BRADLEY, R. H.

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In his capacity as physician and surgeon Dr. R. H. Bradley has achieved large results and enviable distinction in Clark County, of which he has been a resident for fifty-five years, and where, in addition to an extensive general practice, he has been pension examiner since 1872, and surgeon for the Wa bash Railroad Company since 1882.

The first nine years of his life Dr. Bradley spent in Gallia County. Ohio. where he was born October 2, 184S. His surroundings were humble, and the creed of industry rigidly en forced, but he had the generally recognized advantages of being reared in a large family, the household at the time of his coming having already seven children, and after him came two more. His father, Lewis N. Bradley, was born in New York State August 9, 1805, and December 24, 1827, married Nancy C. Knox,

born in Delaware, August 8, 1808, a daughter of Charles G. Knox. The family came from Ohio to Clark County in 1852, where the mother died in 1893, and the father, March 24, 1880. The latter left little means, owing to the large demand upon his resources, but in the hearts of the children who survive him is enshrined as an honorable and upright man, a wise and generous father, and excellent diciplinarian.

After completing his training in the district schools, Dr. Bradley graduated from the Marshall College in 1860, and in 1867 began the study of medicine under Dr. F. B. Payne. Eventually be entered the Chicago Medical College, and alter completing the course in March, 1878, established his practice in Marshall, his pres ent home. In Coshocton County, Ohio, January 30, 1878, Dr. Bradley was united in marriage to Isabella Campbell, born In Coshocton County, October 30, 1848, a daughter of Thomas and Martha Campbell. Of this union there have been born three children, of whom Martha L., born January 2, 1879, is the wife of Otho Tibbs, of Marshall, and has three children:

Ralph B., Isabella and Robert N.; Stephen was born December 10, 1880; and Mary J. was born September 4, 1887. Dr. Bradley is a member of the American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society, Aesculapian Society and the Clark County Medical Society. He is fra ternally connected with the Masons, and in politics, is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Supplementing his professional equipment dre such aids as a pleasing personality, magnetism, sympathy, good nature and unbounded confidence in his beneficient and inexhaustible science.

BRISCOE, William P., M. D.

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The life of Dr. William P. Briscoe was raised to observance upon the qualities which sink deep into the foundations of communities, and which sustain, with the inevitability of truth itself, the best mental, moral and material standards of the human race. The ancestral and immediate history of Dr. Briscoe is dealt with on another page of this work, and here it is sufficient to state that his father, Henry Briscoe, a native of Kentucky, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown. Re survived his emigration from Kentucky to Illinois only about one year, but the death of his wife, formerly Catherine Brookhart, occurred shortly after the building of the log cabin in which was enacted, with its settings of privation and loneliness, the frontier experience of a family which expressed the best in character and influence among the arrivals of 1835. In this chronicle of a noble and well beloved citizen, it seems eminently fitting that preference should be given the impression of one who knew him long and intimately, and who, in addition to a fine reading of his friend’s character, has expressed himself with sincerity and great moderation:

“Dr. William T. Briscoe, one of Clark County’s pioneers, was born in Jefferson County, Ky January 27, 1825, and died at his home near Westfield, Ill., May 1, 1891. When he was ten years of age he emigrated with his parents to Clark County, Ill., where he has since lived. Early in life he manifested great prudence, industry and the strong business characteristics that made him so successful in after years. Having saved sufficient money to pay his expenses, he attended the academy under the charge of Mr. Dean Andrews, at Marshall, Ill., and later became a pupil in the school taught by the Rev. H. I Venerable, at Paris, Ill. His professional education was gained at the Rush Medical College, Chicago. He was admitted to practice medicine in 1849, and continued in active practice until 1870, when he was elected to the Legislature, which position he honorably and ably filled. Since then he has chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits at his well known farms, ‘Round Grove,’ and at his beautiful home south of Westfield. In common with many of his neighbors, Dr. Briscoe found that oil existed on his land, and so impressed was he with its value that he aided In the organization of a company for its development in 1865. Oil was found on almost all the property he left, and on the old homestead of eighty acres there are twelve wells, each well producing on an average twenty-five barrels of oil a day. There are 940 acres in the Round Grove property.

