latter at the battle of Perryville, also, Octo- ber 8, 1862. On the division of the Army of the Cum- berland into corps, January 9, 1863, Gen- eral Thomas was assigned to the command of the Fourteenth, and at the battle of Chick- amauga, after the retreat of Rosecrans, firmly held his own against the hosts of Gen- eral Bragg. A history of his services from that on would be a history of the war in the southwest. On September 27, 1864, Gen- eral Thomas was given command in Ten- nessee, and after organizing his army, de- feated General Hood in the battle of Nash- ville, December 15 and 16, 1864. Much complaint was made before this on account of what they termed Thomas' slowness, and he was about to be superseded because he would not strike until he got ready, but when the blow was struck General Grant was the first to place on record this vindica- tion 1 if Thomas' judgment. He received a vote of tli. inks from Congress, and from the legislature of Tennessee a gold medal. Af- ter the close of the war General Thomas had command of several of the military di- visions, and died at San Francisco, Cali- fornia, March 28, 1S70. GEORGE BANCROFT, one of the most eminent American historians, was a native of Massachusetts, born at Worcester, October 3, 1800, and a son of Aaron Bancroft, D. D. The father, Aaron Ban- croft, was born at Reading, Massachusetts, November IO, 1755- He graduated at Harvard in 1778, became a minister, and for half a century was rated as one of the ablest preachers in New England. He was also a prolific writer and published a number of works among which was " Life of George Washington." Aaron Bancroft died August 19, 1839. The subject of our present biography, George Bancroft, graduated at Harvard in 181 7, and the following year entered the University of Gottingen, where he studied history and philology under the most emi- nent teachers, and in 1820 received the de- compi:\ nuir of luociiM'iir. gree of doctor of philosophy at Gottingen. L'pon his return home he published a volume of poems, and later a translation of Heeren's •• Reflections on the Politics of Ancient Greece." In 1S34 he produced the first volume of his " History of the United States," ihis being followed by other vol- umes at different intervals later. This was bis greatest work and ranks as the highest authority, taking its place among the great- est of American productions. George Bancroft was appointed secretary of the navy by President Polk in 1S45, but resigned in 1846 and became minister pleni- potentiary to England. In 1849 he retired from public life and took up his residence at Washington, D. C. In 1867 he was ap- pointed United States minister to the court of Berlin and negotiated the treaty by which Ger- mans coming to the United States were re- leased from their allegiance to the govern- ment of their native land. In 1871 he was minister plenipotentiary to the German em- pire and served until 1874. The death of George Bancroft occurred January 17, 1 891 . GEORGE GORDON MEADE, a fa- mous Union general, was born at Cadiz, Spain, December 30, 1S15, his father being United States naval agent at that port. After receiving a good education he entered the West Point Military Academy in 1 83 1. From here he was graduated June 30, 1835, and received the rank of second lieutenant of artillery. He par- ticipated in the Seminole war, but resigned from the army in October, 1836. He en- tered upon the profession of civil engineer, which he followed for several years, part of the time in the service of the government in making surveys of the mouth of the Missis- sippi river. His report and results of some experiments made by him in this service gained Meade much credit. He also was employed in surveying the boundary line of Texas and the northeastern boundary line between the United States and Canada. In 1S42 he was reappointed in the army to the position of second lieutenant of engineers. During the Mexican war he served with dis- tinction on the staff of General Taylor in the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and the storming of Monterey. He received his brevet of first lieutenant for the latter action. In 1851 he was made full first lieutenant in his corps; a captain in 1856, and major soon after. At the close of the war with Mexico he was employed in light- house construction and in geodetic surveys until the breaking out of the Rebellion, in which he gained great reputation. In August, 1 86 1 , he was made brigadier-general of volunteers and placed in command of the second brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves, a division of the First Corps in the Army of the Potomac. In the catnpaign of 1862, under McClellan, Meade took an active part, being present at the battles of Mechan- icsville, Gaines' Mill and Glendale, in the latter of which he was severely wounded. On rejoining his command he was given a division and distinguished himself at its head in the battles of South Mountain and Antie- tam. During the latter, on the wounding of General Hooker, Meade was placed in command of the corps and was himself slightly wounded. For services he was promoted, November, 1862, to the rank of major-general of volunteers. On the recovery of General Hooker General Meade returned to his division and in December, 1862, at Fredericksburg, led an attack which penetrated Lee's right line and swept to his rear. Being outnumbered and un- supported, he finally was driven back. The same month Meade was assigned to the 76 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. command of the Fifth Corps, and at Chan- cellorsville in May, 1863, his sagacity and ability so struck General Hooker that when the latter asked to be relieved of the com- mand, in June of the same year, he nomi- nated Meade as his successor. June 28, 1863, President Lincoln commissioned Gen- eral Meade commander-in-chief of the Army of the Potomac, then scattered and moving hastily through Pennsylvania to the great and decisive battlefield at Gettysburg, at which he was in full command. With the victory on those July days the name of Meade will ever be associated. From that time until the close of the war he com- manded the Army of the Potomac. In 1864 General Grant, being placed at the head of all the armies, took up his quarters with the Army of the Potomac. From that time until the surrender of Lee at Appo- matox Meade*s ability shone conspicuously, and his tact in the delicate position in lead- ing his army under the eye of his superior officer commanded the respect and esteem of General Grant. For services Meade was promoted to the rank of major-general, and on the close of hostilities, in July, 1865, was assigned to the command of the military division of the Atlantic, with headquarters at Philadelphia. This post he held, with the exception of a short period on detached duty in Georgia, until his death, which took place November 6, 1872. DAVID CROCKETT was a noted hunter and scout, and also one of the earliest of American humorists. He was born Au- gust 17, 1786, in Tennessee, and was one of the most prominent men of his locality, serving as representative in congress from 1827 until 1 S3 1. He attracted consider- able notice while a member of congress and was closely associated with General Jack- son, of whom he was a personal friend. He went to Texas and enlisted in the Texan army at the time of the revolt of Texas against Mexico and gained a wide reputa- tion as a scout. He was one of the famous one hundred and forty men under Colonel W. B. Travis who were besieged in Fort Alamo, near San Antonio, Texas, by Gen- eral Santa Anna with some five thousand Mexicans on February 23, 1836. The fort was defended for ten days, frequent assaults being repelled with great slaughter, over one thousand Mexicans being killed or wounded, while not a man in the fort was injured. Finally, on March 6, three as- saults were made, and in the hand-to-hand fight that followed the last, the Texans were wofully outnumbered and overpowered. They fought desperately with clubbed mus- kets till only six were left, alive, including W. B. Travis, David Crockett and James Bowie. These surrendered under promise of protection; but when they were brought before Santa Anna he ordered them all to be cut to pieces. HENRY WATTERSON, one of the most conspicuous figures in the history of American journalism, was born at Wash- ington, District of Columbia, February 16, 1840. His boyhood days were mostly spent in the city of his birth, where his father, Harvey M. Watterson, was editor of the "Union," a well known journal. Owing to a weakness of the eyes, which interfered with a systematic course of study, young Watterson was educated almost en- tirely at home. A successful college career was out of the question, but he acquired a good knowledge of music, literature and art from private tutors, but the most valuable part of the training he received was bv as- sociating with his father and the throng or co^//^/:^^/>/(■^/ of iuoc,R,\riir. 77 public men whom he met in Wash in the stirring days immediately preceding the Civil war. He began his journalistic career at an early age as dramatic and musical critic, and in 1858, became editor of the "Democratic Review" and at the same time contributed to the "St a journal of liberal opinions published in Washington. In this he remained until the breaking out of the war, when the "States," opposing the administration, was suppressed, and young Watterson removed to Tennessee. He next appears as editor of the Nashville "Republican Banner," the most influential paper in the state at that time. After the occupation of Nashville by the Federal troops, Watterson served as a volunteer staff officer in the Confederate service until the close of the war, with the exception of a year spent in editing the Chattanooga " Rebel." On the close of the war he returned to Nashville and re- sumed his connection with the "Banner." After a trip to Europe he assumed control of the Louisville "Journal," which he soon combined with the "Courier" and the "Democrat" of that place, founding the well-known " Courier-Journal." the first number of which appeared November S, 1868. Mr. Watterson also represented his district in congress for several years. PATRICK SAKSFIELD GILMORE. one of the most successful and svidely known bandmasters and musicians of the last half century in America, was born in Ballygar, Ireland, on Christmas day, 1829. He attended a public school until appren- ticed to a wholesale merchant at Athlone, of the brass band of which town he soon became a member. His passion for music conflicting with the duties of a mercantile life, his position as clerk was exchanged for that of musical instructor to the young sons of his employer. At the age of nineteen he sailed for America and two days alter his arrival in Boston was put in charge of the band instrument department of a prominent music house. In the interests of the pub- lications of this house he organized a minstrel company known as "Ord way's Eol with which he first achieved success as a cornet soloist. Later on he was called the !•• st E-flat cornetist in the United States. He became leader, successively, of the Suf- folk, Boston Brigade and Salem bands. During his connection with the latter he inaugurated the famous Fourth of July con- certs on Boston Common, since adopted as a regular programme for the celebration of Independence Day. In 1858 Mr. Gilmore founded the organization famous thereafter as Gilmore's Band. At the outbreak of the Civil war this band was attached to the Twenty-Fourth .Massachusetts Infantry. Later, when the economical policy of dis- pensing with music had proved a mistake, Gilmore was entrusted with the re-organiza- tion of state military bands, and upon his arrival at New Orleans with his own band was made bandmaster-general by General Banks. On the inauguration of Governor Hahn, later on, in Lafayette square, New Orleans, ten thousand children, mostly of Confederate parents, rose to the baton of Gilmore and, accompanied by six hundred instruments, thirty-six guns and the united fire of three regiments of infantry, sang the Star-Spangled Banner, America and other patriotic Union airs. In June, 1867, Mr. Gilmore conceived a national musical festi- val, which was denounced as a chimeric&l undertaking, but he succeeded and June 1 ;. 1869, stepped upon the stage of the Boston Colosseum, a vast structure erected for the occasion, and in the presence of over fifty 78 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. thousand people lifted his baton over an orchestra of one thousand and a chorus of ten thousand. On the 17th of June, 1872, he opened a still greater festival in Boston, when, in addition to an orchestra of two thousand and a chorus of twenty thousand, were present the Band of the Grenadier Guards, of London, of the Garde Repub- licaine, of Paris, of Kaiser Franz, of Berlin, and one from Dublin, Ireland, together with Johann Strauss, Franz Abt and many other soloists, vocal and instrumental. Gilmore's death occurred September 24, 1S92. MARTIN VAN BUREN was the eighth president of the United States, 1837 to 1 841. lie was of Dutch extraction, and his ancestors were among the earliest set- tlers on the banks of the Hudson. He was born December 5, 1782, at Kmderhook, New York. Mr. Van Buren took up the study of law at the age of fourteen and took an active part in political matters before he had attained his majority. He commi n< ed the practice of law in 1S03 at his native town, anil in 1809 he removed to Hudson, Columbia count}', New York, where he spent seven years gaining strength and wis- dom from his contentions at the bar with some of the ablest men of the profession. Mr. \'an Buren was elected to the state senate, and from 1 8 1 5 until 1 8 1 9 he was at- torney-general of the state. He was re- elected to the senate in 18 16, and in 1818 he was one of the famous clique of politi- cians known as the "Albany regency." Mr. Van Buren was a member of the con- vention for the revision of the state consti- tution, in 1821. In the same year he was elected to the United States senate and served his term in a manner that caused his re-election to that body in 1827, but re- signed the following year as he had been elected governor of New York. Mr. Van Buren was appointed by President Jackson as secretary of state in March, 1829, but resigned in 1831, and during the recess of congress he was appointed minister to England. The senate, however, when it convened in December refused to ratify the appointment. In May, 1 832, he was nominated by the Democrats as their candidate for vice-presi- dent on the ticket with Andrew Jackson, and he was elected in the following Novem- ber. He received the nomination to suc- ceed President Jackson in 1836, as the Democratic candidate, and in the electoral college he received one hundred and seventy votes out of two hundred and eighty-three, and was inaugurated March 4, 1837. His administration was begun at a time of great business depression, and unparalled financial distress, which caused the suspension of specie payments by the banks. Nearly every bank in the country was forced to suspend specie payment, and no less than two hundred and fifty-four business Iiousjs failed in New York in one week. The President urged the adoption of the inde- pendent treasury idea, which passed through the senate twice but each time it was de- feated in the house. However the measure ultimately became a law near the close of President Van Buren's term of office. An- other important measure that was passed was the pre-emption law that gave the act- ual settlers preference in the purchase of public lands. The question of slavery had begun to assume great preponderance dur- ing this administration, and a great conflict was tided over by the passage of a resolu- tion that prohibited petitions or papers that in any way related to slavery to be acted upon. In the Democratic convention of 1 840 President Van Buren secured the nomination for re-election on that ticket ://' i:\nir\r <>r /;n>i,u.\/-//r : without opposition, but in the election he only received the votes of seven states, his opponent, W. H. Harrison, being elected lent In i S 4 S Mr. Nan Buren v ,s the candidate of the " Free-Soilers," but was unsuccessful. After this he retired from public lite and spent the remainder of his life on his estate at Kinderhock, where he died July 24, [8( : W INFIELD SCOTT, a distinguished American general, was born June 13. near Petersburg, Dinwiddie county, \ :iia, and was educated at the William and Mary College. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, and in 1 'soS he accepted an appointment as captain of light artillery, and was ordered to New Orleans. In June, he was promoted to be lieutenant- colonel, and o;< application was sent to the frontier, and reported to General Smyth, near Buffalo. He was made adjutant-gen- eral with the rank of a colonel, in March, and the same month attained the colo- nelcy of his regiment. He participated in the principal battles of the war and was wounded many times, and at the close of the war he was voted a gold medal by con- gress for his services. He was a writer of considerable merit on military topics, and he gave to the military science, "General Regulations of the Army " and " System of Infantry and Rifle Practice." He took a prominent part in the Black Hawk war. and at the beginning of the Mexican war he was appointed to take the command of the army. Gen. Scott immediately assembled his troops at Lobos Island fr^m which he moved by transports to Vera Cruz, which he took March 29, 1847, and rapidly fol- lowed up his first success. He fought the battles of Cerro Gordo and Jalapa, both of which he won, and proceeded to Pueblo where he was preceded by Worth's division which had taken the town and waited for the coming of Scott. The army was forced to wait here for supplies, and August 7th, General Scott started on his victorious march to the city of Mexico with ten thou- sand, seven hundred and thirty-eight men. The battles of Contreras, Cherubusco and San Antonio were fought August 19-20, and on the 24th an armistice was a. upon, but as the commissioners could not agree on the terms of settlement, the fii;ht- uiL,' was renewed at Molino Del Rey, and the Heights of Chapultepec were carried by the victorious army of General Scott. He gave the enemy no respite, however, and vigorously followed up his advantages. On September 14, he entered the City of Mexico and dictated the terms of surrender in the very heart of the Mexican Republic. General Scott was offered the presidency of the Mexican Republic, but declined. Con- gress extended him a vote of thanks and ordered a gold medal be struck in honor of his generalship and bravery. He was can- didate for the presidency on the Whig plat- form but was defeated. He was honored by having the title cf lieutenant-general con- ferred upon him in 1 8 5 5 . At the beginning of the Civil war he was too infirm to take charge of the army, but did signal service in be- half of the government. He retired from the service November 1, 186 1, and in 1864 he published his "Autobiography." Gen- eral Scott died at West Point, May 29, 1866. EDWARD EVERETT HALE for manj years occupied a high place among the honored of America's citizens. As a preacher he ranks among the foremost in the New England states, but to the gen- eral public he is best known through his writings. Born in Boston, Mass., April 3, 80 COMPEXDILM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1822, a descendant of one of the most prominent New England families, he enjoyed in his youth many of the advantages denied the majority of boys. He received his pre- paratory schooling at the Boston Latin School, after which he finished his studies at Harvard where he was graduated with high honors in 1839. Having studied theology at home, Mr. Hale embraced the ministry and in 1846 became pastor of a Unitarian church in Worcester, Massachusetts, a post which he occupied about ten years. He then, in 1856, became pastor of the South Congregational church in Boston, over which he presided many years. Mr. Hale also found time to write a great many literary works of a high class. .'Vmong many other well-known productions :*f his are " The Rosary," " Margaret Per- cival in America." "Sketches of Christian history," "Kansas and Nebraska," "Let- ters on Irish Emigration," " Ninety Days' Worth of Europe," " If, Yes, and Perhaps," "Ingham Papers," " Reformation," " Level 8est and Other Stories, " ' ' Ups and Downs, " "Christmas Eve and Christmas Day," " In His Name," "Our New Crusade," "Work- ingmen's Homes," " Boys' Heroes," etc., etc., besides many others which might be mentioned. One of his works, " In His Name," has earned itself enduring fame by the good deeds it has called forth. The numerous associations known as "The King's Daughters," which has accomplished much good, owe their existence to the story men- tioned. DAVID GLASCOE FARRAGUT stands pre-eminent as one of the greatest na- val officers of the world. He was born at Campbell's Station, East Tennessee, July 5, 1 80 1, and entered the navy of the United States as a midshipman. He had the good fortune to serve under Captain David Por- ter, who commanded the " Essex," and by whom he was taught the ideas of devotion to duty from which he never swerved dur- ing all his career. In 1823 Mr. Farragut took part in a severe 'fight, the result of which was the suppression of piracy in the West Indies. He then entered upon the regular duties of his profession which was only broken into by a year's residence with Charles Folsom, our consul at Tunis, who was afterwards a distinguished professor at Harvard. Mr. Farragut was one of the best linguists in the navy. He had risen through the different grades of the service until the war of 1861-65 found him a captain resid- ing at Norfolk, Virginia. He removed with his family to Hastings, on the Hudson, and hastened to offer his services to the Federal government, and as the capture of New Orleans had been resolved upon, Farragut was chosen to command the expedition. His force consisted of the West Gulf block- ading squadron and Porter's mortar Hot ilia. In January, 1862, he hoisted his pennant at the mizzen peak of the "Hartford" at Hampton roads, set sail from thence on the 3rd of February and reached Ship Island on the 20th of the same month. A council of war was held on the 20th of April, in which it was decided that whatever was to be done must be done quickly. The signal was made from the flagship and accordingly the fleet weighed anchor at 1:55 on the morning of April 24th, and at 3:30 the whole force was under way. The history of this brilliant strug- gle is well known, and the glory of it made Far- ragut a hero and also made him rear admir- al. In the summer of 1862 he ran the batteries at Vicksburg, and on March 14, 1863. he passed through the fearful and destructive fire from Port Hudson, and opened up com- munication with Flag-officer Porter, who WPENDIVM OF BIOGRAPHT. 8» had control of the upper Mississippi. On May 24th he commenced active operations against that fort in conjunction with the army and it fell on July 9th. Mr. Farragut filled the measure of his fame on the 5th of Au- gust, 1S64, by his great victory, the capture of Mobile Bay and the destruction of the Confederate fleet, including the formidable ram Tennessee. For this victory the rank of admiral was given to Mr. Farragut. He died at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Au- gust 4, 1S70. GEORGE W. CHILDS, a philanthropist whose remarkable personality stood for the best and highest type of American citizenship, and whose whole life was an object lesson in noble living, was born in 1829 at Baltimore, Maryland, of humble parents, and spent his early life in unremit- ting toil. He was a self-made man in the fullest sense of the word, and gained his great wealth by his own efforts. He was a man of very great influence, and this, in conjunction with his wealth, would have been, in the hands of other men, a means of getting them political preferment, but Mr. Childs steadily declined any suggestions that would bring him to figure prominently in public affairs. He did not choose to found a financial dynasty, but devoted all his powers to the helping of others, with the most enlightened beneficence and broadest sympathy. Mr. Childs once remarked that his greatest pleasure in life was in doing good to others. He always despised mean- ness, and one of his objects of life was to prove that a man could be liberal and suc- cessful at the same time. Upon these lines Mr. Childs made a name for himself as the director of one of the representative news- papers of America, "The Philadelphia Pub- lic Ledger," which was owned jointly by 5 himself and the Drexel estate, and which he edited for thirty years. He acquired con- trol of the paper at. a time when it was be- ing published at a heavy loss, set it upon a firm basis of prosperity, and he made it more than a money-making machine — he made it respected as an exponent of the best side of journalism, and it stands as a monument to his sound judgment and up- right business principles. Mr. Childs' char- itable repute brought him many applications for assistance, and he never refused to help any one that was deserving of aid; and not only did he help those who asked, but he would by careful inquiry find those who needed aid but were too proud to solicit it. He was a considerable employer of labor and his liberality was almost unparalleled. The death of this great and good man oc- curred February 3d, 1894. PATRICK HENRY won his way to un- dying fame in the annals of the early history of the United States by introducing into the house of burgesses his famous reso- lution against the Stamp Act, which he car- ried through, after a stormy debate, by a majority of one. At this time he exclaimed " Caesar had his Brutus, Charles I his Crom- well and George III " (here he was inter- rupted by cries of " treason ") " may profit by their example. If this be treason make the most of it." Patrick Henry was born at Studley, Hanover county, Virginia, May 29, 1736, and was a son of Colonel John Henry, a magistrate and school teacher of Aberdeen, Scotland, and a nephew of Robertson, the historian. He received his education from his father, and was married at the age of eighteen. He was twice bankrupted before he had reached his twenty-fourth year, when after six weeks of study he was admitted to 84 com pendium or nioc.RArnr. the bar. He worked for three years with- out a case and finally was applauded for his plea for the people's rights and gained im- mense popularity. After his famous Stamp Act resolution he was the leader of the pa- triots in Virginia. In 1769 he was admitted to practice in the general courts and speed- ily won a fortune by his distinguished ability as a speaker. He was the first speaker of the General Congress at Philadelphia in 1774. He was for a time a colonel of militia in 1775, and from 1776 to 1779 and 1 78 1 to 1786 he was governor of Virginia. For a number of years he retired from pub- lic life and was tendered and declined a number of important political offices, and in March, 1789, he was elected state senator but aid not t;ike his seat on account of his death which occurred at Red Hill, Charlotte county. Virginia, June 6, 1799. BENEDICT ARNOLD, an American general and traitor of the Revolution- ary war, is one of the noted characters in American history. He was born in Nor- wich, Connectirut, January 3, 1740. He ran away and enlisted in the army when young, but deserted in a short time. He then became a merchant at New Haven, Connecticut, but failed. In 1775 ne was commissioned colonel in the Massachusetts militia, anil in the autumn of that year was placed in command of one thousand men for the invasion of Canada. He marched his army through the forests of Maine and joined General Montgomery before Quebec. Their combined forces attacked that city on December 31, 1775, and Montgomery was killed, and Arnold, severely wounded, was compelled to retreat and endure a rigorous winter a few miles from the city, where they were at the mercy of the Canadian troops had they cared to attack them. On his re- turn he was raised to the rank of brigadier- general. He was given command of a small flotilla on Lake Champlain, with which he encountered an immense force, and though defeated, performed many deeds of valor. He resented the action of congress in pro- moting a number of his fellow officers ami neglecting himself. In 1777 he was made major-general, and under General Gates at Bemis Heights fought valiantly. For some reason General Gates found fault with his conduct and ordered him under arrest, and he was kept in his tent until the battle of Stillwater was waxing hot, when Arnold mounted his horse and rode to the front of his old troop, gave command to charge, and rode like a mad man into the thickest of the fight and was not overtaken by Gates' courier until he had routed the enemy and fell wounded. Upon his recovery he was made general, and was placed in command at Philadelphia. Here he married, and his acts of rapacity soon resulted in a court- martial. He was sentenced to be repri- manded by the commander-in-chief, and though Washington performed this duty with utmost delicacy and consideration, it was never forgiven. Arnold obtained com- mand at West Point, the most important post held by the Americans, in 1780, and immediately offered to surrender it to Sir Henry Clinton, British commander at Hew York. Major Andre was sent to arrange details with Arnold, but on his return trip to New York he was captured by Americans, the plot was detected, and Andre suffered the death penalty as a spy. Arnold es- caped, and was paid about $40,000 by the British for his treason and was made briga- dier-general. He afterward commanded an expedition that plundered a portion of Vir- ginia, and another that burned New Lon- don, Connecticut, and captured Fort Trum- \fPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. B6 bull, the commandant of which Arnold mur- dered with the sword he had just surren- dered. He piassed the latter part of his life in England, universally despised, and died in London June 14, 1S01. ROBERT G. INGERSOLL, one of the most brilliant orators that America has produced, also a lawyer of considerable merit, won most of his fame as a lecturer. Mr. Ingersoll was born August 24, 1833, at Dryden, Gates county, New York, and received hiseducation in the common schools. He went west at the ape of twelve, and for a short time he attended an academy in Tennessee, and also taught school in that state. He began, the practice of law in the southern part of Illinois in 1 S 5 4 . Colonel Ingersoll's principal fame was made in the lecture room by his lectures in which he ridiculed religious faith and creeds and criti- cised the Bible and the Christian religion. He was the orator of the day in the Decora- tion Day celebration in the city of New York in 1882 and his oration was widely com- mended. He first attracted political notice in the convention at Cincinnati in 1876 by his brilliant eulogy on James G. Blaine. He practiced law in Peoria, Illinois, for a num- ber of years, but later located in the city of New York. He published the follow- ing: "The Gods and other Lectures;" "The Ghosts;" "Some Mistakes of Moses;" "What Shall I Do To Be Saved;" "Inter- views on Talmage and Presbyterian Cate- chism ;" The " North American Review Controversy;" "Prose Poems;' "A Vision of War ;" etc. JOSEPH ECCLESTON JOHNSTON, a noted general in the Confederate army, was born in Prince Edward county, Virginia, in 1807. He graduated from West Point and entered the army in 1829. F<>r a num- ber of years his chief service was garrison duty. He saw active service, however, in the Seminole war in Florida, part of the time as a staff officer of General Scott. 1 [e resigned his commission in 1837, but re- turned to the army a year later, and was brevetted captain for gallant services in Florida. He was made first lieutenant of topographical engineers, and was engaged in river and harbor improvements and also in the survey of the Texas boundary and the northern boundary of the United States until the beginning of the war with Mexico. He was at the siege of Vera Cruz, and at the battle of Cerro Gordo was wounded while reconnoitering the enemy's position, after which he was brevetted major and colonel. He was in all the battles about the city of Mexico, and was again wounded in the final assault upon that city. After the Mexican war closed he returned to duty as captain of topographical engineers, but in 1855 he was made lieutenant-colonel of cavalry and did frontier duty, and was ap- pointed inspector-general of the expedition to Utah. In i860 he was appointed quar- termaster-general with rank of brigadier- general. At the outbreak of hostilities in 1 861 he resigned his commission and re- ceived the appointment of major-general of the Confederate army. He held Harper's Ferry, and later fought General Patterson about Winchester. At the battle of Bull Run he declined command in favor of Beau- regard, and acted under that general's direc- tions. He commanded the Confederates in the famous Peninsular campaign, and was severely wounded at Fair Oaks and w.i> succeeded in command by General Lee. Upon his recovery he was made lieutenant- general and assigned to the command of the southwestern department. He attempted 86 COMPENDIUM' OF BIOGRAPHY. to raise the siege of Yicksburg, and was finally defeated at Jackson, Mississippi. Having been made a general he succeeded General Bragg in command of the army of Tennessee and was ordered to check General Sherman's advance upon Atlanta. Not daring to risk a battle with the overwhelm- ing forces of Sherman, he slowly retreated toward Atlanta, and was relieved of com- mand by Fresident Davis and succeeded by General Hood. Hood utterly destroyed his own army by three furious attacks upon Sherman. Johnston was restored to com- mand in the Carolinas, and again faced Sherman, but was defeated in several en- gagements and continued a slow retreat toward Richmond. Hearing of Lee's sur- render, he communicated with General Sherman, and finally surrendered his army at Durham, North Carolina, April 26, 1865. General Johnston was elected a member of the forty-sixth congress and was ap- pointed United States railroad commis- sioner in 1885. His death occurred March 21, I 891. SAMUEL LANGHORNE CLEMENS, known throughout the civilized world as "Mark Twain," is recognized as one of the greatest humorists America has pro- duced. He was born in Monroe county, Missouri, November 30, 1835. Hespenthis boyhood days in his native state and many of his earlier experiences are related in vari- ous forms in his later writings. One of his early acquaintances, Capt. Isaiah Sellers, at an early day furnished river news for the New Orleans " Picayune," using the noin- de- plume of "Mark Twain." Sellers died in 1863 and Clemens took up his nom-de- pluinc and made it famous throughout the world by his literary work. In 1862 Mr. Clemens became a journalist at Virginia, Nevada, and afterward followed the same pro- fession at San Francisco and Buffalo, New York. He accumulated a fortune from the sale of his many publications, but in later years engaged in business enterprises, partic- ularly the manufacture of a typesetting ma- chine, which dissipated his fortune and re- duced him almost to poverty, but with resolute heart he at once again took up his pen and engaged in literary work in the effort to regain his lost ground. Among the best known of his works may be mentioned the fol- lowing: • ' The Jumping Frog, " ' ' Tom Saw- yer," " Roughing it," " Innocents Abroad," "Huckleberry Finn," "Gilded Age," "Prince and Pauper." "Million Pound Bank Note," "A Yankee in Ring Arthur's Court," etc. CHRISTOPHER CARSON, better known as "Rit Carson ;" was an Amer- ican trapper and scout who gained a wide reputation for his frontier work. He was a native of Kentucky, born December 24th, 1 Soy. He grew to manhood there, devel- oping a natural inclination for adventure in the pioneer experiences in his native state. When yet a young man he became quite well known on the frontier. He served as a guide to Gen. Fremont in his Rocky Mountain explorations and enlisted in the army. He was an officer in the United States service in both the Mexican war and the great Civil war, and in the latter received a brevet of brigadier-general for meritorious service. His death occurred May 23, 1868. JOHN SHERMAN.— Statesman, politi- cian, cabinet officer and senator, the name of the gentleman who heads this sketch is al- most a household word throughout this country. Identified with some of the most MPENDIUM OF liloc.HM'H V. -7 important measures adopted by our Govern- ment since the close of the Civil war, he may well be called one of the leading men of his day. John Sherman was born at Lancaster, Fairrield county. Ohio, May 10th, [823, the son of Charles K. Sherman, an emi- nent lawyer and judge of the supreme court of Ohio and who died in 1S29. The subject of this article received an academic educa- tion and was admitted to the bar in 1S44. In the Whig conventions of 1844 and 1848 he sat as a delegate. He was a member of the National house of representatives, from 1855 to 1 S6 1 . In 1 860 he was re- elected to the same position but was chosen United States senator before he took his seat in the lower house. He was re-elected senator in 1866 and 1872 and was long chairman of the committee on finance and on agriculture. He took a prominent part in debates on finance and on the conduct of the war, and was one of the authors of the reconstruction measures in 1S66 and 1867, and was appointed secretary of the treas- ury March 7th, 1877. Mr. Sherman was re-elected United States senator from Ohio January 1 8th, 1SS1, and again in 1886 and 1892, during which time he was regarded as one of the most promi- nent leaders of the Republican party, both in the senate and in the country. He was several times the favorite of his state for the nomination for president. On the formation of his cabinet in March, " President McKinley tendered the posi- tion of secretary of state to Mr. Sherman, which was accepted. WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, ninth president of the United States, was born in Charles county, Virginia, February 9. 1773, the son of Governor Benjamin Harrison. He took a course in Hampden- Sidney College with a view to the practice of medicine, and then went to Philadelphia to study under Dr. Rush, but in 1791 he entered the army, and obtained the commis- sion of ensign, was soon promoted to the lieutenancy, and was with General Wayne in his war against the Indians. For his valuable service he was promoted to the rank of captain and given command of Fort Washington, now Cincinnati. He was ap- pointed secretary of the Northwest Territory in 1797, and in 1799 became its representa- tive in congress. In 1S01 he was appointed governor of Indiana Territory, and held the position for twelve years, during which time he negotiated important treaties with the In- dians, causing them to relinquish millions of acres of land, and also won the battle of Tippecanoe in 181 1. He succeeded in obtaining a change in the law which did not permit purchase of public lands in less tracts than four thousand acres, reducing the limit to three hundred and twenty acres. He became major-general of Kentucky militia and brigadier-general in the United States army in 1812, and won great renown in the defense of Fort Meigs, and his victory over the British and Indians under Proctor and Tecumseh at the Thames river, October 5. 1813- In 1 8 16 General Harrison was elected to congress from Ohio, and during the canvass was accused of corrupt methods in regard tc the commissariat of the army. He demanded an investigation after the election and was exonerated. In 1819 he was elected to the Ohio state senate, and in 1S24 he pave his vote as a presidential elector to Henry Clay. He became a member of the United States senate the same year. During the last year of Adams' administration he was sent as minister to Colombia, but was re- 88 coMrExnicM of biograpiiv. called by President Jackson the following year. He then retired to his estate at North Bend, Ohio, a few miles below Cincinnati. In 1836 he was a candidate for the presidency, but as there were three other candidates the votes were divided, he receiving seventy- three electoral votes, a majority going to Mr. Van Buren, the Democratic candidate. Four years later General Harrison was again nominated by the Whigs, and elected by a tremendous majority. The campaign was noted for its novel features, many of which have found a permanent place in subsequent campaigns. Those peculiar to that cam- paign, however, were the " log-cabin " and "hard cider" watchwords, which produced great enthusiasm among his followers. One month after his inauguration he died from an attack of pleurisy, April 4, 1S41. CHARLES A. DANA, the well-known and widely read journalist of New Yoik City, a native of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, was born August 8, 1819. He received the elements of a good education in his youth and studied for two years at Harvard University. Owing to some disease of the eyes he was unable to complete his course and graduate, but was granted the degree of A. M. notwithstanding. For some time he was editor of the " Harbinger," and was a regular contributor to the Boston " Chrono- type." In 1847 he became connected with the New York " Tribune," and continued on the staff of that journal until 1S58. In the latter year he edited and compiled "The Household Book of Poetry," and later, in connection with George Ripley, edited the "New American Cyclopaedia." Mr. Dana, on severing his connection with the "Tribune" in 1867, became editor of the New York "Sun," a paper with which he was identified for many years, and which he made one of the leaders of thought in the eastern part of the United States. He wielded a forceful pen and fearlessly attacked whatever was corrupt and unworthy in politics, state or national. The same year, 1867, Mr. Dana organized the New York "Sun" Company. During the troublous days of the war, when the fate of the Nation depended upon the armies in the field, Mr. Dana accepted the arduous and responsible position of assistant secretary of war, and held the position during the greater part of 1863 and 1864. He died October 17, 1897. AS \ GRAY was recognized throughout the scientific world as one of the ablest and most eminent of botanists. He was born at Paris, Oneida county, New York, November 18, 1810. He received his medi- c 1] degree at the Fairfield College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, in Herkimer county, New York, and studied botany with the late Professor Torrey, of New York. He was appointed botanist to the Wilkes expedition in 1834, but declined the offer and became professor of natural history in Harvard I'ni- versity in 1S42. He retired from the active duties of this post in 1873, and in 1874 he was the regent of the Smithsonian Institu- tion at Washington, District of Columbia. Dr. Gray wrote several books on the sub- ject of the many sciences of which he was master. In 1836 he published his " Ele- ments of Botany," " Manual of Botany" in 1848; the unfinished "Flora of North America," by himself and Dr. Torrey, the publication of which commenced in 1838. There is another of his unfinished works called "Genera Bqreali-Americana," pub- lished in 1848, and the "Botany of the United States Pacific Exploring Expedition in 1854." He wrote many elaborate papers MPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. on the botany of the west and southwest that were published in the Smithsonian Con- tributions, Memoirs, etc., of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, of which in- stitution he was president for ten years. I le was also the author of many of the government reports. " How Plants Grow, " •• Lessons in Botany." " Structural and Sys- tematic Botany," are also works from his ready pen. Dr. Gray published in 1S61 his "Free Examination of Darwin's Treatise " and his '« Darwiniana," in 1876. Mr. Gray was elected July 29, 1878, to a membership in the Institute of France, Academy of Sciences. His death occurred at Cambridge, Massa- chusetts. January 30, 1S89. WILLIAM MAXWELL EVARTS was one of the greatest leaders of the American bar. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, February 6, 1S1S, and grad- uated from Yale College in [837. He took up the study of law, which he practiced in the city of New York and won great renown as an orator and advocate. He affiliated with the Republican party, which he joined soon after its organization. He was the leading counsel employed for the defense of lent Johnson in his trial for impeach- before the senate in April and May of 1868. In July, 1 SOS, Mr. Evarts was appointed attorney-general of the United States, and served until March 4, 1869. He wis one of the three lawyers who were Selected by President Grant in 1871 to defend the inter- ests of the citizens of the United States be- fore the tribunal of arbitration which met at Geneva in Switzerland to settle the con- rsy over the " Alabama Claims." He was one of the most eloquent advo- cates in the United States, and many of his public addresses have been preserved and published. He was appointed secretary of state March 7, 1S77, by President II and served during the Hayes administration. He was elected senator from the state of New Y"rk January 21, 1SS5, and at once took rank among the ablest statesmen in Congress, and the prominent part he took in the discussion of public questions gave him a national reputation. JOHN WAN A MAKER.— The life of this great merchant demonstrates the fact that the great secret of rising from the ranks is, to-day, as in the past ages, not so much the ability to make money, as to save it, or in other words, the ability to live well within one's income. Mr. Wanamaker was born in Philadelphia in 1838. He started out in life working in a brickyard for a mere pit- tance, and left that position to work in a book store as a clerk, where he earned the sum of $5.00 per month, and later on was in the employ of a clothier where he received twenty-five cents a week more. He was only fifteen years of age at that time, but was a " money-getter " by instinct, and laid by a small sum for a possible rainy day. By strict attention to busin bined with natural ability, he was pro;, many times, and at the age of twenty he had saved $2,000. After several months vacation in the south, he returned to Phila- delphia and became a master brick in but this was too tiresome to the y mng man, and he opened up the " Oak Hall " clothing store in April, [861, at Philadelphia. The capital of the firm was rather limited, but finally, after many discouragements, they laid the foundations of one of the lai business houses in the world. The estab- lishment covers at the present writing som* fourteen acres of floor space, and furnishes 90 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. employment for live thousand persons. Mr. Wanamaker was also a great church worker, and built a church that cost him $60,000, and he was superintendent of the Sunday- school, which had a membership of over three thousand children. He steadily re- fused to run for mayor or congress and the only public office that he ever held was that of postmaster-general, under the Harrison administration, and here he exhibited his extraordinary aptitude for comprehending the details of public business. DAVID BENNETT HILL, a Demo- cratic politician who gained a na- tional reputation, was born August 29, [843, at Havana, New York. He was educated at the academy of his native town, and removed to Llmira, New York, in 1862, where he studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1864, in which year he was ap- pointed city attorney. Mr. Hill soon gained a considerable practice, becoming prominent in his profession. He developed a taste for politics in which he began to take an active part in the different campaigns and became the recognized leader of the local Democ- racy. In 1870 he was elected a member of the assembly and was re-elected in 1872. While a member of this assembly he formed the acquaintance of Samuel J. Tilden, after- ward governor of the state, who appointed Mr. Hill, W. M. Evarts and Judge Hand as a committee to provide a uniform charter for the different cities of the state. The pressure of professional engagements com- pelled him to decline to serve. In 1877 Mr. Hill was made chairman of the Demo- cratic state convention at Albany, his elec- tion being due to the Tilden wing of the party, ana he he'd the same position again in 188 1. He served one term as alderman in Elmira, at the expiration of which term, in 1882, he was elected mayor of Elmira, and in September of the same year was nominated for lieutenant-governor on the Democratic state ticket. He was success- ful in the campaign and two years later, when Grover Cleveland was elected to the presidency, Mr. Hill succeeded to the gov- ernorship for the unexpired term. In 1885 he was elected governor for a full term of three years, at the end of which he was re- elected, his term expiring in 1891, in which year he was elected United States senator. In the senate he became & conspicuous figure and gained a national reputation. ALLEN G. THURMAN. — " The noblest Roman of them all "was the title by which Mr. Thurman was called by his com- patriots of the Democracy. He was the greatest leader of the Democratic party in his day and held the esteem of all the people, n L;,inllrss of their political creeds. Mr. Thurman was born November 13, 181 3, at Lynchburg, Virginia, where he remained until he had attained the age of six years, when he moved to Ohio. He received an academic education and after graduating, took up the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1835, and achieved a brilliant success in that line. In political life he was very successful, and his first office was that of representative of the state of Ohio in the twenty-ninth congress. He was elected judge of the supreme court of Ohio in 185 1, and was chief justice of the same from 1854 to 1856. In 1867 he was the choice of the Democratic party of his state for governor, and was elected to the United States senate in 1869 to succeed Benjamin F. Wade, and was re-elected to the same position in 1874. He was a prominent figure in the senate, until the expiration of his service i 1 1 88 1. Mr. Thurman was also one of the COMPENDIUM <>/■' BIOGRAPHT. 91 principal presidental possibilities in the Democratic convention held at St. Louis in 1876. In 18S8 he was the Democratic nominee for vice-president on the ticket with Grover Cleveland, but was defeated. Allen Granberry Thurman died December 12, 1S95, at Columbus, Ohio. CHARLES FARRAR BROWNE, better known as " Artemus Ward," was born April 26, 1S34, in the village of Waterford, Maine. He was thirteen years old at the time of his fathers death, and about a year later he was apprenticed to John M Rix, who published the "Coos County Dem- ocrat " at Lancaster, New Hampshire. Mr. Browne remained with him one year, when, hearing that his brother Cyrus was starting a paper at Norway, Maine, he left Mr. Rix and determined to get work on the new paper. He worked for his brother until the failure of the newspaper, and then went to Augusta, Maine, where he remained a few weeks and then removed to Skowhegan, and secured a position on the " Clarion." But either the climate or the work was not satisfactory to him, for one night he silently left the town and astonished his good mother by appearing unexpectedly at home. Mr. Browne then received some letters of recom- mendation to Messrs. Snow and Wilder, of Boston, at whose office Mrs. Partington's (B. P. Shillaber) ' ' Carpet Bag " was printed, and he was engaged and remained there for three years. He then traveled westward in search of employment and got as far as Tif- fin, Ohio, where he found employment in the office of the "Advertiser," and remained there some months when he proceeded to Toledo, Ohio, where he became one of the staff of the "Commercial,'' which position he held until 1857. Mr. Browne next went Cleveland, Ohio, and became the local editor of the "Plain Dealer,'' and it was in the columns of this paper that he published his first articles and signed them " Artemus Ward." In i860 he went to New York and became the editor of " Vanity Fair," but the idea of lecturing here seized him, and he was fully determined to make the trial. Mr. Browne brought out his lecture. "Babes in the Woods" at Clinton Hall, December 23, 1861, and in 1862 he published his first book entitled, "Artemus Ward; His Book." He attained great fame as a lecturer and his lectures were not confined to America, for he went to England in 1866, and became exceedingly popular, both as a lecturer and a contributor to "Punch." Mr. Browne lectured for the last time January 23, 1867. He died in Southampton, England, March 6, 1867. THURLOW WEED, a noted journalist and politician, was born in Cairo, New York, November 15, 1797. He learned the printer's trade at the age of twelve years, and worked at this calling for several years in various villages in centra! New York. He served as quartermaster-sergeant during the warofi8i2. In 18 18 he established the "Agriculturist," at Norwich, New York, and became editor of the "Anti-Masonic Enquirer," at Rochester, in 1826. In the same year he was elected to the legislature and re-elected in 1830, when he located in Albany, New York, and there started the " Evening Journal," and conducted it in op- position to the Jackson administration and the nullification doctrines of Calhoun. He became an adroit party manager, and was instrumental in promoting the nominations of Harrison, Taylor and Scott for the pres- idency. In 1856 and in i860 he threw his support to W. H. Seward, but when defeat- ed in his object, he gave cordial support to ;.'