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 25

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 25

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been a firm believer in the christian re- ligion, owing in the first place to the early training of a pious mother, and in maturer years, to an intelligent appre- hension of the truth of. that religion taught in the bible. At the age of 16 he united with the Protestant Episcopal church, of which his mother was a member. He retained his predeliction for that society for some years, but there being no congregation of that denomi- nation in Jerseyville, in company with his wife he united, in March, 1852, with the First Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder since Jan. 4, 1866. Judge Warren is blessed with a devoted and intelligent wife, and their union has been blessed with nine children. The eldest, a son, died at the age of four years. Mattie D. became the wife of Dr. George S. Miles. Mary A. be- came the wife of Judge W. H. Pogue. Charles D. is a farmer. Harriet S. be- came the wife of Henry C. Lovel, who is a clerk in the United States treasury department at Washington. Mark A. is a merchant. George is a clerk in the store of his brother. Anna became the wife of Robert S. Powel, a farmer, and Frank is at home. Judge Warren is the oldest Odd Fellow in Jerseyville, as he became a member of Jerseyville Lodge No. 53, I. O. O. F., in 1849.

The 32d general assembly convened at Springfield, in Jan., 1881, and the district was represented in the senate by C. A. Walker, of Carlinville, Ma- coupin county, and in the house by John N. English, of Jersey, and Archelaus N. Yancey and Balfour Cowen, of Macoupin county.

In 1882, a new apportionment of the state was made, and the counties of

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Seott, Greene and Jersey were placed together in the 37th senatorial district. The 33d general assembly, which met in Springfield, in Jan., 1883, contained as the representative of this new district Frank M. Bridges, of Carrollton, in the senate, and W. E. Carlin, of Jersey, and George W. Murray and John H. Coats, of Seott county, in the house. This assembly adjourned June 18, 1883.

Major Walter E. Carlin, one of the prominent representative men of Jer- sey county, was born at Carrollton, Greene county, 111., April 11, 1844. His father was William Carlin, a farmer and . prominent man of Greene county, be- ing county clerk at one period, and holding the office of cireuit clerk at the time of his death in 1850. He was a brother of Hon. Thomas Carlin, onee governor of Illinois. William Carlin married Mary Goode, a native of Vir- ginia, who is still living. Walter E. was educated in the common schools of Carrollton, at the school of the Chris- tian Brothers, in St. Louis, and the Uni- versity of Wisconsin. Aug. the 17th, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, of the 38th Illinois Infantry. He was promo- ted to second lieutenant, then to first lieutenant, and finally to eaptain, but on aceount of his age, being under 19, he declined to accept the last commis- sion. He served for awhile on the staff of General Jefferson C. Davis, and later on the staff ofhis brother, General William P. Carlin, a graduate of West Point. He was highly commended by General Davis for his gallantry in the battles preceding that of Chickamauga, and in that bloody contest he had two horses shot under him. He served three years, and at the close of the war

was appointed second lieutenant in the regular army, but deelined. In the spring of 1878 he assisted in organizing the 15th battalion Illinois National Guards, and was elected major, which position he held five years, being eom- missioned by Gov. Cullom. On his re- turn from the army he served two years as deputy circuit elerk of Greene coun- ty, under his brother, Thomas J. Car- lin. In August, 1866, he engaged in banking with his brother-in-law, John Long, at Carrollton, the firm being Long & Co., and continued till 1870. He then went to Mount Vernon and there established a bank, becoming a member of Carlin, Cross & Co. In 1872 he came to Jerseyville and engaged in the same business. In 1876 he organ- ized the First National Bank of Jersey- ville, of which he acted as cashier till 1880, when he resigned that position, but continued vice-president of the bank till the fall of 1881. In 1880 he engaged in grain buying, having charge of the Jerseyville elevator, of which he was a three-fourths owner. He dis- posed of that interest in 1881, to E. O. Stannard, of St. Louis, In September, of the same year, he became associated with M. E. Bagley in the banking busi- ness, the firm being Carlin & Bagley. This partnership continued till March, 1885, when he sold his interest to Mr. Bagley. Major Carlin is, politically, a democrat. He represented his district in the state legislature one term, and in 1884 was re-nominated, without opposi- tion, but later, at the state convention, he received the nomination for state auditor, and thus declined the nomina- tion for representative. He is at pres- ent chairman of the board of super-

