250 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY Lloyd Tilghman, with the rank of major. He served with General Tilghman until the latter was killed at the battle of Champion Hills, when he took his commander's remains to Vicksburg and interred them there. Major Halliday remained in Vicksburg during the siege and on the fall of the city was taken prisoner and paroled. After his release from parole until the close of the war he served in the commissary department of the Confederate States of America, having charge of manufacturing. At the close of the war he rejoined his brothers at Cairo, which place has ever since been his home. He was a member of the firm of Halliday Brothers, composed of William P., Samuel B., Edwin W., Henry L. and Thomas W. Halliday. The firm, by carrying on various business interests, amassed a fortune. The Halliday family is not only the most numerous family in Cairo, but decidedly the most conspicuous in, a business sense. It has been identified with the establishment and successful operation many of the most important business enterprises and institutions of Cairo and vicinity, which have served as the life blood of the business affairs of the city. Maj. E. W. Halliday is the only suring one of the five brothers. In 1903 he retired from active business, leaving the management of the Halliday institutions and enterprises to younger representatives of the family. He was married on June 28, 1864, at Macon. Ga., to Miss Emma Witherspoon, of Memphis, Tenn., who yet survives together with nine children, three sons and six daughters, five of whom are married. The Major and his wife have seven grandchildren. CAPT. WILLIAM P. GREANEY, teller in the Alexander County National bank, Cairo, Ill., was born Feb. 19, 1869. He is the son of the late James Greaney of Cairo, who died in 1890. William P. quit school at the early age of eleven. years and went to work to fight life's battle. For ten years (1880 to 1890) he was in the employ of the New York Store Mercantile Company, a large wholesale and retail house of Cairo. Beginning as cashbox, on a salary of a few dollars a week, he was regularly promoted to higher positions and finally was made bookkeeper of the concern. He held this position until Jan. 7, 1891. when the establishment was completely destroyed by fire. On Jan. 21, 1891. he became bookkeeper in the Alexander County National bank. In 1902 he was promoted to the still more responsible position of teller in that bank. Being a successful business man he was called upon by his fellow-citizens to serve them for six years in the city council. For two years he filled MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 251 the responsible position of city treasurer, and for the past four years he has filled the position of deputy city treasurer. In religious affairs he has always been identified with the Catholic church, of which he is a devoted member. He is also an active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On Nov. 14, 1894, he married Miss Loretto Carroll of Cairo. Two interesting and lovable girls have been born to this union : Gertrude Lynette and Margaret Marian, aged nine and six years respectively. Captain Greaney is captain of Company K, Illinois National Guard, which company he organized in 1904. CHRISTOPHER PECK, president of the Cairo Brewing Company, Cairo, Ill., was born in Germany, June 11, 1860. He is the son of Conrad and Catherine Beck, l0th of whom are living, now residing in St. Louis, Mo. The subject of this sketch attended school in Germany until he was fourteen years old. After quitting school he was employed for four years in learning the wine, whisky and brewing business in his native country. In 1879 he emigrated to the United States, being the first of his immediate family to come over the ocean. The following year he was followed by his father, mother, two sisters and one brother, who located in St. Louis, Mo., where they still reside. His first work in this country was in a brewery in Wheeling, W. Va., where he worked for nine months. In the spring of 1880 he came on westward to St. Louis, Mo., where he at that time spent one year, a part of the time in the employ of the Lemp Brewing Company and the remainder of the year in a wholesale whisky house. In the spring of 1881 he went to Leadville, Col., at the time of the great silver excitement, where he remained for about eleven years in the wholesale whisky business. In December, 1892, he returned to St. Louis to become one of the organizers of the Columbian Distilling Company, and was remade secretary and treasurer of the concern. He held this position Until 1897. when he organized the Union Brewing Company of St. Louis, of which, for the next three years and a half, he was president. Selling his interest in, this company to Otto F. Stifel in 1902, he spent a brief time in recuperating his health, which had become somewhat impaired, 252 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY and in March, 1902, he came to Cairo, purchased a site for a new brewery and set out at once to build. On the last day of the following September the Cairo Brewing Company was organized with Mr. Beck as president, a position he yet holds. The buildings, located on the corner of Fourth street and Commercial avenue, were completed and fully equipped with the most modern and up-to-date machinery, and the result is the present fine brewing plant, one of Cairo's best institutions as well as a substantial improvement to the city. The capital stock of the Cairo Brewing Company is $200,000, a majority of the stock being held by .Mr. Beck. He is an active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. JOHN B. GREANEY, secretary and treasurer of the New York Store Mercantile Company, of Cairo, Ill., was born in that city Nov. 21, 1813. He is the second son of the late James Greancy; was educated in the public schools of his native city, graduating from the high school department in 1892, at the age of eighteen years. Immediately after leaving school he went to work as assistant shipping clerk of the New York Store Mercantile Company, with which well known firm he is still connected. He filled various minor positions with such ability and fidelity that his promotion naturally followed, until now he holds one of the most important positions in the gift of his employers. As bookkeeper and traveling salesman he discharged his dirties so well that he was made a stockholder in the company. At the election of officers after his promotion he was made secretary and treasurer, which position he still holds. This rapid advancement demonstrates the possibilities open to any young man of intelligence and enterprise. The firm, in which he is now a partner, is one of the largest business concerns of Cairo, its trade being both wholesale and retail. Mr. Greaney is a stockholder in and one of the organizers of the Bank of Moscow, at Moscow. Ky. The fact that he is an active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Travelers' Protective Association, the Alexander club, and the Knights of the Mystic Krew of Komus shows that he is prominent in social and fraternal circles. On. Oct. 21, 1903, he was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn Moran, of Cairo, and one daughter, Kathryn, was born to this union Aug. 13, 1904. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 253 EBERHARD BUCHER, of the Bucher-Woodford Packing Company of Cairo, Ill., was born in Germany, March 4, 1857. His father, Alois Bucher, a farmer, died in Germany in 1883. His mother came to the United States and joined her children in Cairo in 1885, and died there in 1895. The historic city of Ravensburg in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, is the birthplace of Mr. Bucher. He learned the butchers' trade in his youth in Switzerland, and came to the United States in 1880, being the first of his family to emigrate to this country. His mother, four brothers and two sisters came later. His brothers living in Cairo are Joseph and Carl Bucher. Silas Bucher, another brother, lives at Mounds, Ill. Stephen, a fourth brother, is a farmer near Freeport, Ill. His sisters are Mrs. Theresa Becker, of Freeport, and Mrs. Mary Love, of Sparta, Ill. Upon coming to this country Eberhard first worked for a year in, a sausage factory in Cincinnati, O., and then in 1881 came to Cairo. Here he worked at his trade six months and then started a meat market at Clinton, Ill., but at the end of three months sold out and returned to Cairo, where he has since lived. After Spending a year in the saloon business he sold out in 1883 and started a meat market here which he conducted successfully for several years. He made considerable money in this business and in 1892 embarked in the meat packing business as a partner in the firth of Bucher Bros. & Co. In 1901 he bought the interest of his brother Joseph and that of the company in the business. On Sept. 1, 1903, he sold a half interest to B. F. Woodford, and on Jan. 1, 1905, a stock company was formed and the business incorporated under the firm name of the Bucher-Woodford Packing Company, with Mr. Bucher as president and Mr. Woodford as secretary and treasurer. The capital stock was fixed at $50,000. It is the only meat packing industry in, Cairo. Mr. Bucher is an active member of the Catholic church. On April 14, 1884, he married Miss Dora Duncker of Cairo. To this union five children have been born : Carl E., Eberhard Silas, Mary Martha, Anna and Dora, aged respectively nineteen, eleven, sixteen, thirteen and eight years. Mr. Bucher's career demonstrates clearly what can be accomplished by push and perseverance. 254 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY BENJAMIN F. WOODFORD, secretary and treasurer of the Bucher-Woodford Packing Company of Cairo, Ill., was born in Syracuse, N. Y., Aug. 1, 1855. He is the son of Alanson Woodford, a native of New York, of English parentage, and whose occupation was farming and thoroughbred stock breeding. He removed from New York to Whiteside county, Ill., in 1867. There the father spent the remainder of his life, dying March 22. 1884, aged seventy-two years. The mother of the subject before her marriage was Mary Elizabeth Lawrence, a native of New York State. She was the daughter of Eusephus Lawrence, a native of Connecticut and the son of John Lawrence, an Englishman by birth. The mother died in September, 188. There were four children born to this union, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest. The other three are James R. and Alanson A., of Burlington, Kas., and Mary Elizabeth, who died in infancy. From this sketch it will be seen that only the three sons are left. Benjamin spent his youth on his father's farm in Whiteside county, Ill., graduated from the Rock Falls high school at the age of eighteen and then went to work as an, assistant to his father in the breeding and trading of fine stock and in general farm work. He acquired an interest in his father's business on reaching his majority, and it was conducted under the management of Alanson Woodford & Son, until the father's death. Their specialty was the breeding of thoroughbred Poland-China hogs and Shorthorn cattle. Shortly before his father died Benjamin F. engaged in business for himself by purchasing a meat market at Rock Falls, Whiteside county. In 1886 he traded his interest in this business for a 240 acre farm in Lee county, Ill. He then devoted himself for a time to trading and dealing in live stock. In 1888 he entered the employ of T. M. Sinclair & Co., of Cedar Rapids, Ia., a large packing concern whose export trade in fine meat products is probably equal to that of any other firm in America, He was with this well-known house for two and one-half years, being its buyer most of the time. He resigned this position in 1891 and purchased a fine market in Cedar Rapids. A few months later he sold this business to accept a lucrative position with Swift & Co. of Chicago. He remained with this firm seven years in all. Beginning as sales- MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 255 man he soon worked his way to the front and was finally given a highly responsible position with the house. For one year he was in the employ of the Hammond Packing Company, a period sandwiched in between two periods with Swift & Co. Early in 1900 he entered the employ of Armour & Co. as traveling salesman. On May 7, 1902, he came to Cairo as manager of the Cairo branch of the concern, a position, which he held until Sept. 1, 1903, when he resigned against the urgent solicitation of the house. Declining a liberal salary, he embarked in the packing business on his own account. He had purchased a half interest in the packing business of Eberhard Bucher, and it was to give his entire attention to this enterprise that he resigned his position with Armour & Co. On Jan. 1, 1905, the Bucher-Woodford Packing Company was organized with a capital stock of $50,000, Mr. Eberhard Bucher becoming president and Mr. Woodford secretary and treasurer. This concern does an extensive business in the packing and jobbing of beef, pork, veal, mutton and provisions. Mr. Woodford has recently identified himself with the Masonic order. WILLIAM NICHOLS BUTLER, one of the three judges of the First circuit of Illinois, was born in Green Lake county, Wis., Aug. 16, 1856. He is the son of Comfort Edgar and Celestia Ann (Carter) Butler. With his father he removed to Columbia county, Pa., where the family resided until the breaking out of the Civil war. The father first enlisted in the Thirty-first Pennsylvania volunteer infantry and afterward in the Seventy-ninth regiment of the sane state, fighting gallantly in the defense of the Union. During the father's absence in the army the family resided with friends and relatives in Canandaigua, Ontario county, N. Y. A few years after the close of the war the family removed to Texas, but not liking the country returned to the North, locating at Anna, Union county, Ill., where William grew to manhood, attending school, clerking in stores, working at the carpenter and printing trades and teaching school. On June 7, 18i9, he graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign, having paid his own way out of money earned by teaching and working at his trades. After graduating he determined to enter the legal profession. The same steadfast persistence that characterized him in his efforts to obtain an education is one of the chief secrets of his success in life. After reading law in the office of Monroe C. Crawford, of Jonesboro, Ill., he, in the fall of 1881, entered the Union College of Law in Chicago, being a classmate as well as seat- 256 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY mate of Hon. W. J. Bryan. The following fall he entered the senior class of the Albany, N. Y., law school, receiving therefrom the degree of Bachelor of Laws, May 25, 1883. In August of the same year he came to Cairo as a clerk in the internal revenue service under Gen. Charles W. Pavey, holding the position one year. On Sept. 10, 1884, he was nominated by the Republican party for the office of state's attorney of Alexander county and triumphantly elected. He gave such general satisfaction that he was re-elected in 1888, 1892 and 1896. The only defeat that he suffered was in the year 1900. These repeated marks of confidence in him by his fellow-citizens afford the best comment on his efficiency and faithfulness to duty. For six years he was honored with the chairmanship