He graduated from the American Medical College at St. Louis, Mo., in the spring of 1880. He practiced one year in St. Louis, then went to New Mexico and practiced a year, when he came to Kinmundy, Ill., and formed a partnership with Dr. W. O. Smith in the practice of medicine, remaining there until the spring of 1883.
He then located permanently at Sailor Springs (by request of the proprietors of the Springs), where he is building up a good practice. He built a large drug store and hall at this place in the fall of 1883. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
They settled in Richland County, from whence they came to Flora in 1859. At that time S. J. engaged in hotel and livery business, which he continued until 1862, when he went to California to work at mining. In the latter part of 1863, he returned, and for two years was engaged in the mercantile trade. In 1865, he again resumed the hotel business which he has continued successfully ever since. He then began in a small frame building on the north side of North avenue, which has since been removed. In 1872, the main building of the present elegant building was erected. This building is of brick, three stories high and contains fifty- four rooms. In 1882, the two-story addition was built, the whole costing $22,000. Mr. Major is in politics a Republican. He is a member of Flora Lodge, No. 204, A., F. & A. M., Flora Chapter, No. 154, R. A. M., and the Gorin Conimandery. No. 14, K. T.
He was married in 1866 to Miss Carrie Peake, daughter of William Peake, of Clay County. She was born in Ohio in 1842. They have two children, Harry S. and Mary Major. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
When sixteen his father moved to Clay County and settled on a farm south of Maysville. The father resided there a short time and then came to Clay City and purchased the Mound House, which he ran for about six years. He next embarked in the grain business and continued in that until his health failed him. Since then he has been living a retired life.
In 1862, our subject commenced learning telegraphy under W. C. Roach, who was then station agent at Clay City. In the fall of 1863, he was appointed to succeed Mr. Roach as agent, and has since held that position acceptably to both himself and the company.
Mr. Manker was married in Flora, Ill., February 7, 1860, to Miss Callie Peak, a daughter of William L. and CynthaPeak, of Flora. One child has blessed this union —Willie, who is now in the office with his father and acts as operator.
Mr. and Mrs. Manker are both members of the Clay City Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Manker is also a member of Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M. In politics, he is identified with the Republican party.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
He was married three times, but only had children by the first wife, and by her there were five daughters and three sons, and of that number only the following are now living: James W., Elizabeth Holeman, and our subject. A. M. E.
Our subject has resided most of his life in Clay County, coming here with his father in 1842. Six years of his life, however, he resided in Marion County. He also has been married three times; first, November 11, 1853, to Mary Jane Atkinson, a native of Orange County. Ind. She was the mother of five children now living, and three dead. Mrs. Martin died in 1870.
He was married, February 9, 1873, to Lucinda A. Chasteen, a native of Illinois. She was the mother of one child, now living. Mrs. M. died January 3, 1874. July 11, 1875, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Thomas, a native of Orange County, Ind. She is the mother of three children. The following are the names of Mr. Martin's living children: Jasper N., William A, Mary E., Rosa B., Lydia J., Winnie L., Ella J., James E. and an infant.
When Mr. Martin first started for himself, it was as a farm hand, working for two years on a farm in Indiana in 1850 and 1851. October 3, 1864, he moved on to his present farm, which was at that time all an open prairie. He now owns a farm of 218 acres of well-improved land.
He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and have been for nearly a quarter of a century, and during that time he has been an Elder in the church. In politics, he is Democratic, and has held different township offices; for four years in succession he was Supervisor of the township, and for two years was Chairman of the board.
J.M. Mayfield, merchant, Xenia, was born in Abbeville, S. C, in 1837, to George and Maria (James)
Mayfield, who were natives of Virginia. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated at Greenville College,
Greenville, S. C. In 1856, he emigrated to Georgia, and the year following, in 1875, was married to Amanda E. Kemp, a native of .Georgia and a daughter of Wiley and Parthenia (Tippen) Kemp. Mr. and Mrs.Mayfield have four children—George, Nellie, Hattie and Maud. After going to Georgia, Mr. Mayfield learned the trade of millwright, and followed his trade as a business for some time, and at intervals ever since. In 1864, he was running a furnace in Georgia, but his place of business lay in the line of Sherman's march, and was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Mayfield lost all. The same year, 1864, he came to St. Louis and started anew, working for some time at his trade of millwright. In the latter part of 1864, he came to Xenia, Ill., and has made this his home since. In 1866, he commenced selling lumber at this point, and has continued in the same since, but has gradually added to his business, first the hardware, etc., till now he carries a complete general stock, including ready-made
clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, etc., etc., having a stock invoicing about $8,000. In politics, he is connected with the Democratic party. Although he has been an active and successful business man, yet Mr. Mayfield has still found time to read and study many subjects, and has included law in his studies also.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
His education was received mostly in the schools of this county, but in 1837 he went to Jefferson County, Ky., and there remained with his uncle until 1841, and while there he attended school some. From Kentucky he came back to this county, and assisted his father on the farm until about twenty-five.
