History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 103

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 826

USA > Illinois > Clark County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 103
USA > Illinois > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 103

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).

WILLIAM T. LACKEY, farmer, P. O. Oblong, is an enterprising farmer and a na- tive of Crawford County, 111. He was born about two miles southeast of Robinson, Sep- tember 13, 1838. He was reared here on a farm and received a common school educa- tion, as good as any of the boys received in that time. He attended school in the first schoolhouse that was built in the neighbor- hood by the neighbors. He first attended subscription schools, but afterward attended free schools. The distance he had to travel was from one and one-half to three miles. He lived with his father until twenty-three years of age, then went to farming for him- self. Rented a farm at first for one year, but afterward purchased eighty acres in Sec- tion 3, where he has been successfully en- gaged in farming. He has seventy-five acres in cultivation, and raises grain principally. He was married, November 21, 1861. to Mary Moyer, a native of Perry County, Ohio. They have nine children, namely: Rosella, Han- nah J., Joseph, Rachael C., John T., Elmer R., Richard D., William E., and Mary B.

REUBEN LEACH, farmer, P. O. Oblong. Mr. Leach is one of Crawford County's old pioneers, that has endured hardships, battled with the Indians, hunted deer, and at the same time enjoyed himself as well or better than any of us do at this present day and age of the world. He was born in Lincoln Conn- ty, Ky., September 17, 1807, and was reared there on his father's farm. In 1830, he em- igrated (when twenty-three years of age) to Montgomery County, but did not remain there but two months, at which time he came to Crawford County, Ill., and after remain-

ing here awhile settled down to farming. In 1831, he purchased a farm of 200 acres three- fourths of a mile north of Oblong, and suc- cessfully engaged in farming until 1870, at which time he was chosen by the people of Crawford County to fill the responsible and important office as Sheriff of the county, and served one term of two years, after which he retired to Oblong, where he is now com- fortably taken care of in his old days. Mr. Leach has always been a Democrat, and be- sides the honorable position as Sheriff which he has held, he has served in various town- ship offices, as Constable at different times for fifteen years in all, and as Justice of the Peace three years. He chose a partner to battle with him through this vale of tears, July 15, 1834. Her name was Amelia Stew- ard. They lived together happily until July 30, 1854, at which time it pleased the Al- mighty to take her home to rest. His fancy was awakened when afterward he met one Lydia Bowman, a native of Perry County, Ohio, and they were united March 30, 1856. His children are, namely: Polly, wife of Ja- cob Noble, living in Kansas; David S .; Jane, wife of Rev. William P. Hart, living in Mor gan County, Ill .; Alfred C. and John A. are living in Kansas; Alice Ella, wife of Robert Wood, living in Oblong Township. Subject's father, Mathew Leach, and his mother, Polly (Gullet), were natives of Virginia, and were the parents of eight children. namely: Will- iam (deceased), Reuben (subject), Mathew, Da- vidson, Jane and Susan are deceased, Phœ- be, living in Lincoln County, Ky .: Christina, wife of James Eoff, living in Oblong.

JAMES M. LEFEVER, farmer, P. O. Ob- long, is a substantial farmer of Oblong Town, ship. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, January 31, 1838. His father (Abra- ham) was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother (Mary Close) was a native of Virginia.

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OBLONG TOWNSHIP.

Our subject was taken by his parents to Ma- rion County, Ohio, when four years old, in 1843. He was reared on a farm and en- joyed the luxuries of farm life. His chances for an education were somewhat limited. In those days, the schools that were in existence were subscription schools and very few in number. His father died when he was about eight years of age, and he remained at home and helped his mother support the family until nineteen years old. After that he came to Greene County, Ill., and worked out by the month for three years, after which time he returned to Marion County, Ohio. and en- gaged in farming. On April 19, 1866, he was married in Marion County, Ohio, to Susan Curfman, a native of Ohio. They have four children living and one dead, namely: John Ą., Eva Jane, Wesley An- drew, James T. and Mary Etta (deceased). July 1, 1873, he came to Crawford County. Oblong Township, and he and his brother bought 155 acres of land, which was equally divided. Since that he has purchased forty acres in Section 24, and forty in Section 23, besides more additional purchases. He has about 170 acres in cultivation and is success- fully engaged in the raising of grain and stock. Mr. Lefever is no politician, nor has he taken any part in political matters, only to go to the polls and vote the Republican ticket.