of the Republican central committee of Alexander county; also served as chairman of the congressional district committee ; the Republican judicial committee of the First district and the committee of the First supreme court district. Mr. Butler was at the head of the judiciary committee of the supreme court district when his fellow-townsman, David J. Baker, was elected a member of the supreme court. This fact is worthy of mention because it was the first and only time that a Republican was elected from this district, and because it was the first time in the history of the state that the supreme court was Republican. Interested in the welfare of the public schools of Cairo, Mr. Butler has served on the board of education for six years. From December, 1884, to February, 1886, Mr. Butler was the senior mempber of the firm of Butler & Linegar, the firm being dissolved by the death of David T. Linegar. He was then associated with W. H. Boyer, but this connection was also terminated by the death of his partner. In the multiplicity of honors which Mr. Butler has enjoyed none has been more highly appreciated by him than that of the presidency of the alumni association of the University of Illinois, in which capacity he has twice acted. For one year he was adjutant of the Ninth regiment, Second brigade, National Guards of Illinois, ranking as captain. On the death of Joseph P. Roberts, one of the three circuit judges in this, the First circuit, in October, 1903, a vacancy on the bench occurred. Mr. Butler was one of the seven candidates for the nomination and was chosen on, the sixty-fourth ballot. The election took place on Dec. 12, 1903, his opponent being Monroe C. Crawford, his preceptor in the beginning of his legal studies, and resulted in the election of Mr. Butler by a majority of 2,181 votes. He at once qualified, and is now serving in that capacity. As a lawyer Mr. Butler has been eminently successful, having among his MEMOIRS OF TILE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 257 clients some of the largest establishments in Cairo. His practice extended to the highest courts of the state and nation. Thoroughly qualified and eminently fitted for the position he now holds, Mr. Butler has fully demonstrated that no mistake has been made in his election, for he is administering the duties of this exalted office as successfully as he cared for the interests of his clients when practicing law. On Oct. 28, 1882, Mr. Butler married Miss Mary Mattoon of Fairbury, Livingston county, Ill. The names of the children are as follows: Comfort Straight, born in 1887; William Glenn, in 1889; Franklin Mattoon, in 1892; Mary, in 1894; Helen, in 1897 and John Bruce in 1900. JOSEPH W. WENGER, commercial agent for the Illinois Central railway, Cairo, Ill., was born in Lacon, Marshall county, Ill., Sept. 28, 18 1. He is the son of Dr. Elias Wenger, born in Rockingham county, Va., in June, 1821. In 1855 Doctor Wenger graduated from Rush Medical college, Chicago, and practiced medicine in Northern Illinois for thirty-two years, dying Aug. 29, 1887. He served as a member of the Illinois legislature in the year 1862-63, and at the time of his death was president of the Illinois State Medical society. The mother of Joseph W. was Eliza Smith, born in Augusta county, Va. She was married to Elias Wenger in that state and died in 1879. Joseph W. Wenger is the fourth of seven children—four sons and three daughters, all living. He was educated in the public schools, and at the age of twenty entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railway Company at Gilman, Ill., serving in the capacity of switchman and clerk for three or four years. In 1873 he entered the office of the general freight and passenger agent of the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield railroad, at Springfield, where he was a clerk for two years. From Springfield he went to Peoria. Ill., where he served until 18i9 as clerk in the general freight office of the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad Company. He then re-entered the service of the Illinois Central as clerk in the freight office at Cairo, where he has been ever since. In 1882 he was made chief clerk in the superintendent's office. In 1887 he received the appointment of commercial agent, his present II-17 258 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY position. Thus it will be seen that he has been in the continuous employ of the Illinois Central for twenty-five years, and its commercial agent for eighteen years. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar and a Shriner, and is an ex-president of the Alexander club. He is actively affiliated with the Hoo Hoo order, a fraternity whose members are made up of the railway men and lumber men, throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Wenger is a Democrat in politics and a vestryman in the Episcopal church. On Sept. 28, 188x, he married Miss Mary Bainbridge Taylor of Cairo. She is the daughter of Augustus F. Taylor, a former well known citizen of Cairo, and granddaughter of Col. Samuel Staats Taylor, who was very prominent in the early history of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger have three children: Joseph Bainbridge, of Chicago; Miss Alice Mary and Kenneth Taylor. The mother of Mrs Wenger was the late Phoebe Alice Taylor, who for many years held the office of county superintendent of schools of Alexander county. The brothers and sisters of Mr. Wenger are Mrs. Mary E. Danforth of Washington, Ill. ; Mrs. Louise A. Craig of Twin Lakes, Col.; Abram A. of Ogden, Utah; Charles P. of Cairo, Ill.; Daniel B. of Trinidad, Col.; and Mrs. Nellie Pennewill of Kankakee, Ill. ELMER SMITH, passenger and ticket agent of the Big Four, Iron Mountain and Missouri Pacific railways, at Cairo, Ill., was born at Allendale, Wabash county, 111., June 28, 1876. He is the son of Dr. James E. Smith, a practicing physician of Mt. Carmel, Ill. Dr. J. E. Smith was born in Campbell county, Ky., Dec. 11, 1838, being the son of Geo. W. Smith. The doctor graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1877. During the Civil war he served three years as private and hospital steward with the Ninety-eighth Illinois regiment of Wilder's brigade. Since 1817 he has practiced his profession in Wabash county, Ill. The mother of the subject was Nancy Howey, of Arkansas, born Feb. 27, 1846. She is the daughter of John and Eliza (Axton) Howey, and is still living. Of the eight children born to this union five survive: Mrs. Zillah Klindera of Tipton, Tulare county, Cal.; Elmer, Morris and Mattie (twins), and Vera Grace. Mor- MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 259 ris is baggage agent of the Big Four and Iron, Mountain at Cairo. mattie is now Mrs. E. L. Holsen of Allendale, Ill. Elmer Smith, the subject, learned telegraphy at the age of seventeen, and for several years served at various places as operator on the Cairo division of the Big Four. In 1897 he became night operator and ticket agent at the Union Station, Cairo. In 1898 he entered the office of C. L. Hilleary of St. Louis, assistant general passenger agent of the Big Four, where he served as stenographer and assistant city ticket agent for a year and a half. On Feb. 1, 1901, he assumed the duties of his present position as passenger and ticket agent of the Big Four, ron Mountain, and Missouri Pacific railways at Cairo. He holds membership in the following societies: Elks, Royal Arcanum and Knights of the Mystic Krew of Komus. On. Oct. 21, 1901, he married Miss Grace Hewitt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Hewitt of Cairo, Ill. Two children, Helen Hewitt born Aug. 7. 1902. and Elsner, Jr., Born Feb. 28, 1905, have blessed this marriage. H. T. STEPHENS, local freight agent of the Big Four railway at Cairo, Ill., was born in the village of Normanda, Tipton county, Ind., Oct. 13, 1860. He is the son of Philip S. and Elizabeth B. (Huston) Stephens, now residents of Lapel, Madison county, Ind. His father was born near Goshen, O.; April 10, 1830. The mother was born near Mechanicsburg, Ind., Dec. 25, 1840. To their marriage, solemnized April 29, 1857, there were born three children, only two of whom survive, the subject of this sketch and A. M. Stephens of Lapel, Ind. H. T. Stephens was reared in Indiana and educated in the public schools of that state. He first learned the trade of carriage painter. Laying this aside he served for a time as hotel clerk. Finally he drifted into railroading. His first position was that of clerk in, a freight office at Union City, Ind., for the Clevepland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Chicago & Indianapolis railroad. He has been engaged in railroad work ever since in the constant employ of the above named road and its successor, the Big Four. When in 1888 the C. C. C. & I. was absorbed by the Big Four he went with it. All of his work has been in the freight department. He has been 260 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY stationed at Cairo since Jan. 11, 1890. After serving nearly three years as cashier he was on Dec. 1, 1892, promoted to the position of freight agent, which he still holds. He is a member of the American Association of Freight Agents. In .Masonry he ranks high, being a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar and a past master, past high priest and past eminent commander of that order. In politics Mr. ,Stephens is a Republican. April 4, 1886, he married Miss Alethea C. Winslow, of Marion, Ind. They have one child. Kathryn, aged nine years. JOSEPH STEAGALA, the proprietor of Uncle Joe's hotel, restaurant and saloon, was born in New Orleans, La., Feb. 13, 1839, and came to Cairo with his parents in 1854, having previously worked as a river man for three years. In 1857 Joe Steagala helped to organize the first fire department in Cairo, a volunteer relief department, which continued until 1865, when he became a charter member of the "Rough and Ready" fire company, and from that day to this he has been a member of the company. During the period of nine years that Mr. Steagala served as chief the department was handled more ably and economically than it had been handled before or has been handled since. When the position became a salaried one he promptly resigned. This is one of Uncle Joe's traits. Whatever he does for the community he does for the pure love of the town and not for pay. We doubt if there is another town in the country that can boast of a man who gives up his time and money, and to a certain extent neglects his business, to attend to the duties of a position while it is a voluntary service and then resigns it as soon as there is any pay attached to it. In 1866 Mr. Steagala moved to Hickman, Ky., where he resided for thirteen years. During these years he paid his dues and was a member in good standing of the "Rough and Ready" fire company of Cairo. In 1879 he returned to Cairo and opened Up his present place of business on the corner of Sixth street and Commercial avenue. He was first elected justice of the peace in 1885 and is still serving his city in that capacity. He served the First ward as alderman in 1894 and has two or three times been brought out by MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 261 his friends and admirers as an independent candidate for mayor. Mr. Steagala has at all times been identified with every movement which had for its object the bringing of people to Cairo, and of keeping them. He is a member in good standing of nineteen secret societies, to each of which he gives more of his time and money than does any other member. He is at present a director of the Cairo Baseball club, and was one of the active promoters of the Central League. Among the various business enterprises that Mr. Steagala has been connected with can be mentioned the broom factory on Tenth street, operated by him two years, a sewing machine store on Commercial avenue, managed by Mr. Steagala for three years, and the widely popular "Uncle Joe's Hotel," on the levee, which he opened in 1889 and in which he himself placed the electric light plant. Without any display or any notoriety, Joe Steagala has quietly and unobtrusively dispensed thousands of dollars in Cairo in worthy charity. Personally he is a quiet, unassuming gentleman, with whom it is a pleasure to have business and social relations. He is known by every man, woman and child in the town, and while he may have enemies we doubt if there is any other man in town who has more or warmer friends than has "Uncle" Joe Steagala. L. P. PARKER, manager of "The Halliday," Cairo, Ill., as well as of the Hotel Gayoso, Memphis, Tenn., was born in Bradford county, Pa., Nov. 24, 1848. He came to Illinois with his parents when but ten years of age. On Nov. 15, 1880, he came to Cairo and at once took charge of the Halliday House. He has been associated with that fine and popular hostelry ever since, fully twenty-four years. In these years he has made a reputation as a successful hotel man second to none in the country. Mr. Parker is widely known as a very practical hotel man. He is also manager of the Hotel Gayoso, Memphis, Tenn,., the first hotel in that city and one of the best and most thoroughly equipped, popular resorts in the South. Mr. Parker became manager of this hotel Aug. 1, 1898. On July 4, 1899, this fine property was destroyed by fire. Immediately after the fire the Memphis Hotel Company was organized with Stuyvesant 262 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY Fish, president of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, as its president and J. S. Aisthorpe of Cairo, Ill., as secretary and treasurer. Upon the site of the ruins a fine, new, modern hotel building was erected, which was completed and opened to the public on May 1, 1902. This hostlery is known as the Hotel Gayoso and is easily one of the finest hotels in the Mississippi Valley. Mr. Parker's eldest son. A. L. Parker, is assistant manager, while a younger son, L. S. Parker, is manager of the Istroama Hotel at Baton Rouge, La. Maynard, the third and youngest son, is a professional violinist, being instructor on the violin at the Freeze Conservatory of Music, Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. Parker has just cause to be proud of his own standing in the hotel world, as well as that of each of his progressive, wide awake sons. CHARLES E. GREGORY, proprietor of the Cairo Monument Company, Cairo, Ill., was born at Fredericktown, Madison county, Mo., July 31, 1879. He is the son of Col. Felix G. and Hannah A. (Anthony) Gregory, both of whom were born and reared in Fredericktown, Mo. The father died there July 3. 1899, aged fifty-nine. The mother still survives. Throughout his business career the father followed the livery and hotel business. Colonel Gregory served as a colonel in the Confederate army. H father, also named Felix G., was a native of Virginia, but with his brother Serrel emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky and later located in Missouri. The Anthony family, too, has been quite prominent both politically and socially in the State of \Missouri. Among the members of the family today arc F. D. Anthony, a prominent attorney; Robert Anthony, an ex-circuit judge of Fredericktown, and William Anthony, a prominent commercial lawyer of Farmersburg. Charles F. Gregory, is the youngest of eight children—four sons and four daughters. His brothers and sisters are: William T., a merchant of Baxter Springs, Kan.; Martin P., a farmer of the vicinity of Farmersburg, Mo.; John F., a Missouri Pacific passenger engineer residing at Alexandria, La. ; Mrs. Bird Isibell, of Colorado; Mrs. Bertha E. Zeran, of Farmington. Mo.; Miss Lizzie F., who still resides with her mother, and Mrs. May Bell McGrew, of Galena, Mo. Charles E. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 263 Gregory was reared at Fredericktown and graduated from the Marvin Collegiate institute of that place at the age of twenty years. On the death of his father he assumed the management of the Gregory hotel and conducted it successfully for two years. On the sale of the property in September, 1901, he devoted a year of his time to the study of music. In 1903, he came to Cairo and bought the property of the Cairo Monument Company, of which he is still the proprietor. On Nov. 12, 1904, he added to his business the Zeran Marble & Granite Works, formerly owned by his brother-in-law, John S. Zeran. This institution is the only one of its kind in Cairo and does quite an extensive business, both wholesale and retail. Its sale of building stone is also quite large. It secures its granite for the most part from its own granite quarries, located near Farmington, Mo., a granite which is being extensively used throughout the United States as a substitute for the imported Scotch granite. Mr. Gregory is an enthusiast on the subject of music and always manages to spare some of his time to thecultivaptionn of that subject. He takes delight in church choir singing and sings the part of tenor in the Methodist church of his home city. MRS. M. E. FEITH, proprietress of the largest undertaking establishment of Cairo, Ill., located at :No. 1101 Washington avenue, was born in that city Dec. 28, 1872. She is the daughter of the late Dennis Coleman, one of the early residents of Cairo, who died Sept. 17, 1904, at the ripe age of eighty-two years. He was born inreland,, came to the United States at the age of eighteen and located in Cairo, in 1858. There he was married Feb. 12. 1872, to Mary DeNeen, also a native ofreland.. She died Sept. 12, 1890. There are three children living: Mrs. Mary E. Feith and John Coleman of Cairo, and Mrs. Josie Watkins, of Mt. Carmel, Ill. rss. Feith has lived in Cairo all her life. She graduated at the age of seventeen from Loretta academy, a Catholic institution, and on Oct. 21, 1891, was married to William E. eithh, a well-known undertaker, proprietor of the Feith undertaking establishment on the corner of Eleventh street and Washington avenue, the oldest establishment of the kind in the city, having been started on this corner by his father, Nicholas Feith, in 1865. William E. Feith was born in Cincinnati, 0., Aug. i8, 1865, coming to Cairo with his parents when quite a small child. He died Aug. 12, 1899, leaving to his wife's care the management of the undertaking business and the rearing of three children born to them. The children are: Chester 264 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY J., born May 28, 1894; Mary Loretta, born June 10, 1896, and Anna Marie, born Aug. 20, 1898. One other child, a son, the first born, was William E. Jr., born July 19, 1892, and died Feb. 13, 1899. Upon the death of her husband Mrs. Feith, by force of necessity, assumed charge of the business, and has since conducted it very successfully, in a manner which gives it first place among like establishments of Cairo. She certainly deserves great credit for the ability she has shown, and all the more so, when it is recalled that at the time of Mr. Feith's death she had only a meager knowledge of the business. She is now a licensed undertaker, having completed a course in embalming since her husband's death. At the time Mr. Feith died he had in course of erection on the corner of Eleventh street and Washington avenue a large, two-story brick undertaking establishment to take the place of an old frame building which had done such good service for years. Mrs. Feith completed this structure without delay, equipping it throughout in the most modern style. Her equipment includes two funeral cars, one ambulance and other vehicles, together with two fine teams, and the stock displayed in her salesrooms embraces everything from the plainest coffin to the most pretentious casket. GEORGE J. BECKER. There are few better examples of the success that awaits the young men of the present generation who are willing to work, giving all of their time and efforts to advancing either their own business interests or, if employed, the interests of their employers, than is afforded by the successful career of George J. Becker, president of the Andrew Lohr Bottling Company, of Cairo, Ill., who has, by sheer hard work, constant application and untiring energy, raised himself from the bottommost round of the ladder to his present position at the head of the largest institution of its kind in the United States. Born in Cincinnati, 0., Feb. 22, 1855, the son of John and Catherine Becker, natives of Bavaria, to which source can be attributed the taste for music later displayed, the subject of this sketch was at three years of age deprived of a father's help and guidance, and in 1863 his mother married Joseph Lehmes, a citizen of Cairo. Shortly afterwards George had his first MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 265 view of that city from the deck of a Cincinnati packet. Since that day, the boy and afterwards the man, has spent his entire life actively engaged in the various occupations which have always been along similar lines. His mother, after losing her second husband. died at Cairo, Sept. 15, 1888, leaving besides the subject of this sketch one daughter by her second marriage, now Mrs. Emma Brisbin, wife of Henry Brisbin of St. Elmo, Ill. Young George obtained such schooling as was possible at that date, employing himself out of school hours as a helper in various restaurants and cafes along the then busy Ohio levee. Leaving school at the age of twelve years, he shortly afterwards entered the employ of Mr. Henry Breihan, where he acquired his first knowledge of the soda water business. He remained with Mr. Breihan in the capacity of bookkeeper and afterward manager until he accepted a position with Mr. Andrew Lohr, at that time conducting a modest bottling plant. Into his new vocation Mr. Becker threw his entire personality, and by force of hard work, not only became vice-president of the newly incorporated company in 1889, but ten years later, reorganized the company, Mr. Lohr retiring, and as president and general manager of the new corporation, of which Dr. J. J. Rendelman of Cairo is secretary, he has added to, improved and modernized the entire plant, until today there stands on the site of the little bottling shop of 1879 an immense factory covering an entire city block in length, with a large warehouse across the street from the main plant, and an equipment as complete as can be obtained, with electricity as the motive power, the company having a complete plant of its own, and with every device known to the bottling business utilized. The products of this institution have been characterized by that on which Mr. Becker prides himself; viz., absolute purity of ingredients, the best of everything, and thorough cleanliness throughout every branch of manufacture. Mr. Becker has been singularly blessed as regards his family,, for since Sept. 16, 1880, when Miss Maggie Hines, of Cairo, and himself were united in the bonds of wedlock, five children, two sons and three daughters, have blessed the union, the oldest son, Harry, being at present assistant to his father in the management of the multifarious details of their immense business. Mr. Becker early in life displayed an extraordinary talent for music and for many years was prominent as a violinist in local musical circles. In the palmy days of the local volunteer fire companies, Mr. Becker was an active member, finding thereby another use for his favorite element—water. Mr. Becker is an Odd Fellow, a member of the local lodge of 266 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY Elks, an active member of the Cairo Commercial club, and belongs to various other societies. Upon being asked what motto he had held before him in his busy life, the answer characteristically was: "What is worth doing at all, is worth doing well." WILLIAM KLUGE, a prominent citizen and business man of Cairo, Ill., was born in Germany, July 30, 1837. His parents having died when he was still in his childhood, his mother's brother, Conrad Leodige, brought the lad to America with him when only twelve years of age. The family landed at New Orleans in 1849, where William lived with his uncle for ten years. In 1859 he came to Cairo, which city has ever since been his home. His first work after coming to Cairo was that of clerk in a grocery store. After serving his employer faithfully for a year in this capacity he embarked in the grocery business for himself, and, with slight interruptions, has been engaged in that line ever since with unvarying success. For about thirty years he conducted an extensive wholesale and retail business at the corner of Sixth and Commercial avenues. His present place of business is on the corner of Nineteenth and Poplar streets. In the building and development of the present electric street railway system of Cairo he was one of the leading spirits, and was for many years president of the company. In 1902 he sold his street railway interests and retired from the presidency. Mr. Kluge is a director in the Alexander County National bank and is identified with other movements and institutions that have for their object the advancement of the city's commercial interests. In 1866 he married Annie Feith, and to this union was born one daughter, now Mrs. Edith Walsh, of Cairo. Mrs. Kluge died in 1875 and some three years later he married Katherine Feith, a sister of his first wife. One son was born to this marriage, but died when about five years of age. Mr. Kluge is deservedly popular with the enterprising citizens of Cairo, for few have done more to bring the city up to its present standing as an industrial and commercial center. Whenever he thought he was right he never faltered, but has always been firm and consistent in the advocacy of correct principles. His motto has ever been sans four et sans reproche, and his life has been a living exemplification of that motto. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 267 ANTHONY P. EHS, one of the prominent merchants of Cairo, Ill., was born in that city, Aug. 19, 1865. He is the son of Peter and Dora Ehs, both natives of Germany, and now deceased. Anthony is the only son living. His three sisters are Mrs. Lena Koehler and Mrs. Mollie Davis, of Cairo, and Elizabeth Ehs, of Paducah, Ky. He was reared and educated in his native city, and at the early age of fourteen years he began his successful business career as cash boy in the New York store. He remained with this firm in the capacity of cash boy and clerk for about nine years, when he began business for himself. In his present business, that of general merchandizing, he has been actively engaged for fully fifteen years. His store is located at 2009 and 2011 Washington avenue. Mr. Ehs is a director of the Veber Dry-Goods Company and vice-president of the Cairo Candy Manufacturing Company. In religious matters he is identified with the Catholic church, and is an active member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. On April i6, 1890, he married Johannah Fitzgerald of Cairo. Four children have been born to this union: Edna, Richard, Geraldine and Thomas. Mr. Ehs takes great interest in the development of his home city, and there are few of its citizens that do more to bring about the general prosperity than he. Full of push and enterprise he makes everything go that he takes hold of, and as such is a valuable member of his home community. HENRY G. SANKS, of Shawneetown, Ill., clerk of the court of Gallatin county, is a native of Indiana, having been born near Lawrenceburg in Dearborn county, May 7, 1851. His grandfather, Joshua Sanks, was in early life a farmer near Baltimore, Md. From there he removed to Virginia and later to Indiana, locating near Lawrenceburg, where he lived to the age of eighty-nine years. He was married three times and reared a large family of children. George D. Sanks, the father of Henry G., was born near Winchester, Va., Sept. 2, 1813. After his parents removed to Indiana he became interested in flatboating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and followed that occupation for a number of years. About 1849 he was married to Mary Evans, a native of Dearborn county, and they went to housekeeping at Aurora, in that county, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick. Mary Evans was a daughter of Samuel Evans, who was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 7, 1781, and removed to Dearborn county, Ind., in 1807, where he lived the rest of his life. His father was born in Wales, but came to 268 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY America some time between 1720 and 1750. They were both ship carpenters and the subject of this sketch now has in his possession a trypsquare that formerly belonged to one of them. In 1853 George D. Sanks took his family and their effects aboard a flatboat and floated down the river to Shawneetown. Nine miles west of the town he purchased a farm and followed agricultural pursuits the remainder of his life. His wife died in 1873 and he afterward married Nancy J. Leighliter, who is now also deceased. By his first wife his children were Henry G., the subject of this sketch ; Tamson V., Sarah E., and Martha E., all deceased. By his second wife he had four children: Susannah V., now Mrs. Turner, of Danville, Ill. David R. and George D., who now live on the old home place; and Mary, now Mrs. Riley, of Bowling Green, Ky. He died in 1894. Henry G. Sanks was educated in the common schools and lived with his parents until his marriage, when he engaged in farming near Ridgway for one year, after which he removed to Shawneetown, but after living there awhile returned to the farm and lived there until 1883. He then removed to Ridgway and lived there until 1890, when he was elected sheriff of Gallatin county and again took up his residence in Shawneetown. After serving four years as sheriff he was elected county treasurer and held that office for four years. He was then appointed deputy clerk and continued in that position until 1902, when he was elected clerk, which office he now holds. Mr. Sanks probably inherited his love for political affairs from his father, who was active in politics the greater part of his life. He is now chairman of the Democratic central committee of Gallatin county, and as a political organizer has few equals in Southern Illinois. He is a good mixer and his genial disposition wins friends for him even among his political opponents. In a knowledge of county affairs he is well qualified to transact any of the official business of any office, his long connection with the different offices he has held rendering him thoroughly familiar with the business. His wife was Miss Mary E. Lawler, a native of Gallatin county and a niece of Gen. M. K. Lawler. Of their five children three are living, George D., Margaret E. and Mary E., all at home with their parents. He is a member of the Catholic church and is in every way one of the representative men of his county. ABNER F. DAVENPORT, of Equality, Ill., treasurer of Gallatin county, was born in the neighborhood where he now lives March 2, 1844. His grandfather, William Davenport, was one of MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 269 the pioneers of the county, coming from Tennessee in 1825. At that time Randall W. Davenport, the father of Abner, was ten years of age, having been born in Knox county, Tenn., in 1815. In 1843 he married Sarah Flanders, a native of New York, and began farming near his father's home, where he lived until his death in 1852. He was a Democrat and took an active part in the political affairs of his day. They had four children: Abner F., Deborah, now Mrs. Purcell, of Equality; Sarah A., deceased, and George. who now lives at Eldorado in Saline county, Ill. Abner F. Davenport obtained a good practical education in the public schools and remained at home until his mother's death in 1877, when he married Miss Juliett Clifton, a native of Gallatin county, and from that time until 1884 followed the vocation of a farmer in the vicinity of Equality. He then embarked in the general merchandizing business at Equality and continued in that line until 1899, when he became connected with the hank of Equality. In 1901 he was elected treasurer of the county, which office he still holds. He is also school treasurer of Equality township, and is cashier of the First National bank of Equality. In fraternal and church circles Mr. Davenport is 22 prominent figure about Equality, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a deacon in the Presbyterian church. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Davenport six are still living. May is the wife of a Mr. Farmer of Texas; Mattie, William, George, Robert and Charles all live at home with their parents. HENRY C. STRICKLAND, postmaster at Equality, Ill., was born near Shawneetown, in the same county where he now lives, April 16, 1852. His father, John D. Strickland, was a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, but cane to Gallatin county, Ill., in early manhood. He was a hatter by trade, an expert bookkeeper, and for some time followed flatboating between Shawneetown and New Orleans. He married Armilla Dobbs, of Gallatin county, and they had six children. Those living are Henry C., Virgil, now in Louisville, Ky., and Millard F., a farmer five miles west of Shawneetown. The father died in 1860 and the mother in 1882. Henry C. Strickland obtained his elementary education in the common schools, after which he attended the Southern Illinois Normal at Carbondale. During his minority he worked upon a farm, but upon arriving at the age of twenty-one he engaged in the farm implement business. When he was twenty-six he commenced teaching and followed that occupation 270 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY about twenty years, being the principal of the Equality schools three years of that time. He then embarked in the merchandizing business at Equality and continued in that line for about six years, when he was appointed postmaster by the late President McKinley, and is now serving his fifth year in that position. Mr. Strickland is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is now senior warden of his lodge and has filled other offices. In politics he is one of the active Republicans of Equality, and is always ready to do his part toward winning a victory. He has been twice married. His first wife was Ida, daughter of Moses and Elizabeth Kanada, by whom he had two children, both now deceased. She died in 1888 and he was married to Ella, daughter of E. H. and Druzilla McCaleb. One child was born to this marriage, but it, too, is dead. Mrs. Strickland is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and takes an interest in promoting its good works. J. W. HALES, dealer in general merchandise, Equality, Ill., was born two miles north of that town, July 5, 1840. He is a son of James and Matilda (Willis) Hales, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Tennessee. James Hales came to Illinois about the year 1830, married shortly afterward, and followed farming :n the vicinity of Equality until his death, which occurred when the subject of this sketch was about five years old. After the death of his father, his mother bound him out to George W. Flanders, with whom he remained until he was nineteen years of age. His mother married a second time, her second husband being Leonard Haney. She died in Equality, the mother of four children, of whom the subject is the only survivor. J. W. Hales received such an education as the district schools of his day afforded, and after leaving Mr. Flanders worked in a tobacco establishment at Equality until 1861. He was one of the first to answer the call for troops in that year and enlisted as a private in Company B, First Illinois cavalry. After about six months with this organization he was transferred to Company E, Fourteenth Illinois cavalry, in which he served until the close of the war, rising to the rank of sergeant. His regiment was with Sherman in the march to the sea; was at the siege of Knoxville; the MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 271 surrender of Cumberland Gap; and in numerous minor engagements. While engaged in a skirmish at Sunshine Church, near Hillsboro, Ga., Mr. Hales was captured and confined for four months in the famous Andersonville prison. In an attempt to escape he was severely hurt, but recovered and was exchanged. From that time to the end of the war he was with his command in all the principal engagements in which the regiment took part. He was discharged at Pulaski, Tenn., in July, 1865, returned to Equality, and for the following three years was a carder and spinner in the Equality woolen mills. e then clerked in a dry goods store for five years, and on Nov. 6, 1875, opened a store of his own, in which line of business he has ever since continued, in addition to which he looks after the management of his farms. Mr. Hales is a Republican in his political affiliations and takes an active interest in promoting the success of his party. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic and with his family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married on April 15, 18i4, to Miss Blanche E. Reed, a native of Tennessee, and they have two children : James E., who lives in Equality, and Hallie I., now Mrs. Burtie. J. P. SIDDALL turner and dealer in hardware, Equality, Ill., is a grandson of William Siddall, a native of England, who came to Equality in his early manhood. Having learned the tinners' trade in his native land, he opened the first tin shop and hardware store in Equality. The business he established has been in the family for three generations. Some time after coming to America he married Martha Maltby, and to this union there were born five children: John M., now in Texas; William, in Iowa; Elizabeth, now a Mrs. Hine, living in Florida; Joseph and Parmenas, deceased. Both parents lived to be very old. Parmenas Siddall, after obtaining a common school education, learned the trade with his father, and upon the latter's death succeeded to the business, which he conducted through life. He married Johanna A. Probasco, a native of New York, whose acquaintance he formed while she was on a visit to friends in Equality. They had three children, all living. Florence is now a Mrs. Friend, living in Missouri ; Etta is a Mrs. McDonald, 272 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY of Texas; and the son is the subject of this sketch. Parmenas Siddall was an active Democrat in his day, and both himself and wife were devout Presbyterians. He gave the lot upon which the Presbyterian church of Equality stands, and always took an active part in church work. He died in 1885 and his wife in 1889. J. P. Siddall was born Aug. 20, 1869. He grew to manhood in Equality, received a good practical education in the public schools of the town, and after leaving school became associated with his father in business. Since the death of his father he has continued the business, which was founded by his grandfather three-quarters of a century ago. Mr. Siddall takes an active part in political affairs and is now local committeeman of the county central committee. He has served three terms as assessor, one term as village treasurer, and two terms on the school board. He is a member and trustee of the Odd Fellows' Lodge, No. i9; a member of Lodge No. 581, Daughters of Rebekah, and of Lodge No. 381, Court of Honor. In Odd Fellowship he has been through the chairs and is now grand representative. He was married June 10, 1896, to Miss Emma, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William F. Yost, of Equality, and they have two children, Halton and Kelly, both at home. The family occupy one of the coziest homes in Equality and are members of the Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Siddall is a deacon and trustee. MARSHALL E. LAMBERT, city attorney of Shawneetown, Ill., is a native of Union county, Ky. His grandfather, David Lambert, was a Virginian, but came with his brother to Kentucky at an early date, locating near Skaggs' Mill, a short distance from Bowling Green, in Warren county. There he married, reared a family of children, and passed the remainder of his life as a farmer. There rim M. Lambert, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born Oct. 9. 1836. When he was about twelve years of age he went with his brother Josiah to Henderson county, where he found employment as a farm hand. For ten years he worked for John S. McCormick, and was then employed by other farmers until 1864, when he went to Union county, Ky., as manager of the David R. Burbank estate, and remained in that position for three years. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 273 In 1866 he was married to Elizabeth Ann, daughter of John and Caroline Sprague, and went to housekeeping on a farm directly opposite Shawneetown. The Sprague family was one of the oldest in Union county, and had its beginning there in John Sprague, a millwright of Pittsburg, Pa., who married Margaret Fleming of that city and came down the river in a flatboat to Union county, where he entered government land and passed the remainder of his life. Their son, John Sprague, married Caroline McKinney and they had. three children: Elizabeth, who became Mrs. Lambert; Ellen, who married a man by the name of McKinney, and John. In 1884 John Lambert removed with his family to Shawneetown, and there died in 1901. In 1891 he, in connection with his son Marshall, engaged in general merchandizing at Blackburn, Kv., just across the river from Shawneetown, and they conducted this business until 1896, when he retired from active pursuits. His first wife died in 1875 and he was married in 1876 to Lavinia Waggener Jones, widow of Nat Jones, who is still living at the old home in Shawneetown. Marshall E. Lambert was born Jan. 17, 1873, and is the only one of five children born to John M. and Elizabeth Lambert now living. After attending the public schools of Shawneetown and private school at Louisville, Ky., he entered the law department of the University of Michigan in 1896 and graduated in 1899. Upon leaving college he formed a partnership for the practice of law with C. N. Hollerich of East St. Louis, and practiced there until 1900, when he returned to Shawneetown and opened an office there. In addition to his law practice he assumed the management of his father's business, which consisted of large landed interests, and upon the latter's death became thy, sole heir to the large estate, as no children were born to his father's second marriage. Mr. Lambert, like his father before him, takes a great interest in politics, and is regarded as one of the coming men of his section of the state. In 1901 he was elected city attorney of Shawneetown, which position he still holds. This selection was a tribute to both his ability and his personal popularity. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and is always a welcome visitor at the meetings of his lodge, because of his genial disposition and general good-fellowship. On May 15, 19o1, he was united in marriage to Miss Katherine I., daughter of Judge James Marshall. of Spokane, Wash., and they have two children: Elizabeth Sprague and William Payne. II-18 274 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY DAVID M. KINSALL, of Shawneetown, Ill., ex-judge of Gallatin county, and one of the leading members of the Southern Illinois bar, is of English descent, the first of the name in this country having come from England some years prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in North Carolina. Later he removed to Tennessee, where he reared a large family of children, among whom was John Kinsall, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. John Kinsall was born in Tennessee about 1791, was reared on a farm, received such an education as the schools of that day afforded and at the age of eighteen years began life on his own account as a wood chopper at Werd's salt works. After working at this for some time he, in company with two friends, bought a barge load of salt and started south with it. The barge struck a snag and sank, the three young salt traders barely escaping with their lives. This unfortunate termination of his first business venture left him considerably in debt, but with courage characteristic of the early pioneers he returned to the salt works and by strenuous efforts and rigid economy succeeded in clearing up his indebtedness. Soon after this he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John Hancock, of Virginia, a representative of one of the oldest and most prominent families of the Old Dominion, and removed with his young wife to White county, Ill., the region at that time being on the frontier. For two years he lived upon a rented farm in White county, at the end of which time he rented another farm near Shawneetown, and lived there until he entered government land a short distance east of Omaha, where he passed the remainder of his life, he and his wife both dying in 1854, within six months of each other. He took a keen interest in political affairs in his day, his house frequently being the place of holding the election, and he was one of the first commissioners of Gallatin county. Both he and his wife were earnest church workers. He fought in the war with the Creek Indians, and at the beginning of the war of 1812 he enlisted as a private under General Jackson. At the historic battle of New Orleans he received a bullet which he carried to the day of his death. John and Elizabeth Kinsall were the parents of seven children, viz.: Hiram, William, Benjamin, Thomas, MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 275 David, Moses and Jane. Moses lives on the old home farm, Jane is the widow of Sterling Edwards, and now lives in Omaha, and all the others are deceased. Thomas Kinsall, the fourth son, was born in 1827, in Gallatin county, and passed his whole life in that part of the state. From the subscription schools of that day he acquired a meager education, which he supplemented by self-study and reading, becoming one of the leading citizens of the community in which he lived. In 1850 he was married to Malinda E. Harrell, and soon afterward settled in the southwest part of White county, where he followed farming for two years, and then removed to Bear Creek township, in Gallatin county, where he lived the remainder of his active