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WILLIAM H. AKINS
Who is a well-known practitioner before the Circuit and District Court, and also before the Supreme Court of Illinois, is enjoying a lucrative practice in Cowden, Shelby County, and surrounding towns. He is a native of this county and was born in 1848. His parents, Samuel and Susan (Moore) Akins, were natives of Ohio and North Carolina respectively. Both are now deceased, the father having departed this life in 1879, at the age of sixty-two years, and the mother having died in 1883, after having reached her fifty-eighth year.
The father had been a soldier in the Civil War. He enlisted as a private in Company H, Forty-first Illinois Infantry, and at the close of his term of service re-enlisted and remained in the army until the close of the war as a veteran volunteer. He was promoted to the position of First Lieutenant, but was not mustered in as such, owing to its depleted ranks, as there were not men enough to entitle the company to a full quota of commissioned officers, he participated in all the engagements, marches and maneuvers in which his regiment was engaged during all his long term of service.
Of the family of our subject's parents three sons and two daughters are living: John, a farmer, married Mary Belt and resides in Cowden; Rachel L., the wife of William Beck, a farmer, resides in Fayette County, this State; Mary A. is unmarried and is the housekeeper for her brother, our subject; Henry C. married Jane Belt and resides in Cowden, being engaged in farming.
William Akins, like his father, was a soldier in the Civil War. He enlisted in January, 1864, and served until the close of the war in Company M, Third Illinois Cavalry. He participated in the battles of Tupelo, Gun town, Nashville and subsequent engagements growing out of that campaign. During the summer of 1865 the regiment operated in a campaign against the Indians in Dakota and in the Red River Valley, starting from Ft. Knelling, Devil's Lake, and Ft. Bethel, on the Mississippi River, and made a march of several hundred miles. They endured many privations and dangers incident to their removal from civilization and close proximity to hostile bands of Indians. This regiment was mustered out of service at Ft. Snelling, Minn., in October, 1865.
Farming and teaching engaged Mr. Akins for awhile after his return home, and during that time he commenced the study of law and became a student in the law department of the State University of Iowa in 1881, being graduated from that popular institution in 1882,with honor to himself and credit to his Alma Mater. Pursuant upon his graduation Mr. Akins resumed teaching for two years, also superintending his farm. In 1885 he opened his present office in Cowden. In connection with his business as an attorney and counselor-at-law he deals considerably in real estate, buying and selling, and does a general law and land business. Mr. Akins is a worthy member of Samuel Akins Post, No. 566, G. A, R., which was named in honor of his deceased father. Mr. Akins also handles a number of standard insurance companies besides personally carrying on his farm of about ninety acres, which is situated two miles from Cowden. This tract is mostly in hay and has a fine yield. His political views have allied him with the Republican Party, to which he is an intelligent adherent.
[Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties", Illinois. Chicago, IL, USA: Biographical Publishing, 1891. Transcribed by Friends For Free Genealogy]
EDGAR ALLEN.
He of whom we write is a member of a family who just previous to the war settled in this state. His father was a large landowner and a man who was highly respected in the community. Our subject resides on section 26, of Ridge Township, Shelby County, where he owns one hundred and twenty-five acres of land in a good state of cultivation. His parents were George and Nancy (Carlisle) Allen, natives respectively of Maryland and Ohio, having met and married in the latter State Our subject was born April 18, 1854, and is now in the meridian of life.
In 1863, our subject's parents came to Shelby County, and purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land which was at that time but little improved. They paid for this $18 per acre. The father however, returned to Ohio, and there in the winter of 1863, February 24, he died, leaving a family of eight children to mourn his decease. They are Sarah A., William H., Annetta, Angeline, Thomas, Theodore, Edgar and Alice. Sarah married Anderson Hunter. Annetta became the wife of Milton Hunter and died in Shelby County. Angeline was married to George N. Arnold, and Alice became the wife of M. E. Moore. In the spring of 1864, the mother with her family of children returned to this State and settled on the land purchased by the husband and father. She is still living having attained more than the three-score years and ten usually allotted to mankind.
Our subject remained on the farm until he arrived at manhood. He was there engaged in the usual duties of a farmer lad, which duties were relieved by the enjoyments and amusements common to country life. He received his education in the district schools in this vicinity, and is thus prepared for the practical hand-to-hand combat with daily life.
In February, 1885, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to a lady whose maiden name was Miss Allie Brandt, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Rugh) Brandt, who still reside in Fairfield County, Ohio. Four children graced and beautified this union, three of whom are living. Bessie, Maude and Theodore are bright, intelligent children, who promise to more than fulfill their fond parents' expectations and hope for them. Politically, our subject affiliates with the Democratic Party and under his party he has for some time held the position of Tax Collector. Socially he is a member of the Modem Woodmen of America.
[Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties", Illinois. Chicago, IL, USA: Biographical Publishing, 1891. Transcribed by Friends For Free Genealogy]
JEFFERSON W. CARR
The name that heads this sketch is that of a gentleman who resides on his farm on section 19, of Prairie Township. He was born in Holland Township, Shelby County, March 17, 1839. He is a son of Elias and Nancy Carr, a history of whom may be found in that of W. O. Carr. Our subject's early training was such as would lit him for agricultural life, having been born and reared on a farm, and naturally being thoroughly well acquainted with such duties. Mr. Carr now owns two hundred and sixty acres of land which it is now hard to believe, was not so many years ago in a crude, uncultivated state.
When a lad of but nine years, the parents of our subject were taken away and he thereafter made his home with an uncle, and with other guardians. The thought of the lad without a mother's tender care and a father's counsel, involuntarily arouses our sympathies. In 1861, when the heavens were overcast with the clouds of war, our subject enlisted in Company II, of the Forty-first Illinois Infantry, he was mustered in at Decatur, Ill., and first met fire at Ft. Donelson. After that time he took part in the most desperate and celebrated battles of the late war. He saw men mowed down before the fire of the cannon like swaths of wheat, at Shiloh, Corinth, and that battle whose name is a synonym for the greatest military tragedy, the battle of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg, the regiment in which our subject was re-enlisted and became one with the consolidated Fifty-third Illinois Infantry. Thus they served until the close of the war, engaged in many skirmishes and being participants in much hard lighting. Mr. Carr was mustered out at Paducah, Ky. He was a private, being proud of the fact that he fought, not for fame, or position, but because of loyalty to his country. He went with the regiment under Sherman in his celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea, thence preceded to Washington and participated in the Grand Review. Our subject had the rare good fortune for one who took part in so many serious engagements, never to have received a wound, to be taken prisoner, or sent to the hospital.
After the war, he of whom we write purchased a farm in Prairie Township, where he settled and it is his present home. In 1867, he was married to Matilda Williams a daughter of John Williams, who settled as a pioneer in Shelby County, at an early day. There, Mrs. Carr was born April 18, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Carr have the good fortune to be the parents of six intelligent and manly so their names are Sherman, Walter, Erven, John, Mahlon and Roy V.
The farm of which Mr. Carr is proprietor, has been before said, was at the time of his settlement here, new prairie land. It is now in a perfect state of cultivation, and the well tilled fields yield bountiful crops. Several good buildings have been erected on the place. They have a home that is comfortable and commodious, not too good for the use and benefit of the sons that are growing up around their parents, but being of such a character as to cultivate refined, yet strong ideas of life.
Politically, our subject is a Republican. His religious preferences are in the direction of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which body he has been a Class-leader for a number of years. Socially he is a member of John Huffer Post, No. 633 G. A. R.
[Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties", Illinois. Chicago, IL, USA: Biographical Publishing, 1891. Transcribed by Friends For Free Genealogy]
ADAM H FULTON.
Forty years seems, in considering the history of the development of some countries, a mere speck of time, but in this Western World, since railroads have been reaching out their grasping fingers in every direction and carrying along their line an infusion of vigorous life, it is not astonishing that as much should have been done in so short a time, as has taken ages to evolve in the Old World. It is a truism that we are the heirs of all the ages, and that fact should make us modest instead of boastful.
Our subject first saw the light of day a little over forty years ago upon the place where he at this time resides, his natal day being June 10, 1851. These forty years of life spent in Rural Township have not been without avail, for his early efforts have been crowned with success, and he is now a large and prominent farmer of Shelby County, residing on section 13, of Rural Township. He is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Hill) Fulton, natives of County Antrim, Ireland. They were married in their native land, and in 1849 came to the United States. Adam Fulton, our subject's father, entered land from the Government in Rural and Ridge Townships, but he died in the winter of 1851 or 1852.
The original of our sketch being the only child and an infant of but six months old at the time of his father's death, he was not of much assistance to his mother for some time after her bereavement. She lived until March, 1890, when she died at the age of seventy-seven years. The father of our subject was the only member of his family to leave the native land for the United States, but on his mother's side he has an uncle living in Shelbyville, whose name is George R. Hill. Our subject was reared on a farm and early learned the duties of a farmer's lad. His education was attained at the common schools, and there he was fitted for the practical relations of life. He continues to reside on the homestead and has not yet made up his mind to surrender his bachelor freedom and enter the Benedictine ranks.
