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.
WILLIAM M. SAMPSON. (Volume 1, Page 168)
This gentleman has been a life-long resident of Waynesville, and for over a third of a century has been prominently identified with its business interests. Thoroughness and persistency have ever characterized his business career, and supplemented by careful attention to details and by honorable, straightforward effort, have gained him a most excellent and enviable reputation.
Mr. Sampson was born in Waynesville on the 3d of November, 1844, and is a son of Junius M. Sampson, whose birth occurred in Bath county, Kentucky. His paternal grandfather, Captain Francis Sampson, was a native of England and a sea captain for some years, making his home in Baltimore, Maryland. At an early day he removed to Kentucky, and finally came to Illinois, spending the remainder of his life in Menard county. He was a well educated man and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.
Junius M. Sampson was reared in his native state and accompanied his father on his removal to Menard county, Illinois, where thy opened up a farm. He was married in Sangamon county, this state, to Miss Elizabeth Crumb, who was born in Maryland and came west with an aunt. For a few years after his marriage he followed farming in Sangamon county, and in 1844 came to DeWitt county, taking up his residence in Waynesville. By trade he was a millwright and cabinetmaker, and on locating here he purchased a mill, which he operated for some years. He filled the offices of justice of the peace and postmaster and was a man of influence in the communities where he made his home at different times. He died in Waynesville in 1871, and his wife passed away two or three years previous.
As his early school privileges were rather limited, William M. Sampson is practically a self-educated man. In January, 1864, when nineteen years of age, he joined the boys in blue of Company K, Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service throughout the remainder of the war, taking part in the Atlanta campaign and the march to the sea under Sherman. He was also in the Carolina campaign under General John A. Logan, and was present at the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston, after which his command marched to Washington, D. C., and participated in the grand review at that place. The war having ended, he was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois, July 28, 1865, and returned home.
Mr. Sampson began his business career as a carpenter. For six years he served as deputy postmaster of Waynesville under his father, and was then made the first agent of the Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad at that place, in 1874. He learned telegraphy and attended to the whole duties of the office for twenty-two years, when he was succeeded by his son William, the present agent. On his retirement from the position he opened a furniture store, which he still carries on in connection with the undertaking business, and has built up a good trade. Besides his business property he owns a nice residence-one of the best in town.
On the 4th of July, 1867, Mr. Sampson was married in Waynesville to Miss Rebecca Dunham, also a native of this county and a daughter of Jeremiah Dunham, one of its early settlers. They have a family of six children: Carrie, now the wife of Thurman Dye, a farmer of McLean county, Illinois: William, who is also married and is agent for the railroad company at Waynesville; Jennie, wife of Earl Buck, of Waynesville; and Gerti, Maud and Glenn, all at home.
Since casting his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1868, Mr. Sampson has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and he has served as a member of the town board and as township clerk. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and socially he is a member of Waynesville Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs and is now past grand. He is public spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, social and material welfare of his native town, and has done much to advance its interests along various lines.
JOHN H. SAVELEY. (Volume 1, Page 265)
John Henry Saveley, one of Clinton’s wide-awake business men, whose success in painting, paper hanging and bill posting has brought him into prominence, was born in Urbana, Champaign county, Ohio, on the 21st of May, 1845, and is a son of Henry and Ellen T. (Niles) Saveley, natives of Virginia and New York, respectively. His paternal grandparents, Jacob and Elizabeth Savely, were also natives of the Old Dominion. From that state they removed to Ohio and in 1852 came to Illinois, living for a time in Clark, Schuyler and Shelby counties. The grandfather, who was a farmer by occupation, died at the age of seventy-two years. His children who reached years of maturity were John, Jacob, M. D., George, Sarah Ann, Laney, Polly and Henry. The father of our subject also followed farming and died in Ohio, at the age of forty-four years, leaving two children: John H., and Elizabeth, wife of Mat Crable, of Paris, Illinois. The mother subsequently became the wife of Samuel Swords, by whom she had two children, Lincoln and Emma. She died July 21, 1878, at the age of fifty-six years.
