USA > Illinois > Cumberland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 57
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 57
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 57
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JAMES F. COMPTON was born in Simpson County, Ky., in 1842, and is the fifth son of William S. and Nancy M. (Mayfield) Compton, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina respectively. He was reared and educated in his native county. He enlisted in the Sixth Kentucky Volunteers (Confederate Infantry), and served at Franklin, Nashville, Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, Mont- gomery, Knoxville (Tenn.), Stone River, Chattanooga and Dallas. At that place he was wounded and fell into Federal hands, went into hospital, and as soon as he was able made his way back to Montgom- ery and Mobile, into the Confederate lines, and was made a cavalry soldier. They moved into North and South Carolina, thence back
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to Washington, Ga., and at the close of the war he returned home. He engaged in the saw-mill business until he came to his present farm, which contains 146 acres of well improved land. In 1866, he married Susan W. Hill, a native of Kentucky. They have seven children, viz .: Alonzo, Clarence, Mary, Virgil. James, Josie and Nora. Mr. Compton is a member of the Universalist Church. He has been Assessor, and Supervisor twice, and is now Collector for the township. Politically, he is a liberal Democrat, and is one of our prominent citizens.
THOMAS GIBSON is a native of Maryland, was born in 1821, and is the son of John and Aun (French) Gibson, natives of the same State. The family moved to Ohio about 1832, and there Thomas was reared to farming. In 1854, our subject came to Jasper County and bought his present farm of 180 acres, all well cultivated. He married, in 1845. Emily E. Wilson, a native of Kentucky, who has borne him three children-Robert W., Mary E. (Tritt ) and John W. In politics, Mr. Gibson was for a time a Whig, then a Free- Soil Abolitionist, and is now a Republican. He was a member of the County Board of Supervisors for a number of years, and is a most influential citizen. In religion he is a Methodist.
DR. C. HARRIS was born in Nelson County, Ky., in 1829, and is the fourth son of Edward and Sarah ( Wells) Harris, both natives of Kentucky. When ten years old our subject moved to Louisville, where he remained until about twenty-five. He was educated at the Louisville University, and when nineteen attended lectures. At twenty-two, he commenced to practice. He soon went to Washing- ton County, Ind. He was a partner in a general store (including drugs) in Hardin County, Ky. He then came to Clay County, Ill .; was afterward m Shepherdsville, Ky .; also in Saluda, Ind., where he remained about five years. He next came to Mattoon, Ill .; then to Richland County, and in 1864 he came to what is now Boos, and bought his present farm, containing 258 acres, mostly cultivated and improved. He has practiced ever since his arrival, and has been very successful. He married, in 1853, Nancy Rickerdson, a native of Kentucky; that lady died in 1858. His present wife (formerly Elena Consley) is a native of Indiana. The Doctor has six children, viz .: Martha F. (Richardson), Laura Loy, Colmore. Oliver P .. Ida B., and Anna JJ. The Doctor is a member of the Universalist Church, also of the I. O. O. F. He was the first. Supervisor of the township. also School Treasurer for ten years. He is a Democrat, and one of our most influential citizens.
PAUL HARTRICHI was born in Saint Marie Township (now Fox) in 1854, and is the third son of Theodore and Francesca Hart- rich, both natives of France. Our subject was roared and educated in Saint Marie Township until 1871, when his father died. The three brothers farmed the old homestead until the fall of 1882. The homestead contained about 800 acres. In 1882. it was divided; Mr. Hartrich sold his part to his brother, and now has charge of the Boos farm. In 1879, he married Monica Faller. a native of Evans-
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ville, Ind. They have one child, Francis X. Mr. Hartrich is a mem- ber of the Catholic Knights of America, also of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat; was Township Collector for one term, and is a. respected citizen.
EUGENE HARTRICH was born in Fox Township in 1849, and is the second son of Theodore and Francesca Hartrich. He was reared and educated in this township until he attained his majority. After his father's death, he, with his brothers, farmed the homestead until 1882, when he bought his brothers out. He now owns 230 acres of land, mostly cultivated and improved, and has an interest in some undivided homestead land. In 1880, he married Pauline Picquet, a daughter of Dr. Picquet. of Saint Marie. Mr. Hartrich is a member of the Catholic Knights. He served the unexpired term, as Sheriff, of JJohn Selby; has also been Township Collector. He is a Democrat, and an esteemed citizen.
