Marion County, Illinois - The whole text, 1909 (part 15 of 27)

Joseph K. McLaughlin was born in Walnut Hill, Marion county, September 26. 1850, the son of James and Ann E. (Lyons) McLaughlin, both natives of Ireland, where they married. They came to the United States in 1845 and settled in Randolph county, Illinois, later came to Marion county and in 1848 settled near Walnut Hill, about 1855 locating in Raccoon township. They were members of the Reformed Presbyterian church. The subject's father was a Republican. He and his wife were the parents of the following children : Ann Eliza, Elizabeth, Nancy, Thomas J., Joseph K., our subject; Annie E., Jane, James A. and Annette E. The subject's father devoted his life to farming. He died February 7, 1878, at the age of sixty-two years, and his wife died February 14, 1908.

The early education of the subject of this sketch was obtained in the home schools. In 1882 he bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Raccoon township. He carries on general farming and stock raising in a most successful manner, being a man of sound judgment and a hard worker. His farm is highly improved and very productive. He raises much good stock and his dwelling and other buildings are substantial and comfortable.

Mr. McLaughlin was united in marriage in 1870 with Tirzah E. Morton, who was born in Raccoon township, the daughter of James and Mary Morton, a well known family in their neighborhood. Nine children have been born to the subject and wife : Charles, who married Dorothea Huff, has three children, Merlyn, Paul, Dorothea; James C. married Mora Bennett and they have two children, Bennett and Collin C. ; Harry married Kate White; Stella married Willis R. Burgess and they have two children, Buford and Nellie ; Hugh Archie married Lulu Kell; Joseph is a law student at Champaign, Illinois ; John is a member of the family circle and is a teacher; Walter

Mrs. McLaughlin is a member of the Presbyterian church and a faithful attendant upon the same. Mr. McLaughlin is a Democrat and is serving his second term as Supervisor, giving his constituents entire satisfaction in this capacity.

The life history of the subject of this sketch goes back to the pioneer days, since which Mr. Jennings has been a very potent factor in the affairs of Marion county, in which he is regarded as a foremost citizen in every respect, therefore, for many reasons, it is deemed entirely consistent to give him conspicuous mention in this volume.

Z. C. Jennings was born February 14, 1838, in Marion county, Illinois. Israel Jennings, the subject's grandfather, was a native of Maryland and when he reached young manhood went to the state of Kentucky and while at Marysville married Mary Waters in 1808. In 1818 he came to Marion county, Illinois, and settled six miles southeast of Centralia, being among the very first settlers there, having Indians as his neighbors, and the dense woods abounded in an abundance of wild game. He was one of the squatters at Walnut Hill until 1827. This section was then a part of Jefferson county. It was here that Mr. Jennings entered land, which he developed and where he died in 1860. His first wife passed away in 1844 and he married a second time, his last wife being Lear Sterling, of Centralia, this county. There were no children by his second wife. The following are the names of the children by his first wife: Israel, Jr., who married a Miss Davidson, was the father of eleven children; Charles W., the subject's father; William W. left home in 1847 and went to Wisconsin. He was in the mining, mercantile and grain business, in which he made a fortune. In 1853 he went to California and engaged in gold mining, but on account of failing health and trouble with his eyes, came back to Marion county where he remained for several years, at one time engaging in railroad contracting in northern Missouri. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army and served during the war, after which he settled in Marion county and in 1875 he went to Austin county, Texas, where he lived until 1890, when he came to Alvin, Illinois, and built a modem home, having become prosperous. He first married Margaret Noleman. The date of his death was 1 904. He was highly respected by all. Ann, the third child of the subject's grandfather, married Rufus McElwain, a farmer in Centralia township, who later lived at Salem, this county. Mary, the fourth child, who was known as "Aunt Polly," married a Mr. White. They lived near Walnut Hill where he conducted a tanyard. John, the fifth child, died when he reached maturity. The sixth child died when young. In Marion county, in the early days, no citizen was more prominent than Israel Jennings, who was one of the largest land owners of the county. He was a faithful member of the Methodist church, and a good Democrat. In 1827 he was elected a member of the Legislature when Vandalia was the capital of the state. He was a member of the house contemporaneous with Peter Cartwright. He was postmaster at Walnut Hill, Illinois, for many years, beginning in 1834. He was a slaveholder and owned the only male slave ever held in this county. He came here before there were any steam railroads, but during his life he noted wonderful changes, being instrumental in bringing about much of the progress of the county. He opened a store and gave dry goods and groceries in exchange for produce which he hauled to St. Louis by wagon, bringing back supplies. At the time of his coming to this county he had two daughters who had reached maturity. They were taken sick while he was away in Shawneetown on one of his usual trips and one of them died. There was no lumber in the community, so a white-oak tree was cut and a coffin hewn from it, in which to bury the young lady, whose grave is on the old place he owned. He was known to be a very eccentric man, and ten years before his death he bought a metallic coffin, which he kept in the house until his death, and he was buried in it, dying April 20, 1872. His wife died April 3, 1885.

tling one-half mile from his father, where he made a home, and became owner of nine hundred acres of land. He married Mariah Davidson, a native of Kentucky, and the following children were born to them : Sarah, deceased, married Capt. R. D. Noleman, who is also deceased; Josephus W., deceased, was born October 29, 1827, lived on the old place and was educated in the district schools. He was a merchant at Walnut Hill, Illinois, until 1856, when he moved to a farm one-half mile west of that place, where he died November 20, 1890. He married Amanda Couch, who was born January 8, 1834, the daughter of Milton and Mary (Beard) Couch. They were the parents of the following children : Edgar, Frank, Mary, Lizzie and Nancy. Harriett, the third child, married B. F. Marshall, who lived at Salem, Illinois. They are both deceased. Maria E. married Silas Bryan, who was county Judge, and lived at Salem, Illinois; Z. C, the subject of this biographical sketch, was the fifth in order of birth. Nancy married James Davenport, who is deceased. She is living at Salem, this county. America married William C. Stites. Both are now deceased. Docia married Alram Van Antwerp, who is deceased. She is living in St. Louis, Missouri.

The subject's father was a man of excellent business ability and a good manager, he having become wealthy. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics was a Democrat.

was educated in the home schools and the high schools at Salem and Centralia. When twenty-two years old he married Mary J. Baldridge, daughter of James C. Baldridge, of North Carolina, and Margaret (Rainey) Baldridge, a native of Kentucky. At the age of nine years, James C. Baldridge came to Marion county with his parents. Dornton and Mary (Boggs) Baldridge, who settled near Walnut Hill, Illinois. James Baldridge and wife died in Jefferson county, Illinois. He married a second time, his last wife being Tabitha. the widow of Isaac Casey.

The subject started on the place where he now lives to make a home. He first owned forty acres of land, but being progressive he added to it from time to time until he now owns a fine farm; of four hundred and twelve acres, which is in a high state of cultivation and one of the best stock farms in the county. He has raised some highgrade horses and cattle and has made all the improvements on the place himself, being regarded as one of the foremost agriculturists of the county, holding high rank among the stockmen of this locality.

Six children have been bom to the subject and wife, as follows : Dr. Dwight was born September i. 1860, and he graduated at the St. Louis Medical College in 1890, having previously attended the Carbondale Normal School, and he read medicine with Dr. Richardson, of Centralia, Illinois. He took up his practice at 4101 Washington avenue, St. Louis, where he has since been residing and has built up a large practice.

He married Cora Locy, of Carlyle, Illinois, and three children were born to this union, Beatrice, Dorothy and Dwight L. Charles Emmett, the subject's second child, was born January 4, 1862. He is a farmer at Mosco, Washington, also a dealer in stock and grain. He married Angeline S. Creed, of Centralia township, and they have one son, Fred Allen. Maggie D., the subject's third child, was born December 17, 1863, and married Lewis E. Thomas, of Centralia, Illinois. He is a carpenter in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad. Their only son, Charles, is deceased. Samuel R., who was born December 24, 1865, has always been a farmer and lived at home. Maria, who was born January 22, 1871, died in August the same year; Harriett G., who was born October 7, 1873, married E. M. Jones, of St. Louis. He is traveling freight agent for the Southern Railroad. They have three children, namely : Leona, Dwight and Grace.

The subject of this sketch lived at home until 1859, and was in the lumber business with his father for awhile, then he located on his present place. During the past few years he has devoted a great deal of his attention to raising fruit. For two years he successfully manufactured crates and berry boxes at Walnut Hill, Illinois.

Mr. Jennings has always taken a great deal of interest in politics. He ably filled the office of Supervisor for four years and other minor offices in the Democratic party, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a well read man on all leading topics.

He has a substantial, beautiful and well furnished home, presided over by a most estimable helpmeet, his wife being a woman of culture and refinement. Our subject is an uncle of Hon. William Jennings Bryan. He is well and favorably known throughout the county, being regarded by all classes as a man of force of character, stability, industry and honesty.

John H. Gray

He to whom this sketch is dedicated is a member of one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families of Marion county, Illinois, and he has personally lived up to the full tension of the primitive days when was "here initiated the march of civilization, so that there is particular interest attached to his career, while he stands today as one of the representative citizens of Tonti township, for his life has been one of hard work which has resulted in the development of a good farm which he owns and which yields him a comfortable living.

