History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 104

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois > Part 104

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William Smith came to this township in the month of April, 1831, and settled on section 5, where he lived until Nov. 24, 1866, when he was called on to pay the debt of nature.

William W. Smith, deceased, an old settler of Greene county, was born Dec. 1, 1825, in Spencer county, Ind. He is a son of William and Hannah (Fair) Smith, natives of Kentucky, who after-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

ward removed to Indiana, where the subject of this sketch was born. His father followed farming in Indiana, in connection with shoemaking, remaining in that state until 1831, when he moved bi- family to Illinois, arriving in Greene county in April, after the deep snow. IJe had visited the county in search of a location, the previous year, and had entered land on section 5, this township, on which he made his home until his death, Nov. 24, 1866, at the age of 82 years. His wife died Oct. 13, 1853, aged 68. They were the parents of nine children. William W. was the youngest of them, and was reared to manhood, receiving such education as the common schools afforded. He was twice mar- ried, the first time, January 29, 1852, to Mary A. Short, a native of this town- ship, born Nov. 24, 1830. She was a daughter of Thomas J. Short, one of the first settlers here, who is mentioned elsewhere. By the above union there were six children-Ewen B., John F., an infant not named, Ilenry S., Eliza- beth J., and Amanda E. Mrs. Smith died April 25, 1864, and Mr. Smith was again united in marriage, Sept. 27, 1865, to Lettice Whitlock, a native of Morgan county, IN., born Feb. 9, 1834. She is a daughter of Luther and Margaret (Dunbar) Whitlock, natives of Russell county, Ky., who were married there about 1821, and removed to Morgan county, Ill., in the fall of 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of one child, who died in infancy. Mr. Smith followed agricultural pursuits, living on the old homestead until one year before his death, when he moved to Greenfield, where he died November 30, 1877. The family remained at Greenfield until

Nov. 1881, when they returned to the farm, where they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were members of the Bap- tist church, of which Mr. Smith was a deacon. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., joining the order at Athensville, and afterward uniting with the lodge at Greenfield, of which he was a member at the time of his death. Four of his children grew to manhood and woman- hood, and all are married except Eliz- abeth, living at home.

Ilenry S. Smith, son of William W., was born March 25, 1858, in Rubicon township, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools. He was married, Feb. 27, 1884, to Luella Waltrip, who was born in Wrights township, Sept. 24, 1853, her pa- rents being Thomas T. and Mary (Da- vidson) Waltrip, old settlers of that township. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the Baptist church, he tak- ing his father's place as deacon. Though young, he is an enterprising farmer.

Thomas Vandeveer, a native of Ken- tucky's soil, came to Greene county in 1831, and settled on Sec. 31, T. 12, R. 10, but afterwards removed to Sec. 4, T. 11, R. 10, where he died in 1845. He had been a resident of Indiana for some years prior to coming here. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, and of the Black Hawk war.

John Melvin came to Greene county in the spring of 1831, settling on the north side of Apple creek, about three miles east of White Hall, where he re- mained until the following fall, when he located upon the place now occupied by his son, Thomas E., on section 26, of Rubicon township. Here he resided until the fall of 1853, when he removed

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

to Greenfield, where he lived a retired life during the balance of his days, his death occurring in the fall of 1870. IIe was born in Tennessee in 1803, coming directly from that state to this county. He was married in his native state to Eliza Crouch, by whom 10 children were born, The death of Mrs. Melvin oc- curred Feb. 16, 1874. Thomas E. Mel- vin, a son of John, was born in Tennes- see, Dec. 22, 1824, and still resides on on the old homestead. He was married June 2, 1847, to Elizabeth Coonrod, a daughter of Stephen Coonrod. They are the parents of six children-Sylves- ter, George, Stephen E., Etna, Emma and Minnie.

Asbury Atkins made a settlement at the head of the Rubicon creek, near the Macoupin county line, in the latter part of 1831.

Hezekiah Boring moved into what is now Rubicon, from White Hall town- ship, in 1832. He was born in Maryland, Feb. 22, 1789, but was reared in Tennes- see, where he was united in marriage with Mary Melvin. in 1823. He came to Greene, in 1829, and lived in White Hall township for a short time before coming here. He entered some land on section 26, in this township, and here resided until his death, which occurred Aug. 26, 1884, when he had reached the advanced age of 95 years. His wife's death preceded his some 15 years.

George Coats was a native of Ken- tucky, born in Feb., 1807. He came to this county in 1832,and located upon the northeast quarter of section 30, in this township. Here he engaged in.agricul- tural pursuits, until his death, which occurred in Oct., 1875. He was twice married, the first time to Mrs. Celia

Connelly, nee Doyle, who died in April, 1860, leaving six children; the second time to Mrs. William Jones, nee Rachel Brannon, who survives him. There were two children by this last marriage.