A. F. LEFEVER, farmer, P. O. Oblong, was born in Marion County, Ohio, March 26, 1843, and is now a reliable farmer of Oblong Township. He was reared in Ohio, and his chances for an education were very limited. His father died when he (subject) was three years old. and left his mother with a large family of children to support. He did not attend school any after he was ten years old but remained at home and very generously helped to support his mother and |

family. In the summer of 1861, he did the first work for himself, and on October 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Sixty- fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. and showed his bravery in several battles, namely: Battle of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Peach Tree Creek Chattanooga, Ringgold, Buzzard Roost, Res- aca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Tenn., besides many other skir- mishes. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., December 11, 1865, at which time he came back to Ohio to his mother's, and the next spring took a contract for making ties and chopping wood; continued in that for one year. He then went to farming in Mar ion County, and successfully engaged in farming there until July, 1873, at which time he came to Crawford County, Ill., and he and his brother bought 155 acres of land which was equally divided; since then he has added forty-five acres and raises grain prin- cipally. He was married, March 26, 1868, to Sarah Curfman. Their children are, namely: Isaac Francis (living), James Rob- ert (deceased), Amanda (living), William A. (living), Ella May (living), Mary Ida (living), Pearley (living), Maggie (living),

J. H. LIVELY, farmer, P. O. Oblong, is a substantial farmer of Oblong Township. He was born in Morgan County, Ind., August 7, 1842. His father, William, was a native of Kentucky, born in the year 1812, died March, 1870. His mother, Charity (Pearcy), was also a native of Kentucky, and died about the year 1847. Subject was reared in Morgan County, and his chances for edua- tion, although limited, were obtained in com- mon schools of Morgan County. He was reared on a farm, and at the age of seven- teen years, commenced working out by the month, and worked by the month until twenty-two years of age although one year in that time put out a crop for himself. In

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the spring of 1865, he came to Crawford County, Ill., and worked by the month that summer, when, on May 7, 1865, he was married here in Crawford County, Ill., to Anna C. Hess. She was born in Morgan County, Ind. When married. his wife had 120 acres of land; they removed thereon and since then has added 120 acres more, and has been successfully engaged in the raising of grain principally. They have had seven children, of which six are now living, namely: William C., James C., Mary Catharine, de. ceased, Salena, Irena, lva Alice and Emma Esther. He belongs to the Masonic order, Oblong City Lodge, No. 644.

JOSEPH F. MARSHALL, County Sur- veyor, Oblong, is a man of superior business qualities, and quite a politician. He was born July 11, 1820, in Virginia. He spent his early days on a farm, and at the age of thirteen was taken by his parents to Hamil- ton County, Ind., and settled there in the woods, and commenced clearing up their land; it was sitnated one and one half miles west of Westfield, on a creek called Cool Creek, at which time his father, in 1833, died at the age of forty-two years. He was a native of Perry County, N. C., and in the fall of 1834 his mother died. She was also a native of North Carolina. Leaving a family of seven children, of whom five are now living, namely: Joshua, Joseph F., subject, Martha, Job. Ruth. Subject, after the death of his par- ents. rambled in several counties in Indiana, namely: Henry, Rush, and Hancock, princi- pally. He was the manager of several saw mills during this time up to 1848, at which time, eager to change his occupation, re- moved to Philadelphia, and engaged in mer- chandising. In 1861, he came to Crawford County, Oblong Township, and settled on a farm. He successfully engaged in farming until 1881, at which time he rented his farm

out and came to Oblong City to live. He was chosen to fill the responsible office of County Surveyor, by the votes of the Demo- cratic party, in the fall of 1875, and being an energetic and go-ahead kind of man, and one that understands his profession, is still serving in same office. He has served as Justice of the Peace at different times, which office he now holds. Was elected Justice of the Peace of Oblong Township in the spring of 1881. He was married, January 5, 1843, to Susan Byrket, a native of Indiana. They were married in Henry County, Ind. They have four children, namely: Mary Eliza- beth, John, Henry, Joseph A.

