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The following Biographies have been extracted
from the following sources:
†
Portrait
and Biographical History of DeWitt & Piatt
County, Illinois
CHICAGO: Chapman Bros. 1891
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PLEASE NOTE: If you are interested in one
of these names,
please contact me and I will try to put it on
here ahead of the others that are not done yet.
Sharon Wick, Piatt County Host
JAMES, Elias P.
JOHNSON, Jonathan C.
JOHNSON, Rufus L.
JONES, Triplett L.
KAGEY, John W.
KARICOPE, Samuel D.
KARICOVE, Samuel
KASTL, Thomas
KEENER, Ephraim S.
KELLER, Jacob S.
KELLINGTON, Dandy *
KILE, Joseph G. |
KINGSTON, John W.
KIRBY, John
KISER, T. J.
KISER, William R.
KNOTT, Ananias Brawner, MD
KRATZ, William H.
KREBS, William E.
LEAVITT, William G.
LANGLEY, Andrew J.
LANGLEY, J. C.
LARSON, Nels |
LEAVITT, William G.
LEE, Eliel T., Col.
LIVENGOOD, T. F.
LODGE, William E.
LOUDENBACK, Joseph H.
LOVE, John (Capt.)
LOWE, John
LUCAS, Matilda E. (Freeman), Mrs.
LUST, Charles |
COMPLETE
INDEX of PIATT COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES
CLICK HERE
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Elias P. James.
This gentleman is a fine type of our self-educated and self made
men, who form an important class of citizens in Piatt County.
He is a farmer and stockman who has met with great success in the
pursuit of his business, and his farm in Blue Ridge Township is as
well cultivated, well improved and well equipped as any to be found
in its vicinity. Rush County, Ind. is the birthplace of our
subject and September 28, 1835, the date on which he first opened
his eyes to the light of the world in the humble pioneer home of his
parents. His father, whose name was Elisha James,
was born in Tennessee and reared in Ohio. In 1830 he went to
Rush County, Ind. and cast his lot with pioneers, locating in the
primeval forests, where in the course of a long and useful life he
cleared and improved three farms. Late in life he moved to
Bollinger County, Mo., and a short time after came to Piatt County,
where his remaining days were passed in peace and plenty, his death
occurring here in 1887 at the age of seventy-five years. He
was an earnest Christian, and ever an active worker in the Baptist
Church. His widow, who is still living, was born in 1818 near
Lexington, Ky., her maiden name having been Catherine
Poston. She is the mother of thirteen children of whom
nine are living.
Mr. James of whom this sketch is written
was born and reared in a log house on his father's homestead.
His education was somewhat limited as far as it was carried on in
schools, as he had to walk two miles to an old log schoolhouse; and
in those days schools were conducted on the subscription plan and
the terms were often very short. However, he has made up for
these early deficiencies and is well informed on all general topics.
He began life for himself as a farmer in Rush County, Ind., and
thence went to Wabash County of which he was a resident the ensuing
ten years. Immediately after going there he purchased eighty
acres of land which was covered with timber, and for which he paid
$600. He cleared it and developed it into a good farm, which
he sold ten years later for $3,200, and in this way he obtained a
good start. In January, 1871, he came to Piatt County and
purchased his present homestead in Blue Ridge Township. This
was then a wild tract of prairie and it is only by incessant toil
and close attention to his business that he has brought it to its
present admirable condition. His farm comprises three hundred
and fifty-five acres of good land, which he has placed under the
best of cultivation and has adorned it with neat and attractive
buildings, including a good frame dwelling, which he erected in
1880, and commodious barns. His far is well stocked with
cattle, horses and hogs of excellent grades.
Mr. James has been greatly assisted in
his labors by the active cooperation of his wife, who is an able
manager in household affairs, and is a shrewd counselor.
Mrs. James, whose maiden name was Mary I.
Shepherd, was born in Knox County, Ill., March 18, 1842, and was
wedded to our subject in 1862. They have been blessed by the
birth of seven children, two of whom are deceased - Quincy and
Estella. The others are named
Cora A., Charles E., Emma Z.., Elmer B. and Elias O.
Cora is a graduate of the Union Christian College and is now
successfully engaged in teaching. Emma and Elmer
are still students in that institution, while Charles is
occupied in teaching.
Mr. James is a man of great personal
worth, is moral and upright in all his relations and a generous,
kindly warm-hearted man, who has many friends in this community.
