History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 61

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758

USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 61
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 61

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).

JOHN RENCH, farmer, P. O. Pleasant Mound, one of the members of the carly families is Mr. Rench, who was born November 5, 1824, in Darke County, Ohio. He is a son of Joseph Rench, who was born in Lancaster County, Penn., July 13, 1785. When a lad he removed with his father to Ohio, where he was afterward married, August 21, 1811, to Rhoda Coates, born December 29, 1789. To them were born twelve children-Delilah, William, Peter, Mary, Catharine, Daniel, Joseph, John, David, Rhoda, Jacob and Aaron. All of whom lived to be grown and married before there was a death in the family. Joseph Rench moved with his family from Ohio in the spring of 1837, and entered land in the northeast quarter of Section 26; also entered other lands in the township near by, and resided on the same until his death which occurred September 7, 1856. He was one of the early members of the German Baptist Church, and helped to or- ganize the same. His wife died February 12, 1877. Of the children born to them are Daniel, who lives in Virden, Macoupin County ; Catharine, now Mrs. Abe Waggoner, of Keo- kuk, lowa ; David and Peter, in Fairview, and Rhoda (Mrs. Sutton), the others deceased. Our subject was raised on the farm and remained with his father until his marriage, November 26, 1849, to Mary F. Dixon, born October 25, 1829, in Madison County, Tenn., daughter of Alexander and Sallie Stallings, both natives of North Carolina. He died in Texas. Mrs. Rench came with her mother to Fayette, in 1836. After marriage he located on the farm on which he now lives. Ten children crowned this union, seven of whom are living-Thomas J., Eveline, Almira, Nancy, John L., Martha E. and Ida M. Eveline is the wife of John Hunter, in Greenville, Deputy Sheriff of this county. The subject of this sketch is a mem- ber of the German Baptist Church, and a re- spected member of the community in which he resides.

BIOGRAPHICAL :

LA GRANGE PRECINCT.

CAPT. THOMAS M. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. ; of land, and is a thorough and energetic farmer. Greenville, born in Trigg County, Ky., the His son William D. was born in 1842, and mar- ried Gabriella, daughter of Rev. William Ham- ilton and Phebe Stahl, of Kentucky, who came to this State about the year 1846. To William D. have been born seven children, but there are but three living-llorace E .. Luella A. and Orra M. In the winter of 1881-82, they lost three children by that dire disease, diphtheria, all within the short space of eleven days. William G. was aged fifteen, John T. aged twelve, and George W. nearly two years of age. Capt. Davis had one brother-James-who emigrated to this State very early, and was for many years prominently identified with the county. He first taught school for several years, and for a time carried on a store here in the township, and afterward in Greenville. Subsequently, he was appointed, under Taylor's administration, to the office of Register of the Land Office at Vandalia. He was elected as a member of the Constitutional Convention. lle afterward located at Hillsboro and engaged in the practice of law ; was elected to the Legis- lature, and afterward to the State Senate, and died in 1868. fifth child who grew up that was born to Jona- than Davis, a Virginian, of Albemarle County. Jonathan came to Trigg County when a young man, and married, in Bryan County, Margaret Mclean, of Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas MeLean. The father of our subject was an early settler in this county ; he came in 1817, to what is now Old Ripley ; here he lived four years. He was a millwright by occupa- tion, and built the first mill in the precinct, and perhaps was the first in the county. The site is now known as Brown's Mill. Jonathan died here in 1821, and his remains now lie interred in the Brown Graveyard, he being the second one buried in it-the first was Dr. Baker. After the death of his father, our subjeet returned with his mother to Kentucky, where he re- mained until 1835, when he returned to this State ; went first to Montgomery County, where he married Jane Williams, who died in 1840, leaving no children. He came to this county in 1837, where he has sinee remained. His sec- ond wife was Mrs. Jane Smith, born in Trigg County, Ky., daughter of Samuel Scott; she died in 1876, leaving but one child-William JOHN S. DENNY, farmer, P. O. Greenville. was born in this township, on Section 33. Town 6, Range 3, August 13, 1827, son of John Denny, who was born in Lincoln County, N. C., about the year 1793, and of Irish descent. lle emigrated to this locality in 1817, before it became a State. He was married about the year 1820, to Sarah Moore, a Virginian, born near Wheeling, daughter of Samuel Moore, an early settler, who married a lady by the name of Shepherd. John Denny, the father of our subject, settled first in Town 7, Range 3. and D .- who resides with his father on the farm. In August, 1861, Mr. Davis raised a company, which was lettered D, Third Illinois Cavalry, and served two years. In the battle of l'ea Ridge, he had his horse shot from under him, yet himself escaped uninjured. After his return home, he resumed farming. Since 1839, he has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was made Elder at the time of the organization of the Maple Grove Society here. llis wife died in 1876. He has about 400 acres