John H. Gray was born in this county January 14, 1839, an^ believing that he could succeed as well here as anywhere decided to stay in his native community where he would have the added advantage of home associations. He is the son of James and Mariah E. (Nichols) Gray. Both the Gray and Nichols families were born in Tennessee, being of that hardy pioneer stock that invades new and unbroken countries and clears the wilderness, developing farms from the virgin land. It was for such purpose that they came to Illinois. The parents of the subject came to Marion county in their youth and were married here, having first settled in this locality during the Black Hawk war. James D. Gray, our subject's father, moved to Tonti township in 1851. He was a man of many sterling qualities, a good neighbor and citizen, and, as already intimated, was industrious and a hard worker. He was also a minister of the Methodist church for many years. His family consisted of nine children, three boys and one girl living at this writing, 1908, all fairly well situated in reference to this world's affairs.

John H. Gray, our subject, received a limited schooling in his native community. However, he applied himself well and did the best he could under the circumstances. He remained at home, working on his father's place until he reached maturity. He was united in marriage in 1860 to Susan Ballance, a member of a well known family. After a brief married life she passed to her rest in 1864. This union resulted in the birth of one child, which died in infancy. In 1866 the subject was again married, his second wife being Rebecca A. Boring, who is still living, having proven to be a most faithful and worthy helpmeet and a woman of gentle disposition. She was born in 1848 and attended the district schools in her maidenhood.

whose names follow : Susan E., Mattie E., Etta and William A. They have received what schooling that is available in their community and are all interesting children with every prospect for future success.

Mr. Gray in his political affiliations is a loyal Democrat and has taken considerable interest in local political affairs, his support always being on the right side of all questions affecting the public good. He has ably served as Highway Commissioner, giving entire satisfaction in this work, and he is known to all as a man of industry, honesty and integrity, thereby winning and retaining a large circle of friends.

Mrs. Judith Singer

Words of praise or periods of encomium could not clearly convey the personal characteristics of the noble woman of whom the biographer now essays to write in this com nection, for only those who have had the good fortune to know her personally can see the true beauty of her character and individual traits, which have been the resultant, very largely, of a long life of devotion to duty, a life filled with good deeds to others and led along worthy planes. Mrs. Singer lives in Tonti township, Marion county, where she successfully manages a fine landed estate, exercising rare sagacity of foresight and business acumen, which always result in definite success, and as a result of her commendable characteristics

Mrs. Judith Singer was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1838, the daughter of Peter and Lyda (Mildenberger) Beisel. The Beisel family came to America from Germany in an early day and settled in Pennsylvania, where they developed farms and made comfortable .homes. The parents of our subject always lived on a farm, and when her father died, Grandfather Beisel moved to Illinois, and the mother of the subject was married and came to Illinois in 1867, settling in Marion county. She was a good woman and her home life was calculated to foster right principles in her children. The father of the subject was a man of many sterling traits of character, always bearing a good name.

Judith Beisel was given every advantage possible by her parents, and while her early educational training was not extensive, she applied herself in a diligent manner and has since been an avid reader of the best general literature with the result that she is an entertaining and instructive talker, especially when she elucidates on the pioneer days and the aftermath of commercial development of this section of the country.

Our subject was married to Oscar Singer January 2, 1858, the ceremony having been performed in Northumberland county, Pensylvania. Mr. Singer was born in Germany on June 18, 1834. He was educated in the Fatherland, and came to the United States with his parents when eighteen years old, where he learned to be a mechanic of no mean ability. He worked at his trade in Centralia, Marion county, Illinois, being regarded as one of the best men in the institution where he was employed. He later moved to St. Louis, where he went into business on his own account, and in which city he was living when he was called from his earthly labors on November 20, 1882. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Salem, Illinois. He was a good business man, honest and industrious and made friends wherever he went. He was a public spirited man, being a loyal Republican in politics.

Mrs. Singer purchased an eighty acre farm in Tonti township, Marion county, in 1883, and moved thereto soon afterward, having resided there ever since. It is a splendid place, well managed and highly in> proved in every respect, producing excellent crops from year to year and yielding a comfortable income for the family. Mrs. Singer's home is one of the most attractive in the community. Good stock of various kinds and a fine variety of poultry are to be seen about the place.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Singer. Two boys and three girls are living at this writing, namely : Ida is the wife of Will W. Langridge, who lives in Terre Haute, Indiana; Lillie is the wife of Lewis Parks, who lives on a farm; Ollie travels for an Indianapolis firm; Oscar married Maude Kline and lives on a farm : Rose L. is a bookkeeper at Salem, Illinois. All these children had careful training and all received a good common school education.

James R. Richardson

One of the sterling citizens of Marion county is he whose name initiates this paragraph, being engaged in farmiing in Tonti township. As a result of his industry, integrity and genuine worth he is held in high esteem by the people of this vicinity, mainly as a result of his principal life work - the noble profession of teaching.

James R. Richardson, the son of John and Sarah A. (Chandler) Richardson, was born in Williamson county, Illinois, at Bolton, December 19, 1841. The Richardson family are of Irish descent. John Richardson was born in Licking county, Ohio, and he was eight years old when his parents died. He was reared by a family named Decker, a farmer at Groveport, Ohio. He received his educational training in the public schools in the Buckeye state, which was somewhat limited, owing to the primitive condition of the public schools of that early day. He was a man of no extraordinary ability but he was a hard worker and succeeded in making a comfortable living. He came to Illinois about 1838, settling near Peoria, where he remained a few years. He moved to St. Clair county, Illinois, and thence to Williamson county and later he came to Marion county in 1853, buying a farm in Tonti township, where he lived until his death in March, 1856.

The Chandler family came from Pennsylvania. The father of Sarah A., our subject's mother, came to Ohio and engaged in farming, but not on an extensive scale.

The mother of the subject was educated in the public schools of Franklin county. She was a woman of many estimable qualities. Eleven children were born to this couple, ten girls and one boy. Sarah A. was married to John Richardson about 1838, and she passed to her rest in 1870. Mr. Richardson was a large land owner in Marion county, this state, and he was regarded as a man of many sterling qualities.

James R. Richardson, our subject, was the second child in a family of eight children. He remained under the parental roof tree until he was seventeen years old. He received his education in the district schools and later at Salem. He was an ambitious lad from the start and outstripped most of his contemporaries. After finishing the public school course, he was not satisfied with the amount of text-book training he had received and consequently entered the State Normal School at Bloomington, Illinois, where he made a splendid record for scholarship, and where he graduated in the class of 1871, with high honors.

After leaving school Mr. Richardson at once began to teach, first in the county schools, having soon become principal, and he was principal in several places. Becoming known as an able instructor, his sen-ices were in great demand. He was principal of the schools at Woodson, Franklin. Stanford, Morton and Marseilles, all in Illinois, and he also taught a year in Kansas. He gave the greatest possible satisfaction as an instructor, being well grounded in the texts then included in the public school curriculums, and he was very popular with his pupils, owing to his friendliness and kindness. His teaching extended over a period of twenty-six years during which time his reputation extended not only to adjoining counties but he attracted the attention of the ablest educators of the state, receiving much laudable comment on his work in the school room.

Mr. Richardson could not restrain the wave of patriotism that pervaded his whole being when, in the dark days of the sixties, our national integrity was threatened, and, believing that it was his duty to sever home ties, leave the school room and offer his services in defense of the flag, he accordingly enlisted in Company G, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in the regiment assigned to Grant's army during the first part of the war. He was in the great battle of Stone River and the still bloodier conflict of Chickamauga, and many other smaller engagements. He was taken prisoner at Chickamauga, and was in prison at Richmond and Danville for six months. He effected his escape, but was recaptured, and later exchanged. After performing gallant service for a period of three years, he returned home and entered the University of Illinois in 1864, where he completed his education.

Our subject's domestic life dates from December 25, 1876, when he was united in marriage with Sarah Martin Williams, a highly educated woman, a native of Cass county, Illinois, where she was born March 10, 1856. She lived in Morgan county, this state until seventeen years old, when she entered the State University at Bloomington, and was a student there for several years, where she made a brilliant record for scholarship. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson. Mrs. Richardson is a faithful member of the Christian church in Salem. Our subject is a Prohibitionist in his political affiiliations.

George W. Hiltibidal

The subject of this biographical review has well earned the title to be addressed as one of the progressive, self-made men of Marion county, being the owner of a very valuable landed estate in Raccoon township, where his labors have benefited alike himself and those with whom he has come in contact.

George W. Hiltibidal was born in Grand Prairie township, Jefferson county, Illinois, March 15, 1867, the son of George and Elizabeth Bradford, both natives of Indiana. They moved to Marion county, Illinois, and finally located in Raccoon township. After building a dwelling house and making extensive improvements on his farm here he moved to Grand Prairie, Jefferson county, where he died in 1869, on a farm which he had improved, and where his wife also died in 1876. He was a strong Republican and he and his wife were members of the Christian church. They were the parents of five children, namely: Mary is living in Washington county, this state, having married Neil Kingsley; Ella, who married Robert Birge, lives at Walnut Hill, this county; John died young ; Sarah, who married James Sprouse, lives in Jefferson county, Illinois; George William, our subject, was the youngest child.

