Information and photos received from Jim Baggs regarding Cass County relatives.
For Hewitt information, click here.
Baggs' might have been Beggs. Here's an old Tallula plot of the sharecropped or leased farm. I do remember my grandfather mentioning the name Kavanaugh but can't remember what relationship we had with them. My cousin Pat, sent this to me and it kind of puts the name with the relationship... Kavanaugh's were the landlords!
See the plat map below.
I'm enclosing some photos of Mike Baggs/Beggs and his son Thomas J Baggs. Tom died in Ashland and is buried there along with his wife and several of his children. Tom's generation is in St. Augustine and the following generations (including my mother) are in the other cemetery in Ashland. I think this had something to do with my grandfather marrying into the Hewitt clan (who were instrumental in bring the Methodist belief to Ashland and Cass County).
Mike's grandson, James married Myrtle Hewitt. James made the choice to change to the Methodist belief. I'm enclosing the info I have on Thomas, too. I have one photo and an original memorial card. Somewhere along the line his memorial card had some errors too. It appears whomever set up this card couldn’t figure out the Thomas J Baggs wasn't Thomas C Baggs. Nonetheless, same guy. He died way too young.
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The Baggs' history isn't too clear. I do know that Mike came from Waterford County to America sometime in the 1850's and worked/lived in the Davenport Iowa area. My cousin Pat, thinks he might have come over to work on the railroad but we have no records to back it up, yet. His son, Thomas was born in Davenport on Oct. 31, 1857 and I don't know if they're were any other children.
The family then went south to the Tallula/Ashland area. They rented a farm from the Kavanaugh family and stayed there until my grandfather was a young man.
Mike Baggs had three children. Thomas J., Patrick C. and Catherine.
Thomas Baggs and his sister Catherine were close friends with Thomas McGraugh and his sister Catherine. From what I've been told the four of them were a close and lively bunch. An Ashland resident told me that they were often seen around town having a great time. My great grandfather Thomas, married Catherine McGraugh and his best friend, Thomas McGraugh married Catherine Baggs. I'm sure this wasn't too uncommon back then but I did feel it was worth mentioning.
Thomas Baggs died at a young age, leaving behind his wife Catherine and their four surviving children (here's where I am open to correction, I have records for a total of 7 children born but on four made it to adulthood). The children were Mary Catherine, Helen, Grace and James Michael. When Thomas died, his brother Patrick C. wed the widow Catherine. Not too many stories from this point on, I just know that Patrick was not too well received by my grandfather and his sisters. Patrick is no buried in St Augustine's Ashland Cemetery in an unmarked grave. Thomas and his wife Catherine (Patrick's too) are buried together in St Augustine along with the the children who were born to them.
According to family folklore, there was one child born to Patrick and Catherine. When Catherine died, Patrick was supposed to have moved to the Peoria area and there's not much to go on regarding the child. I did have in my possession a book that was originally compiled by Mary Catherine Baggs Reiser that listed a Kenneth Eugene Baggs who was born in 1907 but died in 1908. I'm convinced that this is the child of Patrick and Catherine. (see attachment).
When my great grandmother Catherine died. The holdings at the rented farm were liquidated and from that point my grandfather began an series of professions.
He was a deputy sheriff at one point, he owned the White Rose Oil Co. franchise for awhile. He was Cass County's road commissioner and was responsible for the huge, old tree being removed so the highway 123 would not go around Ashland but would be directed through it so the business would not suffer. The citizens did not like loosing their shady resting spot so my grandfather was not re-elected. He did a little "cowboying" in Oklahoma, as a young man. He sold cars in Springfield, managed Thrifty Drugs' liquor dept in downtown Springfield and was a 32 degree Mason.
The Baggs' came to the Ashland/Tallula area as Catholics until my grandfather left the church and began our family's affiliation with the Methodists.
