Biographies

Source:
Portrait & Biographical Album
of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois
Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches
of Prominent and Representative Citizens
of the County
Together with Portraits and Biographies of all the
Presidents of the United States
and Governors of the State
Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros
1891

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y- Z

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Caleb A. Tatman, of the firm of Tatman & Tatman, is a prominent capitalist and influential citizen of Monticello.  He has been identified with the progress of education in this State, first as teacher for more than a decade and later as County Superintendent of schools.  Besides this connection with the professions, he has been one of the prominent attorneys in Monticello and interested in the growth of the city in all that pertains to her true prosperity and civilization.  Especial credit is due Mr. Tatman for the rank he holds among men of intelligence and culture, as he had no advantages in his early years and secured an education by his own exertions.      Before outlining the experience of our subject it may be well to give some items of information regarding his progenitors.  His great-grandfather Tatman emigrated from England to America in early Colonial times and secured land in Maryland, which he operated with slave labor.  He died before the Revolutionary War.  His son Joseph, was quite young at the time, but continued to live on the farm following the occupation in which his father had been engaged.  He married Delilah Fosha, a native of Maryland, whose father, Obediah Fosha, was born and reared in France.  Mr. Fosha came to America before the Revolution, bought land in Alleghany County, Md., and farmed there during the balance of his life.  The grandmother of our subject survived her husband some years and went to Ohio with her children, dying in Pickaway County at the home of a son.      In the family of Joseph and Delilah (Fosha) Tatman, was a son, Obediah, who was born in Alleghany County, Md., and grew to manhood in his native State.  He married in Pennsylvania and from that State removed of Ohio, making his home in Berry and Pickaway Counties until 1851.  With his wife and five children he then came to Illinois, traveling with a span of horses and a wagon, bringing his household goods and cooking and camping on the way.  He located in Goose Creek Township, Piatt County, renting a farm, upon which he resided until his death, in October, 1854.  His widow, formerly Jane Thompson, survived until January, 1860.  They reared seven children, named respectively, Joseph, Anna, Lou, Rahama, Celeb A., Joshua, Riley and Martha.      The maternal grandfather of our subject was William Thompson, a native of Ireland and of Scotch ancestry.  When a young man he came to America, settling in Pennsylvania, where he married and established a permanent home.  He followed the trade of a weaver.  His wife bore the maiden name of Rachel House, was born in Maryland and died in Pennsylvania.      The subject of this biographical notice opened his eyes to the light January 7, 1837, in Perry County, Ohio.  He was fourteen years old when he came to Piatt County, where at that time deer, wolves and other kinds of game abounded and the homes of the scattering populace were in the timber along the banks of the streams.  There were no railroads here and the trip to and from the depots of supplies was tedious, and sometimes dangerous, by reason of swollen streams to be forded and wild animals to be encountered.  The lad assisted in the cultivation of the farm until after the death of his parents.      The education of our subject had been neglected, owing to the circumstances by which the family was surrounded and he determined to overcome his deficiencies in this direction.  He therefore, after the death of his parents, devoted himself assiduously to the pursuit of knowledge, attending the public schools at Bement for a time and then entering the Normal School at Normal.  In that institution he took a two years' course of study, and on its completion engaged in teaching.  The connection of Mr. Tatman with pedagogy embraces altogether a period of eleven years, and his reputation in that professional field is a good one.  In 1869 he was elected County Superintendent of schools, and the same  year began the study of law.  While not neglecting the duties of the position to which he had been chosen he devoted every moment which he could properly spare to his studies, and continued his legal reading until he was admitted to the bar in 1873.  He at once opened an office, forming a partnership with Judge McReynolds ere long, and later became an associate with A. T. Pipher.  In January, 1879, he associated with himself his brother, Riley, under the style of Tatman & Tatman.      The lady who presides over the pleasant home of our subject became his wife February 10, 1870.  She was born in Monticello, and is a daughter of Godfrey and Ann Honselman, and was christened Caroline.  Her ancestral history may be found in the sketch of Godfrey Honselman on another page in this Album.  To Mr. and Mrs. Tatman two daughters have been born, who are named respectively, Nellie and Eva.  As might be expected, they have received good educational advantages and are taking their appropriate stations in society.      As a lawyer Mr. Tatman stands well among his fellow-members of the bar and in the opinions of the people.  While acting as County Superintendent of schools, during a period of four years, he did much to elevate the standard of proficiency in the schools of the county, having an excellent connection with school work as a teacher and his observation as a pupil when growing to manhood.  He has shown himself one of the best financiers in this section by the accumulation of a goodly share of this world's goods, by means of which he enjoys the comforts and many of the luxuries of life and is able to contribute to various worthy enterprises.  His first Presidential ballot was cast for Abraham Lincoln and since that time he has always voted a Republican ticket.  He has been School Treasurer of Monticello about sixteen years.  He belongs to the social order of Masonry, his membership being in Fraternal Lodge, No. 48, A. F. & A. M.

Elijah Taylor was a farmer and stockraiser, who was well and favorably known in Piatt County, where he conducted his operations for many years, and his untimely death, July 2, 1887, ere yet old age had come upon him, deprived his community of a valuable citizen.  He developed a farm from a tract of uncultivated land in Willow Branch Township, and thus performed an important work in promoting the advancement of the agricultural interests of this section of the county.      Mr. Taylor was a native of Ohio and was there born in a humble pioneer home January 23, 1834.  His early life was passed in Ohio and as soon as old enough he engaged in farming.  He received his education in the public schools of his native State, which did not then offer the fine advantages that the schools of today afford.  For about three years after his marriage, which occurred after he became a resident of this county, Mr. Taylor farmed as a renter and he then located on the farm in Willow Branch Township now occupied by his widow.  He first purchased here eighty acres of land, and then settled on the wild prairie where not a furrow had been turned or any attempts at improvement made.  It was only by severe and unremitting pioneer labor that he brought his land to its present highly cultivated condition.  He placed upon it many fine improvements, including the handsome brick residence occupied by the family, which he erected in the summer of 1871.  He added by further purchase to his farm till it attained its present area of one hundred and twenty acres, all of which is well tilled.      In the upbuilding of his prosperity Mr. Taylor had the active co-operation of his estimable wife, to whom he was wedded in this county February 13, 1861.  Mrs. Taylor was formerly Catherine Peck, and is a native of this county, born December 15, 1839.  She is the daughter of the late Adonijah and Mary (Ater) Peck.  Her mother is still living and resides on the home farm in Willow Branch Township.  The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor has brought them eight children, as follows:  Edwin, deceased; Charles, a resident of Milmine; Ulla D., wife of C. Davies, of Bement; Alonzo, Lewis, Ann B., James E. and Adelbert.      Mr. Taylor was a man of unswerving honesty and truthfulness and was an influence for much good in his community.  He was one of the most prominent members of the Christian Church during his life and he held the office of Deacon.  He was always found on the side of the right, and was active in promoting the social and religious status of the township, as well as in advancing its material welfare.  He took part in its public life and at one time was Clerk of the Willow Branch Township, and also served as Township School Trustee.  Politically he was identified with the Democrats.  He was a kind husband and a wise father, a true friend to his neighbors and was a man whom to know was to respect.

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