USA > Illinois > Johnson County > A history of Johnson County, Illinois > Part 33
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COWAN
Thomas J. Cowan, Sr. was born in Henry County, Tennessee, 1823. He came to this state in 1851 and was for many years one of the first class farmers of Bloomfield Township. He married first Mary Clayton, she died leaving one daughter, who is now Mrs. Nanny Waters of Bloomfield. Mr. Cowan married second Mary J. (see Worley.) D. J. Cowan, son of Thomas J. was born in this county, is a graduate of the Southern Illinois Normal and Bloomington Law School. He began his career as a teacher in this community, later entering the profession of law and was twice elected States Attorney for this county. He established a practice in Peoria, this state, 1910, where he has continued as a successful member of the firm of Mans-
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field and Cowan. He married Mrs. Sarah (Duncan) Poor. Thomas J. Cowan, Jr., son of T. J. is a leading farmer of this county residing four miles east of Vienna on the Metropolis road. For family (see Farris.) J. O. Cowan, another son of T. J. and a native of this county has been in active practice of law in Vienna since 1913. He is a graduate of Vienna High School and the Chicago School of Law. He has been twice elected to the office of County Judge, which posi- tion he fills at present. He resides with his mother at the county seat.
CRUM
John S. Crum was a native of Cambria County, Pa., and was born Sept. 9, 1836. He received his education in his native county, and came with his parents to Missouri, when a young man, and in 1858 came to Illinois. He enlisted in Company D., 31st Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, Aug., 1861, commanded by Col. John A. Logan, and served with this regiment about a year, when he was discharged on account of disability, from wounds received in the battle of Ft. Donel- son. He returned to Vienna and was appointed Postmaster, which place he filled till the Fall of 1864, when he was elected circuit clerk. He served in this office twelve years, having been elected three suc- cessive terms. He also served the state as a member of the State Board of Equalization, and the county two terms as Commissioner. While acting as circuit clerk he compiled a complete set of abstract of land titles of the county, and after his retirement from office con- tinued the abstract business till his death which occured 1895. Mr. Crum was married three times, first to Edna E. Smith of Bollingel. Mo. and they had Letitia (2), who married J. E. Hunsaker, Don (3), is their son. He married Gale Cook of Anna, Ill., and they have Francis (4). Sherman (2) was a business man of Vienna for some- time. He married Lina Stubblefield, who died leaving two sons, and a daughter. Sherman removed a few years ago with his family to California. Alice C. (2) married James Looney, she died young léav- ing two children. Mr. Crum's next marriage was to Carmelia Boy! of this county. Ulysess G. and Dolly were their children. Dolly married Joseph Farris and Ulysess G. married Dora Jennings. Both families removed to Missouri, where Ulysess and Dolly died, the former leaving one son. His third wife was Barbara Toppas of Johnson County.
CUMMINS
Cummins is the name of at least three families in Johnson County and all trace their ancestry to Kentucky, and are of Welch descent. Peter, Thomas, and Samuel A. were the three brothers. Peter is the head of one family; his children were Daniel T. (2) born in Kentucky, 1822, Amanda (2), George (2), Samuel C. (2), Betty Ann (2), Willis
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(2), Jerry (2) and Alexander (2). Daniel T. (2) settled near Reeves- ville sometime in the fifties, riding horseback, to Shawneetown tu enter his land. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Jason B. Smith, and their children were Mary Ann (3), Martha Jane (3), Thomas N (3), William F. (3), Jerry S.(3), J. Wesley (3), Jason B. (3), Lewis G. (3), Henry M. (3), J. P. (3). Mary Ann (3) married James (see Marberry). Martha Jane (3) married F. M. Fisher and their children were Airy (4) who married Joel McClanahan. Robert (4) is a dentist of Chicago. Myrtle (4) married Alfred Ridenhower. Joseph A. (4) married Lily Poor and is a physician of Metropolois. Ruby (4) married Hary Cummins and Norma (4) married Mr. Purtel. Thomas N. (3) married Anna Rowland. William F. (3) married Sarah Williams. Jerry S. (3) married Nancy Rice. J. Wesley (3) married Kate Key. Jason B. (3) married Emma Kirk. Louis G. (3) married Jennie Henry M. (3) married Maud Dickerson. J. P. (3) married Helen Upchurch. This branch of the Cummins family was an unusual one, the parents were devout Methodists and lived their religion in their home; Mrs. Cummins joined the church when she was nine years old. She has the distinction of being the mother of more ministers than any other woman in the county, state or United States, so far as is known. She has five sons who are Methodist ministers and all her children are exemplary Christian citizens. This family held a reunion in 1907 and there were present ten children, thirty-five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The mother and her ten children spent the night together in the old home. The other guests finding entertainment elsewhere. The mother and father have gone on years ago but the influence of their life is being broad- casted in many communities far from their humble home.
