Macon County Biographies S Sanders, James Scott, John, Sr. Smallwood, Parmenas S. Smick, David Smith, Andrew W. Smith, Mrs. L. Catherine Smith, John Smith, Robert, Sr.   Smith, William C. Spangler, Joseph and Barbara Stallings, Willis  Stevens, Augustus   Stevens, Buel   Stevens, Dorus   Stevens, Harriet   Stevens, James   Stevens, Joseph   Stevens, Keziah   Stevens, Leonard, Jr. Stevens, Leonard, Sr.    Stevens, Luther    JAMES SANDERS. There are but few old settlers of the county who do not remember "Uncle Jimmy Sanders." He was one of the noted men, and almost every one knew him, by reputation at least, for an area of a great many miles. He was born in Spartanburg County, S. C, June 15, 1800, and was taken on a packpony when very small, to Rutherford County, Tenn., where he remained until he was grown. In 1823 he married Polly Wilson, who was born in North Carolina in 1797, and died in Christian County, Ill., in 1866. In the year 1829, he removed with his family to Illinois, where he has remained ever since. On his arrival in Illinois, he says he had a wife, five children and an "old plug of a wagon, three old plugs of horses, one good mare, 6 1/4 cents in money.” The money he had in his pocket with his shot and bullets a short time after his arrival, which he accidentally lost, and was thereby "broken up." Mr. Sanders was a man of most powerful constitution, and his strength and endurance were probably not excelled by any man in Central Illinois. On the day of Uncle Joe Stevens' wedding, Mr. S., in a general trial of strength among those persons present, took a piece of lead, 75 pounds in weight, in each hand, and raised them on a level with his shoulders, and then passed them around straight in front until they touched each other. At one time he had been sick for some length of time, and when he had sufficiently recovered to walk to the blackberry patch, he gathered his hat full of blackberries, and then sat down and ate them all. He returned to the house and said, "Polly, I have eat a few blackberries and feel better." He was known far and wide as a good rail-maker, and would go as far as 15 and 20 miles and make rails for parties at 25 cents per hundred, or 37 1/2 cents in trade, which he regarded as a very liberal price. He was a man that possessed a great many peculiarities, a particular mention of which, would extend this sketch quite too far. He relates to-day, with pride, as one of his greatest achievements, the fact that he at one time in a wrestling match, threw down *Abe Lincoln, who had thrown the bully of the county. Of Mr. Sanders' children --Ellen was born in 1823, and now resides in Kansas. John, their second, died in the Mexican war. James B. died in 1854. Jane, wife of Prestly Travis, resides in Christian County. Peter H., Peggy, Matilda, Bethany and Amanda, are dead. Frank, the youngest child, was born in March, 1845, and married Annis Hollingsworth, with whom Uncle Jimmy now resides. * Note. -- It wIll be remembered in this connection, that Mr. Lincoln, when he first came to Illinois, was a resident of Macon County, and he and Mr. Sanders were great cronies and friends. Uncle Jim says that they spent many Sundays together fishing in the Sangamon, and were often together at barn raisings, house-raisings, fox-chases and wolf-hunts. At these early gatherings, when Mr. Lincoln was an awkward gangling boy, he was often called upon, when the work was through, for a Jackson speech, and he seldom failed to respond. Mr. L.'s father was a Jackson Democrat, and his son grew up in that faith, and has made a great many Jackson speeches in this county. He after wards changed his politics and became a Whig of the most pronounced type, which incensed his fattier no little. Mr. Lincoln commenced his law studies in this county under the following circumstances: He had gone to "Uncle Billy Warnick's" to see one of the girls; but in going, his shoes not being good, he got his feet frost-bitten, and was unable to return home. He remained there for a week or ten days under the medical treatment of old Mrs. Warnick, and while so doing became greatly interested in reading the statutes and a few other stray volumes of law-books, which, no doubt, afterwards materially determined his course in adopting his profession. It was reported in the newspapers during the campaign of 1860, that Mr. Lincoln in his early day was a great rail maker; but Mr. Sanders says that while it is true that "Abe" did make some rails, yet they were few in number. Mr. Sanders also relates the circumstance by which Mr. L. ceased to be a resident of this county, which is this: A man by the name of Offit purchased a few hundred hogs, and Mr. Lincoln and his step-brother, John Johnson, were employed to assist in driving the hogs to market at Beardstown. When they had disposed of the hogs they invested the money in groceries, which consisted, as Uncle Jim says, of "sod-corn," spun-cotton, sugar and coffee, powder and lead, etc., the greater part of which were brought back as far as Salem, where they started a grocery, and Mr. Lincoln was left in charge of the goods, to keep store. This was the last of Mr. Lincoln's personal history in connection with this county. Mr. Sanders' last interview with Lincoln was but a day or so before Lincoln's departure for Washington. As they were separating -- which proved to be their last -- Mr. Sanders said, "Now, Abe, don't do any wrong." Mr. Lincoln replied, "I wIll not, if I know it." Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 278. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. JOHN SCOTT, Sr., was born in North Carolina, in 1775, and married Mary Dodd, in Kentucky, who was born in South Carolina, in 1777. They removed from Tennessee to Indiana, in 1816, and thence to Illinois, in 1829. Mr. S. died December 20, 1830, and Mrs. S. died September 7, of the same year. Of their two children, now residents of Macon County, see Francis and John, below. Francis D. Scott was born July 12, 1819, in Gibson County, Indiana, and removed to Illinois, with his father, in 1829, and settled in Macon County, in 1834, in Mt. Zion township. Mr. S. was married April 24, 1846, to Lucinda Fruit, who was born in Kentucky in August, 1824. Of their children -- Eli K. was born July 6, 1847. Albert was born October, 2, 1852. Charles was born September 22, 1858. Willie J. was born July 16,1865. John Scott, Jr., was born December 22, 1821, and came to Illinois with his father, as above stated. He married in March, 1852, Mary J. Davidson, who was born in 1830, in Macon County. Of their two children -- Oliver was born November 1, 1858. Rhoda was born April 22, 1862. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 281. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. PARMENAS SMALLWOOD was born in Virginia, near Charleston, on the 27th of April, 1782; was married to Deborah Brown, in the same state, on the 23d of June, 1807. She was born near Charleston, May 12, 1792, and died November 7, 1873. Parmenas S. died in the month of December, 1851. Of their children --Yamzen B, was born May 9, 1808; married to John Murphy, August 1, 1832, who is now living on Salt Creek. Yamzen S. died August 27, 1835. George D. was born March 31, 1810. John B. was born November 5, 1811; died September 15, 1868. Samuel A. was born April 27, 1813, and now lives north of Decatur. James M. was born November 8, 1814; died June, 1852. Daniel M. was born May 1, 1816; died July 17, 1839. Amelia A. was born February 17, 1818; married WIlliam Bennett, and now resides on Salt Creek, in Dewitt County. Elizabeth H. was born December 1, 1819; married Walter Roben, in Dewitt County. Douglas B. was born July 6, 1821; died September 25, 1844. Susan C. V. was born February 14, 1828; married Emanuel Davis, and now lives near Decatur. Parmenas A. was born Aug. 31, 1824; now lives in Dewitt County. Sarah J. was born July 27, 1827; died October 5, 1846. Joseph P. was born July 10, 1829, and now resides in Decatur. Asbarinah was born November 27, 1827; died in October, 1831. Gideon P. was born May 16, 1833; now resides in Dewitt County. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 285. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. DAVID SMICK was born in 1798, in Lincoln County, Ky.; came to this county from Kentucky in 1834, where he has ever since resided; was married November 5, 1829, to Eliza Ann Ferris, who was born in Kent County, Va. [sic], December 6, 1812, Of their children -- Emily A. was born April 10, 1838; married to Dr. Carr, April 28, 1859, who was born May 13, 1832, in Sussex County, N.J. They are now living in Newburgh [sic], this county. Of their children -- Aura was born May 25, 1860. David E. was born March 22, 1863. Chas. W. was born September 5, 1865. Mary E. was born November 25, 1867. Robert F. was born November 21, 1870. Walter S. was born July 14, 1874. Martha L. Smick was born __________. Now living in Decatur. Aaron was born December 7, 1840; married to Florence E. Hawkins, who was born in Clinton County, O. They now reside in the city of Decatur. Of their children -- Walter C. was born May 17, 1870. Mabel Clare was born February 12, 1874. Elmer was born October 22, 1876. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 286. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. ANDREW W. SMITH was born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, November 25th, 1806. He married Elizabeth Blankenship, who died in 1831. He afterwards married Rebecca R. Smith, January 28, 1836; who died in November, 1875. He was a member of the old county commissioners court for several years, and was engaged in the Black Hawk war; he was with the company of rangers that went out from Macon County, towards the head of the Sangamon, in the vicinity of Cheney's Grove. He died in October, 1875, just one month previous to the death of his wife. Of their children --Elizabeth M. J. was born March 14, 1832; she married Jos. Trobaugh, and now lives in Texas. Alexander A. was born November 25, 1838; was married to Laura Jacobs, October 7, 1869. He now resides in Wheatland township. Abigail E. was born July, 30, 1840; was married to B. G. Henry; who now lives on the Lewis Ward place. Margaret A. was born September 5, 1844; was married to Nelson Odor, October 6, 1865; now living in Wheatland township. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 284. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. JOHN SMITH was born June 28, 1796, in Rutherford County, Tenn; where he married Margaret Wilson, who was born at Guilford C. H., North Carolina [ed., Guilford Court House, North Carolina, now Greensboro], July 25, 1801. They removed to Illinois about 1829 or '30, and settled at Mt. Zion, where he died, a few years since, loved and respected by all who knew him. Of their children -- Mary J. was born November 10, 1822; died at 18. George A. was born April 6, 1825; died July 29, 1873; married Elizabeth Wilson and as second wife Martha Wilson. Louisa C. was born May 2, 1829; married Rev. J. C. Smith. Candor R. was born November 17, 1832; died at 13. Nancy M. was born November 20, 1837; married W. S. Parr. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 285. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. Mrs. L. CATHARINE SMITH was born May 2, 1829, in Windsor County [sic], Tennessee, and married Rev. J. C. Smith, July 22, 1845, who died January 4, 1872. Of their children -- M. R., born April 19, 1848; married Joseph Wood, September 19, 1872. Z. L., born August 16, 1851; died July 11, 1852. A. L. born August 29, 1853. F. A., born April 14, 1855; died June 28, 1858. L. L., born October 13, 1866. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 286. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. ROBERT SMITH, Sr., was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, September 11, 1782. His father removed to Tennessee, near NashvIlle, about the year 1803, and remained there about a year, and removed to Stones River, near Murphreysborough [ed., probably Murphysborough, Tennessee], where he remained until his death, in 1830, Mr. Smith removed to Illinois in 1828, and located in Sangamon County, where he remained until the spring of 1828, when he came to Macon County, where he settled about six miles south-west of Decatur, and died in 1855. His father whose name was also Robert, was engaged in the Revolutionary war; and was taken prisoner in North Carolina. Robert was with Jackson in the battle of New Orleans. His first wife was Elenor Wilson, who died in 1824; he afterwards married Jane Allen, who now lives in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. His children were -- Andrew W., Nancy, Robert, Wm. C. and Margaret; all by his first wife. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois WM. C. SMITH was born in Rutherford County, Tenn, July 5, 1819, moved to this county in 1828, from Sangamon County; married Leacy J. Pope, February 17, 1842, who was born in Wake County. North Carolina, October 25, 18 19. Of their children John W. was born February 9, 1843; married Mattie J. Weekly, September 1, 1868; now resides in Decatur, George R. was born October 2, 1844; died November 17, 1845. William B. was born January 5, 1847; married Elizabeth Goff, July 2, 1867; now lives in Wheatland township. Robert H. was born November 27, 1849; married Belle Wilson, September 23, 1875; now resides in Blue Mound township. Sarah E. was born February 5, 1852. James W. was born March 20, 1854. Daniel C. was born March 24, 1857; died September 23, 1857. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 285. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. JOSEPH and BARBARA SPANGLER came to this county in the fall of 1835, from the county of York, in the State of Pennsylvania. They were among the first permanent settlers of this county. They had nine children born unto them, all of whom came to this county with their parents, with the exception of the oldest daughter, who married in Pennsylvania. Barbara Spangler died in March, 1847. Joseph Spangler died February 17, 1862, leaving surviving him all of his children, except Felix, who had moved to California in 1852, and died while there.  Jacob, Joseph and John Spangler, and Susan and Eliza, the sons and daughters of Joseph and Barbara Spangler, stIll reside in this county, each of whom have raised a family.  Their son, Daniel Spangler, moved to California in 1852, where he stIll resides. Susan Spangler was married to James D. Tait in 1842. James D. Tait came to this county from Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, in 1839. He opened the first saddle and harness shop ever opened in Decatur, He walked across the country from Naples, on the Illinois river, carrying his tools upon his back, frequently wading water up to his chin, which fIlled every slough and hollow during those days. He bought his stock of goods in Springfield, Illinois, after deciding to stop in Decatur, and had them hauled here by team. He followed his trade for several years, until he was obliged to discontinue on account of his health. Mr. and Mrs. Tait had born unto them five sons, to-wit: Joseph S. Tait was born March. 28, 1843; was married to Martha E. DIllahunt, January 24, 1871. Joseph S. Tait is one of the largest farmers of this county. James H. Tait was born June 29, 1847, and died July 9, 1849. Felix B. Tait was born November 29, 1850. Felix B. Tait graduated at the Illinois State Normal University [ed., Illinois State University], in June, 1873; was principal of the Woodstock Seminary, in McHenry County, Illinois [ed., probably the Todd Seminary in Woodstock, Illinois], in 1874-75; was licensed to practice law in June, 1876. Daniel T. Tait was born February 25, 1853, and died October 8, 1873. Robert M. Tait was born December 10, 1856, and died November 17, 1873. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 280. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. WILLIS STALLINGS was born in October, 1807, in Smith County, Tenn., and came to Macon County in 1832; married in 1830 to Jane Law. Their children are -- James M., who now resides in Atchison, Kansas, Thomas B. and R. M. Hill, residing in Macon County. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 286. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. Augustus Stevens [ed., son of Leonard Stevens, Sr.] was not a resident of the county. He married, and he and wife both died within about two years of each other; leaving no children. He was buried on Stevens' creek. He was born about 1803. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 282. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. BUELL STEVENS, the oldest son [ed., of Leonard Stevens, Sr.], was born in New York, about the year 1796, as he was but 22 when his father came to Illinois in 1818. He died about the year 1836. His first wife was a ManvIlle, the date of whose death we have no means of ascertaining. His second wife was Polly Gray, who died about 1837. His children, by his first wife, were Leonard Stevens, Jr., who was the first white child born within the limits of Macon County; Leonard Stevens, Jr., died in this county, and was buried by Col. E. D. Carter, as coroner; Ira Stevens, Ira was living in Stephenson County when last heard from; Clara Stevens is dead; and Perry Stevens; Perry was living, when last heard from, near Washington County, in this state. Those by his second wife were, Dorus, James died during the late war, Truman C. lives near TaylorvIlle, Christian County; Hattie, married __________Kelso, near Washington. Mary and Elizabeth. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 282. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. Dorus Stevens [ed., son of Leonard Stevens, Sr.] was born about the year 1806, in New York, married Nancy Biglaw, as his first wife; then the widow Cooper, near Henkle's, in Sangamon County. The date of his death is not known. His widow is stIll living. His children were -- Perry, Hattie and Mary. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 282. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. Harriet Stevens [ed., daughter of Leonard Stevens, Sr.] married WIlliam Hollenback, and was, when last heard from, living in Stephenson county. Their children's names cannot be given. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 282. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. James Stevens [ed., son of Leonard Stevens, Sr.] was born about 1812, in New York. His second wife's name was Fordice, who died about 1868. He died about three years ago, In Bloomington, Illinois. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 282. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. Joseph Stevens [ed., son of Leonard Stevens, Sr.], to whom we are indebted for what meagre information we have of the Stevens' family, was born in New York, March 7, 1808. He came to this county with his father, when he was but 13 years old. He married in 1830 to Mary Warnick, daughter of Wm. Warnick, the first sheriff of Macon County. By his first wife he had three children, Francis M., now in Mo.; Wm. Henry, now in this county; and James M., in Kansas. His first wife died about 1848, and he then married Mrs. Cunningham, whose maiden name was Margaret Sentenay, who was born in Ky., and is stIll living; she was born about 1816. By his last wife he had one child, Cyrus. Mr. S. is now the oldest settler in the county. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 282. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. Keziah Stevens, the second child of Leonard Stevens, Sr., married a man by the name of Lawrence, before the removal of her father to Macon County, and was never a resident of the county. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 282. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. Leonard Stevens, Jr. [ed., son of Leonard Stevens, Sr.], was born in New York, about the year 1800. He married Hannah Taylor, of Kaskaskia. He was not a resident of Macon County. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 282. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. LEONARD STEVENS, Sr. At this late day, and from the data at hand, it is absolutely impossible to give an accurate account of the ages, deaths, marriages, etc., of this family. It is also impossible to fix, with certainty, when Mr. Stevens came to what now constitutes Macon County. Joseph Stevens, now in his 68th year, and the 7th child of Leonard Stevens, fixes the date of his father's arrival at 1821; but his memory, I find, is quite treacherous, and his general health is very infirm. It is certain, however, that Leonard Stevens was the first settler of the county whose descendants yet remain among us. He was born in Connecticut, it is thought, about the year 1764; perhaps a few years earlier. His wife was Alice Gates, also born in Connecticut, about one year after her husband, and survived him about one year. They were married in Connecticut, and emigrated a short time afterwards to the state of New York, where most, if not all, of their children were born. They emigrated to Illinois, Randolph County, in 1818, and come from there to Macon about the year 1821, as above stated; certainly not later than 1823. Thomas Cowan, one of the commissioners who located the county seat of Macon County, was a member of Mr. Stevens' family, and removed to this county with them, from Randolph County. [ed., Children of Leonard Stevens, Sr.] Buell Stevens, Keziah Stevens Lawrence, Leonard Stevens, Jr., Augustus Stevens, Luther Stevens , Dorus Stevens , Joseph Stevens , Harriet Stevens Hollenback , James Stevens Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 282. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. Luther Stevens [ed., son of Leonard Stevens, Sr.] was born about 1804, in New York. He married Augusta Sprague, daughter of Abraham Sprague. He moved from Macon County to Missouri about 30 years ago. His children were Augustus, Luther, John, Lewis, Alice and Elizabeth.  He and his wife have been dead for a few years. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 282. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. HOME ©2008 Genealogy Trails