USA > Illinois > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Illinois > Part 23
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
Digitized by Google
1
1
Digitized by
Ja
ASWELCH.
MRS. J.H WELCH.
Digitized by
FARM RESIDENCE OF JOHN H WELCH SEC. 19 TP.8.R 2 (BOWLING GREEN TP.) FAYETTE CO. ILLINOIS.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CAPTAIN JOHN H. WELCH.
JOHN H. WELCH was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky, January 7th, 1812. He is the eldest child of Richard Welch and Jane (Jones) Welch. His grandfather was a soldier, serving through the whole of the Revolutionary war under the command of Gen. Morgan, fighting bravely in the cause of freedom until the termination of the Revolutionary troubles. Richard W. Welch, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in the State of Virginia, and in his youth removed to Tennessee, where he became acquainted with Jane Jones, a native of North Carolina, and married her in the year 1811. The young couple were in very moderate circumstances, 'and thinking to better their condition moved to Kentucky. He was a hatter by trade, but devoted most of his time and attention to farming. After the death of his wife which took place March 16th, 1827, he emigrated with his family to Fayette County, Illinois, and settled in Township 8, Range 2, east of the Kaskaskia River, which now forms part of Loudon Township. In politics he was a Democrat, but very conservative in his views. Both himself and his wife were members of the Baptist denomina- tion, and lived and died devout members of that Church. After reaching this county John H. Welch, the subject of this sketch, remained working for his father about one year, and then hired out to work in the neighborhood, receiving eight dollars per month for his services, which at that time was the highest wages paid-making for himself a reputation as a reliable, trustworthy man-his wages were increased to nine and eventually ten dollars per month.
Upon the breaking out of the Black-Hawk war he volunteered as a soldier, serving fourteen months, eleven months of which time he was a Ranger in the service of the United States, receiving one dollar per day for his services. He was mustered out of the service at St. Louis in the year 1833, and had saved enough money to purchase a piece of land consisting of one hundred and eight acres in Section 17, Township 8, Range 2, in Fayette County. Illinois.
On September 20, 1840, he married Elizabeth Smith, (daughter of Wil- liam and Sarah Smith,) who was born in Clinton County, Illinois, March 16th, 1821, and removed with her parents to Fayette County about the year. 1824. By this marriage Mr. Welch had six children, of whom two only are living, viz. : Sarah Jane, wife of Henry Reed, now residing in Kansas, and Charles, who is attending the Medical Institute at St. Louis, Missouri. The names of the deceased children, all of whom died in infancy, were Wyatt, who died September, 1844; Isabel. died December, 1844; Julia, May, 1849; and William September, 1852. Mrs. Welch, the mother of the above chil- dren, died October 13, 1852.
Mr. Welch was again married March 25, 1856, to Martha Jones, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of Richard and Ellen Thomasson, who came to Bowling Green Township in this county about the year 1820. Mrs. Welch is the oldest resident of the township. She has a son by a former marriage, now engaged farming in Texas.
Politically Mr. Welch was a Democrat, but upon the breaking out of the late Rebellion he became identified with the Republican party, of which he has since continued to be a member.
In 1862, assisted by Geo. Bolt and a Mr. Ray, he raised a company of which he himself was Captain. This company was organized into the Ninety-seventh Illinois Regiment, at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Illinois. On this occasion he served his country about six months, when ill-health compelled him to resign. He was Recorder of Deeds for four years; was also Deputy Sheriff and Constable.
Charles, the son of John H. Welch, enlisted into the United States service in 1864, serving three months in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Regiment, and was mustered out at Mattoon in this State in September of the same year. He was twice married, first to Sarah Conner, who died July, 1865, by whom he has two children. His second wife, Emily J. Guth- rey, he married Oct. 1, 1877.
John H. Welch went to school but nine months only, but taking advan- tage of every opportunity for self-education, has become one of the best read men in his township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Welch are members of the Chris- tian Church, and have always endeavored to do their duty as good citizens and Christians. Mr. W. has a farm of four hundred and twenty-four acres of land, one hundred and fifty of which is under a high state of cultivation, with good improvements thereon. A view of his residence will be found on another page of this work. All of this property he made himself by dint of hard work and persevering energy, and now stands in the first rank of suc- cessful farmers in Fayette County.
WILLIAM GINGER.