Commencing life for himself he first opened a saloon in the old town of Maysville. In 1850, he began selling groceries and dry goods at the same point, and carried on business there until 1857. The town of Clay City having been started the year before he came to that place, and has since been engaged in business there almost ever since. His first venture here was a general store, in which he did business until 1861. He then made a contract with the Commissioners of Wayne County to erect some bridges in that county. After working a few years in that capacity, he began dealing in stock and farming at Clay City. This he has carried on quite extensively ever since, and now owns 1,200 acres in this township, of which there are about 500 acres under cultivation.
In 1863, he began running a sawmill at Clay City, and afterward added a grist mill, and has since had an interest in the Clay City Mills. Part of the time the premises have been leased by other parties, Holman & Markle now having it in charge. In 1878, he began merchandising in Clay City, opening a large hardware and implement store. In this business he is still engaged, and now carries a stock of about $3,000.
Mr. McCawley was married in this county, February 14. 1856, to Mary F. Slocumb, a daughter of R. B. and Elizabeth (Leech) Slocumb. The father was a native of South Carolina, and settled in Wayne County in an early day. He was one of the foremost men in the early history of that county.
Among the offices to which he was elected were those of Circuit Judge, County Clerk, Member of Legislature, and was at one time Lieutenant Governor. His death occurred in 1875, and his loss was severely felt by the people in this section of the State.
The mother was a daughter of Mr. Leech, who was one of the early pioneers of Wayne County, and from whom Leech Township in that county received its name. Mrs. McCawley was born in Wayne County, November 15, 1836. To her were born six children, four of whom are now living, viz.: Mary E., born October 13, 1858, and now the wife of J. D. Kadler, of St. Louis; John R., born December 5, 1860; Helen L., May 6, 1865; Daniel L., April 1, 1868. This lady died on December 24, 1879.
Mr. McCawley has been a strong Democrat all of his life, and has taken quite an active part in politics. He has served in quite a number of offices. Was Postmaster from 1852 to 1856, and afterward served as Deputy for a number of years. Has also been Justice of the Peace, Township Supervisor and Assessor, member of County Board of Supervisors, and has also been on the State Board of Equalization. He is a member of Olney Lodge, No. 140, A., F. & A. M.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
J. I McCawley, claim agent for O. & M. Railroad. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is to-day one of the most prominent men of this part of Illinois. He is a native of this county, being born about two miles southeast of the present village of Clay City August 20, 1829. He is a son of John L. and Martha (Lacy) McCawley.
The grandfather of our subject, James McCawley, was born in Scotland. When a young man, he moved to the North of Ireland, and there married Sarah Gilmore. Soon after his marriage, he emigrated to the United States with two of his brothers. William, one of the brothers, settled in Charleston, S. C, the other in Virginia. The grandfather came West and settled in Jefferson County, Ky. There the father was born December 24, 1782. He was one of seven children, all of whom are now dead.
The father remained in Kentucky until 1810, and then deciding to begin life for himself, he started for St. Louis, and had made his way as far north as Clay County, when one of his horses took sick. The place where he stopped was on the Little Wabash, near the eastern edge of the county. He sent back to Kentucky for a horse, and having to wait for about ten days, he fell in love with the country. He accordingly decided to locate where he was, and built a cabin. He thus made the first settlement in this part of the State, there being no other white man within about sixty miles. Here he remained for some little time, his only companions being the wild men of the forest.
In the early part of 1811, he returned again to civilization, and February 14, of that year, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Lacy. This lady was born in Jefferson County, Ky., February 14, 1791. Her father was a native of Denmark, her mother of Pennsylvania. Not wishing as yet to bring his wife West until affairs were a little more civilized, he bade her goodbye, and again returned to his lonely cabin on the banks of the Wabash.
Here he made good friends with the Indians, and their friendship for him stood him to good purpose afterward; for at the breaking out of the war of 1812, the famous War Chief Tecumseh marched down through this part of the country on his way to the campaign in Indiana; he accordingly sent forth a command that every white man this side of Vincennes should be murdered. The night before the time appointed for the massacre, the Indians came to McCawley and told him of it. They advised him to start for Vincennes, where there was a fort, and offered to follow him, to see that no other Indians bothered him. He decided to act upon their advice, and the next morning as soon as it was day he started on his homeward journey. He saw no one, neither friend nor foe, until he was just entering the fort at Vincennes, when he heard a war whoop. Turning around he saw the same Indians who had given him the warning the night before ride out from the brush, wave their hands, and then turning their horses toward the setting sun they disappeared.
