History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 108

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 108
USA > Illinois > Pulaski County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 108
USA > Illinois > Alexander County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 108

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).

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perintendent of Alexander County Public Schools. The third child is dead. Our sub- ject is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and is a stanch Democrat.

WILLIAM BRACKEN, farmer, P. O. Thebes, was born December 2, 1853, in Alex- ander County, Ill. He is a son of William and Martha (Witt) Bracken, natives of South Caro- lina, and early settlers in this county. Our subject received his educational advantages at the country sehools. His time, aside from that consumed in the school room, was devoted to the farm. . When he was about twenty-four years old, his father died, and he inherited a small piece of land. He subsequently pur- chased the rest of the heirs' part, and now pos- sesses the entire home place of 240 acres in Section 15, Range 16, 3 west. He was married August 13, 1878, to Mattie, a daughter of Mar- tin Brown. He is a Republican. On the farm an iron mine exists which has been noticed in the township history.

MARTIN BROWN, farmer, P. O. Thebes. Probably the oldest native born resident in Thebes Precinct is the gentleman of whom this is a brief sketch, and who was born September 9, 1834, in this county, the fourth of thirteen children. He is a son of David and Rebecca Brown, who were among the earliest settlers in that section of the county, coming to Alexander County about 1830. The father died in 1865, at an advanced age. Mr. Brown received his education in the schools of this county. He helped his father at home until his twentieth birthday, and then commenced life on a tract of Congress land in Section 7, Township 15, Range 2. On that farm he lived until 1876, and then came to his present location of 160 acres in Section 15, Range 15, Township 3. Besides the home farm, he also owns 140 acres in Section 14 and 11, Township 15, Range 3; forty acres in Section 15, Township 15, Range 3; 200 acres in Section 2, Township 15, Range 3, and 320 acres in Section 27, Township 15,

Range 3. He has about 350 acres in cultiva- tion. Besides his large farms, he is also asso- ciated with his son Alfred, in a large saw mill about four miles from Thebes, and with his son . William in a steam flouring mill in Thebes. Mr. Brown was married, April 30, 1851, to Elizabeth Durham, a native of this county, and a daughter of John Durham, also one of the pioneers of that section. This lady was born February 22, 1834, and is the mother of Al- fred, William, Martha (wife of William Bracken, of Thebes Precinct), Henry, Ulysses S., Martin and Thomas L. Mr. Brown was County Com- missioner from 1876 to 1879, and has also served as Township Treasurer and Trustee, and School Director. In politics, he is a Repub- lican.

WILLIAM BROWN, miller, Thebes. This gentleman is a son of Martin Brown (whose sketch appears in this volume), and was born in this county September 10, 1856. He at- tended school until about nineteen years old, and then, after farming for about two years, came to Thebes and with his father commenced the ereetion of a large steam flouring mill, at a cost of $8,000, which is now in operation under the firm name of M. & W. Brown. June 14, 1883, our subject was married to Miss Ella Walcott, an orphan girl raised by Mrs. S. Marchildon. In politics, Mr. Brown is a Re- publican, and is at present acting as School Trustee.

THOMAS A. BROWN, druggist, Thebes. David Brown, the grandfather of our subject was a native of North Carolina, and came to Union County, Ill., where Calvin Brown. the father, was born. The latter lived there until manhood, and then married Caroline Ury, of Jonesboro. The father, after a short residence in Jonesboro Precinct, came to Alexander County and settled in Thebes Precinct, where our subject was born, November 29, 1841, and was the second of four children. After attend- ing school until about twenty, he farmed for 1

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eight years ; then moved to Thebes in 1867. His first venture was in a saloon, where he re- mained about two years, and was then ap- pointed keeper of the Alexander County In- firmary, which he held for three years. He then returned to Thebes, and opened his pres- ent drug store. In that line he now carries a stock of about $1,000. In December, 1882, he was again appointed to his former position. Subject was married, April 22, 1866, to Sarah E. Dollman, a daughter of John Dollman, a native of Holland. This lady was born De- cember 16, 1846, and is the mother of four children, two of whom are living-Thomas A., born September 27, 1871, and Pruella Ettie, born August 29, 1876. In politics, Mr. Brown is a Republican.

