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 120

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 120

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Thomas Hobson was a native of Cum- berland county, Eng. In his 13th year his parents, James and Elizabeth Ilob- son, crossed the Atlantic. During the autumn of 1822, land having been pre- viously purchased, the little party of emigrants settled down to farm life in

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Greene county. On their arrival, the family consisted of the husband, wife and six children-Peter, John, Thomas, Robert, Mary and Jane. The home- stead, comprising 320 acres, was un- broken, save three acres, on which was erected a small cabin composed of logs. The neighbors of those days were few, but generous to a fault, and all were on an equal footing as regards finances, or nearly so. In 1839 James Hobson, the father, departed to a home not made with hands. A true type of the hardy Briton, of an extremely energetic dispo- sition, he accumulated wealth for the period of time in which he lived, erect- ing during the days of his earlier man- hood the substantial brick building where the subject of this sketch now re- sides. Three years after the death of this pioneer, the wife and mother, a most estimable lady, also passed away. Thomas was then in his 33d year, mar- ried, having united his fortunes with Catherine Chorn, by whom he had two children, now living-James and John. Mrs. Hobson died March 6, 1854, and was laid at rest in the Mount Pleasant cemetery. March 11, 1858, Mr. Hobson was married to Elizabeth Ann Tribble, by whom he had two children, not liv- ing, whose names were Elizabeth G. and Mary O.

Peter J. Hobson was born in Greene county, Ill., in March, 1845, his par- ents being Thomas and Catherine (Chorn) Hobson, his father a native of England, his mother of Kentucky. His father came to Greene county in 1822, and located on Sec. 29, T. 10, R. 12, where he built a log cabin and lived there for some years. He then built a brick house, moulding and burning the

briek himself, and the brick honse that our subject now lives in is the same one built by Thomas Hobson some 50 years ago, and in which he resided until his death, which occurred January 16, 1881. Peter J., the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm, remaining with his parents during their lifetime. His mother died when he was only nine years of age. He has always resided at the old homestead. Mr. Hobson was united in marriage July 27, 1881, with Effie C. Cannaday, daughter of William and Mary C. Cannaday. This union has been blessed with two bright children-John C. and Myrtle G. In August, 1884, Mr. Hobson took a trip to Harvey county, Kan., on a visit and also for the purpose of examining the land, but he did not like the country and, therefore, did not purchase. He owns 162 acres of land on section 29, Carrollton township, and 160 aeres in Montgomery county. He is in very comfortable circumstances, and is an industrious, intelligent and enterprising citizen, highly esteemed by all. Mr. and Mrs. Hobson are members of the Baptist church at Carrollton.

William J. Brown came to Carrollton township in 1822, from St. Clair county, this state, whither he had gone from: Kentucky, in 1821. He settled on sec- tion 22, of this township, where he re- sided until 1846, when he removed to Hancock county, but after a residence there and in Scott county, returned, and is now living in Linder township.

David Norton moved from Utica, N. Y., in 1823, to a home in Greene county, locating on Sec. 27, T. 10, R. 12, enter- ing 80 acres of land. lle lived here until his death.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

In 1824, John, James, William and Edward Hardcastle, natives of Mary- land, came to Carrollton, then but a collection of log cabins, and opened a carpenter and cabinet shop, in connec- tion with their farming operations. They were the sons of James and Eliz- abeth (Clarke) Hardcastle. They re- sided here for many years, respected citizens of the county.

About 1826, William Lee made his appearance in this county, and for a time worked for other parties, but finally located on section 33. There he made his residence until his death. He was a native of England, and his wife, Sus- annah (Miller) Lee, of Pennsylvania. William came to this country when but 17 years of age, locating at first in Indi- ana. He died here, July 19, 1854.

Jordan Howard is a native of New York state, born in the year 1808. He there passed his earlier years. At 16 he accompanied his parents, Sylvester and Lydia Howard, to the broad prairies of southern Illinois. The family settled permanently in Morgan county, on a farm. Jordan settled in Greene county, as early as 1826. In what is now com- prised in the city of Carrollton, there stood an old frame building, erected for a tannery, and here the youth became instructed in the mysteries of the trade. Remaining in this capacity for a num- ber of years, he eventually became a clerk for David Pearson, with him, in after years, transacting a successful mercantile business. In 1842, he was united in marriage with Eveline Ryder, a daughter of John Ryder. Two chil- dren blessed this union-Charles, who died in early infancy, and Mary, who married Thomas D. Price, one of the

editors of the Carrollton Gazette. Since his retirement from mercantile pursuits, Mr. Howard has devoted his time and attention to farming, owning 140 aeres in one of the best townships of Greene county. Mrs. Howard passed to the other world, Sept. 1, 1857.

