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 48

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 48

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Newfoundland. and was detained 21 days, during which, supplies running low, his allowance was reduced to one spoonful of boiled rice, and one of mo- lasses, per day. When they finally reached Montreal, all hands deserted the ship, one-half the crew going to Quebec, and the other half to the lakes. He shipped on board a lake schooner called the "Henry Clay," and went to Cleveland, O. Here he shipped as chief mate on board the same boat, of which two years later, he became captain, and sailed as such three years. He then went to Michigan, thenee again to Cleveland, where he superintended the building of a barque ealled the Ocean Wave. This was in 1852-3. He was captain of that boat one year, after which he commanded different vessels until 1858, when he abandoned a sailor's life, and for one year followed the busi- ness of ship chandler, then went into the shipping and commission business. In 1862 he enlisted in the navy and was ordered for duty on board the Clara Dolson, as executive officer. He was executive officer and eaptain of differ- ent gunboats, and run all the blockades on the Mississippi river, and did gal- lant service until the close of the war. He then did business for a time in the south, engaged in the cotton trade, and was captured by Jesse James, losing $25,000; then went to Chieago and fol- lowed the manufacture of tobacco, after which he commanded a steamboat on the Illinois river two years. He then purchased a steamboat and engaged in the southern trade. This boat was burned, in consequence of which he lost considerable money. He then came to Coon creek, Jersey county,

purchased an aere of woodland, upon which, after clearing it, he built a store- house and a blacksmith shop. He kept the first postoffice in Rosedale. He was for a number of years in the stone business, which he sold out to Gilbert Reed. He then returned to his native country, sailing from New York the 5th day of June, 1875. He spent about nine months in visiting the principal cities of Great Britain and points of in- terest in northern Europe. He return- ed to Rosedale, where he has since fol- lowed farming. Mr. Sinelair is the founder of the town of Rosedale, and has always been prominently identified with its interests. He taught writing school in Buffalo, N. Y., during the winter of 1849-50, having among his pupils two sons of President Fillmore. He has circumnavigated the globe three times, and has sailed as far south as the ice would permit, once being chased by a pirate ship off Cape Horn. Three glasses of water per day was his allow- ance for 135 days during one of these trips. He has saved 17 lives by swim- ming. He is a man of good education, and possessed of a great amount of gen- eral information. As a citizen he is esteemed by all.

DESERVING OF MENTION,

Are the following gentlemen, most of them the enterprising, intelligent men of the township.

John L. Reed was born in Adams county, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1832. His par- ents, George and Lourana Reed, emi- grated from Virginia, in 1825. They had born to them six boys and three girls, of which only three are now liv- ing. Energy, perseverance and integ-

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rity are leading traits of the Reed family, who are ever on the side of good order and morality. Generous and hospitable, their latch-string has ever been out from the days of the log cabin, to those of the present noble residences, and they have been ready to feed the hungry, uphold the down-trodden and unfortunate. John L. was raised on a farm until 16 years old, when he was sent to Greenfield, O., to a seminary, and after, to Hanover College, Ind .; remained one year, then attended the Weslyan University, at Delaware, O.,

one year. His father then bought for him one-half interest in a general mer- chandise store in Cynthiana, Pike county, O., in partnership with his brother. They run this two years, when he sold out to his brother, and bought a store in partnership with his brother J. G., in Jasper, on the Ohio canal. He remained one year and sold out on account of sickness, and bought 400 acres of land on the Ohio river, be- low Portsmouth, which he greatly im- proved, and after holding it two years sold. He now bought a store in Berlin, O. He continued this 18 months, and up to this time had been very successful, and although very young had made con- siderable money. He bought an iron furnace, run it one year individually, but he was unfortunate as to lose every dollar he had, and returned to Ports- mouth. It was owing to the unprece- dented depression of the iron market that the loss came. Older and more experienced men fared likewise. He attended a commercial college in Ports- mouth, and after taking a thorough course, he went to Jasper to keep books for an establishment there, and re-