LA GRANGE PRECINCT.

cleared up a farm and remained on the same until 1851, when he removed to his son's and died in Greenville, in November, 1870; his wife died about the year 1808. He was an excellent citizen, and for many years was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an Elder in the the same. In politics he was a Whig ; after the dissolution of that party he became a Re- publican, which he remained until his death. The eldest child born to him was James, who died at twenty-two, William at the age of sev- enteen, Zimriporter in infancy ; next in order came John S .; Alfred N .; Shepherd died in 1878, in this county. Alfred was a minister of the Presbyterian Church ; he left no issue. John S. received good school advantages, and afterward graduated at MeKendree College, in the scientific course in 1854. He began teach- ing at the age of twenty, and continued as a teacher of the young idea for quite a term of years. In 1859, he was brought out as a candi- date by the Republican party for County Treas- urer, then moved to Greenfield in 1860, and was twice re-elected. In 1865, he was elected County Clerk, and served twelve years in this capacity. In 1877, he returned to his farm and was elected County Commissioner, and served as such three years, making in all twenty-one years in public service. In 1854, he married Marietta Mears, of Morgan County, daughter of James and Mary (McCord) Mears. By this marriage seven children were born ; but two are living-Charles Irving and Effie May. Ilis last wife was Dorcas, born in Mis- souri, daughter of James Rosebrough. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for thirty-six years. Ilis farm consists of 230 acres, situated on Section 28 ; residence on the northwest quarter of the section.

mother, who is still living, is a native of Mont- gomery County. Our subject, one of a family of five, received his early training in the school at Greenville, Ill., finishing at the Northern In- diana Normal and Business College. He also pursued his studies at Hillsboro for a year. Mr. Donnell chose for himself the profession of a teacher, his first charge being the school at Cherry Grove, in La Grange Precinct. He has followed the profession ever since, and is at present teacher of the common school in New Berlin. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, a Republican.

NEWTON A. HUGHEY, farmer, P. O. Green- ville ; is a native of Missouri. He was born October 8, 1838, in Perry County. His father was Milus Hughey, born March 5, 1811, in Rowan County, N. C., and was married Novem- ber 2, 1837, to Staty Regina Parks, born No- vember, 1818, daughter of Joseph Parks, of North Carolina. Milus removed with his father Henry Hughey, to Perry County, Mo., about the year 1825, when a lad. Here the family settled. Henry Hughey was born May 25, 1785. He married Elizabeth Gillen, born Janu- ary 20, 1788. The fruits of this union were John, Stanhope, Newton A., Jane, Mary and Milus, all of whom attained to man and woman- hood, and settled in Missouri. Heury Hughey died December 25, 1831 ; his wife, January 26, 1845. Milus Hughey was a farmer, and for many years was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Ruling Elder of the same. He died January 29, 1867 ; his wife 1844. But two children were born them-Newton A. and Susan E. The latter married Henry Bimpage ; she is now deceased. In April, 1861, Newton A. Hughey married Julia A. Stevenson, born November 2. 1840, in Cape Girardeau Co., Mo., daughter of A. K. Stevenson, of North Carolina. He was a son of James Stevenson and Jane Fleming. They raised a family of three ehil- dren. Mr. A. K. Stevenson died November 9.