In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He takes
a sincere interest in his adopted township and has held various of
the minor offices, performing the duties thus devolving upon him
with characteristic fidelity. Socially, he is connected with
the Masonic order. Religiously, he is a devoted member of the
Christian Church, as are his wife and children, with the exception
of one, and they are active in promoting its upbuilding and in
carrying on its good work. Mrs. James is the
daughter of
Robert and Sarah A. (Power) Shepherd, natives of Kentucky; the
father is deceased and the mother resides in Milmine, Piatt County. |
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Jonathan C. Johnson |
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Rufus L. Johnson |
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Triplett L. Jones |
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| Mr. John W.
Kagey, a farmer of Unity township, is a native of
Virginia. He moved from that state to Illinois in 1869, and in 1870
moved to Piatt county. In 1876 he bought his present home of 80
acres. He was married in 1865, to Mollie E. Shaver, a native of
Virginia. Two children, B. Frank and C. Claudius, have blessed their
union. |
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| Samuel D. Karicope |
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| Mr. Samuel
Karicove, farmer, Voorhies,
was born in Virginia, from which state he moved to Indiana, and
thence to Piatt county, where he bought land in 1869, and now owns
160 acres. He was married in 1868, to Mary Ann
Cummins, and has three children, Minnie, Charles
and Sylvester. |
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| Thomas Kastl |
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| Ephraim S. Keener |
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Jacob
S. Keller
is industriously conducting his farming interests in Willow Branch
Township, Piatt County, his well-cultivated farm lying on section 3,
and he is contributing his quota to the material prosperity of Piatt
County as well as to its social and religious advancement.
Mr. Keller is a Pennsylvanian by birth, born in Dauphin County,
February 7, 1828. Samuel and Catherine (Shoop) Keller
were his parents, and they were likewise natives of Pennsylvania and
of German origin. Of their nine children the following are
living: Jacob S., Elizabeth, wife of Moses Landes,
of Dauphin County, Pa.; Catherine, wife of William Worsley,
of Monticello; Mary, wife of Jacob Slack, of
Middletown, Pa.; Samuel, a resident of Dauphin County, Pa.;
Lydia, wife of Jacob Hocker, also of that county.
The early days of our subject were passed on his
father's farm in his pleasant Pennsylvania birthplace. He
received but a limited education in the local schools and is mainly
self-educated. He was married in his native State September
12, 1850, to Elizabeth Garver. To them have come nine
children, namely: Samuel, deceased; John G., a school
teacher; Joseph, who lives in Piatt County; Dr. Mary
Keller, a well known physician in Monticello; Jacob, a
resident of Piatt County; Jonas, also a resident of this
county; Nancy, married Marion Williams of this county
December 25, 1890; Jesse and Lydia.
In the spring of 1857 Mr. Keller
left his old home in Pennsylvania and came with his family to
Illinois. He took up his resident in Piatt County, and for a
short time farmed as a renter. He settled on his present farm
in the spring of 1872 and here he and his wife and children have a
cozy home. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of fertile
land which is admirably tilled and most of its improvements are the
result of his hard and well-directed labors. He is practically
a self-made man as he started out in life with no capital save a
stout heart and willing hands. His fellow-citizens regard him
as a man of exceptional honesty and sterling integrity in business
matters and have perfect faith in his word. He and his wife
are among the most prominent members of the United Brethren Church
which he has served as Class Leader. In politics he favors the
Republican party. |
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Dandy Kellington. A prominent place among the
farmers and stock-raisers of Cerro Gordo Township, Piatt County, is
held by the gentleman about named who owns an estate of which any
man might well be proud. It consists of two hundred and forty
acres of fine land on sections 14 and 30, with a dwelling that is
both comfortable and attractive and furnished with all that will add
to the pleasure and comfort of its inmates. Neatness and order
prevail in every part of the estate and all of the improvements are
substantial and well suited to their various purposes. The
most casual observer on looking over this fine farm would be
impressed with the belief that industry and perseverance have marked
the life of its owner. Elsewhere in this volume will be found
a view of Mr. Kellington's commodious residence and
farm surroundings.
The birth of Mr. Kellington took place in
Yorkshire, England, September 21, 1830. His parents, John
and Mary (Dandy) Kellington, were also born in the mother
country. In 1840 with his father, stepmother and other members
of the family, our subject crossed the Atlantic on the sailing
vessel "Amazon," embarking at Hull and landing in Quebec after a
voyage of five weeks and two days. The father located in
Markman, Ontario, Canada, and spent the remnant of his days there.
He was the father of six children, of whom the survivors, besides
our subject, are
William, John and Henry, all living in Canada.
The subject of this notice arrived at years of maturity
in the Province of Ontario, working at various employments until he
was twenty-one years old, when he began to learn the trade of
wagonmaking. He followed that occupation about four years,
then abandoned it for farming, in which he has since spent his time.
