History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 104

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 948

USA > Illinois > Union County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 104
USA > Illinois > Pulaski County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 104
USA > Illinois > Alexander County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 104

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).

listed in the One Hundred and Forty-third Illi- nois Infantry, Col. Smith, Company B, Capt. Bourn, in the spring of 1865, and remained until the close of the war. Mr. Musgrave was married to Victoria Baker, daughter of Jackson and Caroline (Saunders) Baker. She is the mother of six children, three of whom are living -Dora, John and Freddie. Subject is a mem- ber of the Missionary Baptist Church, which meets at the Hair Schoolhouse, and is at pres- ent one of the Deacons in that denomination. In politics, Mr. Musgrave is a Democrat

ISAAC N. PHILLIPS, P. O. Lick Creek. Of all the men now living, perhaps no other man has done so much for the early prosper- ity and growth of this county as the man whose name heads this sketch. Samuel Phil- lips, the great-great-grandfather of our sub- ject, came from Wales some time in the seven- teenth century, and settled in Massachusetts, probably near Plymouth Rock. Here Samuel Phillips, the grand-father of our subject, was born, and upon reaching manhood went to Virginia, married and settled. In this State John Phillips, the father of our subject was born in 1775. Upon reaching his majority, this man removed to Ohio and settled near Chillicothe. At this town, he married and set- tled down, and had one son, but his wife dying soon after the birth of this boy, he left that place and after some years spent in roving life, he came back to Tennessee, and from that State he removed to what was then known as Franklin County, Ill., but now known as Will- iamson County. This was about the year 1810. In this county, in the year 1812. Mr. Phillips married Leanna Tippy, daughter of Abraham Tippy. This woman was the mother of thirteen children, of whom subject was the seventh. The father died when subject was about sixteen years old, and left the latter the sole support of the mother and the younger children. The family was poor, and Isaac was compelled to commence teaming. Soon, as-

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sisted by some of the old pioneers of that section, he procured enough horses to run a number of wagons from his home in Franklin County to the ferry opposite St. Louis. He continued this some years and was en- abled to give his younger brothers and sisters an education at the subscription schools of that period. Reverses came, though, and some of his horses having died. Mr. Phillips re- ceived the appointment as one of the toll-gate keepers on the toll road that was just then be- ing established from Belleville, St. Clair County, to St. Louis. His companion at this toll-gate was a half-breed Indian, and here at this toll-gate, when nothing else claimed their attention, the Indian taught Mr. Phillips, then a young man of twenty-four, to read and write. Our subject remained at this point until No- vember, 1854, when he came to Jonesboro, this county, where his elder brother was acting as land agent for the Illinois Central Railroad Company. The town of Anna was just then being established, and here, in the fall of 1854, the elder brother and our subject commenced the erection of what is now the European Hotel at Anna. In the early part of the win- ter of 1855, the elder Phillips was compelled to go out West, and in his absence our subject superintended the erection and the completion of this hotel. It was finished and occupied in the spring of the same year, and Mr. Phil- lips acted as landlord until the return of his brother in July ; he then started out West and remained there until 1858, when he returned to this county. From Jonesboro he went out to what is now Cobden, as agent for Phil- lips, Ashley & Company, who were the agents for the Illinois Central Railroad Company, Here he built the first log house in what is now Cobden, and remained here with a com- panion until the spring of 1859, before any other settlers joined them. As the town com- menced to grow he helped each and every un- dertaking that came there. He assisted the

County Surveyor in making the original plats for the town, and finally purchased all the un- sold interests of the firm of Phillips, Ashley & Company in the town of Cobden. He was one of the contractors for the railroad com- pany at this point, for ties. He managed and controlled a grain elevator, and also ran a general mercantile store. As he became pros- perous, he purchased and cultivated a fruit farm just north of the town plat of Cobden, and in time owned four other farms, one of 400 acres in Marion County, another of 340 acres known as the " forty-five farm," about two miles above Cobden, and two others of smaller di- mensions in the immediate vicinity of that vil- lage. About the close of the war, he accepted the position of general agent for the Belleville & Southern Illinois Railroad Company, which was being built from Duquoin to St. Louis, and as such officer he purchased the right of way, contracted for the ties and paid from funds in his hands for the labor and work on the whole road. He next accepted the agency for this State for the Safety Deposit Life In- surance Company of Chicago. He continued. as agent for the company for about a year, and then immediately after the great fire in Chicago he went to that city and engaged in business there. After two years spent at that point, he returned to this vicinity and spent the following years, until 1880, settling up his affairs and divided his time among the counties of Marion, Jackson and Johnson, and in the year 1880 he returned to this county and now resides npon a pleasant little farm about four miles from Saratoga. Mr. Phillips was first married in Marion County, on May 6, 1858, to Nancy E. Phillips, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Phillips. By this Union, there was one child, Alice, now the wife of A. J. Miller, of Cobden. He was married the second time to Elizabethi Lance, daughter of Henry Lance, a former resident of Franklin County, on December 7, 1875. Subject has played an im-

