Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 78

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

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east part of Pleasant Plains. He then went back to Teunessee to bring his wife and children to the new home that he had found, and re- turniug arrived with his family on April 20, 1820. Upon his return he found John B. Broad- well occupying on his claim, having settled dur- ing Mr. Irwin's temporary absence, so Mr Ir- win went two miles farther down Richland Creek and took another claim, which is now known as the B. Lee Purvines farm, where he lived until his death on March 1, 1854 His widow died July 6, 1867 The children of Sam- uel Lynn and Rachel Irwin were: Hannah,- born July 11, 1803, died August 30, 1880; Mary, born January 10, 1805, died October 20, 1852; Jane C., born January 26, 1806, died January 15, 1832; Deborah, born November 7, 1807, died November 26. 1852; William C., born February 7, 1809, died iu 1851; Nancy, born October 2, 1810, died December 17, 1824; Hugh B., born August 30, 1812, died October 18, 1852; Alexander B., born February 7, 1814, died September 2, 1894; Ra- chal. born March 26, 1816, died in 1852; Matilda B., born February 13, 1818, died September 11, 1879; Robert Travis, born March 7, 1820, died April 10, 1908; Benjamin F., born May 18, 1822, died January 30, 1902; Julius H., born July 22, 1824, died October 5, 1875; James C., born May 6, 1827, died March 18, 1886; and John M., born April 24. 1829, died January 31, 1902.

Alexander B. Irwin married Cynthelia Broad- well daughter of John B. Broadwell, October 18, 1838, and settled upon what is now the James H. Irwin farm, where he spent the remainder of his life, with the exception of the last few years, during which time he lived in Pleasant Plains. To this union were born five children: Amos Dick, horn October 12, 1839, still living; John B., born March 27, 1841, was wounded in the Civil War at the hattle of Corinth, Miss .. Oc- toher 4, 1862, and died of his wounds at Jackson, Tenn., March 20, 1863; Betsy Jane, born April 1. 1843. still living; Samuel P., horn February 22. 1845 still living; and Hardin. born April 9, and died August 7, 1847. Cynthelia B. Irwin died August 10. 1847, and Alexander B. Irwin married her sister Jane S. (Broadwell) Seaman, February 28. 1855. To this union were born four children : James Henry, horn November 25, 1855; Arahell Albertha, born July 30, 1857, still liv- ing at Pleasant Plains; Adah Rachel, born April 16. 1859. now living at San Diego, Cal .; and Maggie Stella, born September 25. 1861 also living at San Diego, Cal. Jane S., Mr. Irwin's second wife. was born December 19, 1817, and died January 3. 1893. Alexander B. Irwin was a prosperous farmer and auctioneer, having cried sales throughout the central part of Illinois. He was an ardent worker for the cause of prohibi- tion, and during the later years of his life was prominent upon the platform at picnics and Old Settlers" Meetings. He was a man widely known. kind hearted, and universally respected.

James H. Irwin received his education in the district school of his neighborhood. and in the Springfield Business College. remaining on the farm assisting his father until his marriage, at

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which time his father moved to Pleasant Plains. On April 25, 1883, James H. Irwiu was united in marriage, in Sangamon County to Mary Etta Purvines, who was born iu Menard County, No- vember 25, 1862, a daughter of Greeu Lee Pur- vines, a history of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To them five sons were born : Ora- mel Blackstone, born March 11, 1884, graduated from the University of Michigan Law School, and is now practiciug law at Springfield, Ili .; Harry Clyde, born November 19, 1885, attended the University of Illinois Agricultural College, married Delle B. Boyuton, daughter of E. D. Boynton, of Pleasant Plains, December 8, 1909, and uow resides on a farm at Scranton, Iowa ; Emory Quintou, born October 10, 1887, attended the Illinois Agricultural College, married Oc- tober 20, 1910, Lillian Thompson, the daughter of Z. Thompson of Petersburg, III., and now re- sides on a farm in Menard Couuty, Illinois ; Scott Broadwell, born November 16, 1889, gradu- ated from Springfield High School, and now iiv- ing at home with his parents; aud George Pur- vines, born July 14, 1894 and uow attendiug Springfield High School. Mr. Irwin has given his sons a good education, striving to fit them for any position they may be called upon to fill.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Irwin located on the old Irwin homestead where he has since made many improvements and where they still live. In 1901 he erected a commodious dweiling, fitting it up in a thoroughly modern manuer. His farm has developed very materially under inis efficient management, until it is one of the best in that part of the State. He is also en- gaged in breeding thoroughbred Poland-China hogs and Hereford cattle. He has found time in the midst of his agriculturai duties to fuifiii his obligations as a member of the Christian Church, to which he and all the members of his family belong. He is one of eight substantial men who organized the Pieasant Plains State Bank, in 1879, being elected its first Vice President and still retaining that position. His fraternal re- iations are with the Masonic Order and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America of Pleasant Plains, while his wife belongs to the Eastern Star and the Woman's Club. She is active in these or- ganizations and also in church and missionary work. In politics Mr. Irwin is a Republican, and although not a seeker for public office, is ever solicitous for the success of his party.