mained in this position until July, 1863, when the Morgan raid suddenly stopped the business. He says, he very sud- denly came to the conclusion that he could advance the interests of the firm, and more especially his own safety, by taking to the woods, and with all the money of the store, over $2,000, (which he hid under a rock in the woods, ) he retired in as good order as he thought his safety would warrant. The store was completely carried off, consequently his services were no longer necessary. He was then appointed clerk on a com- mission to take account of the loss for Pike county. Again he went into the mercantile and lumber trade in Jasper, but soon sold out and came west, think- ing a change would be beneficial. While in Iowa he put every dollar he could raise into land. After spending the summer he returned and accepted a situation as commercial agent. March 21, 1870, he was married to Ursulie Sharp. Dee. 16, 1872, was born to them a child-Louie. In Feb., 1874, after eight years service as traveler, he re- signed, and with his wife and child, came to his present place of residence and embarked in farming. The tarm is situated one and one-half miles south of Rosedale, and contains 536 acres. 250 of which is in cultivation, about 60 in pas- ture, and has a fine house, barn, granary, out-buildings, fruit, etc. On the last of Sept., 1874, their bright intelligent ehild died. June 21, 1875, Gussie was born. On March 29, 1885, death's relentless, cruel hand cast a gloom over parent and child and left them homeless, in a dreary world, without the influence and companionship of a mother and wife. She, with her little Louie, is on the

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

peaceful side of the dark river, while he and Gussie are left to meet life's cares, and heart-aches alone. After the death of his wife he sold his farm to parties in St. Louis, for $17,000 dollars, and now expects to take Gussie to Jer- seyville, where she will have the ad- vantages of good schools and society. When the county adopted township or- ganization, he was elected the two first years, to represent his township in the county court, as supervisor, and again he was elected this present year to the same office, although this township is largely democratic.

David D. Gleason was born in Gallia county, O., Nov. 8, 1820. He resided there until 20 years of age, receiving a good education. He began teaching, which he continued a number of terms in Ohio, then went to what is known as Kanawha Salt Works, W. Va., where he taught school two years, after which he returned to Ohio and remained a year, during which he followed teach- ing. In 1844 he went to the state of Mississippi, and a year later to West Virginia, where he again taught school, remaining there during the cholera epi- demic of 1849. Nov. 9, 1850, he was married to Emma Downward, a native of Philadelphia. After marriage he re- sided in Virginia one year, then removed to Ohio, and spent three years in Scioto and Jackson counties, engaged in teach- ing. In the spring of 1857 he immi- grated to Iowa, locating near Ottumwa, where he lived eight years, teaching school during the time. In 1865 he moved to Clay county, Ill., thence in 1866, to St. Louis. He was engaged in that city, as principal of the Lowell school, 10 years, then on account of

failing health, resigned his position, and came to Jersey county, Ill., which has since been his residence. Since coming here he has followed teaching during the winter season only. Mr. and Mrs. Gleason have four children living- Alice, born in Virginia, Sept. 19, 1851, now married and living in St. Louis; Mary Ellen; born in Ohio, Sept. 23, 1853, now married and living in Texas; Ada Elizabeth, born in lowa, April 19, 1861, and died March 31, 1862; Etta Florence, born in Iowa, Oct. 21, 1864, married and living in Texas, and Birdie Emma, born in St. Louis. Dec. 6, 1870. Mr. Gleason keeps an apiary and now has 70 stands of bees. Ile is a demo- crat politically, and has held the office of collector. He is at present school treasurer.