Amanda (2) married Thomas Garrett and their children were Virginia (3) who married John H. (see Clymer). Missouri (3) mar- ried Wiley F. (see Marberry). John (3) married Nora Harris and they had William Monroe (4) who married Mary Martin, they had Luella (5) who married Rilley Murray. John H. (4) removed to Texas. George (4) married Sadie Perry. James B. (4) married Edrice Pippins. Edward (4) married Pearl Kerley. Lannie (4) mar- ried Tine Phillips. Lewis (4) married Ruby Bowman. Most of this family have moved out of the county. George (2) married Elvira Gregg, and they had George (3) who married Sula Homer and had Pender (4) who married Ruth Hood of Vienna; they have Mary Louise (5). They have recently gone as missionaries to Upper Bur- man, India (1923). Pearl (4), Grace (4) Ruth (4) Jennie (4). This family removed to the West. William (3) married Melissa Jackson. Samuel C. (2) married Francis Arington and their children were George (3) who married Alice Harris, they had Otis (4), Opie (4)
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who married Edward Nix. Debby Ann (2) married Charles Holmes. Willis (2) married Queen Gregg. Jerry (2) married Lizzie Gramtham and had Belle (3) who married William Lane; Joseph (3), Anna (3) who married Dr. Woodside. Alexander (2) married Missouri Harris and their children were Lida (3), who married Foster. James (3) married Dora Chapman and had Tullis (4); he married second Dora Gillespie and had Eva (4) and Nell (4).
Samuel A. Cummins was a brother to Thomas and Peter and came to this county from Kentucky, in company with other families, on a flat boat, sometime in 1845, living a while in Pope County. Samuel A. (1) married Lucy Ann Hard and they had Sophie (2) who married James Helm and lives in Samoth. Peter A. (2) resides near Reevesville. Deborah (2) married John Kelton of Paducah. Arminta (2) married Richard Boyles of Samoth. Idora (2) married Robert Knuckles of Metropolis. John L. (2) is a farmer of this county and married Sarah Griffith and their children are Ora (3), Idora Belle (3) Lucy Ann (3). Thomas (1) the other brother married Madaline Gregg, and their children were Belle (2) and Clayton (2). Belle (2) married Joseph Hale; they live near Bloomfield. Their children were Robert A. (3), May (3), Offie (3) Roscoe (3), R. A. (3) was a phy- sician of this county practicing in the Bloomfield community where he resided. He was a graduate of Barnes Medical School of St. Louis, Mo., and died when comparatively a young man. He married first Mary Cowan, who died without children; second Maud, daughter of D. F. Beauman. They had Joseph (4), Caroline (4), Robert (4). Mrs. Hale removed to Centralia, Ill. May (3) married Obe Dunn and has Chatty (4), Eva (4), Herschel (4). Chatty (4) married J. Guriey and has Herbert (5). Clayton (2) married Alice Porter and they had Elza (3) who served in the World War and died while in training in Colorado. Lula (3) married Giles Taylor. John (3) married Stella Kincannon; Earl (3) and Arle (3).