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portant role in official life in this vicinity. He was the first police magistrate for the town of Cobden, also acted as Justice of the Peace in the carly days there ; was appointed Postmaster for that point in 1858, and held that office until 1872. In 1861, he was ap- pointed Deputy United States Marshal, which position he occupied seven years. In 1863, he was, in connection with his other office, appointed " Provost Marshal under the En- rolling Act," and he served faithfully and well in this arduous position for two years and five months. In politics, Mr. Phillips is a Republican, also a member of Cobden Lodge, No. 464, A., F. & A. M., Anna Royal Arch Chapter Masons and Cobden Odd Fellows Lodge.

DR. THOMAS J. RICH, West Sara- toga. Among the people who were born and raised in this county, none bear any better rep- utation or are more widely thought of than this rising young physician of Saratoga. The birth of our subject took place on his father's farm, in Rich Precinct, about four miles north- east of Saratoga, on March 20, 1845. Thomas J. Rich, the grandfather of the Doctor, and his namesake, was of English descent, and was born in North Carolina in 1781. His boyhood was spent here, and upon reaching manhood he moved to Georgia. From there he moved to Jonesboro, this county, reaching here about 1840. He was one of the pioneers of this county, and died at a ripe old age only a few years ago. Our subject's father was born in Georgia, about 1820, and lived there until he reached manhood, and it was here that he mar- ried Sarah Owen, daughter of William and Susan Owen. From there George Rich moved to Tennessee and thence to this county, reach- ing here about 1840. He settled on a farm about four miles north of Saratoga, in the Rich Precinct. Here he died December 3, 1882. His wife still survives him and lives upon the home place. The Doctor was the seventh of

ten children, six of whom are still living. The Doctor received his first education at the Pleas- ant Ridge School, in this precinct. He attend- ed school here most of the time until he was twenty-one, and then taught two terms of school at the Elmore School in Rich Precinct. While he was teaching his last term of school at this point, he began studying during his spare time at the office of Dr. F. M. Agnew, of Makanda, Johnson County. At the close of his school, he still continued his studies at the office, remaining at the office until October, 1870. Dr. Rich then went to Cincinnati, where he entered the Miami Medical College. Here he attended lectures two years, graduating from the school with honor in the class of 1873. After leaving Cincinnati, the Doctor located at Western Saratoga, and entered in partnership with Dr. J. A. C. Allan, now at Grand Chain, Pulaski County. His partnership remained in- tact one year, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, the Doctor continuing in business for himself at this point. Here he has since resid- ed, and at present has all that he has time to attend to, as he is the only physician in this part of the precinct. Dr. Rich was married on November 18, 1876, to Mary Cladora Miller, daughter of Moses (a sketch of whose life appears in this volume) and Mary (Miller) Miller. By this union there were four children, two of whom are living, namely, Lela and Dennis, ages, respectively three years and seventeen months. Our subject was a faithful soldier in the war, enlisting in the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry, in December, 1863, and con- tinuing in this regiment until the close of the war. The Doctor was in no regular battle, but his services and those of his regiment were spent in scouting, principally in Missouri and Arkansas. The Doctor is a member of Union Lodge, No. 627, A., F. & A. M. Also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Western Saratoga, he is Trustee of this denom- ination, and Superintendent of the Sunday

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school. In politics, the Doctor is a strong Republican.