.The subject's mother died when he was nine years old. He had not been to school up to that time. He then went to live with his uncle, George Bundy, in Raccoon township, with whom he remained for eleven years. He then located on his present farm in Raccoon township, section 28, having secured forty-five acres known as the May place. It had an old log house and stable on it. The subject has been a hard worker and a good manager and he built his present fine substantial and modern home in 1907, and his excellent barn in 1906, and he has made all the extensive improvements on the place.

Mr. Hiltibidal was united in marriage April 5, 1888, to Josie Hey duck, the daughter of Jacob and Phillimina Heyduck, natives of Germany, having lived in the River Rhine country. They came to America and secured wild land in Raccoon township. which they developed and on which they made a good home where they lived until 1903, when Mr. Heyduck retired and moved to Centralia. The subject's wife was born in Raccoon township, this county. Mrs. Heyduck died in 1890. Ten children were born to them as follows: 'Lizzie, who lives in Decatur, Illinois ; Ricca is deceased : Lucy is deceased; Kate lives at Odin, Illinois:

Josie, wife of our subject ; John is deceased, Emma lives on the old place in Raccoon township; Henry lives at Centralia; Bennie lives in Centralia ; Laura also lives in Centralia.

Five children have been born to the subject and wife as follows: George, Gracie, Esther, Bertha, Julius. The subject carries on a general farming business with great success. He is considered an excellent judge of live stock and raises some good horses. He has always been a farmer, but for many years has worked at the carpenter's trade. He has put up all his own buildings and done all his own work. He is regarded as an excellent carpenter and his services are frequently sought by those desiring to build.

Our subject has faithfully served as a member of the local school board for six years. He is a Republican in his political affiliations. He is a member of the Farmers' Educational Co-Operative union at Bundyville, Illinois. He has gained his success not through the assistance of relatives or friends, but by his own efforts.

Isham E. Hodges

Among the sterling Tennesseans who have settled in Marion county since the pioneer days, none have shown more worthy traits of character or been more active in the development of the county than the gentleman whose biography we herewith present. Mr. Hodges is the owner of a fine

Isham E. Hodges was born in Sumner county, Tennessee, July 30, 1840, the son of Marcus A. and Elizabeth (Marcum) Hodges, the former a native of Sumner county, Tennessee, where he grew up, made a farmer and where he died, and the latter a native of Abbyville Court House, Virginia, who died in Montgomery county, Tennessee. They were members of the Christian church. Our subject was their only child. His father married a second time, his last wife being Susan Hodges, of Sumner county, Tennessee. She is still living there on the old place. Nine children were born to the subject's fathe'r by his second union. He was a soldier in the Indian war in Florida in 1836, being a prisoner of that struggle. Our subject's great-grandfathers on both sides served in the Revolutionary war, being in General Starke's and General Green's command.

Isham E. Hodges had little opportunity to attend school. However, he obtained some education in subscription schools of the early days. He left home when seventeen years of age and came to Marion county, Illinois, where he worked out and carried the mail from Fairfield to Salem. He also farmed in Salem and Raccoon townships. On October 31, 1865, choosing as a life partner Frances Hays, of Raccoon township, the daughter of Elijah M. Hays, whose sketch appears in full on another page of this work.

Eleven children have been born, eight of whom are living: Effie, deceased, married Harvey England, who lives in St. Louis, Missouri. She was born August 23, 1866, and died August 8, 1883. Iva E., the second child, was born October 28, 1867, married Harvey Mercer; they live in Sadora, Arkansas, and are the parents of five children, Clinton, Sylvia, Stewart, Howard and Opal. Clara B., the third child, was born March n, 1869, died February 8, 1892, married Charles Anderson, of Chicago, Illinois; John D., who was born March 21,

1873, first married Lucy White and second Lydia Kell, having had two children by his first wife, Clayton and Robert, and one child by his second wife, named Donald. He has been postal clerk for several years on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. He was first on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, his first run being between Mc- Leansboro and Shawneetown, Illinois. He runs between Marion and Villa Grove. Ralph Waldo, the fifth child, was born June 6,

1874, and died October 25, 1875; Mark Ainsly was born January 2, 1877, married Indiana Stonecipher, and they have four children, Delta, Isham, Charles and Mary ; Grace was born September 13, 1878, married Levi Bigham, a farmer in Raccoon township; Mabel J. was born August 28, 1880, married Henry F. March, station agent at Cartter, Illinois, on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, and they are the parents of three children, Everett, Franklin and .Marie; Minnie Blanche, born September 26. 1882, married Elisha Harmon, a carpenter of Raccoon township ; Elaine E., born November 8, 1884, who married Clara Pitts, is a farmer in Raccoon township: Dwight E.. born October 28, 1886, is an operator on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Herrin, Illinois, married Nellie Dukes, and they have one child, Clara.

The subject's children have been educated in the home schools, John D. and Iva went to Carbondale, and Blaine attended the agricultural department of the University of Missouri at Columbia.

In 1865, after the subject of this sketch was married, he rented land in Raccoon township. After farming here for a while he went to Idaho, also the state of Washington, also the Shoshone agency and the Red Cloud agency in Wyoming. He was in the West from 1869 to 1871. He was a clerk and did office work most of the time. After 1871 he worked in the United States Pension Agency at Salem, Illinois, under Gen. J. S. Martin, from March 4, 1872, to March 4, 1873, having given entire satisfaction in this capacity, after which he entered the railway mail service on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad and run between Cincinnati and St. Louis for three years, when he was transferred to the Illinois Central Railroad, his run being between Cairo and Centralia for three years, and on the northern division from Centralia to Chicago until April 20, 1889. During this time he lived in Centralia, from 1878 to 1880. In 1869 he bought the farm he now lives on in Raccoon township. In 1880 he built his fine brick house and made all the other improvements on the place which is one of the choice farms of this locality. It consists of one hundred and forty acres in sections 24 and 25, Raccoon township. One hundred and twenty-five acres are under a high state of cultivation. He has a very valuable orchard of one thousand apple trees, three hundred peach trees as well as pears, cherries and small fruits. He also raises much good stock, horse.s, mules and cattle and fine Chester White hogs. His farm is also well stocked with fine chickens, White Wyandotte and Rhode Island Red chickens.

Mr. Hodges was one of the patriotic sons of the Xorth who fought to preserve the Union during the dark days of the sixties, having enlisted July 4, 1861, in Company G. Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. J. S. Jackson and Col. Henry Dougherty, having been mustered in at Casseyville, Illinois. He and his company were sent to Birds Point, Missouri, and was in the engagement November 7, 1 86 1, at Belmont, Missouri. They joined General Pope and was at the surrender of Tiptonville, Tennessee, where they captured about seven thousand prisoners. They then went down the Mississippi river to Ft. Pillow and after the battle of Ft. Donelson and Pittsburg Landing, they went up the Tennessee river and were at the siege of Corinth, and, after several skirmishes, marched to Nashville, Tennessee, and occupied that city until December 26, 1862. Our subject was in General Sheridan's division, McCook's corps. General Rosecrans commanding. They were in the marches and battles from Nashville to Murphysboro, Tullahoma, Bridgeport, Alabama, and Chickamauga, Georgia, being wounded in the latter battle September 20, 1863, where he was shot in the thigh and sent to the field hospital at Crawfish Springs, where all the wounded men captured were paroled next day and sent to Nashville and Louisville, later to Quincy, Illinois, and then to Benton Barracks. Then the subject was on detail duty and in the commander's office until July i, 1864, and he was sent to Springfield, Illinois, and mustered out July 7, 1864.

Henderson Boyakin Wham

A native of Haines township, Marion county, and having spent the sixty years of his life there, naturally the subject of this sketch is known to every man, woman and child in that section of the state. Mr. Wham has been very much in the public eye, in various capacities, having on more than one occasion been closely identified with the affairs of the township in an official way, and it may not be amiss to state, in this connection, that his constituents never had cause to regret the fact of having conferred upon him their suffrages. He is known as a devoutly religious man.

