The Biographical Record of DeWitt County, Illinois, Illustrated.
Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1901.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
Note: These biographies were transcribed as written and may contain errors. We welcome your corrections concerning factual data. Just send an e-mail to the County Coordinator, and be sure to give us your name and return e-mail address.
JOSEPH T. MADDOX. (Volume 1, Page 29)
Prominent among the prosperous and substantial citizens of Barnett township is Joseph T. Maddox, who owns and operates a valuable farm of four hundred acres on section 19. He is one of the most successful stock dealers in the county, and has found that branch of his business quite profitable. A native of Illinois, he was born in Logan county, on the 15th of January, 1848, and is a son of Thomas M. Maddox, who is represented on another page of this volume. Our subject was reared on the old homestead farm in DeWitt county, and acquired his education in the local schools. He remained with his father until about thirty years of age and obtained a good practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Maddox was married in Logan county, October 16, 1878, to Miss Mary C. Curry, who was born in Gibson county, Indiana, but was reared and educated in Logan county, Illinois. Her father, W. C. Curry, is now a resident of Beason. The children born to our subject and his wife are Elmer, who is now assisting his father in the operation of the home farm; Estella Maud and Dora Elizabeth, both at home; and one son, who died in infancy.
After his marriage Mr. Maddox located on the farm where he now resides, having previously purchased two hundred acres, and to that amount he has since added until he now has four hundred acres of well improved and valuable land. His large and pleasant residence is surrounded by a good set of outbuildings and everything about the place indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner. He has two other farms, one in Atlanta and the other in Waynesville townships, aggregating two hundred and seventy acres, and is a stockholder in the State Bank of Clinton. Throughout his business career he has been interested in live stock, and feeds many head of cattle and hogs for market annually. He also breeds Percheron draft horses and standard bred roadsters, and as a breeder has an enviable reputation throughout this section of the state. Starting out in life for himself with no capital, his record is one well worthy of emulation and contains many valuable lessons of incentive, showing the possibilities that are open to young men who wish to improve every opportunity for advancement. He is a man of good business ability and sound judgment, and to his own well-directed efforts is due his success in life.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Maddox has always supported the Democratic party and its principles, and has taken quite an active part in local politics. He served as county supervisor from Barnett township for nine consecutive years, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, was chairman of the finance committee and a member of various other committees. He has also been a delegate to the county and congressional conventions of his party, and has exerted considerable influence in public affairs. Fraternally he is a member of Wayne Lodge, No. 172, F. & A. M.
THOMAS M. MADDOX. (Volume 1, Page 326)
For almost half a century Thomas M. Maddox has been identified with the interests of Dewitt county, and is still successfully engaged in farming on secton 20, Barnett township. He was born in Gibson county, Indiana, on the 1st of September, 1819. His father, Dr. John W. Maddox, was a native of Kentucky, but at an early day removed to Indiana, where he married Mrs. Jane (Montgomery) Warrick, whose first husband was killed by the Indians in the battle of Tippecanoe on the Wabash river. For a few years the Doctor was engaged in practice in Gibson county, and from there he went to the Red River country. He subsequently came to Illinois and purchased a place in Sangamon county, east of Springfield, but died there before the arrival of his family. When the news of his death reached them they decided to remain in Gibson county, Indiana, and there the mother reared her three children, of whom Thomas M. was the only son and youngest child.
Our subject received a fair common-school education, and at the age of fourteen years started out to make his own way in the world. He was married in his native county in October, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth Teal, who was also born there and was a daughter of Adam Teal. They began their domestic life in Gibson county upon land which Mr. Maddox had leased, but at the end of two years he sold his lease and came to Illinois in 1846. He first located in Logan county, where he brought eighty acres of land and entered forty acres more, and to the improvement and cultivation of that place he devoted his attention for five years. Selling out in 1852, he came to DeWitt county and purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20 Barnett township. Only a few acres in one corner were then under cultivation, but soon acre after acre was placed under the plow until it was all broken. His first home was a small frame residence which in later years was replaced by a more commodious dwelling. He also built a large barn, set out fruit and shade trees, and made many other valuable improvements upon the place. He also owned another farm of one hundred acres, which is now the property of his son, Joseph T., and in connection with general farming he successfully engaged in the raising of cattle, horses, sheep and hogs.
Mr. Maddox's first wife, who was to him a faithful companion and helpmeet for thirty-eight years, died June 13, 1880, leaving three children, namely: John W., who is now carrying on a ranch in Colorado; Joseph T., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; and Nancy Jane, wife of James Hall, a farmer of Hallsville, DeWitt county. Mr. Maddox was again married in Logan county, Illinois, July 14, 1881, his second union being with Miss Ann Sumner, who was born in the same neighborhood as her husband in Gibson county, Indiana, but was reared in Logan county, this state, and prior to the death of his first wife lived in the family for some years.
Politically, Mr. Maddox has been a life-long Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren in 1840. He has never missed a presidential election since that time though he once had to be carried to the polls on account of a broken leg. For three consecutive terms he was an influential member of the county board of supervisors and served on several important committees. He has also filled the offices of highway commissioner and school director, and has ever made a faithful and efficient officer. Religiously his wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church; and both are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them.
HENRY MAGILL. (Volume 1, Page 16)
Clinton has been the home and scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that should serve as an example to those who come after them but have also been of important service to their city and state through various avenues of usefulness. Among them must be named Henry Magill, who passed away on the 5th of February, 1883, after a life of industry, and rich in those rare possessions which only a high character can give. For many years he labored with all the strength of a great nature and all the earnestness of a true heart for the advancement of the county of his adoption, and when he was called to his final rest his best monument was found in the love and respect of the community in which he lived for so many years.
A native of the Green Mountain state, his birth occurred in Middlebury, Vermont, in 1832, his parents being Hugh and Eliza Magill, who emigrated to America from the north of Ireland about 1816. They took up their abode upon a farm in Vermont and there the following named children were born unto them: William; Samuel; Rebecca E., who married C. H. Carpenter; Henry; Mary Ann, who was called Mollie and became the wife of Nixon Denton; and Robert. In 1841 the parents removed with their family to Malone, New York, where the father was engaged in business as the owner of a large cotton manufactory and a general store. In his undertaking he met with splendid success and refused an offer of eighty thousand dollars for his mill property, but there came a time when by fire he lost all and was left a poorer man than when he arrived in Malone, for though his property had been insured, the insurance company swindled him out of the entire amount. In 1851 he went westward to Michigan City, Indiana, where soon afterward he was joined by his family. There Hugh Magill took a contract for grading and tiling the roadbed of the Michigan Central Railroad from Michigan City to Chicago, in which venture he was joined by his sons. When the work had been successfully executed he and his son William went to Bloomington, Illinois, in February, 1853, and took a contract for the building of the Chicago & Alton Railroad from Bloomington to Lexington, under the firm name of the Emery-Magill Company, and later they built sixteen miles of the Illinois Central Railroad from Bloomington to Hudson. The four sons became partners in their father's business and extended their field of operations, opening a large general store in Bloomington, which was managed by Samuel and Henry Magill, while William and Robert assisted the father in the execution of the contracts.
In 1854 the family removed to Clinton, bringing with them a stock of merchandise from the Bloomington store. In 1855 they sold the Bloomington store to Mr. Emery and bought out the firm of Phares & Shorer, at Clinton. This was the beginning of the extensive business so long successfully conducted by the Magill Company, consisting of the brothers William, Samuel and Henry. In the same year the firm of Magill, Denton & Company took a contract to build a portion of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad. In 1858 the firm of Mason, Magill, Denton & Company built a large part of the Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad. The same year the firm of Magill & Company began business as dealers in stock, in addition to their operations along mercantile lines. Each of the brothers had the superintendence of a certain portion of the business, which he successfully managed and thus added to the general capital. William and Robert had charge of the purchase of stock, while Samuel and Henry were in control of the business in the city. Every dollar which they had and every acre of land which was purchased went into a common fund, and by keeping their capital thus united they were enabled to carry on business on a large scale and with greater prosperity.
Henry Magill possessed rare tact and business judgment, and as a financial manager he had but few equals in this part of the state. His brother generously attributed much of the success of the firm of Magill & Company to him and his splendid executive ability and keen discernment. For some time the brothers owned but little land, preferring to use their capital in enterprises that would bring quicker returns, but with their usual foresight they saw that it was only a question of time when DeWitt county farms would be very valuable. Accordingly, they bought new land when opportunity offered, and retaining possession of these, they have seen some of them more than double in value. They owned several thousand acres of the finest land in the county, all of which is under a very high state of cultivation and improved with all the modern accessories and conveniences found upon model farms. In the year 1870 Magill & Company graded the roadbed and furnished and placed the ties and irons for the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad from Clinton to Gilman and Henry Magill was largely instrumental in securing the benefits of this road for Clinton. He was also active in raising the money toward securing the location of the machine shops here, and thus directly and indirectly, he contributed in large measure to the substantial upbuilding and improvement of the city.
