Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 80

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 860

USA > Illinois > Cumberland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 80
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 80
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 80

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JOEL GARDNER, farmer, was born December 18, 1825, in (then) Lawrence County, Ill., and now lives within a quarter of a mile from the spot on which he was born. Joel is the son of Thomas and Frances (Calhoun ) Gardner. His father was born in Georgia, and his mother in South Carolina. Thomas moved to Indiana, where he engaged in farming, and in about 1822 emigrated to Illinois, and entered ninety-three acres of land known as the Peter Colvin farm, and there he died, January 9, 1864, in his seventy- second year, His wife died October 10, 1855, aged sixty years. She was the daughter of Hugh Calhoun, from whom Calhoun Prairie derived its name. The subject of this sketch was born and reared on this farm, and when he reached the age of twenty-one, his father gave him sixty acres, where he has since lived. He at first built a log cabin 16x18 feet, and there five of his children were born. In 1858 he built his present residence, which cost about $1,000. He has two barns, one built in 1857 and one in 1874, at a cost of about $700. His fruit house, 12x24 feet, cost about $300, and he has an orchard of about three acres, inclosed with a very substantial wire and hedge fence. Mr. Gardner has added other lands since coming here, and now owns 200 acres, and his is one of the best improved farms in this locality. In August, of 1862, he entered the service as First Lieutenant of Company H, One Hun- dred and Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, served about one year, then resigned on account of ill health. Mr. Gardner has been Justice of the Peace abont sixteen years, and has been several terms Supervisor. He was elected one of the three County Commissioners this election, which was to fill a vacancy on the County Board. When his father firstcame to this county, their nearest post-office was Lawrenceville, a distance of twenty miles. Our subject was

803

CLAREMONT TOWNSHIP.

married in 1846, to Rachel E. Heap, who was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, January 10, 1827. She died January 24, 1873. This union was blessed with nine children, three sons and six daughters. His second marriage was to Mrs. Sarah E. Edwards, November 26, 1874. She was born in La Rue County, Kentucky, June 23, 1838. They have one son. She has five children by her former mar- riage, four sons and one daughter.

THEODORE GHARST was born January 19, 1840, in Lan- caster County, Penn. His father carried on the shoemaking trade there, and with him Theodore learned that business. In 1863 he came to Claremont, opened a shop, and has since carried on his trade. He bought a farm of fifty acres in the spring of 1882; this land joins the village of Claremont, and this he cultivates, as well as carrying on his other business. He enlisted in 1861 in Company B, Six- teenth Ohio Infantry, and served three months. He was married in the fall of 1861 to Adaline Greenwood, of Pennsylvania. Eight children have blessed this union,five sons and three daughters. Mr. Gharst is now school director and Commissioner of Highways.

HENRY HARMON, JR., was born November 23, 1853, in Greene County, Ind., and was the son of Henry Harmon, who was born March 11, 1812, in Byron County, Ky., and in 1836 came to Richland County, Ill., and settled about three miles south of Olney, on Congress land. He there lived several years, but finally returned to Indiana, where the subject of this sketch was born. In 1855 Henry came with his parents to Richland County, where he has since lived. He owns sixty acres land upon which he lives in Section 15, and has just completed a very comfortable house, which he occupies. He was married in 1875 to Mary Graff, who was born in Richland County. They have four children, two sons and two daughters.

SAMUEL R. JONES (deceased ) was a native of Orange County, N. C., born in 1823. He was reared a farmer, and he died at his home in Claremont April 8, 1876. January 8, 1848, he enlist- ed in the Mexican war; after serving about seven months he re- turned to Orange County, continued farming and also ran a distillery there several years. In the fall of 1858 he came to Richland County and located in Claremont; he first worked for the railroad company, attending the tank; also farmed. He enlisted in September, 1862, in Company E, One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, and served to the end of the war. On account of wounds received at different battles he was transferred to the Invalid Corps at Spring- field, Ill., in 1864, where he remained till 1865, when he was hon- orably discharged. In 1866 he returned to Claremont, bought a farm of twenty acres about one mile west of the village, and there lived several years. He then removed to the poor-farm, having been appointed Superintendent, held this position four years, and during his stay bought the hotel now known as the Jones House. December 25, 1874 he removed to this house, where he remained till his death. He was married, August 15, 1849, to Elizabeth G. Jones, who was born in Orange County, N. C. Five children blessed this union, four sons and one daughter.