life. Upon retiring from the active conduct of the farm he removed to Omaha, where he lived until his death in 1889. His wife, who was born in 1829, died in 1876. They were both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and in politics he was always a consistent Democrat. Their children are all living. David Al. is the subject of this sketch; Alvin H. is a banker at Eldorado, Ill.; John H. is a farmer in Clinton county of the same state; Samuel S. is a merchant and farmer in Colorado, and Jennie is the wife of B. L. Rodgers of Harrisburg, Ill. David M. Kinsall was born near Omaha, May 6, 1851, and has always lived in Gallatin county. After attending the public schools until he was eighteen years old he became a teacher, and for four terms taught in the common schools. In 1872 he attended the Fairfield high school for five months, and from that time until 1875 worked at different times as deputy assessor of Gallatin county. While thus employed he devoted his spare time to the study of law. In 1874 he attended the law department of the Indiana State university at Bloomington for the entire school year, and then, after teaching one term, entered the office of Hon. R. W. Townshend and read for one year. In 1878 he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in the office of Mr. Townshend, who was at that time a member of Congress. In April, 18i9, he was elected city attorney of Shawneetown for a term of two years and in September of the same year was appointed master in chancery f r Gallatin county. This appointment was for two years, and in November, 1880, he was elected state's attorney for the county and was re-elected in 1884, without opposition, holding the office for eight years and making an enviable record as a public official. In 1890 he was elected to the office of county judge, was re-elected at the close of his first term, making eight years that he dis- 276 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER 01110 VALLEY charged the duties of this position. Since his retirement from the judgeship he has devoted all his time to the practice of his profession and in looking after his large landed interests. His clientage is one of the largest in Southern Illinois, embracing all classes of law, in which Judge Kinsall is thoroughly versed. In politics he is one of the strong Democrats of his section of the state, and stands high in the councils of his party. He was married on Nov. 27, 1883, to Miss Edith, daughter of A. K. and Cassandra J. Lowe, of Shawneetown, and to this union there has been born one daughter, Edna, who is at home with her parents. ALBERT G. RICHESON, proprietor of the Pioneer Store, one of the leading mercantile establishments of Shawneetown, Ill., is a native of Gallatin county. He can trace his ancestry on both sides back to old Virginia families, some of whom played important parts in establishing the independence of the United States. John Richeson, his grandfather, was a farmer in Amherst county, Va., and married Nancy A. Dickinson, whose father, David Dickinson, was a commissary for the Virginia troops during the Revolutionary war. One of his sons was John D. Richeson, who was born in Amherst county, May 16, 1810. At the age of sixteen years he started out for himself. Making his way to Charlestown he hired out to some flatboatmen named Mays for $8 a month. That was on the first day of March, 1826. His first trip was down the Kanawha and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati, then a town of less than ten thousand inhabitants. He continued flatboating until the fall of 1832, when he returned to Virginia and for the next four years followed trading in live stock and slaves and looking after a farm. He was then engaged in contracting on some public work at Louisville for about a year. In 1837 he came to Shawneetown, where he secured contracts for paving the levee in front of the town, and for grading the Shawneetown & Alton railroad to Equality, a distance of eleven miles. Being favorably impressed with the future prospects of Shawneetown he engaged in the general merchandizing business in 1838, and conducted it on both a wholesale and retail basis until his death in 1893, a period of more than fifty years. In 1839 he was MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 277 married to Mrsrs. JudM. Carroll, pace Williamson, the widow of James Carroll, and to this marriage there were born three children : Albert C., Mary, wife of Judge McBane, and Eleanora, who married Judge J. U. Turner and died in 1900. Roth parents were active workers in the Presbyterian church. Albert G. Richeson received his education in the public schools and at Notre Dame university, South Bend, Ind. Upon leaving college he engaged for about a year in conducting a saw and grist mill at Equality. He was then for a time in the stock trading business ; was next in partnership with Henry Richeson in operating a saw mill at Cypress in Johnson county ; after which he embarked in the hardware business at Shawneetown and continued in that line until 1887. For the next three years he farmed and traded in stock, and in 1890 formed a partnership with his father, under the name of the J. D. Richeson Co., for general merchandizing. Upon the death of his father he succeeded to the business and is now the sole proprietor of one of the oldest and best known mercantile establishments in Gallatin county. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Richeson owns about 1,500 acres of land and is extensively connected with the saw mill business about Shawneetown. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Honor. On .April 15, 1875, he was married to Miss Mattie L., daughter of Andrew and Mary McCallen, of Shawneetown. Her faer was at one time the law partner of Abraham Lincoln, and Mrs. Richeson has in her possession a great many keepsakes in the way of letters, etc., that have passed between her father and Mr. Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Richeson have had four children : May. Judith and Johnnie are deceased, and Helen is a student in school. EDGAR MILLS, propriprr prietor Mills Hotel and postmaster, Ridgway. Ill., was born at Shawneetown in the same county, Aug. 3, 1843. His father, whose name was also Edgar, was a native of New Jersey, of English descent, and came to ShawneeShawneetown1840, and there engaged in mercantile pursuits. in which he continued until his death in 1846. He married Miss Sarah Ridgway, a native of White county, Ill., and a daughter of John and Mary (Grant) Ridgway. To this union there were born two sons : Edgar and Walter. The latter died at Memphis in 1863, while serving in the Union army. After the death of the father the mother in 1852 married Silas Hemingway, and by this marriage had one daughter, Harriet, now a resident of Chicago. The mother died in 1863 and Mr. Hemingway in 1854 Edgar Mills was educated in the Shawneetown public schools and 278 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY the Spencerian business college of Cincinnati. In 1855 he began life as a clerk in the store of John & George A. Ridgway, and remained with them until 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Company B, Eighteenth Illinois infantry, commanded by Col. M. K. Lawler. The regiment was first ordered to Cairo, where it was assigned to the command of Gen. John A. McClernand, but was later attached to the Army of the Tennessee. Mr. Mills took part in the first battle of Fort Donelson, was at the battle of Shiloh, and in a number of skirmishes. After seven months of service he returned to Shawneetown, his brother taking his place. From the time he left the army until 1865 he was engaged as a clerk in a store in Shawneetown. He then married Miss Zue L. Hunter, daughter of Matthew Hunter, a native of Pennsylvania. By this marriage he had one child, now deceased. His wife died in 1866, and Mr. Mills went to Evansville, Ind., and remained there until 1871, when he returned to Shawneetown and became a member of the firm of Waggener & Mills. In addition to their store at Shawneetown the firm established one at Ridgway, and when the partnership was dissolved some four years later the latter establishment fell to Mr. Mills. He continued in the mercantile line until 1884. In 188o he was appointed postmaster of Ridgway by President Hayes. He continued to serve under the administration of Garfield and Arthur and during Cleveland's first term, up to Jan. 15, 1886. On June 10, 1889, he was again appointed postmaster under President Harrison, and in 1897 was appointed by President McKinley, having held the position ever since. Mr. Mills is one of the leading Republicans of Gallatin county, and is one of the two members of that party that have been elected to county office. In 1876 he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners and was re-elected in 1879. For fourteen years he has served as justice of the peace of Ridgway township; was twice elected mayor of Shawneetown-; and served two terms on the board of aldermen of that city. Since 1876 he has been nearly half of the time chairman of the Republican county central committee, and has always been active in behalf of his party. After the death of his first wife, already mentioned, he married her younger sister, Eva, in 1872, and they had four children, two of whom are living. Ridgway is a merchant in the town of the same name, and Ella is the wife of Professor Blackard, superintendent of the public schools of Gallatin county. The second Mrs. Mills died in 1884, and in 1886 he was married to Sophronia Crawford, a daughter of John and Mary Kanada. No children have been born to this union. Mr. Mills has been proprietor of the hotel that bears his name MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 279 since 1895, and in that time he has made it one of the popular hostelries of Southern Illinois. He and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian church. JOHN T. HOGAN, a prominent grain dealer and vice-president of the Exchange bank, of Omaha, Ill., was born near Dover, Stewart county, Tenn., Jan. 7, 1850. His grandfather, John Hogan; was a native of Virginia and of rish parentage. On his return from the battle of New Orleans at the close of the war of 1812 he settled in Tennessee, married Sarah, daughter of Noah McGregory, who served with Washington during the Revolutionary war. To this marriage were born six children, Edmund Hogan, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Stewart county, Oct. 2, 1818. He married Alabama Owens, daughter of Major James Owens, a veteran of the war of 1812 and native of Virginia. After his marriage he followed farming in Tennessee until 1861, when he removed to White county, Ill., where his wife's parents had gone the preceding year. He bought a farm there and lived there until his death at the age of sixty-five years. His wife died at the age of forty-four. They were both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and he was a Democrat in his political views. Their children were John T., the subject of this sketch; Thomas B., now living in Kansas; Bettie, now Mrs. Stevens, living in Missouri; James R., of Omaha; Charles F., who was captain of a company in the First California regiment in the Philippines and now living in that state; George, in Missouri; Waite, deceased; A. P. and Malinda, twins, both dead. John T. Hogan was educated in the public schools and lived at home until twenty-two years of age, having charge of his father's affairs for some time on account of the latter's ill health. At the age of twenty-two he went to Nevada and California and remained there about three years, then returning to Illinois for a short time. In 1877 he again went to Nevada, where he followed farming and mining until 1880, when he came back to White county, married Martha C., daughter of D. W. and Jane (Riley) Galloway, and located on, a farm near Roland. His wife died in 1884 and in 1887 he came to Omaha and engaged in the milling and grain business. Since 1893 280 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY he has devoted his attention to the grain business alone. By his first marriage he has two children, Claudia and Harry, both living in Omaha, where the former is a teacher in the public school. In 1890 he was married to Mahala C. Kinsall, a native of Gallatin county, and they have two children, Althea and Harold, both at home. Mr. Hogan has been a prominent figure in Omaha business circles ever since coming to the town. In addition to his grain business he oversees his large farm; was one of the organizers of the Exchange bank, of which he is now vice-president; served six years as supervisor; was president of the board of school trustees for nine years, and is one of the active Democrats of Omaha. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Lodge No. 723, and of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 165. In the lodge he has filled all the offices and is a representative to the Grand Lodge. In Lodge No. 472, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, he has also passed through the chairs and is a representative to the Grand Lodge. He and his wife both belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which he has been an elder for many years. JOSEPH DEVOUS, of the firm of Devows & Rice, millers and grain dealers, Ridgway, Ill., is of French descent. In 1814, his grandfather, Isadore Devous, left his native province of Alsace-Lorraine and with his wife and two sons, Jacob and Isadore, came to America. For about a year the family lived at New Orleans, where Jacob died. They then removed to New Albany, Ind., where the grandfather followed the business of contractor and builder for many years, dying at the age of ninety-nine. Isadore Devous, the father of the subject of this sketch, was about two years old when his parents came to America. He remained at home until he was thirteen years of age, when he started in to learn the trade of engineer. After serving his apprenticeship he was for two years an engineer on the Alva Adams, a steamboat running between Louisville and New Orleans. He then left the river and for about two years was engaged in peddling goods through the country, then a popular occupation, and one in which there was considerable profit. His next venture was to establish a general store in Brown county, Ohio, which he con- MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 281 ducted successfully for four years, when he came down the river to Gallatin county, and engaged in farming near Ridgway. Most of the land that he bought at from 50 cents to $10 an acre is still in the possession of his heirs, and is now worth about $ioo an acre. He was a member of the Catholic church, and took an active interest in promoting its worthy charities. While living in Brown county, Ohio, he was married to Catherine Bartell, a native of France, who came with her parents to this country in her childhood. To this union there were born fifteen children, eight of whom are still living. John is in Oklahoma; Joseph is the subject of this sketch ; Sebastian. Louis and Charles live on the old home place; Leonia is Mrs. Hish, of Ridgway; Kate married a man named Moss-man and lives in White county, Ill. ; and Mary is the wife of a Mr. White, of Mount Vernon, Ind. The father of these children lived to the age of eighty-seven years and eight months, and the mother died in her eighty-third year. Joseph Devous was born in brown county, Ohio, Nov. 12, 1845. Up to the