History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 123

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 123
USA > Illinois > Pulaski County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 123
USA > Illinois > Alexander County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 123

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).

H. L. NICKENS, farmer, P. O. Ullin, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., July 27, 1827, and is a son of Samnel and Martha (Holton) Nickens. He was the fifth of nine children, four of whom are now living-Harvey, E. C. G., Hannah and H. L. The first named is a resident of Marshall County, Tenn., and the others of Ullin Precinct. Subject received his education in the schools of his native county, and then worked on the home farm until seventeen, when he commenced life for himself

as a rafter down the Duck River, and thence to the Tennessee, and then on to New Orleans. In this connection he followed the river for about twelve years. In 1857, he came to Pu- laski County, and settled near his present home. He now owns 100 acres in Section 23, Town 14, Range 1 west, of which about sixty acres are in cultivation, and eight in orchard. Mr. Niekens was married, August 13, 1862, to Mrs. Phobe Ann Brown, nee Ellsworth, a native of Indiana. This union resulted in one child- Everett Holton, who was born June 17, 1863, and died the following monty. Subject is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He has served his township as Justice of the Peace for the last sixteen years, and in politics he generally votes the Democratic ticket.

J. SHICK, lime-kiln, Ullin, was born June 22, 1848, in Chester County, Penn. He was the fourth of eleven children, and the son of Amos and Elizabeth (Hook) Shick. He re- ceived his education in his native county, and in 1868 came West and settled in Union County, Ill. The first work he did in this county was upon a farm. He did not remain there long, but soon commenced working for Finch & Shick in their lime-kiln there. With this firm our subject remained four years, and then went to Texas, where he remained until 1879. In the fall of that year, he came to Ullin, and assumed control of the lime-kiln owned by C. Shick & Co., the head of the firm residing at Reading, Penn. There are two kilns, the combined capacity of which is five hundred bushels a day. The enterprise gives employment to about fifteen men. In connec- tion with it, there is a cooper shop where the barrels- necessary for shipment are mannfact- ured. Mr. Shick also owns 240 acres in Sec- tion 14, Town 14, Range 1 west, and of this about eighty acres are in cultivation. Our sub- ject was married, October 23, 1879, to Mary Elizabeth Frick, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Frick, deceased, but old residents of

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Union County. Mrs. Shick is a member of the Anna Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Shick is a Democrat.

JOHN A. SICKLING, farmer, P. O. Ullin. The earliest settler in this precinct is the man whose name heads this sketch. This gentle- man was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 5, 1828, and was a son of Casper and Eve Sickling. He received an education in his native tongue, and has since his advent to this country obtained a knowledge of the English language. In the old country, he also learned the cabinet-maker's trade. August 20, 1846, he landed in New Orleans, and from there came to Columbus, Ky., where he worked on a farm for about eighteen months ; he then went to Clinton, Ky., and in that town he followed his trade for several years. In 1854, he came to Ullin, and at first worked at the carpenter's trade, putting up, among other buildings, the hotel at that place. In 1862, he purchased his present farm of 100 acres in Section 32, Town 14, Range 1 east. Of this, there are about sixty acres in cultivation. He still follows his trade some. In 1882, he erected a store room on his farm, where he now carries a stock of about $500, supplying his neighbors with the necessities of life. He was married, January 7, 1849, to Eliza Hudson, a native of Clinton, Ky., and a daughter of Richard and Mary (Bald- win) Hudson. This lady is the mother of four children, two of whom are now living-Matilda (wife of S. C. Wilson, of Ullin), and John H. (now farming upon part of his father's place). Our subject is a member of Caledonia Lodge, No. 47, A., F. & A. M., and in politics . is a Republican.

