The following is biographical information abstracted from:
Portrait
and Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin
Counties, Illinois
Chicago Biographical Publishing Company 1893
(online - link above)
| WILLIAM J. BAKER, deceased. We gladly accord a place in the biographical history of the worthy pioneers and enterprising farmers of Pope County to the veterans of the late war, among whom few were in more active service or more faithfully performed their duties than did the subject of this sketch. When only twenty-one years of age he enlisted i nthe Twenty-ninth Illinois Infanty, at Golconda, joining Company F August 13, 1861, and serving for three years. he participated in the important and noted battles of Ft. Donelson and Shiloh, was taken prisoner at Holly Springs, Miss., and after languishing in captivity for five months was exchanged in 1865 and was honorably discharged at Natchez, Miss., August 20, of that year. |
| CAPT. OTTOMAN BAUER, proprietor of
the boat "Monie Bauer," which plies on the Ohio River,
is a resident of Golconda, engaged in the coal trade,
and is one of the active, stirring business men of Pope
County. He was born in Woosfield, Washington County,
Ohio, December 25, 1852, a son of Leopold Bauer. The father of our subject was born and reared in Germany and was the only member of his father's family to come to America. In his youth he learned the trade of a piano-maker and was employed in that business in the Fatherland until he was twenty-one, when he enlisted in the German army, in compliance with the laws of the country, and served as a soldier four years. At the close of his military life he came to the Untied States and, locating at Woodsfield, Ohio, he pursued his trade at that point some four years. He then invested his money in a sawmill and was employed in the manufacture of lumber three years. He was a musician of no mean skill, and at the end of that time he enlisted in an Ohio regiment and served as leader of the regimental band one year. After his return from the South, Mr. Bauer built a steamer and engaged in boating on the Upper Oho River for three years, when he sold out and constructed a floating sawmill. It was the first one of the kind ever built on the river and he operated it at different points for five years. After disposing of his mill he removed to Missouri and invested in a farm near Charleston. He devoted himself to agricultural pursuits a few years, but finally sold his farm and has since resided at St. Louis. Our subject commenced when young to assist his father in the mill, and at the age of nineteen bought mill of his father, which was the floating mill previously spoken of, and operated it at different points on the river some two years. He then sold it and purchased a new mill, which he had under his management until 1876, when he disposed of that also, and buying a tow-boat began to do business with it on the Ohio between Evansville and Cairo. Since that time he has built and owned several boats, and the one that he operates at the present time is named "Monie Bauer," in honor his daughter. In addition to boating he is engaged in the coal business, in which he has an extensive trade, as he is the only dealer in Golconda. He is endowed with the same enterprise and thrift that characterized his father in his business career, and he has accumulated a comfortable property and is one of the substantial men of the city. In his social relations he is a member of Bayard Lodge No. 1864, K. of IL, and politically, he is unswerving in his fealty to the Democratic party. July 28, 1873, is the date of the marriage of our subject to Miss Mary Walter, who was born in Pope County, and is a daughter of Christian and Mary Walter, natives of Germany. Mrs. Bauer is a most estimable woman, and the Methodist Episcopal Church finds in her a faithful member. She and her husband have five children living, Jessie, Flora, Oscar, Monie and Stanley. |
| MRS. MARGARET BRADFORD is the
widow of the late Sidney C. Bradford, who was
born in Maryland September 8, 1829, and died December
25, 1885. His father Avery Bradford, removed
from Maryland to Indiana about 1834, with his wife and
family. A few years later he came to southern Illinois,
and there resided until his death, which occurred August
7, 1848, when he was forty-three years old. He left a
wife and six children, three sons and three daughters.
