| Sanford Perkins | Mrs. Ann Potts |
| Wyley Poplett | Thomas Pursley |
SANFORD R. PERKINS, M.D. The extended and
favorable reputation of Dr. Perkins is not based alone upon his successful work
as a physician and surgeon, but upon his meritorious record as a Union soldier,
and his agreeable personal traits of character. From the beginning of his
professional labors he has been successful, and in less than a decade has built
up the largest practice in Princeville Township and vicinity. He began his work
with a thorough theoretical knowledge of all that pertains to his profession,
and has increased his information from year to year as further developments have
been made in medical science, and as his own keen observation has given him
advanced views.
Some brief notes regarding the parental history will lead to a better
understanding of the life and character of our subject. His father, Josiah S.
Perkins, was reared on a farm in Medira County, Ohio, where his birth had taken
place. He was a soldier during the War of 1812. In 1848 he removed to Jefferson
County, Wis., entered timber land near Watertown, and undertook the arduous
labor of clearing and improving a farm. Seven years later, during the cholera
season of 1855, he and another man seeing that people were not buried on account
of the dread of the disease, themselves undertook to dispose of the corpses. Mr.
Perkins finally was stricken with the dire disease and he and his second wife
died at the same time. He was a Justice of the Peace for many years. In politics
he was a Jackson Democrat, and in religious belief a Universalist. He had a
well-informed mind and during his early days had been a teacher.
The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Miss Elizabeth Conklin.
She was a native of the Empire State. Her death took place when our subject was
an infant, and the father subsequently married a Miss Brown. He of whom we write
was the third child of his mother, his brothers having borne the names of Marion
and Avery. The former was drowned when a child in Ohio, and the latter gave his
life to his country during the Civil War. He had enlisted under the first call
for troops in 1861, being enrolled in Company D, Sixth Wisconsin Infantry. At
the battle of South Mountain, September 14, 1862, he received a wound, but
picking up the colors which he had dropped, being Color Sergeant, he moved
forward until a second ball entered his head, causing death.
The second union of the father of our subject resulted in the birth of four
children; Andrew E., killed in the army; Mrs. Cyrena M. Denton , of Waukesha
County, Wis.; Eliphalet N., who was killed by the kick of a horse, and Mrs.
Adelaide Colwell, now of Jefferson County, Wis. Andrew enlisted in 1863, when
about sixteen years old, in the Thirty sixth Wisconsin Infantry, which became a
part of Hancock’s corps. He took part in all the battles from the Rapidan to the
James River, and at the first assault of Petersburg was fatally wounded.
Dr. Perkins was born in Medina Township and county, Ohio, February 9, 1845. He
was taken to Wisconsin when eighteen months old and lived on the farm until nine
years of age, at which time he was left an orphan. He began working out at $4 a
month, his labors being gradually better paid until he could earn $9 a month. He
managed to attend school during the winter seasons, working for his board in
various districts, and clothing himself with the proceeds of his summer labors,
still making his home in Jefferson County. In August, l862, while yet in his
teens, he was enrolled in Company G, Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry, under Capt.
Miller.
Young Perkins was mustered into the service at Madison as a private and sent at
once to Benton Barracks, Mo. He took part with his comrades in various
skirmishes leading up to the battle of Prairie Grove December 7, 1862. The boys
then had a forced march to Van Buren, Ark., and after the battle there returned
to Prairie Grove and thence through to Raleigh, N.C., where they embarked for
Vicksburg. There they took part in the siege and battles until their regiment
and the Nineteenth Iowa were placed in charge of the prisoners. When the
captives were paroled the Union soldiers were sent down the river to take part
in the attack on Port Hudson.
Following this came the contest at Lake Providence, the removal to New Orleans
and the expedition up the Red River under Gen. Banks. The Twentieth took part in
the flank movement, landing at Brazos Santiago, and marching to Brownsville,
where they rebuilt the forts. The expedition proving disastrous, they returned
to the river and participated in battles at Fts. Morgan and Spanish and after
the taking of Mobile went to Galveston, Tex. There our subject
was mustered out of service and being sent to Madison, Wis., received his
discharge in September, 1865, being not yet twenty-one years of age. He was one
of the fortunate number who escaped wounds during the many months in which he
was exposed to danger and death.
