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 F. SMITH for nearly thirty
years has been engaged in running a flour and grist mill
at columbus, Pope county, adn has a large patronage, his
trade extending for miles around. Mr. Smith is the owner
of twenty-five acres of land connected with his mill,
which he cultivates during such intervals as he has left
from his other business. His property is located on
section 30, township 13, range 6. The fourmill, which
has a capacity of forty barrels a day, is fitted up with
modern machinery, having the best roller process. Since
the year 1858 our subject has been a resident of
Illinois, at which time he landed at Golconda, there
following his trade of a carpenter for some four or five
years, when he went into the sawmill business, in which
he continued until 1865. At that time he removed his
machinery to Columbus, and has since been successfully
engaged in his present occupation. Our subject's paternal grandparents emigrated to Butler County, Pa., in the year 1802 from the Fatherland, with a number of other German settlers, forming a colony. They took up a large track of land, and there built a town which is now very famous and of which much has been written in the leading papers of late years. This town was called by them Harmony, and the system pursued by the members is a notable example of the community plan. The peculiar set, to which they belonged is known as the Economist, and one of their most remarkable towns is called Economy. It is a model one in every respect, a quaint and most peculiar city, the houses being built in an old-fashioned, yet picturesque, style, and everything within the limits of the town is kept in the most near and thrifty manner. The society is one of the most wealthy of any of the numerous sects which have sprung up all over the country, though but few of the original members are left, and few during late years have been added to the community. One of their primary principles is that of sharing all property in common. After residing in harmony for about seven or eight years our subject's grandparents, with a number of other settlers, disposed of their property and removing to Posey County, Ind., there purchased a large tract of land and built another town, which they called New Harmony. They, however, did not prosper so well in that State, and at the end of a few years they sold out, returning to the Keystone Statae, where they purchased lands in Beaver County. There was built the famous town just mentioned, Economy, where the remaining days of the grandparents of Mr. Smith were passed. The colonists go by the name of Rappites or Economists, one George Rapp being the founder and leader of the community. William F. Smith was born in Phillipsburg, Beaver County, Pa., February 7, 1840, his parents being Augustus and Frederica Frances (Aigner) Smith, both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. The former remained with the Harmony colony until thirty-two years of age, whe with a large company of others he left the community, going about ten miles down the Ohio River, where they bult the city of Phillipsburg, and eventually gave up their former mode of living, each one owning his own property. The father was a master mason and stone cutter, following those trades for an occupation a portion of his time. They continued to live in Phillipsburg until they were called to their final rest, the fater in 1852, and the mother three years later. Our subject remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, acquiring such education as could be obtained in the common schools, and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1863. At that time, he left his native State, coming to Illinois down the Ohio by boat and located at Golconda, as previously mentioned. He owns a beautiful residence in the village of Columbus, where he enjoys life with his family. His home is graciously presided over by his estimable wife, who was before her marriage Miss Lovina Clanahan, their union being celebrated April 9, 1875. Mrs. Smith is a native of Pope County, her birth having occurred April 5, 1855. her father was a native of North Carolina, while her mother's birthplace was in Tennessee. To our worthy subject and wife have been born four interesting and bright little ones, who are as follows: William C., Clea A., Elsie E. and Stella. The parents are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Bethany, and are devoted workers in the same. Mr. Smith uses his right of franchise in favor of the Republican party, and well merits the high regard in which he is held by his many friends and neighbors in this locality. In his business dealings he is known to be reliable and thoroughly fair in his treatment of all. |
| PROF. JOHN S. SPEAR, Prinicipal of
the Golconda public schools, is a teacher of rare merit,
and is deservedly classed amonth the leading educators
of southern Illinois. He comes of fine old Revolutionary
stock and was born at Alton, in this State, October 7,
1855. His father, Louis P. Spear, was born in
Jefferson Township, Richland County, Ohio, and was a son
of William Spear, who was a native of
Pennsylvania, and he in turn was a son of one Duncan
Spears, who was born in the North of Ireland. He
came to America in Colonial times, accompanied by two
brothers, and all fought in the Revolution in the
interests of the Colonies. Duncan Spear's brothers fell
in batte, and he was the only one left to rear a family.
