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Gallatin County
Biographies
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Harry Van Bayse
BAYSE, Harry Van, vice president American Furnace Co.; born, New Haven, ILL., Aug. 18, 1870; son of Thomas Butler and .Jennie (Melvin) Van Bayse; educated district school, Ewing, ILL., public schools Evansville, lnd., and Cairo, ILL.; Jones' Commercial School, St. Louis; married, Dallas, Tex., Oct. 31, 1896, Agnes Robertson; one daughter, Allene. Began active career in St. Louis about 1889 in employ of the Front Rank Furnace Co.; became a stockholder in the company and had charge of sales department; associated with others from same company, January, 1900, in organizing and starting the American Furnace Co. and has charge of sales department, also vice president. Member Sheet Metal Contractors'Association. Methodist. Recreations: hunting and fishing. Office: 27th and Morgan Sts. Residence: 6959 Hancock Ave.
(Source: The Book of St. Louisans, Publ. 1912. Transcribed by Charlotte Slater)
Giles Young Crenshaw
Crenshaw, Giles Young, stockman and politician, was born September 28, 1839 at Equality, Gallatin County, Illinois. His parents were William Easly Crenshaw, born in North Carolina, March 4, 1804, and Casandia Footpage Crenshaw, nee Taylor, born in Richmond, Virginia, January 10, 1808. They were married, in 1827, in Gallatin County, Illinois, their respective families having emigrated, first to Kentucky, and later to Illinois. To them were born six boys and four daughters, all of whom but one, a son, attained maturity and became well-to-do and respected citizens in different States. In 1841 the parents of Mr. Crenshaw moved to Springfield, Illinois, where his father died in 1864. His mother continued to reside there until 1870, when she removed to St. Clair County, Illinois. Here she resided until her death, in 1884. Mr. Crenshaw was educated in the common schools of Sangamon County and later in Parson's Business College, of Springfield, Illinois. On attaining his majority he first engaged in the stock business, which he conducted successfully for some seventeen years in Illinois, and in Missouri— to which State he removed in 1874, settling in DeKalb County. In 1876 Mr. Crenshaw was married to Miss Annie Celestia Holmes, of Maysville, Missouri, daughter of John H. Holmes, a prosperous farmer of DeKalb County. Their union has been blessed by seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom survive except one daughter, who died in infancy. Their names, according to age, are: John H., Edith M., Claude R., Lowell W., Margaret L. and Vivian E. Crenshaw. The eldest, Dr. John H. Crenshaw, is married and living at Galesburg, Illinois, where he is practicing medicine. In 1878 Mr. Crenshaw was elected circuit clerk and recorder of deeds of DeKalb County, and re-elected in 1882. So commendable was his administration of these offices that his constituents insisted upon electing him the third term, and were so in earnest that the Democratic County Convention nominated him. He, however, declined the nomination, insisting that he had held it long enough; believed in the Democratic doctrine of rotation in office, and was especially opposed to third terms. His last term as circuit clerk and recorder of deeds expired January I, 1887. Prior to this date, in 1886, the DeKalb County Bank was organized, and Mr. Crenshaw was elected president of the enterprise. To the duties of this position he devoted himself until 1891, when he resigned to engage in the general real estate and loan business, with offices in Maysville. In 1896 he was elected president of the Town Mutual Fire Insurance Association of the Third Congressional District. In this position he continued until March 4, 1897, when he was appointed United States marshal for the Western District of Missouri, to succeed General Joe Shelby. With his usual marked ability, tireless energy, and vigilance, he filled the marshalship until the expiration of his term, July I, 1898. On retiring from this office he devoted his time in looking after his private business interests, and in aiding the Democratic party managers in the campaign of 1900. Mr. Crenshaw has been a zealous Democrat and a ready worker, and a liberal and cheerful contributor to campaign funds. For twelve successive years he served on the Congressional committee of the Third District while Governor Dockery represented it in Congress. Some eight years of this time he was chairman of the committee, and on him devolved the laborious work of these campaigns. To his sagacity, foresight, wise management and ceaseless effort, more than to any other one man, was due the continued triumphs of Democracy in the Third District. He is recognized the State over as one of the party's wisest and safest leaders. The consensus of opinion among Democrats at this date (1901) is that he will be one of Governor Dockery's most trusted advisors. Immediately after Governor Dockery's inauguration he called Mr. Crenshaw to act as his private secretary, which position he fills at this writing.
["Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri"... edited by Howard Louis Conard - Sub. by K.T.]
CHARLES CLAYBURN DAVIDSON
Charles Clayburn Davidson, who is successfully engaged in the practice of law at Tucumcari, New Mexico, was born at Boardley, Union county, Kentucky, on the 7th of October, 1874, and is a son of William George and Emma J. (Tate) Davidson, the former of whom was born in Webster county, Kentucky, on the 10th of May, 1848, and the latter near Kokomo, Howard county, Indiana, on the 17th of February, 1853. The father followed agricultural pursuits for many years but is now living practically retired in northeastern Arkansas. His wife also survives.
Charles Clayburn Davidson, who is the oldest of a family of three children, attended the public schools in Gallatin county, Illinois, and the high school at Eldorado, Illinois. He was a member of the first graduating class of that school, which is accredited to the State University. He continued his education in Southern Illinois State Normal University at Carbondale, Illinois, and prepared for the practice of law at the Northern Illinois College of Law at Dixon, graduating from that institution with the class of 1901. Long before he completed his education he had begun to provide for his own support as when but twelve years of age he worked for his grandfather and others as a farm hand. He was so employed during the summers until he was seventeen years old and he then began teaching country school in Gallatin county. Later he was similarly employed in Saline county and was then for two years principal of the Eldorado high school. His next position was that of superintendent of the Eldorado schools and after completing a year's term in that capacity he took up the study of law. Following his graduation from law school he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he formed a partnership with Felix F. Blankenbaker. After four months, however, he was compelled to give up active practice for a time on account of ill health and returned to Eldorado, Illinois, where he remained for a year. At the end of that time he came to New Mexico and after considering a number of locations decided to make his home in Tucumcari, arriving here in April, 1904. For about a year he engaged in the insurance business, but at the end of that time resumed the practice of law which he has since continued. He has tried many criminal cases and has gained a high reputation in that branch of law, although he has never definitely specialized in criminal practice. He has not only won high standing in his profession, but he has also gained a gratifying measure of material prosperity and owns valuable lands in this state.
Mr. Davidson was married on the 7th of June, 1909, to Miss Wilmoth Hudson, who was born near Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Lane) Hudson. The father was born in northeastern Arkansas and passed his entire life in that state, dying when Mrs. Davidson was six years of age. He was a merchant and civil engineer by occupation. His wife, who was born near Nashville, Tennessee, is now a resident of Denver, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have a son, Merritt Clayburn, whose birth occurred on the 7th of February, 1910.
Mr. Davidson gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has been called to public office a number of times. He was a member of the constitutional convention from Quay county and was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention for joint statehood, which, however, never convened. He is now serving his fourth consecutive year as city attorney and at the time of the organization of the city was elected to the office which he held for two years. He attends the Presbyterian church, to which his wife and son belong and can be depended upon to further movements seeking the moral advancement of his community. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has made a wide acquaintance since coming to Tucumcari and his genuine worth is indicated by the fact that those who have been most closely associated with him are his stanchest friends.
[Source: "The leading facts of New Mexican history", Volume 3, By Ralph Emerson Twitchell - Submitted by K.T.]