Thrifty, hard-working, never neglecting a duty or shirking an obligation, Mr and Mrs. Ir- win have endeavored to rear their children to be useful members of society, and are peopie of whom any community may well be proud.

ISHMAEL, Frederick Worth Peden, a successful and well-known real estate dealer of Spring- field, was born in Illinois, and is a son of Wil- liam W. and Adeline (Peden) Ishmael, the father a broker. .

Frederick W. P. Ishmael received his educa- tion in the public schools of Illinois. He re- ceived good business training and experience, and engaged in business on his own account,

building up a successful enterprise. Although still a young man, he has showu himself to possess business acumeu and good judgment, and has a reputation for houest methods and upright dealing. He takes a commendabie in- terest in public affairs and is ready to do his share iu building up public enterprises. In po- litical views he is a Republican. He is a meui- ber of the Business Men's Association, of Spring- field, also of the Order of Red Men. His relig- ious affiliation is with the Grace Lutherau Church.

Mr. Ishmael was married, in Springfield, Feb- ruary 1, 1909, to Miss Catherine Hayues, who . was born in Springfield, December 22, 1884, daughter of Archimedes aud Anua Hayues. One sou has blessed this uuion Hughes William, born September 18, 1909. Mr. Ishmael has won many friends among his business and frateruai associates.

JACKAWAY, William, a retired farmer, living uortheast of Springfield, in Clear Lake Town- ship, Sangamon County, was boru in Pike Couuty, Ill., Juue 5, 1840, son of John B. aud Sarah Jackaway the former born in Illinois and the latter iu Ohio. Both parents are de- ceased, the father having passed away at Sher- man, Ill., and the mother at Webster City, Iowa. Mr. Jackaway's grandfather was an old settler of Ohio and participated in the War of 1812. William Jackaway received his education in the subscription schools of Logau County, III., where his parents lived on a farm. Upon leaving school he took up farming and made it his life work. As a boy he moved with his parents to Iowa, later returued to Illinois went thence to Mis- souri, then back to Illiuois, where he afterwards made his home.

In June, 1861, Mr. Jackaway enlisted, at Young America, Henderson County, Ill., in Com- pany D, Fifty-ninth Iilinois Infantry under Cap- tain H. E. Payne. This regiment was originally the Ninth Missouri, aithough recruited wholly in Illinois. It was organized at St. Louis in September, 1861, and the name changed to the Fifty-ninth Iilinois in February, 1862, by order of the War Department. Mr. Jackaway re-en- listed, at Whiteside, Tenn., in the same company and regiment, under Captain James Johnson, serving to the end of the war and being mus- tered out iu October, 1865. He participated in the Battles of Pea Ridge, Stone River, Crab Orchard, Perryville, Chickamauga aud many other hard-fought engagements. He was at Lookout Mountain with Gen. Hooker, also fought at Missionary Ridge in the Atlanta Campaign, was captured at the Battle of Jonesboro, Ga .. taken to Andersonville Prison and held there seven months aud eight days, being liberated when the war was over. In the Battle of Frank- lin (Tenn.), Mr. Jackaway was wounded on the top of his head by a saber, left on the battle- field for dead and taken to Knoxville. Tenn., by the Confederates, who captured him, and held there seven months. He was mustered out at

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Camp Butler, near Springfield, Ill., having proven a brave and faithful soldier in every way. At the close of the war he resumed farm- ing and is highly respected by all who know him for a man of strict honesty, Integrity and industry.

