Douglas County IL

Biographical Sketch of George White

George White, the well known implement dealer and auctioneer of Newman, was born near Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky, August 18, 1842, and is a son of M. L. and Mary (Biby) White. Middleton White was born in Barren County, Kentucky and moved to Edgar County, Illinois, where he was married. His wife was also from near Glasgow. Kentucky. ‘They are both dead and buried in the Paris cemetery. George White came to Newman and located in business in about 1874, since which time his business has steadily grown until he is known as one of the most successful and extensive … Read more

Biography of Henry C. Jones

Henry Clay Jones, the affable and genial treasurer of Douglas County, was born in Franklin County, Indiana, December 2, 1842, a son of Calvin and Hannah (Case) Jones. He was reared to manhood in his native County and in 1860 removed to Douglas County. In 1862 he joined Company K, Seventy-ninth Illinois Infantry, and served as a private soldier in the Civil war until June 12, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee. He was wounded in the leg in the battle of Liberty Gap, which prevented him from keeping up with his regiment until the battle of … Read more

Biography of Judge John Brown

Judge John Brown has been for over sixty years identified with the best interests of Douglas County. He was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 7, 1822, on a farm, where he remained until the age of seventeen. This farm was located on Paint creek, two miles from Chillicothe, the County seat of Ross County. Our subject is a son of Nimrod Brown, who was a native of Augusta County, Virginia, and who served in the war of 1812. His mother was, before her marriage, Elizabeth Eigelbright, and was born in Monroe County, Virginia. When our subject was but seven … Read more

Cutsinger, William Edward – Obituary

William Edward Cutsinger, who resided about 6 miles north of Hindsboro, passed away on Monday evening, August 1st [1938] at his home, following an illness of several months duration. Death was due to a complication of diseases. The deceased was born on May 29, 1867, near Newman, and has lived here all his life. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. I. Cutsinger, who resided south of Newman for several years. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Zua [McQueen] Cutsinger, and three children, namely, William Cutsinger, of Chicago; Mrs. Hazel Wilson, of Gary, Ind.; and Miss Naomi … Read more

Biography of Edward W. Calvin

Edward W. Calvin, the leading druggist and owner of both livery stables of Newman, was born in Wayne County, Illinois, December 21, 1860. He is a son of Dr. J. W. Calvin, who was born in Kentucky in 1829, and he the son of Hiram Calvin, who was a native of Virginia. His father was a graduate of Rush Medical College. He married Sarah Brown, of New Buffalo, Michigan, whose death occurred some twenty years ago. He has practiced at various places, was at Newman one year and is at present in active and successful practice at Toledo, Ohio. E. … Read more

Biography of Alexander McNeill

Alexander McNeill, farmer, was a son of Alexander and Nancy (Montgomery) Mc-Neill, and was born in Ireland March 10, 1808. The first twenty-six years of his life he spent in his native land. In 1834 he emigrated to America, landing in Philadelphia. Thence, two months later, went to Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, where, upon letters of introduction from his uncles in the old country, he obtained a situation as clerk in a cotton establishment. After a year he accepted a position as clerk in a dry goods store at Owensville, Bath County, Kentucky, where he remained six years, then sold … Read more

Biography of Frank F. Loose

Frank F. Loose, one of the leading farmers and business men of the county, residing upon his farm in the north suburb of Tuscola, was born in the city of Springfield, Illinois, in the year 1859. He was reared on the farm and was educated in Springfield. his father’s farm lying just south of the city. His father, Jacob G. Loose, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, just across from the Maryland line. He sank the first shaft in the vicinity of Springfield, on his own farm, mortgaging almost everything he had to accomplish this, and his venture was richly … Read more

Biography of Owen E. Jones

Owen E. Jones, one of the leading merchants of Murdock since 1893, and the second son of Abram Jones, was born in Murdock Township, January 31, 1862. After leaving the common schools, he took a course at the commercial college at Terre Haute in 1897, In 1899 Mr. Jones took in as a partner Percy Welliver, and the firm is doing a thriving business. In 1894 our subject was married to Miss Nora B. Dever, of Murdock, Illinois. Mr. Jones is a member of the Modern Woodmen; he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church ; he is … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. B. Rigney, M. D.

J. B. Rigney, M. D., was born in Paoli, Orange County, Indiana, and is the son of William H. Rigney, who held the offices of sheriff, treasurer and collector. At about the age of sixteen he, with his family, moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, and for three years resided on a farm. Finding rural pursuits distasteful, he turned his attention to medicine. He commenced his studies under Dr. James H. Sherwood and continued with him for three years, when he went to Chicago and attended the Rush Medical College, from which he graduated in 1863. He then enlisted as hospital … Read more

Biographical Sketch of T. M. Richards

T. M. Richards, a leading merchant and grain buyer of Haves, Illinois, was born in Douglas County, Illinois, August 7, 1864, and is a son of Thomas Y. Richards, who was a native of Hardin County, Kentucky, where he was born in 1818. The latter moved to this County in the ‘forties and was engaged in farming. He was three times remarried and was the father of nine children, of whom all are dead excepting T. M. and G. R. Richards. His last wife was Hester A. Reat, and she was the mother of the above named boys (see sketch … Read more

