Bios: Machesneys: from Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Alice Gless. agless@earthlink.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ History of Henry County Illinois, Henry L. Kiner, Volume II, Chicago: The Pioneer Publishing Company, 1910 M. HOWARD MACHESNEY (also picture of him) M. Howard Machesney is one of the respected and representative citizens of Annawan Township, his home being on the southwest quarter of Section 17. His financial condition relieves him from the necessity of further active labor so that he is practically living retired, although he still gives his supervision to the management of his property interests. His birth occurred at the family home on Section 29, Annawan Township, June 3, 1870, his parents being James and Selinda (Burgett) Machesney. The father was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1817, and was a son of Andrew and Mary (Henderson) Machesney. The family is of Irish origin and was founded in America by Mr. And Mrs. William Machesney, the great-grandparents of our subject, who crossed the Atlantic in 1786 and spent their remaining days in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, the death of William Machesney there occurring in 1825. Andrew Machesney was a child of only four years at the time of the emigration to the new world, and under the parental roof he spent his boyhood days and was reared in the occupation of farming, which he made his life work. He removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where he lived for two years, but at the expiration of that period returned to the former state, his death occurring in Greensburg in 1864 when he had reached the age of eighty-two years. His wife survived until January, 1868, and died at the age of seventy-two years. She was a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent. James Machesney was reared to manhood in Westmoreland County, where he acquired a good common-school education. He came to Illinois in 1854 with his brother, David Machesney, who was a physician, and in 1855, James Machesney opened a drug store in Annawan, where he continued business until 1860. Before coming to Illinois he had worked by the month for two years, and when he started out at the end of that time he had sixty dollars, which he put out at interest. From that time until his death there was never a year in which he did not have money out at interest. He was very careful in making loans, so that he never suffered losses, and in his business management was so successful that when he disposed of the drug store he had a capital of eight thousand dollars. He then began to buy land, his first purchase being one hundred and twenty acres east of Annawan. When favorable opportunity presented he continued to invest in real estate and eventually became the owner of eight hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, all in Annawan Township. He was a man of marked enterprise and unabating energy, and his business ability and keen discrimination were evidenced in the splendid success which he achieved. He was married January 30, 1861, to Mrs. Selinda Johnson, nee Burgett, a native of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and a daughter of Silas and Sarah (Henderson) Burgett, who were natives of Ohio but died in Indiana. Mrs. Machesney came to Illinois with her first husband, and following his death she gave her hand in marriage to James Machesney. They began their domestic life on Section 29 Annawan Township, Henry County, where they continued to reside throughout their remaining days. They were the parents of five children: Mary Agnes, the wife of Joseph Anderson, a resident of Annawan Township; Anna Ardelia, the wife of James Douglas, a resident of Annawan; James Henderson, who married Minnie Booth and lives in Annawan; M. Howard, of this review; and Morgan Burgett, who wedded Nora Batten and lives in Annawan. The father, James Machesney, was a republican in politics after the organization of that party. His first presidential vote was case for Zachary Taylor. He and his wife were members of the United Brethren Church at Fairview, in Annawan Township. His death occurred on the old home farm March 13, 1903, while his widow passed away in the succeeding fall and was laid to rest by his side in the Fairview Cemetery. He was truly a self-made man, who worked his way steadily upward by his energy and diligence, allowing no obstacle nor difficulty to bar his path if it could be overcome by honest and persistent effort. M. Howard Machesney spent his boyhood days on the home farm, the duties and labors of the fields early becoming familiar to him as he assisted in their development through the periods of vacation, while through the school year he pursued his education in the district school. Having arrived at years of maturity he sought a helpmate for lifešs journey, being married on the 28th of December 1893, in Annawan Township to Miss Dencie Barton, who was born in Burns Township and is a daughter of George and Jane Barton. Two children graced this union: James, who was born in Annawan Township, July 3, 1896, and Lois, born February 11, 1899. Mr. Machesney carried on farming in connection with his father until the latteršs death. He afterward inherited one hundred and seventy-six acres of the estate and now has one hundred and eighty-six acres of very valuable and productive land, which returns to him a gratifying and substantial annual income. In 1908 he erected upon his farm a beautiful modern residence, thirty-two by thirty-two feet, two stories in height with basement. It is supplied with steam heat, a carbide system of lighting, hot and cold water, with automatic pressure. In fact, none of the equipment of a model home is lacking, and it is one of the most convenient, comfortable and attractive residences in Annawan Township‹a fitting abode for one whose well spent life entitles him to the high regard of his fellow citizens in this community. He votes with the Republican Party but never seeks office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Annawan and the Modern Woodmen Camp, while his wife is a member of the United Brethren Church at Fairview. They occupy a prominent position in social circles, and their home is the abode of a warm-hearted and generous hospitality which is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. MORGAN BURGETT MACHESNEY Morgan Burgett Machesney, a progressive and enterprising agriculturist residing on Section 29, Annawan Township, was born in the house where he now lives, and the farm which he cultivates has been his place of abode from his birth to the present time. His natal day was July 6, 1874. His parents, James and Selinda (Burgett) Machesney, are mentioned at greater length in connection with the sketch of M. Howard Machesney, a brother of our subject. Morgan B. Machesney received a good common-school education and grew to manhood under the parental roof. When twenty-one years of age he began to farm a part of his fatheršs land and has thus been actively identified with agricultural interests to the present time, his labors in the fields being annually rewarded by bounteous harvests of golden grain. The neat and attractive appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision and practical and progressive methods, and he is widely recognized as one of the energetic and up-to-date farmers of the community. On the 7th of September, 1898, in Annawan Township, Mr. Machesney was united in marriage to Miss Nora Batten, a native of that township and a daughter of James and Julia Ann (Blin) Batten. They now have four children, namely: Lawrence E., who was born on the 6th of March, 1900; Bernice Irene, whose birth occurred July 21, 1901, Lewis Glenn, whose natal day was June 24, 1904; and Gladys, born October 4, 1905. Mr. Machesney cast his first presidential ballot for William McKinley in 1896 and has always supported the men and measures of the Republican Party. He is now serving as a school director but has not been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his private affairs. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias of Annawan. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the county in which their entire lives have been spent, the circle of their friends being almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.