On the death of Robert Magill, in 1874, his share of the property was withdrawn from the business for the use of his widow and children and the remaining brothers organized under the name of Magill Brothers. This firm also had an equal interest in the banking house of John Warner & Company. Whatever they became interested in proved a profitable venture. Although they came to the west in very limited financial circumstances, within thirty years they were wealthy men, having control of mammoth business enterprises. The secret of their prosperity is short and simple. It resulted from indefatigable and honest effort, supplemented by almost unerring judgment in business transactions. They belonged to that class of representative American citizens who, while promoting individual success, also contribute in large measure to the general prosperity and welfare, and Clinton is indebted in large measure to their efforts in her behalf. They erected here a fine three-story brick hotel, yet known as the Magill House, and they gave generously to every enterprise which would benefit the city along material, social, educational and moral lines. Although they were not members of the Methodist Episcopal church, they were most liberal contributors to the fund for the erection of the house of worship. The firm ever sustained an unassailable reputation for honesty in all trade transactions, and the word of any one of the brothers was as good as his bond, and that was as good as gold. Rarely have brothers worked together in such perfect harmony; the ability and enterprise of the one seemed to round out and make symmetrical that of the others, and in close companionship they continued their labors with mutual pleasure and profit.
Although he led an extremely busy life, the interest of Henry Magill centered in his home and family. All of his efforts were put forth that he might add to their comfort and happiness. He was married on the 10th of February, 1859, to Miss Malissa F. Bowren, a native of Winchester, Kentucky, and a daughter of Alfred Bowren. She is a most estimable lady, who to her husband was ever a faithful companion and helpmate. The graces of true womanhood, the culture of a nature essentially refined have made her most highly esteemed by all, and in her immediate circle of friends she is greatly loved. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Magill were born the following named children: Hattie Eliza, widow of Charles Finney Amsden; Harry Alfred; and M. Gertrude, wife of Dr. J. D. Moore, a dentist of Decatur, Illinois.
A man of strong character and forceful individuality, Mr. Magill's life was guided by high principles, his example and influence were felt by all with whom he was associated. His judgment was safe and reliable, his opinions were just and his sympathy sure. His was the controlling mind in the business enterprise of the firm, yet there was no spirit of domination in any of his relations with his brothers. He had no aspirations for political honors or office and could rarely be induced to take part in public affairs. The only position he ever filled was that of school director, and he accepted that only when he was led to see that he might do better service for the school when in the office than out of it. Every measure calculated for the public good received his endorsement, and substantial aid was given to all practical movements for the general welfare. In manner he was entirely free from ostentation, and the character of the individual was the only thing which influenced his friendship inviolable. When once his confidence and friendship were given they were given for always unless he found that dishonor sundered the tie. To his family he was most tenderly devoted. Purchasing the old Cushman home, he enlarged and remodeled the residence and in that the family passed seventeen happy years. He then removed it to its present site on North Monroe street, and on the site where it formerly stood he erected a very handsome residence, in which his widow still resides—one of the most beautiful homes in the entire county. The home is surrounded by spacious grounds adorned with beautiful shade trees and beautified by the arts of the landscape gardener. Here Mr. Magill spent his last days. For almost three years prior to his change of climate and medical skill proved ineffectual. He was honored and esteemed not only for his splendid business ability but also for his many manly virtues and genuine worth.
"His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature
might stand up
And say to all the world, 'This was a man.'"
HENRY A. MAGILL. (Volume 1, Page 54)
Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished, and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony therewith. In person, in talents and in character Henry Alfred Magill was a worthy scion of his race. Distinguished for the business qualifications which made his father prominent and wealthy, of strong character and marked personal attributes commanding the highest respect and admiration, he spent his entire life in Clinton and was honored by young and old, rich and poor.
The only son of Henry and Fannie Magill, he was born here on the 20th of April, 1864, and at the usual age entered the public schools, where he pursued his studies until sixteen years old, when he entered the dry-goods house of Magill Brothers as a salesman. In that way he mastered the business, both in principle and detail, remaining there until 1884, when he accepted a position in the bank conducted under the firm name of Warner & Company, in which his father was a partner. Failing health, however, forced him to abandon the banking business in 1893, and he was never again able to take up the duties of an active business career, although he performed many services for the city and filled the position of chief executive of Clinton for eight consecutive years. Clinton has never had a better mayor. He was elected to the office in 1890 and on the expiration of the term had filled the office so acceptably that he was re-elected and continued as mayor by popular vote until he had been the incumbent through eight years. His administration was businesslike, practical and progressive. He was ever on the side of progress and reform, and he cooperated, in his official capacity, with every measure advanced for the general good. He never aspired to any other political office save that of representative to the general assembly, but he failed to secure the nomination. He was a most earnest and active Republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. His labors often contributed largely to the success of his friends who were seeking office, and he did not hesitate to assist a capable member of opposite political faith, who was seeking an office in which no political issue was involved. He himself had many warm friends in the Democracy and was always respected for his justice and his fearless defense of his honest convictions.
Mr. Magill was a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge in Clinton and of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in Bloomington, while of the Clinton fire department he was an honorary member. The Western Fireman, of Chicago, in commenting on his death said: "Everybody who met and knew Harry Magill loved him. He was for eight years Clinton's mayor and during that time, by his enterprise and wide-awake business sagacity, he wrought a revolution in the town on public policy and improvement. He was most enthusiastically the fireman's friend, taking an active part in the conventions and assisting the committees of the association. He was a gentleman of wealth, a good entertainer and a worthy, genial and constant friend." A sojourn in the west did not benefit the health of Mr. Magill, as it was hoped, and returning to Clinton he passed away March 2, 1901. There was much in his life worthy of emulation. Always reliable, a man of earnest purpose and strong intellectuality, he left the impress of his individuality upon many lines of public progress and Clinton was benefited by his experience, capability and public-spirited devotion. Those who enjoyed his friendship, and they were many, held him in the highest regard on account of his social, kindly nature, and among Clinton’s native sons one of the best loved was Henry A. Magill.
SAMUEL MAGILL. (Volume 1, Page 32)
Samuel Magill, deceased, did as much to promote the commercial activity, advance the general welfare and secure the material development of Clinton as probably any other individual. As a business man he was enterprising, energetic and always abreast of the times, and was rewarded by an ample fortune.
Mr. Magill was born in Middlebury, Vermont, on the 14th day of July, 1826, and was a son of Hugh and Eliza Magill, who emigrated to America from the north of Ireland about 1816 and settled on a farm in the Green Mountain state. Their children were William; Samuel; Rebecca E., wife of C. H. Carpenter; Henry; Mary Ann, wife of Nixon Denton; and Robert. In 1841, the parents removed with their family to Malone, New York, where the father was engaged in business as the owner of a large cotton manufactory and a general store. In his undertakings he met with splendid success and refused an offer of eighty thousand dollars for his mill property, but there came a time when by fire he lost all, and was left a poorer man than when he arrived in Malone, for though his property had been insured the insurance company swindled him out of the entire amount. In 1851 he went westward to Michigan City, Indiana, where soon afterward he was joined by his family. There Hugh Magill took a contract for grading and tiling the roadbed of the Michigan Central Railroad from Michigan City to Chicago, in which venture he was joined by his sons. When the work had been successfully executed he and his son William went to Bloomington, Illinois, in February, 1853, and took a contract for building the Chicago & Alton Railroad from Bloomington to Lexington, under the firm name of the Emery-Magill Company, and later they built sixteen miles of the Illinois Central Railroad from Bloomington to Hudson. The four sons became partners in their father’s business and extended their field of operations, opening a large general store in Bloomington, which was managed by Samuel and Henry Magill, while William and Robert assisted the father in the execution of the contracts.
In 1854 the family removed to Clinton, bringing with them a stock of merchandise from the Bloomington store. In 1855 they sold the Bloomington store to Mr. Emery and bought out the firm of Phares & Shorer at Clinton. This was the beginning of the extensive business so long successfully conducted by the Magill Company, consisting of the brothers, William, Samuel and Henry. In the same year the firm of Magill, Denton & Company took a contract to build a portion of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad. In 1858 the firm of Mason, Magill, Denton & Company built a large part of the Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad. The same year the firm of Magill & Company began business as dealers in stock, in addition to their operations along mercantile lines. Each of the brothers had the superintendence of a certain portion of the business, which he successfully managed and thus added to the general capital. William and Robert had charge of the purchase of stock, while Samuel and Henry were in control of the business in the city. Every dollar which they had and every acre of land which was purchased went into a common fund, and by keeping their capital thus united they wre enabled to carry on business on a large scale and with greater prosperity.
For some time the brothers owned but little land, preferring to use their capital in enterprises that would bring quicker returns, but with their usual foresight they saw that it was only a question of time when DeWitt county farms would be very valuable. Accordingly they bought new land when opportunity offered and retaining possession of these they saw some of them more than double in value. They owned several thousand acres of the finest land in the county, all of which is under a very high state of cultivation and improved with all the modern accessories and conveniences found upon a model farm. In the year 1870 Magill & Company graded the roadbed, and furnished and placed the ties and irons for the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad, from Clinton to Gilman. On the death of Robert Magill, in 1874, his share of the property was withdrawn from the business for the use of his widow and children, and the remaining brothers organized under the name of Magill Brothers. This firm also had an equal interest in the banking house of John Warner & Company. Whatever they became interested in became a profitable venture. Although they came to the west in very limited financial circumstances, within thirty years they were wealthy men, having control of mammoth business enterprises. The secret of their prosperity is short and simple. It resulted from indefatigable and honest effort, supplemented by almost unerring judgment in business transactions. They belonged to that class of representative American citizens, who, while promoting individual success, also contribute in large measure to the general prosperity and welfare, and Clinton is indebted in a large measure to their efforts in her behalf. They erected here a fine three-story brick hotel, yet known as the Magill House, and they gave generously to every enterprise which would benefit the city along material, social, educational and moral lines. Although they were not members of the Methodist Episcopal church they were most liberal contributors to the fund for the erection of the house of worship. While during their entire residence in Clinton, all the brothers attended and gave most liberally toward the erection and support of the Presbyterian church, of which their wives were active members.