Jesse C. C. Parks settled here in 1832, on section 10, where he lived until March 4, 1874, when he was called upon to pay the debt of nature. He was born June 16, 1802, in Anderson county, Tenn., where he lived, working at the blacksmith trade, in connection with farming, until 1826, when he came to Greene county, but concluded to go to Galena, where he worked in the lead mines. In 1832, he returned here as above stated. He was married, in 1831, to Minerva Yarnall, by whom he had eight children. He was a democrat in politics. He was a major of the state militia, and a justice of the peace, in this county.

Benjamin Scott came to this township, in 1832, at the close of the Black Hawk war, and made a settlement.

Benjamin Scott, one of the successful farmers of Greene county, is a native of Casey county, Ky., born April 29, 1831. He is a son of Welcome and Elizabeth (Allen) Scott, natives of Kentucky, in which state they were married. Wel- come engaged in farming and also dealt in race horses, and did some sporting. He died in 1817, leaving a widow and four children, of whom Benjamin was the eldest, and the only boy. In 1830, Mrs. Scott came with her family to Winchester, Scott county, Ill., in com- pany with lliram Drake, he immedi- ately entering land on section 10 and 11, in Rubicon township, this county. Mrs. Scott remained in Scott county, until 1832, when her son, Benjamin, entered

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

80 acres of land, with money obtained by selling his discharge and horse, he having been in the Black Hawk war. He received $100 by the above sale. His present residence is located on the land which he then entered. Mrs. Scott made her home with Benjamin for many years, but at the time of her death, in June, 1865, she was residing with her daughter, Mrs. Jonathan Lewis. She was a consistent member of the Chris- tian church. On leaving Kentucky, Mrs. Scott, and all the children, except the youngest one, walked the whole distance to Scott county, bringing the household effects in a light, one-horse peddler's wagon. On Mr. Scott's side the family was of Scotch extraction and on the mother's side, of Scotch-Irish descent, their ancestors being early set- tlers of the Blue Grass section. Grand- father Allen, Mrs. Scott's father, was the first settler of Casey county, Ky., where he lived until his death. His wife died in Greene county. When Ben- jamin left Kentucky, he had but $7 and his mother $12, and when they arrived in Morgan county, she had but two dol- lars and he five, and this they investep in fat hogs, which investment enabled Benjamin to make the start in life, which opened the path to his present wealth and comfort. He was married Oct. 17, 1834, to Lucinda Ruyle, a na- tive of Montgomery county, Ill., born Ang. 30, 1818. She is a daughter of Henry and Betsy (Smith) Ruyle, the father a native of Virginia, the mother of Tennessee, who were married in Tennessee, and came to Illinois in 1813. They remained here some time and then returned to Tennessee, afterward re- moving to Macoupin county, Illinois,

where they lived until their death. They were the parents of seven children, Mrs. Scott being the second oldest. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have a family of nine children-James, Elizabeth M., Edward, Sally J., Louisa F., Maggie, Mary 1., William T., and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the Christian church. Mr. Scott has been one of the large landholders of the county, owning at one time, 2,600 acres, the greater part of which he has given to his children, and sold, reserving for himself, 536 aeres. He makes a spec- ialty of raising and feeding stock, and in this way has made his money, being an energetic, enterprising citizen. Mr. Seott is a staunch republican, and has held several local offices. He is highly respected by neighbors and friends.

William W. Williams, in 1833, came to this part of the county, and finding the land to his liking, remained a resi- dent of his farm in this township, until his death, which took place Dec. 24, 1884. He was a native of North Caro- lina, born July 9, 1791. Left an orphan at an early age, he had to battle for him- self. When but 17 years old, he moved to Kentucky, where he married Lydia Whitehurst. From there he removed to Jacksonville, this state, in 1831, and from there here. He settled on the farm where he spent the remainder of his lifetime. This marriage was blessed with seven children-Mary A., Eliza, Edwin H., Martha E., Newton,. William H. and Milton W. Mrs. Williams died April 19, 1858, and he was again mar- ried, Nov. 7, 1860, to Maria O'Fling, widow of Felix O'Fling, a native of Greene county, N. Y., who came to Illi- nois in the spring of 1818. He came