1. CORZINE, farmer and hotel, Thebes, was born in Dongola Precinet, Union County, Ill., November 19, 1837 ; is a son of Evans and Margaret Corzine, natives of North Carolina. The father died when the subject was small, and he with his mother removed. to Alexander County, where young Corzine attended the country schools, aside from the duties of a farm life, that he was compelled to attend to. Upon reaching his majority, he improved eighty acres of land on Section 11, where he resided until October, 1882, when he bought property at Thebes and opened a hotel, which he contin- nes at this writing. He was married, October 25, 1856, to Caroline, a daughter of James and Nancy C. Miller, of Union County. The following children have been born to him : Mar- garet, Wesley, Nora, Amy. Mr. C. enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and served till the close of the war. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a stanch Republican.

O. G. FORD, farmer, P. O. Thebes, was born in Randolph County, Ill., August 8, 1850, and is a son of Benjamin and Julia Ford, natives, the former of Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. Our subject attended school in the country.

When eighteen years old, he went to Idaho Territory, where he farmed for fourteen years, and then returned to his native heath, where he remained some time and then located where he now resides, purchasing a small farm at that time. He now possesses eighty acres in Sec- tion 16, Township 13, Range 3 west. Was mar- ried, August 8, 1872, to Rosa, a daughter of Thomas and Matilda Pettitt. The result of this union is five children, four living, viz. : Hattie M., Amzi, Walter and Mary E. Mrs. Ford is a Methodist. He is a Republican.

DR. J. A. M. GIBBS, physician, Thebes. One of the best-known practitioners of Alexan- der County is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a native of Vienna; Johnson County ; was born June 23, 1843, and is a son of Dr. W. J. and Caroline Gibbs, natives of Vir- ginia. Our subject attended the schools of his native town until nineteen, and then com- menced reading medicine in the office of his father, and then in the office of Dr. George Brat- ton, also of Vienna. In 1866, '67 and '68, he at- tended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chi- cago, and in the last named year, graduated from that institution and immediately settled in Thebes, where he has since become a leading physician of that section. In 1868, the Doctor was married to Miss L. C. Barkhausen, a daugh- ter of Dr. Barkhausen, of Thebes Precinct. She was born May 23, 1845, and is the mother of one child-Harry, born October 5, 1869. Our subject enlisted in the One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, August 13, 1862, and remained out until September, 1865, having been promoted to a Captaincy for gallant service. In politics, our subject is a Republican. Mrs. Gibbs was elected Novem- ber, 1882, to the office of County School Su- perintendent. The Doctor is a member of Elco Lodge, No. 643, I. O. O. F., and served his county as Commissioner from 1878 to 1882. Is now living on a farm of twenty acres in Sec- tion 9, Township 15, Range 9.

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JUDGE LEVI L. LIGHTNER, deceased. Probably no one of the early settlers of Alex- ander County has done more for the good of the county or taken a deeper interest in the welfare of this section than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Judge Lightner was born in Lancaster, Penn., December 15, 1793, and received his education in the schools of that city. At the age of twenty-one, he left the parental roof, and came down the Ohio on the first steamboat that ever came to Cairo. He landed in that town, and described it as " one log house filled with about five hundred negroes." "The looks of the place not striking him very favorably, he went in a short time to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where he engaged in the mercantile business, and there remained until about 1835, when he came to Clear Creek, Al- exander County, where he ran a saw mill and was engaged extensively in farming. In 1844, when the county of Pulaski was taken off and the capital moved to Thebes, our subject moved to that place also, and was elected the first County Judge after the new county was made. In the following ten years or more, he served his county in various positions, such as Justice. of the Peace, School Commissioner, County Clerk and Probate Judge. When in 1859 the seat of justice was moved to Cairo, the Judge, not liking the change, resigned his numerous offices and decided to give his help to the town that he had chosen for his residence. In 1860, he was, however, appointed to the office of Re- ceiver of Public Entry for Cairo, and went there to assume his position. This he held until 1862, when, his health failing, he returned to his former home in Thebes. Judge Light- ner was married three times. First, to a Miss Lizzie Goodouer, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., who was the mother of five children, one only of whom is living-Louise, wife of Washington McRaven, of Clear Creek Precinct. His second wife was a Mrs. Eleanor DeShay, the former wife of ex-Gov. DeShay, of Ky. This lady

was the mother of two children, one only, Shelby, now living, who is engaged in business in Cairo. He was married the third time to Mrs. Susan E. Wilkinson, November 2, 1848. She was born in Todd County, Ky., and is a daughter of James and Mary Mansfield. This lady is the mother of five living children -Julia, wife of Morrison Breeze, of Pinckney- ville, Perry County ; James, now in business in Barnard, Alexander County ; Eugenia, wife of Albert Brown, of Thebes Precinct ; William, now farming in same Precinct; and Lilly L., at home with her mother, and now one of the most successful teachers in the county. Judge Lightner was a member of the Cape Girardeau, Mo., A., F. & A. M. Lodge, and of the Lutheran Church. After his return to Thebes, the Judge's health continued to fail until his death, which occurred November 17, 1869. His widow is now living at home in Thebes, and owns an excellent farm of 320 acres in Section 12, Township 15, Range 3.