In April, 1854, Samuel Magill was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor M. Seeley, a daughter of Nathan and Betsey (Irwin) Seeley, of Franklin county, New York. During his active business life her father followed farming, and after his retirement came to Clinton. While on a visit to our subject he died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife was eighty-eight years of age at the time of her death, and the remains of both were interred in Woodlawn cemetery, Clinton. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Magill, but Alfred H., who was a clerk in the Warner Bank, died at the age of twenty-seven years, and the daughter died in infancy. After the death of her mother, Nellie E. Magill, a daughter of Robert, came to live with our subject, and still makes her home with Mrs. Magill, to whom she been more than a daughter.
In 1855, Mr. Magill bought the McGraw property at 203 West main street, on which was a small frame house. This he moved away in 1862 and erected in its place the large and handsome residence which his widow now occupies. For many years he was an active member of the blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery of the Masonic fraternity, and served as treasurer of the lodge for some years. He was alderman of the city for a time, but never cared for political honors, though he always gave his support to all enterprises which he believed calculated to prove of public benefit. When, with his brothers, he began business in Clinton, there was not a sidewalk in the place, but he lived to se it become a flourishing town and bore a very active part in its development. He was not only a man of marked business ability, but was exceedingly charitable and benevolent, and his pleasant, genial manner made for him many friends, who esteemed him highly for his sterling worth. His death occurred on the 12th of November, 1883. His estimable wife still survives him, and is loved and esteemed by all who know her.
JOHN H. McCORD. (Volume 1, Page 329)
One of the most beautiful country homes in DeWitt county is that of John H. McCord, the culture and artistic taste of its occupants being reflected in its appointments, while a gracious hospitality adds a charm to its material comforts. Mr. McCord, who is a successful farmer and stock-dealer of Santa Anna township, was born December 19, 1838, on the farm where he now resides, and is the only child of William Young and Harriet (Weedman) McCord.
On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to Robert MacCord, a highlander and chief of his clan, who was killed in the battle of Killecrankie Pass, Scotland, about 1689, during the rebellion. His son, John MacCord, the next in direct descent to our subject, took part in numerous wars and died in Scotland about 1715 or 1717. His sons were John, David, William, Robert, Samuel, Benjamin and James, who after their father's death went to Stewartstown, County Tyrone, Ireland, and about 1720 John, David and William came to the new world and located in Pennsylvania. John later removed to North Carolina while David and William were killed by the Indians. The coat of arms of this family was a shield of gold and black and white, with three hearts and three lance heads on it, surmounted by a closed helmet. Families of this name still reside in County Tyrone, Ireland, and all are Presbyterians.
James McCord, great grandfather of our subject, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1739, and was four years old when he came to America with his father, Robert McCord, who was one of the seven brothers previously mentioned. After the death of their father these brothers changed the family name from MacCord to McCord. James McCord spent his early life in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and from there went to Wilkes county, North Carolina, where he married Miss Jane Scroggs, who was also of Scotch descent. Subsequently he removed to Iredell county, the same state, and from there to Overton county, Tennessee, where he died November 4, 1824. He served as general wagonmaster in the Revolutionary war under Washington. His wife died November 12, 1789.
In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, one of whom was James McCord, the grandfather of our subject. He was born in Wilkes county, North Carolina, February 22, 1779, and was married in Overton county, Tennessee, March 29, 1804, to Miss Mary Moore, a daughter of Charles and Sarah (Smith) Moore, the former of Welsh and the latter of Scotch descent. Her father was a cooper by trade, and during the Revolutionary war made canteens for the army. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McCord located at Peterman's Bend on the Obies river in Overton county, Tennessee, where all their children were born. About 1817 they removed to Spring Creek, and in 1832 came to DeWitt county, Illinois, locating on a farm in DeWitt township now owned by S. J. Thomas. At that time there were only six families in that locality, these being Dennis Hurley, John Weedman, Richard Kirby, William Daley, Robert Cummings, James M. Porter, who were supposed to be the original settlers. The first home of the McCord family was a double log house with a hall through the center and a fireplace at each end. In later years this was replaced by a good frame residence, which is still standing. Here the grandfather of our subject died December 3, 1852, and his wife, who was born in Granville county, North Carolina, October 29, 1779, passed away May 23, 1858. Their children were Charles; James W.; William Y., the father of our subject; Mrs. Sarah Pool; Mrs. Martha Shinkle; Mrs. Hannah Wakefield and John, twins; Mrs. Mary Heath; and Mrs. Elizabeth Brown.
William Y. McCord was born in Overton county, Tennessee, October 29, 1816, and accompanied his parents on their removal to DeWitt county. In 1837 he entered eighty acres of land on section 31, Santa Anna township, where our subject now lives, and to that tract he added until he had two hundred acres. His first home, which was a small house, was destroyed by fire in 1862, and he then erected a commodious and handsome brick residence-one of the largest and finest in the county. He cut black walnut timber and had it kiln dried for the inside wood work, making an elegant finish, as it is all hand work and is still in a fine condition. In 1861 he set out fruit and shade trees, which now spread wide their branches and add greatly to the beauty and attractive appearance of the place. This delightful home is on a natural elevation one mile west of Farmer City, and it invariably attracts the eye of the passing traveler. In early days, after his crops were harvested, William Y. McCord used to take much enjoyment with his neighbors in hunting, and owned several fine horses to be used on such occasions. He was a fine rifle shot, and deer and other wild game was then plentiful. He and his neighbors would club together to rid the country of the wolves which killed their stock, and he is said to have brought down more deer and wolves than any other man in this section of the state. He fenced off a park upon John Weedman's farm, in which he kept over twenty deer. When young and getting a start in life he often hauled his produce to Chicago, and then took goods from there to St. Louis by wagon, as that was the only means of transportation at that time. It required about three weeks to make these trips. In company with John Weedman, Jr., he erected a flouring mill at a cost of twenty thousand dollars-the first in Farmer City, it being located near the present water works, but after running it nine years he disposed of his interests, and later it was destroyed by fire. Mr. McCord was a stanch Republican and took a very active and prominent part in political affairs. He served as township assessor a number of years, during which time the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Peoria Railroad, now known as the Big Four, was built, and he was one of the directors up to the time of his death. He served as justice of the peace twenty years, and assessor seventeen years, and his official duties were always discharged with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Farmer City, with which he was officially connected, and gave liberally to the erection of both the old and new churches. As a citizen of the community in which he so long lived and was so active, he was highly respected for his genuine worth, enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him and was regarded as a man of excellent judgment.
On the 8th of February, 1838, William Y. McCord married Miss Harriet Weedman, a daughter of John and Rachel (Wilson) Weedman. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1790, and was a son of George Weedman, who was of German and English extraction. At an early day John Weedman removed to Ohio, and in 1830 came to Illinois, locating in Randolph Grove, McLean county, first, but settling in Hurley's Grove, Santa Anna township, DeWitt county, in 1835. Here he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer and stock-raiser and died at an advanced age. He married Rachel Wilson, a daughter of Asa Wilson, who was a native of Maryland, and from that state removed to Ohio and later to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Weedman had ten children, namely: Asa, Harriet, George, Amos, John, Isaiah, Lucinda, Eliza E., Zadok and Thomas S. The father of our subject died January 18, 1880, at the age of sixty-three, and the mother in September 1897, at the age of seventy-four years.
Reared on the home farm, John H. McCord acquired his elementary education in a log school house of the neighborhood, and later attended the Wesleyan University at Bloomington for one year. His life has been devoted to farming and stock-raising, with the exception of the nine years when he was with his father in the milling business at Farmer City. He succeeded to the old homestead, and has added to it until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, under a high state of cultivation. The fields, devoted to the raising of grain, he now rents, while he keeps the pasture land for his stock, devoting his entire time and attention to the raising of standard-bred horses and a high grade of cattle. He sells annually three or four carloads of cattle and hogs for the market.