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

with his father's family and settled in Madison county, where they lived a short time, and then moved to Greene county, and settled on Apple creek. Felix was married Sept. 26, 1838, to Maria Orcutt, a native of Pennsylvania, born Jan. 14, 1818, while her parents were on the way from Massachusetts to Illinois. She is the second daughter of Asa and Persenia (Burt) Orcutt, he a native of Connecticut, and she of Mas- sachusetts. They came to Illinois in 1818. Her mother died at St. Louis, in 1827. Mr. and Mrs. O'Fling were the parents of four children-Enos; Lucy, wife of Alfred French, living in Kansas; Orsa, living at home, and Felix. Felix O'Fling died Sept. 16, 1849. Mrs. Wil- liams still lives on the old homestead, which contains 50 acres of land. Mr. Williams died there, Dec. 28, 1884. In politics he was a republican. He and his family were members of the M. E. church. Mr. Williams was well liked by all who knew him and was an indus- trions farmer.

John H. Waller, a native of Queens county, Va., born July 30, 1806, came to Rubicon township, in 1834, from Sangamon county, this state, whither he had gone to spend the winter with his brother. He settled near the town of Greenfield, where be is still living.

T. J. Short, settled in this township, about the year 1834, although he came to the county in 1829, living about five years near Carrollton.

Thomas J. Short, deceased, was born in Tennessee, Sept. 27, 1805, his father being of German descent, his mother of Irish descent. They came to Greene county in 1829, and settled near Carroll- ton, where after living five years, they

moved to Sec. 7, T. 11, R. 10, they owning some land on sections 7 and S. Thomas lived in the county until his death, Aug. 10, 1876. His first wife died Sept. 9, 1849, and he was again married in 1852, to Rebecca Wittle, a native of Kentucky, who is still living. By that marriage there were two children-Levi R. and Samuel J. Mr. Short had a fam- ily of 16 children by his first wife, and at the time of his death had 72 grand- children, besides some great-grandchil- dren. Mr. Short took quite an interest in county affairs, was a staunch demo- crat, served as county commissioner three terms, and was also a justice of the peace. When he decided to cross the Ohio river, he had no property but a pony, and he joined with another neighbor, who also owned one, thus making the trip. When he arrived in Greene county, he was 50 cents in debt, but by hard work, industry, and good business faculty, he was enabled to acquired a large amount of property dur- ing his lifetime, becoming the possessor of 1,100 acres of land. At his death his property was appraised at $55,000, thus showing what dauntless energy and good management can do. He and his wife were both members of the M E. church, he, also, of the A. F. & A. M.

William S. Short was born in Greene county, Ill., Sept. 16, 1832, and is a son of Thomas J. Short. William grew to manhood in this county, receiving a common school education. He was married June 11, 1854, to Elizabeth M. Garrett, born March 6, 1830, her parents being Joel and Nancy (Gibson) Garrett, natives of South Carolina. She came with her parents, about the year 1838, to Mason county, Ill., where her father

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

died, in July, 1876. Iler mother died when she was a child. Mr. Garrett had a family of 11 children by his first mar- riage. His second wife was Eliza Gar- rett, and by that marriage there were five children. Mr. and Mrs. Short are the parents of 13 children-Amanda E., Rosa A., Louis S., Martha J., Thomas J., Elijah B., an unnamed infant, Dicy, Elizabeth M., William S., Catherine, Samuel J., and Mary A. Abundant energy and steady attention to business, have made Mr. Short very successful, and he is the possessor of a fine farm, consisting of 560 acres of land. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Green- field and of the commandery at Car- rollton.

Nelson W. Corrington came to Greene county, a single man, in 1833, and worked for some time at carpentering trade, but finally settled in this town- ship.

Nelson W. Corrington, deceased, an old settler of Greene county, was born Jan. 1, 1812, in Harrison county, Ky. He was a son of Stephen and Rachel B. (Veach, Wilson) Corrington, he a native of New Jersey, born April 5, 1769, of English descent, and she a na- tive of Kentucky, born Dec. 4, 1765, of Irish and English extraction They were married in Kentucky, Aug. 14, 1794, where they resided until their deaths, the father's occurring Jan. 2, 1851, the mother's July 17, 1833, the latter dying with cholera. They had been blessed with a family of eight chil- dren. Nelson Corrington grew to man- hood in Kentucky, learning the carpen- ter's and joiner's trade, at which he worked when he first came to Greene county, which was in 1833, he being