Returning to Jefferson County, Wis., Mr. Perkins took the money that he had
saved while in the army and entering the preparatory department of Milton
College, pursued the studies of a scientific course two years. His health
failing, he was advised to abandon close mental work and he engaged in teaching
in Jefferson and Waukesha Counties. He carried on pedagogical work in Delafield
seven and a half years, and in Palmyra five years, holding the position of
Principal. During the last five years he studied medicine, his preceptors being
Drs. Peardon & Sherman. Anatomy had been his hobby for years, and during all his
army life he had carried a text book on physiology and anatomy with him.
In 1851 our subject entered the Medical Department of Butler University, at
Indianapolis, Ind., and having taken two courses of lectures was graduated in
the spring of 1883, with a standing of ninety-five and a half per cent., the
third highest in the class. He selected Monica, Ill., as a field of labor and
has all that he desires to do, his practice extending over a radius of
thirty-five or forty miles. He reached Monica with a capital of professional
knowledge and fifty cents in money, together with his natural abilities. He now
owns two farms, one in Bureau County and one in Princeville Township, this
county, the whole comprising one hundred and sixty acres. He also has some fine
horses.
Dr. Perkins was fortunate in winning for his companion a lady of refinement and
most estimable character, this being Miss Mary J. Lowerre, a native of
Milwaukee, Wis. Her father, Robert S. Lowerre, has been engaged in mercantile
pursuits in Delafield, Wis., for years and there the marriage was celebrated
July, 24, 1867. Doctor and Mrs. Perkins have two sons, the younger of whom,
Edward A., is at home. The elder, Robert S., is attending the Chicago College of
Dental Surgery, from which he expects to be graduated in 1891.
While in Indiana Dr. Perkins was President of the Sydenham Medical Society. He
united with the Masonic lodge at Palmyra, Wis., when twenty-one years old, and
later was identified with Lodge No. 33, R. A. M., in Juneau county, and a lodge of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Delafield. He is a member of the
Democratic party. His manners are affable and agreeable, his conversational
powers excellent and his character honorable and upright.
(Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), pages
824-825, submitted by Susan Hare)
WYLEY POPLETT. The life of a farmer, although devoid of the confusion
and excitement which marks that of the denizen of the large city, is not
therefore devoid of interest nor does it lack in opportunities for usefulness as
a neighbor and citizen. This has been demonstrated in the life of the gentleman
above named, a respected and useful member of the agricultural community of
Richwood Township.
The parents of our subject were Thompson and Jane
(Montgomery) Poplett, who were born in North Carolina and Virginia respectively.
After their marriage they settled in the latter State whence they removed to
Kentucky, again changing their residence to Parke County, Ind., where they
remained several years. In 1835, they journeyed farther westward, locating in
Knox County, Ill., where Mrs. Poplett died November 16, 1841, when forty-one
years old. The family remained in that county until 1846, when they removed to
Peoria County, settling on section 5, Richwood Township. There Thompson Poplett
improved a farm which was his home until called upon to lay down the burdens of
life, August 13, 1868, at the age of sixty-nine years. The parental family
consisted of twelve children, of whom our subject was the seventh in order of
birth.
The subject of this sketch was born in Parke County,
Ind., June 29, 1830. He was about five years old when his parents came to
Illinois and about sixteen when he accompanied his father to this county. Since
his youth he has been engaged in farming and has continued to reside in Richwood
Township, remaining with his father until he was about twenty-three years old.
He now owns the old homestead, his entire estate comprising about three hundred
and eighty-five acres of fine farming land.
The lady who presides over household affairs on the
Poplett estate became the wife of our subject March 22, 1871. She bore the
maiden name of Lucinda J. Vaughn, was born in Jefferson County, Pa., April
20,1852, and accompanied her parents to Illinois early in the '60s. Robert and
Elizabeth (Walkup) Vaughn settled in Richwood Township, this county, where they
still reside. They are natives of Huntington and Cumberland Counties, Pa.,
respectively. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom Mrs. Poplett is
the eighth in order of birth. To our subject and his good wife eight children
have been born, named respectively, William T., Edgar L., George M., Cora E.,
Sarah J., Wilber I., Chester R. and Myrtis M. William, Edgar and Sarah are
deceased.