WILLIAM F. STONE, M. D., physician, Ullin. The leading physician of this section of Pulaski County, and the gentleman whose name heads this brief sketch, was born in Pe- tersburg, Ind., June 23, 1845, and was a son of William F. and Maria (Lamb) Stone. The father was a native of Dresden, Saxony, and

the mother of Indiana. Our subject received his education at the Oakland High School, and upon finishing his schooling he taught two years in his native county, and then clerked for a time in a store in his native town. In 1866, he came to Ullin, and first worked in a saw mill. In 1873, he commenced reading medicine with Dr. A. P. Greer, who was then at that point, but is now in business at Elco, Alexander County. After three years' study there, he supplemented that with a course of lectures at the American College in St. Louis. Graduating from that institution in 1877, he returned to Ullin, where he has since practiced, except during the winters of 1879 and 1880, when he attended lectures at the Medical De- partment of the Northwestern University of Chicago. He is now the only physician in that section, and is constantly increasing in prac- tice. He was married June 14, 1870, to Mrs. Mary McElroy, a daughter of Angus and Sallie (Myers) Hicks, of Ullin Precinct. The Doctor is a member of Dongola Lodge, No. 581, A., F. & A. M., and Dongola Lodge, No. 643, I. O. O. F. In politics, he is a Repub- lican.

J. R. WILLIAMS, farmer, P. O. Ullin, is a native of Murray County, Ga., and was born there May 26, 1856. He is a son of John and Margaret Williams. His education was re- ceived at the schools of his native State. At the age of eighteen, he left home and started out in life for himself. Making his way to Il- linois, he came to Anna. Remaining there only a short time, he came next to Pulaski County, where he worked on different farms in this precinct. In 1878, he commenced to farm on a rented place, and in 1882 he purchased his present location. It is a farm of ninety-six acres, located in Section 25, Town 14, Range 1 west. He has about thirty-five acres in culti- vation, and three in orchard. Mr. Williams was married, January 2, 1881, to Mary Whir- low, a daughter of Alexander Whirlow, a native

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of North Carolina. This lady is the mother of one child, born December 2, 1882. He is a member of the New Hope Methodist Episcopal

Church. In politics, he generally votes the Democratic ticket.

PULASKI PRECINCT.

J. L. ALDRED, farmer, P. O. Pulaski, was born in Switzerland County, Ind., August 19, 1839, to Alfred G. and Harriet M. (Lyons) Al- dred. He was born in Ohio November 1, 1803 ; she in Indiana about ten years later. Her peo- ple had emigrated from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Indiana. He came to Indiana when a young man. They were married there about 1836. To them ten children were born, seven of whom still survive. His occupation was that of blacksmith, but he also farmed. From Indi- ana they moved to Ohio, where they remained for about four years, then, in the winter of 1854, to this county, where he died in 1870. She still survives. Our subject was educated in common schools, then attended select school in Patriot, Ind., for three years. His occupa- tion has been that of farmer. February, 1869, he was married to Ellen Lackey, daughter of Alfred Lackey, an old settler in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Aldred have five children-Al- fred Wesley, Abbie L., Charles, Elmer and Laura. He came to his present farm since marriage. It contains 160 acres, 130 of which are in good state of cultivation. He is a mem- ber of Villa Ridge Lodge, A., F. & A. M .; is Democratic in politics. For one full term he was County Surveyor, and also served almost the entire term to fill out vacancy.

A. W. LEWIS, merchant, Pulaski, was born in Pulaski County, near Villa Ridge, January 2, 1850, to Alfred E. and Sarah (Piercefield) Lewis. He was born February 24, 1811, and died December 11, 1851, in this county. She was born April 20, 1814, and died

November 29, 1859. They were married Janu- ary 2, 1831, and were the parents of eight children, four of whom are still living, our subject, being the youngest of the family. During his life, he followed different occupa- tions. Being an excellent blacksmith, also understanding the physician's profession, and had also engaged in the mercantile business. His place of residence was also varied. He and wife were born in Middle Tennessee. Their two oldest children were born in Kentucky; four while living in different parishes in Louis- iana-one in Hines County, Miss., and our subject in this county. After her husband's death, Mrs. Lewis and her two sons moved to Missouri, where she bought a small farm, and, in 1858, was there married to her second hus- band, W. W. Ward, and a short time afterward they moved to Alexander County, Ill., where she died. For some time, then, our subject lived with his oldest sister, Mrs. Emma Ainger, near Villa Ridge, then with another sister, Mrs. W. R. Hooppaw, thien with his brother, who then resided at Villa Ridge. Here our subject remained till starting out for himself. His employment since has been various. First in a saw-mill in Cairo, then contracting for railroad cross ties, which he made at Villa Ridge. Then he engaged in his present business, but only as a clerk in the store of W. R. Hooppaw in Villa Ridge ; then as manager of a store in Pulaski for Mr. Hooppaw. The close confinement of the store room caused his health to fail, so he went on the road as traveling salesman, but only remained at that business for six months, when he again began

