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 112

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 112

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John L. Goode was born on the farm and homestead now occupied by his father, in this township, July 25, 1851. He is a son of William B. and Eliza A. (Davidson) Goode. John obtained his education in the district schools of the township. He remained at home until he was 19 years of age, and was then married, Oct. 30, 1870, to Abigail Pink- erton. She was born about a half mile east of Berdan, May 7, 1854, and is a daughter of James G. and Martha A. (Waltrip) Pinkerton. After marriage, Mr. Goode resided upon some land which he rented from his father, for about two years, and then moved on a farm of his own, situated about three-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

quarters of a mile north of his father's farm, He remained there until Oct., 1878, when he sold out and removed to his present location, on the northwest quarter of section 22, in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Goode had one child born to them-Lillie May, born May 13, 1873. On Feb. 24, 1885, Mrs. Goode was taken away from this world, hav- ing been afflicted with derangement of the nerves. Her remains were interred in Hickory Grove cemetery. Her loss was deeply mourned by relatives and friends. Mr. Goode is very comfortably fixed, and has 140 acres of land, all well improved, except 10 acres of timber land. He is a member of Hickory Grove Baptist church, as was also his wife, before her death. In politics, he is a democrat.

Lemuel Stubblefield came to this township in 1830. He had come to the county some three years previous, and settled near Carrollton. When he came here he located upon some land on see- tion 7.

James H. Stubblefield was born in Tennessee in 1817, he being a son of Lemuel and Jane (Henry) Stubblefield, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. With his parents, James came to Illinois in 1821, and located in Randolph county. In 1827 they came to Greene county and settled near Car- rollton. Three years later they removed to section 7, Wrights township, where James still resides. He was united in marriage, in 1849, with Martha Johnson, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of John L. Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Stubblefield have eight chil- dren-Mary W., a teacher, at home; James H., who died in 1853; Laura J.,

at home; Arabella, teacher, at home Mattie, wife of Albert Allen, of Pal- myra; John H., at home; William S. engineer on the C. B. &. Q .; Frank, attending school at White Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Stubblefield and their daughters are members of the M. E. church. Ile is the owner of 298 acres of improved land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and makes a specialty of fine hogs, of the Poland-China variety. He keeps thoroughbreds on hand for sale at all times. He also handles Clydesdale and Norman horses, and high bred short-horn cattle, and now has on hand a half-breed Clyde stallion. He is a stock-holder in the Greene County Agricultural Society, of which he has been a director several terms. His education was received in the prim- ative log school house, of early days, and, although he began life a poor boy, by industry and economy he has sue- ceeded in gaining competency.

Charles Bradshaw came to this town- ship from Morgan county, in 1831, and settled down upon a farm on section 4. Here he resided until called to "that land from whose bourne no traveler ever returns."

Perry Bradshaw, a native of White county, Tenn., was born May 17, 1828, and is a son of Charles and Mary A. (Baker) Bradshaw, natives of South Carolina. The former was born March 26, 1795, and the latter Jan. 26, 1801. They were married in 1820, in Tennes- see, where they had previously removed, and become acquainted. They removed to Morgan county, Ill., in 1828, where they remained until the spring of 1831, when they came to this county, settling on section 4, Wrights township. They

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

were the parents of 16 children-Elvira, deceased; John; Joel, deceased; Mary, deceased; William M .; Perry; Vance, deceased; Charles, deceased; Nancy; Francis M .; Mary J .; Frances, de- ceased; Drusilla, deceased; Lucinda; Andrew J., deceased; and George W., deceased. Mr. B. was one of the early settlers of this township, and resided here until his death, Dec. 23, 1869. He was county commissioner during the years 1846-7-8, and also served his town- ship in various official capacities. His wife still survives him, at an advanced age, and resides at the old homestead. Perry was about three years old when his parents came to this county, and was reared upon a farm within a mile of where he now resides, and obtained his education at the district schools of the neighborhood. He was married, March 28, 1849, to Phoebe Wise, a native of this state, and a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Barrow) Wise, the former a na- tive of Virginia, and the latter of Ken- tucky. By this union there were four children, all of whom are dead-Min- erva E., Ann M., George M., and Na- home. Mrs. Bradshaw died Nov. 15,