Being quite young when his father died, John H. Saveley made his home with his paternal grandfather until ten years of age and then started out to make his own way in the world, first working as a farm hand. Later he learned the plasterer’s trade. While living in Shelby county, in 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company F, Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served nearly four years. He had previously had but little opportunity to attend school, having pursued his studies only for a few months in a log school house, but while in the service he became interested in education, and while not on duty devoted his time to studying the books which he bought. After his return home he attended school for a time, and by reading and study has never ceased to improve his mind.
On the 3d of November, 1865, Mr. Saveley came to Clinton and opened an oyster saloon, to which he later added a stock of groceries, carrying on that business for a year and a half. He subsequently worked at the plasterer’s trade, and on the 18th of July, 1870, began painting and paper hanging, which business he has successfully followed ever since, employing many men during the busy season. He commenced bill posting in a small way in 1870, using old buildings on which to post his bills, his first place being the old coal house on the court house square, covering its sides and roof. Later he had a bill board around the court house square and has kept on increasing the space until he now has room for fourteen hundred sheets. He is a charter member of the Illinois Bill Posters’ Association. In his painting, papering and decorating he is unexcelled by any one in the county. He has been distributing agent for the Illinois Central Railroad in this city for the past five years, and is recognized as one of the most energetic and enterprising business men of the place. He is now the oldest resident of Monroe street, his home being at 515, where he first erected a two-room house, but has since enlarged and improved it, and now owns two residences across the street.
Mr. Saveley married Miss Ada Dalzell, who was born in South Egremont, Massachusetts, May 16, 1849, and is a daughter of John and Eliza (Seeley) Dalzell. The father was born on the 12th of July, 1816, in County Down, Ireland, where his parents, Robert and Mary (Ballentine) Dalzell, spent their entire lives. He and his brother David emigrated to America and located in South Egremont, Massachusetts, where he served a seven-years’ apprenticeship at carriage trimming. He subsequently went to Cleveland, Ohio, and still later to Unionville, that state, and worked at his trade. While there he entered the Union army in 1861, First Ohio Regiment Artillery Volunteers, Company C, serving until the close of the war. In 1872 he came to Clinton, Illinois, and trimmed the first phaeton made at this place. He was an expert at his trade. From choice he spent his last days at the Soldiers’ Home in Dayton, Ohio, where he died September 13, 1890, and at his request was buried there. His wife, who was born September 14, 1816, died in 1860. Their children were George and Ann Eliza, both deceased; Ada, wife of our subject; Charles Henry, a resident of Texas; and William, deceased. For twenty-six years Mrs. Saveley carried on dressmaking in Clinton, employing from three to five girls and receiving the patronage of the leading families of the city, by whom she is held in high esteem. She was very successful in business, and is very popular and well liked.
Mr. and Mrs. Saveley have four children. Charles Henry learned his trade with his father and worked with him until 1899, when he went to Chicago, and is now special police for the Chicago & Alton Railroad. He married Anna Cochran. Warren S., a painter and paper hanger and bill poster of Clinton, married Dora Williams, and they have one child, Edward. David L., who is in the employ of the telephone company at Clinton, married Mannae Bower and has one son, Henry. William F., also a painter of Clinton, married Cordelia Phillips, and their only son died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Savely is a stanch Republican and served as alderman from his ward two years. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and religiously he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
HENRY C. SPAINHOUR. (Volume 1, Page 263)
H. C. Spainhour, who is now living a retired life on section 9, Creek township, was born in Texas township, this county, February 26, 1843, and is a son of Thomas Spainhour, whose birth occurred in Casey county, Kentucky, in August, 1819. His paternal grandparents, Warner and Polly (Davenport) Spainhour, were both natives of North Carolina, and after residing in Kentucky for several years came to Illinois in 1817, locating in Sangamon county when this section of the state was inhabited principally by the red men. Here the father of our subject grew to manhood and for many years he was engaged in farming in DeWitt county, but is now living a retired life in Creek township. He first married Matilda Willis, also a native of Kentucky, and the mother of our subject. By that union six children were born, three sons and three daughters, of whom three sons are still living. Since the mother's death the father has been twice married, and by the last union also has six children.
Our subject spent his boyhood and youth in Texas and Creek townships, and began his education in a primitive log school house with its slab benches and puncheon floor. The writing desk was made by a plank laid upon pegs driven into the wall, and where a log was cut out greased paper was tacked over the opening to form a window. The school house was about a mile from the Spainhour homestead. Our subject was only able to attend school during the winter months, but he had some good teachers, including Logan McMurray, his first teacher. As there was no mill in this locality during his boyhood, his grandfather Willis made a couple of burrs out of ______head rocks to grind meal, and continued to operate these for several years.
