Cass County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1882 (part 3 of 6)

HENRY KUHLMAN, farmer; P. O., Beardstown; is a native of Germany, born March 23, 1841, son of Gottlieb and Mary (Markman) Kuhlman. His father, who is still living, was born in Prussia, in 180G, and is a farmer. Henry attended school seven years in Germany, where he afterward learned the tailor's trade, at which he worked till he came here, since which time be has followed farming. He served three years in Co. C, 3d Ills. Cavalry, under Colonel Carr. In this county, Feb. 5, 1868, he married Sarah E. Dunn, a native of this county, daughter of John and Caroline Dunn; from this union six children have been born: John W., Albert H., Elizabeth C. (died May 11, 1875,) Frederick C, Editii A., and an infant yet unnamed. Mr. Kuhlman is a Republican and a member of Lodge No. 22, A. O. U. W., in Beardstown; his wife is a member of the M. E. Church.

WILLIAM KUHLMAN, farmer; P. O. B(!ardstown; was born in Prussia, Germany, June 19, 1840; son of Gottlieb and Mary (Markman) Kuhlman. His father is still living, and follows the occupation of a farmer; he was born in Prussia in 1806. William received his education in his native land, where he attended school seven years; then began learning the brick-mason's trade, at which he worked in Germany; but since 1860 he has followed farming. In Beardstown, this county, Sept. 14, 1865, he married Nancy J. Mc- Lin, born in Morgan County, 111., Jan. 4, 1844, wliu has borne him seven children: Ella,

Elizabeth C, Clara M., Harry, Charlie, Myrtle, and Edgar. Mrs. Kuhlman is a member of the M. E. Church; she is a dauQ-hter oi John and Charity McLin. Mr. Kuhlman is a Republican, and a member of Protection Lodge No. 23, A. O. U. W., in Beardstown, this county.

AUGUST E. KAMMERER, jeweler, Beardstown ; was born in Wheeling, Va. (now West Virginia), Aug. 3, 1847, where he received his education. At the age of seventeen he apprenticed to the watchmaker's and jewelers trade, at which he served four years in his native city, and in 1865, started in business in Little Rock, Ark., where he remained till 1869. He then moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he remained till 1877, when he came to Beardstown, and in 1880 opened his present jewelry store on Main Street.

LYCURGUS S. LEE, farmer; P. O. Bluflf Springs; is a native of Maryland, born Sept. 14, 1827, son of Caleb and Matilda (Higgins) Lee, also natives of that State, and parents of ten children. Caleb Lee, who was a farmer, was born in 1789, and died Dec. 10, 1847; his wife was born in 1802, and died in 1875. Lycurgus S. received his early education in what was then known as " the corner " schoolhouse in Morgan, now Cass County, and began life as a farmer, and has since continued in that occupation on the sami; home farm. He will have been in tiiis precinct 50 years ne.vt October. In this county, Sept. 14, 1854, he married LuvinaReam; born in Morgan County, 111., in 1833, daughter of John and Catharine Ream; by this union six children have been born: Charles W., Dora A., Mary M., Anna M., Solon S. and Ada T. Mr. Lee has been School Director and Road Commissioner; he is a Republican.

CHRISTIAN T. LAUNER, farmer; P. O. Beardstown; was born in Pennsylvania, Jan. 30, 1839, and is a son of Frederick and Lydia (]\Iarty) Launer. Frederick Launer, who was

Biogeapiiical Sketches

!i Lutheran minister, was born in Berne, Switzerland, ii; ] ^96, and died in tiie fall of 1870; he was tlie first preacher in this county; his wife, also a native of Switzerland, was born in 1830, and died Jan. 4, 1876; they were the parents of seven children. Mr. Launer came with his parents to this county in IS-il; he received but a limited education, as he attended school but a short time. He began life as a farmer, and has ever since followed that occupation in this county. He married here March 10, 1870, Josephine Winhold, who was born in Pennsylvania, Sept. 13, 1837; the}' have had eight children: Bertha, Edward (deceased), Ida, Rosa, Richard, Edwin (deceased), Cora and Robert. Mr. Launer is a member of the Lutheran Church, and a supporter of the Republican party.

DR. H. H. LITTLEFIELD, Beardstown; was born in Wells, York County, Me., Sept. 25, 1823. His parents moved to Great Falls, N. H., when our subject was thirteen years old. After receiving a primary education, he began the study of medicine. In 1843, he came West and taught school two years. In 1846, he attended two courses of medical lectures at Bowdoin College, graduating in 1848, and locating in Beardstown for one year; then removed to Schuyler County, where he lived till 1860, when he returned to Beardstown, where he has since remained, with the exception of two years' service in the Union army, as Assistant Surgeon. He was with Grant's army, and consequently saw much service. He is a member of the Illinois State Medical Society; also of the American Medical Association, since 1875.

JACOB LEBKNECHER, farmer; P. O. Beardstown; was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 22, 1836; son of Jacob and Margaret (Kohlman) Lebknecher, natives of Germany; he, a farmer by occupation, born in 1812, died D c. 17, 1838; she, born in 1808, died March

13, 1859; parents of four children. Jacob received his education in Germany, where he attended school seven years, and began the business of life as a cigar-maker in Philadelphia, Pa. He afterward worked for fourteen months in a wholesale tea and coffee house in New York city; then engaged in the brewery business in Peoria, III., and was afterward engaa-ed in the same business in Beardstown, this county, thirteen years. He has followed farming in this county eight years. He was married in New York city, Nov. 12, 1859, to Kathrina Burkheiser, a native of Germany, born April 4, 1839, daughter of Karl and Mary A. Burkheiser. They have had nine children: Anna M., Frank J., Charles, Jacob, Lena (deceased), Emma (deceased), William, Katie, and Tillie. He is a Democrat, and a member of Lodge No. 57, A. O. U. W., in Beardstown.

ALEXANDER LAMMERS, merchant, Beardstown; son of William and Mary (Hutmacher) Lammers, was born in Burgsteinport, Prussia, May 28, 1809. At the age of fourteen, he was apprenticed to the trade of carpenter and builder, at which he worked several years in his native country, and in 1836, he came to the United Slates. He first settled in New York, then in Cleveland, and then in Indiana; after which he went to Mississippi, working at his business, and from there to the mines at Galena, Ills., and Wisconsin. He first visited Beardstown in 1842, but settled there in 1849, and opened a general merchandising business, where he has been ever since, himself and two sons conducting the same. Mr. Lammers has built a a large number of business and private buildings in Beardstown, and has been a stockholder in the Cass County Bank since its organization. In 1850, he married Miss Eleonora Christianer, of Beardstown, a native of Germany; and one son and two daughters were born from this marriage; one daughter living, wife of John Listinan. Mrs. Lanimers died June 5, 1855. Dec. 24, 1855 he married Anna Maria Eleonora Gersnieyer, of Beardstown, a native of Germany, who bore five children, one of whom died; those living are: Augusta, Alexander, Bertha, and Frank. Mrs. Lammers died Aug. 2, 1849.

HENRY C. MEYER, brick manufacturer and ice dealer; Beardstown; is a native of Prussia, Germany; born Sept. 20, 1835. In 1844, he came to the United States with his parents, who settled on a farm in Knox County, Ind., where he lived till he was twenty-two years of age. He early began to learn brick-making, at which he worked about eight years in Knox County, Ind. In 1857, he came to Beardstown, and started a brick yard near the town, and, after running it one year, took as a partner J. Baujan, and they run the business in company about five years, when Mr. Meyer retired from the business, and bought a farm in Arenzville Precinct, this county, and engaged in farming there about five years. He then resumed brick-making, and has ever since been engaged, more or less extensively, in that business. In 1870, he bought a half interest in ihe present saw-mill on the bay, and, in company with Mr. Baujan run it for two years; then bought out his partner's interest, and has since run the mill on his own account, employing eight or nine men constantly. The mill cuts on an average 4,000 feet per day. For the past six years Mr. Meyer has been engaged in the ice business, and has four ice houses with a capacity of 6,000 tons; his farm, mill, ice business, and brick-yard, furnish employment for a large force of men. He married Jan. 1, 18G3, Amelia, daughter of Lewis Boy, of this county; they have had six children, one deceased. Mr. Meyer is a member of the present City Council; he is a Democrat.

Bluff Springs; was born in Scott County, 111., Nov. 27, 1852; son of Robert and Alvira A. (Gillham) Morrison. Robert Morrison is a native of Virginia; born Dec. 12, 1811; he is a farmer by occupation, and resides in Fremont County, la.; his wife was born in what is now Scott County, 111., in May, 1821, and was the first female white child born in that county; of their eleven children, five are deceased. Mr. Morrison received his primary education in the country schools; in 1871, he entered a preparatory school in Jacksonville, 111., and in 1873, entered the Illinois College in that place, where he graduated in 1878, being valedictorian of the graduating class. He afterward spent one year in the Theological Seminary at Evanston, 111. He began his career as a minister of the M. E. Church, in the Waverly Circuit, Morgan County, 111., and has ever since been a minister of the gospel. In Jacksonville, 111., Feb. 2, 1882, he married Margaret Rees, a native of Morgan County, 111., born June 2, 1803, daughter of Dr. Edwin and Margaret R>es; he, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1810; she, born near Jacksonville, 111., in 1828. Mrs. Morrison was a graduate of the Illinois Female College class of 1881. Mr. Morrison is a Republican.

WILLIAM H. McCORMICK, "distiller, Beardstown; was born in Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 24, 1838, and received his education in his native city. At fourteen years of age he began working as train boy, and at other employments, and at the age of nineteen became conductor of a train running between Indianapolis, Ind., and Cincinnati, O., remaining in that position, on that road, till 1873, with the exception of four years, which he spent in Tennessee. He went to that State in 1863, and was employed as ccfnchictor on the Nashville and Chattanooga, and Nashville and Northwestern Railroads till 1866, when he returned to Indianapolis, and was employed by the company he had formerly worked for as conductor, running between Cincinnati, O., and Lafayette, Ind., until 1873. In that year he retired from railroading', and devoted his attention to the livery business, in Lafayette, Ind., till 1870, when he sold out and removed to Beardstown. He then again engaged in his former occupation of conductor, on the Springfield division of the O. & M. Railroad, until the spring of 1880, when he engaged in the distilling business in Beardstown. In 1858, he married Emma A. Brown, of Indianapolis, Ind.

