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 50

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 50

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

ing care of the ground, and by the judi- cious changing around of the different grains, does not destroy the fertile qual- ities of the soil, so that within five years after he settled there, he had it in good condition. £ He has a family of nine children, six boys and three girls, all living. He has given them all a good common school education, and has done all in his power to instill into their minds the principles of honesty and uprightness, so as to make true men and women of themselves. They are all very much devoted to music, and hence have spent many pleasant hours together in that way, being joined by their father, who is also musically in- clined. They have been taught to be independent, and to earn their own for- tunes as he himself has done, and they are succeeding in so doing, some of them by adopting the ideas of their father in regard to stock-raising, thinking it the most profitable way to success. The dates of their births are as follows: Margaret, widow of the late Thomas M. Herchman, born May 3. 1848, and now living in Kansas, where she con- trols the estate of her deceased hus- band; Sarah, wife of T. H. Spencer, also living in Kansas, born Jan. 17, 1850; Isaac, who is married and living in Jersey county, born Jan. 27, 1852; Jeremiah, unmarried, and living in Kansas, where he has become wealthy, born Aug. 6, 1854; James, married, and living at home, born April 30, 1856; Sophia, born Sept. 13, 1859; Peter R., born March 17, 1861; John R., born Sept. 15, 1864, and Oliver P., born July 17, 1866. The last four are unmarried, and still remain with their parents. Our subject has been the architect of

his own fortune, beginning at a salary of $10 per month, with no education save what could be gleaned from the perusal of newspapers. He learned to write by attending night school. He and his wife are members of the Second Presbyterian church at Jerseyville. In polities he is a democrat.

John W. Trotter was born in Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, Sept. 15, 1812. He moved from that state to Butler county, Ohio, when about six years old, where he lived until the fall of 1834, when he went to Mississippi. He remained there three years, work- ing at his trade, blacksmithing, when he moved to the state of Michigan, where he was married June 25, 1837, to Sarah Crane. She was born in Butler county, Ohio, Jan. 4, 1818. He now moved to Ohio, remaining there until 1844, when he moved back to Cass county, Mich., and engaged in farming. In 1856 he moved to Jersey county, 111., and bought a farm on section 26, in Fidelity township. He lived there un- til 1883, when he moved to Piasa, Ma- coupin county, Ill., where he now re- sides. Himself and wife are hale and hearty, though both are quite old, he being 73 years of age and his wife 67. They have had three children, two boys and one girl. They are-Squire B., living on a farm near Piasa, Macoupin county; Mary Jane, who married Charles Brown, of Godfrey, Ill., and now are living in Barton county, Mo .; and D. Q., whose sketch follows this.

D. Q. Trotter was born in Middle- town, Butler county, Ohio, Sept. 14, 1842. His parents moved to Michigan, when he was only two years old, where he lived until he was 13, when they

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

came to this place. The only education he has received was in the common schools. He remained on the farm which his father bought, and they have added to it land enough to make a farm of 360 acres, which is well improved. Part of his land is taken up with wheat and corn, but he also pays strict at- tention to stock-raising, principally of short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs. He was married Oct. 27, 1868, to Caro- line Simmons, a native of Jersey county, III., March 20, 1844. They have four children, two boys and two girls. They are-Charles Woolsey, born Jan. 19, 1869, Martha A., born March 4, 1873, Mary B., born April 9, 1879, and Thomas Quinn, born Sept. 5, 1881. He is a member of Fidelity lodge No. 152, A. F. and A. M., and a member of the local grange, and is assistant stew- ard in the state grange, now serving his second term. He is also president of Patron's Aid Society, a life insurance association connected with the grange. He is now township treasurer, having been elected to fill the office for a sec- ond term. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1859. He belongs to various temper- ance societies, and does all in his power to promote temperance, casting his vote in that direction, whenever an oppor- tunity offers, although he is a democrat.