Mr. McCord has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Sarah A. Slick. Her grandparents, Philip and Mary (Pantelen) Slick, were early settlers of this state, where the former died at the age of seventy-five years, the latter at the age of eighty-two. Their children were Thomas, William, Isaiah, Samuel, John, Margaret and Mary. Thomas Slick, Mrs. McCord's father, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, and wedded Miss Rachel Moss, also a native of that state and a daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth (Dill) Moss. They settled in Santa Anna township, DeWitt county, in 1862, and ten years later removed to Farmer City, where Mr. Slick died in 1880, at the age of eighty-one years, but his wife is still living. They had eight children, namely: Mrs. Mary E. Wisegarver, Mrs. Amanda Thew, Hamilton, Mrs. Sarah A. McCord, Mrs. Eliza Graft, Mrs. Almeda Weedman, Mrs. Jane Cook and Marion D. Mrs. McCord, who was born in 1840, died August 10, 1884, leaving three children as follows: (1) Lora Nettie, now deceased, married William A. Cummings and had five children, Inez, Vida, Shannah, Laura and Harriet. (2) William H., after graduating at the Farmer City high school, entered the Illinois University at Champaign, where he graduated in mechanical engineering, and then went to California to follow his profession. He arose so rapidly that he soon found it advisable to take a more advanced course, and for that purpose attended Stanford University of California, where he was also graduated. He is now superintendent of a very large gold mine near Nevada City, California. He married Frances Black and they have one son, John Thomas. (3) Ruby is at home with her father. For his second wife Mr. McCord married Miss Annie Lee, daughter of Clinton Lee, and to them have been born two children, John Merle and Inez.
Socially Mr. McCord is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and religiously is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as steward and trustee. The Republican party has always found in him an ardent supporter, but he has never cared for political honors. He has an enviable reputation as a straightforward, honorable business man, and his advice and counsel are often sought by his neighbors and many friends, who recognize his ability and sound judgment in business affairs. He is a man of influence in his community and quite popular.
EUGENE E. McINTOSH. (Volume 1, Page 477)
Among the representative business men of Clinton, Illinois, is Eugene E. McIntosh, a well-known jeweler, who owns the largest store in his line in DeWitt county. He carries a well selected stock of silverware, clocks, jewelry, diamonds, etc., and enjoys an excellent trade. A native of New York, he was born in Sloansville, August 22, 1865, and is a son of Hiram and Anna M. (Childs) McIntosh. His paternal grandfather was William McIntosh, a native of Connecticut. His father was born in Saratoga, New York, and in early life received an excellent education. For some time he was engaged in the hotel business in Central Bridge and Sloansville, New York, but on coming to Clinton, Illinois, in 1893, he opened a jewelry store under the firm name of McIntosh & Son, his son, William W., being associated with him. He purchased a lot on North Center street, where his widow now lives, but in order to make it a desirable piece of property he had to fill up a creek that flowed across the lot, making it very low. This required hundreds of loads of earth, but it is to-day one of the valuable corners of the city, with its large brick residence and beautiful grounds, shaded by fruit and ornamental trees. Besides this place he owned other property. He died in 1888, at the age of sixty-four years, honored and respected by all who knew him. He commanded the confidence of all with whom he came in contact, either in business or social life, and his circle of friends seemed only limited by his circle of acquaintances. In Clyde, New York, he married Miss Anna M. Child, a native of New York city, and a daughter of Sylvester and Eliza (Carpenter) Child. Her father, who was a shipbuilder, spent his last days in Clyde, where he died when he was forty-five years of age, and his wife at the age of fifty-five. They had seven children, namely: Carrie, Juliet, Anna, Eugene, William, Edwin and Sylvester. Our subject is the youngest in a family of three children, of whom Willie died in infancy, and William W. is now engaged in the real estate business in Akron, Ohio. The latter married Grace Bishop and they have two children, Bishop and Margaret. The parents of our subject were both faithful members of the Presbyterian church, and the father always took a very active part in its work.
Eugene E. McIntosh spent his boyhood and youth in the Empire state, and was educated at Central Bridge, New York, and Jackson, Michigan. At the latter place he also learned the jeweler's trade with his uncle, William W. Child, who was a very successful man in that business. In 1886 Mr. McIntosh started in business for himself at Weldon, this county, and later was located at Gibson City and Fairbury, Illinois. In 1891 he returned to Clinton and purchased his brother's store, the latter having succeeded the father in business here. He has since bought the Burrough's property on the north side of the square and has remodeled it, putting in the first beveled plate glass, and also laying the first concrete sidewalk on the square. He now has an elegant store, well stocked, and also owns two cottages, besides other property here, and is one of the most enterprising business men of the place. Keen discrimination, unflagging industry and resolute purpose are numbered among his salient characteristics, and thus he has won the success which is the merited reward of honest effort. Mr. McIntosh is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Consistory and Mystic Shrine, and in religious belief is a Presbyterian. In 1892 he married Miss Belle M. Wade, of Fairbury, Illinois, and to them have been born two children, Ella Child and Wade Donald.
ARCHIBALD T. McKINNEY. (Volume 1, Page 396)
One of the early settlers and highly respected citizens of DeWitt county, Illinois, is Archibald T. McKinney, who owns and occupies two hundred acres of rich farm land on section 22, Texas township. He is a native of Indiana, born May 24, 1837, and moved from there October 14, 1847, with his parents to DeWitt county, Illinois, they settling in Clintonia township, where they remained ten years.
Our subject is a son of Archibald T. and Polly (Givens) McKinney. The father was a native of Kentucky and came to Indiana at an early day and located in Posey county, where he engaged in farming until moving to Illinois. After coming to this state he continued farming and at the close of his ten years’ residence in Clintonia township he removed to Texas township, where he purchased a farm on section 23. Here he lived until his death, which occurred in July, 1873, when he was seventy years of age. His wife passed away when our subject was only three years of age and is buried at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Both the parents were devout members of the hard-shell Baptist church. Of their eight children, our subject is the only one now living and he was next to the youngest in order of birth.
Archibald T. McKinney remained at the home place until he was twenty-one years of age, and then engaged in farming for himself in Texas township, where he purchased five acres, which he still owns. He added to this piece of land, but rents the property which he farms and has lived upon it for over twenty-two years. He has engaged in general farming and stock-raising, the latter being his principal business for many years. Our subject raises high bred cattle, horses and hogs. For the past twenty years he has been road commissioner and is holding that office at the present time. In politics he is a Democrat and is very active in the working of the party.
On January 22, 1857, he was married to Amanda Cox. She is a native of DeWitt county and a daughter of George and Mary R. (Fruit) Cox. Mr. Cox was a native of Kentucky, as was his wife. They came to Illinois about 1829 and located in Texas township, DeWitt county (then Macon county). They purchased a home just south of Mr. McKinney’s present home. The father died on this farm at the age of forty-eight and his widow survived him and died about four years ago. During her girlhood days Mrs. McKinney lived with her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Thompson) Fruit, who came to Illinois at a very early day and located in Tunbridge township, where they resided until their death, the grandfather dying at the age of eighty-seven and his wife at about seventy-five. He was a farmer all his life and was quite successful. From the time she was two years of age until her marriage Mrs. McKinney made her home with those excellent people and was very much attached to them.
Her paternal grandparents, David and Polly (McGee) Cox, came from Kentucky to Illinois about 1820 and located in Texas township, where both died at an advanced age. During his active life Mr. Cox was a farmer.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. McKinney were as follows: George T., who resides on the home place; John T., who also resides on the home place and has the misfortune of being blind; Charles W., who resides in Clinton, Illinois, and married Emma Lauereaux; Flora, who is the wife of Martin Williams, a retired farmer of Clinton, Illinois; Seymour, who resides in Creek township, DeWitt county, and married Clara Grady, a daughter of John Grady, late of Texas township; Laura, who is the wife of M. B. Jenkins, a farmer of Texas township; Enoch, who died at the age of eleven months; Birdie, who died at the age of nine months; James, who resides in Decatur, Illinois, and married Gertrude Leaden, who is a native of Texas township; Robert, who married Emma Blasingame and resides in Texas township.
All of the children were born in DeWitt county and all except Laura and Enoch were born in Texas township.
When McKinney first came to Texas township it was nearly all wild land and he has seen it developed from its primitive state to one of the richest farming districts in the state. In fact he and his father were among the men who helped make DeWitt county what it is today.
ABRAHAM K. MILLER. (Volume 1, Page 410)
Since the spring of 1830 A. K. Miller has been a resident of DeWitt county and has therefore been an eye witness of the entire development of the county. He has seen its wild lands transformed into beautiful homes and farms; towns and cities spring up, and all of the interests and evidences of an advanced civilization introduced.
Mr. Miller was born in Grayson county, Kentucky, February 21, 1822, and is a son of John and Nancy (Music) Miller, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Tennessee. The Miller family is of German origin, and was founded in Virginia in early colonial days. Some of its representatives took part in the Revolutionary war, and a maternal uncle of our subject was at the battle of New Orleans during the war of 1812, arriving at the close of the engagement. When about sixteen years of age, John Miller removed with his parents to Kentucky, and later purchased a farm in that state, which he operated until our subject was six years of age and then came to Illinois. He at first located in Macon county, on the present site of the fair grounds at Decatur, the locality then formed a part of Sangamon county. After residing there two seasons he came to DeWitt county in the spring of 1830, and took up his residence in what is now Tunbridge township, where he purchased a farm. Subsequently he resided in Creek township, and later spent a short time in Clintonia township, after which he returned to Creek township and purchased a farm, which he made his home for many years. Both he and his wife were sixty-seven years of age at the time of their deaths. They were the parents of sixteen children, of whom twelve reached years of maturity, and six are still living, namely: Matthew, a resident of Joplin, Missouri; A. K., our subject; Margaret, wife of Jacob Zorger of Weldon, Illinois; John, a resident of Rutledge township, this county; Sarah, wife of Allen Harrold, of Indian Territory; and Martha, wife of John Shinkle, of Springfield, Illinois.