DAMRON
Charles Damron, an old resident of this county, was born in Kentucky, his father was Wilson Damron, who was a native of Virginia. Wilson was a contemporary of Daniel Boone. He later removed to that section of the northwest territory that made Illinois. He was in the employ of a fur company, and at one time made ex- plorations in the Yellowstone River country. He spent his last days near Springfield, Mo. The maiden name of his wife was McLane. Charles the (1) came with his parents to this state, and while living in Saline County, 1818, voted for the adoption of the first constitution. After his marriage to Mary Carson, he removed to Weakly County, Tenn, where he resided until 1852, when he again
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came to Illinois and settled in Tunnel Hill Township on the farm now owned by John Bonar, where he lived till his death, 1878. He was known for his good deeds. The children were J. M. C. (2), Saml. (2), Norval (2), James (2), Mary (2), Mexico (2), Jane (2), Dru- cilla (2), Almus (2). Dr. J. M. C. (2) received his early education in select schools of Tennessee. He began teaching in Williamson County this state at the age of 21, having taught in one school five successive terms. In the meantime reading medicine as it was called. It was not necessary at that time to have a diploma before one began the practice of medicine in this state. Dr. Damron attended Rush Medical College, Chicago, 1854-55, and began his medical career in Saline County, 1855, removing the same year to Vienna. He returned to Resh Medical, and graduated with the class of 1860. He was well known and a well liked physican, and traveled over the rough roads of this county, many years, also engaging at different times in the drug business. He was a mason, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Democrat in politics. He died in 1911. Dr. Damron (2) was born in Tennessee, 1824, married Elizabeth Buckner, 1850 and they had one son, Leonidas (3) who is now, if living a farmer in Missouri. Dr. Damron (2) married second Adeline Standard 1855, and their children were John Franklin (3), who died about 1915, leaving no children, Emma (3), married Dennis Wilson of Cape Girardeau, Mo. and had several children, but the name of only one, Owna (3), is known. Mollie (3) married T. G. Johnson of this county, who died quite young leaving Essie (4), Eva (4) and Damron (4). The children with their mother moved to St. Louis, Mo. Jennie (3) was a resident of New York City in 1908. Lucy (3) married Clinton Shearer of New Buprnside, and removed to Oklahoma where she died 1920, leaving a daughter, Mrs. E. S. Rardin (4) of Oklahoma City, Okla., who has Clinton (5) and Paul (5). Agusta (3) married Fred Tate of Hardin County, and had Lucille (4). Mr. Tate served in the Spanish War and died soon after its close. Agusta (2) was a resident of Washington, D. C. in 1909. Charles Norval (2) was born about 1840. He began his career as a teacher, later studying law which profession he followed with success in this section for many years. He was at one time Circuit Attorney of this district, and traveled the circuit with the Judge, taking care of all the state cases. He later served as States Attorney of this county and also as Judge. He was a Lieutenant in Company K., 120th Illinois Volunteer of the Civil War. He married Mary, daughter of Martin Harvick, first settler. The family moved to San Bernardino, Calif. about 1881. The children were Cass (3) who died in California leaving two daughters, Flora (3) married Charles Dunscomb of Bethany, Ill. They now re- side in Berkeley, Calif., where Mr. Dunscomb is owner and publisher
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of the"Berkeley Gazette." Mrs. Damron is still living and a resident of San Bernardino. Judge Damron died about 1815. Mexico (2) mar- ried John Graves and had William (3) and Mexico (3). William (3) married Arista Rose, has Charles (4) and resides in Ft. Collins, Colo. Mexico (3) married Thomas Helms and had Audrey (4) who married Joseph (see Clymore).