His schooling was obtained in the schools of England and for a short
time he attended in Canada. He came to this State in 1851 and
became a citizen of Morgan County, sojourning there several years.
There he wooed and won Miss Sarah A. Coultas, who
became his wife May 27, 1855. She was born in that county
August 9, 1837, her parents, William and Jane (Richardson)
Coultas, having been early settlers there. Both parents
were born in "Merrie England" and the mother is now deceased.
The family of Mr. and
Mrs. Coultas
consisted of eight children, the survivors being Sarah A.,
wife of our subject; John, who still lives in Morgan County;
Elizabeth, wife of John Dousland, whose home is in
Jacksonville; Hannah, wife of
Henry Elliott, living in Decatur; and Maria,
wife of
B. Headen, whose home is in Hancock County.
In the fall of 1867 Mr. Kellington
brought his family to Piatt County, settling on a practically
unimproved farm, which by dint of energy and good management ere
long became one of the best in the vicinity. In the
accumulation of property and the establishment of a good home Mr.
Kellington has been ably assisted by his wife, and admits that
her counsel has been excellent and her management wise and prudent.
Their family consists of eight children: William T., John
C., George H., Hannah M., Newton,
Mary J., Peter D. and Edgar R. Hannah is now the wife
of George Huff.
Mr. and Mrs. Kellington are identified with the
Methodist Episcopal Church and are active aids to its various lines
of work, and prominent members of society. The husband is a
Republican. He served eight years as Constable and eight years
as Justice of the Peace, discharging the duties of each office in a
manner alike creditable to himself and those who placed him in the
position. In his contact with mankind he is honorable as well
as kindly, and he therefore has the confidence of business men and
the friendship of neighbors and acquaintances. His wife shares
with him the good will of their associates, and surrounded by
children and friends they are spending their declining years in the
enjoyment of the fruits of their former industry and well-doing.
NOTE: For connections to the above family you can
contact Mary Bonavia ,
tuscangal@insightbb.com |
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| Joseph G. Kile |
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John W. Kingston
is a good representative of the native citizens of
Illinois, who were born in this State in the early years of its
settlement, and are still active in promoting its interests.
He is a well-known farmer and stock-raiser of Piatt County, and may
be denominated a pioneer of Goose Creek Township, as he has improved
here a large and valuable farm. Mr. Kingston was born
in Peoria County, April 5, 1827. His father, whose given name
was George, was born in County Cork, Ireland, November 15,
1795, and died in this State June 2, 1883, at a venerable age.
He was sixteen years old when he cane to America. He made his
way to the pioneer wilds of Illinois, and located near Springfield,
Sangamon County, in an early day of its settlement. He
afterward lived in Woodford and Peoria counties. He was a man
whose upright conduct in life caused him to be greatly respected by
all who knew him. He was a true Christian and for more than
sixty years was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church as
one of its most earnest members. His wife, whose maiden name
was Susan Miller, was a daughter of one of the early pioneer
families of Springfield, Ill., her birthplace. She was also a
consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her life
was brought to a close in 1863.
Our subject was one of twelve children, of whom seven
are now living. He was born in a rude log house and passed his
early life amid pioneer surroundings on a farm. His
educational advantages were limited. He attended school in his
boyhood in a log house that had a puncheon floor, was furnished with
slab seats, and a log was taken from the side of the building to
admit the light. He first began to work out on a farm by the
month when he was about eighteen years old. He subsequently
served an apprenticeship at carpentering and pursued that trade
about fifteen years in all, mostly in Woodford County.
In 1854 our subject turned his attention to farming, to
which he had been reared, and he then bought eighty acres of land in
Woodford County. He engaged in its cultivation until the fall
of 1867, when he sold it and removed to Piatt County. He
located in Goose Creek Township, where he purchased four hundred and
forth acres of unimproved land. The surrounding country was
but sparsely settled, and very few farmers had been developed from
the wilds. His first work was to build a shanty for his family
to live in; then he actively commenced the task of putting his land
under cultivation. His toil has resulted in making him the
possessor of as well improved a farm as may be found in this
vicinity. It is amply supplied with buildings, and has every
needed convenience for carrying on agricultural operations.
Besides this valuable property our subject owns a quarter-section of
land in Sheridan County, Neb. He is a keen sagacious
wide-awake man who has gained much information by experience and by
his observation in his travels, as he has been about the country a
good deal and in his journeys has visited many States and
Territories. He is a man of much prominence in religious and
political circles. Both he and his good wife have been members
of the Baptist Church for thirty years, and he has served it as
Deacon for a long time, and his name is associated with its
every good work. He is a local leader among the Democrats, and
has been a delegate to conventions.