_' COMPENDICM OF BIOGRAPHY. Fremont and Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln pre- v? ; led upon him to visit the various capitals of Europe, where he proved a valuable aid tc the administration in moulding the opin- ions of the statesmen of that continent favorable to the cause of the Union. Mr. Weed's connection with the "Even- ing Journal " was severed in 1S62, when he settled in New York, and for a time edited the "Commercial Advertiser." In 1868 he retired from active life. His " Letters from Europe and the West Indies," published in 1866, together with some interesting " Rem- iniscences," published in the "Atlantic Monthly, "in 1870, an autobiography, and portions of an extensive correspondence will be of great value to writers of the political history of the United States. Mr. Weed died in New York, November 22, 1882. WILLIAM COLLINS WHITNEY, of the prominent Democratic politicians of the country and ex-secretary of the navy, was born July 5th, 1N41, at Con- way, Mas its, and received his edu- cation at Williston Seminary, East Hamp- ton, Massachusetts. Later he attended Yale ( where he graduated in 1863, and entered the Harvard Law School, which he left in 1864. Beginning practice in New York city, he soon gained a reputation as an able lawyer. He made his first appear- ance in public affairs in 1 871, when he was active in organizing a young men's Demo- cratic club. In 1872 he was the recognized leader of the county Democracy and in 1875 was appointed corporation counsel for the city of New York. He resigned the office, [882, to attend to personal interests and on March 5, 1885, he was appointed secretary of the navy by President Cleveland. Under his administration the navy of the United States rapidly rose in rank among the navies of the world. When he retired from office in 1889, the vessels of the United States navy designed and contracted for by him were five double-turreted monitors, two new armor-clads, the dynamite cruiser "Ve- suvius," and five unarmored steel and iron cruisers. Mr. Whitney was the leader of the Cleveland forces in the national Democratic convention of 1892. EDWIN FORREST, the first and great- est American tragedian, was born in Philadelphia in 1806. His father was a tradesman, and some accounts state that he had marked out a mercantile career for his son, Edwin, while others claim that he had intended him for the ministry. His wonder- ful memory, his powers of mimicry and his strong musical voice, however, attracted at- tention before he was eleven years old, and at that age he made his first appearance on the stage. The costume in which he appeared was so ridiculous that he left the stage in a fit of anger amid a roar of laughter from ■tee. This did not discourage him, however, and at the age of fourteen, after preliminary training in elocution, he red again, this tune as Young Norvel, and gave indications of future greatness. Up to 1826 he played entirely with strolling companies through the south and west, but at that time he obtained an engagement at the Bowery Theater in New York. From that time his fortune was made. His man- ager paid him $40 per night, and it is stated that he loaned Forrest to other houses from time to time at $200 per night. His great successes were Virginius, Damon, Othello, Coriolanus, William Tell, Spartacus and Lear. He made his first appearance in London in 1836, and his success was un- questioned from the start. In 1845, on k s UPENDIUM <>/■' BIOGRAPHY. second appearance in London, he became involved in a bitter rivalry with the great English actor, Macready, who had visited America two years before. The result was that Forrest was hissed from the stage, and it was charged that Macready had instigated the plot. Forrest's resentment was so bitter that he himself openly hissed Ma. from his box a few nights later. In 1848 Macready again visited America at a time when American admiration and enthi: for Forrest had reached its height. Macready undertook to play at Astor Place Opera House in May, 1 S49, but was hooted off the stage. A few nights later Macready made a second attempt to play at the same house, this time under police protection. The house wasfilled with Macready 'sfriends, but the vio- olence of the mob outside stopped the play, and the actor barely escaped with his life. Upon reading the riot act the police and troops were assaulted with stones. The troops replied, first with blank cartridges, and then a volley of lead dispersed the mob, leaving thirty men dead or seriously wounded. After this incident Forrest's popularity waned, until in 1 S 5 5 he retired from the stage. He re-appeared in i860, however, and probably the most remunerative period of his life was between that date and the close of the Civil war. His last appearance on the stage was at the Globe Theatre, Boston, in Richelieu, in April, 1872, his death occurring December 12 of that year. NOAH PORTER. D. D., LL. D., was one of the most noted educators, au- thors and scientific writers of the United States. He was born December 14, [8ll, at Farmington, Connecticut, graduated at Yale College in 1831, and was master of Hopkins Grammar School at New Haven in 1831 -33. During 1S33-35 he was a tutor at Vale, and at the same time was pursuing his theological studies, and became pastor of the Coi nal church at New Mil- ford, Connecticut, in April, 1836, Dr. Porter removed to Springfield. Massachu- setts, in 1S43, and was chosen professor of metaphysics and moral philosophy at Yale in 1S46. He spent a year in Germany in the study of modern metaphysics in 1 54, and in 1871 he was elected president of Yale College. He resigned the presidency -5. but still remained professor of met- aphysics and moral philosophy. He was the author of a number of works, among which are the following: "Historical Es- say,'' written in commemorationofthe200th aniversary of the settlement of the town of Farmington; " Educational System of the Jesuits Compared;'' "The Human Intel- lect," with an introduction upon psychology and the soul; " Books and Reading;'' "American Colleges and the American Pub- lic;'' " Elementsof Intellectual Philosophy;" " The Science of Nature versus the Science of Man;" "Science and Sentiment;" "Ele- ments of Moral Science." Dr. Porter was the principal editor of the revised edition of Webster's Dictionary in 1864, and con- tributed largely to religious reviews and periodicals. Dr. Porter's death occurred March 4, 1892, at New Haven, Connecticut. JOHN TYLER, tenth president of the United States, was born in Charles City county, Virginia, March 29, 1790, and was the son of Judge John Tyler, one of the most distinguished men of his day. When but twelve years of age young John Tyler entered William and Mary Col- lege, graduating from there in 1806. He took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1809, when but nineteen years 94 COMTEXDIIM OF BIOGRAPIIV. of age. On attaining his majority in 1S1 i he was elected a member of the state legis- lature, and for five years held that position by the almost unanimous vote of his county. He was elected to congress in 1S16, and served in that body for four years, after which for two years he represented his dis- trict again in the legislature of the state. While in congress, he opposed the United States bank, the protective policy and in- ternal improvements by the United States government. 1825 saw Mr. Tyler governor of Virginia, but in 1827 he was chosen membei of the United States senate, and held that office for nine years. He therein opposed the administration of Adams and the tariff bill of 1828, sympathized with the nullifiers of South Carolina and was the only senator who voted against the Force bill lor the suppression of that state's insip- ient rebellion. He resigned his position as senator on account of a disagreement with the legislature of his state in relation to his censuring President Jackson. He retired to Williamsburg, Virginia, but being regarded as a martyr by the Whigs, whom, hereto- fore, he had always opposed, was supported by many of that party for the vice-presi- dency in 1836. He sat in the Virginia leg- islature as a Whig in 1 839-40, and was a del f;ate to the convention of that party in i8;q. This national convention nominated him for the second place on the ticket with General William H. H. Harrison, and he was elected vice-president in November, 1840. President Harrison dying one month after his inauguration, he was succeeded by John Tyler. He retained the cabinet chosen by his predecessor, and for a time moved in harmony with the Whig party. He finally instructed the secretary of the treasury. Thomas Ewing, to submit to congress a bill for the incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States, which was passed by con- gress, but vetoed by the president on ac- count of some amendments he considered unconstitutional. For this and other meas- ures he was accused of treachery to his party, and deserted by his whole cabinet, except Daniel Webs' er. Things grew worse until he was abandoned by the Whig party formally, when Mr. Webster resigned. He was nominated at Baltimore, in May, 1844, at the Democratic convention, as their pres- idential candidate, but withdrew from the canvass, as he saw he had not succeed- ed in gaining the confidence of his old party. He then retired from politics until February, 1861, when he was made presi- dent of the abortive peace congress, which met in Washington. He shortly after re- nounced his allegiance to the United States and was elected a member of the Confeder- ate congress. He died at Richmond, Janu- ary 17, 1862. Mr. Tyler married, in 1813, Miss Letitia Christian, who died in 1842 at Washington. June 26, 1844, he contracted a second mar- riage, with Miss Julia Gardner, of New York. COLLIS POTTER HUNTINGTON, one of the great men of his time and who has left his impress upon the history of our national development, was born October 22, 1821, at Harwinton, Connecticut. He received a common-school education and at the age of fourteen his spirit of get- ting along in the world mastered his educa- tional propensities and his father's objec- tions and he left school. He went to Cali- fornia in the early days and had opportunities which he handled masterfully. Others had the same opportunities but they did not have his brains nor his energy, and it was he who overcame obstacles and reaped the reward of his genius. Transcontinental railways \TPEND1UM OF /:/ 1 x,h\\ /'//>: were inevitable, but the realization of this masterful achievement would have been de- layed to a much later day if there had been no Huntington. He associated himself with S. Mark Hopkins, Leland Stanford, and Charles Crocker, and they furnished the money necessary for a survey across the Sierru N i las, secured a charter for the road, and raised, with the government's aid, money enough to construct and equip that railway, which at the time of its completion was a marvel of engineering and one of the wonders of the world. Mr. Huntington be- came president of the Southern Pacific rail- road, vice-president of the Central Pacific; trustee of the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company, and a director of the Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company, besides being identified with many other business enterprises of vast importance. brevet major-genera] for gallant conduct during the engagement. General Custer was in command of a cavalry division in the pursuit of Lee's army in 1865, and fought at Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, where he was made brevet brigadier-general; Sailors Creek and Appomattox, where he gained additional honors and was made brevet major-general, and was given the command of the cavalry in the military division of the southwest and Gulf, in After the establishment of peace he went west on frontier duty and performed gallant and valuable service in the troubles with the Indians. He was killed in the massacre on the Little Big Horn river. South Dakota, June 25, 1876. GEORGE A. CUSTER, a famous In- dian fighter, was born in Ohio in 1840. He graduated at West Point in 1861, an- served in the Civil war; was at Bull Run id 1861, and was in the Peninsular campaign, being one of General McClellan's aides-de, camp. He fought in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam in 1863, and was with General Stoneman on his famous cavalry raid. He was engaged in the battle of Gettysburg, and was there made brevet- major. In 1S63 was appointed brigadier- general of volunteers. General Custer was in many skirmishes in central Virginia in 1863-64, and was present at the following battles of the Richmond campaign: Wil- derness, Todd's Tavern, Yellow Tavern, where hewasbrevetted lieutenant-colonel; Meadow Bridge, Haw's Shop, Cold Harbor, Trevil- lian Station. In the Shenandoah Valley 1 864 65 he was brevetted colonel at Opequan Creek, and at Cedar Creek he was made DANIEL WOLSEY VOORHEES, cel- brated as " The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash," was born September 26, 1827, in Butler county, Ohio. When he was two months old his parents removed to Fount- ain county, Indiana. He grew to manhood on a farm, engaged in all the arduous work pertaining to rural life. In 1S45 he entered the Indiana Asbury University, now the De Pauw, from which he graduated in I He took up the study of law at Crawfords- ville, and in 1851 began the practice of his profession at Covington, Fountain county, Indiana. He became a law partner of United States Senator Hannegan, of Indi- ana, in 1852, and in 1856 he was an unsuc- cessful candidate f<>r congress. In the fol- lowing year he took up his residence in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was United States district attorney for Indiana from 1857 until 1 86 1, and he had during this period been elected to congress, in i860. Mr. Vnorhees was re-elected to congress in 1 S62 and 1 864, but he was unsuccessful in the election of 1866. However, he was returned to con- 96 COMPENDIUM OF BTOGRArflV gress in 1S68, where he remained until 1874, having been re-elected twice. In 1877 he was appointed United States senator from Indiana to fill a vacancy caused by the death of O. P. Morton, and at the end of the term was elected for the ensuing term, being re- elected in 1885 and in 1891 to the same of- fice. He served with distinction on many of the committees, and took a very prom- inent part in the discussion of all the im- portant legislation of his time. His death occurred in August, 189 . ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL, fa- mous as one of the inventors of the tele- phone, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, March 3rd, 1S47. He received his early education in the high school and later he attended the university, and was specially trained to follow his grandfather's profes- sion, that of removing impediments of speech. He emigrated to the United States in 1872, and introduced into this country his father's invention of visible speech in the institutions for deaf-mutes. Later he was appointed professor of vocal physiology in the Boston University. He worked fur many years during his leisure hours on his telephonic discovery, and finally perfected it and exhibited it publicly, before it had reached the high state of perfection to which he brought it. His first exhibition of it was at the Centennial Exhibition that was held in Philadelphia in 1876. Its success is now established throughout the civilized world. In 1882 Prof. Bell received a diploma and the decoration of the Legion of Honor from the Academy of Sciences of France. WILLIAM HICKLIXG PRESCOTT, the justly celebrated historian and author, was a native of Salem, Massachu- setts, and was born May 4, 1796. He was the son of Judge William Prescott and the grandson of the hero of Bunker Hill, Colonel William Prescott. Our subject in 1808 removed with the family to Boston, in the schools of which city he received his early education. He entered Harvard College as a sophomore in 181 i, having been prepared at the private classical college of Rev. Dr. J. S. J. Gardi- jner. The following year be received an in- ury in his left eye which made study through life a matter of difficulty. He graduated in 1814 with high honors in the classics and belle lettres. He spent several months on the Azores Islands, and later visited England, France and Italy, return- ing home in 1817. In June, 1818, he founded a social and Literary club at Boston for which he edited "The Club Room," a periodical doomed to but a short life. May 4, iSjo, he married Miss Susan Amory. He devoted several years after that event to a thorough study of ancient and modern history and literature. As the fruits of his labors he published several well written essays upon French and Italian poetry and romance in the " North American Review." January pi. 1X26, he decided to take up his first great historical work, the " History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella." To this he gave the labor of ten years, publish- ing the same December 25, 1837. Although placed at the head of all American authors, so diffident was Prescott of his literary merit that although he had four copies of this work printed for his own convenience, he hesitated a long time before giving it to the public, and it was only by the solicitation of friends, especially of that talented Spanish scholar, George Ticknor, that he was in- duced to do so. Soon the volumes were translated into French, Italian, Dutch and German, and the work was recognized COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 97 throughout the world as one of the most meritorious of historical compositions. In i S43 he published the "Conquest of Mexi- co," and in 1847 the "Conquest of Peru." Two years later there came from his pen a volume of "Biographical and Critical Mis- cellanies." Going abroad in the summer of 1S50, he was received with great distinction in the literary circles of London, Edinburgh, Paris. Antwerp and Brussels. Oxford I'm- versity conferred the degree of D. C. L. upon him. In 1 S 5 5 he issued two volumes of his "History of the Reign of Philip the Second," and a third in 1858. In 'the meantime he edited Robertson's "Charles the Fifth," adding a history of the life of that monarch after his abdication. Death cut short his work on the remaining volumes Oi " Philip the Second," coming to him at Boston, Massachusetts, May 28, 1 S 59. OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, a noted American commodore, was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, August 2 3, He saw his first service as a mid- shipman in the United States navy in April, 1799. He cruised with his father, Captain Christopher Raymond Perry, in the W< st In- dies for about two years. In 1804 he was in the war against Tripoli, and was made lieutenant in 1807. At the opening of hostili- ties with Great Britain in 18 12 he was given command of a fleet of gunboats on the At- lantic coast. At his request he was trans- ferred, a year later, to Lake Ontario, where he served under Commodore Chauncey, and took an active part in the attack on Fort George. He was ordered to fit out a squad- ron on Lake Erie, which he did, building most of his vessels from the forests along the shore, and by the summer of 1813 he had a fleet of nine vessels at Presque Isle, now Erie, Pennsylvania September 10th he attacked and captured the British fl< Put-in-Bay, thus clearing the lake of hostile ships. His famous dispatch is part of his fame, " We have met the enemy, and they are ours." He co-operated with Gen. Har- rison, and the success of the campaign in the northwest was largely due to his victory. The next year he was transferred to the Po- tomac, and assisted in the defense of Balti- more. After the war he was in constant service with the various squadrons in cruising in all parts of the world. He died of yellow fever on the Island of Trinidad, August 23, 1 819. His remains were conveyed to New- port, and buried there, and an imposing obelisk was erected to his memory by the Slate of Rhode Island. A bronze statue was also erected in his honor, the unveiling taking place in 1 > 5 JOHN PAUL JONES, though a native of Scotland, was one of America's most noted fighters during the Revolutionary war. He was born July 6, 1747. His father was a gardener, but the young man soon be- came interested in a seafaring life and at the age of twelve he was apprenticed to a sea captain engaged in the American trade. His first voyage landed him in Virginia, where he had a brother who had settled there several years prior. The failure of the captain released young Jones from his apprenticeship bonds, and he was engaged as third mate of a vessel engaged in the slave trade. He abandoned this trade after a few years, from his own sense of disgrace. He took passage from Jamaica for Scotland in 1768, and on the voyage both the captain and the mate died and he was compelled to take command of the vessel for the re- mainder of the He soon after became master of the vessel. He returned to Virginia about 1773 to settle up the estate 9S COMPENDIUM OF BI0GRAPH1 of his brother, and at this time added the name "Jones," having previously been known as John Paul. He settled down in Virginia, but when the war broke out in 1775 he offered his services to congress and was appointed senior lieutenant of the flag- ship "Alfred," on which he hoisted the American flag with his own hands, the first vessel that had ever carried a flag of the new nation. He was afterward appointed to the command of the "Alfred," and later of the "Providence," in each of which ves- sels he did good service, as also in the " Ranger," to the command of which he was later appointed. The fight that made him famous, however, was that in which he captured the " Serapis, " off the coast of Scotland. He was then in command of the "Bon Homme Richard," which had been fitted out for him by the French government and named by Jones in honor of Benjamin Franklin, or "Good Man Richard," Frank- lin being author of the publication known as " Poor Richard's Almanac." The fight between the " Richard" and the "Serapis" lasted three hours, all of which time the vessels were at close range, and most of the time in actual contact. Jones' vessel was on fire several times, and early in the en- gagement two of his guns bursted, rendering the battery useless. Also an envious officer of the Alliance, one of Jones' own fleet, opened fire upon the " Richard " at a crit- ical time, completely disabling the vessel. Jones continued the fight, in spite of coun- sels to surrender, and after dark the " Ser- apis " struck her colors, and was hastily boarded by Jones and his crew, while the "Richard" sank, bows first, after the wounded had been taken on board the "Serapis." Most of the other vessels of the fleet of which the " Serapis" was con- voy, surrendered, and were taken with the "Serapis" to France, where Jones was received with greatest honors, and the king presented him with an elegant sword and the cross of the Order of Military Merit. Congress gave him a vote of thanks and made him commander of a new ship, the "America," but the vessel was afterward given to France and Jones never saw active sea service again. He came to America again, in 1 7 S 7 , after the close of the war, and was voted a gold medal by congress. He went to Russia and was appointed rear-admiral and rendered service of value against the Turks, but on account of personal enmity of the fav- orites of the emperor he was retired on a pen- sion. Failing to collect this, he returned to France, where he died, July 18, 1792. THOMAS MORAN, the well-known painter of Rocky Mountain scenery, was born in Lancashire, Fngland, in 1837. He came to America when a child, and showing artistic tastes, he was apprenticed to a wood engraver in Philadelphia. Three years later he began landscape painting, and li is style soon began to exhibit signs of gen ins. His first works were water-colors, and though without an instructor he began the use .of oils, he soon found it necessary to visit Europe, where he gave particular at- tention to the works of Turner. He joined the Yellowstone Park exploring expedition and visited the Rocky Mountains in 1S71 and again in 1873, making numerous sketches of the scenery. The most note- worthy results were his "Grand Canon of the Yellowstone," and " The Chasm of the Colorado," which were purchased by con- gress at $10,000 each, the first of which is undoubtedly the finest landscape painting produced in this country. Mr. Moran has subordinated art to nature, and the subjects he has chosen leave little ground for fault / | ' ^ 0-- .'. L- '.06 ^ V. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY, 101 finding on that account. "The Mountain of the Holy Cross," "The Groves Were God's First Temples," •• The Cliffs of Green River, "'• The Children of the Mountain," "The Ripening of the Leaf," and others have given him additional fame, and while they do not equal in grandeur the first mentioned, in many respects from an artis- tic standpoint they are superior. L ELAND STANFORD was one of the greatest men of the Pacific coast and also had a national reputation. He was born March 9, 1824, in Albany county. New York, and passed his early life on his father's farm. He attended the local schools of the county and at the age of twenty began the study of law. He entered the law office of Wheaton, Doolittle and Hadley, at Albany, in 1845, and a few years later he moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin, where he practiced law four years with moderate success. In 1852 Mr. Stanford determined to push further west, and, accordingly went to California, where three of his brothers were established in business in the mining towns. They took Leland into partnership, giving him charge of a branch store at Michigan Bluff, in Placer county. There he developed great business ability and four years later started a mercantile house of his own in San Fran- cisco, which soon became one of the most substantial houses on the coast. On the formation of the Republican party he inter- ested himself in politics, and in 18G0 was sent as a delegate to the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln. In the autumn of 1S61 he was elected, by an im- mense majority, governor of California. Prior to his election as governor he had been chosen president of the newly-orga- nized Central Pacific Railroad Company, and after leaving the executive chair he de- voted all of his time to the construction of the Pacific end of the transcontinental rail- way. May 10, [869, Mr. Stanford drove the last spike of the Central Pacific road, thus completing the route across the conti- nent. He was also president of the Occi- dental and Oriental Steamship Company. He had but one son, who died of typhoid fever, and as a monument to his child he founded the university which bears his son's name, Leland Stanford, Junior, University. Mr. Stanford gave to this university eighty- three thousand acres of land, the estimated value of which is $S, 000, 000, and the entire endowment is $20,000,000. In 1885 Mr. Stanford was elected United States senator as a Republican, to succeed J. T. Farley, a Democrat, and was re-elected in 1S91. His death occurred June 20, 1894, at Palo Alto, California. STEPHEN DECATUR, a famous com- modore in the United States navy, was born in Man land in 1779. He entered the naval service in 1798. In 1S04, when the American vessel Philadelphia had been run aground and captured in the harbor of Trip- oli, Decatur, at the head of a few men, boarded her and burned her in the face of the guns from the city defenses. For this daring deed he was made captain. He was given command of the frigate United States at the breaking out of the war of 18 12, and in October of that year he captured the British frigate Macedonian, and was re- 1 with a gold medal by congress. Af- ter the close of the war he was sent as com- mander of a fleet of ten vessels to chastise the dey of Algiers, who was preying upon American commerce with impunity and de- manding tribute and ransom for the release of American citizens captured. Decatur 102 COMPENDIUM OF BTOGRAniV. captured a number of Algerian vessels, and compelled the dey to sue for peace. He was noted for his daring and intrepidity, and his coolness in the face of danger, and helped to bring the United States navy into favor with the people and congress as a means of defense and offense in time of war. He was killed in a duel by Commo- dore Barron, March 12, 1820. JAMES KNOX POLK, the eleventh president of the United States, 1845 to 18411, was bom November 2, 1795, in Meck- lenburg county, North Carolina, and was the eldest child of a family of six sons. He removed with his father to the Valley of the Duck River, in Tennessee, in 1806. He attended the common schools and became very proficient in the lower branches of education, and supplemented this with a course in the Mmfreesboro Academy, which he entered in 18 13 and in the autumn of 1 8 1 5 he became a student in the sopho- more class of the University of North Caro- lina, at Chapel Hill, and was graduated in 181 8. He then spent a short time in re- cuperating his health and then proceeded to Nashville, Tennessee, where he took up the study of law in the office of Felix Grundy. After the completion of his law studies he was admitted to the bar and removed to Columbia, Maury county, Tennessee, and started in the active practice of his profes- sion. Mr. Polk was a Jeffersonian " Re- publican " and in [823 he was elected to the legislature of Tennessee. He was a strict constructionist and did not believe that the general government had the power to carry on internal improvements in the states, but deemed it important that it should have that power, and wanted the constitution amended to that effect. But later on he became alarmed lest the general government might become strong enough to abolish slavery and therefore gave his whole support to the " State's Rights" movement, and endeavored to check the centralization of power in the general government. Mr. Polk was chosen a member of congress in 1825, and held that office until 1839. He then withdrew, as he was the successful gubernatorial candidate of his state. He had become a man of great influence in the house, and, as the leader of the Jackson party in that body, weilded great influence in the election of General Jackson to the presidency. He sustained the president in all his measures and still remained in the house after Gen- eral Jackson had been succeeded by Martin Van Buren. He was speaker of the house during five sessions of congress. He was elected governor of Tennessee by a large majority and took the oath of office at Nash- ville, October 4, 1859. He was a candidate for re-election but was defeated by Governor Jones, the Whig candidate. In 1844 the most prominent question in the election was the annexation of Texas, and as Mr. Polk was the avowed champion of this cause he was nominated for president by the pro- slavery wing of the democratic party, was elected by a large majority, and was in urated March 4, 1845. President Polk formed a very able cabinet, consisting of James Buchanan, Robert J. Walker, Will- iam L. Marcy, George Bancroft, Cave John- son, and John Y. Mason. The dispute re- garding the Oregon boundary was settled during his term of office and a new depart- ment was added to the list of cabinet po- sitions, that of the Interior. The low tariff bill of 1846 was carried and the financial system of the country was reorganized. It was also during President Polk's term that the Mexican war was successfully conducted, which resulted in the acquisition of Califor- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. L08 nia and New Mexico. Mr. Polk retired from the presidency March 4, 1S40, after having declined a re-nomination, and was succeeded by General Zachary Taylor, the hero oi the Mexican war. Mr. Polk retired to private life, to his home in Nashville, where he died at the age of fifty-four on June 9, 1849. ANNA DICKINSON (Anna Elizabeth Dickinson), a noted lecturer and pub- lic speaker, was born at Philadelphia, Oc- tober 28, 1842. Her parents were Quakers, and she was educated at the Friends' free schools in her native city. She early man- d an inclination toward elocution and public speaking, and when, at the age of 18, and an opportunity to appear before a national as- 1 the discussion of woman's rights, she at once established her reputation as a public speaker. From i860 to the close of the war and during the ex- citing period of reconstruction, she was one of the most noted and influential speakers before the American public, and her popu- larity was unequaled by that of any of her sex. A few weeks after the defeat and death of Colonel Baker at Ball's Bluff, Anna Dickinson, lecturing in New York, made the remarkable assertion, " Not the incom- petency of Colonel Baker, but the treachery of General McClellan caused the disaster at Ball's Bluff.'' She was hissed and hooted off the stage. A year later, at the same hall and with much the same class of audi- tors, she repeated the identical words, and the applause was so great and so long con- tinued that it was impossible tp goon with her lecture for more than half an hour. The change of sentiment had been wrought by the reverses and dismissal of McClellan and his ambition to succeed Mr. Lincoln as presi- dent. Ten years after the close of the war, Anna Dickinson was not heard of on the lec- ture platform, and about that time she made an attempt to enter the dramatic profession, but after appearing a number of times in dif- ferent plays she was pronounced a failure. ROBERT J. BURDETTE.— Some per- sonal characteristics of Mr. Burdette quaintly given by himself in the follow- ing words: "Politics? Republican after the strictest sect. Religion ? Baptist. Per- sonal appearance ? Below medium height, and weigh one hundred and thirty- live Is, no shillings and no pence. Rich? Not enough to own a yacht. Favorite read- ing 1 Poetry and history — know Longfellow by heart, almost. Write for magizines ? Have mo.e 'declined with thanks ' letters than would fill a trunk. Never able to get into a magazine with a line. Care about it? Mad as thunder. Think about starting a magazine and rejecting everbody's articles except my own.'' Mr. Burdette was born at Greensborough, Pennsylvania, in 1S44. He served through the war of the rebellion under General Banks "on an excursion ticket" as he felicitously described it, "good both ways, conquering in one direction and running in the other, pay going on just the same." He entered into journalism by the gateway of New York correspondence for the "Peoria Transcript," and in [874 went on the "Burlington Hawkeye" of which he became the managing editor, and the work that he did on this paper made both him- self and the paper famous in the woi humor. Mr. Burdette married in 1 and his wife, whom he called "Her Little Serene Highness," was to him a guiding light until the day of her death, and it was probably the unconscious pathos with which he described her in his work that broke the barriers that had kept him out of the maga- 104 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRATHT. zines and secured him the acceptance of his "Confessions" by Lippincott some years ago, and brought him substantial fame and recognition in the literary world. WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS, one of the leading novelists of the present century and author of a number of works that gained for him a place in the hearts of the people, was born March i, 1837, at Martinsville, Belmont county, Ohio. At the age of three years he accompanied his father, who was a printer, to Hamilton, Ohio, where he learned the printer's trade. Later he was engaged on the editorial staff of the " Cincinnati Gazette " and the " Ohio State Journal." During 1861-65 he was the United States consul at Venice, and from 1 87 1 to 1878 he was the editor-in- chief of the "Atlantic Monthly." As a writer he became one of the most fertile and readable of authors and a pleasing poet. In 1 885 he became connected with "Har- per's Magazine." Mr. Howells was author of the list of books that we give below: "Venetian Life,'' " Italian Journeys," "No Love Lost," "Suburban Sketches," "Their Wedding Journey," "A Chance Acquaint- ance," "A Foregone Conclusion," "Dr. Breen's Practice," "A Modern Instance," "The Rise of Silas Lapham," "Tuscan Cities," "Indian Summer," besides many others. He also wrote the " Poem of Two Friends," with J. J. Piatt in i860, and some minor dramas: "The Drawing Room Car," "The Sleeping Car," etc., that are full of exqusite humor and elegant dialogue. JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL was a son of the Rev. Charles Lowell, and was born at Cambridge, Massachusetts, February 22, J 8 19. He graduated at Harvard College in 1838 as class poet, and went to Harvard Law School, from which he was graduated in 1840, and commenced the practice of his profession in Boston, but soon gave his un- divided attention to literary labors. Mr. Lowell printed, in 1S41, a small volume of poems entitled " A Year's Life," edited with Robert Carter; in 1843, " The Pioneer, " a literary and critical magazine (monthly), and in 1848 another book of poems, that con- tained several directed against slavery. He published in 1844 a volume of "Poems" and in 1845 "Conversations on Some of the Old Poets," "The Vision of Sir Launfal," "A Fable for Critics, " and "The Bigelow Papers," the latter satirical es- says in dialect poetry directed against slavery and the war with Mexico. In i S 3 1 52 he traveled in Europe and re- sided in Italy for a considerable time, and delivered in 1854-55 a course of lectures on the British poets, before the Lowell Insti- tute, Boston. Mr. Lowell succeeded Long- fellow in January, 1855, as professor of modern languages and literature at Harvard College, and spent another year in Em ope qualifying himself for that post. He edited the " Atlantic Monthly " from 1857 to 1862, and the "North American Review" from 1863 until 1S72. From 1864 to 1870 he published the following works: " Fireside Travels," " Under the Willows," "The Commemoration Ode," in honor of the alumni of Harvard who had fallen in the Civil war; "The Cathedral," two volumes of essays; "Among My Books" and "My Study Windows," and in 1867 he published a new series of the " Bigelow Papers." He traveled extensively in Europe in 1872-74, and received in person the degree of D. C. L. at Oxford and that of LL. D. at the University of Cambridge, England. He was also interested in political life and held MPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 105 many important offices. He was United States minister to Spain in 1S77 and was also minister to England in [880-85. On January 2, 1SS4, he was elected lord rector of St. Andrew University in Glasgow, Scot- land, but soon after he resigned the same Mr. Lowell's works enjoy great popularity in the United States and England. He died August 12, 1 S 9 1 . JOSEPH HENRY, one of America's greatest scientists, was born at Albany, New Y<>rk, December 17, 1797. He was educated in the common schools of the city and graduated from the Albany Academy, where he became a professor of mathemat- ics in 1826. In 1S27 he commenced a course of investigation, which he continued for a number of years, and the results pro- duced had great effect on the scientific world. The first success was achieved by producing the electric magnet, and he next proved the possibility of exciting magnetic energy at a distance, and it was the invention of Pro- fessor Henry's intensity magnet that first made the invention of electric telegraph a possibility. He made a statement regarding the practicability of applying the intensity magnet to telegraphic uses, in his article to the "American Journal of Science" in 183 1. During the same year he produced the first mechanical contrivance ever invented for maintaining continuous motion by means of electro-magnetism, and he also contrived a machine by which signals could be made at a distance by the use of his electro-magnet, the signals being produced by a lever strik- ing on a bell. Some of his electro-magnets ■were of great power, one carried over a ton and another not less than three thousand six hundred pounds. In 1832 he discovered that secondary currents could be produced •'• 3 lon^ conductor by the induction of the primary current upon itself, and also in the same year he produced a spark by means of a purely magnetic induction. Professor Henry was elected, in 1S32, professor of nat- ural philosophy in the College of New Jer- sey, and in his earliest lectures at Princeton, demonstrated the feasibility of the electric telegraph. He visited Europe in 1S37, and while there he had an interview with Pro- fessor YVheatstone, the inventor of the needle magnetic telegraph. In 1846 he was elected secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- tution, being the first incumbent in that office, which he held until his death. Professor Henry was elected president of the Ameri- can Association for the Advancement of Science, in 1849, and of the National Academy of Sciences. He was made chair- man of the lighthouse board of the United States in 1871 and held that position up to the time of his death. He received the honorary degree of doctor of laws from Union College in 1829, and from Harvard University in 1 851, and his death occurred May 13, 1878. Among his numerous works may be mentioned the following: "Contri- butions to Electricity and Magnetism," "American Philosophic Trans, " and many articles in the "American Journal of Science," the journal of the Franklin Insti- tute; the proceedings of the American As- sociation for the Advancement of Science, and in the annual reports of the Smith- sonian Institution from its foundation. FRANKLIN BUCHANAN, the famous rear-admiral of the Confederate navy during the rebellion, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He became a United States midshipman in 18 15 and was promoted through the various grades of the service and became a captain in 1855. Mr. Buch- anan resigned his captaincy in order to join 106 coMTExnirir of biography. the Confederate service in I 86 1 and later he asked to be reinstated, but his request was refused and he then entered into the service of the Confederate government. He was placed in command of the frigate " Merri- mac " after she had been fitted up as an iron- clad, and had command of her at the time of the battle of Hampton Roads. It was he wlio had command when the " Merri- mac" sunk the two wooden frigates, " Con- gress" and "Cumberland," and v. in command during part of the historical battle of the "Merrimac" and the "Moni- tor," where hi was wi mnded and the o mand devolved upon Lieutenant Cad Jones. He was created rear-admiral in the Confedei iti ervii tnd commanded the Confederate- fleet in Mobile hay, which was defeated by Admiral Farragut, August 5. 1864. Mr. Buchanan was in command ol the "Tennessee," an irom 1 during the ment he lost .me of his legs and was taken prisoner in the end by the Union Heel. After the war he settled in Talbot county, Maryland, where he died May 11, 1874. RM HARD PARKS Id AM \ a celebrated American statesman, frequently called "the father of the house," because of his many years of service in the lower house of congress, was born August 19, 1835, near Hartford, Kentucky, where he received a plain academic education. He moved, in 1S55, to Missouri, from whence he went overland to California, afterward locating in Virginia City, now in the state of Nevada, but then part of the territory of Utah. While there he practiced law, dabbled in mines and mining in Nevada and California for several years, and served for a time as treasurer of Carson county, Nevada. Mr. Bland returned to Missouri in 1865, where he engaged in the practice of law at Rolla, Missouri, and in 1869 removed to Lebanon, Missouri. He began his congressional career in 1873, when he was elected as a Demo- crat to the forty-third congress, and he was regularly re-elected to every congress after that time up to the fifty-fourth, when he was ated for re-election, but was returned to the fifty-fifth congress as a Silver Demo- crat. During all his protracted service, while Mr. Bland was always steadfast in his support of democratic measures, yet he won his special renown as the great advocate of silver, bemg strongly in favor of the free and unlimited co I silver, and on ac-' nt of his pi d views was one of the candidates tor the presidential nomina- tion of the Democratic party at Chicago in F\NNY DAVENPORT (F. L. G. Daven- port was of British birth, but she In - ■s tn the American sta-e. She was the daughter of the famous actor, E. L. Davi port, and was born in London in 1850. She first went on the stage as a child at the Howard Athenaeum, Boston, and her entire life was spent upon the stage. She played children's parts at 1 5m ton's old theater in Chambers street, and then, in 1862, appeared as the Kingol Spam in " Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady." Here she attracted the notice of Augustin Daly, the noted mana- ger, then at the Fifth Avenue theater, who offered her a six weeks' engagement with her father in "London Assurance." She afterwards appeared at the same house in a variety of characters, and her versatility was favorably noticed by the critics. After the burning of the old F"ifth Avenue, the present theater of that name was built at Twenty-eighth street, and here Miss Daven- port appeared in a play written for her by >:l 1/ OF BIOGRAPHT. 107 Mr. Daly. She scored a great success. She then starred in this play throughout the country, and was married to Mr. Edwin F. Price, an actor of her company, in 1880. In 1S82 she went to Paris and purchased the right to produce in America Sardou's great emotional play, "Fedora." It was put on at the Fourteenth Street theater in New York, and in it she won popular favor and became one of the most famous actresses of ht-r time. HORACE BRIGHAM CLAFLIN, one of the greatest merchants America has produced, was born in Milford, Massachu- setts, a son of John Claflin, also a mer- chant. Young Claflin started his active life as a clerk in his father's store, after having been offered the opportunity of a college education, but with the characteristic promptness that was one of his virtues he exclaimed, "No law or medicine for me." He had set his heart on being a merchant, and when his father retired he and his brother Aaron, and his brother-in-law, Sam- uel Daniels, conducted the business. Mr. Claflin was not content, however, to run a store in a town like Milford, and accordingly opened a dry goods store at Worcester, with his brother as a partner, but the partnership was dissolved a year later and H. B. Claflin assumed complete control. The business in Worcester had been conducted on ortho- dox principles, and when Mr. Claflin came there and introduced advertising as a means of drawing trade, he created considerable animosity among the older merchants. Ten years later he was one of the most pros; ous merchants. He disposed of his busi- ness in Worcester for $30,000, and went to ■ York to search for a wider field than that of a shopkeeper. Mr. Claflin and William M. Bulkley started in the dry goods business there under the firm name of Bulk- lej St Claflin, in 1843, and Mr. Bulkley was connected with the firm until 1851, when he retired. A new firm was then formed under the name of Claflin, Mellin & Co. This firm succeeded in founding the largest dry goods house in the world, and after weather- in- the dangers of the civil war, during which the house came very near going un- der, and was saved only by the superior business abilities of Mr. Claflin, continued to grow. The sales of the firm amounted to over $72,000,000 a year after the close of the war. Mr. Clarlin died November 14, 1885. C HARLOTTE CUSHMAN (Charlotte Saunders Cushtnan), one of the most celebrated American actresses, was born in Boston, July 23, 1816. She was descended from one of the earliest Puritan families. Her first attempt at stage work was at the age of fourteen years in a charitable concert given by amateurs in Boston. From this time her advance to the first place on the American lyric stage was steady, until, in 1 S3 5, while singing in New Orleans, she suddenly lost control of her voice so far as relates to singing, and was compelled to re- tire. She then took up the study for the dramatic stage under the direction of Mr. Barton, the tragedian. She soon after made her debut as *' Lady Macbeth." She appeared in New York in September, 1836, and her success was immediate. Her "Romeo" was almost perfect, and she is the only woman that has ever appeared in the part of "Cardinal Woteey." She at different times acted as support of Fori and Macready. Her London engagement, secured in 1845, after many and great dis couragements, proved an unqualified suc- cess. 108 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir. Her farewell appearance was at Booth's theater, New York, November 7, 1874, in the part of " Lady Macbeth," and after that performance an Ode by R. H. Stoddard was read, and a body of citizens went upon the stage, and in their name the venerable poet Longfellow presented her with a wreath of laurel with an inscription to the effect that "she who merits the palm should bear it." From the time of her appearance as a modest girl in a charitable entertainment down to the time of final triumph as a tragic queen, she bore herself with as much honor to womanhood as to the profession she rep- resented. Her death occurred in Boston, February 18, 1876. By her profession she •acquired a fortune of $600,000. NEAL DOW, one of the most prominent temperance reformers our country has known, was born in Portland, Me., March 20, 1804. He received his education in the Friends Seminary, at New Bedford, Massa- chusetts, his parents being members of that sect. After leaving school he pursued a mecrantile and manufacturing career for a number of years. He was active in the affairs of his native city, and in 1839 be- came chief of the fire department, and in 1 85 1 was elected mayor. He was re-elected to the latter office in 1854. Being opposed to the liquor traffic he was a champion of the project of prohibition, first brought for- ward in 1 839 by James Appleton. While serving his first term as mayor he drafted a bill for the "suppression of drinking houses and tippling shops," which he took to the legislature and which was passed without an alteration. In 1858 Mr. Dow was elected to the legislature. On the outbreak of the Civil war he was appointed colonel of the Thirteenth Maine Infantry and accompanied General Butler's expedition to New Orleans. In 1862 he was made brigadier-general. At the battle of Port Hudson May 27, 1863, he was twice wounded, and taken prisoner. He was confined at Libby prison and Mobile nearly a year, when, being exchanged, he resigned, his health having given way under the rigors of his captivity. He made sev- eral trips to England in the interests of temperance organization, where he addressed large audiences. He was the candidate of the National Prohibition party for the presi- dency in 1880, receiving about ten thousand votes. In 1884 he was largely instrumental in the amendment of the constitution of Maine, adopted by an overwhelming popular vote, which forever forbade the manufacture or sale of any intoxicating beverages, and commanding the legislature to enforce the prohibition. He died October 2, 1897. ZACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth president of the United States, was born in Orange county, Virginia, September 24, 17S4. His boyhood was spent on his fath- er's plantation and his education was lim- ited. In 1808 he was made lieutenant of the Seventh Infantry, and joined his regi- ment at New Orleans. He was promoted to captain in 18 10, and commanded at Fort Harrison, near the present site of Terre Haute, in 181 2, where, for his gallant de- fense, he was brevetted major, attaining full rank in 18 14. In 181 5 he retired to an es- tate near Louisville. In 18 16 here-entered the army as major, and was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and then to colonel. Having for many years been Indian agent over a large pon ion of the western country, he was often required in Washington to give advice and counsel in matters connected with the Indian b'ireau. He served through the Black Hawk Indian war of 1832, and in 1837 was ordered to the command of the coM/'/:x/)/r.u or biography. 109 army in Florida, where he attacked the In- dians in the swamps and brakes, defeated them and ended the war. He was brevetted brigadier-general and made commander-in- chief of the army in Florida. He was as- signed to the command of the army of the southwest in 1840, but was soon after re- lieved of it at his request. He was then stationed at posts in Arkansas. In 1S45 he was ordered to prepare to protect and de- fend Texas boundaries from invasion by Mexicans and Indians. On the annexation of Texas he proceeded with one thousand five hundred men to Corpus Christi, within the disputed territory. After reinforcement he was ordered by the Mexican General Am- pudia to retire beyond the Nueces river, with which order he declined to comply. The battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma followed, and he crossed the Rio Grande and occupied Matamoras May 1 8th. He was commissioned major-general for this campaign, and in September he advanced upon the city of Monterey and captured it after a hard fight. Here he took up winter quarters, and when he was about to resume activity in the spring he was ordered to send the larger part of his army to reinforce General Scott at Vera Cruz. After leaving garrisons at various points his army was re- duced to about five thousand, mostly fresh recruits. He was attacked by '.he army of Santa Anna at Buena Vista, February 22, 1847, and after a severe fight completely routed the Mexicans. He received the thanks of congress and a gold medal for this victory. He remained in command of the "army of occupation" until winter, when he returned to the United States. In 1848 General Taylor was nominated by the Whigs for president. He was elected over his two opponents, Cass and Van Buren. Great bitterness was developing in the struggle for and against the extension of slavery, and the newly acquired territory in the west, and the fact that the states were now equally divided on that question, tended to increase the feeling. President Taylor favored immediate admission of California with her constitution prohibiting slavery, and the admission of other states to be formed out of the new territory as they might elect as they adopted constitutions from time to time. This policy resulted in the " Omnibus Bill," which afterward passed congress, though in separate bills; not, how- ever, until after the death of the soldier- statesman, which occurred July 9, 1850. One of his daughters became the wife of Jefferson Davis. MELVILLE D. LAXDON. better known as " Eli Perkins, "author, lecturer and humorist, was born in Eaton, New York, September 7, 1839. He was the son of John Landon and grandson of Rufus Lan- don, a revolutionary soldier from Litchfield county, Connecticut. Melville was edu- cated at the district school and neighboring academy, where he was prepared for the sophomore class at Madison University. He passed two years at the latter, when he was admitted to Union College, and graduated in the class of 1861, receiving the degree of A. M., in 1862. He was, at once, ap- pointed to a position in the treasury depart- ment at Washington. This being about the time of the breaking out of the war, and before the appearance of any Union troops at the capital, he assisted in the organiza- tion of the " Clay Battalion," of Washing- ton. Leaving his clerkship some time later, he took up duties on the staff of General A. L. Chetlain, who was in command at Mem- phis. In 1864 he resigned from the army and engaged in cotton planting in Arkansas no COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. and Louisiana. In 1867 he went abroad, making the tour of Europe, traversing Rus- sia. While in the latter country his old commander of the " Clay Battalion," Gen- eral Cassius M. Clay, then United States minister at St. Petersburg, made him secre- i tary of legation. In 1871, on returning to America, he published a history of the Franco-Prussian war, and followed it with numerous humorous writings for the public press under the name of "Eli Perkins," which, with his regular contributions to the " Commercial Advertiser," brought him into notice, and spread his reputation as a hu- morist throughout thecountry. He also pub- lished "Saratoga in 1891," "Wit, Humor and Pathos," " Wit and Humor of the Age," •• Kings of Platform and Pulpit," "Thirty Years of Wit and Humor," " Fun and Fact," and "China and Japan." LEWIS CASS, one of the most prom- inent statesman and party leaders of his day, was born at Exeter, New Hampshire, October 9, 1782. He studied law, and hav- ing removed to Zanesville, Ohio, commenced the practice of that profession in 1802. He entered the service of the American govern- 111 -ut in 1812 and was made a colonel in the army under General William Hull, and on the surrender of Fort Maiden by that officer was held as a prisoner. Being re- leased in 18 1 3, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general and in 18 14 ap- pointed governor of Michigan Territory. After he had held that office for some sixteen years, negotiating, in the meantime, many treaties with the Indians, General Cacs was made secretary of war in the cabi- net of President Jackson, in 1 831. He was, in 1S36, appointed minister to France, which office he held for six years. In 1844 he - as elected United States senator from Michigan. In 1846 General Cass opposed the Wilmot Proviso, which was an amend- ment to a bill for the purchase of land from Mexico, which provided that in any of the territory acquired from that power slavery should not exist. For this and other reasons he was nominated as Democratic candidate for the presidency of the United States in 1848, but was defeated by General Zachary Taylor, the Whig candidate, having but one hundred and thirty-seven electoral votes to his opponent's one hundred and sixty- three. In 1849 General Cass was re-elected to the senate of the United States, and in 1 S 54 supported Douglas' Kansas-Nebraska bill. He became secretary of state in March, 1857, under President Buchanan, but resigned that office in December, i860. He died June 17, 1866. The published works of Lewis Cass, while not numerous, are well written and display much ability. He was one of the foremost men of his day in the political councils of the Democratic party, and left a reputation for high probity and honor behind him. DEWITT CLINTON.