WILLIAM GINGER is a native of Burke County, East Tennessee, where he was born, April, 1809, and was the eighth child of a family of fifteen, only five of whom are now living. He is the son of Henry Ginger and Chancy (Luster) Ginger. The Ginger family are of German descent, the grand- father of the subject of our sketch emigrating to this country when the father of William Ginger was but seven years of age, the family settling near Philadelphia. Upon the breaking out of the Revolutionary war Henry was a stout lad of sixteen years of age, and volunteered to serve for the defence of his adopted country, and fought bravely till its termination.
He was taken a prisoner at Charleston, South Carolina, and while being marched through the town, under a strong guard, was reviled by one of the bystanders, a big, raw-boned mulatto. Henry drew from his pocket his ration-bottle, and by a well-directed blow, " laid out " the insolent " darkey." After peace was declared he married and settled in North Carolina. After living there many years, he removed to East Tennessee, where William Ginger was born. He afterwards removed to Maury County, in that State, and re- sided there about fifteen years, finally removing, with his family, to Illinois, where he settled in Bowling Green Township, Fayette County, February, 1825, where he concluded his days; dying on the 8th of February, 1842. at the advanced age of over eighty years. His wife, Mrs. Chancy Ginger, also died in Fayette County, about the year 1839.
William Ginger worked for his father until he arrived at the age of twenty-one, when he married Miss Mary Moutry, daughter of Theophilus Mou- try, March 11tb, 1831. He had seven children by this marriage, only two of them now living. viz. : David H. Ginger, (an engineer by profession ) now a resident of East St. Louis, and Geo. W. Ginger, a farmer, of Bowling Green Township. Mrs. Ginger died November 29th, 1858. Mr. G. married again, October 27th, 1859. His second wife was Thalitha Jane Whittington, the daughter of William Whittington. By this marriage he had four children, two of whom survive, Louisa Fouke Ginger and Mary R. Ginger.
After his first marriage Wm. Ginger bought forty acres of land on Beck's Creek, in Bowling Green Township, upon which there was an improvement. For this land he paid one dollar and a quarter per acre, with money he had previously saved from his hard earned wages. He is now the owner of & farm of well-improved land, consisting of two hundred and eighty acres, situated in Bowling Green Towship. In the town of Ramsey he is the "owner of three business houses, nine town lots, beside the private residence in which he now resides.
In politics Mr. Ginger was a Whig prior to 1856. On that year he cast his vote for James Buchanan, the Democratic candidate for President, and ever since has been firm as a rock in upholding the principles of the Demo- cratic party. He has served as county commissioner three years, deputy sheriff five terms, and constable about thirty years.
Mr. Ginger is somewhat conservative in his religious views, and although not a member of any church, has a firm belief in the doctrines held and preached by the Methodists. His opportunities for obtaining an education in youth were but few, attending school but eighteen months in all. This was in Maury County, Tenn. Having, however, a will for progression, he
73
Digitized by Google
74
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
afterwards acquired a fair English education by his own exertions. Mr. and Mrs. Ginger, in their declining years, can look back with complacency upon the past, feeling assured that, as parents and citizens, they have ever en- deavored to do their duty.
JACOB AUSTIN.
JACOB AUSTIN was born in Cumberland Co., Ky., Jan'y 15th, 1829, and is the twelfth child of a family of thirteen, seven boys and six girls ; of this large family but six survive.' His father, Richard Austin, was a native of the " old Dominion," and his mother, Mary (Odell) Austin, was born in North Caro- lina. They removed to Kentucky at an early day, where Richard Austin died, his bereaved wife being left with a numerous family ; Jacob, the subject of this sketch, being then quite an infant. The mother and family immigra- ted to Illinois in 1830, settling in Bowling Green Township, Fayette County, where Jacob grew to manhood, and in the year 1850, married Miss M. E. Stafford, by whom he had seven children, three of whom are now living. Mrs. Austin died in Aug., 1868, deeply regretted by all her family and friends. Mr. Austin again married, choosing for his second wife Miss Jane Philips, whom he wedded in Oct., 1873. By this marriage he has two chil- dren, a boy and a girl. Like many other early settlers in this State, Jacob Austin had but limited chances for an education. He went but four terms
-
1
--
to school, each term consisting of three months, and extended over a period of four years, his entire schooling costing twelve dollars, or three dollars per term, which amount he secured by working hard for the sum of twenty-five cents per day. By determined industry he surmounted all difficulties, and to- day is the owner of 240 acres of good land, 200 of it under cultivation in Section 7, Township. 8, Range 2.