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clerking for Mr. Hooppaw in Villa Ridge ; then again came to Pulaski to Mr. H.'s store there ; then for Mr. G. W. Bonner, who bought out Mr. Hooppaw. Our subject, however, remained with Mr. Bonner only for a short time, when he borrowed money and opened a stock of goods in Pulaski November 27, 1875. His stock cost $620 ; his first day's sales were $11. He has steadily increased his business since, till now he occupies a building 22x100 feet, one half of which is two stories. His average stock of goods on hand is about $9,000 to $10,000; annual sales reaching about $20,000 to $25,000. His stock includes everything in general merchandise, drugs, etc. Mr. Lewis has also been P. M. since being in the village ; is also interested in a garden farm. Has houses and lots which he rents in Pulaski, property in Villa Ridge, etc. November 13, 1870, he was married to Miss E. F. Butler. She was born April 8, 1850, to L. D. and Pernina (Whidden) Butler. He was born in Maine, she in Clermont County, Ohio. He died in this county. She is still living. By trade he was a carpenter. In 1861, they moved from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Villa Ridge. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have six chil- dren-Everett O., Otho O., Eli U., Adda M., William G. and Myrtle May. In politics, Mr. Lewis has ever been Republican.

DR. E. M. LOW, farmer and physician, P. O. Pulaski, was born in Essex County, N. Y., July 7, 1825, to Wilson K. and Harriet (Stone) Low, both of whom were born in New York. The ancestors of the Low family in this country were three brothers, who came to America in the English Army. One settled in Virgina, one in New Jersey and one in New York. The grandfather of our subject was in the Revolu- tionary war. At the age of twenty years, our subject enlisted in the army, and served for three years in the Mexican war, and during his service he received three wounds, and the

scars still remain, showing how narrowly he escaped losing his life. January 29, 1855, he was married in this county to Mary A. R. An- yan. She was born in Obion County, Tenn., daughter of John Anyan, who settled in this State at an early date. In 1858, he settled in Pulaski, and followed his profession of physi- cian. At the commencement of the war, he was a strong supporter of the Government, and helped raise the United States flag at Pulaski as the troops first went through for the South. April 26, 1861, our subject entered the service of the country ; was chosen as First Lieutenant of the Prentice Guards. They served for three months. Then our subject raised a company for the Ninth Illinois Infantry, and was made Captain of Company G. He served in that ca- pacity till the spring of 1863, when he was pro- moted to the office of Major of the Fifty-fifth United States Colored Infantry ; served till June 1, 1864, and then was promoted Lieuten- ant Colonel of that regiment. February 28, 1865, he resigned on account of physical disa- bility. June 10, 1864, he had received a se- vere wound in the left arm. When the Doctor entered the service, his wife quit housekeeping and went to Cairo, and for three months gave her time and money toward the care of the sick, not receiving any recompense in a money value. Since coming from the army, the Doctor has given most of his atten- tion to farming, but practices to some extent. Although the Doctor and wife never have had children of their own, they have reared two sons and two daughters, and have the third boy now rearing. In politics, the Doctor is and always has been a stanch Republican.

S. J. MOORE, farmer, P. O. Pulaski. Among the more active, upright, and highly respected citizens of Pulaski Precinct is Mr. S. J. Moore, whose name heads this sketch. He was born on the 3d of June, 1836, to John and A. M. (Wallace) Moore. The elder Moore was born in Edinburgh, Scotland ; was twice married,

