History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 92

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 92
USA > Illinois > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 92

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 F. ATHEY, stock-raiser and farmer, P. O. Annapolis, is one of the largest and most successful of the stock- raisers and farmers of Crawford County. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, July 17, 1833. His father, Robert Athey, was born in Fauquier County, Va., April 23, 1801. Here he was raised, edn- cated and married. In 1830, he removed to Licking County, Ohio; in the fall of 1850, he removed to Crawford County, Ill. He has followed the occupation of a farmer, but is now living a retired life upon his farm of 260 acres, in Hutsonville Township. His father was Elijah Athey, a native of Virginia, and of Scotch descent. He died in Ohio, in 1835 or 1836, aged eighty-four years. The mother of our subject, Eliza Smith, was born in Virgin- ia, and died in 1835, age thirty years. She was the mother of three children, of whom William was the second child. His early life was spent at home, receiving such an education as could be obtained from the com- mon schools, and assisting to till the soil of his father's farm. At twenty-one years of age, he left his home and embarked on his career in life as a hired hand upon a farm for John Hill, and remained in his employ for about four years. In 1859, he bought eighty acres of land where he now resides, and began farming on his own account; here he has since remained, and by his honesty, industry and economy, succeeded in accumulating a good property. He is now the owner of 960 acres of prairie land in one body. Mr. Athey raises a large quantity of stock and deals largely in stock, making it a specialty. In 1859, he married

Miss Adeline Newlin, a native of Crawford County. Politically, he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL L. BENNETT, hardware, Hut- sonville, was born in Sullivan County, Ind., November 13, 1847, to Vance and Elizabeth (Armstrong) Bennett. His father was born in Virginia April 13, 1806, emigrated to near Lancaster, Ohio, in 1822, and to Sulli- van County, Ind, in 1824, where he died October 15, 1866. He was a farmer. His wife, the mother of our subject, was born in Fayette County, Ky., in February, 1810, aud died in Sullivan County, Ind., October 3, 1865; her father, Thomas Armstrong, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Samuel was the tenth child of the eleven children born to his parents; he was raised on a farm and educated from the common schools, and the U. C. College at Merom. At seventeen years of age, he enlisted in the late rebellion, serving from February, 1865, to the close of the war, in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, under com- mand of Col. Fairbanks. After the close of the war, he returned home, and assisted to till the home farm until 1867, when he en- tered the college at Merom. In 1869, he be- gan teaching the common schools of Craw- ford County; in 1872, engaged in the drug business at Robinson, continuing the same but a few months, when he engaged as clerk in the dry goods house of Frank Lucas. In 1874, in company with Howard Lutes, en- gaged in the clothing business; in October, 1875, he came to Hutsonville, where he has been engaged in the hardware business, the firm being Draper & Bennett. In Crawford County, in 1873, May 6, he married Miss Mat- tie Draper. He is an active member of the Masonic order. Politically, is a Republican.

JOHN S. BOYD, farmer, P. O. Hutson- ville, is a native of Crawford County, Ill., born November 11, 1838. His father, Wil-

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son Boyd, was born in Guilford County, N. C., in 1806; when about sixteen years of age, he was brought to Indiana by his parents, and subsequently to Crawford Coun- ty, Ill .; during his life, he followed the occupation of a farmer; he died March 16, 1842. The mother of our subject was Mary E. (Sackrider) Boyd; she was born in the State of New York April 30, 1816, and was brought to Crawford County by her parents in the spring of 1818. She died in Febru- ary, 1876. She was a daughter of John Sackrider, a native of New York; was Captain in the war of 1812. The parents of our sub- ject had four children, of whom three are now living. John S. Boyd was principally raised by his grandfather Sackrider, and was edu- cated from the subscription schools. At twenty-two years of age, he embarked on his career in life as a farmer; he then bought eighty acres of land, a portion of his present farm, and though he was compelled to go in debt for it, he finally succeeded in paying for it. and by his industry and economy has ac- cumulated a good property, and is now the owner of 365 acres of well improved land. In 1858, in Crawford County, he married Miss Mary A., a daughter of Matthew Cox, and a native of Crawford County. This un- ion has been blessed with three children, of whom two are now living, viz., Ellison and Ross.