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

visors of Jersey county, a position which he has occupied for seven con- seeutive years, and has usually been elected without opposition. He is now serving his third term as representative from the Grand Encampment of Illi- nois to the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows. In April, 1868, he was married to Mary Cross, daughter of Hugh N. Cross. She died in March, 1880, leaving two daughters, Mary Eu- genia and Alma W. In June 1883, he was married to Lina Darneille, dangh- ter of James M. Darneille, of Chatham, Sangamon county, Ill. Major Carlin is connected with the Presbyterian church of Jerseyville.

The 34th general assembly met at Springfield, the state capital, Jan. 7, 1885, and adjourned after a long and stormy session. F. M. Bridges, the senator from this district, dying in the latter part of March, Robert H. Davis, a grain dealer of Carrollton, was elected April 11, 1885, to fill the vacancy, and took his seat. In the house the 37th district was represented by Henry C. Massey and Theo. S. Chapman, both of Jersey, and Byron McEvers, of Scott.

Theodore S. Chapman, present repre- sentative from this district in the state legislature, is a citizen of this county, and a prominently rising character in the politieal field of the future. He is a native of Berkshire county, Mass., born March 31, 1849. His parents, Theodore and Julia E. (Wadsworth) Chapman, were formerly from the same county and state. When the subject of this sketch was seven years old his father died, and two years later his mother was married to a missionary and went to India. Theodore had two

sisters, Anna and Julia; the former accompanied her mother to India, and there died; the latter was married to Prof. J. A. Edgar, who was the founder of the Swedish department of Morgan Park Theological Seminary, of Chicago. When Theodore was nine years old he went to Rockford, Ill., and lived with a farmer named M. H. Johnson for three years. Then, his mother having re- turned to this country and located in Hamilton, Madison county, N. Y., he went there and attended the city schools for two years. This course of instruc- tion was subsequently supplemented by three years attendance at Madison University. The same thoroughness which characterized his aetions of later years, there prevailed, and by studious application he obtained a very fair edu- cation. He then went to La Porte county, Ind., and engaged in teaching two years; thence to Rockford, Ill., and remained four months; thence to St. Louis. Not being satisfied or contented in Missouri, he returned to Illinois, and soon afterward located at Jerseyville. Here he engaged in teaching one winter, and afterwards had charge of the Otter- ville school two years. Meanwhile, as he had opportunity, he studied law, and in 1874 was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession. Polit- ically he adheres to the republican party. In 1876 he was a candidate for state's attorney, and although defeated, received a vote much beyond the strength of his party, a deserved compli- ment to a worthy man. In 1884 he was elected to the state legislature, where he faithfully worked for the best interests of his constituents, and was

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

instrumental in effecting various legisla- tion of much interest and importance to the people. His ability was early recognized in that body, and he was a member, not only of the temporary steering committee, but of the perma- ment. Among the acts traceable to his influence and effort, was an amendment to the bill concerning "guardian and ward," a law of much importance and of great benefit, as follows: "On any accounting and final settlement of guar- dian, he shall exhibit and file his ac- count as such guardian setting forth specifically, in separate items, on what account expenditures were made by him, and all sums received and paid out since his last accounting, and all money on hand, and an itemized ac- count of all notes, bonds, accounts, and evidences of indebtedness, composing the personal estate of his ward, and said guardian shall produce and exhibit to the court the notes, bonds, accounts, and evidences of indebtedness so item- ized, and held by him, and it is hereby made the duty of the court to inspect the assets so exhibited. Which accounts shall be accompanied by proper vouch- ers and signed by him, and verified by his affidavit." The very loose and un- satisfactory manner heretofore pursued by persons thus in charge of important interests will, by this law, meet a whole- some check, and be the means of saving hundreds of dollars to those to whom it properly belongs. Mr. Chapman is what might be called a self-made man. Ilis position has been secured solely by his own endeavor. He commenced the practice of law here under what would ordinarily be considered unfavorable circumstances, renting an office without

the partnership or influence of any, he has steadily and with commendable en- ergy, built up a practice and made a reputation. He has a good business in both probate and chancery courts, and is a lawyer of acknowledged honesty and ability. He was married Dec. 31, 1875, to Sarah A. Landon, daughter of William D. and Alvira Landon. They have four children-Harry, Theodore, Paul and Truman.