James W. (2) was a farmer of Grantsburg Township. He was elected assessor and treasurer for the county serving one term. He removed with his family to Puxico, Mo., about 1900. He was a Presbyterian, a mason and a member of the Peoples Party. He married Sidney Rose and had Catherine (3), who married James Fleming and died leaving Clyde (4) who is a resident of Detroit, Mich. Charles P. (3) married Myrtle Swain and their children are Louise (4), Helen (4), and Catherine (4). This family resides at Fredericktown, Mo. Charles is a lawyer and has represented his district in the State Legislature. One son, Herschel and two daugh- ters, Libby and Maude of J. W. and Sidney's family, died after they were grown. Alumus (3) is a successful business man of Puxico, Mo. He married there and has two children. Samuel Damron (2) was a farmer and physician of Tunnel Hill Township. He married Amanda (see Chapman) and died when quite a young man. Drucřila (2) married George Worley. Mary (2) married Tamberlain Chapman. Jane (2) married Henry Anderson and had Drucilla (3) who married Thomas (see Chapman); Frank (3) married Melissa Chapman, Norve (3) and John (3).
Almus G. (2) grew up and was educated in this county. He be- gan as a teacher, later selected law as his profession, in which he made a decided success. He was a man of ability and energy and served the county as States Attorney. His health failed and he re- moved with his family to San Bernardino, Calif., where he died in 1884. He married Edith, daughter of A. J. Kuykendall. They had Mamie, who married and was a former resident of New York City. Wirt is a prominent attorney of Harrisburg, and has served that city as judge.
ELKINS
John Elkins, tradition says, was Welch and came originally from Wales, settled in North Carolina and removed to Tennessee, and finally to Illinois about 1809, settling somewhere near the Samuel Glassford home. His family consisted of a wife, Elizabeth Styles whom he married in 1798, and seven children; one son stopped in Kentucky of whom there is no history. The children coming to this county were William (2), Richard (2), Whit (2) Amy (2), Fanny (2) and Joshua (2). John Elkins lived in this county several years and moved to Little Rock, Ark. and his daughter, Fannie (2)
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who had married John Mansfield and his youngest son, Joshua (2) accompanied him. He died there at the age of ninety-four. William Elkins (2) married Sarah Graves, a daughter of John S., who his grandson, George Elkins, (now ninety-nine years old) says, served in the Revolution from North Carolina. Their children were John (3), Joshua (3), Catherine (3), George (3), Richard (3), Fed (3), Eli (3), Emeline (3).
John Elkins (3) married Betsy Dooley and had Sarah (4), Emeline (4), Samuel (4), Frank (4). Sarah (4) married John Gould and had John P. (5), Charles (5), Mrs. Fred Mullins (5), Willis (5), Carl (5), and Mrs. Carl Reeves. Emeline (4) married John Busby and lives in Ball Knob, Ark. Samuel (4) married first Narcissa (Suit) Scott and second Ann Elkins (4). John (3) married second Margaret Williams and had John (4) (called Bud.) John (3) married third Emeline Allen.
Joshua (3) married Acquilla Gurley, 1839 and their children were Catherine (4), Melissa (4), Louisa (4), Clarissa (4), George (4). Willis (4), Jackson (4), Isaac Newton (4). Catherine (4) married Richard Thomas and had Basil G. (5), Josephine (5), Rosa (5). Basil G. (5) married Mollie Orr. Josephine (5) married Jack Land. Rosa (5) married John N. Elkins, son of Hight. Melissa (4) married Dennis Stephens and had Marion J. (5), Charles (5) and Ella (5). Louisa (4) married Hiram Worley and had George (5) who married Miss Neibour and Vernilla (5) married Mr. Elderman and had two children. Both families resided in Union County. Clarissa (4) mar- ried Andrew Amburn and had Olive (5) who married Ambrose Stokes of this county. Florence (5) married Francis Thornton and has Lena (6) Francis (6) George (4) married Margaret Slack and they had Lee (5) and George L. (5). Willis A. (4) married Alice Lingle and has Maud (5), Fay (5), Fred (5). Maud (5) married John Wright and has Genevive (6); Fay (5) married Fred Wilburn and has Violet (6) and Lenten (6). Fred married Etta Primm. Newton (4) married Ellis Stokes and had Homer (5), May (5), Pearl (5), Lloyd (5), Newton (5). Homer (5) married Rosalin Roberts and had one daughter. May (5) married Burton Bagby and has Burton Jr. (6). Lloyd (5) married Evelyn and has Catherine (6). Jackson (4) not married.