May 6, 1852, was the date of the marriage of our
subject with Sarah M. Bunting. Mrs. Kingston was born
in Medina County, Ohio, November 6, 1832. She is the daughter
of John and Jane (Cooley) Bunting, natives respectively of
Scotland and Pennsylvania. They came to Illinois in an early
day and are long sine deceased. The happy wedded life of
Deacon Kingston and his wife has been blessed to them by the birth
of these seven children: Sarah R., wife of Henry H.
Purkhiser, a railroad conductor at Tulare, Cal.; Susan J.,
deceased; George W., a farmer in Goose Creek Township;
John H., deceased; Ancel, a farmer in De Witt County;
Ellis, a farmer in Piatt County; and Virginia B.,
deceased. |
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| John Kirby |
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| Mr. T. J.
Kiser,
a lumber merchant of Hammond, is a native of Macon county. He came
to Piatt county in 1873, and began his present business. He is
school treasurer of his township. He was married in December, 1873,
to Eliza Adamson. They have two children, Ethlyn E.
and
Loran P. |
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| Mr. William R.
Kiser came to Piatt county in
1876 and went immediately into partnership with T. J. Kiser
in the lumber business. He was married in 1879 to Miss May
Baldwin. |
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| Ananias Brawner, Knott, MD |
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| William H. Kratz |
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| William E. Krebs |
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| William G. Leavitt |
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Andrew
J. Langley. The subject of this sketch finds an
appropriate place in the history of men of business and enterprise
in the states of Illinois whose force of character, whose sterling
integrity, whose fortitude amid discouragements, whose good sense in
the management of complicated affairs and of marked success in
establishing and bringing to completion important business
interests, have contributed in an eminent degree to the development
of the best resources of this commonwealth. His career has not
been helped by accident or luck, wealth, family or powerful friends,
but he is in the broadest sense of self-made man, being both the
architect and builder of his fortunes, but not only has he won
prominence in business life, but has also gained high regard by his
genuine worth. He is now the vice president of the First
National Bank of Mansfield and was long associated with agricultural
interests, his home at the present time being on his farm on section
17, Blue Ridge township.
Mr. Langley is a naive of Pennsylvania, his
birth having occurred in Erie County about four miles from the city
of Erie on the 1st of October, 1837. He is a son of James
and Jane (Weston) Langley, who were likewise natives of the
Keystone state. The Langley family is of Scotch
extraction and when sixteen years of age the grandfather of our
subject came from the land of the heather to the new world, locating
in Erie county. There he afterward followed farming until
called to the home beyond. It was in Erie county that he was
married and reared his family. James Langley also
became an agriculturist, and with his family he removed to the west
in 1853, establishing his home in Macoupin county, Illinois.
The subject of this review was then a youth of sixteen years.
The journey was made overland and nineteen and a half days had
passed ere they reached their destination. They did not,
however, travel on Sundays. After arriving in Macoupin county
the father purchased land and continued to engage in farming there
unthis his demise. He and his wife were the parents of eleven
children, of whom four are yet living, but Andrew J. Langley
is the only one now residing in Piatt county. One of the
family is living in Seattle, Washington, another in Mississippi, and
the sister is a resident of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
In the schools of Erie county, Pennsylvania, Andrew
J. Langley began his education which he afterward continued in
the public schools of Macoupin county, Illinois. He also spent
one term in a commercial school of Gerard, Pennsylvania. Under
the parental roof he remained until twenty-one years of age, when he
began business as a farmer and nurseryman in Macoupin county.
As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Miss
Celia A. Curtis and the wedding was celebrated on the 11th of
March, 1859. The lady is also a native of Erie county,
Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Hulda Curtis,
natives of New York, whence they removed to the Keystone state,
where the father followed farming. The Curtis family is
probably of English lineage and Mrs. Langley is one of a
family of eight children, five of whom are yet living. Unto
our subject and his wife were born six children, but a son and
daughter died in infancy. Elmer E., the eldest, is now living
in Morris, Stevens county, Minnesota. He married Emma
Smith, who died leaving two children: Elbert E., who
makes his home in Minnesota with his father; and Emery F.,
who is residing with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Langley.
Frederick Lincoln, the second son of the family, resides at
Bingham Lake, Minnesota. He wedded Mattie Holman and they
have three children, Max, Wilbur and Celia. James C.
Langley is the cashier of the First National Bank of Mansfield.
