History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 109

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 109
USA > Illinois > Pulaski County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 109
USA > Illinois > Alexander County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 109

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).

EAST CAPE GIRARDEAU PRECINCT.

GEORGE CHERRY, farmer, P. O. East Cape Girardeau. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a native of Bedfordshire, England, and was born October 29, 1821. He is the son of Charles and Sophia Cherry, the second of eight children, and the only one that came to this country. When sixteen years of age he landed at New Orleans and made his way to St. Louis, and from there to Quincy, Ill. At the latter place he only remained one week and then went back to St. Louis. Here he apprenticed himself to a plumber, and after he had learned his trade he followed it for about three years. He remained about four- teen years in that city, and part of the time superintended the building of a college. In

1857, he went to California, where he followed mining for three years. Returning to St. Louis he remained only about a year, and then came to Alexander County. He first rented a tract of twenty acres, but in 1864, he purchased forty acres, part of which was improved ; since then he has bought forty acres more. all of which lies in Section 12, Town 16, Range 3 west. He was married March 18, 1845, to Elizabeth Frances Saunders, daughter of John Saunders, a native of Tennessee. The result of this union was two children, one of whom, Charles, born November 7, 1873, is now living. Subject enlisted in the Second Illinois Light Artillery, Company F. October 13, 1861, and remained out until August, 1865. In politics,

236

BIOGRAPHICAL:

Mr. Cherry is a Republican, and is now acting as School Trustee.

JOHN COTNER, farmer, P. O. Clear Creek Landing. His grandparents were natives of Missouri, and there David Cotner, the father of our subject, was born. From there he came to Alexander County when a young man, and married Mary Clapp, a daughter of Audey Clapp, and settled down in the south part of the county, from which place he soon went to Jonesboro Precinet, Union County, where he carried on the trade of a hatter, and also farmed. Here subjeet was born in June 1815, and was the third of seven children. He received his education in the old subscription schools, walking backward and forward three miles a day. His father died when he was about ten years old, and his mother, soon after her husband's death, came to Alexander County, and settled in North Cairo Precinct. There she died when subject was about sixteen years old, and after that the latter commenced working out. After six years' experience as a farm hand, he commenced life for himself on a rented farm, in North Cairo Precinct. After- ward he rented, at different times, other farms until 1860, when he purchased his present farm, a tract of 100 aeres, in Seetions 8 and 5, Town 16, Range 3 west. Mr. Cotner was mar- ried March 11, 1833, to Rosanna Gattling, who died in 1838. His second marriage was to a Miss Rachael Thompson, in 1840. This lady also died in 1846. He was married the third time to Eliza Wright, who was born April 8, 1829. This lady is the mother of ten children six of whom are living, viz .: William, born November 9, 1849 ; David, born December 23, 1854; John, born September 8, 1860; Louis, born February 25, 1864; Edward, born Sep- tember 14, 1868; and Charles, born October 14, 1870. Mrs. Cotner died July 14, 1879. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and is a Republican in polities, and has served his township as School Director for twelve years.

R. M. EDMUNDSON, farmer, P. O. East Cape Girardeau. The father of the gentleman of whose life this is a brief sketch, William Ed- mundson, was born in Buncombe County, N. C. Remained there until manhood, and then went to Gibson County, Tenn., where he married Sallie Redgeway, a native of Virginia. There were eight children, and of that number sub- jeet was the sixth, and was born February 14, 1836. When he was twelve years old, his parents removed to Island No. Eight, in the Mississippi River, opposite Fulton County, Ky., where they remained about four years. In the fall of 1848, his parents moved to Alexander County, and settled near where our subject now resides. Mr. Edmundson, when a youth, did not have a chance to attend school, but was compelled to work on the home place. When he reached his majority, he purchased a farm of 160 aeres in Seetion 30, now occupied by A. C. Jaynes, but only kept it until 1858: From that time until 1873, he lived on a number of rented farms, in both this county and across the river in Missouri. In that year, however, he purchased his present farm, a tract of eighty aeres in Section 18, Township 14, Range 3 west. Our subjeet was married in April, 1868, to Cassandra Dameron. The result of this union was eight children, three of whom are living-Edward, born September 20, 1869; and a pair of twin brothers, Richard Allan and John Alexander, born August 15, 1875. This la- dy died in January, 1878. He was married next to Mrs. Sarah Dameron, nee Jordan, a daugh- ter of Alexander Jordan, a native of North Carolina. He was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted December 10, 1862, in the Illi- nois Volunteer Cavalry, Sixth Regiment, Col. Grierson, Company M, Capt. Sperry. Remained out until August 30, 1864. In polities, he is a Republican.