“Although so benevolently inclined as to spend large sums in aiding others, Dr. Briscoe accumulated a large amount of property, but the greatest fortunes he has left to his family is the invaluable heritage of his irreproachable character. He was temperate, industrious, honest and reliable, and careful and prompt in all business transactions. He always kept his word, and was true to everyone. In this way be inspired public confidence, and opened the way to future prosperity. These things are spoken of more particularly for the benefit of the young, who are so liable to succumb to discouragements in early life. Most of our great men have commenced life in an humble way and were obliged to encounter and over come many difficulties.

“In 1850 when twenty-five years of age, he was united in marriage to Miss Rosanna L. Keller, near New Albany, Md. Soon after they came to Westfield Township, and located near the homestead farm known as the old Briscoe place, which is still in the family, a memento of the parents who died when. the subject of this sketch, their tenth child, was eleven years old. Success followed his efforts, patronage increased and prosperity came. Several of his business associates of those days survive him and they can testify to the Integrity that distinguished him in youth and age. He never indulged in speculation, but dealt exclusively in his legitimate trade. Step by step, he ascended the ladder of wealth, working his way up by hard labor and practice of sterling business qualities, and no one admired honesty in others, or detested fraud, dishonesty or deception more than he did. His rectitude in business was unquestioned. His friendship when secured, never failed. He was always ready to help the deserving, and lend his assistance to the honest laborer. His knowledge of human nature was so acute it seemed like an Intuition. A kind heart beat in his bosom, filled with generous motives. He was especially fond of children, and they loved him in return. Hundreds now grown to mature years knew him always as “Uncle Doctor.” Among a great number who mourn his death, there are many who add benefactor to friend in their tributes. Many who will say ‘I was sick and poor but Dr. Briscoe visited me, waited on me day and night and charged no bill.’ Others who will say ‘All that I am now or ever shall be, I owe, under God, to Dr. Briscoe.’ I was penniless, friendless and discouraged, but he gave me wise council and made me understand that honest labor was honorable, and that character, not money, made the man.’

“It was the writer’s fortune to know Dr. Briscoe since boyhood. In latter years the acquaintance ripened into warm friendship and close Intimacy. In personal appearance he was a man of fine and distinguished presence, one to be noticed among the multitude, and to be remembered by those who had the pleasure of making his acquaintance, as a gentleman possessing the most pleasing social qualities, and marked intellectual ability. Wherever he went he left a favorable and lasting Impression. He was known and admired by cultured and prominent people in many States, and he often entertained such persons at his home. But his charming hospitality was not reserved for those favored by fame or fortune. The most humble ‘worthy being received his kindly attention, and the best his board afforded. Dr. Briscoe was a kind and indulgent husband and father. His daughters, the Misses Ada and Hettie, survive him. Zenie, another daughter, died March 9, 1894, and the following May would have been forty years old. Two of the six children in the family died in infancy, and a son, Heber Rexford, died at the age of thirteen years. Mrs. Briscoe was a remarkable help to her husband, and was a woman of more than average mental and spiritual endowments. The fourth oldest of the seven children of Daniel and Zerniah (Starr) Keller, natives of Virginia, she was educated in the public schools, and was well read in medicine, often calling on the sick when her husband was otherwise engaged. When it is known that he often slept on his horse, being overcome by the incessant demand for his services throughout the county, it is not surprising that his faithful wife should wish to share his responsibilities, and often should saddle a horse and start upon her errands of mercy at all times of the day and night. The Doctor’s fondest hopes were centered in his children, and he gave them the educational advantages afforded by the convent school ‘St Mary’s of the Woods,’ in Indiana. His last winter was spent mostly in Battle Creek, Mich., under the care of skilled physicians, but the treatment failed to accomplish the restoration which his shattered system needed. His constitution had been slowly undermined by chronic difficulties, and weak as it was, could offer but a feeble resistance to the terrible disease of Ia grippe, which lent its aid to their deadly work.

“Dr. Briscoe was liberal in his religious views and very tolerant. He had confidence in the mercy and fatherhood of God. He dreamed of a better world beyond the river of death. Those favored with his friendship always found him social and genial. His fund of information was large, and he fully understood and conversed eloquently on all important questions, rendering him a delightful and entertaining companion. He had read much, reflected, reasoned and deduced. All through life he was a stanch Democrat of the old Jefferson type. However, he was always ready to give others their privileges, and was honored and respected by all political parties. He has passed to the vast and impenetrable unknown, the mystery of mysteries. Ripe in years, honored and loved by his family and friends. His life is a proud example for young men to imitate, and his early struggles and successes will teach them not to be discouraged. He was a noble pattern of the true American, a self-made, honest man.”