GEORGE II. DONNELL, school teacher, Greenville, son of Thomas S. and Catharine .J. (Paisley) Donnell ; was born in Bond County, December 7, 1853. His father, who was a farm- er, was born in Greenville, Bond County. His | 1881 ; his wife in 1844. Mr. Hughey came to

BIOGRAPHICAL:

Bond County in 1864, locating where he now resides. He has 210 acres, and has put nearly all the improvements on the same. Has four children-Emery G., Linley J., Pearl E. and Roxana. Two died when infants. Mr. Hughey is a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Hughey's brother Linley was a soldier in the late war ; member of Company B, Twenty-ninth Missouri Infantry. He died October, 1862, in the hospital at St. Louis.

JAMES M. JETT. P. O. Elm Point, was born. June 1, 1812. in Fauquier County, Va. lle is the eldest son of John Jett, a Vir- ginian, who was born in 1787, son of William Jett, to whom was born the following chil- dren : James, John William, Thomas, Wash- ington and Jefferson. James M., the grand- son of William, above mentioned, removed, with his parents. when a lad, to Greene County, Tenn., afterward to Knox County. His father was a farmer, yet a mason by trade, which he followed when convenience was con- sulted. In the fall of 1829, he, with trowel in hand. walked from Tennessee to this county, to look ont a home for his family. Having no money, he defrayed his expenses going to and from by the aid of his trowel. occasionally put- ting up a chimney for the pioneers as he passed through. He selected a place on Section 4, Township 6, Range 3, and moved his family out in the fall of 1831. Here he settled, and re- mained until his death, which took place October 31, 1867. The farm is now owned by his son. B. F. Jett. But two of his brothers ever came to Bond County. They were John William and Thomas. The brothers and sisters of J. M. were William, John, Washington, Jacob, Jef- ferson, Benjamin F., Marion and Henry. Of this number, J. M., William, Jacob and Jeffer- son are in this county and precinct. Washing- ton moved to Wisconsin. Marion and Henry to Kansas. The sisters were Susan, Polly, Linda and Esther, all now deceased. The year following his arrival here, James M. married

Sallie Jett, daughter of Humphrey Jett, the pioneer. She died, leaving three children- William C., Mary and Humphrey. In 1846, he married Mrs. Eliza Pentercost, whose maiden name was Edwards, daughter of John Edwards, who came to Bond County in 1819. In the fall of 1837, Mr. Jett located where he now resides. He first entered sixty-seven acres, to which he has added at different times, until he now has about three hundred acres. Ile has been hard working and industrious. and what he has is mainly the fruits of his own accumulation. He, for several years, has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. By his last wife he has the following children : Samuel A., Martha, John, Margaret, Henry, Linda and Fi- nesse. John resides in Kansas ; Margaret in Missouri, wife of Lafayette Bently.

JAMES W. JETT, farmer, P. O. Greenville, son of William B. and Carisa Parker Jett. James W. was born December 27, 1824. in Oldham County, Ky., and came here, with his parents, in 1834. The grandfather of J. W. was William. The father of J. W. was a farmer. lle purchased land about the year 1838 and settled on the same, and re- mained in the county as long as he lived. He died, aged fifty-five, in 1844. He raised a fam- ily of seven children, the eldest of whom was Elizabeth ; next in order came James W., then, in rotation, Thomas J., George W., Ann E., Frances. Louisa J., Henry C. and Owen, who married Nancy Laws ; by her had one daugh- ter-Cora. Thomas J. served in the Mexican war, and there died. Henry served three years in the late war. After the death of his father. J. W. lived with his mother. At the age of twenty-three, he married a Miss Smith, who was born in Caldwell County, Ky., daughter of Thomas Smith. Since his marriage. he has been a constant resident of the township. Hc began with nothing, and from this small com- mencement he now has nearly two hundred and fifty acres of land as the fruits of his industry.

