USA > Illinois > Cumberland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 24
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 24
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 24
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JOHN GRIM, farmer (post-office Hazel Dell), was born in Stark
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County, Ohio, on November 26, 1821. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Bush) Grim. were natives of Maryland, and among the first settlers of Steubenville, Ohio. They were parents of twelve chil- dren, only three of whom survive, viz .: John, our subject, Sarah (De Witt), of De Kalb County, Illinois, and Sophia (Robb), of Roanoke, Ind. Mr. G. left home when twenty years old. married Catherine Coldsmith, of Pennsylvania, and engaged in farming, which he has always followed. He came to Cumberland County soon after his mar- riage, in an early day. He inherited $300 from his father, and with this start in life he now owns a farm of 120acres, well improved. Mr. Grim has given some time to the study of theology, and is licensed as a minister of the Christian Church. His wife is also a member of the same church. He is always charitable to the poor, has a high social standing, and is highly respected by the community in which he resides.
SILAS W. HUFFCUT was born in Geauga County, Ohio, Octo- ber 10, 1831. His father, Sylvester W .. was a soldier in the war of 1812, at the age of fifteen. His father having died in the war, he supported the family until he was twenty-two years of age, when he married Elizabeth A. Clark, who hore him seven children, only two of whom, Sylvester and Silas, are still living. After his marriage he went to Orleans County, N. Y. and thence to Ohio, where he remained until 1839, when he came to Cumberland County, Ill., and settled in Greenup. At the end of two years he moved on a farm adjoining the town. He was a local preacher. For four years he was Assessor, also a charter member of the Masonic Fraternity. He died on December 3, 1856, but his widow is still living at the age of eighty-three years. Our subject remained at home, working on the farm and attending the common school, until 1849, when he went to Indiana, and run a ferry- boat on the Wabash River two years, at Clinton, then returned and learned the carpenters' trade, which has been his principal business since. On December 2, 1855, he married Rachel Shull, of Greenup. To them have been born six children, viz .: Lillie, Wilson, Eddie (deceased), Grant (deceased), Caroline and Henry. During the war he was a dele- gate to the State Convention at Springfield. as a representative of the Union League. He is a Republican in polities, and a member of the Universalist Church. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F .. hav- ing been a representative to the Grand Lodge twice.
DR. NATHANIEL G. JJAMES. druggist, Greenup, was born in Montgomery County, Ind., October 31, 1830. He acquired a good education by home study, and in improving all the Jopportunities
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which the times and that locality afforded. Then he began the study of medicine in Indiana. In 1853 he went to Jasper County, III., and remained there two years; then in 1855 he went to Johnstown, Cumber- land County, and began the practice of his profession; also conducted a mercantile business. In 1871 he came to Greenup, and the year fol- lowing opened a drug store, which he has since carried on in connec- tion with his practice. As a physician he has the confidence not only of the community and local profession, but an extended favorable rep- utation and high standing as a gentleman and a physician throughout southern Illinois. For the successful and skillful performance of a very difficult surgical operation, he was elected an honorary member of the " Esenlapian Society of the Wabash Valley." As a business man, he has been eminently successful. He now owns a finely improved farm of 160 acres in Cottonwood Township. Cumberland County, a fine residence in Greenup, and a large drug store, all the result of industry, economy, and good management. He has taken an active part in building up and improving the town, contributing largely in money from his own private resources. To his efforts is greatly due the securing of the P., D. & E. R. R. at Greenup. On November 9, 1861, he married Margaret L. Vandewort. They have six children, viz .: Jessie B., now Mrs. Peters, of Greenup, William H., Leonard, Bertha N., Edwin B. and one unnamed. William H. is now eighteen years old, and is away attending school.
JACOB JENUINE, miller, Greenup, was born in Columbus, Ohio, on November 30, 1845. His early life was spent mostly in working in grist-mills and learning the milling business, which he has followed all his life. He commenced life for himself when twenty-three years old. He rented his father's mill, at Bell Air, Crawford County, Ill., and ran it for two years ; then went into the stock business; then came to Greenup, and has since been running the " Cumberland Mills," and dealing, with his brother-in-law. in stock. They are doing a thriving business. The mill runs day and night. On January 4, 1870, he married Miss Mary L. Matheny, of Bell Air, Ill. She was born in New Albany, Ind., July 25. 1842, and came with her parents to Crawford County, IH., when ten years old, but later returned to New Albany. At eighteen, she learned dressmaking, and for ten years, or until the time of marriage, carried on the busi- ness. having an establishment at Bell Air, III. Mr. and Mrs. J. have four children, viz .: Fred M., Frank, Merylin R., and Homer.
