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 53

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 53

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

sympathy and hospitality. He was a self-made man, highly respected by his fellow-citizens, and among the most prominent men of Jersey county. More than 40 years ago, the disease of which he died, first manifested itself, though a strong constitution, aided by the best medical skill that could be procured, enabled him to impede its progress so many years, yet he had been a great sufferer. But he bore it all with such fortitude and patience, that during all those years his most intimate friends scarcely realized the severity and extent of his suffering. In the latter part of Aug., 1877, he became entirely blind, but as the light of this world faded away, that of the other and better world became clearer. About 8 o'clock P. M., March 7, 1878, he quietly departed at the age of 61 years, 6 months and 5 days. "Mark the perfect man."

Moore C. Stelle, a prominent and en- terprising farmer of Mississippi town- ship, was born on the place that he now lives on. His farm consists of 200 acres on seetion 13, with all of the best im- provements that could be desired. The dwelling is a fine two story building, worth about $6,000. There are two large barns, one 30x50, worth $2,000, the other 20x30, worth $1,500; also a cow shed which cost 81,000, a good set of scales, two wind pumps, a wagon house, corn cribs, with shed attached for stor- ing all the farm implements, and a good ice house. There are two orchards on his place, one an apple orchard contain- taining 100 bearing trees, the other a peach orchard of 50 trees. The residence is surrounded with fine grounds, making it a beautiful location. Moore C. was married to Elizabeth S. Clapp, daughter

444

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

of Leonidas and Jane (Chamberlain) Clapp. Her father was a native of Wash- ington county, N. Y., born Jan. 16, 1812, and he was married Oct. 28, 1841, to Jane Chamberlain, and to them eight children were born. He came west with his family in 1856, settling near Iowa City, Ia., where he resided until 1861, when he removed to Jersey county, Ill. In April, 1880, he moved to Blue Springs, Neb., where he lived a respected citizen, until his death, April 4, 1882, which was caused by typhoid pneumonia. Mr. Stelle has three chil- dren living, and four dead-Ellsworth, born Aug. 8, 1867, died Nov. 16, 1867; Harry J., born Sept. 4, 1869, died Feb. 13, 1884; Frank E., born Aug. 5, 1871; Jennie M., born March 20, 1873, and Roy M., born Nov. 26, 1876. Two died in infancy. Mrs. Stelle was born in Washington county, N. Y., April 21, 1844. They are both members of the Baptist church of Jerseyville. He holds the office of school treasurer in this township.

Samuel Darlington was born in Scioto county, O., on the 14th of Aug., 1827. In 1840 he came with his parents to Illinois, then locating on section 21, in Mississippi township, Jersey county, which place he himself now occupies. Ilis parents were Abishra and Eva (Cramer) Darlington. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1785, and died at his home in this township in 1851. His mother was also born in Pennsyl- vania, in 1790, and died at her home in 1849. They are both buried here, on the home place, side by side. Samuel Darlington was married to Mary Cox, Sept. 12, 1850. She is the daughter of Jacob B. and Cynthia (Turner) Cox.

Six children have been born to them- William A., born Aug. 21, 1851; Sarah Jane, born Dec. 19, 1854, is the wife of Charles Kelly, and lives in Jerseyville; Olivia, born May 5, 1856, is the wife of Eugene Brooks, and lives in Jersey township; Julia A., born Sept. 12, 1857; Magnolia, born Aug. 2, 1860, is the wife of Robert Green, and lives in Kane, Greene county, Ill .; Nettie, born Dec. 20, 1867. Mr. Darlington is well fixed, having a two-story residence worth $3,000, the main part 18x38, with an L 18x31; a barn 26x40, costing $600, be- sides all the necessary outbuildings that are generally found on a first-class farm. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 456, of Otterville, and also of the camp, No. 53, at Jerseyville. His political views are republican.

John H. Darlington was born on the 5th day of Oct., in the year 1853, in Jersey county, in the same house in which he now lives. Ile was married on April 25, in the year 1880, to Mag- nolia B. Lurton, born on the 10th day of April, 1857. She is the daughter of N. M. and Emma (Sloman) Lurton. They have only one child, Herschel L., born on the 22d day of Nov., in the year 1884. Mr. Darlington's father was born in Scioto county, O., on the 18th day of Dec., 1817. His mother is a native of Illinois. Her father was born in Illinois, and her mother in England. The farm is located on section 16 of this township. On it is a frame house 18x36 with an L 18x22, costing $1,000; a barn, double cribs, granary and buggy sheds, costing about $1.000. There is a good orchard, and everything around denotes prosperity. In politics, he is a republi- can.