HENRY MENKE, retired druggist; Beardstown; was born in Bremen, Germany, Dec. 15, 1813; his father was a native of Bremen, Germany, was born Feb. 4, 1780, and died in 185i; his mother, Maria (Lamke) Menke, died in 1847; they came to America in 1834. Of their family, Henry and Mrs. Hoffman are the only survivors. Henry began learning the baker's trade at the age of fourteen, and afterward spent a year and a half learning the brewing business. He came to America with his parents, and settled near Arenzville, in 1834, where his father purchased 200 acres of land, on which our subject lived for about thirteen years. He then, in company with his brother, engaged in the drug business in Beardstown, in 1847, and his brother dying in the fall of that year, he continued the business alone about two years, then sold out to the former proprietor, Dr. T. A. Hoifman, and remained in the employ of the latter ten years; then bought the business back again, and continued it until 1879, when he sold out and retired from business life. He became a stockholder and Director of the Illinois Insurance Company, and was its first President; the charter and name of this company, about two years later, was changed to the Cass Countj' Bank, and Mr. Menke has acted as President of the organization, in all, about ten years. He married, Jan. 13, 1848,

Alice A. Fletcher, a native of Lancashire, England, who died in October, 1873. She bore him three sons, two living - Henry and William Edward. In June, 1874, he married Mrs. Mary Dennis, nee Osmotherly, a native of Kent, England.

Z. E. MAINE, farmer; P. O., Beardstown; is a native of this county; born in Beardstown Precinct, near the town of Beardstown, March 30, 1849, son of Loderick L. and Sarah (Calif) Maine. Loderick L. Maine was born in Stafford Springs, Conn., March 24, 1786, and is still living; he was a carpenter by trade ; his wife was a native of New Hampshire; they had had five children. Our subject attended school in this precinct eleven years, and also two years in Beardstown, and engaged in farming in this precinct, where he has since pursued that occupation, with the exception of two years, 1870-71, which he spent in Iowa. He married in this precinct, Feb. 23, 1869, Ellen McKean, a native of Monroe Precinct, this county, born March 23, 1847, who has borne him three children : Minta (deceased), Lucas A. (deceased), and Minnie. Mrs. Maine is a daughter of John and Nancy McKean; he a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1806; she, a native of West Virginia. Mr. Maine is a Greenbacker, and a member of Lodge No. 23, A. F. and A. M., Beardstown.

EDMUND P. MILLER, livery; Beardstown; was born in Greenburg, Green County, Ky., March 25, 1819; son of Major William and Martha (Winlock) Miller. Major William Miller was born in Virginia in 1790; removed to Green County, Ky., when a boy, and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked several years; afterward kept hotel in Greenburg, Ky., in Springfield, 111., and in Jacksonville, 111. In 1843 he removed to this county, and died in Beardstown in 1864. He served in both campaigns of the Black Hawk War, being captain during the first, and promoted to the rank of Major in the second campaign; he was a stanch Whig. His wife, who was a native of Virginia, died in 185(3, aged sixty-eight years; they have had eight children, six of whom are living: Edmund P. came with his parents to St. Louis, Mo., in 1827, then in 1839, to Jacksonville, 111., where he resided until 1843; and in the fall of 1844 came to Beardstown, and purchased a farm four miles from the town, and engaged in farming in this precinct until 1881; he owned some of the best farms in the county, and engaged largely in raising grain. He purchased, at the administrator's sale of the effects of the late David Drake, his present livery stables, and does a good livery and feed business; has accommodation for fifty horses. In 1857 he married Catharine, daughter of William Wright, of Schuyler County, 111.; they have five children living.

PHILIP MILLER, retired; Beardstown; was born in Schoenberg, Hesse- Darmstadt, May 1, 1835. At the age of sixteen he began learning the tailor's trade, in his native State, at which he served three years, then traveled --as_a^ journey man for five years, and in 1850 came to America, and worked two and a half years in the city of New York. In October, 1853, he came to Beardstown, where he conducted a tailor shop for some time, then became cutter for Von Alstine three years, then for E. P. Chase nine years. In 18G9, in partnership with William Huppers, under the firm name of Huppers & Miller, he opened a merchant tailoring and clothing house, and after changing their location, they built the business block now occupied by Huppers & Cowen, where they carried on business till February, 1881, when Mr. Miller sold out his interest in the stock and building, and retired from active business life, on account of failing health. In November, 1855, he married Sarah, daughter of Joseph Ruff, of Beardstown.

WILLIAM F. MOHLMANN; Beardstown; was born in the village of H;ifer, Province of Minden, Prussia, Dec. 13, 1836, and came to this country when thirteen years of age, with his father, who settled at Beardstown in 1849. He learned the carpenter's trade; also studied architecture. His father was a cabinet-maker, and was born in 1813, his wife being Miss Anna Teilkemeyer, and raised four children, W. F. being the oldest. The father died Jan 10, 1883. He served as alderman, and was a member of the Lutheran Church for thirty-three years. Our suljject in 1875 bought the furniture factory of his father, and carried on the business there till January, 1883, when he moved into the building, which he erected in 1881, on the corner of Jefferson and Second Sts., where he keeps a large and well-assorted stock of furniture. He also attends to the undertaking business. In 1858 he married Miss Lydia Looman, of Beardstown, and has three sons and three daughters living.

CHARLES J. NORBURY, merchant and salesman, Beardstown; was born in Philadelphia, Pa., May 33, 1813, and at seventeen years of age entered a commission house in that city, and was afterward in a wholesale dry goods house there till 1836. In April of that year he came to Beardstown, where for four years he managed the receiving and shipping business for Mr. Bassett, who did an extensive forwarding and commission business, chiefly in pork, lard and grain. In 1840, Mr. Norbury bought a wharf boat, and engaged in the receiving and shipping business, on his own account, for several years; then carried on a boat store, supplying packets with provisions, etc., for three or four years. About the year 1855 he became a member of the firm of George Plahn & Co., with which he was connected in the general merchandising business, for fourteen years. He then engaged in the same business on his own account, till 1874, and for the past five years has been employed as salesman for Reariok & Beatt}'. In January, 1839, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Thomas Spence; they have had thirteen children, two of whom are deceased.

WILLIAM C. NOLTE, grain merchant, Bluif Springs; was born in Beardstown, Nov. 15, 1844; only child of Louis H. and Mary (Boldt) Nolte, natives of Germany. Louis H. Nolte, who was a carpenter by trade, died in October, 1846; his widow, who is still living, was born in October, 1807. Mr. Nolte attended school in Beardstown till he was fourteen years of age, and then began life as a farmer; afterward he learned the cooper's trade, and worked on the C. B. & Q. and the O. & M. Railroads, for some time. During the late war he served ten months in Co. A., 65th 111. Vols., under Captain McClellan. He married, Oct. 4, 1866, Mary M. Jaques, born Jan. 13, 1849, who has borne him five children: Ellen E., Louis W., Harry F., Carrie A. and Maud M. Mrs. Nolte is a daughter of William C. and Elizabeth A. Jaques, natives of Pennsylvania; he, born April 25, 1833; she, born Jan, 19, 1830. Mr. Nolte is a member of Lodge No. 97, Grand Army of the Republic, in Beardstown; he is a Republican.

J. W. NEWBURNE, farmer and gardener; was born in Glassboro, N. J., June 10, 1846; only surviving child of a family of nine, born to John and Lydia (Simmerman) Newburne, natives of New Jersey. John Ncwburne, subject's father, was born in 1816, and engaged in the manufacture of glass, and also in farming, and at present resides in Glassboro, N. J., retired from active life; his wife was born in 1830. J. W. resided in his native town till he was twelve years of age, when he removed to Clayton, N. J., then called Fislertown, where he attended school until 1864, then taught school until he was twenty-two years of age. In 1868 he married

Rebecca, daughter of John and Martha Fleming, of Paulsboro, N. J., and in 1809 settled near Beardstown, this county, where, seven years after, Mrs. Newburne died, leaving two children - twins. In 1875 he returned to New Jersey, where he married Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Zane, of Glassboro, N. J., and returned to this county the same year. He makes a specialty of raising melons and sweet potatoes, and has met with good success. He shipped the first forty barrels of sweet potatoes by boat to Chicago, and afterward the first car-load shipped from this county to that city. He has one child living, Harry Walter, the other, Emily Luella, having died when one year old. Mrs. Newburn's father was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1812, and for many years followed the trade of glass-blowing, but of late years has engaged in farming.

PEOPLE'S BANK was organized in April, 1877, as a private banking institution. Its first Board of Directors were John H. Harris, John H. Hagener, William Jockisch, J. A. Arenz, S. L. Calif. The capital stock was S10,000, originally, and in less than five years returned in dividends seventy per cent of its capital stock, besides a reserve of 81,50 >. Feb. 1, 1883, the capital stock was increased to ^15,000, at the same time establishing a a branch bank at Arenzville. John H. Harris and T. R. Condit are, and have been since its organization. President and Cashier, respectively, of the institution. The present Directors are Harris, Hagener, Soliultz, Jockisch, and Saylor. A. J. Saylor is President, and C. H. Condit, Cashier, of the branch at Arenzville. Mr. Thomas H. Condit was born in Winchester, Scott County, 111., on Feb. 11, 1856, and at the age of seventeen commenced as book-keeper in First National Bank, at Winchester. In 1874 he came to Beardstown, and took the position of cashier of a private bank; in 1877 was elected cashier of the People's Bank, and still holds that position. He married, in February, 1877, Miss Hattie Dutch, daughter of John R. Dutch, of Beardstown.