Absalom Clark, with his family, set- tled in Carrollton township in 1826, about a mile from where John I. Thomas now lives. He died many years ago, a resident of the county. His son Joshua, then 16 year old, came with his father. He resided here until his death, in 1866. Another son, John, one of the oldest children, who has been residing in Idaho, is now living with Franklin Clark, the youngest of the family, near Virden, Macoupin county.

Lemuel Stubblefield, in 1827, came from Tennessee, and located near Car- rollton, where he resided about three years, when he removed to Wrights township, where he died.

Thomas Lakin settled near Carrollton in 1827. He built a cabin, and with his wife and family, lived here until death removed him in 1841. His wife died in 1854. He came to this locality from Sangamon county, Ill., but had origin- ally came from Ohio, He was the father of Alexander Lakin, of this county, men- tioned elsewhere.

Leonard Brace came to this section in the spring of 1828,and settled on a tract near the town of Carrollton, and now included within the limits of that city. He was a native of Herkimer county, N. Y., born in 1796. In Litchfield, in that county, he was united in marriage with Julia Eldred, about 1818 or 1820. In 1828, they came west, and located as above. He had been a soldier of the

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

war of 1812-15, and had made a gallant record. Mr. Brace at once commenced farming, but in a few months he was snatched from his family by the hands death. This was in 1829. He was bur. ied at a point about two miles north- west of the Carrollton cemetery. His widow is still a resident of the county seat. He was the parent of six children, five of whom are living-Joshua T., Thaddeus W .; Clara M., wife of Edward Ferguson; Ann E. and Curtius W. All of these children, although young at the time of coming here, are to be ranked with the old settlers, by right of a con- tinuous residence of over 56 years.

During the year 1828, when Illinois was a far western point, Mrs. Brown, in order to give her children a start in the world, migrated to Greene county, set- tling on the farm now owned by John Brown, of this county. Here this ener- getic lady settled down to the hard task of making a comfortable home. Mrs. Brown was a native of North Carolina, a most kindly woman, and merited the respect of her pioneer neighbors.

In 1828, also, came Henry Brooks, and made a settlement in what is now Carrollton township, about a mile and a quarter west of the county seat. He was a native of Virginia, but was reared in Kentucky, where he was married. He was the father of 13 children, some of whom are still residents of the county.

Thomas J. Short came from his home in Summertown, Tenn., to Greene county, in the fall of 1829. He was born in Tennessee, Sept. 27, 1805, and was married to Catherine Overby. On coming to this county, being in very poor circumstances, he rented land in

Carrollton township, but soon settled in Rubicon township. He died Aug. 10, 1876.

Eli Witt settled in Greene county in 1829. He was a native of Jefferson county, Tenn., of English ancestry. At the age of 21 he was united in marriage with Nancy MeNealy. He was engaged in farming in the county of his nativity until Dec., 1829, when he immigrated to this county, settling in the township of Carrollton. Here he resided some years when he removed to Texas, but later returned and bought a farm east of Carrollton, where he resided until over- taken by death, in Oct., 1851. He had been a soldier of the war 1812. With him came his son, Randolph, then a young man of 19 years.

On the 12th of Nov., 1829, William Winn and family settled in this town- ship, about four miles west of the town of Carrollton. The land where the pio- neers settled was unbroken, requiring the muscle of the head of the family to subdue it. Here he lived for many years, in a simple manner, his wants few be- cause easily satisfied. He died in Car- rollton.

This part of the state seemed to have had a strong attraction for the emigrants from England. In 1830, John Wright, a native of Yorkshire, Eng., came to this county, and located on section 15, where he remained until he died, March 23, 1865.

Col. Purnell Short, a Kentuckian, came to Carrollton township from his "native heath," about 1830, and located near the county scat. He resided here only about a year, when he removed to Woodville township, where he died.

Peter Montague Brown came to Car-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

rollton, in 1830, and carried on carpen- tering until 1836, when he bought the stock of Shackelford, Hodges & Co., and entered into mercantile life, but dis- continued it after about two years.

Benjamin B. Powell made a settle- ment in Carrollton township in the fall of 1830. He was a native of Tennessee, born July 24, 1801. His parents came to Illinois as early as 1805 or 6, where they died, and Benjamin went back to Tennessee, and later to Alabama, where he married a Miss Lancaster. He re- moved to Illinois as above stated. His wife died in 1831, and was among the first to be interred in the Carrollton cemetery. He again married Phoebe Wood. He died a resident of the county, in Woodville township, Dec. 9, 1874.