Mr. Wham was born in Haines township March 25, 1848, being the offspring of William and Louisa (Rainey) Wham, the former a native of Tennessee, while the latter was born in Kentucky. The grandfather of the subject was a native of Ireland, and came to America shortly after the Revolutionary war, settling in South Carolina on a farm. Later he went to Tennessee, where he died, and the father and grandmother of Mr. Wham moved to Marion county, settling in Haines township, where later the former was married. The couple entered a farm of prairie and timber land in Haines township that was purchased from the government. He broke the land and built upon it what was then considered a very commodious dwelling. He was a very progressive man, and did much to develop the region. After improving his own land he did much work for his neighbors in the way of breaking the sod, using an OK team, and to him was also due the construction of many good roads. He was a Whig and later a Republican: His wife died in 1883, and he survived her ten years. He was born in 1817, and his helpmate in 1818. They were both devout members of the Presbyterian church for many years, but in later years became members of the Methodist denomination. There were born to the couple eight children, namely: Margaret Ann, widow of James M. Mount; Martha, widow of William K. Storment, living at Cartter, Illinois; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of John R. Morrison ; Minerva, deceased, was the wife of Thomas J. Holt;

The early life of the subject was spent on a farm in Haines township. He attended the common schools and later the high school at Centralia, Illinois. In 1871 he married Nancy Jane Stonecipher, daughter of Joshua and Nancy A. (Hall) Stonecipher, both being natives of Tennessee and early settlers of Marion county. The subject and his wife had ten children, viz. : Prof. George D., a teacher of pedagogy in the State Normal School at Carbondale, who married Edith Page, of Olney, Illinois, and who is the father of one child, John Page Wham; Nellie Eunice, wife of T. E. Maulding, East St. Louis, has one child, Howard B. ; Phoebe, wife of E. P. Gaston, Centralia, Illinois, has one child, Helen, Edgar B., a successful merchant of Cartter, Illinois, married Anna Blair; Frederick, senior in law department of the University of Illinois at Champaign, Illinois; Charles, in school at Champaign, taking a literary course; Florence, at home; Benjamin in school at Carbondale, normal course; William J., died in infancy; infant, unnamed, deceased.

Joshua Stonecipher and wife, parents of Mrs. Wham, had fourteen children and they are all dead but five, Hiram, Phrebe, Mary, Curtis and Mrs. Wham. The Stonecipher family is very highly respected in Marion county. William Wrham, grandfather of the subject, was the father of eight children, Joseph, John, Benjamin, William, Isabella, Ann, Jane and Elizabeth. Mathew Rainey, the maternal grandfather of the subject, also had eight children, all of whom are dead. They were : Louisa Ann, Jerusia, Jane, Sarah, Patsey, William, Robert and Samuel.

The subject has one of the most attractive farms in Haines township. He has constructed a spacious dwelling and ample barns. He has been a stock raiser for many years, and handles the very best grade of horses, mules, cattle and sheep. Although he is a very busy man Mr. Wham has a great love for literature, and spends much time among his books. The subject began teaching school in 1867, and spent altogether twenty-five years as a pedagogue. He was a successful instructor and did much for the cause of education in Marion county, and particularly Haines township. He early became an enthusiastic champion of the State Normal School located at Carbondale, and it is a matter of record that Marion county stands first in the state outside of the county in which the school is located in the number of students attending that institution. It is also a fact, of which Mr. Wham may feel justly proud, that Haines township, where he taught for so many years, has furnished more students for the State Normal than any other township in Marion county. He is a Republican and has been Supervisor of Haines township twice, Town Clerk one term, besides serving as Assessor. As an evidence of his popularity it may be stated that Haines township is Democratic normally, but Mr. Wham received an Unusually large plurality. He has rarely been defeated for public office, but when he ran for County Treasurer in 1906 he was defeated by forty-two votes. Mr. Wham has been a Sunday school teacher and superintendent for a number of years, and has taken a great interest in church work.

James M. Dace

Among the representative business men of Marion county is the subject of this sketch, who is at present proprietor of a well known and flourishing restaurant in Odin, and who is carrying on his line of Business with that enterprise and discretion which are sure to find their sequel in definite success.

James M. Dace was born in Monroe City, Monroe county, Illinois, on April 18, 1861, but was educated in the public schools of this county, where he applied himself in a careful manner and received a good education. He later took a commercial course in the Bryant and Stratton Business College of St. Louis. After leaving school, our subject devoted himself to farming, having while attending school worked on his father's farm. This he followed with success attending his efforts until 1888, then he traveled for a period of seven years for the D. M. Osborn Company, successfully handling a line of agricultural implements, and obtaining a large amount of trade for them. In 1895 Mr. Dace gave up his position on the road and opened his present business in Odin, that of conducting a restaurant. His success was instantaneous, and he has since conducted the same with much satisfaction attending his efforts, his neat, well equipped and carefully managed restaurant being known far and wide to the transient visitors to Odin, as well as to numerous local patrons. Here is served the very best grade of materials that the market affords and all guests are accorded the kindest consideration and most courteous treatment, so that a customer is never lost, but all speak in praise of our subject's place of business, which would be a credit to any town, much less one the size of Odin.

Mr. Dace has long taken considerable in terest in public affairs, his unusual talents having been recognized early by his many political friends, so that he was sought out for public office, with the result that he has been Supervisor of his township for the past twelve years which position he has held with great credit to himself and with satisfaction to all concerned. In politics he is a loyal Democrat.

The married life of Mr. Dace dates from 1884, when he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Lulu Charlton, a native of this county and a daughter of Sidney and Henrietta (Gaines) Charlton, natives of this county. The paternal grandfather ot our subject's wife came to this county in an early day, taking up twelve hundred acres of land, which he developed and on which

The subject and wife have no children living. Airs. Dace belongs to the Christian church. Our subject in his fraternal relations is a member of the ancient and honorable order of Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, having filled many of the chairs in the latter. He at present holds offices in two of these lodges. He also belongs to the Red Men. Mr. Dace has always been known as a man of sound business principles, kind hearted, liberal and pleasant to all.

Benjamin F. Norfleet

This venerable and highly honored citizen of Raccoon township, represents that class of noble American citizens who spend their lives in the rural districts, the great producers, on whom the rest of the world depends, and his life has been so active and carefully lived that success has attended almost his every effort.

Benjamin F. Norfleet was bom in Montgomery county, Tennessee, May 29, 1832, the son of Marmaduke and Malinda (Mc- Fadden) Norfleet, natives of Montgomery county. The subject's grandfather was James Norfleet, a native of North Carolina. He married in that state, but lived in Montgomery county, Tennessee, most of his life. He was a farmer and raised a good deal of fruit. He was noted for the fine apple and peach brandy which he made. He and his wife died in that county. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters. He was of Welsh descent. There were three brothers of the Norfleet family who came to America, namely: James, Marmaduke and Starkey. They settled in North Carolina. The subject's grandfather, David McFadden, was a native of Ireland. He married Elizabeth Elliott. He came to America shortly after they were married. He came first to this country and in six months sent for his wife. He settled in Montgomery county, Tennessee, on the Red river. He got six hundred and forty acres of government land. He cleared a great deal of the land and built a fine home on it. He was a farmer and a successful business man. They lived the rest of their lives in Montgomery county and reared a large family. The subject's father and mother were both born in Montgomery countv, Tennessee. The former was educated in the home schools and was a self-learned man and became a good scholar. He was a carpenter and farmer. In 1855 he went to Stewart county, Tennessee, and bought a farm there. He was Justice of the Peace, was active in Democratic politics. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Norfleet died in Stewart county, Tennessee. They were the parents of thirteen children, namely: Benjamin Franklin, our subject; David, a farmer in Stewart county, Tennessee ; Henry A., a farmer in Stewart countv, Tennessee; George, a farmer in the same county: Virginia, who lives in the same county: Josephine L. also lives in that county; Mary Elizabeth became a resident of Williamson county, Illinois, where she died. The rest of the children are all deceased.

The subject of this sketch had only a limited education, obtained in the subscription schools. He lived at home until he was twenty-two years of age. He was united in marriage October 10, 1855, to Josephine Hamlett, of Montgomery county, Tennessee, the daughter of James and Jane (Atkins) Hamlett, the former of North Carolina, and the latter of Montgomery county, Tennessee, to which county the former went when ten years of age. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker, and he and his wife lived in that county the rest of their lives. They were the parents of eight children, namely: James, deceased: Frank is a carpenter in Marshall, Texas; Mary Jane is deceased; the fourth child died in infancy; Jackson is deceased ; Josephine, the subject's wife; Maria, of Nashville, Tennessee; Margaret, of Clarksville, Tennessee.

Eleven children have been born to the subject and wife, one of whom is deceased, namely: Emma is the wife of F. G. Boggs, of Raccoon township, whose sketch appears in full on another page of this volume; Marmaduke, a farmer in Raccoon township, married Lucy Boggs : Edgar, who is connected with "The Houston Post," at Houston, Texas, married Belle Clayburn; Ella died young; Jefferson, who married Minnie Brown, is a farmer at Springfield,

Illinois; Dora, who married Ira Richardson, lives at Muskogee, Oklahoma; Thomas M., who is an engineer in a coal mine at Springfield, Illinois, married Hattie Few; Sidney, a carpenter living at St. Louis, Missouri, married Nettie Stader; Beulah, the widow of William Stewart, lives at Centralia, Illinois; Benjamin F., Jr., who lives in Lexington, Kentucky, married a Miss Mc- Murphy. He is a well known professor in that city, being connected with a correspondence school there. Starkey. the youngest child, who married Ava Davis, is a farmer at Muskogee, Oklahoma.

After our subject married he and his wife lived in Montgomery county, Tennessee, until 1865, when he went to Trenton, Ken-' tucky, where he purchased a farm. He also worked at the carpenter's trade until 1870. He came to Marion county, Illinois, locating in Raccoon township, on Tennessee Prairie, where he rented land for one year and bought eighty acres in section 22 and twenty acres in section 27, on which he built a house and lived there for twenty years, when he bought his present place of forty acres known as the Wesley Willis place in Raccoon township. He has worked at the carpenter's trade since he was sixteen years old. and, being thus naturally gifted, he became a very fine workman. He has worked at his trade with much success. He has been a most excellent farmer. He retired in 1905. He learned his trade from his father. A great deal of the time he preferred to rent his land and follow carpentry.