804

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY:

CHRISTIAN E. MILLER was born October 16, 1853, in Claremont Township. He is the son of Christian Miller, who was born in witzerland and came to Richland County in 1845, where he finally died. The subject of this sketch was brought up by his step-father. Mr. Miller owns 100 acres land upon which he lives, and mostly improved. He was married in 1875 to Sophia Hostettler, who was born in Ohio, and died in March, 1878, aged twenty-eight years. They had one daughter. Mr. Miller's second marriage occurred in March, 1879, to Rachel E. Gardner. She was born in Claremont Township. Two sons bless this union.

ISAIAH J. MOWRER, farmer, was born March 3d, 1832, in Ashland County, Ohio, and was the son of Henry Mowrer, who was a native of Maryland, and carried on the stone mason trade in his younger days. He afterwards engaged in farming. In 1836 he came West with a view of finding a desirable location to settle with his family. He then entered three quarter-sections, which land he afterwards deeded to his sons, George W., and the subject of this sketch, Isaiah J., who, in 1854, came to this farm and has since resided here. He now owns 420 acres which is improved with a comfortable stone house. The stone used in its construction was taken from a quarry on the farm, and the foundation of his barn and other out buildings are also built of stone. Mr. Mower has about eight acres of orchard and about 200 acres in improvement. He was married in 1853 to Julia Ann Cliffe, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio. They have had nine children, eight of whom are now living, six sons and two daughters. Our subject's farm is situated two and three quarter miles east of the village of Claremont, and the residence is in Section 12.

B. M. NEASE, teacher, was born October 27, 1852, in Meigs County, Ohio, the son of Gideon and Eliza J. (Jewett) Nease. They were also natives of Ohio. At the age of 10 years he lost his parents; he then lived with his uncle about two years, and later with his grandfather till the age of eighteen years. In the spring of 1863 they removed to La Salle County, Illinois; he lived there in all about eight years, after which he returned to Ohio, re- maining there about two years. In 1873 he came to Richland County. After teaching about three years, he was engaged in the drug business about two years. The past three years he has been engaged in teaching. Since the fall of 1883 he has had charge of the school in the village of Claremont. He was married in the spring of 1878 to Miss Essie Ravenscroft, of New Albany, Indiana. They have had two children, one living-Stephen G. Louisa May died September 7, 1883, in her second year. Both parents are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN PEER was born January 20, 1834, in Richland County, Ohio, and at the age of five years came with his parents to Richland County, Illinois. They settled in the locality where the subject of this sketch now resides. His father died September 7, 1859, aged forty-six years and three months. On the breaking out of the

805

CLAREMONT TOWNSHIP.

war John Peer enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Missouri Infantry, and served about eighteen months. He then returned to the farm which he owns, consisting of 120 acres, and where he has since re- sided. Mr. Peer has held the office of Constable seven years, and school director fourteen years. He was married in 1860 to Eliza- beth Stockwell, who was born January 28, 1836, in Jasper County, Illinois. They have four children, one son and three daughters, having lost Winfield S., in infancy. Mr. Peer's mother died July 12. 1879, aged sixty-eight years and three months.

JOHN F. PERRY was born December 24, 1831, in Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1838 came with his parents to Richland County, Ill. His father, John Perry, died December, 1839, aged forty-six years. John F. enlisted in 1861 in Company E, Eleventh Missouri Infantry, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant, and mustered out in January of 1866. He was wounded at the battle of Iuka, Miss. Mr. Perry after being mustered out returned to this farm which he owns, consisting of 150 acres, mostly improved. He was married in 1854 to Charity Stockwell. She was born in Ken- tucky. Mr. Perry's mother died in 1882, aged seventy-seven years.

DAVID L. M. RICHARDSON was born May 7, 1836, in Perry County, Penn., and was the son of JJoseph Richardson who was born in England. Joseph emigrated to America in 1810, settled in Pen- sylvania, engaged in farming, and died in the spring of 1882, in his eighty-third year. David L. M. moved to Highland County, Ohio, in 1853, and there engaged at farming. On June 21, 1857, he came to Richland County, and settled in Claremont Township. Here he owns one hundred acres of land where he now resides. Mr. Rich- ardson enlisted April 17, 1861, and was mustered into the service at Springfield, Ill., April 21, in Company D, Eighth Illinois In- fantry. Ex-Governor Oglesby was Colonel of this regiment. Mr. Richardson is with one exception the only resident soldier who enlisted from this county at the breaking out of the war on the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 men for three months. He, after serving this enlistment, at once re-enlisted in the call for 300,000 men for three years' service. His second enlistment was at Cairo, Ill. He participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Tenn., Fort Donelson, Shiloh,-and there received a wound in his right thigh by a limb falling from a tree,-of Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson. Miss., Champion Hill, charge at Vicksburg, and there received a severe wound in the right shoulder. He was then trans- ferred to a company in the veteran reserve corps by special orders, and was instered out as Corporal at the close of his service. He was married in 1867 to Susanna C. Miller. She was born in Swit- zerland, and at the age of five years came with her parents to America. They have four children, two sons and two daughters. He is a member of the G. A. R. and A. O. U. W., and amember of the Christian Church.