age of eleven years he attended St. Martin's academy there, which constituted his entire schooling. He then worked on the farm until he was twenty-six, when he engaged in farthing for himself near his father's place. After five years in this occupation he embarked in the grain business. In 1889 he purchased an interest in the firm of Trusty & McDaniel, proprietors of the Ridgway flour mills, of which Mr. Devous is now the manager. The product of these mills, which is placed on the market under the names of Lily, Snow Bouquet and Red Rose flour, is known all over Southern Illinois, and even in other states. This firm also conducts the elevator at Ridgway and buys most of the grain from the farmers of the surrounding country. Mr. Devous is a Democrat in his political views but is not an active politician. In his religious belief he clings to the faith of his father and belongs to St. Joseph's Catholic church. Of this church he was one of the founders and for twenty-five years he has been at the head of the board of trustees. Besides his interest in the firm of Devous & Rice he owns 500 acres of fine land, several pieces of town property, mining stocks and other investments. Mn 1872 Mr. Devous was married to Miss Anna Aman, a native of Posey county, Ind., and they had two children : Catherine, now a Mrs. Cirkelbach, of Ridgway, and Marv, wife of John Hans-borough of Enfield, Ill. Mrs. Devous died on July 17, 1900, and Mr. Devous was subsequently married to Miss Emma Smith, of East St. Loris. Mrs. Devous is now one of the leading milliners of Ridg- 282 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY DENT REMD, dealer in general merchandise, Ridgway, Ill., was born near Saline Mines, in the county where he now lives, Sept. 14, 1860. He is a son of the Rev. Robert and Elizabeth (Campbell) Reid, both natives of Scotland, who came to America on the same ship, and were married some time after their arrival in this country. (See sketch of Rev. Robert Reid, elsewhere in this work.) Dent Reid is the fifth in a family of twelve children. He received a good common school education and tip to the time he was twenty-five years of age lived at home with his parents. On Feb. 18, 1885, he was married to Miss Laura Dossett, who was born near Cave in Rock, in Hardin county, where her parents, I. F. and Minerva Dossett, were old settlers. Before his marriage Mr. Reid had been engaged in farming, and he continued to follow that occupation afterward until 1890, when he opened a store at Saline Mines. The venture proved a successful one, and in 1894 he removed to Ridgway, where be enlarged his stock and soon became one of the successful merchants of the place. In his political affiliations Mr. Reid has followed in the footsteps of his honored father, who at one time was one of the only eight Republicans in Gallatin county. His success in business is largely due to that persevering disposition so characteristic of the Scotch people, which he possesses to a marked degree, and to his rugged honesty. He is a member of Ridgway Lodge, No. 8i6, Free and Accepted Masons, and with his family belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which he holds the office of elder. Mr. and Mrs. Reid's children are Robert, Ila D. and Wiley, all at home with their parents. ROBERT J. BRUCE, a well known citizen of Omaha, Ill., now deputy sheriff of Gallatin county, was born near Norris City. White county, Ill., Jan. 25, 1836. His grandparents, Robert and Sallie (Bantam) Bruce, were natives of Tennessee, were married in that state, came to Gallatin county about 1820, removed soon afterward to White county and there passed the remainder of their lives. Robert Bruce was a cooper by trade, but after settling in White county he followed farming the rest of his life. He was an ardent Democrat in his political views, and both himself and wife were MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 283 members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died at the age of seventy-six years and she at the age of seventy-eight. Their three children are all deceased. William M. Bruce, one of the sons of this couple, was born in Tennessee, Nov. 12, 1812. He came to Illinois with his parents and lived with them until his marriage to Sallie Millspaugh, a native of Hamilton county, Ill., after which he lived until 1848 on a farm near Norris City. He then removed to Gallatin, county, bought a farm near Omaha, where he and his wife both died some years later. They both lived to a good old age, the father being seventy-six at the time of his death and the mother eighty. Of their six children five are still living. Robert J. is the subject of this sketch; Benjamin F. lives at Ridgway; Margaret J. is now a Mrs. Shaw, of Omaha; Isaac T. is deceased; Solomon S. lives at Omaha; and Sallie is a Mrs. Rollman, of Evansville, Ind. In his day William M. Bruce was a man of prominence in the community where he lived. Soon after his removal to Gallatin county he was elected justice of the peace, an office which he held altogether for twenty-six years. He was active in politics, being one of the leading Democrats of the county, and was eight years judge of the county court. he and his wife were both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Robert J. Bruce acquired his education in the public schools and lived with his parents until the commencement of the Civil war. On Aug. 15, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois volunteer infantry, and was mustered in at Camp Butler. The regiment was on guard duty at Memphis until April 1, 1863, when it was ordered to Vicksburg and took part in the siege and surrender of that place. After the fall of Vicksburg Mr. Bruce fought with his company at Ripley, Guntown, East Point, Miss., and in numerous minor engagements, being mustered out as second sergeant, Aug. 22, 1865. After the war he returned home and took tip the occupations of farming and teaching school. On April 5, 1866, he was married to bliss Hulda C. Campbell. who was born July 10, 1841, in White county, and they located on a farm near Omaha, where they lived until 1898, when he removed to another farm nearer the town, and the following year took up his residence in Omaha, living a retired life with the exception of directing the management of his farm. In 1880 Mr. Bruce was elected sheriff of the county, was re-elected two years later and held the office for four years in all. He was for three years marshal of Omaha, has held other minor offices, and for the last twelve years has been deputy sheriff. ]'ewe- Democrat, in the county are more active in behalf of 284 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY their party, and in campaigns he is always consulted by the party leaders as to how to win a victory. Mr. Bruce is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and belongs to Lodge \o. 423, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he holds the office of tiler. His wife died on Sept. 1, 1902, leaving six children: Oscar F., John T., Otis T., Sarah M., Tillis and Eslie. All are living in Omaha. Sarah married a Mr. Lamb. REV. ROBERT M. DAVIS, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Omaha, Mll., is, in point of service, one of the oldest ministers of the gospel in the United States. He comes of that sturdy Scotch-rish stock, a mere mention of which suggests courage, perseverance and rugged honesty. About the beginning of the Revolutionary war a Robert Davis, a native of the Emerald Isle, came to America and served under Washington in the struggle for independence. After the war he married a Miss McElroy, a native of North Carolina, settled in Tennessee, where he followed farming all his life, reared a large family, and lived to a good old age. One of his sons, William Davis, was born in North Carolina in 1780, grew to manhood in Tennessee, there married Polly Sebastin., also born in North Carolina, and in 1814 came with his family to Gallatin county, Ill. About a year later they went to White county-, where he entered 160 acres of land not far from where Norris City now is, and there lived until 1832. They then returned to Gallatin county, locating on a farm about four miles north of Omaha. In 1834 the family removed to a farm where Omaha now stands, where he died in 1838. The children of William and Polly Davis were Isaac S., Sarah, Margaret, Priscilla, Nancy, Elizabeth, Polly, Robert M., William P., Samuel and Cordelia. Sarah married a Dr. Pearce ; Elizabeth married a man named Williams ; Polly married a Mr. Riley ; William P. lives in Omaha ; Cordelia is now a Mrs. Hungate, of McLeansboro, Ill. These with the subject of this sketch constitute the living members of the family, the others all being deceased. Mn 1824 William Davis entered the ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and continued in the work in connection with his agricultural pursuits until his death on Aug. 25, MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 285 1838. The mother removed to White county and lived there until 1860, after which she made her home with her son Robert until her death in 1873. Robert M. Davis was born May 5, 1824, While his parents were living near Norris City. The death of his father left him at the age of fourteen years to not only fight his own way through the world, but to assist his widowed mother in the support of her large family. Under such circumstances his opportunities to attend school were very much restricted, indeed, but with a filial love and fortitude seldom equaled he took up his cross, toiling in the fields by day and in his books by night, the one to secure the physical comforts of life for himself and those dear to him, and the other in quest of knowledge. In October, 1839, Mr. Davis became a membet member Cumberland Presbyterian church during the progress of a camp meeting at Village church, near Omaha. Soon after making a profession of religion he decided to enter the ministry and began studying to that end, farming and teaching in the meantime to support himself and his mother. On Sept. 29, 1843, his candidacy was announced to the church ; he was licensed to preach on Sept. 28, 1844, and on March 31, 1849, was ordained to the whole work of the church, his ordination taking place at Hopewell, now Enfield, church in White county. From then until 1852 he preached at various places, assisting in revivals, etc., preparatory to the organization of a church of Omaha. His first effort in this direction was to found a Sunday school in 1850, with John Kinsall as superintendent. On Christmas day, 1852, the church was organized by Mr. Davis, assisted by Revs. John Crawford and Benjamin Bruce. It was first known as "Palestine" church, and since its organization has received into membership about 800 people. The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated with appropriate ceremonies on Dec. 28, 1902, the sermon on that occasion being delivered by H. Clay Yates, D.D. During that entire half century the church had been under the pastoral charge of Mr. Davis and had enjoyed one unbroken era of peace and prosperity. His labors were not confined to this one congregation, however. In, 1851 he took charge of the Village church and was its pastor for twentypsix years; has been pastor of Union Ridge church since 1833 organized Oak Grove church in 1860; the church at New Haven in 1868; the church at Hazel Ridge in 1870; supplied the church at Norris City for several years; reorganized the church at McLeansboro in 1876; was pastor there for eight years and built a new house of worship. Through all this long period of labor in the vineyard of the Master he has always been in favor of all the general enter- 286 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY prises of the church, the liberal endowment of the denominational colleges, and has been generous in his contributions to Lincoln, college and Milliken university, as well as other colleges. In 1872 Mr. Davis engaged in the merchandizing business as the head of the firm of R. M. Davis & Sons, an establishment that now occupies the best business block in Omaha. But he never permitted his personal interests in this house to interfere with his ministerial duties. Politically he is a Democrat, firm in his convictions, but always considerate for the opinions of others. He holds a dimit as a Master Mason, formerly being a member of Lodge No. 2, of Equality, Ill. At the same time he united with the church Miss Mary, frequently called Polly Sharp, also became a member. She was a daughter of William and Lavina (Mason,) Sharp, natives of South Carolina, who came to White county about 1827. Mr. Davis and Miss Sharp were married on Feb. 27, 1844, and moved to his farm, where Omaha is now situated, and remained there ever since. For nearly fifty years they lived together, happy in the companionship of each other. He has said that her noble assistance in his church work was one of the potent sources of his success as a minister. Her death occurred Dec. 13, 1893, and was the greatest bereavement of his life. Of their children, William I., who died a few years ago at Oxford, Miss., was a graduate of Lincoln university, an educator of far more than ordinary ability, and president of Cumberland Presbyterian Female college of Oxford at the time of his death. Millage M. and Samuel M. are members of the firm of R. M. Davis & Sons, of Omaha, and Jennie is the wife of H. P. Blackard, living in the old home with her father. Her husband is one of the leading Masons of Illinois. Mr. Davis is now more than fourscore years of age, and over three-fourths of his long life has been spent in the active work of the ministry. e has spoken words of cheer from the pulpit, christened prattling babes, united fond hearts in the bonds of holy wedlock, and performed the last sad rites over the departed. He is now in good health, preaching at Palestine and Union Ridge churches as the regular installed pastor of each church, haying served each one for fifty years or more without intermission. Through his ministrations many have been brought to Christianity, and now in his declining years he can enjoy the happy reflections consequent upon a well spent life, ready for the call of the Master whom he has served so well to enter upon the life eternal. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 287 GEORGE WASHINGTON COMBS, M.D., the oldest physician of Ridgway, Ill., was born about a mile and a half south of that place Feb. 23, 1838. His grandfather, Andrew Combs, was born in Pennsylvania, of German parentage, married in his native state, and at a very early date removed with his family and two brothers to Kentucky. His children were Jesse, Thomas, Priscilla, David and Jonathan. Jesse was a soldier in the war of 1812 and fought at the battle of New Orleans. Both parents died while the children were still young. Jonathan, the youngest of the family, was born in Muhlenberg county, Ky., Feb. 22, 1806. He learned the trade of blacksmith before he was twenty years of age and in 1826 went to Mount Vernon, Ind. After a short stay there he removed to Gallatin county, Ill., where he found employment as blacksmith for the salt works, remaining in that position for about three years. While working at the salt works he was married, and about 1830 he located about a mile and a half south of Ridgway and opened a shop of his own. This was the first blacksmith shop in that neighborhood and for nearly forty years he conducted it, building up a good trade. Soon after the war he went to New Market, where he remained about a year, then he occupied a place near Inman for a similar length of time. In 1871, while on a visit to the subject of this sketch, he was taken suddenly ill and died. His widow continued to live on the old home place until her death. He died in his sixty-sixth year, and she died at the age of sixty-four. Her maiden name was Isavilla Dolan,, a daughter of Patrick Dolan, a native of reland, and she was born in either Virginia or Tennessee. Jonathan Combs and his wife had eleven children,, viz.: Milton, Mary Jane, William, George W., Trenton, Martha, John, Thomas W., Calista E., Alice and Samuel. William lives at Dexter, Mo.; Dr. Combs is at Ridgway; Thomas an Samuel also live at Ridgway; and Calista, now Mrs. F. Drone. live near Ridgway; Alice is a Mrs. Moore, of California, and ti others are deceased. Dr. Combs completed the course of study in ti common schools and while still a young man took tip the occupation. of a teacher, which he followed for about seven years, reading medicine in the meantime. In 1858 he went into the office of Dr. Samuel Garry, near Ridgway, where he remained as a student until the 288 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY death of his preceptor, when he went to Equality and continued his studies in the office of Dr. Lando Campbell. He then attended the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery for one term in 1866, after which he studied and practiced with Dr. Secord of New Market until 1868, when he practiced in New Market and Ridgway until 1878 and then returned to the college and graduated from that institution in 1879. After receiving his degree he located at Ridgway, where he has ever since practiced his profession, and has won the distinction of being the oldest physician in the county. Besides his professional work Dr. Combs looks after the management of about 300 acres of land. For about three years he was special examiner, and in the course of his long professional career has visited nearly every home within a large radius from Ridgway. He is a Republican in politics, is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 816, and for over thirty years has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which he has for a long time held the office of elder. On April 28, 1868, Dr. Combs was married to Miss Hannah, daughter of John F. and Eliza (Glass) Hemphill, of Pope county, and the following are the children born to this union : John M., Mary Jane, Milton H., Fuller, Eliza, Agnes, Anna, Samuel, Ella and George. Fuller is a teacher of Latin and Greek at Helena, Mont.; Agnes is a Mrs. Campbell, residing at Toledo, Ill. ; Anna is a Mrs. Gahm at Thompsonville, Ill. ; Samuel lives in Gallatin county; Ella and George are at home with their parents, and the others are deceased. FRANCIS A. GREGG, a farmer and stock dealer of Omaha. Mll., is of Irish ancestry. His grandfather, Hugh Gregg, was born in Ireland and in boyhood started with his parents to America. On the voyage both parents died and upon his arrival in this country, an orphan boy in a strange land, he was compelled to find a home with strangers. He grew to manhood in South Carolina, married there and followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. One of his sons, Francis Gregg, was born in, that state, May 28, 1791. Upon arriving at manhood's estate he married Nancy Riley and in 1832 removed to Gallatin county, Ill., settling near Texas City in White county. Of the fourteen children born to Francis and Nancy Gregg but two are now living, the subject of this sketch and his brother John, both residents of Omaha. Their mother died while Francis was still in his boyhood and their father married a Mrs. Sarah Riley, also a native of South Carolina. To this second marriage MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 289 there were born three children, all now deceased. The father an his second wife both lived to be seventy-five years of age. He wa prosperous farmer, an extensive dealer in live stock, a Democrat in politics, and both himself and wife belonged to the old side Presbyterian church. Francis A. Gregg was born in Newberry county, S. C., April 3, 1829, received his education in the old fashioned subscription schools and grew to manhood on his father's farm. On Feb 11, 1851, he was married to Nancy Caroline Eubanks, a native of White county, Ill., and commenced farming for himself not far from where his father lived. Some years later he removed to Hamilton county, where he lived for several years, then spent two years in Williamson county, at the end of which time he returned to Gallatin county. In 1876 he removed to his present residence in the edge of the town of Omaha, where he has ever since carried on the business of farming and dealing in stock. Of the seven children born to him and his wife, Franklin K. and Elizabeth Ann are deceased ; William E., John, L., James, Emma and Eleanora all live in Omaha. Emma married a Mr. Humphries and Eleanora a Mr Wilson. Mr. Gregg takes an interest in political matters and is oil, of the stanch Democrats of his township. His wife and daughters belong to the Presbyterian church. HARVEY P. BLACKARD, proprietor of the Omaha Flour mills, Omaha, Ill.. of Scotch-Irish extract on. (See sketch of Felix G. Blackard for account of ancestry.) His grandfather, Thomas Blackard, was one of five brothers who came from Tennessee to Illinois some time in the decade between 1820 and 1830, when he entered government land near the line between White and Gallatin counties, an there followed farming the remainder of his life. His son Alfred married Polly A. daughter of Jesse and Polly (McGehee) Pierce, and to this union there were born, two sons and three daughters. The daughters, Mollie, Sarah and Emma, are all deceased, and the two sons, Alexander H. and the subject of this sketch, both live in Omaha. About 1877 Alfred Blackard removed with his family to Texas, where he died soon after his arrival. The mother returned to Illinois and located on a farm in Gallatin county, where she lived 290 - MEMOIRS OF TILE LOWER OHIO VALLEY a few years, after which she removed to Omaha, and there she died in 1892. H. P. Blackard attended the district schools in his boyhood and remained at home until the death of his mother, being employed during that time in various occupations. Mn. 1882 he engaged in the grocery business in Omaha and followed that for about two years ; was then in the tin and hardware business for a similar length of time; was appointed postmaster at Omaha under Cleveland's first administration, but resigned at the end of two years to become associated with the mercantile firm of R. M. Davis & Sons. In 1893 he purchased the flour mills, which he still conducts, making the well known brands of family flour—Jersey Cream, Kitchen Queen, and Old Times. Mr. Blackard is one of the brightest Masons in Southern Illinois. He is now serving as worshipful master of Omaha Lodge, No. 723, for the fourteenth term, which has made him a representative to the Grand Lodge at Chicago for that number of times, and is a member of Saline Chapter, No. 165, Royal Arch Masons, of Harrisburg. Politically he is a Prohibitionist. In 1892 he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie V., daughter of Rev. Robert M. and Polly (Sharp) Davis, and to this union there have been born five children, three of whom, Leroy, Reece L. and Mansford W., are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Blackard are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which he is also a ruling elder. CAPT. JOHN M. BOWLING, farmer and stock dealer, living four miles northeast of Equality, Ill., was born in. Boyd county, Ky., March 4, 1830. His grandfather, William Bowling, was a native of the eastern shore of Maryland, and was of French descent. He married Elizabeth Roman, a native of Virginia, of Scotch extraction, and after his marriage lived in Virginia, where he followed mercantile pursuits all his life. He had two sons, John and James, both of whom were small when their father died. Their mother married again, her second husband being David Hogan, and after their marriage they removed to Kentucky, where John Bowling grew to manhood. Beginning in, early life he learned the trade of gunsmith, working at that occupation in. connection with farming until 1842, when he started with his family to :Missouri, but died before MEMOIRS OF THE LOITER OHIO VALLEY - 291 reaching his destination. The widow returned to Kentucky and lived there until her death in 1868. They had six children, viz.: William, James, Elizabeth, John M., Jasper and Mary. The three eldest are dead; Jasper lives near Eldorado, Ill., and Mary is the wife of a Mr. Willis, of Greenup county, Ky. Captain Bowling attended the subscription schools in, his boyhood, after which he took a course in Duff's Mercantile college at Pittsburg, Pa., and then attended Washington college, beginning teaching when he was seventeen years of age to get funds to pay for his education. In 1855 he came to Gallatin county, Ill., where for several years he taught in the public schools. In 1858 he removed to the place where he now lives, beginning with ten acres, but now has 554 acres, all tinder cultivation except about 100 acres. On Aug. 14, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Third Illinois volunteer cavalry. The regiment was mustered in at Camp Butler and soon afterward was sent to Missouri on scout duty. After the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., it returned to St. Louis, where it was assigned to provost duty. Mr. Bowling was promoted to second lieutenant on March 2, 1862, and in January, 1863, was sent into Illinois to pick up deserters. When he got to his old home he raised a company, of which he was elected captain, but on account of some irregularity the regiment was not mustered into service and he returned to his old command, with the rank of first lieutenant, to which he had been promoted March 4, 1863. Rejoining his regiment in front of Vicksburg he participated in the siege and surrender of that place, afterward taking part in all the engagements in which his command played a part, among which may be specially mentioned Pea Ridge, Cache River and Cotton Plant, Ark.; Arkansas Post, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Magnolia Hill, Jackson, Miss. ; Big Black River, second battle of Jackson, and Nashville, Tenn. The regiment was mustered out in 1864, but he, being a veteran, was assigned to duty at Camp Butler, looking after conscripts and substitutes, where he remained until May 23, 1865, before receiving his discharge. Captain Bowling still carries a gold watch that was presented to him by his friends at Camp Butler. After the war he returned to his farm, where he has ever since lived, giving his attention to his agricultural interests and dealing extensively in stock. He is one of the solid Republicans of Gallatin county, and with his family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Captain Bowling has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1857, was Miss Mary Ransbottom, a native of Connecticut. Their children were: William H., now living near his father : Flora, 292 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY now Mrs. Riley, of Ridgway; Julia Ann, a teacher in Chicago; John E., deceased, and Maggie, now Mrs. Donahue, living near Equality. The mother of these children died March 25, 1879, and in February, 1881, he was married to Miranda, daughter of Riley and Mary Ann Bain, one of the old families of Gallatin county. To this marriage there have been born four children: Anna M., John M., Florence B. and Benjamin H., all at home with their parents. REV. H. C. GREGG, a well known Adventist minister of Eldorado, Ill., is a descendant of one of the oldest families in that section of the state. He is a great-grandson of Hugh Gregg, who came from reland in the Colonial clays and settled in, South Carolina. (See sketch of F. A. Gregg.) His son Francis married Nancy Riley, a native of North Carolina, and in 1832 came to Illinois, traveling by wagon through unbroken forests part of the way. They were the first settlers in the vicinity of the present town of Texas City in Saline county, where he took up government land and followed farming the remainder of his life. He and his wife both lived to be more than threescore and ten years of age. Of their twelve children, Francis and John, now living in Omaha, Ill., are the only survivors. One of the sons, William R. Gregg, was born in 1821, married Elizabeth A. Cork, a native of Equality, Ill., and this couple were the parents of the subject of this sketch. They began their married life near Elba, in Gallatin county, and lived in that neighborhood until the death of William R. Gregg in 1859. Of their six children three are living, viz.: W. T., living near Eldorado; Mary E., now Mrs. Yost of Eldorado, and H. C., the subject. After the death of the father of these children Mrs. Gregg married Alexander G. Trousdale, and since his death has made her home with her children. To her second marriage there were born three children. Only one, John C., of Omaha, is now living. Rev. H. C. Gregg was born in Gallatin, county, Sept. 8, 1856. He received a good education in the common schools and the colleges at McLeansboro and Carmi. When eighteen years of age he commenced teaching and followed that occupation for fourteen years. In. 1882 he was elected county superintendent of schools and seryed four years. Mr. Gregg has been somewhat active in political matters, and in 1888 was elected on the Democratic ticket to the legislature, serving one term. On Sept. 14, 1890, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva A. Hopkins, daughter of Dr. N. E. Hopkins, of Mt. Carmel, and in 1894 moved upon his present farm two miles northwest of Elba. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 293 There he has 230 acres, all under cultivation with the exception of forty acres of timber land. He has his farm well improved, devotes much of his time to stock raising, and is one of the prosperous and influential citizens of the community where he lives. Mn 1899 he took up the work of the ministry in the Adventist church, and now has two congregations under his charge, Union Chapel and Bethel. He was one of the founders of the former church, which stands upon part of his land, and was one of the largest contributors toward building it. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg have the following children: Eleanora H., Hugh C., Raymond R. and Paul Jennings, all at home with their parents. WILLIAM INMAN, of Ridgway, Ill., one of the best known farmers in Gallatin county, was born in Lawrence county, Tenn., March 30, 1832. He is a son of William and Polly A. (Ware) Inman, both natives of Tennessee. His father was a wheelwright, who did a good business as chairmaker for many years, picking up the trade himself without serving an apprenticeship. In 1847 he removed with his family to Gallatin county, coming by water, and located not far from Ridgway. About eighteen months later he removed to Union county, Ky., where he died about the year 1850. Soon after his death his widow returned to Illinois and died in, Gallatin county at the age of sixty-three years. They had twelve children, only two of whom are now living. Thomas and Bartley, the two oldest sons, enlisted for the Mexican war, but saw no active service. William Inman, the son, began, working on a farm when a small boy, working for some time for $5 a month. He came to Illinois about six months after his parents, and though but fifteen years of age rented a farm on shares and gave his money to his father and mother. After the death of his father he continued to live with his mother and provided for her and for his younger brothers and sisters. On Sept. 