WILLIAM H. PASCHALL, farmer; P. O. Beardstown; was born in Hancock County, 111., May 4, 1840; and is a son of Coleman and Sarah (Street) Paschall, natives of Tennessee, and parents of eleven children; he, a farmer by occupation, born in 1809, died in April, 1852; she, born in 1810, died in 18U3. Mr. Paschall received a fair education, and has always been a farmer in this county, where, Dec. 24, 1863, he married Emeline Dunn, daughter of John Dunn, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; she was born in this county June 30, 1845, and died Sept. 2, 1872; from this marriage four children born: Harriet E., William Robert (deceased), John Albert, and Mary A. Mr. Paschall married in December, 1873, Mary A. Dunn, sister of his first wife, born in this county March 13, 1843; from this marriage there has been born one child. Myrtle. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and a Republican. *

HERMAN PHILIPPI, farmer; Beardstown; was born in this county, April 23, 1844; son of Pompeius Philippi, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Philippi received his education chiefly 'in Arenzville, and has always been a farmer in this county. He married April 9, 1870, Mary Weinhold, a native of this county; born March 2, 1847, daughter of William and Barbara Weinhold; to this union five children have been born: Lena, born May 14, 1871; Emma and Einil (twins), born May 14, 1874; Lula, born Doc. 23, 1878; and Laura, born Sept. 12, 1879. Emil died Sept. 3, 1874. Mr. Philippi is a supporter of the Republican party.

and Martha (Measels) Phelps; parents of seven children. William H. Phelps was born in North Carolina, Feb. 2, 1817, and is still living; he is a cooper by trade. Stark H. received his education in this county, and began life as a farmer, which occupation he still pursues. In this precinct, Jan. 30, 1878, he married Clara M. Hager; born Dec. 10, 1861, daughter of Lyman and Cornelia (Spalding) Hager; he, a native of New Hampshire, born Aug. 30, 1828; she, a native of Indiana, born Jan. 15, 1838, died Dec. 23, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have had three children: Herbert E. (died Nov. 10, 1878), Charles E. and Olive M. Mr. Phelps is a Republican; he is a member of Lodge No. 16, I. O. O. F. in Beardstown, and is connected with the M. E. Church.

C. E. PARKER, Physician, Beardstown; was born in Amherst, Hillsboro Co., N. H., Oct. 4, 1813. He entered Dartmouth College in 1830, and graduated in 1834. He then entered upon a course of medical study: first in Dartmouth, then Harvard, and graduated from Yale Medical Department in 1837. He located at the Insane Asylum, at Pepperell, Mass., where he remained until 1855, himself and uncle being proprietors of the establishment; also engaged in general practice. In 1855, he came to Beardstown, and with the exception of six or seven years in the drug business in Springfield, has practiced in Beardstown. The Doctor is a member of the Illinois Medical Society, and is known and recognized as one of the oldest practitioners of his profession in the State.

JOHN F. PAPPMEIER, jeweler, Beardstown; was born in Hanover, Germany, Jan. 13, 1830, and came to this country with his parents when four years of age, settling in the fall of 1833, on a farm near Beardstown where, three years later, Peter Pappmeier, the father, died. Mrs. Pappmeier afterward married John F. Heinkel, who raised our subject, and who worked on the farm till twenty-one years of age, when he came to Beardstown and served three years at the jewelry trade, but his sight failing, he went back to the farm. In the meantime his stepfather and his mother had both died. In 1856, he commenced repairing watches, and keeping a small stock of jewelry, and although located six blocks from the business center, such has been the quality of his work, that he has been exceedingly successful. In 1876, he built a fine brick store and residence; keeps constantly employed three persons, and carrying a large stock of clocks, watches, jewelry, silverware, etc. In 1851 he married Miss Eliza, daughter of Clamor Tiemeyer, of Beardstown Precinct, and he has two sons and two daughters: John A., H. Lewis, Katie E., wife of John H. Hagener; and Eida. One son and two daughters are dead. He owns two fine farms, and is also interested in the culture of bees, having an apiary containing 130 swarms.

NORMAN PARSONS, postmaster, Beardstown; was born in Enfield, Hartford County, Ct., November 6, 1811, and went to Ohio with his father in 1815. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to the tannery trade, and followed that occupation for many years, at Chardon, O., running a tannery of his own until 185-1; also conducting a store, a farm, and operating in the real estate business. He was a Colonel of Militia, and a Justice of the Peace, and was Vice-President of the first Anti-Slavery Society of Geauga County, and which was organized by Joshua Giddings and Theodore W. Wells, in 1848. In 1854, Mr. Parsons came to Beardstown, where he was engaged in the wagon-making and blacksmithing business for several years; he also opened a farm and improved it. In 1861, he enlisted in the Third Illinois cavalry, and served until the close of the war; was with Fremont and Curtis until after the fall of Vicksburg; was mustered out as Orderly, having been Sergeant, Commissary Sergeant, etc.; was ia the campaign in front of Richmond; was in the battles of Pea Ridge, First Vicksburg, Walnut Hill, Arkansas Post, Nashville, and many minor engagements; also, on recruiting service. Exposure incidental to life in the army injured Mr. Parsons to such extent as to disable him for active labor since. In 1869, he was appointed Postmaster at Beardstown, which position he yet ably and acceptably fills. In 1836 he married Miss Fannie A. King, of Ohio, and two sons were born to them: Melbourne N. and William E. Mrs. Parsons died in 1850; and in 1856 Mr. Parsons married Mrs. Sarah C. Saunders, of Beardstown. Both his sons, and a step-son served in the late war. Has been a Congregationalist and Methodist for over fifty years.

MELBOURNE N. PARSONS, assistant postmaster, Beardstown; was born in Chardon, Geauga County, O., April 30, 1841, and when thirteen years old, came to Beardstown, and apprenticed to the jeweler's trade, with John Putinan, with whom he worked for four years and three months; then engaged in farming. On Aug. 19, 18G3, he enlisted in Co. C, 73d 111. Vol. Infantry, for three years, his company forming a part of the 1st Board of Trade Regiment, raised by postmaster Scripps, of Chicago, and participated in a number of important engagements during his term of service, and after being confined by sickness to the Nashville hospital, from November, 1864, to May, 1865, he was discharged. On his return from the army he began working at the painter's trade, which he had learned when a boy, and followed painting until 1874, when he became assistant postmaster, under his father. On March 21, 1861, he married Emma F. Ward, of Athens, III., who died Nov. 18, 1880. By this marriage four children were born, two of whom are living, viz.: Jennie and Willie. April 10,

ISS'i, he married Mrs. Loretta H. Robinson, of Augusta, 111. William E. Parsons was born in Chanlon, Ohio, in November, 18! 3 ; enlisted in April, ISGl, in the lith 111. Infantry, in the three months' service, and at the end of that time re-enlisted in Co. A, of the same regiment, for three years. He was poisoned at Rolla, Mo., in 1862, and came home, and at the end of three months, joined his regiment, participated in several important engagements, and after being confined to the Memphis hospital about six months, was discharged in 1864, and after returning home, died March 17, 1864.

JOHN E. PUTMAN, jeweler, Beardstown ; was born near Rushville, Schuj^'er Co., 111., April 20, 1846; son of W. B. G. and Martha (Eliiins) Putman, he, a native of New York State, she, of Vermont. John E. received his education in Rushville, and in January, 1866, went to Racine, Wis., where he apprenticed to the jeweler's trade, with his uncle, John Elkins, and served three years, and Feb. 25, 1869, came to Beardstown, and bought the jewelry store of H. Christianer, and remained in business till August, 1875; then sold out, and dealt in land for a time ; bought a hardware store in Beardstown, in exchange for land, and conducted the business for some time, under the firm name of J. E. Putman & Co. He then secured a patent for an improvement on seat guards for harvesters, which has proved remunerative, and he is still interested in the introduction of his invention in different States and territories. March 1, 1882, he opened a jewelry store in Beardstown, and is doing a good trade. He owns about 1,000 acres of land in this county, some in Schuyler County, and some in Nebraska. He married Emma, eldest daughter of Dr. F. Ehrhardt (deceased), April 20, 1871, and as issue of this union there were born four sons, two of whom are living : George, aged eight, and Ralph, aged five years. Mr.

Putman was elected Alderman of second ward, Beardstown, in 1879, and served one year; elected Mayor in 1880, and served one year in that capacity. He is a Republican.

CHRISTIAN PILGER, of Pilger & Huge, merchant tailors and clothiers. Beards, town; was born in Waldeck, Prussia, in April, 1836, and at the age of fourteen ap prenticed to the tailor's trade, at which ha served two and one-half years. He then traveled for some time as a journeyman, and in June, 1855, came to this country and located at Beardstown, where he worked on a farm a short time, then worked at his trade in St. Louis two years; returned to Boardstown in 1857, and worked at his trade till 1873, with the exception of three years, during which he served as a soldier in the late war. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 114th Ills. Vol. Infantry, which joined the Army of the Tennessee at Jlemphis, under General Logan, and remained in active service till August, 1865, when he was mustered out at Vicksburg, Miss.; dur.ng his terra of service he participated in the engagements rv)und Memphis, Messenger's Ford, Jackson, Miss., and Brandon; and in the pursuit of General Price. In 1873, he became a partner in the firm of Garm & Pilger, in Beardstown, and carried on a merchant tailoring and clothing business under that name till 1875, when he became sole proprietor and carried on the business alone till Feb. 1, 1882, when he took in his present partner, W. F. Huge, the business being since conducted under the firm name of Pilger & Huge. Mr. Pilger married in 1858, Margaret, daughter of Jacob Schuman.