B. C. McLAIN, farmer, P. O. Robinson, is a man of superior agricultural talent, and a neat and enterprising farmer of Oblong Township. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, January 1, 1837, and reared there. His chances for education were limited to the common schools of the county. In about the year 1841, when abont four years of age. he was brought by his parents to Illinois. They rented a farm near Peoria, but on ac- count of sickness in the family they did not remain there but one year, at which time re- turned to Ohio. In the winter of 1864, he and his parents came to Crawford County and purchased a farm in Licking Township. At the age of twenty-one, he commenced working for himself. He cropped with his father the first year. His father. William, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, Sophia (Blind), was a native of Virginia, born in the Shenandoah Valley. Subject was mar- ried, November 29, 1868. to Mary Hill. She was born in Crawford County November 23, 1851. They have two children, Elmer H., Ira Dale. After marriage, his father gave him 240 acres in Section 36, of which he has 200 acres in cultivation, and is principally en- gaged in the raising of grains.

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OBLONG TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM E. MITCHELL, farmer, P. O. Grand Glade, is a substantial farmer of Oblong Township. He was born in Lawrence Coun- ty, Ind., March 7, 1833. He was reared there on a farm. His chances for an educa- tion were fair. He received a good common school education. He would attend about three months in the year. In 1852, he came to Crawford County and settled in Robinson Township. He took a lease on a piece of land for four years, and afterward purchased land there. His father was a native of Ken- tucky, born in the year 1790, and died Octo- ber 11, 1855. After his father's death, he remained with his mother on the farm, which they had a lease on. They purchased 100 acres of land, of which 40 acres was our sub- ject's. He remained with his mother and helped improve this land until 1857, at which time he was married to Maria Dispennett, a native of Licking County, Ohio. She died February 4, 1859, leaving him with one child, namely, Isaac W. He was then mar- ried to Miss Martha Dispennett, December 21, 1860. She is a native of Licking County, Ohio, born February 4, 1840. They have seven children, namely: Mary I., Margaret P., John A., Jacob E., Charles E., Merit M. and Ethel. They have three dead, namely: William H., Martha J , Joseph A. Our sub- ject is possessed with traits of mechanism. He served an apprenticeship in making and laying brick, commencing at about nine years of age, and continued at different times until nineteen years. He served, in 1857, three months as plasterer under George Harper, and afterward went in as a partner with William Walters. And after worked under some car- penters for some time, and went into partner- ship with them. At those trades and some farming he is successfully engaged.

D. F. NEWBOLD, farmer, P. O. Oblong, is an industrious and enterprising farmer of

Oblong Township. He was born in Scott County, Ky., October 25, 1825. When five years old, he was taken by his parents to Rush County, Ind., and they settled there on a farm. His chances for education were rather limited. He was reared on a farm and attended common school about two months in the year, until seventeen years of age. At the age of twenty-two, he engaged in farming for himself in Rush County, and successfully continued in farming there until 1857, at which time he came to Crawford County, Ill., Oblong Township, and pur- chased a farm. He successfully engaged in farming until fall of 1860, at which time re- turned to Rush County, Ind. In October, 1863, he came back to Crawford County, Ob- long Township, and bought 80 acres in Sec- tion 25; since that he has added 145 acres to it, making in all 225 acres of nice prairie land. He is engaged in raising grain and stock. He was married, January 1, 1847, in Rush County, Ind., to Sarah Thomas, a na- tive of Pennsylvania. Have one child, namely: James Thomas, farming in Rush County, Ind. Her death occurred in Rush County, Ind., July 1, 1850. He was married again, in Rush County, Ind., August 30, 1854, to Eliza Jane Kirkpatrick, and have three children living, namely: Sarah Flor- ence, Theodore, Jesse R. Her death occur- ring in January, 1873, in Oblong Township, he was married again in same year to Mary Ann Smith. Have one child, Nellie. One step-daughter, Albina E. Smith. Mr. New- bold has always been a Democrat, and has served in various township offices. He served as Collector of township four terms, and as Assessor one term, and was elected Super- visor by the Democratic party in spring of 1881, and was re-elected for a second term in spring of 1882, which office he now holds.