Commissioner for five years, and two terms as school trustee ; also two terms as director. He is a Democrat in his political relations. Mrs. Norfleet is a member of the Christian church and the subject is a member of the Free Will Baptist church. Members of the Norfleet family are well known in Marion county and they have a modern and nicely furnished home.

Thomas B. Neal

The gentleman whose name heads this review is one of the leading farmers in his community in Marion county, and this volume would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of him and the enterprise with which he is identified. Tireless energy and honesty of purpose are the chief characteristics of the man.

Thomas B. Neal, a native of Marion county, Illinois, was born October 31, 1830. the son of Thomas and Rossanna (Walters) Neal. The former came to this county from Kentucky about 1828 and located near Owens Hill where he spent the remainder of his life, having made a comfortable living from his farming pursuits, being a hard worker and a man of highest integrity. The Walters people were born in Georgia and came from that state to this county. The father and mother of our subject were married in Kentucky.

the wild country into which the father had moved, but this was an industrious family and soon a good and productive farm was developed. His early schooling was somewhat limited owing to the fact that it was necessary for him to work on the farm and schools were of the most primitive type in those days, taught only a few months out of each year. Our subject showed his loyalty to the "old flag that has never touched the ground" during the forties when this country was in war with Mexico. Being unable to restrain his patriotism when he heard the call for troops to fight the descendants of the Montezumas, and he is today one of the few highly honored survivors of that famous conflict in this country, and it is indeed a privilege to meet and to show proper courtesy to such heroes. Mr. Neal enlisted in Company C, First Illinois Volunteer Regiment, and served with marked distinction in the same throughout the war. He is now remembered by his government with a pension of twenty dollars per month, as the result of his valor in this war. The only other living Mexican war veteran in Marion county besides our subject is William Bundy.

After his experience in the army, Mr. Xeal returned home and was married in 1851 to Julia H. Chandler, whose people were from Wilson county, Tennessee. To this union eight children were born, all deceased but four. Mr. Neal's first wife passed away May 2, 1898, and he was married again April 10, 1900, to Manda S. Cozad. Xo children have been born to this union.

The names of the subject's children by his first wife follow: Alexander, deceased; John A., deceased; Etta, Delia, Rose A., deceased ; Cora, Charley and Ben, deceased.

Our subject has six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, of whom he is justly proud. Mr. Neal owns a fine farm of forty acres in Tonti township, which he has developed to a high state and which has yielded him a comfortable living from year to year and enabled him to lay up a competency for his old age. This place shows that a man of good judgment has had its management in hand, and while he is now in the evening of life he is able to still successfully manage his affairs. He lives in section 9 of Tonti township in a substantial farm house which is surrounded by convenient outbuildings, and his farm is properly stocked with various kinds of live stock and poultry. He delights to see the advancement of his community and county, and he formerly took an active part in the affairs of the Democratic party.

Thomas A. Patton

For various reasons the subject of this sketch is deemed eligible for specific mention in this volume, not the least of which is the fact that he was one of the brave "boys in blue" who offered his services in defense of his country during the dark days of the sixties. His life has been one of honest endeavor and filled with good deeds

Thomas A. Patton was born in Mt. Vernon township, Jefferson county, Illinois, December 8, 1837, the son of Austin and Angeline (Thorne) Patton, the former a well known physician, both natives of Virginia. of which state William Patton, the subject's grandfather, was also a native. Austin Patton grew up in Virginia, receiving only a limited education, but he was ambitious and became self-educated, reading medicine with Dr. Frost, of Jefferson county, Illinois, beginning practice at Walnut Hill, where he located about 1830. He secured a farm of three hundred acres, but devoted most of his time to his practice, which was always large. He became widely known, and is remembered as a very jolly man, resulting in his winning hosts of friends. Although a good Democrat, he never held office. His death occurred in 1896. His first wife died December 24, 1837, and he was married a second time to Ann Bateman, a native of Jefferson county, Illinois. She is now living at Walnut Hill. Austin Patton and wife were the parents of three children, namely: William, deceased; Mary, also deceased; Thomas A., our subject. Nine children were born to Austin Patton and his second wife, as follows : James L., deceased, was a farmer at Walnut Hill ; Livona J.. deceased: Lewis J. is a farmer, living at Newton county, Kansas; Joseph T. is a farmer in Harvey county, Kansas : Iduma A., deceased; George B. is a farmer, 3* living in Jefferson county, Illinois; Carula, who first married Bell Talbott and then Frank Gore, of Walnut Hill; Ila C, who married Wrilla Copple, of Centralia township ; Omer P. is farming on part of the old homestead in Centralia township. He married Helen Telford.

Our subject had only a limited chance to attend school, having studied in a subscription school for a time. Living at home until he was twenty-three years old, he then started in business for himself in Centralia township, section 36, and farmed there with great success for seven years, when he bought a farm in Raccoon township, consisting of forty acres of new and unimproved land on which he remained for four years, then selling it and renting near Walnut Hill in Jefferson county. In 1881 he bought one hundred and fifty acres in Rome township, Jefferson county, which he worked with most gratifying results until he retired in 1902. when he sold out and moved to Walnut Hill, having since lived retired.

Mr. Patton was first united in marriage in 1 86 1. to Alena Smith, of Walnut Hill, and she passed to her rest May 19, 1901. He married again, his second wife being Augusta Maltimore, whom he married October 5, 1905. She was the widow of Christopher H. Maltimore, of Ohio, and she was the daughter of Benjamin F.Nelms, who married Nancy Bailey, the former was of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. Benjamin Nelms was the son of Jerry Nelms, a native of Virginia. His father was also a Virginian. The first of the family to come to Illinois was Jerry's wife, Mary A. He died in St. Genevieve, Missouri, and his wife, in 1854, came to Marion county, Illinois, and located on a farm near Walnut Hill, where she died, in 1897. He now lives at Decatur, Illinois. Mrs. Patton had one daughter, Mary L., by her first marriage.

Five children were born to the subject by his first wife, namely: William L., who is living in Centralia township on a farm, and who married Cordelia Snow; Zina D. married Alta Kell. and is living on a farm in Jefferson county, Illinois; May married Oscar Breeze, of Jefferson county; Mary married Edward Watts, of Centralia, Illinois; Frank L. is a stationary engineer in the mines, now located in North Dakota.

Our subject has always been a farmer, and being interested in public affairs, he has been entrusted with various local offices. He was Highway Commissioner at one time and School Director for twenty years. He has always voted the Republican ticket, having cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been identified with lodge No. 710, at Walnut Hill for the past thirty-five years. Our subject enlisted August 12, 1862, in Company H, Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Centralia, under Colonel Allen. He was sent to Louisville, and later to Perryville, Kentucky, being in the battle there, October 8, 1862. He was in the battle of Stone River, also at Knoxville, and at Chattanooga in the spring of 1863. -»<£ was picked out of a division of men to go ou ua expedition into Georgia. At Rome the whole number of men on this expedition, consisting of fifteen thousand, were captured and sent to Belle Isle Prison, whefe they were held for fifteen days and paroled. They went to Camp Chase, Ohio, where they remained for ten days, when they were sent to St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained fifteen days. On July 4, 1863, they reorganized and went to Nashville, Tennessee. They opened up the valley leading to Lookout Mountain, and after remaining there for about forty days, they went to Missionary Ridge and engaged in the battle there, also at Lookout Mountain, after which they went into winter quarters in Chattanooga. The subject contracted rheumatism and could not go on the Atlanta campaign, consequently he was transferred to the veteran reserve and was detailed to the hospital steamer for Washington City, District of Columbia, and was sent to City Point, Virginia, to look after the sick and wounded of Grant's army. Part of the time the subject was located in Washington City, New York, Annapolis, Fortress Monroe, Virginia, having served in this capacity until the close of the war, and was discharged June 15, 1865, at Washington City. He received two scalp wounds and was shot through the hat once. These wounds have troubled him a great deal since the war.

Although but in the meridian of life the subject of this sketch has had wonderful success in alleviating- the ills and sufferings of his fellow men, and in Haines township, Marion county, he is regarded as a credit to the noble profession in which he has been engaged for more than twenty years. His boyhood days were spent on a farm, but early in life he showed a desire to become a medical practitioner, and when his school days came to an end his parents decided that the longing of his heart should be realized.

Dr. Holt was born in Haines township, May 14, 1862, the son of Charles Wesley and Violindia (Wilkins) Holt. The father of the subject first saw the light of day in West Virginia, November 20, 1834, and was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Jackson) Holt, the latter a native of South Carolina. Joseph, after going South, where he was married, settled in Virginia, and finally removed to Tennessee, where he lived until 1837, when he decided that he could better his condition by moving further west, and as a result, emigrated to Marion coun-v ty. settling at Centralia. Later he took up his residence in Washington county, Illinois, and remained there until the death of his wife. Elizabeth (Jackson) Holt, which occurred in 1847. After this sad event he went to Texas, and died there a few years later. The couple were survived by eleven children, Joseph, John, Eliza, Gordon W., Lee, Sarah J., Thomas J. Charles W., Nathaniel, Albert and Fletcher L.