JACOB LIGHT, farmer, P. O. Thebes, is a . native of Union County, and was born March 10, 1827. He is a son of John and Leah (Meisenheimer) Light, both are natives of Rowan County, N. C. Subject received his education in the schools of his township, and when he reached his majority he purchased a farm of 120 acres in Meisenheimer Precinct. At his father's death, some years afterward, he inherited the home farm, and there he resided until 1868, when he came to Alexander County, and purchased his present home in Section 14, Township 15, Range 3. It is a piece of 160, and was entirely in the woods when he came. He now has about sixty- five acres in cultivation, and about seven acres in orchard. He was married November 1, 1846, in Union County, to Sophia Weaver, a native of Union County, and a daughter of John and Sarah Weaver of Meisenheimer Pre- cinct, Union County. This lady was the mother of six children, three of whom are living-Sarah,

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wife of Henry Weibking, of Thebes Precinct ; Amanda, wife of Andrew Honey, of Sante Fe Precinct, and Adam, a farmer of Sante Fe Pre- cinct. Mrs. Light sank to rest in Novem- ber, 1859, and Mr. Light was married the second time, February 27, 1866, to Sarah Dur- ham, a daughter of Thomas Durham, of Union County ; she was also the mother of six chil- dren, and of this number five are living- Henry, Alfred, Wilson, George and Mary. This lady died February 29, 1880. In politics, Mr. Light is a Democrat.

S. MARCHILDON, farmer, P. O. Thebes, was born August 4, 1816, in Canada East, about sixty miles from Quebec, on the St. Lawrence River. His parents were of French descent, and his early education was in that language. When subject was about fourteen, he went to Quebec, where, after a clerkship of five years, he became partner in one of the largest stores, and remained until 1859, when he came to Thebes, where he opened a general store. This he carried on for about four years, and has since then devoted most of his attention to farming, and as a land agent. He now owns about 1,250 acres, situ- ated in the following sections : 4, 17, 2; 33, 34, 27; 14, 3, and 4, 5, 24, 28, 30 and 35; 15, 2. He has about 400 acres in cultivation. May 10, 1842, Mr. Marchildon married a Miss Emille Tessie, a native of Quebec, but of French descent. She was the mother of seven chil- dren, five of whom are living-Mary I., wife of J. G. Rolwing, of Thebes ; Eugenie, wife of J. Culley, of Clear Creek ; Mary J., wife of J. Marchildon, of Canada East ; Cyrille, now in business in Thebes ; Annie, wife of Mr. Mor- row, of Quebec. This lady died December 18, 1854, and he was married the second time, Octo- ber 2, 1862, to Miss Miranda Massey, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Dexter. In politics, he is a Democrat. He has served his township in various ways, having been Justice of the Peace ten years, School Director eighteen years, and

as an Associate Justice four years. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

JOHN MILLER, farmer, P. O. Thebes, was born in Alexander County August 5, 1839 ; is a son of Peter and Catharine Miller, who died when he was nine years old. Young Miller was therefore thrown out on life's sea to battle for himself. He applied himself at anything he could get to do, for different persons. At the age of fifteen years, he began learning the trade of a lumber sawyer, with H. S. & E. E. Walbridge, with whom he remained until reach- ing his majority. In 1876, he began merchan- dising in the country, and subsequently re- moved to Oran, Scott Co., Mo., following the same business, where he remained until 1877, when he went to Butler County, Mo., where he continued the mercantile business and also en- gaged in a saw mill, and in a short time lost both enterprises by fire. Mr. Miller then went to Dallas, Texas, but not liking the country he returned to St. Louis, and thence to Cairo, where he acted as lumber agent for some time. He subsequently located in Jefferson County, Mo., and in 1881 he came to Thebes Precinct, Alexander County, where he purchased ten lots, which he cultivates. He is head sawyer for M. & A. Brown. He was married, March 1, 1866, at Cape Girardeau, Mo., to Miss S. S. Hancock. a daughter of Henderson and Rebec- ca Hancock, natives of Kentucky. She was born September 29, 1846. She is a member of the Baptist Church at Thebes. He is a Re- publican and a member of the Villa Ridge Lodge, A., F. & A. M.