Having been protected thus far, he made his way as fast as possible to his home in Kentucky. In that State he remained until 1816, when, accompanied by his family, he again came to Clay County, and settled in his former cabin. He immediately pre-empted 160 acres of land, afterward paying $2.50 per acre for it. This he finally increased to about 1,500 acres. Besides farming, he carried on a little store for a number of years, and made a good deal of money trading with the Indians.
In early days, he was a Henry Clay Whig, but afterward became a stanch Democrat. He was never much of a politician, and the only office he ever held was that of County Commissioner in the early days. His death occurred May 25, 1854, that of his wife October 14, 1844, and thus passed away the earliest pioneers of this county.
Subject was the next to the youngest of a family of ten children, of whom but three are now living —Arthur (now in Texas), Daniel L. (in this county, and whose sketch appears elsewhere in this book) and J. I. (our subject). The latter' s education was received in the subscription schools of this county. He remained at home with his father until 1853, when he came to the old town of Maysville and commenced business for himself.
His first venture was that of a grocery store, which he ran until 1856. In that year the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad having been surveyed through this county, about a mile north of the old town of Maysville, he came to the new town of Clay City, which was then in its infancy, and opened a general store. He also accepted the position of the first station agent at this point, for the O. & M. Eailroad, and in this connection we might say that ever since Mr. McCawley has been in the employ of the road in some capacity or another.
He, however, followed merchandising in Clay City until 1876, and then accepted the position of general claim agent for the railroad; this position he has held ever since, and the administration of the office has been both acceptable to the company and to the general public. He also owns about 200 acres of land and has farming carried on quite extensively.
In the old town of Maysville, May 17, 1856, Mr. McCawley was married to Miss Maria L. Moore. This lady was the daughter of Green and Sarah (Shannon) Moore; the parents were born in North Carolina, and are still living in that State. For a number of years, however, they were residents of East Tennessee, and there Mrs. McCawley was born February 9. 1840.
To her have been born seven children, all of whom are now living—Arthur H., born May 19, 1857; Sarah L., born December 7, 1858, now the wife of John T. Baird, of Olney, 111.; Martha M., born July 31, 1863, now the wife of Dr. T. J. Eads, of Washington, Ind.; Mina J., born June 25, 1865; John G., born March 15, 1871; Mary E., born September 9. 1873; Lewis W. February 24, 1876.
Mr. McCawley is a strong Democrat, but owing to his official position he does not take an active part in politics. He is a member of Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M. Mrs. McCawley and her three older children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
Harvey D. McCollum was born in Louisville, Clay county, Illinois, March 13, 1879, and he early decided to try his fortune with his own people, rather than seek uncertain fortune in other fields, as so many of his early companions have done. He is the son of James C. McCollum, also a native of Clay county, now residing in Louisville, retired, being one of the founders of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Louisville, and who is now one of its directors. James C. McCollum, grandfather of the subject, was a native of Kentucky, and the subject's greatgrandfather, Alexander McCollum, was one of the six men killed at the battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812, this battle having been fought in 1815, and his name is mentioned in President Roosevelt's history of naval battles.
Members of the McCollum family were among the early settlers of Clay county and they have been prominently identified with its history ever since the pioneer days, having always taken a leading part in the development of the community in every way. Robert McCollum, uncle of the subject of this sketch, has lived in this county for a period of seventy-five years, is one of the oldest living pioneers of the county. The mother of the subject, a woman of many beautiful attributes, was known in her maidenhood as Fanny Long, a daughter of Darling Long, an old settler of Clay county. She is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. J. C. McCollum four children were born, our subject being the only survivor.
Our subject was reared in Louisville where he attended the high school from which he graduated, having gained a good common school education, for he was ambitious and applied himself in a very careful manner to his studies, outstripping may of the less ardent plodders. Not being satisfied with what learning he had acquired up to this point, he attended the University of Illinois, taking the literary and law courses, in which institution he remained for six years, graduating in 1901, after making a splendid record for scholarship. After completing his course in the university, Mr. McCollum returned home and at once began the practice of law, his success being instantaneous. He at once attracted the attention of the political leaders of the county, and he was the nominee of the Democratic party for County Judge in 1902, and while he headed his ticket, was defeated; however, the splendid race he made gave proof of his high standing with the people of Clay county and forecasted future victories. He formed a law partnership that year with A. M. Rose, which continued until Mr. Rose was elected to the circuit bench. Mr. McCollum was appointed Master in Chancery for two terms, serving with much credit and satisfaction from 1904 until 1908.
