Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 79

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

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 79

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JACOBS, Taylor (deceased) .- The visitor to Sangamon County, viewing for the first time, its fertile lands, well regulated farms, herds of well-fed cattle and general air of prosperity, finds it hard to believe that but a few years ago this section of the country was but a wild . waste, principally swamp and timberland. Yet such is the case, and the present excellent condi- tion of the country has been attained only through the untiring labor and perseverance of men of energy and persistent endeavor, who spent their lives in forwarding the development of the section. One of these men, whose lives were spent iu agricultural pursuits, was tbe late Taylor Jacobs. who was born in Sangamon County April 29, 1847, a son of Jobn and Eliza- betb (Miller) Jacobs, natives of Virginia.

Tbe parents of Mr. Jacobs came to Sangamon County at a very early date and settled in Cooper Township, where Mr. Jacobs purchased land and became an extensive farmer. Both parents spent the remainder of their lives there, reared a family, and now all are deceased. Tay- lor Jacobs was educated in the country schools and was brought up as a farmer by his parents, spending bis time in the duties of bis father's farm and sparing whatever tlme he could in securing educational advantages. He remained on the home place until bis marriage, when he started farming on his own account and devel- oped a good property on Section 14, Cooper Township, where he spent the remainder of his

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life, with the exception of one year when he lived in the State of Missourl. His widow now has a nice farm of fifty acres in Cooper Town- ship. He was a Democrat In his political belief, and he was a member of the Christian Church, in the faith of which he died August 16, 1895. Mrs. Jacobs is a consistent member of the Meth- odist Church.

Mr. Jacobs was married at Taylorville, Ill., June 23, 1879, to Nancy E. Colburn, also a na- tive of Sangamon County, who was boru July 16, 1851, daughter of William and Eliza (Porter) Colburn, the former a native of San- gamon County and the latter of Iowa. In the early days they located at Loaml, Ill., where for a long period Mr. Colburn operated a grist mill, and later went to Cooper Township, where he carried on the same line of business for many years. Both died in Sangamon County. Of their five children, Mrs. Jacobs and a brother, James Colburn, are the only survivors, the lat- ter being a resident of Springfield.

To Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs were born eight cbll- dren, of whom there are six now living, namely : William, engaged in the teamning business at Taylorville, Ill .; Luther, a farmer of Sangamon County ; Ada, the wife of Arcbie Welch, living on a farm near Mt. Auburn, Ill. ; and Lee, Peter and Owen, all living on the fifty-acre farm In Cooper Township. In the family there are eleven grandchildren.

JANSSEN, Mrs. Johanna, a lifelong resident of Springfield, was born in that city, May 17, 1854, a daughter of William and Margaret (Bowers) Fulner. Mrs. Janssen has three brothers de- ceased, one sister living and one deceased. She lived with her parents until she was twenty years of age, when she was married to Mr. Jans- sen. Mr. Fulner served for a number of years as Sberiff of Sangamon County, and was a man of stability and Influence.

Miss Johanna Fulner was married to Harmou Jansseu on June 16, 1874, at Petersburg, Ill., and five children were born of their unlon, namely : Ellzabeth, Louis, Marie, Anna and Nel- lie. Mr. Janssen was a native of Germany and there received his education. He came to the United States at the age of eighteen years, and after coming to Springfield attended high school untll be graduated therefrom. He made that

clty his permanent home and became one of Its industrious and respected citizens. He is de- ceased, but Mrs. Janssen continues to reside there, surrounded by her children and enjoying their affection and companionship. She is a member of Grace Lutheran Church, and is in- terested in its good work.

JARRETT, Thomas Lewis, an attorney-at-law of Springfield, and a mnan well versed in his profession, has always been a recognized power In the community. He has been depended upon to conserve tbe most important Interests of tbe people. During the time Mr. Jarrett has practiced his profession in Springfield,

he has been Identified with much Important civil and criminal litigation and has acquitted himself in a manner to give him a high stand- ing among the legal meu of the community. Mr. Jarrett was born July 10, 1872, near Max- well, Ill., son of Thomas and Flora (Lowry) Jarrett, who still Ilve in Divernon Township, Sangamon County. Thomas Jarrett and his fatber, William W., were both prominently iden- tlfied with the interests of the Democratic party iu Sangamon County. William W. Jar- rett came to the county from Virginia in 1826 and was well known among the pioneers. The family has been well known and prominent in public affairs, therefore, for a long period.