John P. Stafford, a son of Brook and Nancy (Parker) Stafford, a native of Grafton, Jersey county, Ill., born in the year 1862. He was reared in his native town, enjoying the excellent privileges and obtaining his education at the peerless public schools of that romantic little burg. His father, being a man of means, spared no pains to fit him for life's struggle. In the fall of the year, 1881, feeling the truth of the injunction that "it is not well for man to dwell alone" he was united in mar- riage with Abigail Robinson, also a native of Jersey county. By this union there have been two interesting children Mabel May and Lottie Amelia. Al- though a young man, Mr. Stafford mani- fests a considerable ability, and is bound to succeed in the affairs of this life, and to achieve prominence in the affairs of the county. Being industrious and economical, and blessed with a good

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wife, each year sees him further ad- vanced on the road to wealth and honor.

Thomas K. Phipps came to this county in 1848, and purchased then forty acres of land in the western por- tion of the county. Three years later he sold this land and bought another 40, to which, in 1855, he added 120 acres. In 1857 bought 200 acres more, and divided his estate among his ehil- dren, reserving 200 acres for himself. Mr. Phipps eleared nearly all of his land, which was covered with bushes and small timber. Ile has been an en- terprising and suceessful farmer. In 1878 he rented his farm to one of his sons and moved to Rosedale, where he built a dwelling house and also a store building, and engaged in merchandis- ing, purchasing a general stock of goods, to the value of about one thousand dol- lars. He continued in business there four years, then on account of the death of his son, who was accidentally killed, he returned to his farm where he now lives. He built a store room near his residence, and now sells general mer- chandise. Thomas K. Phipps was born in Virginia, Dec. 17, 1819. He remain- ed in that state until 17 years old, then eame west, and visited Kansas, Mis- souri and Iowa, after which he went south to Lousiana and Mississippi. He was married in the latter state to Martha Ruy, who was born May 9, 1829. In 1847 he removed to Illinois, and three years later, to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Phipps have had four children-Lewis, born June 1, 1855, died Feb. 2, 1882; John, born May 23, 1857; Mary J., born in 1859, and died in infaney, and Isabel, born Feb. 10, 1861, now married to Leonard Rateliff.

Mr. Phipps is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a republican politically. lIe has held all of the township offices, including justice of the peaee, and is one of the leading citizens of Rosedale township.

T. S. Highfill, a prosperous farmer of Rosedale township, was born in Harri- son county, Ind., Sept. 8, 1828. When 18 years old he left his native county and went to Alton, Ill., and remained 12 years. He was married there in Febru- ary, 1855, to Fanny Kipps. In 1858 he removed to Jersey county and purchased 120 acres of land in Rosedale township. To this he has since added 80 acres, making 200 acres, upon which he now lives. His wife died in 1864. He was again married July 21, 1867, to Mrs. Amanda C. Sweet. By his first mar- riage Mr. Highfill had six children- Alfred B., born Dec. 21, 1855, died March 16, 1878; Thomas B., born June, 1857; Kate Bell, born Dee. 26, 1858; Lyman H., born Nov. 28, 1860, and died March 9, 1861; Edward M., born Feb. 2, 1862, and Fannie, born March 22, 1864. By the second marriage there were seven children-James M., born Sept. 12, 1868; Mary Ann, born March 3, 1870; Charles B., born Oct. 8, 1872; Harry C., born June 12, 1874; John W., born July 12, 1876; Hattie A., born May 22, 1878, and died August 5 of the same year; and Clara B., born Oct. 25, 1882. Mr. High- fill has been justice of the peace eight years. He is a member of the Metho- dist church and, also, of the Masonie fraternity. He is, politieally, a demo- crat.

William Davis came to Jersey county in 1853. He was born in Coles county, Ill., in 1843, and is a son of Barney and

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Sallie (Brazee) Davis. They settled in Otter Creek township in 1853, where William remained until 1862. He then enlisted in the 97th 111. Inf., and served three years. He was a gallant soldier, participating in many battles, among which were those of Vicksburg, Champ- pion Hills, Black River Bridge, second battle of Vicksburg, Jackson, Fort Blakeley and others. He was under General Grant in all the campaigns of the western Mississippi department, and under General Banks in those of the last 12 months. He was mustered out of the service July 29, 1865. Mr. Davis was married in 1867, to Mary E. Myers, a native of Missouri. Nine chil- dren have been born to them-William, Perry B. (deceased), Charles, Franklin, Laura Nevada, Luther F. (deceased), Viola Eliza, Mary A., and Olivia Flor- ence.