Mr. Miller, of this review, was only able to attend school about three months during boyhood, and this was in a primitive log school house, with its puncheon floor, greased paper windows and huge fire place. He learned to read by studying the speeches and debates of Lincoln and Douglas, and also the Bible and New Testament, and his education has been mainly acquired by reading and observation. When a small boy he began hoeing corn and cotton, and in this way gained a practical knowledge of farming, which he made his life work. At the age of fifteen he commenced watching the best farmers and by copying the methods which they followed, soon became a thorough and successful agriculturist. At this time he also assisted in work on the first railroad attempted in Illinois, from Pekin to Bloomington, but which was abandoned before completion. For many years he broke prairie with oxen, using four yoke of cattle, as horsed could not stand the hard work. On leaving home at the age of twenty-two Mr. Miller pre-empted one hundred and fifty-six acres of land on section 3. Creek township, which he entered with a land warrant at Danville, paying one dollar per acre. Although it was so cheap, he had a hard time just then to raise the required amount. His place was entirely unimproved when it came into his possession, and the first building he erected thereon was a hewed log cabin of one room, sixteen feet square, into which he and his bride moved.
On the 14th of March, 1844, Mr. Miller married Miss Rebecca Jane Welch, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Rev. Thomas Welch, who was a minister of the Christian, or what was then known as the New Light Church, and who preached for many years without compensation. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Miller had but one dollar and twelve cents in cash, and this he paid for the marriage license, the minister performing the ceremony for nothing. Working on a farm until after harvest, he found himself the possessor of ten dollars. Going to Decatur he invested a portion of it in a calico dress for his wife and with the balance purchased household furniture. Mrs. Miller proved a true helpmate to her husband, and their married life, which covered fifty-five years, was an ideal one. Unto them were born twelve children, six of whom are now living, namely: Thomas, the present supervisor of Creek township, who married Margaret Glenn, and is a minister of the Christian church; Nancy, at home with her father; Emeline, wife of Allan Spainhour, of Creek township; Mary, wife of William Brown, of Piatt county, Illinois; Edward, who married Lillie Hoge and lives in Creek township, they have one child, Percy; and Elijah P., who married Mary Cowless and has two children, A. K., Jr., and Martha Rebecca. He lives on a farm with his father. The wife and mother, who was an earnest and consistent Christian and a most estimable woman, passed away May 29, 1899, leaving many friends as well as her immediate family to mourn her loss. She was laid to rest in Lisenby cemetery, Creek township.
On starting out in life for himself Mr. Miller thought forty acres would be as much land as he would require, but as time passed he kept adding to his landed possessions until now he has eighteen hundred acres of valuable farm land in Dewitt county, Illinois, and at Storm Lake, Buena Vista county, Iowa. He has always given considerable attention to stock raising and found that business quite profitable. At the time of his marriage he was in limited circumstances, and as times were hard he took up coopering, which he soon mastered, and by following that trade added not a little to his income. His wife also aided him by making brooms, and in this way they were always able to meet the payments on their land when due and secure a good start in life. For many years Mr. Miller was one of the most active and successful farmers and stock raisers of the county, but is now living a retired life on his farm on section 21, Creek township, enjoying the fruits of former toil.
Religiously he is a member of the Christian church, and was also a member of the Grange as long as it was in existence. In politics he is a strong Jeffersonian Democrat, but would never accept office, save that of school director and road commissioner. He can relate many incidents of pioneer days, which if written would make a large and interesting volume. He well remembers when the family removed from Kentucky to Illinois. They started with their bedding on pack horses and the little children on top of the load, but after traveling this way for a few days they stopped at a cousin's house and bought a wagon, in which the women and most of the children of the party rode, though our subject walked beside the wagon most of the way and drove the cows. The journey was a long and tiresome one, consuming many days, and the family all contracted sore eyes in trying to gaze far over the trackless prairies. In those days the early settlers were far more hospitable than the people of the present time, and at their humble homes a stranger never sought shelter in vain, and the members of the household would do all they could for him. When the Miller family arrived in this county they found only a few wigwams scattered along the creek, the Indians being far more numerous than the white settlers. The land was just as nature left it, and all kinds of wild game was plentiful, including prairie chickens, turkeys, deer and wild hogs. At that time malaria and ague were quite prevalent, and as there were no physicians for miles around the people did their own doctoring with herbs. Being unable to get their grain ground, Mr. Miller pounded it in a mortar to make meal for his father's large family during one winter. He took a very active part in the early development and upbuilding of this county, and is deserving of prominent mention among its honored pioneers and representative citizens.
CLIFTON H. MOORE. (Volume 1, Page 9)
In one of his most eloquent orations Charles Sumner said "Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war." It was the victories of peace which were won by Clifton H. Moore, a man distinguished for his remarkable business ability and sagacity, however, through the channels of legitimate business transactions, in which he gained wealth and at the same time commanded in unusual degree the confidence and respect of his fellow men. During a long and successful business career, characterized by enterprise, he ever maintained an enviable reputation for the highest honor and principle, and no unworthy deed or word ever linked itself with his name, and no citizen of Illinois made better or more unostentatious use of his accumulations. He is entitled to high place of honor among the representative men of this section of the state, for at all times his life was manly, his actions sincere, his honesty unquestioned.
Mr. Moore was born in Kirkland [Kirtland], Lake county, Ohio, October 26, 1817, the eldest son of Isaac and Philena (Blish) Moore, whose family numbered eight sons. His father was born at the old family homestead in Saratoga county, New York, January 31, 1794, and was of English lineage. The grandfather, John Moore, according to the family tradition, was one of a large number of sons and daughters, and when only about six years old was left an orphan, the family at that time residing near the boundary line between Maryland and Delaware. He was reared by an uncle of the name Hyde until sixteen years of age, when he entered military service, and for about ten years was largely engaged in fighting Indians. He enlisted for service in the Revolutionary war when the yoke of British oppression had become intolerable and the colonists had resolved to sever all allegiance with the mother country, and served throughout the entire contest. He was at Fort Stanwux [Stanwix] when it was besieged by St. Leger with his British and Indian troops, and was with General Washington at Yorktown at the time Cornwallis surrendered, which surrender virtually ended the war. Returning to his home, he found that his brothers had all removed either to Virginia or Kentucky. John Moore was a man of fine physique and of great powers of endurance, and was thus well equipped to meet the hardships of pioneer life. He reached the ripe old age of ninety-five years, and was laid to his final rest in Geauga county, Ohio.
Isaac Moore, his son, the father of our subject, became a very successful business man, although little qualified by educational privileges. His natural ability, however, was very great, and as the years advanced he became a prosperous farmer. In 1811 he removed to Kirkland [Kirtland], Ohio, in company with his parents, an unmarried sister and three married sisters and their husbands. There amid the scenes of pioneer life he established his home and accumulated a comfortable competence. He passed his last days in the home of his son Clifton, in DeWitt county, Illinois, dying on the 9th of October, 1882, when almost ninety years of age. He had been three times married. His first wife was the mother of our subject, and they had eight children. Mrs. Moore was a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of Benjamin and Phebe (Skinner) Blish, who were of Welsh descent, the ancestry of the family being traced back to Abraham Blish, a native of Wales, who came to America in 1637. Mrs. Moore was born in 1796, and departed this life May 14, 1832.
Under the parental roof Clifton H. Moore spent his childhood days, and in the district schools near his home began his education, which was later supplemented by a course of study pursued under the direction of a prominent clergyman of Bedford, Ohio. He later became a student in Paynesville [Painesville], Ohio, and in the Western Reserve Teachers' Seminary at Kirkland. Well equipped with a liberal education, he then started out in life, determined to make the most of his opportunities and to gain success. He engaged in teaching in Geauga and Cuyahoga counties, Ohio, and then determined to try his fortune in a more western district. In the spring of 1839 he followed the star of empire on its westward way, arriving at Pekin, Illinois, with a cash capital of less than five dollars. But this counted little to the young man of resolute spirit, possessed of health and energy. He soon secured a school, and while engaged in teaching spent his time outside of the school-room in reading law with the firm of Baily & Wilmot, being admitted to the bar in 1841.
In August of the same year Mr. Moore arrived in Clinton, being the first lawyer to establish an office here, and through many years he maintained his place as the first lawyer of the city, not only by reason of his seniority in years of practice but also on account of his skill as a practitioner and his ability as a counselor. His knowledge of law was comprehensive and exact, and it soon became known that his devotion to his clients' interest was proverbial and that he prepared his cases with the greatest care and precision. He won his first suit and afterward many others of much importance, even though he met in forensic combat such distinguished lawyers as Abraham Lincoln, Judge David Davis and others. The only office which he ever filled was also on the line of his profession, having in 1870 served as a member of the constitutional convention of the state, in which body he left the impress of his strong mind and profound legal knowledge upon the organic law of the commonwealth.