Edward Trabue was born in Logan county, Ky., on March 1, 1825. His mother died when he was quite small. His father, Aaron Trabue, moved to this state in 1837, locating at Upper Al- ton for six years. He then moved to Montgomery county, Ill., living there three years, and then eame to Jersey county, where he bought land. He

died Dec. 29, 1877, at the age of 84 years, 11 months and 16 days. He was a Baptist minister, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Edward was married to Elizabeth Nile, July 10, 1849, and to them a family of six children were born, four of whom are now living- Emma, born Aug. 5, 1850, married Jan. 10, 1877, to John E. Andrews; Murray B., born June 16, 1853, married Oct. 18, 1883, to Rosa Owens, of Madison county; Lawrence, born Feb. 3, 1855, died April 23, 1866; Phebe N., born Feb. 12, 1857, died Feb. 8, 1858; Phebe, born July 14, 1860, married Nov. 14, 1883, to A. O. Barnett; and Elizabeth, born July 30, 1862. His wife died Dec. 4, 1867, and on Dec. 15, 1868, he was again married to Mary A. Cummings, born in Jersey county, Ill., Sept. 10, 1828. He bought 160 acres of land pre- vious to his first marriage, on which there is a good frame house and out- buildings, all of which have been placed there by him. He turned the first sod that was thrown up on that land, and now has it all in good condition. He belongs to the Masonic lodge, No. 394, of Jerseyville. He has been president and vice-president of the Agricultural Association of Jersey county. His po- litical views are with the republicans.

Murray B. Trabue was born in Fidel- ity township, Jersey county, June 16, 1853. He is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Nile) Trabue. He lived at home with his parents until the date of his marriage, Oct. 1, 1883, with Rosette Owens, daughter of Josiah P. and Sarah L. (Jones) Owens, of Madison county. HIe received a good education, attend- ing the district school of his native town- ship. He subsequently spent two years

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

at Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, III. He is engaged in farming and dealing in stock. He has 80 acres of land in Jer- sey county, and 80 acres in Madison county. all of which is well improved, and under cultivation. Mr. Trabue was a member of the Alpha Grange, of which he acted as treasurer one year. He is a stockholder, and one of the directors of the Fair Association, of Jersey county, and is a shrewd, ener- getic business man, and an enterprising and popular citizen.

Isaae McCollister was born in Lewis county, N. Y., on the 24th of April, 1817. He was the youngest of a family of seven children, having five brothers and one sister. His parents moved to Buffalo, and in the spring of 1819, started for the west by the way of Pittsburg, com- ing down the Ohio, and up the Missis- sippi river on a keel-boat. The boat was carried up the river by sail, when the wind was right,and when not, by poling, and by men walking along the shore pulling it with ropes attached to it. There was at that time but one steam- boat on the river. It passed them, but then they passed it and finally saw it no more. They landed at the mouth of Wood river, in Madison county, at a small town called Milton, in the latter part of July, 1819. There the family were all taken sick with fever, and his father and three brothers died, all be- tween the 10th of Sept. and the 20th of Oct. His mother moved from there to Upper Alton, and in the fall of 1820 she moved to Apple Creek Prairie, Greene county, west of where White Hall now is, where she died in Sept., 1840, leaving three sons-W. E., L. S. and Isaac, and one daughter, Mary, now Mrs. Floyd.