John Dowdall came to Carrollton, in 1831, and after a short stay in that vil- lage moved on to a farm about four miles southeast of that place, where he lived many years.

Henry Ballard, a native of Onandaga county, N. Y., came to Greene county in 1831, from Ohio, where he had been living, and located in this township. He was a carpenter by trade, and helped build some of the earliest carding ma- chines in the county. His family found the fever and ague so prevalent in this locality, that in the fall of 1832 he re- turned to Athens county, O., where they lived until 1844, when they returned to Greene county. Mrs. Ballard had been formerly Margaret Anderson. They had some six children. Mr. Ballard died in this county, Nov. 10, 1858, and his wife Nov. 26, 1861.

Elisha Barnard came to Greene county in 1835, and settled in what is

now Carrollton township. Here he re- sided until 1842. when he was snatched from his loving family by death.

Mathew Stone located in Carrollton in 1833, where he resided until 1841, when he moved to Macoupin county, where he died in 1845.

OTHER PROMINENT CITIZENS.

Willis Randall Pinkerton was born in Greene county, Ill., March 31, 1827, his parents being David and Celia (Barnes) Pinkerton. They were natives of Vir- ginia and North Carolina, and eame to Greene county in 1823, locating on sec- tion 25, T. 11, R. 12, where they entered about 300 acres of land, on which they built a log cabin, in which Willis R. was born. They resided here until about 1837, when they built a frame house, a story and a half high, in which his father lived until his death, Oct. 4, 1853. His wife survived him until April 6, 1863. Willis R. was reared to farm life, assist- ing his parents in their farm labors un- til he was about 26 years of age. He then began life for himself, locating on SO acres of land, that was left to him by his father, and has ever since resided there, on the homestead. He was mar- ried, Oct. 7, 1858, to Mary E. King, daughter of Samuel P. and Elizabeth (Sawyer) King. By this marriage there were seven children, six of whom are living-Eva E., Ulysses S., David S., Rhoda E., Martha R., and Mary D. The one deceased is Celia A., who died April 25, 1865. Mr. Pinkerton has added some to his original SO acres, so that now he has a good farm of 160 aeres, which is under cultivation, and comfortably improved. Mrs. Pinkerton is a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

church at New Providence. Mr. Pink- erton holds a letter from the United Baptist church at Hickory Grove, this county. He is an industrious farmer, and well respected citizen. His politi- cal views are democratic.

Michael L. Carmody was born in county Clare, Ireland, in Sept., 1820, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Lyden) Car- mody, natives of Ireland. In 1849, Michael left the Emerald Isle, went to Liverpool, and took passage on a vessel, sailing for New Orleans. From there he came up to Greene county, Ill., ar- riving in the latter part of Dec., 1849. He then worked for one man by the month, and saved enough money in a year to bring his brother and sister out to this country. He continued working by the month for about three years, buy- ing some land in the meantime, and on the 12th of Sept., 1853, was married to Honora Nagle, daughter of John and Bridget (Carmody) Nagle. This union was blessed with nine children, five of whom are living-Mary, wife of John Carmody, residing in Carrollton; Mag- gie, wife of John Dunworth, living in Carrollton township; Ellen, Michael J. and Timothy U. Those deceased are- William T. and Bridget, who died with the scarlet fever, John and Honora. Mr. Carmody now owns 579 acres of land in this township, and deals in stock of all grades, buying and selling, mostly Durham cattle and hogs. He was the third Irishman to locate in Greene county, and he has by economy, indus- try and good habits acquired a vast amount of wealth and a good home, and but few of his nationality have succeeded in gaining the wealth, prosperity and friends which Mr. Carmody is blessed

with. He and his family are devout members of the Catholic church, at Car- rollton. Mr. Carmody's parents came to Greene county, Ill., in 1853, and re- sided with him for several years. His father died in Sept., 1860, and his mother May 12, 1881. Both are buried in the Carrollton cemetery. Connor and Honora, Mr. Carmody's brother and sister, landed in Greene county July 12, 1850, and were employed by the month until they were married. John and Mar- garet, the younger brother and sister, came to this county in 1852. John en- listed in Co. F, 1st Mo. Cav., and served through the war, when he was dis- charged. Thomas, another brother, came here in 1851. The whole family were persuaded to come to this country by Michael, who came first, and was so impressed with this country that he in. fluenced them to come also.

