PANHORST, Wilhelm B.

William B. Panhorst whose death occurred in June 23, 1879, was one of the finest of Staunton's citizens, and a leading representative of the German population of the County. He was born at Langerrich in Prussia April 5th, 1828. He attended school until about 14 years of age and when 19 decided to come to America. He arrived in this county in the year 1847. Without a friend or relative on whom he could depend for assistance, he had to fight his own way in the world as best he could. Nothing better offered he found employment as a laborer in a St. Louis brick yard. He saved his money and soon had enough money accumulated to bring over his mother, Catharine Maria "Elsabein", nee Bronstrup Panhorst and sisters Johanna Frederike and Catharine Wilhelmina from Germany. They arrived in New Orleans on the HERMANN in November 1854. Catherine Wilhelmina was shortly thereafter married to Henry J. Kuhlenkamp in Alton, Illinois. The Kuhlenkamp’s raised four children on their farm near Brighton, Illinois.

Mrs. William B.Panhorst was born in the village of Eystrup, near Hoge, Hanover, May 11, 1837, and was the daughter of Frederick Ruther, who emigrated with his family to America in 1847, and first settled on Smooth Prairie, Madison County, and afterwards, in 1850, moved to Staunton. In 1854 Mr. Panhorst engaged in the brick business at Edwardsville and in 1855 came to Staunton where he began making brick in partnership with Philip Menk. His partnership with Mr. Menk lasted two years after which he engaged in the brick business on his own account, and followed it until 1864, when he formed a partnership with James Taylor and opened a store in Staunton. He had at this time, by his industry and energy accumulated a capitol of $2,000. This partnership lasted for six years during which time the firm made a large and profitable business.

After going out of the store in 1870, he was occupied in no regular business until a year later, when, in company with Henry Voge, they embarked in the enterprise of sinking a coal shaft at Staunton on the line of the Wabash Railway, which had recently been constructed. This shaft was one of the first sunk along the line of the railroad, and at the time the enterprise was commenced many doubted that it would ever prove a financial success. A large outlay of money was required and Mr. Panhorst staked his whole fortune in the success of the shaft. Operations were begun in Feb 1871 and the first coal shipped the following October. It was necessary to sink the shaft to a depth of 325 feet at which depth a vein of coal of superior quality was found. The mine was opened up at just the right time to prove a fortunate investment for the owners. A contract to supply the Wabash Railroad engines proved most remunerative and for several years he and his partner made money rapidly. He disposed of his interest in the coal shaft to his partner, Mr. Voge, in 1877, and from that date on he was not actively engaged in business.

His health began to fail and despite all that could be done for his restoration, for the few months preceding his death he declined rapidly. He had in contemplation a trip across the ocean, thinking that a visit to the land of his birth and the scenes of his childhood might bring vigor to his impaired constitution. In the spring previous to his decease, and acting on the recommendation of his physician he went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, but the separation from his family seemed to counteract any good effect to be received from a sojourn there. He had the courage, however to face death calmly and fearlessly and died June 23, 1879, in the 52nd year of his age. Although in the middle of the harvest, when every farmer in the surrounding country was busy with his crops, the funeral was the most largely attended that ever took place in Staunton, showing the marked respect and esteem in which he was held. The funeral services were conducted by the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and the German and English Methodist churches, his remains were interred on the Ruther farm cemetery. This cemetery was located at the end of Hubbard Street near State Highway 4. The cemetery was closed in April 1922 to allow for the right-of-way of the railroad. His son, Henry Otto Panhorst, had the remains of all interred there moved to the current Memorial Park Cemetery. The Memorial Park Cemetery ground was originally part of another son’s property, John Christopher Panhorst.

Mr. and Mrs. William B. Panhorst raised nine children, all born in or near Staunton: Frederick William, 1857-1905, married Emma Magdalena Braun; John Christopher "Chris", 1858-1934 married Sara Elizabeth Webb; Maria "Sophia", 1861-1896, married Urban Weimer; Caroline W. "Carrie", 1864-1883; William Henry, 1866-1868; George Otto, 1860-1872, Albert Edward, 1872-1881, Henry Otto, 1875-1928, married Josephine Francis Klinefelter.

Personally Mr. Panhorst was a man of great energy. He began life with only his own resources on which to rely and the competency which he accumulated was the direct result of his own labor and his wise and enterprising investments. Framed in habits of economy, yet liberal in his expenditures, educating his family and surrounding his family with every comfort. In later years he was a man of liberal spirit, supporting the churches of each denomination. He was a good and useful citizen and his enterprise did much toward the growth of Staunton. The opening of the Staunton coal mine, for instance for which he furnished the capital, has been of great importance to the prosperity of the town. His influence and sound judgment made him one of the best political organizers in his part of the county, and in the county campaigns he was always largely relied upon by the republican leaders. He held many offices of trust. He was a member of the board of trustees for Staunton, and held the office of president of the board. He was twice elected a member of the board of Supervisors from Staunton Township, holding that office shortly after the adoption of the township organization, and again in 1878. He discharged every trust with the same fidelity he carried into his own business affairs. He was genial, pleasant, intelligent, public spirited and high-minded, and by his death the town of Staunton lost a valuable citizen.