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M. E. RAFFERTY, M. D., Oblong, is a young man of principle and good moral char- acter, and has quite an extensive practice in medicine in the vicinity of Oblong. He was born in Lawrence County, Ind., July 31, 1851. He was reared in Springville, Law- rence County, Ind., and had good advantages afforded him in the opportunity of a good education, and being a youth of energy and industrions habits, enjoyed the privilege of attending free schools in Springville until manhood, and when not engaged in the schools was clerking in his father's store. At the age of twenty-one, he became a partner of his father in a general store of merchandise. In 1872, he came to Palestine and engaged in the drug business, but not liking that, sold out and returned to his father and again as a partner in the store, and at leisure time was reading medicine. In 1878, he attended Long Island Hospital College, situated at Brooklyn, N. Y. In 1879, came to Palestine and went into partnership with his brother to practice medicine. After successfully en- gaging in his practice for some time, in 1881 removed to Oblong, Ill., and has been suc- cessfully engaged in his practice. His father, M. C. Rafferty, is a native of Ken- tucky, born in the year 1817, and is in the mercantile business in Springville, Ind. His mother, Mary S. Benedict, is also a na- tive of Kentucky, born in Lexington, in the year 1824. Subject belongs to the Oblong City Lodge, A., F. & A. M., No. 644.

ALEXANDER REED, farmer, P. O. Ob- long, was born and reared in Crawford Coun- ty. Ill., and is one of Oblong's substantial farmers. He was born on La Motte Prairie. below Hutsonville, February 6, 1839. When quite a small boy, was brought by his parents to Watts Precinct, now Oblong Township. His chances for an education were very limit- ed; for some time there were no schools in

existence. The first school he attended was at the age of fourteen years, at which time patrons of school""went to work and built a log schoolhouse. At the age of twenty-two, he commenced working for himself. He en- gaged in farming. In April, 1861, he was married to Elizabeth Kirby. 'She was born in Crawford County. After marriage he set- tled on a farm'in Licking Township, and successfully engaged in farming there four years. In March, 1865, came to his present place of location, of 108 acres, and has it partly in cultivation, and raises grain prin- cipally. He has three children, namely: Clara, wife of Edward Roberts, Charles and Enos Jesse.

JACOB SEARS, farmer, P. O. Oblong, was born in Edgar County, Ill., March 19, 1837. His parents emigrated to Indiana when he was but an infant. In 1843, when he was six years old, was brought to Craw- ford County, Ill .. and they settled on the wild land in Martin Township. There, amid the life of pioneers, our subject, spent his early days. He had no chances for education whatever there, as there was no school in the neighborhood, and consequently got no edu- cation. He was industrious and energetic and remained with his parents until the war broke out, at which time, in 1862, enlisted in Company F, Sixty-second Regiment Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and served as a gallant soldier until close of the war. He was mustered out at Springfield. After the war, came back to his home in Martin Town- ship, after which went to working ont by the month as a farm hand for some time. He was married, in 1869, to Maria Hess, a native of Indiana, and have four blooming little children, namely: Anna Christina, Samuel, Millie, Louis.

ADAM S. SILER, farmer, P. O. Hardins- ville, is an old settler and pioneer of Craw-

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ford County, and a substantial farmer of Oh- long Township. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 23, 1820. He was reared and lived there until over thirty years of his life were spent there. His chances for an education were very limited. At about the age of five years he entered a school room. He had learned his A B C's at home, and an Englishman was teaching the school, a kind of an old tyrant. He carried a very large cane, taken from a thorn tree, with a forked knot whittled sharp for a handle.

With that he would peck his scholars. And because he could not spell and pronounce the word "Ba," he was beaten over the head with that cane as above described until the blood streamed down his shoulders. He also compelled him to stand in the corner of the room and would not let him go home for his dinner, which was but a short distance. He was so frightened that he could not pro- nounce the word. His older brothers went home for their dinners and their father came back with them and inquired what was the matter. He called to his boy to come to him and spell the word, which he did readily. He then was released and went home for his dinner, but was so frightened that he would not attend school any more. He was sent but would play truant. He would go off into the woods or some other place. But on ar- riving at the age of twenty-one, and know- ing what an education was worth, he pro- cured a set of books and attended school about three months, and in that time learned to read and write. On entering the school room, told the teacher that he came there to learn, and as he never attended school, that he was very ignorant and that he did not want to be made the laughing stock of the school, and more, he would not take it. He told the teacher that he wanted him to try and learn him all that he could. He entered a class composed