JAMES MILLER, farmer, P. O. Thebes, was born February 2, 1843, in Alexander County ; is a son of Moses and Matilda Miller, who were among the earliest settlers in this county, coming from North Carolina. Our subject's education was but slight, and was re- ceived in the county schools. His father hay- ing died when he was ten years of age, he was early compelled to lend a helping hand on the

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farm. Upon reaching manhood, he inherited his share of the home farm, and has since then purchased the remainder, and now owns a tract of 200 acres in Section 14, Township 15, Range 3. He has about ninety-five acres in cultiva- tion, and about five acres in orchard. Mr. Miller was married in January, 1867, to Mary Clutts, a daughter of John Clutts, whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this work, and Eliza Clutts. As yet no children have come to bless their union. Onr subject enlisted in the Twenty- ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. Rareden, Company B, Capt. G. B. Mc- Kinsey, on August 12, 1861, and was discharged in September, 1865. In politics, he is a Re- publican. His mother is still living, and is staying at the old homestead.

WILLIAM L. PETITT, farmer, P. O. Thebes. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a native of Randolph County, Ill., and was born March 20, 1843. He is a son of Richard C. and Catharine Petitt, both na- tives of Tennessee. Our subject attended school in his native county, but left home when sixteen years old, with his father, and came to Alexander County in 1857, and settled near where the son now lives. After remaining at home with his father for a number of years, Mr. Petitt made a start in life on a rented farm of sixty acres. He only remained there one year. When his father died, he bought ont the remaining heirs, and came back to the home farm. He now owns eighty acres in Sec- tion 16, Town 15, Range 3, of which forty acres are in cultivation. Subject married Miss Melissa Moore, daughter of Preston and Sallie (Overton) Moore, on March 25, 1866. This lady is the mother of eight children, five of whom are living- Richard, Hiram, Sarah, Levy and Zola. In politics, Mr. Petitt is a Repub- lican, and is a member of the Methodist Church at Thebes.

W. H. RALLS, undertaker and wagon-maker, Thebes, is a native of Henry County,

Tenn., and was born June 27, 1847, a son of James and Nancy Ralls, natives of Illinois. In that county, subject received the rudiments of his education, but when ten years of age, moved with his parents to Johnson County, Ill., where the father settled near Vienna, and there the son attended school until seventeen. He started out in life as a farmer and followed it until he was twenty-one, and then com- menced work in a saw mill, in Union County, owned by B. F. Livingston and H. B. Hubbard ; here he remained for about eight years and then went to Elco, Alexander County, where he opened a carpenter shop. Soon after his arrival in this place, he commenced to learn the trade of a wagon-maker under Samuel Briley. He remained in that town until 1882, when he came to Thebes, where he has since carried on the trade of a wagon-maker. About a year ago, he also opened an undertaker's shop. Subject was married, December 3, 1871, to Miss Elenora Briley, daughter of Samuel Briley (whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work). She is the mother of six children, three of whom are living-Oscar Francis, Olive Ionie, and William Henry. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, Col. McCabe, Company H, Capt. Porter, November 15, 1864, and was honorably dis- charged December 16, 1865. In politics, Mr. Ralls is a Republican. Is a member of Elco Lodge, No. 643, I. O. O. F., and is a member of the Thebes M. E. Church.

J. G. ROLWING, merchant, Thebes. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a native of Prussia. The family name is the one borne by his mother, who was of a family standing high in that country. The father, Kutine, was compelled to change his name, according to the existing laws of that country. The parents came with subject to this country, when the latter was about ten years of age. The father first settled at Evansville, Ind., but only remained about three years, when he moved

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to Texas Bend, Mo., where he commenced farming. The education of our subject was principally German, having opportunity only to attend an English school one month. He has since, however, obtained a fair knowledge of the English language. Mr. Rolwing made his start in life in 1850, at Hunt's Landing, Mo., where he clerked at the leading store there. In two years he left that place, and come to Charleston, Mo., where he only remained a short time, and then came to Thebes. At this point he first clerked for McClure & Overby, who were then (1854) doing business at that point. After a two years' stand at this point, he again sought a new place to make a fortune. In the next four years he clerked at different points, with varying success, but by 1860 he had accumu- lated enough to return to Thebes and purchase an interest in the store of T. J. McClure at that point. The firm became known as McClure & Rolwing. This partnership existed until 1863, when the head of the firm retired, and our sub- ject has since carried on the business alone. He now carries a stock of about $3,000. Mr. Rolwing was married, May 25, 1864, to Mary I. Marchildon. - She is a native of Canada East, and is the mother of seven children, five of whom are living-Emma M., born April 20, 1865 ; Henry S., born January 27, 1867 ; Eddie G., born March 10, 1874; Jennie E., born July 31, 1876 ; Myrta J., born June 2, 1880. The departed ones are C. A., born July 30, 1871, died August 17, 1872 ; Zelia E., born August 15, 1869, died December, 1876. In politics, Mr. Rolwing is a Democrat. In church affiliations he holds to the Roman Catholic Church.