John Funkhouser
Of the early comers here (Effingham County, IL), the man first licensed and authorized to vend goods in our county was John Funkhouser. His line of work lay in a different avenue from that of Judge Hankins, but it was parallel and equally important to the young commonwealth. He was a merchant, miller, farmer, trader in stock, and a buyer and seller in everything that the people wanted to buy and sell. When there was no trade or commerce, no stores nor money before for the convenience of the people, he organized and made the way for these. He opened the avenues for money to come and circulate among the people, as well as for industries that furnished imployment to men that, without him, would have, of necessity, been idle, and perhaps dissolute. In this way his dependants outnumbered those of any man who has ever been in the county, and his strong, clear judgment, quick foresight and nerve in those broad fields of commerce that brought him profits and the community gains and the means of many comforts, are bright examples of how much better it is to give in that which encourages men to help themselves by their own exertions than that old and mistaken charity that doles out its stinted aids and fosters by it the idleness and want of thrift that first produced it. His executive abilities must have been of no common order. He not only had to direct and plan his multiform business, but he had to create it where there was none before, as well as think and provide for his little army of dependants, and so wise and just did he manage this that what made him a rich man, contributed to the wealth and comfort of the entire community. His liberality and generosity toward his dependants and neighbors is well told in a little anecdote. He' advised one of his men to plant a little piece of ground in corn, and he would furnish seed, teams, etc., necessary for him to work it. It was a little out-of-the-way patch of ground of three or four acres. This man did as advised, and the season proved not the best for corn. In the fall, he got Funkhouser's wagon and gathered it, and took it all. When asked about the one-third for rent, he replied : "Why, you see there was no third. There was only two loads in the field. That was my two-thirds, and I reckon as how you don't want your third, when it didn't grow."
Funkhouser enjoyed this joke the balance of his life.
John Funkhouser was born in Green County, Ky., in the year 1778. He died in this county, in 1857. He came to Illinois in 1814, and located in Gallatin County. He moved to Wayne County in 1819, and to Effingham in 1833, and improved the farm now the property and possession of C. F. Lilly, in Jackson Township; here he opened a store and built a horsemill, and commenced those extensive business operations that grew and multiplied until the day of his death. When his strong, generous and busy hands fell nerveless at his side in death, his life-work was taken up, where he had stopped, by his son, Presley Funkhouser, who proved a worthy son of a worthy sire. He not only carried on successfully the extended operations inaugurated by his father, but increased and enlarged them in every way. A willing tribute that is paid to his memory by all who knew him in life, was, that he was the most generous and liberal of men. He helped all with a free and liberal hand. A man of strong head, warm heart, and a plethoric purse made him a citizen that was a boon to the people of the county, whose like we may never look upon again.
[Source: "History of Effingham county, Illinois" edited by William Henry Perrin - sub. by K.T.]
Angus M.L. McBane
ANGUS M. L. McBANE, a retired lawyer and merchant of Shawneetown, Ill., and ex-judge of Gallatin county, is justly entitled to be classed as one of the foremost citizens of the city. The McBane family is of Scotch origin, the grandfather of Judge McBane coming from Scotland in the early part of the nineteenth century and settling at Cannonsburg, Pa., where he reared a family of children. One of his sons, Dr. A. M. L. McBane, was born at Cannonsburg in 1808. He received a fine literary education, which was supplemented by a complete course in the science of medicine. After graduating from medical college he traveled extensively through Europe, and upon returning to America located at Louisville, where he soon won eminence as a physician. In 1836 he went to Parkersburg, W. Va., and practiced there until 1842, when, in company with his brother William, he came to Illinois. The two brothers bought 1,600 acres of land where Metropolis City now stands, and 600 acres on the opposite side of the Ohio river in Kentucky. Here Dr. McBane passed the remainder of his life, in the practice of his profession and in looking after his large landed and commercial interests. His death occurred July 3, 1860. In 1836, while living in Louisville, he was married to Miss Ellen Willard of that city, though a native of New York. She was of English and French extraction, her father, Rev. Joseph Willard, having been an Episcopal minister at Newark, N. J., as early as 1806. Later he came West and died at Marietta, Ohio. He was a descendant of Maj. Simon Willard, who was somewhat famous in the early history of Boston. Dr. McBane and his wife had five children, viz.: Angus M. L., the subject of this sketch; Joseph, a graduate of the New Orleans Medical college, died on shipboard while crossing the Atlantic and was buried at sea; Ellen, deceased; Marietta, widow of William Ward, living in Chicago, the mother of three children, one son, Frank, being a traveling man and secretary of the Standard club; and William