1856. Mr. Bradshaw was again mar- ried, March 18, 1860, to Elizabeth J. Wells, born in this county, March 6, 1844. She was a daughter of James F. and Eliza C. (Ford) Wells, the latter afterward becoming the wife of James Baird. Mrs. Bradshaw's father was born March 6, 1822, and died in 1850; her mother was born June 13, 1823, and died Jan. 30, 1878. They were married, Sept. 8, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw are the parents of 12 children-Laura J., born July 3, 1861; Oliver P., born Jan. 19, 1863; Albert J., born Oct. 23, 1864;

Charles F., born March 14, 1867; Lewis A., born Nov. 28, 1868; William R., born April 18, 1871, died Oet. 28, 1873; John E., born Jan. 6, 1873; Shannon O., born April 20, 1875; Miner D., born Aug. 1, 1877, died May 29, 1879; Edith E., born Jan. 24, 1879; Mary C., born March 25, 1881; and Bernice A., born Feb. 16, 1883. Mr. Bradshaw has 373 acres of land, all well improved except 40 acres. He has served as school di- rector almost constantly for the past 30 years, and in politics is a republican. He is a member of the Christian church, and is noted for his honesty and integ- rity.

William Jones settled in Wrights township in 1833, entering the farm now known as the Wright's place. He was a native of Christian county, Ky., and was a resident of that state until coming here. He died on this place in 1853.

Thomas Wright made a settlement in this township in 1833. A sketch of this pioneer is here inserted.

Thomas Wright, Sr., one of the early settlers, came to Greene county in the fall of 1833, and entered 240 acres of land in Wrights township, 80 of which was timber land. He was a widower at that time, but he returned to Barren county, Ky., that fall, and was married to Mary Snowden, a native of that county, Nov. 12, 1833. The following March, Mr. Wright returned to this county and resided upon the farm now owned by J. K. Farrelly, until the fall of 1834, when, having erected a cabin, he removed his family thereto. He was born in North Carolina, Aug. 11, 1777, and spent his early life there. He after- ward removed to Kentucky, where he was married to Elizabeth B. Bell, a na-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

tive of that state. They were the parents ship in 1835, and locating on section 5, of eight children-George M., Felix I'., has made it his residence ever since. Margaret, Stephen, Elizabeth, Eleanor, Parmelia, and White. All are deceased OTHER PROMINENT CITIZENS. except Elizabeth, and George M. The former resides in Christian county, Ill., and the latter at Sedalia, Mo. Mrs. Wright, the first wife, died in Kentucky. By his second marriage to Mary Snow- den, who was born Jan. 30, 1796, there were four children-Andrew J., Thomas, Robert W., and Nancy, deceased. Mr. Wright's death occurred March 3, 1851, and his wife survived him until Dec. 11, 1869, when she, too, passed away.

Thomas Wright, Jr., was born upon the farm on which he now resides, Dec. 27, 1835, and with the exception of Par- ham Thaxton, is the oldest man now liv- ing in the county, who was born upon the same forty on which they now reside. He was a son of Thomas and Mary (Snowden) Wright. Thomas obtained his education in the district schools of this township, being one of the scholars in the pioneer schools of those days. He was married Feb. 25, 1869, to Ange- line Goode, born Jan. 28, 1848. She was a daughter of William B. and Eliza (Davidson) Goode. By this marriage there are three interesting children- William M., born Jan. 23, 1870; George W., born July 8, 1876; Mary L., born Oct. 21, 1881. Mr. Wright is in very comfortable circumstances, having 420 acres of land, part of which is timber. Ile has served the county in the offices of coroner and constable. His political views are democratic. His industry, energy and perseverance, which have been marked characteristics, have been rewarded with success.

Robert M. Close came to this town-

Samuel Cunningham, deceased, was born in Marion county, Ky., Feb. 16, 1818, his parents being Robert and Nancy Cunningham, the former being a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Cunningham came to Greene county in 1853, and settled on the southwest quarter of seetion 36, Wrights township, where he lived until his death occurred, March 5, 1880. He was married in Dec., 1850, to Emeline E. Cooper, a daughter of Edmund L. and Mary (Perry) Cooper, whose sketch appears in another chapter of this book. They had nine children born to them- Robert L., born Oct. 1, 1851; Wm. B., born March 4, 1854, died Jan. 18, 1868; Richard, born Dec. 3, 1855, died Oet. 5, 1856; Belle, born March 19, 1864, died Jan. 18, 1868; Mary E., born Nov. 19, 1866, died Feb. 27, 1868; Henry, born Sept. 7, 1857; Geo. W., born Oct. 10, 1859; Lewis, born Jan. 13, 1862; Ann J .; born Feb. 28, 1869, died Dec. 19, 1879. Mr. Cunningham was long a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, living a life consistent with his profession, and establishing a name and reputation of which those who succeed him may justly feel proud. At the time of his death he had accumulated con- siderable property, and was ranked among the wealthy and solid men of the county. Mrs. Cunningham and chil- dren own 770 acres of land, all in a high state of cultivation, and continue in the steps of their predecessor as successful operators of the same.