Henry C. Massey is a native of St. Charles county, Mo., born Nov. 19, 1828, and is the son of Woodberry and Wana (Coonts) Massey. His father re- sided in St. Charles county for a short time after his marriage, and about 1830 crossed the river into this county, at Grafton, where he entered some land. Not long after, he removed to the forks of Otter creek, where he carried on a store. He afterwards went to the Du- buque lead mines, where he was subse- quently murdered. His murder was amply avenged by his brother and sis- ter, Henry L., and Louise. After this tragic event, Mrs. Massey, with her young family, returned to St. Charles, Mo., but in 1837, came again to this county. Henry C. was reared princi- pally in Jersey county, and in early life was thrown on his own resources. Nov. 25, 1854, he was united in marriage with Catherine Fitzgerald.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.

Since the organization of Jersey coun- ty there have been three conventions to draft state constitutions, and in each of them Jersey county was represented.

The first of these was convened at Springfield, upon the 7th day of June, 1847, and contained 162 delegates from

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

various parts of the state. They labored on the matter for which they were called together until the 31st of Aug., 1847, when they adjourned. William Bosby- shell and A. R. Knapp were the dele- gates from the counties of Jersey and Calhoun. This constitution was sub- mitted to the people, and at the elec- tion held March 6, 1848, they ratified it; and it went into force April 1 of that year, hence is called the constitution of 1848.

Dr. A. R. Knapp was a native of Con- neeticut, and at an early age moved to Delaware county, N. Y. He was a man of fine scholarly attainments. He was married to Catherine Wyckoff, and they had a family of five children. He re- inoved to Illinois in 1839, first locating at Kane, where he engaged in the prac- tice of his profession of medicine. In 1844 he removed to Jerseyville. Few physicians of this portion of the state had a more extensive practice. In 1849, having contracted the gold fever; he went to California, and came back with a fair share of money. He was always prominently identified with the demo- cratic party, and was an intimate friend and admirer of Stephen A. Douglas. His death occurred July 13, 1862. Two of his sons, prominent attorneys of this county, represented this district in con- gress.

The second constitutional convention came together at the city of Springfield, on the 7th of January, 1862, at which there were 75 delegates present, and among them William II. Allen, the rep- resentative of Jersey county. This con- vention remained in session until March 24, 1862. This constitution was sub- mitted to the people at an election held

June 17, 1862, but not meeting the views of the qualified electors, was rejected by them.

William Henry Allen, a native of New Bedford, Bristol county, Mass., was born on the 12th of October, 1814, and is the son of William H. and Ruth (Parker) Allen. His father was of Quaker descent, and held to the faith of that sect until his marriage. His mother was a direct descendant of Miles Stand- ish, and both were of Saxon origin and Puritan stock. During his early life William enjoyed superior educational advantages, attending the schools of his native place until 17 years of age, when he entered Harvard University. His habits were of a social character. Being of a practical turn of mind, he had lit- tle sympathy with abstruse questions, but had a great fondness for literary work, and a desire and natural taste for the study of medicine and surgery. After graduating from college, however, in 1835, following the advice of a rela- tive, he decided to devote himself to business rather than to professional life, as a more speedy way to success, a choice, the wisdom of which is seen in the reward that has crowned his work. He removed to Illinois in 1840, and in the following year, settled at Grafton, Jersey county, his present home. He at first engaged in the real estate busi- ness, and such other employment as might prove lucrative, and after a few years, having accumulated sufficient capital, engaged in merchandising, and at the same time dealt in grain and pro- duce. In 1854 he erected a flouring mill at Grafton, which he conducted until 1868, when he was succeeded in the business by his son. In 1869 he