GALE BROTHERS, farmers, P. O. Thebes. Among the better elass of farmers of Alexan- der County, none stand higher than the gentle- men whose names head this sketch. They are

237

EAST CAPE GIRARDEAU PRECINCT.

four in number, G. W., Lawrence, Bernard and G. N., sons of James and Mary Gale, and were born in Lincoln County, Mo .: George in 1826, Lawrence in 1831, Bernard in 1835, and Nor- man in 1837. All received the education their native county afforded, and when manhood's estate was reached, the brothers took different directions and vocations in life. The two older went to California in 1850, and there followed mining. Bernard remained at home upon the farm. and Norman, the youngest of them all, followed different vocations ; first sold mer- chandise at Charleston, Mo., and also ran a saw mill near that town. In 1867, he purchased part of the present farm-a tract of 200 acres in Section 34. His brother, Bernard, joined him a year or two after, and in 1878 the two older brothers returned from California, and the four together undertook the management of the place. They have since purchased 300 acres in Sections 32 and 33, and now have about 250 acres in cultivation. All still remain in the state of single blessedness. A sister, Leah, acts as housekeeper. All are members of St. Vincent Catholic Church at Cape Girardeau, and in politics, are true to the Democratic party.

E. B. GARAGHTY, farmer and grocer, East Cape Girardeau. The father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a son of Eu- gene Garaghty, a native of Westmeath, Ireland. He came to this country when a young man, settled in Ohio and there married Louisiana Burke. a daughter of Col. William Burke, a sol- dier under Gen. Harrison in the Indian wars. The twain came to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where the father carried on a dry goods store. There our subject was born February 18, 1840, and was the third of six children. His education was received in St. Vincent's College, and at its conclusion he clerked in his father's store. He next went to St. Louis, where he clerked for White, Billingsley & Co., and Adamantine, Johnson & Co. From there he came to Alex- ander County, and there commenced the life

of a farmer on a tract of land given him by his father in Sections 32 and 33, Town 14, Range 3 west. It was originally 900 acres, but he now owns about 700 acres, 150 of which are in culti- vation. In 1882, he commenced running a grocery and saloon at East Cape Girardeau, and now carries a stock of about $400. Mr: Garaghty was married, February 22, 1873, to Josephine Hutchinson, daughter of Vachael Hutchinson. She was the mother of five chil- dren, two of whom are living-Laura, born April 27, 1876, and Alice, born October 29, 1879. Mrs. Garaghty died December 18, 1881. He entered the service of the Missouri Volun- teer Infantry, Twenty-ninth Regiment, in the fall of 1862, as Captain of Company B. Re- signed in 1863 on account of sickness. He is a member of St. Vincent Catholic Church.