WILLIAM W. BOYD, farmer, P. O. Hut- sonville, is the youngest of a family of three children born to Wilson and Mary E. (Sack- rider) Boyd. (See biography of John S. Boyd.) He was born in Crawford County, Ill., August 26, 1841; he was raised on the home farm and educated from the subscrip- tion schools, taught in the old log cabins com- mon in his day. In 1861, he married Miss Fidelia Bailiff, a native of Clark County, Ill. They are the parents of the following

children: Henry W., Bruce, Amanda A. and Allen C. Mr. Boyd is one of the most success- ful farmers and stock-dealers of Crawford County. His farm contains 267 acres of good land. In politics, Mr. Boyd is identi- fied with the principles of the Democratic party.

JOHN S. BRADBURY, farmer, P. O. West York. This enterprising pioneer, whose por trait appears in this book, was born August 17, 1822, in North Carolina, is a son of John and Mary (Hines) Bradbury, natives, the for- mer of North Carolina, and the latter of Maryland, and the parents of six children- Anna, married Cornelius Martin; Peter (de- ceased); Martha, married Bryant Cox, she is deceased; James (deceased): Moreland (dead) and John S. The father was a farmer and cooper by trade, and at one time possessed a large fortune in North Carolina, but with a child-like confidence he trusted many persons and went security for them, the result of which completely broke him up. In 1828, the family rigged up two two-wheeled carts and came to Orange County, Ind., where they remained among a number of acquaint- ances who had located there. Their stay was prolonged on account of James being sick They located, in the year mentioned above, in Crawford County. In 1829, the father died, leaving the family on a rented farm. The boys, possessing that eternal grit that is characterized in the Carolinians, rolled up their sleeves and soon had enough means to buy a small home for the family. The mother died in 1847. In those days the only chance for obtaining an education, was at the pioneer school cabin, with slab seats, and writing desks, greased paper for window lights, etc. Mr. B. had only six months' schooling, and in such a structure as the one mentioned above. John was the younger son, and upon him devolved the duty of go-

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ing to mill, as the other boys were stronger and could handle the plows and do the gen- eral farm work with more ease than he. On one occasion, he aud a neighbor boy started to mill, some miles away, on horso- back, the usual way of going, and after they had journeyed a distance from any settlements, the sacks managed to tip, and off they went. The little fellows were not able to get the sacks on their faithful ani- mals, with all the corn in them, so they emp- tied about one half of it to the disposal of the little wild animals, aud went on with the rest. At one time our subject was dropping corn for a man by the name of Williamson, who sent him for the cows one evening, and when he was just entering the timber he saw a large Indian coming, whereupon he turned for home and fled for safety. The Indian was very friendly and was only on his way to a neighbor's to trade some skins for corn. Meetings were often held about Mr. B.'s home by the red men, and he became well acquainted with some of them. He was married in Feb- ruary 12, 1844, to Jemima Buckner, a daugh- ter of Henry and Martha (Evans) Buckner. Her parents emigrated to this county about 1818, settling in Hutsonville Township. Her parents were blessed with Jesse, Charles, Enos, John, Jemima, Sarah and William. Her par- ents were Methodists while Mr. B.'s were Quak. ers. Mrs. Bradbury died in 1851, and he was subsequently married to Nancy Huckaby. The result of the first union was James, P. G. and Catharine, who married Harper Ingals, The last union gave him eight children, viz .: Andrew, John, Rora. George, Alice, Abbie, Willis and Nancy. It is not too much to say he has reared an excellent family. Not one of them ever used intoxicating drink or tobacco, unless it was to occasionally smoke a cigar. He settled his present farm in 1850, buying 90 acres and going in debt for it. He

now owns 335 acres of well improved land, che result of his own labors. He cast his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk, and has always beon a stanch Democrat. He is a member of York Lodge, A., F. & A. M.

C. S. BUCKNER, merchant, West York, is next to the youngest of a family of six children; was born January 16, 1855, in Clark County, Ill. His early years were spent upon his father's farm, and was edu. cated from the common schools. At twenty- one years of age be left his home and engaged in farming on his own account. In 1878, he bought 80 acres of land in Clark County and sold it in 1881, when he bought the stock of goods of Moore & Reynolds, at West York and engaged in merchandising, at which he is still engaged, and has the exclusive trade of the town. His father, Charles Buckner, was born in Crawford County, Ill., in March, 1822; he is now residing in Clark County, engaged in agricultural pursuits. His mother, Rebecca (Osborn) Buckner, was born in 1824 February the 14th, at Sullivan. Ill. Mr. Buckner was married to Miss Harriet A. Maxwell, in 1876, who died December 6, 1876, leaving one child as the result of their union, viz., Frederick. In 1877, in Clark County, he married a second time, Miss Julia A. Buckner, a native of Tennessee, who has borne him two children, of whom one is liv- ing, Emma R. Mr. and Mrs. Buckner are religiously connected with the Methodist Church. In politics, he is a Republican and an enterprising man, bearing a name and reputation which is beyond reproach.