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

began the banking business, and has continued in it up to the present time, 1885. In all his business career he manifested an integrity and a spirit of generous and fair dealing that have won for him the highest respect of all who have been brought under his influence. In his religious views he is identified with no church, although he has the greatest respect for all. His early training was shaped by the teachings of Dr. Channing, Dr. Dewey, and other eminent Unitarians, and he was natur- ally led to sympathize with that faith, but he is now wholly independent in his opinions, and gives to all that en- joyment of personal views which he asks for himself. In politics he was formerly a whig, but upon the dissolu- tion of that party became a democrat, casting his first vote for James Buch- anan. Although he has never aspired to political honors he has had several important publie trusts imposed upon him. In 1860 he was elected to the constitutional convention; served as county associate judge from 1865 to 1869 inelusive and in 1871 was chosen state senator from the 6th district, comprising Pike, Calhoun, Greene and Jersey coun- ties. In 1873 he was elected a member of the county board. In all these vari- ous offices he acquitted himself with eredit, but at the termination of each was happy to return to the peace and quiet of his home. Mr. Allen was married, in 1840, to Martha Maria Mason a native of Illinois, and only child of James Mason, well known in the early history of the state. They have six children-Rosalie, wife of Dr. E. L. Harriott, of Jacksonville; Irene A., wife of Edward A. Pinero, an attorney

of Tecumseh, Neb .; James M., Harry C, William H., Jr., and Ruth M., wife of E. C. Stelle, near Jerseyville, 111. James is engaged in the flouring busi- ness. Mr. Allen is one of the leading men of the state; as a man of the strict- est integrity and impartial judgment; he is looked to as the arbiter of all con- troversies in his community. He has given special attention to self-culture, and is a man of high social attainments, and does not fail to impress all whom he meets with the genuineness of his true manhood. Liberal and charitable, his hand is ever open to the needy, while his sympathies are broad enough to gather in their embrace all men. He now looks baek upon a life well spent, crowded with happy recollections and cheered with warm friendships, and sees in all only the preparation for that existenee beyond, whose hopes cheer and strengthen his deelining years.

December 13, 1869, the third consti- tutional convention convened in the city of Springfield, at which there were 85 delegates. It remained in session until May 13, 1870. They labored long and faithfully, and the production of their conjoint efforts was submitted to the people July 2, 1870, and was by them ratified, going into effect Aug. 8, 1870. The 22d legislative district of the state, embracing the counties of Jer- sey and Calhoun, was represented by Robert A. King. This gentleman has been already mentioned as a member of the general assembly.

PROBATE JUSTICES.

Under the constitution of the state of Illinois, adopted in 1818, and in force when the county of Jersey was organ-

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

ized, in 1839, all matters of probate were entrusted to an officer of the above title. Joseph G. Scott was the first to occupy the office, having entered upon the duties thereof at the time of the organization of the county, in the fall of 1839, and remained in the same until 1847, being re-elected continuously, thus being the only one in the county to fill the position.

Joseph G. Scott, a native of Somerset county, N. J., born Aug. 12, 1809, was the son of Col. Joseph W. Scott, an eminent and brilliant lawyer of that state. Joseph G. received his educa- tion, first in the grammar school of Queen's College, and lastly at Rutger's College, entering the sophomore class, and graduating three years later, being the valedictorian of his class. After leaving college he studied law with his father three years, and one year with Elias Van Arsdale, of Newark, N. J., after which he was admitted to the bar. He practiced at New Bruns- wick three years. In the spring of 1835, he started west, landing in Jersey- ville on the 5th of July, of that year. He soon afterward entered a farm about three miles south of the town. He was married in 1839 to Eliza Duryee.

COUNTY JUDGES.

On the adoption of the constitution of 1848, all matters of probate, as well as the government of the county, were vested in the county court, presided over by the county judge. The first to fill the position was Ilon. George E. Warren, who was elected in 1849, and opened the court, for the first time, on the 3d day of December, of that year. The court consisted of three justices-

the county judge, G. E. Warren, and Jacob Lurton and James McKinney, associate justices. Judge Warren was re-elected to this honorable office in 1853, holding the same for eight years, consecutively. During this time, be- sides the above named associate jus- tices, the following filled the same offices: Jasper M. Terry, Charles H. Bowman and J. Murray Bacon.