— Probably there were but few men who were so popular in their time, or who have had so much in- fluence in moulding events as the individual whose name honors the head of this article. De Witt Clinton was the son of General James Clinton, and a nephew of Governor George Clinton, who was the fourth vice- president of the United States. He was a native of Orange county, New York, born at Little Britain, March 2, 1769. He gradu- ated from Columbia College, in his native state, in 1 796, and took up the study of law. In 1790 he became private secretary to his uncle, then governor of New York. He en- tered public life as a Republican or anti- Federalist, and was elected to the lower COMPEXDIIM OF BIOGRAPHY. Ill house of the state assembly in 1797, and the senate of that body in 1798. At that time he was looked on as " the most rising man in the Union." In 1801 he was elected to the United States senate. In 1803 he was appointed by the governor and council mayor of the city of New York, then a very important and powerful office. Hav- ing been re-appointed, he held the office of mayor for nearly eleven years, and rendered great service to that city. Mr. Clinton served as lieutenant-governor of the state of New York, 1811-13, and was one of the commissioners appointed to examine and survey a route for a canal from the Hudson river to Lake Erie. Dif- fering with President Madison, in relation to the war, in 18 12, he was nominated for the presidency against that gentleman, by a coalition party called the Clintonians, many of whom were Federalists. Clinton received eight-nine electoral votes. His course at this time impaired his popularity for a time. He was removed from the mayoralty in 1814, and retired to private life. In 1815 he wrote a powerful argument for the con- struction of the Erie canal, then a great and beneficent work of which he was the prin- cipal promoter. This was in the shape of a memorial to the legislature, which, in 18 1 7, passed a bill authorizing the construc- tion of that canal. The same year he was elected governor of New York, almost unani- mously, notwithstanding the opposition of a few who pronounced the scheme of the canal visionary. He was re-elected governor in 1820. He was at this time, also, presi- dent of the canal commissioners. He de- clined a re-election to the gubernatorial chair in 1822 and was removed from his place on the canal board two years later. But he was triumphantly elected to the of- fice of governor that fall, and his pet project, the Erie canal, was finished the next year. He was re-elected governor in 1826, but died while holding that office, February 1 1, [828. AARON BURR, one of the many brillianl figures on the political stage in the early days of America, was born at Newark, New Jersey, February 6, 1756. He was the son of Aaron and Esther Burr, the former the president of the College of New Jersey, and the latter a daughter of Jonathan Edwards, who had been president of the same educa- tional institution. Young Burr graduated at Princeton in 1772. In 1775 he joined the provincial army at Cambridge, Massa- chusetts. For a time, he served as a private soldier, but later was made an aide on the staff of the unfortunate General Montgom- ery, in the Quebec expedition. Subse- quently he was on the staffs of Arnold, Put- nam and Washington, the latter of whom he disliked. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and commanded a brigade on Monmouth's bloody field. In 1779. on account of feeble health, Colonel Burr resigned from the army. He took up the practice of law in Albany. New York, but subsequently removed to New York City. In 1789 he became attorney-general of that state. In 1791 he was chosen to represent the state of New York in the United States senate and held that position for six years. In 1800 he and Thomas Jefferson were both candidates for the presidency, and there being a tie in the electoral college, each having seventy-three votes, the choice was left to congress, who gave the first place to Jefferson and made Aaron Burr vice-presi- dent, as the method then was. In 1 S04 Mr. Burr and his great rival, Alexander Hamil- ton, met in a duel, which resulted in the death of the latter, Burr losing thereby con- 112 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. siderable political and social influence. He soon embarked in a wild attempt upon Mexico, and as was asserted, upon the southwestern territories of the United States. He was tried for treason at Richmond, Virginia, in 1807, but acquitted, and to avoid importunate creditors, fled to Europe. After a time, in 181 2, he returned to New York, where he practiced law, and where he died, September 14, 1836. A man of great ability, brilliant and popular talents, his influence was destroyed by his unscrupu- lous political actions and immoral private life. ALBERT GALLATIN, one of the most distinguished statesmen of the early days of the republic, was born at Geneva, Switzerland, January 29, 1761. He was the son of Jean de Gallatin and Sophia A. Rolaz du Rosey Gallatin, representatives of an old patrician family. Albert Gallatin was left an orphan at an early age, and was educated under the care of friends of his parents. He graduated from the University of Geneva in 1779, and declining employ- ment under one of the sovereigns of Ger- many, came to the struggling colonies, land- ing in Boston July 14, 1780. Shortly after his arrival he proceeded to Maine, where he served as a volunteer under Colonel Allen. He made advances to the government for the support of the American troops, and in November, 1780, was placed in command of a small fort at Passamaquoddy, defended by a force of militia, volunteers and Indians. In 1783 he was professor of the French language at Harvard University. A year later, having received his patrimony from Europe, he purchased large tracts of land in western Virginia, but was prevented by the Indians from forming the large settle- ment he proposed, and, in 17S6, purchased a farm in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. In 1 789 he was a member of the convention to amend the constitution of that state, and united himself with the Republican party, the head of which was Thomas Jefferson. The following year he was elected to the legislature of Pennsylvania, to which he was subsequently re-elected. In 1793 he was elected to the United States senate, but could not take his seat on account of not having been a citizen long enough. In 1794 Mr. Gallatin was elected to the representa- tive branch of congress, in which he served three terms. He also took an important position in the suppression of the "whiskey insurrection." In 1801, on the accession of Jefferson to the presidency, Mr. Gallatin was appointed secretary of the treasury. In 1809 Mr. Madison offered him the posi- tion of secretary of state, but he declined, and continued at the head of the treasury until 1812, a period of twelve years. He exercised a great influence on the other de- partments and in the general administration, especially in the matter of financial reform, and recommended measures for taxation, etc., which were passed by congress, and be- came laws May 24, 181 3. The same year he was sent as an envoy extraordinary to Rus- sia, which had offered to mediate between this country and Great Britain, but the lat- ter country refusing the interposition of another power, and agreeing to treat di- rectly with the United States, in 18 14, at Ghent, Mr. Gallatin, in connection with his distinguished colleagues, negotiated and signed the treaty of peace. In 181 5, in conjunction with Messrs. Adams and Clay, he signed, at London, a commercial treaty between the two countries. In 1816, de- clining his old post at the head of the treas- ury, Mr. Gallatin was sent as minister to France, win re he rem;iined until 1823. coM/'/-:x/>/r.u of mocRArnv. i i:i After a year spent in England as envoy ex- traordinary, he took up liis residence in New York, and from that time held no public office. In 1830 he was chosen president of the council of the University of New York. He was, in 1S31, made president of the National bank, which position he resigned in 1839. He died August 12, 1849. M 1 [LLARD FILLMOK1-:, the thirteenth president of the United States, was born of New England parentage in Summer Hill, Cayuga county, New York, January 7, 1800. His school education was very lim- ited, but he occupied his leisure hours in study. He worked in youth upon his fa- ther's farm in his native county, and at the age of fifteen was apprenticed to a wool carder and cloth dresser. Four years later he was induced by Judge Wood to enter his office at Montville, New York, and take up the study of law. This warm friend, find- ing young Fillmore destitute of means, loaned him money, but the latter, not wish- ing to incur a heavy debt, taught school during part of the time and in this and other ways helped maintain himself. In 1822 he removed to Buffalo, New York, and the year following, being admitted to the bar, he commenced the practice of his profession at East Aurora, in the same state. Here he remained until 1830, having, in the meantime, been admitted to practice in the supreme court, when he returned to Buffalo, where he became the partner of S. G. Haven and N. K. Hall. lie entered poli- tics and served in the state legislature from 1829 to 1832. He was in congress in 1833- 35 and in 1837-41, where he proved an active and useful member, favoring the views of John Quincy Adams, then battling almost alone the slave-holding party in na- tional politics, and in most of public ques- tions acted with the Whig party While chairman of the committee of ways and means he took a leading part in draughting the tariff bill of 1842. In 1S44 Mr. Fill- more was the Whig candidate for governor of New York. In 1847 he was chosen comptroller of the state, and abandoning his practice and profession removed to Al- bany. In 1848 he was elected vice presi- dent on the ticket with General Zachary Taylor, and they were inaugurated the fol- lowing March. On the death of the presi- dent, July 9, 1850, Mr. Fillmore was in- ducted into that office. The great events of his administration were the passage of the famous compromise acts of 1850, and the sending out of the Japan expedition of 1852. March 4, 1853, having served one term. President Fillmore retired from office, and in 1855 went to Europe, where he received marked attention. On returning home, in 1856, he was nominated for the presidency by the Native American or " Know-Noth- ing" party, but svas defeated, James Buch- anan being the successful candidate. Mr. Fillmore ever afterward lived in re- tirement. During the conflict of Civil war he was mostly silent. It was generally sup- posed, however, that his sympathy was with the southern confederacy. He kept aloof from the conflict without any words of cheer to the one party or the other. For this rea- son he was forgotten by both. He died of paralysis, in Buffalo, New York, March 8, 1874. _____ PETER F. ROTHERMEL, one of Amer- ica's greatest and best-known historical painters, was born in Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania, July 8, 18 1 7, and was of German ancestry. He received his earlier education in his native county, and in Philadelphia 114 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. learned the profession of land surveying. But a strong bias toward art drew him away and he soon opened a studio where he did portrait painting. This soon gave place to historical painting, he having discovered the bent of his genius in that direction. Be- sides the two pictures in the Capitol at Washington — "DeSoto Discovering the Mis- sissippi" and "Patrick Henry Before the Virginia House of Burgesses" — Rothermel painted many others, chief among which are: "Columbus Before Queen Isabella," "Martyrs of the Colosseum," "Cromwell Breaking Up Service in an English Church," and the famous picture of the "Battle of Gettysburg." The last named was painted for the state of Pennsylvania, for which Rothermel received the sum of $25,- 000, and which it took him four years to plan and to paint. It represents the portion of that historic field held by the First corps, an exclusively Pennsylvania body of men, and was selected by Rothermel for that reason. For many years most of his time was spent in Italy, only returning for short periods. He died at Philadelphia, August 16, 1895. EDMUND KIRBY SMITH, one of the distinguished leaders upon the side of the south in the late Civil war, was born at St. Augustine, Florida, in 1824. After receiv- ing the usual education he was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in 1845 and entered the army as second lieutenant of infantry. During the Mexican war he was made first lieutenant and captain for gallant conduct at Cerro Gordo and Contreras. From 1849 to 1852 he was assistant pro- fessor of mathematics at West Point. He was transferred to the Second cavalry with the rank of captain in 1855, served on the frontier, and was wounded in a fight with Comanche Indians in Texas, May 13, 1859. In January, 1861, he became major of his regiment, but resigned April 9th to fol- low the fortunes of the southern cause. He was appointed brigadier-general in the Confederate army and served in Virginia. At the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, he arrived on the field late in the day, but was soon disabled by a wound. He was made major-general in 1 862, and being trans- ferred to East Tennessee, was given com- mand of that department. Under General Braxton Bragg he led the advance in the invasion of Kentucky and defeated the Union forces at Richmond, Kentucky, August 30, 1862, and advanced to Frankfort. Pro- moted to the rank of lieutenant-general, he was engaged at the battle of Perryville, October 10, and in the battle of Murfrees- boro, December 31, 1862, and January 3, 1863. He was soon made general, the highest rank in the service, and in com- mand of the trans-Mississippi department opposed General N. P. Banks in the famous Red River expedition, taking part in the battle of Jenkins Ferry, April 30, 1864, and other engagements of that eventful cam- paign. He was the last to surrender the forces under his command, which he did May 26, 1865. After the close of the war he located in Tennessee, where he died March 28, 1893. JOHN JAMES INGALLS, a famous American statesman, was born Decem- ber 29, 1833, at Middleton, Massachusetts, where he was reared and received his early education. He went to Kansas in 1858 and joined the free-soil army, and a year after his arrival he was a member of the his- torical Wyandotte convention, which drafted a free-state constitution. In i860 he was COM/'FX/>/l\U OF BIOGRAPHY. Vh made secretary of the territorial council, and in 1861 was secretary of the state sen- ate. The next year he was duly elected to the legitimate state senate from Atchison, where he had made his home. From that time he was the leader of the radical Re- publican element in the state. He became the editor of the " Atchison Champion " in 1863, which was a "red-hot free-soil Re- publican organ." In 1862 he was the anti- Lane candidate for lieutenant-governor, but was defeated. He was elected to the Unit- ed States senate to succeed Senator Pom- eroy, and took his seat in the forty-third congress and served until the fiftieth. In the forty-ninth congress he succeeded Sen- ator Sherman as president pro tern., which position he held through the fiftieth con- gress. BENJAMIN WEST, the greatest of the early American painters, was of Eng- lish descent and Quaker parentage. He was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1738. From what source he inherited his genius it is hard to imagine, since the tenets and tendencies of the Quaker faith were not cal- culated to encourage the genius of art, but at the age of nine years, with no suggestion except that of inspiration, we find him choos- ing his model from life, and laboring over his first work calculated to attract public notice. It was a representation of a sleep- ing child in its cradle. The brush with which he painted it was made of hairs which he plucked from the cat's tail, and the colors were obtained from the war paints of friendly Indians, his mother's indigo bag, and ground chalk and charcoal, and the juice of berries, but there were touches in the rude production that he declared in later days were a credit to his best works. The pic- ture attracted notice, for a council was called at once to pass upon the boy's con- duct in thus infringing the laws of the so- ciety. There were judges among them who saw in his genius a rare gift and their wis- dom prevailed, and the child was given per- mission to follow his inclination. He studied under a painter named Williams, and then spent some years as a portrait painter with advancing success. At the age of twenty- two he went to Italy, and not until he had perfected himself by twenty-three years of labor in that paradise of art was he satisfied to turn his face toward home. However, he stopped at London, and decided to settle there, sending to America for his intended bride to join him. Though the Revolution- ary war was raging, King George III showed the American artist the highest considera- tion and regard. His remuneration from works for royalty amounted to five thou- sand dollars per year for thirty years. West's best known work in America is, perhaps, "The Death of General Wolf." West was one of the thirty-six original mem- bers of the Royal academy and succeeded Joshua Reynolds as president, which posi- tion he held until his death. His early works were his best, as he ceased to display originality in his later life, conventionality having seriously affected his efforts. He died in 1820. SAMUEL PORTER JONES, the famous Georgia evangelist, was born October 16, 1847, in Chambers county, Alabama. He did not attend school regularly during his boyhood, but worked on a farm, and went to school at intervals, on account of ill health. His father removed to Carters- ville, Georgia, when Mr. Jones was a small boy. He quit school at the age of nineteen and never attended college. The war inter- fered with his education, which was intended 116 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. to prepare him for the legal profession. After the war he renewed his preparation for college, but was compelled to desist from such a course, as his health failed him en- tirely. Later on, however, he still pursued his legal studies and was admitted to the bar. Soon after this event he went to Dal- las, Paulding county, Georgia, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession, and in a few months removed to Cherokee county, Alabama, where he taught school. In 1869 he returned to Cartersville, Georgia, and arrived in time to see his father die. Immediately after this event he applied for a license to preach, and went to Atlanta, Georgia, to the meeting of the North Geor- gia Conference of the M. E. church south, which received him on trial. He became an evangelist of great note, and traveled extensively, delivering his sermons in an inimitable style that made him very popular with the masses, his methods of conducting revivals being unique and original and his preaching practical and incisive. SHELBY MOORE CULLOM, a national character in political affairs and for many years United States senator from Illinois, was born November 22, 1829, at Monticello, Kentucky. He came with his parents to Illinois in 1 830 and spent his early yearson a farm, but having formed the purpose of devoting himself to the lawyer's profession he spent two years study at the Rock River seminary at Mount Morris, Illinois. In 1853 Mr. Cullom entered the law office of Stuart and Edwards at Springfield, Illinois, and two years later he began the independent prac- tice of law in that city. He took an active interest in politics and was soon elected city attorney of Springfield. In 1S56 he was elected a member of the Illinois house of representatives. He identified himself with the newly formed Republican party and in i860 was re-elected to the legislature of his state, in which he was chosen speaker of the house. In 1862 President Lincoln appoint- ed a commission to pass upon and examine the accounts of the United States quarter- masters and disbursing officers, composed as follows: Shelby M. Cullom, of Illinois; Charles A. Dana, of New York, and Gov. Boutwell, of Massachusetts. Mr. Cullom was nominated for congress in 1864, and was elected by a majority of 1,785. In the house of representatives he became an active and aggressive member, was chairman of the committee on territories and served in congress until 1868. Mr. Cullom was returned to the state legislature, of which he was chosen speaker in 1872, and was re-elected in 1874. In 1876 he was elected governor of Illinois and at the end of his term he was chosen for a second term. Hewaselected United States senator in 1883 and twice re-elected. RICHARD JORDAN GATLING, an American inventor of much note, was born in Hertford county, North Carolina, September 12, .1818. At an early age he gave promise of an inventive genius. The first emanation from his mind was the invention of a screw for the propulsion 01 water craft, but on application for a patent, found that he was forestalled but a short time by John Ericsson. Subse- quently he invented a machine for sowing wheat in drills, which was used to a great extent throughout the west. He then stud- ied medicine, and in 1847-8 attended lectures at the Indiana Medical College at Laporte, and in 1848-9 at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. He later discovered a method of transmitting power through the medium of compressed air. A COMP/CX/>/r.\f OF BIOGRAPHY. 119 double-acting hemp break was also invented by him. The invention, however, by which Dr. Gatling became best known was the famous machine gun which bears his Dame. This he brought to light in 1S61-62, and on the first trial of it, in the spring of the latter year, two hundred shots per minute were fired from it. After making some improve- ments which increased its efficiency, it was submitted to severe trials by our govern- ment at the arsenals at Frankfort, Wash- ington and Fortress Monroe, and at other points. The gun was finally adopted by our government, as well as by that of Great Britain, Russia and others. BENJAMIN RYAN TILLMAN, who won a national fame in politics, was born August II, 1847, in Edgefield county, South Carolina. He received his education in the Oldfield school, where he acquired the rudiments of Latin and Greek, in addition to a good English education. He left school in 1864 to join the Confederate army, but was prevented from doing so by a severe illness, which resulted in the loss of an eye. In 1867 he removed to Florida, but returned in 1868, when he was married, and devoted himself to farming. He was chairman of the Democratic organization of his county, but except a few occasional services he took no active part in politics then. Gradually, however, his attention was directed to the depressed condition of the farming interests of his state, and in August, 1885, before a joint meeting of the agricultural society and state grange at Bennettsville, he made a speech in which he set forth the cause of agricultural depression and urged measures of relief. From his active interest in the farming class he was styled the " Agricult- ural Moses." He advocated an industrial school for women and for a separate agri- 7 cultural college, ami in 1SS7 lie secured a modification m the final draft of the will of Thomas G. Clemson, which resulted in the erection of the Clemson Agricultural Col- lege at Fort Hill. In 1S90 he was chosen governor on the Democratic ticket, and carried the election by a large majority. Governor Tillman was inaugurated Decem- ber 4, 1890. Mr. Tillman was next elected to the United States senate from South Carolina, and gained a national reputation by his fervid oratory. GEORGE DENISON PRENTICE.— No journalist of America was so cele- brated in his time for the wit, spice, and vigor of his writing, as the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. From Atlantic to Pacific he was well known by his witticism as well as by strength and force of his edi- torials. He was a native of Preston, Con- necticut, born December 18, 1802. After laying the foundation of a liberal education in his youth, he entered Brown University, from which he was graduated in 1823. Tak- ing up the study of law, he was admitted to the bar in 1829. During part of his time he was editor of the " New England Weekly Review," a position which he relinquished to go south and was succeeded by John Greenleaf Whittier, the Quaker poet. On arriving in Louisville, whither he had gone to gather items for his history of Henry Clay, Mr. Prentice became identified with the "Louisville Journal," which, under his hands, became one of the leading Whig newspapers of the country. At the head of this he remained until the day of his death. This latter event occurred January 22, 1870, and he was succeeded in the control of the " Journal " by Colonel Henry Watterson. Mr. Prentice was an author of consider- able celebrity, chief among his works being 120 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPI/V. "The Life of Henry Clay," and " Prentice- ana," a collection of wit and humor, that passed through several large editions. SAM. HOUSTON, in the opinion of some critics one of the most remarkable men who ever figured in American history, was a native of Rockbridge count}', Virginia, born March 2, 1793. Early in life he was left in destitute circumstances by the death of his father, and, with his mother, removed to Tennessee, then almost a boundless wilder- ness. He received but little education, spending the most of his time among the Cherokee Indians. Part of the time of his residence there Houston acted as clerk for a trader and also taught one of the primitive schools of the day. In 1813 he enlisted as private in the United States arm)' and was engaged under General Jackson in the war with the Creek Indians. When peace was Houston was a lieutenant, but he re- signed his commission and commenced the study of law at Nashville. After holding some minor offices he was elected member of congress from Tennessee. This was in 1823. He retained this office until 1S27, when he was chosen governor of the state. In 1829, resigning that office before the ex- piration of his term, Sain Houston removed to Arkansas, and made his home among the Cherokees, becoming the agent of that tribe and representing their interests at Washington. On a visit to Texas, just prior to the election of delegates to a con- vention called for the purpose of drawing up a constitution previous to the admission of the state into the Mexican union, he was unanimously chosen a delegate. The con- vention framed the constitution, but, it be- ing rejected by the government of Mexico, and the petition for admission to the Con- federacy denied and the Texans told by the president of the Mexican union to give up their arms, bred trouble. It was determined to resist this demand. A military force was soon organized, with General Houston at the head of it. War was prosecuted with great vigor, and with varying success, but at the battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, the Mexicans were defeated and their leader and president, Santa Anna, captured. Texas was then proclaimed an independent repub- lic, and in October of the same year Hous- ton was inaugurated president. On the ad- mission of Texas to the Federal Union, in 1845, Houston was elected senator, and held that position for twelve years. Oppos- ing the idea of secession, he retired from political life in 1861, and died at Hunts- ville, Texas, July 25, 1863. ELI WHITNEY, the inventor of the cot- ton-gin, was born in West borough, Mas- sachusetts, December 8, 1765. After his graduation from Yale College, he went to Georgia, where he studied law, and lived with the family of the widow of General Nathaniel Greene. At that time the only \\,i\ known to separate the cotton seed from the fiber was by hand, making it extremely slow and expensive, and for this reason cot- ton was little cultivated in this country. Mrs. Greene urged the inventive Whitney to devise some means for accomplishing this work by machinery. This he finally succeeded in doing, but he was harassed by attempts to defraud him by those who had stolen his ideas. He at last formed a part- nership with a man named Miller, and they began the manufacture of the machines at Washington, Georgia, in 1795. The suc- cess of his invention was immediate, and the legislature of South Carolina voted the sum of $50,000 for his idea. This sum he had great difficulty in collecting, after years of \fPBNDIUM'OF BIOGRAPHY. v:\ litigation and delay. North Carolina al- lowed him a royalty, and the same \<..is agreed to by Tennessee, but was never paid. While his fame rests upon the invention of the cotton-gin, his fortune came from his improvements in the manufacture and i in- struction of firearms, fn 1798 the United States government gave him a contract for this purpose, and he accumulated a fortune from it. The town of Whitneyville, ( a- necticut, was founded by this fortune. Whitney died at New Haven, Connecticut, January 8, 1825. The cotton-gin made the cultivation of cotton profitable, and this led to rapid in- troduction of slavery in the south. His in- vention thus affected our national history in a manner little dreamed of by the inventor. LESTER WALLACE ( John Lester Wal- lacki, formany years the leading light comedian upon the American stage, was the son of James W. Wallack, the " Brum- mell of the Stage." Both father and son were noted for their comeliness of feature and form. * Lester Wallack was born in New York, January i, 1819. He received his education in England, and made his first appearance on the stage in 1 848 at the New Broadway theater, New York. He acted light comedy parts, and also occasion- ally in romantic plays like Monte Cristo, which play made him his fame. He went to England and played under management of such men as Hamblin and Burton, and then returned to New York with his father, who opened the first Wallack's theater, at the corner of Broome and Broadway, in 1852. The location was afterward changed to Thirteenth and Broadway, in 1861, and later to its present location, Broadway and Thirteenth, in 1882. The elder Wallack died in 1864, after which Lester assumed management, jointly with Theodore Moss. Lester Wallack was commissioned in the queen's service while in England, and there he also married a sister to the famous artist, the late John Everett Millais. While Les- ter Wallack never played in the interior cities, his name was as familiar to the public as that of our greatest stars. He died Sep- tember 6, 1888, at Stamford, Connecticut. GEORGE MORTIMER PULLMAN, the palace car magnate, inventor, multi-millionaire and manufacturer, may well be classed among the remarkable self-made men of the century. He was born March 3, 1831, in Chautauqua count)-, New York. His parents were poor, and his education was limited to what he could learn of the rudimentary branches in the district school. At the age of fourteen he went to work as clerk for a country mer- chant. He kept this place three year-, studying at night. When seventeen he went to Albion, New York, and worked for his brother, who kept a cabinet shop there. Five years later he went into business for himself as contractor for moving buildings along the line of the Erie canal, which was then being widened by the state, and was successful in this. In 1858 he removed to Chicago and engaged in the business of moving and raising houses. The work was novel there then and he was quite success- ful. About this time the discomfort attend- ant on traveling at night attracted his at- tention. He reasoned that the public would gladly pay for comfortable sleeping accom- modations. A few sleeping cars were in use at that time, but they were wretchedly ' crude, uncomfortable affairs. In 1S59 he ■ bought two old day coaches from the Chi- cago & Alton road and remodeled them some- thing like the general plan of the sleeping 122 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGJRAPffr. cars of the present day. They were put into service on the Chicago & Alton and became popular at once. In 1863 he built the first sleeping-car resembling the Pullman cars of to-day. It cost $18,000 and was the "Pioneer." After that the Pullman Palace Car Company prospered. It had shops at different cities. In 1880 the Town of Pullman was founded by Mr. Pullman and his company, and this model manufac- turing community is known all over the world. Mr. Pullman died October 19, 1897. JAMES E. B. STUART, the most famous cavalry leader of the Southern Confed- eracy during the Civil war, was born in Patrick county, Virginia, in 1833. On graduating from the United States Military Academy, West Point, in 1854, he was as- signed, as second lieutenant, to a regiment of mounted rifles, receiving his commission in October. In March, 1S55, he was trans- ferred to the newly organized First cavalry, and was promoted to first lieutenant the following December, and to captain April 22, 1861. Taking the side of the south, May 14, 1861, he was made colonel of a Virginia cavalry regiment, and served as such at Bull Run. In September, 1861, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-gen- erai, and major-general early in 1862. On the reorganization of the Army of Northern Virginia, in June of the latter year, when R. E. Lee assumed command, General Stu- art made a reconnoissance with one thou- sand five hundred cavalry and four guns, and in two days made the circuit of McClel- lan's army, producing much confusion and gathering useful information, and losing but one man. August 25, 1862, he captured part of Pope's headquarters' train, including that general's private baggage and official correspondence, and the next night, in a descent upon Manasses, capturing immense quantities of commissary and quartermaster store, eight guns, a number of locomotives and a few hundred prisoners. During the invasion of Maryland, in September, 1862, General Stuart acted as rearguard, resisting the advance of the Federal cavalry at South Mountain, and at Antietam commanded the Confederate left. Shortly after he crossed the Potomac, making a raid as far as Cham- bersburg, Pennsylvania. In the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, Gen- eral Stuart's command was on the extreme right of the Confederate line. At Chancel- lorsville, after "Stonewall " Jackson's death and the wounding of General A. P. Hill, General Stuart assumed command of Jack- son's corps, which he led in the severe con- test of May 3, 1863. Early in June, the same year, a large force of cavalry was gathered under Stuart, at Culpepper, Vir- ginia, which, advancing to join General Lee in his invasion of Pennsylvania, was met at Brandy Station, by two divisions of cavalry and two brigades of infantry, under General John I. Gregg, and driven back. During the movements of the Gettysburg campaign he rendered important services. In May, 1S64, General Stuart succeeded, by a detour, in placing himself between Richmond and Sheridan's advancing column, and at Yellow Tavern was attacked in force. During the fierce conflict that ensued General Stuart was mortally wounded, and died at Rich- mond, May 1 1, 1864. FRANKLIN PIERCE, the fourteenth president of the United States — from 1853 until 1857 — was born November 23, 1804, at Hillsboro, New Hampshire. He came of old revolutionary stock and his father was a governor of the state. Mr. Pierce entered Bowdoin College in 1820, \fPENDIUM OF lUtx.NM'lIV. 128 was graduated in 1S24. and took up the study of law in the office of Judge Wood- bury, and later he was admitted to the bar. Mr. Pierce practiced his profession with varying successes in his native town and also in Concord. He was elected to the state legislature in 1S33 and served in that body until 1837, the last two years of his term serving as speaker of the house. He was elected to the United States senate in 1837, just as President Van Buren began his term of office. Mr. Pierce served until 1842. and many times during Polk's term he declined important public offices. During the war with Mexico Mr. Pierce was ap- pointed brigadier-general, and he embarked with a portion of his troops at Newport, Rhode Island, May 27, 1847, and went with them to the field of battle. He served through the war and distinguished himself by his skill, bravery and excellent judg- ment. When he reached his home in his native state he was received coldly by the opponents of the war, but the advocates of the %var made up for his cold reception by the enthusiastic welcome which they ac- corded him. Mr. Pierce resumed the prac- tice of his profession, and in the political strife that followed he gave his support to the pro-slavery wing of the Democratic party. The Democratic convention met in Baltimore, June 12, 1852, to nominate a candidate for the presidency, and they con- tinued in session four days, and in thirty- five ballotings no one had secured the re- quisite two-thirds vote. Mr. Pierce had not received a vote as yet, until the Virginia delegation brought his name forward, and finally on the forty-ninth ballot Mr. Pierce received 282 votes and all the other candi- dates eleven. His opponent on the Whig ticket was General Winfield Scott, who only received the electoral votes of four states. Mr. Pierce was inaugurated presi- dent of the United States March 4, 1853, with W. R. King as vice president, and the following named gentlemen were afterward chosen to fill the positions in the cabinet: William S. Marcy, James Guthrie, Jeffer- son Davis, James C. Dobbin, Robert Mc- Clelland, James Campbell and Caleb Cush- ing. During the administration of President Pierce the Missouri compromise law was repealed, and all the territories of the Union were thrown open to slavery, and the dis- turbances in Kansas occurred. In 1857 he was succeeded in the presidency by James Buchanan, and retired to his home in Con- cord, New Hampshire. He always cherished his principles of slavery, and at the out- break of the rebellion he was an adherent of the cause of the Confederacy. He died at Concord, New Hampshire, October 8, 1869. JAMES B. WEAVER, well known as a leader of the Greenback and later of the Populist party, was born at Dayton, Ohio, June 12, 1S33. He received his earlier education in the schools of his native town, and entered the law department of the Ohio University, at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1854. Removing to the grow- ing state of Iowa, he became connected with "The Iowa Tribune," at the state capital, Dt-s Moines, as one of its editors. He afterward practiced law and was elected district attorney for the second judicial dis- trict of Iowa, on the Republican ticket in 1866, which office he held for a short time. In 1867 Mr. Weaver was appointed assessor of internal revenue for the first district of Iowa, and filled that position until some- time in 1873. He was elected and served in the forty-sixth congress. In 1880 the National or Greenback party in convention at Chicago, nominated James B. Weaver as 121 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPin . its candidate for the presidency. By a union of the Democratic and National parties in his district, he was elected to the forty-ninth congress, and re-elected to the same office in the fall of 1886. Mr. Weaver was conceded to be a very fluent speaker, and quite active in all political work. On July 4, 1892, at the National convention of the People's party, General James B. Weaver was chosen as the candidate for president of that organization, and during the campaign that followed, gained a na- tional reputation. ANTHONY JOSEPH DREXEL, one of the leading bankers ami financiers of the United States, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1826, ami was the son of Francis M. Drexel, who had established the large banking institution of Drexel & Co., so well known. The latter was a native of Dornbirn, in the Austrian Tyrol. He studied languages and fine arts at Turin, Italy. On returning to his mountain home. in 1809, and finding it in the hands of the French, he went to Switzerland and later to Paris. In 181 2, after a short visit home, he went to Berlin, where he studied paint- ing until 1S17, in which year he emigrated to America, and settled in Philadelphia. A few years later he went to Chili and Peru, where he executed some fine portraits of notable people, including General Simon Bolivar. After spending some time in Mex- ico, he returned to Philadelphia, and en- gaged in the banking business. In 1837 he founded the house of Drexel & Co. He died in 1857, and was succeeded by his two sons, Anthony J. and Francis A. His son, Anthony J. Drexel, Jr. , entered the bank when he was thirteen years of age, before he was through with his schooling, and after that the history of the banking business of which he was the head, was the history of his life. The New York house of Drexel, Mor- gan & Co. was established in 1850; the Paris house, Drexel, Harjes & Co., in 1867. The Drexel banking houses have supplied iand placed hundreds of millions of dollars n government, corporation, railroad and other loans and securities. The reputation of the houses has always been held on the highest plane. Mr. Drexel founded and heavily endowed the Drexel Institute, in Philadelphia, an institution to furnish better and wider avenues of employment to young people of both sexes. It has departments of arts, science, mechanical arts and domes- tic economy. Mr. Drexel, Jr. .departed this life June 30, 1893. SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE, inventor of the recording telegraph in- strument, was born in Charlestown, Massa- chusetts, April 27, 1791. He graduated from Yale College in 1810, and took up art as his profession. He went to London with the great American painter, Washington Allston, and studied in the Royal Academy under Benjamin West. His " Dying Her- cules," his first effort in sculpture, took the gold medal in 181 3. He returned to Amer- ica in 181 5 and continued to pursue his profession. He was greatly interested in scientific studies, which he carried on in connection with other labors. He founded the National Academy of Design and was many years its president. He returned to Europe and spent three years in study in the art centers, Rome, Florence, Venice and Paris. In 1 832 he returned to America and while on the return voyage the idea of a recording teiegraph apparatus occurred to him, and he made a drawing to represent his conception. He was the first to occupy the chair of fine arts in the University of New •/I M OF BIOGRAPHY. York City, and in 1835 he sot up his rude instrument in his 100m in the university. But it was not until after many years of discouragement and reverses of fortune that le finally was successful in placing his inven- tion before the public. In 1844. by the I ites government, he had con- structed a telegraph line forty miles in 1 from Washington to Baltimore. Over this line the test was made, and the first tele- Ijaphic message was flashed May 24, 1844. from the United States supreme court rooms to Baltimore. It read, "What hatl wrought!" His fame and fortune were es- tablished in an instant. Wealth and honors poured in upon him from that day The nations of Europe vied with each other in honoring the great inventor with medals, titles and decorations, and the learned societies of Europe hastened to enroll his name upon their membership lists and confer degrees. In 1S5S he was the recipient of an honor never accorded to an inventor before. The ten leading nations of Europe, at the stion of the Emporer Napoleon, ap- pointed representatives to an international congress, which convened at Paris for the special purpose of expressing gratitude of the nations, and they voted him a present of 400,000 francs. Professor Morse was present at the unveil- ing of a bronze statue erected in his honor in Central Park, New York, in 1S71. His last appearance in public was at the unveiling of the statue of Benjamin Franklin in New York in 1872, when he made the dedica- ;.eech and unveiled the statue. He died April 2. 1 872, in the city of New York. in the class with William M. Evarts. His father was judge of the su- preme court of errors of the state of I necticut, and in his office young Waite studied law. He subsequently removed to Ohio, and was elected to the legislature of that state in 1849. He removed from Maumee City to Toledo and became a prom- inent legal ] ijl; ht in that state. He was nominated as a candidate for congress re- peatedly but declined to run, and also de- clined a place on the supreme bench of the state. He won great distinction for his able handling of the Alabama claims at Geneva, before the arbitration tribunal in 1S71, and was appointed chief justice of the supreme court of the United States in 1874 on the death of Judge Chase. When, in 1876, elec- toral commissioners were chosen to decide the presidential election controversy between Tilden and Hayes, Judge Waite refused to serve on that commission. His death occurred March 23, 1 MKISON REMICHW> chief justice of the Unite AITE, seventh was 1 at Lyme. ( . ember 2 1816. He was a graduate from Yale C ELISHA KENT KANE was one of the distinguished American explorers of the unknown regions of the frozen north, and gave to the world a more accurate knowl- edge of the Arctic zone. Dr. Kane was born February 3, 1S20, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of the universities of Virginia and Pennsylvania, and took his medical degree in 1843. He entered the service of the United States navy, and was physician to the Chinese Dr. Kane traveled extensively in the Levant, Asia and Western Africa, and also served in the Mexican war, in which he was severely wounded. His first Arctic expedition was under De II in the first Grinnell expedition in search of Sir John Franklin in 1S50. He manded the second Grinnell expedition 126 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIV. in 1853-55, and discovered an open polar sea. For this expedition he received a gold medal and other distinctions. He published a narrative of his first polar expedition in 1853, and in 1856 published two volumes relating to his second polar expedition. He was a man of active, enterprising and cour- ageous spirit. His health, which was al- ways delicate, was impaired by the hard- ships of his Arctic expeditions, from which he never fully recovered and from which he died February 16, 1857, at Havana. ELIZABETH CADY STANTON was a daughter of Judge Daniel Cady and Margaret Livingston, and was born Novem- ber 12, [81 5, at Johnstown, New York. She was educated at the Johnstown Academy, inhere she studied with a class of boys, and ivas fitted for college at the age of fifteen, ifter which she pursued her studies at Mrs. YVillard's Seminary, at Troy. Her atten- tion was called to the disabilities of her sex by her own educational experiences, and through a study of Blackstone, Story, and Kent. Miss Cady was married to Henry B. Stanton in 1 S40, and accompanied him to the world's anti-slavery convention in Lon- don. While there she made the acquain- tance of Lucretia Mott. Mrs. Stanton resided at Boston until 1847, when the family moved to Seneca Falls, New York, and she and Lucretia Mott signed the first call for a woman's rights convention. The meeting was held at her place of residence July 19-20, 1848. This was the first oc- casion of a formal claim of suffrage for women that was made. Mrs. Stanton ad- dressed the New York legislature, in 1854, on the rights of married women, and in i860, in advocacy of the granting of di- vorce for drunkenness. She also addressed the legislature and the constitutional con- vention, and maintained that during the revision of the constitution the state was resolved into its original elements, and that all citizens had, therefore, a right to vote for the members of that convention. After 1869 Mrs. Stanton frequently addressed congressional committees and state consti- tutional conventions, and she canvassed Kansas, Michigan, and other states when the question of woman suffrage was sub- mitted in those states. Mrs. Stanton was one of the editors of the " Revolution," and most of the calls and resolutions for con- ventions have come from her pen. She was president of the national committee, also of the Woman's Loyal League, and of the National Association, for many years. DAVID DUDLEY FIELD, a great American juris*, was born in Connecti- cut in 1S05. Heen., .,ii Williams College when sixteen years old, and commenced the studyoflaw in 1825. In 1828 he was ad- mitted to the bar, and went to New York, where he soon came into promim nee be- tore the bar of that state. He entered upon the labor of reforming the practice and procedure, which was then based upon the common law practice of England, and had become extremely complicated, difficult and uncertain in its application. His first paper on this subject was published in 1839, and after eight years of continuous efforts in this direction, he was appointed one of a com- mission by New York to reform the practice of that state. The result was embodied in the two codes of procedure, civil and crimi- nal, the first of which was adopted almost entire by the state of New York, and has since been adopted by more than half the states in the Union, and became the basis of the new practice and procedure in Eng- land, contained in the Judicature act. He COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 127 was later appointed chairman cf a new com- mission to codify the entire body of laws. This great work employed many years in its completion, but when finished it embraced a civil, penal, and political code, covering the entire field of American laws, statutory and common. This great body of law was adopted by California and Dakota territory in its entirety, and many other states have since adopted its substance. In 1867 tin- British Association for Social Science heard a proposition from Mr. Field to prepare an international code. This led to the prepara- tion of his " Draft Outlines of an Interna- tional Code, "which was in fact a complete body of international laws, and introduced the principle of arbitration. Other of his codes of the state of New York have since been adopted by that state. In addition to his great works on law, Mr. Field indulged his literary tastes by fre- quent contributions to general literature, and his articles on travels, literature, and the political questions of the hour gave him rank with the best writers of his time. His father was the Rev. David Dudley Field, and his brothers were Cyrus W. Field, Rev. Henry Martin Field, and Justice Stephen J. Field of the United States supreme court. David Dudley Field died at New York, April 1 3, 1894. HENRY M. TELLER, a celebrated American politician, and secretary of the interior under President Arthur, was born May 23, 1830, in Allegany county, New York. He was of Hollandish ancestry and received an excellent education, after which he took up the study of law and was ad- mitted to the bar in the state of New York. Mr. Teller removed to Illinois in January, 1858, and practiced for three years in that state. From thence he moved to Colorado in 1861 and lo at Central City, which was then one of the principal mining towns in the state. His exceptional abilities as a lawyer soon brought him into prominence and gained for him a numerous and profit- able clientage. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party, but declined to become a candidate for office until the admi ision ol Colorado into the Union as a state, when he was elected to the United States senate. Mr. Teller drew the term ending March 4, 1877, but was re-elected December 11, 1876, and served until April 17, [882, when he was appointed by President Arthur as secretary of the interior. He accepted ;t cabinet position with reluctance, and on March 3, 1885, he retired from the cabinet, having been elected to the senate a short time before to succeed Nathaniel P. Hill. Mr. Teller took his seat on March 4, 1885, in the senate, to which he was afterward re-elected. He served as chairman on the committee of pensions, patents, mines and mining, and was also a member of commit- tees on claims, railroads, privileges and elections and public lands. Mr. Teller came to be recognized as one of the ablest advo- cates of the silver cause. He was one of the delegates to the Republican National conven- tion at St. Louis in 1896, in which he took an active part and tried to have a. silver plank inserted in the platform of the party Failing in this he felt impelled to bolt the convention, which he did and joined forces with the great silver movement in the cam- paign which followed, being recognized in that campaign as one of the most able and eminent advocates of "silver" in America. J (MIX ERICSSON, an eminent inven- tor and machinist, who won fame [a America, was born in Sweden, July 31,1 803. In early childhood he evinced a decided in- 128 COMPENDIUM (>/■' BIOGRAPHY, clination I > mechanical pursuits, and at the age of eleven he was appointed to a cadet- ship i i the engineer corps, and at the age of seventeen was promoted to a lieutenancy. In [826 he introduced a "flame engine," which he had invented, and offered it to English capitalists, but it was found that it could be operated only by the use of wood for fuel. Shortly after this he resigned his commission in the army of Sweden, ami de- voted himself to mechanical pursuits. He discovered and introduced the principle of artificial draughts in steam boilers, and re- ceived a prize of two thousand the hundred dollars for his locomotive, the "Novelty," which attained a great Speed, for that day. The artificial iii fected a great saving in fuel and made uni . the hi smoke-. stacks formerly used, ami the 011 pie is --till applied, in modified form, in hoi 1 ers. He also invented a steam fire-engine, ami later a hot air engine, which he at- tempted \<< apply in the operation of his ship, • I 1," hut as it did not give the 'd required, he abandoned it. but after- wards applied it to machinery f 1 pumping, hoisting, Ericsson was first to apply the screw propeller to navigation. The 1- 1-lish peo- ple not receiving this new depart ire readily, Ericsson came to America in 1839, and built the United States steamer, "Prince- ton," in which the screw-propeller was util- ized, the first steamer ever built in which the propeller was under water, out of the enemy's shots. The achievement which gave him greatest renown, however, was the ironclad vessel, the "Monitor," an i 1 t ire ly new type of vessel, which, in March, 1S62, attacked the Confederate monster ironclad ram, "Virginia," and after a fierce struggle, compelled her to withdraw from Hampton Roads for repairs. After the war one of his most noted inventions was his vessel, " Destroyer," with a submarine gun, which carried a projectile torpedo. In 1S86 the king of Spain conferred on him the grand cross of the Order of Naval Merit. He died in March, [889, and his body was transferred, with naval honors, to the country of his birth. JAMES BUCHANAN, the fifteenth presi- dent of the Unite. I States, was a native ■ t Pennsylvania, and was born in Franklin nty, April 23, [791. He was of Irish ancestry, his father having conn- to this lit ry in [783, in quite humble circum- stances, and settled in the western part of the Keystone state. [ames Buchanan remained in his se- cluded home for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual advantages. His parents were industrious and frugal, and pr spered, and, in 1 700, the family re ved to Mercersbur Pennsylvania, where he was placed in school. His | was rapid, and in 1801 he entered Dickinson ee;e, at Carlisle, whi 1 'k his place among the bi st Si holars in the institution. In 1S09 he graduated with the highesl hon- I b- was thin eighteen, tall, graceful and in vigorous health. He com- menced the study of law at Lancaster, and was admitted to the bar in 1812. He rose very rapidl) in lus profession and took a stand with the ablest of his fellow lawyers. When but twenty-six years old he success- fully defended, unaided by counsel, one of the judges of the state who was before the bar of the state senate under articles of im- peachment. During the war of 1812-15, Mr. Buch- anan sustained the government with all his power, eloquently urging the vigorous prose- cution of the war, and enlisted as a private COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 129 volunteer to assist in repelling the British who had sacked and burned the public buildings of Washington and threatened Baltimore. At that time Buchanan was a Federalist, but the opposition of that party to the war with Great Britain and the alien and sedition laws of John Adams, brought that party into disrepute, and drove many, among them Buchanan, into the Re- publican, or anti-Federalist ranks. He « is elected to congress in 1828. In [83] he was sent as minister to Russia, and upon his return to this country, in 1833, was ele- vated to the United States senate, and re- mained in that position for twelve years. Upon the accession of President Polk to office he made Mr. Buchanan secretary of state. Four years later he retired to pri- vate life, and in 1853 he was honored with the mission to England. In 1S56 the na- tional Democratic convention nominated him for the presidency and he was elected. It was during his administration that the rising tide of the secession movement over- took the country. Mr. Buchanan declared that the national constitution gave him no j>' iwer to do anything against the movement to break up the Union. After his succession by Abraham Lincoln in i860, Mr. Buchanan retired to his home at Wheatland, Pennsyl- vania, where he died June 1, 1868. JOHN HARVARD, the founder of the Harvard University, was born in Eng- land about the year 1G08. He received his education at Emanuel College, Cambridge, and came to America in 1637, settling in Massachusetts. He was a non-conformist minister, and a tract of land was set aside for him in Charlestown, near Boston. He was at once appointed one of a committee to formulate a body of laws for the colony. One year before his arrival in the colony the general court had voted the sum of four hundred pounds toward the establishment oi a school or college, half of which was to 1"' pud the next year In 1637 preliminary plans were made for starting the school. In 163S John Harvard, who had shown great interest in «the new institution of learning proposed, died, leaving his entire property, about twice the sum originally voted, to the school, together with three hundred volumes as a nucleus for a library. The institution was then given the name of Harvard, and established at Newton (now Cambridge), Massachusetts. It grew to he one of the two principal seats of learning in the new world, and has maintained its reputation since. It now consists of twenty-two separate build- ings, and ts curriculum embraces over one hundred and seventy elective courses, and it ranks among the great universities of the world. ROGER BROOKE TANEY, a noted jurist and chief justice of the United States suprerns court, was born in Calvert county, Maryland, March 17, 1777. He graduated fi Jin Dickinson College at the age of eighteen, took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1799. He was chosen to the legislature from his county, and in 1 801 removed to Frederick, Mary- land. He became United States senator from Maryland in 1816, and took up his permanent residence in Baltimore a few years later. In 1824 he became an ardent admirer and supporter of Andrew Jackson; and upon Jackson's election to the presi- dency, was appointed attorney general of tin- United States. Two years later he was appointed secretary of the treasury, and after serving in that capacity for nearly one year, the senate refused to confirm the ap- pointment. In 1835, upon the death of 130 C OMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAP II ) ". Chief-justice Marshall, he was appointed to that place, and a political change having occurred in the make up of the senate, he was confirmed in 1836. He presided at his first session in January of the following year. The case which suggests itself first to the average reader in connection with this jurist is the celebrated " Dred Scott " case, which came before the supreme court for decision in 1856. In his opinion, delivered imi behalf of a majority of the court, one remarkable statement occurs as a result of an exhaustive survey of the historical grounds, to the effect that " for more than a century pi or to the adoption of the con- stitution they (Africans) had hern regarded so far inferior that they had no rights which a white man was bound to respect." Judge Taney retaim '1 the office of chief justice until his death, in 1864, JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY.— This tleman had a world-wide reputation as an historian, which placed him in the front rank of the great men of America. He was born April 15, 1814, at Dorchester, M chusttts, was given a thorough preparatory iti hi and then attended 1 Ian ard, fn >m which he was graduated in 1831. 11 studied at Gottingen and Berlin, read law and m 1X36 was admitted to the bar. In 1 S4 1 he was appointed secretary of the legation at St. Petersburg, and in 1866-67 1 as United Sta'es minister to Austria, serving in the same capacity during [869 and 1870 to England. In 1856, after long and exhaustive research and preparation, he published in London "The Rise of the Dutch Republic." It embraced three vol- umes and immediately attracted great at- tention throughout Lurope and America as a work of unusual merit. From 1 861 to 1868 he produced "The History of the United Netherlands," in four volumes. Other works followed, with equal success, and his position as one of the foremost his torians and writers of his day was firmly established. His death occured May 29, 1877. ELIAS HOWE, the inventor of the sew- ing machine, well deserves to be classed among the great and noted men of Amer- ica. He was the son of a miller and (.inner and was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, July 9, 1819. In [835 lu- unit to Lowell ami worked there, and later at Boston, in the machine shops. His hist sewing machine was completed in 1845, and he patented it in 1X41'), laboring with the greatest persistency in spite of poverty and hardships, working for a tune as an engine driver on a railroad at pauper wages and with broken health. Hi then spent two years of unsuccessful ex- ertion in England, striving in vain to bring his invention into public, notice and use. lie returned t" tin- United States in aim I hopeless poverty, to find that his patent hid been violated. At last, however, he found friends who assist, d him financially, an I after v<-ars of litigation he made- good his claims in the courts in 1 X54. His inven- tion afterward brought him a large fortune. During the Civil war he volunteered a private in the Seventeenth Connecticut Vol- unteers, and served for some time. During his life time he received the cross of the ■ u "f Honor and many other medals. His death occurred October 3, 1867, at Brook! vn, New York. PHILLIPS BROOKS, celebrated as an eloquent preacher and able pulpit ora- tor, was born in Boston on the 13th day of December, I S3 5. He received excellent coMri:xmc.\[ of biography. 131 educational advantages, and graduated at Harvard in 1855. Early in life he decided upon the ministry as his life work and studied theology in the Episcopal Theolog- ical Seminary, at Alexandria, Virginia. In 1S59 he was ordained and the same year became pastor of the Church of the Advent, in Philadelphia. Three years later he as- sumed the pastorate of the Church of the Holy Trinity, where he remained until 1870. At the expiration of that time he accepted the pastoral charge of Trinity Church in Boston, where his eloquence and ability at- tracted much attention and built up a pow- erful church organization. Dr. Brooks also devoted considerable time to lecturing and literary work and attained prominence in these lines. WILLIAM B. ALLISON, a statesman of national reputation and one of the leaders of the Republican party, was born March 2, 1829, at Perry, Ohio. He grew up on his father's farm, which he assisted in cultivating, and attended the district school. When sixteen years old he went to the academy at Wooster, and subse- quently spent a year at the Allegheny Col- lege, at Meadville, Pennsylvania. He next taught school and spent another year at the rn Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio. Mr. Allison then took up the study of law at Wooster, where he was admitted to the bar in 1S51, and soon obtained a position as deputy county clerk. His political lean- ings were toward the old line Whigs, who afterward laid the foundation of the Repub- lican party. He was a delegate to the state convention in 1S56. in the campaign of which he supported Fremont for president. Mr Allison removed to Dubuque, Iowa, in the following year. He rapidly rose to prominence at the bar and in politics. In i860 he was chosen as a delegate to the Republican convention held in Chicago, of which he was elected one of the secretaries. At the outbreak of the civil war he was ap- pointed on the staff of the governor. His congressional career opened in 1S62, when he was elected to the thirty-eighth congress; he was re-elected three times, serving from March 4, 1863, to March 3, 1871. He was a member of the ways and means committee a good part of his term. His career in the United States senate began in 1873, and he rapidly rose to eminence in national affairs, his service of a quarter of a century in that body being marked by close fealty to the Republican party. He twice declined the portfolio of the treasury tendered hitn by Garfield and Harrison, and his name was prominently mentioned for the presidency at several national Republican conventions. MARY ASHTOX LIVERMORE, lec- turer and writer, was born in Boston, December 19. 1821. She was the daughter of Timothy Rice, and married D. P. Liver- more, a preacher of the Universalist church. She contributed able articles to many of the most noted periodicals of this country and England. During the Civil war she labored zealously and with success on behalf of the sanitary commission which played so impor- tant a part during that great struggle. She became editor of the " Woman's Journal," published at Boston in 1S70. She held a prominent place as a public speaker and writer on woman's suffrage, temperance, social and religious questions, and her influence was great in every cause she advocated. JOHN B. GOUGH. a noted temperance lecturer, who won his fame in America, was born in the village of Sandgate, Kent, 132 COMPEXPIl ■-.]/ OF BIOGRAPHT. England, August 22, 1817. He came to the United States at the age of twelve. He followed the trade of bookbinder, and lived in great poverty on account of the liquor habit. In 1843, however, he re- formed, and began his career as a temper- ance lecturer. He worked zealously in the cause of temperance, and his lectures and published articles revealed great earnestness. He formed temperance societies throughout the entire country, and labored with great success. He visited England in the same cause about the year 1853 and again in 1878, He also lectured upon many other topics, in which he attained a wide reputa- tion. His death occurred February 18, THOMAS BUCHANAN READ, author, sculptor and painter, was born in Ch ter county, Pennsylvania, March 12, [822, He early evinced a taste for art, and began the study of sculpture in Cincinnati. Later he found painting more to his liking. He went to New York, where he followed this profession, and later to Boston. In 1846 he located in Philadelphia. He visited Italy in 1S50, and studied at Florence, where he resided almost continuously for twenty-two years. He returned to America in 1 S 7 2 . and died in New York May 11 of the same year. He was the author of many heroic poems, but the one giving him the most re- nown is his famous "Sheridan's Ride,' of which he has also left a representation in painting. EUGENE V. DEBS, the former famous president of the American Railway Union, and great labor leader, was born in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1855, He received his education in the public schools of that place and at the age of sixteen years began work as a painter in the Yandalia shops. After this, for some three years, he was employed as a loco- motive fireman on the same road. His first appearance in public life was in his canvass for the election to the office of city clerk of Terre Haute. In this capacity he served two terms, and when twenty six yearsof age was elected a member of the legislature of the state of Indiana. While a member of that body he secured the passage of several bills in the interest of organized labor, of which he was always a faithful champion. Mr. Debs' speech nominating Daniel Voorhees for the United Slates senate gave him a wide reputation for oratory. On the expiration of his term in the legislature, he was elected grand secre- tary and treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman and filled that office for fourteen successive years. He was always an earnest advocate of confederation of railroad men ami it was mainly through his efforts that the United Order of Railway Employes, composed of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen and Conducl Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and the Switchmen's Mutual Aid Association was formed, and he became a member of its supreme council. The order was dissolved by disagreement between two of its leading orders, and then Mr. Debs conceived the idea of the American Railway Union. He worked on the details and the union came into existence in Chicago, June 20, 1893. For a time it prospered and became One of the largest bodies of railway men in the world. It won in a contest with the Great Northern Railway. In the strike made by the union in sympathy with the Pullman employes inaugurated in Chicago June 25, iS'j.4, and the consequent rioting, the Railway Uni n COMPENDIUM OF B '/< >G AM /' // )\ lost much prestige and Mr. Debs, in company with others of the officers, being heldas in con- tempt of the United Stat s courts, he suffered a sentence of six months in jail ;it W stock. McHenry count}-, Illinois. In Mr Debs, on the demise of the American Railway Union. organized the Social Democracy, an institution founded on the best lines of the communistic idea, which > provide homes and employment for its members. JOHN' G. CARLISLE, famous as a law- yer, congressman, senator and cabinet officer, was born in Campbell i now Kenton) county, Kentucky, September 5, 1835, on a farm. He received the usual education of the time and began at an early age to teach school and, at the same time, the study of iaw. Soon opportunity offered and he entered an office in Covington, Kentucky, and was admitted to practice at the bar in Politics attracted his attention and in 1S59 he was elected to the house of rep- resentatives in the legislature of his native state. On the outbreak of the war in 1861, he embraced the cause of the Union and was largely instrumental in preserving Kentucky to the federal cause. He resumed his legal practice for a time and declined a nomina- tion as presidential elector in 1864. In 1866 and again in 1869 Mr. Carlisle was elected to the senate of Kentucky. He re- signed this position in 1871 and was chosen lieutenant governor of the state, which office he held until 1875. He was one of the presidential electors-at- large f> >r Ken- tucky in [876. He first entered congress in 1S77, and soon became a prominent leader on the Democratic side of the house of rep- resentatives, and continued a member of that body through the forty-sixth, forty- seventh, forty-eighth and forty-ninth con- gresses, and was speaker of the house during (TO latter. He was elected to the United States senate to succeed Senator Blackburn, and remained a member of that brani h of congress until M 93, when he was appointed secretary of the treasury. He performed the duties of that high office until March 4, 1897, throughout the en- tire second administration of President Cleveland. His ability and many years of public service gave him a national reputa- tion. FRANCES E. WILLARD, for many years president of the 'Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and a noted American lecturer and writer, was born in Rochester, New York, September 28, 1839. Graduating from the Northwestern Female College at the age of nineteen she began teaching and met with great success in many cities of the west. She was made directress of Genesee Wes- leyan Seminary at Lima, Ohio, in 1867, and four years later was elected president of the Evanston College for young ladies, a branch of the Northwestern University. During the two years succeeding 1869 she traveled extensively in Europe and the east, visiting Egypt and Palestine, a id gathering materials for a valuable course of lectures, which she delivered at Chicago on her return. She became very popular, and won great influence in the temperance cause. Her work as president of the Wo- man's Christian Temperance Union greatly strengthened that society, and she made frequent trips to Europe in the interest of that cause. RICHARD OLNEY. —Among the promi- nt men who were members of the cabinet of President Cleveland in his second administration, the gentleman whose nama 184 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. heads this sketch held a leading place, oc- cupying the positions of attorney general and secretary of state. Mr. Olney came from one of the oldest and most honored New England families; the first of his ancestors to come from Eng- land settled in Massachusetts in 1635. This was Thomas Olney. He was a friend and co-religionist of Roger Williams, and when the latter moved to what is now Rhode Island, went with him and became one of the founders of Providence Plantations. Richard Olney was born in Oxford, Massachusetts, in 1835, and received t he elements of his earlier education in the com- mon schools which New England isso proud of. He entered Brown University, from which he graduated in 1856, and passed the Harvard law school two years later. He began the practice of his profession with judge B. F. Thomas, a prominent man of that locality. For years Richard Olney was regarded as one of the ablest and most learned lawyers in Massachusetts. Twice he was offered a place on the bench of the supreme court of the state, but both times he declined. He was always a Democrat in his political tenets, and for many years was a trusted counsellor of members of that party. In 1874 Mr. Olney was elected a member of the legislature. In [876, during the heated presidential campaign, to strengthen the cause of Mr. Tilden in the New England states, it was intimated that m the event of that gentleman's election to the presidency, Mr. Olney would be attor- ney general. w nen Grover Cleveland was elected presi- '••>nt of the United States, on his inaugura- tion in March, 1893, he tendered the posi- tion of attorney general to Richard Olney. This was accepted, and that gentleman ful- filled the duties of the office until the death of Walter Q. Gresham, in May, 1895, made vacant the position of secretary of state. This post was filled by the appointment of Mr. Olney. While occupying the later office, Mr. Olney brought himself into inter- national prominence by some very able state papers. JOHN JAY KNOX, for many years comp- troller of the currency, and an eminent financier, was born in Knoxboro, Oneida county. New York, May 19, 1S2S, He re- ceived a good education and graduated at Hamilton College in 1849. For about thirteen years he was engaged as a private hanker, or in a position in a bank, where he laid the foundation of his knowledge of the laws of finance. In 1862, Salmon P. Chase, then secretary of the treasury, ap- pointed him to an office in that department of the government, and later he had charge of the mint coinage correspondence. In [867 Mr. Knox was made deputy comptroller of the currency, and in that capacity, in 1870, he made two reports on the mint service, with a codification of the mint and coinage laws of the United States, and suggesting many important amendments These reports were ordered printed by reso- lution of congress. The bill which he pre- pared, with some slight changes, was sub- sequently passed, and has been known in history as the " Coinage Act of 1873." In [872 Mr. Knox was appointed comp- troller of the currency, anil held that re- sponsible position until 1884, when he re- signed. He then accepted the position of president of the National Bank of the Re- public, of New York City, which institution he served for many years. He was the author of " United States Notes," published in 1884. In the reports spoken of above, a history of the two United States banks is COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAriir. 185 given, together with that of the state and national banking system, and much valuable statistical matter relating to kindred sub- jects. NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.— In the opinion of many critics Hawthorne is pronounced the foremost American novelist. and in his peculiar vein of romance is said to be without a peer. His reputation is world-wide, and his ability as a writer is recognized abroad as well as at home. He was born July 4, 1S04, at Salem, Massa- chusetts. On account of feeble health he spent some years of his boyhood on a (arm near Raymond, Maine. He laid the foun- dation of a liberal education in his youth, and entered Bowdoin College, from which he graduated in 1825 in the same class with H W Longfellow and John S. C. Abbott. He then returned to Salem, where he gave his attention to literature, publishing several tales and other articles in various periodi- cals. His first venture in the field of ro- mance, " Fanshaw,' proved a failure. In 1836 he removed to Boston, and became editor of the "American Magazine," which soon passed out of existence. In 1837 he published " Twice Told Tales," which were chiefly made up of his former contributions to magazines. In 1838-41 he held a posi- tion in the Boston custom house, but later took part in the "Brook farm experiment," a socialistic idea after the plan of Fourier. In 1843 he was married and took up his nee at the old parsonage at Concord, ichusetts, which he immortalized in his next work, "Mosses From an Old Manse," published in 1846. From the lat- ter date until 1850 he was surveyor of the port of Salem, and while thus employed wrote one of his strongest works, "The Scarlet Letter." For the succeeding two 8 years Lenox, Massachusetts, was his home, and the " House of the Seven Gables" was produced there, as well as the "Blitbedale Romance." In 1852 he published a "Life of Franklin Pierce." a college friend whom he warmly regarded. In 1853 he was ap- pointed United States consul to Liverpool, England, where he remained some years, after which he spent some time in Italy. On returning to his native land he took up his residence at Concord, Massachusetts. While taking a trip for his health with ex- President Pierce, he died at Plymouth, N< • Hampshire, May '.9, 1S64. In addition to the works mentioned above Mr. Hawthorne gave to the world the following books: " True Stories from History," "The Won- der Book," " The Snow Image," "Tangle- wood Tales," "The Marble Faun," and ' ' Our Old Home. " After his death appeared a series of "Notebooks," edited by his wife, Sophia P. Hawthorne; " Septimius Felton, " edited by his daughter, Una, and " Dr. Grimshaw's Secret," put into shape by his talented son, Julian. He left an unfinished work called " Dolliver Romance," which has been published just as he left it. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, sixteenth presi- dent of the United States, was born February 12, 1809, in Larue county (11 ar din county), Kentucky, in a log-cabin near Hudgensville. When he was eight years old he remi ived with his parents to Indiana, near the Ohio river, and a year later his mother died. His father then married Mrs. Elizabeth (Bush) Johnston, of Elizabeth- town, Kentucky, who proved a kind ol ter-mother to Abraham, and encoin him to study. He worked as a farm hand and as a clerk in a store at Gentrvville, and was noted (or his athletic feats and strength, fondness for debate, a fund of hum 186 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY anecdote, as well as the composition of rude verses. He made a trip at the age of nine- teen to New Orleans on a flat-boat, and set- tled in Illinois in 1830. He assisted his father to build a log house and clear a farm on the Sangamon river near Decatur, Illinois, and split the rails with which to fence it. In 185 1 he was employed in the building of a flat-boat on the Sangamon, and to run it to New ( >i leans. Tin: voyage gave him a insight into the horrors of slavery in the south. On his return he settled at New Salem and engaged, first as a clerk in a store, then as grocer, surveyor and postmaster, and he piloted the first steamboat that as- cended the Sangamon. lie parti* ipated in the Black Hawk war as captain oi volun- teers, and after his return he studied law, interested himseli in polil prominent locally as a public He lected to the legislature in 1834 " Clay Whig, " and began at once to dis- play a command of language and foi rhetoric that made him a match for his more cultured opponents. He was ad- 1 t.' the bar in 1857, and began prac- tice at Springfield He married a lady of a prominent Kentucky family in 18. 12. He was active in the presidential campaigns of 1840 and 1844 and was an elector on the Harrison and Clay tickets, and was elected to congress in 1846, over Peter Cartwright. lb voted for the Wilmot proviso and the abolition of slavery in the District of Colum- bia, and opposed the war with Mexico, hut gained little prominence during his two years' service. He then returned to Spring- field and devoted his attention to law, tak- ing little interest in politics, until the repeal of the Missouri compromise and the p,i of the Kansas-Nebraska bill in 1^54. This awakened his interest in politics again and he attacked the champion of that measure, Stephen A. Douglas, in a speech at Spring- field that made him famous, and is said by those who heard it to be the greatest speech of his life. Lincoln was selected as candidate for the United States senate, but was defeated by Trumbull. Upon the pas- sage of the Kansas- Nebraska bill the Whig party suddenly went to pieces, and the Re- publican part\- gathered head. At the Bloomington Republican convention in 1856 Lincoln made an effective address in which he first took a position antagonistic to the ex- istence of slavery. He was a Fremont elector and received a strong support for nomina- tion as vice-president in the Philadelphia mention. In 1S58 he was the unanimous choice of the Republicans for the United States senate, and the gn I campaign of de- bate whn h fi klli iwi-d resulted 111 the eh'i I mn of Douglas, but established Lincoln's repu- tation as the leading exponent of Republican doctrines. He beg. in to be mentioned in Illinois as candidate for the presidency, and a course of addresses in the eastern states attracted favorable attention. When the national convention met at Chicago, his rivals, Chase, Seward, Bates and othi were compelled to retire before the western giant, and he was nominated, with Hannibal Hamlin as his running mate. The Demo- cratic party had now been disrupted, and Lincoln's election assured. He carried practically every northern state, and the secession of South Carolina, followed by a number of the gulf states, took place before his inauguration. Lincoln is the only presi- dent who was ever compelled to reach Washington in a secret manner. He es- caped assassination by avoiding Baltimore, and was quietly inaugurated March 4, 1861. His inaugural address was firm but con- ciliatory, and he said to the secessionist^: " You have no oath registered in heaven com r endium of biographt. 187 to destroy the government, while I have tin- most solemn one to preserve, protect and defend it.' He made up his cabinet chiefly of those political rivals in his own party— Seward, Chase, Cameron, Bates — and se- cured the co-operation of the l)i tuglas Dem- ocrats. His great deeds, amidst the heat and turmoil of war, were: His call for seventy-rive thousand volunteers, and the blockading of southern ports; calling of con- gress in extra session, July 14, 1861, and obtaining four hundred thousand men and four hundred million dollars for the prosecu- tion of the war; appointing Stanton secre- tary of war; issuing the emancipation proc- lamation; calling three hundred thou- sand volunteers; address at Gettysburg cemetery; commissioned Grant as lieuten- ant-general and commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States; his second inaugural address; his visit to the army be- fore Richmond, and his entry into Rich- mond the day after its surrender. Abraham Lincoln was shot by John \Yi'kes Booth in a box in Fords theater at Washington the night of April 14, [865, and expired the following morning. His body was buried at Oak Ridge cemetery, Springfield, Illinois, and a monument com- memorating his great work marks his resting place. STEPHEN GIRARD, the celebrated philanthropist, was born in Bordeaux, France, May 24, 1750. He became a sailor engaged in the American coast trade, and also made frequent trips to the West Indies. During the Revolutionary war he was a grocer and liquor seller in Philadelphia. He married in that city, and afterward separated from his wife. After the war he again engaged in the coast and West India trade, and his fortune began to accumulate from receiving goods from West Indian planters during the insurrection in H.tyti, little of which was ever called for again. He became a private banker in Philadelphia 111 181 2, and afterward was a director in the United Stat* s Bank. He made much money by leasing property in the city in times of depression, and upon the revival of industry sub-leasing at enormous profit. He became the wealthiest citizen of the United States of his time. He was eccentric, ungracious, and a freethinker. He had few, if any, friends in his lifetime. However, he was most chari- tably disposed, and gave to charitable in- stitutions and schools with a liberal hand. He did more than any one else to relieve the suffering and deprivations during the great yellow fever scourge in Philadelphia, ing his personal attention to the sick. He endowed and made a free institution, the famous Will's Eye and Ear Infirmary of Philadelphia — one of the largest institu- tions of its kind in the world. At his death practically all his immense wealth was be- queathed to charitable institutions, more than two millions of dollars going to the founding of Girard College, which was to be devoted to the education and training of boys between the ages of six and ten years. Large donations were also made to institu- tions in Philadelphia and New Orleans. The principal building of Girard College is the most magnificent example of Greek architecture in America. Girard died De- cember 26, 1 83 1. LOUIS J. R. AGASSIZ, the eminent nat- uralist and geologist, was born in the parish of Motier, near Lake Neuchatel, Swit- zerland, May 28, 1807, but attained his greatest fame after becoming an American citizen. He studied the medical sciences at 138 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY Zurich, Heidelberg and Munich. His first work was a Latin description of the fishes which Martins and Spix brought from Brazil. This was published in 1 829-3 l ■ He devoted much time to the study of fossil fishes, and in 1832 was appointed professor of natural history at Neuchatel. He greatly increased his reputation by a great work m French, entitled " Researches on Fossil Fishes," in 1832-42, in which he made many important improvements in the classification of fishes. Having passed many summers among the Alps in researches on glaciers, he propounded some new and interesting ideas on geology, and the agency of glaciers in his "Studies by the Glaciers." This was published in 1840. This latter work, with his " System of the Glaciers," published in 1847, are among his principal works. In 1846, Professor Agassiz crossed the ocean on a scientific excursion to the United States, and soon determined to remain here. He accepted, about the beginning of 1848, the chair of zoology and geology at Harvard, He explored the natural history of the I'niU'il States at different times and gave an impulse to the study of nature in this country. In 1865 he conducted an exp< di- tion to Brazil, and explored the lower Ama- zon and its tributaries. In 1868 he was made non-resident professor of natural his- tory at Cornell University. In December, 1S71, he accompanied the Hassler expedi- tion, under Professor Pierce, to the South Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He died at Cambridge, Massachusetts, December 14, 1873. Among other of the important works of Professor Agassiz may be mentioned the fol- lowing: "Outlines of Comparative Physi- ology," "Journey to Brazil," and "Contri- butions to the Natural History of the United States." It is said of Professor Agassiz, that, perhaps, with the exception of Hugh Miller, no one had so popularized science in his day, or trained so many young natural- ists. Many of the theories held by Agassiz are not supported by many of the natural- ists of these later days, but upon many of the speculations into the origin of species and in physics he has left the marks of his own strongly marked individuality. WILLIAM WINDOM.— As a prominent and leading lawyer of the great north- west, as a member of both houses of con- gress, and as the secretary of the treasury, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch won for himself a prominent position in the history of our country. Mr. Windom was a native of Ohio, born in Belmont county. May 10, 1827. He received a good elementary education in the schools of his native state, and took up the study of law. He was admitted to the bar, and entered upon the practice of his profession in Ohio, where he remained until 1855. In the latter year he made up his mind to move further west, and accordingly went to Minnesota, and opening an office, became identified with the interests of that state, and the northwest generally. In 1858 he took his place in Hie Minnesota delegation in the national house of repre- sentatives, at Washington, and continued to represent his constituency in that body for ten years. In 1871 Mr. Windom was elected United States senator from Min- nesota, and was re-elected to the same after fulfilling the duties of the position for a full term, in 1876. On the inauguration of President Garfield, in March, 1881, Mr. Windom became secretary of the treasury in his cabinet. He resigned this office Oc- tober 27, 1 88 1, and was elected senator from the North Star state to fill the va- UPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. 139 cancy caused by the resignation of A. | rton. Mr. Windom served in that chamber until March, i i William Windom died in New \ City January 29, i8< DON" M. DICKINSON, an American politician and lawyer, was born in Port Ontario, Ne \ Y >rk, January 17, 1S46. He removed with his parents to Michigan when he was but two years old. He was educated in the public schools of Detroit and at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-one. In 1S72 he was made secretary of the Democratic state central committee of Michigan, and his able man- agement of the campaign gave him a prom- inent place in the councils of his party. In 1876, during the Tilden campaign, he acted as chairman of the state central committee. He was afterward chosen to represent his state in the Democratic national committee, and in 1SS6 he was appointed postmaster- general by President Cleveland. After the expiration of his term of office he returned to Detroit and resumed the practice of law. In the presidential campaign of 1S96, Mr. Dickinson adhered to the "gold wing "of the Democracy, and his influence was felt in the national canvass, and especially in his own state. business ability and foresight, and soon he was investing capital in furs which he took I L ndon and suld at a great profit. He next settled ;it New York, and engaged ex- tensively in the fur trade. He exp furs to Europe in his own vessels, which re- turned with cargoes of foreign commodities, and thus he rapidly amassed an immense fortune. In 1S11 he founded Astoria on the western coast of North America, near the mouth of the Columbia river, as a depot for the fur trade, for the promotion of which he sent a number of expeditions to the Pacific ocean. He also purchased a large amount of real estate in New York, the value of which increased enormously All through life his business ventures were 1 a series of marvelous successes, and he ranked as one of the most sagacious and successful business men in the world. He c'iea March 29, 1848, leaving a fortune es- timated at over twenty million dollars to his children, who have since increased it. John Jacob Astor left $400,000 to found a public library in New York City, and his son, William B. Astor, who died in 1875, left $300,000 to add to his father's bequest. This is known as the Astor Library, one of the largest in the United States. JOHN JACOB ASTOR, the founder of J the Astor family and fortunes, while not a native of this country, was one of the most noted men of his time, and as all his wealth and fame were acquired here, he may well be classed among America's great men. He was born near Heidelberg, Ger- many, July 17, [763, and when twenty years old emigrated to the United States. Even p.t that age he exhibited remarkable SCHUYLER COLFAX, an eminent American statesman, was born in New Y'ork City, March 23, 1S23, being a grand- son of General William Colfax, the com- mander of Washington's life-guards. In 1836 he removed with his mother, who was then a widow, to Indiana, settling at South Bend. Y'oung Schuyler studied law, and in 1845 became editor of the "St. Joseph Valley Register," a Whig paper published at South Bend. He was a member of the convention which formed a new constitu- ] tion for Indiana in 1850, and he opposed 140 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. the clause that prohibited colored men from settling in that state. In 1851 he was defeated as the Whig candidate for congress but was elected in 1S54, and, being repeat- edly re-elected, continued to represent that district in congress until 1869. He became one of the most prominent and influential members of the house of representatives, and served three terms as speaker. During the Civil war he was an active participant in all public measures of importance, ami was a confidential friend and adviser of President Lincoln. In May, 1868, Mr. was nominated for vice-president on the ticket with General Grant, and was ti d. After the close of his term he tired from office, ami for the remainder of his life devoted much of Ins time to 1. dur- ing and literary pursuits. His death curred January 23, 1SS5. 11 e of the most promini nl t the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows in America, and cted a bi I tue ti 1 his mi n i> Park. Indian; lis Indiana, which was unveiled in May, [887. WILLIAM FREEMAN VILAS, who at- tained a natii mal reputation as an able lawyer, statesman, and cabinet officer, « born at Chelsea, Vermont, July 9, 1840. His parents removed to Wisconsin wl our subject was but eleven years of a: and there with the early settlers endured all the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life. William F. Vilas was given all the advantages found in the common schools, and supplemented this by a course of study in the Wisconsin State University, after which he studied law, was admitted to the bar and began practicing at Madison. Shortly afterward the Civil war broke out and Mr. Vilas enlisted and became colonel of the Twenty-third regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, serving throughout the war with distinction. At the close of the war he re- turned lo Wisconsin, resumed his law prac- tice, and rapidly rose to eminence in this profession. In 1 SS 5 he was selected by President Cleveland for postmaster-general and at the close of his term again returned to Madison, Wisconsin, to resume the prac- tice of law. THOMAS McINTYRE COOLKV, an em- inent American jurist and law wri was born in Attica, New York, [anuary 6, [824. I le was admitted to the bar in 1846, and four years later was appointed reporter if the supreme court of Michigan, which offii hold for seven years. In the meantime, in [859, he became pro- t the law department of the Univer- sity of Michigan, and soon afterward • of the [acuity of that depart- ment. In 1864 he wa ■ of the supreme court of Michigan, in [867 be- came chief justice of that court, and in was t d for a term of eighl In 1 ss 1 he again joined the faculty of the University of Michigan, assuming I professorship istitutional and adminis- trative law. His works on these branches have become standard, and he is rec< > d as authority on this and related sub- I'l'oii thi e of the inter-state commerce law in 18S7 he became chairman of the commission and served in that capac- ity four years. JOHN PETER ALTGELD, a noted American politician and writer on social questions, was born in Germany, De< 30, 1847. He came to America with his parents and settled in Ohio when two years old. In 1 864 he entered the Union army UPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1 II and served till the close of the war, after which he settled in Chicago, Illinois, lb- lected judj^e of the superior court of . count\, Illinois, in 1886. in which capacity he served until elected j; Illinois in [892, as a Democrat. During the first year of his term as governor he at- tracted national attention by his pardon of the anarchists convicted of the Haymarket murder in Chicago, and again in 1894 by his denunciation of President Cleveland for calling out federal troops to suppress the rioting in connection with the great Pull- man strike i:i Chicago. At the national convention of the Democratic party in Chi- in July, 1896, he is said to have in- spired the clause in the platform denuncia- tory of interference by federal authorities in local affa rs. and "government by injunc- tion." H :>ernatorial candidate for re-electi' n or. the Democratic ticket in 1896, b it w s defeated by John R. Tanner, Re- publican. Mr. Altgeld published two vol- umes of essays on " Live Questions," evinc- ing nuiical views on social matters. ADLAI EWING STEVENSON, an Amer- ican statesman and politician, was burn in Christian county. Kentucky, October 23, 5, and removed with the family to Bloomington, Illinois, in 1S52. He was admitted to the bar in 1858, and set- tled in the practice of his profession in Metamora, Illinois. In 1861 he was made master in chancery of Woodford county. a>;d in 1864 was elected state's at- torney. In 1868 he returned to Blooming- ton and f irmed a law partnership with James S. E ving. He had served as a pres- idential elector in 1 864, and in 1808 was elected to congress as a Democrat, receiv- ing a majority vote from <• inty in lis district. He became prominent in his part\, and was a d< to the national convention in 1884. On the election • eland to the presidency Mr. Stevenson - appointed first assistant postmaster- general. After the expiration of his term he continued to exert a controlling influence in the politics of his state, and in 1892 was elected vice-president of the United States on the ticket with Grover Cleveland. At the expiration of his term of office he re- sumed the practice of law at Bloomington, Illinois. SIMON CAMERON, whose name is prominently identified with the history of the United States as a political lea and statesman, was born in Lancaster coun- ty, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1799. He grew to manhood in his native county, receiving good educational advantages, and devel ing a natural inclination for political life. He rapidly rose in prominence and became the most influential Democrat in Penns\.'~ vania, and in 1S45 waselected by that party to the United States senate. Upon the organization of the Republican party he was one of the first to declare his allegiance to it, and in 1856 was re-elected United States senator from Pennsylvania as a Republican. In March, 1S61, he was appointed secretarv of war by President Lincoln, and ser\ until early in 1862, when he was sent as minister to Russia, returning in 1S63. In 1866 he was a^ain elected United States senator and served until 1877, when here- signed and was succeeded by his son, Jan Donald Cameron. He continued to exert a powerful influence in political affairs up to the time of his death, June 26, 1 889. James Donald Cameron was the eld- est son of Simon Cameron, and also attained a h^h rank among Ameri' smen. He was born at ! ! 141 COMPEXDICM OF BIOGRAPHY. Pennsylvania, May 14, 1833, and received an excellent education, graduating at Princeton College in 1S52. He rapidly developed into one of the most able and successful business of the country and was largely inter- ested in and identified with the develop- ment of the coal, iron, lumber and manu- facturing interests of his native state. He served as cashier and afterward president of the Middletownbank, and in 1861 was made vice-president, and in 1863 president of the Northern Central railroad, holding this ion until [874, when he resigned and was succeeded by Thomas A. Scott. This road was of great service to the government during the war as a means of communica- tion between Pennsylvania and the national capital, via Baltimore. Mr. Cameron also took an active part in political affairs, always as a Republican. In May, 1876, he was appointed secretary of war in Pres- ident Grant's cabinet, and in 1877 suc- ceeded his father in the United States senate. He was re-elected in 1 S S 5 , and again in 1891, serving until 1S96, and was recognized as one of the most prominent and influential members of that body. ADOLPHUS W. GREELEY, a famous American arctic explorer, was born at Newburyport, Massachusetts, March 27, 1844. He graduated from Brown High School at the age of sixteen, and a year later enlisted in Company B, Nineteenth Massachusetts Infantry, and was made first sergeant. In 1863 he was promoted to second lieutenant. After the war he was assigned to the Eifth United States Cavalry, and became first lieutenant in 1873. He was assigned to duty in the United States signal service shortly after the close of the war. An expedition was fitted out by the United States government in 18S1, un- der auspices of the weather bureau, and Lieutenant Greeley placed in command. They set sail from St. Johns the first week in Jul\-, and after nine days landed in Green- land, where they secured the services of two natives, together with sledges, dogs, furs and equipment. They encountered an ice pack early in August, and on the 28th of that month freezing weather set in. Two of his party, Lieutenant Lockwood and Ser- geant Brainard, added to the known maps about forty miles of coast survey, and reached the highest point yet attained by man, eighty-three degrees and twenty-four minutes north, longitude, forty-four degrees and five minutes west. On their return to In Conger, Lieutenant Greeley set out for the south on August 9, 1883. He reached Baud Inlet twenty days later with Ins entire party. Here they were compelled to abandon their boats, and drifted on an ice-floe for one month. They then went into camp at Cape Sabine, where they suf- fered untold hardships, and eighteen of the party succumbed to cold and hunger, and had relief been delayed two days longer le would have been found alive. They were picked up by the relief expedition, under Captain Schley, June 22, 1SS4. The dead were taken to New York for burial. Many sensational stories were published concerning the expedition, and Lieutenant Greeley prepared an exhaustive account of his explorations and experiences. LEVI P. MORTON, the millionaire poli- tician, was born in Shoreham, Ver- mont, May 16, 1824, and his early educa- tion consisted of the rudiments which he obtained in the common school up to the age of fourteen, and after that time what knowledge he gained was wrested from the hard school of experience. He removed to com ■/• endium of nnn, a*. \riir 148 Hanover, Vermont, then Concord, Vermont, and afterwards to Boston. He had worked in a store at Shoreham, his native village, and on going to Hanover he established a store and went into business for himself. In Boston he clerked in a dry goods store, and then opened a business of his own in the same line in New York. After a short career he failed, and was compelled to set- tle with his creditors at only fifty cents on the dollar. He began the struggle anew, and when the war began he established a banking house in New York, with Junius Morgan as a partner. Through his firm and connections the great government war loans were floated, and it resulted in im- mense profits to his house. When he was again thoroughly established he invited his former creditors to a banquet, and under each guest's plate was found a check cover- ing the amount of loss sustained respec- tively, with interest to date. President Garfield appointed Mr. Mor- ton as minister to France, after he had de- clined the secretaryship of the navy, and in 1888 he was nominated as candidate for vice-president, with Harrison, and elected. In 1894 he was elected governor of New York over David B. Hill, and served one term. CHARLES KENDALL ADAMS, one of the most talented and prominent educators this country has known, was born January 24, 1835, at Derby, Vermont. He received an elementary education in the common schools, and studied two terms in the Derby Academy. Mr. Adams moved with his parents to Iowa in 1856. He was very anxious to pursue a collegiate course, but this was impossible until he had attained the age of twenty-one. In the autumn of 1856 he began the study of Latin and Greek at Denmark Academy, and in September, 1857, lie was admitted to the University of Michigan. Mr. Adams was wholly depend- ent upon himself for the means of his edu- cation. During his third and fourth year he became deeply interested in historical studies, was assistant librarian of the uni- versity, and determined to pursue a post- graduate course. In 1864 he was appointed instructor of history and Latin and was ad- vanced to an assistant professorship in 1865, and in 1867, on the resignation o f Professoi White to accept the presidency of Cornell, he was appointed to fill the chair of profes- sor of history. This he accepted on con- dition of his being allowed to spend a year for special study in Germany, France and Italy. Mr. Adams returned in 1868, and assumed the duties of his professorship. He introduced the German system for the instruction of advanced history classes, and his lectures were largely attended. In 1 8 S 5 , on the resignation of President White at Cornell, he was elected his successor and held the office for seven years, and on Jan- uary 17, 1893, he was inaugurated presi- dent of the University of Wisconsin. Pres- ident Adams was prominently connected with numerous scientific and literary organ- izations and a frequent contributor to the historical and educational data in the peri- odicals and journals of the country. He was the author of the following: " Dem- ocracy and Monarchy in France,'' " Manual of Historical Literature," " A Plea for Sci- entific Agriculture," " Higher Education in Germany.'' JOSEPH B. FORAKER, a prominent po- litical leader and ex-governor of Ohio, was born near Rainsboro, Highland county, Ohio, July 5, 1846. His parents operated a small farm, with a grist and sawmill, hav- 144 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. ing emigrated hither from Virginia and Delaware on account of their distaste for slavery. Joseph was reared upon a farm until 1862, when he enlisted in the Eighty-ninth Ohio Infantry. Later he was made ser- geant, and in 1864 commissioned first lieu- tenant. The next year he was brevetted captain. At the age of nineteen he was mustered out of the army after a brilliant service, part of the time being on the staff of General Slocum. He participated in the battlesof Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mount- ain and Kenesaw Mountain and in Sher- man's march to the sea. For two years subsequent to the war young Foraker was studying at the Ohio > .iii University at Delaware, but later went to Cornell University, at Unity, New Yoik, from which he graduated July 1, 1869. He studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1879 Mr. Foraker was elected judge of the superior court of Cincinnati and held the office for three years. In [883 he was defeated in the contest for the gov- ernorship with Judge Hoadly. In 1885, however, being again nominated for the same office, he was elected and served two terms. In 1889, in running for governor again, this time against James E. Camp- bell, he was defeated. Two years later his career in the United States senate b< Mr. Foraker was always a prominent figure at all national meetings of the Republican party, and a strong power, politically, in his native state. LYMAN ABBOTT, an eminent American preacher and writer on religious sub- jects, came of a noted New England family. His father, Rev. Jacob Abbott, was a prolific and popular writer, and his uncle. Rev. John S. C. Abbott, was a noted preacher and author. Lyman Abbott was born December 18, 1835, in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He graduated at the New York University, in 1853, studied law, and practiced for a time at the bar, after which he studied theology with his uncle, Rev. John S. C. Abbott, and in i860 was settled in the ministry at Terre Haute, Indiana, re- maining there until after the close of the war. He then became connected with the Freedmen's Commission, continuing this until 1868, whin he accepted the pastorate of the New England Congregational church, in New York City. A few years later he re- signed, to devote his time principally to lit- erary pursuits. For a number of years he eiht< d for the American Tract Society, its "Illustrated Christian Weekly," also the New York "Christian Union.'' He pro- duced many works, which had a wide circu- lation, among which may be mentioned the following: "J I Nazareth, His Life and I ichings, ' "Old Testament Shadows oi New Testament Truths," "Morning and Evening Exercises, Selected from Writings of Henry Ward Beecher," " Laicus, or the Experiences of a Layman in a Country Parish," "Popular Religious Dictionary," and "Commentaries on Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts." GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.