ANTON RINK, brewer, Beardstown; was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 9, 1838, and in 1850 came to this country with his parents, who settled on a farm in Perry County, Mo. Anton remained on the farm about eight years, when his father died, and he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he boaran learningr the brewinsr business with Kunz & Iloffineister, with whom he worked till 1860, then worked in a brewery in Peoria, 111., till 1804. In August of that year he came to Beardstown, and with a partner bought a small brewery on La Fayette street, which they rau under the firm name of A. Rink & Co., till 1867, then built the present three story brick building, 42x1-1:7 feet, at a cost of $30,000, and continued business until February, 1874, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Rink becoming sole proprietor, and he has since conducted the business with good success. The establishment, which has a capacity of fifty barrels per day, employs from six to ten men; about 1877, Mr. Rink established bottling works; he also manages a retail liquor store on Park Row; liis ice houses have a capacity of 2,000 tons. In 186.5 Mr. Rink married Margaretha Schultz, of Beardstown; they have five children living.

HENRY RLPPEL, dealer in boots and shoes, Beardstown: was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Jan. 28, 1836. At the age of fourteen he began learning the shoemaker's trade, at wbich he served three years' apprenticeship. He then worked about six months at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, afterward conducting a shop in his native village till 1854, when he emigrated'to this country. He worked at his trade for a time in New York City, and at Rushville, New York, and after working at various occupations in different places, found employment at his trade in Rochester, N. Y. He left there in January, 1856, and came, by way of Chicago, to S()ringfield, 111., and worked as journeyman there until December, 1857, when he visited his native country, returning the following year to Springfield, 111., where he worked for his former employer till 1859. He then carried on a custom shop in Springfield, where, in 1860, he married Elizabeth Weigand, who was born in his native village, Hesse-Darmstadt. In 1861, by the failure of the Illinois banks, he lost 1400, and again worked as a journeyman until 1869, when, in March, that year, he came to Beardstown, where he and his brother, Adam, bought a stock of boots and shoes, and carried on business in company till 1873, when Henry bought out his brother's interest, and since January, 1880, has occupied his present place of business, carrying a large stock of boots and shoes, also doing repairing. His store, which is sixty-five by twentv-two feet, is one of the finest in Beardstown. Mr. Ruppel has six children living.

F. G. I. RATCLIFF, baker, Beardstown; is a native of Satfordshire, England; born March 5, 18'^3. At the age of eighteen he began learning the baker's trade, in Newcastle, Eng., to which he served an apprenticeship of three and a half years. He worked at his trade at Liverpool, and at other places till 18! 9, when he came to this country, worked a short time in Troy, N. Y., afterward worked at Andover, Henry County, Ills., about six months, then went to New Orleans, La., then to Baton Rouge, where he was pastry cook in a hotel four years. In 1854, he opened a bakery in Rock Island, Ills., which he cirried on there three years, then came to Beardstown, where he has since carried on the bakery business, doing the principal wholesale trade of the town; he is assisted by his two sons, Richard and Thomas. Mr. Ratcliff is also proprietor of a barber shop; he cooked the first meal served in the Park House, and held the position of cook there till 1863, when he paid a visit to his native country. In Mobile, Ala., in 1852, he married Rebecca Morrow, who has borne him ten children, five of whom are living.

N. y., Feburary 21, 1830, and in 1842 came, with his parents, to Williams County, O. In 18i6, removed to Hancock County, 111., where he engaged in farming till the fall of 1849, and taught school two winters. In the summer of 1850 he entered the drug store of James G. McCreary, of Rushville, 111., and clerked for six years. In 1S5G, he came to Beardstown, and entered into partnership with E. R. Maxwell, in the drug business there. They conducted a drug store under the firm name of Rice & Maxwell, till 18<)5, when Mr. Rice bought out his partner's interest; afterward bought out the stock of Henry Menke, and is conducting the two drug stores in his own name, his son James G., managing one store. He has occupied his present site, on Park Row, for twentythree years. Mr. Rice has been twice married. In Hancock County, 111., in the fall of 1852, he married Emily .1. Denny, of Augusta, III., who died in July, 1878, leaving three children: James G., Mrs. H. J. Nead, of Nebraska, and Chauncey J. In 1879, he married Elizabeth J. Knight, of Beardstown. James G. Rice, son of our subject, was born in Rushville, 111., in 1853, and at thirteen years of age began clerking in his father's drug store, remaining in the same store thirteen years; and in 1879 he became a member of the firm, and took charge of a branch store on Main street, which he has since conducted with good success. He married, March 0, 1882, Eva Shutts, of Camanche, Iowa.

HENRY ROTES, grocer, Beardstown; was born in Beardstown, Aug. 4, 1849. His father, Henry Rotes, was born in Oldenburg, Germany, about 1811; emigrated to America, and worked for a cotton planter some time, then came to Beardstown, where he married Mrs. Mary Nolte, ne'e Bolte, of that town, who bore him two children, viz.: Henry (subject), and Carrie, both living. Subject's father died about the year 1SU9. Mr. Rotes, at eighteen years of age, began farming on a part of his father's place, and followed that occupation till 1876, when he engaged in the grocery business with J. L. Black, under the firm name of Black & Rotes, for two years, when Mr. Rotes sold out his interest in the business to his partner, and until May, 1880, worked in the boiler shops of the C. B. & Q. R. R., when he purchased the grocery business of J. L. Black, on Main street, and has since been engaged in that business, meeting with good success.

HENRY RICKS, saloon, Beardstown; was born near Hamilton Station, this county, Sept. 12, 1850, and is a son of Conrad and Juliana (Landmann) Ricks, natives of Germany. Conrad Ricks, a farmer by occupation, was born Nov. 30, 1815, and died July 10, 1877. His wife was born June 3, 18i2, and died Aug. 29, 1877. They had five children, two boys and three girls. Our subject received his education in the "Warrior School," near Bluff Springs, this county, and also attended the Beardstown school. He farmed for several years near Bluff Springs, and has for the past six years been keeping a saloon in Beardstown. In Virginia, this county, Feb. 5, 1876, he married Minnie Vellor, a native of this county, born May 24, 1857. They have three children, viz.: .lohn H., William G., and OJelia. Mrs. Ricks is a daughter of Frederick and Mary Vellor; he, a farmer, born Feb. 24, 1814; she, born Oct. 30, 1830; both in Germanj-. Mr. Ricks is a Democrat. His father came to this county in 1842.

W. H. RHINEBERGER, carpenter and builder, Beardstown; was born in Marietta, O., June 10, 1844. His father was born in New York State, June 12, 1816; was raised in Wheeling, W. Va., and has been a resident of this county since 1846; he is a carpenter by trade, and is now engaged as a contractor and builder in Ashland, this county. He has been twice married; his first wife, Julia Dunham, whom he married in Virginia, died in Marietta, O., leaving three sons, of whom W. H. is the youngest; his second wife, Mrs. Martha Morrow, whom he married in Beardstown, has borne him five children. The subject of this sketch came to Beardstown in 1846, with his father and grandfather, who settled on the land where the Central Hotel now stands. June 28, 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of which Grant was colonel, and served three years, participating in the engagements at Fredericktown, Mo., Resaca, Stone River, and Chickamauj>a. He received a flesh wound in tlie neck at Kingston, Ga., May 19, 1864, and on July 9, that year, was mustered out at Chattanooga, Tenn. After his return from the war, he learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and in 18G7 went to Linn County, Kan., where he owned a farm, and worked at his trade for eight years. He returned to Beardstown in 1875, where he has since been a contractor and builder, employing from two to ten men on his contracts. He has been twice married; May 39, 1867, he married Nannie Richards, of this county, who died May 13, 1879, leaving four children, of whom two daughters are living. June 7, 1882, he married Delia Clark.

W. C. REW, merchant, Bluff Springs; is a native of this county; born Jan. 21, 1845, in an old log house, on the Springfield road, built by his grandfather, one of the first houses in this county. He is a son of Bradford B. and Julia Ann Rew; he, a native of New York, born Jan. 12, 1816; died in Biardstown, this county; she, born in Ohio, Aug. 25, 1821; resides in this county with her daughter, Josephine Decker. W. C. attended a school near Beardstown six or eight years, and about two years in Beardstown; afterward worked on a farm, and then taught school for about five years. He married in Quincy, 111., May 2, 1875, .Josephine Wither, who was born in this county, Nov, 5, 1855. They lived in Quincy about eight months, after which he entered into partnership with Oliver Decker, in the general merchandising business here. Jan. 1, 1870, he bought out Mr. Decker's interest, and has since carried on the business on his own account. In 1861, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fifth 111. Infantry, under Capt. William Weaver, and after serving five months was obliged to return home on account of ill health. Mr. and Mrs. Rew have had two children: Mabel, born Nov. 30, 1879, and Henry B., born March 7, 1882; died March 21, 1882. Mr. Rew is a Democrat; is township School Treasurer of this township (No. 18), and has fo;- many years been a member of Lodge No. Ki, I. O. O. F., in Boardstown; his wife is a member of the Methodist Church.

