Judge Silas Ramsey
Taken From the Henry Republican, Henry, IL
December 25, 1873
Died at Chicago, Dec. 18, of organic disease of the heart, at the residence of J. C. Garrigus, Judge Silas Ramsey of Lacon, aged 67 years.
Judge Ramsey No More
Judge Silas Ramsey of Lacon died suddenly at the residence of his nephew, Mr. J. C. Garrigus, No. 787 1/2 West Madison street, Chicago, on Thursday night last. He had been summoned and was serving as a grand juror in the United States district court, and had been at the metropolis nearly a week, when he was suddenly taken ill and died. A coroner’s jury examined and case, and returned a verdict of death from organic disease of the heart. On Saturday the remains were conveyed to Lacon, and on Sunday taken to their final resting place in the family burial lot with the usual solemn funeral services. The members of the Marshall county bar met at the court house at Lacon on Saturday, in honor of the death of another of its members, passing appropriate resolutions, amoung which was one to attend the funeral in a body.
Judge Ramsey was one of the first settlers in the county, and identified with much of its early history. He was the first sheriff of the county, and for many years afterwards was probate judge. he was a great politician of the democratic school, and by it was elected to the lower house of the legislature. At that time the Fishers held the ferry franchise at Lacon, which got to be a monopoly from which the people suffered much extortion. The clamor and excitement incident to it at the time induced the people to ask of the legislature a franchise for another ferry, and this was obtained by Ramsey, who, on receiving a large sum, sold it out to the Fishers, which so enraged the people that they put the seal of condemnation to his further political preferment or usefulness, and would never forgive him.
During the war he held the rank of colonel on Gen. McClernand’s staff. As a lawyer he manifested much ability; and was a good public speaker. His social qualities and generous disposition were characteristics of prominence, and while being a slave to his cups, which beclouded his life and limited it to a certain extent; yet there was much of that which was manly about Judge Ramsey, and could he have been judicious and predent, would have been one of the foremost men in the state. Locally, he would have his say, and in every public meeting always was sure to be heard. He was a good organizer in political affairs, and was generally “behind the scenes” in party combinations against the republicans whom he “hated with perfect hatred.” Thus has gone four honorable name from the calendar of the Marshall county bar in the space of one year - Ira I. Fenn, S. L. Richmond, John P. Boice and Silas Ramsey.
George Rithmiller is the owner of seven hundred acres of valuable land, from which he derives an excellent income that now enables him to live retired. Few men can show a more creditable record. A man's success is not measured by his possessions, but is determined by the ability and energy that he shows in working his way from a lowly position to one of prominence and affluence. In the early years of his residence in America, Mr. Rithmiller encountered many difficulties and obstacles. Having come to the United States empty-handed, the language and customs of the people being unfamiliar to him, he nevertheless by determined and unfaltering purpose worked his way upward, making a business record which any man might be proud to possess.
Born in Wurtemburg, Germany, March 15, 1833, he was a son of George and Christina (Frey) Rithmiller, who were likewise natives of that country. The father, who was born in 1796, engages in farming in Germany on a small farm and passed away there in 1866, when about seventy years of age. In the family were four children of whom Jacob and Gotfried are both now deceased, while the daughter, Mrs. Anna Maria Feazle, has also passes away.
George Rithmiller is thus the only surviving member of the family. He spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native country and in 1854 came to America, hoping that he might have better business opportunities in the new world. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic, landing a New York on the 26th of July from the sailing vessel Sir Robert Peel, which was seven weeks in crossing the Atlantic at that time. Mr. Rithmiller did not remain long in the eastern metropolis, but continued on his journey to Cincinnati, Ohio, in company with a friend by the name of Gampler. His friend was a baker and soon obtained a situation, but Mr. Rithmiller was less fortunate and during the first year after his arrival in America he found it very difficult to secure work. He was employed in a hotel when a certain man wanted to know if there was a raw Dutchman there who desired a position, saying that he had heard they were good workers. Mr. Rithmiller desired the job and wanted to know what was expected of him. He was told that he must wheel mud to make eight thousand bricks per day and that the pay would be a dollar and a half per day, which was considered good wages at that time, but there was considerable danger attached to the work and Mr. Rithmiller's friend objected to him accepting the position.
About eight miles from Cincinnati he secured work in a starch factory for fifty cents per day and boarded himself. Later he was employed at Cottage Hill at ten dollars per month with board, and while thus engaged he managed to save about seventy dollars. He was then told by a friend that he could obtain a good situation in Cincinnati and he went to the city, where all of his funds became exhausted while he was seeking employment there. He then borrowed money in order to go to Indiana and from that state later came to Illinois, making his way to Bennington township, Marshall county. This proved to be the turning in the tide of his affairs and during his residence in this county he has continuously prospered.
At length when his labors had brought him some capital he invested in land and began farming on his own account. He placed his fields under cultivation and his crops brought him a good financial return. He did the first tilling in Bennington township in 1877. As the years passed by he kept adding to his land until he has accumulated a goodly fortune in Marshall county, being now the owner of seven hundred acres of the rich farming land of Illinois, which is equal to any in this great land of ours for the production of crops. In 1901 he went to Oklahoma and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, which has since doubled in value.
In 1858 Mr. Rithmiller was married to Miss Sarah Shilling, who was born in New Jersey and in her early girlhood became a resident of Ohio, while later she went to Indiana. They were married at Clarksburg, Indiana and remained in that state for about nine years, after which they came to Illinois, locating about four miles south of Toluca in Bennington township. For many years thereafter Mr. Rithmiller was continuously engaged in general farming, but is now practically living retired, merely giving his supervision to his landed interests. He makes his home in the village of Toluca and derives an excellent income from his property, which comprises seven hundred acres.
Taken From the Past and Present of Marshall
and Putnam Counties Illinois
by John Spencer Burt and W.H. Hawthorne
Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company 1907, Page
366
Taken From The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties,
Illinois
Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1896
Page 23-26
Isaac Harrison Reeder, M.D., of Lacon, with one exception, is the oldest practitioner in Marshall county, and is probably personally known by more people than any other of its honored citizens. He is a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, born near Dayton, July 27, 1824. His parents, Jacob and Frances (Crane) Reeder, were both natives of Pennsylvania, from which state his grandfather, Daniel Reeder, emigrated in the early childhood of Jacob, locating at North Bend, on the Ohio river.
The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until seventeen years of age, attending subscription schools of the neighborhood in winter months, and assisting in the cultivation and improvement of the farm the remaining seasons of the year. He was then apprenticed to Mr. Burlingham of Lacon, to learn the blacksmith's trade, with whom he remained until twenty-one years of age, receiving for his services during the entire period only his board and clothes. Being of a naturally studious nature, while engaged in learning his trade, he borrowed and eagerly read a number of valuable books, thus storing his mind with useful knowledge. From Dr. Boals he borrowed a chemistry, which he carefully studied, and from another he secured a grammar. For months he almost continually had his books on the forge before him, which he read and studied as he blew the bellows.
When his four years' term of service was up, our subject commenced life without a dollar, receiving no assistance whatever from his employer. His trousers were out at the knees, his shirt ragged, his coat hardly fit to be worn, but he had grit and determination, and at once commenced work at his trade as a journeyman, continuing as such until he had laid by enough money with which to purchase a set of tools, when he opened a shop at Metamora, Woodford county, where he operated some three or four years. He was then taken sick and his physician, Dr. Whitmire, now, as well as then, residing at Metamora, decided that he must abandon his trade. While convalescing he read some of his physician's medical works and became greatly interested in a skeleton which the doctor had in his office. For some two or three months he continued to read such medical works as were at his disposal, with only the thought of passing away the time.
Consulting with his physician as to what calling or profession he should adopt for the future, Dr. Whitmire, much to his surprise, advised him to continue the study of medicine and qualify himself for a physician. The idea struck him as amusing, as he had never given the subject any serious consideration, but later he decided to follow the doctor's advise. Selling his shop and tools, he entered the office of Dr. Whitmire, and under his instruction pursued his studies. Being a good vocalist, he taught singing school, thereby securing the means with which to pay his board. He also saved enough to pay his expenses through one term of Ruch Medical college, which he attended in the winter of 1848-49.
At the close of his first course of lectures, he returned to Metamora without a cent in his pocket. His old preceptor then advised him to locate at some good point and enter upon the practice of his profession, thus gaining some practical knowledge before completing his course. This he decided to do, and therefore located at Lexington, Illinois, as assistant to Dr. Barnd of that place. He remained with the doctor about three years, saving every cent possible, that he might again enter college, completing the full course. While with Dr. Barnd he had a large and varied experience, doing much of the country practice, taking long drives day and night, in rough and stormy as well as pleasant weather.
Returning to college in the fall of 1851, our subject pursued his studies and graduated with honors in February, 1852, receiving his diploma from Rush Medical college. About the middle of the term, however, he came very nearly leaving the college, and possibly abandoning all thought of ever continuing in the profession. His funds were about exhausted and he had no other source of supply. A roommate, Abner Hard, late of Aurora, was in about the same fix, and what to do was the question. His friend proposed the securing of a room and together keep bachelor's hall. The back room of a doctor's office was placed at their service, and there they lived during the remainder of the term, at a cost not exceeding ten cents each per day, their diet being principally bread and water. But this served to brace them up, and as stated, Dr. Reeder received his diploma in February, 1852. Another difficulty now arose. He had not money enough to pay his expenses from Chicago to Lacon. The railroad had not yet traversed this region, and the fare by stage was seven dollars. Borrowing five dollars of a friend in Chicago, he took the stage of his old home, arriving safely with one dollar in his pocket. He then walked to Metamora, and there borrowed five dollars of his sister with which to pay the Chicago loan, and again returned to his old field of labor, Lexington, Illinois. However, he remained there but a short time, when he received an offer from his cousin, Dr. Robert Boal, of Lacon, of a partnership with him in practice at that place. Back to Lacon he came, and the partnership thus formed continued until near the beginning of the war.
The firm of Boal and Reeder succeeded in building up a fine practice, but in October, 1862, Dr. Reeder was commissioned surgeon of the Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry by Governor Yates, and joined the regiment at Nashville, Tennessee. He was then in active service until the surrender of Atlanta in the fall of 1864. At the battle of Stone river, he, as field surgeon, did efficient service. The Tenth Illinois Infantry distinguished itself in the battles of Stone river, Chickamauga and other engagements in that campaign, and Dr. Reeder was ever at his post of duty. While his inclinations were to remain with the boys in the field, he resigned his commission in the fall of 1864, and returned to Lacon. He has never, however, lost his interest in the stirring events of that day, and has continued his membership with the Army and Navy Medical association.
On returning home the doctor at once resumed practice, and has since continued to reside at this place, and for a period of almost half a century has ministered to the physical wants of the people of this vicinity. His experience in the army and his recognized skills as a surgeon has given him a reputation not only throughout Marshall, but in adjoining counties, and his services have frequently been called into requisition in difficult surgical operations for many miles around. By his skill as a physician and surgeon, he has built up a large and lucrative practice, placing him and his family in comfortable circumstances. For many years he has been a member of the North Central Medical association and the State Medical society, and has served as president of the former body. The medical journals of the country have been enriched by his contributions, and in all matters pertaining to his profession, he has endeavored to keep abreast with the times.
Dr. Reeder was united in marriage with Miss Dorcas Lucas, at Bloomington, Illinois, February 21, 1850, and together they have traveled life's pathway for a period of forty-six years. She has been a worthy wife of a worthy husband, and her wise counsels and loving ministrations have been an encouragement to him as he has gone in and out among the people in the discharge of his professional duties. Two loving daughters came to bless their union. Flora is now the wife of Charles E. Hoyt, of Lacon. She is a musician of more than ordinary ability, and her voice is often heard in public to the delight of all, while as a pianist her ability is acknowledged by all.
May, the second daughter, died in September, 1876, in her eighteenth year. She had but a few months previously graduated from the Lacon high school, and the future was bright before her. Being very ambitious, she worked too hard that she might graduate with honor, and her death followed from heart paralysis. She was a loving young woman, the joy of parents and the friend of everybody.
While a strong republican and very pronounced in his views, Dr. Reeder has never sought office, and has devoted his entire time to his professional, social, educational and religious duties. For years he was a member of the school board, and for some time was its chairman. Realizing the difficulty in his own case of securing an education, he strived to give a more favorable opportunity to others, and by his active interest and wise counsel much of the success attained by the Lacon public schools is due. A lifelong member of the Presbyterian church, he has given much thought to the Master's work. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, Blue lodge and chapter. All in all it may be well said that the life of our subject has been such as to reflect credit upon himself and honor to his fellow-citizens.
Taken From The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties,
Illinois
Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1896
Page 23-24
Isaac Reeder's parents, Jacob and Frances (Crane) Reeder, were both natives of Pennsylvania, from which state his grandfather, Daniel Reeder, emigrated in the early childhood of Jacob, locating at North Bend, on the Ohio river. At that place Jacob grew to manhood and wooed and wed Frances Crane, whose parents were also numbered among the pioneers of that part of Ohio. Their wedding was celebrated in the city of Cincinnati, and they continued to reside in Ohio until 1834, when they removed to Illinois, locating just east of the present city of Lacon, on a beautiful tract of land overlooking the Illinois river. A settlement had been made at this point a short time previously and a village had been platted to which was given the name Columbia. This entire section of country was then a part of Putnam county.
The tract secured by Jacob Reeder comprised about three hundred acres of government land, which he proceeded to improve and where he remained with his family until 1837, when he sold to the Fenn Colony, which came to this locality from Cincinnati. The colony established the present city of Lacon, and secured the division of the county. On selling his farm he removed to the vicinity of the present village of Washburn, which was farther from the river, and where he thought his family would be less exposed to ague, which was prevalent in the country at that time. Purchasing an improved farm, he continued to reside thereon until old age made it incumbent on him to retire from active work, when he removed to Metamora, and made his home with a daughter, with whom he lived until his death in 1875, in his eighty-eighth year.
Jacob Reeder was a man of home tastes and habits, caring little or nothing for the applause of the world. For almost his entire life he entire life he engaged inn tilling the soil, planting and sowing with an abiding faith that God would give the increase. He never sought, nor would he accept public office, although a man of strong political views. In early life he was an advocate of the principles of the Whig party, but when that party, which numbered among its leaders such men as Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, passed out of existence, he affiliated with the republican party, being by nature and education a strong anti-slavery man. In his religious convictions he was a Presbyterian, strongly rooted in the peculiar views held by that old and highly conservative body of people. In his family relations, while tender and considerate, he was yet firm in his discipline and required perfect obedience from his children. He was what might be termed an ideal man. For many years he was an elder in the church, and was one of the first members of the Presbyterian church of Lacon. His good wife was also a member of that denomination, and was a worthy helpmate of such a man. She preceded him to the better world some ten years, dying in 1865.
Jacob and Frances Reeder were the parents of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity. Of this number Addison was a machinist by trade, and died at Bloomington, Illinois, in 1887. Thomas was for many years a large farmer residing near Minonk, Woodford county, Illinois but died in Idaho about 1891. Susan, now the widow of William Rockwell, resides in Henry, Marshall county. Isaac H., is next in order of birth. David, who was a resident of Decatur county, Kansas, died march 6, 1896, in his seventieth year. Jacob is a mechanic, residing at Metamora, Illinois. Frances, who was the wife of Price K. Kellogg, died in 1895. Rebecca, who was the wife of Lucien Canney, of Pontiac, Illinois, died about 1876.