William Larabee, of Rosedale town- ship, was born in Ulster county, N. Y., March 13, 1836. When he was six years old, his father removed with his family to Ohio, and, two years later, to Pilot Knob, Mo. He lived there also two years, after which he went to Monroe county, Ill., and in 1855 eame to Jersey county, and settled at Newbern. Wil- liam remained here until 1861, when he enlisted and served three years in the army, returning home in 1865. He was married in Newbern in 1867, to Mary E. Lamb. After marriage he remained here four years, then moved to Kansas, where he resided two and a half years. At the expiration of that time he re- turned to Jersey county, and lived at Newbern two years, then moved to Rosedale, where he has since lived, pur- chasing at that time 40 aeres of land, on

section 23. Mr. and Mrs. Larabee have two children-a son, born Dee. 19, 1867, and a daughter, born Sept: 2, 1869, Mr. Larabee has been school director three years.

William Johnson is a son of Thomas Johnson, and was born in Madison county, Ill., in 1821. When he was fourteen years of age, his father settled in Jersey, then known as Greene conn- ty, where he entered eighty aeres, on Coon creek. William afterward entered eighty acres, forty at one time and forty at another, making, with the traet en- tered by his father, one hundred and sixty aeres. He has about twenty-five aeres under cultivation and the remain- der in pasture and timber land. Mr. Johnson was married in Aug., 1846, to Nancy Elizabeth Mise, who was born April 13, 1830. They have seven ehil- dren living and two dead. Those living are, Thomas, born May 18, 1848; Lu- vina, born Nov. 14, 1851; Martha Ann, born April 27, 1856; Larkin M., born July 17, 1859; William Allen; born Oct. 30, 1866; Luther Melvin, born Sept. 16, 1868, and Mary Elizabeth, born June 16, 1870. Mr. Johnson is polit- ically, a republican.

D. M. Hightill, son of Thomas High- fill, was born in Harrison county, Ind., Feb. 18, 1822. When he was 12 years old his father died, and three years later, his mother, Mrs. Naney Highfill, also died. He remained in Harrison county until 1846. March 21, of that year, he was married to Mary Jane Chappell, who was born Oct. 18, 1826. After his marriage, he removed to Alton, Ill., where he worked at the cooper's trade. He came from Alton to Rosedale township, Jersey county, and bought 40

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acres of land, to which he has since added, until he owns at the present time, 160 aeres. His farm is a good one and well improved. Ile has made all of the improvements, elearing the land, building, etc. Ile carries on general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Highfill have had three children-George Thomas, born Aug. 13, 1848; Franeis, born Nov. 12, 1850, died Jan. 17, 1875, and Sarah Cornelia, born Nov. 5, 1853. George T. is now married to Parmela Walden, and lives on a farm of 240 acres, which he owns, near his father. Sarah Cornelia is the wife of James Adkinson, of Jersey- ville. Mr. Highfill has been justice of the peace 16 years, and for several years past, has held the office of township as- sessor. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

James E. Suddeth, son of Henry and Pamelia Suddeth, was born in Henry county, Ky., June 26, 1824. When James was two years of age his father died, leaving a wife and three sons- Henry, William and James. The sub- ject of this sketch resided with his mother until his marriage to Amanda Dawkins, who was born in February, 1832. After his marriage he removed to Lincoln county, Mo., and there fol- lowed the trade of wagon-making ten years. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mex- ican war, in a cavalry regiment com- manded by Colonel Marshall. He took part in the battle of Buena Vista, after which Marshall's men were discharged. He then volunteered under Gen. John S. Williams, and participated in en- gagements at Cerro Gordo and the City of Mexico. At the breaking ont of the Rebellion he enlisted in the 2d Missouri Reg., and served four years. He took

part in the battles of Farmington and Iuka, in Mississippi; Drywood, Wil- son's Creek, Elkhorn and Lexington, in Missouri, battles of the Wilderness, Petersburg and Richmond, where he witnessed the surrender of Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Suddeth have eight children. He owns 30 acres of land, which is mostly tillable. He is, in politics, a democrat.