— The well-known author, orator and journal- ist whose name heads this sketch, was born at Providence, Rhode Island; February 24, 1824. Having laid the foundation of a most excellent education in his native land, he went to Europe and studied at the Uni- versity of Berlin. He made an extensive tour throughout the Levant, from which he returned home in 1850. At that early age literature became his field of labor, and in 185 1 he published his first important work, MPENDIUM OF />'/< >GRA /'//)'. [45 •■ Nile Notes of a Howadji." In 1S52 two works issued from his facile pen, "The Howadji in Syria." and "Lotus-Eating." Later on he was the authur of the well- known •• Potiphar Papers," " Prue and I." and "Trumps." He greatly distinguished himself throughout this land as a lecturer on many subjects, and as an orator had but few peers. He was also well known as one of the most fluent speakers on the stump, making many political speeches in favor of the Republican party. In recognition of his valuable services, Mr. Curtis was ap- pointed by President Grant, chairman of the advisory board of the civil service. Al- though a life-long Republican, Mr. Curtis refused to support Blaine for the presidency "4. because of his ideas on civil ser- vice and other reforms. For his memorable and magnificent eulogy on Wendell Phillips, delivered in Boston, in 1S84, that city pre- sented Mr. Curtis with a gold medal. George W. Curtis, however, is best known to the reading public of the United States by his connection with the Harper Brothers, having been editor of the " Har- per's Weekly." and of the "Easy Chair," in " Harper's Monthly Magazine, "for many years, in fact retaining that position until the day of his death, which occurred August 3'. 1892. ANDREW JOHNSON, the seventeenth president of the United States, served from 1865 to 1869. He was born Decem- ber 8, 1808, at Raleigh, North Carolina, and was left an orphan at the age of four • years. He never attended school, and was apprenticed to a tailor. While serving his apprenticeship he suddenly acquired a pas- sion for knowledge, and learned to read. From that time on he spent all his spare time in reading, and after working for two years as a journeyman tailor at Lauren's Court House, South Carolina, he removed to Greenville, Tennessee, where he worked at his trade and was married. Under his wife's instruction he made rapid progn his studies and manifested such an interest in local politics as to be elected as " work- ingmen's candidate " alderman in 1828, and in 1830 to the mayoralty, and was twice re-elected to each office. Mr. Johnson utilized this time in cultivating his talents as a public speaker, by taking part in a de- bating society. He was elected in 1835 to the lower house of the legislature, was re- elected in 1S39 as a Democrat, and in 1 841 was elected state senator. Mr. John- son was elected representative in congress in iS43and was re-elected four times in succession until 1853, when he was the suc- cessful candidate for the gubernatorial chair of Tennessee. He was re-elected in 1S55 and in 1 S 5 7 he entered the United States senate. In 1S60 he was supported by the Tennessee delegation to the Democratic convention for the presidential nomination, and lent his influence to the Breckinridge wing of the party. At the election of Lin- coln, which brought about the first attempt at secession in December, i860, Mr. John- son took a firm attitude in the senate for the Union. He was the leader of the loy- alists in East Tennessee. By the course that Mr. Johnson pursued in this crisis he was brought prominently before the north- ern people, and when, in March, 1862, he was appointed military governor of Ten- nessee with the rank of brigadier-general, he increased his popularity by the vigorous manner in which he labored to restore order. In the campaign of 1864 he was elected vice-president on the ticket with lent Lincoln, and upon the assassi- nation of the latter he succeeded to the 146 compexdii'm or biography. presidency, April 15, 1865. He retained the cabinet of President Lincoln, and at first exhibited considerable severity towards the former Confederates, but he soon inau- gurated a policy of reconstruction, pro- claimed a general amnesty to the late Con- federates, and established provisional gov- ernments in the southern states. These states claimed representation in congress in the following December, and then arose the momentous question as to what should be the policy of the victorious Union against their late enemies. The Republican ma- jority in congress had an apprehension that the President would undo the results of the war, and consequently passed two bills over the executive veto, and the two highest branches of the government were in open antagonism. The cabinet was reconstructed in July, and Messrs. Randall, Stanbury and Browning superseded Messrs. Denison, Speed and Harlan. In August, 1867, Pres- ident Johnson removed the secretary of war and replaced him with General Grant, but when congress met in December it refused to ratify the removal of Stanton, who re- sumed the functions of his office. In 1868 the president again attempted to remove Stanton, who refused to vacate his post and was sustained by the senate. Presi- dent Johnson was accused by congress of high crimes and misdemeanors, but the trial resulted in his acquittal. Later he was Uni- ted States senator from Tennessee, and died July 31, 1875. EDMUND RANDOLPH, first attorney- general of the United States, was born in Virginia, August 10, 1753. His father, John Randolph, was attorney-general of Virginia, and lived and died a royalist. Ed- mund was educated in the law, but joined the army as aide-de-camp to Washington in 1775, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was elected to the Virginia convention in 1776, and attorney-general of the state the same year. In 1779 he was elected to the Continental congress, and served four years in that body. He was a member of the con- vention in 1787 that framed the constitu- tion. In that convention he proposed what was known as the " Virginia plan" of con- federation, but it was rejected. He advo- cated the ratification of the constitution in the Virginia convention, although he had re- fused to sign it. He became governor of Virginia in 1788, and the next year Wash- ington appointed him to the office of at- torney-general of the United States upon the organization of the government under the constitution. He was appointed secre- tary of state to succeed Jefferson during Washington's second term, but resigned a year later on account of differences in the cabinet concerning the policy pursued to- ward the new French republic. He died September 12, 181 3. W INFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK was born in Montgomery count}', Penn- sylvania, February 14, 1824. He received his early education at the Norristown Academy, in his native county, and, in 1840, was appointed a cadet in the United States Military Academy, at West Point. He was graduated from the latter in 1844, and brev- etti ! as second lieutenant of infantry. In 1853 ne was made first lieutenant, and two years 'ater transferred to the quartermaster's department, with the rank of captain, and in 1863 promoted to the rank of major. He served on the frontier, and in the war with Mexico, displaying conspicuous gallantry dur- ing the latter. He also took a part in the Seminole war, and in the troubles in Kan- sas, in 1857, and in California, at the out- COMTF.X DllW OF />'/<>(, A'. I /'//)'. Ill break of the Civil war. as chief quarter- master of the Southern district, he exerted a powerful influence. In 1S61 he applied for active duty in the field, and was assigned to the department of Kentucky as chief quartermaster, but before entering upon that duty, was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers. His subsequent history during the war was substantially that of the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the campaign, under McClellan, and led the gallant charge, which captured Fort Magru- der, won the day at the battle of Wil- liamsburg, and by services rendered at Savage's Station and other engagements, won several grades in the regular service, and was recommended by McClellan for major-general of volunteers. He was a con- spicuous figure at South Mountain and An- tietam. He was commissioned major-gen- eral of volunteers, November 29. 1862, and made commander of the First Division of the Second Corps, which he led at Fred- ricksburg and at Chancellorsville. He was appointed to the command of the Second Corps in June, 1863, and at the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 2 and 3, of that year, took an important part. On his arrival on the field he found part of the forces then in retreat, but stayed the retrograde ' movement, checked the enemy, and on the following day commanded the left center, repulsed, on the third, the grand assault of General Lee's army, and was se- wounded. For his services on that field General Hancock received the thanks of congress. On recovering from his wound, he was detailed to go north to stimulate re- cruiting and fill up the diminished corps, and was the recipient of many public receptions and ovations. In March, 1S64, he returned to his command, and in the Wilderness and at Spottsylvania led large bodies of men successfully and conspicuously. From that on to the close of the campaign he was a prominent figure. In November. 1864, he was detailed to organize the First Veteran Reserve Corps, and at the close of hostilities was appointed to the command of the Mid- dle Military Division. In July, 1 866, he was made major-general of the regular service. He was at the head of various military departments until 1S72, when he was assigned to the command of the Depart- ment of the Atlantic, which post he held until his death. In 1869 he declined the nomination for governor of Pennsylvania. He was the nominee of the Democratic party for president, in 1S80, and was de- feated by General Garfield, who had a popu- lar majority of seven thousand and eighteen and an electoral majority.of fifty-nine. Gen- eral Hancock died February 9, 1886. THOMAS PAINE, the most noted polit- ical and deistical writer of the Revolu- tionary period, was born in England. Jan- uary 29, 1737, of Quaker parents. His edu- cation waS"obtained in the grammar schools of Thetford, his native town, and supple- mented by hard private study while working at his trade of stay-maker at London and other cities of England. He was for a time a dissenting preacher, although he did not relinquish his employment. He married a revenue official's daughter, and was employed in the revenue service for some time. He then became a grocer and during all this time he was reading and cultivating his literary tastes, and had developed a clear and forci- ble style of composition. He was chosen to represent the interests of the excisemen, and published a pamphlet that brought him considerable notice. He was soon after- ward introduced to Benjamin Franklin, and having been dismissed from the service on a 148 coMr/:\/>/r.M of biography. charge of smuggling, his resentment led him to accept the advice of that statesman to come to America, in 1774. He became editor of the " Pennsylvania Magazine," and the next year published his "Serious Thoughts upon Slavery" in the "Penn- sylvania Journal." His greatest political work, however, was written at the sugges- tion of Dr. Rush, and entitled "Common Sense." It was the most popular pamphlet written during the period and he received two thousand five hundred dollars from the state of Pennsylvania in recognition of its value. His periodical, the "Crisis," began in 1776, and its distribution a ng the soldiers did a great deal to keep up the spirit of revolution. He was made secretary of the committee of foreign affairs, but was dis- missed for revealing diplomatic secrets in one of his controversies with Silas Deane. He was originator and promoter of a sub- scription to relieve the distress of the soldiers near the close of the war, and was sent to France with Henry Laurens to negotiate the treaty with France, and was granted three thousand dollars by congress for his services there, and an estate at New Kochelle, by tin- state of New York. In 1787, after the close of the Revolu- tionary war, he went to France, and a few years later published his " Rights of Man," ding the French revolution, which gave him great popularity in France. He was made a citizen and elected to the na- tional convention at Calais. He favored banishment of the king to America, and opposed his execution. He was imprisoned for about ten months during 1794 by the Robespierre party, during which time he wrote the " Age of Reason," his great deis- tical work. He was in danger of the guillo- tine for several months. He took up his residence with the family of James Monroe, then minister to France and was chosen again to the convention. He returned to the United States in 1802, and was cordially received throughout the coun- try except at Trenton, where he was insulted by Federalists. He retired to his estate at New Rochelle, and his death occurred June s, 1809. JOHN WILLIAM MAC" KAY was one of America's noted men, both in the de- velopment of the western coast and the building of the Mackay and Bennett cable. He was born in 1831 at Dublin, Ireland; c.iiiie to New "\"< -1 k in [84O and his boyhood days wire spent in Park Row. He went to California some time after the argonauts of [849 and took to the primitive methods of mining —lost and won and finally drifted into Nevada aboul [860. The bonanza dis- coveries which were to have such a potent influence on the finance and statesmanship of the da) came in 1872. Mr. Mackay founded the Nevada Hank in 1S7S. He is said to have taken one hundred and lift}- million dollars in bullion out of ■In Big Bonanza mine. There were as- sociated with him in this enterprise James G. Fair, senator from Nevada; William O'Brien and James C. Flood. When vast wealth came to Mr. Mai kay he be- lieved it his duty to do his country some service, and b< agitated in his mind the building of an American steamship line, and while brooding over this his attention was called to the cable relations between America and Europe. The financial man- agement of the cable was selfish and ex- travagant, and the capital was heavy with accretions of financial " water" and to pay even an apparent dividend upon the sums which represented the nominal value of the cables, it was necessary to hold the rates co.ur endium <>/■- BiOGRAPHr, 149 at an exorbitant figure. And, moreover, the cables were foreign; in one the influence of France being paramount and in the other that of England; and in the matter of intel- ligence, so necessary in case of war, we would be at the mercy of our enemies. This train of thought brought Mr. Mackay into re- lation with James Gordon Bennett, the pro- prietor of the " New York Herald.*' The result of their intercourse was that Mr. Mac- kay so far entered into the enthusiasm of Mr. Bennett over an independent cable, that he offered to assist the enterprise with five hundred thousand dollars. This was the inception of the Commercial Cable Com- pany, or of what has been known for years as the Mackav-Bennett cable. ELISHA GRAY, the great inventor and electrician, was born August 2.1- at Barnesville, Belmont county, Ohio. He was. as a child, greatly interested in the phenomena of nature, and read with avidity all the books he could obtain, relating to this subject. He was apprenticed to various trades during his boyhood, but his insatiable thirst for knowledge dominated his life and he found time to study at odd intervals. Supporting himself by working at his trade, he found time to pursue a course at Oberlin College, where he particularly devoted him- self to the study of physicial science. Mr. Gray secured his first patent for electrical or telegraph apparatus on October 1, 1S67. ttention was first attracted to tele- phonic transmission during this year and he saw in it a way of transmitting signals for telegraph purposes, and conceived the idea of electro-tones, tuned to different tones in the scale. He did not then realize the im- portance of his invention, his thoughts being employed on the capacity of the apparatus for transmitting musical tones through an electric circuit, and it was not until that he was again called to consider the re- production of electrically-transmitted vibra- tions through the medium of animal t: He continued experimenting with various results, which finally culminated in his taking out a patent for his speaking tele- phone on February 14, 1876. He took out fifty additional patents in the course of eleven years, among which were, telegraph switch, telegraph repeater, telegraph annun- ! ciator and typewriting telegraph. From 1 1869 until 1 S73 he was employed in the manufacture of telegraph apparatus in Cleve- land and Chicago, and filled the office of electrician to the Western Electric Com- pany. He was awarded the degree of D. S. , and in 1S74 he went abroad to perfect himself in acoustics. Mr. Gray's latest in- vention was known as the telautograph or long distance writing machine. Mr. Gray wrote and published several works on scien- tific subjects, among which were: "Tele- graphy and Teiephony," and " Experi- mental Research in Electro-Harmonic Tele- graphy and Telephony.'' AXmiTELAW REID.— Among the many V V men who have adorned the field of journalism in the United States, few stand out with more prominence than the scholar, author and editor whose name heads this ar- ticle. Born at Xenia, Greene county, Ohio, October 27, 1837, he graduated at Miami University in 1856. For about a year he was superintendent of the graded schools of South Charleston, Ohio, after which he pur- chased the ••Xenia New-,'' which he edited for about two years. This paper was the first one outside of Illinois to advocate the nomination of Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Reid having been a Republican since the birth of that party in 1856. After taking an active 150 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. part in the campaign, in the winter of 1860- 61, he went to the state capital as corres- pondent of three daily papers. At the close of the session of the legislature he became city editor of the "Cincinnati Gazette," and at the breaking out of the war went to the front as a correspondent for that journal. For a time he served on the staff of General Morris in West Virginia, with the rank of captain. Shortly after he was on the staff of General Rosecrans, and, under the name of "Agate," wrote most graphic descrip- tions of the movements in the field, espe- cially that of the battle ol Pittsburg Land- ing. In the spring of 1862 Mr. Reid went to Washington and was appointed librarian to the house of representatives, and acted as correspondent of the " Cincinnati Gazette." His description of the battle ol Gettysburg, written on the field, gained him added reputation. In 1865 he accompanied Chief Justice Chase on a southern tour, and pub lished "After the War; a Southern Tour." During the next two years he was en. in cotton planting in Louisiana and Ala- bama, ami published "Ohio in the War." In 1868 he returned to the " Cincinnati Ga- zette," becoming one of its leading editors. The same year he accepted the invitation of Horace Greeley and became one of the staff on the " New York Tribune." Upon the death of Mr. Greeley in 1872, Mr. Reid be- came editor and chief proprietor of that paper. In 1878 he was tendered the I States mission to Berlin, but declined. The offer was again made by the Garfield ad- ministration, but again he declined. In 1878 he was elected by the New York legis- lature regent of the university, to succeed General John A. Dix. Under the Harrison administration he served as United States minister to France, and in 1892 was the Republican nominee for the vice-presidency of the United States. Among other works published by him were the " Schools of Journalism," "The Scholar in Politics," ''Some Newspaper Tendencies," and ' ' Town-Hall Suggestions. " GEORGE WHITEFIELD was one of the most powerful and effective preach- ers the world has ever produced, swaying his hearers and touching the hearts of im- mense audiences in a manner that has rarely been equalled and never surpassed. While not a native of America, yet much of his labor was spent in this country. He wielded a great influence in the United States in early days, and his death occurred here; so that he well deserves a place in this volume as one of the most celebrated men America has known. George Whiteneld was born in the Bull Inn, at Gloucester, England, December 16, 1714. lie acquired the rudiments of learn- ing in St. Mary's grammar school. Lab c he attended Oxford University for a time, where he became intimate with the Oxford Methodists, and resolved to devote himself to the ministry. He was ordained in the Gloucester Cathedral June 20, 1836, and the following day preached his first sermon in the same church. On that day there commenced a new era in Whi - life. He went to London and began to preach at Bishopsgate church, his fame soon spread- ing over the city, and shortly he was en- gaged four times on a single Sunday in ad- dressing audiences of enormous magnitude, and he preached in various parts of his native country, the people crowding in multitudes to hear him and hanging upon the rails and rafters of the churches and approaches there- to. He finally sailed for America, landing in Georgia, where he stirred the people to great enthusiasm. During the balance of com pendium of biography. his life he divided his time between Great Britain and America, and it is recorded that he crossed the Atlantic thirteen times. He came to America for the seventh time in 1770. He preached every day at Hoston from the 17th to the 20th of September, then traveled to Newburvport, preach- ing at Exeter, New Hampshire, September 29, on the way. That evening he went to Xewburyport, where he died the next day, Sunday, September 30, 1770. •• Whitefield's dramatic power was amaz- ing, " says an eminent writer in describing him. " His voice was marvelously varied, ami he ever had it at command — an organ, a flute, a harp, all in one. His intellectual powers were not of a high order, but he had an abundance of that ready talent and that wonderful magnetism which makes the pop- ular preacher; and beyond all natural en- dowments, there was in his ministry the power of evangelical truth, and, as his con- verts believed, the presence of the spirit of God." CHARLES FRANCIS BRUSH, one of America's prominent men in the devel- opment of electrical science, was born March 17, 1849, near Cleveland, Ohio, and spent his early life on his father's farm. From the district school at Wickliffe, Ohio, he passed to the Shaw Academy at Collamer, and then entered the high school at Cleve- land. His interest in chemistry, physics and engineering was already marked, and during his senior year he was placed in charge of the chemical and physical appar- atus. During these years he devised a plan fur lighting street lamps, constructed tele- scopes, and his first electric arc lamp, also an electric motor. In September, 1867, he entered the engineering department <>f the University of Michigan and graduated in 1869, which was a year in advance of his class, with the degree of M. E. He then returned to Cleveland, and for three years was engaged as an analytical chemist and for four years in the iron business. In 1S75 Mr. Brush became interested in elec- tric lighting, and in 1S76, after four months' experimenting, he completed the dynamo- electric machine that has made his name famous, and in a shorter time produced the series arc lamps. These were both patent- ed in the United States in 1876, and he afterward obtained fifty patents on his later inventions, including the fundamental stor- age battery, the compound series, shunt- winding for dynamo-electric machines, and the automatic cut-out for arc lamps. His patents, two-thirds of which have already been profitable, are held by the Brush Electric Company, of Cleveland, while his foreign patents are controlled by the Anglo- American Brush Electric Light Company, of London. In 1S80 the Western Reserve University conferred upon Mr. Brush the degree of Ph. D., and in 1881 the French government decorated him as a chevalier of the Legion of Honor. HENRY CLEWS, of Wall-street fame, was one of the noted old-time opera- tors on that famous street, and was also an author of some repute. Mr. Clews was born in Staffordshire, England, August 14, 1840. His father had him educated with the intention of preparing him for the minis- try, but on a visit to the United States the young man became interested in a business life, and was allowed to engage as a clerk in the importing house of Wilson G. Hunt & Co., of New York. Here he learned the irinciplesof business, and when the war broke out in 1S01 young Clews saw in the needs of the government an opportunity to 154 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. reap a golden harvest. He identified him- self with the negotiating of loans for the government, and used his powers of pur- suasion upon the great money powers to convince them of the stability of the govern- ment and the value of its securities. By enthusiasm and patriotic arguments he in- duced capitalists to invest their money in government securities, often against their judgment, and his success was remarkable. His was one of the leading firms that aided the struggling treasury department in that critical hour, and his reward was great. In addition to the vast wealth it brought, President Lincoln and Secretary Chase both wrote important letters, acknowledging his valued service. In 1873, by the repu- diation of the bonded indebtedness of the state of Georgia, Mr. ("lews lost six million dollars which he had invested in those se- curities. It is said that he is the only man, with one exception, in Wall street, who ever regained great wealth after utter dis- aster. His " Twenty-Eight Years in Wall Street " has been widely read. ALFRED VAIL was one of the men that gave to the world the electric telegraph and the names of Henry, Morse and Y.til will forever remain linked as the prime fac- tors in that great achievement. Mr. Vail was born September 25, 1807, at Morris- town, New Jersey, and was a son of Stephen Vail, the proprietor of the Speedwell Iron Works, near Morristown. At the age of seventeen, after he had completed his stud- ies at the Morristown Academy, Alfred Vail went into the Speedwell Iron Works and contented himself with the duties of his" position until he reached his majority. He then determined to prepare himself for the ministry, and at the age of twenty-five he entered the University oi the City of New York, where he was graduated in 1836. His health becoming impaired he labored for a time under much uncertainty as to his future course. Professor S. F. B. Morse had come to the university in 1835 as professor of lit- erature and fine arts, and about this time, r837, Professor Gale, occupying the chair of chemistry, invited Morse to exhibit his apparatus for the benefit of the students. On Saturday, September 2, 1837, the exhi- bition took place and Vail was asked to at- tend, and with his inherited taste for me- chanics and knowledge of their construction, he saw a great future for the crude mechan- ism used by Morse in giving and recording signals. Mr. Vail interested his father in the invention, and Morse was invited to Speedwell and the elder Vail promised to help him. It was stipulated that Alfred Vail shi >uld construct the required apparatus and exhibit before a committee of congress the telegraph instrument, and was to receive a quarter interest in the invention. Morse had devised a series of ten numbered leaden types, which were to be operated in giving the signal. This was not satisfactory to Vail, so he devised an entirely new instru- ment, involving a lever, or "point," on a radically different principle, which, when tested, produced dots and dashes, and de- vised the famous dot-and-dash alphabet, misnamed the " Morse." At last the ma- chine was in working order, on January 6, 1838. The machine was taken to Wash- ington, where it caused not only wonder, but excitement. Vail continued his experi- ments and devised the lever and roller. When the line between Baltimore and Washington was completed, Vail was sta- tioned at the Baltimore end and received the famous first message. It is a remarka- ble fact that not a single feature of the original invention of Morse, as formulated WPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. by his caveat and repeated in his original patent, is to be Found in Vail's apparatus. From [837 to [844 it was a combination of the inventions of Morse, Henry and Vail, but the work of Morse fell gradually into desuetude, while Vail's conception of an alphabet has remained unchanged (or half a century. Mr. Vail published but one work. "American Electro-Magnetic Telegraph," in 1845, an '' ''"-'^ at Morristown at the com- paratively early a^e of fifty-one, on January 19. > ULYSSES 5. GRANT, the eighteenth president of the United States, was born April 27, [822, at Point Pleasant, Cler- mont county, Ohio. At the age of seven- teen he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in June, 1S43, and was given his brevet as second lieutenant and assigned to the Fourth Infantry. He remained in the service eleven years, in which time he was engaged mi the Mexican war with gal- lantry, and was thrice brevetted for conduct in the field. In 1848 he married Miss Julia Dent, and in 1854, having reached the grade of captain, he resigned and engaged in farming near St. Louis. In i860 he en- tered the leather business with his father at Galena, Illinois. On the breaking out of the war, in 1S61, he commenced to drill a company at Ga- lena, and at the same time offered his serv- ices to the adjutant-general of the army, but he had few influential friends, so re- ceived no answer. He was employed by the governor of Illinois in the organization of the various volunteer regiments, and at the end of a few weeks was given the colonelcy of the Twenty-first Infantry, from that state. His military training and knowl- edge soon attracted the attention of his su- perior officers, and on reporting to General Pope in Missouri, the latter put him in the way of advancement. August 7, 1- he was promoted to the- rank of brigadier- general of volunteers, and for a few weeks was occupied in watching the movements of partisan forces in Missouri. September 1, the same war, he was placed in command of the Department of Southeast Missouri, with headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th of the month, without orders, seized Padu- cah, which commanded the channel of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, by which he se- cured Kentucky for the Union. He now received orders to make a demonstration on Belmont, which he did, and with about three thousand raw recruits held his own against the Confederates some seven thousand strong, bringing back about two hundred prisoners and two guns. In February,] 1862, he moved up the Tennessee river with the naval fleet under Commodore Foote. The latter soon silenced Fort Henry, and Grant advanced against Fort Donelson and took their fortress and its garrison. His prize here consisted of sixty-five cannon, seventeen thousand six hundred stand of arms, and fourteen thousand six hundred ml twenty-three prisoners. This was the first important success won by the Union forces. Grant was immediately made a major-general and placed in command of the district of West Tennessee. In April, 1862, he fought the battle of Pittsburg Land- ing, and after the evacuation of Corinth by the enemy Grant became commander of the Department of the Tennessee. He now made his first demonstration toward Vicks- burg, but owing to the incapacity of subor- dinate officers, was unsuccessful. In Janu- ary, 1863, he took command of all the troops in the Mississippi Valley and devoted several months to the siege of Vicksburg, 156 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. which was finally taken possession of by him July 4, with thirty-one thousand six hundred prisoners and one hundred and seventy-two cannon, thus throwing the Mississippi river open to the Federals. He was now raised to the rank of major-general in the regular army. October following, at the head of the Department of the Mississippi, General Grant went to Chattanooga, where he over- threw the enemy, and united with the Army of the Cumberland. The remarkable suc- cesses achieved by him pointed Grant out for an appropriate commander of all na- tional troops, and in February. [864, the rank of lieutenant-general was made for him by act of congress. Sending Sherman into Georgia, Sigel into the Valley of West Vir- ginia and Butler to attempt the capture of Richmond he fought his >vay through the Wilderness to the James and pressed the siege of the capital of the Confederacy. After the fall of the latter Grant pressed the Confederate army so hard that their commander surrendered at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865. This virtually ended the war. After the war the rank of general was conferred upon U. S. Grant, and in 1868 he was elected president of the United States, and re-elected his own successor in [872. After the expiration of the latter term he made his famous tour of the world. He died at Mt. McGregor, near Saratoga, New York, July 23, 1885, and was buried at Riverside Park, New York, where a magnificent tomb has been erected to hold the ashes of the nation's hero. olutionary war, while he also served from the beginning of the war until 1779, where he became noted in the field and courts martial. While on detached service he at- tended a course of law lectures at William am! Mary College, delivered by Mr. Wythe, and was admitted to the bar. The next year he resigned his commission and began his career as a lawyer. He was a distinguished member of the convention called in Virginia to ratify the Federal constitution. He was tendered the attorney-generalship of the United States, and also a place on the su- preme bench, besides other places of less honor, all of which he declined. He went to France as special envoy in 1798, and the next year was elected to congress. He served one year and was appointed, first, secretary of war, and then secretary of state, Mid in iSor was made chief justice of the I 'mted States, lb- held this high office un- til his death, in 1 S 3 5 . Chief Justice Marshall's early education was neglected, and his opinions, the most valuable in existence, are noted for depth of wisdom, clear and comprehensive reason- ing, justice, and permanency, rather than for wide learning and scholarly construction. His decisions and rulings are resorted to constantly by our greatest lawyers, and his renown as a just judge and profound jurist was world wide. JOHN MARSHALL, the fourth chief jus- tice of the United States supreme court, was born in Germantown, Virginia, Septem- ber 24, 1755 His father, Colonel Thomas Marshall, served with distinction in the Rev- t AWRENCE BARRETT is perhaps 1— / known more widely as a producer of new plays than as a great actor. He was born in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1838, and educated himself as best he could, and at the age of sixteen years became salesman for a Detroit dry goods house. He after- wards began to go upon the stage as a supernumerary, and his ambition was soon rewarded by the notice of the management. COMI'FXDIFM OF BIOGRM'llV. 157 During the war of the Rebellion he was a soldier, and after valiant service for his country he returned to the stage. He went to Europe and appeared in Liverpool, and returning in 1S69, he began playing at Booth's theater, with Mr. Booth. He was afterward associated with. John McCullough in the management of the California theater. Probably the most noted period of his work was during his connection with Edwin Booth as manager of that great actor, and supporting him upon the stage. Mr. Barrett was possessed of the crea- tive instinct, and, unlike Mr. Booth, he sought new fields for the display of his genius, and only resorted to traditional drama in response to popular demand. He preferred new plays, and believed in the encouragement of modern dramatic writers, and was the only actor of prominence in his time that ventured to put upon the stage new American plays, which he did at his own expense, and the success of his experi- ments proved the quality of his judgment. He died March 21, 1S91. ARCHBISHOP JOHN" HUGHES, a cel- ebrated Catholic clergyman, was born at Annaboghan, Tyrone county, Ireland, June 24, 1797, and emigrated to America when twenty years of age, engaging for some time as a gardener and nurseryman. In 1 8 19 he entered St. Mary's College, where he secured an education, paying his way by caring for the college garden. In he was ordained a deacon of the Ro- man Catholic church, and in the same year, a priest. Until 1 838 he had pastoral charges in Philadelphia, where he founded St. John's Asylum in 1829, and a few years later es- tablished the "Catholic Herald." In 1838 he was made bishop of Basileopolis in parti- bus and coadjutor to Bishop Dubois, of New Y<>rk, and in 1842 became bishop of New York. In 1839 he founded St. John's College, at Fordham. In 1850 he was made archbishop of New York. In 1S61-2 he was a special agent of the United States in Europe, after which he returned to this country and remained until his death, Jan- uary 3, 1S64. Archbishop Hughes early attracted much attention by his controver- sial correspondence with Rev. John Breck- inridge in 1833 35. He was a man of great ability, a fluent and forceful writer and an able preacher. RUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES was the nineteenth president of the United States and served from 1877 to 1881. He was born October 4, 1S22, at Delaware, Ohio, and his ancestry can be traced back as far as 12S0. when Hayes and Rutherford were two Scottish chieftans fighting side by side with Baliol, William Wallace and Robert Bruce. The Hayes family had for a coat of arms, a shield, barred and sur- mounted by a flying eagle. There was a circle of stars about the eagle, while on a scroll underneath was their motto, "Recte." Misfortune overtook the family and in 1680 George Hayes, the progenitor of the Ameri- can family, came to Connecticut and settled at Windsor. Rutherford B. Hayes was a very delicate child at his birth and was not expected to live, but he lived in spite of all and remained at home until he was seven years old, when he was placed in school. He was a very tractablepupil, being always very studious, and in 1838 entered Kenyon College, graduating from the same in 1842. He then took up the study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow at Colum- bus, but in a short time he decided to enter a law school at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where for two years he was immersed in the 158 co.vrnxn/cM of biography, study of law. Mr. Hayes was admitted to the bar in 1845 in Marietta, Ohio, and very soon entered upon the active practice of his profession with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont, Ohio. He remained there three years, and in 1849 removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where his ambition found a new- stimulus. Two events occurred at this period that had a powerful influence on his afterlife. One was his marriage to Miss Lucy Ware Webb, and the other was his introduction to a Cincinnati literary club, a body embracing such men as Salmon P. Chase, John Pope, and Edward F Noyes. In 1856 he was nominated for judge of the court of common pleas, but declined, and two years later he was appointed city solicitor. At the outbreak of the Rebellion Mr. Hayes was appointed major of the Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, June 7, 1861, and in July the regiment was ordered to Virginia, and October 15, 1861, saw him proni";. d to the lieutenant-colonelcy of his nent. He was made colonel of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Infantry, but refused to leave his old comrades; and in the battle of South Mountain he was wounded very rely and was unable to rejoin his regi- ment until November 30, 1862. He had been promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment on October 15, 1862. In the following December he was appointed to command the Kanawa division and was given the rank of brigadier-general for meritorious services in several battles, and in 1S64 he was brevetted major-general for distinguished services in 1864. during which campaign he was wounded several times and five horses had been shot under him. Mr. Hayes' first venture in politics was as a Whig, and later he was one of the first to unite with the Republican party. In 1864 he was elected from the Second Ohio district to congress, re-elected in 1866, and in 1867 was elected governor of Ohio over Allen G. Thurman, and was re-elected in i860. Mr. Hayes was elected to the presidency in 1876, f< >r the term of four years, and at its close retired to private life, and went to his home in Fremont, Ohio, where he died on January 17, 1893. WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN became a celebrated character as the nominee of the Democratic and Populist parties for president of the United States in 1S96. He was born March 19, i860, at Salem, Illi- nois. Hi 1 his early education in the public schools "f his native county, and later on he attended the Whipple Academy at I icksonville. He also took a course in Illinois College, and after his gradi: from the sun.- went to Chicago to study law, and entered the Union College of Law tudent. He was associated with the late Lyman Trumbull, of Chicago, during his law studies, and devoted considerable. time to the questions of government. He graduated from the college, was admitted to the bar, and went to Jacksonville. Illinois, where he was married to Miss Mary Uliza- beth Baird. In 1SS7 Mr. Bryan removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, and formed a law partnership with Adolphus R. Talbot. He entered the field of politics, and in 188S \vas sent as a delegate to the state con- vention, which was to choose delegates to the national convention, during which he made a speech which immediately won him a high rank in political affairs. He declined, in the next state convention, a nomination for lieutenant-governor, and in 189c he was elected congressman from the First district of Nebraska, and was the youngest member of the fifty-second congress. He cham- pioned the Wilson tariff bill, and served \fPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY, 159 three terms in the house of represeotal He next ran for senator, but was defeated \ J ihn M. Thurston, and in 1896 ho was .elected by the Democratic and Populist parties as their nominee for the presidency, being defeated by William McKinlev. Wl \R\ IN HUGHITT, one of America's Mious railroad men, was born in a, New York, and entered the railway service in 1S56 as superintendent of tele- graph and trainmaster of the St. Louis. Al- ton >N; Chicago, now Chicago & Alton Rail- road. Mr. rlughitt was superintendent of the southern division of the Illinois Central Railroad from 1862 until 1S64, and was, later on, the general superintendent of the road until 1 S70. He was then connected with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road as assistant general manager, and re- tained this position until 1871, when he be- came the general manager of Pullman's Palace Car Company. In iS/2 he was made general superintendent of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He served during and up to 1880 as general manager, and from 1880 until 1887 as vice-presi- dent and general manager. He was elected president of the road in 1887, in recog- nition of his ability in conducting the affairs of the road. He was also chosen oresident of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minne- apolis & Omaha Railway ; the Fremont, Elk- horn & Missouri Valley Railroad, and the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad, ami his services in these capacities stamped him as one of the most able railroad mana- gers of his day. JOSEPH Ml DILL, one of the most eminent of American journalists. born in New Brunswick, Canada, April 6, 1823. In 1831 his father moved to Stark county, Ohio, and until 184 1 Joseph V worked on his father's farm. Later he studied law, and began the practice of that profession in 1846 at New Philadelphia, Ohio. But the newspaper field was more attractive to Mr. Medill, and three years later he founded a free-soil Whig paper at Coshocton, Ohio, and after that time jour- nalism received all his abilities. "The Leader," another free-soil Whig paper, was founded by Mr. Medill at Cleveland in 1852. In that city he also became one of the first organizers of the Republican party. Shortly after that event he removed to Chicago and in 1855, with two partners, he purchased the " Chicago Tribune." In the contest for the nomination for the presidency in i860, Mr. Medill worked with unflagging zeal for Mr. Lincoln, his warm personal friend, and was one of the president's stanchest sup- porters during the war. Mr. Medill was a member of the Illinois Constitutional con- vention in 1870. President Grant, in 1871, appointed the editor a member of the fin- United States civil service commission, and the following year, after the fire, he was elected mayor of Chicago by a great ma- jority. During 1873 and 1S74 Mr. Medill spent a year in Europe. Upon his return be purchased a controlling interest in the •• Chicago Tribune." CLAUS SPRECKELS, the great " sugar baron," and one of the most famous representatives of commercial life in Amer- ica, was born in Hanover, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1840, locating in New York. He very soon be- came the proprietor of a small retail gro- cery store on Church street, and emharked on a career that has since astonished the world. He sold out his business and went , to California with the argonauts of 1 160 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY not as a prospector, but as a trader, and for years after his arrival on the coast he was still engaged as a grocer. At length, after a quarter of a century of fairly prosperous business life, he found himself in a position where an ordinary man would have retired, but Mr. Spreckles did not retire; he had merely been gathering capital for the real work of his life. His brothers had followed him to California, and in combination with them he purchased for forty thousand dollars an interest in the Albany Brewery in San Francisco. But the field was not extensive enough for the development of his bu abilities, so Mr. Sprecklas branched out extensively in the sugar business. He suc- ceeded in securing the entire output of sugar that was produced on the Sand- wich Islands, and after 1SS5 was known as the "Sugar King of Sandwich Islands." He controlled absolutely the sugar trade of the Pacific coast which was known to be not less than ten million dollars a year. CHARLES HENRY PARKHURST, famous as a clergyman, and for many years president of the Society for the Prevention of Crime, was born April 17, 1842, at Framingham, Massachusetts, of English descent. At the age of sixteen he was pupil in the grammar school at Clinton, Massachusetts, and for the ensu- ing two years was a clerk in a dry goods store, which position he gave up to prepare himself for college at Lancaster academy. Mr. Parkhurst went to Amherst in 1862, and after taking a thorough course he gradu- ated in 1866, and in 1867 became the prin- cipal of the Amherst High School. He re- tained this position until 1870, when he visited Germany with the intention of tak- ing a course in philosophy and theology, but was forced to abandon this intention on account of illness in the family causing his early return from Europe. He accepted the chair of Latin and Greek in Williston Semi- nary, Easthampton, Massachusetts, and re- mained there two years. He then accom- panied his wife to Europe, and devoted two years to study in Halle, Leipsic and Bonn. Upon his return home he spent considerable time in the study of Sanscrit, and in 1874 he became the pastor of the First Congrega- tional church at Lenox, Massachusetts. He gained here his reputation as a pulpit ora- tor, and on March 9, 1SS0, he became the pastor of the Madison Square Presbyterian church of New York. He was, in 1890, made a member of the Society for the Pre- vention of Crime, and the same year be- came its president. He delivered a sermon in [892 on municipal corruption, for which lS brought before the grand jury, which body declared his charges to be without suffi- cient foundation. But the matter did not end here, for he immediately went to work on a second sermon in which he substantiated his former sermon and wound up by saying, "I know, for I have seen." He was again summoned before that august body, and as a result of his testimony and of the investi- gation of the jurors themselves, the police authorities were charged with incompetency and corruption. Ur. Parkhurst was the author of the following works: "The Forms of the Latin Verb, Illustrated by Sanscrit," "The Blind Man's Creed and Other Ser- mons," "The Pattern on the Mount," and " Three Gates on a Side." HENRY BERGH, although a writer, diplomatist and government official, was noted as a philanthropist — the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. On his labors for the dumb creation alone rests his fame. CoMPEXDIlM OF BIOGR I /'//): 161 Alone, in the face of indifference, opposition and ridicule, he began the reform which is now recognized as one of the beneficent movements of the age. Through his exer- tions as a speaker and lecturer, but above all as a bold worker, in the street, in the court room, before the legislature, the cause he adopted gained friends and rapidly in- creased in power until it has reached im- mense proportions and influence. The work of the society covers all cases of cruelty to all sorts of animals, employs every moral agency, social, legislative and personal, and touches points of vital concern to health as well as humanity. Henry Ber<;h was born in New York City in 1823, and was educated at Colum- bia College. In 1863 he was made secre- tary of the legation to Russia and also served as vice-consul there. He also de- voted some time to literary pursuits and was the author of " Love"s Alternative," a drama; "Married Off," a poem; "'The Portentous Telegram," "The Ocean Para- gon;" "The Streets of New York," tales and sketches. HENRY BENJAMIN WHIPPLE, one of the most eminent of American di- vines, was born in Adams, Jefferson county, New York, February 15, 1822. He was brought up in the mercantile business, and early in life took an active interest in polit- ical affairs. In 1S47 he became a candidate for holy orders and pursued theological studies with Rev. \Y. D. Wilson, D. D., afterward professor in Cornell University. He was ordained deacon in 1849, in Trinity church, Geneva, New York, by Rt. Rev. W H. De Lancey, D. D., and took charge of Zion church, Rome, New York, Decem- ber 1. 