LEROY E. CHAMBERS, stock-dealer, P. O. Hutsonville, is a native of Orange County, Ind., born September 13, 1848, a son of Charles F. and Mary S. (Elrod) Cham- bers, both natives of Orange County. The father was born May 3, 1823, a son of Samuel and Eleanor (Lindley) Chambers, he, born

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October 20, 1783, in North Carolina, and she, August 18, 1784. The grandparents of our subject were blessed with nine children, Charles F. being the youngest of the family, and his brother, William G., is the only liv- ing representative of the old family. He was born March 27, 1816. The father of our subject was a harness-maker by trade, but was also engaged in farming. He was also a great inventor, and the many untimely hours which he spent in this direction, per- ceptably hastened his death, which occurred May 12, 1876. The mother of our subject was born February 24, 1828, and died in June, 1851. She was the mother of two children, our subject being the only one who lived to maturity. The father was married a second time, to Mary Lindley, born May 16, 1830, and died June 26, 1876. She was the mother of nine children. Our subject's great-grandfather, Jonathan Lindley, was the founder of Paoli, Ind., and his grand- father, Samuel Chambers, laid out Cham- bersburg, of the same State, aud was once Judge of Orange County. Our subject re- ceived but a meager education, mostly in his native county. He was married, March 10, 1870, to Lucetta Newlin, born September 13, 1848, in this county, a daughter of Cyrus and Eliza Ann (Hill) Newlin. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers are the parents of six children- Oscar E., born July 23, 1871; Estella B., November 1, 1873; Everett A., March 9, 1875; Elmer A., September 4, 1877; Alice C., November 12, 1879, and Arthur C., De- cember 6, 1881. Our subject has a farm of 416 acres, and he engages in general farm- ing and stock dealing. He is a Republican in politics.

CAPT. W. J. COLLIFLOWER, farmer, P. O. Hutsonville, was born in Washington County. Md., September 18, 1833. He was the oldest of six children born to Peter and

Mary (Markett) Colliflower, and passed his youth with his father on the farm, where he acquired a robust constitution, which fitted him for the active duties of subsequent years. His early education was somewhat limited, owing to the indifferent schools of that day, but by mingling in society, and coming in con- tact with all classes of men, he has since ac- quired a practical knowledge not to be de- rived from books. When our subject was but thirteen years of age, his father died, leav- ing him to fight his own way in life and make his own livelihood. He first found employ- ment on a farm where he was compelled to work early and late for the meager sum of $3 per month, a sum which in his eyes at that time appeared princely. In the fall of 1847, he accompanied his brother-in-law, Samuel Sowders, to Columbus, Ohio, and in the spring following moved near Dayton, in the same State, where he remained for four years working as a farm hand. In the year 1851, he changed his occupation, and engaged in the huckster business for Levi Lemon, and one year later for himself. He continued huckstering but a short time; afterward en- gaged as a clerk in a dry goods and grocery store, in which business he developed rare business qualities and won the esteem of his employer. In the spring of 1853, in com- pany with a number of persons as restless as himself, he made an overland trip to Califor- nia, for the purpose of engaging in the min- ing business. He remained in California until July, 1854, when, becoming dissatisfied with the country, he returned to his home in Ohio, but only to remain a short time, for in September, 1855, we find him again on his way to the Golden State, but this time by water. From California he made a trip to Van Couver's Island, in company with sev- eral prospectors, where they built a boat for the purpose of exploring the Frazer River

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and country adjacent, in the hope of discov- ering new mines. The little company toiled for many weary days and ascended the stream for a distance of 200 miles, but met with no success in their mining venture. In the spring of 1859, he again returned to California, where he spent the summer, and found himself back with his friends in Ohio the following winter. One year later, he embarked in another business venture, with Texas as his objective point, but being favorably impressed with Southwest Missouri, he stopped there and engaged in the fruit tree business. He also bought furs of the Indians while here, which he took back East and disposed of at a handsome profit. In August, 1862, he en- listed in the Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, Com- pany I. He went out as Captain of his com- pany. and participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. He was mustered out in August, 1864, and immedi- ately thereafter came to Illinois and purchased his present farm in Crawford County, where he has since remained, one of the prominent citizens of the community. He has added to his original purchase, and is at the present time owner of 265 acres of choice land. In June, 1861, near Dayton, Ohio, he married Miss Sarah A. Horning, she being born May 19, 1838. They are the parents of eight chil- dren, viz .: Minnie H., John S., William P., Lawrence G., Estella M., Myrtle M., Roscoe and Ralph. In politics, Mr. Colliflower is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, The father of our subject was born in Wash- ington County, Md., in the year 1780, and passed his life as a farmer, dying in January, 1846. The mother was born 1802, and is still living near Dayton, Ohio.