Jacob Lurton is among the first settlers of this section of country, having come here in 1817, with his father, from Ken- tucky. He is now living on Sec. 32, T. 7, R. 11, or the township called Miss- issippi. He is a native of Kentucky, and was born near Louisville, Sept. 16, 1805. In the spring of 1817 the family, consisting of seven children, four boys and three girls, bid farewell to their old home, and started from Louisville on a keel boat, landing subsequently at the city of St. Louis. Jacob Lurton, Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch, was a physician, and a minister of the M. E. church, and realizing the import- ance of an education, determined that Jacob should have a good opportunity, and to this end kept him engaged in study until he graduated from the high school at Louisville. The profession of medicine was chosen as his future avo- cation, and to become familiar with the many details, he was kept in an "apoth- ecary shop" for four winters, attending school during summers. The effort to make a doctor out of the young man only partially succeeded, and he never became a "full-fledged" physician. Almost constant application to the books of his father and his father's partner, and making collections for them, gave him an insight to that particular branch

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

of the business, and he became dis- gusted with the whole matter, and made a farmer of himself. Upon their arrival here they settled on Piasa creek, on a farm through which subsequently ran the division line separating the counties of Jersey and Madison. In addition to the family they brought five negroes, a mother and four children, who were indentured and set free at the age of 25 and 27. Thus, in 1817, commenced the life here of Jacob Lurton. He has wit- nessed the development of this county, and has had no small share in its trans- formation from a scene of natural wild- ness to its present condition. He was for eight years a judge of the county court of this eounty, and for 12 years a justice of the peace in Mississippi town- ship, and was the first postmaster in this township, which office he held 14 years. He was a captain of the militia at the time of the Black Hawk war, the place of rendezvous being Carrollton. They were held as a reserve for 35 days, when the adjutant-general called on them and told them to disband, and to be ready, at a moment's warning, with five days' provisions for self and horse. He went home and has never been called upon, and has never been discharged nor received any compensation. His sword and outfit eost $25, and the sword is in good preservation to this day, and is in possession of his son, N. M. Lurton. He still has his commission, and for many years was known as Capt. Lurton. He is a man of integrity and ability, and performed the duties pertaining to these and other offiees conscientiously and well. He was deservedly popular, and was the leading man in the community where he lived. His advice was sought

and asked on all matters of every descrip- tion. At every marriage he officiated, and by him were tied the nuptial knots, uniting the hearts and destinies of many a happy couple. For all these and kindred services he never made a charge, and after so many years, there being no absolute necessity longer, and wishing to be free, he resigned all offices and announced his intention, having done his part, of remaining out of office, and notwithstanding the wishes of the people he has sinee steadfastly pursued that eourse. Ile was married March 20, 1829, to Margaret MeDow, a daughter of John and Margaret (Gillham) MeDow. There were born by this union eight children-N. M., born Jan. 9, 1830; John C., born April 6, 1831; Julia A., born Nov. 17, 1832; Mary J., born Feb. 26, 1834, and who died February 27, 1876; Sarah M., born March 4, 1836; Jacob P., born July 17, 1838, and died Nov. 8, 1868; Elizabeth C., born Nov. 28, 1842; Olivia M., born Jan. 6, 1850. Jacob P. was a lientenant in Co. H, 97th Ill. Inf., and died of disease contracted in the army. Mr. Lurton is a remark- able man. He is now 80 years of age and has never been intoxicated, never played a game of cards, never took a part in a danee, never sued but one man, never was sued, never bet higher than a gill of butter-milk, and has always led an upright, honest life. Mrs. Lurton is now (1885) 76 years old, and in good health, and together they are passing down the decline of life, with a feeling of peace and happiness known only to those whose lives have been well spent. They must soon go to their reward. May the Lord grant an abundant entrance to his heavenly kingdom.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

James McKinney was a native of Vir- ginia, born May 24, 1806. He was the eldest son of Abiram and Mary McKin- ney, who emigrated to Illinois and set- tled in Madison county, in 1818, where they remained two years, when they removed to this county, locating on the Illinois bottom, but afterwards moved to section 24, English township. Here young MeKinney was reared. James Mckinney and Mary Ann Crain, a native of Tennessee, were united in marriage June 8, 1826. They had a family of 13 children. Mr. Mckinney died Sept. 17, 1867.

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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 25

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