DR. FRANK E. SCARSDALE, physician, P. O. Lick Creek ; born in Ashtabula, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, April 9, 1838. William Edward Scarsdale, his father, born in Stafford, Stafford- shire, England, in 1807 ; came to this country in 1829, settling first in Maryland, then moving to Kentucky, stayed there about a year, and then moved to Ashtabula, Ohio, about 1832. Here he married Amanda, daughter of Erastus and Jerusha Cook, of Ashtabula County. By this union, there were two children ; of these, the elder is Mrs. Lilly Pierce, living at Ells- worth, Pierce Co., Wis., and the younger, our subject. The Doctor was educated at Kings- ville Academy, remaining there until he was sixteen years of age; from there he went to Minnesota, and remained there one summer and then came to Marion County, Ill., about the year 1858, where he taught in the country schools for three years ; from there, he next went to Johnson County, where he again taught school for a year. It was here that he commenced the study of medicine in 1860, in the office of Dr. C. L. Whitnel ; after completing here, he at- tended lectures in 1862 and 1863, at the Rush Medical College, Chicago. Doctor Scarsdale then came back and entered into partnership with his old precepter, and remained in John- son County for about two years ; in January, 1865, he came to Union County, Ill., where he located about three miles from Saratoga, at what was then Bradshaw Post Office. Here he has remained all of the time since, except when he attended medical lectures, at Pope's

Medical College, St. Louis, in 1870-71, and also a post-graduate course in the spring of 1882. He was married, April 9, 1865, in Union County, to a Miss Louisa P. Hastings, daughter of Westley and Mary Leadbetter Hastings. By this union, he has had nine chil- dren, six of whom are living.

J. G. TYEGET, P. O. Cobden. Among the oldest settlers in this part of the section, is the man whose name heads this biography. Mr. Tye- get was born in Amherst County, Va., December 17, 1817. His father, Hugh Tyeget, came from Ireland, and landed at Philadelphia in 1801. Soon after his arrival in this country, he went to Virginia, and here he married Nancy Sands, the mother of our subject. Hugh Tyeget moved from Virginia to Tennessee when our subject was about nine years old, and in this State it was that the latter received his education. Mr. Tye- get came to Illinois in 1839, and settled first in Williamson County, and in the spring of 1853 he came to this county, settling about five miles east of Cobden, where he has since re- sided. Our subject has been married twice. He was married first to Astina Gutherie, daughter of Anslom Gutherie, who lives near Cobden. She was the mother of four chil- dren, two of whom are living. His lady died November 24, 1862, and he was married a second time to Mrs. Jane Culp, on January 13, 1864. She is the mother of six children, five of whom are living. The names of Mr. Tve- get's living children are: William, Hugh, Mary, Lucy, John, Ida and Cora. In politics, Mr. Tyeget is a Democrat.

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RICH PRECINCT.

J. C. BRADING, farmer, P. O. Lick Creek, was born in Davidson County, Tenn., January 13, 1729, to E. M. and Nancy (Stuart) Brading. She was born in Tennessee of Scotch parents, he in Georgia, of English parents. They were married in Tennessee. In 1850, came to Illinois, settled in Johnson County and died there, he in 1857, Oct. 3, she died in 1874, in her seventy-ninth year. They were the par- ents of seven children, all but two of whom are now living. His occupation was always that of farming. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Tennessee, and came to this State with his parents in 1850, and has been engaged in farming since. In 1853, he was married in Johnson County, Ill., to Eliza Scott. She was born in Kentucky. She died in 1855. The result of this union was two children, both of whom died in infancy. In 1857, he was again married, in Johnson Coun- ty, to Miss D. M. Harreld. She was born in Johnson County to John and Patient (John- son) Harreld. By this marriage, there are five children dead and four living-Sarah L., Will- iam, Ann and Finis. Mr. Brading is a member of the Evergreen Lodge of I. O. O. F. at Lick Creek. He has been a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church since he was twenty- four years of age ; she, since she was sixteen. In politics, he is Republican. His farm, which consists of 280 acres, with 175 in cultivation, is one of the best in this section of the county.

C. M. GOURLEY, merchant and farmer, P. O. Lick Creek, was born in Saratoga, Union County, Ill., January 14, 1849, to Thomas and Nancy A. (Simons) Gourley. When our subject was three years old, his parents moved to Lick Creek, and this has been his home ever since. He received his education in the district