He is at this writing practicing law with John W. Thomason, having formed a partnership, which still exists, in January, 1907. It is generally regarded as one of the strongest law firms in this or adjoining counties, and their office is always a busy place, their many clients coming from all over the district. As already stated, our subject made a successful race for the Legislature during the last election (1908), which event caused general satisfaction throughout the county, not only from friends, but members of other parties, for everyone recognized Mr. McCollum's ability and fidelity to duty, therefore they know their interests will be carefully guarded by him.
Mr. McCollum is unmarried. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 926, at Olney, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen, and Masonic Order at Louisville. Mr. McCollum is not a man who courts publicity, yet it must be a pleasure to him, as is quite natural, to know how well he stands with his fellow citizens throughout this district. The public is seldom mistaken in its estimation of a man, and had Mr. McCollum not been most worthy he could not have gained the high position he now holds in public and social life. Having long maintained the same without any abatement of his popularity, his standing in the county is perhaps now in excess of what it has ever been. He has, by his own persistent and praiseworthy efforts, won for himself a name whose luster the future years shall only augment. Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties Illinois--1909
In March. 1853, he married Mary E., daughter of Joseph Rader, a native of Virginia. Mrs. McCollum was born in East Tennessee. They have eight children- -Jonathan T., Thomas J., Frances G, America, Gladys, Minnesota, George B. and Tennessee Ann. Mr. McCollum held the office of Supervisor for Hoosier Township for four years, and was elected Sheriff of Clay County in November, 1882. He owns a farm of 250 acres in Hoosier Township, and is a farmer by profession. When the McCollums came to this county, there were no mills here, and they were obliged to go to Vincennes, Ind., to obtain their grinding, a distance of sixty miles.
Our subject well remembers many pioneer incidents. His father took him when a boy to the Circuit Court, both riding the same horse. They rode up to the door of the court house and sat there on the horse and witnessed the proceedings, the house being too small to admit any spectators. He also well remembers the first bridge built across the Little Wabash at Louisville. Mr. McCollum is a member of the Baptist Church. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
James C. McCollum, Supervisor for
John McElyea, father of Henry, was born in Virginia, and was a son of Patrick McElyea. John McElyea married in East-Tennessee to Miss Sarah Boone, daughter of Hezekiah Boone, an own cousin to the famous Daniel Boone, of Kentucky fame. Her immediate ancestors were from England and "Wales and came in the colonial days to this country, settling in Washington City. Sarah, the mother of Henry McElyea was born iu Virginia. John McElyea was a soldier in the war of 1812, had a family of twelve children, and both he and his wife died many years since in Orange County, End., where they settled in 1828.
Henry is the ninth of this family, and the only one now living. He grew to manhood in Orange County, Ind., where, December 2, 1836, he married Miss Elizabeth Miller, a daughter of Jacob Miller and Elizabeth Liston. Jacob Miller
was a native of Tennessee, and Elizabeth of Kentucky. They were married in Indiana, and reared a family of ten children, all of whom grew to maturity. Elizabeth McElyea was the fourth of this family, and was born July 20, 1819, in Orange County, Ind.
Mr. and Mrs. Elyea have been blessed with eleven children, but three, however, survive—Andrew J., a resident of Songer Township, Clay County, the father of six children; Jacob, born August 7, 1853, in Clay County, Ill., and now a resident of Harter Township, married to his second wife Phoebe E. Anderson, September 4, 1879; he has three children—Effie, the issue of former marriage was born October 14,1871; Otto Merritt, born September 9, 1880; and Rebecca A., born August 13, 1883. Lucinda Ellen, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth McElyea. was born September 18, 1857, and married, September 12, 1878, to George Anderson, of Wayne County, Ill. They have two children.
Mr. McElyea came to Clay County in 1849, and settled near Oskaloosa in Songer Township, where he lived until 1871. when he removed to his present home in Harter Township. He is a man of acknowledged honesty; both he and his venerable wife having been members of the Christian Church for nearly forty years. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
Mr. McGilton's education was obtained in both the free and subscription schools of his native county. At the age of fifteen, he commenced to learn the shoe-maker's trade, and followed it until 1859. In that year he commenced to read law with Mr. Eli Headlay, of Cameron, Mon roe Co., Ohio. He studied with that gentleman until October, 1861, when he was admilted to practice in the courts of Ohio.