Thomas L. Jarrett attended the district school In his neighborhood, and belped with the work on his father's farm. Mfe applied himself in- dustriously to his studies and secured a teacb- er's certificate, teaching a short time in the public sebool at Coddington, near Taliula, Men- ard County, and with such success that he was called to the position of principal of the schools at Chestnut, Ill., later becoming principal of tbe schools at Shipman, Ill. He then gratified hls ambition by attending Lincoln University, from which institution he was graduated, then afterwards completed a course at the Northern State Normal. He had for many years had an earnest desire to study law and for this pur- pose entered the University of Illinois, and was graduated from the law department of the same with the degree LL. B. Locating In Springfield In 1906, he has rapidly risen in the esteem and confidence of all who had dealings with him, and iu 1908, he became a candidate for the nomination for State's Attorney and was considered a strong candidate, but was de- feated. He is a man of considerable learning, not only in the line of his profession, but on general subjects, and since he began practice in Springfield, bas been a leader in all move- ments for the improvement and advancement of legal procedure. in both State aud county. He is a man of high ideals in his chosen field and tries to live up to them as near as may be. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is a Deacon. and belongs to Spring- field Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M.

JAYNE, (Dr.) Gershom. (Vol. I, pp. 303-304.)

JAYNE, Dr. William .- No history of Sanga- mon County, Ill., would be complete without special mention of Dr. Williamu Jayne, who bas been a resident of the county since the days of the whipping post, and on numerous occa- sions has been called upon to fill positions of high honor and trust. Perhaps no man in Spring- field has so extensive a knowledge of past con- ditlons, political or financial, and his mind is a veritable mine of Information. William Jayne was born October 8, 1826, in Springfield, Ill., a son of Dr. Gershom and Slbyl Jayne.

This branch of the Jayne family may be traced back to William Jayne, wbo was born

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in Bristol, England, January 25, 1618, served in the army of Oliver Cromwell, and after the restoration of Charles II to the throne, came to America. He died March 24, 1714, and was buried at Setauket, Long Island. His son Will- iam, the second in the line of descent, was born March 23, 1684, and was the father of Isaac Jayne, born November 22, 1715. Jona- than Jayne, of the fourth generation, was born March 4, 1758, and his son Gershom, born in Orange County, N. Y., October 15, 1791, was the father of Dr. William Jayne.

Dr. Gershom Jayne was educated in New York, where he practiced medicine until 1820, when he came to Illinois his route being down the Ohio River from Pittsburg by flat-boat, and he spent about six months in Southern Illinois before permanently locating in Springfield, then a place of but a few cabins, known as Cal- houn. He began the practice medicine here at a time when there was not a physician north of him in the State, and traveling on horse- back in the frontier district, successfully prac- ticed his profession for forty-seven years. He lived to the age of seventy-five and one-half years and his wife to the age of seventy years. She bore the maiden name of Sibyl Slater, and was the daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth Slater. Her grandfather lived to be ninety years old. Mrs. Jayne's sister, Julia Maria, acted as bridesmaid to Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, and later became the wife of Ex-Senator Ly- inan Trumbull ; Captain Henry, a brother, served five years in the Union army during the Civil War, and is now a retired physician of Taylorville, Ill .; and Mary Ellen, a sister, died unmarried.

William Jayne acquired his education in the public schools of Springfield, Ill., and in 1843 entered the Illinois College, at Jacksonville, graduating with the class of 1847 with the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts. He was one of the founders of the famous Phỉ Alpha So- ciety and was its first President. For sev- eral years Dr. Jayne had his father for pre- ceptor. In 1860 he was elected State Senator for the district composed of Sangamon and Morgan counties, but resigned in 1861 to accept from President Lincoln the appointment as first Territorial Governor of Dakota (then em- bracing both North and South Dakota), and was Delegate to Congress from that territory, serving two years and then returning to Spring- field. In 1869 he was appointed by President Grant to the position of Pension Agent of Il- linois, and later was appointed by Governor Oglesby as a member of the committee chosen to complete the new State Capitol. He served as Mayor of Springfield in 1859, 1876, 1877 and 1882, was a member of the Board of Edu- cation and Vice President of the Library Board, and was acting President of the State Board of Charities. He is a member of the State and National Medical Associations. Since 1875 Dr. Jayne has been Vice President and a Director in the First National Bank, and is now Pres- ident of the Lincoln Library.

In October, 1850, at Jacksonville, Ill., Dr. Jayne was married to Julia Wetherbee, who was born in Vermont in 1830 and died in March, 1877. She was a daughter of Seth and Eliza- beth Wetherbee, natives of the Green Mountalu State who came to Morgan County, Ill., in 1834. There were two children born to Dr. and Mrs. Jayne: William S., born in October, 1851, in 1875 married Margaret Palmer, daugh- ter of Governor Palmer, but who died in May, 1903. leaving four children-Louis, Margaret, Perry and Susan, of whom Perry served in the Spanish-American War and Susan is the wife of George Fish; and Lizzie J., born in July, 1855, married in October, 1878, C. F. Kuech- ler, and died in 1902, leaving two children, Bessie, a former student in the Chicago School for the Deaf, and William.