1849. In 1850, our subject was or- dained priest by Bishop De Lancey. In he became rector of the Church of the Holy Communion, Chicago. On the 30th of June, 1859, he was chosen bishop of Minnesota, and took charge of the interests of the Episcopal church in that state, being located at Faribault. In i860 Bishop Whipple, with Revs. I. L. Breck, S. W. Mauncey and E. S. Peake, organized the Bishop Seabury Mission, out of which has grown the Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior, the Seabury Divinity School, Shattuck School and St. Mary's Hall, which have made Faribault City one of the greatest educational centersof the northwest. Bishop Whipple also became noted as the friend and defender of the North American In- dians and planted a number of successful missions among them. EZRA CORNELL was one of the greatest philanthropists and friends of education the country has known. He was born at Westchester Landing, New York, January ii, 1807. He grew to manhood in his na- tive state and became a prominent figure in business circles as a successful and self-made man. Soon after the invention of the elec- tric telegraph, he devoted his attention to that enterprise, and accumulated an im- mense fortune. In 1865, by a gift of five hundred thousand dollars, he made possible the founding of Cornell University, which was named in his honor. He afterward made additional bequests amounting to many hundred thousand dollars. His death oc- curred at Ithaca, New York, December 9, •874- IGNATIUS DONNELLY, widely knowi. 1 as an author and politician, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1 83 1. He was educated at the public schools of that city, and graduated from the 162 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY Central High School in 1849. He studied law in the office of Judge B. H. Brewster, and was admitted to the bar in 1852. In the spring of 1 S 5 6 , Mr. Donnelly emigrated to Minnesota, then a new territory, and, at Hastings, resumed the practice of law in partnership with A. M. Hayes. In 1 S 3 7 , and again in 1858, he was defeated for state senator, but in 1859 he was elected by the Republicans as lieutenant-governor, and re- elected in 1S61. In 1862 he was elected to represent the Second district of Minnesota in congress. He was re-elected to the same office in 1864 and in 1866. He was an abolitionist and warmly supported President Lincoln's administration, but was strongly in favor of leniency toward the people of the south, after the war. In mam ways he was identified with some of the best meas- ures brought before the house during his presence there. In the spring of 1868, at the request of the Republican national com- mittee, he canvassed New Hampshire and Connecticut in the interests of that party. E. B. Washburne about this time made an attack on Donnelly in one of the papers of Minnesota, which was replied to on thi of the house by a fierce phillipic that will long be remembered. Through the inter- vention of the Washburne interests Mr. Don- nelly failed of a re-election in 1S70. In 1 873 he was elected to the state senate from Dakota county, and continuously re-elected until 1878. In 1SS6 he was elected mem- ber of the house for two years. In later years he identified himself with the Popu- list party, In 1882, Mr. Donnelly became known as an author, publishing his first literary work, "Atlantis, the Antediluvian World," which passed through over twenty-two editions in America, several in England, and was trans- lated into French. This was followed by " Ragnarok, the Age of Fire and Gravel," which attained nearly as much celebrity as the first, and these two, in the opinion of scientific critics, are sufficient to stamp the author as a most capable and painstaking student of the facts he has collated in them. The work by which he gained the greatest notoriety, however, was "The Great Cryp- togram, or Francis Bacon's Cipher in the Shakespeare Plays." "Cesar's Column," " Dr. Huguet," and other works were pub- lished subsequently. STEVEN V. WHITE, a speculator of \\ all Street of national reputation, was horn in Chatham county, North Carolina, August 1, 1 s s 1 . and soon afterward re- moved to Illinois. His home was a log cabin, and until his eighteenth year he worked on the farm. Then after several of struggle with poverty he graduated from Knox College, and went to St. Louis, where he entered a wholesale boot and shoe house as bookkeeper. He then studied law and v. is a reporter for the " Missouri Democrat." After his admission to tin- bai he went to New York, in 1865, and became a member of the banking house of Marvin & White. Mr. White enjoyed the reputa- tion of having engineered the only corner in Wall Street since Commodore Vander- bilt's time. This was the famous Lacka- wanna deal in 1883, in which he made a profit of two million dollars. He was some- times called " Deacon " White, and, though a member for many years of the Plymouth church, he never held that office. Mr. White was one of the most noted characters of the street, and has been called an orator, poet, philanthropist, linguist, abolitionist, astronomer, schoolmaster, plowboy, and trapper. He was a lawyer, ex-congress- man, expert accountant, art critic and theo- COMPENDIUM OF Hid ,h'A I'll V. logian. He laid the foundation for a "Home for Colored People," in Chatham county, North Carolina, where the greater part of his father's life was spent, and in whose memory the work was undertaken. JAMES A. GARFIELD, the twentieth president of the United States, was burn November 19, 1831, in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and was the son of Abram and Eliza (Baliou) Garfield. In 1S33 the father, an industrious pioneer farmer, died, and the care of the family devolved upon Thomas, to whom James became deeply indebted for educational and other advantages. As James grew up he was industrious and worked on the farm, at carpentering, at chopping wood, or anything else he found to do, and in the meantime made the most of his books. Until he was about sixteen, James' high- est ambition was to become a sea captain. On attaining that age he walked to Cleveland, and, not being able to find work, he engaged as a driver on the Ohio & Penn- sylvania canal, but quit this after a short time. He attended the seminary at Ches- ter for about three years, after which he entered Hiram Institute, a school started by the Disciples of Christ in 1S50. In order to pay his way he assumed the duties of janitor and at times taught school. After completing his course at the last named edu- cational institution he entered Williams Col- lege, from which he graduated in 1856. He afterward returned to Hiram College as its president. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1 S 59. November 11, 1858, Mr. Garfield and Lucretia Rudolph were married. In 1839 Mr. Garfield made his first polit- ical speeches, at Hiram and in the neighbor- hood. The same year he was elected to the state senate. On the breaking out of the war, in 1 86 f , he became lieutenant-colonel of the Forty second Ohio Infantry, and, while but a ne^ soldier, was given command of four regi- ments of infantry and eight companies of cavalry, with which he drove the Confeder- ates under Humphrey Marshall out of Ken tucky. January 11, 1862, he was commis- sioned brigadier-general. He participated with General Buell in the battle of Shiloh and the operations around Corinth, and was then detailed as a member of the Fitz John Porter court-martial. Reporting to General Rosecrans, he was assigned to the position of chief of staff, and resigned his position, with the rank of major-general, when his immediate superior was superseded. Ii> the fall of 1862 Mr. Garfield was elected to congress and remained in that body, either in the house or senate, until 1880. June 8, 1880, at the national Republican convention, held in Chicago, General Gar- field was nominated for the presidency, and was elected. He was inaugurated March 4, 188 1, but, July 2, following, he was shot and fatally wounded by Charles Guiteau for some fancied political slight, and died Sep- tember 19, 1 88 1. INCREASE MATHER was one of the 1 most prominent preachers, educators and authors of early times in the New England states. He was born at Dorchester. Massa- chusetts, June 21, 1639, and was g'ven an excellent education, graduating at Harvard in 1656, and at Trinity College, Duhlin, two years later. He was ordained a min- ister, and preached in England and America, and in 1664 became pastor of the North church, in Boston. In 16S5 he became president of Harvard University, serving until 1 70 1. In 1692 he received the first doctorate in divinity conferred in English 164 COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. speaking America. The same year he pro- cured in England a new charter for Massa- chusetts, which conferred upon himself the power of naming the governor, lieutenant- governor and council. He opposed the severe punishment of witchcraft, and took a prominent part in all public affairs of his day. He was a prolific writer, and became the author of nearly one hundred publica- tions, large and small. His death occurred August 23, 1723, at Boston. COTTON MATHER, a celebrated minis- ter in the "Puritan times" of New England, was born at Boston, Massachu- setts, February 12, 1663, being a son of Rev. Increase Mather, and a grandson of John Cotton. A biography of his father will be found elsewhere in this volume. Cotton Mather received his early education in his native city, was trained by Ezekiel Cheever, and graduated at Harvard College in 1678; became a teacher, and in 1684 was ordained as associate pastor of North church, Boston, with his father, having by persistent effort overcome an impediment in his speech. He labored with great zeal as a pastor, endeavoring also, to establish the ascendancy of the church and ministry in civil affairs, and in the putting down of witchcraft by legal sentences, a work in which he took an active part anil through which he is best known in history. He re- ceived the degree of D. 1). in 17 10, con- ferred by the University of Glasgow, and F. R. S. in 17 1 3. His death occurred at Boston, February 13, 1728. He was the author of many publications, among which were " Memorable Providences Relating to Witchcraft," "Wonders of the Invisible World," "Essays to Do Good," " Mag- nalia Christi Americana," and " Illustra- tions of the Sacred Scriptures." Some of these works are quaint and curious, full of learning, piety and prejudice. A well- known writer, in summing up the life and character of Cotton Mather, says: ' ' Mather, with all the faults of his early years, was a man of great excellence of character. He labored zealously for the benefit of the poor, for mariners, slaves, criminals and Indians. His cruelty and credulity were the faults of his age, while his philanthro- phy was far more rare in that age than in the present. " WILLIAM A. PEFFER, who won a national reputation during the time he was in the United States senate, was born on a farm in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1831. He drew his education from the public schools of his native state ami at the age of f fteen taught school in winter, working on a farm in the summer. In June, 1853, while yet a young man, he removed to Indiana, and opened up a farm in St. Joseph county. In 1859 he made his way to Missouri and settled on a farm in Morgan county, but on account of the war and the unsettled state of the country, he moved to Illinois in Feb- ruary, 1862, and enlisted as a private in (' pany F, Eighty-third Illinois Infantry, the following August. He was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in March, 1863, and served successively as quartermaster, adjutant, post adjutant, judge advocate of a military commission, and depot quartermaster in the engineer department at Nashville. He was. mustered out of the service June 26, 1865. He had, during his leisure hours while in the army, studied law, and in August, 1865, he com- menced the practice of that profession at Clarksville, Tennessee. He removed to Kansas in 1870 and practiced there until COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. L65 1878, in the meantime establishing and conducting two newspapers, the " Fredonia Journal " and " Coffeyville Journal." Mr. Peffer was elected to the state senate in 1S74 and was a prominent and influential member of several important committees. He served as a presidential elector in [880. The year following he became editor of the •• Kansas Farmer." which he made a promi- nent and useful paper. In 1S90 Mr. Peffer was elected to the United States senate as a member of the People's party and took his seat March 4, 1S91. After six years of service Senator Peffer was succeeded in March, 1897, by William A. Harris. ROBERT MORRIS.— The name of this financier, statesman and patriot is closely connected with the early history of the United States. He was a native of England, born January 20, 1734, and came to America with his father when thirteen years old. Until 1754 he served in the counting house of Charles Willing, then formed a partnership with that gentleman's son, which continued with great success until I } In 1776 Mr. Morris was a delegate to the Continental congress, and, although once voting against the Declaration of Inde- pendence, signed that paper on its adop- tion, and was several times thereafter re- elected to congress. During the Revolu- tionary war the services of Robert Morris in aiding the government during its finan- cial difficulties were of incalculable value; he freely pledged his personal credit for sup- plies for the army, at one time to the amount of about one and a half million dollars, with- out which the campaign of 17S1 would have been almost impossible. Mr. Morris was appointed superintendent of finance in 1 7S i and served until 17S4, continuing to employ his personal credit to facilitate the ne> his department. He also served as mem- ber of the Pennsylvania legislature, and from [786 to 1795 was United States sena- tor, declining meanwhile the position of sec- retary of the treasury, and suggesting the name of Alexander Hamilton, who was ap- pointed to that post. During the latter part of his life Mr. Morris was engaged ex- tensively in the China trade, and later be- came involved in land speculations, which ruined him, so that the remaining days of this noble man and patriot were passed in confinement for debt. His death occurred at Philadelphia, May 8, 1806. WILLIAM SHARON, a senator and capitalist, and mine owner of na- tional reputation, was born at Smithfield, Ohio, January 9, 1821. He was reared upon a farm and in his boyhood given excel- lent educational advantages and in 1842 entered Athens College. He remained in that institution about two years, after which he studied law with Edwin M. Stanton, and was admitted to the bar at St. Louis and commenced practice. His health failing, however, he abandoned his profession and engaged in mercantile pursuits at Carrollton, Greene count)', Illinois. During the time of the gold excitement of [849, Mr. Sharon went to California, whither so man)' went, and engaged in business at Sacramento. The next year he removed to San Francisco, where he operated in real estate. Being largely interested in its silver mines, he re- 1 to Nevada, locating at Virginia City, and acquired an immense fortune. He be- came one of the trustees of the Bank of California, and during the troubles that arose on tin- death of William Ralston, the president of that institution, was largely in- strumental in bringing its affairs into a satis- factory shape. 166 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHV. Mr. Sharon was elected to represent the state of Nevada in the United States senate in 1875, and remained a member of that body until 1 88 1 . He was always distin- guished for close application to business. Senator Sharon died November 13, 1885. HENRY W. SHAW, an American hu- morist who became celebrated unde r the non-de-plume of " Josh Billings," gained his fame from the witticism of his writing, and peculiar eccentricity of style and spell- ing. He was born at Lanesborouj;h, Mas- sachusetts, in 1818. For twenty-five years he lived in different parts of the western states, following various lines of business, including fanning and auctioneering, and in the latter capacity settled at Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1858. In 1863 he began writing humorous sketches for the news- papers over the signature of "Josh I3ill- ings," and became immediately popular both as a writer and lecturer. He pub- lished a number of volumes of comic sketches and edited an " Annual Allminax " for a number ol yi ars, which had a wide cir- culation. His death occurred October 14, 1885, at Monterey, California. JOHN M. THURSTON, well known throughout this country as a senator and political leader, was born at Mont- pelier, Vermont, August 21, 1847, °f an old Puritan family which dated back their ancestry in this country to 1636, and among whom were soldiers of the Revolution and of the war of 1812-] 5. Young Thurston was brought west by the family in 1854, they settling at Madison, Wisconsin, and two years later at Beaver Dam, where John M. received his schooling in the public schools and at Wayland Uni- versity. His father enlisted as a private in the First Wisconsin Cavalry and died while in the service, in the spring of 1863. Young Thurston, thrown on his own resources while attaining an education, sup- ported himself by farm work, driving team and at other manual labor. He studied law and was admitted to the bar May 21, 1869, and in October of the same year located in Omaha, Nebraska. He was elected a member of the city council in 1872, city attorney in 1874 and a member of the Ne- braska legislature in 1874. He was a mem- ber of the Republican national convention of 1SS4 and temporary chairman of that of 1888. Taking quite an interest in the younger members of his party he was instru- mental in forming the Republican League of the United States, of which he was presi- dent for two years. He was then electt id a member of the United States senate, in 5, to represent the state of Nebraska. As an attorney John M. Thurston occu- pied a very prominent place, and for a num- ber of years held the position of general solicitor of the Union Pacific railroad sys- tem. JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, a celebrated American naturalist, was born in Louis- iana, May 4, 1780, and was the son of an li naval officer who owned a plantation in the then French colony. In his childhood he became deeply interested in the study of birds and their habits. About 1794 he was sent to Paris, France, where he was partially educated, and studied de- signing under the famous painter, Jacques Louis David. He returned to the Unit- ed States about 1798, and settled on a farm his father gave him, on the Perkiomen creek in eastern Pennsylvania. He mar- ried Lucy Bakewell in 1808, and, disp< of his property, removed to Louisville, Ken- MPENDIUM OF lUiU.RM'HV L67 tacky, where he engaged in mercantile pur- suits. About two years later he began to make extensive excursions through the pri- meval forests of the southern and south- :n states, in the exploration of which he passed many years. He made colored drawings of all the species of birds that he found. For several years he made his home with his wife and children at Henderson, on the Ohio river. It is said that about this time he had failed in business and was re- duced to poverty, but kept the wolf from the door by giving dancing lessons and in portrait painting. In 1S24, at Philadelphia, he met Charles Lucien Bonaparte, who encouraged hrm to publish a work on ornithology. Two years later he went to England and com- menced the publication of his great work, " The Birds of America." He obtained a large number of subscribers at one thousand dollars a copy. This work, embracing five volumes of letterpress and five volumes of beautifully colored plates, was pronounced by Cuvier " the most magnificent monument that art ever raised to ornithology. " Audubon returned to America in 1829, and explored the forests, lakes and coast from Canada to Florida, collecting material for another work. This was his " Ornitho- logical Biography: or. An Account of the Habits of the Birds of the United States, Etc." He revisited England in 1S31, and returned in 1839, after which he resioed on the Hudson, near New York City, in which place he died January 27. 1S51. During his life he issued a cheaper edition of his great work, and was, in association with Dr. Bachman, preparing a work on the quadrupeds of North America. the superior British squadron, under Com- modore Downie, September 11, 1814. Coin- re McDonou^h was born in Newcastle county, Delaware, December 23, I "S3, and when seventeen years old entered the United States navy as midshipman, serving in the expedition to Tripoli, under Decatur, in 1803 4. In 1807 he was promoted to lieutenant, and in July, 1S13, was made a commander. The following year, on Lake Champlain, he gained the celebrated victory above referred to, for which he was promoted; also received a gold medal from congress, and from the state of Vermont an estate on Cumberland Head, in view of the scene of the engagement. His death oc- curred at sea, November 16, 1825, while he was returning from the command of the Mediterranean squadron. COMMODORE THOMAS McDON- * >r<.H gained his principal fame from he celebrated victory which he gained over CHARLES FRANCIS HALL, one of America's most celebrated arctic ex- plorers, was born in Rochester, New Hamp- shire, in 1821. He was a blacksmith by trade, and located in Cincinnati, where later he became a journalist. For several years he devoted a great deal of attention to cal- orics. Becoming interested in the fate of the explorer, Sir John Franklin, he joined the expedition fitted out by Henry Grinnell and sailed in the ship "George Henry," under Captain Buddington, which left New Lon- don, Connecticut, in i860. He returned in 1862, and two years later published his ■• Arctic Researches." He again joined the expedition fitted out by Mr. Grinnell, and sailed in the ship, " Monticello." under in Buddington, this time remaining in the arctic region over four years. On his return he brought back many evidences of having found trace of Franklin. In 1 87 1 the " Polaris " was fitted out by the United States government, and Captain 168 COMTENDIlWr OF BIOGRAPHY. Hall again sailed for the polar regions. He died in Greenland in October, 1 871, and the "Polaris" was finally abandoned by the crew, a portion of which, under Captain Tyson, drifted with the icebergs for one hundred and ninety-five days, until picked up by the " Tigress," on the 30th of April, 1873. The other portion of the crew built boats, and, after a perilous voyage, were picked up in June, 1873, by a whaling vessel. OLIVER ELLSWORTH, the third chief justice of the United States, was born at Windsor, Connecticut, April 29, 1745. After graduating from Princeton, he took up the study of law, and was licensed to practice in 1 77 1 . In 1777 he was elected as a delegate to the Continental congress. He was judge of the superior court of his state in 17S4, and was chosen as a delegate to the constitutional convention in [787. He sided with the Federalists, was elected to the United States senate in 1789, and was a firm supporter of Washington's policy. He won great listinction in that body, and was appointed chief justice of the supreme court of the United States by Washington in 1796. The relations between this coun- try and France having become violently strained, he was sent to Paris as envoy ex- traordinary in [799, and was instrumental in negotiating the treaty that averted war. He resigned the following year, and was suc- ceeded by Chief Justice Marshall. His death occurred November 26, 1S07. MELLVILLL WE eminent Americ ESTON FULLER, an imerican jurist and chief justice of the United States supreme court, was born in Augusta, Maine, in 1S33. His education was looked after in boyhood, and at the age of sixteen he entered Bowdoin College, and on graduation entered the law department of Harvard University. He then entered the law office of his uncle at Ban- gor, Maine, and soon after opened an office for the practice of law at Augusta. He was an alderman from his ward, city attorney, and editor of the " Age," a rival newspaper of the "Journal," which was conducted by James G. Blaine. He soon decided to re- move to Chicago, then springing into notice as a western metropolis. He at once iden- tified himself with the interests of the new city, and by this means acquired an experience that fitted him for his future work. He devoted himself assiduously to his profession, and had the good fortune to connect himself with the many suits grow- ing out of the prorogation of the Illinois legislature in 1863. It was not long before he became one of the foremost lawyers in Chicago. He made a three days' speech in the heresy trial of Dr. Chenej , which added to his fame. He was appointed chief jus- tice of the United States by President Cleve- land in 1888, the youngest man who ever held that exalted position. His income from his practice had for many years reached thirty thousand dollars annually. CHESTER ALLEN ARTHUR, twenty- first president of the United States, was born in Franklin county, Vermont, Octo- ber 5, 1830. He was educated at Union College, Schenectady, New York, from which he graduated with honor, and en- gaged in teaching school. After two years he entered the law office of Judge E. D. Culver, of New York, as a student.. He was admitted to the bar, and formed a partner- ship with an old room-mate, Henry D. Gar- diner, with the intention of practicing law in the west, but after a few months' seart h for a location, they returned to New York and opened an office, and at once entered co.)//' /:x />/(.)/ (>/■' /;/( ><;k. i /•//}-. 169 upon a profitable practice. He was shortly afterwards married to a daughter of Lieu- tenant Herndon, of the United States Davy. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before his nomina- tion for the vice-presidency. In 1 856 a colored woman in New York was ejected from a street car and retained Mr. Arthur in a suit against the company, ami obtained a verdict of five hundred dollars. It result- ed in a general order by all superintendents of street railways in the city to admit col- ored people to the cars. Mr. Arthur was a delegate to the first Republican national convention, and was appointed judge-advocate for the Second Brigade of New York, and then chief engi- neer of Governor Morgan's staff. At the close of his term he resumed the practice of law in New York. In [872 he was made collector of the port of New York, which position he held four years. At the Chi- cago convention in 1880 Mr. Arthur was nominated for the vice-presidency with Garfield, and after an exciting campaign was elected. Four months after the inau- guration President Garfield was assassinated, and Mr. Arthur was called to take the reins of government. His administration of affairs was generally satisfactory. At its close he resumed the practice of law in New York. His death occurred November iS, 1886. ISAAC HULL was one of the most con- spicuous and prominent naval officers in the early history of America. He was born at Derby, Connecticut, March 9, 1775, be- ing the son of a Revolutionary officer. Isaac Hull early in life became a mariner, and when nineteen years of age became master of a merchant ship in the London trade. In 1 798 he became a lieutenant in the United States navv, and three years later was made io first lieutenant of the frigate "Constitution." He distinguished himself by skill and valor against the French on the coast of Hayti, and served with distinction in the Barbary expe- ditions. July 12. [812, he sailed from Annapolis, in command of the "Constitu- tion," and for three days was pursued by a British squadron of five ships, from which he escaped by bold and ingenious seaman- ship. In August of the same year he cap- tured the frigate " Guerriere," one of his late pursuers and for this, the first naval advantage of that war, he received a gold medal from congress. Isaac Hull was later made naval commissioner and had command of various navy yards. His death occurred February 13, 1843, at Philadelphia. MARCUS ALONZO HANNA, famous as a prominent business man, political manager and senator, was born in New Lis- bon, Columbiana county, Ohio, September 24, 1837. He removed with his father's family to Cleveland, in the same state, in 1852, and in the latter citv, and in the Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio, received his education. He became an em- ploye of the wholesale grocery house of Hanna, Garrettson & Co., his father being the senior member of the firm. The latter died in 1862, and Marcus represented his interest until 1867, when the business was closed up. Our subject then became a member of the firm of Rhodes & Co., engaged in the iron and coal business, but at the expira- tion of ten years this firm was changed to that of M. A. Hanna & Co. Mr. Hanna was long identified with the lake carrying business, being interested in vessels on the lakes and in the construction of them. As a director of the Globe Ship Manufacturing Company, of Cleveland, president of the 170 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Union National Bank, of Cleveland, president of the Cleveland City Railway Company, and president of the Chapin Mining Com- pany, oi Lake Superior, he became promi- nently identiried with the business world. He was one of the government directors of the Union Pacific Railroad, being appointed to that position in 1885 by President Cleve- land. Mr. Hanna was a delegate to the na- tional Republican convention of 1SX4, which was his first appearance in the political world. He was a delegate to the con- ventions oi (888 and 1896, and was elect- ed chairman of the Republican national committee the latter year, and practically managed the campaign of William Mc Kin- ley for the presidency In [897 Mr. Hanna appointed senator by Governor Bush- nell, of Ohio, to till the vacancy caused by tin resignation of John Sherman. GEORGE PEABODY was one of the best known and esteemed of all philan- thropists, whose munificent gifts to Ameri- can institutions have proven oi so much benefit to tlie cause of humanity. He was born February 18, 1795, at South Danvers, Massachusetts, which is now called I body in honor of him. Hi 1 but a meager education, and during his early life he was a mercantile clerk at Thetford, Vi r- mont, and Newburyport, Massachusetts. In [814 he became a partner with 1 Ri.^gs, at Georgetown, District of Columbia, and in 1 S 1 5 they moved to Baltimore, Mary- Ian I. The business grew to great propor- tion's, and they opened branch houses at New York and Philadelphia. Mr. Peabody made several voyages to Europe of com- mercial" importance, and in 1829 became the head of the firm, which was then called Peabody, Riggs & Co., and in 1838 he re- moved to London, England. He retired from the firm, and established the cele- brated banking house, in which he accumu- lated a large fortune. He aided Mr. Grin- nell in fitting out Dr. Kane's Arctic expedi- tion, in 1852, and founded in the same year the Peabody Institute, in his native town, which he afterwards endowed with two hun- dred thousand dollars. Mr. Peabody visited the United States in 1857, and gave three hundred thousand dollars for the establish- ment at Baltimore of an institute of science, literature and fine arts. In 1862 he gave two million five hundred thousand dollars for the erecting of lodging houses for the poor in London, and on another visit to the lulled States he gave one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to establish at Harvard a museum and professorship of American archaeology and ethnology, an equal sum for the endow iik nt of a department of physical seience at Yale, and gave the "Southern Educational Fund" two million one hundred thousand dollars, besides devoting two hun- dred thousand dollars to various objects of public utility. Mr, Peabody made a final visit to the United States in 1869, and on this occasion he raised the endowment of the Baltimore Institute one million dollars, created the Peabody Museum, at Salem, Massachusetts, with a fund of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, gave sixty thou- sand dollars to Washington College, Vir- ginia; fifty thousand dollars for a "Peabody Museum," at North Danvers, thirty thousand dollars to Phillips Academy, Andover; twen- ty-five thousand dollars to Kenyan College, Ohio, and twenty thousand dollars to the Maryland Historical Society. Mr. Peabody also endowed an art school at Rome, in 1868. He died in London, November 4, 1869, less then a month after he had re- turned from the United States, and his MPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 171 remains were brought to the United States and interred in his native town. He made several other bequests in his will, and left his family about five million dollars. wi Dillsburgh ATTHEW S. QUAY, a celebrated public man and senator, was born at York county, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1833, of an old Scotch-Irish family, some of whom bad settled in the Keystone state in 1715. Matthew received a good education, graduating from the Jef- (erson College at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, at the age of seventeen. He then traveled, taught school, lectured, and studied law under Judge Sterrett. He was admitted to the bar in 1854, was appointed a prothon- otary in 1855 and elected to the same office in 1856 and 1 S 59. Later he was made lieutenant of the Pennsylvania Re serves, lieutenant-colonel and assistant com- missary-general of the state, private secre- tary of the famous war governor of Pennsyl- vania, Andrew G. Curtin, colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylva- nia Infantry (nine months men), military state agent and held other offices at different times. Mr. Quay was a member of the house of representatives of the state of Pennsylvania from 1865 to 1868. He filled the office of secretary of the commonwealth from 1872 to 1878, and the position of delegate-at- large to the Republican national conventions of 1X72. 1 871 ■. l^SoandiSSS. He was the editor of the •■Beaver Radical" and the " Philadelphia Record " for a time, and held many offices in the state conventions and on their committees. He was elected secre- tary of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1869, and served three years, and in 1885 was chosen state treasurer. In 1886 his great abilities pointed him out as the natural candidate for United States senator, and he was accordingly elected to that posi- tion and re-elected thereto in 1892. He was always noted for a genius for organiza- tion, and as a political leader had but few peers. Cool, serene, far-seem:,', resourceful, holding his impulses and forces in hand, he never quailed from any policy he ado; and carried to success most, if not all, of the political campaigns in which he took part. JAMES K. JONES, a noted senator and political leader, attained national fame while chairman of the national executive committee of the Democratic party in the presidential campaign of 1896. He was a native of Marshall county, Mississippi, and was born September 29, 1839. His father, a well-to-do planter.settled in Dallas county, Arkansas, in 1848, and there the subject of this sketch received a careful education. During the Civil war he served as a private soldier in the Confederate army. From 1866 to 1873 he passed a quiet life as a planter, but in the latter year was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law. About the same time he was elected to the Arkansas senate and re-elected in 1S74. In 1877 he was made president of the senate and the following year was unsuccessful in obtaining a nomination as member of con- gress. In 1880 he was elected representa- tive and his ability at once placed him in a foremost position. He was re-elected to congress in 1882 and in 1S84, and served as an influential member on the committee of ways and means. March 4, 1885, Mr. Jones took his seat in the United States senate to succeed James D. Walker, and was after- ward re-elected to the same office. In this branch of the national legislature his capa- bilities had a wider scope, and he was rec- 172 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY ognized as one of the ablest leaders of his party. On the nomination of William J. Bryan as its candidate for the presidency by the national convention of the Democratic party, held in Chicago in 1896, Mr. Jones was made chairman of the national com- mittee. THEODORE THOM AS, one of the most celebrated musical directors America has known, was born in the kingdom of Han- over in 1835, and received his musicai educa- tion from his father. He was a very apt scholar and played the violin at public concerts at the age of six years. He came with his parents to America in 1845, and joined the orchestra of the Italian Opera in New York City. He played the first violin in the orchestra which accompanied Jenny I. ml in lnr first American concert. In [861 Mr. Tin unas established the orchestra that be- came famous under his management, and gave his first symphony concerts in New York in 1864. He began his first "summer night concerts" in the same city in 1868, and in 1869 he started on his first tour of the principal cities in the United States, which he made every year for many years. He was director of the College of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio, but resigned in 1880, after having held the position for three years. Later he organized one of the greatest and most successful orchestras ever brought together in the city of Chicago, and was very prominent in musical affairs during the World's Columbian Exposition, thereby add- ing greatly to his fame. father invented a reaping machine. It was a rude contrivance and not successful. In 1 83 1 Cyrus made his invention of a reaping machine, and had it patented three years later. By successive improvements he was able to keep his machines at the head of its class during his life. In [845 he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and two years later located in Chicago, where he amassed a great fortune in manufacturing reapers and harvesting machinery. In 1859 he estab- lished the Theological Seminary of the Northwest at Chicago, an institution for pre- paring young men for the ministry in the Presbyterian church, and he afterward en- dowed a chair in the \\ ashington and Lee College at Lexington, Virginia. He mani- fested great interest in educational and re- ligious matters, and by his great wealth he was able to extend aid and encouragement to many charitable causes. His death oc- curred May 1 3, 1 884. CYRUS HALL McCORMICK. the fa- mous inventor and manufacturer, was born at Walnut Grove, Virginia, February 15,1 809. When he was seven years old his DAVID ROSS LOCKE.— Under the pen name of Petroleum V. Nasby, this well-known humorist and writer made for himself a household reputation, and estab- lished a school that has many imitators. The subject of this article was born at Vestal, Broome county, New York, Sep- tember 30, 1833. After receiving his edu- cation in the county of his birth he en- tered the office of the " Democrat," at Cort- land, New York, where he learned the printer's trade. He was successively editor and publisher of the ' 'Plymouth Advertiser, " the "Mansfield Herald," the " Bucyrus Journal," and the "Findlay Jeffersonian." Later he became editor of the "Toledo Blade." In i860 he commenced his •' Nasby" articles, several series of which have been given the world in book form. Under a mask of misspelling, and in a auaioS COM P EX HI I'M OF BIOGRAPHY 178 and humorous style, a keen political satire is couched — a most effective weapon. Mr. Locke was the author of a num- ber of serious political pamphlets, and later on a more pretentious work, " The Morals of Abou Ben Adhem." As a news- paper writer he gained many laurels and his works are widely read. Abraham Lincoln is said to have been a warm admirer of P. V. Nasby, of " Confedrit X Roads" fame. Mr. Locke died at Toledo, Ohio, February 15, i RUSSELL A. ALGER, noted as a sol- dier, governor and secretary of war, was born in Medina county, Ohio, February z~ . 1S36, and was the son of Russell and Caroline (Moulton") Alger. At the age of twelve years he was left an orphan and pen- niless. For about a year he worked for his board and clothing, and attended school part of the time. In 1S50 he found a place which paid small wages, and out of his scanty earnings helped his brother and sister. While there working on a farm he found time to attend the Richfield Academy, and by hard work between times managed to get a fair education for that time. The last two years of his attendance at this institu- tion of learning he taught school during the winter months. In 1857 he commenced the study of law. and was admitted to the bar in 1859. For a while he found employ- ment in Cleveland, Ohio, but impaired health induced him to remove to Grand Rapids, where he engaged in the lumber business. He was thus engaged when the Civil war broke out, and, his business suf- fering and his savings swept away, he en- listed as a private in the Second Michigan Cavalry. He was promoted to be captain the following month, and major for gallant conduct at Boonesville, Mississippi, July I, 1862. October 16, 1862, he was made lieutenant-colonel of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, and in February, 1863, colonel of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. He rendered excellent service in the Gettysburg cam- paign. He was wounded at Boonesboro, Maryland, and on returning to his command took part with Sherman in the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. For services ren- dered, that famous soldier recommended him for promotion, and he was brevetted I major-general of volunteers. In 1866 Gen- | eral Alger took up his residence at Detroit, and prospered exceedingly in his business, which was that of lumbering, and grew quite wealthy. In 1SS4 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention, and the same year was elected governor of Michigan. He declined a nomination for re-election to the latter office, in 18S7, and was the following year a candidate for the nomination for president. In 18S0 he was elected commander-in-chief of the Grand ■ Army of the Republic, and at different times occupied many offices in other or- ganizations. In March, 1897, President McKinley appointed General Alger secretary of war. CYRUS WEST FIELD, the father of submarine telegraphy, was the son of the Rev. David D. Field, D.D., a Congre- gational minister, and was born at Stock- bridge, Massachusetts, November 30, 1819. He was educated in his native town, and at the age of fifteen years became a clerk in a store in New York City. Being gifted with excellent business ability Mr. Field pros- pered and became the head of a large mer- cantile house. In 1853 he spent about six months in travel in South America. On his return he became interested in ocean teleg- raphy. Being solicited to aid in the con- 71 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. struction of a land telegraph across New Foundland to receive the news from a line of fast steamers it was proposed to run from from Ireland to St. Johns, the idea struck him to carry the line across the broad At- lantic. In 1850 Mr. Field obtained a con- cession from the legislature of Newfound- land, giving him the sole right for fifty to land submarine cables on the shores ol that island. In company with Peter Cooper, Moses Taylor, Marshall O. Roberts and Chandler White, he organized a con under the name of the New York, New- foundland & London Telegraph Company. In two yens the line from New York across Newfoundland was built. The first cable connecting Cape Breton Island with New- foundland having been lost in a storm while being laid in 1855, another was put down in 1856. In the latter year Mr. Field went to London and organized the Atlantic Tele- graph Company, furnishing one-fourth of the capital himself. Botli governments loaned ships to carry out the enterprise. Mr. Field accompanied the expeditions of 1857 and two in [858. The first and second 1 were failures, and the third worked but a short time and then ceased. The people of both continents became incredulous of the feasibility of laying a successful cable under so wide an expanse of sea, and the war breaking out shortly after, nothing was done until 1865-66. Mr. Field, in the former year, again made the attempt, and the Great Eastern laid some one thousand two hun- dred miles when the cable parted and was lost. The following year the same vessel succeeded in laying the entire cable, and picked up the one lost the year before, and both were carried to America's shore. After thirteen years of care and toil Mr. Field had his reward. He was the recipient of many medals and honors from both home and abroad. He gave his attention after this to establishing telegraphic communication throughout the world and many other large enterprises, notably the construction of ele- vated railroads in New York. Mr. Field died July 11,1 S92. G ROVER CLEVELAND, the twenty- cond president of the United States, born in Caldwell, Essex county, New Jersey, March [8, 1837, :uu ' was the son of Rev. Richard and Annie (Neale) Cleve- land. The father, of distinguished New England ancestry, was a Presbyterian min- ister in charge of the church at Caldwell at the time. When Grover was about three years of age the family removed to Fayetteville, Onondaga county. New York, where he nded the district school, and was in the lemj for a short time. His father be- lievingthat boys should early learn to labor, 1 ver entered a village store and worked for the sum of fifty dollars for the first year. While he was thus engaged the family re- moved to Clinton, New York, and there young Cleveland took up hf [861, he was appointed to the command of the tlotilla then building on the Mississippi, the act gave great satisfaction to the service. Although embarrassed by want of navj yards and supplies, Foote threw himself into his new work with unusual energy. He overcame all obstacles and in the new, and, until that ti , untried experiment, of creat- ing and maintaining a navy on a river, achieved a success beyond the 1 <>ns of the country. Great in< redulitj existed as to the possibility of carrying <>n hostilities on a river where batteries from the shore might bar the passage. But in spite of all, Foote soon had a navy cm the great river, and by the heroic qualities of the crews en- trusted to him, demonstrated the utility "I this new departure in naval architecture. All being prepared, February 6, 1862, Foote took Fort Henry after a hotly-contested action. On the 14th of the same month, for an hour and a half engaged the batteries of Fort Donelson, with four ironclads and two wooden gunboats, thereby dishearten- ing the garrison and assisting in its capture. April 7th of the same year, after several hotly-contested actions, Commodore Foote received the surrender of Island No. 10, one of the great strongholds of the Confederacy on the Mississippi river. Foote having been wounded at Fort Donelson, and by neglect it having become so serious as to endanger his life, he was forced to resign his command and return home. June 16, 1862, he re- ceived the thanks of congress and was pro- moted to the rank of rear admiral. He was appointed chief of the bureau of equipment and recruiting. June 4, 1863, he was ordered to the lleet off Charleston, to super- cede Rear Admiral Dupont, but on his way to that destination was taken sick at New York, and died June 26, 1S63. Nl I SON A. MILES, the well-known sol- dier, was born at Westminster, Massa- chusetts, August 8,1839. His ancestors set- tled in that state in [643 among the early pioneers, and their descendants were, many of them, tip be found among those battling against Great Britain during Revolutionary times and during the war of 1812. Nelson was reared <>n a farm, received an academic education, and in early manhood engagedin mercantile pursuits in Boston. Early in 18(11 he raised a company and offered his services to the government, and although commissioned as captain, on account of his youth went out as first lieutenant in the Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry. In 1 862 he w as commissioned lieutenant-colonel and colonel of the Sixty-first New York In- fantry. At the request of Generals Grant and Meade lie was made a brigadier by l'i. sident Lincoln, He participated in all but one of the battles of the Army of the Potomac until the close of the war. During the latter part of the time he commanded the first division of the Second Corps. General Miles was wounded at the battles of Fair Oaks, Fredericksburg and Chan- cellorsville, and received four brevets for distinguished service. During the recon- struction period he commanded in North Carolina, and on the reorganization of the ' MPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 177 regular army he was made colonel of in- fantry. In 18S0 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, and in 1890 to that of major-general. He successfully con- ducted several campaigns among the In- dians, and his name is known among the tribes as a friend when they are peacefully inclined. He many times averted war with the red men by judicious and humane settlement of difficulties without the military power. In 1892 General Miles was given command of the proceedings in dedicating the World's Fair at Chicago, and in the summer of 1894, during the great railroad strike at the same city, General Miles, then in command of the department, had the disposal of the troops sent to protect the United States mails. On the retirement of General J. M. Schofield, in 1895, General Miles became the ranking major-general of the United States army and the head of its forces. JUNIUS BRUTUS BOOTH, the great actor, though born in London (1796), is more intimately connected with the Amer- ican than with the English stage, and his popularity in America was almost un- bounded, while in England he was not a prime favorite. He presented " Richard III. " in Richmond on his first appearance on the American stage in 1821. This was his greatest role, and in it he has never had an equal. In October of the same year he appeared in New York. After a long and successful career he gave his final perform- ance at New Orleans in 1852. He con- tracted a severe cold, and for lack of proper medical attention, it resulted in his death on November 30th of that year. He was, without question, one of the greatest tra- gedians that ever lived. In addition to his professional art and genius, he was skilled in languages, drawing, painting and sculp- ture. In his private life he was reserved, and even eccentric. Strange stories are related of his peculiarities, and on his farm near Baltimore he forbade the use of animal food, the taking of animal life, and even the felling of trees, and brought his butter and eggs to the Baltimore markets in person. Junius Brutus Booth, known as the elder Booth, gave to the world three sons of note: Junius Brutus Booth, Jr., the husband of Agnes Booth, the actress; John Wilkes Booth, the author of the greatest tragedy in the life of our nation; Edwin Booth, in his day the greatest actor of America, if not of the world. JAMES MONTGOMERY BAILEY, fa- mous as the "Danbury News Man," was one of the best known American humor- ists, and was born September 25, 1841, at Albany, N. Y. He adopted journalism as a profession and started in his chosen work on the "Danbury Times," which paper he pur- chased on his return from the war. Mr. Bailey also purchased the "Jeffersonian," another paper of Danbury, and consolidated them, forming the "Danbury News," which paper soon acquired a celebrity throughout the United States, from an incessant How of rich, healthy, and original humor, which the pen of the editor imparted to its columns, and he succeeded in raising the circulation of the paper from a few hundred copies a week to over forty thousand. The facilities of a country printing office were not so com- plete in those days as they are now, but Mr. Bailey was resourceful, and he put on re- lays of help and ran his presses night and day, and always prepared his matter a week ahead of time. The "Danbury News Man" was a new figure in literature, as his humor was so different from that of the newspaper 1*8 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY wits — who had preceded him, and he maybe ca led the pioneer of that school now so familiar. Mr. Bailey published in book form "Life in Danbury" and "The Danbury News Man's Almanac. " One of his most admirable traits was philanthrophy, as he gave with unstinted generosity to all comers, and died comparatively poor, notwithstand- ing his ownership of a very profitable busi- ness which netted him an income of $40,000 a year. He died March 4, 1 M ATTHEW HALE CARPENTER, a famous lawyer, orator and sen was born in Moretown, Vermont, December 22, [824. After receiving a common-si education he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, but onl) remained two years. On returning to his home he c menced the study of law with Paul Dillingham, afterwards governor of Vermont, and whose daughter he married. In 1847 he was admitted to practice at the bar iii Vermont, but he wenl to Boston and for atime studied with Ruf us Choate. In 1848 ived wes-t, settling at Beloit, Wisconsin, and comment ing the practice of his profes- sion soon obtained a wide reputation for ability. In 1856 Mr. Carpenter removed to Milwaukee, where he found a wider field for his now increasing powers. During the Civil war, although a strong Democrat, he was loyal to the government and aided the Union cause to his utmost. In [86 was counsel for the government in a test case to settle the legality of the reconstruc- tion act before the United States supreme court, and won his case against Jeremiah S. Black. This gave him the election for sen- ator from Wisconsin in 1869, and he served until 1 875, during part of which time he was president pro tempore of the senate. Failing 01 a re-election Mr. Carpenter resumed the practice of law, and when William W. Belknap, late secretary of war, was im- peached, entered the case for General Belknap, and secured an acquittal. During the sitting of the electoral commission of 1 S 7 7 , Mr. Carpenter appeared for Samuel ]. Tilden. although the Republican man- agers had intended to have him represent R. B. Hayes. Mr. Carpenter was elected to the United States senate again in 1879, and remained a member of that body until the day of his dea'h, which occurred at Washington, District of Columbia Feb- ruary 24, 1 s: 1 . nator Carpenter's real name was De- catur Merritt Hammond Carpenter but about [852 he 1 h'angi d it to the one by which he was unh ersally known. THOMAS E. WATSON, lawyer and congressman, the well-known Geor- gian, whose name appeals at the head of this sketch, made himself a place in the his- tory of our country by his ability, energy ! fervid oratory. 