Samuel Doyle, deceased, was born in

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

North Carolina, in 1786, his father being a native of England and his mother of Seotland. His father died in the state of Kentucky, and his mother in North Carolina. Samuel was reared in North Carolina, and was there married to Ma- hala Lovelace, also a native of that state. This marriage was blessed with nine children-Isaac, Naney, Alethea, Gregory, Celia, Thomas, John, James and Matilda. Mr. Doyle came to Greene county, Ill., in the fall of 1829, settling on Apple Creek Prairie, about five miles west of White Hall, on See. 36, T. 12, R. 12. He only lived about a year after settling there, as he died in Oct., 1830. Mrs. Doyle survived her husband about 15 years, departing this life at the old homestead west of White Hall.

Thomas Doyle, son of Samuel and Mahala (Lovelace) Doyle, was born in the state of Kentucky, Jan. 15, 1809. He lived there until coming to this county in the fall of 1830. He was married in Kentucky, Jan. 27, 1829, to Mary Coats, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of John and Rachel (Rich- ardson) Coats, also natives of that state, where they afterward died. When Mr. Doyle had decided on coming to this county, where his father had already located, he had made all necessary pre- parations and was just ready to start on the journey, when he received the sad intelligence of the death of his father. He was not able to arrive here in time to see his remains before burial, al- though he made a very quick trip, eon- sidering the mode of travel in those days, being only 15 days on the road. Mr. Doyle located west of White Hall, near where his father had settled, built

a log cabin and resided there about five years and a half. He then moved to his present location, on section 25, in Wrights township, where he has since remained. He has a fine farm of 280 aeres, all of which is improved, and he pays some attention to the raising of stock. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living-Mahala, Arena, John, James, Nancy, Isaae, Perry, and Mar- eus, deceased. The entire family have been blessed with good health, and their parents have lived to see all their chil- dren attain manhood and womanhood; but the cold hand of the grim destroyer snatched from them their youngest, Marcus, Sept. 14, 1884, in the 36th year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle are members of the Baptist church, having united with that society 35 years ago. In politics Mr. Doyle is a democrat. IIe is an old and much respected citizen of this township and county, and has been a kind and generous father to his chil- dren, having given each of his sons land, ete., to start in life for themselves.

James Dodgson was born in Greene county, May 14, 1831. Heis a son of John and Lueinda (Brown) Dodgson, the former being a native of England, and the latter of Illinois. John came to this country from England about the year 1820, settling about two miles north of Carrollton, Greene county, Ill. He afterward removed one-half mile east of where he first settled, and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1848, he then being about 54 years of age. He was married in this county to Lucinda Brown, who died in the spring of 1880. James Dodgson, the subject of this sketeh, was united in marriage, Sept.

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28, 1852, with Sarah Lee, a daughter of Green and Mary (Hamilton) Lee. Green Lee was born May 8, 1791, and his wife was born May 29, 1790, and they were among the early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Dodgson are the parents of six children-Mary F., born July 10, 1853; Ann, born July 7, 1857; Hardin, born Oct. 2, 1860; Emma, born Aug. 24, 1863; Etna, born Aug. 21, 1867; and Freddie, born April 7, 1871. Mr. Dodg- son now owns 233 acres of land, and carries on general farming. He is a member of White Hall M. E. church, and, in polities is a republican.