John B. Schnelt was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1837, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Bohm) Schnelt, natives of Germany. He engaged in farming, while in the old country, until 1860, when he took leave of home and friends and went to Bremen, where he set sail on a vessel bound for New Or- leans. On arriving there he came up to St. Louis, where he remained until the spring of 1883, working in the sugar fac- tory most of the time. While there he was married, in 1865, to Mary Rowe, a daughter of Bernhardt and Margaret Rowe. In the spring of 1883, he came to Greene county and located with his brothers on section 30, where, in con- nection with them, his attention is now turned to farming.

Henry Schnelt, a brother of John B., left his fatherland in 1864, or four years

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. 1019

after John's departure, and taking pass- age at Bremen, sailed for New York, from which port he came west as far as St. Louis, where he remained three years, engaged in teaming. In 1867 he came to Greene county, and worked out by the month until 1871, when he, with two of his brothers, rented a farm on the same section, where they reside, which they farmed for three years. Then he and his brothers, Tobias and Lucas, bought 210 acres of land on Sec. 30, T. 10, R. 12, where they have since resided.

Tobias and Lucas Schnelt left Ger- many in 1868, sailing from Bremen on a vessel bound for New York, from where they came to St. Louis, where Lucas remained four years, working in the sugar factory. Tobias only remained about two months in St. Louis, when he came to Greene county, and was em- ployed by the month until 1871, when he and his brother Henry rented the farm for three years. Lucas came to Greene county that year, and they all farmed together. Aug. 13, 1875, the three brothers, Tobias, Lucas and Henry purchased 210 acres of land, as before mentioned, moved on to it and has since resided thereon. By hard labor and money saved by working by the month, they succeeded in saving enough to buy the farm and make a good home for them- selves, thus showing them to be hard- working, industrious, and enterprising men. They are now enjoying the fruits of their labor, and are highly esteemed by all of their acquaintances. Their mother, Elizabeth Schnelt, came to this country with Tobias and Lucas, and is now residing with her four sons, being at the ripe old age of 72 years, and en-

joying good health. The brothers are all democrats in politics.

Lewis Becker, a native of Baden, Germany, was born June 19, 1850, his parents being Ignatius and Catherine (Straub) Becker, natives of Germany. llis father was a tailor by trade, at which line of business he always worked until he came to this'country, with the exception of a few years that he farmed. March 10, 1865, Lewis, with his parents, left the fatherland, taking passage at Havre, on the ship Mereury, bound for New York. During the voyage 16 persons died, 12 children and four grown persons. One man had the small-pox and he was locked up in a box to keep the disease from spread- ing. On arriving at New York they came west as far as St. Louis, and from there came up to Calhoun county, where his parents remained nine years. After being there about four months, Lewis was taken down with the chills and was not able to do much for about two years. In the spring of 1868 he came to Greene county and was employed by Willian Bagby about 18 months, during which time Mr. Bagby died. IIe staid there that winter, and assisted Mrs. Bagby with the feeding and chores, attending school two months of the time. This was all the American schooling he re- ceived, but he had attended school eight years in Germany. Lewis next worked for Jehosophat Eldred for about five years. He then rented ground near Walkerville and put in a crop of wheat, but it was all frozen out that winter, and he only staid there one year, and then rented a farm of Schnelten brothers, west of Carrollton, on which he re- mained two years. He next rented a

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

farm of 240 acres from Geo. W. Wright and son, paying $1,200 per year, cash rent, and renting for five years. In 1882 he bought 108 acres of land on section 25, and in 1883 he moved on to it, and it has since been his home. He was mar- ried April 22, 1879, to Sophia Unger, daughter of Timothy and Christine Unger, and by this union there are four children-Anna C., Katie M., Lawrence F. and Joseph A. Lewis had to give all his wages to his parents until he was 21 years of age, so that his start in life did not begin until after that time; but by hard work and perseverance he suc- ceeded, and is now enjoying the fruits of his industry. But few know how our foreign people toil to make a beginning in life, but their labors usually reap a rich harvest. Mr. and Mrs. Becker are members of the Catholic church, at Car- rollton. In politics he is a democrat. In 1874, Mr. Becker's father, Ignatius Becker, with a family of six children, moved over from Calhoun county, and he is now living with Lewis. There were 12 children in the family, but one died in the old country, two in Calhoun county, and one was drowned while in Arkansas. Those living are-Lewis; Oswald, now in Washington territory; Reinhart, now in Arkansas; Annie, Sarah, Windelein, Romeon and Maggie. Mr. Becker thinks it would be profitable to most of our young American people to be in Germany three or four years, as it would teach them, first, to work; second, to save, and third, the value of a nickel or a dollar. There would not then be so many of them failing in bus- iness. But the way it is, they do not save in good times, and in hard times they haven't anything to save.

