The subject of this sketch has for many years ranked among the modern
agriculturists of this section of the state, where his entire life has been
spent, resulting in the accomplishment of a comfortable living for himself
and family.
Samuel Shook was born in Centralia township, Marion
county, September 15, 1845, the son of Amos and Martha (Shelton) Shook, the
former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Georgia. Amos Shook came
to Illinois when a boy with his uncle, Samuel Shook, and located near
Belleville, when the present state was still a territory. The uncle procured
land in Centralia township, being among the very first settlers here, early
in the nineteenth century. He developed a farm, making a comfortable home.
His neighbors were Indians and wild beasts, consequently he never went any
place without his rifle. He spent the remainder of his life farming in
Centralia township. He was a Baptist preacher, the first in the locality,
preaching around in the homes in log cabins. Amos Shook, the subject's
father, who had little chance to attend school, grew up in Centralia
township and was a farmer all his life, a leading Democrat in his community,
but held no public office. He was a member of the Christian church. He died
in 1877, and his wife passed to her rest in 1846. He was twice married, his
second wife being Susan Whitchurch, of Centralia township, the daughter of
William Whitchurch, of St. Clair county, this state, having been pioneers of
that county.
Eight children were born to Amos Shook and his first
wife, two of whom are now living, namely: Sallie, deceased; Martha Jane;
Roanna, deceased; David, deceased; Lucy Ann, deceased; James H., a farmer in
Wayne county, Illinois; Morris, deceased; Samuel, our subject. Two children
were born to Amos Shook and his second wife, Robert and Ivy, both deceased.
Our subject had only a limited schooling in the early subscription
schools, but he made the best use possible of his opportunities and is today
a well read man.
Mr. Shook was happily married March 9, 1865, to
Julia A. Garren, of Jefferson county, Illinois, having been born there in
1846, the daughter of Alexander and Betsy (Copple) Garren, natives of
Indiana, who came to Centralia township, Marion county, Illinois, having
been pioneers of that locality. Mr. Garren died in Marion county and his
wife's death occurred in Jefferson county. He was twice married, his second
wife being Roxanna Hudlow, a widow. Four children were born to Alexander
Garren and his first wife, namely: William, John, Eli, all three deceased;
Julia Ann, the subject's wife. The following children were born to Alexander
Garren and his second wife, namely: Riley, who lives in Missouri; Robert and
Phoebe, both deceased; Alexander, Jr., a liveryman at Walnut Hill; Lewis,
deceased.
Eight children have been born to the subject and wife,
five of whom are now living, namely: Melvin, a farmer at Lane, South Dakota;
Albert, a farmer in Centralia township; Ira, deceased; Plannie, deceased;
George, deceased; Frank, a farmer on the old home place; Elmer, a farmer at
Lane, South Dakota; Myrtle May, living in Centralia township.
After
the subject's marriage he located where he now lives in Centralia township
and erected a substantial house and barn and made all of the improvements on
the place, which are extensive and equal to any in the county. He has lived
on this place continuously since that time. He has always been a farmer and
stock raiser, having been highly successful at each, being considered by his
neighbors and those who know him as one of the leading farmers of the
township and an excellent judge of live stock. He is a Democrat, but has
held no offices. He is a member of the Christian church.
The subject
is one of those patriotic citizens who felt it their duty to offer their
services in defense of their country during the sixties, consequently he
enlisted in 1864 in Company F, Forty-eighth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, at Centralia. He was sent to Scottsboro, Alabama, and was wounded
three times, first at Resaca, having been shot through the right shoulder.
He was later wounded at Fort McAlister, having been shot through the right
leg, at which battle he was also shot through the left thigh. He was under
Sherman and Gen. John A. Logan in the Fifteenth Army Corps, Fourth Brigade
and Fourth Division. He took part in all the battles and engagements of his
regiment. After he was wounded he was first sent by boat to Bedford, South
Carolina, later to New York, and then to Quincy, Illinois, where he was
discharged May 13, 1865.
Mr. Shook is a member of the Grand Army of
the Republic, Post No. 55, at Centralia, Illinois; also a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Walnut Hill, this state; the Knights of
Pythias at Centralia, also the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association.
Extracted 27 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 555-556.