Macoupin County

William E. P. Anderson, of the legal firm of Anderson & Bell, of Carlinville, and Master of Chancery (for Macoupin County) stands well at the head of his profession, his clear apprehension of the fundamental principals of law, his success in his practice, and his high personal character, having early won him a prominent place at the bar of this State. Our subject is a native-born citizen of this county, and is a representative of a family whose name has been associated with the rise and progress of this section of Illinois from the early years of its settlement. Mr. […]

William C. Anderson. Many beautiful farms may be seen by the traveler in Shaw’s Point Township, but none more attractive than that of Mr. Anderson, on section 9. He owns about four hundred acres of land and also has four hundred acres in South Otter Township, all of which is carefully tilled and systematically managed. The dwelling is comfortable in appearance and gives evidence of the presence of an orderly and refined woman within. Among the farm buildings are such barns, granaries and sheds as the extent of the work carried on makes convenient. This fine farm has been gained

William Anderson, who is engaged in farming on section 5, Cahokia Township, where he has made his home for seventeen years, has the honor of being one of the pioneer settlers of Macoupin County, where he has resided almost continuously since his early childhood. No one in the community is more deserving of a representation in the county’s history than he, and it is with pleasure that we present his sketch to the readers of the Record. Mr. Anderson was born in Putnam County, Ind., near Greencastle, February 14, 1832. His father, James Anderson, was a native of Tennessee, of

Malcolm M. Anderson, who is now living retired in the city of Carlinville, is one of the most extensive landholders in the county, an d has taken a leading part in its agricultural development. His birth took place in Christian County, Ky., December 24, 1830, and he is a son of Col. James Anderson, a Virginian, who was a prominent pioneer of this section of the State in the early years of its settlement. The paternal grandfather of our subject emigrated to this country in Colonial times and resided for a while in Virginia before his removal to Kentucky, where

Reuben J. Allmond, M.D. – One who has been for many years the trusted counselor of a community in times of sickness, has gradually and almost imperceptibly grown into a position of trust and usefulness which may well be envied by those who spend their lives in devotion to mere money making. Such has been the life work of Dr. Allmond who has been in practice longer than any other physician in the county, and has earned the success and the respect which is universally accorded him. He was born in Wilmington, Del., August 11, 1818. His father, William, was

David Ferguson, a retired farmer residing in Staunton, was born in County Derry, Ireland, October 31, 1837, and is a son of Henry J. Ferguson. The father was also born in the same county of Scotch-Irish parentage, his ancestors having emigrated from Scotland to Ireland during the religious persecution. He was reared in his native county, serving as a farmer and clerk and there married Miss Sarah Swan, who, likewise, was born in that locality. After three children, David, Hugh and Sarah, were born of their union, Henry J. Ferguson emigrated with his family to the United States, sailing from

Thomas B. Allen. The original of this sketch is the owner and resident upon a farm on section 6, North Otter Township. His father was William Allen, who was a native of North Carolina, and came to Greene County, Ill., when he was about twenty-six years old, being one of the first settlers there. There was a life of hard work before him, for he was one of the pioneers of the State, but on his entry here he was at the age when the very fact of living is divine, and hardships and deprivations seem the smallest possible consideration

Andrew Allen. The English settlers in this country are apt to have a clannish tendency, and where you find one family you generally have not to look far for several others. There are many English farmers in Shipman Township, some of whom have retired from active or agricultural pursuits and are living in the enjoyment of village life. Our subject, Andrew Allen, is one of these. Mr. Allen’s father was William Allen who was born in Lancastershire, England. His mother was Mary Goodyear, also of England. They emigrated to America in 1819 and in 1821, they settled in Wilmington, Del.,

Crittenden H. C. Anderson. No name is more intimately associated with the rise and development of Macoupin County and its financial prosperity than that of the late lamented Crittenden H. C. Anderson, who was for many years one of its most prominent business men and valued citizens. It gives us pleasure to place in this volume his portrait, and the following review of his life and work which has lovingly and carefully prepared by his nephew, W. E. P. Anderson, at the request of the publishers, and is an eloquent and just tribute to the great worth and ability of