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, 131st Illinois infantry. His regiment was with Sherman in the first attack on Vicksburg; was at Arkansas Post; then in the siege of Vicksburg, at the close of which it numbered only 222 men, and was consolidated with the Twenty-ninth Illinois. Mr. Inman was discharged at 294 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY Cairo in December, 1864, returned to Ridgway, and became an extensive farmer. Since 1901 he has been a resident of the town of Ridgway. The town of Inman was named for him. On Jan. 19, 1855, Mr. Inman was married to Miss Mary Johnson, a native of West Virginia. Of their children four died young; the others are James, Sarah, William, Mary, Jessie, Susan, Jennie L. and Thomas. The mother of these children died in January, 1887, and in December of the same year he was married to Mrs. Ellen Cox, widow of Isaac Cox and daughter of Medford and Malinda Shockley, of Monroe county, Ky. Two children, Marshall and Albert, were born to the second marriage, but both died in childhood. Mrs. Inman had, one daughter by her first marriage, now Mrs. Daniel Desper. 12r. Inman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic post at Ridgway. EDWARD RICE, grain dealer and miller of Ridgway, Ill., is a native of White county, that state, having been born on a farm near Enfield. When he was twelve years of age his parents removed to Sacramento, in the same county, where he completed the course in the common schools, after which he attended commercial college at Evansville, Ind., where he completed his education. When he was eighteen he commenced clerking in a store at Sacramento, which position he held for seven years. He then went to Enfield as a bookkeeper for two years, at the end of which time he was engaged as bookkeeper by a wholesale house at Omaha, Neb. After two years with this concern he returned to White county, and obtained a situation as bookkeeper at Roland, but about a year later went to Omaha, Ill., as a partner of Thomas Martin in the grain business. This partnership lasted for seven years, or until 1886, when Mr. Rice sold out his interests in Omaha and removed to Ridgway as bookkeeper for W. A. Peopples. Six years later he again engaged in the grain business and has continued in that line ever since. In 1894 he built one of the nicest residences in the town, occupying one entire block. Mr. Rice has been married twice. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1872, was Miss Grace J. Mount. Of their children, Grace E. and Clarence M. are deceased; MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 295 the others are Estella F., D. R., Mabel C., Laura E. and Edward H. His first wife died in 1888 and in 1889 he was married to Mrs. Laura Porter, widow of Capt. D. M. Porter and a sister to his first wife. Mr. Rice is a Republican in his political affiliations, is a prominent member of the Masonic lodge at Ridgway and a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal church. WILLIAM J. SANDERS, farmer and stock raiser, living two miles southwest of Cottonwood, Ill., was born Feb. 11, 1850, on the exact spot where his house now stands. His great-grandfather was a native of England, who came to this country before the Revolutionary war and settled in North Carolina, where he reared a large family. He and his sou, James, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, both served in the war of 1812. James Sanders married in North Carolina and soon afterward removed to Tennessee, where he followed farming and stock raising until 1821, when he brought his family to Gallatin county, Ill., and entered government land, not far from the site of the present town of Cottonwood, upon which he lived until his death at the age of eighty-four years. One of his sons was Eli Sanders, who was born on Christmas day in 1810. He came with his parents to Illinois and continued to live with them until 1836, when he married Nancy J. McGill, a native of Tennessee, and they began their married life on the farm where William J. Sanders now lives. Eli Sanders was the first to enter land having a black soil. He became a very successful farmer and at one time was one of the largest land owners in the vicinity of Cottonwood. Then he made a venture in merchandising that proved disastrous, bringing him to the verge of bankruptcy. He died on Oct. 29, 1884, his wife having passed to her last rest on Sept. 2, 1876. During their lives they were active in church work and were known far and wide for their charity and hospitality. They had twelve children. Those living are Mary Ann, widow of David Rogers; Margaret J., now Mrs. Hale of Cottonwood; Juda, now Mrs. Millspaugh; Frank N. and William J. William J. Sanders received his education in the public schools and lived at home until he was thirty-two years old. He was married at the age of twenty-two to Miss Ann, daughter of A iro and Jemima Harrington, and a native of Gallatin county. They commenced housekeeping on the old home place, where they have lived ever since. Mr. Sanders is one of the foremost farmers in his neighborhood, and takes an active interest in public affairs. He makes a specialty of Poland- 296 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY China hogs and Jersey and Hereford cattle. His farm consists of 200 acres, all under cultivation and well improved, the new improvements having been made by him to take the place of the old buildings erected by his father some years before. He and his wife are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which he has been an elder for twenty-five years. Their children are Stella, now Mrs. Holland, living in the neighborhood; Claudio, married and living on the home place; Vernon and Cyrus, who are still at home. FRANK N. SANDERS, a well-to-do and popular farmer, living near Cottonwood, Ill., was born in the vicinity where he now resides Feb. 15, 1850. He received his education in the common schools, married Jemima McGhee, daughter of D. W. and Polly McGhee, who were natives of Tennessee. At the time of his marriage Mr. Sanders was only about twenty years of age. They began their married life on the old home place, but three years later he bought a sixty-acre tract where he now lives, only about six or seven acres being under cultivation, built a hewed log house, and removed to his new home. Since then he has prospered by his industry, owning at the present time about 140 acres, all of which is under cultivation, and has a modern house, together with other good improvements on his farm. He carries on a general farming business and devotes considerable time and attention to stock raising. Mr. Sanders is one of the leading Democrats in his locality and has held some of the minor offices in the township. For several generations his ancestors have been affiliated with the Democratic party. The following named children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanders : Lowry A., deceased; William S., a teacher, and lives at home with his parents; Hezekiah, a teacher in White county; Evolia J., deceased; Carrie B., now Mrs. Holland, living near Cottonwood; Lillie R., wife of a Mr. McDonald, of Arkansas; Ratio May, now Mrs. Clark, living in Missouri; Lulu, Annie, Roscoe and Luther are at home. Ever since they were fifteen years of age Mr. Sanders and his wife have been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and interested in promoting its good works. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 297 HENRY M. BEAN, a prominent farmer living near Ridgway, Ill., was born on a farm adjoining that town, March 13, 1850, his parents being Henry and Margaret (Hise) Bean. (For account of ancestry see sketch of James M. Bean.) Henry H. Bean received all the schooling he ever got before he was ten years of age. Since then he has by his own efforts managed to secure as good an education as that of the average man.. He grew to manhood on the place where he was born, the old house still standing, but not being occupied. On March 13, 1870, he was married to Miss Jemima Kimbrough, a native of Gallatin county and a daughter of Calvin and Nancy Kimbrough, both natives of "Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Bean began their married life on the old home place and lived there until 1902, when he built a modern, up-to-date home near the old one but inside the corporate limits of the town of Ridgway. Mr. Bean was supervisor for two years, and was for a long time a member of the school board. His farm at the present time consists of over 300 acres of fine land, all under cultivation, which he manages and oversees, making a specialty of Hereford cattle and Poland-China hogs. He is regarded as one of the best and most progressive farmers in the county, and consequently is one of the most prosperous. In addition to his farming interests he has for twenty years been one of the leading threshermen of Southern Illinois. He and his wife are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Their children are: George L., living near Ridgway; Laura, now Mrs. Fulkerson, of Beechwood, Ill. ; Charles, Marshall H. and Stella, at home with their parents. JONATHAN DILLARD, a farmer living near Ridgway, Ill., is a descendant of one of the first settlers in that section of the state. About the time of the Revolutionary war Elisha Dillard, the grandfather of Jonathan, came from reland and settled in Tennessee, where he followed farming for many years. His son, Olsten Dillard, served in the war of 1812 and fought at the battle of New Orleans, where he was severely wounded, carrying the ball to his grave. He married Eva Crumb, a native of Germany, and in 1817 came to Gallatin county, Mll., where he entered a tract of government land. The following year his family joined him, coming with the Houstons, Eddys, Hutchinsons and others. Olsten Dillard built a log cabin and cleared part of his land. In 1826 he sold that place and bought another in White Oak township, where he lived until 1842, when, he removed with his family to Missouri, and died there some 298 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY years later. The children of Olsten and Eva Dillard were ten in number, only four of whom are now living. James lives in Shawneetown; Betsey is the widow of Jacob B. Rise and lives at Ridgway; Mary is the widow of Elijah Yates and also lives at Ridgway, and Jonathan is the subject of this sketch. Jonathan Dillard is one of the oldest men in the county. He was born three miles southwest of Shawneetown March 15, 1824, and has lived his whole life in Gallatin county. When he was a small boy his mother died and his father married Anna Crumb, a sister of his first wife. To this marriage there were born several children, all of whom are now dead. Jonathan Dillard never went to school a day in his life, but by associating with educated people he has kept in touch with the doings of the world and is a well informed man. He lived with his parents until he was about sixteen years old, when he started in life for himself, working on farms and for five years was engaged in flat-boating to St. Louis. In 1849 he came back to Gallatin county, married Roxana Boutwell, a native of the county, and commenced housekeeping on John Richeson's place. He continued to live on rented land until 1856, when he bought eighty acres, all wild land, where he now lives. This he has added to until be now has a farm of 160 acres, all good land, of which over 100 acres are under cultivation. This development has all been made by the labor of Mr. Dillard himself, who has been noted all his life for his industrious habits. Beginning life in a humble log cabin in the true pioneer style, he has kept up with the march of progress, improving his farm with better buildings as time passed. Mr. Dillard is one of the active Democrats of his neighborhood, notwithstanding his age. For four years he was road supervisor, which is the only office he has ever sought or held. For thirty-two years he has been an active worker in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. He has been twice married. After the death of his first wife he was united in marriage to Dicey Ann, Harris, a native of Tennessee, who came with her father, Matthew Harris, to Illinois in 1863. To his first marriage there were born eleven children, viz.: Milbrey, Martha E., Celia, Mary, Elisha, Famariah, Albert, Jonathan, Eva, William and Harriet. Milbrey, Eva and William live in Missouri; Elisha and Harriet live near Ridgway; Jonathan, is at home, and all the others are deceased. To his second marriage there were born: Viola, Fannie, Eliza, Jemima, Matthew and Aaron. Fannie married a man named Rambler and now lives with her parents; Jemima is in, Missouri; Matthew and Aaron are at home, and Viola and Eliza are MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 299 deceased. Mr. Dillard has passed the fourscore mark in age, and although he has reached that age when many men grow childish he still retains his faculties, remembering with vivid distinctness incidents that occurred three-quarters of a century ago. He is a popular man in his locality for his genial disposition and many sterling qualities, and "Uncle Jonathan Dillard," as he is familiarly called, is a welcome visitor in many homes. FREDERICK NAAS, a farmer living one and a half miles west of Ridgway, Ill., was born near St. Wendell's in Vanderburg county, Ind., May 10, 1852. He is a son of Frederick and Malinda (Weiss) Naas, both natives of Germany, where the father was born in 1817. When he was about ten years of age, or in 1827, he came with his father, Jacob Naas, to America and settled in Posey county, Ind., where Jacob Naas took up government land and followed farming the rest of his life. His four children, Fred, Christ, Jacob and Sally, are all deceased. Jacob Naas lived to be ninety-two years old, and his wife died at the age of seventy. Frederick Naas, the father of the subject of this sketch, lived with his parents until after his marriage, when he went to farming in Vanderburg county. In 1860 he removed to Gibson county, Ind. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Union army and was killed at the battle of Shiloh. Of their ten children four are now living. Mary is a Wormit of Evansville, Ind.; Joseph lives in Poseyville in that state; Peter still lives in Gibson county, and Frederick is the subject of this sketch. After the war Mrs. Naas married again, her second husband being Leonard Cole, and they lived in Gibson county the rest of their lives. Fred. Naas attended the public schools in his boyhood, and at the age of sixteen years started in to learn the blacksmith trade. He worked at this occupation for eight or nine years, at the end of which time he became a farrier in Vanderburg county. In 1884 he bought a farm near Omaha, in Gallatin county, Ill., and lived there until he purchased his present place of 232 acres near Ridgway. Mr. Naas has spent considerable time and money in improving his farm since it came into his possession, and has one of the best dwellings in the neighborhood—a comfortable two-story frame house, with all con-