During the Civil War Mr. Spainhour enlisted March 10, 1862, in Company C, Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel I. C. Pugh, and first went to Pittsburg Landing. During the first day of the battle of Shiloh—April 6, 1862—he was wounded in the left arm and was under the surgeon's care for ten days. On rejoining his command he took part in the siege of Corinth and then went to Grand Junction, Mississippi, and from there to Holly Springs, taking part in the engagement at the latter place. Returning to Grand Junction his regiment went from there to Boliver, Tennessee, in the spring of 1863. They were next ordered to the Tallahatchie river to intercept General Hardy and keep him from crossing that stream. From there they went to Memphis and with Grant's expedition started for Vicksburg, but on reaching Coffeyville they found that the rebels had destroyed their rations at Corinth and were compelled to fall back to Holly Springs, where they lived for a week on parched corn without salt until Sherman arrived with provisions. Returning to Memphis they took boats for the Yazoo river heights above Vicksburg, and after capturing the fort and destroying the magazine at that place they crossed the river and were in camp opposite Vicksburg for a week. They were then assigned to the extreme left of Grant's army, and were under fire in the siege of Vicksburg for forty-nine days. From there they marched to Jackson, Mississippi, and in the hard-fought battle which occurred there July 12, 1864, the regiment lost heavily, only sixteen out of the tree hundred and fifty men who entered the fight being able to stack arms around the colors after the engagement was over. The remnant of the regiment returned to Memphis, and in August, 1864, the survivors were mustered out. Our subject remained in the service, however, and was with General Smith on the Red river expedition, and for a time was at Marietta, Georgia, and Kenesaw Mountain guarding railroads. His command was with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign and on the march to the sea, and were then given charge of the prisoners captured on that march. By boat they proceeded to Fort Beaufort, South Carolina, and then marched with Sherman to Goldsboro, North Carolina, where Mr. Spainhour was mustered out March 29, 1865. He returned home immediately, arriving here on the 13th of April.
For two years after the war Mr. Spainhour was engaged in farming on the shares for Asbury Smallwood. During that time he was married, January 18, 1866, to Miss Deborah Smallwood, a daughter of Asbury and Elizabeth Smallwood, natives of Virginia. Her father was one of the earliest settlers of Macon county, Illinois, having located there before the winter of the "deep snow." Unto our subject and his wife fifteen children were born, seven of whom died young, and David, the oldest, died May 20, 1892, at the age of twenty-four years. Those living are Lura, who is now the wife of John L. Tackwell, of Creek township, and has one child, William Carl; Cory, who married Carrie Harrow and is operating a part of his father's land; Virvin and Ellis, both at home; and Nettie, Maude, Russell and Alma, all in school.
After leaving his father-in-law's farm Mr. Spainhour operated a grist and sawmill on Salt creek, in Texas township, and then returned to the Smallwood farm. Later he erected a flouringmill on the Sangamon river in Macon county, but after running it six months he sold out and returned to Creek township, DeWitt county, where he rented the Peter Murphy farm one year. He then returned to the old place and remained there until 1874, when he bought eighty acres of land in Nixon township. This he disposed of six months later, and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm in Creek township, to which he has added from time to time until he now has four hundred twenty-five acres of well improved and highly cultivated land on sections 4, 5, and 9, and also has eighty acres on section 10. He has given considerable attention to stock raising, but in 1901 laid aside all business cares and is now living a retired life. He started on his business career without a dollar, and the success that he has achieved is due entirely to his own industry, good management and excellent business ability. During the war he succeeded in saving thirteen hundred dollars.
In politics Mr. Spainhour is a Democrat, and as one of the leading and prominent citizens of his community he has been called upon to fill official positions of honor and trust. He served as collector several terms, and was county supervisor six consecutive terms, during which time he was a member of all of the important committees, such as the finance and poor farm committees. He is a member of Gilman Lodge, No. 455, K. P., and his wife is a member of the Christian church.
Note: Warner Spainhour's name is spelled Werner at WorldConnect.
