"Old Timers Work in Marshall"

Old Timers Work in Marshall (14 August 1907, Clark County (IL) Herald)

When about the middle of April, 1907, C.E. Williams, proprietor of the Big Red Lumber Yard, had the old Neal brick house, one block south of the court house square on Hamilton Street, torn down, there were many remarks about the number of men employed on the job, the ages, ect. How it came about, Mr. Williams, who wanted the building out of the way in order to have a large storage lot for his lumber and later to build a residence, had a couple of old gentlemen working on it. As the building had been erected just 67 years previous, the thought struck him to have it torn away by men about that age. He told the men working to get all the men of that age or older they could find to help, and they did, for by noon the following day there were about 30 men at work, whose ages range from 65 to 88. While the number surprised Mr. Williams he thoroughly enjoyed the situation and helped the men to do so. Every person who came by made remarks and it was the talk of the town for a few days. Mr. Williams had a large photo made of the workmen and gave each one a picture. It has been suggested to him so often that a short biography of each workman be published in the papers would make good reading that he finally had the above large half-tone made, and we give the biography of each one we were able to obtain. We are sure no crowd of men of such an average advanced age ever got together for a similar purpose, so this will make a nice clipping for your scrap book. SAMUEL SMITH was born in Lancaster County, Pa, Oct 14, 1819, and came to Marshall in 1855. Oct. 30, 1837, he was married to Miss Lydia Lutz. To this union were born 10 children, four are whom still living. He has 24 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. He has been unable to work much since 1890.
J.M. GREEN was born Nov. 8, 1823, in Preble County, Ohio, and came to Marshall in 1863. He was married to Margaret Lasley on July 2, 1842. He was the father of nine children, six of whom are still living. He has 28 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. His last working days were in 1886.
JACOB METZ was born in Bavaria province, Germany, Dec. 22, 1827. He came to this country in 1849 and to Clark County in 1865. He served during the Civil War in Co. E. 85th Indiana Infantry. He was married to Harriet L.Smith Jan. 22, 1861. Eight children were born to them, four of whom are still living. He also has 17 grandchildren. He has been unable to work at his trade since 1896.
C.A. CHICKADONZ was born in Hiren, Germany, Jan. 4, 1828, came to the United States in 1834 and to Clark County in 1842. He served during the civil war in Co. G, 50th Illinois Infantry. In 1853 he was united in marriage to Emeline Kildow. Eight children were born to them, all of whom are living but one. He has 36 grandchildren and two great grandchildren living and one dead. His last working days were in 1900.
JAMES L. REDIFER was born Dec. 25, 1833, and was married Nov. 13, 1856, to Cordilia Ann Eppert who was born in Clay County, Indiana, May 3, 1839. He has six children, 18 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
WILLIAM CULTER was born in Coshocton, Ohio, Oct. 1, 1834, and came to Marshall in September 1881. He was married to Samantha Switzer in April, 1855, and seven children were born to them, three of whom have died. September 25, 1879, he was married a second time to Hannah A. Martin and two children were born to them. He also had 23 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mr. Culter has been blind for several years.
HENRY BAKER was born September 2, 1835, in Monroe County, Ohio, and came to Marshall in 1861. He was married May 20, 1859, to Polly Pendel. Three children were born to this union, two of whom are still living. He has 24 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He served his country during the Civil War, being a member of Co. C, 155th Illinois Infantry.
JOE BLOCKSOM was born in Vigo County, Indiana, Nov. 15, 1835, and came to this county in 1842. He was married on March 6, 1865, to Elizabeth Hamilton. He was a Union Soldier during the Civil War, being a member of Co. G, 10th Illinois Infantry and was wounded in the thigh, shoulder and head in one of the battles he engaged in.
J.A. BUCHANAN was born July 12, 1835 in Sullivan County, Indiana. He came to this state in 1848 and to Marshall in 1879. Nov. 1, 1857, he was married to Mary A. Welsh and two children were born to them, one of whom has died. He has four grandchildren.
ABE PITTENGER was born in Clark County, Illinois, Oct. 23, 1837, and on Sept. 5, 1866, was married to Mary E. Downs. To them were born six children, three of whom are still living. He also has 19 grandchildren. He was a member of C.K. 1st Mo. Cavalry during the Civil War.
ELY SMITH was born Nov. 13, 1837.
JACOB CLOUSE was born Feb. 20, 1839.
HENRY PINE was born in Champaign County, Ohio, April 7, 1840, and came to this county in 1857. He was married to Margaret Elizabeth Berry May 14, 1857. Five children were born to them. He has fourteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
SAMUEL TINGLEY was born in Clark County, March 2, 1841, and was married in March, 1867, to Mary Strain. During the Civil War he served in Co. E., 85th Indiana Infantry.
PETER KAUFMAN was born August 16, 1841, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and moved to Marshall in 1848. Oct. 5, 1871, he was united in marriage with Ida M. Walters. Nine children were born to this union, three of whom have died. He has four grandchildren. During the Civil War he was a member of Co. F., 79th Illinois Infantry.
WESLEY DOVER was born in Green County, Indiana, July 22, 1841, and came to Marshall in 1881. He was married in March 1864, to T.J. Blaikie. In January, 1869, he was again married to Nancy Layman and in 1887 to Samantha Monshower. He was the father of six children, two of whom are still living. He has five grandchildren. He was a member of the first Indiana Heavy Artillery during the Civil War.
SAMUEL H. RUEDY was born January 17, 1841.
JAMES H. CARVER was born September 30, 1842, at Batavia, Ohio. He was married in January, 1875, to Sarah Jeffers. Two children were born to them, both of whom are dead. Mr. Carter was a member of Co. C, 10th Ohio Infantry during his service in the Civil War.
ROBERT JACKSON was born in New York City, April 22, 1842, and came to Marshall in 1889. August 5, 1869, he was married to Jane Riley. Nine children were born to them, one of them who has died. He has eight grandchildren. He was a member of Co. K, 18th Indiana Infantry during the war and received a wound to his wrist.
JOHN FLOWERS was born in Perry County, Ohio, January 8, 1843, came to Marshall 1857, and in 1877 was married to Eliza Starkey. Six children were born to them, five of whom are still living. He has four grandchildren. He served his country during the Civil War being a member of Co. D, 43rd Indiana Infantry.
JOHN KAUFMAN was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 9, 1843. He came to Marshall in 1848 and was married in 1868 to Katie Mohert. He was married a second time to Rose McCollum. He was the father of eight children all of whom are living. He also has three grandchildren. Mr. Kaufman was a member of Co. F, 30th Illinois Infantry.
JOHN ELSTON was born March 7, 1843.
N. WHITCOMB was born November 27th, 1844, in Wayne County, Ohio, and came to Marshall in 1871. He was married in 1873 to Asenath Lackey. Four children were born to them, only one of whom is still living. He has three grandchildren. During the Civil War, he was a member of Company C, 59th Indiana. He was wounded in the right thigh at Missionary Ridge.
REUBEN LOVELL was born November 25, 1845.
GEORGE KREAMER was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1838 and came to this county in 1845. In 1860 he was married to Eva Forbeck. Six children were born to them, three of whom are still living. He has six grandchildren.
G. BAMESBERGER was born January 31, 1835, at Wurtemburg, Germany, and came to this country and this county in 1854. In July, 1858, he was married to Christina Berner. Eight children were born to them, all living except one. He has 30 grandchildren.