LA GRANGE PRECINCT.

He is a member of the Christian Church; has seven children-Mary J., wife of James M. Jones, of Montgomery County ; Louisa married Abe Hubbell ; Agnes is the wife of William Smith. The remaining are George, Henry B., Ida and Isaac N.

B. F. JETT, farmer. P. O. Elm Point, is the seventh son and tenth ehild. His parents were John Jett and Elizabeth Ilittle. B. F., or " Doc," as he is called, was born in December, 1831, on the farm he now owns, his birth oc- curring the same year of his father's location in Bond County. Benjamin F. was raised to farming pursuits, and remained under the home roof until he attained his manhood. May 11, 1857, he married Mrs. Nancy Thatcher, a native of Bond County. She was a daughter of James Shelton and Edith Bently. Mrs. Jett is a grand- daughter of Col. Richard Bently, an early set- tler in Bond County ; came here about the year 1828, and settled in Cottonwood Preeinct, near Bethel. He was a prominent man in his day. He was identified with the Baptist Church in its early organization, and a Democrat. He was twice elected to the Legislature, and in all his associations with his friends and neighbors he bore the high regard and esteem of all. He lived to a ripe old age, lived to see his great-great-grandchildren. After the marriage of B. F., he removed to Jefferson County in 1862, and remained here about two years, and returned to the homestead farm and has since been a resident of the same. He has eighty acres of land ; has eight children - Edwin, Shelton, Logan, Frank, James E., Edith O., Richard and Lizzie ; is a member of the Chris- tian Church at Hopewell.

S. B. KENAGA, farmer, P. O. Elm Point, is among the substantial farmers of La Grange Precinct. He was born October 18, 1841, in Mifflin County, Penn., the youngest son of his father. John Kenaga, whose father was Jacob, a native of Holland. The mother of our sub- ject was Sarah Byler. Prior to her marriage

to John Kenaga, who died when S. B. was a lad, he removed with his mother to Lawrence County when eight years of age. Here he lived until eighteen years of age, when he came to Logan County, Ohio, where he lived until 1868 , at which time he came to Bond, and located where he now resides, on Seetion 8, in La Grange Precinct. February, 1864, he married Mary Yoder, a native of Huntingdon County, Penn., born 1841, and came to Logan County with her parents in 1845. Her parents were Daniel Yo- der and Mattie Hooley, to whom were born five children, three sons and two danghters. Mr. Kenaga is a successful farmer, and principally a self-made man. Ile has 200 acres of land, is a substantial citizen of the community, and a member of the Christian Church since 1873. Ilis children are Sarah J., Anthony J., Walter O., Lewis J. and Emma M.

WILLIAM R. McCASLIN, farmer, P. O. Donnellson. The McCaslin family came to Bond County in 1831, where they have since been identified. The pioneer was Thomas G. McCaslin, who was born February 16, 1795, in Tennessee, son of James McCaslin, of Scotch- Irish parentage. November 10, 1818, he married Sallie Robinson, born in the same State May 18, 1794, daughter of Samuel Robinson. Sub- sequent to their marriage, they removed to Caldwell County, Ky .; here William R. was born January 6, 1825, being the eldest son and fourth child of his parents. He removed with them at the time of their coming ; the family spent one year sonth of Greenville six miles, where they made one crop. Coming north in the spring of 1832, his father located 400 acres in Town 7, Range 3, in the extreme north part of the county ; said lands were em- braced in Sections 27, 28 and 29. Here the family settled, and have since been associated with the eounty and its interests. IIis father. Thomas G., died about the year 1844 ; his eom- panion survived him until 1869. Seven children were born them, who were Elizabeth J., Cin-