William T. Cooper, deceased, was born in Kentucky, Sept. 25, 1826. He was a son of Edmund L. and Mary (Perry) Cooper, natives of Virginia. They reside in this county, about three miles west of Greenfield. They are the oldest couple now living in the county, and they represent five generations, he being about 86 years of age, and she about 92. William came with his par- ents to this county, settling on the farm now occupied by his widow, and there he ever afterward resided. He was married April 17, 1856, to Margaret C. Johnson, born in this county, Aug. 16, 1837, and a daughter of Joel and Nancy (Banning) Johnson. The former was a native of this state, and was indenti- fied with its interests until his death, in Dec., 1873. The latter was also a native of this state, and died about the year 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were the parents of 10 children-Owen, born June 26, 1857, died Aug. 26, 1878; Rosa J., born April 15, 1860, died March 9, 1885; George E., born March 29, 1864, living with his mother on the farm; William E., born March 26, 1866, also

at home; Martha A., born April 17, 1868, living at home; Minnie L., born June 5, 1872; Mary, born May 10, 1875; Alvin, born June 11, 1862, died Sept. 1, 1863, and two who died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. Cooper was engaged in farming during his lifetime. His death occurred July 19, 1875, he being a victim to that dreadful disease, consumption. He was a man who was highly estecmed in the circle of his acquaintances, and dur- ing his life was a consistent member of the Hickory Grove Baptist church, of which his wife has also been a member. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Cooper has conducted the farm enter- prise, consisting of 200 acres, giving her own supervision to the management thereof. On the 22d of June, 1884, Mrs. Cooper was married to James Isaacs, a native of Kentucky, born in 1855.

John O. Carmody was born in county Clare, Ireland, in 1835, his parents be- ing John and Honora(O'Brien) Carmody, both natives of the same country, the former having died about 1845, in Ire- land, and the latter in this township, in 1883. She came to this country to make her home with her son, John O., who came to America in 1852, landing at New Orleans. From there he went to Alton, Ill., where for two years he worked as a laborer, and then came to Greene county and rented a farm one year. He then entered 40 acres of land on section 19, Wrights township, on which he resided 15 years, and then moved three-quarters of a mile south, on the same section, where he still lives. He commenced life a poor boy, and by industry and economy has succeeded in getting 240 acres of improved land,

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which will have a tendency to make his declining years more pleasant John O. Carmody and Ellen Griffin, a native of county Clare, Ireland, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony, in 1856. Their union has been blessed with six children-James, of Carrollton; Daniel, John, Thomas, William and Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Carmody and family are members of the Catholic church.

Patrick Ryan. deceased, was born in Tipperary county, Ireland, March 27, 1828, and was a son of Michael and Mary Ryan, who died when Patrick was quite young. He then went to live with an unele, from whom he did not receive very good treatment, and accordingly he left and went to work on a farm, where he continued for four years, saving in that time about $325. He then set sail for America, and after landing, came as far west as Illinois, settling in Greene county about the year 1858. He worked on a farm then for nearly four years, when he was married Sept. 1, 1861, to Margaret Welsh, a daughter of Thomas and Catharine Welsh, natives of Ireland. Margaret was born Jan. 14, 1835, and came to this country with her brother, arriving in Jerseyville, on New Year's day, 1852. Their parents died in Ire- land. The brother, with whom she came, is also dead, having departed this life Oct. 26, 1876, at the home of his sister, Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan were the parents of five children, Mary E., Katie and Maggie, twins; Emma M., and James. After marriage, Mr. Ryan rented, for three years, when he settled on a farm on section 15, Wrights township, where he lived until his death Dec. 30, 1875. Mr. Ryan was a mem- ber of the Catholic church, an honest

and industrious man, and was much thought of by all who knew him. He began life as a laborer and farm hand, then as renter, and at the time of his death, had accumulated enough property to keep his family in comfortable cir- cumstances, so that they have no fear of want. Mrs. Ryan is now living upon the farm of Sylvanus Barnett, keeping house for him, although she owns a nice farm of 100 aeres, besides a house and lot in Alton. She is a member of the Catholic church, as are also the other members of the family.

Anthony Cunningham was born in Ireland, on the 15th of August, in the year 1818. He is a son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Morris) Cunningham, also natives of Ireland. llis father died there, about the year 1838, and his mother survived him about 10 years. When Anthony was about 29 years of age, he decided to come to America, and embarking on the E. E. Perkins, arrived here after a journey of two months. He landed at New Orleans, where he worked for some time, and afterward traveled considerably through Missouri, and as far east as Pennsyl- vania. He was married Dec. 25, 1853, to Mary Roly, a native of Ireland. By this marriage they are the parents of 7 children-Winifred, deceased; George R., Edward R., Mary J., James, deeeas- ed, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Cunningham has 190 acres of good land, part of which is timber, and he is com- fortably situated. Ile and his family have been members of the Catholic church since infancy. Politically, he is a democrat. Mrs. Cunningham's parents, James and Winifred (Costello) Roly, died in Ireland, their native country.