WILLIAM M. STORY. (Volume 1, Page 346)
William M. Story, who is now living a retired life with his daughter, Mrs. Yocum, near Waynesville, is a worthy representative of the honored pioneers of DeWitt county, and a true type of the energetic, hardy men who have actively assisted in developing and improving this beautiful and fertile agricultural country. When he came here in the summer of 1834, the dusky savages were often seen in this locality and wild game of all kinds abounded, but these have long since fled and their haunts have been replaced by waving fields of grain and thriving cities and villages.
Mr. Story was born in Morgan county, Ohio, August 23, 1829, a son of Palmer and Mary Ann (Morris) Story. His paternal grandfather was John Story, who was a soldier of the war of 1812. He was born in one of the eastern states and from there removed to Pennsylvania and later to Ohio, locating in Morgan county. Our subject's father was a native of Pennsylvania, but his early life was principally passed in Morgan county, Ohio, where he is said to have assisted in boring the first salt well, which was nine hundred feet deep. He was employed in the salt works there for several years, and then came to Illinois in 1834. After spending the winter in Logan county, in the spring of 1838 he bought a farm in Waynesville township, DeWitt county, forty acres of which had been broken and a log shanty erected thereon, and he at once turned his attention to its further improvement and cultivation. In 1850 he and our subject made an overland trip to California with a cattle train and twenty-three wagons, and were six months and seven days upon the road, arriving at the gold diggings at Hangtown on the 7th of September. They spent eleven months in searching for the precious metal with fair success, and then returned by way of the Panama route. Arriving in New York City, they went up the Hudson river to Albany, thence by train to Chicago, and by canal and the Illinois river to their home, their arrival being a great surprise to their family and friends. Subsequently the father removed to Bloomington, where he was engaged in the grocery business for some years, and he died in that city in 1883. His wife survived him about five years.
On coming to Illinois, William M. Story was seven years of age, and amid scenes common to frontier life he grew to manhood. When only fifteen he took charge of the home farm and carried it on quite successfully until he and his father went to California. After his return, he bought the place, and at different times purchased other tracts of land until he had two hundred and forty acres in McLean and DeWitt counties, which he operated with good success for a number of years. In 1860 he moved to Caldwell county, Missouri, in company with Daniel Proctor, and together they bought a section of government land under the graduation act. He improved this tract of three hundred and twenty acres, and engaged in its cultivation for three years. He then returned to the old homestead in this county, and followed farming here for some years, but is now living a retired life.
In December, 1851, Mr. Story was married in DeWitt county to Miss Eliza C. Phares, a native of Butler county, Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph and Ellen Phares, who came to this county about 1850. Her mother is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. For nearly half a century Mr. and Mrs. Story traveled life's journey together, sharing its joys and sorrows, its trials and hardships, but he has been called upon t mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died January 29, 1899. The children born to them were as follows: Palmer J. is married and resides in Iowa; Mary E. is the wife of Baxter Bobee, of Iowa; Cynthia J. is the wife of B. B. Shafer, of Adair county, Missouri; John is married and engaged in farming in DeWitt county, Illinois; Sarah L. married E. L. Yocum, a substantial farmer of this county, who died January 19, 1901, leaving two children, Harry and Dell; Dell, a daughter of our subject, is the wife of James Baker, of Scotland county, Missouri; Lucy died at the age of nineteen years.
In politics Mr. Story is a staunch Republican, and in his social relations is a member of the Masonic lodge at Waynesville. He has many interesting reminiscences of early days, and is one of the honored pioneers of this county. In early life he was a great hunter, bringing down many a deer in this section, while in the west he has also killed elk and buffalo. Although now well advanced in years, he is still a good shot with a rifle, his eye being keen and his nerves steady. Of recent years he has traveled considerably over the west, through Missouri, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska, and in 1897 made a trip to Alaska, where he had many thrilling experiences and came near losing his life in a snowslide.
MALCOLM SWAN. (Volume 1, Page 419)
One of the highly esteemed retired citizens of Clinton, Illinois, who for many years was one of the successful agriculturists of DeWitt county, is Malcolm Swan, who was born in Scotland on June 9, 1834, and was a son of Malcolm and Ann Swan, of Argyleshire, Scotland, where the mother died. In 1866 the father came to the United States and settled in Michigan, where he died at the home of one of his sons.