A. C. JAYNES, farmer, P. O. East Cape Girar- deau. One of the most prosperous young farm- ers of Alexander County is the gentleman whose name heads this brief sketch. Valentine Jaynes, his father, was born in Madison, Ind., and came to Massac County, Ill., when a young man. He there married Hester Parker, the re- sult of which marriage was five children. Of this number, subject was the oldest, and was born December 3, 1853. His education was but limited, and he only attended a public school about four months. His father died when he was about fourteen, and he was sent to Decatur, Ill., where he remained for seven years, working around at different farms. From there, he returned to his native county, but only remained a year. He came to Alex- ander County in 1878, and first farmed on a tract that he rented from the widow Shrieber. There he remained for one year, and then came to his present location. He now owns 160 acres in Section 30, Town 14, Range 3 west, of which about 130 acres are cultivated. Subject was married, September 17, 1877, to Allie Rice, daughter of John and Nancy Rice, of Metropolis, Massac County. She is the

238

BIOGRAPHICAL:

mother of three children, two of whom are liv- ing-Mahala J., born March 6, 1879, and Al- vin, born October 24, 1882. In politics, he is a Republican.

S. A. McGEE, farmer, P. O. Clear Creek Landing. The father of our subject was A. N. McGee, a native of Kentucky, and born in 1822. He came with his parents when young to Pu- laski County, this State. In that county the father remained until sixteen. Being of a rov- ing disposition, he started out in life, and fol- lowed for some time whatever his inclination led him. He finally drifted into the practice of medicine, and settled down in Mexico, Adrian Co., Mo., where he married Sarah J. Burns, a daughter of Richard Burns, a native of Virginia. Here subject was born March 9, 1847. The father, soon after our subject was born, went to Putnam County, Mo., and he rep- resented that county two terms in the Missouri Legislature. Our subject received his educa- tion from the schools of Unionville, that coun- ty. When about fifteen, his mother having died, he commenced working out by the day for farmers. In 1864, he began life for him- self in this county, on a farm which he rented from Pilgrim McRaven. In 1872, he purchased his present place, a farm of eighty acres, in Section 7. Town 14. Range 3 west. Mr. McGee was married, August 10, 1868, to Eliza Giles, danghter of Alfred Giles, of Clear Creek Pre- cinct. She is the mother of one child, Alfred W., born December 6, 1870. He enlisted in the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, Maj. Carmichael, Company H, Capt. Ezra King, on December 6, 1863, and was honorably discharged in June. 1864.

J. H. SAMIS. farmer, P. O. Clear Creek Landing. One of the oldest families that set- tled in Union County was that from which our subject springs. His grandfather, Thomas Sams, emigrated from Kentucky in an early day, and settled near Jonesboro, Union County. and there Nathan Sams, the father of J. H.,

was born in 1813. The father resided in that county until a young man, and then went to Butler County, Ky., where he married Melinda Elliott. In that State he did not remain long, but came from there to Union County, and settled about three miles from what is now Jonesboro. There subject was born November 7, 1844, the fifth of six children. His parents came to Alexander County when he was about two years old, and settled about two miles northeast of Clear Creek. Subject's education was received in this county, and he early com- meneed working on the home place. When twenty-one, he started out in life on a farm be- longing to his father, in Union Precinct, Union County. There he resided only two years, and then came to his present residence. Here he first bought a farm of eighty acres in Section 8, Town 14, Range 3 west. He now has eighty acres more in same section, and twenty-three acres in Section 5, also forty acres in Section 35, Town 13, Range 3 west, of Union County. Has 200 acres in cultivation. He was married, May 8, 1866, to Eliza A. McClure, a daughter of Matthew and Eliza McClure. This lady was born September 28, 1847, and was the mother of two children-Clara, born September 15, 1869, and Clarence, born November 29, 1871. Mrs. Sams died March 13, 1883.

JAMES L. SANDERS, farmer, P. O. East Cape Girardeau. One of the most extensive farmers of Alexander County is the gentleman whose name heads this brief sketch. His grandfather, John Sanders, was a native of Jefferson County, Tenn., and there William Sanders. the father of subject, was born, grew to manhood's estate, and there married Maria Jane Thompson. daughter of Ephraim Thomp- son. The twain remained in their native State for a few years, and then moved to Jefferson County, Mo., where our subject was born No- vember 13, 1834, the fifth of eleven children. The father, when subject was about twelve years old, came to this county and settled on

239

UNITY PRECINCT.