BROWN, J. Frank.

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J. F. Brown was a kindly, popular and a Christian citizen of Casey, whose memory as a man is warmly cherished by hundreds of residents of Clark County and whose career as a merchant and a druggist showed ability and the strictest rectitude. He was an especial lover of little children and was, in turn, beloved by them, and when a man Is both tender and strong he is of the highest type; he is the true gentleman. These were the dominant traits in the character of J. F. Brown.

Mr. Brown was a Canadian of Stamford, born on the 15th of June, 1844, and died in Casey. Clark County, in November, 1895. He was the son of Thomas and Margaret J. (McDonough) Brown, his father being a native of Yorkshire, England, born December 8, 1819, and his mother, of Rochester, N. Y., and her birthday December 29, 1829. The mother outlived the son whose sketch is here presented by eleven years, passing away May 6, 1906, at the age of seventy-seven years. The grandparents, John and Alice (Kell) Brown, were natives of England, descended from an old Scotch family, who emigrated to Canada at an early day, removed thence to Lockport, N. Y., in 1848, and there the grandfather died. The other members of the family came to Clark County in 1854, and first settled at Marshall. The maternal grandfather, Henry McDonough, was related to Commodore McDonough, and for several years served in the regular army or Great Britain as a band master.

J. Frank Brown was educated in the schools of Marshall until he was sixteen years of age, and then worked for a time in the office of the “Eastern Illinoisan,” after which he moved to Westfield, this county, and for four years was employed on the farm of J. B. Briscoe. At the age of twenty, in 1864, he joined the quartermaster’s department of the Federal army at Nashville, Tenn. At the conclusion of his duties in this connection he returned to Westfield, where for two years he acted acceptably as deputy postmaster. In 1876, after devoting six years to the drug business he sold his store and good will, and, owing to failing health, retired to a farm in Parker Township, Clark County. Mr. Brown remained in that locality for about two years, and in 1878 came to Casey, where he remained until his death seventeen years later.

Mr. Brown’s first occupation, after making Casey his home, was in connection with W. L. Laingor, and he continued in the mercantile business with Lee Wiley and H. B. Lee & Company. About 1886 he entered the drug business and was identified with it for the remainder of his life. During fourteen years of his residence in Casey he sewed as Coroner of the county, and, notwithstanding his uncertain health, was a busy and very useful man. He was an active Democrat, a faithful and influential Methodist, and connected with both Masonry and the Knights of Pythias, being a charter member of the Casey lodge in the latter order. The deceased was a man of many strong and admirable characteristics, which, with intimacy, became more and more apparent. He had a smile and a kind and good word for all, and the result was that he readily made friends, held then firmly and dispensed a Christian cheer throughout his sadly shortened life.

J. Frank Brown was married in Parker Township May 29, 1872, to Miss Sarah A. Lee, a native of Westfield, born December 28, 1851, the fourth daughter of Andrew Lee, a well known, respected and wealthy citizen of Casey. The children born to their union were: Edith May, April 11, 1873; Rose Pearl, December 17, 1876, who married Clifford Vest January 28, 1898, resides in Edgar County and is the mother of Max Wayne Vest, born July 19, 1904; and Lee Andrew, the third child, who was born March 17, 1890.

BRIGGS, Horatio L.

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The honored farmer and citizen of Johnson Township, Clark County, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Covington, Md., on the 5th of August, 1834, and died in that section of the county February 22, 1890. He was the son of David and Nancy Briggs, his father being a native of Virginia who was also enrolled in the sturdy ranks of the American yeomanry, in the United States, as in all other parts of the world, at the basis of the substantial national prosperity and the solid national character. Mr. Briggs’ parents, who were of German descent. migrated from Virginia to Indiana about 1800, and became pioneer farmers of that State and identified with its early agricultural progress.