J. Q. HITCH, a member of the firm of Hitch & Dickerson, mer- chants and grain dealers, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, in 1856, and is the eldest son of Nelson A. and Lottie Hitch; both natives of Ohio. Mr. Hitch was reared and educated in Ohio, and when twenty years old came with the family to Richland County, and engaged in farming and stock-raising, continuing four years. The corn failure of 1881, led him to ship and sell corn at West Lib- erty, through the season. He sold forty ear loads; a remarkable sale for so small a place. He then began the grocery business at West Liberty, and continued alone until 1882, when he was joined by Mr. Dickerson, who added grain-dealing and agricultural implements. They were the first firm of the kind, and sold nineteen machines of the Dorsey manufacture, this year. They are the only firm in the place who make a specialty of groceries and provisions. They carry about $1,500 worth of groceries, and have a large and increasing trade. They shipped last year 125 cars of grain. Mr. Hitch is a member of the A. O. U. W. He votes the Republican ticket at the National elections, but in other elections is independent. He is an influential citizen. Wilmer L. Dickerson, of the firm of Hitch & Dickerson, was born in Jefferson County. Ind., in 1856, and is the eldest son of John and Nancy T. (Swan) Dickerson, both natives of Indiana. The parents came to Fox Township, when it was in its primitive state, and our subject grew up on the farm until sixteen years old, when he entered the Olney High School. He spent two years there, preparing himself for teaching; in which he has been very successful. With the exception of one winter spent in Arkan- sas, Missouri, Indian Territory and Texas, he has taught school every winter since, farming in the summer. He does not expect to teach in the future. Shortly before his father's death, in 1881, he bought his present farm of 200 acres, mostly cultivated and improved. In the fall of 1881, he married and moved on the farm. In 1882, he became a partner in the firm of Hitch & Dickerson. He married Emma Hitch, a native of Clermont County, Ohio. Mr. Dickerson is a member of the A. O. U. W .. He is a Republican, and has been
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-JASPER COUNTY:
Township Clerk. He is one of the most enterprising of our citizens. John Dickerson (deceased), was born in Jefferson County, Ind., in 1827, and was the second son of Wilmer and Margaret (Snodgrass) Dickerson; natives (probably) of New Jersey and Kentucky. John Dickerson was reared and educated in his native county, and lived upon the farm until eighteen years old, when he began the black- smiths' trade at Madison, Ind. After serving a three years' appren- ticeship, he worked at his trade in the county until 1858, then came to the farm now owned by his widow. He continued his trade, in conjunction with farming, until his death in 1881; since which event, his second son, Thomas, has managed the farm. Mr. Dickerson was married in 1851, to Nancy Swan, a native of Indiana, by which union they had six children: Wilmer, Thomas, Margaret (Yong), Manic, Grace and Henry. Mr. Dickerson was a member of the A., F. and A. M., and a Republican. He was a respected citizen.
J. W. HUGHES was born in Dubois County, Ind., in 1855, and is the youngest son of John H. and Elizabeth (Gatmore) Hughes, both natives of Ohio. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county. When eighteen years old (having learned the carpen- ters' trade), he came to Crawford County, Ill., and began business for himself. After about five years, he came to West Liberty, and has since been engaged as a carpenter and building contractor. He employs four or five men at a time, and has been very successful. In 1876, he married Nancy J. Gilman, a native of Virginia. They have two children-Irena and Hugh. Mr. Hughes is at present Consta- ble for the township. He is a Republican, and an enterprising citizen.
REV. J. L. JESSUP was born in North Carolina, in 1821, and is the eldest son of J. and Rachel (Jackson) Jessup, both natives of North Carolina. When our subject was three years old, he removed with his parents to Hendricks County, Ind., and was reared and edu- cated in that county. On attaining his majority he commenced farm- ing for himself, and continued until 1881. He then came to his pres- ent farm, containing 200 acres, mostly cultivated and improved. In 1845, he was married to Melinda Kellum, a native of Indiana. Five children blessed this union-Amanda Chawner, Oswald, W. Kel- Jum, Roscoe C. and Cora C. Rev. Mr. Jessup was Township Trus- tee in Indiana for seven years, and is at present Supervisor of Fox Township. He has been a minister of the Friends' Church for the last twenty years. Politically he is a Republican, and is a respected citizen.