Henry Schnelten was born in Han- over, Germany, Jan. 3, 1847, and is the son of John B. and Mary (Schneider) Schnelten, natives of Germany. In 1866 he, with his parents and the rest of the family, bade adieu to fatherland and friends, and going to Bremen set sail for America. They landed at the city of Baltimore and from there came on to St. Louis, where they remained about one week and then came up to Greene county and resided with John Schneider about a year and a half. They then rented land from Robert Evans three years, and after that from Thomas Evans about five years, but in the meantime bought 187 acres of land from Robert Evans, on to which he moved and erect- ed a nice two story frame house at a cost of $2,000, where they have since resided. There were in the family, the father, mother, and five children, but one of these, John Herman, born April 1, 1845, died of typhoid fever in St. Louis, in the year 1867, and another, Bernard II., born June 15, 1854, died Oct. 30, 1881, at the home place, of the same disease. Their father died Sept. 22, 1878, and is buried in the Carrollton cemetery. Two of the brothers, Gerhardt and Henry, with their mother, are now residing at the homestead. Gerhardt was born Jan. 7, 1840, in Germany. He was married Jan. 6, 1878, to Elizabeth Guter, daughter of Anton and Ellen (Bruny) Guter. By this union there are four children-Mary, Ellen, Lizzie and Anna. John B. was born Sept. 14, 1850, in Hanover, Germany. He is now study- ing for the priesthood in Milwaukee. Henry and Gerhardt own a farm of 280 acres, 260 of which is under eultivation and 20 in timber. They have, by hard

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

work, untiring energy and perseverance, succeeded in making a good start in life and are now enabled to enjoy the fruits of their industry. The family are men- bers of the Catholic church at Carroll- ton and are held in high esteem by all.

James Flemming was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, about 1833, and is a son of Peter and Bridget (Burke) Flemming, natives of Ireland. In 1849 he decided to leave his native country, and going to Liverpool, sailed for Amer- ica on a vessel bound for New Orleans. From there he came up to Cincinnati, where he remained nine years, and was employed at hod-carrying and shoveling coal. While there he was married, in 1853, to Sarah Cavay, of Cincinnati. daughter of Patrick and Mary (Rodg- ers) Cavay. In 1858 Mr. Flemming came to Greene county, Ill., and located on section 10 in this township, where he bought 80 acres of land on which he soon afterward erected a nice frame house and has ever since resided here. Mr. Flemming arrived at Cincinnati with but a capital of $25, but by hard work, diligence and good management, he is now the possessor of a nice farm of 200 acres, wellimproved, on which is a good residence and outbuildings, and everything showing prosperity. Mr. and Mrs. Flemming are the parents of four children-Mary, wife of Michael Shallue, now residing near Greenfield; Bridget, wife of James Mack, who is now deceased; Patrick; and Kate, wife of Martin Layden, residing in Chicago. Mr. Flemming and family are members of the Catholic church. Few men of Mr. Flemming's nationality have been enabled to acquire the comforts of life which he now enjoys.

Michael McMahon was born in county Clare, Ireland, Dec. 8, 1832, his parents being John P. W. and Anna (Considine) McMahon, natives of Ireland. July 2, 1852, he left home and friends in his native country, and taking passage at Liverpool sailed for this country on a vessel bound for New Orleans. On ar- riving there he came up to Carrollton, where he worked out for about seven years, during which time he saved money enough to buy a house and lot, which he rented. He was engaged at making brick for about six years, and then began farming on land which he rented from Z. A. Morrow for one year. After that time he bought 120 acres of land from F. P. Vedder, on Sec. 36, T. 10, R. 12, on to which he moved and lived about 10 years. He then purchased 120 acres on the same section, on which he moved and has sinee resided He was married Nov. 1, 1859, to Honora Hogan, daugh- ter of Michael and Ann (Fitzpatrick) Hogan. They are the parents of 11 children, nine of whom are living- Thomas F., John S., Patrick Henry, Michael W., Ellen, Ann, Elizabeth, Sedalia and Honora. Mr. McMahon now owns 360 acres of land, 120 of which lies in T. 9, R. 11. He came to this country with no capital save willing hands, but by hard work, industry and economy, has accumulated a great deal of property, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor. He is an enterpris- ing, intelligent citizen, and hence asso- ciates with only our best people. He and his family are members of the Catholic church. His father, Patrick W., came to this country, in 1855, bringing with him the maiden who was soon afterward to become the wife of

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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 120

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