Roy A. is engaged in farming in Morris, Minnesota.
Mr. Langley returned to the east for his wife and then
brought his bride to Macoupin county, Illinois, where he carried on
farming until 1865, and likewise devoted some attention to the
nursery business. That year he came to Piatt county and purchased
four hundred acres of land, which was then partially improved,
having upon it a little house of two rooms. He erected a new
residence, also built outbuildings and has improved the place in
many ways. It was almost destitute of trees when he took up his
abode there, but the place is now surrounded by many beautiful
trees. Mr. Langley was planting a grove of five acres
of walnut trees when a messenger riding across the country from
Champaign county called to him the news that President
Lincoln had been assassinated. Mr. Langley then
gave to the place the name of Lincoln Grove. For a
number of years he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits,
but not caring to be burdened with the supervision of an extensive
farm here, he has since sold all of the home place with the
exception of eighty acres. However, he has landed possessions in
South Dakota, in Minnesota and Nebraska, having wisely invested his
money in real estate.
In 1893 in company with his son J. C., and
William Firke, Mr. Langley founded what became known as the
Langley, Firke & Langley private bank. This was afterward sold
to John M. Dighton & Company of Monticello, and they reorganized the
State Bank of Mansfield, with which Mr. Langley was
identified until 1902. In that year in connection with W. D.
Fairbanks and his son, J. C. Langley, he founded the
First National Bank of Mansfield, its present officers being W.
D. Fairbanks president; A. J.. Langley, vice
president, and J. C Langley, cashier. Mr. Langley
has always given his political support to the Republican party since
casting his first presidential ballot, and he was a warm admirer as
well as a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. For about fourteen
years he served as supervisor of Blue Ridge township, holding the
office for twelve consecutive years and for one term he was chairman
of the board. He has been chairman of nearly all of the
committees of the board and has done effective and helpful service
in behalf of the county through the exercise of his official
prerogatives. Fraternally he is connected with Mansfield Lodge, No.
773, F. & A. M.
He and his wife are now the only people living on the
"ridge," who were here when Mr. and Mrs. Langley
arrived and their own home place has never been out of their
possession and the property is a monument to the enterprise and
efforts of the subject of this review. While always active in
matters of citizenship for the general good Mr. Langley has
never taken an active part in political work in the hope of gaining
office, having always preferred to give his attention to the
superintendence of his private business affairs and extensive
investments. A man of unswerving integrity and honor, one who
has a perfect appreciation of the higher ethics of life, he has
gained and retained the confidence and respect of his fellow men and
is distinctively one of the leading citizens of Piatt county, with
whose interests he has been identified for more than a third of a
century. |
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J. C.
Langley is the cashier of the First National Bank of
Mansfield. Although yet a young man he occupies a prominent
and influential position in business circles, and one may safely
predict for him a successful future because he possesses laudable
ambition and enterprise which are indispensable elements of business
advancement. Mr.
Langley was born in Mansfield on the 26th of September, 1873,
and is a son of Andrew J. and Celia A. (Curtis) Langley, who
are residents of Blue Ridge township, Piatt county. Both the
father and mother are natives of Pennsylvania, and after their
marriage they came to Piatt county in 1865, becoming pioneer
settlers of this section of the state. The subject of this
review is the third in a family of four living sons.
Reared upon the home farm in Blue Ridge township,
James C. Langley attended the public schools and afterward
entered the University of Indiana, where he pursued a literary and
also a business course, being graduated in that institution with the
class of 1890. In the same year after his completion of his
collegiate course, Mr. Langley entered the Mansfield
Bank, and later became cashier of the Commercial Bank of Mansfield.
Throughout his business career he has been identified with financial
interests and thoroughly understands the banking business in every
department. On leaving the Commercial Bank he became cashier
and afterward second vice president of the State Bank of Mansfield,
and in 1902 he resigned his position there and opened the First
National Bank of this city, which is capitalized for twenty-five
thousand dollars. Its officers are William D. Fairbanks,
president; Andrew J. Langley, vice president; J. C.
Langley, cashier; and H. P. Gladden, teller. The
directors of the bank are John N. Darst, John Gardiner,
William DeGrofft, James Caldwell, Joseph Seitner, in addition to
the three officers mentioned. Although the existence of the
bank covers a comparatively brief period it has already won favor
with the public because of the excellent business methods which have
been instituted there, and not a little of the success of the bank
may be attributed to the enterprise, close application and broad
knowledge of banking methods possessed by J. C. Langley.