JOSEPH KAUFMANN was born in Saint Marie Township, in 1844, and is the eldest living son of Cyriac and Magdalene (Ebb) Kaufmann, both natives of France. He was reared and educated in Fox Township, up to twenty-three years of age, and then bought his present farm, containing 220 acres, nearly all cultivated and im- proved. In 1868, he married Catherine Kessler (a native of Jasper County), who died in 1872. His present wife, Mary La Motte, is a native of Ohio. Mr. Kaufmann is a member of the Catholic Knights, and is school treasurer of this township. In National and Stato
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FOX TOWNSHIP.
affairs, he is Democratic, but in other elections, he votes for the best man. Mr. Kaufmann is a prominent citizen.
ANTHONY KAUFMANN was born in Saint Marie (now Fox ) Township, in 1847, and is the second son of Cyriac and Magdalene (Ebb) Kaufmann: both natives of Alsace. Our subject was reared and educated in Fox Township. When about twenty-six years old, he bought his present farm, which contains 250 acres, improved, and in good cultivation. In 1873, he married Mary Kessler. a native of Jasper County. They have five children-Felix, Albert, Paul, James and Glotildie. Mr. Kaufmann is a member of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat, and one of our influential citizens.
A. LITZELMANN was born in Alsace. in 1833, and is the young- est son of Joseph and Frances Litzelmann, both natives of Alsace. He was reared and educated in Saint Marie Township. His father died when our subject was sixteen years old; he then lived with his step-mother until about twenty-four years old. He inherited eighty acres of the old homestead, and has since lived upon the place: and has increased it to about 860 acres. most of which is well cultivated and improved. In 1858, he married Josephine Boos, a native of this township. That lady died in 1879. His present wife (formerly Christina Horn) is a native of Illinois. He has six children-Eliz- abeth, Charles. Mary, Helena, Aloyous, and Aggie. Mr. Litzel- mann was Supervisor of Fox Township for two years. He is a mem- ber of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat, and one of our oldest citizens.
ALBERT M. PHILLIPS was born in Richland County, in 1853, and is the eldest son of Austin R. and Mary C. ( West) Phillips, natives of Illinois and Tennessee respectively. Albert M. Phillips was reared and educated in his native county. When twenty years old he began farming for himself, and continued until 1880. He then came to West Liberty and soon began as salesman for Johnson & Son, and Hitch & Dickerson. In the spring of 1883 he began the insurance business, as agent for the Burlington Insurance Co., and has met with good success. In 1873 he married Jane Waggy, a native of Ohio. They have three children-Lowell, La Roy and Owen. Mr. Phillips is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican and an enterprising citizen.
WILLIAM SHRYOCK (senior partner of the firm of William Shryock & Son, merchants at West Liberty) was born in Ken- tucky, in 1827, and is the eldest son of John and Sarah Shryock. William was reared and educated near Shelbyville, Ind. When about twenty-seven years old he came to Richland and Jasper counties, Ill., and bought his present farm, containing 255 acres, nearly all cultivated. In 1861 he enlisted in the Sixty-Third Illi- nois Volunteers. He went to Cairo, Jackson (Tenn. ), Holly Springs, Oxford, Vicksburg, Memphis ; then toward Chattanooga, where he was taken sick and went to Nashville hospital, thence to Cincin- nati, Washington, Alexandria and Point Lookout, Md. There he was discharged and returned home. He then dealt chiefly in stock
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES -- JASPER COUNTY:
up to 1881, when he began his present general merchandise busi- ness. The firm carry a heavy stock and have a flourishing trade. In 1851 Mr. William Shryock married Elizabeth A. Wood, a native of Indiana. They have five children-John J., William H., Martha, Carrie B. and Charles E. Mr. Shryock is a member of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church, is a Republican and a prominent citizen.
JOHN J. SHRYOCK, the junior partner, was born in Richland County, Ill .. in 1858, and is the eldest son of William Shryock. He was reared and educated in his native county, and took a course of book-keeping at Olney. He farmed exclusively until the fall of 1882, and then entered the mercantile business as his father's part- ner. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, a Republican and a respected citizen.
J. SHRYOCK was born in Shelby County, Ind., in 1832, and is the second son of John and Sarah Shryock. Mr. Shryock was reared and educated in Shelby County, Ind., until seventeen years old and was afterward engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1854. He then came to his present farm of 449 acres, in Saint Marie Town- ship, and Richland County. He farmed and dealt in stock up to 1880 (except a few months when he dealt in grain at Olney); then commenced the grain trade in West Liberty. He has shipped and dealt in stock, and almost controlled the trade here for the last fif- teen years. In 1849 he married Martha E. Morris, a native of Shelby County, Ind. They have seven children-John W., Valentine, Frank- lin, Arminta Stewart, Halleck, Grant and Colfax. Mr. Shryock is a member of the Baptist Church. He was a Whig and Know Noth- ing, and is now a Republican. He is the founder of West Liberty and one of its most influential citizens.