445

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

William Davison, an enterprising far- mer of this township, was born in Monmouth county, N. J., on the 18th of Jan., 1822. In 1840 he went to Mon- roe county, N. Y., staying until 1854. He then went to Michigan, where he re- mained until the spring of 1857, when he moved to Jersey county, Ill., on the place now occupied by him. He owns 150 acres of land on section 10, 20 acres of timber on section 22, and 10 acres on section 16. His farm is well improved and provided with good accommoda- tions. The residence cost $3,000, and is a two-story frame building, 24x34, with an L 16x20. He has a large barn 36x46, costing $1,350, a granary 24x26, costing $400, and a good wind pump. There are 350 rods of hedge fence on the land, and a young apple orchard of 130 trees. All these improvements tend to show that Mr. Davison is a man who devotes his time successfully to the occupation he has chosen. He was married to Emeline Potter on the 2d day of Oct., 1845. She is the daughter of Lewis and Nancy (Bliss) Potter. They have three children-Lewis, born on the 16th of Feb., 1846, now married to Elizabeth Ely, and living in this township; James, born on the 26th day of June, 1848, married to Mary Lowe, and Clarence born on the 13th of April, 1850, married to Letitia Ely. All the children live in the township. Mr. Davison is a member of the Methodist church.

Joseph Marshaw was born in the year 1825, on a place that is now a portion of the eity of St. Louis. He is a son of Joseph Marshaw, Sr., who is a native of France. Joseph, Jr., was raised on a farm, which occupation he has since

followed. In 1837 he came to Jersey county, and settled at Otterville. He was married in 1849, to Sarah A. MeDow, a native of this county. They have five children-Madra Jane, wife of James M. Harris, of this township; Louie An- geline, wife of Arthur MeGee, living in Kansas; Florence Matilda, married to Franklin W. Bently, and living in Cass county, Ill .; Addie and Joseph Edmond, at home. He owns a farm of 177 acres on section 29, in township 7, and on which he lives comfortably. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

Andrew J. Everts is among the prosperous farmers of this township. He was born in Madison county, N. Y., on the 21st of May, 1843. He moved west to Audrain county, Mo., in 1865, and remained there six years. He then went to New York on a visit, staid there and in Michigan until 1872, when he went back to Missouri and remained there that winter. In 1873 he came to English township, Jersey county, I11., staid thefe 16 months, moved to Missis- sippi township, on section 11, and lived there six years.

In the spring of 1881 he moved to the farm now occupied by him on the west half of section 15. He was married to Celia Day in Jan., 1868. She was born in Lenawee county, Mich. They had one child born to them- Cora M., born Dec. 22, 1868. His wife died in Oct., 1870, and was buried in Audrain county, Mo. On Jan. 28, 1875, he was again married to Mrs. Emma L. Hartwell, born May 20, 1849. Three children were born to them-Walter W., born Nov. 3, 1875, died Sept. 25, 1877; Eugene A., born Dec. 29, 1877; Hugh O., born Nov. 2, 1879. Mrs. Everts has, besides these, two children

446

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

by her first husband. They are-Hattie A., born Jan. 3, 1870; Florence R., born Jan. 3, 1872. Mr. Everts has 320 acres of good farm land, on which he has a two-story frame residence, the main part 18x40, the L 24x36, and costing $3,000. There is also a good frame barn 40x60, worth $800, with granaries and corn cribs worth $300. He is a member of the K. of H., and of the G. A. R. He is a thriving, industrious farmer, and has prospered by so being.

James R. Slaten resides upon the southwest quarter of section 31, Missis- sippi township, where he owns a valu- able farm of 80 acres, finely improved in every manner. He owns, also, 60 acres of land in Elsah township, which is partly improved. Mr. Slaten was born in Greene county, Ill., Aug. 10, 1822, and his entire life has been spent in this portion of the state. He was married March 21, 1844, to Elizabeth West, who was born in Madison county, Ky., Sept. 15, 1822. She died in Jersey county, March 21, 1879, and was buried in the Salem cemetery, Otter Creek township. They had two children, Mary Jane, born Dec. 24, 1846, wife of Sylvester Whitcomb, and Lee C., born Feb. 5, 1859, and died Sept. 5, 1560. Mr. Slaten's daughter resides with him at present, her husband being in Idaho Territory. Mr. Slaten is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His late wife was also a member of that church. He belongs to the Grafton lodge of A. F. & A. M., and is, politi- cally, a republican.