CHARLES G. JONES, miller, Greenup, was born in Greenup Township. Cumberland County, III., November 3, 1852. His father,
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Harrison Jones, was born in 1828. in Tennessee. He never had but fifteen days in school. but by home study. while farming, secured a fair education, and studied law. which he practiced in Greenup. In 1836. he came to Cumberland County, farmed and practiced law. His first wife was Rebecca Wall. They were parents of seven chil- dren, Charles being the youngest. This wife died in 1858. He was next married to Elizabeth Wright. They were parents of five chil- dren. At the age of eighteen, our subject was called upon to main- tain the family, a responsibility he promptly and cheerfully accepted. and has continued to discharge this duty up to the present in a cred- itable manner. Mr. J. had limited advantages for an education, but was always a natural mathematician and very quick in mental arith- metic. He early displayed remarkable business talent, and has always been a very successful trader. His first venture was with $50 borrowed money, and good credit. With this he bought two car-loads of sheep, on which he realized a good profit. He has con tinned successful in stock-trading, in connection with other business ever since. He now owns several large farms, a fine country resi- dence. the largest saw-mill in the county. keeping ten teams of fine, large horses busy in hauling lumber. He has capital invested in several corporate and other general business enterprises. and has just com- pleted a $10,000 grist-mill in Greenup. This is all the result of his personal industry, good management and strict economy. In all his business dealings, he never had a lawsuit. and in his personal con- duct is gentlemanly, courteous, generous and public spirited. On May 23, 1880, he married Miss America E. Jobe.
MAHLON R. LEE was born April 8, 1835, in Greene County, Ohio. His grandfather emigrated to the United States from Ire- land. and settled in Clermont County, Ohio. His oldest son. John, married Elizabeth Husong, of Ohio. They had six children. Our subject was bound out at seven years of age. When his mother died, he ran away, and went to live with a farmer. with whom he remained until he was twelve years old. Then he carried the United States mail between Centerville and Jeffersonville, Ohio. At fifteen years of age, he walked from Jeffersonville to Westfield, Ind. Here he did chores for a farmer and attended school. then the first he had ever attended. At the age of nineteen, he learned the gunsmith trade, and at twenty he started in business in Jefferson, Clinton County. Ind., for himself. continuing until 1857. when he went to Sangamon County, IL., remained a year, returned to Indiana. cleared timber land. and by great industry and economy he saved a small
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capital. and in 1861, came to Cumberland County. Ill., bought 160 acres of land on credit. successfully meeting the payments. In 1856. he was elected County Clerk for two years. At the time of taking the office, he found the records in a very unsatisfactory, incomplete condition, and at his own expense, employed a thoroughly compe- tent assistant, and revised the old and kept the new records under a perfect system. At the end of his term, he engaged in stock-raising and farming. He moved on his farm in 1873. remaining there three years. Then he was a contractor in building the P., D. & E. R. R. In 1878, he bought an interest in the Greenup Mill, and his present fine. large brick residence. and moved to town soon after. In 1880, he sold his interest in the mill. He now owns a farm of 260 acres of well improved land, besides the elegant brick residence in Greenup, all acquired by his own industry and economy. On June 10, 1856. he married Miss Sarah Jessup, of Indiana. who ran away from home to marry him. Their children are: Willard, Ethan A., Cora. Boxley, John. Mary J. Cora, Ethan A. and John are the only children living. Mr. Lee had three brothers: David, Clark and Ethan A. David is now practicing medicine in Missouri: Ethan A. practicing medicine in Colorado. Clark was a . physician very early in life. He went to Texas, then to the southwest part of Mexico, on the Pacific coast, and there practiced his profession. He adopted the Spanish language and Mexican customs, and was not heard from for thirty years. He became very wealthy, returned to Missouri, where he met his brothers by appointment. There he died of con- sumption.