A., who was a real estate and insurance man of Metropolis City at the time of his death in 1903. Angus M. L. McBane was born at Parkersburg, W. Va,, Sept. 8, 1837. He was but five years of age when his parents came to Illinois. Ever since that time he has resided in that state and has been identified with the growth and development of Massac and Gallatin counties. He obtained his early education in the schools of Metropolis City, one of his teachers being Robert G. Ingersoll, who afterward achieved a world-wide reputation as an exponent of Agnosticism. Although nominally a student at this time young McBane was really an assistant teacher, Mr. Ingersoll devoting most of his time to Latin and history, leaving the greater part of his other school work to McBane. Later Judge McBane graduated from Princeton college of New York, after which he returned home, took up the study of law under Hon, C. G. Simons and W. H. Green, and in 1860 graduated from the law department of the Kentucky State University, at Louisville. He began practice at Metropolis City, but scarcely established himself when the Civil War broke out. His desire was to enter the service of his country, but the recent death of his father made it necessary for him to remain at home to look after the large estate and to care for the family. However, he organized two companies, one in White County, Ill., and the other at Ford's Ferry, Ky., both of which were mustered into the army as part of the Forty-eighth Illinois infantry, of which he was made adjutant, but for reasons already stated he was compelled to resign the position. He accompanied Grant's forces from Paducah to Pittsburg Landing, and in the capacity of expressman for Grant's army was present at the historic battle of Shiloh. In 1864 he removed to Shawneetown, where he was elected county judge the following year and held the position for four years. In addition to his large law practice Judge McBane became interested in the mercantile affairs of Shawneetown. For several years he conducted one of the largest general stores there and was a large buyer of grain. In 1877 he practically retired from both professional and commercial life, and since then has devoted his time to the management of his large and varied investments. He was married in 1862 to Miss Mary, daughter of John D. Richeson, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. They have no children. Judge McBane is a member and past dictator in the Knights of Honor; has been president of the Business Men's association ever since it was organized in 1890; was once a candidate for state senator, and is always active in promoting the general welfare of the- community in which he lives. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
[Source: "Memoirs of The Lower Ohio valley: Personal and Genealogical", Volume 2 By Federal Publishing Company, 1905 – TK - Transcribed by FOFG]
George Frederick Newell
That Oklahoma as a whole has made a wonderful progress in educational development since statehood is due not only to the more systematic organization introduced by a state government and by the command of greater resources and increase of population, but also by the presence in the state of many high-minded and efficient school administrators. One among these that deserves special mention is George Frederick Newell, who has recently retired from four years of service as county superintendent of the schools of Grady County. (OK)
Mr. Newell was eminently successful in carrying out many of his ideals in organizing and effecting the schools under his supervision. One direction of his effort was toward beautifying the school grounds and buildings and he also labored earnestly to increase the school spirit, not only among the scholastic population, but also among the patrons, working to change the latter from a passive to a vital attitude toward school affairs. He did much to stimulate interest in school work by organizing athletics and also introducing literary and other competitive features, such as debates and athletic and scholastic contests among the different school districts. He also accomplished considerable consolidation, and left the county with twelve high schools outside the City of Chickasha. Thus practically every family in the county has convenient access to a graded and efficient high school. Credit must be given him also for introducing the physical inspection of children. Each year during his superintendence he caused to be examined between 10,000 and 12,000 children. In this work he was properly a pioneer, since he had introduced the method two years before the State Legislature enacted a law which made physical inspection a regular part of school activities. As a result of the examinations thus conducted it became possible for those in charge of the graded county schools to classify the students both with respect to mental and physical attainments, and in hundreds of cases the attention of parents was directed to physical ailments, resulting in defective eyes, ears and other organs, and from this has come about noteworthy improvements in the general efficiency of the scholars, permitting a generally higher standard of school work to be done.
George Frederick Newell has done most of his educational work in Oklahoma, but is a native of Illinois, born near Shawneetown, Gallatin County, January 2, 1884. His parents were Andrew Jackson and Edith (Weatherford) Newell. Both his parents were natives of Eastern Ohio, and his father became an Illinois farmer. Andrew J. Newell died in 1898, and the mother passed away in 1885, when George F. was seventeen months old.
His education, begun in the Illinois public schools, was completed in the Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbondale. He was fourteen years old when his father died in 1898, and this threw upon him the responsibilities of taking care of the farm, and he had other duties which interfered with the regular pursuit of his school curriculum. Thus it was not until 1906 that he was in a position to take up his chosen profession as an educator. During 1906-07 he taught in the schools of Gallatin County, and in 1908 came to Oklahoma. In September of that year he took charge of the Ninnekah schools in Grady County, and by his work there and among the teachers' organizations soon came to be recognized as an unusually forceful teacher and executive. In November, 1910, Mr. Newell was elected county school superintendent of Grady County and entered upon the duties of his office January 1, 1911. His term expired July 1, 1915. Mr, Newell has done much work as a teacher and conductor of summer normal schools in Oklahoma. During his residence in Gallatin County, Illinois, he was a member of the Illinois National Guard for several years, and was color guard of his company. Mr. Newell is a member of the Christian Church, and affiliates with Chickasha Lodge No. 44, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Washita Valley Lodge No. 143 of the Knights of Pythias; and Chickasha Lodge No. 755, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Newell on the paternal side is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, while his mother was of German and English stock. One of his uncles was killed at the battle of Shiloh while serving in the Union army. Mr. Newell was married in Chickasha in 1911 to Miss Anna Hill, daughter of J. T. and Susan Hill, of South Carolina. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war and served throughout that conflict with the South Carolina regiment in the Confederate army. He finally came to Oklahoma, and for a number of years was well known in Grady County, where he served as register of deeds. Mr. and Mrs. Newell, who reside at 1801 South Seventh Street in Chickasha, have had two children: Mary Jane and Virginia Ann Newell, but the last named is deceased.
["A standard history of Oklahoma", Volume 3, By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn -- Sub. by K.T.]
LEONARD K. SCROGGIN
More than three-score years and ten have passed since Leonard K. Scroggin became a resident of Logan county, and he is justly numbered among her honored pioneers and leading citizens. He has been prominently identified with her business interests as a farmer and banker. His is an honorable record of a conscientious man who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. Through more than four score years he has traveled life's journey, but although the snows of many winters have fallen upon him he has the vigor of a much younger man and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. His is an active old age, and his has been an active life. He is to-day numbered among the most prosperous men of central Illinois, a position to which he has attained entirely through his own efforts and as the result of untiring energy, enterprise and determination.
Leonard K. Scroggin was born in Gallatin county, Illinois, January 25, 1819, and is descended from prominent old southern families. His paternal grandfather. Humphrey Scroggin, was a native of North Carolina and married Miss Sarah Kirby, of Virginia. At the age of seventeen he offered his services to the Continental Army and fought throughout the struggle for independence, being present when Lord Cornwallis surrendered the British troops to General Washington at Yorktown, and thus practically ended the war and proclaimed the liberty of the colonists. Carter T. Scroggin, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, but in territorial days in Illinois, he came with his people to that commonwealth, locating in Gallatin county, where he met and married Phebe Shelby, a native of North Carolina, whence she removed with her parents to Tennessee and thence to Pope county. Illinois. Her father. Jacob Shelby, married Miss Easter, and the great-grandfather was a native of Wales.
When Carter T. Scroggin came with his parents to this state in 1811, they lived in a little log cabin, sixteen by eighteen feet, and there endured all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. In 1827. having married in the meantime, he brought his family to Logan county, settling four miles south of Mount Pulaski, where he established his home, living in an unhewn log house with puncheon floor that stood near the timber skirting Lake Fork. He purchased his land from the government and at once began the development of a farm which he improved as the years passed, making it a valuable property. As his financial resources increased he also added to his property until at the time of his death he was the owner of six hundred acres of valuable land. The family went through the usual experiences of pioneer life, when comforts am! conveniences were hard to obtain owing to the remoteness from towns and the lack of transportation facilities. In the winter of 1830-31 occurred what has since been known in history as the "deep snow," during which time the family lived on corn meal pounded in a wooden mortar and never tasting wheat bread from November until the following spring. Mr. Scroggin died in 1859, leaving a valuable farm and other property to his ten children. The members of the family were Mary A., Russell Shelby, Humphrey, Esther J., Sarah E., Pleasant M., Carter T., Thomas J., Ellen and Leonard K.