Charles W. Holt, father of the subject, has spent all of his life in Marion county, Illinois. He was only three years old when the family removed to the state, making the trip with an ox team and pack horses. When a young man he worked on farms, and was employed at times as a laborer on public improvements. He helped to grade the Illinois Central road when it was cdn^ structed, and this work was done with shovels and wheel-barrows. Later he began farming for himself on forty acres in section 12, settling on his present farm in section 15, in 1865, which was almost an unbroken prairie at the time. This farm now consists of 220 acres of well tilled land.

The mother of the subject is a native of Marion county, being the daughter of Benjamin and Cloanna (Brewer) Wilkins, the latter a native of Kentucky. Her parents were early settlers of Marion county, and are both dead. The father and mother of the subject are members of the Baptist church at Pleasant Grove. Mr. Holt is a Democrat and has served in the capacity of school director. In connection with the cultivation of his farm, he gives considerable attention to stock breeding, raising a high grade of mules, horses, cattle, sheep, hogs. Dr. Holt, the subject of this sketch, lives on the farm with his father and mother, upon which is a building which is utilized by him as an office. He received a common school education, and in 1884 entered the St. Louis Medical College, and three years later graduated in medicine and surgery. He then returned to Illinois and began practicing with Dr. A. P. Kell, at Fortville, but after a short time went to Xenia, Illinois, where for one year he practiced with Dr. Shirley. At the end of that interval he returned to his father's farm, and since then has conducted his practice from that place. In 1889 the subject was married to Josie Huff, who was bom and raised in Haines township, and is the daughter of Thomas and Emma (Fulton) Huff. Seven children were born to the subject and his wife, six of whom survive. They are Hallie, Althia, Edna, Earl, Edgar, Ida and Roy. Althia is dead ; Edna lives with her parents, and Hallie is a teacher in the Marion county schools. Dr. Holt is a member of the Marion County Medical Society, and in politics he is a Democrat. He has served as School Director, and is a stockholder in a Salem bank. He has always taken a great interest in public affairs.

William K. Parkinson

The subject of this sketch comes from a family whose name has been linked with the progress of the township in which he lives for several decades. He was born on the loth of February, 1858, on the family farm in section 14, Raccoon township, Marion county, and was the son of Brown and Mary J. (Leuty) Parkinson. Brown Parkinson was a native of Lincoln county, Tennessee, where his wife was also born. John and Elizabeth (Clark) Parkinson, with their son Brown, came to the county in the early part of the nineteenth century from Tennessee. The elder Parkinson was born on February i, 1782, and his wife on April 6, 1787. The following children were born to them: James, born March i, 1807, lived in Raccoon township ; Mary, born November 6, 1809, married James Morton; Catherine, born on August 9, 1812; Hugh, born June i, 1814, married Margaret Morton, lived in Raccoon township; John, bom on December 10, 1815, married Mary A. Paul and lived in Raccoon township; Elizabeth, born September 16, 1818, lived a single life; Brown, father of the subject of our sketch, was born September i, 1820; Martha Jane was born January 6, 1823. Brown Parkinson helped his parents during their early struggle in Illinois. His education was received in the old time subscription schools and was somewhat limited. Upon his marriage to Mary J. Leuty he moved into Raccoon township and began farming on his own account in section 14, later buying land and removing to section 23. His father died September 30, 1860, and his mother in the following year on July 31, 1 86 1. Brown Parkinson's married life was a very happy one. He raised a family of ten children, one of whom is the subject of this sketch. In consecutive order they were: Elizabeth A., born February 2, 1848, died in infancy; John, born February n, 1849, married Bertha Burgess, and is a farmer in Raccoon township; James T., born November 27, 1850, died at the age of eighteen years; Loretta L., born January 24, 1855, married B. F. Mercer, of Raccoon township; William Knox Parkinson, who is the subject of this sketch, came next; Azariah H., born March 13, 1853, died young; Rebecca Annabel, born December 29, 1860, also died in infancy; Rachael Annette, born January 21, 1863, died unmarried; Charles Andrew, born March 15, 1865, was twice married, first to Ida Little, and afterwards to Bettie Stone, he is a teacher in Madison county; Joseph C, born February 23, 1869, married Flaura March and is a farmer in Raccoon township. Brown Parkinson until his death was an influential member of the Reformed Presbyterian communion. He led an industrious life, built the house he lived in, and otherwise improved the farmstead. He died on the 2ist of October, 1883; his wife's demise occurring August 24, 1905. The couple were well known and respected, and are affectionately remembered by their old neighbors.

William Knox Parkinson, the subject of our present sketch, attended the common schools and lived at home with his father until his twenty-first year. July 15, 1880, marked the occasion of his marriage to Mary E. Smith, the favorite daughter of Buckner Smith and his wife, whose maiden name was Ibbie Jane Wyatt. The \\~yatts originally belonged to Lincoln county, Tennessee, coming to Marion county about 1860. Mrs. Parkinson's father was all his life engaged in the farming business. He died in 1866. His wife, who bore him five children, survived him for many years, eventually marrying a second time, William M. Morton. She had two children by this marriage, Oscar W. and Elvin R.

Upon his marriage in 1880, William K. Parkinson left the family farm and settled in Haines township. In the year 1884 he changed to Raccoon township, there buying eighty acres of good land which formerly belonged to William Rainey. Here he was not content with the state of the property as he found it. He set about making an improvement with a will. In 1900 he built a substantial house for his family and put up a barn in 1905. All through life he has been a farmer and has had much success in his calling. His energies in that line have been principally directed towards general farming and stock raising.

William K. Parkinson's family life has flown onward with the swiftness and placidity of a summer stream until April 9, 1906, when an infant son but a few days old died; his wife's death which caused him much sorrow occurring on the i7th of the same month. The other children born to their marriage were: Burgess, born April 4. 1 88 1. who died on August 4, 1900, at the family residence: Lena Fern, born August 10, 1886, still lives with her father; James Leonard, born July 7. 1896. also lives on the homestead.

In religious life William K. Parkinson is a member of the United Presbyterian church, his religious activity dating back to 1879. He is a forceful and influential member of that persuasion. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and is filled with all the youthful vigor and enthusiasm which marks the greater majority of this newly developed party in our political arena. In past years as a tribute to his personal and public worthiness as a citizen he held different offices in the gift of the township.

David M. Hester

Among the men of Marion county who have appreciated present day opportunities and have profited by his ingenuity and persistency in the business world as a result of the favorable conditions existing in the great commonwealth of Illinois, is the subject of this sketch, David M. Hester, who was born in Centralia township, this county, August 1 6, 1841, the son of Milton P. Hester, of Clark County, Indiana, who married Christina Copple in 1840 in Centralia township. Matthias Hester, the subject's grandfather, was born in Hanover, Germany, and came with his. parents to America. He married a Susannah Huckleberry. He was a farmer and he and his wife lived and died in Clark county, Indiana. They were the parents of twelve children. Grandfather David Copple lived near Walnut Hill, Illinois, on a farm. The father of the subject came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1839 when he was still single and settled near Centralia on a farm, remaining here until his death in 1905. His first wife died in 1855 and he was again married, his second wife being Martha O. Johnson, of near Mt. Vernon. She died in 1890. He was noted as a great stock raiser. In politics he was a Republican, and was active in church work. He was also a promoter of the general good of the public. There were eight children born to him by his first union, namely: David M., our subject; Julia, deceased, who married Mark Young, who lived in Salem township; William A. is living on a farm near Mt. Vernon; John C. is a farmer near Jefferson, Kansas ; Sarah E. married A. H. Young, of Centralia; Isaac is single and living on a farm in Centralia township; Samuel M. is living on a farm in Clinton county, Illinois; Mary is single and living on the old place. Four children were born to Milton P. Hester by his second wife, namely : Ella is single and living in Centralia; Albertus V. is farming near Dallas, Texas; Carrie married Mark Anthony, who is a lumber dealer in Streator, this state; Lillian, the fourth child, is the wife of George Cams, a locomotive engineer, living in Centralia.

As already intimated the subject's father located on a farm which he secured from the government near Walnut Hill, Marion county, in 1839, securing from five hundred to eight hundred acres. Our subject lived at home attending the common schools in the winter months until he was twenty-one years of age. He then went to Kansas and located in the eastern part of that state, where he remained a short time. When the call for troops was issued to put down the rebellion he was one of the patriotic sons of the North who responded, having enlisted in November, 1861, in Company H, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, under General Blunt, remaining in this branch of the service for two years. He was in many battles and skirmishes in Arkansas and Missouri, being wounded in the left arm and shoulder at Cain Hill. He was laid up at the camp hospital for some time and came home on a furlough, but returned to the service, remaining three years and three months, having re-joined his regiment at Duvalls Bluffs, Arkansas. He served in such a gallant manner that he became first lieutenant. After the war Mr. Hester returned to Kansas and resumed fanning for one year then he came back to Centralia. He had a farm in Kansas consisting of eighty acres.