Horatio L. Briggs obtained only a limited education in the district schools of his home neighborhood, and continued to farm near the old Indiana homestead until 1882, when he located on a tract of land near Casey, Clark County, where he remained for three years. His next change of location was to Johnson Township, where he resided and continued to engage in agricultural labors until the time of his death five years later. In fact, Mt Briggs was a life-long farmer with the exception of about five years when he worked at the cooper’s trade, and while residing in. Johnson Township was called upon for several years to perform the duties of Justice of the Peace. He was a Democrat, although not an active partisan, and from his youth was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Horatio L. Briggs was married in Coles County, Ill., on June 11, 1857, to Sarah A. Doty, born in the county named July 19, 1839, her father being a native of Kentucky and her mother, of Tennessee. The family was of Ger man birth and well connected. Five children born to Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Briggs were as follows: Charles M. Briggs, August 13, 1858, married and a resident of Clark County; George T., July 22, 1860, also married and living in this county; William R., born June 14, 1862, and died August 20, 1867; James M., born September 6, 1864, and died August 29, 1889; Sevilda E, born September 2, 1870, and died August 29, 1889. The honored wife and widow is still living, and is the owner of thirty- eight acres of land in the oil district which she has leased on profitable terms.

BRUCE, Dr. W. W., the honored physician of Casey, is the oldest practitioner in continuous years now residing in Clark County. He is a native of the Keystone State born at Indiana, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of January, 1844, and is the son of James H. and Margarette (Rankin) Bruce. His lather, who was a farmer, was born in the same place, dying on the old farm to which he came when a boy of twelve years, and his wife, the mother of the Doctor, was also a native of Indiana County.

Dr. Bruce attended the public schools and the academy at Indiana, Pa., and early decided upon a medical career. His systematic professional education was obtained at the well known Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1866. After practicing one year in Virginia, he came to Illinois in 1867, and settled permanently in Casey in 1868. For a period of nearly forty years, therefore) he has labored among its people bringing his wholesome cheer and wisdom into hundreds of sick rooms, doing all within human power to establish health, or, if the disease was mortal, to smooth the path of the sufferer to the great beyond. In this profession which comes, next to the ministry, closest to the soul of mankind, he is a most honored figure, both for his skill as a practitioner and his warm and enduring qualities as a man; he has given it his entire being of body, mind and soul, and has his reward-

On January 1, 1873, Dr. Bruce was married to Sarah I Guthrie, who is a native of Ande son, Md., daughter of William M. and Margaret (Schroyer) Guthrie, both of her parents being deceased. In politics the Doctor is a Republican and in religion a Presbyterian. He has never sought office of any kind, but is deeply interested In Masonry, belonging to the Chapter No. 70 at Marshall, and Palestine Commandery, No. 27, at Paris, Ill, and for sixteen years has been Master of Casey Blue Lodge. He is also prominently identified with the Knights of Pythias.

BRYDON, James Isham, stable and fundamental occupations of farming, school-teaching, journalism and banking successively have contributed to the experiences of James Isham Brydon, Cashier, and one of the organizers, of the First National Bank at Martinsville. Mr. Brydon comes of the honest, industrious and dependable agricultural stock from which the toilers of the towns yearly are recruited, and he has pushed ahead unaided through the shoals which beset the vigorous and aspiring. Born December 17, 1860, in McLean County, Kentucky, he is a son of Benjamin F. and Emily A. (Oldham) Brydon, natives also of Kentucky. In 1871 the family moved to Hamilton County, Ill., where James Isham, then ten years of age, continued the public school education begun in his native State.

Beginning with his nineteenth year, Mr. Brydon left the responsibilities of the farm behind him and engaged in school teaching in Posey County, Md for seven years. As on the farm, he developed tastes and resources not required in his immediate work-, and a more satisfying outlet for which seemed the field of journal ism. In 1887 he became editor and publisher of the Poseyville News, which flourished as a molder of public opinion under the same management four years, and then was sold. In 1890 Mr. Brydon bought the Martinsville Planet, which he sold in 1894. and the same year entered the Martinsville Exchange Bank as Assistant Cashier. In 1902 he established the bank at Annapolis, Crawford County, Ill., and the following year became the Cashier, and one of the organizers, of the First National Bank, at Martinsvllle.

In 1883 Mr. Brydon was united in marriage to Mary Elder, of Griffin, Md and of the union there is a son, Carroll. Mr. Brydon is a Democrat in politics, and for some time has been President of the Board of Education. In religion, he is a Baptist. He is a man of initiative, control and great force of character, having that knowledge of men and affairs which comes only through direct contact with the vigorous and many-sided world in which he moves. The esteem and confidence in which he is held is best indicated by the position which he holds with one of the reliable monetary institutions of Clark County.