WILLIAM P. SPRAY was born in Hendricks County, Ind., in the year 1853, and is the only son of Wilson and Sarah ( Furnas) Spray, natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. Our subject was educated chiefly at Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., and was reared in his native county. He engaged in stock-dealing in Hendricks County until 1879, then was a partner in a general store and in grain dealing at Bridgeport, Ind. After two years he began the stock business in this township, also in Hendricks County, Ind., and now has the principal part of his business here. The firm is Wilson, Spray & Son. They own 350 acres in this township. Mr. Spray was married, in 1875. to Ella Jessup, a native of Hendricks County. Ind. That lady died in 1881. They had one child. also deceased. Mr. Spray is a member of the Friends' Church. He is a Republican, and one of our enterprising citizens.
JAMES H. TANGUARY, M. D., was born in Wabash County, Ill., in 1856, and is the third son of JJames W. and Elizabeth ( Buchanan ) Tanguary, both natives of Illinois. His father is a large farmer and prominent citizen of Wabash County. The Doctor was reared and educated in his native county until seventeen years old. He then went to the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, also the Normal School of Carbondale. Ill. During this time he
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FOX TOWNSHIP.
taught some time, and altogether taught about thirty months. He then began the study of medicine at Mount Carmel, III. He took a course of lectures at the Chicago Medical College, and graduated at . the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at that place. Dr. Tan- guary is the only physician practicing in West Liberty and has good prospects of success. He was married, in 1880, to Miss M. J. Rigg, a native of Wabash County, III. Mrs. Tangnary was educated at Lebanon, Ohio. The Doctor is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a young man of refinement and ability, and an earnest student of his profession.
J. N. THRAPP was born in Wayne County, Ohio, and is the third son of Thomas and Mary (Kernes) Thrapp, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. Our subject was educated at Canaan Center College, Ohio. He came with the family to Olney, where his father built the first grist-mill in Richland County. In 1861 he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Regiment. He re-enlisted in the Sixty-Third Illinois Regiment and went to Cairo, Jackson (Tenn. ), Lagrange, Oxford (Miss.), Memphis, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta, in Sherman's "March to the Sea," then on the north march to Washington, and took part in the grand review. He was promoted to Orderly Sergeant. After his discharge he returned to Olney; next traveled in Iowa and Nebraska about six months, then went into the grocery and provision trade at Olney, continuing until 1877. He then bought his present farm of 160 acres, which is well cultivated and improved. He married, in 1867, Anna Combs, a native of Illinois. They have three children-Alonzo Me., Nellie A. and Pearly M. Mr. Thrapp is a Republican, and a prominent citizen. He is one of the few men who have kept a diary regularly for over twenty years, in which he keeps an account of weather, temperature, etc., as well as personal facts.
DR. S. R. YOUNGMAN was born in Mason County, Ky., in the year 1813, and is the second son of Jesse and Amy ( Dicks ) Youngman, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. Dr. Young- man was reared and partly educated in his native county; when he was seventeen years old the family removed to Putnam County, Ind., where the Doctor finished his education, and remained at home until he attained his majority. After studying medicine for six years (during which time he supported himself), he began practicing his profession at Cloverdale, Ind., where he practiced four years. The following four years he practiced at Greencastle, Ind., then moved to New Lebanon, Ind., where he remained between four and six years. He next established himself in the West Liberty vicinity. In 1881 he settled in the township, and wishing to retire from active practice he turned the practice over to Dr. Tanguary and began the drug business. He carries a line of drugs, paints, oils, tobaccos, etc. Dr. Youngman was married, in 1834, to Lorana B. Mark, a native of Fleming County, Ky. He has ten children-Lydia Stephens, George, Hattie Bicknell, James, Nancy E. Tipitt, Mary Adams, Flora Garrett, Edward, Emma Sandifur (deceased) and Elmer. Dr.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES -- JASPER COUNTY.
Youngman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, also of the A., F. & A. M., and has been a member of temperance"societies. He was Census Officer for Fox Township, in 1880. He istaj Repub- lican, and an influential citizen.