Mr. Jackaway was married at Williamsville, Sangamon County, to Miss Sarah E. Richard, born in Pike County, Ill., January 14, 1847, daughter of John and Levisa (Coon) Richard, natives of Ohio. Mr. Jackaway and his wife were married December 14, 1865, and became parents of children as follows: John M., born October 16, 1866; William L., March 17, 1868; George J., 1871; Sarah, August 18, 1876; Lillie M., 1878; Mary E., 1885. Mr. Jackaway and his wife are members of the Baptist Church and in politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the G. A. R.

JACKSON, Charles, a member of the Springfield Fire Department, is a native of Jersey County, Ill., born October 15, 1841. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Brown) Jackson, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of South Carolina. The father was a farmer by occupation and was an early settler of Jersey County, where he spent the last forty years of his life, and the mother died at Jerseyville. They were parents of three sons and seven daughters, and three of their children now sur- vive: Charles is the oldest; Emlly, Mrs. Dan- lels, lives at Jerseyville; George, also of Jersey- ville, is Superintendent for the Bell Telephone Company there. The father was educated at West Polnt.

In boyhood Charles Jackson attended school in Jerseyville, where one of his teachers was a brother of ex-Gov. John M. Palmer. After com- pleting his education he learned the trade of engineer, which he followed at Jerseyville, and when the war broke out he was working as en- gineer in a distillery there. He enlisted from that city In Company C, Sixty-first Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, which was under the command of Col, Fry, and participated in the Battles of Corinth, Parkers Cross Roads, Vicksburg and Shlloh, besides minor engagements. He was mustered out at Springfield.

After the war Mr. Jackson returned to Jersey- ville, where he remained until 1866 and then came to Springfield. He first took a position as engineer in a paper mill, where he remained five years, then worked eleven years for the Springfield Woolen Mills. He later worked one year as engineer for the Roberts Laundry Com- pany and one year in the Franklin Building. For the past two years he has been in the em- ploy of the City Fire Department as watchman. He owns the home he occupies and also property in Jerseyville, and Is a substantial, rellable citi- zen. In politics he is a Democrat and he is a member of Stephenson Post No. 30, G. A. R., of Springfield, and Camp No. 454, M. W. A. He is a member of St. Agnes Parish Roman Catho- lic Church.

Mr. Jackson was married at Jerseyville May 17, 1864, to Annie McBride, who was born in the north of Ireland, daughter of Charles and Rose McBride, natives of that country. Her father eventually settled in Springfield and both he and his wife lived with Mr. and Mrs. Jack- son the last years before their deaths. There were several children in the McBride family, all of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Jackson died January 7, 1911, sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson.

JACKSON, John A. (deceased), an honored vet- eran of the Civil War and for some years a resident near Sherman, Sangamon County, car- ried on farming in that county for more than thirty years and was well regarded as a useful, patriotic citizen. Mr. Jackson was born in the northern part of Pennsylvania, October 6, 1833, both his parents being also natives of that State. The father, John Jackson, was a farmer and both he and his wife spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania. They were parents of three sons and three daughters.

The country schools of Pennsylvania furnished Mr. Jackson his education and, after hls school days, he helped his father on the home farm until coming to Illinois in 1859, he located near LeRoy, McLean County, and there engaged in farming, remaining several years. He then spent a short time in the city of Springfield, but later moved to a farm northeast of the city, where he successfully conducted a farm for thirty years and where he spent the last years of his life.

During the early part of the Civil War Mr. Jackson enlisted at Bloomington in Company F, Ninety-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served three years, participating in many battles, including the notable siege of Vicksburg and battle of Corinth. He was once wounded but did not return home until the close of his term, when he spent some years in McLean County. He was a member of the G. A. R., and in politics was a Republican; he was a Methodist in religious faith, and both he and his wife became active and useful members of the church organization at Sherman. A man of conscientious, rellable character, he endeavored to discharge his full obligations in all relations of life, thus winning the regard and confidence of all with whom he was associated.

Mr. Jackson was married at Bloomington, Ill., August 18, 1860, to Mary J. Ramey, born in Ohio, December 3, 1843, a daughter of John Ramey and wife, hoth natives of that State. The parents became early settlers of McLean County and lived near Bloomington several years, then mnoved northeast of Springfield and there resided until their deaths. They were parents of six sons and two daughters, of whom the following are now surviving: James, of Del- phi, Ind .; William, of Gibson City, Ill. ; John, Ilving on a farin north of Springfield; Edward and George of Springfield ; Mrs. Jackson of Sher- man, Ill. One son was born to Mr. Jackson

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

and wite, Alfred P., of Sherman, In the employ ot the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, who married Miss Nancy Hamrick, a native of Iili- nois, and they have three children: Andrew D., Ethei D. and Violet L. Mr. Jackson dled in 1901 and his widow now lives in Sherman where she shares a comfortable home owned by her son.