At an early day Mr. Moore also began investing in land, and in this was long associated with Judge David Davis, they together owning at one time thirty thousand acres. His investments were at first small, but proving profitable, he wisely again invested the money thus gained in other land, and in due course of time he won wealth that classed him among the millionaires of the state. His business judgment was rarely, if ever, at fault, and his savings were so judiciously placed that he never failed to realize on an investment. He was exceedingly considerate of his tenants, and never asked of them more than one-third of the crop, or three dollars and a half per acre. So long as they proved themselves honest and industrious they were never asked to give possessions, and some of them remained upon his farms for from ten to twenty years or more. At his death one of them, who had occupied a farm for twenty-two years, said: "I have lost the best friend I ever had." What higher tribute of praise could be given?
While deeply engrossed with his business cares, he was in his home an ideal husband and father, kind, considerate and loving, and he erected for his family one of the finest residences in this section of the state. It stands in the midst of a most attractive lawn adorned with walks, drives, and shade trees and flowers, and one of its most attractive features is the library which fills two rooms and is one of the finest collections of books in any home in the entire state. It contains many rare and interesting old volumes as well as the more standard works. The best food for the mind was all that found its way there, and he had every reason to be proud of his splendid collection of books, the contents of which were very familiar to him. He was a man of scholarly attainments and regarded his books as among his best friends.
Mr. Moore first married Miss Elizabeth Richmond, the wedding taking place August 14, 1845. The lady was a native of Canandaigua, New York, and a daughter of Hiram Richmond, later of Tremont, Tazewell county, Illinois. Four children were born unto them but only one is now living, Arthur, who is extensively engaged in farming. Mrs. Moore died May 30, 1872, and on the 26th of July, 1874, Mr. Moore wedded Miss Rose Onstein, a native of North Amherst, Ohio, and a daughter of George and Rosanna (Ruhle) Onstein, the former of German descent and the latter of Scotch and German lineage. The father was born in Pennsylvania, became a farmer of Loraine county, Ohio, and died in his seventieth year, while his wife, also a native of the Keystone state, passed away at the age of seventy-five. They were the parents of eight children. Mr. Moore was called to his final reward April 29, 1901, after a brief illness of only five days.
In his political views Mr. Moore was always a Republican, and could undoubtedly have won high political honors had he cared for such advancement, but he preferred to devote his time and attention to his law practice and his property interests. He was a member of DeWitt Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., and his life was in harmony with the principles of the craft which recognized the brotherhood of mankind. He recognized his duty to his fellow men and was charitable, generous and sympathetic. He contributed with free hand to the upbuilding of churches and schools and was a ready assistant to all measures which he believed would promote the welfare of his adopted county. In manner he was dignified and quiet, but his friendship was sincere and unchanging, and everywhere he was spoken of in terms of the highest respect and esteem. Fearless in conduct, honorable in action and stainless in reputation, the life of this man was a beneficent influence in DeWitt county, and his example is one well worthy of emulation.
Note: His full name was Clifton Haswell Moore.
GEORGE W. MOORE. (Volume 1, Page 202)
George W. Moore, now deceased, was one of the leading men of Wilson township, Dewitt county, Illinois, and during his later days he resided on section thirty. He was born in Casey county, Kentucky, in February, 1820, and he was a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Cooley) Moore.
His education was received in the common schools of Kentucky, and although the advantages were few, he managed to secure a good foundation for it, to which he added during his life by reading. In 1830 he removed with his parents to Sangamon county, Illinois, but later moved back to Kentucky, and in 1843 was there married to Miss Matilda Porter, who was born in Casey county, Kentucky. She was a daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Grammer) Porter, both of whom were natives of Virginia, and who were married in their native state and moved to Kentucky, where they lived and died. Mr. Porter was a well-to-do farmer, and he and his wife were the parents of nine children, namely: Isaac; Samuel, deceased; John, deceased; Mrs. Moore; Jefferson, who died in infancy; Abigail, who resides in Casey county, Kentucky; Lucinda, who married James Mitchell and they reside in Washington county, Illinois; James; and Delia, deceased.
After marriage our subject remained in Kentucky for about two years, then returned to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he remained until he removed to Dewitt county just a few days prior to the assassination of President Lincoln. Mr. Moore settled upon eighty acres of land which was partly improved in Wilson township, and there he spent the remainder of his life. His days were peacefully spent in farming and he brought his land into a fine state of cultivation. The buildings upon the place he erected, and he took great pride in keeping the entire farm in excellent condition. The fences were all kept in good order; the hedges neatly trimmed, while his barn and buildings were never allowed to get out of repair. Not far from the house he planted a fine orchard, as well as some shade trees, and his widow, who resides upon this model farm, can see the result of his careful management on every side. Later, Mr. Moore added forty acres to his eighty acres and the farm now consists of one hundred and twenty acres. In addition, he also owned sixty-five acres of timber land in Wapella township, which he partly cleared. From this fine strip of timber land Mr. Moore hauled the last load of wood the President ever used and he was an intimate friend of Mr. Lincoln and never tired of relating entertaining incidents of the great man’s kindly life. No man was too humble for his notice, and in his sad death Mr. Moore always claimed the country received a blow from which it could never recover.
A brother of Mr. Moore married a Miss Sarah Foster, who was a daughter of Abner and Ellender (Moore) Foster, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Foster were married in Kentucky and lived there a few years, then removed to Kansas in the early fifties and there they died, he in 1887 at the age of sixty-five, and she in 1897 at the age of seventy-three years. To the brother of our subject and his wife were born the following family. Elvira married Thomas Highfield and they reside in Kansas. Ellen married Henry Hickman, and they have two children: Rosa Nellie, who married L. H. Longbrake, and they have one child, George Wilbur; and Katie. Mr. Longbrake rents the farm of Mrs. Moore, and they make their home together. Mary E. resides in Kansas. Margaret, John and Abner are deceased. Delia married William Goff, who resides in Kansas. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore, John Hamilton, but he died in childhood.
Mr. Moore was a Republican in politics, but would never accept public office, believing that he could serve his township better as a private citizen and also being absorbed in his duties pertaining to his farming life. Both he and his excellent wife early joined the Methodist church and he always took an active part in its work. The example of a good life well spent is great and no better heritage can be left than an untarnished name. Mr. Moore was a man whose whole life was without blemish. Hard-working and frugal he labored earnestly to provide for his beloved wife and leave her in comfortable circumstances. To his neighbors he was always a kind friend, and no one in need ever appealed to him in vain. His life was above reproach and he died as he had lived, a truly Christian man. In the township, among the church members, and more especially at his own fireside, is this good man missed, and his place can never be filled.
JOSEPH G. MOORE. (Volume 1, Page 452)
One of the largest cattle feeders in central Illinois is Joseph G. Moore, of Farmer City, Illinois, who was born near Concord, New Hampshire, October 6, 1838, and is a son of Jacob and Cynthia A. (Garrick) Moore, a grandson of Joseph Garrick. Jacob Moore, who was a farmer and stock dealer, went to Brown county, Ohio, in 1840, and to Pike county, Illinois, ten years later. He died at the age of eighty-five and his wife when she was about eighty years of age. They had five children, namely: Fanny B., Joseph G., Phoebe K., George H. and Albert H. In all his operations Jacob Moore was successful, as has been his son, our subject.
Joseph G. Moore went to McLean county, Illinois, in 1860 and engaged in farming wild land for some six years, doing this work with oxen. At this time wild game was to be found on every hand. Quite early in his business career Mr. Moore's attention was called to the great profit there was in dealing in cattle by a business transaction in which he was engaged, selling some fifty head which he had bought for five dollars each for thirty dollars a head after keeping them a year. The money he thus made he used in larger transactions and as his profits accumulated he invested in land, and he now owns over a thousand acres, the greater part of which he rents, just retaining a sufficient amount to make good pasturage for the number of cattle he annually feeds. Recently he located in Farmer City, where he owns and occupies a comfortable home, beautifully furnished and surrounded by well cultivated grounds.
Mr. Moore married Miss Sabina Ensminder, a daughter of Philip and Mariah (Myers) Ensminder, both of whom are now deceased, Mr. Ensminder dying when thirty-seven and his wife at the age of seventy-one. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore.
JAMES L. MORROW. (Volume 1, Page 208)
James L. Morrow is one of the early settlers and highly respected citizens of DeWitt county, residing on a fruit farm of forty acres on section 13, in Texas township. He was born in the village of LeRoy, McLean county, Illinois, on January 7, 1840, and remained there until he was about twelve years of age, when he moved with his parents to Bloomington, Illinois.
The parents of James L. Morrow were Leonard P. and Sarah E. (Williams) Morrow, the former of whom was a native of the state of Ohio, and came to Illinois about 1830, locating in McLean county. By trade he was a saddler, and he followed that occupation for many years in LeRoy, and later in Bloomington, where he also engaged in the manufacture of brick. Upon coming to DeWitt county, with Thomas Snell he engaged in the manufacture of brick, and one year later engaged in the business alone, following this interest in Texas township until about the time of his death, also doing some farming. His death occurred when he was about sixty-five years of age. Although a stanch Democrat, he had never accepted party publicity, although he was always interested in public affairs and ready to use his influence in the direction of improvements. His burial was in Rose cemetery, Creek township. His widow survived him some nine years and died at the home of our subject, at the age of seventy-two years. For about nine years she had been a helpless but patient invalid, and was the mother of nine children, five of the family still surviving.