LEMUEL LEGGETT, farmer. Greenup, was born in Washing- ton County, Ohio. December 17. 1827. His grandfather was a native of Ireland, emigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where was born Alexander Leggett. the father of our subject, who was by trade a shoemaker, but mostly engaged in farming. He removed to Washington County, Ohio, where he lived until his death. He was married to Isabella Campbell. in 1800. To them were born eleven children, all of whom lived to well advanced years. Our sub- jeet remained at home until of age. when he started in lite by keep- ing a grocery store at Sterling. Ohio. In 1850. he came to Illinois, landing in Marshall: he went to Terre Haute, Ind .. from there, and entered the employ of a surveying party, who were surveying the present route of the Vandalia Railroad. with whom he remained three years. In 1853. June 23. he walked from Terre Haute to Greenup, with but a (few dollars in his pocket, arriving there an
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entire stranger. He soon opened a harness store, and made the first. saddle ever made in the county. In August, 1862, he gave up his business to enlist in Company B. One Hundred and Twenty-Third Illinois (Mounted) Infantry. as First Lieutenant. Owing to poor health he resigned after a year's service, returned to Greenup, and went to farming on a 200 aere tract, which he bought prior to the war. In farming, as in all his business undertakings. Mr. Leggett has been quite successful, constantly adding to his farm until he owned a section of valuable land, most of which he still retains. He has built a neat cottage residence, a good barn and other out- buildings, and set out an orchard of several acres of choice fruit. His farm adjoins Greenup. On February 5, 1854, he was married to Miss Loretta A. Williams, of Greenup. They are the parents of eight children,-an infant (unnamed), Laura E. (deceased), Clark C., Florence, Anna B. (deceased). Sarah E., Joe, and Gaylitte. He is a Republican in politics. He has contributed in time and money to all publie enterprises, and especially in the digging of the Mineral Well.
CHAPMAN A. LEWIS, harness store, Greenup. was born in Rush County, Ind., January 10, 1824. He was raised on a farm, attend- ing school in the winter season. Being apt in learning, he generally stood at the head of his class. His father was poor, and only afforded his children each one pair of shoes a year, and required all their time in hard work on the farm, except a few months, each winter, at school. In 1845, he married Miss Cynthia A. Earl, of Jennings County, Ind. At first he farmed for three years, then went into the gro- cery business one year at West Paris, Jennings County, then bought a saddle and harness store in the same place. He carried on a large business and learned the trade of harness-making. After three years he went to farming, continuing until 1864, when he came to Cumberland County, III .. and farmed ten years: then came to Greenup and established his present business. He now has the largest estab- lishment and the best trade in the place. Ile was reared in the Methodist faith, and is highly respected by the community. Eight children have been born to them, viz .: Oliver, David D., Elizabeth, Charity, Leroy. Martha A. (deceased). George (deceased ), Jephtha (deceased).
WILLIAM ; McCANN. shoemaker, Greenup, was born in Flen- ington, N. J., August 18, 1834, was given a good education, and was taught his trade by his father. He remained at home until of age, when he went to Glen Gardner, New Jersey, and engaged in business
1
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for himself for five years. There he married Miss Susan Fritts; then he went into the stock business, buying and selling and ship- ping cattle. for eighteen years, after which he came to Cumberland County. Ill., on a visit. Seeing it was a good location for his trade, he opened a shoe shop: is a fine workman, and has a large patronage. His is the leading shop in town. Mr. McCann has a fine property. He is a public spirited citizen, and much respected by his associates.
WILLIAM H. McDONALD, attorney, Greenup. was born March 1. 1841, in Ross County, Ohio, and is of Scotch descent. His great-grandfather was from the Highlands of Scotland. He came to the United States in 1777, settled in Pennsylvania, then went to Kentucky, and thence to Ross County, Ohio. John C., his oldest son, and grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania. He was a civil engineer by profession. Wrote a history of the Scioto Valley, and Indian wars in Ohio, and was a Colonel and Paymaster in the war of 1812. His youngest son, John, and father of Mr. McD., has always been principally a farmer, but has held the offices of Sheriff and State Senator from the counties of Ross and Highland, Ohio. Our subject is the sixth child in a family of ten children; he remained at home until he was nineteen years old, and received a very thor- ough education. In 1860, he left home and commenced to study law with Judge Safford. and on October 2, 1862. was admitted to the Bar, in Ohio, where he practiced for two years. He then came to Illinois, located in Charleston, thence to Cumberland County, locating at Toledo, and thence to East Saint Louis, where he remained a short time. He then returned to Ohio, and remained there three years. In 1880 he came to Greenup, and now has a large and growing prac- tice. In 1873 he was elected to the State Legislature of Illinois, as a Democrat, from Cumberland County, and took an active part in the revision of the laws of the State. ' He introduced the bill, which became a law, non-exempting property from execution where the debt was due the laborer or servant. He has also been Master in Chancery. On May 16, 1867, he married Miss Sarah Campbell. of Greenup. They have one child-John.