He soon after came to Clay City, Ill. where he has since resided. He is the only resident attorney at this point, and practices in Justices', County and State Courts. Mr. McGilton has been married three times. The first marriage took place in Monroe County, Ohio, in January, 1860. The bride was Miss Mary Jane Cathell, a daughter of Putnam Cathell, a native of New Jersey. To this lady were born three children, two of whom are now living—Charles A. and Laura B. She died in November, 1870. On December 15, 1872, he was married the second time to Miss Rachel Brummet, a daughter of Lewis Brummet, of Indiana. This union resulted in two children, both of whom are now dead, and the mother also died in the fall of 1876.
Mr. McGilton was married the third time, in Clay City Township, on August 10, 1878, to Miss Phoebe Chaney, a daughter of Abel and Christina Chaney. Both parents were natives of Pennsylvania. Two children blessed this marriage, one of whom, Leonidas L. , is now living. This child was born on August 20, 1882.
Subject has been identified with the Democratic party through life. He has not been a seeker for office, but has given his attention principally to his own affairs. He has however served a number of terms as Town Clerk and is also Notary Public.
He is connected with the Southern Methodist Church, and is also a member of Clay City Lodge, No. 384, I. O. O. F.; is at present serving as Noble Grand of the lodge.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war in 1832, under Capt. John Onstott and Gen. Pope. His Lieutenants were Henson and Moore. In the early days, he saw many Indians here, but they were peaceable and quiet. He also saw and killed many deer, wild eats, catamounts and panthers. He also saw several bears; he killed three wild cats in one day.
He has been a valued and useful citizen all through life. For several years he held the office of Supervisor for Pixley Township.
Mr. McKinney was married in October, 1835, to Elizabeth Berry, daughter of Thomas Berry, an early settler of Clay County. They had three children, all deceased. Mrs. McKinney died in February, 1839, and the following fall he married Mary, daughter of Dugal Campbell. By her he had eleven children, of whom but two are living—Jeremiah and John A. Two sons, James K. and Charles B., died after grown. Mrs. McKinney died, and he married Mrs. Mary Lutz for his third wife, who is his present companion. She had one child by her first husband—Diana Lutz. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
The grandfather of our subject was Roger McKnight, a native of North Carolina; he died in Indiana. Rebecca (Erwin) McKnight was the mother of Cameron McKnight. She was born 1804, in Lawrence County, Ind. She died 1843, in Clay County, Ill. Eight children called her mother, of whom five are now living.
Our subject received only about six months schooling in his life. In early life he was fond of the sport and spent considerable leisure time in hunting, and even now will devote some time each year to a hunting trip, generally going south to Arkansas.
His father gave him forty acres of land, and in 1850 he bought 160 himself, and on these 200 acres he settled just after he was married to Rebecca Fields, a native of Indiana, who died in April, 1877, leaving eight children, viz., Sarah C. Harmon, Austin R., Cynthia Moore, Millard F., Jehu L., Lyman T.. Homer B. and Laura. Mr. McKnight's second wife is Mrs. Martha Turner, born February 3, 1832, in Orange County, Ind. She is a daughter of Francis M. and Elizabeth (Reed) Moore. The following six children are by her first husband, Mr. B. H. Turner: Francis M. , Joseph B., Sarah E., Jessie D. Odell. William S., and Ida M.
Mr. and Mrs. McKnight are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Republican. Although he has given his children a great deal of land, he has yet 240 acres of good land.
In early life, at the age of twenty he worked on the Mississippi River, going as far north as St. Paul, Minn., where he worked fifteen months in the pineries, returning in 1849, after an absence of twenty- five months, to Clay County, with which he has been identified ever since. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
Roy H. McKnight, M.D.---The
grandfather of this popular physician was James A. McKnight, a native
of Indiana, who became an early settler of Illinois. He located
at Ingraham, in the county of Clay, and prosecuted his trade as a
miller, a business of much importance in a pioneer community. His death
occurred in 1895, when he was quite advanced in years. He
had been accompanied to Illinois by his son, Frank, who was born in
Indiana, learned his father's trade of milling, and continued in this
calling during the working period of his life, which ended at Ingraham,
in 1894, at the comparatively early age of forty-seven years.
Frank McKnight was married in early manhood to Lou
Shriner, a native of Ohio, who is still residing in Chicago. The
children of this union, three in number, were: Roy H.. Rolla, now
at Minnie, Arkansas, and Hazel, a resident of Chicago.