His wife was Mary Phillips, of Maryland, Born in
1810, and who died in 1854. Of their six children,
Sidney C. was the first-born. All have died but one,
Nancy Jane, wife of Clark Cruzen. Sidney C. was reared to agriculture and had but limited educational facilities. he was, however, a studious youth, and in his maturer years a constant reader. At the age of twenty-four, on March 29, 1853, he married Miss Margaret Breeze, the ceremony being performed at the home of the bride in Jefferson County, Ill., by the Rev. John A. Williams, a Christian minister. The father of Mrs. Bradford was Richard Breeze, of Orange County, Ind., and her mother was Louisa Gaston, of Jefferson County, Ill, the former born in 1811. The father, who was born in 1815, died in 1850, leaving eight children, one son and seven daughters, of whom Mrs. Bradford was the first-born. The father of Mrs. Bradford was twice married, his second wife being Eliza Gaston, a relative of his first wife. By her had two children, a son and a daughter. The grandfather of Mrs. Bradford was Robert Breeze, of North Carolina, who removed from that State to Indiana and afterward to Illinois. He began life a poor young man and at the time of his death, in Jefferson county, Ill., when he was eighty-three years old, he left a good estate and eight children. His wife Margaret Cappel. The father of Mrs. Bradford accompanied his parents to Grand Prairie, Jefferson County, Ill, October 14, 1827, when he was sixteen years old. He was reared to labor on his father' sfarm and was familiar with the hardships of pioneer life. By industry and economy he acquired a good property and home. He was an exemplary member of the christian Church for many years, and lived in accordance with the Golden Rule. At his death he was mourned by all who knew him. His wife survived him some years, and died at the age of eighty. Mrs. Bradford and her husband, started in life upon a farm of one hundred acres of Government land, which contained few improvements. On this place they lived for twenty-one years and within a few years after their marriage they build a good frame house. In March, 1874, they removed to the present home of Mrs. Bradford, buying forty acres on the tableland south of New Burnside, and close to the corporate limits. He paid $1,000 for this farm, upon which there was a poor old house, and about fifteen acres cleared. The old arm was not sold, and this forty-acre farm was purchased for the purpose of raising fruit, as Mr. Bradford's tastes were in that direction. Upon this farm he planted orchards of apple, pear, plum, peach, and other trees, and set out numerous kinds of small fruits. Soon afterward he added forty acres to this property. In 1875 and 1876 he erected the present substantial frame house, where he died at the date above mentioned. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bradford was not blessed with children, but they reared three foster sons and also Jane Bradford, who married Clark Cruzen. Their first foster son was John W. Whittenberg, who has been twice married, and who is a farmer and carpenter in this township. The next was James A. Deason, a farmer of Johnson County, who married Drucilla Vaughn. The third is Eddie E. Horn, whom Mrs. Bradford is now rearing. He came to her at the age of eight, and is now thirteen years old. Mr. Bradford was drafted into the army at the last call for troops, and was away from his home three months, when he was discharged. Politically he was a Republican, and socially was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-two years, and had served as Steward, Class-leader and Trustee, and was very benevolent, keeping open house for all the preachers. Mrs. Bradford resides on her farm and rents the land on shares. In her religious connections she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was her husband, who was active in the work as Superintendent of the Sunday-school. |
| MATTHEW BREEDLOVE For about
thirty years this gentleman was prominently identified
with the welfare and prosperity of Pope County, to which
he came in 1849 with his young wife. He was born in
Middleton, Tenn., June 25, 1825, and was the son of Thomas
and Sarah Breedlove, who were both natives of old
Virginia, and after their marriage removed to Tennessee,
in which State the father departed this life. Our
subject grew to man's estate in the place of his birth,
and resided with his grandfather until he was old enough
to be of assistance in supporting his mother. He early
learned the tailor's trade and also the miller's and
worked at various occupations until reaching the age of
twenty-four, at which time he wedded Miss Mary Carr,
the date of the ceremony being November 1, 1849. The
lady was born in Watson, Tenn., April 25, 1825, her
parents being natives of the old Dominion and honored
settlers of Tennessee. After removing to that State the
father engaged in the occupation of farming, which he
followed until his death in 1867. He was an honored
citizen and reared his family of eight children in the
fear of God and the love of their fellow-men. At once after his marriage, Mr. Breedlove started with his wife to Illinois, making the journey by boat and landing at Golconda November 11, 1849, coming by way of the Cumberland and Ohio Rivers. They commenced in an humble way upon a farm of eighty acres, which our subject took from the Government and for which he paid $1.25 per acre. It was heavily timbered, and for many years it took all of his time and strength to cleaer the place and make it suitable for general farming. He built a log house and there the happy couple commenced housekeeping in frugal style. The years that followed, in spite of the privations, were among the most pleasant of their lives, as they were young, full of hope, and had bright visions of the future before them. Mr. Breedlove was industrious and saving, and eventually added more land to his farm, owning at the time of his death one hundred and twenty-five acres on section 31, township 13, range 6, which his widow and children are now engaged in carrying on. The wife of our subject has shown that she is possessed of unusual business tact and ability, and like her husband had many difficulties to overcome during her early life. Her education privileges were limited to the old-fashiond schoolhouse, the furnishings of which were of the most primitive description. When she first came to Illinois the country was very wild, and game of various kinds, deer, wolves, wild turkeys, etc., were numerous. With fortitude and courage she assisted her husband in all his enterprises, cheering him onward, and together they climbed the hill leading to success. A great deal is said of the heroic and hardy men who cleared the wilderness and did so much in founding the superstructure of prosperity on which the now prosperous and well-cultivate counties of this great commonwealth are placed, but truly the worthy wives who shared their joys and sorrows are entitled to more recognition than in is generally accorded them. Mr. and Mrs. Breedlove were blessed with a family of seven children, four of whom are living. They are John, Martha, Ellen and William. Mr. Baker voted the Republican ticket and was always active and interested in whatever affected his country's welfare. He was called to his final rest October 25, 1880, leaving a large circle of friends, who will ever hold his memory in the fondest and highest esteem. Mrs. Breedlove is a member of the Missionary Baptist Curch at columbus, which her children also attend. |
