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PAST AND PRESENT OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD AND SANGAMON COUNTY ILLINOIS
By Joseph Wallace, M. A.
of the Springfield Bar
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, IL
1904



  

Page 1280

COLUMBUS C. HEADLEY - Columbus C. Headley is living on section 28, Ball township, and is among the early settlers of Sangamon county, dating his residence from the 1st of March, 1856. He was born in Knox county, Illinois, about ten miles south of Knoxville, January 11, 1849. His father, James Headley, was born near Staunton, Virginia, July 8, 1808, and the grandfather, John Headley, was also a native of the Old Dominion and was of English lineage. On leaving Virginia he removed to Ohio, making his home in Butler and Licking counties, and subsequently he became a resident of Fountain county, Indiana, while afterward he located near Montezuma, in Parke county, that state.

It was in Indiana that James Headley was reared, and in Parke county he was married to Eliza H. Brown, a native of Kentucky, born near Elizbethtown, March 14, 1812. Her father, Samuel Brown, died in that locality and Mrs. Headley afterward went to Indiana, where he girlhood days were passed. James Headley continued to reside in Indiana until 1847, when he removed to Knox county, Illinois, where he developed a farm of three hundred and twenty acres. In 1856 he came to Sangamon county, locating in Ball township, where he purchased a tract of land and developed a good farm of three hundred and thirty-three acres. He also owned a half section of land in Divernon township. In 1876 he took up his abode in Chatham, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred March 18, 1883. His wife survived him thirteen years, spending the last ten at the old home, where she died December 91, 896, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. Six children were born unto them in Indiana, of whom two, Caroline and Minerva died in infancy and were buried in that state. Mary, the fifth child, died at the age of seven years and lies buried at Herman, Knox county, Illinois. John M. died in an army camp at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, December 23, 1861. Sarah J., the wife of John R. Lockridge, of Springfield, Illinois, is also deceased. The remains of these two were interred in Sugar Creek cemetery, Ball township, this county. The surviving members of the family are: E. R. Headley, now of Moscow, Idaho; Matilda H., the wife of W. P. Scott, of Springfield; and C. C. Headley, of this review.

The last named was reared upon the old home farm, and after acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools nearby he spent four winters as a student in the schools of Springfield. After his father's death he succeeded to the ownership of the old home place and has continued to operate the land and further improve the farm. He tiled and fenced it, planted fruit trees, and now has a very valuable property, comprising three hundred and thirty acres of rich and arable land, which returned to him a good income. His entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he is very familiar with the work in principle and detail, his labors being systematic and carried on in a methodical way that brings a good return.

Mr. Headley was married in Chatham, Illinois, March 26, 1896, to Miss Hattie J. Chapin, who was born in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, a daughter of Rev. W. J. and Lucinda (Marshall) Chapin. Her father, who is a minister of the Baptist church, was born in New York in 1821, was reared there, and when a young man came west, settling in Wisconsin. He engaged in preaching for the Baptist churches at Bangor, Mauston, Reedsburg and at other points in that state. In 1872 he came to Illinois, and has since held pastorates at Edwardsville, Troy, Moweaqua, Loami and Chatham. He first married Harriet Horton, and after her death wedded Lucinda Marshall, of New York. He has two sons by his first marriage: Edwin L., who is now a practicing lawyer of Springfield; and Lucius H., who is editor of the Hudson Democrat at Hudson, Ohio. Mrs. Headley spent the greater part of her girlhood days in the state and engaged in teaching music prior to her marriage. She is a member of the Baptist church and a most estimable lady.

Mr. Headley cast his first presidential vote for General U. S. Grant in 1872 and remained an advocate of the Republican party until 1884, since which time he has been identified with the Prohibition party. Although not a member of any church, he attends the Baptist and other churches and is a contributor to their support. Mr. and Mrs. Headley have no children of their own, but are rearing and educating Bertha Collins, a native of Springfield, whose mother is dead and whose father is a resident of Kansas. They have also given a home to Margaret Buchanan, a child of four years; and Ruth Keine, one year of age, from the Middlesworth Home at Shelbyville. Two of their adopted children, Ruth Johnson and Frances Stewart, now deceased, lived respectively to the ages of two and three months, and are buried in the Sugar Creek cemetery. They are most kindly and hospitable people, always extending a hearty welcome to the stranger or to the friends that come within their gates. Both are highly esteemed throughout the community, and Mr. Headley is well known as an honored pioneer resident, having for almost a half century lived in the county, and therefore has seen the greater part of its development, progress and prosperity.



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