1 [e was born in ( ol- umbia 1 now McDuffie) county, Georgia, September 5, 1856. He had a common- school education, and in 1 872 entered Mer- cer University, at Macon, Georgia, as fresh- man, but for want of money left the college at the end of his sophomore year. He taught school, studying law at the same time, until 1875, when he was admitted to the bar. He opened an office and com- menced practice in Thomson, Georgia, in November, 1876. He carried on a success- ful business, and bought land and farmed on an extensive scale. Mr. Watson was a delegate to the Demo- cratic state convention of 1880, and was a member of the house of representatives of the legislature of his native state in 1882 In 1888 he was an elector-at-large on the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 179 Cleveland ticket, and in 1S90 was elected io represent his district in the fifty-second congress. This latter election is said to have been due entirely to Mr. Watson's " dash- ir.g display of ability, eloquence and popular power." In his later years he championed the alliance principles and policies until he became a leader in the movement. In the heated campaign of 1896, Mr. Watson was nominated as the candidate for vice-presi- dent on the Bryan ticket by that part of the People's party that would not endorse tlie nominee for the same position made by the Democratic party. FREDERICK A. P. BARNARD, mathe- matician, physicist and educator, was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, May 5 , 1 809. He graduated from Yale College in 1828, and in 1830 became a tutor in the same. From 1837 to 1848 he was professor of mathe- matics and natural philosophy in the Uni- versity of Alabama, and from 1S48 to 1S50, professor of chemistry and natural history in the same educational institution. In 1854 he became connected with the Univer- sity of Mississippi, of which he became president in 1856, and chancellor in 1858. In 1S54 he took orders in the Protestant Episcopal church. In 1861 Professor Barnard resigned his chancellorship and chair in the university, and in 1863 and 1864 was con- nected with the United States coast survey in charge of chart printing and lithography. In May, 1864, he was elected president of Columbia College, New York City, which he served for a number of years. Professor Barnard received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Jefferson College, Mississippi, in 1855, and from Yale College in 1859; also the degree of S. T. D. from the University of Mississippi in 18G1, and that of L. H. D. from the regents of the University of the State of New York in 1X72. In i860 he was a member of the eclipse party sent by the United States coast sur- vey to Labrador, and during his absence was elected president of the American Asso- ciation for the Advancement of Science Ii. the act of congress establishing the National Academy of Sciences in 1863. he was named as one of the original corporators. In 1867 he was one of the United States commis- sioners to the Paris Exposition. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society, associate member of the Amer- ican Academy of Arts and Sciences, and many other philosophical and scientific societies at home and abroad. Dr. Barnard was thoroughly identified with the progress of the age in those branches. His published works relate wholly to scientific or educa- tional subjects, chief among which are the following: Report on Collegiate Education; Art Culture; History of the American Coast Survey; University Education; Undulatory Theory of Light; Machinery and Processes of the Industrial Arts, and Apparatus of the Exact Sciences, Metric System of Weights and Measures, etc. EDWIN McMASTERS STANTON, the secretary of war during the great Civil war, was recognized as one of America's foremost public men. He was born Decem- ber 19, 1 S 1 4, at Steuben ville, Ohio, where he received his education and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1836, and was reporter of the supreme court of Ohio from 1842 until 1S45. He removed to Washington in 1856 to attend to his prac- tice before the United States supreme court, and in [858 he went to California as counsel for the government in certain land cases, which he carried to a successful conclusion. Mr. Stanton was appointed ISO COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. attorney-general of the United States in December, i860, by President Buchanan. On March 4, 1 86 1 , Mr. Stanton went with the outgoing administration and returned to the practice of his profession. He was appointed secretary of war by President Lincoln January 20, 1862, to succeed Simon Cameron. After the assassination of Presi- dent Lincoln and the accession of Johnson to the presidency, Mr. Stanton was still in the same office. He held it for three years, and by his strict adherence to the Repub- lican party, he antagonized President John- son, who endeavored to remove him. On August 5, [867, the president requested him to resign, and appointed General Grant to succeed him, but when congress convened in December the senate refused to concur in the suspension. Mr. Stanton returned to his post until the president again removed him from office, but was again foiled by congress. Soon after, however, he retired voluntarily from office and took up the practice of law, in which he engaged until his death, on December 24, 1869. ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, the eminent theologian and founder of the church known as Disciples of Christ, was born in the country of Antrim, Ireland, in June, 17SS, and was the son of Rev. Thomas Campbell, a Scoth-Iri.-h "Seceder." After Studying at the University of Glasgow, he, in company with his father, came to America in 1S08, and both began labor in western Pennsylvania to restore Christianity to apostolic simplicity. They organized a church at Brush Run, Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1 8 1 1 , which, however, the year following, adopted Baptist views, and in 1 S 1 3. with other congregations joined a Baptist association. Some of the under- lying principles and many practices of the Campbells and their disciples were repug- nant to the Baptist church and considerable friction was the result, and 1827 saw the separation of that church from the Church of Christ, as it is sometimes calied. The latter then reorganized themselves anew. They reject all creeds, professing to receive the Bible as their only guide. In most mat- ters of faith they are essentially in accord with the other Evangelical Christian churches, especially in regard to the person and work \ of Christ, the resurrection and judgment. I They celebrate the Lord's Supper weekly, hold that repentance and faitli should precede I baptism, attaching much importance to the latter ordinance. On all other points they I encourage individual liberty of thought. In 1841, Alexander Campbell founded Bethany College, West Virginia, of which he was I president for many years, and died March 4, 1 S66. The denomination which they founded is quite a large and important church body in the United States. They support quite a number of institutions of learning, among which are: Bethany College, West Virginia; Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio; Northwestern Christian University, Indianapolis, Indiana; Hureka College, Illinois; Kentucky Univer- sity, Lexington, Kentucky; Oskaloosa College, Iowa; and a number of seminaries and schools. They also support several monthly and quarterly religious periodicals and many papers, both in the United States and Great Britain and her dependencies. WILLIAM L.WILS< >N, the noted West Virginian, who was postmaster-gener- al under President Cleveland's second ad- ministration, won distinction as the father of the famous " Wilson bill," which bt a law under the same administration. Mr. Wilson was born May 3, 1843, in Jeffer- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 181 son county. West Virginia, and received a good education at the Charlestown Academy, where he prepared himself for college. He attended the Columbian Col- lege in the District of Columbia, from which he graduated in 1S60, and then attended the University of Virginia. Mr. Wilson served in the Confederate army dur- ing the war, after which he was ;i professor in Columbian College. Later he entered into the practice of law at Charlestown. He attended the Democratic convention held at Cincinnati in 1880, as a delegate, and later was chosen as one of the electors for the state-at-large on the Hancock ticket. In the Democratic convention at Chicago in 1892, Mr. Wilson was its per- manent president. He was elected pres- ident of the West Virginia University in . entering upon the duties of his office on September 6, but having received the nomination for the forty-seventh congress on the Democratic ticket, he resigned the presidency of the university in June, 1883, to take his seat in congress. Mr. Wil- son was honored by the Columbian Uni- versity and the Hampden-Sidney College, both of which conferred upon him the de- gree of LL. D. In 1884 he was appointed regent of the Smithsonian Institution at Washington for two years, and at the end of his term was re-appointed. He was elected to the forty-seventh, forty-ninth, fiftieth, fifty-first, fifty-second and fifty- third congresses, but was defeated for re- election to the fifty- fourth congress. Upon the resignation of Mr. Rissell from the office of postmaster-general, Mr. Wilson was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy by President Cleveland. His many years of public serv- ice and the pi : part he took in the discussion of public questions gave him a national reputation. C\L\ IN S. BRK i:, a successful and noted financier and politician, was born at Denmark, Ohio, September 17, 1S45, of an old Maryland family, who trace their lineage from the Bryces, or Bruc Airth, Scotland. The father of our subject was a prominent Presbyterian clergyman, who removed to Ohio in [812. Calvin S. Brice was educated in the common schools of his native town, and at the age of thir- teen entered the preparatory department of Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and the following year entered the freshman class. On the breaking out of the Civil war, although but fifteen years old, he enlisted in a company of three-months men. He re- turned to complete his college course, but re-enlisted in Company A. Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and served in the Virginia campaign. He then returned to college, from which he graduated in 1863. In 1864 he organized Company E, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of hostilities, in the western armies. On his return home Mr. Brice entered the law department of the University of Michigan, and in 1S66 was admitted to the bar in Cincinnati. In the winter of 1X70- 71 he went to Europe in the interests of the Lake Erie & Louisville Railroad and pro- cured a foreign loan. This road became the Lake Erie & Western, of which, in Mr. Brice became president. This was the first railroad in which he had a personal interest. The conception, build- ing and sale of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, known as the ••Nickel Plate," was largely due to him. He was connected with many other railroads, among which may be mentioned the following: Chicago & Atlantic; Ohio Central; Rich- mond & Danville; Richmond & West Point 182 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY Terminal; East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia; Memphis & Charleston; Mobile & Birmingham; Kentucky Central; Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic, and the Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon. In [890 he was elected United States senator from Ohio. Notwithstanding his extensive business inter- ests, Senator Brice gave a considerable time to political matters, becoming one of the leaders of the Democratic party and of the most widely known men in the country. BENJAMIN HARRISON, twenty-third dent of the United States, was born August 20, [833, at North \)/C.U OF BIOGRAPHY. 191 land, December 25, 181 5, the son of a wealthy merchant. He attended school until he was thirteen, when his father be- came financially embarrassed and failed and shortly after died; John determined to come to America and carve out a fortune for himself. He landed in New York at the age of sixteen, and soon obtained employ- ment at the Howell Iron Works in New Jer- sey, at twenty-five cents a day. He soon made himself a place in the world, and at the end of three years had saved some twelve hundred dollars, which he lost by the failure of his employer, in whose hands it was left. Returning to New York he began to learn how to make castings for marine engines and ship work. Having again accumulated one thousand dollars, in company with three fellow workmen, he purchased a small foundry in New York, but soon became sole proprietor. At the end of four years he had saved thirty thou- sand dollars, besides enlarging his works. In 1856 his works were destroyed by a boiler explosion, and being unable to collect ths insurance, was left, after paying his debts, without a dollar. However, his credit and reputation for integrity was good, and he built the Etna Iron Works, giving it capacity to construct larger marine engines than any previously built in this country. Here he turned out immense engines for the steam ram Dunderberg, for the war ves- sels Winooski and Neshaning, and other large vessels. To accommodate his increas- ing business, Mr. Roach, in 1869, pur- chased the Morgan Iron Works, one of the largest in New York, and shortly after sev- eral others. In 1871 he bought the Ches- ter ship yards, which he added to largely, erecting a rolling mill and blast furnace, and providing every facility for building a ship out of the ore and timber. This immense plant covered a large area, was valued at several millions of dollars, and was known as the Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding and Engine Works, of which Mr. Roach was the principal owner. He built a large percentage of the iron vessels now Hying the American flag, the bulk of his business being for private parties. In 1875 he built the sectional dry docks at Pensacola. He, about this time, drew the attention of the government to the use of compound marine engines, and thus was the means of im- proving the speed and economy of the ves- sels of our new navy. In 1883 Mr. Roach commenced work on the three cruisers for the government, the "Chicago," "Boston" and "Atlanta," and the dispatch boat " Dolphin." For some cause the secretary of the navy refused to receive the latter and decided that Mr. Roach's contract would not hold. This embarrassed Mr. Roach, as a large amount of his capital was in- volved in these contracts, and for the pro- tection of bondsmen and creditors, July 18, 1885, he made an assignment, but the financial trouble broke down his strong con- stitution, and January 10, 1887, he died. His son, John 13. Roach, succeeded to the shipbuilding interests, while Stephen W. Roach inherited the Morgan Iron Works at New York. JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY, one of the two great painters who laid the foundation of true American art, was born in Boston in 1737, one year earlier than his great contemporary, Benjamin West. His education was limited to the common schools of that time, and his training in art he ob- tained by his own observation and experi- ments solely. When he was about seven- teen years old he had mapped out his future, however, by choosing painting as his pro- 192 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. fession. If he ever studied under any teacher in his early efforts, we have no au- thentic account of it, and tradition credits the young artist's wonderful success en- tirely to his own talent and untiring effort. It is almost incredible that at the age of twenty-three years his income from his works aggregated fifteen hundred dollars per annum, a very great sum in those days. In 1774 he went to Europe in search of ma- terial for study, which was so rare in his native land. After some time spent in Italy he finally took up his permanent residence in England. In 17S3 he was made a mem- 1 the Royal Academy, and later his son had the high honor of becoming lord chancellor of England and Lord Lyndhurst. Many specimens of Copley's work are to iund in the Memorial Hall at Harvard and in the Boston Museum, as well as a few of the works upon which he modeled his style. Copley was essentially a portrait painter, though his historical paintings at- tained great celebrity, his masterpiece being his " Heath of Major Pierson," though that distinction has by some been given to his "Death of Chatham.'' It is said that he never saw a good picture until he was thirty-five years old, yet his portraits prior to that period are regarded as rare speci- mens. He died in I S I 5. HENRY B. PLANT, one of the greatest railroad men of the country, became famous as president of the Plant system of railway and steamer lines, and also the Southern & Texas Express Co. He was born in October, 18 19, at Branford, Connecticut, and entered the railroad serv- ice in 1S44, serving as express messenger on the Hartford & New Haven Railroad until 1853, during which time he had entire charge of the express business of that road. He went south in 1853 and established ex- press lines on various southern railways, and in 1S61 organized the Southern Express Co., and became its president. In 1879 he purchased, with others, the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad of Georgia, and later reorganized the Savannah, Florida & Western Railroad, of which he became president. He pur- chased and rebuilt, in 1880, the Savannah & Charleston Railroad, now Charleston & annah. Not long after this he organ- ized the Plant Investment Co., to control these railroads and advance their interests generally, and later established a steamboat line on the St. John's river, in Florida. From 1853 until i860 he was general superintendent of the southern division of the Ad. mis Express Co., and in 1867 be- came president of the Texas Express Co. The "Plant system" of railway, steamer and steamship lines is one of the greatest business corporations of the southern states. WADE HAMPTON, a noted Confeder- ate officer, was born at Columbia, South Carolina, in 1818. He graduated from the South Carolina College, took an active part in politics, and was twice elected to the legislature of his state. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army, and command- ed the " Hampton Legion" at the first bat- tle of Bull Run, in July, 1861. He did meritorious service, was wounded, and pro- moted to brigadier-general. He command- ed a brigade at Seven Pines, in 1862, and was again wounded. He was engaged in the battle of Antietam in September of the same year, and participated in the raid into Pennsylvania in October. In 1863 he was with Lee at Gettysburg, where he was wounded for the third time. He was pro- moted to the rank of lieutenant-general, and commanded a troop of cavalry in Lee's MPEND1UM Ol- BIOGRAPHT, 198 army during 1864. and was in numerous en- naents. In 1865 he was in South Car- olina, and commanded the cavalry rear guard of the Confederate army in its stub- born retreat before General Sherman on his advance toward Richmond. After the war Hampton took an active part in politics, and was a prominent figure at the Democratic national convention in 1868, which nominated Seymour and Blair for president and vice-president. He was governor of South Carolina, and took his seat in the United States senate in 1879, where he became a conspicuous figure in national affairs. NIKOLA TESLA, one of the most cele- brated electricians America has known, was born in 1857, at Smiljau, Lika, Servia. He descended from an old and representative family of that country. His father was a a minister of the Greek church, of high rank, while his mother was a woman of remarka- ble skill in the construction of looms, churns and the machinery required in a rural home. Nikola received early education in the public schools of Gospich, when he was sent to the higher "Real Schule" at Karl- stadt, where, after a three years' course, he graduated in 1873. He devoted him- self to experiments in electricity and magnetism, to the chagrin of his father, who had destined him for the ministry, but giving way to the boy's evident genius he was allowed to continue his studies in the polytechnic school at Gratz. He in- herited a wonderful intuition which enabled him to see through the intricacies of ma- chinery, and despite his instructor's demon- stration that a dynamo could not be oper- ated without commutators or brushes, began experiments which finally resulted in his rotating field motors. After the study of languages at Prague and Buda-Pestb, he became associated with M. Puskas, who had introduced the telephone into Hungary. He invented several improvements, but being unable to reap the necessary benefit from them, he, in search of a wider field, went to Paris, where he found employment with one of the electric lighting companies as electrical engineer. Soon he set his face westward, and coming to the United States for a time found congenial employment with Thomas A. Edison. Finding it impossible, overshadowed as he was, to carry out his own ideas he left the Edison works to join a company formed to place his own inven- tions on the market. He perfected his rotary field principle, adapting it to circuits then in operation. It is said of him that some of his proved theories will change the entire electrical science. It would, in an j.rticle of this length, be impossible to ex- plain all that Tesla accomplished for the practical side of electrical engineering. His discoveries formed the basis of the at- tempt to utilize the water power of Niagara Falls. His work ranges far beyond the vast department of polyphase currents and hii;h potential lighting and includes many inventions in arc lighting, transformers, pyro and thermo-magnetic motors, new forms of incandescent lamps, unipolar dyna- mos and many others. CHARLES B. LEWIS won fame as an American humorist under the name of "M. Quad." It is said he owes his celebrity originally to the fact that he was once mixed up in a boiler explosion on the Ohio river, and the impressions he received from the event he set up from his case when he was in the composing room of an ob- scure Michigan paper. His style possesses a peculiar quaintness, and there runs tnrough m comp i:\nu\i of biographt. it a vein of philosophy. Mr. Lewis was born in 1844, near a town called Liverpool, Ohio. He was, however, raised in Lansing, Michigan, where he spent a year in an agri- cultural college, going from there to the composing room of the "Lansing Demo- crat." At the outbreak of the war he en- listed in the service, remained during the entire war, and then returned to Lansing. The explosion of the boiler that "blew him into fame," took place two years later, while he was on his way south. When he re- covered physically, he brought suit for dam- ages against the steamboat company, which he gained, and was awarded a verdict of twelve thousand dollars for injuries re- d. It was while he was employed by Jacksonian" of Pontiac, Mich., that he set up his account of how he felt while being blown up. He says that be signed it "M Quad," because " a bourgeoisc em quad is ss except in its own line — it won't justify with any other type." Soon after, because of the celebrity he attained by this screed, Mr. Lewis secured a place on the staff of tin -Detroit Free Press, " and made for that paper a wide reputation. His sketches of the "Lime Kiln Club" and " Brudder Gardner " are perhaps the best known of his humorous writings. HIRAM S. MAXIM, the famous inventor, was born in Sangersville, Maine, February 5, 1 840, the son of Isaac W. and Harriet B. Maxim. The town of his birth was but a small place, in the woods, on the confines of civilization, and the family endured many hardships. They were without means and entirely dependent on themselves to make out of raw materials all they needed. The mother was an expert spinner, weaver, dyer and seamstress and the father a trapper, tanner, miller, blacksmith, carpenter, mason and farmer. Amid such surroundings young Maxim gave early promise of remarkable aptitude. With the universal Yankee jack- knife the products of his skill excited the wonder and interest of the locality. His parents did not encourage his latent genius but apprenticed him to a coach builder. Pour years he labored at this uncongenial trade but at the end of that time he forsook it and entered a machine shop at Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Soon mastering the details of that business and that of mechanical drawing, he went to Boston as the foreman n| the philosophical instrument manufactory. From thence he went to New York and with the Novelty Iron Works Shipbuilding Co. he gained experience in those trades. His inventions up to this time consisted of improvements in steam engines, and an automatic gas machine, which came into general use. In 1877 he turned his attention to electricity, and in 1S7S produced an incandescent lamp, that would burn 1,000 hours. He was the first to design a process for flashing electric carbons, and the first to "standardize" carbons for electric light- ing. In 1S80 he visited Europe and exhibit- ing, at the Paris Exposition of 1881, a self- regulating machine, was decorated with the Legion of Honor. In 1883 he returned to London as the European representative of the United States Electric Light Co. An incident of his boyhood, in which the recoil of a rifle was noticed by him, and the apparent loss of power shown, in 1881-2 prompted the invention of a gun which utilizes the recoil to automatically load and fire seven hundred and seventy shots per minute. The Maxim- Nordenfelt Gun Co., with a capital of nine million dollars, grew from this. In 1883 he patented his electric training gear for large guns. And later turned his attention to fly- MPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY, 196 ing machines, which he claimed were not an impossibility. He took out over one hundred patents for smokeless gunpowder, and for pe- troleum and other motors and autocycles. JOHN DAVISON ROCKEFELLER, one of America's very greatest financiers and philanthropists, was born in Richford, Tioga county, New York, July 8, 1S39. He received a common-school education in his native place, and in 1853, when his parents removed to Cleveland, Ohio, he entered the high school of that city. After a two-years' course of diligent work, he entered the com- mission and forwarding house of Hewitt & Tuttle, of Cleveland, remaining with the firm some years, and then began business for himself, forming a partnership with Morris B. Clark. Mr. Rockefeller was then but nineteen years of age, and during the year 1S60, in connection with others, they started the oil refining business, under the firm name of Andrews, Clark & Co. Mr. Rockefeller and Mr. Andrews purchased the interest of their associates, and, after taking William Rockefeller into the firm, established offices in Cleveland under the name of William Rockefeller & Co. Shortly after this the house of Rockefeller & Co. was es- tablished in New York for the purpose of finding a market for their products, -and two years later all the refining companies were consolidated under the firm name of Rocke- feller, Andrews & Flagler. This firm was succeeded in 1870 by the Standard Oil Company of Ohio, said to be the most gigantic business corporation of modern times. John D. Rockefeller's fortune has been variously estimated at from one hun- dred million to two hundred million dollars. Mr. Rockefeller's philanthropy mani- fested itself principally through the American Baptist Educational Society. He donated the building for the Spelman Institute at Atlanta, Georgia, a school for the instruction of negroes. His other gifts were to the University of Rochester, Cook Academy, Peddie Institute, and Yassar College, be- sides smaller gifts to many institutions throughout the country. His princely do- nations, however, were to th^ University of Chicago. His first gift to this institution was a conditional offer of six hundred thou- sand dollars in 1S89, and when this amount was paid he added one million more. Dur- ing 1892 he made it two gifts of one million each, and all told, his donations to this one institution aggregated between seven and eight millions of dollars. JOHN M. PALMER.— For over a third J of a century this gentleman occupied a prominent place in the political world, both in the state of Illinois and on the broader platform of national issues. Mr. Palmer was born at Eagle Creek, Scott county, Kentucky, September 13, 1817. The family subsequently removed to Christian county, in the same state, where he acquired a common-school education, and made his home until 1831. His father was opposed to slavery, and in the latter year removed to Illinois and settled near Alton. In 1834 John entered Alton College, or- ganized on the manual-labor plan, but his funds failing, abandoned it and entered a cooper shop. He subsequently was en- gaged in peddling, and teaching a district school near Canton. In 1838 he began the study of law, and the following year re- moved toCarlinville, where, in December of that year, he was admitted to the bar. He was shortly after defeated for county clerk. In 1843 he was elected probate judge. In the constitutional convention of 1847, Mr. Palmer was a delegate, and from 1849 to 106 COMI'EXDICU OF BIOGRAPHT. 1 051 he was county judge. In 1852 he be- came a member of the state senate, but not being with his party on the slavery question he resigned that office in 1854. In 1856 Mr. Palmer was chairman of the first Re- publican state convention held in Illinois, and the same year was a delegate to the national convention. In 1S60 he was an elector on the Lincoln ticket, and on the breaking out of the war entered the service as colonel of the Fourteenth Illinois Infan- try bu< w hortly after brevetted brigadier- general. In August, [862, be organized the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illi- nois Infantry, but in September he was placed in '"l of the first division "I the Army of the Mississippi, afterward was promoted to the rank of major-general. In 1865 Ik- was assigned to the military ad- ministration in Kentucky. In [867G1 Palmer was elected governor ol Illinois and served four years. In [872 he went with the Liberal Republicans, who supported Horace Greeley, after which time he was identified with the Democratic party. In li> w.is elected United States senator from Illinois, and served as such for six In [896, on the adoption of the sil- ver plank in the platform of the Democratic party, General Palmer consented to lead, as presidential candidate, the National Dem- oc r ats, or Gold Democracy. WILLIAM H. BEARD, the humorist among American painters, was born at Painesville, Ohio, in 1821. His father, James H. Beard, was also a painter of na- tional reputation. William H. Beard be- gan his career as a traveling portrait painter. He pursued his studies in New York, and later removed to Buffalo, where he achieved reputation. He then went to Italy and after a short stay returned to New York and opened a studio. One of his earliest paintings was a small picture called "Cat and Kittens," which was placed in the National Academy onexhibition. Among his best productions are "Raining Cats and Dogs," "The Dance of Silenus," "Bears on a Bender," "Bulls and Bears," " Whoo!" " Grimalkin's Dream," " Little Red Riding Hood," "The Guardian of the Flag." His animal pictures convey the most ludicrous and satirical ideas, and the intelligent, human expression in their faces is most comical. Some artists and critics have re- fused 1 Mr Beard a place among the first circles in art, solely on account of the class of subjects he lias chosen. WW. CORCORAN, the noted philan- throphist, was born at Georgetown, District of Columbia December 27, 170.X. At the age of twenty five he entered the banking business in Washington, and in time became very wealthy. He was noted for his magnificent donations to char- ity. Oak Hill cemetery was donated to Georgetown in 1847, and ten years later the Corcoran Art Gallery, Temple of Art, was presented to the city of Washington. The uncompleted building was utilized by the government as quartermaster's headquar- ters during the war. The building was completed after the war at a cost of a mil- lion and a half dollars, all the gift of Mr. Corcoran. The Louise Home for Women is another noble charity to his credit. Its object is the care of women of gentle breed- ing who in declining years are without means of support. In addition to this he gave liberally to many worthy institutions of learning and charity. He died at Wash- ington February 24, 1888. COM/'/:\/)/L.U OF BIOGRAPHT. 197 ALBERT BIERSTADT, the noted paint- er of American landscape, was born in Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1829, and was brought to America by his parents at the age of two years. He received his early education here, but returned to Dusseldorf to study painting, and also went to Rome. On his return to America he accompanied Lander's expedition across the continent, in . and soon after produced his most popular work, "The Rocky Mountains — Lander's Peak." Its boldness and grandeur were so unusual that it made him famous. The picture sold for twenty-five thousand dollars. In 1867 Mr. Bierstadt went to 1 Europe, with a government commission, I and gathered materials for his great historic- | al work. '-Discovery of the North River by Hendrik Hudson." Others of his great works were "Storm in the Rocky Mount- ains," "Valley of the Yosemite," "N rth Fork of tne Platte," "Diamond Pool," "Mount Hood." "Mount Rosalie," and "The Sierra Nevada Mountains." His "Estes Park' sold for fifteen thousand dollars, and "Mount Rosalie" brought thirty-five thousand dollars. His smaller Rocky mountain scenes, however, are vast- ly superior to his larger works in execution and coloring. ADDISON' CAM MACK, a famous mill- ionaire Wall street speculator, was born rn Kentucky. When sixteen years old he ran away from home and went to New Orleans, where he went to work in a ship- ping house. He outlived and outworked all the partners, and became the head of the firm before the opening of the war. At that time he ntted out small vessels and en- gaged in running the blockade of southern ports and carrying ammunition, merchan- dise, etc., to the southern people. This ; made him a fortune. At the close of the war he quit business and went to New York. For two years he did not enter any active business, but seemed to be simply an on-looker in the great speculative center of America. He was observing keenly the methods and financial machinery, however, and when, in 1S67, he formed a partnership with the popular Charles J. Osborne, the firm began to prosper. He never had an office on the street, but wandered into the various brokers' offices and placed his orders as he saw fit. In 1S73 he dissolved his partnership with Osborne and operated alone. He joined a band of speculative conspirators known as the "Twenty-third party," and was the ruling spirit in that or- ganization for the control of the stock mar- ket. He was always on the ■ ■ bear " side and the only serious obstacle he ever encoun- tered was the persistent boom in industrial stocks, particularly sugar, engineered by James R. Keane. Mr. Cammack fought Keane for two years, and during the time is said to have lost no less than two million dollars before he abandoned the li^ht. WALT. WHITMAN— Foremost among the lesser poets of the latter part of the nineteenth century, the gentleman whose name adorns the head of this article takes a conspicuous place. Whitman was born at West Hills, Long Island, New York, May 13, 1809. In the schools of Brooklyn he laid the foundation of his education, and early in life learned the printer's trade. For a time he taught coun- try schools in his native state. In 18 he was editor of the " Brooklyn Ea but in 1S48-9 was on the editorial staff of the "Crescent," of New Orleans. He made an extended tour throughout the United States and Canada, and returned to i98 COM P EX 1)1 I'M OF BIOGRAPHY. Brooklyn, where, in 1S50, he published the "Freeman. " For some years succeeding '.his he was engaged as carpenter and builder. During the Civil war, Whitman acted as a volunteer nurse in the hospitals at Washington and vicinity and from the close of hostilities until 1 S73 he was employed in various clerkships in the government offices in the nation's capital. In the latter year he was stricken with paralysis as a result of his labors in the hospital, it is said, and being partially disabled lived for many years at Camden, New Jersey. The first edition of the work which was to bring him fame, "Leaves of Grass," was published in [855 and was but a small volume of about ninety-four pages. Seven or eight editions of "Leaves of Grass" have bee- I, each enlarged and enriched with new poems "Drum Taps," at first a irate publication, has been incorporated with the others. This volume and one prose writing entitled "Specimen Days and Collect," constituted his whole work. Walt. Whitman died at Camden, New Jersey, March 26, 1892. HENRY DUPONT, who became cele- brated as America's greatest manufact- urer of gunpowder, was a native of Dela ware, born August 8, 1S12. He received his education in its higher branches at the United States Military Academy at West Feint, from which he graduated and entered the army as second lieutenant of artillery in 1833. In 1 S 34 he resigned and became ictor of the extensive gunpowder manufacturing plant that bears his name, near Wilmington, Delaware. His large- business interests interfered with his tak- ing any active participation in political life, although for many years he served as adjutant-general of his native state, ami during the war as major-general command- ing the Home Guards. He died August 8, 1889. His son, Henry A. Dupont, also was a native of Delaware, and was born July 30, 1838. After graduating from West Point in [861, he entered the army as second lieutenant of engineers. Shortly after he was transferred to the Fifth Artillery as first lieutenant. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1864, serving in camp ami garrison most of the time. He was in com- mand of a battery in the campaign of 1863-4. Aschief of artillery of the army of \ irginia, he figured until the close of the war. being in the battles of Opequan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, besides many minor 1 nents. He afterward acted as instructor in the artillery school at Fortress Monroe, and on special duty at West Point. He resigned from the army March 1, 1 S 7 5 . WILLIAM DEERING, one of the fa- mous manufacturers of America, and also a philanthropist and patron of educa- tion, was born in Maine in 1S26. His an- cestors were English, having si ttled in New land in 1634. Early in life it was Will- iam's intention to become a physician, and after completing his common-school educa- tion, when about eighteen years of age, he began an apprenticeship with a physician. A short time later, however, at the requ* 1 of his father, he took charge of his father's business interests, which included a woolen mill, retail store and grist mill, after which he became agent for a dry goods commission house in Portland, where he was married. Later he became partner in the firm, and removed to New York. The business pros- pered, and after a number of years, on ac- count of failing health, Mr. Deering sold his interest to his partner, a Mr. Milner. The COMl'i:\l>irM OF BIOGRAPHr, 199 business has since made Mr. Milner a mill- ionaire many times over. A few years later Mr. Deering located in Chicago. His beginning in the manufacture of reapers, which has since made his name famous, was somewhat of an accident. He had loaned money to a man in that business, and in [878 was compelled to buy out the business to protect his interests. The busi- ness developed rapidly and grew to immense proportions. The factories now cover sixty- two acres of ground and employ many thou- sands of men. John McAllister schofield, an American general, was born in Chautau- qua county, New York, September 29, 1831. He graduated at West Point in 1853, and was for five years assistant professor of nat- ural philosophy in that institution. In 1861 he entered the volunteer service as major of the First Missouri Volunteers, and was ap- pointed chief of staff by General Lyon, under whom he fought at the battle of Wilson's Creek. In November, 186 1, he was ap- pointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and was placed in command of the Missouri militia until November, 1862, and of the armv of the frontier from that time until 1863. In 1862 he was made major-general of volunteers, and was placed in command of the Department of the Missouri, and in 1864 of the Department of the Ohio. During the campaign through Georgia General Scho- field was in command of the Twenty-third Arm}' Corps, and was engaged in most of the fighting of that famous campa.ign. Novem- ber 30, 1864, he defeated Hood's army at Franklin, Tennessee, and then joined Gen- eral Thomas at Nashville. He took part in the battle of Nashville, where Hood's army was destroyed. In January, 1865, he led his corps into North Carolina, captured Wilmington, fought the battle of Kingston, and joined General Sherman at Goldsboro March 22, 1S05. He executed the details of the capitulation of General Johnston to Sherman, which practically closed the war. In June, 186S, General Schofield suc- ceeded Edwin M. Stanton as secretary of war, but was the next year appointed major- general of the United States arm}, ami order- ed to the Department of the Missouri. From [870 to 1876 he was in command of the De- partment of the Pacific; from 1876 to 1881 superintendent of the West Point Military Academy; in 1883 he was in charge of the Department of the Missouri, and in 1 S86 of the division of the Atlantic. In iXSS he became general-in-chief of the United States army, and in February, 1895, was appoint- ed lieutenant-general by President Cleve- land, that rank having been revived by con- gress. In September, 1895, he was retired from active service. LEWIS WALLACE, an American gen- eral and famous author, was born in Brookville, Indiana, April 10, 1S27. He served in the Mexican war as first lieutenant of a company of Indiana Volunteers. After his return from Mexico he was admitted to the bar, and practiced law in Covington and Crawfordsville, Indiana, until 1 86 1 . At the opening of the war he was appointed ad- jutant-general of Indiana, and soon after be- came colonel of the Eleventh Indiana Vol- unteers. He defeated a force of Confeder- ates at Roinney, West Virginia, and was made brigadier-general in September, 1861. At the capture of Fort Donelson in 1862 he commanded a division, and was engaged in the second day's fight at Sbiloh. In 1 his defenses about Cincinnati saved that city from capture by Kirby Smith. At Monoc- acy in July, 1864, he was defeated, but 200 COMPENDIUM OF A' /(><; A' ,1 /' //)'. his resistance delayed the advance of Gen- eral Early and thus saved Washington from capture. General Wallace was a member of the court that tried the assassins of President Lincoln, and also of that before whom Cap- tain Henry W'irtz, who had charge of the Andersonville prison, was tried. In [88l General Wallace was sent as minister to Turkey. When not in official service he devoted much of his time to literature. Among his better known works are his • ' Fair God," "Ben Ilur," "Prince of India," and a " Life of Benjamin Harrison." THOMAS FRANCIS BAYARD, an Ameri- can statesman and diplomat, was born at Wilmington, Delaware, October 29, [828, He obtained his education at an Episcopal academy at Flushing, Long Island, and after a short service in a mercantile house in New York, he returned to Wilmington and entered his father's law office to prepare himself for the practice of that profession. He was admitted to the bar in 1S51. He- was appointed to the office of United States district attorney for the state of Delaware, serving one year. In 1 869 he was elected to the United States senate, and continuously represented his state in that body until 1 S S 5 . and in 1SS1, when Chester A. Art bur entered the presidential chair, Mr. Bayard was chosen president pro tempore of the senate. He had also served on the famous electoral commission that decided the Hayes-Tilden contestin 1876-7. In 1885 President Cleve- land appointed Mr. Bayard secretary of state. At the beginning of Cleveland's sec- ond term, in 1893, Mr. Bayard was selected for the post of ambassador at the court of St. James, London, and was the first to hold that rank in American diplomacy, serving until the beginning of the McKinley admin- istration. The questions for adjustment at that time between the two governments were the Behring Sea controversy and the Venezuelan boundary question. He was very popular in England because of his tariff views, and because of his criticism of the protective policy of the United States in his public speeches delivered in London, Edinburgh and oilier places, he received, in March, [896, .1 vote of censure in the lower house of congress. JOHN WORK GARRETT, For so many years at the bead of the great Baltimore & Ohio railroad system, was born in Balti- more, Maryland, July 31, [82O. His father, Robert Garrett, an enterprising merchant, had amassed a large fortune from a small beginning. The son entered Lafayette Col- in 1834, but left the following year and entered Ins lather's counting room, and in 1839 became a partner. John W. Gar- rett took a great interest in the develop- ment of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, He elected one of the directors in 1857, and was its president from 1858 until Ins death. When he took charge of the it was in an embarrassed condition, but within a year, for the first time in its - ence, it paid a dividend, the increase in its tins being $725,385. After the war, during which the road suffered much damage from the Confederates, numerous branches and connecting roads were built or acq u until it reached colossal proportions. Mr. Garrett was also active in securing a regular line of steamers between Baltimore and Bremen, and between the same port and Liverpool. He was one of the most active trustees of Johns Hopkins University, and a liberal contributor to the Young Men's Christian Association of Baltimore. He died September 26, 1884. THE BI( (GRAPHICAL RECORD. 201 then sold out and returned to the farm, but in 1895 he again came to Hallsville, where he engaged in the grocery business for two years. On disposing of that business, he became interested in the grain trade at Ken- ney, where he spent several months. After living retired for a year or so, he bought an interest with his son in the grain business at I '."-well. Indiana, where he remained fifteen months. Since then he has lived a retired life at Hallsville, Illinois, enjoying a well-earned rest. In Barnett township Mr. Samuel was married. February .}. 1859, *o Miss Eliza- beth J. Williams, who was born in I county. Indiana, and was a child of thir teen years when she came to DeWitl county. Illinois, with her father. Simon Williams, in 1851. B) this union were horn ten chil- dren, as follows: Siiencer A. married and died, leaving one daughter, Maud: Amedia I. is the wife of William Conner, of Bar- nett township, and they have two children. Elva and Willis: Willis and Frank are en- I in the grain business in partnt at Boswell, Indiana: Lora I', married Charles Downs and died, leaving one son, Dudley, who now finds a home with our subject; Hattie is the wife of ('. I. Kirby, of Barnett township, and has two sons, Harold A. and Warren; Ella married John H. McKinney and i- now deceased; I let tie i- the wife of W. A. Voder, agent for the Illinois Central Railroad at Mt. Olive. Illinois, and they have one child. Maurine; Thomas E. i- employed in a -tore at Allen- town. Illinois; and Alice is at home with her parents. Mr. Samuel and his wife and daughter are members of the Hallsville Christian church. Politically he has always been identified with the Democratic party since ca-ting his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas in i860, hut has never political positions, preferring to : ii- time and attention to hi- business interests, lie started out in life for himself empty-handed, hut. being industrious ergetic and enterprising, he steadih pros- . and i> to-day one of the well-to-do citi/ens of hi- community, a- well a- one of the honored residents of Hallsville. WILLI AM ARG » Prominent among the business men of Clinton i> William Argo, who throughout life ha- been closely identified with the in- terests of tin- city, and i- now president of the State Bank at that place, lie was horn on the 20th of March. 1844, in the city where he -till resides, and i- a son of Alex- ander and Eliza A. 1 Walraven 1 Argo. His paternal grandfather was Moses Argo, who was horn in New Jersey, of French ancestry, and front that state removed to Virginia and later t. . Ohio. lie wa- a farmer by occupation and a soldier of the war of 1812. Alexander Argo, the father of our sub- ject, was born in the Buckeye state in 1807, and was reared by hi- uncle. Robert Wat- kin.-, with whom he served a regular ap- prenticeship to the wagonmaker's trade, which he continued to foUow to some ex- tent throughout hi- active business life, lie acquired some property in Ohio, which he traded for a lot of spinning wheels, and he shipped by boat down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Pekin, tin- state. They were then brought overland to Clinton and throughout tin- section, many being still found in DeWitt county. .Mr. Argo first 202 Till- lilOGRAIMJH \L RECORD. visited this locality in 1S40. and purchased the old homestead of Daniel Newcomb, but did n« >i locate permanent 1\ here until 1^44. when he opened a wagon -li"i> in Clinton and made 1>\ hand the first and must sub- stantial wagons used by the pioneers <>i the \ trinity. I le also devoted some time ti - the cultivation and improvemenl oi the property purchased in [840. Being a man of good business abilit) and sound judg ment, he acquit irtune, and was re garded as one "f the leading citizens •'! ton. The railroad now passes over the site "i" hi- second -hup. lie had jn-t began the erection uf this when the rail- road was surveyed, and, as it passed oyer the -ite. he moved it up town, where alter a time it wa- occupied b) R. R. Craig. In \ life Mr. Wgo wa- a member of the Methodisl church, and wa- instrumental in establishing and building the church in 1 linton, "i' which he wa- an active member until death. In politics h* was firs) a Whig and later a Republican. Me died at his home on the corner of Madison ami J ferson streets in [883, honored and spected by all who knew him. Hi- estim- able wife, who wa- 1m. in September 19, [815, in Clermont county, Ohio, passed away August 17. [899. They were the parent- of -i\ children, namely: Mr-. I'hilena Campbell; Samuel M.: Emanuel G. ; Thomas I.: William, our subject; and Martin Luther, who died in infancy. \\ illiam Arj i\ ed In- early tn ing upon the home farm and obtained his literary education in the public schools ol the neighborhood. In 187*) he embarked in the iee business with hi- brother Eman- uel, and continued t" carry on that busi- ness in Clinton until [899, when he sold ..ut. The brothers own considerable real e-tate. including eight) acre of line farm- ing land on section 9, Harp township, and two hundred and sixty-five acres '>n sections 32 and 33, the -ame township. On the i-t of July, 1890, he assisted m the establish- ment of the State I '..ink of Clinton, which wa- organized with a capital of lift) thou- sand dollars. It- first officers were Thomas II. Slick, president; Dr. J. N Wilcox, vice president; ami James II. Harrison, cashier Later Mr. Slick wa- succeeded by Thomas M. Levett a- president, and since then J. 1'.. Holderman and I). T. Gay have also filled that ..Hue. while Mr. Vrgo ha- served in that capacitj since 1898. I >- . Wilcox has always been vice-president, and the other officers at the present time are Lewis Mur phy, cashier; George G. Vrgo, assistant cashier; and A. R. Young, I kkeeper. 