Dr. Jayne is a recognized authority on mat- ters of a political nature, and many remin- iscences of political history may be found in his article in this work under the caption : "Po- litical Representation."

JAYNE, William. (Vol. I, p. 304.)

JEFFERIES, Naran Allen (deceased), was a member of one of the early families of San- gamon County, being born there August 2, 1828, two years before the "deep snow." His par- ents located near Springfield and lived on a farm there until their deaths. They were Elias and Rachel (Johnson) Jeffries, natives of Ohlo. The former was born in 1800 and the latter in 1805, and they were married March 11, 1824. They were prominent and highly re- spected residents of Sangamon County and be- came well known there. They became the parents of three sons, all now deceased.

The education of N. A. Jefferies was acquired in the public schools and in an Ohio college, and after leaving school, he took up farming, which occupation he followed the remainder of his life. In 1849, in company with several other men, he went to California in search of the gold, of which they had heard so much, and several years later returned East, spending some time in Ohio, after which he returned to Sangamon County and took up farming again. He later purchased the farm where his widow now resides and brought it to à high state of cultivation. He was an energetic and indus- trious man and a very fair degree of success attended his efforts. His tarm is located four miles from Springfield, and there his widow now owns thirty acres of good farm land.

Mr. Jefferies was married in 1861 in Spring- field, to Ruth J. Wesse, who was born in Tennessee, her parents being also pioneers of Illinois, settling in Fulton County in an early day. A few years later they came to Sanga- mon County, where the father carried on farm- ing until his death. Mrs. Weese died in Ful- ton County. Four children were born to Mr. Jeffries and his wife, of whom but one sur- vives, John, a farmer of Sangamon County. Mrs. Ruth Jeffries died In 1873. In 1874 Mr.

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Jeffries married (second) a sister of his first wife, Malinda Weese, and of this union one daughter was born, Anna M., who died March 5, 1906, having received an excellent education. She was a musician, poet and artist of con- siderable talent, and had many friends. Mr. Jefferies died in 1883 and was buried in Strode Cemetery. lle lett many warm friends and acquaintances and his ioss was deeply teit in many circles. He was a member of the Meth- odist Church and iu politics was a Republican.

JENKINS, Chauncey Hobart, attorney at law and (1912) present Judge of the Probate and County Court of Sangamon County, was born near Cuba, Fulton County, Ill., son of David Milton and Mary Jane (Peterson) Jenkins, the former a native of Jefferson County, Ill., and the latter of the State of New Jersey. The parents of David M. Jeukins came to Jefferson County, Ili., in 1826, where their son was born in 1832, but in 1834 they moved to Waterford Township, Fulton County, Iil. In 1852 David M. made the trip from Pekin, Ill., overland to Sacramento, Cal., and for three years pros- pected for goid in that region. Then he re- turned to Fulton County, and in 1859 was there married to Mary Jane Peterson, after which he engaged in farming which continued to be his vocation, but is now living in retire- ment in his advanced years. He was a member of Company I, One Hundred and Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Wright, and was twice wounded, first at the battle of Mis- sionary Ridge in November, 1863, and later at Resaca, Ga., in 1864. He served from the or- ganization of the company until it was mus- tered out. Mr. and Mrs. David Milton Jen- kins have seven children.

Chauncey H. Jenkins, the subject of this sketch, received his primary education in the common and high school at Cuba, Ill., during the winter, alternating his training in the schools by working on the farm during the sum- mer season. Later he entered the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, that State, taking a literary conrse and later studying law, graduat- ing from the latter department in the class of - 1907. He was soon afterward admitted to the

bar, and establishing himself in the practice of his profession in the city of Springfield, has there met gratifying success. He is a Republi- can in politics, in 1908 was chosen a Justice of the Peace, and in 1910 was selected as the Re- publican candidate for Judge of the Probate Court, to which position he was elected in No- vember following.

Judge Jenkins was married, April 27, 1911, to Miss Ella McRoberts, who was born at Sher- man, Sangamon County, and their residence is at 623 South Fifth Street, Springfield. He is also an active member of several fraternal or- ders, and the progress he has made in his pro- fession since coming to Springfield furnishes abundant evidence of his ability and personal popularity.