After the war he settled in Pennsylvania, and there died
at a ripe age. The grandfather of our subject, the only son of Duncan Spear, moved to Canada in young manhood and located on land that he bought near Kingston. But he did not cease to be loyal to his native country and showed his devotion to it when the War of 1812 broke out by refusing to take the oak of allegiance to the British Government, though he knew that by refusing to do so his property would be confiscated. He sacrificed his all to his patriotism, and returning to the United States penniless, he enlisted in the service of this Government, was commissioned captain and won a most honorable military record. Later he received a land warrant for one hundred and sixty acres for his services, and equipped with that he emigrated to the wilds of Richland County, Ohio, selected a suitable tract of Government land and built a home in the forests. He was a man of much prominence among his fellow-pioneers, as he possessed a superior education. He taught school and served as Justice, and at the same time superintended the improvement of his land, which was his dwelling-place until his death. His wife also spent her last years on the home farm in Richland County. She bore the maiden name of Catherine Will, a native of Pennsylvania and was of German antecedents. She was the mother of twelve children. The father of our subject was educated in his native country, and learning the trade of a carpenter in his youth, he was engaged at that occupation a few years. At the age of twenty-one he made his way to St. Louis, where he was employed at his trade for a time, and he also worked at it at Chest, Illl., where he went to Alton, in the same State, to take the position of superintendent of the carpenter shop of the penitentiary, and he acted in that capacity until the institution was removed to Joliet. He then bought a farm in Greene County and resided thereon until his removal to Bloomington, in 1870, where he now lives retired from active labor. He was married, June 19, 1838, to Lourene S. Stowe, who was born in Alabama, November 17, 1818, a daughter of John and Pamela (Lane) Stowe. She was in her second year when her parents emigrated to Illinois, in 1820, and settled in Madison County. The parents of our subject have lived together fifty-four years in an unusually long and happy wedded life, and both are in the enjoyment of good health. They have reared seven children to useful and honorable lives and they now have their homes in six different States. They are William L., Harvey V., Stephen L., Charles E., Walter E., John S. and Kate C. The subject of this biographical review has spent the great part of his life in Illinois, His early education was conducted in the public schools of Greene County, and was completed by a thorough course of study in the fine State Normal School at Normal, Ill. For a time he taught and attended school alternately, his teaching being confined to the schools of McLean County until 1885. That year he went to Kansas, took up his residence at Kendall, Hamilton County, and was elected Principal of the schools in that city. He held that position one year, and in 1886 was appoitned County Clerk. At that time there was conteste in that county over the permanent location of the county seat, and feeling ran so high that the contest ripened into one of the most bitter wars of the kind ever known in the States. Our subject sided with the "Kendallites", of course, and as his party was finally defeated his office was taken from him in consequence. After his retirement from office, Prof. Spear spent some time in traveling in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado, whence he returned Northward to Boone County, Neb., where he accepted the appointment of Principal of the schools at Petersburgh, and retained that office until 1891. Returning hom ethen on a visit, he was called to Golconda to take charge of the schools of this city, and has ever since presided over them. He is an honest and enthusiastic worker in his profession, is possessed of much executive ability, and under his administration the public schools of Golconda are accorded high rank among the schools of this part of the State. Prof. Spear was married in 1890, to Miss Kittie Brady, a native of McLean County and a daughter of James and Catherine Brady,. One child, Mary Estelle, has hallowed their wedding life. Our subject is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is identified with all movements to promote the highest interests of the community. In politics, he is a Republican. He has held public office, as before mentioned, and while a resident of McLean County served as Township Collector several terms. He is a member of Normal Lodge No. 673, A.F. & A.M. |
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JAMES R. STEAGALL The subject of this life history was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., on the 4th of March, 1833. His father, Obediah G. Steagall, who was a native of Virginia, was a farmer, owning a considerable tract of land in Tennessee, where he followed agricultural pursuits and stock-raising during almost his entire life. His death occurred on the old homestead in 1890, at which time he had reached the good old age of eighty-six years. Our subject's mother, who was in her maiden days Miss Mary Hodge, was born in Tennessee, and there passed her entire life. James R. Steagall attended school in Lincoln County,
of his native State, for about two terms only, the
opportunities in the way of education of former days
being extremely limited and little to be compared with
those afforded the youth of these times. The
schoolhouse was made of logs, with puncheon floor, and
during the winter was heated by means of a huge
fireplace. A gap was left along one side of the wall
for a window, which was unprotected by window glass,
and consequently it was rather cold during the winter.