James L. Morrow, of this sketch, obtained his education in the district schools of Texas township, and assisted his father both in his farming and in his brick-making operations until his death, and then took care of his loved mother, filling this filial duty with care and affection until her decease. He took charge of the home place and farmed it, and still resides there.
Mr. Morrow has planted his whole forty acres in fruit, and nearly all of his trees are in bearing condition and are yielding great returns. Like his father, he is a stanch Democrat, but has never sought office, although he consented to serve through one term as road commissioner. During that time he proved his capacity and inaugurated many needed reforms.
The marriage of Mr. Morrow was in 1861, in Clinton, Illinois, to Miss Amanda McGowen, who was a daughter of Ford McGowen, who was an early settler of DeWitt county. Mr. McGowen was a carpenter by trade and enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming lieutenant of Company E, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, doing a soldier's duty until the close of the struggle. His death occurred at his home at Princeton, Bureau county, where he had resided for a number of years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Morrow, viz.: Leonard, who resides in Texas township and assists his father in the fruit business, and who married Alice Evans, and they have one child, Cecil; and Philip, the other son, who did not live beyond infancy.
The second marriage of Mr. Morrow was to Miss Sarah Carlock, who was born in DeWitt county, and who was a daughter of George and Margaret (Mann) Carlock. The former was a native of DeWitt county and lived here all his life, engaged in farming, both in Creek and Texas townships, but his death occurred more than a quarter of a century ago, at the age of fifty-four years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Morrow, viz.: Lawrence B., who was born on April 4, 1871, at the home place, in Texas township, and he has lived at home all his life, obtaining his education in the district schools of the township. The youngest son, Frank, died at the age of two years.
Mr. Morrow has a vivid recollection of DeWitt county when it was all prairie and timber land. There were but few buildings, few roads, a very few school-houses, which also served as churches. The men who have changed all these conditions were tillers of the soil. DeWitt county is a testimonial to the energy, the tireless industry and the progressiveness of such men as our subject and his honored father, for they were long leaders in all that served to be of permanent benefit. Such are the men who truly represent this county.
Note from Kathy Ikeda: James Morrow's full name was James Leonard Morrow. According to 1850, 1860 and 1870 census information, Leonard P. Morrow was a native of Tennessee, not Ohio. James' first wife was Amanda McGowan, not McGowen, and according to their marriage license they were married on May 8, 1862, not 1861, in "Town of Texas," not Clinton. The full name of James' father-in-law was Philip Ford McGowan, not McGowen. P. F. McGowan served as a sergeant and 2nd lieutenant with Company C of the 41st Illinois Infantry Regiment, not as a lieutenant with Company E of the 20th. James' daughter-in-law's full name was Iva Alice Evans, but she went by Alice.
LEVI R. MURPHEY. (Volume 1, Page 470)
Levi R. Murphey, cashier of the State Bank of Clinton, Illinois, is one of the enterprising business men of DeWitt county, and one who has won and retained the confidence of the entire community. He was born in Frederick county, Virginia, December 28, 1847, and is a son of Hiram Murphey, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Murphey was brought to Illinois by his parents in 1853 and was reared to farm life. He attended the public schools and the high school at Farmer City until he was twenty-two. He then left the farm and taught school in this county and Linn county, Kansas. At the death of his parents, he returned home and engaged in farming. He now owns a farm of two hundred and forty acres. Here he makes a specialty of raising high grade cattle and has been very successful at his work, both upon the farm and in commercial life.
In 1890 Mr. Murphey was elected sheriff of DeWitt county, which office he held to the entire satisfaction of everyone. In 1893 he was made cashier of the State Bank of Clinton, one of the sound financial institutions of the county. While he was discharging the duties of sheriff, Mr. Murphey and his family lived in Clinton, but in 1897 they returned to their beautiful home near Farmer City, and now live there surrounded by the comforts of both city and country life. He has served acceptably as township collector, road supervisor and school director, as well as justice of the peace and treasurer of the township. Mr. Murphey is also treasurer of the Farmer City Fair Association, of which he was one of the organizers.
Our subject was married to Miss Mary M., a daughter of James Bracken, late of Farmer City. Two children have been born of this union, namely: Albert F., who operates his father's farm, and Earl C., who assists his brother. Both are very energetic young men and excellent farmers.
Mr. Murphey is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 710, at Farmer City, and of the Knights of Pythias, No. 60. Both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist church, of which they are liberal supporters. Mr. Murphey is a man in whom supreme trust is placed for he is recognized to be a man of sterling honesty, strictest integrity and a high sense of honor.
REV. WILLIAM M. MURRAY. (Volume 1, Page 476)
Rev. William M. Murray is the present pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at DeWitt, Illinois, but makes his home in Beason, Logan county, where he is successfully engaged in business as a dealer in buggies, farm implements, etc. He was born on the 1st of June, 1844, in Bond county, Illinois, and is a son of William and Amanda J. (Harris) Murray, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky. The mother died in Illinois. Our subject's grandfather, Morgan Murray, made his home in the Old Dominion, where he died on his return from the Revolutionary war from wounds received in the service.
Mr. Murray, of this review, acquired but a limited education in the schools of Bond and Fayette counties as he was obliged to help in the support of the family during his early life. On reaching manhood he engaged in the stock business and took contracts for getting out railroad ties, being thus employed until he was ordained a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church by the Rev. M. A. Marlow, of Fairfield, Illinois, September 27, 1875. Immediately thereafter he was installed as pastor of the church of Fairfield, where he remained in charge of the congregation for twelve years. Subsequently he filled one or two minor positions, and in 1889 was called to the church at Owensville, Indiana, where he was pastor until May 1897. As a preacher he has been very successful, being a man of pleasing presence and commanding ways, as well as a good orator, and his loss to the congregation at Owensville has been greatly regretted. He came to Beason to accept the pastorate of a much larger congregation, where he believed he could do more good. Here he continued as pastor until April 1, 1901, when he resigned. He has been identified with the DeWitt church since the 2nd of May, 1901. The congregation numbers two hundred and fifty families, and here Mr. Murray has done an excellent work.
On November 30, 1865, Mr. Murray married Anna Green, a daughter of Edmond Green, of Tennessee, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom six survive, namely: Maggie L.; Roy W., who married Miss L. Keys, daughter of J. J. Keys, deceased; Florence; Loretta; Anna; and Carrie. The children have been reared in the Cumberland Presbyterian belief, and are a family of which any parents might well be proud.
Fraternally Mr. Murray is a Royal Arch Mason, and is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Grand Army of the Republic. During the Civil war he was one of the defenders of the old flag and the cause it represented, being a member of Company D, Ninety-eighth Illinois Mounted Infantry, under command of Captain Flood, and served with distinction until hostilities ceased, being honorably discharged September 18, 1865. He enlisted in March, 1864. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He has been a delegate to the general assembly of his church, four different times, and since entering the ministry has given most of his time to his pastoral duties. In the pulpit he is especially gifted on account of his oratorical ability and his pleasing delivery. His discourses are scholarly and effective in their appeals to follow the Master, and he is held in high esteem not only by the people of his own congregation, but by the residents of DeWitt and Beason generally.
AARON NAGELY. (Volume 1, Page 358)
Aaron Nagely, one of Clinton's oldest and most honored citizens, was born in Clark county, Ohio, on the 26th of March, 1817, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Gregg) Nagely, and grandson of George and Sarah (Phares) Nagely. The grandfather, who was a farmer by occupation, was born in Randolph county, Virginia, and about 1819 removed to Ohio, where he became a large land owner, giving four of his sons one hundred acres. The other children he helped by giving them money. Both he and his wife died when about seventy years of age. Their children were Christina, John, Henry, George, Eli, Jacob, David, Sampson, Paulser, Margaret and Zebedee. Our subject's maternal grandparents were William and Margaret (Dunkle) Gregg, who also lived to old age. They were natives of Pendleton county, West Virginia, the former of Irish descent and the latter of German origin. In their family were the following children: William, Elizabeth, Annie, George, Margaret, Mary, Reuben and Zebedee. The father of our subject served in the state militia during the war of 1812, and made farming and stock-raising his life occupation, owning and operating three hundred acres of land in Madison county, Ohio. In the spring of 1850 he started for California, and died there the same year, at the age of sixty-four. His wife died at the age of sixty-nine years. They had six children, namely: Mary, Ichabod, Christiana, Aaron, William and Robert.
Aaron Nagely spent his early life in his native state, and in 1849 came to Illinois, locating in Clinton. His first home here was the old court-house which is now the property of Mrs. Lowery. For some time he was quite extensively engaged in stock-dealing, and as there were no railroads here at that time, he drove his stock to market, selling his hogs mainly in Pekin and his cattle in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. At that time it took three months to make the round trip. At one time he had one thousand hogs in one drove. From 1852 until 1857 he was engaged in merchandising with A. R. Phares, hauling the lumber for his store from Indiana and erecting a building where the National Bank now stands. Later Mr. Nagely turned his attention to brick manufacturing for a short time, and during President Lincoln's administration served as postmaster of Clinton, the office then being located on the present site of Mr. Nichlis' store. On his retirement from office he resumed stock-dealing, to which he devoted his time and energies until he laid aside business cares in 1895, and has since lived a retired life.