HON. J. HENRY SHAW, attorneyat-law, Beardstown, was born in Boston, Mass., July 25, 1825. His father, Joseph Shaw, had been a book-publisher of that city, but, meeting with financial reverses, and possessed with but small means, in 1836 he removed to Morgan County, Illinois, which then included Cass County, and settled near Jacksonville, where he pursued farming a few years, and afterward, merchandising at Beardstown, where he died in 1868. While he was living and working upon his father's farm as a boy in 1837, Henry received three weeks' instruction at a country school, in which he obtained the elements of the arts of reading and writing, which was all the school education he ever received; this was not hecause his father did not appreciate the advantages of an education, but because all the assistance that could be obtained was necessary to carry on the farm, and Henry's education was put off for a more convenient season; the school which he attended for so short a term, was held in a log cabin in Diamond Grove, near Jacksonville. There was a good school at that time in Jacksonville, and Illinois College was in infantile operation, but Henry was needed to help work the farm, and seemed destined by circumstances to grow up in ignorance; but it is a way that self- made men have, to control and direct, or at least divert, circumstances. His father, being a practical printer, was frequeatly called from his farm to assist a friend, Mr. Edwards, in publishing the Illinois Patriot, a Jacksonville newspaper, and brought home manv of the newspaper exchanges from the Patriot office; these were eagerly perused by Henry; his taste for reading increased with his opportunities, and having no books of his own, and no money to buy any with, he borrowed of whoever had them who were willing to lend; his time being occupied in working on the farm in fair weather, his reading opportunities were restricted to rainy days, Sundays, and nights; often wiiile the family were sleeping he was spending the silent hours of the night in the little attic between the ceiling and roof of his father's log cabin, poring over a borrowed book by a dim light made by a cotton rag and lard or butter in a saucer. Whenever his occupation was of suoii a nature as to allow of it, he carried a book with him, and read at intervals while the team rested, and generally held a book in his hand and read while plowing - a seemingly difficult task, but yet not so with him; he generally carried something to read or write upon wherever he went, and improved his leisure moments. Mills were scarce in Illinois in those days, and one of the valuable uses that young Shaw was put to, was to go on horseback with a sack of corn and get it ground at some distant niili; Henry, riding upon the top of the sack, was usually lost in the mazes of his borrowed book; he was habituated to reading whenever he had a minute tliat could be utilized for that purpose, and felt unhappy if he sat down even for a moment with nothing to read; he read everything he could get hold of, even scraps of newspapers and old almanacs, and used to saj' that he learned something from every scrap of paper that had any reading on it. He was also in the habit of writing down everything that occurred to him as of sufficient importance, both original and selected. As writing paper cost money, and he had no money to buy it with, he utilized the margins of newspapers, the blank leaves of books, and made marginal notes to such books as he was able to purchase. The other boys in his neighborhood, having neither knowledge nor the desire for it, other than for those things that appertained to the usual avocations and pleasures of life, derided hira for his peculiarities, and he avoided, so far as he could, being seen by them with a book. Even the men shook their heads forebodingly at him, and said that if he kept on in this course he would some day try and get his living without work and come to a bad end. Indeed, book learning was contemptuously spoken of by the country people, and it was not uncommon for justices of the peace and preachers to be without the qualifications of reading and writing. The most of his youthful life was passed in this manner, during which time he had read largely in history, ancient and modern classics, and general literature and intelligence, and had begun to attract attention, not only for what he knew, but for his ability to express himself in good language, either orally or in writing, on any occasion, and frequently before he was twenty years old, made speeches on public occasions. He also, while yet a mere plow-boy, wrote articles for the newspapers, which attracted the attention of public men, and although they appeared without signature, inquiries were made and the writer was sometimes made known. It was by means of his newspaper articles that Richard Yates, then just entering upon his public career, was attracted toward him, and the acquaintance thus formed subsequently ripened into a friendship. He also cultivated a taste for writing poetry, much of which was suggested by public occasions in his vicinity, and many songs that were sung at festivals were of his production, but the author was seldom known by those who enjayed them, as he had a dread of being sneered at as a country poet. One of his articles, which was published in the Jacksonville Journal, under his usual nom de plume of " Hal Heryn," during the war with Mexico, is here inserted as a fair specimen of his boyish muse. The subject was suggested to him by reading a letter from a soldier in the army, from Morgan county:

The Morgan Soldier

" While we were camped on the Rio Grande, A. G. S. died: a noble soul as ever bore musket. His last murmurings were of somebody by the name of Mary - his sister, I believe, in Morgan county." - Taken from a Soldier's Letter.

Upon arriving at the age of twenty-one years, Henry, at the suggestion of Richard Yates, began the study of law, Mr. Yates lending him the necessary books, and encouraging him with kind words to proceed. These books he took, one at a time, and read them at home while working on the farm. The same plan he had pursued with his boyish studies, he continued while preparing for his professional life. He utilized the nights atid rainy days. Every spare moment found him with a book in his hands. He has a well-worn copy of " Gould's Pleadings," which he read over and over while he was plowing, holding the book in one hand and guiding the plow with the other, while the horses were held in place by a line over his shoulder and under one arm. He became so attached to this book that Mr. Yates presented it to him, and it was the first law-book he ever owned. He occasionally reported progress to his friend, and received further encourao-enient, but never recited a lesson to him, or received any instruction beyond a recornniendation of the jiroper books to read. M'^licn he became twciitv-live years of asje, notwitlistanding he had continuously labored on a farm, he felt sufficiently advanced in his studies to warrant him in applying for a license to practice law, and with Mr. Yates he went to Springfield, where he was examined by the Judges of the Supreme Court, and admitted to the bar. He then removed to Beardstown, and commenced the practice of the law, where he has ever since remained. During his many years of practice, he continued as before, a laborious student. He has not confined himself wholly to the law, but has wandered into the by-paths of literature, and has contributed many able articles to magazines, newspapers, law-journals, etc. As an orator, he has taken a front rank, and at the bar has met but few superiors in the later years of his practice. In 1873 he met with an irreparable misfortune, which, at least in a measure, blighted his further aspirations. By severe professional labor, he brought on himself a slight attack of paralysis, and although he was confined to his room but a few days, yet it was an imperative notice to him that his constitution had begun to give way under the constant mental strain it had been subjected to, and that he must change his laborious life to a more quiet and less ambitious one. He was then but forty-eight years old, in the prime of life, and at a time when he might reasonably claim a reward for his past labors and perseverance ; he was warned in this solemn manner, that he must retire to the shade trees, and rest among the weary toilers, who had borne the heat and burdens of the field. This unfortunate occurrence grieved and disappointed him, as he was ambitious of further distinction among his compeers, and hoped to rise to a position among the highest. But this result can hardly excite surprise, when we consider the circumstance of his past life. Perhaps no man ever achieved an education and jiosition under such apjiarendy insurmountable difficulties, and no young lawyer ever had a brighter array of competitors for business and glory than he. He found practicing in the courts where he must practice, such men as Lincoln, Douglas, Baker, Yates, Richardson, McConnell, Blackwell, Browning, Williams, Walker, Smith, Brown, Dummer, and a host of stars of only a degree lesser magnitude, and among these giants he was compelled to parry and thrust with his home«made sword. But, notwithstanding his wading through Scylla and Charybdis, he had strength and nerve enough to throw stones even at the Cyclops. At the time he was stricken with paralysis, he was getting his cases ready for the August term of the Cass Circuit Court, 1873, and was also preparing an historical address for a meeting of the "old settlers" of Cass, Brown and Schuyler Counties. The attack began ten days before court, the busiest time in the life of a lawyer. At the sitting of the court, although he was present, his brother lawyers kindly attended to his business for him, and his friends and physician advised him not to deliver the address at the "old settlers" meeting, but as he had expended much labor in its preparation, he concluded to deliver it, which he did at great risk of a relapse. He then spent some months at the eastern sea-coast and mountains, and returned home much refreshed. Since then, by advice of his physicians, he has avoided the more exciting and litigous practice, and confined himself mostly to office business and consultations. He continues to read extensively, and sometimes writes for the press; his mental powers are unimpaired, and his knowledge of the history and present condition of the nations and peoples of the world is remarkable. While he has mingled much in political controversies, both on the rostrum and in the public journals, yet he has never made any effort to obtain office, and although he is now the representative of the counties of Cass, Brown, Menard and Mason, in the State legislature, yet it was without his own solicitation. As a legislator, he is noted for his ability and strict regard for duty ; and in the committees to which he belongs, particularly the " Judiciary, ' and "Canals and Rivers," two of the most important, he is influential and indefatigable in his labors, and constant in his attendance. Dui-ing the session of 1880, 1881, and the special session of 1882, he labored for the improvement of the great water-ways of the State, originating a bill to enable steamboats to pass from St. Louis to Chicago, offering competition to the railroads of the State, and thus securing to producers cheap transportation. As a testimonial of his eminent services we insert the following resolution, passed at the Cass County Democratic Convention, held in Virginia, July 1, 1882. "Whereas, The Hon. J. Henry Shaw has ably and honorably represented this the XXXVITH Senatorial District as a member of the last General Assembly of Illinois, be it Resolved by this Convention, that we endorse his action and conduct in said last General Assembly, and trust that as an endorsement of his action he may be returned to the next General Assembly as our representative." Previous to the year 1873, he led a very active life. Not a minute was allowed to be wasted. He gave his time and labor freely to public matters, without remuneration frequently making speeches or writing for the papers, in aid of railroad building and other enterprises, and for the advancement of the interests of the people. He wrote and published many historical sketches local to the

Mississippi Valley, and at one time contemplated, and had in course of preparation, a history of Illinois ; but the publication of Davidson and Stuve's excellent work about that time, caused him to abandon this project. His story is simple and short, but it has points worthy of record. It shows that even a small boy may form a resolution which will be a miignet and polar star to him through life. That teachers, schools and colleges may be convenient for the indolent, and advantageous as a luxury, but are not absolutely necessary to any one who is determined to get an education without them. Tiiat a person who has learned to read, bus tr.ereby in his possession a key, which, by application, will unlock all other sources of knowledge; that while circumstances may influence a man's destiny, yet the continuous exercise of his will in a great measure controls it. Mr. Shaw has been identified with Cass and Morgan Counties and acquainted with their people and affairs, nearly half a century, and has been one of the most influential citizens of Cass County for thirty years. In 187G, by suggestion of the President of the United States, and by a resolution of Congress, the people of every county and city in the Union were requested to appoint a suitable person to deliver, on the Fourth of July of that year, an oration, containing a brief account of such county or city, so that its local history should be perpetuated. Mr. Shaw was appointed to deliver the oration for Cass County, which he did, giving a complete history of it, occupying two and a-half hours in its delivery. And now, as api)licab.e to the closing of this sketch, we deem it best to give his peroration on that occasion : " I have now told you, in a comparatively short time, what I can condense of a half century's history of this county, nearly all of which period has passed under my own personal observation. How strange that a man should see the birth and infancy, and live on through the youth, to the maturity of a great State! How passing strange that the pioneer of the prairie and the forest should witness all the mysteries of the building - the sub-structure - and the super-structure: should with his own hands, help, not only to lay the foundation ro.'ks deep in the soil, but also to bear up the pillars of strength, and assist in rearing upon them the dome and pinnacle of an Empire State! But so it is. In other countries, generations after generations pass away, and witness no perceptible change in their communities; but here men have passed their lives in log cabins, who now rest from their labors in rosewood caskets, enshrined in marble. And what may we learn by to-day's lesson? It is this, if no other: that whatever condition in life circumstances may place us, to act well our part, and then we can not fail to become important factors in the making up of the State in which we live. Nations are but a conglomerate of smaller communities, and communities of individuals; and the State looks to every man to do his duty. And now, finally, as this is a county festival, the people of which are assembled to celebrate this, the Centennial Anniversary of our country's independence, let us ask ourselves this question: Has Cass County, during the near half century of its history, done its duty to the State and Nation, its duty to God, and to the great world of humanity outside of it - its duty to itself and to the future generations that are to succeed us? And in response, I believe we can lay our hands upon our hearts, and our consciences will tell us that ihis county, as a community, has done its duty, and results show it. There is probably as much wealth, intelligence, and happiness in it, present and prospective, as in any rural district of its size and population in this great valley. The patriotism of its people and the integrity of its magistracy stands unimpeached. No duty to the Nation or to humanity has been left unperformed. And the generation now passing away can say to the one just stepping upon the platform: (iro and do likewise, and your reward shall be equal, and we trust even an hundred-fold more abundant,