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PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1891
Page 276
JOHN MCGRAUGH is the owner of one hundred and thirteen acres of fine farming land on section 5, Gardner Township, the entire amount of which is under cultivation with the exception of eleven acres of timber land. He devotes his energies to the raising of grain and also pays considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of fine hogs. His home is situated about nine miles from Springfield and its neat and tasty surroundings combined with the fine appearance of the farm indicate the owner to be a man of enterprise and thrift. As Mr. McGraugh is well-known throughout the community, a sketch of his life will be received with interest by our readers. He was born in Cartwright Township, this county on the 6th of November, 1860, and is of Irish descent. His father Michael McGraugh, was born in County Walesford, Ireland, and when a young man left his native land for the new world. He settled in Plymouth, Pa., a short distance south of Philadelphia, where he was employed in a quarry and also engaged in teaming. It was during his residence in the Keystone State that he met and married Sarah Sheridan, a native of County Cavanaugh, Ireland, and a second cousin of Phil. Sheridan. She remained in the Emerald Isle until seventeen years of age when unaccompanied by any friend or relative she came to America. About 1850 Michael McGraugh with his family removed to Illinois locating in Cartwright, where for a time he worked at fifty cents per day. Later he rented land and at length having by industry and economy acquired some capital, purchased eighty acres of land on the Beardstown road where he farmed until his death, which occurred in 1881 at the age of sixty-five years. He was a member of the Catholic Church and affiliated with the Democratic party. His wife still survives him and is living on the old homestead at the age of sixty years. Their children, five in number, are Sarah, now Mrs. Heavy, of Bradfordtown; Thomas W., a farmer of Cartwright Township; John of this sketch; Mrs. Catherine Baggs who is living on the old homestead, and Mrs. Mary Chambers of Springfield.
The days of his boyhood and the years of his maturity John McGraugh has spent in this county. As soon as he was large enough to reach the plow handles he began work upon his father's farm and the occupation to which he was reared he has chosen as a life work. During the winter season he attended the district schools where he acquired a good English education. After the death of his father he assisted his mother in the management of the home farm until 1886, when he left the parental roof for a home of his own. On the 8th of September of that year in Virginia, Cass County, Ill., he wedded Miss Virgie Miller, who was born in Gardner Township and is a daughter of Mathias and Martha (Ross) Miller, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Kentucky. In 1834 her parents became residents of this county and Mr. Miller was one of its substantial farmers, his landed possessions aggregating four hundred and fifty acres. Three children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. McGraugh, but the firstborn, Victor, died at the age of two months. Twin boys Harry M. and Halbert M., gladden the home by their presence. Mr. McGraugh is a member of the Farmers Mutual Benefit association, of Salisbury and is a Catholic in religious belief holding membership in the Immaculate conception Church, of Springfield. In political sentiment he is a Democrat and for two years served as Assessor. He is a well informed man on all general topics and is worthy of representation in the history of his native county which records the lives of its pioneer settlers and prominent citizens.
Mike Baggs' Obit
Death of an Old Citizen
Died, after a short illness and the home of his son, one mile East of Ashland, Saturday, July 1, 1911, at 10:50 p.m., Michael Baggs, aged about 80 years.
Deceased was born in Ireland, and came to this country about 40 years ago and has resided in this
vicinity ever since, following the occupation of a farmer.
Mr. Baggs was one of this community's oldest and most respected citizens and his departure is mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends.
He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. T. W. McGraugh, and one son, Patsy Baggs, both residing in this vicinity, besides many other relatives.
Funeral services were held in St. Augustine's church last Monday morning at 10 o'clock, conducted by Father Cronin of
Virginia, internment following in the Ashland Catholic cemetery.
The Ashland, IL 1909 football team James Baggs is on the far right.
Eliza Hoagland Brisby was my grandmother's great grandmother. (My grandmother, Myrtle Hewitt Baggs) was a fantastic "record keeper" she marked the back of most of her photos for later recollection.
Eliza Hoagland Brisby