Our subject married Sarah A. Young, of Salem township, in 1867. She was the daughter of Matthew and Sarah (Ware) Young. Nine children have been born to the subject and wife, four of whom are deceased. Their names are: Ella, who married J. P. Rogers, of Salem township ; Rose, who married William Gaines, of Stevenson township; Mathew married Pearl Hopkins and is living in Salem township ; William is living on a farm, having married Erne Mc- Coy; Daisy is living at home. These children received good educations at the home schools. Mr. Hester is considered one of the best farmers in his community, having made all the improvements on the excellent farm which he has owned for two score years. He successfully carries on general farming and raises some excellent stock of all kinds. He has about five hundred acres of excellent land all in Salem township. He is a loyal Republican, but has held no offices, being content to lend his influence in placing the best men available in the local offices, but prefers to manage his business affairs and keep out of politics as much as possible. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Chandler Post, at Salem. Both he and his wife attend the Christian, church. They are both pleasant people and they have a comfortable home.

John H. Wyatt

The subject of this sketch joined the silent majority March 20, 1886, in the forty-sixth year of his age, at a time when he was beginning to enjoy the fruits of a life of tin-, usual activity, and great industry. The history of Mr. Wyatt's career is that of a man inbued with a determination to make a success in the world, and that he forged his way to the front despite all obstacles there is no question. The greater portion of his life with the exception of three years that he spent in the service of his country during the war of the Rebellion was devoted to agricultural pursuits.

Tennessee, August 15, 1840, being the son of John and Margaret (Hamilton) Wyatt, both natives of the same state. In 1860 his parents moved to Marion county, Illinois, settling in Raccoon township, and at once allied themselves with the Reformed Presbyterian church, of which they remained active members until their deaths. The father of the subject died in 1869, and the mother survived him but five years. There were born to them nine children, James, Richard C., John, Martha, David, Thomas, Ann, Robert and William.

The subject was about twenty years of age when his parents moved to Illinois, and what education he possessed had been procured in the old subscription schools of Tennessee, and all of his time outside of school was spent in doing odd jobs upon the farm. He was an exceptionally apt scholar, and before he attained his majority taught one term of school. Mr. Wyatt was intensely patriotic, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the great struggle came to an end. He entered as a private, and was mustered out as a sergeant. He took part in all of the engagements in which his regiment participated, with the exception of a few weeks, when he was in the hospital on account of sickness.

Mr. Wyatt was wedded December 22, 1870, to Catherine Morton, daughter of James and Mary (Parkinson) Morton. Six children were the result of this union, namely: Mrs. Carrie Murray, widow of the late William Murray, a native of Randolph county, Illinois; Fred, who married Ola Skinner, and is the father of five children ; Opal, Eva, Russell, Ruth and Donald; Ida, the third child, died in infancy; Mabel, the wife of Robert McLaughlin; John, married Anna Creel, and Iva, wife of Victor Boggs.

Shortly after his marriage the subject and his wife moved to Missouri, but in 1882 came back to Haines township, and settled upon the two hundred acres upon which his widow and daughter, Carrie, now live. This land was unimproved, and the work of clearing it was a gigantic task, but under the skillful hand of Mr. Wyatt it was developed into one of the finest farms in that section of the state. The farm is situated about two miles northwest of Kell, Illinois, and is very productive. A beautiful modem dwelling stands upon the farm, being equipped with all of the latest conveniences to be found in the up-to-date country home. Both the widow and her daughter are highly intelligent and cultured ladies, and have the respect of the entire community.

Mr. Wyatt had a warm spot in his heart for his comrades of the strenuous days of the civil strife, and was a most active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being a regular attendant of all the meetings and reunions of the post to which he belonged. While a life-long Republican, he was not a partisan in any sense of the word so far as local politics was concerned, and always voted, as he deemed, for the best interests of the township and county in which he lived. The death of the subject was greatly deplored by the people of Haines township, and Marion county for they realized that they had lost a most honorable and valued citizen.

Hon. Thomas E. Merritt

During the dark days of the Revolution, the colonies had no defender more loyal than Ebenezer Merritt, our subject's grandfather, who served with valor until captured by the British when he was placed in an old hulk of a ship in New York harbor. In after years he was wont to say that the sweetest morsel of food he ever tasted was a rotten Irish potato, which he found in his prison.

The father of our subject, Hon. John W. Merritt, was born in the city of Albany, New York, July 4, 1806, and in his early youth evinced a very decided literary taste, contributing articles to many of the most prominent magazines of that day. Entering the practice of law, he built up a lucrative business in that line in connection with J. J. Brady. Meantime he also invested in real estate and so fortunate was he in his speculations that he became independent at a comparatively early period 6f life. However, the crisis of 1837 destroyed the value of his investments and made him a poor man once more. Deciding to seek a home in the West, Mr. Merritt came to Illinois in 1840, and settling in St. Clair county established The Belleville Advocate, which he successfully conducted from the year 1848 until 1851. Meantime he also superintended the management of his farm and contributed to eastern magazines and New York papers. He also wrote and published a novel called "Shubal Darton." Coming to Salem in 1851, he established The Advocate, of which he was proprietor and editor for many years.

The State Register at Springfield having lost its prestige, Mr. Merritt with his son, Edward L., assumed editorial charge of the paper in January, 1865, and attempted to place it upon a substantial footing. The enterprise though not prudent proved a success. For some years Mr. Merritt conducted its editorial columns with great ability and during a portion of that time supplied The St. Louis Republican with its Springfield correspondence. As an editor he justly attained celebrity throughout the country and was one of the most successful journalists of the day. His county may well feel proud of his life and labors. He was modest, unassuming, never ambitious for worldly distinction and preferring the success of his friends to his own. In politics he was an old-school Democrat and was one of the most influential workers in his party throughout the state. He was devoted to the doctrines of the Episcopal church and was a faithful member of that denomination.

In disposition mild, he never used profanity and was also a man of temperate habits, never tasting intoxicating liquor throughout his life. He married in Rochester, New York, in August, 1827, Julia A. De Forrest, who was born in Oswego, New York, and there received a good education. Ten children blessed this union, of whom five are now living.

During his residence in New York, John W. Merritt served as Alderman and aided in formulating a new plat of the Fifth Ward, which he represented in the Council. In 1860 he was a member of the state delegation to the National Democratic Convention at Charleston, South Carolina, later was present at the recall of that convention in Baltimore, Maryland, where Stephen A. Douglas was nominated for the Presidency. He was president of the first Press Association held in the state of Illinois, and was at the time of his demise the oldest Odd Fellow in Salem. While uniformly successful in business enterprises, he nevertheless met with reverses and at one time lost by fire two valuable blocks of buildings in Brooklyn. By his long and virtuous life he left a name to which his descendants may point with pride and when, November 16, 1878, he departed this life, he left many warm friends to mourn their loss. The funeral services were largely attended by the citizens of Salem and Marion county, as well as many friends from a distance.

Illinois and received a good education in the schools of Belleville. Before attaining his majority he went to St. Louis, where he learned the trade of carriage and omnibus painting in the shops of Theodore Salom, serving a three years' apprenticeship at the trade. Afterward he followed the occupation for four years in St. Louis. He then came to Salem and in 1859 began to read law with P. P. Hamilton, an attorney of this place, now deceased. In 1862 he was examined before the Supreme Court and was admitted to the bar, after which he opened an office in Salem and has since made this city his home. Always a stanch Democrat, reared in the faith of that party, Mr. Merritt early became an active worker in its ranks. In 1860 in Romine township, Marioncounty, he made his first political speech and since then has participated in every campaign. Until 1875 he stumped every township in the county each campaign year.

The first National Democratic Convention that he attended was held in St. Louis when S. J. Tilden was nominated President in 1876. Later, he was sent as a delegate for the state-at-large to the convention that nominated Gen. W. S. Hancock, in 1880, and the night before the convention met he made a speech in favor of Col. W. R. Morrison on the steps of the Burnet House, Cincinnati. At the next national convention he was alternate-at-large, and as Col. W. R. Morrison, who was delegate-at-large, was appointed on the Committee on Resolutions, and obliged to give his entire time to the work of that body, Mr. Merritt took his place in the convention. It was this assembly that nominated Grover Cleveland at the time of his first term. Our subject was a delegate from the Nineteenth Congressional District to the convention at St. Louis that nominated President Cleveland the second term. In 1892, he attended as a citizen the convention at Chicago which nominated Cleveland the last time. During the three campaigns in which that famous man was the presidential candidate, our subject made fifty-six speeches in Illinois, and at the time believed that his party promised more than it could fulfill.