LEWIS F. SANDERS, real estate and insurance, Beardstown; was born in Loudoun County, Va., .July 23, 1809; son of Britton and Mary (Gill) Sanders, natives of Virginia, and parents of ten children - nine sons and one daughter, Lewis F. being the seventh son. Britton Sanders was a farmer by occupation. Lewis F., engaged from 1832 to 1835 as a dry goods clerk in Washington, D. C, and in July of the latter year, came to Jacksonville, 111., and soon after engaged with Dr. Henry H. Hall, as a clerk in his store, near where Virginia now stands, in August, 1835. In 1837, he opened a general store and carried on business on his own account, till 1839; in 1838 he was appointed postmaster of Virginia. In 1839, he moved to Stevenson, now Rock Island, Illinois, and engaged in merchandising there till 1841; then moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he remained till the spring of 1843, when he came to Beardstown. He was appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk; also acted as Deputy County Clerk; was afterward elected County Clerk, which office he held eight years; has been twice re-elected Justice of the Peace, and has held the office of Police Magistrate many years. In 1859, he engaged in the insurance business, and in addition kept a general store for a few years. In 1863, he was appointed Assistant U. S. Revenue Assessor for the 9th District of Illinois, which position he held till 1865; and has since been engaged in the insurance business. In 1839, he married Ellen Clendenen, of Morgan County, 111., daughter of John Clendenen, of Harford County, Md.; they have had five children, two

CHARLES M. SPRING, druggist. Beardstown; is a native of Pike County, 111., born March 29, 1851, and at fourteen years of age, entered a drug store at Naples, Scott Co., 111., remaining there five years. He then engaged with Anderson & Watt, wholesale druggists, of St. Louis, Mo., with vrhom he remained three years, engaged as traveling salesman a portion of the time. In 1872, he came to Beardstown and opened a drug, book and jewelry store, on Park Row, where he has since carried on business, meeting with good success. In 1880, in addition to his other business, he established a wholesale tobacco, cigar, confectionery and grocery house, and the following year a retail grocery. In 1882, he bought a half interest in the Park House, the management being under the firm name of Spring Bros. In 1876, he married Maria, daughter of E. B. Seward, of Beardstown.

SAMUEL SHAW, retired; Beardstown; was born in Cincinnati, O., March 12, 1815, and was raised in the village of Newtown, O., where he afterward worked in a distillery until 1838, when he came to Exeter, Scott Co., 111., where he worked in a distillery two years. He then moved to Springfield, 111., where he remained five years as manager of John A. Kidey and S. M. Tinsley's business, and in 1842, in company with S. M. Tinsley, built a 500 bushel still-house in Beardstown, where they ran a distillery about four years, under the firm name of Tinsley & Co. Mr. Shaw then sold out his interest in the distillery to his partner, and bought a tract of 666 acres of land, on the Sangamon Bottoms, which he improved and farmed for twelve years, and on which he raised as high as 8,000 bushels of potatoes in one year. He sold his lands, returned to Beardstown in 1863, and is living retired from active business life. He married Aug. 3, 1839, Mary A.

Fleming, of Exeter, III., who has borne him nine children, four of whom are living: John, William, Harry and Ella. Mr. Shaw was a director of the Cass County Bank for seven years, being one of the corporators of the old Insurance Company; was U. S. Revenue Inspector for the Ninth District; he is a Democrat; himself and family are members of the M. E. Church. During his stay in Springfield, 111., Mr. Shaw's firm obtained control of the first railroad in the State, running from Springfield to Meredosia.

ABEL M. SMITH, fisherman, Beardstown; was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, in March, 1823, and in October, that year, his father, Thomas Smith, moved with his family to Illinois, and settled at Naples, in Scott Co., then a part of Morgan County. Thomas Smith, who was a farmer, died when our suljject was about eleven years old. Abel M. remained on the farm till he attained his majority, and in 1841 went to New Orleans, La., where he worked at the plasterer's trade three years. In 1847, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and in June, that year, married Mary M. Redding, of that city, and worked at his trade there till 1850; then pursued his trade in Naples, 111., till 1862, when he abandoned plastering, having become crippled by a fall which he had received in New Orleans, La. He then engaged in fishing, in the Illinois River, at Sharp's Landing and vicinity, for nine years. In 1873 he came to Beardstown, where he has since resided. At Naples, 111., that year, he built his family boat, also a fishing boat, the former being sixty-five feet long and sixteen feet wide, the latter, forty-two feet long and sixteen feet wide. For the past three years he has been fishing in company with George Swan; they employ four men, and handle over 100,000 pounds of fish annually; their largest catch was taken in Muscooten Bay, in August, 1878; they dispose of their fish in the local markets, and also shio

FRANK H. SPRING, Park House, Beardstown; was born in Pike County, 111., in 185G; son of Joseph M. and Hannah E. (Fisk) Spring'. He began clerking in a drug store in N.iples, 111., in 1809; in 1870, he came to Beardstown with his parents, and in 1872 engaged as clerk in C. M. Spring's store, where he remained five years. He then kept a drug store for two years, then sold out, and became clerk for his father, in the Park House, and in February, 188:i, bought a half interest in that house, which is now conducted under the management of Spring Bros. Joseph M. Spring, subject's father, was born in Cuyahoga County, O., March 4, 1831; he came to Pittsfield, Pike Co., 111., in 1830, where, after the death of his father, he took charge of the family, and worked the farm until 1860. He then ran a stage from Pittsfield to Naples, about four years; he engaged in the livery business about three years in Naples, 111., and ran the old Naples House and the Strother House until 1870; he was also in the hotel business in Warrensburg, Mo., a short time. He came to Beardstown in August, 1870, leased the Park House, which he afterward bought in 1873, and conducted it for ten years, and after several changes in the management, sold it in February, 1883, to Charles M. and Frank H. Spring. It is a first class hotel, with forty-five sleeping rooms, five sample rooms, three of which are on the first floor, and all modern conveniences. Joseph M. Spring married, March 2, 1849, Hannah E. Fisk, of Maysville, Pike Co., 111.; they have had six children: Sylvester Omar, Charles Merrick, Frank Howard, Lucy E., wife of H. G. Unland, of Beardstown, Elmer Ellsworth, and a daughter, deceased. Joseph M. Spring's father, Sylvester O. Spring, located in Ohio, in 1819, and married Frances Merrick, of Pittsfield, Mass.; he died in 1839; she, about

THEODORE SCHAAR, manufacturer of accordeons, Beardstown; is a native of Prussia; born Dec. 8, 1845. His father was a manufacturer of accordeons, and at the age of sixteen, Theodore began learning the trade with him, and worked with him till he was twenty-two years old. In 1867, he emigrated to the United States, and conducted a shop in St. Louis, Mo., two years. In 1869, he returned to Europe, and was married in his native town, to Johanna Kuehn, in January, 1870; and the Franco-Prussian War then breaking out, he was obliged to remain in Prussia till 1871. He then returned to the United States and came to Beardstown, in July, that year, and facture of accordeons, and the repairing of all kinds of musical instruments, employing at one time five hands, and at present, two, the mouldings being manufactured in St. Louis, Mo. His instruments find ready sale, both wholesale and retail; he manufactures on an average, forty-five dozen instruments annuallv.

WERNER STEUERNAGEL, merchant; Beardstown; was born in Altenburg, Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, Dec. 10, 1837; and in 1854, he came to the United States with his parents, who settled at Wheeling, W. Va. In 1855, he engaged as cabin boy on an Ohio River steamboat, and followed that occuj)ation over two years; he then conducted a restaurant in Jacksonville, 111., for five years, and in 1862 came to Beardstown, and engaged in business. In 1864, he opened a grocerj' store, which was burned in September, that year, but late in the same year he again started in business; in 1868, he formed a partnership with J. L. Black, with whom he continued in business six years, then bought out Mr. Black's interest, and has since carried on the business alone. He has occupied the same site on State street since 1868; the building is brick, tvvo stories high, the lower story containing a general stock of groceries, glass, queensware, wooden and willow-ware. In .Jacksonville, 111., in 1859, he married Margaret Kelly, of New York.