In very severe weather the floor was remove and a fire
built in the middle of the room. The seats were made
by splitting open logs, hewing one side fairly smooth
and making a sort of a bench with four pins for legs.
In spite of all his discouragements and disadvantages,
however, our subject was blessed with an active and
intelligent mind, and made the best of what
opportunities he had, studying and reading by himself,
and thus acquiring a practical knowledge of men and
affairs, which has served him in good stead. He
remained under the parental roof until reaching his
majority, devoting himself to assisting his father in
the homestead. At the age of twenty-one our subject started out of his own accord to make his way in the world, first commencing in 1854 to farm on shares, and continuing on that basis for about ten years in his native State. In the year 1864 he removed to this State, going by railroad to Nashville, whence he proceed by boat to Golconda. His first purchase of land in this county was on sections 23 and 26, township 11, range 6, where he continued to live until 1877, or for thirteen years. During that time he added more land to his original tract from time to time, until he owned over eleven hundred acres, of which he has since disposed of to good advantage. His present place comprises some six hundred acres, which are all under good cultivation and thoroughly improved. Mr. Steagall is a progressive and enterprising farmer, using the most approved modern methods and the latest devices for saving labor and carrying on general agriculture. On January 5, 1854, occurred the marriage of Mr. Steagall and Miss Nancy Catherine Hix. Both Mrs. Steagall and her parents are natives of Tennessee, where her marriage was celebrated with our subject. There union was blessed with a family of twelve children, ten living, who in order of birth are as follows: William O., Elizabeth, Melissa, Thomas R., Mary M., Eliphus R., Laura, Arthur H., John R. and Aloconna. Mr. Steagall has given his children good school advantages, as he has felt the need for such preparation for the battle of life for himself greatly at times, and has carried out his resolve that his children should be thus blessed. The family are good citizens, much respected in the communities where they make their homes. Mrs. Steagall, one daughter and three sons are members of the United Baptist Church, while three daughters are members of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject is a member of Golconda Lodge No. 131,
A.F. & A.M., and also of Chapter No. 162, of that
place. He votes the straight Republican ticket and has
always taken a commendable interest in political and
local affairs, doing all in his power to advance all
worthy measures as a true American citizen should. By
his worthy qualities, strictly honorable career and
unblemished repution has won a host of friends, who
hold him in the highest esteem. |
| THEODORE STEYER, who has one of
the most attractive houses in Golconda, has for many
years been variously identified with the business
interests of Pope County, and his push and well-directed
enterprise have been potent factors in its upbuilding.