of small boys, their ages ranging from six to seven years, and by diligence, at the end of the term made quite an advancement in his studies. He was reared on a farm and re- mained with his father until twenty- five years of age. The next year engaged in farming for himself. He was married, Au- gust 23, 1847, to Cynthia Stone. She was born and raised in Licking County. Ohio. They were married in Ohio. He then rented a farm, and after three years spent in successful farming, he emigrated to a new country. He came to Crawford Coun- ty, Oblong Township, in the fall of 1850, and purchased 160 acres of raw land. There was a little log cabin on the land and about four acres in cultivation. He commenced improving his laud, and after four years of unsuccessful farming and discouragement he returned to Ohio. While here he had bor- rowed money and invested it in hogs, which all died with the cholera. He also invested some money in milch cows, which died also. While he was in Ohio, which was about four weeks, some hunters from Terre Haute came out in the neighborhood of his farm and set fire to the grass, which burnt all the fencing he had built on his farm, which was about 21,000 rails and stakes. The first mill that he went to was down on the Em- barrass River, and thought it very funny to see them sharpening the "buhrs" with an old ax and mattock. Since then has sold fifty acres, leaving him 110 acres, of which 95 acres is in cultivation, and is successfully engaged in the raising of grain. It was his misfortune to lose his wife February 8, 1875, leaving him with one child, namely, Edgar. He was married again, in June, 1877, to Ruth A. Cunningham. She was born in York State, March 24, 1835. They have two children, namely: Lily Maud and Arthur Philip. She was married before,

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also, and has the following children, namely : James Edward, John Osborne, George A., Samuel Elmer, Frank Medford, Thomas Hartford, Frederic William. Mr. Siler is a very pious old gentleman, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over twenty-five years. His wife is also a member of the same church. He is a mem- ber of the Patrons of Husbandry.

HENRY SHEETS, farmer, P. O. Oblong, is an enterprising and reliable farmer of Ob- long Township. He was born in Vigo Coun- ty, Ind., June 18, 1844. At the age of seven, was brought by his parents to Craw- ford County, Ill., and settled on a farm in Oblong Township, about one mile west of the farm subject now lives on, and in a few months removed to the farm now occu- pied by subject. Our subject's education was limited to a common school education, although had as good a chance for education as any one had at that time. At the age of twenty-one, he commenced working for him- self on his father's farm, and successfully engaged in farming there for six years, at which time purchased 49 acres of unimproved land and commenced improving it, and lived thereon about two years. He then removed near Vincennes, Ind., in Lawrence County, and after about one and one half years of successful farming, came back to the farm in Oblong Township, which was deeded him by his father, and has been successfully engaged in the raising of grain. He was married in Crawford County to Esther Balie, in 1867. She was a native of Indiana. Her death oc- curring February 21, 1871, he was married again in 1874 in Knox County, Ind., to Mar- tha E. Marshall, a native of Indiana. They have four children, namely: Elmer, Arthur, Calvin and Ida. His father, John, is a na- tive of Knox County, Ind., born in the year 1817, and is living in Oblong Township.

His mother, Susan Bales, was a native of Tennessee, born in the year 1816, and died in Oblong Township in 1856.

JOHN H. SNYDER, farmer, P. O. Oblong. is an enterprising farmer of Oblong Town- ship. He was born in Perry County, Ohio, December 14, 1833. In 1841, when subject was about eight years old, they (he and his parents) removed to Licking County, Ohio, and settled there on a farm. His chances for education were rather limited. They re - mained in Licking County some two or three years, when his father and family returned to Perry County, and took care of subject's grandfather and grandmother about one year, at which time came back to Licking County to the farm previously settled on. At the age of twenty-one, he, our subject, commenced working for himself. He worked for John B. Jones seven years; the wages he received were $175 per year. After he had served so faithfully and so long for Mr. Jones, he (Jones) purchased a farm and put it in the hands of subject to run. He ran the farm about eighteen months, at which time Mr. Jones died. In 1865, he (subject) came to Crawford County, Oblong Township, and purchased a farm known as the Sol Hacket farm, and removed thereon, but farmed there but one year, at which time sold out on ac- count of its sickly location. The next year he rented. In the spring of 1869, he pur- chased his present farm of 80 acres, and is engaged in the raising of grain and stock. He was married, January 31, 1855, to Cath- arine Bell. She was born in Greene County, Penn., in the year 1835. Their children are Emma M., Albert W., Zella F., Anna M. Subject's father was a native of Penn- sylvania, and his mother a native of Mary- land.

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History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 103

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 826

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 826