Catherine (3) married Alfred (see Copeland); George (3) born 1825 and married first Martha Jones and had Mary (4) and James (4). Mary (4) married William Turley and had Lethia (5), James (5), Cordelia (5). Lethia (5) married B. S. Penrod and had Charles (6), Joshua (6), Ray (6). James (5) left the county years ago. He has a daughter who lives in Colorado. James (4) married Ella Taylor and had Pearl (5), who married first Mr. Bright and had John (6).
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Pearl (5) married second Dalton Baily and has one daughter, Mrs. Ed Broen of Keville, Ky. George (3) married second Martha Stewart and had Manzell (4), Nancy (4), Frank (4), J. Adolphus (4), Anna (4), Joshua (4). Nancy (4) married W. A. Stone and had Harrison (5), Jewel (5), Willis (5), Olin (5). Jewel (5) married Herbert King. Frank (4) lives at Jefferson City, Mo. Anna (4) married Samuel Elkins (4). Joshua (4) married Marie Martin and lives in Los Gatos, Calif. Manzell and J. A. (4) live on the home farm with their father.
This county claims to have the oldest farmer in the United States, meaning a man who still farms and has lived on the same farm the longest period of time, in the person of George Elkins (3). He entered his land from the government and has lived and farmed on it continously since. Uncle George doesn't manage his farm, but he always has a small field of corn, potatoes and a garden, which he actually cultivates. He will reach the century mark if he lives until April 5, 1925. His faculties are wonderful except his hearing, but his memory is almost perfect, especially about things that happened a long time ago. He hitches his horse to a buggy, and drives to Vienna, a distance of about five miles when the weather is suitable. He says he was ten years old the first time he went to Vienna and rode on horse back, and when he was old enough to vote he came to town, put his head in the window of the courthouse and called out who he wanted to vote for. He further relates that the section of the town where the jail now stands was covered with forest trees and that he doesn't remember but one store and that was kept by John Dunn. He was given a trip to Aurora, Illinois, two years ago in honor of his being the oldest farmer of the U. S., by the Central Illinois Fair Association. They paid his expenses as well as those of his daughter Manzell who accompanied him. He was entertained at. a private home and enjoyed his trip, especially the live stock exhibits of the fair. In a joking way, he said last summer he only lacked seventeen months of being a hundred years old and he was going to live that long if he could. For a number of years the relatives, neighbors and friends of "Uncle George," as he is known, far and near, go and spend the day with him on his birthday. They take their dinners, and as the weather is usually pleasant at this time of the year it is spread on the lawn. These gatherings in- clude visitors from many of the neighboring towns and reach the number of two hundred and fifty to three hundred. He looks forward to these occasions with a great deal of pleasure and seems to enjoy the meal as well as any of the guests. Uncle George has lived a long and useful life and has many friends who hope he may reach the goal of one hundred years. The improvements and inventions that have come under his span of life are manifold.
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Richard (3) married Mary Thornton and had Sarah (4), Martha (4), Hosea (4) and Preston (4). Sarah (4) married John Lanom. Martha (4) first married Choate Lanom and third Milton Penrod. Hosea (4) married Ellen Heilman. Preston (4) is not married but lives on the old homestead. Fed (3) married Abby Gurley and had William (4). Eli (3) married Jane Anderson and had Mary (4), Rosa (4), Alice (4), Cora (4), Cordie (4), and Channas (4). Mary (4) married first Lowery Low and second a Mr. Vandiver. Rosa (4) married first James Key and second Mr. McDowell. Alice (4) mar- ried Charles Peterson (see Reynolds.) Cora (4) married D. D. Stew- art. Cordia (4) married Alice Cagle and has Nell (5), Samuel F. (5), Everett (5). Samuel F. (5) married Althea Arnett. Channas (4) lives in Johnson City, Ill. Emeline Elkins (3) married Jefferson Morris and had James (4). Whit Elkins (2) married Kizzie, sister to Judge John Oliver, and had John (3), Young (3), "Pop" (3) (sup- posed to be Martha), and Champ (3). John (3), (called Big John) married Catherine (see Simpson). Young (3) was killed in Vienna. Ill., when a young man. Pop (3) married John H. (see Bridges). Champ (3) married, died and left a daughter Ellen (4), who married Milton Cochran. Amy Elkins (2) married William Barton (see Smith) Richard Elkins (2) married Sarah Gore, and as far as is known the; had Waton (3), who married and had Alney H. (4), who was born and raised in this county, and served in the 31st Illinois Volunteer. He married Mary Stone, born 1847, and they had John (5), Clinton (5), Richard (5), James (5), Samantha (5) and Harrison (5).