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his marriage to Miss Wallace occurring when he was sixty years of age; he emigrated to America and settled in Iredell County, N. C., and there followed the occupation of a planter, and was Judge of the same county ; he died at the age of ninety three years. S. J. Moore was reared on the farm, and educated in the com- mon schools. In 1851, he emigrated to Illinois and settled in Union County, and engaged in farming. He was for three years the station agent for the Illinois Central R. R. Co. at Makanda, and was afterward transferred to Mound City Junction, where he acted as opera- tor and agent for the company. In 1865, he resigned his position and went to Ozark Mount- ains, Mo., for the benefit of his health, and re- mained there nearly two years, when he re- turned to Pulaski County and engaged in the railroad tie trade in the employ of Porterfield Bros., who were at the time furnishing ties for the South Division of the Illinois Central Railroad. He afterward engaged in the saw- mill business for one year and sold his mill to H. H. Porterfield. He then again resumed his position as telegraph operator, working for different companies through the State, and was agent and operator at Pulaski Station for about ten years, resigning his position in April, 1880, when he went to Leadville, Colo., and remained for a few months. For the last three years, he has been giving his attention to his farm and timber business ; his farm contains 320 acres of land. He is also a breeder of fine stock. In 1861, he married Miss Martha A. Ardery, who died in 1862. In 1865, he mar- ried a second time, Miss Cynthia A. Littlejohn, who has borne him six children, viz .: Ida, Will- iam A., Franklin, Ada, John and Burd. Mr. Moore is an active member of the A., F. & A. M., at Cairo, and a stanch Democrat.

PAT MULLEN, farmer, P. O. Pulaski, was born September 1, 1833, on an English inan-of-war, between Bermuda and Jamaica. His father, who held a position in the English'

Navy, died when our subject was small, leaving a widow and two sons. Our subject was mostly raised in Ireland and educated there. In 1853, he came to America, and began at railroading in New York, Ohio and Illinois. For a number of years, he worked as common laborer and then as boss. He came to this county on the first passenger coach over the Illinois Central Railroad, and, with the exception of about six months, has lived here since. For nine years he was foreman on the section at Pu- laski. When coming to this country, he was a poor boy, but applied himself to work, and used economy, and so has made a good property. During the time he was section boss, he bought eighty acres of woodland, and in 1866 moved on to it, first in a little shanty, but in 1867 built his present residence. His farm now consists of 160 acres, about ninety of which are in a good state of cultivation. He gives most of his attention to raising of grain, stock, etc., but also raises some fruits. In 1857, he was married in this county to Sarah J. Smith. She was raised in this county, and died October 4, 1873. The result of this union was the follow- ing-named children : Annie, Catherine, Marga- ret, Lizzie, Sarah and two deceased. Up to the time of the war, he was Democratic in politics, but has since been Republican. He was one of the few loyal men who raised the stars and stripes as the first soldiers passed through Pulaski for the South. He contrib- uted his time and money toward raising Com- pany C, Thirty-eight Illinois Infantry, and his brother, James Mullen, was chosen Second Lieutenant, entering November 11, 1861. He was afterward promoted to First Lientenant, then to Captain of the same company. Then was commissioned First Lieutenant of the First Regiment of United States Veteran En- gineers, serving till September 26, 1865; then was mustered ont at Nashville, Tenn.

F. M. SPENCER, station agent, operator, Pulaski. The subject of this sketch was born

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October 24, 1856, in Wisconsin, to E. T. and Sarah J. (Taylor) Spencer. He was born in New York, but she in Canada, and was reared in Vermont. He was reared in Broome Co., N. Y., and his father still lives there at about the age of eighty-seven years. In 1862, our sub- ject with his parents came to this county, and have resided here since. By trade, his father is a millwright, but has kept the family on a farm most of the time. Both of the parents are still living, and have two sons and two daughters living. Our subject was educated in the common schools of this county. In 1876, he began clerking in a store in Pulaski, where he remained for four years. Angust, 1880, he began learning telegraphing at this office. He studied here for four months, then began work at Mound City Junction, and re- mained in that place till August, 1881, when he was sent to Odin, but four months later he was returned to the office at Pulaski, and has remained since, attending to the company's work here, operator, station agent, express agent, etc. May 23, 1883, he was married to Miss Tillie Hildebrant. She was an orphan girl, but had lived here since childhood. In politics, Mr. Spencer is a Republican, as his father and grandfather also are.