Roy H. McKnight was born March 14, 1881, at
Ingraham, Clay county, Illinois. After the usual elementary course in
the district schools at home, he was graduated in 1899 from the
Jefferson high school in Chicago. In 1900, he matriculated in the
medical department of the Illinois University and spent three years in
diligent prosecution of his studies. After leaving this institution,
three additional years were spent at the Dearborn Medical College in
Chicago, from which he was graduated in the class of 1906.
After practicing a year in Chicago, Dr. McKnight
opened an office in Clay City in the fall of 1907 and since then has
continued in business at that place. He had a lucrative practice in the
hospital at Englewood, but was forced to give this up and seek the
country on account of ill health. The doctor's early career was at once
a test of his ambitious determination and a guarantee of his success in
life, as he early learned the valuable lesson of self-denial and
saving.
When his father died, he was thrown on his own
resources at the tender age of thirteen. He bought a pair of overalls
and a cap, took a freight train to Chicago and found employment at four
dollars per week. All but fifty cents of this went for board, but on
this scant surplus he saved money. When by hard work and faithful
service he was promoted to a stipend of four dollars and fifty cents a
week, he was correspondingly happy. His first work was for the Thompson
(bicycle) Manufacturing Company and his next job was with the Western
Electric Company. His hard labor extended through seven years, at the
end of which time he found himself in possession of the, to him,
munificent remuneration of twenty-five dollars per week. In the seven
years he saved four thousand dollars, every cent of which was spent in
procuring his education as a physician.
It is hardly necessary to add that the doctor is a
progressive young man, of boundless ambition and possessing especial
aptitude and ability. Dr. McKnight is a member of the American,
Clay County and Cook (Chicago) County Medical societies. He is a Mason
and holds membership in Union Park Lodge, No. 610, of that order in
Chicago.
In 1903, Dr. McKnight was married to Bertha May
Hill, of Wheeling, West Virginia, and they have one child, Mildred,
born July 1, 1904. The parents are members of the Christian church at
Clay City. Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties Illinois--1909
He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 30, 1830, and is a son of Donald McQueen and Ann Fraser, both of whom were born in : the Highlands of Scotland, the father in 1779. and mother in 1797. These parents settled in Ohio in 1820, where they died —the mother in 1851, and the father in 1866.
Alexander G. attended the common schools until fourteen years old when he engaged as a clerk to procure means to continue his studies in college. He took a preparatory course in the Academy at Wellsville, Ohio, and in 1852 entered the Jefferson College at Cannonsburg, Penn.
In 1856, he went to Iowa, where he engaged for a short time in milling, after which he was a partner in a wholesale grocery house in Keokuk. Having disposed of his interest in this business in 1860, he embarked in the general produce and shipping business, carrying his merchandise by boat to the South. The fall of 1860 found him in Memphis with a cargo of goods which was left as a drug on his hands by the suspension of the Southern banks, incident to the election of A. Lincoln.
Remaining in this place until the coming spring of 1861, he was given the alternative of enlisting in the Confederate army, or being conscripted. He chose the voluntary enlistment, but soon after deserted and returned to Keokuk, Iowa, where, in the spring of 1861, he assisted to organize the First Iowa Cavalry, entering the service as a private in Company A. In September, 1861, he was commissioned as First Lieutenant of the company, and promoted to the position of Captain in December of the same year. He was next promoted to the office of Major of the regiment, then to Lieutenant Colonel. Owing to unfitness for field duty by severe illness, he was detailed as First Assistant in charge of the Western Division of the Cavalry Bureau, with his headquarters at Chicago. In July, 1864, he was appointed Inspector General of Cavalry for the Military Department west of the Mississippi River, with headquarters at New Orleans. While on duty here, he became Chief of Gen. Davidson's Staff, and for meritorious service was promoted to the office of Brigadier General of his regiment, which commission he held when the regiment was disbanded on the 4th of March, 1866. Space will not permit us to enumerate the various engagements in which he participated; suffice it to say that he performed valuable service both in the field and in the various administrative positions to which he was called.