PART IV. HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
BY J. II. BATTLE.
ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
ORIGIN OF THE COUNTY.
O N November 28, 1814, the Territorial Legislature organized the county of Edwards. White County was formed at the same ses- sion, and the line between them has remained unchanged. This line, extending from the Wabash to the Third Principal Meridian, was the southern boundary of a county, the limits of which extended north- ward to the international boundary. In 1816, Crawford was formed from the northern territory of Edwards, leaving within the limits of the latter a magnificent territory, from which eight counties, entire, or in part, have been formed. In 1819, the counties of Jefferson and Wayne were formed; in 1821, Lawrence County; in 1823, Marion, and in 1824, Clay and Wabash, leaving Edwards with its present restricted area. The Little and Big Wabash rivers naturally attracted the greater part of immigration and the early seats of justice were founded at an inconvenient distance from the interior settlements, which, from 1818 to 1835, began to be quite numerous. The precedent set of forming small counties in the case of Wabash and Edwards, was not lost upon the people of this interior region, and an agitation for the erection of an independent county of the outlying portions of Clay and Lawrence, was begun as early as 1838. The first vote was unsuc- cessful, but in 1841,the effort culminated in an act of the Legislature which resulted in the provisional erection of Richland County, as fol- lows:
" Beginning on the south line of Crawford County, where the range line, between Ranges 13 and 14 west, strikes the same; thence south, with said range line, to the south line of Lawrence County; thence west, with said county line, to the line dividing Law- rence and Edwards counties; thence north, with the last mentioned
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
line, to the south line of Clay County; thence west. with said line, to the center of the Little Wabash River; thence up the middle of said stream. to the mouth of Muddy Fork thereof; thence up the center of the Muddy Fork, to the line dividing townships Nos. 3 and 4; thence east with said line to the range line between ranges 8 and 9; thence north, with said range line, to the south line of Jasper County; and thence east, with said line, to the place of beginning, shall constitute a new county, to be called the county of Richland.
"SEC. 2. The county aforesaid is constituted upon the follow- ing conditions: The people of the counties of Lawrence and Clay, as they are now organized, shall meet at the several places of holding elections for senator and representatives to the General Assembly, in said counties on the first Monday in June next, and proceed to vote in the same manner of voting for senator and representatives to the General Assembly whether said county shall be constituted or not. The judges of elections in said counties, shall give twenty days' notice of the time and place of holding said elections, by posting up notices thereof, at six of the most public places in each of said counties; and on said day shall open a poll book at each election precinct in said counties, in which they shall cause to be ruled two columns, in one of which they shall set down the votes given for the formation of said new county; and in the other column, the votes given against the same, and said judges shall conduct said election, and make returns thereof, to the clerks of the county commissioners' courts of Lawrence and Clay counties, as is now provided by law in the case of elections for senator and representatives to the General Assembly; and said returns shall be opened and counted in the same manner as required in such elections, and if a majority of all the votes given in each of said counties at said election shall be in favor of the formation of said new county, a certificate thereof shall be made by the clerks of the county commissioners' courts of said counties of Lawrence and Clay, under the seals of said courts, and transmitted by them to the office of the Secretary of State of Illinois, to be filed in his office as evidence of the formation of said county of Richland, and said clerk shall make a like certificate to be filed in their respective oflices, which shall be made a matter of record at the next succeeding term of the county commissioners' court of each of said counties, which certificate shall be sufficient to prove the fact therein stated, after which said county shall be one of the counties of the State of Illinois.
"SEc. 3. If said county of Richland shall be constituted as
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
aforesaid, the legal voters of said county shall meet on the third Mon- day of June next, at the several places of holding elections in said new county, and vote for the place where the county-seat of said county shall be located, on which day persons proposing to make dona- tions for the several places proposed to be voted for, shall file with the judges of election of the several election precincts in said new county, their written propositions, which shall not be for less than ten acres of land at the place the seat of justice shall be located, and upon the person or persons offering the donation at the place receiv- ing the greatest number of votes, making to the said county of Rich- land a good and sufficient conveyance for the donation proposed to be given, such place shall be the permanent seat of justice for said county, and said donation shall be disposed of by the county commis- sioners of said county, in such manner as they may think proper, reserving necessary public grounds; and the proceeds arising from said donation, shall be exclusively used [and] for the erection of pub- lic buildings in said county.
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