It was on the 9th of January, 1902, that the bank was founded and
subsequently the First National Bank building was erected and
splendidly equipped for carrying on the business. It has the
triple time Hall safe and Hall vault, and every precaution is taken
to insure safety for depositors. Mr. Langley has
also engaged in the insurance business as a member of the firm of
Clemans & Langley and in this enterprise has a good
clientage.
On the 27th day of October, 1897, occurred the marriage
of James C. Langley and Miss Elena Ryerson, a
native of Gibson City, Ford county, Illinois, and a daughter of
C. G. Ryerson, who was one of the early settlers of that county.
In addition to his splendid home in Mansfield, Mr. Langley
also owns land in Stevens county, Minnesota, which he rents.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church and fraternally is
connected with Mansfield Lodge, No. 773, F. & A. M., of which he is
treasurer. He also belongs to Celestial Lodge, Knights of
Pythias, of which he is past chancellor and was made a delegate to
the grand lodge of the Knights of Pythias fraternity at Rockford,
Illinois, in the fall of 1903. In politics he is a Republican
and that he has the regard and confidence of his fellow citizens is
indicated by the fact that he is now acceptably serving as mayor.
Whatever tends to prove of public benefit and to advance local
progress and improvement receives his attention, endorsement and
co-operation, and his efforts along many lines have proven of
material benefit to the city of his birth. |
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| Nels Larson |
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| Mr. William G.
Leavitt, farmer, Hammond,
was born in 1825, in New Hampshire. He was married in his native
state, to Mary French, a widow. They had ten children,
eight of whom are living. Sarah and Margaret
are married and living in New Hampshire. Harriet, the wife of V.
C. Sleeper, lives in Wellington, Kansas, and has three children.
Abbey married Scott Moonan; has six children,
Willie Walter, Fred, Park, Charles
and
Sarah. James William is married, has one child,
and lives in Cerro Gordo township. Herbert married Elnora
Simms, has one child, and lives in Kansas. Harry W. and
Luther M. are living at home.
Mrs. Leavitt died in 1872, and Mr. Leavitt,
in 1873, was married to Mrs. Mary T. Osgood. Mr. Leavitt,
upon moving from New Hampshire, settled in Menard county, from which
place he moved to Piatt county, and bought the half section of land
upon which he still lives. At present, however, he owns 240 acres of
land. He improved the farm himself, and has planted out at least
five hundred trees. |
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| Mr. T. F.
Livengood, farmer and minister, is of German descent,
and was born in 1830, in North Carolina. He moved from there to
Indiana, and thence to Moultrie county, Illinois, and to Piatt in
1861. He married Catharine Pearson, of Indiana, in 1850. His son
Athan A. married Margaret Moore, and lives in
Champaign county.
David F. married Barbara Meeker, and lives in
Douglas county.
Permelia is the wife of Vincent Quick, and has
two children,
Oscar
and Lena. The names of the remaining children are Mathias
E., Albert, Sarah, Lilley, Cora, Ella
Pauline and
Addie. Mr. Livengood
was ordained as a minister in the Christian church in 1866. He
formerly preached on a circuit running through Champaign, Piatt,
DeWitt, Moultrie, Douglas and Vermilion counties. Now he travels
only in Douglas, Vermilion, Champaign and Piatt counties. He has
organized seven churches in Champaign county, where most of his
preaching has been done, one in DeWitt and one in Piatt county. When
he settled in this section of the country he found the people
hospitable. At an early day here the people always called upon the
new settlers, congratulating them on coming into the county. Mr.
Livengood preached his first sermon in the Taylor
school-house in Douglas county. Upon our asking him in regard to the
first couple he married in this county, he said: “I remember how I
was scared, but don’t remember their names.” He told us of once
going fifteen miles, swimming the West Okau and traveling bad roads,
to marry a couple. He says he “had a good time otherwise, but got no
pay.” Since he was ordained a minister he has made an average of one
hundred conversations each year. The largest amount he has ever
received in one year from one church has been $140; the least
amount, nothing. |
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| Mr. John
Lowe, farmer, is a native of Kentucky. He moved from
there direct to Illinois in 1861, and to Piatt county in 1869. He
lived for a time in Sangamon township. He married Sarah T. Atkin,
who has three children, Edward, William and Albert,
living.
Mr. Lowe went to the army from Vermilion county in Co.
B of the 25th Ill. He was out four years, serving one year in the
149th reg. He engaged in the battles of Pea Ridge, Perryville,
Murfreesborough, Mission Ridge, and also those of the Atlanta
campaign. He was never wounded or taken prisoner. |
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Mr. John Love
(“Capt. Love”), a farmer near Hammond, is a native of
Pike county, Missouri. His father was a native of South Carolina,
and his mother was born in Ireland. They moved from South Carolina
to Pike county, Missouri. His father was one of a little colony that
went out in 1815, and in 1818 he died in Missouri. Capt.