then just at his majority. He was a brother of Revs. Elijah and James B. Corrington, late of the Illinois and Southern Illinois Conference, and was the youngest and last of the family of eight children. He was married Dec. 24, 1840, to Etersa Keller, a native of Grayson county, Ky., born Jan. 17, 1817. She is a daughter of John and Zillah (Van Metre) Keller, the father a native of Maryland, born Oct. 31, 1787, the mother a native of Elizabethtown, Ky., born July 1, 1792. In 1819 the Keller family moved to Indiana, remaining until 1831, when they removed to Coles county, Ill., where they resided one year, and then moved to Macoupin county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Her father died in 1862, and her mother in Feb., 1865. They had been blessed with a family of 12 children, seven boys and five girls. After marriage Mr. Corrington pur- chased and operated a saw-mill, just across the line in Macoupin county. He afterward sold this mill, and in Jan., 1844, he bought the old homestead, on which he lived until his death, March 15, 1885. Mrs. Corrington still survives her husband, and lives at the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Corring- ton were the parents of 13 children- Francis M., deceased; Mary F., de- ceased; Wilbur C., Wilson L., Rufus K., George A., deceased; Louisana H., Florida A., Mary F., Helen O., deceased; San Juan D., Esperanza P. and Anna A. J. When Mr. Corrington came to this county he had but $200, a saddle and a horse, but by energy and perseverance he secured a considerable amount of this world's goods, having at one time owned 240 acres, farming the homestead,

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and at the time of his death 80 acres, and a good comfortable residence. In polities he was a democrat, and as a citi- zen was a good moral man, well liked by neighbors and friends. A short time before he passed away, he gave his heart to God and exclaimed, " What a great salvation," at the same time ex- horting his wife and children, that they make an unbroken family in Heaven. Mrs. Corrington is a member of the M. E. church.

CEMETERY.

Drake cemetery was surveyed and laid out about the year 1856. It is situ- ated on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 15. The first burial here was that of a child of George Reynolds.

ORGANIC.

The township of Rubicon was organ- ized, and an election held, April 7, 1885. John S. Robards was elected supervisor; Jackson Drennan, clerk. M. V. Connelly, assessor; John G. Miller, collector. At the same time, Thomas Rafferty, Edwin Woolley, and T. G. Capps, were elected justices, and Philip Kramer, Joshua Short, and T. S. Weldon, constables.

The first religious services were held in this township, at the house of Jacob Young, on section 26, about 1830, by Rev. Mr. Bankerson, of the Methodist church.

REPRESENTATIVE MEN.

Uriah Converse, a prominent farmer of Rubicon township was born in Ad- dison county, Vt., Dec. 24, 1824, his parents being Alfred and Betsey (Corey) Converse. His father was a native of Connecticut, and there grew to man- hood. Hle then moved to Vermont, where he was married. He was en-

gaged in carpentering while in that state, in connection with farming. In 1844 he moved his family to Greene county, IH., where he bought 80 acres of land on section 14,in Rubicon township, on which he built a residence, and on this place he and his wife spent the re- mainder of their days. They had a family of six children. In politics Mr. Converse, Sr., was a democrat. The family were 42 days in making the trip srom Vermont to Ilinois, traveling 40 days of the time by wagon. Uriah, the subject of our sketch, received a com- Inon school education, sufficient for the practical duties of every day life, and since then has always been engaged in acricultural pursuits. He has been twice married, the first time to Sarah E. Corey, Dec. 24, 1848. She was a native of Vermont., born July 15, 1829. By this union there were two children- Flora, married and living in Sangamon county, and Harriet E., who died in in- fancy. Mrs. Converse died May 30, 1852, and Mr. Converse was again mar- ried, Sept. 20, 1855, to Minerva Steande- fer, a native Marion county, Tenn., who was reared in Missouri. She was born Jan. 15, 1835. By this marriage there are five children-Otis E., Fannie D., Harry, Jennie and Truman U. Mr. and Mrs. Converse are members of the M. E. church. In politics, Mr. Con- verse is a republican, and has held local offices, being at the present time high- way commissioner. He is one of the substantial farmers of the township, and by his enterprise and industry is now the possessor of 540 acres of land located in Rubicon and Athensville townships, and is engaged in mixed farming. He is a respected citizen of

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that community, meriting this esteem by his honesty and integrity of pur- posc.