The last named was a little lad of only eight summers when brought by his family to Logan county and amid the wild scenes of the frontier he was reared. He pursued his education in a log school house during three months in the year and throughout the remainder of the time performed such work on the farm as his age and strength would permit, at length becoming able to do a man's work in the fields. After his marriage he began farming on his own account on forty acres of his own entering, also having entered forty acres of timber land. There he resided for eleven years, in the meantime extending the boundaries of the place until it comprised one hundred and twenty acres. He followed general farming and also raised cattle, horses, sheep and hogs. Success attended his well directed efforts and as the years passed he made judicious investments in land until he is now the owner of five thousand acres in Logan county alone. His landed possessions elsewhere aggregate twenty thousand acres, including land in Nebraska and Missouri and ten thousand acres of Minnesota land, which he has purchased within the last eighteen months. He is a man of keen business sagacity, his judgment rarely if ever at fault, and this quality has enabled him to so place his money in farming property that he is reaping a good financial return therefrom continually. In May, 1872. Mr. Scroggin organized the Farmers Bank, and in the business associated his son with him. The institution has been a paying one from the beginning. The reliability of the owner and their safe business methods have made it one of the solid financial institutions of the county and its patronage has reached extensive proportions.
In early manhood Leonard K. Scroggin was united in marriage to Miss Lavinia Buckles, a daughter of Robert Buckles. She was born in Logan county in 1826 and the marriage was celebrated in 1841. Mrs. Scroggin was called to her final rest January 16, 1863. The ten children, three sons and seven daughters. born of this union all grew to mature years, namely: Alfred C.; Mary and Elsie, now deceased; Angeline; Phoebe Ann; Sarah; Leonard; Susan and Benjamin F. and Evaline. deceased wife of George Veal. After the death of his first wife Mr. Scroggin was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Rhoda A. Pickering, the widow of Thomas Pickering and the daughter of George Girtman, formerly of Missouri, whence he removed to Mount Pulaski township, Logan county, where the birth of Mrs. Scroggin occurred.
By the second marriage there were three children; Herbert, now deceased; Thomas A., who is cashier in the Farmers Bank ; and Edna, the wife of Logan Andrews.
Logan county and especially Mount Pulaski owes much to the enterprising spirit of Mr. Scroggin, who has been particularly active in the upbuilding and improvement of the city. He built the bank, opera house and the Scroggin House in 1877. has erected other fine buildings and has cooperated in many movements and measures for the general good. In politics he has been a lifelong Democrat, unswerving in support of the principles of the party, although party office or emoluments have had no attraction for him. lie holds membership in the Christian church, and has ever been a man of upright principles, honorable in business and trustworthy in every relation of life. In January, 1890, on the eightieth anniversary of his birth a family reunion was held at which thirteen families were represented, sixty in all being present, including, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family which Mr. Scroggin has established is a credit to his name and the part which they have played in the affairs of Logan county is an important one. No history of this section of the state would be complete without mention of this honored and venerable gentleman, one of the leading agriculturists of the state and a man of upright principles and sterling worth, honored and respected by all who know him.
[Source: "The Biographical record of Logan County, Illinois ..." By S.J. Clarke Publishing Company - Sub. by K.T.]
Robert P. Simmons
Second Lieutenant Robert P. Simmons, born in Gallatin county, Illinois, July 5th, 1842; brought up a farmer; enlisted in Campany "B," 1st Illinois Cavalry, July 4th, 1861; was twice captured at the siege of Lexington; was paroled and mustered out with regiment. Enlisted in Company "E," 14th Illinois Cavalry, December 20th, 1862 ; was appointed sergeant, then promoted 2d lieutenant June 2u, 1865 ; and was mustered out with the regiment.
["History of Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry and the brigades to which it belonged" - Submitted by K.T.]
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