Mr. Fulton is the owner of a section of land and also thirty acres in Ridge Township. Upon these he has erected good buildings, and the houses and barns on each are attractive and commodious structures. He devotes himself principally to the raising of grain and has found this generally to be a most lucrative business. The father of our subject was forty-seven years of age the time of his death. He came to the United States some years prior to 1849, and was a merchant at Cincinnati, and also kept a country store in the village of Henton, Shelby County. He returned to Ireland, during which visit home he was married, and in 1849 brought his bride to the United States. They were good, substantial citizens and associated with the best element wherever they lived. In their religious preference they were attendants upon and members of the Presbyterian Church.
Like his parents, our subject is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he affiliates with the Republican Party and has held several of the minor local offices in the gift of his party. He is one of the substantial business men of the county, and besides the land he owns here, he is also the owner two hundred acres in Flat Branch Township, one hundred and sixty of which was entered by his father and is known as "Bald Knob." As do all these places, this boasts of a good class of improvements.
[Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties", Illinois. Chicago, IL, USA: Biographical Publishing, 1891. Transcribed by Friends For Free Genealogy]
MARCUS F. PLEAK.
A man who is noted as being a thrifty and well-to-do farmer residing on section 11, of Flat Branch Township where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land, is he whose name is at the head of this sketch. He is evidently a man who thinks more of home than of the mere accumulation of money, for his family are surrounded by all the comforts and even elegancies that the modern style of living declare so necessary. His residence is a fine, brick house, commanding a charming view of the surrounding country. Exteriorly, it is attractive and tasteful in style of architecture, and the interior arrangement is made with a view to comfort
Besides his fine home place, Mr. Pleak owns ninety-six acres on section 12, and sixty-two acres on section 1 in the same township, and forty acres on section 3. He is regarded by those who know him best as being one of the most practical and successful farmers of the township, having made fine improvements since his coming here, which was February l, 1877. Our subject came hither from Middle Tennessee, where he had lived for some years, he was born near Mt. Sterling. Montgomery County, Ky., April 28, 1838. His parents are Joseph B. and Sarah J. (Riblin) Pleak, both natives of Kentucky, who came of German stock and ancestry. The family were early settlers in Kentucky. Our subject's grandfather was John Pleak, a native of Virginia, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, belonging to a Virginia regiment. He, however, died in Kentucky, after marriage with a lady of that State whose maiden name was Nancy Wade. She was of Irish descent and like her husband, died in Kentucky at an advanced age. The family were all members, both active and prominent, of the Christian Church and were among the early associates of that reform, they being personal friends and workers with Dr. Alexander Campbell, and the Rev. Barton W. Stone. Joseph D. Pleak and wife, after marriage, resided in Kentucky until 1870, when they came to Decatur County, Ind., where the father of the family died in 1876, having attained seventy-six years of age. His wife died in 1889, at the age of eighty-four. They were both prominent members for many years of the Christian Church, in fact, being so from Dr. Campbell's day.
Our subject is one of a large family, six of whom are still living. Mr. Pleak was well reared in his native county, where he became of age. He completed his education, which was begun at home, at Hartsville, Ind., in the University of that Place. He was married October 3, 1869 in Tennessee to Mrs. Francis EL Briggs, nee Beard. The lady was a native of Tennessee, where she was reared and married to her first husband, who was W. Briggs. Mr: Briggs was treacherously shot by a Southern guerrilla chief, known as Dave Miller. Mr. Briggs being then a Federal scout He was only twenty-five years of age at the time of his death, and was known as a brave, daring man. He left one child to his widow, William N., who now lives in this township on a farm, having taken to wife, Genevra Tannyhill.
After Mr. Pleak's marriage, he lived in Tennessee for seven years and then removed to the place where they now reside, being a leading member of their community. Mr. Pleak is a refined and accomplished gentleman, and his wife is a lady with whom it is a pleasure and privilege to meet. They have eight children, three of whom are deceased, one in infancy and Lillie A. and Wallace K who died in childhood. The living; children are Stoder M., Arthur E., Marcus F. Jr., Mary C. and John J., all of whom are still at home, making the house merry with their bright jests and happy ways. Mr. Pleak and his wife are prominent members of the Christian Church, of which the gentleman has been an Elder for years. Politically he is a Republican, using his influence for the advantage of that party.
[Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties", Illinois. Chicago, IL, USA: Biographical Publishing, 1891. Transcribed by Friends For Free Genealogy]
JN. STEWARD.