REUBEN N. MATHIENY, miller and stock-dealer. Greenup, was born in Dubois County, Ind .. on May 22. 1834; came with his par- ents to Crawford County, Il., and remained at home on the farm until fifteen years old. He was given fair advantages for an education. When he left home he went to Hutsonville, III., and clerked in a store for three years; then went to Robeson, III., and kept a saloon; then sold out and went to farming. In 1861. he enlisted in
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Company E. Seventeeth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded and returned home, remaining sixty days. Upon joining the regiment again, being still unable for active duty. he was assigned to an ambulance corps, and was ordered to Holly Springs, Miss., where he was taken prisoner and paroled. He then reported to Saint Louis, and at the end of thirty days was exchanged. Then he was detailed for duty as assistant in the Ladies' Union Aid Association, in Saint Louis, for eighteen months. He was married in Saint Louis, March 13. 1864. to Miss Ann M. Shattuck. In May. 1864. he was mustered out of service, returned to Crawford County, Ill .. and farmed until 1876. when he moved to Greenup, and went in the liquor business. Then he returned to Crawford County, remained on a farm one year, returning then to Greenup and engaging in mill- ing and stock-trading and dealing-his present business. He has a large capital invested in the business, and is very successful. Mr. M. is a member of the Masonic Order, and of the G. A. R. His wife was born July 14, 1829, in New York. When six years old, upon the death of her mother, she went to Addison County, Vt .: at the age of twenty-two she went to Massachusetts. She first worked in a cot- ton factory, then began nursing, which she followed for thirty-five years. She was Matron in the Ladies' Union Aid Association in Saint Louis, Mo .. for several years during the war, and won the esteem and respect of all. While there she met and married her husband.
EDWIN MATTOON, retired farmer (post-office Greenup), was born in Worthington, Franklin County, Ohio, September 6, 1808. His father was a native of Vermont, but carly moved to Franklin County, Ohio, where he lived on a farm until his death, at eighty years of age. His wife was Miss Thankful Stebbins, who was highly educated and accomplished, as were all her family. She had several brothers, who occupied eminent positions in various professions, especially the ministry. A history of the Stebbins family has been published. Our subject received a first-class education, attending school until he was twenty years old. Then he learned the black- smith trade. He owned a shop for a number of years, at Blendon. Ohio. In 1850, he went via the overland route to California, remain- ing there several years, engaging in mining and blacksmithing. In the meantime, he made one visit home by water. In 1862, he returned to Central College. Ohio, and engaged in farming and blacksmithing for three years. In 1865, he went to Charleston, then came to Cumberland County, Ill., and first rented, then bought the
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tarm of eighty acres on which he now resides. His is one of the best cultivated and improved farms in the county. He has a neat cot- tage residence, surrounded by shade and ornamental trees, flowers in their season, and everything that makes a home attractive. He was a strong anti-slavery man, and local worker in the cause, and for the Liberia colonization scheme, collecting money in its interests. He stood alone on that question for several years in his community and church. He was also a very active worker in the carly temperance reform movement. Mr. M. is well read, and a thorough scholar. He has taken an active part in favor of public reform movements during all his life. In 1834, he married Nancy B. Langdon. of Ham- ilton County, Ohio. They are the parents of eight children, all liv- ing, viz .: Joseph S., now fifty years old, in the custom-house in Cal- ifornia: Mary E., Esteline M., Martha L., Delia M., Caroline, Anna M. and J. Leavitt. The youngest is thirty-five years old. Mrs. Mattoon died in August, 1876.
G. MONOHON, merchant, Greenup, was born in Montgomery County, Ind., February 10, 1830. His great-grandfather came to the United States from Ireland in the carly part of the eighteenth century, and settled in New Jersey. The grandfather of our subject was a pioneer of Fayette County, Ohio. JJohn Monohon, father of our subject, was reared on a farm in that State, and, in 1824, moved to Montgomery County, Ind., where he farmed for several years, then returned to Ohio, and resided in Madison County until 1844, when he came to Cumberland County, Ill., and here farmed until his death, June 18, 1856. His first marriage was to Miss Nancy Stypes, of Fayette County, Ohio, who became the mother of Gershom Mono- hon. Mrs. Monohon died in 1837, and subsequently the widower married Malinda Halloway. Gershom Monohon was fourteen years of age when brought by his parents to Cumberland County. His early life was spent in ardnous farm work, and his school advantages were limited, but by application to study at home and by attending school after attaining his majority, he acquired a thorough business and a very fair literary education. In 1852, he entered the store of A. K. Bosworth, as clerk, remained as such until 1858, and then formed a partnership with Mr. Kelum, continuing the same until 1864, when Mr. K. sold his interest to D. C. Robertson. Since 1872, Mr. Monohon has been by himself. In 1874, he built his fine brick business house in Greenup, adjoining which is his handsome resi- dence. He has been eminently successful in business, has accumu- lated a competence, and gained a high social standing. He is a
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leading Republican, and almost continuously since the organization of the Town Board, in 1869, he has been a member thereof, and is now its President. In 1876. he was elected to the State Legislature, as a minority candidate, from Effingham, Shelby and Cumberland coun- ties, by a vote of 12,442, and served two years. He is quite public spirited, and contributed $1,000 towards securing the building of the Vandalia Railroad. To his efforts, also, is mainly due the credit of causing the erection, in 1855. of the first brick schoolhouse in town, and later, against strong opposition, he was chief in the movement for the erection of the present fine brick structure. He is also an active temperance man, and to his influence is largely due the non- license policy of Greenup. He stands high in the Masonic Frater- nity, and is a member of the Universalist Church. November 25, 1857, he married Isabella H. Robertson, of Greenup. but formerly of Ohio, and by her he became the father of six children, viz .: Hat- tie C. (deceased), Douglas C. (deceased). John. Jennie. George C., and Mark T.