Malcolm Swan, the subject of this biography, was the first of his family to come to America, sailing from Liverpool on the steamer City of Washington, and after a trip of fourteen days, reaching New York city. From there he went to Toronto, Canada, but six months later removed to Michigan, where he remained for the following two years, working in a lumber camp. From this northern camp Mr. Swan came to Illinois and remained for a short time near Aurora, but later secured employment at cord wood chopping along the Mississippi river.
In the spring of 1860 our subject came to Waynesville, DeWitt county, Illinois, where he went to work, his wages being twelve dollars and fifty cents per month, and there he continued for about six years. Mr. Swan was frugal and industrious and soon bought a tract of eighty acres in Creek township, which he later increased to one hundred and sixty acres. At the time of purchase this was all wild prairie, but his perseverance and industry has put it under a fine state of cultivation, and his improvements in the way of house, barns and fencing compare most favorably with the farms of much older residents of the county.
In 1872 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Sprague, who was a native of Ohio, and to this union six children have been born: Charles, deceased; Anna, who married Archibald Edwards, of Creek township, and have one child, Margaret; and Ruth; Mary; Jane; and Katie. In politics Mr. Swan has always been in sympathy with the Democratic party, but he has never sought office.
In 1890 our subject rented his fine farm and decided to spend the rest of his life in the enjoyment of what his industry has earned. With this end in view he purchased one of the most comfortable homes in Clinton, located on West South street, and today is one of the highly esteemed citizens of this pleasant little city.
ISAAC F. SWISHER. (Volume 1, Page 472)
Isaac Franklin Swisher, now deceased, was born on March 20, 1840, in Harp township, DeWitt county, Illinois, and was a son of William Swisher, who was a native of Ohio and a son of Jacob Swisher, who was a native of Virginia and an early settler of Ohio, a farmer by occupation. Jacob Swisher was a soldier of the Revolution and died at an advanced old age. William Swisher the father of our subject, grew to manhood in Ohio, and in 1837 came to Harp township, this county, overland in a wagon. He entered a tract of land from the government and he and his family lived in a log cabin. He led a very active life until 1842, when he retired from business. He married Fannie Foley, who was also a native of Ohio, and she bore her husband one child, our subject. She died just before her husband. Her father, William Foley, was born in Ohio, and was one of the extensive farmers of that state and was one of the pioneer settlers of Logan county, Illinois, where he died at an advanced age.
Isaac Franklin Swisher was bereft of his parents at an early age, and was reared by his grandparents and uncles. His education was secured in the primitive log schoolhouses of that period with slab benches and a hole in the wall for light. At the age of twenty years he began to support himself and was employed by his uncle, Isaac Swisher. He subsequently began to farm for himself on land left him by his father, which he operated until 1880, when he purchased eighty acres in Clintonia township where he resided until a few years prior to his death.
The war record of Mr. Swisher was such as to reflect credit upon any man. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and took an active part in several important battles. He fought at Huff’s Ferry and Campbell’s Station, and was present at the siege of Knoxville. He faced the rebels at Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia, and met the enemy at Resaca, the same state, and took an active part in the battles and skirmishes after the battle of Resaca. During this time his regiment was detailed to guard duty. He took part in the battle at New Hope Church, and then moved around the Kenesaw mountains and skirmished on the right flank of the enemy. At Marietta, Georgia, he was in the hospital for a month and joined his regiment at Nashville, Tennessee, in time to take part in the battle at that place, and from there went east to Washington City and then southward to Fort Anderson, North Carolina, and met Sherman at Raleigh, North Carolina, where they were when peace was declared. He was mustered out June 21, 1865.
Mr. Swisher was a strong Republican in politics and was a member of the Frank Lowry Post, No. 157, Grand Army of the Republic, at Clinton. He departed this life on August 14, 1900, and is interred in Woodlawn cemetery in Clinton. Mr. Swisher was also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and was a faithful member of the Methodist church, as is also his widow. He left a fine farm and a beautiful home on South Madison street, Clinton, where Mrs. Swisher now resides. He was universally respected and beloved for his public-spirit and his high moral character, and his loss was deeply mourned.