ROBERT SCHMOLDT, proprietor of sawmill and lumber dealer, Beardstown; was born in the village of Ritsch, Hanover, Germany, Aug. 2, 1830, the eighth son of a family of fourteen children, born to Hermann and Margaret (Eilraann) Schmoldt. His father was a large land-owner and farmer in Hanover. Mr. Schmoldt received a fair education, and assisted in the farm work, his father being in feeble health. At nineteen years of age he shipped at Hamburg, Germany, as a seaman, and sailed for two years between Europe and America, making several trips. In 1853, he was married by the American Consul, at Hamburg, to Johanna Blohm, a native of Hanover, and came to the United States and located in New York. He sailed on a coast schooner during the summer, and afterward worked in a sugar refinery. In July, 1853, he came to Beardstown, where he worked at various employments for one or two years, then bought eighty acres of wild land in Monroe Precinct, this county, which he farmed for seven years, with good success, and in 18U0 paid a three months' visit, with his family, to his native land. From 1863 to 1869, he engaged in merchandising in Beardstown; then sold out his store and engaged in the milling business, buying his present saw-mill on Muscooten Bay, of W. Weaver, and has since run the mill, buying his logs, which are rafted down the river. The mill cuts, on an average, four thousand feet daily, and gives employment to seven men. He established lumber yards on Third street, in 1881. He still owns considerable land in this county. He has five sons living.

FIELD SAMPLE, Virginia House, Beardstown ; was born near Jacksonville, Morgan Co., 111., March 26, 1828, where he lived on a farm till 1879. At twenty-one years of age he began farming on his own account, which occupation he followed till 18'('9, when he rented his land and came to Beardstown. In addition to farming, he had followed brick-making for eleven years. In 1879, he and his brother, F. M. Sample, bought the furniture and fixtures of the Virginia House, which they ran under the firm name of Sample Bros., till May, 1883, when F. M. retired, leaving Field sole proprietor. Mr. Sample was twice elected Coroner of Morgan County, 111., and also served as Deputy Sheriff of that county. In 1857, in Morgan County, 111., he married Mary, daughter of David Ribelin, a farmer of that county. They have had six children, four of whom are living. John Sample, the father of our subject, was born in Warren County, Ky., about 1797, and when fourteen years old, came to Bond County, 111., with his parents, who settled there. He served in the war of 1812. In Bond County, 111., about the year 1816, he married Sarah Prewitt, a native of Kentucky, and in 1824 he settled on a farm near Jacksonville, where he resided the remainder of his life; he died in 1869, aged seventy-two years. He served as County Commissioner of Morgan County for three years; he was a Democrat. Field is the seventh child of a family of nine sons and four daughters, of which six sons and two daughters are living. JOHN W. SEAMAN, farmer; P. O. Beardstown ; was born in JeiFerson County, Va. (now West Virginia), Sept. 21, 1820; son of Joseph J. and Nancy A. (Deaver) Seaman. Joseph J. Seaman was born Jan. 19, 1793; followed the occupation of a carpenter and boat builder, and died March 19, 1850; his wife is also deceased; they had two children: Isaac and John W. Mr. Seaman received but a limited education, attending school a short time at Beardstown and Rushville. He first worked as a carpenter in Springfield, 111., for some time; afterward engaged in the livery business in Beardstown for nine years, and has since followed farming in this county. In Beardstown, Nov. 9, 1848, he married Mary E. Thompson; born Jan. 14, 18'28, daughter of George B. and Hannah Thompson. By this union they have been blessed with the following children: Anna, Harriet (deceased), John W., Hannah, Cora B., Frank (deceased), Charles (deceased), George W., Frederick and Bertha. Mr. Seaman is a member of Ark Lodge, No. 23, A. F. and A. M., in Beardstown; he was a Constable for some time; was Road Supei-visor, School Director and School Trustee from 1874 to 1879; he is a Democrat.

Z. T. SMITH, surgeon dentist, Beardstown; was born in Hart County, Ky., May 16, 1849, and being left an orphan when very young, was taken by his sister to her home in Clay County, Mo., where he lived till he was sixteen years of age, and received a good education in the William Jewell College. He then went to Virden, Macoupin Co., 111., where he studied dentistry, with Dr. G. W. Dillon, about three years. In 1869, he came to Beardstown, where he has since practiced dentistry, with the exception of the years 1871-3. For the past ten years he has been located on State street.

RICHARD TINK, farmer; P. O. Beardstown; is a native of Cornwall, England; born Sept. 33, 1834; son of Samuel and Catharine (Mutton) Tink, also natives of Cornwall, England, and both still living. Samuel Tink, a farmer, was born March 4, 1797; his wife was born in 1807; they are the parents of ten children. Richard received his education in the schools of his native country, and began life as a farmer, and has remained in that occupation ever since on the place where he now resides. In Beardstown, this county, Nov. 14, 1861, he married Mary Mutton, a native of Cornwall, England, daughter of William and Elizabeth Mutton; three children have been born from this union: Edmund S., Richard G., and Cora E. Mr. Tink is connected with the M. E. Church; he is a member of Ark Lodge, No. 33, A. F & A. M., and also of the I. 0. O. F., in Beardstown; is a Republican; has been School Director during the years 1877-78-79, and has been Supervisor of Roads some time.

DAVID P. TREADWAY, farmer; P. O. Beardstown; was born in this county, July 36, 1845; son of Lawson H. and Catharine J. (Pittner) Treadway. Lawson H. Treadway was a native of Maryland; born March 21, 1816; he followed the occupation of a farmer, and died in November, 1868; his wife, born in Tennessee, Dec. 23, 1814, is still living; they had five children. David P. received his education mainly in this precinct; also attended the schools at Concord and Beardstown, and has always been a farmer. During the late war he served one year and eight months in the Fourteenth 111. Infantry, under General Howard, his company being commanded by Capt. Gillespie. He was married in Beardstown, Nov. 20, 1867, to Mary H. Chalfant, born in Beardstown, Aug. 14, 1849, who has borne him five children: Lucia v., Anna L., Harry C, Walter A. and Edgar V. Mrs. Treadway is a daughter of Thomas .1. and Ann E. Chalfant, natives of Wheeling, W. Va.; he was born March 5, 1823, and she was born Nov. 33, 1829. Mr. Treadway is a Republican; is now School Trustee, and has been School Director several years; his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LEWIS TREADWAY, Central Hotel, Beardstown; was born near Monroe, in this county, March 3, 1837, and came to Beardstown with his parents in 1843. His father, John Treadway, was a native of Maryland, and a cooper by trade, with whom the son learned that trade, and at which he (our subject) worked until 18G4, running a shop of his own for four years in Beardstown, after which he engaged in merchandising for thirteen years, traveling for a house in Peoria two years. In 1874 he bought the old Palmer House, which he ran five years, when it was destroyed by fire. He built the present Central Hotel on its site, which contains twenty-one large rooms for guests, a sample room and all modern conveniences. The father and three uncles of our subject were in the war of 1812. In December, 18:^2, the father married Miss Rebecca Mc- Kane, of Hamilton, Ohio, who bore her husband eleven children. The old couple are still living, he, in his eighty-seventh, and she, in her eighty-second year.

SETH J. THOMPSON, Beardstown Ferry, Beardstown; is a native of this county; born in Monroe Precinct, June 8, 1840. George B. Thompson, subject's father, was born in Orange County, N. Y., Sept. 23, 1800, and married in New York, Hannah Beers, who bore him four sons and two daughters. He came to Monroe Precinct in 1839, moved from his farm there in 1812, and after various changes of location and occupation, he and his son went, in 1850, via the overland route, to California and Oregon, remaining twentyone months, and returned via Nicaragua and New Orleans, staying ten days in Havana, Cuba, during the Walker Expedition. He run the Beardstown ferry from 1852 to 1858, then engaged in the grocery business till 1863, our subject assisting in the forwarding and commission business, and afterward engaged in glass and queensvvare business several years, and also in farming three years; he died June 2, 1872. Our subject enlisted Oct. 18, 1861, in Co. G, 32d 111. Volunteer Infantry, and served three years in the Army of the Tennessee; was first duty Sergeant, and was mustered out near Rome, Ga., Oct. 24, 1864. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, the sieges of Corinth and Vicksburg, and the Meridian Raid. After his return from the war, he worked awhile on the Beardstown Ferry, afterward, in company with Luther A. Jones, ran it for five and one-half years, then, in company with John W. Seaman, for two years, and, from 1873 to July, 1881, ran it in company with John Rohn, he having bought Seaman's interest; since that time it has been controlled by Thompson & Co. Mr. Thompson was licensed as pilot and captain on the river from St. Louis to La Salle in 1872, and has run, almost every season since, on various steamboats. He married, Dec. 7, 1860, Addie Rahn, of Beardstown.

EDWARD N. TREADWAY, farmer; P. O., Beardstown; is a nafive of Ohio; born Feb. 23, 1825, son of Edward and Elizabeth (Anderson) Treadway, natives of Maryland, and parents of seven children. Subject's father, who was a farmer by occupation, was born in 1783, and died in 1858. Edward N. received his education in Monroe Precinct, this county, and has since followed farming here. He married, Dec. 2, 1851, Louisa J. Sallee, who died, Nov. 8, 1867, leaving three children: Elizabeth J., NorrisA., and Edward L. On March 27, 1860, he married his present" wife, Sarah F. Phelps, born in September, 1841, daughter of William and Martha A. Phelps, and from this marriage ten children have been born: Louisa E., Caroline B., Martha A., William Henry, Sarah F., Edward N., Hans A., Margaret, Annie G., and an infant, unnamed. Mr. Treadway is a Democrat, a member of Lodge No. 16, I. O. O. F., in Beardstown, and is connected with the M. E. Church.