A glance at the official record of Mr. Poplett shows in
a flattering manner the confidence which is reposed in him by his
fellow-townsmen who have elected him to office year after year. As Township
Collector he has served seven years, and as Township Assessor nine years, and as
Supervisor four consecutive years. He takes an active part in political affairs,
giving his ballot to the candidates who are pledged to support the principles of
Democracy. In his religious views Mr. Poplett is liberal, basing his opinion of
men upon their actions rather than their creed. (Portrait and
Biographical Album of Peoria County, 1890, page 692, submitted by Janine
Crandell)
MRS. ANN (PAGTTER) POTTS. Among the portraits of representative
residents of Peoria County presented in this volume, the reader will notice on
the opposite page that of Mrs. Potts, whose energy, force of character and
business tact are apparent at a glance. She is an example of rare business
talent, which is often developed by women when situated favorably for its
exercise. In the management of her affairs she shows, a keen foresight, quick
intelligence and prudent economy, that have placed her in the front rank among
the business members of the community.
The father of Mrs. Potts was Jonathan Pagtter, a native of Fathringo,
England. Her mother was Susan S. Kelcie, a native of Shilton, Warwickshire,
England. The former died in his native country in 1842, but the latter, who
survived her husband a number of years, took up her residence in America at the
advanced age of eighty-three years. She made her home with her daughter, our
subject, for some three years, when she laid aside her mortal body and departed
to the land where the inhabitants never grow old or say, "I am sick." Fourscore
years and six she traveled life's pathway, doing good as she had opportunity,
and has richly earned her present rest. Mr. and Mrs. Pagtter were the parents of
nineteen children, of whom our subject is the youngest.
Mrs. Potts was born March 28, 1832, in Folshill, Warwickshire, England,
where she grew to womanhood. She was married in Folshill church, October
13,1845, to Samuel Potts, who was born in Breedon, Leicestershire, England,
December 24, 1821. They settled first in Folshill, where Mr. Potts was engaged
in coal mining. They made their home in Warwickshire and Staffordshire until
1856, when they came to the United States and took up their abode in
Pennsylvania, where they remained something over one year. Trusting to do
better in the West, they once more packed up their household goods and journeyed
toward the setting sun. Upon arriving in Peoria County they were so well
pleased that they decided to locate here permanently, and purchasing a plot of
ground in Kickapoo Township, they erected a large brick house, which overlooks
the village of Pottstown and the surrounding country.
Mr. Potts engaged in mining extensively, and was also employed in building
stone bridges, taking the contracts and supervising the work while it was being
performed. He resided in the old home until January 6, 1889. He was Supervisor
for three years, Highway Commissioner several years, and took an active part in
political affairs, but did not ally himself with any party, preferring to be
independent, and cast his vote as his judgment dictated.
Mrs. Potts was the mother of fifteen children, nine of whom are deceased.
The living members of the family are: Samuel, George; Lucy, who is the wife of
Andrew J. Maxwell; Eveline, the wife of John Wright; Nettie, who is the wife of
Edward M. Caiman; and Leah G. The deceased children are: Mary A., John, John H.,
Isadore L., Michael; Hannah was the wife of Michael Clancy, and died in
Pottstown; Susanna was the wife of William McLoughlin, and died at Pottstown in
December, 1872; Sarah was the wife of B. F. Thurston, and died at Pottstown,
December 27, 1872; one died unnamed. Mrs. Potts is, as before stated, an
excellent business woman. She has operated mines in Pottstown, a village named
in honor of Mr. Potts, and at present is engaged in managing a large brickyard,
in addition to taking the oversight of of a farm of some three hundred and
twenty acres of land. Although so busy with the various cares devolving upon
her, Mrs. Potts yet finds time to devote to the welfare of those with whom she
is associated, and stands high in the esteem and regard of her friends and
acquaintances both as an honorable and reliable business woman, and as a true
and warm friend. (Portrait and
Biographical Album of Peoria County, 1890, pages 537-538, submitted by Janine
Crandell, picture by Gaile Thomas)