JACOBS, James A., one of the oldest native- born residents of Sangamon County, Ill., was born on Section 24, Loami Township, August 4, 1829, a son of Daniel Jacobs, who came to America from Germany when two years of age, and was reared in Kentucky, where his parents settled. His father dled young and the boy was afterward bound out to a man named Daniel Spore, with whom he remained until he reached his majority. His birth occurred In Germany iu 1795 and he was brought to America in 1797, the family remaining for a short time in Mary- land, after which they removed to Kentucky. When he was twenty-one years old Daniel Ja- cobs married Charlotte Webb, a native of .Clark County, and in 1825 they came to Sangamon County, Ili. Arriving in the fall they camped out for about two weeks, when they purchased a claim of elghty acres from an Indian. Mr. Jacobs paid $40 for this land, which contained a small cabin, and into this the family moved late in the same fall. After he had made this purchase, hls money being exhausted, the family lived for a time mostly on wild game. He fin- ally procured a load of corn from a Mr. Black, a Kentuckian, who lived on Sugar Creek, and was told to call at any time for corn for feed for his animals or for himself, until he could break land and ralse a crop. Mr. Jacobs began im- proving his farm the next spring, and as five acres had been cleared before he came into pos- sesslon, he was able to piant early in the fol- lowing spring.

James A. Jacobs was born in the little cabin on the home farm, and his father entered more land, finally owning 120 acres at one time. In 1831 he erected a house on the land where his son now Ilves. Following the general rule of early settlers, he first located in the edge of the timber, but afterward bought forty acres of prairie land. This he broke with six yoke of oxen and an old wooden mold-board plow. The forty acres which he improved in 1832 was the first prairie land broken in his part of the county, and people came from ten to fifteen miles distant to see the operation. The prairie grass was as high as the head of a man on horseback. The year of the "deep snow" was one of much suffering for this famlly, as their cabin was almost covered with the snow for a time. The few fences had been completely cov- ered, during the notable fall of snow, which be- gan December 28, 1830.

Daniel Jacobs was proud to witness the rapid development and settling of the community, and was glad to see the school house and church re- place the Indian wigwam, or some fine home erected where once had beeu unbroken prairie. He dled in 1852 at the age of fifty-seven years,

hls widow surviving until 1884, when she passed away at the age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of nine daughters and two sons, and the mother lived to see them all married and located on good farms with com- fortable homes. But two now survive. Their children were: Henry W., died in Missouri, about 1879; Mary, married Franklin Dauiels, and both are now deceased; Amanda, married Thomas Wycoff, both deceased; Elizabeth, mar- ried Littleton P. Bradley, and both died iu Gi- rard, Ill .; Martha, married J. L. Foster, and both are deceased; Isabel, married Stephen Staley, a farmer of Maxwell Township, Sanga- mon County, but is now deceased; Charlotte, married Washington McGunas, both deceased ; Catherine, married Greenbury MeGunls, who lived in Butler County, Mo., both deceased; Susan married H. S. Coley, and both are de- ceased. Those surviving are: Annis, wife of J. E. Dodd, a farmer of Talkingtou Townshlp, Sangamon Couuty, and James A.

The education of James A. Jacobs was ac- quired chlefly in the subscription schools of his locality, where his father paid $3 per quarter for him. He learned the "three r's" from a single book, and applled himself to good purpose to his lessons. For more than eighty-one years his home has been on his present farm, where at a tender age he began to practice cracking the long ox-whip over the heads of four yoke of oxen. In later years he purchased and made use of much modern farm machinery, and be- came successful through hls enterprise and en- ergy.