He was married, March 7, 1867, to Maggie Falconer, a native of Ohio, who was born September 26, 1840. They have but one child—Daniel A. McQueen, who was born in Keokuk, February 11. 1872. Mr. McQueen is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and came to Clay County in 1879. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
Prof. Cleveland W. Mills, Superintendent of Schools for Clay County, and Principal of the Louisville Schools, was born in Youngstown. Mahoning County. Ohio. December 22. 1842, and is a son of Simeon H. Mills, of New London, Ohio. He was brought up in Painesville, Ohio, and educated in the Lake County Academy at that town. As an educator, the Professor has been eminently successful. He uses the most approved normal methods in his work. The writer had the honor of visiting his well regulated and orderly schools while in Louisville. In 1882, he was elected to the office of County Superintendent of Schools for Clay County, and has discharged his duties faithfullv and with entire satisfaction to the people of the county. On the 19th day of October, 1807, he married Miss Arena Oliver, of Mt. Vernon, Ind.. a daughter of William Oliver. This union has been blessed with two children, one living, William H. Mr. Mills taught eight years in the district schools of Posey County, Ind. He then took charge of the New Harmony Schools, Ind., and in 1875 came to Mt. Carmel, Ill., where he was Principal of the schools for three years. In 1878, he took charge of the Louisville Schools, in which capacity he is still employed. He was a soldier for three years in the late war, in Company K, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Pulaski, Tenn., Franklin, Nashville and others. He was taken prisoner at Nashville, and confined at Andersonville three and one half months, when he was paroled. He returned on the steamer Sultana, which exploded near Memphis, at which time over 1,300 lives were lost. Our subject clung to an empty barrel, on which he floated for four hours, when he was picked up thirteen miles below where the disaster occurred. He is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Masonic fraternity at Louisville, and of the Chapter at Mt. Carmel, Ill.. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
Israel Mills, stock
dealer, Clay City, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, April 18, 1843,
a son of Jonathan and Sarah (Downing) Mills. The parents were both
natives of Ohio. On the father's side the ancestors were natives of
Pennsylvania; those of the mother were natives of Virginia. Both
families emigrated to Ohio in an early day.
Subject was the sixth of twelve children, and of
this number six are now living. The father is dead; the mother is still
living on the old homestead in Ohio. The free schools of Ohio furnished
subject his means of education, and he rendered what assistance he
could on his father's farm until his majority.
In October, 1865, he came to Clay City, Ill., where
he has since resided. In this town his first business was that of a
stock trader and dealer. At present he handles about 2,500 head of
hogs, 1,500 head of cattle, and about 2,000 head of sheep per year. In
1872, he commenced merchandising with the firm of Bagwell, Evans &
Co., and remained in that establishment until 1879.
Mr. Mills also farms quite extensively, owning about
740 acres of land, of which 580 acres are in Clay City Township, the
rest in Stanford Township. Of the whole, there are about 700 acres in
cultivation.
Mr. Mills was married in this county, September 10,
1867, to Miss Elizabeth Bagwell, a daughter of Thomas and Cina
(Whiteman) Bagwell, who were very early settlers of this county. Mrs.
Mills was born August 24, 1848, in Clay City Township, and is the
mother of two children—Edna, born July 2, 1870; James B., born October
22, 1881.
Subject enlisted June 3, 1862, in Company K of the
Eighty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until taken
prisoner at the battle of Harper's Ferry. Was afterward paroled,
and discharged October 3, 1862. June 29, 1863, he re-enlisted in
Company B of the One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer
Infantry,and served in that company until the expiration of time, March
5, 1864. He re enlisted the third time, September 2, 1864, in Company H
of the One Hundred and Sev enty- eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, and served until the close of the war, being honorably
discharged June 29, 1865.
Mr. Mills is a member of Clay City Christian Church.
Mr. Mills is a member of Clay City Lodge, N o. 488, A., F. & A.
M. He has been a life-long Republican, and has held numerous
offices of trust and profit, having served as member of Board of
Supervisors, School Trustee and Collector. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
In 1864, he came to Clay County, where he has since resided. He owns 275 acres of land, resides on Section 14. and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Moore has filled the offices of Collector, Assessor and School Trustee to the satisfaction of the people. In religion, he is a Methodist.
He was married in 1847 to Catharine Jenkins, a daughter of Matthew Jenkins (deceased). They have had twelve children born to them, eight of whom are living—William H., Mary E., Louisa M., Sarah J., James A., John C, Andrew A. and Rosella S. One son, Elbert M., died at the age of twenty-six years, leaving a wife and one child. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
He then went West, as he says, " to grow up with the country," and while in Missouri was for five years employed on the Herald of Rolla, Mo. From the latter place he went to St. Louis, and was for four years engaged on the Globe Democrat.
He returned to Illinois and located in Louisville, Clay County, where he engaged for eight years in a successful mercantile business, associated with his father, Henry Moore, now of Missouri. Mr. Moore now occupies the very important position of teller in the First National Bank of Flora, III, a position which he fills with marked ability, and with perfect satisfaction to all concerned. While he has been very successful in these various pursuits, he appears to manifest a decided preference for journalism, and is an exceptionally good printer, and looks forward with pleasurable anticipation of some time in the future editing a paper which will be a new departure in journalism.