The gentleman who is the subject of this sketch is engaged in the manufacture of tile and brick in Rural Township, Shelby County, but his residence is in Shelbyville, and few, if any men, have been for many years, more industrious than he, or more successful. His residence dates from 1858, at which time he left his native State, Ohio, and removed to Illinois. He was born September 26, 1833, and is a son of John and Sarah (Lacount) Steward, natives of Maryland. They came to Shelby County in 1860, and both passed away in Rural Township at the advanced age of seventy-five years.
He of whom we have the pleasure of writing this sketch, was one of a family of six children born to his parents. Their names are as follows: James, Sarah, John, Frances, Mary and Russell B. James and Russell B. both reside in Sumner County, Kan.; Sarah, who is now Mrs. Smith, resides in Iowa; Frances, who married a Mr. Finney, died at Assumption, Ill.; Mary, who is Mrs. Finney, resides in Washington.
The educational advantages enjoyed by our subject, were limited, being only such as could be absorbed at a' country school daring the summer months, that period when the mind as well as the body, is relaxed and so little capable of vigorous action. However, he had perseverance enough to work for an additional three months' term at Westerville College, Ohio. Thereafter he gave his attention to farming and became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land. While dealing in live stock, he met with heavy losses, and in fact, was so deeply involved, that some of his creditors offered to accept fifty cents on the dollar in settlement. But while he felt that he had youth and energy, he was too much of a man to accept this concession, and sturdily promising to pay all in full, if they would but give him more time, he started anew, laboring almost night and day. He, however, discharged all his debts and his credit was restored, and the confidence that this manly course aroused in his creditors and townsmen was of great value to him.
Our subject is now the owner of eighty acres of land in Rural Township, on which, in 1881, he erected a tile and and brick factory, and now turns out a half million brick annually, and of such good quality that it is steadily gaining ground in commerce. Mr. Steward married in 1855, to Miss Sophia D. Agler. The children, whose names follow, were the fruit of this union: Marcellus A. died in childhood; Josephine died in 1858; Alice married John Middlesworth, and has since died; Flora is the wife of Henry Thomas, and resides in Assumption, Ill; Harlow W.; Alma, who died in childhood; Wallace and Effa. Politically Mr. Steward is a follower of the Democratic Party. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and socially belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
[Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties", Illinois. Chicago, IL, USA: Biographical Publishing, 1891. Transcribed by Friends For Free Genealogy]
GEORGE W. YANTIS
One of the men who has made many sacrifices for personal interests that hare redounded to the benefit and advantage of the place that he has made his home, is he whose name heads this sketch. Although he has accumulated neither the land nor the pecuniary advantages that many of his neighbors and fellow-townsmen have gained, no one has accomplished more for the township than has our subject. Recognizing that educational advantages offer inducements for settlement to the best class of people he has striven to build up a reputation in this direction for the town, and he is a progressive man in every way. Mr. Yantis is a general farmer residing on section 32, of Pickaway Township, where he owns eighty acres of well improved land. Our subject located on his present farm in 1864. It was at the time partially improved and since then he has expended much money and unceasing effort in bringing it up to a high state of cultivation. He has lived in this township since 1855 and in the county since 1853. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, April 20, 1836, and is the second son of Daniel Yantis, of whom a biographical sketch may be found in another part of this volume.
The original of our sketch was only a young man when his parents came to this State, and he here attained his majority, where his marriage took place. His wife's maiden name was Miss Lucinda Tolley, who was born August 2, 1843, in Flat Branch Township. She was reared and educated in this county and here died at their home May 4, 1882. She was a daughter of James Tolley one of the oldest settlers in this part of the county. Mrs. Yantis was a co-worker with her husband in everything that pertained to the interest and advancement of the community. She was a kindly neighbor, and an intelligent and cultured woman. She was a member of the old-school Baptist Church, and an ardent worker in that body. Five children came to enliven the home life of our subject and his estimable wife. One of these, a daughter whose name was Rose B. is deceased. The living children are Minnie E. John W., James T. and George V. Minnie is the wife of William Seibert, and lives in Assumption, where her husband is engaged in the grocery business. John W. took to wife Rachael Rice and he now lives on a farm in this county and township. James was married to Nora B. Killam and resides in Elk County, Kan. on a farm. George lives with his father and is of great assistance in conducting the business of the farm. Our subject is a Democrat in his political belief, He has no aspirations to high position, and enjoys the consciousness that while the pleasure of his life is in his home, his heart is disposed to work unselfishly for the good of others.
[Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties", Illinois. Chicago, IL, USA: Biographical Publishing, 1891. Transcribed by Friends For Free Genealogy]