ELI C. ROBERTS was born September 19, 1817, in Sullivan County, N. Y., was reared in Ontario County, and was the son of

806

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHILAND COUNTY :

Hezekiah and Hannah (Clason) Roberts. Hezekiah in his younger days worked at the cabinet-making business, and also served in the war of 1812, but on account of ill health contracted in the service, he went to the Hot Springs to regain his strength and there died. The subject of this sketch removed to Noble County, Ind., in 1845, and there engaged in farming. In 1872, in company with his son Charles, he came to Richland County, Ill., there bought his farm of 157 acres, and then returned to Indiana. In the following year he returned, bringing his family. Here they have since resided. His farm has been improved with a comfortable house built in 1879, at a cost of $1,200, and a barn built in 1877, costing about $800. He has also planted about four acres of orchard. He was married in 1847 to Abigail Allen. he was born January 16, 1828, in Vermont, and died in 1859. They had five children-four living, all sons. His second marriage took place in the fall of 1861, to Elizabeth Miller. She was born in Ohio, and died in 1867, aged thirty years, and his third marriage was in 1868, toSirah Miller. She was born July 23, 1845, in Ohio. They had four children-three living, two sons and one daughter.

IRA O. SNAVELY was born July 6, 1857, in Crawford County, Ohio, and in 1867 came with his parents to Richland County, Ill .; they settled on this farm, where the father died in Sep- tember, 1881, in his fifty-third year. This farm consists of 120 acres, mostly improved, also a very comfortable dwelling, a barn and other out-buildings. Ira O. was married in 1879 to Ida M. Har- mon. She was born in Bonpas Township, Richland County. This union is blessed with one son, Roger.

D. S. SHOEMAKER was born November 25, 1839, in Perry County, Pennsylvania, and was the son of John Shoemaker, who was born in Germany and reared in Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch, when a boy, learned the tanners' trade, worked at this business for about three years. In December, 1859, he' came to Richland County, where he owns 120 acres land. Mr. Shoemaker enlisted in 1862 in Company B, Ninety- Eighth Illinois (Mounted) Infantry, and served to the end of the war. He participated in the battles of Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Parm- ington, Atlanta, Selma, and others. Mr. Shoemaker was married June 10, 1860, to Amanda E. Richardson. She was born in Perry County, Penn. They have had four children, two sons and two daughters. He is a member of the Urica Christian Church.

E. J. STEWARD, of the firm of Beaird & Steward, general mer- chants, was born June 5, 1845, in Richland County, and is the son of Thomas L. Steward, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. E. J. enlisted in February, 1864, in Company F, Forty- Eighth Illinois Infantry, and served to the end of the war. He par- ticipated in the siege of Atlanta, was with Sherman during his march to the sea, and was in many severe engagements. At the close of the war, he returned to Olney Township, where he remained about two years ; in 1867 he went to Clinton County, Mo. ; June.

807

CLAREMONT TOWNSHIP.

1868, he extended his travels to Cheyenne City, W. T., also to Colo- rado; he returned to Olney Township in 1869 ; in March, 1870, he, with his father and brother, opened a general store in Claremont, under the firm name of T. L. Steward & Sons ; the following year his brother retired from the business ; in September, 1871, he sold out his interest in the business, and engaged in farming ; this he continued till the spring of 1882, when he returned to Claremont ; November, 1882, the partnership of Beaird & Steward was formed, which still continues. Mr. Steward has been Township Supervisor one term ; member of the County Board one term ; Township Assessor one year; in 1880, he was appointed United States Census Enumerator; he was three years Commissioner of Highways, and he is at present Treasurer of Town 3, Range 14, He was married in October, 1871, to Emma Greenwood, of Richland County, Ohio ; they have one daughter living, and lost William L. in September, 1883, in his seventh year.