CHARLES NISEW ANGER, retired farmer, Greenup, was born in Gallia County. Ohio, February 15, 1805. His grandfather came to the United States from Germany, early in the eighteenth century, and was one of the first settlers of Marietta, Ohio, but later settled in Gal- lia County. He had two sons, Jacob and John. The former settled in North Carolina, and but very little was ever known of him after- wards. John remained at home, working on the farm. In 1800 he mar- ried Miss Winnefred Buck. Their only child was Charles Nisewanger, our subject. The grandfather died February 12, 1806. Mr. Nisewan- ger's early life was spent mostly in farm work and attending school. With his step-father he ran a ferry boat on the Ohio River, at Gallipo- lis, Ohio, several years. In 1828 he went to Fairfield County, Ohio, and contracted for excavating a part of the Cleveland and Portsmouth Canal. After the completion of this contract in 1831, he was canal superintendent with headquarters at Newark, for ten years: then ran a hotel for thirteen months, at Luray, Ohio; then came to Cumber- land County, in 1846. settled in the timber, and cleared part of a farm. remaining but a year. He then moved to Greenup, and went into the mercantile business for two years. During the ensuing six years he was Assessor, Collector and Deputy Sheriff. On August 9, 1861, he organized Company A. Fifth Ilinois Cavalry. He was offered the captainey, but declined, and was commissioned First Lieutenant. He remained in the service eighteen months. but from injuries received from his horse falling on him he was compelled to resign. Upon his
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return home he clerked a year for A. K. Bosworth. Then, in 1863, he engaged in mercantile business in Greenup, continuing ten years. IIc then went to farming, which he follows, with the assistance of his son- in-law. Mr. N. has always been, from boyhood, a tetotelar and temper- ance worker. He organized the first lodge of Sons of Temperance in Cumberland County, and later the Good Templars' Order, and with his wife was among the first to start the Blue Ribbon movement in Greenup, the result of which has been to make Greenup a prohibition town, with 1,600 signatures to the pledge. IIe is a Mason in good standing, and charter member of the order in Greenup: also charter member of the Eastern Star; also his wife. He has been married seven times. His first wife, Susan Gilbert, lived but a year; his sec- ond, Mary Laney, lived three years; his third, Martha Smith, died soon after marriage; his fourth, Sarah Smith, sister of his third, also deceased; his fifth, Sarah Warden, lived five years; his sixth was Eliz- abeth Pickering. He then married Mrs. Lucy LaDow. Mrs. Lucy (LaDow) Nisewanger, was born August 21, 1824, near Granville, Ohio. Her maiden name was Miss Lucy Philbrook. In early life she given a thorough education at the Presbyterian Academy at Granville, Ohio, then taught school until her marriage, JJuly 11, 1845, to James LaDow, who was a prominent lawyer, and highly respected. In 1853 she came with her husband to Effingham County, Ill., remained three years, and then came to Cumberland County, where, November 28, 1860, he died. After the death of her husband she taught school for a while, was then appointed Postmistress at Greenup, and served until October, 1863. On August 9, 1863, she married her present husband, and soon after resigned the affairs of the post-office, her husband, Mr. N., being appointed in her stead. With all business, social, and political acts of Mr. N., his wife has been closely identified and asso- ciated. Mrs. N. occupies a high social and literary position, and has always been accorded the lead in movements and organizations among her lady associates. At one time she made the presentation speech, in the presence of Governor Yates and Owen Lovejoy, consequent upon presenting a flag to the " Wide Awakes." On another occa- sion she made the presentation address upon the ladies giving a flag to Company B, Ninety-Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. She is a charter member of the Eastern Star, and an active temperance worker. Mr. and Mrs. (LaDow) Nisewanger, are parents of one child, Charles P. (deceased).
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