Mr. Austin was a Democrat until the breaking out of the late war; he then joined the Republican Party, to which he has since adhered.
He was the first candidate nominated on the Republican ticket for County Judge in this county; but was defeated at the election, the county being strongly Democratic. He was the first Supervisor of Bowling Green Town- ship, being elected in 1860. He was also Justice of the Peace two terms ; Deputy Sheriff one term; Township Collector one term, and Constable one term. In May, 1873, Mr. Austin commenced merchandizing in a building he erected on his farm. He was very successful as a merchant until his business place was destroyed by fire Dec. 25th, 1876. By this calamity he lost a stock of goods valued at about $3500.00, besides the store-room, which cost in erection, $500.
He did not rebuild his business place ; but has since devoted his entire at- tention and energy to farming. Mr. Austin's life has been a successful one; by strict attention to business and a determination to succeed, he has made for himself a good position in life, and is winning from all that respect and praise which is his due.
WILBERTON TOWNSHIP.
ILBERTON comprises the complete geographical Township of 5, Range 2, and was named after Esquire Wilbern, a prominent old settler, who lived near the site of the present town of Wil- berton on the farm now owned by R. W. Burnett. Among its old settlers may be mentioned the names of Phillip Luster, Jesse Doolan, Jacob Helm, Wm. Davis, John Edwards, Henry Ginger, Francis Brown, Wm. D. Brown, Elijah Reece, Abel Manion, David K. Hamel, John W. Peyton, Thomas Mahone, Dr. Mahone, and Wm. Wilbern, nearly all of whom have since died. The first cabin was built by Phillip Luster, on Section 6, in 1820. Some of his descendants are still living near there. The first settlement was made in the north-western part of the township along the edge of the timber, by Phillip Luster, Jesse Doolan, and two or three other families, about 1820. There appears to have been another tide of emigration set in about 1830, when the Manions. Mahones, Williams and several other families located along the north side of the township. The township continued to settle up slowly until about 1860, when the Germans commenced coming in rapidly, until now there is hardly a vacant foot of land, except in the timber, and all in a fair state of cultivation.
1
RELIGIOUS.
Levi Lowry, Methodist, preached the first sermon in the cabin of some settler as early as 1825. Jesse Doolan, Henry Turnay, Sam'l Dickens, Mr. Sherer, and Mr. Pullen preached here at an early day. It was in this town- ship that Ben. Mahone was raised and learned to preach. There is probably no man in the county who is better known than "Old Ben," (as he is fami- liarly called). He is still living in Avena Township, admired and respected by all. The first church building was erected in: 1836 on Section 10, by the Baptists. The German Lutherans have two nice churches, with a large membership. The following Churches also have organizations and build- ings: the Methodists and Cumberland Presbyterians.
--
First Physicians .- Dr. Daniel Williams was the first practicing physician in the township, commencing about 1825. Dr. W. D. Brown settled here and commenced the practice of medicine in 1830.
First Road, Bridge, do .- The first road through the township was the Vandalis and Kinmundy road on the east side, and the first bridge was
built on this road about 1850. Wm. Jarrott kept the first store at Wilber- tom about thirty years ago, supplying the wants of his customers with such articles as whiskey, tobacco, coffee, ammunition, &c., always necessary to a pioneer's existence, and taking in exchange for them coon and mink skins. which were legal tender at that time. The first post-office was located at St. Paul on Section 26, in 1876, with John Boyer as Post-master. He still holds the position. The first burying-ground was laid out in 1829, on Sec- tion 5. The first burial was that of Abel Manion, who died in May, 1835. (It is a question, however, if one or two children did not die at an earlier period, but of which we can find no authentic record.)
First Mills .- Phillip Luster built the first saw and grist-mill in 1820 or 1821. It was an old-fashioned horse-mill, but supplied the wants of the neighborhood. Hardy Foster built another mill in 1830; and Jacob Bass built a steam saw-mill in 1855. There are now two good ones in the town- ship.
Schools .- The township was organized into three school districts in 1856. The first Directors were George Pryor, W. B. Chandler, and Jas. M. Manion. There are now five districts in the township, with schools in each. The Lutheran Church, also, supports two private schools for the benefit of its members. Wm. Gentry taught in the first school-house, which was built in 1882. This building was erected by the private enterprise of the neighbors on Section 4, in the middle of the woods, so as to accommodate all. It was but a rough log affair. In it some of the best men and women of the county commenced their early education.