BIOGRAPHICAL:

dilla A., Isabella C., William R., Mary M .. James W. and Sarah R .; of the above who mar- ried and settled in this county, were Elizabeth (married Isaac G. Barr); Cindilla, William Smith, of Bethel ; Isabella. Robert Frame ; Mary M., William Laws, of Montgomery County; and Sarah Allen Thacker, of the same county ; all the rest settled in this county and are liv- ing, except James, who died young. William R. remained with his parents until he attained his majority. He was first married in 1846 to Lucinda Melntyre, who died, leaving two chil- dren-Sarah E. (now wife of B. F. MeLain), and Thomas G .: his second wife was Mary H. Denny, daughter of George Denny, the pioneer ; she died, leaving three children-Elizabeth M. (wife of George Lewy). Emery and Henry B. His present wife was Nancy A. Roper, a Ken- tuckian, who bore him one daughter-Hattie M. All of his children except the last are married and settled in this county, and are doing well. Since he was first married, he has been a resident of the farm he now owns, hav- ing some 300 acres of land, all of which he has improved. For twenty-five years he has been a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church.

JOSEPH McCULLEY, farmer, P. O. Green- ville. Of the self-made men and substantial farmers, Mr. McCulley ranks among this list. He was born November 11, 1821, in Rockbridge County, near Lexington, Va. He was the eld- est son and second child born to his parents. His father was Frederick McCulley, a native of County Derry, Ireland. He married Margaret Irving, and, in 1819, emigrated to Virginia, where he located, and remained until the year 1838, when he removed with his family to Lau- derdale County, Ala. Here lie abode nntil the spring of 1841, when the family started in wagon for Illinois, and $50 in money, having $25 when they reached Montgomery County. There was a family of eight children. A cow was pur- chased for $10, and a plow for $8, leaving 87

to buy such things as their necessities required. The family was poor, and had no means to pur- chase land ; but they began work in earnest. Joseph, being the eldest son, he took the lead of the work. In 1843, he came to Bond County, and selected a place for the family. He pur- chased eiglity acres of land at $3 per acre. There were twenty acres partially cleared, and a small cabin on the same. Here his parents died. They raised a family of six children- Elizabeth, now of Kansas, wife of Calvin Balch ; Joseph ; Margaret. married Jerry MeClung ; Martha, married S. W. R. Hull. and James I .. all of Kansas. Joseph maintained the family, and worked for them, bringing into them the fruits of his labor. He remained a bachelor until April, 1876, when he married Martha L. Mit- chell, a native of Cape Girardeau County. Mo. He has one daughter-Margaret Lunette. Mr. McCulley is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has 400 acres. The MeCulleys were of Scotch descent.

R. C. PAISLEY, farmer, P. O. Greenville, is a native of Bond County, and was born June 21, 1830, on Section 6, in this township. His father, William Paisley. was a native of Guil- ford County, N. C., born June 8, 1795 ; bis wife was a native of the same State ; her maiden name was Nancy Nelson, born May 30, 1795, and they were married August 13, 1816, and emigrated to this State two years later, locat- ing on Section 6 in this township, and remained a constant resident. He died August 29, 1870 ; his wife preceded him August 3, 1847. He served in the Black llawk war, and was a man of quiet and reserved manner, yet withal a worthy and respected citizen. He married Catharine Denny, who yet survives him ; she bore him no children. The children born to him by his first wife were Malinda, who married J. Potter, and resides in Lincoln, this State ; John W., the second child, resides in Lee County, Iowa ; Joel B. resides in Lincoln, in the dry goods ; William F. resides in this township,

LA GRANGE PRECINCT.

Mary E. married Clemons Boyd, and also re- sides in Lincoln. Robert C., after coming to his manhood's years, gave his attention to farm- ing. In 1852, he went the overland route to California. and spent three years mining in El Dorado County, and returned to this county in 1855. April 20, 1858, he married Lydia Libby, born Oct. 21, 1835. in Pawlet, Vermont, daughter of Isaac T. Libby, born 1812, in Ver- mont, who married Nancy Frisbee. In 1850, he located on the farm he now owns, which he has improved, having now 476 acres. Mr. Paisley served one year in the late war ; was a member of Company B. Fifty-ninth Illinois. He has three children-Anna M., Frank N. and Horace. His grandfather, Paisley, was named John, and of Scotch descent, and had a family of twelve children born to him. Mr. P. and : wife are members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church.