the farm now owned by his son. The educa- tional advantages of our subject were but lim- ited. but he made the best of these. When his father died in 1860. Mr. Sanders, then in his twenty-sixth year, assumed charge of the place, and now has a farm of 560 acres, situated in Section 19, Range 3 west. Of the whole tract, about 530 acres are improved. There are also about five acres in orchard. Mr. Sanders was married the first time, March 4, 1869, to Miss Hattie B. Steward, daughter of Chester Steward, of Cobden. One child, Albert Stew- ard Sanders, who was born November 3, 1870, was the result of this union. This lady died November 14, 1870. He was married the sec- ond time, April 1, 1881, to Miss Virginia B. Tibbetts, daughter of Mrs. Martha Tibbetts. She is the mother of one child, Helen, born February 20, 1883. In politics, Mr. Sanders is a Republican. Has served one term as County Commissioner ; has also been Justice of the Peace.

W. O. SANDERS, farmer, P. O. East Cape Girardeau. John Sanders, the grandfather of the gentleman whose name heads this brief sketch, was a native of Jefferson County, East Tenn., and there William Sanders, the father, was bor , grew to manhood and married Miss Jane Thompson, a daughter of Ephraim

Thompson. The father followed farming in that State until he was thirty years of age, and then moved to Jefferson County, Mo., and remained there about twelve years, and then came to Alexander County, and settled on the farm now owned by J. S. Sanders. There our subject was born July 17, 1849, attended school in his native county until he was sey- enteen, and then, his father having died, he farmed the old homestead in connection with his brother James. At the age of twenty-one. having married, he took part of the home place, and farmed it himself. There he re- mained until 1880, when he came to his pres- ent farm, a tract of fifty-two acres in Section 12, Town 14, Range 4 west. Mr. Sanders was married, August 22, 1870, to Amanda J. West, daughter of Mrs. Nancy West. Mrs. Sanders was the mother of two children, Wil- burn West, born January 12, 1872, and Clar- ence E., born September 2, 1871. This lady died February 6, 1876. He was married the second time, August 17, 1876, to Mrs. Ellen DeWitt, nee King, daughter of Capt. Ezra King. The result of this union was three chil- dren, one of whom is living-Gertrude, born January 13, 1882. In politics, he is a Repub- lican, and is now serving as Deputy Sheriff and Collector.

UNITY PRECINCT.

ASA C. ATHERTON, saw milling and mer- chant, Hodge's Park. One of the leading business men in this precinct is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in what is now Pulaski County, November 21, 1832. He was the second of six children, and the son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Atherton) Atherton, both natives of Kentucky. His scholastic education was but slight, his father, who was a soldier in the Mexican war, being killed in the battle of

Buena Vista. February 27, 1847. After his father's death, our subject carried on the home until eighteen years of age, and then embarked in the mercantile trade, in what was then known as Valley Forge, Pulaski County, and acted as Postmaster at what is now known as Villa Ridge, before the Illinois Central grading was done. In that business he remained about six years, and then went back to the old home farm, where he remained content with his hon-

240

BIOGRAPHICAL:

est lot for upward of twenty years. Soon af- ter Hodge's Park was started, he came to his present location, where he erected a steam saw mill about a quarter of a mile from town, at a cost of $2.000. The engine used is about thirty horse-power, and the mill gives employ- ment to about ten hands. About a year after he came to Hodge's Park, he opened a store adjoining the mill, and there carried a stock of about $1,000. In the spring of 1883, he moved the store to Hodge's Park, and now carries a stock of $2,500. He also owns a farm of 100 acres in Unity Precinct, situated mostly in Sec- tion 35, Town 15, Range 2 west. The farm is mostly under cultivation. Mr. Atherton was married, December 16, 1856, to Elizabeth Jane Kelly. This lady was born in February. 1841, and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (An- yon) Kelly, natives of Missouri. She was the mother of six living children-John H., a farmer in Pulaski County ; Ellen Elizabeth. wife of James P. Matthas, of Johnson County ; Edward J., Gracie, Fannie and Vida. This lady died March 22, 1883. He was married the second time to MIrs. Emily Brown, nee Musie, June 27, 1883. This lady is the daughter of Samuel Musie, of Missouri, and the mother of one living child, William Harrison Brown. Our subject, is a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church, and is a Democrat in politics.