Mr. Swisher was married on July 8, 1862, to Miss Elnora Piatt, a native of Ohio, born August 1, 1842. Five children were born to this marriage, namely: (1) Eva Alice, who is now the wife of William Neble and they reside in DeWitt county; (2) William Sherman married Lena Lighthall and they now reside at Wapella; (3) Anna Dell married Claude Longbrake and they live in Clinton; (4) Alonzo Franklin married Ida Hume. They are residents of Wapella; (5) Nellie died at the age of eight years. Mrs. Swisher died in May, 1895.
Our subject was married again in January, 1899, to Mrs. Eliza (Lemen) Fisher, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, in 1849. She is a daughter of John R. and Lucinda J. (Hummer) Lemen, both natives of Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lemen occurred in 1840 and they had eleven children, three of whom died in infancy, and five are now living. Mr. Lemen was a farmer and later studied medicine and practiced in Indiana and Missouri, but died in the latter state on February 6, 1892, at the age of seventy-six years, having been born on August 31, 1816. The five living children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lemen are as follows: (1) Milton; (2) Eliza, the widow of our subject; (3) James; (4) Lucinda; and (5) Edward. At the age of fifteen Mrs. Swisher made her home with her uncle, Dr. J. A. Lemen, in Missouri, from whence they removed to Clinton, DeWitt county, Illinois, in 1866, and she here met and married Joseph Fisher, a native of Germany, who came to the United States when only fifteen years of age. Mr. Fisher owned a farm in Clintonia township. To this union were born two children: George W., who resides in Omaha, Nebraska; Anna, who married Charles Hendricks and resides in Clinton, where he is manager of the Clinton ice plant. They have one child: Lucile. Mr. Fisher died October 29, 1895, and is interred in Woodlawn cemetery in Clinton.
Mrs. Swisher is a lady of high attainments and many excellent qualities and is regarded as one of the most highly esteemed ladies of Clinton.
WILLIAM H. TAYLOR. (Volume 1, Page 285)
William H. Taylor, who is one of Clinton's representative citizens and a popular traveling salesman, was born on the 4th of June, 1836, in Muskingum county, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Mary E. (Miller) Taylor. History records that there were four brothers of the Taylor family who came to this country from Scotland, one locating in Pennsylvania, another in Delaware, and the third in Virginia, while the fourth, being a sea captain, was lost at sea. Nathaniel Taylor, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a son of the one who settled in Delaware. He married and throughout life followed farming.
Henry Taylor, our subject's father, was born in Delaware and in early life emigrated to Ohio, where he wedded Miss Mary E. Miller, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1853 they came to Clinton, Illinois, which was then a small town, and in company with Henry and George Bell and Henry Lutzenbarger, Mr. Taylor purchased the vacant corner where the Magill House now stands, and erected a large two-story frame building, which they stocked with general merchandise, being successfully engaged in business there until 1857, when a fire destroyed their store and it contents. Later Mr. Taylor, in partnership with A. J. Blackford, rented a building and again embarked in merchandising, under the firm name of Taylor & Blackford, but during the panic of 1873, they failed and he again lost everything. Nothing daunted, however, he opened a small coal office, where our subject's son, Walter, is now carrying on business, and his son, Fletcher, became associated with him in 1880 and later succeeded to the business. He was a strong man, both physically and mentally, and although he twice met with misfortune in business he always gave liberally of his means to all enterprises for the public good. His fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability called upon him to fill many official positions. Both he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were highly respected and esteemed by all who knew them. He died in 1891, at the age of seventy-seven years, and she departed this life in 1898, when over eighty years of age. Their children were George; William H.; Samuel K.; Mary E.; Homer B.; John T., who died in infancy; Fletcher C.; a daughter who died in infancy; Frank Z.; and Annie.
William H. Taylor, of this review, came to Clinton with his parents, and assisted his father in business until 1857, when he opened a shoe store in the rear of his father's place of business. After the fire which destroyed their property, he formed a partnership with Mr. Toury, and carried on the same line of business until after the Civil war broke out. In 1861, Mr. Taylor enlisted in Company F, Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to second lieutenant on the 1st of October of the same year, after which he served as adjutant of the regiment. He was in the service three years and one month. Being six feet in height, broad shouldered and of fine physique, his was a commanding figure, and he made a handsome officer. Those who served under him still speak in glowing terms of their first lieutenant.