Mr. Nagely married Miss Eliza Adams, of Clark county, Ohio, a daughter of the Rev. Eli and Elizabeth Adams. She was born in 1820 and died in 1897. By this union were born the following children: (1) Elizabeth married W. M. Phares and they have five children, Oscar, Edgar, Emma, Eliza and William. (2) Cyrus died in infancy. (3) Mary Elizabeth is the wife of A. Johnson, and their children are Charles, Clarkus, Cadius, Clay, Clarence, Clara, Clinton, Permelia and Eason. They also lost one, Emma. (4) William G. is a resident of Denver, Colorado. (5) Amanda Malissa is deceased. (6) Permelia is the wife of Thomas Bossler, of Los Angeles, California, and they have two children, Eliza and Ray. (7) Jennie is the wife of Thomas Hull, of Clinton. (8) DeWitt Clinton is also a resident of Clinton. (9) Charlie married Miss Ella Robins, of DeWitt, Illinois, and they have two children, Helen and Louise.
The Republican party finds in Mr. Nagely a stanch supporter of its principles, and he served as enrolling officer during the war of the Rebellion. For fourteen years he filled the office of township and city assessor. In 1844 he was made a Mason, and in 1850 helped organize the first lodge in Clinton, No. 84, A. F. & A. M., in which he served as the first junior warden. He and his wife were also among the first members of the Eastern Star chapter. Since 1854 he has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been a member of the Universalist church for four years. In the interests of his business he traveled all over the county on horseback in early days, and has probably traveled more miles in that way than any man in the county. Although now eighty-four years of age, he is still active and energetic and possesses a wonderful memory. He is widely known and universally respected, having a large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout this section of the state.
PARLEY P. NELSON. (Volume 1, Page 433)
One of the prosperous and progressive farmers of Creek township is Parley Pratt Nelson, who was born in Washington county, Illinois, December 4, 1850, a son of Thomas and Lucretia (Mauzy) Nelson. The father was a native of Tennessee and the mother was born in St. Louis, of French descent. The paternal grandfather served in the war of the Revolution.
The father came to Illinois in 1813, when but a boy, with his parents, and located in Creek township, DeWitt county, in 1865, at the close of the Civil war. Here he purchased four hundred acres of land on the high ground, and fenced it and erected two cabins thereon. Later he removed to Mason county, where he died in 1888. His wife died when about eighty-three, and both are buried in Mason county. In politics the father was a Democrat, but never sought for office. Both parents of our subject were consistent members of the Methodist church and took an active part in church work.
To them were born the following children: William G., who lives in Kansas and was first lieutenant in Company H, Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Thomas Lafayette, a business man of Nashville, Tennessee; Augusta, who married Moses Cox, of Kansas; John, who lives in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and was captain of Company H, Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war; Robert, deceased, who was orderly sergeant in the same company and now resides in Denver, Colorado [sic]; James, who resides in DeWitt county, Illinois, and was in Company G, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Mary, who married a Mr. Sales and resides in Lincoln, Nebraska; Benedict, who lives in Fort Dodge, Iowa; Caroline, who married a Mr. East and is now deceased; and our subject.
Until he was about twenty years of age our subject went to school and worked upon the homestead, and then began farming for himself. He now has one of the best farms in the county, upon which he has made all the improvements, erecting the comfortable house, the commodious barn and numerous buildings, setting out the orchard and putting up fences. Upon this property he carries on general farming and stock-raising, owning one hundred and twenty acres of fine land.
On March 26, 1872, he married Miss Susie M. Cloud, a native of this county and a daughter of Daniel Cloud. The mother died when Mrs. Nelson was born, and her father, who was a native of Ohio, came to Illinois at a very early date. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were born four children, namely: Samuel, who died at the age of three years; Effie Etta, who lives at home; and two children who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Nelson is a Republican, and supports the candidates of his party, although he never has been an office-seeker. He is a man who finds his greatest enjoyment in the companionship of his family and friends, and enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire community.
SAMUEL E. NEWELL. (Volume 1, Page 455)
Among the successful farmers of Clinton township is Samuel E. Newell, who was born September 21, 1849, in Hancock, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Rough) Newell, both of whom died when our subject was a small child. The father came to Piatt county, Illinois, in 1852, and took up land, which he farmed, and also conducted a saw-mill until his death, being a millwright by trade. Ten children were born to the parents of our subject, as follows: William, James, Thomas, and Joseph, all deceased; John, who is in Montana; Caroline, who married Jacob Burgit, and they reside in Missouri; George, deceased; Samuel E., our subject; Almeda, who married Benjamin Grady; and Frank, who resides in Kansas.
Our subject was married [sic] in Piatt and DeWitt counties and also attended a subscription school kept in his own home by a maiden lady, to whom six children were sent. His father dying when he was but a child, he soon had to care for himself, and from 1869 until 1871 he worked upon the farms of the neighborhood. In 1871 he was employed by the Illinois Central Railroad in the neighborhood of Decatur for about a year.
On March 4, 1873, Mr. Newell was married to Miss Cina May, a sketch of whose parents appears elsewhere in this work. After his marriage he rented a farm and in 1883 purchased eighty acres, which forms part of his present excellent farm. To this he added from time to time and it is now all under cultivation. He also has one hundred and sixty acres in Nebraska.
To himself and wife have been born four children, namely: An infant who died in infancy; Ira, who married Miss Anna Powell, a native of this county, and resides near Clinton; and Alla and Leila, both at home. Mr. Newell is a Republican but has never been willing to accept the nomination for office. His wife is an active member of the Methodist church and the entire family is highly respected and esteemed in DeWitt county.
AURELIUS E. NEWMAN. (Volume 1, Page 184)
An interesting and eventful life was that of Aurelius E. Newman, successful farmer, extensive traveler, large land owner, and honored citizen, who came to an untimely death May 6, 1893, in DeWitt county, through the accident of runaway horses. In apparently good health and spirits he left his home in the early morning, his destination being the home of his son-in-law, Elza Craig, about a mile distant, where he intended to get a stalk rake. The wagon struck a stump, throwing him forward on the double trees, and causing the horses to run. It is thought that he was dragged at least forty rods by the frightened horses, who stopped only when one of them fell to the ground, and it was then discovered that Mr. Newman's neck had been broken, and that a wound seven inches long had been made in the side of his head. His long and useful and well-directed life was then recalled amid scenes of greatest sorrow, and the sympathies of the whole county were enlisted for the family to whom his taking off meant loneliness and bitter grief.
Of supposed remote Irish ancestry, Mr. Newman was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, October 1, 1827, and his life spanned sixty-five years, seven months and five days. His parents, Joseph and Frances (Woodard) Newman, were born, reared and married in North Carolina, and in their native state their last years were spent. The father was a farmer and wagonmaker, and it is said of him that he was an expert in his line, and able to make a complete wagon from rough hewn timber. In the parental family were ten sons and daughters, Aurelius being fifth in order of birth. He was reared in his native state and acquired the education of the public schools, remaining on the home farm until 1847, when he faced the responsibilities of self-support with courage and determination. Making his way to Illinois he worked on the farms of Butler county for sixty-two and a half cents a day, and owing to the meagerness of his recompense suffered at times actual deprivation. In 1848 he went down the Mississippi river with a boat load of ice to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, returning afterward to La Salle county, Illinois, where he worked by the month until the spring of 1850. He then started out to cross the plains to California with an ox team, his way being through Salt Lake City to the American river, where he staked out a claim and engaged in mining for a few days. Later he brought up in Eldorado county, California, then to Sacramento, finally arriving at a place called Downey, on the Yuba river, where he prosecuted his search for gold until 1852. The same year he returned east via Panama, and then took passage from Greytown to New Orleans, from where he continued his journey to Charleston, and thence to Rocky Mound, Virginia. Crossing over into North Carolina, he remained for a short time, and before many weeks was back in La Salle county, Illinois.
In 1853 Mr. Newman came to DeWitt county, where he worked by the month for a year, and then bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section thirty-one, Tunbridge township, which he proceeded to improve, and where he lived for many years. In 1865 he bought forty acres in Texas township, upon which he moved his family, and later added a large acreage to this property. This farm was disposed of a couple of years before his death, and he then bought the land now occupied by his wife and children. A man of good judgment and financial ability, he was the soul of industry, as evinced by the fact that solely by his own unaided efforts he accumulated property valued at $40,000. His first land in La Salle county cost him one dollar per acre, and the deed for the same he received the day he became of age.
In 1856 Mr. Newman married Samantha Troxell, a native of DeWitt county, Illinois, and a daughter of Frederick and Jane (Cox) Troxell, who came to DeWitt county in the early days, being among the pioneers. He died in Kansas, while his wife died in DeWitt county. Of this union there was born seven children, four of whom are now living: Albert died at the age of six years; Oliver died when two years of age; Ada is now Mrs. Elza Craig, living on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Texas township, and has one child, Frances; Eldridge lives on the home place with his mother, and has held the office of school treasurer; Luann is the wife of John Davis, of Texas township, and has a daughter, Louise; and Frances is the wife of Benjamin Spicer, a farmer of Tunbridge township. Mr. Newman was a member of the Christian church, and during his entire life lived up to the tenets of the noblest and broadest Christianity.