JOSEPH BUNDSCHUH, farmer, P. O. Hodge's Park, is a native of Baden, Germany, where he was born January 4, 1833. He at- tended the schools of his fatherland, and re- ceived a liberal education there, and has, since his residence in this country, obtained a fair knowledge of the English language. He land- ed in New York when twenty-one years old, and came to Cincinnati, where he worked on one of the suburban farms, and also acted as a hotel porter. In 1857, he came to Mound City, when the town was just being started, and remained until he saw the city assume its pres- ent stand. Taking a humble position in the

place, he lent a helping hand to many of the undertakings. He left the city in 1871, and came to his present farm, a farm of forty acres in Section 32, Town 15, Range 2 west. Mr. Bundschuh was married. in 1861, to Theresa Painter, a daughter of Alban Painter, of Mound City. She is the mother of four children, two of whom are now living-Oderwalder and Will- iam Alban. In politics, he is Republican.

W. N. EMERSON, merchant and express agent, Hodge's Park, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, June 25, 1843. He is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Allan) Emerson. The former was a native of New Hampshire, and the latter of Pennsylvania. He received his education partially in Ohio, and in 1852 came with his father to Massac County, Ill., where he followed farming. The son helped his father on the farm until about twenty-two, and then commenced learning a trade of A. C. Atherton. He soon commenced in a mill of his own in Pulaski County, and remained there until 1880, when he came to this county and worked in the saw mill of A. C. Atherton until July, 1882. His health failing, he opened a store at Hodge's Park. He is also acting as Express Agent for the Adams Express Company. Our subject was married, February 15, 1872. in America, Pulaski County, to Melinda Combey, a daughter of James and Jane (Granton) Com- bey, natives of Tennessee. She is the mother of three living children-Lucie May, Crowie Neilson and Effie Eudora. He enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, Company H, on August 17, 1861, and was out until August 27, 1864. He was shot in the left arm and left leg in the battle of Fort Donelson. He is a member of the I. O. G. T., and in politics is a Republican.

F. M. HARGROVES, merchant, Hodge's Park, was born in Pulaski County July 29, 1845. He is a son of John and Lucinda (Pal- mer) Hargroves, and is the youngest of six children. He received a fair education in the

241

UNITY PRECINCT.

schools of his native county, and then helped on his father's farm until he was twenty-eight. He then settled on a farm in Caledonia Pre- cinct, and there remained until about 1880, when he came to Hodge's Park and opened a general store. He now carries a stock of about $500. Mr. Hargroves was married May 1. 1873, to Elizabeth Lynch. She was a daughter of John and Mary Lynch, natives of Ireland. This lady was the mother of four children. three of whom are now living-Effie May, Mary Alma and Oscar. Besides his store, he also owns a farm of forty acres in Pulaski County, situated in Section 12, Town 15, Range 1 east. He is a Democrat in politics.

WILLIAM IRELAND, carpenter and hotel keeper, Hodge's Park. was born in Western Virginia April 10, 1815, and is a son of Alex- ander and Betsey (Ragin) Ireland. He at- tended the schools of his native State, and at the age of nineteen went to Guernsey County, Ohio, where he followed farming. In 1848, he went to Missouri and settled in West Prairie, Stoddard County, but only remained there one year, and then came to Alexander County. He settled first at Clear Creek, but only remained there a few months, when he came to Santa Fe and there followed the trade of a carpenter, also bought and sold lumber. At this point, he remained twenty-seven years, and in 1877 he came to Hodge's Park, where he has since run a hotel. He also has an undertaking estab- lishment. Our subject was married February 5. 1835, in Guernsey County, Ohio, to Minnie Hutton. a daughter of William and Catharine (Peters) Hutton. She is the mother of ten children, eight of whom are living, viz. : Jesse and John F. (both following the carpenter's trade in Hodge's Park), Sarah (wife of William B. Anderson, St. Louis), Amanda (wife of Eli Sowers, of Pulaski County), Nancy (wife of John Cook, Hodge's Park), Alexander (now in business in Santa Fé), W. W. and Alonzo (now in Commerce, Mo.). Mr. Ireland is a