William C. Alderson, one of the prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of this county, lives on section 16, North Otter Township, where he has an attractive and arable tract of land. He is the son of Robert Alderson, a native of Sumner County, Tenn., where he was born in 1810. His worthy mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth C. Clack, she being a native of Kentucky, and born in 1812. This couple were married in Kentucky and thinking they could better their fortunes by emigrating westward, decided upon Illinois whence they came early in the ‘30s. After their arrival here

Robert K. Alderson, an extensive farmer of North Palmyra Township, is a son of Robert Alderson, a Southerner by birth, whose nativity was either in Kentucky or Tennessee. His mother was Elizabeth Clack, and both parents died in Cherokee County, Kan. Of a family of fourteen children our subject is one of the younger members. He was born in North Otter Township, February 20, 1849. There he grew to manhood and continued to live until his marriage. The subject of this sketch was married in Carlinville, February 20, 1868, to Miss Lucy A. Nevin, daughter of James Nevin. For the

Peter J. Ahrens, one of the oldest merchants in Gillespie who is doing a general merchandise business on Macoupin Street, began business at his present stand in the spring of 1866. he now has a well-filled store measuring 20×66 and a ware-room 16×20 feet in addition. Before coming to this city he was in the same line of business for a year at Staunton, but is now considered one of the oldest residents of this place, having come here when the village was very small. The subject of our sketch was born in Holstein, Germany, May 29, 1826. he came

Peter F. Ahrens, senior member of the firm of Ahrens Bros., lumber dealers of Staunton, and a representative of one of the early families of the county, was born in the city which is yet his home January 25, 1864. He is a son of John M. Ahrens, a pioneer merchant and prominent citizen, who is now living a retired life. He was carefully reared, and in the common schools began his education, which was completed in the commercial department of the college of Warrentown, Mo. He was graduated in the Class of ‘80, when sixteen years of age and

John M. Ahrens is now living a retired life in Staunton. Of the citizens whom Germany has furnished to this county none are more worthy of a representation in this volume than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in the Province of Holstein, Germany, November 30, 1828, and in that country his parents, John and Antje (Lucks) Ahrens, spent their entire lives. They were hard-working yet respected German people and both lived to about the age of four-score years. Throughout their lives they were members of the Lutheran Church, and to gain a livelihood Mr. Ahrens

John Q. Adams. The gentleman of whom this sketch is written is one of the prominent residents of Bird Township, residing on section 16, where he has a fine farm adorned with handsome buildings. He is the youngest in a family of ten children. His father, Horatio Adams, and his mother Siopha Muier, were natives of Kentucky. He was born in Bird Township, January 13, 1842, and here he grew to manhood, receiving an ordinary district school education and being trained in all the duties of a truly manly character. Devotion to country was not one of the least of

Giles M. Adams. The recollections of few pioneers extend further back than those of this gentleman, who holds an honorable place among the farmers of Brushy Mound Township and occupies one of the oldest homesteads of the county. His portrait presented on the opposite page represents the lineaments of one whom all delight to honor and whose long life of usefulness entitles him to the respect not only of his contemporaries in the settlement of the county, but of the younger generation who are enjoying the fruits of his labors. In the early part of this century there resided in

George W. Adams. The name of this gentleman was for many years a familiar one among the people of Macoupin County, where he entered upon and finished a most worthy career. His portrait presented on the opposite page represents a citizen widely known and honored wherever known. Not only was he a witness of the development of Macoupin County from a comparatively unimportant portion of the State to its present position among the foremost counties, but he aided in its progress and his history is closely interwoven with that of the county. His life was a busy one; realizing that

Francis M. Adams is one of the oldest native born citizens of Gillespie Township, his birth having occurred July 1,1 833, on section 20, Gillespie Township – the farm which he still makes his home. he is a representative of one of the most honored pioneer families of the community, his father, Giles M. Adams, having here located in 1829. he belongs to an old Virginian family. His grandparents, Daniel and Sarah (Stallion) Adams, were natives of the Old Dominion, from whence they removed with their family to Overton County, Ky., and thence to Tennessee. Subsequently the grandparents came to

Austin Adams. This gentleman who was an important factor in the development and improvement of Bird Township, and whose portrait is shown on the opposite page passed from the busy scenes of earth June 4, 1891. At tone time he was numbered among the largest landowners in the county but before his demise he disposed of the greater part of his large estate to his children. In this he has shown the wisdom of the keen men of today who are learning to be their own executors and no longer trust to the uncertain processes of the Probate Courts. The