William died in Sept .. 1853, near White Hall; L. S. lives in Kansas, as does also Mrs. Floyd. At that time they had to go to Upper Alton to have their grain ground. The first mills used were horse or ox mills, and they put in a bolting reel, which had to be turned by hand. Some had a round hollow, burnt in a stump, with a spring-pole, to grind the corn, similar to the working of a mortar and pestle. Wheat was cut with a hand sickle, threshed by tramping out on the ground with horses or oxen, and cleaned by letting it fall so that the wind would blow the chaff out. Hence they did not have very white flour in those days. W. E. McCollister bought the first fan- ning mill that was brought into that settlement, and it went all around the whole neighborhood to clean the wheat after it was stamped out. They used wooden mould board plows, wooden pitchforks and strap shovels. Corn was plowed with oxen, and the ox carts had no iron tires. Isaac was married to Sylvia North, March 10, 1846, and went on his farm in the northeast quarter of Sec. 15, T. 9, R. 10, in the the north- east corner of Jersey county. He resided there until the spring of 1857, when he moved to the farm on which he now resides, in the northeast quarter of Sec. 13, T. 8, R. 10, where he owns 250 acres of land, and has 160 acres in T. S, R. 11. He has five children living, two boys and three girls, one being now Mrs. J. D. Wilson. He has buried eight children, all small. His wife died on the 6th of March, 1880. She was born on Apple Creek Prairie, Dec. 6, 1826.

Lucius G. Wilkerson, son of James 11. and Sarah A. Wilkerson, was born in Warren county, O., April 28, 18-15.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

His aneestral descent is Welsh. In 1866 he went to AAndrew county, Mo., where for several years he engaged in mer- chandising. In the fall of 1876 he sold out, and came to Jersey county, lìl. On Dec. 18, 1873, he was married to Sophia E. Trible. daughter of John and Mary Trible, natives of Devonshire, Eng. She was born July 30, 1847, on the farm upon which they now reside.

James Walsh has been a resident of Jersey county sinee 1859, having eome here in May of that year. He is a na- tive of county Kilkenny, Ireland, where he was born in March, 1842. About the year 1849 his parents eame to America and located in New York city, where he finished his edueation, and learned the plumber's trade with Alexander W. Hunt & Co., of 23d street and Third avenue. In 1856 Mr. Walsh, Sr., re- moved to Jersey county, III., and set- tled in what is now Mississippi township, where he died in Sept., 1872. He was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Jerseyville. James Walsh followed his trade in New York city in six years, then in May, 1859, eame to Jersey county, to join his father. Since that time he has followed farming. He now owns 95 acres of land on section 33, Fidelity township, where he resides. He has all of his land in cultivation and is engaged in raising grain and stock. Mr. Walsh was married Feb. 28, 1868, to Bridget Farrell, daughter of James and Ellen (Gowman) Farrell, and a sister of Father Edward Farrell, of Jones county, Ia. Mr. and Mrs. Walsh are the parents of eight child- ren, three of whom are living-John, born Feb. 1, 1869; Catherine, born June 16, 1874, and Mary, born July 31, 1875.

Those deceased are, James, Catherine, and three who died in infancy. Mr. Walsh holds the office of school di- rector, and is a member of the Catholic Benevolent Society. Both Mr. and Mrs. Walsh are zealous and active members of the Jerseyville Catholic church.

Charles W. Johnson, a prosperous farmer of Fidelity township, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in the year 1828. He resided with his parents until he attained his majority, then came to Illinois, locating in Jersey county, on seetion 32, of Fidelity township, where he has since resided. He now owns 200 acres of land, and devotes his time to grain and stoek-raising. Mr. John- son was married Dec. 4, 1851, to Emma Hansel, daughter of William and Ann Hansel. They have had eight children, four of whom are living-Margaretta, Albert, Jane and Emma. Those de- eeased are-Margaretta Morris, born Aug. 22, 1853, and died May 19, 1856; Susan Fallon, born April 20, 1856, and died June 1, 1878; and Jennie, born Oct. 2, 1858, and died Sept. 7, 1880.

James Moore of Fidelity township, eame with his parents to Jersey county, Ill., in 1828. He is a native of Knox eounty, Tenn., and was born Dee. 11, 1826. He was married to Jane N., a daughter of John and Jane N. (Luckey) Davis. They are the parents of five living ehildren. He is now a prosper- ous farmer, although he started out a poor boy.