Love’s stepfather, Mr. Welch Allison, moved
to Macon county in 1834 or 1835, and his mother died near Decatur in
1836. Capt. Love was one of a family of four children.
His brother Andrew moved from Decatur to near Lovington, on
the old Snyder place. Andrew had a post-office in his house
which was named Lovington. After the town was built it was named the
same. Capt. Love came to Macon county from Missouri in
1834, then returned to Missouri, and again in 1835 came to Decatur,
and in January, 1836, began clerking for Mr. William
Cantrall. After abut seven months he began clerking for
Renshaw & Finley (afterward
Renshaw alone), and remained here for several years. From
what we hear of Mr. Love at this time, he must have
been considered quite a business manager. Although but eighteen
years old, he had a man’s business entrusted to him. His health
having failed somewhat, Mr.
Love went to his brother’s farm near Lovington, and went into
the stock business. He was with his brother most of the time from
this on, until his marriage in 1842, to Charlotte Emerson,
a sister of
Judge Emerson. He then settled on a farm of his own
near Lovington, which place he afterward was with Emerson. He
then settled on a farm of his own near Lovington, which place he
afterward was with his brother most of the time from this on, until
his marriage in 1842, to Charlotte Emerson, a sister of Judge
to Judge Emerson’s place, in Macon
county. In 1853 he stopped farming, and bought out a little store in
Lovington, and remained there till 1856. He sold out then, and
somewhat unexpectedly went to Sullivan, where he remained till 1859,
when he sold out. During the year 1860 he was out of business. After
his return from the army, he bought a farm in DeWitt, and remained
there till 1868, when he moved to the farm he now lives on. He owns
all the Section except 160 acres, which he gave to his daughter.
Capt. Love’s first wife died in 1869. Their eldest
daughter, Mary Ellen, married Dr. J. W. Snyder,
and they, with their two children, live in Gilman, M.
Jennie married
John R. Cantrall (see his name). Mr. C. H. Love
married
Adaline Evans, and lives in Christian county. They have two
children. He helped Mr. C. D. Moore to lay out the
town of Hammond, and was the second grain merchant in the place.
Capt. Love was married in 1871, to Sarah A. Cooper,
a native of Iowa. Her mother, sixty years of age, is living with
Mrs. Love. Her parents moved to Iowa in 1844, in which
state her father died, after which her mother moved to Sangamon
county. On June 28, 1861, Mr. Love went to the army as
captain of Co. E of the 21st Ill., Grant’s own regiment,
organized from the seventh congressional district. He did a great
deal of traveling about, but was in only one regular battle, that of
Frederickstown. He was taken sick with a severe attack of pneumonia,
and was ultimately discharged because of chronic diarrhoea. Although
sick, he had been with the company several times. Upon Capt.
Love’s leaving the regiment the officers and his men gave him
articles in sealed envelopes, with the injunction that he was not to
open them until he reached Nashville. Upon our urgent and repeated
appeals, and against his protestations, we have at last succeeded in
gaining his permission to have these testimonials printed in
connection with the sketch of his life.
TESTIMONIALS TO CAPT. JOHN LOVE.
CAMP 21ST ILL. VOLS., NEAR MURFREESBORN, TENN.
February 20, 1863
WHEREAS, Owing to long and almost irreparable ill health, our
honored comrade in arms and fellow officer, Capt. John
Love, of Co. E, 21st Ill. Vols., has been compelled to retire
from our present field of labor; therefore be it Resolved, That
Captain John Love has our warmest sympathies in
his afflictions, and that it is with feelings of sincere and
profound regret the decrees of an inevitable fate have declared that
we must give him the hand of a long and perhaps final farewell.
II. That in Capt. Love we recognize all the attributes
of the refined gentleman, an agreeable associate, a noble companion
in arms, and that in him the Government loses one of his brightest
ornaments, most valuable, patriotic, devoted and faithful in all of
his duties.
III. That bidding adieu to our old associate – the ever faithful
companion of all our hardships, privations and dangers, such as only
a soldier can realize – we can heartily breathe an earnest “God
bless you,” and when in the future we are engaged in the arduous
duties of the soldiers’ life, we will recur with memories of sweet
pleasure and an honorable pride to the days and times when
Captain
Love made one of our number.
IV. That we make this voluntary testimonial to his virtues and moral
worth, because such are alone due to the brave, earnest, hopeful and
uncompromising defenders of the right – the Government of our
Fathers.