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JOSEPH B. BROADWAY is numbered among the early settlers of Pope County, and has made his own way in the world from his early years. He is truly a self-made man, and it is to be his native characteristics of industry and well-directed effort that he has qcquired his present position as one of the prosperous and well-to-do farmers of township 12. He owns a well improved and highly cultivated farm, comprising four hundred and ten acres on section 13, and has made almost all the improvements on his place, having himself erected all his comfortable buildings and his pleasnt farm residence. He is engaged in general farming, and also raises horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep.Our subject was born in Tennessee, November 8, 1827, and is the son of Royal B. and Nancy (O'Neil) Broadway. The father was a native Virginia, while his wife was born in Tennessee, Our subject's paternal grandfather, John B. Broadway was likewise a native of Virginia, where he carred on extensive farms, but later removing to Tennessee, made that State his home until his death. Our subject's father emigrated to Illinois at an early day, and became the owner of some raw land in Pope County. He made the journey to this State in wagons, camping out and cooking on the way, the trip consuming some three weeks. Joseph Broadway was one in a family of nine children, and attended school a few months in his native State and a short time after coming to Illinois. However, his attendance at school, all told, did not cover more than a year, and therefore he has been largely self-educated since arriving at mature years and becoming sensible of his needs isn that direction. In those pioneer days the early settlers had a great many difficulties to overcome, and his mother used to car, weave and spin the cloth for the garments of her whole family, and until our subjejct was twenty years of age, he had never possessed anything but homespun clothes. The schoolhouse which he attended for a short time was built of logs, and was of the most primitive description in regard to furnishing. Wild game was still very plentiful, and wolves often annoyed the settlers, sometimes creating havoc in their flocks and herds. When seventeen years of age, Mr. Broadway started out to make his own way in the world, working for four years with a neighbor and receiving his board and clothes in compensation for his services. At the end of the four years his employer gave him a horse, a heifer and a few hogs, but he concluded to remain for two years longer, and engaged in farming on shareds at the same place. He then entered land at $1.25 per acre, and has been engaged in farming ever since on his original purchase. On the 14th of November, 1850, a marriage ceremony was performed which united the destinies of Mr. Broadway and Miss Elizabeth Frieze, who was born in Greene County, Tenn., April 14, 1826, and whose parents were among the early and honored pioneers of Illinois. This home of our worthy subject and his amiable wife has been blessed with a daughter, who was born November 8, 1862, and whose name is Mary Elizabeth. The family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, at New Liberty, and are active in the various branches of its work. For ten years Mr. Broadway has been a School Director, and is one of the warm advocates of good schools and teachers. He casts his ballot in favor of the principles and nomineees of the Republican party, and can always be found using his influence for the promotion of all good measure, and on the side of right and justice. He has made it one of his chief objects in life to leave to his desc3endats an honorable name, untarnished and without blemish. |
| JOHN R. BROWN We are always
glad to accord a place in all records and accounts of
the worthy pioneers to the brave soldiers of the late
war, who, in addition to having done so much for the
county in which they made their home, have deserved a
place in the history of their country, for which they
dated and suffered untold privations and hardships on
the field of battle. The subject of this sketch remained
with his parents until nearly twenty years of age, when
he enlisted in the Union army at Elizabethtown, Ill.,
being commissioned First Lieutenant of Company F., One
Hundred and Thirty first Illinois Infantry, when only
twenty-one years of age. The date of his enlistment was
November 13, 1862, when he enlisted for a a three-years
term of service, the call for troops being made by Gov.
Yates. Mr. Brown was honorably discharged from service
at Paducah, September 16, 1863, on account of poor
health. he returned to his home, and during the
remainder of his life suffered greatly from disease
contracted and the exposure incident to life in the
army. Mr. Brown was born in Hardin County, this State, August 2, 1841. The Mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Morris, was born in Old Virginia, while his father was a native of Mobile, Ala. Our subject attended the common schools, where he received is elementary education, and later entered Hewitt & Twinham's Business College, from which he received a good recommendation and a diploma. Before going to the army he attended school at Elizabethtown, paying for his tuition by driving a horse in a tanbark mill, for which he received ten cents a day. In 1863 he engaged in the mercantile business, carrying on a general store in Columbus until 1880, at which time he sold the business and continued to reside here until his death, October 30, 1884. Our subject was twice married, his first union being with Ourilla Schuhart, June 2, 1868. She was called from this life January 1, 18784, and Mr. Brown chose for his second wife Miss Maggie Ruble, to whom he was married January 21, 1877. Mrs. Brown was born in this county September 23, 1856. Her mother was likewise a native of Illinois, but her father was born in the Buckeye State. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Brown has carried on the Brown Hotel, in the village of Columbus, and in that hospitable hostelry the weary traveler always finds a pleasant resting-place and a cheerful welcome. The genial landlady is known far and wide as the proprietor of one of the best hotels of southern Illinois. On April 2, 1885, she was appointed Postmistress at Columbus, the office being known as Brownfield, named in her honor. She has held that responsible position up to the present time, and is thoroughly capable business woman. She is the owner of twenty-one lots in Clark's Addition to Columbus, and also owns several houses in the village, which she rents, besides a store building and her hotel. Mr. Brown left two children, George II., a son by his first union, and John R., born May 1, 1879, the child of the second union. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in social circles has always occupied an enviable position in the esteem of all. Her husband was a stanch Republican, and the boys in blue were particularly dear to him. |
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