On his return from the war Mr. Taylor again engaged in the general store business until 1872, when he went upon the road as a traveling salesman for the grocery house of Harmon, Merrian & Company of Chicago, which since the death of Mr. Harmon has become Merrian, Collins & Dexter. During the years that have since passed Mr. Taylor has remained in their employ, having now been with them almost a quarter of a century. In 1868 the Magill Brothers built what is known as the Magill House, which is a large three-story brick structure on North Center street, extending from the square to Washington street. This our subject bought in 1898, and has since remodeled and enlarged it by building a thirty-two-foot addition on the west. It is to to-day a good modern hotel—the best in the city. For his home he purchased the Coverdale property at 1006 East Main street, which is a beautiful place, the elegant residence being surrounded by wide lawns, shady drives, lovely trees and shrubs. His first home was on the corner of Washington and Jackson streets.
Mr. Taylor has been twice married, his first wife being Lucy, daughter of James H. Merrill, and to them were born three children: Walter M., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Emma, who died young; and Lula, who died in infancy. The wife and mother died in 1873, at the age of thirty-four years. In 1875 Mr. Taylor married Miss Jennie Rennick, by whom he also had three children: Nellie married Dr. Charles Bogardus, a prominent physician of Clinton, and died in 1901, at the age of twenty-five years. She was one of the leading young ladies of the city and very popular. William H. enlisted in 1900 as a private in Company D, Thirteenth United States Regiment, and is now serving at Dangupon, Philippine Islands. Edward M. was also in the service, enlisting at Denver, Colorado, in May, 1898, in the first Colorado Infantry, at the first call for troops to be sent to Manilla. With his regiment he started for San Francisco, May 17, and on the 14th of June, on the steamer China, for Honolulu. On the 4th of July they stopped at Wakes Island, where General Green and Colonel Hill planted the United States flag, and fourteen days later landed at Camp Dewey, on the Island of Luzon, seven miles from the city of Manilla. There they began throwing up entrenchments within one hundred and twenty-five yards of the enemy's lines. They took part in the famous battle of Manilla, and the battles of Hesty, Manquena, Antapelo and Paranaque, besides many skirmishes, being under fire most of the time. On the 4th of July, 1900, they received orders at Manilla to embark for home, and arrived at San Francisco on the 10th of August. Edward M. Taylor was mustered out on the 8th of the following September and returned home. In 1901 he opened a grocery store in Clinton, in connection with his brother Walter H. [should be M.], and is now conducting the same. He can relate many thrilling experiences of his life in the Philippines, which if written would make a very fascinating book.
Fraternally Mr. Taylor is a member of Lodge No. 84, F. & A. M., of which he was master three terms, and was a member and high priest of the Chapter. He is now serving as trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which the family have been connected for several generations, and have always been active church workers. Our subject has never cared for office, but has always taken a commendable interest in all enterprises calculated to advance the welfare of the city which has now been his home for almost fifty years.
ISAAC C. THURBER. (Volume 1, Page 176)
No one in DeWitt county is more thoroughly identified with the interests thereof than is Isaac C. Thurber, who, for the past sixteen years, has lived on and managed a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section twenty-two, Texas township. To quite a large extent he is engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of short horns, usually having about a hundred head, besides an average of thirty-five head of horses and four hundred and fifty sheep. In addition to his other responsibility he has charge of the pasture land of the Moore estate of twelve hundred acres located on Salt Creek, the property running a mile and half east and west, and one and a half miles north and south along Salt Creek, in Texas township. Although practically independent in politics, he usually votes the Democratic ticket, and has held many important offices within the gift of the township. For several years he has been constable and assessor, and has been school director nearly all of his residence in the county, and still holds the position. Fraternally he is connected with Clinton Lodge, No. 84, A. F. & A. M.