Dr. George L. son of Joshua and Acquilla Elkins, was born in this county 1850. He acquired his primary education here and gradu- ated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, 1868. He practiced his profession in Vienna until 1879, when he was appointed physician at the Southern Illinois prison at Chester. He died very early in his career being a little more than thirty years old. He married Margaret Slack and they had Lee and George L. Lee is a graduate of Bloom- ington Normal and was a teacher in the Chicago Schools for some time. Her husband, C. D. Stillwell was a prominent attorney of Harrisburg, Ill., where he served as city judge. He died 1923. George L., who was born and partially reared in this county is a graduate of Vienna High School, has large plantation interests in Porto Rico, making a specialty of growing and exporting grapefruit and pine- apple. . He also has a residence in New Hampshire, where he and his mother spend the hot season. Mrs. Elkins, though widowed early managed to give her children the very best educational advantages and is enjoying the fruits of her untiring efforts in their behalf. George L. makes a pleasant home for his mother and sister.
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ENGLISH
Abraham and James English came from County Kerry, Ireland, and settled in North Carolina, during colonial days. Abraham later removed to South Carolina. He assisted in the establishing of the Independence of the colonies by furnishing a horse to a messnger to notify the patriots that a company of Royalists were encamped on the Pedee River on which he lived. Abraham's son Johnathan who was the grandfather of George W. was born on the Pedee River, North Carolina, 1812. He left the South at the time of the Seminole War, coming north, finally settling in Illinois, in 1846, and spent the rest of his days in Massac County, and died in 1891. Manuel C. the son of Johnthan was born in Kentucky in 1842. He served in the Civil War in Company B. 120th Illinois Volunteers, three years. He married Rebecca Smith, who was a native of Massac. Her
maternal grandparents were Scotch on one side and Sweedish on the other. Americus Smith father of Mrs. English was a native of North Carolina and a Baptist minister. He began preaching when he was twenty years old and kept up this good work for more than fifty years, and was another minister who took up arms as a Regulator in the interest of law and order in Massac County in 1846, having come to Illinois in 1814. Manuel and Rebecca settled on a farm in Johnson County and their children were Caddie Elizabeth (2) who married a Mr. Barnham and left two children. Julia Victoria (2) married H. A. Roundtree and died in 1912, leaving two sons and five daughters. George W. (2) who was their second child was born in Johnson County in 1866, and was educated in the public schools of the county, Ewing College, and later entered Illinois Wesleyan, at Bloomington, and graduated in law in 1891. He was for a time employed as a teacher, but began the practice of Law in Vienna with H. M. Riden- hower, Jr., 1893, which he continued after Mr. Ridenhower's death in 1896. In 1906, he was elected as a democrat to the State Legislature, serving three terms. He was appointed under Wilson, as an attorney in the Treasury at Washington, D. C. After some years of service he resigned and came back to Illinois locating in Centralia, following his profession there. He was later appointed a Federal Judge by Presi- dent Wilson, and the family now reside in East St. Louis, Ill. Mr. English married Lilly, daughter of T. G. and Amanda Farris in 1894. Their children were Thomas Farris (3), George W. (3), Virgil Carrol (3), and William J. (3). Farris (3) is married has two children and resides in East St. Louis, where he is cashier of a bank.
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