schools of this county, and remained on his father's farm till he was twenty-four years of age, and then entered the mercantile business at Lick Creek, buying out Casper, of the firm of Mangum & Casper. He and Mangum con- tinued in partnership for about two years, when Mangum sold his interest to Thomas Gourley, the father of our subject. After the new firm had been in business for only four months, the entire stock and building was burned, making a total loss to them of about $5,000. Our subject then engaged in farming for two years, but again began in business at the same stand with his father in 1877, and has continued since. They carry a general stock, averaging about $4,000 and including every- thing needed by the farmers. Their annual sales average about $12,000. Mr. Gourley also has a farm which he oversees. In No- vember, 1873, in Tennessee, he was married to Miss Nannie C. Haggard. She was born in Tennessee in 1853, to James and Naomi Haggard. Mrs. Haggard is dead, but he is still living in Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Gourley have two sons living-Ira Andrew and James Thomas, also three children dead-Rosetta D., Walter R. and an infant. Mr. Gourley is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Union Lodge, No. 627. In politics, he is Republican. He is also Notary Public. Thomas Gourley, the father of our subject, was born in Carter County, Tenn., January 11, 1822, to Samuel and Dorothy (Wiseman) Gourley. Samuel was born in Carter County, Tenn., and his wife in Burk County, N. C. She died in Tennessee in 1831, and in 1840 he moved to Arkansas, and died there in 1859. In Tennessee in March, 1841, our subject's father was married to Nancy A. Simons, who was born in Monroe

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County, Tenn., to John and Ruth (Carson) Simons. She died about 1831. In 1844, he moved to Arkansas in the spring, and died in the fall of same year, Thomas and his family also moved to Arkansas in 1844, and remained there till 1847, and then came to this county, and has made this his home since, and has been very successful in his occupation of farmer. They are the parents of seven children, the oldest of whom, Mary, died in April 1877. Charles M., Lucinda, Elizabeth, John L., William T. and Andrew J. are the living. In politics, Mr. Gourley is Republican.

WALTER HUNSAKER, farmer, P. O. Lick Creek, was born in this precinct August 5, 1858, son of J. Z. and Polly Ann (Treese) Hunsaker ; he born near Cobden September 15, 1836 ; she also in this county February 16, 1840. She died here November 8, 1881. He died February 8, 1883. He was the son of Andrew Hunsaker and Nancy (Cruthers) Hun- saker. He was of the family of Hunsakers who settled in this county at an early date. She was born in Tennessee, and is still living at the age of eighty-three years. Mrs. J. Z. Hunsaker's parents were also early settlers in the county. Her father, David Treese, was a native of South Carolina, and was a minister in the Christian order. When he first came here, he was very poor. His first tax receipt, which was for 25 cents, is now in the possession of our subject. Mr. Treese was quite successful in business, and left quite a property at the time of his death, but had given a good farm previous to each of his five children. The father of our subject was always engaged in farming. He was married October, 8, 1857, and moved on to a farm one and a half miles north of the present homestead of the family, and in 1871 to the home at which he died. He left a farm of about 400 acres, and personal property to the amount of over $2,000. Our sub- ject being the only child of age, was appointed administrator, and now has charge of the farm.

In the family, there were eight children, five of whom are still living-Walter, David, Joanna, William F. and Charles A. Our subject was educated first in the district schools of this county, but afterward he attended a term of eight months in Anna ; then three months at the State Normal at Carbondale, III. His oc- cupation has been that of a farmer and teacher. When he was eighteen years old, he began teaching in this county, and for the winters since he has taught in the same school. In politics, he is Democratic. February 13, 1881, he was married in this county to Miss Mary J. Watson ; she was born in this county Septem- ber 13, 1860, and is daughter of Jesse Watson. Mr. and Mrs. H. have one little daughter, Annie L.

THOMAS J. JOLLY, farmer, P. O. Lick Creek, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., November 18, 1826, to Frederick and Nicy (Ames) Jolly. He was a native of North Caro- lina. She died when our subject was small, so he knows but little of her or her ancestry. He came to Union County, in 1856, and died here in 1871. Our subject was raised on a farm, and was educated in his native county, in the subscription schools. June 8, 1847, he was married in Murfreesboro, Tenn., to Mary C. McCulloch ; she was born within seven miles of Murfreesboro, Tenn., to William and Cass- andra McCulloch. They were both born and raised and he died near Murfreesboro, Tenn. She however, died in Pulaski County, Ill. In 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Jolly came to Union Coun- ty, Ill., and settled at Saratoga, where he had a brother. Until this time, our subject had fol- lowed his trade of carpenter, but after coming to this county, he began farming and trading. He, in partnership with his brother, John W., run farm, tavern, store and blacksmith shop at Saratoga, and bought and shipped horses and mules to the South, our subject tending to the farm, buying stock, and helping to get it shipped, while his brother would tend to the