JOHN W. THOMPSON, farmer; P. O. Beardstown; was born in Lancashire, England, in 1827; only child of Thomas and Mary Thompson, natives of England; he, a carpenter by trade, deceased; she, died in this county in 1842. Mr. Thompson received his edu- cation in England, where he afterward worked in a cotton factory. In 18J:3 he came to this country, where he has since followed farming. He is one of the most prominent farmers of this county, where he owns 612 acres of land; the somewhat famous "Clear Lake," of this county, is mostly owned by him. He is a member of the M. E. Church; was School Trustee in 1863-4; he is a Democrat. HENRY G. UNLAND, merchant, Beardstown; was born in Hanover, Germany, April 14, 1844, and in the spring of the following year was brought to this country by his parents, who settled on a farm in Arenzville Precinct, this county, his father entering a large tract of wild prairie land there. Mr. Unland lived on the farm till he attained his majority, then attended the Central Wesleyan University, at Warrenton, Mo., for two years, afterward was clerk in the general store of Leonard Bros., Beardstown, for two years, then clerk for Kuhl Bros, about two years. In 1872, he became a partner in the firm of J. H. Pieper & Co., remaining iu that firm until 1874, when he engaged in business on his own account, on the corner of Main and State streets. After conducting the store for a time himself, the management became H. G. Unland & Bros., and since 1877 C. H. Unland has managed the business, which has, since February, 1880, been carried on in the Seeger Block, the corner room being devoted to groceries and drugs, our subject having charge of the grocery department. In Beardstown, in November, 1873, Mr. Unland married Lucy E., daughter of Joseph M. Spring, of Beardstown. Casper H. Unland, Dur subject's father, was born in the city of Osnabruck, in Hanover, Germany, Sept. 29, 1808, and followed farming in his native country. In January, 1845, he landed in New Orleans, La., having left Europe Oct. 4, 1844. He settled on 100 acres of land near Bluff Springs, this county, and engaged in farming there five years. He then sold that farm and bought two hundred acres of land in Arenzville Precinct, this county, which he still owns, and where he lived until 1876, with the exception of three years, during which he resided in Beardstown, in order to give his children an education, then moving back to his farm, a school house having been built in the vicinity, of which he was Director for some years. He owns the general store in Beardstown managed by his three sons; he also has three hundred and sixty acres of land in Arenzville Precinct. In October, 1829, he married Mary Carls, also a native of Osnabruck, Hanover. Of their eleven children, eight were born in Europe, and three in this country. Nine children are living, eight sons and one daughter.

DR. WILLIAxM G. UNLAND, Beardstown; is a native of this county: born near Bluff Springs, in July, 1846, and was raised on a farm. He attended the Beardstown schools four years, Quincy College one year, and four years at the Wesleyan College at Warrenton, Mo. In 1869 he began the study of medicine with Drs. Smith and Cook, of Quincy, 111., and in 1870 entered the St. Louis Homeopathic College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he took a course of lectures, and completed his studies in the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, from which he graduated in the spring of 1871. He then practiced for a year in Pittsfield, 111., and in the spring of 1872 went to Europe, and continued his medical studies in the universities of Berlin and Vienna for over a year, and on his return, in 1873, located at Quincy, III. He remained there but a short time, then moved to Lincoln, Neb., where he remained two years; afterward spent about two years in Pekin, III., and in March, 1880, came to Beardstown where he has since been engaged in the drug business in connection with the practice of his profession.

HERMAN H. UNLAND, merchant, Beardstown; was born in what is now Monroe Precinct, this county, May 12, 1848. At eighteen years of age he entered the Central Wesleyan University, of Warrenton, Mo., where he spent three years, 1867-70, then entered the Northwestern University at Evanston, 111., from which he graduated in June,

1876, became a member of the firm of H. G. Unland & Bros., which carried on business for a year under that name. He then engaged with C. H. Unland, and since 1880 has had charge of the dry goods department of his store. In 1876, he married Emma Smith, of Will County, 111.; they have two children.

JOHN H. UNLAND, farmer; P.O., Beardstown; is a native of Germany; born July 30, 1833; son of Casper H. and Mary (Carls) Unland, natives of Germany; he, still living, a farmer by occupation, born in 1808 ; she, born in 1811; parents of thirteen children. John H. attended school in Weimar, Germany, three years, and also about one year here, and began farming in this county, and has ever since followed that occupation. He married, in this county, Nov. 19, 1857, Elizabeth Christianer, born in Germany, in 1830, daughter of Jost H. and Angel Christianer; they have had nine children: George H., Lucinda, Mary, Henrietta, Frank J., Henry W., William F., Louis (deceased), and an infant, (deceased). Mr. Unland is a Republican, and a member of the M. E. Church.

JOSEPH WEAVER, contractor and bricklayer, Beardstown; was born in Putnam County, Ind., Oct. 22, 1832. George W. Weaver, subject's father, was born in Fluvanna Countj^, Va., and moved to Kentucky when a boy; in 1833 he came with his family to this county, then Morgan County, settling on a farm in Jersey Prairie, where he lived for many years; he also lived several years in Virginia, this county, where he was engaged in brickmaking; he built the Virginia Seminary. He came to Beardstown about the year 1850, where he engaged in the milling and lumber business about fifteen years. He served one term as County Judge of this county, some time between 1840 and 1850, and was Mayor of Beardstown for three terms. He retired from business life several years before his death, which occurred March 8, 1881, he being then in his seventy-seventh year. His wife, Martha Carver, bore him twelve children, of whom three sons and four daughters are living, Joseph being the eldest living son. Our subject learned the trades of bricklaying and brickmaking with his father, and took bis first contract in Beardstown, in 1856, and has since been contractor and foreman on brick work there, with the exception of four years, which he spent in Hancock County, 111. In Beardstown, in April, 1862, he married Mary Collins, daughter of Edward and Thalia (Beard) Collins. Edward Collins was born in Enfield, Ct., in 1797, and in 1836 moved with his family to a farm in Beardstown Precinct, this county, where he farmed until about twelve years before his death, spending his last years in Beardstown; he died in 1803; his wife died in 1860. He came to Beardstown from Ohio in 1832.

SAMUEL WORTMAN, blacksmith, BlufiF Springs; was born in Rush County, Ind., May 16, 1829. His parents. Smith W. and Mary (Wagoner) Wortman, both died in 1859; his father was a native of North Carolina; his mother of Bourbon County, Ky.; they had six children, five boys and one girl. Samuel received but a limited education, attending school in Rush and Shelby Counties, Ind. He worked at the blacksmith's trade in Sangamon County, 111., about a year, then came to this county, where he has since remained, and where he was married, Oct. 17, 1852, to Es- ther Taylor, a native of this county, born April 16, 1833, daughter of John and Mary Taylor; he, still living, she, deceased. By this union seven children have been born: Eliza J., Amos (deceased). Levy (deceased), Francis M., Ann E. (deceased), Marvin T. and Alice L. Mr. Wortnian is a Democrat; his wife is a member of the M. E. Church.

HENRY WITTE, farmer; R O. Beardstown; is a native of Prussia; born Aug. !J, IS'Zi; son of Frederick W. and MenaO. (Esaraann) Witte; he, a farmer by occupation, died in Beardstown, in 1870, where his wife also died, in 1868; they were the parents of nine children. Henry received a good education, having attended the schools of Germany seven years; he engaged in railroading, and, also served two years as a soldier in Prussia, in the loth Regiment of Volunteers, under Capt. August Menkoff. He has since followed farming. In Beardstown, this county, April 3, 1856, he married Mena Vette, born in Prussia, April 2, 18o-±, daughter of Frederick and Crystal Vette, and from this union eight children have been born: Henry W., Caroline (deceased). Bertha, Anna, Maria, Louise, Edward (deceased) and Mena. Mr. Witte is a member of the Lutheran Church; he is a Republican.

REV. W. WEIGAND, Beardstown; was born in Zanesville, O., in April, 1852; son of John and Elizabeth Weigand. In 1854 his parents moved to Mt. Sterling, Brown Co., 111., where our subject lived till he was fifteen years of age, when he entered upon his preparatory course at St. Francis' Seminary, Milwaukee, Wis., and completed the course at St. Joseph's Ecclesiastical College, at Teutopolis, 111., in 1873. In 1875, he entered Mt. St. Mary's Theological Seminary, Cincinnati, 0.> from which he graduated in the spring of 1878, receiving the major and minor orders, and that of Deacon, from Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, O. He was ordained to the priesthood, Nov. 10, 1878, by Bishop Baltes, of Alton, III., and in December of the same year was established Rector of St. Alexius Church, of Beardstown, where he has since oiBciated; has established a parish school, and freed the church from debt.

DAVID WAGNER, farmer, P. O., Beardstown; was born in Monroe County, O., July 26, 1823, and is the only surviving child of a family of seven children, born to John and Jemima (Carr) Wagner. John Wagner, who was a blacksmith, and also a sickle, scythe and axe maker, was born in Pennsylvania, in 179-1; his wife was a native of Monroe County, O. Mr. Wagner attended school but little, but being an extensive reader, stored his mina with useful information. He early engaged in farming, which occupation he still follows. He has been twice married. His first wife, Sarah E. Blake, whom he married March 8, 1849, bore him four children: John, Sarah J., William, and Rufus; the latter deceased. His present wife, whose maiden name was Eliza J. Brown, is a native of Ohio, and daughter of John and Polly Brown; from this second marriage six children have been born: Mary Ann (deceased), Adeline, Fannie, Fratiklin, Charles, and Ida. Mr. Wagner was formerly a Whig, and is now a Republican; he was for several j'ears Road Supervisor, and also School Director.

DR. DAVJD WHITNEY, retired dentist, Beardstown; was born in Franklin County, Mass., Jan. 29, 1803, and was educated in Conway, his native town. At twenty-two years of age, he began the study of medicine, and graduated from the Pittsfield College, in 1831. In 1832, he removed to western New York, practiced his profession six years, and then moved to Indiana, where, his health failing, he relinquished medicine partly, and practiced dentistry till 1856, when he removed to Beardstown, where he has since remained, having practiced dentistry for twenty years; during the last six years, however, he has retired from active practice. In 1826, he married Miss Elizabeth S. Granger, of North Hadley, Mass., and seven children v?ere born to them, three of vehom are dead. Those living are: Cornelia, Mrs. Wallsworth, Ellen, Benjamin R., civil engineer, David V., physician. For many years Mrs. Whitney has made a study of geology and archaeology, and has one of the finest collections of fossils and prehistoric implements in the State. The Doctor is a Baptist, and Mrs. Whitney is a Congregation alist.