October 11, 1855, Mr. Jacobs was married to Miss Mary E. Neal, born near her present home, and has spent her entire life on these two farms, making but one move in that time, and that at the time of her marriage. She was born June 24, 1839, a daughter of John A. and Elizabeth (Greenlng) Neal, both natives of Kentucky, who died in Sangamon County. They began housekeeping in a log cabin, which was well weather boarded and plastered, in those days an excellent home. They nsed the tailow dlp for many years and when the taliow mold can- dles came into general use they rejoiced greatly.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ja- cobs, four of whom still survive: Amanda, widow of Thomas Miller, living in Chatham Township; Henry C., a liveryman of Auburu ; Alpheus, an undertaker living in Anburn; John, married Ollie Workman, and a full sketch of them appears elsewhere in this volume; Char- iotte, deceased, had marrled Scott McGinnis, of Canton, Ill .; one child died in infancy, and Lizzie died at the age of five and Fred at the age of two years. Mr. Jacobs and his wife cele- brated their golden wedding anniversary sev- . eral years ago.

Mr. Jacobs remembers many Incidents of early days in Sangamon County. He then sold his hogs in St. Louis for $1.40 per hundred and wheat at 40 cents per bushei making the trip with an ox-team and driving hls hogs, the trip requiring ten to fifteen days. In contrast to

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this kind of transaction is his saie of bogs for $9 per hundred, and his wheat at $1.07 per bushel, both sold near home. In 1873 the family left their log cabin and moved iuto their present beautiful seven-room frame house of two stories. Here he has installed a telephone and has all modern conveniences. He rode on the first car on the Wabash Railroad which ran from Bates to Springfield, and which was drawn by mules. He has been very successful in his operations and now owns 360 acres of excellent land, the higbest price paid for which was $6 per acre, and most of it is now valued at $200 per acre. He has made many of the improvements himseif and is considered one of the leading farmers of his locality.

In 1862 Mr. Jacobs joined the Masonic Order in Auburn, later becoming a charter member of the lodge at Loami. For many years he has been prominent iu the organization and bas taken seven degrees. He has been identified with the best intersts of his town and county since attainging his majority, and in politics is a Republican. During his long life he has never tasted whiskey but once and has never entered a saloon and gambling house. His wife has been a member of the Christian church for the past fifteen years, and while Mr. Jacobs has never joined any church he has contributed generously toward the good work carried on by the religious organizations of his locality, especially when they were preparing to erect a new house of worship. He is hale and hearty, active for his years, and appears to be younger than his years. He is always ready to tell a joke or laugh at one, and enjoys telling stories of his youth. His first pair of shoes he obtained when he was nine years old and he took them to bed with him, being very much pleased with bis new pos- sessions. The nearest grist mill of that time was at Vandalia. The first mill used by the early settlers was a home-made affair-a piece of tin with holes punched in it, nailed on a board and called a "gritter ;" this was used three times a day to produce food for the family.

JACOBS, John .- The Jacobs family has been identified with the history of Sangamon County, Ill., for nearly a century, and a representative member of this prominent family of the pres- ent day is John Jacobs, who was born on Sec- tion 24, Loami Township, June 1, 1879, a son of James A. Jacobs, a sketch of whom appears in a preceding section of this work, and who was also born on the same farm. John Jacobs was reared on this farm and educated in the district schools. At the age of. twenty-two years he was united in marriage with Ollie Workman, who was born in Loami Township, September 26, 1880. After their marriage, which occurred February 12, 1902, they settled on Section 23 of the township where both were born, and this has since been their home. Mrs. Jacobs is a daughter of Stephen and Sarah Workman, the former having died December 15, 1895. Mrs. Workman lives on the home farm. Stephen was a son of Jacob Workman,

deceased, whose sketeb also appears in this work. Mr. Jacobs and wife are both members of families that have long been well-known and respected in the county, have been identi- fied with the best interests of the community iu which they lived, and have always been ready to contribute of their means and influence toward the upbuilding of schools and churches. They are among the large landholders of the county and representatives of the best type of citizens.

Mr. Jacobs and his wife are parents of chil- dren as follows: Dorothea Lee, born July 21, 1905; Edrie Magaline, born March 4, 1907; James A. Jr., born February 5, 1909 and Stephen S., born February 19, 1911. Mrs. Jacobs is an active member of the Christian Church, and though Mr. Jacobs is not affiliated with any religious denomination, he foliows the policy of his father in giving his support to various churches, and is also much interested in the cause of education. He is a member of Lodge 901 I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Re- publican. He is a practical farmer and stock- raiser and operates 170 acres of land, aithough he owns but sixty acres. He has been success- ful in his operations and has some Duroc Jer- sey hogs that are entitled to registration. He is progressive in his ideas and enterprising in his methods. His wife is a pelasant, well- educated woman, and they have a very pleas- ant home. They stand well in local society and have many warm friends.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 78

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774