Biography of James P. Heaton

James P. Heaton, who was a prominent citizen of Newman and a member of its board of education, was born August 16, 1845, and died March 14, 1897, aged fifty-one years, six months and twenty-eight clays. He was a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, where his early youth was passed among the picturesque hills and scenery of that mountainous region. He was a son of William and Mary Heaton. At the age of sixteen years he came to Illinois and located on the Ridge, four miles north of Newman. At that time there was no church building in that section … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Oliver H. Parker

Oliver H. Parker, grain buyer at Hayes and Humboldt, and a son of Lines L. Parker, of Bowdre Township, was born in Vermilion County, Illinois, in the year A. D. 1860. He resides with his family in Tuscola. In 1881 he was married to Miss Angie Wallace, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann (Breezley) Wallace. Joseph Wallace was a pioneer settler in Bowdre Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker were born four children: Burt I., Fred Earle, Minnie Pearle and Everett Dewey. Mr. Parker is one of the substantial business men of the County.

Biographical Sketch of Charles A. Hawkins

Charles A. Hawkins, the present gentlemanly County clerk, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, May 25, 186o, and is a son of William and Sarah (Hard) Hawkins, natives of the same state. His father died in 1866. Mr. Hawkins was principally educated at, Danville, Indiana, and spent two and a half years teaching. He served his Township (Newman) as tax collector and supervisor, and in November, 1898, was elected County clerk. On October 7, 1884, Mr. Hawkins married Louisa J. Curtis, of Newman, and they have four children: Claude A., Opal B., Pearl L. and Jay M.. Our subject is … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Callaway

George Callaway, a retired physician of Tuscola and a large land owner of Douglas County, is a native of Christian County, Kentucky, and was born May 4, 1848. In 185o he removed to Illinois and was principally educated in the Illinois. College at Jacksonville. After leaving school he read medicine with Dr. J. L. Reat, at Tuscola, Illinois, and subsequently entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in the class of ’73. Dr. Callaway commenced the practice of medicine at Virginia City, Montana, having gone first in 1871 to that territory as surveyor in the employ … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. D. Reed

W. D. Reed, the assessor of Bowdre town-ship, was born on the old Reed homestead in the same Township March 14, 1852, and is a son of the gallant B. Frank Reed, who fell at the battle of Chickamauga, and for whom the G. A. R. Post at Tuscola is named, and whose portrait adorns this page. He was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and emigrated with his father, Daniel, to Edgar County, when he was but eight years old. Daniel Reed founded the old tavern or road house at Hickory Grove between Newman and Indianola. He volunteered in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel Roderick

Daniel Roderick is one of the oldest settlers now living in Douglas County. He came to near Danville, Illinois, with his father, Samuel R., sixty years ago. The latter died in Vermilion County, and soon afterward Daniel came to what is now Garrett Township and kept generally about twelve yokes of oxen. He was horn July 16, 1816, and his education was almost entirely neglected, but he is known as “honest, old Dan Roderick.”

McQueen, Joshua P. – Obituary

Newman Man Takes Own Life With Poison. Mr. Joshua P. McQueen Committed Suicide Thursday Evening Of Last Week By Taking Concentrate Lye And Carbolic Acid-Funeral Held Saturday Afternoon. The funeral rites took place at the late home on Kings Street, Saturday afternoon, at 3 o’clock, conducted by Rev. F. O Fannon, pastor of the Christian church, and were largely attended by relatives and friends. Music on the occasion was rendered by a quartet composed by Mrs. F. S. Lydick, Mrs. George Roller, Messrs. F. L. White and M. S. Smith; and at the request of the family Mr. Smith sang … Read more

Biography of J. T. Butler

We copy from a recent issue of the Tuscola Review: “J. T. Butler, of this city, secretary and manager of the Corn Belt National & Loan Association, had received intelligence from his brother in California, that he had struck a gold mine of unparalleled richness, and that our fellow citizen was a half owner in the new wonder.” “The editor knowing that Mr. Butler was a man who shunned notoriety and would be loath to give out. information that would bring him into such prominence as an article of this kind necessarily will, approached him on the subject. He was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Ephlin

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Ephlin are the oldest couple in Tuscola. They came here from Parke County, Indiana, April 4, 1858, when the number of inhabitants could be counted on the fingers of the two hands. They have lived here more than forty years, and out from the door-way of no home in Tuscola has come a kinder greeting to the wayfarer or a more hospitable reception to friends and relatives. Uncle Jake is closely related with the primitive town and the early County, having been among the first business men and serving as deputy sheriff under I. L. Jordan. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. W. Boyer

J. W. Boyer, a well known farmer of Sargent Township. and the present census enumerator for the same, was born in the vicinity of Ashmore, Coles County, Illinois, on the 11th day of April, 1850. For twenty-five years he has been identified with the industrial growth of his Township, and is well and favorably known as an intelligent and upright citizen. He is the son of James and Susan (Mack)Boyer, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter was born in Kentucky. As early as 1835 James Boyer came and settled with his father, Joseph, who was also born … Read more