Edward O. Dashwood was born in Colchester, eounty Essex, Eng., Jan. 10, 1831, being a son of Edward and Maria (Knights) Dashwood. lle re- mained with his parents until 14 years old. He then went to sea on a two years

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

voyage, bound for Bombay and China, on board a government vessel used for the transportation of troops from Bom- bay to Aden. He continued to follow a sea-faring life for 25 years, and during one voyage was in a storm off Cape Horn for 18 days. He came to the United States in 1870, stopping first at Alton, from whence he came, soon after, to Jersey county. Here he worked one year for different parties, then purchased land on section 21, Fidelity township, where he now resides. He owns 80 acres of land, and is engaged in general farming. Mr. Dashwood was married, May 29, 1872, to Annie Pike, a native of Devonshire, Eng., and daughter of John and Johanna Pike. Mr. Dashwood is a member of the Episcopal church.

James Sayer is a native of Devon- shire, Eng., born in the year 1855. He came to America in Aug., 1870, stop- ping first in St. Louis, where he remained nine months. He then came to this county and for five years worked out at farming. At the end of that time he purchased 40 acres of land on section 21, Fidelity township, which has since been his home. He follows general farming. raising grain and stock. Dec. 14, 1875, Mr. Sayer was united in mar- riage with Mary Louisa Stone, daughter of A. F. and Sarah Stone. By this union there are four children-Nettie, Franklin, Emma and James. Mr. Sayer is now serving as director of the Fre- mont school, and is a respected and use- ful citizen.

William Quirk, son of John and Henrietta (Kelly) Quirk, was born in Jersey county, Ill., April 3, 1859. He grew to manhood in this county, obtain- ing his education in the distriet schools.

He resided with his parents until Feb. 15, 1882, when he was united in mar- riage with Alice Elizabeth Phelan, daugh- ter of Dennis and Mary (Grace) Phelan. He then removed to a farm owned by his father, containing 120 acres, located on section 10, of Fidelity township, where he now lives. He follows general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Quirk have two children-Henrietta and John Den- nis. Mr. Quirk is a member of the Roman Catholic church.

A little less than half a century ago, the subject of this sketch, William Bowker, first settled in Jersey county. He was born in Wales, England, Sept. 21, 1826, and at the age of two years came with his parents to America. They bought a farm in Mercer county, N. J., and lived there until 1838, when they came to Jersey county, Ill., buy- ing a farm one mile south of Fidelity. His father died there Aug. 8, 1844. He lived with his mother and run the farm for her until she sold it in 1864, and went to Franklin county, Kan., where she died in Sept., 1882. His brother Henry now owns a farm there. 1lis brother Franklin is in Oregon, and his brother Edwin is in California. Wil- liam entered 160 acres of land east of Virden, and lived on it two years, when he bought a farm of 80 acres where he now lives, and his wife having 60 acres besides that, he now has a farm of 240 acres, all of which he has so improved that it is in good condition. It is divid- ed into 40 and 20-acre fields by hedge fences. The residence is a large two- story frame building, pleasantly located and surrounded with various outbuild- ings. He raises a great deal of stock- cattle, hogs and sheep-and thus uses

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

all the grain raised on the farm. He was married in May, 1856, to Elizabeth McKernan, who was born April 7, 1827. They have one son-Charles, born May 10, 1861, who is now living in Sumner county, Kan. When he first settled in this county there was one house be- tween the place he now lives and Jer- seyville. He does not occupy any office, being no craver of such. He and his wife have both been members of the Methodist church. He was a democrat until the war broke out, but since that time has been a republican- out and out a union man to the core.