Mr. Steyer is a native of Prussia, and was born in the
town of Mraienberg, Saxony, May 15, 1828. His father, Lebrecht
Steyer, who was an officer in the Saxon army, and
died in the service at the age of forty years, was a
native of the same locality. The great-grandfather of
our subject was a manufacturer of chinaware, much of
which found its way to America. The maiden name of the
mother of our subject was Christina Reismiller,
and she was a life-long resident of Saxony. She reared
three of the five children born to her, Clemens,
Theodore and Charles. The latter is still a resident of
is native place. Clemens, the eldest son, who was a
life-long resident of the land of his birth, early
entered the civil service of his Government, and rose to
the position of Postmaster-General, which office he held
at the time of his death in 1889. Our subject was given fine educational advantages, being a student first at the Royal Military Academy at Dresden, and after finishing his course at that institution, served a two years' apprenticeship at an agricultural college, where he acquired a practical knowledge of husbandry, which was beneficial to him in after years when he engaged in farming. Thus well equipped by a liberla education, our subject determined t emigrate to the United States of America to see what life held for him in a country so full of resources, and of which he had heard much, and in the month of May, 1850, he set out on that ever-memorable journey across the waters to a strange land, embarking at Hamburg on the steamship "Helena Slowman," bound for New York. The steamer met with an accident, which delayed it a week, and it was twenty days before he landed in the great metropolis of this continent. he cam directly to Golconda, traveling by rail to Celeveland, thence by lake to Toledo, from that point to Cincinnati by canal and rail, and from the lattter city down the Ohio River to his destination. A year after his arrival here Mr. Steyer was married, and the ensuing two years lived on his father-in-law's farm. Then, buying a farm of his own, he occupied it five years, and at the expiration of that time he went into the mercantile businss at Golconda, abandoning that three years later to accept the position of County Superintendent of Schools, for which his education so well fitted him. He did much to raise the standard of the schools under his supervision while he held that office, which he resigned at the end of nine years to engage in the manufacture of flour. He purchased a flourmill, made considerable needed improvement in its equipment, bought a stock of grain, and had everything in readiness to start the mill in the morning, but before that morning dawned the mill and all its contents were burned, and his earnings of years went up in the flames. By this misfortune he was left in debt, but his many firiends in the town rallied to his relief, showing their confidence in him by offering him money without interest or note, and with this generous encouragement he was enable to begin anew with a good heart. He immediately rebuilt, and operated the mill successfully many years, in fact, continuing his connection with until 1891. During that time he launched out in other enterprises, which have proved remunerative, and he has amassed a comfortable fortune by his energy and judicious management. He is the proprietor of the wharf boat, and he also owns a mll in Golconda for the manufacture of wooden-ware, including spokes, hubs, staves, barrel-heads, etc. Mr. Steyer's residence, an elegant brick house, which is conveniently located near the business part of the city, is one of the finest and best appointed in Golconda. To the wife who presides over it and makes it a true home, our subject was married April 8, 1951. to them have been born eight children, of whom four are living: Emma, widow of T.T. Fountain; Mary, wife of Curtis Treherne; Charles and Flora. Julia and Ida each died at the age of twenty years; Ruth was nineteen whe she passed away; and Anna was agive years old. Mrs. Steyer's name before marriage was Ellen Sim, and she was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. Her father was Capt. Alexander Sim, who was also a native of Aberdeen. He was a son of John Sim, who was a life-long resident of Scotland. Two of his sons came to America. William received his early education in Aberdeen, and later studied medicine in London. He came to this country, practice in Golconda many years, making a name and place for himself high in his profession, and died here at a ripe age. Mrs. Steyer's father was reared and educated in Scotland. He entered the merchant service when a young man, and rose to be commander of the vessel in which he shipped, visiting the principal ports of the world. In 1840 he came to the Untied States, and settling in Pope County, purchased a tract of land and devoted himself to farming, passing the remainder of his life here, and dying in 1876. The maiden name of his wife was Jane Robinson, and she was born in Perth, Scotland, a daughter of George and Annie (Miche) Robinson. She died in the village of Golconda. Both she and her husband were Presbyterians in religion. Mr. Steyer may justly be classed among our so-called self-made men. His early advantages were good, but since he came to this country he has hada the shaping of his own fortunes, a steady purposed to win, industrious habits and sound business principles leading him to success. His citizenship is of value to his adopted city, as he is a man of approved public spirit. In his political affiliations he is with the Republicans. Religiously, he stands by the faither of the Lutheran Church, in which he was reared. |
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