William Harrison Willis is a native of Arkansas, born May 25, 1841. His parents removed to Union county, Ill., when he was an infant, and there lived until he had reached the age of about 10 years. They removed to Madison county, Mo., in 1851, and in 1853 to Stoddard county, in the same state, In 1855 they removed to Reynolds county, Mo., and in 1861 eame to Monroe county, Ill., locating near Harrisonville, in the American Bottom. There, in 1862, our subject's mother died. From there, with his father, he removed to Jersey county in 1863, and first located in Cam- den Hollow, near the mouth of the Illi- nois river, and wintered there. In the spring of 1864 he rented the place known as the "Tucker Knob" and in the same vear enlisted in Co. H, 144th Ill. Inf., and was stationed at St. Louis, where he did guard duty. When discharged, he returned to this county, and in 1865 rented the farm of George Simmons, on which he lived two years. He then bought 40 aeres of land from J. L. Beirn, and lived on the same one year, when he purchased the farm where he now lives, which contains 99 acres, One acre was deeded to the M. E. church. He was married, in 1867, to Naney Leg- ate, who was born Feb. 27, 1851. Five children, three sons and two daughters,

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have been born to them-Mary Eleanor; born Jan. 6, 1872; Charles Leander, born Sept. 3, 1874; Frederic Harrison, born April 7, 1877; Emma Jane, born March 29, 1880; John Edmund, born June 15, 1884. He has been connected with the M. E. church at Meadow Branch since 1867. He is one of the trustees of the church, has been elass-leader since 1869, and has been superintendent of the Sunday school several terms. He has held the office of township assessor, and is a republican politically. Mr. Willis commenced with a capital of $200, and now values his property at about $3,000. The land had no house or improvements of any kind on it, but now he has a comfortable two-story dwelling, and good out-buildings. He has 55 acres under cultivation, and is prosperous.

William J. Carroll was born in Galla- tin county, Ill., on the 29th day of July in the year 1846. His parents were George and Hester Ann (Lane) Carroll, natives of Virginia. His father died in the year 1848, his mother following shortly afterward, thus leaving William an orphan when only two years old. He was then taken by his grandmother, to raise, and he remained with her until he was 21 years of age. They lived in the village of Fieldon then, and most of his time was spent in going to school. On the 29th day of Jan., in the year 1869, he was married to Emily J. Orm, widow of John M. Orm. Six children were born to this union, four of whom are now living. They are William C., Hester Rebecca, Alvira J., and Mary Ann Lucy.

William Grandstaff, one of the prom- inent agriculturists of Rosedale town-

ship, is a native of the state of Missouri, having been born there on the 20th day of Oct., 1835. He is a son of Alexander Grandstaff, with whom he lived up to the time of his death, which occurred June 15, 1851. In the year 1860, Wil- liam was united in marriage, in St. Louis, with Clemeney J. Preble. He removed to Alton, Ill., in 1860, where he remained until after the elose of the war. While there, he served as a guard for one year. In 1867, he removed to Macoupin county, and in 1878, to Greene county. He remained in the latter place until 1880, when he came to his present quarters, in Jersey county, and bought 200 acres of timber land on see- tion 13, which was mostly white oak. At one time he owned a half interest in a saw-mill, which he afterwards sold to his partner, Mr. Preble, who still con- tinues to run the same. After disposing of his interest in the mill, Mr. Grand- staff turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he still continues. He is a member in good standing of the 1. 0.0.F.