THOMAS CORRELL, farmer, P. O. Trimble, was born in Crawford County, Ill., July 30, 1830, to Hiram and Rebecca (New- lin) Correll. The father was a farmer, born

August 12, 1807, in North Carolina, and died September 7, 1873, in this county. The mother of our subject is a native of Randolph County, N. C., born July 1, 1810, and is still living in this county. The parents had elev- en children-Thomas, Sophia, Alfred, John, Matthew, Margaret, Mary, Irena, Jane, Lu- cretia and Winfield S. Those deceased are John, Margaret, Jane and Lucretia. The early schooling of our subject was limited. He started in life as a farmer, and he has always applied himself to farming pursuits. He was married in this county, May 23, 1850, to Susannah York, born in this county July 28, 1828, a daughter of John and Martha (Eaton) York, natives of Kentucky. In 1855, our subject moved to his present place, hav- ing at the time eighty acres, which additional purchases have increased to 345 acres, which is given to general farming and stock- raising. Of late years, he has done consider- able outside threshing and has recently pur- chased a tile-making outfit, including an en- gine and mill, which he and his sons con- template operating in the future. Mr. and Mrs. Correll are the parents of ten children -- Albert N., born June 27, 1853; Orlan N., October 15, 1854; Matilda E., June 20, 1857, and died June 13, 1867; Sophia I., February 27, 1859, and died August 13, 1860; Celestia J., November 6, 1860, and died in the spring of 1881; Charles M., June 21, 1862; Minnie B., December 20, 1865; Ira H., August 10, 1867, and died April 13, 1869; John A., April 13, 1869, the same day as the latter's death, and William W., August 12, 1873. Our subject is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, Science Lodge, No. 1161, and is also, with his wife, a member of the Chris- tian Church. In politics, he is a Repub- lican.

ALFRED CORRELL, farmer, P. O. Trim- ble, was born in this county January 19,

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1834, a son of Hiram and Rebecca (Newlin) Correll (see sketch of Thomas Correll else- where). His early education was limited. He started for himself in life at the plow, and has always given his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. He was first married, April 12, 1857, in this county, to Nancy Jane Hill, born January 23, 1837. in this county, a daughter of Sargent and Lydia Catharine (Griggs) Hill. She died November 30, 1877. By her our subject had ten children-Melissa E., born January 24, 1858: Leander, Novem- ber 4, 1859, and died December 29, 1881; Catharine R., November 15, 1861, died May 2, 1867; Clara A., April 30, 1865; Rosetta, August 8, 1867; Levi, April 8, 1869, died August 18, 1869; Harlem, December 16, 1870; Arthur A., August 9, 1873; a son, March 3, 1876, died March 7, 1876, and Thomas L., November 30, 1877, and died April 19, 1879. Our subject was married a second time, in this county, October 6, 1878, to Sarah Jane (York) Correll, born May 28, 1835, in this county, a daughter of John and Martha (Eaton) York. She was first married to Jonathan R. Correll, born June 4, 1835, and by him had four children -Louvisa, born April 2, 1856: Henry A., December 23, 1857; Mahala E., August 23, 1859, and Everett, July 31, 1860, and died in March, 1863. In 1857, our subject moved to his present place, which at that time consisted of eighty acres. It now contains 120 acres, mostly in cultiva- tion. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and with his wife, of the Chris- tian Church. He votes the Republican ticket.

