Fifteen years ago John B. Vaughn began the practice of law at
Carlinville and, although he has spent twelve years of the period
indicated in public office, he is now well established in practice and
can claim among his clients a number of the leading citizens and
business firms of Macoupin county. In addition to a thorough
acquaintance with the principles of law he has a good knowledge of human
nature and as he is an eloquent and convincing speaker, his success as
an advocate was early assured.
He is a native of Jerseyville,
Illinois, born March 2, 1865, a son of Erastus and Nancy Catharine
(Hill) Vaughn. The father was born in Illinois and the mother in
Indiana. In their family were nine children five of whom survive,
namely: John B.; William M., who lives in Colorado; Richard E., of
Centralia, Illinois; Bessie, the wife of Isaac Bean, of Nilwood,
Illinois; and Essie, who married George Jenkins, of Hillsboro, Illinois.
The father of our subject was reared in Jersey county, Illinois,
and devoted a large part of his life to farming. He came to Macoupin
county in 1875 and engaged in the butchering business for ten years at
Nilwood. He died on a farm in South Otter township, near Nilwood, in
1907, having reached the age of sixty-two years. His wife is still
living and makes her home at Nilwood. She is an ardent supporter of the
Baptist church. The grandfather of our subject on the paternal side was
John Vaughn. He was a native of Kentucky and was of German descent. In
the pioneer days he came to Jersey county, Illinois, and established a
home although the Indians were numerous in the neighborhood. The maiden
name of his wife was Hester Crane. Mr. Vaughn died after reaching his
seventieth year and his widow came to Macoupin county and died at
Shipman at the age of eighty-six. Of their fourteen children nine grew
to maturity, William, Johnson, James, Shadrach, John, Erastus, Maria,
Ann and Charlotte. The grandfather on the maternal side was Benjamin
Hill. He was a native of Indiana and was of English descent. He and his
family lived east of Girard, Illinois, on the edge of Montgomery county.
He died at the age of seventy-one and his wife passed away in her
sixty-sixth year. They had nine children, Alfred, John, Benjamin,
Harriet, Martha, Nancy Catharine, Elizabeth, Ella and Sarah R. Alfred
was a soldier in the Civil war and served during the entire period of
the Rebellion.
John B. Vaughn came to Macoupin county with his
parents when he was about ten years of age and in his boyhood engaged in
farm work by the month. He attended the district schools and the
Scottville high school, later becoming a student in the county normal
schools. After teaching school for eight years he entered the law
department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, but finished his
studies under Judge Yancy of Carlinville. In 1890 he was elected county
clerk and served for four years. In the fall of 1895 he was admitted to
the bar upon examination and began practice at Carlinville, being
elected states attorney in the fall of 1896. After serving very
acceptably in this office for four years he was elected county judge and
reelected in 1904, occupying the position for eight years, to the
general acceptance of the people of the county irrespective of party.
Since his retirement from public office he has devoted his entire
attention to his profession.
On the 26th of November, 1890,
Judge Vaughn was married to Miss Mary L. Drake, a daughter of William
and Mary (Wheeler) Drake, of Scottville. Of the five children born to
this union four died in infancy, Margaret Lucille being the only
survivor. Mrs. Vaughn was born in Scottville township. Her parents were
natives of Kentucky and were early settlers in Macoupin county. The
father died at the age of seventy-two years and the mother passed away
several years later. Five of their children are now living, Martha J.,
Marshall L., Sarah E., Nancy A. and Mary. The paternal grandfather of
Mrs. Vaughn was Hiram Drake, a native of Kentucky, and the grandfather
on the maternal side was also a native of that state. He married a Miss
Van Bebber who lived to the age of ninety-five years.
Mrs.
Vaughn is a valued member of tbe Baptist church, and Mr. Vaughn is very
prominent in the Masonic order, being identified with Mount Nebo Lodge
No. 76, A. F. & A. M.; Macoupin Chapter, No. 187, R. A. M.; and also
with Ascalon Commandery, K. T., and Moolah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.,
both of St. Louis. He is an active worker in the Knights of Pythias and
is a member of Orient Lodge, No. 95, being at the present time grand
chancellor of Knights of Pythias of the state of Illinois. He was a
member of the committee that located the Aged and Orphans’ Pythian Home
and is now chairman of the board of directors. He belongs to the Modern
Woodmen of America and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star
and also of the Coterie Literary Society of Carlinville. In politics he
is an ardent supporter of the democratic party. Thoroughly in sympathy
with all forward movements, his influence has been exerted in many
channels and be is recognized as one of tbe most energetic and
public-spirited men in the county. His success has been well deserved as
it has been fairly won, and his friends confidently prophesy for him
many new victories in years to come.
Extracted 20 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 236-238.
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