808

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-RICHLAND COUNTY:

DECKER TOWNSHIP.

DAVID H. ANDERSON, farmer and stock-dealer, a native of Decker Township, Richland Co., IN., was born on August 16, 1854, is the son of Isaac and Jemima (Brown) Anderson, and is of German extraction, and natives of Kentucky and Tennessee respect- ively. They came to Richland County almost half a century ago, and settled in Decker Township, which was then one vast wilder- noss. Mr. Anderson has long been one of the prominent men of the Township and still resides there. Our subject attended the early schools of Decker Township during the winter, worked on the farm in the summer, and remained at home and assisted his father on the farm until his majority, when he began life for himself. In Octo- ber, of the centennial year, he was united in marriage to Ella, a daughter of Abner Combs, and a native of Clermont County, Ohio. To this household has been born three children-Claude A., Roscoc K., and Myrtle. Immediately after the marriage. Mr. Anderson moved to his present place of residence two and one-half miles sonth of Noble. He is a Democrat, and his first Presidential vote was cast for Hancock. He has been Clerk and Supervisor of Decker Township, and in 1880 he was made a Mason, and is now Master of the Noble Lodge, No. 362. He is a leading citizen of the county and a thorough gentleman.

ABSALOM BROWN, pioneer of Richland County, was born in Franklin County, Tenn., August 27, 1822, and is the son of John and Phobe ( McCoy ) Brown, is the third of seven children, and is of German-Scotch lineage. The parents of Mr. Brown were natives of North Carolina, and in early childhood were taken to Tennessee, and were there married and lived until 1828, when they emigrated to Edwards County, Ill., and remained two years and then came to Richland County, Ill., and settled in Decker Township, and hercour subject has ever since lived and has been a resident of the township for more than half a century. When he came to the county. deer were quite numerous, the wolves and bears troublesome, and the sight of Indians a common occurrence. Mr. Brown is one of five men who killed an okl bear and assisted in catching four cubs in the northeastern part of Decker Township in 1833. The paternal grand- father and the father of Mr. Brown were both soldiers in the war of 1812. Mr. Brown was married, December 23, 1849, to Lucinda Smith, a native of Kentucky. To this union have been born seven children. Our subject has been a life-long Democrat, and has served as Justice of the Price, of Decker Township, for a number of terms. In 1866, he lost by fire his residence, a good two-story frame. Mr. Brown has long been one of the enterprising men of his neighbor- hood and is one of the frontiersmen of the county.

OSBERN HENRY. farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Craw-

809

DECKER TOWNSHIP.

ford County, Ill., born February 10, 1843, son of R. A. and Sarah A. (Lackey) Henry, is the third in a family of cleven children, and is of German-Irish extraction. The father of Mr. Henry was born in Tennessee, and in early manhood came to Crawford County, III. He was one of the pioneers of that county. He died in Arkansas in 1868. Osbern Henry worked at home until twenty-two years of age. His marriage took place December 28, 1865. to Miss Elvira Goff, daughter of Mason and Elizabeth Goff. To this marriage were born five children, viz .: Laura E., Ira M., Emery E., Mason G. and Hester A. Mrs. Henry died October 3, 1874, and four years later he was married to Miss Nannie F. Carson, a distant relative of the famous Kit Carson. To this union were born three children, viz .: Fred. H., Tillie B. and Nannie C. Mrs. Henry died October 11, 1883. In 1866, Mr. Henry came to Decker Township, Richland County, and settled where he now resides and owns 279 acres of well-im- proved land. In 1883, he erected one of the best barns in Decker Township. Mr. Henry is a Democrat, though in all local matters he always supports the best man. He was made a Mason in 1864, and is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

N. L. MCCAULEY, farmer, was born in Jefferson County, Ky., October 26, 1833. is the son of Daniel and Mary Ann (Jeffrey) Mc- Cauley, is the second in a family of nine children, and is of Scotch- Irish extraction. Mr. McCauley is one of the early settlers of Rich- land County, having come to the county from Kentucky in 1835, in company with his parents, and settled in what is now Decker Town- ship. The father of Mr. MeCauley was born in Jefferson County. Ky .; his paternal grandfather, in Virginia, and his great-grandfather in Ireland. The marriage of N. L. MeCauley, occurred December 24, 1857, to Miss Mary JJ. Rusk, daughter of Thomas Rusk. Mrs. Mc- Cauley is a native of Clay County, Ill., the Rusk family coming originally from Virginia. Mr. McCauley cast his first Presidential vote for Millard Filmore; at that time there were only three Whigs in Decker Township. He is now a Republican, and in 1859, was elected Assessor of Decker Township; he also served as Justice of the Peace for four years, and is now Commissioner of Highways. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company II, Ninety-Eighth Illinois Infantry, and was honorably discharged in February. 1863, on account of disability. Mr. McCauley now owns 153 acres of well- improved land. three miles southwest of Noble. In addition to the farm, Mr.M .Cauley has been engaged in running a saw mill for a number of years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Noble Lodge. No. 182, and is a man of public spirit and enterprise.