JENKINS, William .- The Welsh have always beeu noted for their sturdy houesty and thrifty habits, and they retain these characteristics upon coming to this country as the lives of many people of this county show. One of the Welsh-Americans living in Sangamon County is William Jenkins, of Sectiou 21, Cooper Town- ship. He was born in Wales, July 27, 1840, a sou of William and Margaret (Griffith) Jen- kins. The elder William Jenkius was in the service of the British army for a number of years, but later became a farmer, and spent his life in Wales. He gave his children good educations, and then had them go to work.

Wifiiau Jenkins, the younger, worked at whatever came in his way, and for five years was a member of the militia, being compelled to driii twenty-eight days each year. While still in Wales, he married, and with his wife and five children, took passage on a steamer at Liverpool, on May 6, 1871, for America. Landing in New York they made their way at once to Sangamon County. Here Mr. Jenkins found employment by the month on a farm owned by a Mr. Brown, near Dawson. For three years, he continued to work in this fashion, aud then begau farming for himself, on rented iand in Cooper Township. Later he weut to Christian County, but returned to Cooper Township, where in 1892, he bought his present farm of 153 acres on Section 21. In connection with its operation, he has farmed other land to the extent of 301 acres, and has become one of the most successful farmers of Sangamon County. He has also devoted con- siderable attention to stock-raising.

Mr. Jenkins was married to Mary Evans, also born in Waies, and their children were as follows : Jennie, wife of Benjamin Barnes of Springfield ; John, a farmer of Cooper Town- ship; Maggie, wife of William Everger, a farmer of Rochester Township; Charies, a farmer; Anna, wife of Ole McMara of Chatham ; and David, a farmer, all living, while the fol- lowing are deceased: Edward, who was killed by lightning on the day of the St. Louis tor- nado, when twenty-three years old, and was buried in the Mechanicsburg cemetery ; Lizzie, married and died in the Springfield hospital, October 17, 1902; two younger children died in infancy ; Wm. T. Jenkins enlisted in Company A, Sixth California Infantry, United States Volunteers, under Captain Charles H. Dasher, and Lieutenant George L. Dali, and died iu Bakersville, Cai., April 19, 1905, aged forty-one years, four months and twenty days. IIis widow survives, making her home in California. There are thirteen grandchildren in the family.

Mr. Jenkins and his sons are Republicans, and earnestly support the candidates of that party. They are honorable and upright. never shrinking from hard work or civic duty, and are among the best citizens of Sangamon County.

JERALD, Ciarence H., a veterinary surgeon of Springfield, Ill., having an office and hos- pital on East Washington Street, has built up

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a good practice in his profession and wou the confidence and esteem of his patrons. Dr. Jerald was born in Jacksonville, Ill., May 18, 1877, son of Nathan and Hester J. (Picket) Jerald. The father was a son of O. F. Jerald, a native of Co- hasset, Mass. Clarance H. Jerald was one of two children. He attended the public schools of Jacksonville, then took a course in Peoria Business College, after which he took a veter- inary course at the Ontario Veterinary College. He practiced his profession in various locations and in 1903 came to Springfield, and has con- tinued in the practice of bis profession ever since, his office being located at 225 West Wash- ington Street. He has wou an excllent reputa- tion for skill and efficiency in his cbosen fieid of work and stands well among bis fellow-prac- titioners. He served several months as City Vet- erinarian. He was reared in the faith of the Metbodist Episcopal Church and fraternally is affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Or- der of Elks, the Court of Honor and tbe A. F. & A. M. In political views he is a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party.

Dr. Jerald was married October 31, 1908, to Miss Theresa Hannibal, of Springfield, and they have an infant son, Joseph H. Dr. Jerald owns a comfortable bome at 1415 Whittier Avenue, Springfield. He is a mau of good principles and is considered a public-spirited, useful citizen. who has the best interests of the city and com- munity at beart.

JOHNSON, Francis S .- The business interests of Springfield are many and varied and the men engaged in operating the several lines of activity find this one of the best centers in the State. Francis S. Johnson, photographer and coal ope- rator, is one of the sound, successful and pro- gressive business men tbere, wbo, not content' with his advancement in one line, has branched ont in anotber. He was born in Saline County, Mo., September 6, 1865, a son of Henry and Rboda A. (Seatt) Johnson. Henry Johnson was a farmer and blacksmith, who in 1849 joined a company of fifty wagons on the way to Cali- fornia. As he was a superior shot, he was en- gaged by the company to secure their game, and provided the entire company with all they needed during the long trip. He was then considered one of the best sbots in the State of Missouri. Altbough so successful as a hunter, Mr. Jobnson failed in bis search for gold in the promised land, and returned a year or so later, to resume his farming and black- smithing. This most excellent man died on his farm in Saline County in 1903, after a long and usefni life.