Of sturdy Scotch-English ancestry, Mr. Thurber was born in Liverpool, England, May 21, 1838, and came to the United States with his parents when less than a year old. His father, Benjamin, and his mother, Persis (King) Thurber, were born respectively in Scotland and England, and after coming to America the former worked at his trade of carpenter and millwright, having been a ship carpenter in the old country. After living for a short time in Canada, the family located at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and here the father successfully followed his trade until his death at the age of sixty years. His wife, who was the mother of nine children, six of whom are living, died when her son Isaac was seven years of age. He remained at home until about fifteen years old, at which time he started out to face an independent future, working on farms in Indiana. With the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was a corporal under Captain James M. Hunter, serving until the close of the war. After his honorable discharge September 11, 1865, at Memphis, Tennessee, he returned to DeWitt county, Illinois, and for several years lived on rented farms, eventually settling upon the farm upon which he has lived for so many years.
In January of 1868 Mr. Thurber married Charlotte Swisher, daughter of James and Ruth (Mayall) Swisher, of whom the latter is deceased, and the former resides in Texas township with his son-in-law. To Mr. and Mrs. Thurber have been born eight children, seven of whom are living: Mary Esther, who is the wife of James A. Lane, a farmer living near Weldon, DeWitt county, and has two children, Chelsea and Harold; Florence, who died when nineteen months old; Olive, who is the wife of Ralph Whitehead, of Decatur, Illinois, and has three children, Gladys, Robert and Marilda; Robert, who married Lizzie Bennett, daughter of John Bennett, of Creek township, and is living on the home place; Amy, Ruth, Lottie and Zettie, who are living at home. The sons and daughters were educated in the public schools, and all were born in Texas township. Mr. Thurber stands high in the community of which he is an honored member, and numbers his tried and trusted friends by the score.
DENNIS TURNER. (Volume 1, Page 360)
Dennis Turner, who is now practically living a retired life on his farm in Rutledge township, has made his home there for almost sixty years, and is one of the most esteemed citizens of that locality. He was born on the 24th of September, 1829, in Windsor county, Vermont, which was also the birthplace of his father, Perry Turner. His paternal grandfather was drowned in the Connecticut river in early life and little is known of the family except that his ancestors settled in New England in colonial days. Perry Turner married Rhoda Stoddard, who was also a native of the Green Mountain state. About 1833 he removed to Champaign county, Ohio, and in 1842 came to McLean county, Illinois, and here lived on rented land for two years, when he moved to DeWitt county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 17, Rutledge township, which had been entered by Isaac Williamson, and about one-half of which had been broken and a log house erected thereon. This farm is still the home of our subject. Here his father died of fever in 1845, at the age of 40 years, and the mother passed away in 1847, at the age of forty-eight. Their children were: Dennis, Marshall W., William B. and Mary M., all of whom died before the mother with exception of our subject.
Mr. Turner, of this review, succeeded to the old homestead, and having entered more land and purchased other tracts, he now owns over five hundred acres. He built a frame house upon his place, and later replaced this by a more commodious and better residence. He also erected a good set of outbuildings, has set out fruit and shade trees, and now has one of the best improved farms in the locality. In early days he gave considerable attention to the raising of sheep, keeping a flock of about four hundred, but finding other enterprises more profitable, he discontinued that business, and for some years has made a specialty of raising a high grade of cattle and hogs.
In 1851, Mr. Turner was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Rutledge, who was born in McLean county in 1835. Her father was William Jackson Rutledge, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. Mrs. Turner was a faithful helpmate to her husband in aiding him financially and in rearing their fine family, and she was a devout Christian, loved by all who knew her. She died in 1866, leaving five children, namely: Allen A., who is represented elsewhere in this work; Charles J., a farmer of Rutledge township; Mary J., wife of J. Vance, of the same township; John W., also a farmer of Rutledge township; and Martha D., wife of C. W. Bishop, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this volume. For his second wife Mr. Rutledge wedded Miss Mary Tingler, a native of Virginia, by whom he has one son, Samuel, a farmer of Rutledge township.
Since attaining his majority, Mr. Turner has affiliated with the Democratic Party, and has most creditably served as justice of the peace since 1862. He has also served as school director, and has ever taken an active part in educational affairs, the first school house of Rutledge township being erected on his farm. He has filled the office of township collector, and is regarded as one of the most public-spirited and enterprising citizens of his community. For some time past he has rented his land but still oversees its operation. In his religious views he is a Universalist and is a man of integrity and honor, whose word is considered as good as his bond. Although he is now quite well-to-do, he is plain and unassuming in manner, and commands the respect and confidence of all who know him.