Tragedy .- About twenty years ago Wm. Jarrott shot and killed Andrew Pruett, at Frogtown, (now Wilberton). They were rival saloon-keepers, and under the influence of liquor. Jarrott was put on trial for the offence, when it was proven that Pruett made the first attack, consequently he was acquitted.
Wilberton, or as it is better known, Frogtown, is situated on Section 14, and at one time was a formidable rival of Vandalia in a businees point of view. The town was commenced about 1825, and in 1835 it had a popula- tien of one hundred or more, with three stores, blacksmiths' shops, tavern, saleons, &c., in fact all the elements and industries of a flourishing town. Now the visitor sees nothing but one little store and a few small tumble-
Digitized by Google
75
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
down houses, the rest having been moved away or destroyed. It is, how- ever, surrounded by a splendid farming country, and may at some time recover a part of its former greatness.
GEOGRAPHY, INHABITANTS, &o.
Wilberton Township is bounded on the north by Otego, on the south by Marion County, on the east by Lone Grove, and on the west by Kaskaskia. About one-third of it is covered with a heavy growth of Hickory, Oak, Black Walnut, and Maple timber. The timbered portion extends entirely across the north side of the township. There is also some timber land in
Sections 31, 32 and 33. The rest of it is level prairie, with a deep, rich, black soil. The soil in the timber is a loose sandy loam, making it one of the best agricultural townships in the county, although it has not been thoroughly developed yet. The products at present are principally wheat and corn, with some hay. It is only fairly watered, Hickory Creek running through the northeru and Richland the southern portion of the township. with their tri- butaries. About one-third of the population is American who have settled in and along the timber. The other two-thirds are Germans who came to the county at a later date and settled on the prairies, where they are making excellent farms.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES D. GOULD,
ONE of the leading farmers of Wilberton Township, is a native of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and is the fourth child of John B. and Jane (Trainer) Gould, born March 12, 1828. His father was a native of New Hampshire, and his mother of Pennsylvania. The Gould family is of Irish extraction, and trace their genealogy to the Bell family as far back as 1600. James D., when a lad, attended the subscription schools of his native county, where, by assiduous attention to his studies, he acquired the rudiments of an English education. At the age of nineteen he went to Washington County, Penn- sylvania, where he learned the trade of ship-carpenter. After remaining there three years, he went to Cincinnati, where he worked at his trade, with some intermission, for two years ; after which he engaged in steam-boating, principally on the Mississippi.
On the 5th day of September, 1854, he married Miss Nancy Sconce. Her father was a native of Kentucky, and her mother of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Gould was born in Ohio, in which State her parents had settled. Mr. and Mrs. Gould have had born to them two children, in the following order of their births: John B. and Jennie, both residing with their parents. In 1860 Mr. Gould purchased and located on his present farm. In 1872 he aban- doned his business of steam-boating, and has since devoted his time exclu- sively to agriculture.
In politics he is a Democrat, but not a politician, preferring the pleasanter and more remunerative life of a farmer. Being an advocate of good schools, he has served as School Director for a number of years. Mr. G., like many of the successful men throughout the county, commenced life without means; but he possessed the essential elements of success, industry and energy, coupled with good judgment and economy ; he has been enabled to accumu- late a comfortable competence. He is now the possessor of a farm which is among the best improved in the township.
DR. EDWARD RHEINER,
A REPRESENTATIVE man of Fayette County, financially and professionally, was born in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, July 26, 1826, and was the second child of Edward and Rosa Rheiner, both members of old and dis- tinguished Swiss families. He commenced attending the common schools of his country at the age of six years, continuing until he was twelve; then went to College in Zurich five years, preparatory to entering the University at that place, where he graduated in 1848. One year after (in 1849), having heard of the superior advantages offered a young man of energy in America, he decided to make this country his home. Going first to Mobile, Ala., he at once commenced the practice of medicine, remaining there two years. He then removed to New Orleans, and opened a drug store in connection with his profession. Remaining in New Orleans until 1854, and doing a good business, he accumulated quite a little fortune, but, through the ras- cality of his partner, he lost it all, and was compelled to remove again.