WILLIAM M. STRINGER, farmer, P. O. Pulaski, was born in Livingston County, Ky., January 3, 1845, to William and Mary String- er, both of whom still survive, residing in this county. They have two sons and three daugh- ters now living. When our subject was about nineteen years of age, his parents moved to Missouri, where they remained till July, 1862, then came to this county, and have been here ever since. His opportunities for an education were very limited, not getting to attend more than five months during his life. His occupa- tion has always been that of farmer, and he has been successful in his chosen vocation. September 28, 1869, he was married in this county to Mary Jane Kelly. She was born in this county, daughter of Rev. M. B. Kelly, a minister in the Seventh-Day Baptist denom- ination. Mr. and Mrs. Springer have four chil- dren living-Francis M., Nancy Louisa, Annie and L. H. In 1869, he settled on his present farm, which contains 120 acres, seventy of which are in a good state of cultivation. He gives his attention to general farming, fruit and vegetable growing. When first beginning for himself, it was by days' work. By energy and industry, he has made a good farm. He and wife are members of the Seventh-Day Bap- tist Church. In politics, he is Republican.

BURKVILLE PRECINCT.

DR. JAMES H. CRAIN, of Burkville Pre- cinct, was the pioneer of a considerable immi- gration to Pulaski County, from Clark County, Ohio, of Crains, Minnichs, Wilsons, Millers, Fearnsides, Dillers, Hogendoblers, Shirachs, Davidsons and Leidichs, who now constitute a considerable and influential part of the popula- tion. The Doctor was descended from pio- neers to the New World, from the British Islands, and from pioneers to Kentucky and

Ohio, from Pennsylvania and Virginia, who had participated in the war for independence, and in the Indian wars of the period. He thus inherited through a long line of ances- try a spirit of investigation, allied to a love of the beautiful in every sense. He also inherited a taste for horticulture, and was early employed in its pursuit, so that when tempo- rarily diverted from the pursuit of his profess- ion-by a poisoned wound-which disabled

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him, he sought a new home which should unite the beauties of nature with probable horticult- ural capabilities of wide range. To test the horticultural capabilities of this new home was the work to which the Doctor now addressed himself with untiring energy, and after twenty- eight years of carefully directed observation, finds the region unfavorable to many desirable fruits. This is especially true of winter apples, apricots, plums, and all the smooth-skinned fruits, except the grape, which is profitably grown in large quantity, and in considerable variety. These experiments, though costing the Doctor (and many who were misled by his early and temporary successes) great loss, will prove no disparagement to the county, as the minor fruits and berries are generally success- ful, and are largely grown, while wheat and clover are proving the basis of great wealth to the country. In this long, and in many in- stances, painful course of experience, the Doc- tor has at no time lost his zeal for investigation, but has widened and extended his views into every department of natural science, and finds nature everywhere producing worlds and sys- tems whereon beauty is developed in many varied forms for the gratification of myriads of sentient creatures, for he with Wordsworth be- lieves-

" That Nature never did betray The heart that loved her."

And that Nature's work is to present the condi- tions requisite to individual experience, and in- dividual pain and pleasure, in wide diversity.

W. R. CRAIN, farmer. Among the more active, upright and highly respected citizens of Pulaski County, who have carved out a suc- cessful career by their own indomitable energy, is Mr. W. R. Crain, whose name heads this sketch. Commencing life a poor man, he has, by his honesty, industry and economy, succeeded in accumulating a good property. He was born in Springfield, Ohio, September 29, 1834, where he was reared and educated.

In 1858 with father came to Illinois and settled in Pulaski County, and engaged in farming. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted as a private in the late civil war, serving in Company I of the Eighty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and when he was mustered out of the service held the rank of First Lieutenant. He was in the following engagements : Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Black River, Siege of Vicksburg, Red River. Gun Town, Blue River, Nashville and Fort Blakely. After the war, he returned to his home in Pulaski County, and again engaged in farming. He is now the owner of 340 acres of good land, and is con- sidered one of the most practical farmers of the county. On the 2d of February, 1862, he was married to Miss Mary A. Spence, a daugh- ter of William J. and Christie Ann Spence. Mrs. Crain is a native of Pulaski County, born March 2, 1844. This union has been blessed with the following children : James L., War- ren C., Emma, Alma, Lewis F., Mary and Will- iam R. Mr. Crain is an active member of the A. F. & A. M., Villa Ridge Lodge, No. 562. Politically, he is a Republican, and has served the people in the office of County Commis- sioner for five years, Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and besides many of the minor offices.