John Casey, deceased, settled in what is now Fidelity township about 1848, purchasing land on section 19, Ile was born in county Meath, Ireland, and im- migrated to America in 1848, coming directly to Jersey county. He was married, in 1855, to Bridget Welsh, a daughter of Martin and Bridget Welsh. They had six children born to them- George, Martin, Mary, John, Elizabeth, and Margaret. Mrs. Casey died Jan. 16, 1868, and was buried in the Catholie cemetery at Jerseyville. Mr. Casey's death occurred June 15, 1885. His re- mains were laid to rest beside those of his wife. Both were devoted members of the Catholic church. Their son George has charge of the farm, and all of the children live at the homestead, with the exception of Martin. They own 180 acres of land, and carry on general farming, raising grain and stock. All of the family are members of the Catholic church.

James S. Loux is of German descent, and was born in Bucks county, Penn., Nov. 13, 1884. He resided with his parents till he reached his 19th year,

then left home to learn the harness-mak- er's trade, at which occupation he worked four years. In 1857, he came to Illinois and purchased land, about 10 miles east of Carlinville, in Macoupin county, and lived upon the same about five years. He then sold out and came to Jersey county, buying land upon section 7, Fidelity township, where he now owns a valuable farm containing 121 acres. He was married Dec. 8, 1861, to Susan Wooden, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Clausen) Wooden. They have one child-Mary Ellen. Mr. Loux has held the office of school di- rector, and in politics is a staunch re- publican.

Richard R. Ely (deceased) came to this county in 1838, being then ten years of age. He accompanied his parents, Richard and Amy Ely, who settled southeast of Jerseyville, on the place now owned by Charles Adams. Richard R. Ely was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, on Dec. 26, 1828. He was reared in this county, from his tenth year, and resided here till the time of his death, Jan. 22, 1870. He was mar- ried Jan. 13, 1853, to Mary Ann Fitz- gerald, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of William Fitzgerald. In Dec. 1854, Mr. Ely removed to the farm, on sec- tion 11, near Fidelity village, where his family now reside. It contains 160 acres. They have also 10 acres in Ruyle township. Mr. Ely was a well known and highly respected citizen of Jersey county, and held, among other important offices, that of justice of the peace of this township. He was a member of Fidelity lodge, of the A. F. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Ely had eight children, seven of whom are living-

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Isaac R., now living in Panama; Wil- liam F., in Denver, Col .; Archibald F., Rebecca Jane, Elizabeth Ann, wife of Douglas Stanley, of Jerseyville town- ship; Cora May and Fannie Amy. One daughter, Jeannette, died Jan. 14, 1850.

Silas Bates, one of the most prosper- ous men in this neighborhood, was born Aug. 13, 1817, in Butler county, Ohio. He spent his youth in that place, serv- ing as an apprentice with his father, who was a tanner and shoemaker, until he was 17 years of age. In 1834, his father moved to Delaware county, Ind., where he staid until the spring of 1843. Silas staid with his father until he was 23 years old, when he was married to Selina Hamilton, born in 1813. After his marriage he built a cabin on his father-in-law's place, where he lived some three years. He then moved to what is now known as the D'Arcy farm, where he lived for 16 years, paying his attention during that time to farming. He then came to the place now occupied by him. The two eldest children were born in Indiana; the first, George W, died when only six weeks old; Samuel, who married Mary Patterson, and lives in California, born 1841; Stephen, who died in his sixth year; William, who married Emma Cheatam, and lives in Nebraska; David, born October, 1847; Eliza Jane, married to John Chatman, and living in Jerseyville, born in 1850; Nancy Ann, married to E. Tellus, and living near home, born in 1851; Mary, married to Zadoc Coreths, and living in Kansas, born 1854; Selina and Silas, named after father and mother, born in 1857; Silas is married to Rosa Smith, and Selina is home with her parents; Areh., married to Emily Hutchison,

born 1862, died Nov. 27, 1879; Jessie, born 1866, single and at home. Mr. Bates has been a member of the Baptist church 18 years, his wife also being a member. Her home was in West Vir- ginia, where she was born in 1820. He is 68 and Mrs. Bates 65 years of age. As he has been a prudent, saving and industrious man, he has contrived to save considerable of this world's goods, and has 960 acres, all in one body, well- fenced and in good condition.