Andrew Jackson Thompson was born in Lawrence county, Ind., Feb. 3, 1842. At the age of two years he went with his parents to Madison county, Ill., where his early life was spent. On at- taining his majority, he went to work as a farm laborer in Madison county. In 1867 he was married to Elizabeth Smith, and by this union has had seven children, six of whom are living-Prior Brooker, born Dec. 28, 1868; William Henry, born Oct. 30, 1871; Joseph Park, born March 17, 1874; Grant, born Sept. 12, 1877; Daisy, born Feb. 26, 1881, and Della, born June 22, 1885. Their eldest child, Marietta, was born

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Nov. 10, 1867, and died Feb. 7, 1868. Mr. Thompson owns a farm comprising 180 acres, the greater portion of which is bottom land. He raises principally corn and wheat, and is a successful farmer. For the past two years he has held the office of town supervisor. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M.

John Arbogast is a native of Alsace, Germany, born April 22, 1828. When he was 12 years of age, his father immigrated with his family to America, and settled in Tuscarawas county, O. John remained there until Feb., 1858, when he went to northern Illinois. Seven month later he came to Jersey county and bought 120 acres on Sec. 24, Rosedale township, where he has since lived. His farm now comprises 200 acres of valuable and well improved land. Mr. Arbogast was married June 15, 1853, to Elizabeth Baumgartner, who was born Oct. 8, 1836; 16 children have been born to them, of whom 13 are now living-Christian, born Oct. 10, 1856, now living in Dakota; Sueza, born Sept. 15, 1857; Rosa, born March 17, 1858; Jacob, born May 27, 1859, and died Oct. 10, 1864; John F., born Aug. 19, 1862; Lena, born April 2, 1864; Margaret, born May 22, 1866; Louise, born Aug. 23, 1867; Caroline, born Sept. 7, 1869; Lizzie, born June 14, 1871; Henry, born Oct. 4, 1873; Fritz, born Oct. 4, 1875; Lucinda, born Feb. 23, 1877; Charlie, born July 5, 1879; Ella, born Feb. 13, 1882, and Eddie, born March 9, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Arbogast are members of the Lutheran church. He belongs to the 1. O. O. F. lodge, No. 449, of Grafton, and is a democrat.

Ilenry Leander Legate, deceased, was born in Henderson county, Ky., Jan.

27, 1818. When he was quite small his parents moved to Stoddard county, Mo., thence to Cape Girardeau county, from whenee they moved to Jackson county, 111. Henry lived in that county till 1844, when the floods washed away the farm and house where he lived. He was married in that year to Mary Ann Skidmore, who was born Aug. 7, 1828. He then removed to Reynolds county, Mo., where he remained a resident till 1863. In that year he moved to Madi- son county, Ill., and was there employ- ed as manager of a coal yard, loading boats and selling coal, employing a number of men. He continued in that business three years, then came to Jer- sey county and purchased a farm of 400 acres, which is now known as the "Legate farm." He resided here, en- gaged in farming, until the time of his death, which occurred Feb. 14, 1881. Ile left a widow and nine children to mourn his loss. In 1845 both he and his wife made a public profession of religion, since which time they lived devoted christian lives. He endeavored to bring up his family in the fear of God, teaching them to make the Gol- den Rule their guide through life. His loss was deeply felt, not only by his family, but throughout the community where he lived. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Legate are-Edmund Kirby, born Sept. 12, 1846; Marshall Boles, born March 10, 1849; Naney, born Feb. 27, 1851; James Franklin, deceased, born Feb. 15, 1853; Samuel, born April 11, 1855; Elijah Burchard, born July 13, 1858; Mary Evaline, de- ceased, born Jan. 14, 1860; Emily Ann, born Oct. 30, 1862; William Henry,

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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 48

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