SAMUEL SPENCE, merchant and Ameri- can Express Agent, Junction, was born in the city of New York February 8, 1836, and is a son of Samuel and Deborah W. (Stimost) Spence. He, a native of Scotland, was born September 22, 1788. He learned the carpen- ter's trade in Scotland, and worked at the same there and at St. John, New Brunswick, and also in New York City. He was also for a time engaged in navigation. He came West to Pulaski County, Ill., in 1838, and here died in 1852. His wife, subject's mother, was born in St. John, New Brunswick, December 28, 1796, and died in Pulaski County, Ill., Marclı 11, 1859. She was the mother of twelve chil-

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dren, three of whom are now living-James I., Mrs. Helen S. W. Newsom and Samuel Spence, the subject of this sketch. His early life was spent at home, assisting to till the soil of the home farm, and receiving a limited education in the schools of Pulaski County. At eighteen years of age, he left home and embarked on his career in life by working on the Ohio River, continuing the same for two years, and engaged in clerking for different individuals in the mer- cantile business until 1870, when he engaged as a book-keeper and operator for the Illinois Central Railroad Company. He is at the pres- ent time engaged in the mercantile business at Mound City Junction, doing a large and lu- crative business. He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Nancy Murphy, a na- tive of this county. She died January 26, 1863, leaving three children, of whom but one is now living-Clara O., born February 18, 1859, now the wife of M. F. Perks, a stock- dealer of Villa Ridge, Ill. His present wife was Sarah A., daughter of John W. and Sarah (Berget) Richards. Mr. Spence is the owner of a farm containing 120 acres. He is an act- ive member of the A., F. & A. M., a Repub- lican in politics, and has held the office of Jus- tice of the Peace for several years.

HON. H. H. SPENCER, farmer, P. O. Mound City, Burkville Precinct. In the annals some- times of a county the important event in that history is the coming of a certain individual, because in that one life is more of importance to the growth, development and reputation of his adopted county than perhaps all the other men in it. The man of strong character, origi- nal mind, and great enterprise, and who can conceive and execute great designs in the development of the industries and the advance- ment of the entire community in which he lives, is a person of inestimable worth. He is one of the promoters of civilization-an architect who forms and creates the arts and sciences among the people, which advances man and surrounds

him with the joys and comforts of civilized life. Among the rush of people to a new coun- try such men are always the rare and few. But when an individual does come it never should be forgotten that his history is the true history of his county and people. To build up the arts and sciences, trade manufactures, agriculture and general industries among the people ; to point the way to great commercial and manu- facturing enterprises, and thereby cause school houses, churches, factories, farms, villages and towns to spring into existence, bring- ing with them the culture, comforts and splendid advantages of a ripened civiliza- tion, is to achieve victories surpassing those of war and empire, and whose cheering and benign influences endure and bless the people long after their originator has "joined the silent multitude " and is peacefully sleeping where " the dead and beautiful rest." Thus the world has the benefits of great individual worth, and the examples of lives whose good effects endure forever. It is our high- est duty and privilege to cherish and per- petuate the good name and great life work of these true and peaceful benefactors of mankind, for the study and contemplation of the youths of the coming generations. The story of such lives-their humble beginnings slow toiling up the steep of life, and the blessings their enter- prise and energy scattered along the pathway, and the final crown of success, will prove the most valuable lessons, and the most useful monitors that we can transmit to our children. And of all the people who have spent the ac- tive part of their lives here, we know of none whose history tells a better moral than of Hon. H. H. Spencer, whose name heads this sketch. He was born at Whitney Point, Broome Co., N. Y., on the 17th of November, 1832. He is the son of Jason G. Spencer, born about 1801, in New York, a mechanic by occupation, who is yet living. His father was Nehemiah Spencer, a native of New Hampshire, and of English

