SAMUEL BIVENS
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SAMUEL BIVENS, Treasurer of Mason Co., Havana; was born in Pike Co., Ohio, Aug. 22, 1839, and is a son of William Bivens, a native of Salem, N. J. The subject of this sketch enlisted in the I17th Ohio V. I., in 1862, and remained one year, then, by order of Gov. Todd. proceeded to enlist men for the artillery. From these recruits Battery C, First Ohio Artillery, was formed, and Mr. Bivens commissioned Captain. He served until the close of the war, participating in all the battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta; also the siege at Nashville. In August, 1S65, he was mustered out of the service, and, in the following October, came to Illinois, locating at Lincoln, where, for one year, he was engaged in the live stock business, then camo to Mason City, this county, where, for a term of .six years, he was engaged in the bard- ware trade. In 1873, he was elected Treasurer of Mason Co., and is the present incumbent. Mr. Bivens is a member of the following Masonic bodies: Mason City Lodge, No. 403; Havana Chapter, No. 86, and Damascus Commandcry, No. 42.
Illustrated Atlas Map of Mason County, published by W R Brink & Co,
1874 The people of Illinois have always taken a commendable pride in the
achievements of their sons upon the battlefields of the Union and they still
delight to honor those who went with the Old Flag through the hardships and
perils of war. But it is not only her own sons that Illinois rewards; she
welcomes the brave and patriotic of any state who joined her in the common
cause. And we find an instance of it in the subject of this sketch, whose
military reputation was made in the service of a sister state. Samuel Bivens was
born in Pike county, Ohio, in 1838. His family was from the state of New Jersey,
and his father a farmer. He was educated at home in the solid and useful, rather
than the theoretical branches of learning. When the 117th Ohio was raised, he
enlisted, and remained in that regiment a year; then, receiving an order from
Governor Tod, he proceeded to enlist men for a battery of artillery, and was
made captain. This battery was assigned to duty in the 23d Army Corps. Under
General Thomas, he was at the siege of Nashville, having been in all the general
engagements from Chattanooga to Atlanta. On the 1st of August, 1865, he was
mustered out of service at Camp Dennison, Ohio, and in October of the same year,
came to Illinois and settled in Lincoln, Logan county. At this place he remained
one year, and then removed to Mason City. Here he went into a general hardware
business combined with the handling of agricultural implements. In June, 1873,
he was nominated by the Republican party for County Treasurer, and was elected
by 242 majority. He was the only Republican elected-that ticket being defeated
by a majority of from five to nine hundred. Captain Bivens now spends his time,
and may be considered as located at Havana, where he is a stockholder in the
Illinois River Bridge Company, and engaged in other commercial interests,
besides attending to his official duties. He is a man of commanding personal
appearance and gentlemanly manners, which is perhaps one reason of his general
popularity. These natural advantages however would be useless unless supported
by a sound judgment and integrity of purpose. During his seven years in Mason
City he made many friends among the business men of the place, and it is from
them the facts are obtained which we narrate. He often visits the eastern part
of the county and is always warmly received by the friends of his former days.
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Maintained by
Mason County Coordinator Donna
Mayer