member of the Olive Branch Methodist Church. He has acted as Justice of the Peace most of the time since 1851. and is at present serving in that capacity. He was Postmaster for fif- teen years at Santa Fe. In politics, he is a Republican.

W. J. MILFORD, farmer, P. O. Hodge's Park, was born in Steward County, Tenn., September 25, 1821. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Lumous) Milford, and was the fifth of seven children. When eight years old, his father came with him to Clinton County. Ill., and there the father lived until 1838, when he went back to Alabama. The education of subject was received mainly by his own efforts. his first schooling being obtained when he was seventeen years of age, when he paid his way to the subscription schools. He worked around on different farms of Clinton County until 1844, and then came to Franklin County and remained there until February, 1845, when he came to this county and first worked on the farm of William Clapp, of Sandusky Precinct, and then for Jack Hodges, Sr., of Unity Precinct. In 1852, he settled on his present farm, then Congress land ; it contained eighty acres, and was situated in Section 35, Town 15, Range 2. He now has the place in cultivation. Subject was married, August 5, 1847, to Eliza Caro- line Howard, a daughter of Rev. Thomas Howard, Pulaski County. She was the mother of seven children, three of whom are now living, viz. : Sarah Elizabeth (wife of John S. Ryal, of Dogtooth Precinct), Martha Ann (wife of William Minton, of Unity Precinct). and Frances Decatur. His wife died Septem- ber 16. 1861, and he was married the second time, October 7, 1861, to Mrs. Martha Caro- line Atherton, nee Childers. She was the daughter of James Childers, and was the mother of three children-John A. (now in Davenport, Iowa), Eliza Melvina and Willie. This lady died Jannary 29, 1875, and a third time he wedded Mary F. Kelsey, a daughter

242

BIOGRAPHICAL:

of Naman and Sarah Jane (Barber) Kelsey ; she is also the mother of three children- Laura Ione, George Edward and Jefferson Eugene. Mr. Milford is a Democrat in pol- itics, and is a member of the Baptist Church.

DR. JOHN I. NOWOTNY, physician and druggist, Hodge's Park, was born in the city of New York July 4. 1833, and is a son of John I. and Eliza (Haskett) Nowotny. The father was a native of Prague, and the mother was a native of South Carolina, but of Irish descent. The father died when subject was but six years old, and he early became able to take care of himself. He followed a roving disposition. When quite a boy, he came West and worked on a farm in Warren County, Ohio. In 1847, however, he went back to New York and entered a drug store, where he soon learned the trade of a prescrip- tion clerk. He followed that vocation in several States, and finally, in 1857, he graduated from the Keokuk (Iowa) Medical College, and com- menced his practice in Southern Illinois. In 1871, he came to Illinois and settled at what is now known as Beech Ridge, Alexander County. He cut the first stick of timber in that section of the country, and besides following his pro- fession, farming occupied a good deal of his attention. In this region, he practiced medi- cine until 1880, and then went to Minnesota, where he intended to settle down as a farmer. Becoming dissatisfied with the climate, he took a trip West and finally in June, 1883, he came to Illinois again and settled at Hodge's Park, where he purchased the drug store of W. W. Ireland. He will also practice his profession there. Mr. Nowotny was married in Brown County, Ohio, May 22, 1856. to Miss Harriet Wall, a daughter of Maj. William Wall (a sol-

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

History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 109

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