[The foregoing is an edited version of a 1907 article in the "Staunton Star" - For additional information, contact: John William Panhorst, Jr. -- panhorst_j@bellsouth.net. ]

MADDY, ISHAM S. AND STINNETT, LUCY -

Isham MADDY was born c. 1827-28 in Tennessee and died November 11, 1861. He is buried in Liscom (Hollingsworth) Cemetery, Palmyra, Illinois. He married Lucy STINNETT on January 9, 1848 in Macoupin County, Illinois. She was born c. 1828-30 in Claiborne County, Tennessee, the daughter of Isham STINNETT, JR. and Mahala ?.
Submitted by Anne Stinnett

MADDY, JAMES and STINNETT, ELIZABETH

Elizabeth STINNETT was born October 25 or 31, 1791 and died February 15, 1868 in Palmyra, Macoupin County, Illinois. She is buried in Liscom (Hollingsworth) Cemetery in Palmyra. She married James MADDY, who was born c. 1787-90 in Virginia. He died April 15, 1864 and is also buried in Liscom (Hollingsworth) Cemetery in Palmyra, Illinois. He served on juried and worked on roads several times from 1813 to 1823 in Claiborne County, Tennessee. He was made a constable in May 1815, but there is no record of how long he served. He was appointed constable again in August 1818 and served until May 1820. He was also involved in several lawsuits from 1813 to 1823. James is listed as a blacksmith with a personal property value of $900. In the 1850 census he is residing in Macoupin County, Illinois. He received money from the estate of Isham STINNETT, SR. on January 13, 1858 and again on August 23, 1859.
Submitted by Anne Stinnett

Nancy Hughes STINNETT was born November 11, 1811 in Claiborne County, Tennessee and died January 14 1897 or 1899in Macoupin County, Illinois. On September 16, 1830 in Tennessee she married William Allen HOLLINGSWORTH. He was born September 18, 1805 in Campbell County, Tennessee and died September 16, 1881 in Macoupin County, Illinois. He is buried in Liscom (Hollingsworth) Cemetery , Palmyra, Illinois. He was the son of James HOLLINGSWORTH, a farmer and stockman and Rebecca WYATTE. W. A. HOLLINGSWORTH bought land in Macoupin County in 1835 and in addition was deeded land by Isham STINNETT in Claiborne County, Tennessee in 1838. He deeded land to Joseph HUNTER in Claiborne County, Tennessee in 1842. He was living in Macoupin County, Illinois in 1850 according to the census. They resided in Macoupin County in 1857-1859 when William was one of the administrators of the estate of Isham STINNETT, SR. Per Andrew HUSON, William A. HOLLINGSWORTH and Isham STINNETT, JR. had the money and land and the others worked for them.
Submitted by Anne Stinnett

Isham Stinnett was born May 29, 1769 in Amherst County, Virginia. He married Elizabeth Austin on April 14, 1789. She was born October 26, 1772 and was a member of the Davis Creek Baptist church, Claiborne County, Tennessee. Isham was on the tax list for Greene County, TN in 1799. He was a farmer and also a member of Davis Creek Baptist church in Claiborne County, Tennessee. He was granted land in Claiborne County and was involved in several land transactions from 1805 to 1838. He was summoned to jury duty in Claiborne County as well as being called to help lay out roads, review widow’s dowers, etc during the years 1806 to 1828. Isham was listed on the 1830 census of Claiborne County. The four females listed in the household are probably his wife Elizabeth and their three youngest daughters, Nancy, Mahala, and Olive. Elizabeth died August 16, 1835 in Speedwell, Claiborne County, Tennessee. Isham was married for the second time to Mrs. Rebecca Hollingsworth on May 17, 1836. He bought land in Macoupin County, Illinois in 1839. He probably moved there from Claiborne County, but there is a record that he deeded land in 1841 in Claiborne County, Tennessee to William T. Moss. He hasn’t been found on the 1840 census, but he is found on the 1850 census in Macoupin County, Illinois as a farmer with property valued at $4000. On March 25, 1856 by petition of Isham Stinnett, Jr., he was declared incompetent by the Macoupin County court because of old age. He died intestate on January 21, 1857 at Palmyra, Macoupin County, Illinois and is buried 1.5 miles NW of Palmyra in the Liscom (Hollingsworth) Cemetery.
Submitted by Anne Stinnett