GEORGE SAMMONS, farmer, P. O. Thebes, was born in Jonesboro, Union Co., Ill., March 10, 1826 ; is a son of John and Dicy (White- lock) Sammons. He attended school at his native village, and labored for awhile with Seth Chandler in making fanning mills. At the age of twenty years, he left Jonesboro and

went to Marion County, Ark., where he re- mained but a short time. In 1848, he settled at Goose Island, Alexander County, where he remained until 1865, and then located where he now resides, in Section 10. He was married, January 12, 1844, to Susan James, born in Oc- tober, 1829, which union has resulted in four children, one only of whom survives-D. W. His wife died December 2, 1858, and he was subsequently married to Mrs. Emily Durham. the result being two children-Joel D., born September 18, 1868, and Emma, born August 6, 1870. In 1876, he was elected County Com- missioner. He has served as a Justice of the Peace at Thebes for twenty-four years. Is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a Dem- ocrat.

JOHN R. WALLACE, farmer, P. O. Thebes, was born January 19, 1830, in Hardin County, Ill., son of Oliver and Elizabeth (Winchester) Wallace. His parents removed to "Wayne County, Mo., when he was small. In 1847. they came to Jonesboro Precinct, Union Coun- ty, Ill. Here he attended the country schools. At the age of twenty-one years, he engaged in farming in Clear Creek Precinct. He contin- ued farming in said precinct until 1881, when he came to Thebes, where he now resides. He was married, January 20, 1860, to Mary Par- rett, daughter of John and Elizabeth Parrett. His union has given him eight children, six of whom survive-Barsheba A., Logan, Harriet E., Samuel W., Sarah J., Olive E. and Mary E. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He enlisted September 7, 1864. in Company I of the One Hundred and Forty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was dis- charged July 7, 1865.

HENRY WEIMANN, farmer, P. O. Thebes, was born November 4, 1857, in Alexander County, Ill. His father, Henry Weimann, emi- grated from Germany to this country in 1830, set- tling at Baltimore, and later at St. Louis and Cin- cinnati, and in 1844 finally in Thebes Precinct,

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and was known as one of the leading farmers of his section. He was one of the masons who constructed the stone court house at Thebes. Henry Weimann, Jr., was educated in the county schools. His father having died when he was small, he helped his mother to obtain the necessaries of life, and upon reach- ing his majority, he inherited the home place, being the only child. He has 160 acres of good land in Sections 9, 10 and 11. He is un- married and is a Democrat.

CAPT. JOHN WHITE, steamboat pilot, P. O. Thebes, was born in Paducah, MeCracken Co .. Ky., August 12, 1832, a son of William and Martha White, both of whom died when our subject was quite young, probably about seven years of age. From his birthplace, he made his way to Bayou Sara, La., and worked around for different people. He was also per- mitted to attend the poor-school for about a year. 'After living in that place for a num- ber of years, he returned to his birthplace, where he had a sister living. When about

eighteen years of age. he commenced follow- ing his profession, first piloting boats on the Tennessee River as early as 1853. Next he piloted on the Ohio, from Cincinnnti to the mouth of Tennessee River, and afterward was transferred to the Mississippi, and ran between New Orleans and St. Louis, over which waste of waters he still directs the course of his vessel. His residence, until 1876. was at Cairo, but in that year he came to Thebes, where he has since purchased a tract of forty acres in Section 4, Town 15, and now gives his spare attention to farming. The Captain was married in January. 1858. to Miss Sallie Clutch- field. This lady died in 1868. The second time, he was married to Rosa Kalesy. in 1876, who died in 1877. His third marriage was solemnized August 2, 1880, to Miss Eugenia Wagner. He enlisted in a Kentucky regiment enrolled at Paducah by Capt. King in 1861. and served three years. In politics, he is a Democrat.

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History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 108

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