Frank Komarek is a native of Bohemia, Austria. born the 24th day of June, 1835. His parents, Joseph and Kather- ine (Starskahl) Komarek, were natives of Bohemia, and lived and died in that country. The subject of this sketch was brought up in his native country, where he received a liberal education, and also acquired a very thorough knowledge of music, enabling him to play upon any instrument. He was married in Bohe- mia, Jan. 28, 1857,to Katherine Matjaka, a native of that country, and a daughter of Frank and Mary (Kautzlik) Matjaka. In 1860 he, with his wife, bade farewell to friends and fatherland, and taking passage on board a vessel at Hamburg, came to New York. He went from thence to St. Louis, and soon after came to Jer- sey county, settling in Richwoods town- ship, where he resided 14 years. Ile then came to his present location on section 16, Fidelity township. He owns 120 acres of land, all of which is under cultivation. He also has rented land, raising a considerable amount of grain, and also stock. Mr. and Mrs. Komarek have eight children-Antoinette, living in Saline county, Kan .; Albert, Kather- ine, Edward, John, Lena, Vincent and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Komarek are

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

members of the Catholic church, He is school director of his district, and is a useful and respected citizen.

Mrs. Mary B. Christopher is the widow of the late John Christopher and a daughter of John and Jane ( Wil- cox ) Ryan, the latter a native of Canada. Mrs. Christopher was born in Upper Alton, March 22, 1822, and resided with her parents until her marriage, March 20, 1850, to Dr. James Bringhurst. By this union there were four children- James, the oldest, was born April 28, 1851, and married March 9, 1876, to Carrie Lemmons, who died Dec. 26, 1880, and was buried in Independence, Kan. He was again married Oct. 7, 1884, to Edna Hudson, and is now living at Fidelity. John was born May 7, 1873, and married Margaret Thompson; Rob- ert was born March 22, 1855, and mar- ried Oct. 22, 1877, to Mary Frances Coolage; Harry, the youngest, was born Sept. 16, 1857, and married Feb. 19, 1879, to Anna Bacon. Dr. Bringhurst resided in Jerseyville, and had an extensive practice in this county. He died June 23, 1870, and was buried in Oakland cemetery. His widow was married April 26, 1874, to John Christopher, a resident of Fidelity township. where his death occurred Oct. 25, 1878. He was the owner of a fine farm on section 13, where Mrs. Christopher now lives. She has 240 acres, all in cultivation. She is a member of the Baptist church at Fidelity.

Edward B. Simmons, an enterprising young farmer of Fidelity township, was born on the place where he now resides, Oct. 1, 1860. His childhood and youth were spent in working upon his father's farm and attending the district school.

On arriving at his 20th year he went to Greenfield, where for two years he at- tended the high school, after which he was a student one term at the Jackson- ville Business College. He then re- turned home and has since followed ag- ricultural pursuits. He was married Oct. 18, 1883, to ('lara Powel, daughter of Dr. Henry and Margaret D. Powel. Mr. Simmons is the owner of 160 acres of land in southwestern Kansas; also 160 acres in Iowa. He now resides upon land belonging to his father's estate in section 26.

John C. Marshall was born in Preble county, O., Sept. 11, 1826, where he lived until he was 19 years of age, when he moved to Jersey county with his par- ents. They lived on the Beaty farm one year, and then took the Duncan farm in 1846, From there he moved into this township, and now has a farm of 160 acres. He was united in marriage with Grace Hooper, July 9, 1857. Out of a family of 10 children, eight are now liv- ing. He is a member of the Free Mason's lodge, No. 152, of Fidelity, and has held the office of school di- rector. In politics he is a staunch re- publican. Ilis father at one time owned the farm he now possesses, and he as- sisted in the improvement of the farm before it came into his possession, so that now it is well fenced and tilled. Some of the rails were made by him 35 years ago, he knowing them by the knots he finds on them.

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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 50

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