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store, etc., and selling of stock, each then re- ceiving such a part of the profits, or suffering the losses proportionately. Their last venture was the building of a boat, at the mouth of Big Muddy River, loading it with 4,500 bushels of corn; this they had engaged in Louisiana at $1 per bushel, but the troubles between the North and South had begun, and when they got to Vicksburg, the Confederates captured the boat and cargo, allowed them 40 cents per bushel for corn, nothing for boat, and gave them ten days notice to leave the city; this they did, but it took about all they had to meet their losses. March, 1861, they returned home, and August 26, following, our subject enlisted in the service of his country, in Company E, Thirty-First Illinois Infantry, Col. John A. Logan, and served till August 2, 1865, when he returned home. During his service, he again saw the Mayor of Vicksburg, who had read the orders for them to leave the city in ten days, but this time the Mayor was a captive, and they had entered Vicksburg to stay as long as they de- sired. Mr. Jolly was in the engagement at Bellmont, Mo., siege of Corinth, Vicksburg, Ft. Donnelson, Atlanta and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and to Richmond. Dur- ing the first day's fight before Atlanta, he was seriously wounded by a ball striking him on the top of the head and injuring the skull. This, together with what they call the break- bone fever, which he had, has injured his eyes and constitution, until he is unable to do work requiring much physical exertion. Mr. Jolly's experience in the army was dearly bought, but his wife at home, with a family of eight small children had to endure almost as much ; they had a farm with only forty-five acres in culti- vation, and considerable indebtedness, but she supported the family and paid off the debt. He, of course, sending her all his money as he drew it. Their farm now consists of 200 acres ; wheat-raising receiving the most attention. They also have a house and lot in Lick Creek.

Mr. Jolly deals in stock to some extent. In politics, he is Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Jolly are the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom are now living, and five are at home ; of the remaining six, three are in this county ; one over in Johnson County ; one in Missouri and one in Arkansas.

LUKE M. JONES, physician, Lick Creek. There are few men of the present day, whom the world acknowledge as successful, more worthy of honorable mention in this volume or whose life history affords a better example of what may be accomplished by steady perseverance, in spite of the most dis- couraging circumstances, than he whose name heads this sketch. He is a native of Tennes- see, born April 15, 1827, in Jackson County. His father, Samuel, was born in 1791, in Vir- ginia, and his mother, Eleanor (Mathena) Jones, was born in 1796, in the same State. The parents settled in Tennessee, in 1824, and finally in Arkansas, where they died. Eleven children was the fruit of their union, viz .: Nancy, Elizabeth, Thomas, Samuel, Permela, John, Luke M., Larkin, Eleanor, Sarah and Arminta. Our subject's paternal ancestors were of Irish origin, while his maternal ances- tors were of English parentage. His grand- father, Luke M. Mathena, served seven years in the Revolutionary war and drew a pension from the close of this great struggle until death at the age of one hundred and four years six months and four days; he was elected and served as Sheriff of Monroe County, Ky., in 1830, and was for awhile Probate Judge. Our subject treasures a set of coat buttons as a namesake gift from the above named ancestor, which were carried through the war. Luke M. Jones was brought up on the farm and re- ceived but three months' education in the country schools. At the age of twelve years he decided upon the practice of medicine, as his future occupation, and concentrated every thing in his power toward such an end. He

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early engaged as a laborer at $8 per month. and in that way saved means by which he could advance his future plans. At the age of nine- teen years, he began the study of his chosen pro- fession under the tutorship of Dr. S. Lee, of Wayne County, Tenn. One year later, he pur- sued the same with E. L. Duncan, of Jackson County, Tenn. In less than two years, or in 1853, he came to Moscow, Union County, III., and entered the office of Dr. D. M. Jones (no relative), where he remained five years. In 1858, he began the practice in Rich Precinct, where he met with good success for two years, and then located in Stokes Precinct, where he remained for eighteen years, after which he re- turned to Rich Precinct. He will shortly lo- cate at Lick Creek. He was married, July 13, 1847, to Sarah, born February 25, 1827, a daughter of Joshua Hall, a native of Virginia. She died June 14, 1883, in Johnson County, after having blessed her husband with James I., John H., W. L., Ruth A. and Lovena R. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Church. The Doctor belongs to no church organization, yet has always given liberal financial support to the ministry, having for many consecutive years given $50, and for the last fifteen years, he has donated $100 per year to various churches. He began his career on the battle-field of life with really nothing, and by frugal dealings he has accumulated a nice little fortune. In his professional labors, he has been very successful, mostly due to his

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History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 104

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 948

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 948