Alexander R. Morrow, a son of Jesse and Elvira (Bradshaw) Morrow, early settlers of Greene county, who now re- side in Rubicon township, was born Aug. 27, 1846, in Athensville township, where he grew to manhood, receiving a common school education. When he was 18 years of age, he assisted his father in building a grist mill, in Ath- ensville, and at the age of 23, pur- chased an interest in the mill. This he continued to run for about 10 years, meeting with such success that he was enabled to lay by a considerable amount of money. He then sold out his inter- est in the mill, and after residing in White Hall two years, he purchased his preseut farm and removed thereto. Two years from that time he erected a nice residence, costing $1,800, doing the work himself. It is a two-story frame, 24x28 feet, with an L 14x26. Ilis farm contains 166 acres of good land, valued at $46 per acre, on which Mr. Morrow is engaged in stock raising. making a specialty of hogs, sheep and horses, and is very successfui. Mr. Morrow was united in marriage, Feb. 9, 1870, with Margaret Scott, born in Rubicon township, March 22, 1847. She is a daughter of Benjamin Scott, an old set- tler of the township, of whom mention is made elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Mor- row are members of the Christian church. In politics, Mr. Morrow is a republican. He is a member of the Athensville lodge, I. O. O. F. He is highly respected and estcemed by neighbors and friends, and is an upright and enterprising citizen.

Rev. Marcus W. Million is a son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Jemison) Million, former residents of the county. Elijah was born in Stafford county, Va., as was also his wife, and they were married there in 1815. Mr. Million was a car- penter by trade. In the fall of 1823, he left Virginia, and came west as far as Madison county, Ill. , and remained there until the fall of 1830, when he moved to Morgan county, and resided there until 1877. He then came to Greene county, where he and his wife lived the re- mainder of their days. They had a fam- ily of nine children, Marcus W. being the second. Elijah was a soldier in the war of 1812, and also in the Black Hawk war. His death occurred Nov. 15, 1875, his wife surviving him only until Nov. 25, 1875. Both were mem- bers of the Baptist church. Both branches of the Million family are of Scotch-Irish extraction. Marcus, the subject of this sketch, was born in Staf- ford county, Va., Jan. 22, 1818. When but a child he removed with his parents to Kentucky, and thence to Morgan county, where he grew to manhood, re- ceiving a common school education, and being reared to farm life. He was mar- ried in Greene county, March 22, 1842, to Mary Drum, a native of Madison county, born March 5, 1817. After their marriage they returned to Morgan county, where they resided about two years, and then removed to Rubicon township, Greene county, where he still resides. When he first came to the county he had scarcely any capital, but energy, perseverance and willing hands have accumulated for him 240 acres of land in a good state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Million have been blessed

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with a family of 11 children-Lovenia Jane, born Jan. 21, 1843; Lucian B., born Aug. 4, 1844, died Feb. 2, 1865, while at home on a sick furlough; Hes- ter Ann, born March 14, 1848; Mary C., born Oct. 12, 1850, died Jan. 21, 1859; Emma R., born June 28, 1852; Tempie L., born Aug. 24, 1855; Eliza D., born April 21, 1857, died Nov. 5, 1877; Sarah E., born Jan. 20, 1859; Elijah E., born Sept. 18, 1861. Rev. and Mrs. Million are members of the United Baptist church, of which he was ordained a min- ister. When young, he taught singing school, deriving much pleasure there- from. He is a moral, industrious man, meriting the respect and esteem of all his acquaintances.

Alfred C. Range, a settler of Rubicon township, was born in Washington county, Tenn., September 18, 1826, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Hun- phreys) Range. They were natives of Tennessee, but the ancestors on his father's side were from Pennsylvania, and were of German descent, and on the mother's side were of Irish extraction. His father followed farming. Alfred C. was the fourth of a family of five chil- dren, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and received such educa- tion as the common schools afforded, but by reading, he acquired a good edu- cation and stored away quite an abund- ance of useful, practical knowledge, and has a library containing many valuable works. Mr. Range was married in Tennessee, Jan. 13, 1848, to Catherine Miller, a native of that state, born March 29, 1826. Mr. Range moved to Illinois, in 1858, arriving in Greene county, Oct. 16. He lived here until the fall of 1865, when he took a trip to

Kansas, and after remaining there a short time, he returned to Greene county, and settled on his present farm on the northeast quarter, of section 27, in this township, in March 1871. The farm contains 59 acres of land in a good state of cultivation, on which Mr. Range makes quite a specialty of fruit raising. Mrs. Range died Oct. 3, 1869, leaving a family of 12 children -- Mary E., Isaac M., Grace M., John G., Martin K., William H., Solomon F., Julia A., James M., Os- car E., Lewis A., Charles E. and Frank W. Mr. Range was again married Jan. 6, 1874, to Mrs. Rebecca S (Miller) Sulli- van, widow of Cornelius Sullivan, a native of Ireland, who were the parents of three children-Benjamin C., Nora C. and Margaret H. Mr. Sullivan died in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Range are the par- ents of two children-Ada L. and Robert F. Mr. Range is a property holder in Greenfield, and is a highly re- spected citizen of Rubicon township, in which he resides.

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History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 104

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150