'I"he hank purchased a new block erected by John < i. Cackley, ami bave built a lire and burglar-proof vault with deposit boxes and a time-kick safe. It 1- now in a flourishing condition, and i- considered one of the mosl reliable financial institutions of the county. It- success 1- certainly due in a large meas nre to Mr. Vrgo, who 1- one of the most conservative business men ami ablest finan ciers 1 a' I linn .11. Me 1- a man 1 if keen di- crimination and -mmd judgment, ami in all In- undertakings ha- been quite successful. lie occupies a prominent position in busi ne-- circles, and i- a worthy representative of an 1. Id and honored family of DeWitt county. ♦ -♦• GE( >RGE \\. M< >0RE. George W. Moore, now deceased, was "tie "f the leading men of Wilson township, DeWitt county, Illinois, and during his later days Ik- resided on section 30. lie was In 'in in Case\ countv, Kentucky, in Febru- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPlir. 208 of consequence. "The Card -Players " and "The Savoyard.'' He then went to Paris, but was called home, after an absence from America of six years. He lived some time in Washington, and then spent two years among the Indians of Lake Superior. In 1858 he produced his famous picture, "The Old Kentucky Home." He took up his permanent residence at New York at that time. His " Sunday Morning in Virginia " is a work of equal merit. He was espe- cially successful in coloring, a master of drawing, and the expression conveys with precision the thought of the artist. His portrayal of family life and child life is un- equalled. Among his other great works are "The Confab," "Crossing a Stream,' "Chimney Sweep," "Old Stage Coach," " The New Bonnet," " The Drummer Boy," "Childhood of Lincoln," and a great vari- ety of equally familiar subjects. PIERCE GUSTAVE TOUTAXT BEAU- REGARD, one of the most distin- guished generals in the Confederate army, was born near New Orleans, Louisiana, May 28, 181 8. He graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1838, and was made second lieutenant of engineers. He was with General Scott in Mexico, and dis- tinguished himself at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, and the battles near the City of Mexico, for which he was twice brevetted. After the Mexican war closed he was placed in charge of defenses about New Orleans, and in i860 was appointed superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He held this position but a few months, when he resigned February 20, 1 86 1, and accepted a commission of briga- dier-genera! in the Confederate army. He directed the attack on Fort Sumter, the first engagement of the Civil war. He was 12 in command of the Confederates at the first battle of Bull Run, and for this victory was made general. In [862 he was placed in command of the Army of the Mississippi, and planned the attack upon General Grant at Shiloh, and upon the death of General Johnston he took command of the army and was only defeated by the timely arrival of General Buell with reinforcements. He commanded at Charleston and successfully defended that city against the combined at- tack by land and sea in 1863. In 1S64 he was in command in Virginia, defeating Gen- eral Butler, and resisting Grant's attack upon Petersburg until reinforced from Rich- mond. During the long siege which fol- lowed he was sent to check General Sher- man's march to the sea, and was with Gen- eral Joseph E. Johnston when that general surrendered in 1865. After the close of the war he was largely interested in railroad management. In 1866 he was offered chief command of the Army of Roumania, and in 1869, that of the Army of Egypt. He de- clined these offers. His death occurred February 20, 1S93. HENRY GEORGE, one of America's most celebrated political economists, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September2, 1839. He received acommon- school education and entered the high school in 1853, and then went into a mer- cantile office. He made several voyages on the sea, and settled in California in I He then worked at the printer's trade for a number of years, which he left to follow the editorial profession. He edited in succession several daily newspapers, and attracted at- tention by a number of strong essays and speeches on political and social questions. In 1S71 he edited a pamphlet, entitled "Out Land and Policy," in which he outlined a 1-01 com n:\mr.\r of biogkm'ii)- theory, which has since made him so widely known. This was developed in " Progress and Poverty," a book which soon attained a large circulation on both sides of the Atlan- tic, which has been extensively translated. In iSSo Mr. George located in New York, where he made his home, though lie fre- quently addressed audiences in Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, and throughout the United States. In 1 886 he was nominated b) the labor organizations for mayor oi New York, and made a campaign notable I development of um Ipowei [n 1887 he was candidate of the Union Labor party for secretary of state of NewYork. These cam- paigns served to formulate the idea of a ta\ and popularize the Australian ballot sys- tem. Mr. George became a free trader in 1888. and in [892 supported the election of Grover Cleveland. His political and eco- nomic ideas, known as the "single tax," have a large and growing support, but are not confined to this country alone. He wrote numerous miscellaneous articles in support of his principles, and also published: "The Land Question, " " Social Probli "Protection or Free Trade," "The Condi- tion of Labor, an ( >pen Letter to Pope Leo XIII.," and " Perplexed Philosopher." THOMAS ALEXANDER SCOTT. —This name is indissolubly connected with the history and development of the railway systems of the United States. Mr. Scott wis horn December 28, [823, at London, Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He was first regularly employed by Major James Patton, the collector of tolls on the state road be- tween Philadelphia and Columbia, Penn- sylvania. He entered into the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1850, and went through all the different branches of work until he had mastered all the details of the office work, and in 1858 he was ap- pointed general superintendent. Mr. Scott was the next year chosen vice-president of the road. This position at once brought him before the public, and the enterprise and ability displayed by him in its manage- ment marked him as a leader among the railroad men of the country. At the out- break of the rebellion in 1S61, Mr. Scott was selected by Governor Curtin as a mem- ber Of his st. iff, and placed in charge of the equipment and forwarding of the state troops to the seat of war. On April 27, [ 86 1 , the secretary of war desired to establish a new line of read between the national capital and Philadelphia, for the more expeditions transportation ps, I le called upon \li Si tt to direct tins work, and the road by the way of Annapolis and Perryville was completed in a marvelously short space of time. On May 3, 1861, he was commis- sioned colonel of volunteers, and on the 23d oi the same month the government raili .Hid telegraph lines were placed in his charge, Mi Scott was the first a secretary of war ever appointed, and he took charge of this new post August 1, 1 86 1 . In Janu- ary, [862, he was directed to organize transportation in the northwest, and in March he performed the s.uue service on the western rivers. He resigned June 1, 1862, and resumed his direction of affaii the Pennsylvania Railroad. Coloin-I Scott directed the policy thai secured to his road the control of the western roads, and be- came the president of the new company to te these lines in 1871. For one year, from March, 1S71, he was president of the Union Pacific Railroad, and in 1874 he suc- ceeded to the presidency of the Pennsyl- vania Company. He projected the Texas Pacific Railroad and was for many years its president. Colonel Scott's health failed MPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. him and he resigned the presidency of the road June i, 1S80, and died at his home in Darby, Pennsylvania, May 2 1 , 1SS1. ROBERT TOOMBS, an American states- man of note, was born in Wilkes coun- ty, Georgia, July 2, 1S10. He attended the University of Georgia, and graduated •from Union College, Schenectady, New York, and then took a law course at the University of Virginia. In 1830, before he had attained his majority, he was admitted to the bar by special act of the legislature, and rose rapidly in his profession, attracting the attention of the leading statesmen and judges of that time. He raised a volunteer company for the Creek war, and served as captain to the close. He was elected to the state legislature in 1837, re-elected in 1842, and in 1S44 was elected to congress. He had been brought up as a Jeffersonian Democrat, but voted for Harrison in 1840 and for Clay in 1844. He made his first speech in congress on the Oregon question, and immediately took rank with the greatest debaters of that bod}'. In 1853 he was elected to the United States senate, and again in 1859, but when his native state seceded he resigned his seat in the senate and was elected to the Confederate con- gress. It is stated on the best authority that had it not been for a misunderstanding which could not be explained till too late he would have been elected president of the Confederacy. He was appointed secretary of state by President Davis, but resigned after a few months and was commissioned brigadier-general in the Confederate army. He won distinction at the second battle of Bull Run and at Sharpsburg, but resigned his commission soon after and returned to Georgia. He organized the militia of Georgia to resist Sherman, and was made brigadier-general of the state troops. He left the country at the close of the war and did not return until 1SG7. He died Decem- ber 1 5, 1 AUSTIN CORBIN, one of the greatest railway magnates of the United States, - born July 11, 1827, at Newport. New Hampshire. He studied law with Chief Justice dishing and Governor Ralph Met- calf, and later took a course in the Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1849. He was admitted to the bar, and practiced law, with Governor Metcalf as his partner, until October 12. 1851. Mr. Corbin then removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he re- mained until 1865. In 1854 he was a part- ner in the banking firm of Macklot & Cor- bin, and later he organized the First Na- tional bank of Davenport, Iowa, which commenced business June 29, 1863, and which was the first national bank open for business in the United States. Mr. Corbin sold out his business in the Davenport bank, and removed to New York in 1S65 and com- menced business with partners under the style of Corbin Banking Company. Soon after his removal to New York he became interested in railroads, and became one of the leading railroad men of the country. The development of the west half of Coney Island as a summer resort first brought him into general prominence. He built a rail- road from New York to the island, and built great hotels on its ocean front. He next turned his attention to Long Island, and secured all the railroads and consoli- dated them under one management, became president of the system, and under his con- trol Long Island became the great ocean suburb of New York. His latest public achievement was the rehabilitation of the Reading Railroad, of Pennsylvania, and 206 COMr/:\/UL'M OF biography. during the same time he and his friends purchased the controlling interest of the New Jersey Central Railroad. He took it out of the hands of the receiver, and in three years had it on a dividend-paying basis. Mr. Corbin's death occurred June 4. 1896. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Sr., was one of the greatest journalists of America in his day. He was born Septem- ber 1, 1795, at New Mill, near Keith, Scot- land. At the age of fourteen he was sent to Aberdeen to study fur the priesthood, but. convinced that he was mistaken in his vocation, he determined to emigrate. He landed at Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1819, where he attempted to earn a living by teaching bookkeeping. Failing in this he went to Boston and found employment as a proofreader. Mr. Bennett went to New York about [822 and wrote for the news- papers. Later on he became assistant editor in the office of the "Charleston Courier. "but returned to New York in 1N24 and endeavored to start a commercial school, but was unsuccessful in this, and again returned to newspaper work. He continued in newspaper work with varying success until, at his suggestion, the "En- quirer" was consolidated with another paper, and became the "Courier and En- quirer," with James Watson Webb as editor and Mr. Bennett for assistant. At this time this was the leading American newspaper. He, however, severed his con- nection with this newspaper and tried, without success, other ventures in the line of journalism until May 6, 1835, when he issued the first number of the "New York Herald." Mr. Bennett wrote the entire paper, and made up for lack of news by his own imagination. The paper became popu- lar, and in 1838 he engaged European jour- nalists as regular correspondents. In 1841 the income derived from his paper was at least one hundred thousand dollars. Dur- ing the Civil war the " Herald " had on its staff sixty-three war correspondents and the circulation was doubled. Mr. Bennett was interested with John W. Mackay in that great enterprise which is now known as the Mac- kay-Bennett Cable. He had collected for use in his paper over fifty thousand biographies, sketches and all maimer of information re- ding every well-known man, which are still kept in the archives of the "Herald" office. He died in the city of New York in 1 $72, and left to his son, James Gordon, Jr., one of the greatest and most profitable journals in the United States, or even in the world. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, a noted American, won distinction in the field of literature, in which he attained a world-wide reputation. -He was born at Cambridge, Massachusetts, August 29, 1809. He received a collegiate education and K r; *'l- Uated from Harvard in 1829, at the age of twenty, and took up the study of law and later studied medicine. Dr. Holmes at- tended several years in the hospitals of Europe and received his degree in 1836. He became professor of anatomy and phys- iology in Dartmouth in 1838, and re- mained there until 1847, when he was called to the Massachusetts Medical School at Boston to occupy the same chair, which position he resigned in 1882. The first collected edition of his poems appeared in 1836, and his "Phi Beta Kappa Poems," "Poetry," in 1836; "Terpsichore," in 1843; "Urania," in 1846, and "Astraea," won for him many fresh laurels. His series of papers in the "Atlantic Monthly," were: COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," "Pro- fessor at the Breakfast Table,'' "Poet at the Breakfast Table," and are a series of masterly wit. humor and pathos. Among hismedical papers and addresses, are: "Cur- rents and Counter-currents in the Medical Science," and "Borderland in Some Prov- inces of Medical Science." Mr. Holmes edited quite a number of works, of which we quote the following: "Else Vernier. ' "Songs in Many Keys, "Soundings from the Atlantic," "Humorous Poems," "The Guardian Angel," •Mechanism in Thoughts and Morals," "Songs of Many Seasons," "John L. Motley" — a memoir, "The Iron Gate and Other Poems," "Ralph Waldo Emerson," "A Moral Antipathy." Dr. Holmes visited England for the second time, and while there the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by the University of Edinburgh. His death occurred October 7. »894- RUFUS CHOATE. one of the most em- inent of America's great lawyers, was born October 1, 1799, at Essex, Massachu- setts. He entered Dartmouth in 181 5, and after taking his degree he remained as a teacher in the college for one year. He took up the study of law in Cambridge, and subsequently studied under the distinguished lawyer, Mr. Wirt, who was then United States attorney-general at Washington. M r. Choatebegan the practice of law in Danvers, Massachusetts, and from there he went to Salem, and afterwards to Boston, Massa- chusetts. While living at Salem he was elected to congress in 1832, and later, in 1 84 1, he was chosen United States senator to succeed Daniel Webster, Mr. Webster having been appointed secretary of state under William Henry Harrison. After the death of Webster. Mr Choate was the acknowledged leader of the Massa- chusetts bar, and was looked upon by the younger members of the profession with an affection that almost amounted to a 1 ence. Mr. Choate's powers as an orator were of the rarest order, and his genius made it possible for him to enchant and in- terest his listeners, even while discussing the most ordinary theme. He was not merely eloquent on the subjects that were calculated to touch the feelings and stir the passions of his audience in themselves, but could at all times command their attention. He re- tired from active life in 1S58, and was on his way to Europe, his physician having ordered a sea voyage for his health, but had only reached Halifax, Nova Scotia, when he died, July 13, 1858. D WIGHT L. MOODY, one of the most noted and effective pulpit orators and evangelists America has produced, was born in Northfield, Franklin county. Massachu- setts, February 5, 1837. He received but a meager education and worked on a farm until seventeen years of age, when he be- came clerk in a boot and shoe store in Boston. Soon after this he joined the Con- gregational church and went to Chicago, where he zealously engaged in missionary work among the poor classes. He met with great success, and in less than a year he built up a Sunday-school which numbered over one thousand children. When the war broke out he became connected with what was known as the "Christian Com- mission," and later became city missionary of the Young Men's Christian Association at Chicago. A church was built there for his converts and he became its unordained pas- tor. In the Chicago fire of 1871 the church and Mr. Moody's house and furniture, which had been given him, were destroyed. The 208 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. church edifice was afterward replaced by a new church erected on the site of the old one. In 1873, accompanied by Ira D. Sankey, Mr. Moody went to Europe and excited great religious awakenings through- out England, Ireland and Scotland. In 1875 they returned to America and held large meetings in various cities. They afterward made another visit to Great Britain for the same purpose, meeting with great success, returning to the United States in 1SS4. Mr. Moody afterward continued his evangelistic work, meeting everywhi with a warm reception and success. Mr. Moody produced a number of works, some of which had a wide circulation. JOHN PIERPONT MORGAN, a financier of world-wide reputation, and famous as the head of one of the largest banking bouses in the world, was born April 17, 1837, at Hartford, Connecticut. He re- ceived his early education in the English high school, in Ho, ton, and later supple- mented this with a course in the University of Gottingen, Germany. He returned to the United States, in 1857, and entered the banking firm of Duncan, Sherman & Co., of New York, and, in i*6o, he became agent and attorney, in the United States, for George Peabody ec Co., of London. He became the junior partner in the banking firm of Uabney, Morgan & Co., in 1864, and that of Drexel, Morgan & Co., in 1S71. This house was among the chief negotiators of railroad bonds, and was active in the re- organization of the West Shore Railroad, and its absorption by the New York Central Railroad. It was conspicuous in the re- organization of the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railroad, in [887, which a syndicate of capitalists, formed by Mr. Morgan, placed on a sound financial basis. After that time many other lines of railroad and gigantic financial enterprises were brought under Mr. Morgan's control, and in some respects it may be said he became the foremost financier of the century. THOMAS BRACKETT REED, one of the most eminent of American states- men, was born October 18, 1839, at Port- land, Maine, where he received his early education in the common schools of the city, and prepared himself for college, Mr. graduated from Bowdoin College in i860, and won one of the highest honors of the college, the prize for excellence in Eng- lish composition. The following (our years -pent by him in teaching and in the study of law. Before his admission to tin- bar, however, he was acting assistant pay- master in the United States navy, and d on the "tin-clad." Sybil, which pa- trolled the Tennessee, Cumberland and Mississippi rivers. After his discharj 1865, he returned to Portland, was admit- ted to the bar, and began the practice of his sion. He entered into political life, and in [868 was elected to the legislature of Maine as a Republican, and in 1869 he was re-elected to the house, and in 1X70 was made state senator, from which he passed to attorney-general of the state. He retired from this office in 1873, and until 1877 he was solicitor for the city of Portland. In 1876 he was elected to the forty-fifth congress, which assembled in 1877. Mr. Reed sprung into prominence in that body by one of the first speeches which he delivered, and his long service in congress, coupled with his ability, gave him a national reputation. His influence each year became more strongly marked, and the leadership of his party was finally conceded to him, and in the forty-ninth and fiftieth UPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. congresses the complimentary nomination for the speakership was tendered him by the Republicans. That party having obtained the ascendency in the fifty-first congress he was elected speaker on the first ballot, and he was again chosen speaker of the fifty- fourth and fifth-fifth congresses. As a writer, Mr. Reed contributed largely to the magazines and periodicals, and his book upon parliamentary rules is generally rec- ognized as authority on that subject. CLARA BARTON is a celebrated char- acter among what might be termed as the highest grade of philanthropists Amer- ica has produced. She was born on a farm at Oxford, Massachusetts, a daughter of Captain Stephen Barton, and was educated at Clinton, New York. She engaged in teaching early in life, and founded a free school at Bordentown, the first in New Jer- sey. She opened with six pupils, but the attendance had grown to six hundred up to 1854. when she went to Washington. She was appointed clerk in the patent depart- ment, and remained there until the out- break of the Civil war. when she resigned her position and devoted herself to the al- leviation of the sufferings of the soldiers, serving, not in the hospitals, but on the bat- tle field. She was present at a number of battles, and after the war closed she origi- nated, and for some time carried on at her own expense, the search for missing soldiers. She then for several years devoted her time to lecturing on "Incidents of the War." About 1868 she went to Europe for her health, and settled in Switzerland, but on the outbreak of the Franco-German war she ac- cepted the invitation of the grand duchess of Baden to aid in the establishment of her hospitals, o.p.d Miss Barton afterward fol- lowed the German army She was deco- rated with the golden cross by the j;r.;nd duke of Baden, and with the iron cross by the emperor of Germany. She aiso served for many years as president of the famous Red Cross Society and attained a world- wide reputation. CARDINAL JAMES GIBBONS, one of the most eminent Catholic clergymen in America, was born in Baltimore, Mary- land, July 23, 1834. He was given a thorough education, graduated at St. Charles College, Maryland, in 1 S 5 7 . and studied theology in St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland. In 1 86 1 he became pastor of St. Bridget's church in Baltimore, ar.J in 1868 was consecrated vicar apostoi.c of North Carolina. In 1872 our subjeci be- came bishop of Richmond, Virginia, and five years later was made archbishop ct Bal- timore. On the 30th of June, was admitted to the full degree of cardinal and primate of the American Catholic church. He was a fluent writer, and his book, "Faith of Our Fathers,' had a wide circulation. CHAUNCEY MITCHELL DEPEW.— This name is, without doubt, one of the most widely known in the United States. Mr. Depew was born April 23. 1S34, at Peekskill, New York, the home of the Depew family for two hundred years. He attended the common schools of his native place, where he prepared himself to enter college. He began his collegiate course at Yale at the age of eighteen and graduated in 1856. He early took an active interest in politics and joined the Republican party at lt-^ f< >r- mation. He then took up the study of law and went into the office of the Hon. Will- iam Nelson, of Peekskill. for that purpose, and in 1858 he was admitted to the bar. 210 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. He was sent as a delegate by the new party to the Republican state convention of that year. He began the practice of his profes- sion in 1859, but though he was a good worker, his attention was detracted by the campaign of i860, in which he took an act- ive part. During this campaign he gained his first laurels as a public speaker. Mr. Depew was elected assemblyman in 1862 from a Democratic district. In 1863 he se- cured the nomination for secretary of state, and gained that post by a majority of thirty thousand. In 1866 he left the field of pol- itics and entered into the active practice of his law business as attorney for the New York & Harlem Railroad Company, and in 1869 when this road was consoli- dated with the New York Central, and called the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad, he was appointed the attor- ney for the new road. His rise in the rail- road business was rapid, and ten years after his entrance into the Vanderbilt system as attorney for a single line, he was the gen- eral counsel for one of the largest railroad systems in the world. He was also a director in the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, Michigan Central, Chicago & Northwestern, St. Paul & Omaha, West Shore, and Nickel Plate railroad companies. In 1874 Mr. Depew was made regent of the State University, and a member of the commission appointed to superintend the erection of the capitol at Albany. In 1882, on the resignation of W. H. Vanderbilt from the presidency of the New York Cen- tral and the accession to that office by James H. Rutter, Mr. Depew was made second vice-president, and held that posi- tion until the death of Mr. Rutter in 1885. In this year Mr. Depew became the execu- tive head of this great corporation. Mr. Depew's greatest fame grew from his ability and eloquence as an orator and " after-din- ner speaker, " and it has been said by emi- nent critics that this country has never pro- duced his equal in wit, fluency and eloquence. PHILIP KEARNEY.— Among the most dashing and brilliant commanders in the United States service, few have outshone the talented officer whose name heads this sketch. He was born in New York City, June 2, 1815, and was of Irish ancestry and imbued with all the dash and bravery of the Celtic race. He graduated from Columbia College and studied law, but in 1837 ac- cepted a commission as lieutenant in the First United States Dragoons, of which his uncle, Stephen W. Kearney, was then colo- nel. He was sent by the government, soon after, to Europe to examine and report upon the tactics of the French cavalry. There he attended the Polytechnic School, at Samur, and subsequently served as a vol- unteer in Algiers, winning the cross of the Legion of Honor. He returned to the United States in 1840, and on the staff of General Scott, in the Mexican war, served with great gallantry. He was made a cap- tain of dragoons in 1846 and made major for services at Contreras and Cherubusco. In the final assault on the City of Mexico, at the San Antonio Gate, Kearney lost an arm. He subsequently served in California and the Pacific coast. In 1851 he resigned his commission and went to Europe, where he resumed his military studies. In the Italian war, in 1859, he served as a volun- teer on the staff of General Maurier, of the French army, and took part in the battles of Solferino and Magenta, and for bravery was, for the second time, decorated with the cross of the Legion of Honor. On the opening of the Civil war he hastened home, and, offering his services to the general gov- COMPENDIUM OF /,'/< ><,/:.!/■// )\ 211 ernrr.ent, was made brigadier-general of volunteers and placed in command of a bri- gade of New Jersey troops. In the cam- paign under McClellan he commanded a di- vision, and at Williamsburg and Fair Oaks his services were valuable and brilliant, as well as in subsequent engagements. At Harrison's Landing he was made major-gen- eral of volunteers. In the second battle of Bull Run he was conspicuous, and at the battle of Chantilly, September i, 1862, while leading in advance of his troops, Gen- eral Kearney was shot and killed. RUSSELL SAGE, one of the financial giants of the present century and for more than an average generation one of the most conspicuous and celebrated of Ameri- cans, was born in a frontier hamlet in cen- tral New York in August, 18 16. While Rus- sell was still a boy an elder brother, Henry Risley Sage, established a small grocery store at Troy, New York, and here Russell found his first employment, as errand boy. He served a five-years apprenticeship, and then joined another brother, Elisha M. Sage, in a new venture in the same line, which proved profitable, at least for Russell, who soon became its sole owner. Next he formed the partnership of Sage & Bates, and greatly extended his field of operations. At twenty-five he had, by his own exertions, amassed what was, in those days, a consid- erable fortune, being worth about seventy- five thousand dollars. He had acquired an influence in local politics, and four years later his party, the Whigs, elected him to the aldermanic board of Troy and to the treasuryship of Rensselaer county. In 1848 he was a prominent member of the New York delegation to the Whig convention at Philadelphia, casting his first votes for Henry Clay, but joining the "stampede" which nominated Zachary Taylor. In 1850 the Whigs of Troy nominated him for congress, but he was not elected — a failure which he retrieved two years later, and in 1854 he was re-elected by a sweeping majority. At Washington he ranked high in influence and ability. Fame as a speaker and as a polit- ical leader was within his grasp, when he gave up public life, declined a renomination to congress, and went back to Troy to de- vote himself to his private business. Six years later, in 1863, he removed to New York and plunged into the arena of Wall street. A man of boundless energy and tireless pertinacity, with wonderful judg- ment of men and things, he soon took his place as a king in finance, and, it is said, during the latter part of his life he con- trolled more ready money than any other single individual on this continent. ROGER QUARLES MILLS, a noted United States senator and famous as the father of the "Mills tariff bill, "was born in Todd county, Kentucky, March 30, 1832. He received a liberal education in the com- mon schools, and removed to Palestine, Texas, in 1849. He took up the study of law, and supported himself by serving as an assistant in the post-office, and in the offices of the court clerks. In 1S50 he was elected engrossing clerk of the Texas house of rep- resentatives, and in 1852 was admitted to the bar, while still a minor, by special act of the legislature. He then settled at Cor- sicana, Texas, and began the active prac- tice of his profession. He was elected to the state legislature in 1859, and in 1872 he was elected to congress from the state at large, as a Democrat. After his first elec- tion he was continuously returned to con- gress until he resigned to accept the p. >^i- tion of United States senator, to which he 212 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. \\..s elected March 23, 1892, to succeed Hon. Hoi are Chilton. He took his seat in the senate March 30, 1892; was afterward re-elected and ranked among the most use- ful and prominent members of that body. In 1876 he opposed the creation of the elec- toral commission, and in 1887 canvassed the state of Texas against the adoption of a prohibition amendment to its constitution, which was defeated. He introduced into the house of representatives the bill that was known as the "Mills Bill," reducing duties on imports, and extending the free list. The bill passed the house on July 21, 1888, and made the name of "Mills" famous throughout the entire country. HAZEN S. PINGREE, the celebrated Michigan political leader, was born in Maine in 1842. Up to fourteen years of age he worked hard on the stony ground of his father's small farm. Attending school in the winter, he gained a fair education, and when not laboring on the farm, he found employment in the cotton mills in the vicinity. He resolved to find more steady work, and accordingly went to Hopkinton, Massachusetts, where he entered a shoe fac- tory, but on the outbreak of the war he en- listed at once and was enrolled in the Eirst Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He partici- pated in the battle of Bull Run, which was his initial right, and served creditably his early term of service, at the expiration of which he re-enlisted. He fought in the battles of Fredricksburg, Harris Farm, Spottsylvania Court House and Cold Har- bor In 1 864 he was captured by Mosby, and spent five months at Andersonville, Georgia, as a prisoner, but escaped at the end of that time. He re-entered the service and participated in the battles of Fort Fisher, Boyden, and Sailor's Creek. He was honorably mustered out of service, and in 1866 went to Detroit, Michigan, where he made use of his former experience in a shoe factory, and found work. Later he formed a partnership with another workman and started a small factory, which has since become a large establishment. Mr. Pin- gree made his entrance into politics in 1889, in which year he was elected by a surpris- ingly large majority as a Republican to the mayoralty of Detroit, in which office he was the incumbent during four consecutive terms. In November, 1896, he was elected gov- ernor of the state of Michigan. While mayor of Detroit, Mr. Pingree originated and put into execution the idea of allowing the poor people of the city the use of va- cant city lands and lots for the purpose of raising potatoes. The idea was enthusiast- ic ally adopted by thousands of poor families, attracted wide attention, and gave its author a national reputation as "Potato-patch Pin- gree." THOMAS ANDREW HENDRICKS, an eminent American statesman and a 1 democratic politician of national fame, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Septem- ber 7, 1 8 19. In 1822 he removed, with his father, to Shelby county, Indiana. He graduated from the South Hanover College in 1841, and two years later was admitted to the bar. In 1 85 1 he was chosen a mem- ber of the state constitutional convention, and took a leading part in the deliberations of that body. He was elected to congress in 185 1, and after serving two terms was appointed commissioner of the United States general land-office. In 1863 he was elected to the United States senate, where his dis- tinguished services commanded the respect of all parties. He was elected governor of Indiana in 1872, serving four years, and in MPENDIUM OF BIPGRAPHY. 218 1876 was nominated by the Democrats as candidate for the vice-presidency with Til- den. The returns in a number of states were contested, and resulted in the appoint- ment of the famous electoral commission, which decided in favor of the Republican candidates. In 1884 Mr. Hendricks was again nominated as candidate for the vice- presidency, by the Democratic party, on the ticket with Grover Cleveland, was elected, and served about six months. He died at Indianapolis, November 25. 1885. He was Med as one of the brainiest men in the party, and his integrity was never ques- tioned, even by his political opponents. GARRETT A. HOBART, one of the many able men who have held the hiHi office of vice-president of the United States, was born June 3, 1S44, in Mon- mouth county. New Jersey, and in i860 en- tered the sophomore class at Rutgers Col- lege, from which he graduated in 1863. at the age of nineteen. He then taught school until he entered the law office of Socrates Tuttle, of Paterson, New Jersey, with whom he studied law. and in 1869 was admitted to the bar. He immediately began the active practice of his profession in the office of the above named gentleman. He became interested in political life, and espoused the cause of the Republican party, and in 1865 held his first office, serving as clerk for the grand jury. He was also city counsel of Paterson in 1871, and in May, was elected counsel for the board of chosen freeholders. He entered the state legislature in 1873, and was re-elected to the assembly in 1S74. Mr. Hobart was made speaker of the assembly in 1876, and and in 1879 was elected to the state senate. After serving three years in the same, he was elected president of that body in 1881, and the following year was re-elected to that office. He was a delegate-af large to the Republican national convention >n 1876 and 1SS0, and was elected a member of the national committee in 1884, which post ion he occupied continuously until [896. He was then nominated for vice-president by the Republican national convention, am 4 was elected to that office in the fall of 1896 on the ticket with William McKinley. WILLIAM MORRIS STEWART, noted as a political leader and senator, was born in Lyons, Wayne county, New York, August 9, 1827, and removed with his par- ents while still a small child to Mesopota- mia township, Trumbull county, Ohio. He attended the Lyons Union school and Farm- ington Academy, where he obtained his ed- ucation. Later he taught mathematics in the former school, while yet a pupil, and with the little money thus earned and the assistance of James C. Smith, one of the judges of the supreme court of New York, he entered Yale College. He remained there until the winter of 1849-50, when, at- tracted by the gold discoveries in California he wended his way thither. He arrived at San Francisco in May, 1S50, and later en- gaged in mining with pick and shovel in Ne- vada county. In this way he accumulated some money, and in the spring of 1852 he took up the study of law under John R. McConnell. The following December he was appointed district attorney, to which office he was chosen at the general election of the next year. In 1854 he was ap- pointed attorney-general of California, and in 1S60 he removed to Virginia City. Ne- vada, where he largely engaged in early mining litigation. Mr. Stewart was also in- terested in the development of th< "Corn- stock lode," and in 1861 was chosen a 214 COMPENDIUM OF BIOCRAPHT. member of the territorial council. He was elected a member of the constitutional con- vention in 1863, and was elected United States senator in 1864, and re-elected in 1869. At the expiration of his term in 1875, he resumed the practice of law in Nevada, California, and the Pacific coast generally. He was thus engaged when he was elected again to the United States sen- ate as a Republican in 1887 to succeed the late James G. Fair, a Democrat, and took his seat March 4, 1887. On the expiration of his term he was again re-elected and be- came one of the leaders of his party in con- gress. His ability as an orator, and the prominent part he took in the discussion of public questions, gained him a national rep- utation. GEORGE GRAHAM VEST, for many years a prominent member of the United States senate, was born in Frank- fort, Kentucky, December 6, 1848. He graduated from Center College in 1868, and from the law department of the Transyl- vania University of Lexington, Kentucky, in 1853. In the same year he removed to Missouri and began the practice of his pro- fession. In i860 he was an elector on the Democratic ticket, and was a member of the lower house of the Missouri legislature in 1860-61. He was elected to the Con- federate congress, serving two years in the lower house and one in the senate. He then resumed the practice of law, and in 1879 was elected to the senate of the United States to succeed James Shields. He was re-elected in 1885, and again in 1891 and 1897. His many years of service in the National congress, coupled with his ability as a speaker and the active part he took in the discussion of public questions, gave him a wide reputation. HANNIBAL HAMLIN, a noted American statesman, whose name is indissolubly connected with the history of this country, was born in Paris, Maine, August 27, 1809. He learned the printer's trade and followed that calling for several years. He then studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1833. He was elected to the legislature of the state of Maine, where he was several times chosen speaker of the lower house. He was elected to congress by the Demo- crats in 1843, and re-elected in 1845. I" 1848 he was chosen to the United States senate and served in that body until 1861. He was elected governor of Maine in 1857 on the Republican ticket, but resigned when re-elected to the United States senate the same year. He was elected vice-presi- dent of the United States on the ticket with Lincoln in i860, and inaugurated in March, 1861. In 1865 he was appointed collector of the port of Boston. Beginning with 1869 he served two six-year terms in the United States senate, and was then ap- pointed by President Garfield as minister to Spain in 1881. His death occurred July 4, 1891. I SHAM G. HARRIS, famous as Confed- 1 erate war governor of Tennessee, and distinguished by his twenty years of service in the senate of the United States, was born in Franklin county, Tennessee, and educated at the Academy of Winchester. He then took up the study of law, was ad- mitted to the bar, and commenced practice at Paris, Tennessee, in 1841. He was elected to the state legislature in 1847, was a candidate for presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1848, and the next year was elected to congress from his dis- trict, and reelected in 1851. In 1853 he was renominated by the Democrats of his COMPE.xnuw of biography. 215 district, but declined, and removed to Mem- phis, where he took up the practice of law. He was a presidential elector-at-large from Tennessee in 1856, and was elected gov- ernor of the state the next year, and again in 1S59, and in 1S61. He was driven from Nashville by the advance of the Union armies, and for the last three years of the war acted as aid upon the staff of the com- manding general of the Confederate army of Tennessee. After the war he went to Liverpool, England, where he became a merchant, but returned to Memphis in 1867, and resumed the practice of law. In 1877 he was elected to the United States senate, to which position he was successively re- elected until his death in 1897. NELSON DINGLE Y, Jr., for nearly a quarter of a century one of the leaders in congress and framer of the famous " Dingley tariff bill," was born in Durham, Maine, in 1832. His father as well as all his ancestors, were farmers, merchants and mechanics and of English descent. Young Dingley was given the advantages first of the common schools and in vacations helped his father in the store and on the farm. When twelve years of age he attended high school and at seventeen was teaching in a country school district and preparing him- self for college. The following year he en- tered Waterville Academy and in 185 1 en- tered Colby University. After a year and a half in this institution he entered Dart- mouth College and was graduated in 1855 with high rank as a scholar, debater and writer. He next studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1856. But instead of practicing his profession he purchased the " Lewistuwn (Me.) Journal," which be- came famous throughout the New England ttates as a leader in the advocacy of Repub- lican principles. About the same time Mr. Dingley began his political career, although ever after continuing at the head of the newspaper. He was soon elected to the state legislature and afterward to the lower house of congress, where he became a prominent national character. He also served two terms as governor of Maine. OLIVER PERRY MORTON, a distin- guished American statesman, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, August 4, 1823. His early education was by private teaching and a course at the Wayne County Seminary. At the age of twenty years he entered the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and at the end of two years quit the college, began the study of law in the office of John New- man, of Centerville, Indiana, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1S47. Mr. Morton was elected judge on the Democratic ticket, in 1852, but on thi passage of the " Kansas- Nebraska Bill " he severed his connection with that party, and soon became a prominent leader of the Re- publicans. He was elected governor of In- diana in 1 86 1, and as war governor became well known throughout the country. He received a paralytic stroke in 1865, which partially deprived him of the use of his limbs. He was chosen to the United States senate from Indiana, in 1867, and wielded great influence in that body until the time of his death, November 1, 1877. JOHN B. GORDON, a brilliant Confeder- ate officer and noted senator of the United States, was born in Upson county, Georgia, February 6, 1832. He graduated from the State University, studied law, and took up the practice of his profession. At the be- ginning of the war he entered the Confederate service as captain of infantry, and rapidly 216 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. rose to the rank of lieutenant-general, commanding one wing of the Confederate army at the close of the war. In 1868 he was Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia, and it is said was elected by a large majority, but his opponent was given the office. He was a delegate to the national Democratic conventions in 1868 and 1872, and a presidential elector both years. In 1873 he was elected to the United States senate. In 1886 he was elected governor of Georgia, and re-elected in 1888. He was again elected to the United States senate in 1890, serving until 1897, when he was succeeded by A. S. Clay. He was regarded as a leader of the southern Democ- racy, and noted for his fiery eloquence. STEPHEN JOHNSON FIELD, an illus- trious associate justice of the supreme court of the United States, was born at Haddam, Connecticut, November 4, [816, being one of the noted sons of Rev. D. D. Field. He graduated from Williams College in 1837. took up the study of law with his brother, David Dudley Field, be- coming his partner upon admission to the bar. He went to California in 1849, and at once began to take an active interest in the political affairs of that state. He was elected alcalde of Marysville, in 1850, and in the autumn of the same year was elected to the state legislature. In 1857 he was elected judge of the supreme court of the state, and two years afterwards became its chief justice. In 1863 he was appointed by President Lincoln as associate justice of the supreme court of the United States. During his incumbency, in 1873, he was appointed by the governor of California one of a com- mission to examine the codes of the state and for the preparation of amendments to the same for submission to the legislature. In 1877 he was one of the famous electoral commission of fifteen members, and voted as one of the seven favoring the election of Tilden to the presidency. In 1880 a large portion of the Democratic party favored his nomination as candidate for the presidency. He retired in the fall of 1897, having served a greater number of years on the supreme bench than any of his associates or predecessors. Chief Justice Marshall coining next in length of service. JOHN T. MORGAN, whose services in the United States senate brought him into national prominence, was born in Athens, Tennessee, June 20, 1824. At the age of nine years he emigrated to Alabama, where he made his permanent home, and where he received an academic edui at ion. He then took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1845. He took a leading part in local politics, was a presi- dential elector in i860, casting his ballot for Breckenridge and Lane, and 111 [ 86 1 was a delegate to the state convention which passed the ordinance of secession. In May, of the same year, he joined the Confederate army as a private in Company I, Cahawba Rifles, and was soon after made major and then lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth Regiment. In 1862 he was commissioned colonel, and soon after made brigadier-general and as- signed to the command of a brigade in Vir- ginia. He resigned to join his old regiment whose colonel had been killed. He was soon afterward again made brigadier-gen- eral and given command of the brigade that included his regiment. After the war he returned to the prac- tice of law, and continued it up to the time of his election to the United States senate, iv 1877. He was a presidential elector in 1876 and cast his vote for Tilden and Hendricl^s CoM/'/:\/>/lM OF BIOGRAPHY. 217 He was re-elected to the senate in 1883. and again in 18S9, and 1895. His speeches and the measures he introduced, marked as they were by an intense Americanism, brought him into national prommence. WILLIAM McKINLEY.the twenty-fifth president of the United States, was born at Niles, Trumbull county, Ohio, Jan- uary 29, 1844. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and received his early education in a Methodist academy in the small village of Poland, Ohio. At the outbreak of the war Mr. McKinley was teaching school, earning twenty-five dollars per month. As soon as Fort Sumter was fired upon he en- listed in a company that was formed in Poland, which was inspected and mustered in by General John C. Fremont, who at first objected to Mr. McKinley, as being too young, but upon examination he was finally accepted. Mr. McKinley was seventeen when the war broke out but did not look his age. He served in the Twenty-third Ohio Infantry throughout the war, was promoted from sergeant to captain, for good conduct on the field, and at the close of the war, for meritorious services, he was brevetted major. After leaving the army Major Mc- Kinley took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar, and in 1869 he took his initiation into politics, being elected pros- ecuting attorney of his county as a Republi- can, although thedistrict was usually Demo- cratic. In 1 876 he was elected to congress, and in a call upon the President-elect, Mr Hayes, to whom he went for advice upon the way he should shape his career, he was told that to achieve fame and success he must take one special line and stick to it. Mr. McKinley chose tariff legislation and he became an authority in regard to import duties. He was a member of congress for many years, became chairman of the ways and means committee, and later he advo- cated the famous tariff bill that bore his name, which was passed in 1S90. In the next election the Republican party was overwhelmingly defeated through the coun- try, and the Democrats secured more than a Iwo thirds majority in the lower house, and also had control of the senate. Mr. McKinley being defeated in his own district by a small majority. He was elected g ov- ernor of Ohio in 1891 by a plurality of twenty-one thousand, five hundred and eleven, and two years later he was re-elected by the still greater plurality of eighty thou- sand, nine hundred and ninety-five. He was a delegate-at-large to the Minneapolis Re-. publican convention in 1892, and was in- structed to support the nomination of Mr. Harrison. He was chairman of the con- vention, and was the only man from Ohio to vote for Mr. Harrison upon the roll call. In November, 1892, a number of prominent politicians gathered in New York to discuss the political situation, and decided that the result of the election had put an end to Mc- Kinley and McKinleyism. But in less than four years from that date Mr. McKinley was nominated for the presidency against the combined opposition of half a dozen rival candidates. Much of the credit for his suc- cess was due to Mark A. Hanna, of Cleve- land, afterward chair. lan of the Republican national committee. At the election which occurred in November. Mr. McKinley was elected president of the United States by an enormous majority, on a gold stand- ard and protective tariff platform. He was inaugurated on the 4th of March, i and called a special session of congress to which was submitted a bill for tariff reform, which was passed in the latter part of July of that vear. 218 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER, known in the literary world as Joaquin Miller, " the poet of the Sierras," was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1841. When only about thirteen years of age he ran away from home and went to the mining regions in California and along the Pacific coast. Some time afterward he was taken prisoner by the Modoc Indians and lived with them for five years. He learned their language and gained great influence with them, fight- ing in their wars, and in all modes of living became as one of them. In 1858 he left the Indians and went to San Francisco, where he studied law, and in i860 was ad- mitted to the bar in Oregon. In 1866 he was elected a county judge in Oregon and served four years. Early in the seventies he began devoting a good deal of time to literary pursuits, and about 1874 he settled in Washington, D. C. He wrote many poems and dramas that attracted consider- able attention and won him an extended reputation. Among his productions may be mentioned " Pacific Poems," " Songs of the Sierras," "Songs of the Sun Lands," " Ships in the Desert," " Adrianne.a Dream of Italy," " Danites, " "Unwritten History," " First Families of the Sierras " (a novel). " One Fair Woman " 1a novel), "Songs of Italy," " Shadows of Shasta," "The Gold- Seekers of the Sierras," and a number of others. GEORGE FREDERICK ROOT, a noted music publisher and composer, was born in Sheffield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, on August 30, 1820. While working on his father's farm he found time to learn, unaided, several musical instru- ments, and in his eighteenth year he went to Boston, where he soon found employ- ment as a teacher of music. From 1839 until 1844 he gave instructions in music in the public schools of that city, and was also director of music in two churches. Mr. Root then went to New York and taught music in the various educational institutions of the city. He went to Paris in 1850 and spent one year there in study, and on his re- turn he published his first song, "Hazel Dell." It appeared as the work of " Wur- zel," which was the German equivalent of his name. He was the originator of the normal musical institutions, and when the first one was started in New York he was one of the faculty. He removed to Chicago, Illinois, in i860, and established the firm of Root & Cady, and engaged in the publication of music. He received, in 1872, the degree of " Doctor of Music" from the University of Chicago. After the war the firm became George F. Root cS: Co., of Cincinnati and Chicago. Mr. Root did much to elevate the standard of music in this country by his compositions and work as a teacher. Besides his numerous songs he wrote a great deal of sacred music and pub- lished many collections of vocal and instru- mental music. For many years he was the most popular song writer in America, and was one of the greatest song writers of the war. He is also well-known as an author, and his work in that line comprises: ' ' Meth- ods for the Piano and Organ," " Hand- book on Harmony Teaching, " and innumer- able articles for the musical press. Among his many and most popular songs of the wartime are: " Rosalie, the Prairie-flower," " Battle Cry of Freedom," " Just Before the Battle," " Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching," " The Old Folks are Gone," "A Hundred Years Ago," "Old Potomac Shore, "and " There's Music in the Air." Mr. Root's cantatas include "The Flower Queen" and "The Haymakers." He died in 1896.