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descent. The mother of our subject was Polly Ticknor, a native of New York, where she died. She was the mother of eight children-Elias, Nehemiah, Angeline, Ruth A., Henry H. the subject of this sketch, Sarah, Laura (deceased), and Mary. Our subject spent his early life at home, assisting to till the soil of his father's farm, and receiving such an education as the common schools of his native county afforded. At fifteen years of age, he left his home and embarked on life's rugged pathway as a hired hand in a mill at Olean, on the Allegheny River, where he remained till the summer of 1852, when he came West and located at Bloom- ington, Ill., and there worked in a saw mill. In 1855, he came to Ullin, Pulaski Co., Ill., where he worked in a mill until the spring of 1856, when he bought an interest in a saw mill at Ullin, which he removed after one year to a place three miles east of Villa Ridge, and oper- ated the same until the spring of 1861, when he sold his interest, and built him a large and commodious residence on his farm, where he now resides. In 1862, he again embarked in the saw mill business, building a mill two miles northeast of Puluski, on the Cache River, which he conducted successfully until 1872, when he sold it. Since then his time has been chiefly occupied in looking after his real estate inter- ests. When he came to this county he had $20, · but although poor in purse, he was rich in per- severance and experience, and possessed a strong will and great energy. He has now practically retired from active life, engaged in superintending his farms. He has over 2,000 acres of land in this county, the fruit of a suc- cessful business career. The people have shown the confidence put in him by electing him to different offices. In 1875, he was elected Sher- iff of Pulaski County, and served two years. In the fall of 1878, he was elected Representa- tive of the Fifty-first Senatorial District of Illi- nois, serving two years. He also filled many of the minor offices, too numerous to mention.

In politics, Mr. Spencer has been identified with the Republican party, and his was one of the seven votes cast for Fremont in this county in the year 1856. Of late his sympathies are with the Free Trade movement. Mr. Spencer was joined in matrimony September 12, 1855, in Bloomington. Ill., to Miss Eleanor T. Gould, a native of Dexter, Me., born October 15, 1833. She is the mother of the following children- Frank, born June 19, 1856, he married Miss Abbie Ent, who has borne him one child -- Frank ; Edgar, born August 26, 1858 ; Ella, born September 19, 1860, the wife of John W. Titus, they have one child-Henry Titus ; Flora, born April 8, 1862 ; Zena, born Novem- ber 2, 1864 ; Louisa H., born March 20, 1869. Mrs. Eleanor. T. Spencer died May 29, 1878.

HENRY S. WALBRIDGE, lumberman, Junction. One of the substantial and en- terprising citizens of Burkville Precinct is Mr. Henry S. Walbridge, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Bennington, Vt., on the 1st of January, 1821. His father, Elipha- let Walbridge, was a native of New York, where he died in about 1827. Sally (Strong) Walbridge, subject's mother, was a native of Vergennes, Vt., born January 8, 1801. After the death of Mr. Walbridge, she married Prof. D. D. Tuthill, of Edenton, S. C .; she was the mother of nine children, of whom four are now living-Henry S., the subject of this sketch ; Egbert E. Walbridge ; Mrs. Mary E. (Tuthill) Pierson, and Richard S. Tuthill, a prominent lawyer of Chicago. Henry S. Walbridge was educated in New York and Southern Illinois, principally under the instruction of his step- father. He has been chiefly engaged in the saw mill business, and was one of the first who used the circular saw in Southern Illinois, the great lumber region of the State. He first engaged in the business in Jackson County, Ill., in 1845, and continued the same in dif- feernt parts of the State with marked suc- cess until 1883, when he sold his mill, which

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BIOGRAPHICAL:

was located at Burkville. He may now be classed among the retired men of Pulaski County, enjoying in the latter years of his life those comforts and pleasures which ever result from honesty, industry and economy. Mr. Walbridge has been twice married, first to Miss Rebecca J. Phelps, who died leaving four children, of whom Mrs. Sally Hawkins is now'

living. His second was Matilda Green, a native of Ohio. She died in Pulaski County, Ill., in 1861, leaving two children as the result of their union-Eliza B. and Charles H., who married Miss Hattie D. Ent. Mr. W. is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and an ardent Republican, and during the war did great service in organizing the " Union League."

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.39P42H C001 HISTORY OF ALEXANDER, UNION AND PULASKI

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History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 123

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