In 1868 Mr. Merritt was elected to the State Legislature and was a member of the House of Representatives for fourteen consecutive years. In addition he served as State Senator for eight years, from 1882 to 1890, thus making a legislative experience of twenty-two years. He was a member of the joint session which elected John A. Logan three times and defeated him once, also the joint session that elected Richard Oglesby United States Senator and those that elected Shelby M. Cullom and John M. Palmer. In 1875, he was a leading member of the House when the city judge of East St. Louis was to be impeached, and through his influence the measure was reconsidered and laid on the table. During the same year he secured the passage of the first coal mine bill through the legislature, which was the first act ever passed in the state in the interest of the coal miners. Hon. John M. Palmer, State Auditor and Secretary of the State, gave to Mr. Merritt the honor of passing the bill assessing the capital stock of corporations, and he was banqueted afterward. In 1871, he introduced and secured the passage of the bill compelling railroads to pay for burning property along their lines, which has since been warped by the construction placed on that act by the Supreme Court. He was prominent in the attack made upon state officials for extravagant expenditures, and in that way saved to the tax payers of Illinois more than enough to pay the entire expenses of that General Assembly. His services in that capacity were so greatly appreciated throughout the state, that many of the papers advocated his nomination as Governor of Illinois. Another bill introduced by Mr. Merritt was that of allowing parties to sue before the Justice of the Peace for killing stock along the railroads. The anarchist bill introduced by him in 1887, and passed June i6th of that year, was the cause of the greatest fight of his life. Afterward it was published by Great Britain, France and Russia, while at the meeting of the United States National Bar Association at Saratoga, New York, the President gave one hour to its consideration before that body. Mr. Merritt worked long and faithfully upon the bill which finally passed, receiving one hundred and eighteen votes in the House.

The Anti-Trust bill January 22, 1889, was the first ever introduced in the state. This passed the Judiciary Committee by one majority, and the House by one hundred votes, but was hung up in the Senate by the two-thirds rule. While a member of the

Senate, Mr. Merritt introduced a bill to compel insurance companies to pay the full value of the policy for destruction of property. This he passed twice through the Senate, and it was defeated in the House. He passed it twice in the House and it was as many times defeated in the Senate. In 1868 he introduced in the House a bill securing the investigation of the proceeds for the sale of lands and other moneys connected with Irvington Agricultural College. After investigation, the State Auditor and Secretary of State took possession of the institution, and from the wreck saved to the state a large amount of money.

In 1868 Mr. Merritt introduced a resolution calling upon the Secretary of State to account for the interest received by him on about three million dollars of surplus money that was lying idle in the treasury and could be used only to pay off the old state indebtedness which was held by English capitalists in the shape of state bonds, this money being set aside to pay the bonds as they became due. It had been collected from the Illinois Central Railroad as seven per cent, of its gross earnings, and was invested in United States ten per cent, gold interestbearing bonds. The resolution introduced by Mr. Merritt was to the effect that the Governor and Attorney-General of Illinois should look after the interest of this money and report their action to the next session of the General Assembly. He passed the resolution through the House, but by a strong lobby it was defeated in the Senate.

In 1872 three million dollars' worth of these bonds became due and were paid in New- York in gold, to the English bondholders, the Secretary of State haviag to purchase the gold in New York. He notified Gould and Fisk that he would require so much gold on that day. By bulling the market, gold advanced one-third of one per cent., so that the three million dollars paid that much premium. The State Treasurer making by this deal the interest on United States bonds that this money was invested in, came out four hundred thousand dollars ahead, which was a loss to the people of the state by the defeat of the resolution in the Senate.

During Mr. Merritt's entire legislative experience, covering a period of twenty-two years, it cannot be shown that he ever cast a vote against the interests of the people. As one of the delegates of the state-at-large, he attended the conventions at St. Louis in July, 1892, and at New Orleans in February. 1893, in reference to the Nicaragua canal. At the latter place, he made a speech for Illinois before the convention. He was one of the commissioners to locate the Institute for the Feeble Minded at Quincy, Illinois (now at Lincoln), also the Asylum for the Incurable Criminal Insane at Chester. For ten successive years he served as Alderman of Salem.

From the above account it will be seen that Mr. Merritt has been one of the most prominent Democrats in Illinois, and he still occupies a foremost position among the leaders of that party. His work in behalf of the people of the state entitles him to a high place in their regard, and his name will be deservedly perpetuated in the annals of the state as a loyal, able and eminent man. From the press of the country he has received the highest of commendation for his unwearied services in the interests of the people as well as for his great ability.

The State Register said of him that, "The man who wields the keenest satire is Merritt, of Marion". The Mount Vernon Free Press paid him the following tribute: "He is always awake to the interests of southern Illinois, and no influence, let it come from what source it may, is ever able to swerve him from the path of duty to his constituents and the people generally". Another paper says of him : "Merritt is a wit, besides he is a good fellow and everybody likes him. He never rises but he commands the attention of the House. He is a Bourbon of Bourbons". In addition to his other services, previously mentioned, he was a member of various committees of importance. To him belongs the honor of having nominated both William R. Morrison and John M. Palmer for United States Senator.

On the 3d of February, 1862, Mr. Merritt was married to Alice McKinney, a native of Jefferson county, Illinois, and a daughter of William McKinney, who was killed in battle in the Civil war. Four daughters and three sons have blessed this union, as follows: Addis D., Frank F., Clara, Harriet, Lottie, Edith and Harold. In religious belief Mrs. Merritt is a devoted member of the Episcopal church.

John M. Schultz

X<> man in Marion county is more deserving of the success he has attained in business and political circles than John M. Schultz, not alone because of the splendid results he has achieved, but also because of the honorable, straightforward business policy he has ever followed.

John M. Schultz, Circuit Clerk, was bom in Salem, Illinois, January 30, 1867. He is the son of Ephraim Schultz, a native of Kentucky, who came to Illinois when a young man, first settling in Alma township on a farm. He moved to Salem a short time before the Civil war, and continued to live in this place up to his death about 1895. He was successful farmer and business man and retained the well-wishes of those who knew him. David Schultz was the subject's grandfather, a native of Germany. Mrs. Becky Frizzell, who is living in Foster township, an aunt of our subject, has reached the advanced age of ninety years. She is a sister to Ephraim Schultz. The subject's father was twice married, his second wife being the mother of the subject of this sketch. His first wife was a Miss Crawford, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Five children were born to his first wife, two of whom are living at this writing. The mother of the subject's father was Hannah Hull, who was born in Hull, England. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Kissie Marshall, a native of Tennessee, who came to Marion countv in an earlv dav. She was called to her rest twenty years ago, in 1888. Eight children were bom to the father and mother of the subject, four of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Millie Siefman, of Centralia, Illinois; Mrs. Charles Martin, of Davenport, Iowa; Elizabeth Schultz, who is living in Salem; Joseph Schultz, deceased ; Christian and Mary died in infancy. David and Samuel Schultz, of Salem, Illinois, who were both in the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, were sons of a former marriage, also John Schultz, who was killed when seventeen years old on the battlefield of Resaca, Georgia. He was in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. William Schultz, another son of the first marriage is deceased ; also a daughter, Lydia, who married George Jennings, of Patoka, this county, and died several years ago. Hannah Belle, another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Schultz, and sister of our subject, who became the wife of L. G. Finch, was a teacher in the public schools of Salem for several years. She passed to her rest two years ago, in February, 1906.

Joseph Schultz, a brother of the subject's father, was captain in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was afterward Sheriff of Marion county, also postmaster of Salem and Revenue Collector. David Schultz, another brother of Ephraim Schultz, was wagon master in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

Mr. Schultz was an industrious lad and soon cast about for the best way in which to direct his life work. He decided to be a mechanic. He is always a very busy man, for his work is satisfactorily done and his business has steadily grown, owing to the fair treatment he accords his customers. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen. He is a loyal Democrat, and was nominated and triumphantly elected Circuit Clerk in 1908, his election being regarded as a most fortunate one by his many friends. Mr. Schultz has remained unmarried. His sister, Elizabeth, keeps house for him. He is well known in Marion county, being interested in whatever has tended to promote the interests of the county in any way. He is accurate, persistent and painstaking in his business affairs.

H. N. Woodward

The subject of this sketch is a man of courage, self-reliance and of the utmost integrity of purpose, as a result of which he has, during his entire life stood high in the estimation of his neighbors and friends and is therefore deserving of a place in this book.

H. N. Woodward was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1855, the son of Abner M. and Silvia (Scogin) Woodward. His paternal grandfather was born in New

Jersey. He moved to Ohio and devoted his life to farming. Like all his people, he was a Quaker in his religious affiliations. Grandmother Scogin was bom in Kentucky, and lived to be eighty-two years old, rearing a large family of 'fifteen children. She was twice married. Grandfather Scrogin was born in November in the memorable year in our country's history - 1812.

The father of the subject of this sketch was born in Ohio and received his early education in the public schools there and after that he received an academic education. He left Ohio before he was twenty-one years of age and went with his mother to Iowa, and settled on a farm near Burlington, where he remained for some time. He later went South about the close of the war to the Polk plantation, for the purpose of managing negroes under the Freemen's Bureau, and from there he went to Mississippi, later spending two years in Tennessee, having spent one year in Mississippi in a very responsible position, which was filled to the entire satisfaction of the Bureau. They gave him fine letters commending his course and the results of his work while there. He then bought a farm in Marion county, Illinois, in 1866, and farmed with much success for a period of thirteen years. He then formed a partnership with Colonel Morrison, in Odin, for carrying on a grain business which partnership continued for a period of eight years, when he bought out Colonel Morrison's interests and Mr. Woodward retained his interest until his death.