Benjamin Mize, for many years one of the extensive stock
raisers and large grain farmers of Macoupin County, Illinois, resides upon
his large and productive farm of 280 acres, situated in sections 28, 29 and
33, Dorchester township. He is a worthy representative of one of the
prominent old Southern pioneer families of the State. He was born June 10,
1824, in Davidson County, North Carolina, and is the oldest son born to
Obediah and Mary (Sweney) Mize.
The Mize family originated in
Germany. The great-grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War and lost his
life in the battle of Guilford Court House. Benjamin Mize, grandfather of
our esteemed subject, was born in South Carolina, and accompanied the family
when it came to Illinois, in 1832. His children were: William, who fought in
the Black Hawk War; John, who served under General Jackson at New Orleans;
Obediah, the father of our subject; and Mary, who became Mrs. Spence.
Obediah Mize was born in North Carolina, and died in Macoupin County at
the age of 70 years. In 1832, with family and household goods, he came as a
pioneer to Illinois, settled in Madison County, renting a log cabin for
immediate shelter, took up government land, and made there a permanent home.
His first marriage was to Mary Sweney, who succumbed to the hardships of the
pioneer surroundings in 1833, leaving three children: Benjamin, of this
sketch; and William and James, deceased. The second marriage resulted in the
birth of one child, — Mrs. Minerva Latham, of Bunker Hill.
Benjamin
Mize, our subject, was eight years old when the family came to Illinois,
reaching Edwardsville October 1, 1832, near which town his' father entered
land. At that time the nearest market was at Cairo, 40 miles distant, and
St. Louis was only a village. Wonderful indeed are the changes which have
come under the immediate view of Mr. Mize. The death of his mother brought
with it the usual train of misfortune, for the little lad was, then bound
out to a hard taskmaster. His indenture papers required him to stay until 21
years of age, but at 16 he rebelled, ran away and joined an uncle in
Edwardsville, and was finally released by his father's efforts. In 1840 he
came to Macoupin County, after which he enjoyed six months schooling, all he
ever obtained, enough, however, to lay a foundation upon which Mr. Mize has
continued to build ever since. In 1850 he bought his first tract of land,
120 acres, for which he made a first payment of $6, all he possessed. It was
wholly unimproved. To this tract he continued to add until he owned 320
acres. He has devoted his time to agricultural pursuits exclusively. He has
been one of the few really successful grain farmers of this section, and has
also made the growing of fine cattle a leading feature, prospering in all he
has undertaken and being, through persevering industry, blessed in basket
and in store.
During his early manhood, Mr. Mize was a Whig and cast
his first vote for William Henry Harrison, and became identified with the
Republican party in 1854. He has always refused all public office with the
exception of membership on the School Board, his interest in general
education making him willing to serve thus.
On December 15, 1843,
Mr. Mize was united in marriage with Mary Jane Nesbit, who was born in
Indiana and died in 1856. The five children of this union were Mrs. Margaret
Teeters, of Kansas City, who has two children, — Roy and Carney; John W., of
Denver, who has one child, — Mabel Millimen; George W., of Denver, who is a
railroad engineer; Winfield Scott, a farmer of Dorchester township, Macoupin
County, who has six children,— Lillian E., Mary E., Alice, Margaret, William
and Emma; and, Louis Sanford, a farmer of Dorchester township, Macoupin
County, who has one child, — Marion B.
On October 8, 1856, Mr. Mize
married, as his second wife, Eliza Billyeu, who was born June 8, 1833, in
Bond County, Illinois, and is a daughter of Wilson Brown and Sarah (Jenkins)
Billyeu, who were early pioneers in the State, coming from North Carolina.
Four children were born to this union, namely: Albert C, of Denver,
Colorado, who has three children, — Cora E., Gertrude and William B.; Thomas
W., who died at Denver aged 28 years, leaving one son, Benjamin Warren;
Robert D., who operates the home farm; and James H., a farmer of Dorchester
township, Macoupin County, who has four children, — Albert L., Norman R. and
Nellie R. (twins) and Ada M.
Since 1845 Mr. Mize has been a member
of the Christian Church to which he has always rendered a liberal support.
The only secret organization to which he ever belonged was the Union League,
during the Civil War. He is a man who occupies a very high position in
public esteem. He is widely known in agricultural and church circles
especially, and his home is one of the hospitable ones of the locality where
friends may always be sure of a hearty welcome.
Extracted 2018 May 07 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 238-240.
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