BYRANT COX. retired farmer, P. O. Hut- sonville, whose portrait appears in this work, is a son of Thomas and Winney (Harrol) Cox, and was born in Wayne County, N. C., Oc- tober 21, 1804. His father, a native of the same State, died in 1809, and his mother be.

tween 1850 and 1860. Byrant was the fourth of a family of seven children, and his father dying left him a lad of about five years old to be supported and reared by his widowed mother. His youth was spent upon a farm, where he early learned to do his part toward the general support of the family. Educa- tion at the schools was impossible under such circumstances, and he was obliged to be sat- isfied with seventeen days with the school master. He was not without other resources, however, and by his quick and intelligent ob- servation, Mr. Cox gained an education which has served him well in business. After pass- ing his twentieth birthday some six months, he married and began farming on his own account, paying out more than half he made for rent. This, with the unprofitable style of farming prevalent in his native State, deter- mined him to emigrate to the Northwest, and in 1830 he started for Illinois. On June 1, of this year, he reached Crawford County, mak- ing the whole journey on foot, his wife and children coming in a cart drawn by two horses, only one of which be could call his own. Be- sides this his whole earthly possessions were comprised in $30 cash which he had in his pocket. He rented land and began farming in Hutsonville Township, about a quarter of a mile from his present residence. Here the whole family slept on the floor of their cabin, as their straitened circumstances denied them even the luxury of a bedstead. The first crop was corn, which proved a success, and found sale at 83 cents per bushel. Here Mr. Cox labored three years before he got money enough to enter land; but in 1833 he secured a pre-emption for three years, and. though nearly losing the land, finally entered it in June, 1836. From this start of 70 acres, by industry and economy, he added to his possessions until he owned 611 acres, which he subsequently divided among his

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children and retired with his wife to a life of ease. On February 5, 1824, Mr. Cox mar- ried Martha Bradbury, in North Carolina. On February 5, 1842, she died, leaving five children, the youngest only three months old. Of these children, only three are now living-Sally, William and Andrew. July 15, 1842, in Crawford County, he married Candace Harrisou, who died March 1. 1879, leaving three children-Simpson, Angeline and John Thomas. In August 14, 1881, he married Sarah Miller, a native of Crawford County. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of the Christain Church.

WILLIAM R. COX, farmer, P. O. Hutson- ville, is a son of Byrant and Martha (Brad- bury) Cox, born in Wayne County, N. C., January 14, 1828. He was brought to Craw- ford County by his parents when sixteen years of age. His education was limited to the subscription schools, and never attended them until after he was twelve years old. Arriving at his majority, he marked upon his career in life as a farmer upon his own ac- count. He first rented a farm of eighty acres, on Lamotte Prairie, and remained upon the same until August, 1854, when he re- moved to his present residence. His farm contains 70 acres, and was mostly in timber and brush when he removed to it. He has cleared 54 acres of it, and erected a large and commodious residence. He makes the rais- ing of stock a speciality. In 1854, on the 12th of March, he married Miss Nancy Ann Dawson, a native of Clark County, Ill., born February 26, 1831, to Daniel and Esther (Wells) Dawson. Her father was born in South Carolina, November 12, 1797, and died in Crawford County, Ill., in February, 1869. He was an early settler of Clark County. Her mother was born in North Carolina June 18, 1795, and is now residing with her daughter, Mrs. Cox. She came to Crawford

County with her parents in 1819, and located near Hutsonville. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have four children-Martha May, Henry W., Ella and Amanda C. Mr. Cox is an industrious man, a practical farmer, a kind. indulgent father, and a good neighbor. He has never been farther away from home than Terre Haute. He and family are members of the Christian Church. Politically, he is a Demo- crat.

REV. JOHN L. COX, farmer and preacher, P. O. Hutsonville, was born in Crawford County, on his present farm, December 10. 1840. His father was a farmer, born in Wayne County. N. C., September 25, 1804. He came to Union County, Ill., with his par- ents in 1823, and in 1825 to Crawford County, and three years later married Miss Debora Lindley, a native of North Carolina, born April 5. 1811. He died January 22, 1868, and she died November 24,1878. They had ten children, eight of whom lived to be grown, John L. being the sixth child. His early life was spent on the home farm, and was educated from the common schools. At twenty-five years of age. he left his home, married, and engaged in farming on his own account. His wife died the same year, and the following summer he re- turned to the home farm, where he has since remained. In January, 1867, he began preaching in the Missionary Baptist Church, near his present residence, and for the last twelve years he has been the regular pastor of that church. He is now dividing his time between the above church and the Mount Zion and Liberty Churches. He was five years pastor of the Rich Woods Baptist Church, southeast of Palestine. Mr. Cox is a man of energy, and in connection with his clerical duties, is actively engaged in farm- ing. He is the owner of a good farm of 145 acres. His first marriage occurred January

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History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 92

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