Francis S. Johnson attended the high school of Marshall, Mo., and then clerked at Higgins- ville, Mo., and Erie, Kansas. On September 4, 1904, he came to Springfield and opened a photo- grapb gallery, immediately becoming popular on account of the superior quality of bis work. At present be has one of the best galleries in the city and does a large business. He bas been

equally successful in his operations in coal lands in Kentucky.

Mr. Jobnson is a member of the Methodist Church and his political convictions make him a Democrat. He is a pleasant, affable gentle- man, and one whose courtesy and polish make bim a favorite wherever he goes. His business acumen is weli developed and he would donbt- less succeed in whatever he attempted.

JOHNSON, James D .- When the evening of life comes on apace, it is fitting that man should rest from the labors which bave claimed his earlier years and made heavy demands on bis energies. The duties of the more strenuous life should be put aside and a rest from further toil and care enjoyed. This has been vouch- safed to Mr. Johnson because of his business activity in the past, and he is now living in honorable retirement at 625 Wood Avenue, Springfield, one of the worthy and esteemed residents of the Capital City. James D. John- son was born January 7, 1837. in Christian County, Kentucky. He is a son of James D. and Martha Elizabeth (Bradley) Johnson, his father was born in Virginia and his mother in Kentucky. Her parents were natives of Ken- tucky and were among the prominent people of that State. being large slave holders. Grand- father Johnson was in the war of 1776, and was a resident of Virginia. Grandfather Brad- ley was a native of Kentucky and came to Illi- nois in the early pioneer days following farm- ing. Mr. Johnson was educated in Kentucky, in an old log school house. His childhood was passed on his father's farm, where he remained nntii be was thirteen years of age, and then came to Macoupin Connty, where he farined for about two years, leaving that place, he came to Christian County, and lived for many years, making that his home.

At the time of the outbreak of the Civil War, he watched with interest the progress of events in the Sonth, and noted the threatening atti- tude of a number of the Southern States, re- solving that if an attempt was made to over- throw the Union, he would strike a blow in its defense. Therefore, in 1862, Mr. Jobnson en- listed in Company A, at Camp Butler, Ill. He served two and one-half years and received an honorable discbarge in December, 1864, at Quincy, Ill. He took an active part in the battle of Cbickamauga, September 20, 1863, was seri- ously wounded in that battle, and was sent to tbe hospital, at Louisville, Ky., wbere he had his arm amputated. He was also in the battles of Chattanooga, Franklin and many skirmishes, under General Beard. He guarded trains from Nashville to Franklin and had many engage- ments with the Guerillas. His military record was inost commendable and honorable ; he gained the confidence, good will and respect of all whom he associated with during the long san- gninary struggle. Mr. Johnson's service em- braced action in many of the most hotly con- tested engagements of the Civil War; he was

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often iu the thickest of the fight regardless of his own personal safety, and inspiring his fel- lowinen by his courage and daring. He is today a prominent member of the G. A. R.

Mr. Johnson was united in marriage in Tay- lorville, Ill., October 6. 1859, to Nancy J. Hay- ward. She was born in Christian County in 1841, a daughter of Robert Ilayward, born in Connecticut. He came to Christian County in the pioneer days and followed farming. Her mother, Indianne, was born on the road from Indiana to Illinois in the early days, hence the name. Her parents were natives of Indiana. To this union nine children were born : William H., born in Christian County, July 25, 1861, married and lives in Great Falls, Mont., has four children. one daughter Essie and three sons,-Earl, Olin and Gerald; George L., born in Sangamon County, died November 4, 1896; Elma, lives in North Dakota, married, had one daughter, Elma, who lives in North Dakota; Cyrns E., born iu Christian County, January 1, 1878, married, has two boys,-Orville and Elmer, -lives in Idaho; Oscar D., born in Christian County, March, 1880, married and has four chil- dren .- Russell, Genevia, Ruth and Esther,-lives in Idaho; Omer E. born in Christian County, February, 1883, married and has three chil- dren .- Elvin, Ernest and Luella,-lives in Canyon County, Idaho; Mary, deceased, born in Christian County ; Myranda, deceased, born in Christian County ; Eliza Catherine, born in Christian County, married William Pierratt of Sangamon County, has two children,-Roy and Clarence; Lulu M., born in Christian County, married to John W. Buddenhagen of Lockport, N. Y., lives in Springfield, Ill., has two chil- dren,-Harold, born August 23, 1903, and Helen, born December 25, 1907.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 79

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