Signed:
Wm. P. Carlin, Col. Commanding Brigade, 38th Vols.
Wm. E. McMachin, Lieut-Col. Commanding, 21st Ill. Vols.
J. E. Calloway Major, 21st Ill. Vols.
W. C. Harris, Captain.
Walter E. Carlin, Lieut. And Brigade Inspector.
S. Voris, Brigade Adjutant
Albert Woodbury, Lieut.
C. B. Steele, Adj., 21st Ill.
Geo. F. Eaton, Capt. Co. A, 21st Ill.
E. D. Cox, 1st Lieut. Co. A, 21st. Ill.
J. P. H. Stevenson, Capt. Co. B, 21st Ill.
Philip Welshimer, 1st Lieut. Co. B, 21st Ill.
B. F. Reed, Capt. Co. D, 21st Ill.
J. S. Taylor, 2d Lieut. Co. D, 21st Ill.
Jno. A. Freeland, 1st Lieut. Co. E, 21st Ill.
David S. Blackburn, Capt. Co. F, 21st Ill.
J. W. Vance, 1st Lieut. Co. F, 21st Ill.
W. J. Hunter, 2d Lieut. Co. F, 21st Ill.
A. George, Capt. Co. G, 21st Ill.
A. W. Songer, 1st Lieut. Co. G, 21st Ill.
Edwin Harlan, Capt. Co. H, 21st Ill.
N. S. McKeen, 1st Lieut. Co. H, 21st Ill.
Chas. Howe, 1st Lieut. Co. I, 21st Ill.
J. S. Cox, 2d Lieut. Co. I, 21st Ill.
J. L. Wilson, 1st Lieut, Co. K, 21st Ill.
E. M. Seeley, Surgeon, 21st Ill.
E. D. Wilkin, Chaplain, 21st Ill.
J. E. Jones, Quartermaster, 21st Ill.
Dick L. Smith, 2d Lieut, 21st Ill.
MEMORIAL OF RESPECT.
Presented to Capt. Love on the morning of his
departure from Co. E, 21st Ill. Vols.
About to take farewell of our company and rejoin your family in
Illinois, it may be a pleasure to yourself and friends, that your
company thus express their lasting friendship and esteem for one who
has been so long their captain, and our serious regret for the
misfortune, and sympathy for the long and lingering sickness that
has at length deprived us of one whom we will so sadly miss.
We shall always admire the high sense of duty that stamped all your
actions; try to imitate the purity of morals and principles that
characterized all your conduct; reflect the indefatigable zeal that
has always actuated in all your effort to suppress this foul
rebellion; and feel grateful for the anxious care you always
manifested even in your sickness for your company. In you we feel
not only the loss of an earnest, dutiful officer, but a sincere,
tried and impartial friend. While we remain in the field with a
determination to fight to the last, the execrable? friends’ fiends
of this hideous rebellion, we hope health may be restored, that your
life may be spared for many years of usefulness, that you may long
enjoy the sweets of social intercourse, a blessing to your family,
an honor to your friends.
John A. Freeland, 1st Lieut. Co. E, 21st Ill.
Jno. W. Nazworthy, Serg. Co. E, 21st Ill.
Geo. W. Lynn, Serg. Co. E, 21st Ill.
A. J. McPheeters.
J. H. McGuire, Corp. Co. E, 21st Ill.
Jas. A. Fruit, Corp. Co. E, 21st Ill.
Enoch Walker, Corp. Co. E, 21st Ill.
Samuel Boggs, Corp. Co. E, 21st Ill.
A. M. Ashmore
Christopher Bick
H. A. Smith
A. M. Bone
Robert Bean.
Peter Corfer
Andrew K. Bone
E. M. McGuire
E. Haney
Geo. W. Sherwood
J. A. Mitchell
A. M. Mitchell
Thomas Farrel
Finis E. Kennedy
W. I. C. McClure
Jno. Gaulding
Patrick Kenedy
Richard Benett
William Millison
Ezekiel Norris
Alford Nash
W. B. Thompson
Peter Burg
Perry Hoskins
Jas. H. Nazworthy
Jas. R. Duncan
Jno. Wilburn
J. B. Reese
Jefferson Brown
Thomas Smith
Morgan J. Ray
Clark, David P.
Clifford, Daniel
Baker, Henry
Jno. Abbott
Morris MacKaboy
W. H. Hoskins
Marletus Hill
Moses Hill
James Hill
John E. Hines
Geo. K. Jenkins
Geo. P. McDowell |
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NOTES:
* Picture
Kellington Farm |