CHARLES WOOD, deceased, was one of ! the pioneers of Bond County. He was born Jannary 9, 1798, in Darlington District, South Carolina, son of Thomas and Jane (Jenkins) Wood. The subject of these lines emigrated to this connty in the fall of 1826; he made one crop on the farm of William Paisley, and the following year hie located on Section 29, in Town 7, Range 3 La Grange Precinct ; here he settled and cleared up his land and remained a constant resident of the township until his death, January. 1867. His wife's maiden name was Sarah McCormick, a native of Scotland, who bore him eight children. Mr. Wood was truly a representative man. While in Carolina, he obtained a good education for that time, and ' homes.

for several years tanght school prior to his

coming West. He was an industrious and thoroughgoing business man ; he was often consulted by his neighbors to make mathe- matical calculations, and settled affairs too com- plicated for his rural associates, who always found in him a valuable and safe advisor. As a neighbor, he was kind and obliging, and ever stood ready to lend them a hand or do them a kindness. Ile was a hospitable man ; no stranger or wayworn traveler was ever denied food or shelter under his roof, neither was he ever known to make a charge or a bill for his hospitality. He was not a member of any church or society, but never opposed those who were, but aimed to abide by the golden rule as near as he knew how. lle left land and prop- erty for each of his children, although he had nothing himself when he settled in this county. His children were as follows : Caroline, Eli, Ezra, Nancy J., David, John, Sarah A. and Fra, all of whom lived to be grown, except David, who died young, all of whom married and set- tled in this county, except John, who never married, yet has remained in the county, and since the death of his parents has resided with his brother Ezra. John served three years in the late war, and was a true and faithful soldier. He was a member of Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and participated in many hard-fought battles, and came home unscathed. Ira, also, was a soldier ; he served in the cavalry department, and died since the close of the war. Six of the family, three brothers and three sisters, reside near each other, all doing well and have good

BIOGRAPHICAL:

ZION PRECINCT.

J. M. BINGHAM, farmer, P. O. Woburn , is a Carolinian by birth, born March 19, 1828, in Lincoln County, N. C. His parents were Samuel Bingham and Barbara Carpenter, both natives of the same State. Ilis maternal grand- father was Jacob Carpenter. Samuel Bingham was a farmer by occupation, and raised a fam- ily of ten children, viz .. Susan, William, Eliza- beth, Jacob, Christopher, Anna, Samuel, Mar- tin, Peter and Joseph M., who is the youngest of the family ; his father died when he was fif- teen ; he then remained with his mother until he attained his majority, at which time, in 1849, he came to Macoupin County, where he en- gaged to work by the month. Having no means left him by father he had to " paddle his own canoe." and depend solely upon his own exer- tions. In August, 1860, he came to Bond County, and the same year he married Narcis- sus V. Grigg, a native of this county. daughter of Frederick Grigg. By this marriage five children were born, viz., John F., William E., Lizzie R., Carroll S. and Emma J. After his marriage he located in Town 6, Range 2, where he remained until the spring of 1863, when he moved to Town 7, Range 2, and located where he now resides, purchasing at first eighty acres on Section 32 ; he has since added to the same, until he now has 190 acres ; he has put all the substantial improvements on the same, has a good location and a pleasant home, all of which he has acquired by his industry and frugal economy. Of his brothers and sisters the fol- lowing settled in North Carolina-William, Susan, Elizabeth, Jacob and Christopher. Jacob finally removed to Iowa, and settled in Marion County. Samuel settled in Lneas County, Iowa. Annie settled in Marion County,

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History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 61

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin Number of Pages: 758

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758