This time he settled in Boonville, Missouri, where he devoted his entire at- tention to the practice of medicine until 1864, when the Doctor, who was a staunch Union man, and dared to express himself as such, was compelled to leave the State by Price's army, who confiscated everything he had in the shape of stock and loose property. This time he settled in Bentonsport, Iowa, and remained there until 1867; then moved to Fayette County, Illi- nois, and located permanently at St. Paul, in Wilberton Township, where he now lives.
The Doctor was married March 14. 1854, to Meda Slaeger, of St. Louis, Mo. They have raised a family of seven children, who are living near their parents. He belongs to that class of Eu ropeans who have done so much to develop the resources of this country. Possessing a full share of their well- known thrift and energy, and more than an ordinary amount of intelligence and education, he has made three small fortunes since coming to this coun- try-losing one in New Orleans through rascality, and one in Missouri by the war. But now, at the age of fifty-two years, he has one of the best farms in Fayette County, and appears to be as busy as most men are at thirty.
REV. CHARLES G. SCHURICHT,
THE eldest child of Charles E. and Hedwig Schuricht, was born in St. Louis, Mo., January 7, 1845. His parents were natives of Wallbach, in the king- dom of Saxony, and emigrated to America in 1838, settling in St. Louis, where the father died in the fall of 1849, and the mother the spring follow- ing, leaving Charles G. comparatively alone in the world. He, however, went to live with an uncle, and commenced going to school when six years old, attending the parochial school of the Lutheran Church six years, after- wards studying in the Universities in St. Louis and Fort Wayne, Ind., and graduating, he entered the ministry June 26, 1864, at Petersburg, Illinois. He continued to preach in the Lutheran Church at that place until Sept., 1868; then removed to Vandalia; remained there until 1870; then located at St. Paul, in Wilberton Township, where he has had charge of a church ever since. He has been an earnest, faithful, and successful worker in the vineyard. His church only numbered about forty when he took charge of it; now it has a membership of about ninety, and is free from debt.
Mr. Schuricht was married May 21, 1865, to Christine Lange, who has borne him six children, four of whom are living, viz. : John C. C., Chas. T. H., Theodore J. A., and Christine A. S.
JAMES M. MANION.
ABEL MANION, the father of the subject of our sketch, was born in North Carolina, October 12, 1794, and died in Wilberton Township, Fayette County, Illinois, May 20, 1835; and Rebecca Manion, the mother, was born in Georgia, December 1, 1800, and died April 27, 1866. They were married in Allen County, Ky., in 1818, where they lived on a farm until 1830, when
Digitized by
76
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
they moved to Illinois, and settled in Section 9, Wilberton Township, adjoin- ing the farm where their son James now lives. Abel Manion was a man highly esteemed while living, holding the office of Justice of the Peace eleven years before leaving Kentucky.
James M. Manion was born in Allen County, Ky., November 18, 1824. He was raised a farmer, and has followed that occupation all his life, believ- ing it to be a safe and healthful profession. In early life he worked at home in summer, and attended the old-fashioned subscription schools in the win- ter. With these limited advantages he managed to acquire a fair English education, fitting him for the business pursuits of life.
He was first married June 11, 1846, to Sarah M. Day, they raising a family of eight children : six are still living Mrs. Manion dying February 17, 1866, he was again married May 3, 1868, to Amanda V. Day. They have a family of four, all living.
Mr. Manion bought and commenced working the farm where he now lives in 1849. It is in a fine state of cultivation, yielding him something more than a comfortable competency. In politics he was an old " Henry Clay" Whig until the organization of the Republican party, when he affiliated himself with that party, and is a staunch supporter of its principles. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for twenty years. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, raising their family " in the fear and ad- monition of the Lord." Mr. Manion is certainly a representative man of his township, commencing life with nothing but that will and energy so neces- sary to develop a new country.
JOHN W. PETERS
WAS born in Fairfield County, Ohio, August 4, 1824. His father Jacob was a native of Maryland, and his mother Elizabeth Wolf of Pennsylvania. They removed to Illinois in 1849. The father died April 12, 1852, and the mother October 7, 1864. John, the subject of our sketch, was the fifth of eleven children. He remained at home until he was of age, working on the farm and attending the common schools during the winter, acquiring a fair English education, enough at any rate to transact all kinds of business ; and being naturally a man of fine intellect, he is qualified to fill any office in the county. Although he is a Republican in politics and living in a strong
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.