Possessing as he does to a remarkable degree the merit of honor and personal responsibility, he is destined to prove successful in the future as in the past, and we point with pride to him as an example after which other young men may safely follow. We conclude this sketch, rendered only too brief, but regard it like many others, as forming one of the brightest paragraphs in the history of Clay County. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
Robert Moseley,
farmer, R R. Clay City. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was
born in Buckingham County, Va.. about thirty miles from where Gen. Lee
surrendered, on March 23, 1813. He is a son of Arthur and Nancy
(Watkins) Moseley. The grandfather of our subject was of English
descent, and came to the country in an early day. Our subject was the
fifth of eight children, of whom but three are now living, viz.:
Arthur, in Virginia; Edward, in Missouri, and Robert (our subject).
The subscription schools of his native county
furnished his education. His father died when he was quite young, but
he remained at home with his mother until about twenty-two. In 1836, he
came West, and first went to St. Louis, where his brother was
then living.
In 1837, he came to this county, and worked as a
carpenter on the bridges that were then being built across the Little
Wabash and Big Muddy. From this he worked at his trade in and around
Maysville for a number of years. In 1841, he settled on a farm, about
two miles south of Maysville. There he resided until 1847, and then
again came to Maysville, and turned his attention to farming.
The next, however, he settled on a farm in what is
now Stanford Township; he resided on different farms in that township
until 1857, when he came to his present farm. He now owns 200 acres,
situated in Sections 11, 13 and 15, of Township 2 north. Range 8 east.
Has about 120 acres in cultivation.
Mr. Moseley was married, July 10, 1841, in this township, to Miss
Elizabeth Test, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Schooley) Test,
natives of Ohio. She was the mother of three children (none of whom are
now living), and her death occurred on March 17, 1847.
In this township, on April 18, 1848, subject
was married the second time to Miss Susan Davis. This lady was the
daughter of John Davis, a native of Pennsylvania, and to her was born
five children, one of whom only is now living, John A., in Kansas. Her
death took place on January 24, 1857. Mr. Moseley was married the third
time on November 12, 1857, to Mrs. Judith E. Dark, a daughter of
Jeremiah and Judith (Biby) Webb. Mrs. Moseley was born in Shelby
County, Ky., on August 31, 1824, and is the mother of four children (by
her present husband), but two of whom are now living—Cloyd B. (at
home), and Lloyd P.in Kansas.
Mr. Moseley was a soldier in the late war, enlisting
from this county in December, 1863, in Company D, of the Fifth Illinois
Cavalry. After but nine months' campaign, he was wounded at the battle
of Canton, Miss., being shot in the leg, and was honorably discharged.
Our subject has held many offices of trust and
profit since he has been a resident of this county. He is now serving
on his fourth term as Justice of the Peace, and has also served as
Supervisor, Deputy Sheriff, Constable, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Moseley
are both members of the Clay City Christian Church. In politics, Mr.
Moseley is a strong Republican.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
John Murvin,
druggist, Bible Grove. This energetic young business man was born
November 1, 1850, in Richland County, Ill. His father, Francis P.
Murvin was a native of Kentucky. He was a farmer by occupation, and
came to Richland County when quite young, and died there in 1858. The
mother of our subject was Rebecca (Hockman) Murvin, a native of
Illinois. Five children bless her memory. She died 1867, in Richland
County, Ill.
Our subject went to school in early life in Richland
Couuty, and at the age of sixteen went to live with his uncle, John A.
Murvin, of Clay County, Ill. He lived with his uncle five years, and
during that time taught school two years. Afterward he taught
school another year.
He was joined in matrimony, April 25, 1872, in Clay
County, Ill., to Miss Charlotte Lewis, born April 22, 1854, in this
county. She is a daughter of Washington Lewis, a well-known settler of
Clay County. Mrs. Charlotte Murvin died November 6, 1880. She was the
mother of the following children, viz., Francis W., Harry B. and Marvin
E.
Our subject was married a second time, June 19,
1881, to Susannah Littell, born July 9, 1860. She is a daughter of
Hiram R. and Martha A. (Boston) Littell. One little boy named Claude
blessed this union. He was born September 24, 1882.
Mr. and Mrs. Murvin are members of the
Methodist Protestant Church. He is also an I. O. O. F., Bible Grove
Lodge, 273. Mr. Murvin lived seven months in Richland County, and then
one year in Flora; then raised one crop on his father-in-law's farm,
and then went to Ingraham, where he clerked for Osman Pixley five years
and four months; then, in January, 1880, came to Bible Grove, where he
now keeps a drug store and the post office. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "