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Life Sketches
Frederick Randolph Young, only son of Dr. J. D. Young whose sketch appears elsewhere was born April 11, 1871, at Brooklyn, Illinois and received his early training in the village schools.
He learned rapidly and at an early age taught two successful terms of school.. Desirous to lay a broader foundation for professional work he entered Eureka College, Woodford county, Illinois, and spent two years in pursuit of special branches. Returning to Brooklyn he was principal for two years of the schools, which he attended as a youth.
In the meantime he read law and finished with one term in the law department of the Wesleyan University of Bloomington, being admitted August 1897, and immediately began the practice of his profession in Metropolis.
Politically he is a zealous Republian, and in 1898 was chosen chairman of the county central committee of Massac county. In March, 1900, he was nominated by the Republicans as candidate for the office of State's Attorney and elected Nov. 6, 1900.
Fraternally M.r Young was made a Mason when only two months past twenty one, is a Royal Arch Mason and member of Gethsemane Commandrey No. 41, Knights Templar of Metropolis. Decemb4er 27, 1897 he and Miss Azalie Jones, then a teacher in our city schools were married and they one daughter, Laura Effie, born October 1, 1899.
The subject was this sketch was born Jan 8th, 1874, in a one-window cabin in Crawford county, Ohio, the son of Johns S. Cook, a local United Brethren minister, and Caroline Cook, the daughter of John Rasey, an early settler among the Wyandot Indians. His mother died when he was five days old. Of his fathers ancestors he knows nothing. His mother's people are quite numerous in Northwestern Ohio.
Young Albert attended the common schools of his native county until his eleventh year, when his father moved to Carroll county, Tenn., where he enjoyed the same privilege. At eighteen he entered the High School, Cato, N.Y. graduating in 1892, in which year he entered Hiram College, better known as "Garfield's School", Hiram, Ohio. He remained two years, completing three years work and also preaching as he had done since his nineteenth year. He is now actively engaged in the ministry.
He was pastor of the Christian church at Rolla, Mo. and also Richland, Mo. At McLeansboro, Ill, his next charge, he made many friends and succeeded. Although only twenty-six he is on his second year as pastor of the Christian church at Metropolis, Ill., and meeting with abundant success. Being a close student and having extensively traveled he is original, forecefull, fluent and instructive in his discourses. We predict for him a bright future.
December 12th, 1899, he married Miss Anna L.Mason of McLeansboro, Illinois who no doubt will prove an efficient helpmeet to the brillant young divine and author of the chaper on the History of the Christian church in Massac county, found in this volume, and is the candidate of the Prohibition party for the Legislature in the Fifty-first Senatorial District this year.
Robert Turnbo and Isabella Cook were born and married in Graves county, Ky., were freed by Lincoln and moved near Brooklyn at the close of the War, coming to Metropolis in 1881. The father was paralyzed and rendered helpless Thanksgiving day 1887, and died July 21, 1893, the mother died April 17, 1887, leaving a large family.
John L. Turnbo, their son, was born in Massac county Aug. 30th, 1871, and at his mother's death was left to care for an invalid father and five sisters. Although, but 16 years old, he quit school and began farming and teaming to make a living until 1887, when he entered the brick firm of GRACE & CO., and had purchased the interests by 1893. He now took a term of Academic training, brick laying and mechanical drawing in the renowned Tuskeege Institute, Alabama. He is a scientific maker of brick and has been unable to supply the demand. A large boiler and new kiln will be added to his plant this year, increasing its capacity of 20,000 bricks daily.
Mr. Turnbo is a stalwart Republican, never bolting his ticket. In 1898 he was elected city councilman from his ward, and returned again in 1900. In fraternal circles he is a G.U.O.O.F. filling every office in the local lodge, Illinois Star Lodge No. 1808 and was sent as district delegate to the Grand Lodge, which made him Deputy Grand Master of Illinois one year. He holds a life membership in the district lodge. He became a member of the A.M.E. Church in 1884, filled every office in the local church, and has been superintendent of the Sunday school for twelve years. He was elected lay delegate by the Illinois conference in 1896 to the General conference held at Wilmington, N.C. and re-elected in 1899 to attend the conference which convened in May 1900 at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Turnbo stands high in the community.
Captain Burton Sexton, father of our sketch, was born in Henry county, Tenn., 1837 and early came to Johnson county, where he married Mary E. NEELY, who had come from Livington county, Ky.
Edward Oscar was born in Johnson County, Ill., March 18, 1869 and with his parents went to Kansas, where they resided for some time, returning to Illinois in 1874, and locating in Massac county, where Captain Sexton now resides.
Mr. Sexton attended the rural schools and spent three years in the National Institute, Madisonville, Ky. graduating at the age of 18 years, and holds a diploma leading to the degree of B.C. Returning to Joppa, Ill. he clerked during the fall and winter of 1889 and 1890, and formed a partnership with his brother-in-law in the latter year. During 1897 he served as deputy circuit clerk, but resigned to engage in more lucrative employment. He is now doing a prosperous insurance business in Metropolis, Ill.
December 5th, 1897, he was married to Miss Dickie Oakes, daughter of John Oakes, a leading citizen of Massac county. Mr. and Mrs. Sexton are among the most promising young people of the county and the future ha good things in store for them.
Charles R. Otey was born in Crawford county, Ill. on the 27th day of March, 1879. He is the oldest son of the C.R. and Ida OTEY of Morea, Ill.
On account of an accident at an early age, his education was limited but at the age of seventeen his desire for an education caused him to come to Metropolis, Aug. 24, 1896, where he attended High School, the following year.
During the winter of 1897-98 he taught school at Maple Grove and the two following winters at Bowers, receiving an increase in salary the second year. He attend4d two terms of school at the Southern Illinois-Normal University at Carbondale, during the summer of 1899, where he ranked high in all studies pursued. This winter he is teaching at Anderson school at a salary rarely received in the rural schools in this section of the state.
Mr. Otey is an active member of the M.E. and Temperance Union, a model young man, intelligent, quiet and industrious, having great esteem for his fellow men and a distaste for the ill-will of any one.
He is a staunch Republican and cast his vote first for the re-election of the man whom he thinks one of the three great presidents destined to guide our grand nation through a great struggle.
Captain Samuel Atwell's grandfather was a native of Maryland, early moved to North Carolina, thence to Barren Co., Ky., and engaged in farming. Thomas Atwell, the father was born in Maryland, Jan. 24, 1789, reared in Kentucky and married Nancy Harlow. She was born in Kentucky, 1800, descended from Revolutionary ancestors, and died in Massac Co., August 1851 leaving ten children.
Thomas Atwell and wife moved to Harrison Co., Ind., 1832, landed at Brooklyn, Ill. in a flat boat March 1, 1849, and farmed near that place until his death Aug. 18, 1862.
Samuel Atwell, his son was born December 1834 in Harrison Co., Ind., attended the primitive schools, taught school, 1855 to'59, and at eighteen was converted in the Regular Baptist church. He spent '59 and '60 in Shurtleff College, Alton, Ill, began preaching in '61 and enlisted, the same year a private in Company A 56th Illinois Infantry. He was promoted to Sergeant in '62 and made Captain the same year. Corinth, Vicksberg, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Savannah and Bentonville were fields of his active service. From Chattanooga to Atlanta his regiment was rear guard. He saw Columbia burn, was in the grand review and retired, commissioned Major in '65. He was discharged at Little Rock, Aug. 12, 1865, and returned to the walks of peace with honor.
His impaired health necessitated the open air of the farm during the latter part of '65 and the spring of '66.In the spring of '66 he sold his farm near Brooklyn, moved to that place and resided there until the spring of '67, when he moved to Metropolis to assume the duties of sheriff, to which he had been elected in 1869, he was elected county clerk, serving two terms at the close of which, impaired health forced him to spend two months in Oregon and two years in Auburn, Cal. where he purchased a home. Disposing of his home he returned to Metropolis in 1881 to be elected county clerk for the third time in 1882,which office he has held continuously ever since, with perhaps the longest record of any county clerk in Illinois. Most of the time he has had no opposition for his party nomination and no opposition in the general election. He has always been a staunch Republican and minister of the Baptist church, standing high in the councils of that large and influential body.
October 19, 1865 he was married to Miss Josephine Pell, who was born in Roseclare, Hardin co., Illinois. She was the daughter of Mitchell and Lethe (Badger) Pell. Six children have been born to them of whom three are living; George P., Lethe and William, three are dead as follows; Samuel died 1875, Lillian, wife of F.A. Gregory, Jan. 9, 1896 and Olive, wife of Fred Pfaus, Nov. 1, 1897.
The Captain and Mrs. Atwell reside in their pleasant home in Metropolis, respected by all.
Douglas W. Helm was born in Grantsburg Township, Johnson, Co., Ill. July 23, 1860, the son of Robert A. and Mary J. Helm.
The Helm family landed at Plymouth Rock, drifted to Virginia, thence to Georgia, from there to Tennessee and then successively to Kentucky and Illinois. Thomas, the brother of Robert, accompanied his father from Tennessee on several visits with the Kentucky branch of the family before he came to Illinois.
Prominence has been attained by members of the family, Captain Thomas Helm, great grandfather of Robert A. Helm, was slain at Guilford Court House during the Revolution; Captain Cowden, the maternal great grandfather of Robert A. Helm was killed in a cavalry charge during the Revolution; Thomas Helm is called the pioneer of Elizabethtown, and is the head of the Kentucky branch to which John L. Helm belonged, and who was governor of Kentucky; Captain Leonard Helm was the trusted lieutenant of Colonel Clark on his famous expedition to Kaskaskia, and was at the Fort Dearborn massacre.
Mrs. Robert A. Helm was Miss Mary J. Rice, born in Tennessee near Nashville. With her parents she came to Johnson county about 1840.
Douglas W. Helm attended the common schools, a summer normal at Vienna, Ill. one year in the Bloomington Law School 1883, and stood first in the Junior and fourth in the Senior work. He taught several terms and was admitted too the bar in 1883, forming a partnership with J.C. Courtney, his preceptor, April 1884.
He has been twice elected city attorney, three times state's attorney of Massac county and was appointed trustee of the Southern Illinois Normal University by Governor J.R. Tanner which commission he now holds.
April 13, 1884 he and Miss Mary, daughter of Henry C. Howell of Johnson county were married. Their family is composed of Roy R, born Sept. 25, 1886; Lloyd L. born Sept. 27, 1890; Herbert born Aug. 13, 1894.
Fraternally, Mr. Helm has served as Noble Grand of Massac Lodge No. 442, I.O.O.F.; Chancellor Commander of Orestes Lodge No. 268, K.P. Worshipful Master of Metropolis Commander No. 91; A.F. & A.M. and Generalissimo of Gethsemane Commander No. 41, Knights Templar. He has many friends and his future is bright. Politically he is intensely Republican.
John A. Evers, the father was of Pennsylvania, moved to Kentucky, taught school, farmed, bought fully 500 aces near Boaz Station, sold the same and came to Massac, 1858,bought the Barfield farm, and died October 1868. Miss Cynthia Brookshire was of North Carolina, moved to Kentucky, eloped on horseback with John A. Evers to Captain Williamson's Massac county and was married but returned to Graves county, Kentucky. She died Sept. 30th, 1865.
Eleven children, three boys and eight girls, were born, John W. being the tenth, and all reached maturity. Our subject was born Dec. 3, 1848 in Graves county, Ky., attended the common schools, enlisted, 1863 in Fifty-eighth, Illinois, but father claimed him and enlisted in August, 1864 Company C First Kentucky Cavalry being mustered out March 20, 1865.
He returned home, gave his father the money and labored on the farm till his father died, and a single sister could be educated to teach. He went west and for two years, was a "cowboy". Returning home he hauled the lumber with an ox team to build the first house in New Grand chain, Ill. He also clerked for J. W. Gaunt of that place and for him was overseer of the construction force, building the Big Four Railroad near there.
On July 5, 1874 he married Miss Quinnie E. daughter of Robert Jett. She was born March18, 1858, near Woodville, Ky. His health failing, they moved on the farm purchased by Mr. Evers, and he sold it to Dr. H.Y. Mangum, went to Woodville, Ky. raised two large tobacco crops, moved to Fayetteville, Ark., opened a grocery and queensware store, sold out and clerked for purchaser until he went to Eureka Springs, Ark. Here he built the first hotel, "The Mountain House," and prospered. He went to Seligman, Mo. and opened the "Trim House." From here he went to Carthage, Mo., and 1883 he came to Metropolis, but soon returned to Missouri. The next year he located in Metropolis, teaming for seven years.
Mayor Rankin appointed him marshal of Metropolis, 1886, and he was elected constable. R.C. Barham, sheriff of Massac county, appointed him deputy, and Green W. Smith, Barham's successor, retained him for his efficiency. In 1898 the Republicans nominated and elected him sheriff, which office he now holds, administering its functions with competency, and satisfaction to the public. He is a Methodist and a Mason.
Four children compose their family, three girls; Mrs. Myrtle Davis, wife of Albert Davis, born Sept. 13, 1876, McCracken county, Ky; Carrie, born April 1878, and deceased; Robbie, born March 8, 1880, Fayetteville, Ark.; one son Morris Jett, born Dec. 20, 1895, Metropolis, Ill. and favorite with the father.
Colfax Morris, circuit clerk of Massac county, was born in this county, April 16, 1866, and attended the common schools, spending his early life on the farm.
His father, James H. Morris, Sr., is a native of Kentucky, born in Livingston county, March 11, 1824. His grandfather was a friend of Daniel Boone during the "dark and bloody days" and the family came to what is now Massac County in 1833. June the 8th, 1843, his father married Miss Lucinda Little, a native of Massac county, born Jan.22, 1825 and both parents are yet living in Metropolis.
On the first day of August 1888, Mr. Morris married Miss Fannie R. Oakes, daughter of John W. Oakes, a leading farmer of the county. She was born April 24, 1871. They have two children living, Leonard Seward and Cleo - two bright children, full of sunshine for the home.
As a member of the state militia, Mr. Morris, was also a member of the "Illinois Rifle Team," which annually contested on the rifle range with the "crack teams" of four other states for the medal to be given for the highest average score. Illinois always won and Mr. Morris always excelled. In a two days shoot at Fort Sheridan, he easily won the Chicago Herald's $100 medal over every competitor from the militia and regulars. Of this medal he is very proud.
Always a Republican and active, he has wielded his influence and was appointed deputy circuit clerk by Captain S. B. Kerr in 1892. Although young, he learned to readily do the work rapidly and efficiently, so that he was elected clerk in 1896. Under his administration the office for the first time in its history, is not only paying its way, but returning a handsome balance into the county treasury. He has made an excellent official and his friends are many. March 17th, 1900 he was renominated without opposition and elected by an increased majority, Nov. 6, 1900.
Mr. Reynolds was born in Massac county, April 1, 1856. His father, John Reynolds, came from Virginia and his mother, Annie Yates, was an Ohioan. They were married after meeting in Massac county and their lives were spent on a farm in Washington precinct.
Joshua attended the common schools, in youth, labored on the farm and spent two years in the log camp in Perry county, Tenn. He attended the National Normal university, Lebanon, Ohio, in 1878, and began teaching, conducting his two first schools in Union county, since which time he has been intimately associated with the education interests of his native county. In 1890 the Republican party nominated and elected him county superintendent and re-elected him in 1898. He is now conscientiously and ably performing the duties of his office.
Miss Mary C. Noble, daughter of William and Sarah Noble, became his wife April 20, 1879. They have five bright boys, William J., Orval J., Harold, Robama L., and Leonard Earle; one sweet girl, Cornelia Alma, also has blessed their uion. Mr. Reynolds and wife are both members of the Baptist church and model citizens.
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