No history of Marion county could be consistent with itself were there
failure to make specific mention of the honored pioneer family of which the
subject of this sketch is a worthy scion, and no better or more significant
evidence as to the long identification of the name with the annals of this
section of the state can be offered than implied in the simple statement
that the record of this interesting and representative family has been one
of highest honor for a period of sixty-five years to the time of this
writing. The subject has passed his entire life in Marion county, and has
ably upheld the high prestige of the honored name which he bears. He is one
of the prominent and influential representatives of the legal and industrial
world of the county, and it is with much satisfaction that we offer in this
work a review of his genealogical and personal history.
Judge John S.
Stonecipher, like scores of our best citizens in every line of endeavor, was
born on a farm, the old homestead being located about ten miles southeast of
Salem, his birth occurring on July 7, 1868. His father was Samuel
Stonecipher, a Tennesseean who came to Marion county, Illinois, about 1843,
having successfully followed agricultural pursuits and became a man of
considerable influence in his community. He here erected a primitive
dwelling, which was the family domicile for a number of years. The tales of
the pioneer days have been often told, and it is needless to here
recapitulate the same, for privations, vicissitudes and strenuous labors of
the early settlers have been so recorded as to make special mention
superfluous, though it is well in such connection to refer to those who
lived and labored so earnestly in laying the foundation for the opulent
prosperity which marks this favored section of the state at the present
time. Samuel Stonecipher was called from his earthly labors in 1898, while
living on a farm in Haines township, two and one-half miles east of old
Foxville. The mother of our subject was Susan (Ross) Stonecipher, also a
native of Tennessee who passed to her rest when Judge Stonecipher was one
and one-half years old. Eight children were born to the union of Samuel and
Susan Stonecipher, four of whom are living in 1908. These are, besides the
subject of this sketch, Alexander, a farmer in Haines township, Marion
county; Joseph C., a farmer in southeastern Kansas; M. C., a Presbyterian
minister at Troy Grove, Illinois. Samuel Stonecipher, father of the subject,
was three times married. His first wife was a Miss Henderson; the second a
Miss Ross, mother of the subject; and the third was Mary Chance, who died
three months after her husband's death.
Grandfather Stonecipher
reached almost the unprecedented age of one hundred and ten years. He was
reared in Knox county, Tennessee.
Judge Stonecipher was reared on the
parental farm, and after attending the country schools he entered Ewing
College in Franklin county, Illinois, where he made a brilliant record for
both scholarship and deportment, taking a two-year general course. He then
attended the Southern Illinois Normal School for two years, and began
teaching school, which he continued for three successful terms, but
believing that his true life work lay in another channel he began reading
law with Judge John B. Kagy, of Salem. After reading law for one year he
attended the Valparaiso University, law department, for one year, in which
he made rapid progress. He was admitted to the bar at Salem in 1891 and
began practice soon afterward. His success was instantaneous, and his
friends were not mistaken in their prediction that the future held many
honors in store for him. He was early in life singled out for political
preferment and served as Deputy Sheriff from 1889 to 1890, while reading
law. He has ably served two terms as City Attorney of Salem, and was Master
in Chancery for four years, from 1896 to 1900, having first been appointed
by Judge Burroughs, and later by Judge Dwight. In 1906 our subject had
attained such general popularity in the legal world that he was elected
Judge of Marion county on the Democratic ticket in which capacity he is
still serving in 1908, with entire satisfaction to his constituents and all
concerned. He was chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee at the
time of his election to the judgeship. He was selected as alternate to the
Democratic national convention held in St. Louis in 1904. Having become so
well known in the political arena of his native community the judge will
doubtless be honored by many other offices of public trust by his party in
the future.
Judge Stonecipher has been equally successful in
industrial affairs, being something of a wizard in organizing, promoting and
carrying to successful issues various lines of business, and it is due to
his clear brain, well-grounded judgment and indomitable energy that many of
Marion county's successful industrial institutions owe their existence. At
present he is vice-president of the Salem State Bank, president of the Salem
Box Company, the leading manufacturing enterprise of Salem; he is also
trustee of the Sandoval Coal and Mining Company, now bankrupt, a large and
important trusteeship. He is also a stockholder in the Salem National Bank
and a director of the Salem Building and Loan Association. He was chairman
of the building committee that built the new Methodist Episcopal church in
Salem, one of the finest in Illinois, and it was largely due to his energy
and keen business sagacity that this handsome structure, which will ever be
a monument to his memory as well as a pride and splendid advertisement to
the city of Salem, assumed definite form.
Fraternally Judge
Stonecipher is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights
of Pythias and the Woodmen. He has occupied the chairs in the Odd Fellows,
and his daily life would indicate that he believes in carrying out the noble
precepts advocated by these praise-worthy orders.
Judge Stonecipher's
domestic life dates from August 17, 1904, when he was happily married to Amy
Bachman, the refined and cultured daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Bachman,
the latter the well-known and influential president of the Salem National
Bank. Mrs. Stonecipher received a good education, having applied herself
diligently to her educational work and the success of her worthy life
companion is due in no small measure to the encouragement and sympathy of
this most estimable woman, who presides over her model and harmonious
household with grace and dignity.
Two bright and interesting children
have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stonecipher with cheer and sunshine.
They are: Frank G., born July 8, 1905, and Maude Louise, born July 24, 1907.
Judge Stonecipher has been very successful in both his business and
political life. He is regarded as a man of exceptional soundness of
judgment, and when his name is connected with any business institution the
public knows that the same is sound and does not hesitate to place its funds
at his disposal, whether it be in a banking institution or manufacturing
enterprise.
Extracted 03 Nov 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 165-167.