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IHISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Thomas Moore was born in county Carlow, Ireland, Aug. 15, 1826, and is a son of Edward and Ellen (Ilayden) Moore, natives of Ireland. Ilis father died about the year 1820, and his mother about 1850. Thomas came to America in 1843, sailing on the ship Java, and landed at Quebec, Canada, about the middle of April. Hle then went to Boston, where he remained about a year, then spent a year in the state of New York, when he went to Texas, where he staid about six months. He then re- moved to Louisiana, and soon afterward went to Mississippi, where he remained about a year, then went to St. Louis, Mo., remaining there until he came to Illinois. In Oct., 1852, he was married to Mary Rowly, a native of Ireland. They have a family of eight children living-Mary, Rose A., Thomas, Ellen, Edward, James, Frank and Elizabeth. Mr. Moore has 110 acres of land, most of which is timber. By perseverance andindustry, he succeeds in making a comfortable living. In politics, he is a democrat. The family are members of the Catholic church.

Robert L. Cunningham, a native of Marion county, Ky., was born in 1851, and is a son of Samuel and Emeline (Cooper) Cunningham. In 1852, he came to Greene county, Ill., with his parents, and settled three miles west of Greenfield. Robert worked on the home farm until 1877, when he was united in marriage with Mary Jane Jones, a na- tive of this county, and a daughter of Enoch Jones. Mr and Mrs. Cunning- ham have had four children born to them-Mary E., George W., Cynthia E. and Nellie. He is a member of the Baptist church, while his wife affiliates

with the Presbyterians. He now owns 120 acres of land, 40 of which is timber, and he is engaged in general farming. In politics he is a staunch republican. The father of Robert departed this life in 1879,and was interred in the Hickory Grove cemetery. In life he was a con- sistent member of the Cumberland Pres- byterian church, and held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. Robert's mother is still living on the old homestead, she also being a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

Joseph White is a native of the state of Ohio, and was born in 1831, his pa- rents being John and Elizabeth White, both of whom were natives of the same state, the former having departed this life in 1859, aged 74 years, and the lat- ter in 1858, aged 65 years. In 1857, Joseph White and Arminda McGuire, a native of Ohio, were united in marriage. Their union was blessed with seven children-Albert, Olive, Annie, John- nie and Ida, living at home. They had the misfortune to lose two children by the hand of the grim destroyer. Mr. White learned the carpenter trade at the age of 19 years, which he continued to follow until 1867, when he began his agricultural pursuits. In 1865, he re- ·moved to Illinois, and located at White Ilall, where he worked at his trade for one year. He then bought 40 acres of land on section 7, Wrights township, where he has lived ever since, engaged in general farming. He has added to his possessions, until he now has 120 acres of land, to which he devotes his care and attention, and by industry and thrift has deservedly earned a repu- tation as a model farmer.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

EDUCATIONAL.

School district No. 1 .- The first build- ing for school purposes in this district, which is also known as Jericho, was a log cabin after the pioneer style, erected in the fall of 1840 or 1841, about a quar- ter of a mile south of where Thomas Featherston now resides. The pioneer teacher of this school, was Abraham Spencer, afterward county clerk. This building was afterward removed to a point about half a mile northwest of where the present building stands. It was used by the district here until the present school house was erected in the fall of 1863, by William Lorton, and a man by the name of Copley. Par- ham Thaxton spread the mortar upon the ceiling and walls with his charac- teristic style and ability for such work. The building is about 18x24 feet in size, and cost about $500. The first term of school in this building was taught by R. A. Short. The present teacher is Mag- gie Carlina. The directors for 1885 are -J. C. Rafferty, J. H. Stinnet, and J. M. Short.

School district No. 2 .- The first house for educational purposes in this district was erected in the fall of 1862, and is still standing on the original site, on the northeast quarter of section 3. The first term of school was taught by a Mr. Smith, familiarly known as "Limpy," as he was somewhat lame. William L. Lorton, Perry Bradshaw and W. J. Davis, were the first directors. The building, which is still in use, is a frame structure, 20x26 feet, in dimension, and was erected at an expenditure of 8425. At the time of building, it was consid- ered a very fine school house, but it has outlived its usefulness, and will doubt-

less soon be replaced by another. The present board of directors are-Perry Bradshaw, James E. Davis and George W. Hutton.

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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 112

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