NATHANIEL MILLER, farmer, was born in Gibson County, Ind., March 27, 1847, is the son of Nathaniel and Lucinda (Mont- gomery) Miller, is the youngest of seven children and is of Dutch- Irish extraction. The father of Mr. Miller was born in Kentucky, and his mother in Indiana. In the spring of 1852, the subject of this mention, in company with his parents, came to Richland County, III .. and made settlement in Decker Township. His father died in

810

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES -- RICHLAND COUNTY :

November, 1868, and here Mr. Miller has since resided. His mar- riage took place January 13, 1867, to Sarah C. Williams, a native of Richland County, Ill. To this union have been born seven chil- dren, viz .: Sarah L., Jacob N .. John M. (deceased), Jane, Margaret E., George W. and Charley T. After the death of his father, Mr. Miller came into possession of the old Miller Homestead, four miles southeast of Noble. This land was entered, in 1839, by John Clark, and the first log cabin is still standing. Our subject is a true Dem- oerat. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was at the battle of Tippecanoe. Mr. Miller has been Town- ship Collector, Clerk and Commissioner of Highways in Decker Township. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Methodist Episcopal, Church. He is a leading citizen and an influential man.

R. H. RUNYON, farmer, was born in Highland County, Ohio, February 26, 1840, is the fifth of thirteen children and is of Irish- German descent. His parents were born in Rockingham County, Va., and in 1834, emigrated to Ohio and there remained nineteen years, or until 1853, when they removed to Richland County, III., and settled in Deeker Township, and here the father died in 1855, and the mother in 1883. When R. H., was seventeen years of age he began the battle of life for himself, and two years later found him teaching his first school. He taught in the Gray District, and was paid $27.50 per month, for a term of three months. For thirteen years he continued in this profession, teaching during the winter. His marriage occurred July 14, 1867, to Sarah A. Jonican, a native of Highland County, Ohio. They have had three children, viz .: Jason S., Alice and Albert R. In 1856, Mr. Runyon came into pos- session of that portion of the real estate inherited from his father that he now owns. It was not improved until 1860. Mr. Runyon is a Democrat and cast his first Presidential vote for McClellan. In 1861, he was elected Township Assessor of Decker Township, and held this position for six consecutive years, and was then elected Su- pervisor and held this office one year, when he was again elected Assessor and remained in office for thirteen years. In 1880, he was appointed to take the census of Decker Township. Mr. Runyon is one of the pioneers of the township, and has long been one of its principal men.

JOHN SONNER, farmer and fruit grower, was born in High- land County, Ohio, May 6, 1826, is the son of Jacob and Christina (Ambros) Sonner, is the third in a family of six children, and is of German descent. The parents of Mr. Sonner, were born in Virginia. They emigrated to Ilighland County, Ohio, in childhood, and were among the pioneers of that county. His grandfather Sonner was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and drew a pension until his death. The parents of Mr. Sonner died in Highland County, Ohio, at a ripe old age. The subject of our notice remained at home and worked for his father until he was twenty-six years of age. He was married, March 30, 1851, to Miss Amelia Caley, daughter of Fred- erick and Mary Caley, natives of Virginia. To this marriage have

811

DECKER TOWNSHIP.

been born eight children, viz .: Allen M .. William F., Sarah I., Levi, Emma R., John C., Ada S. and Cora E. In 1855, Mr. Sonner came to Decker Township and settled four miles southeast of Noble, and here has since lived. He first bought 101 acres, but now owns 290 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Sonner has made a specialty of growing fruit for many years. His apple orchard contains forty- nine acres, and is one of the finest in Richland County. He has made his own way through life, and by hard labor, energy, and economy he has been successful. He is a thorough Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Sonner are members of the United Brethren Church, and their ancestors were among the founders of that church. He is a prominent farmer and an influential citizen, and is one of the carly settlers of Decker Township.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 80

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 860

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 860