John E. Love was born on the 27th day of March, 1852, in the state of Vir- ginia. He is a son of J. D. and Anna Love. His father was a native of Penn-

sylvania, and was born on the 4th day of April, 1804. He died on the 12th day of Feb., 1878, and was buried by the side of his brother, Joseph, on the farm of William Love, in Calhoun county, Ill. The place is called Love's grave- yard. John's mother was born in the state of Delaware, in 1829. They moved west from Virginia in 1860, set- tling in Calhoun county, Ill. They staid in that neighborhood about six years, and then came to Jersey county, Mississippi township, where J. E. has since lived with his mother. He is the fifth child of a family of nine, six of whom are yet living. He is a member of the M. E. church. His political views are democratic.

George W. McCann was born Sept. 30, 1863, at Otterville, Jersey county, Ill. In 1876, when only 13 years old, he made a trip to Texas, where he helped his father raise a crop. He came back to this county the next fall, and while he staid here he worked for Zim Rollins. In June, of the next year. he returned to Texas, and remained there a few months, working in a bakery. He then came back to Illinois, where he worked for John Dougherty about four years. He then took a trip to Kansas, where he remained about two months, looking around the country, when he came back, and was married. His mar- riage took place Oct. 24, 1883, to Minnie Menard. She was reared by William Donnegan.

Frederick Hartman was born in Sax- ony, Germany, on the 2d day of Nov., in the year 1827. He left his native place in 1850 and immigrated to America Hle landed in New Jersey, where he lived four years, and then came to Jer-

447

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

sey county, Ill., settling on the Cum- mings farm. He remained on that place three years, then went on section 22, living there nine vears, and then came to section 9, where he now lives. He has his land well improved, and on it are good frame buildings, a good house and barn, insured at $2,000. and all in good repair. He was united in marriage with Emeline Frond, in the year 1852. She was born in 1824. Three children were born to them-Annie, who died at the age of 11 years; Frank, barn in the year 1854, married Lena Hamil- ton, and lives in California; Mary, ! born in the year 1858, is the wife of John Fall, and lives in Jersey county. Mr. Hartman and wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M.

Elihu Conn was born in Williamson county, Ill., on the 17th of March; 1826. When a boy he went to St. Clair county, Ill., where he remained 18 years. He then went to St. Louis, but only stayed part of a year there, and came to Jersey county, Ill., in Nov., 1852. In the spring of 1855, he moved to Montgomery county, and after living there about four years he moved back to Jersey county. He settled in the Illinois bottoms, which place he kept until 1865. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. K, 99th Ill., under Capt. Benjamin Slaten. He served three years and a few days, and was then mustered out at Galveston, Tex. He came back and again went to farming on the Illinois bottoms. He was united in marriage with May G. McBride, on the 15th of Aug., 1851. She was born on the 1st day of July, 1835. They have been the parents of 10 children, six of whom are living-Joseph, born on the 10th of

Oct., 1854, Julia A., born June 28, 1857, John, born on the 22d of June, 1865, Mary B., born on the 17th of May, 1867, James W., born on the 22d of Feb., 1871, Emily, born on the 13th of May, 1873. Mr. Conn is of Irish descent. In politics he is a republican. He is now farming on the northeast quarter of section 15.

Ira M. West, a worthy resident of Mississippi township, was born in St. Clair county, Ill., Oct. 13, 1824. In 1839 he came to Jersey county, and since that date his home has been in this county. Part of that time he has lived in the city of Jerseyville, where he kept a restaurant and confectionery for a few months; but the business proved to be too confining for him and he was obliged to give it up and go out on his farm. He much prefers farm life, as it is more beneficial to his health. Ile moved from town in April, 1884. He was married to Sarah Jane San- dridge, on Dec. 5, 1845. She was the daughter of Roland and Louisa (Wil- liamson ) Sandridge, and was born Oct. 14, 1822. Her parents were natives of Vir- ginia. Mr. West's parents were from Kentucky. Ile bas held various offices since 1849. In that year he was elected constable in Otter Creek town- ship for one term, then in Jerseyville for two terms, then was justice of the peace for one term, and deputy sheriff' continuously for a number of years. Hle is now holding the office of justice of the peace. The farm looks well, and shows him to be a man who understands taking care of one. Besides this he has property worth $4,000 in Jerseyville, consisting of four lots and a fine resi- dence.

448

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

George W. Spangle was born in Mis- sissippi township, Jersey county, Ill., on the 1st day of July, 1854. He was married to Alzada J. McDow, daughter of John N. and Mary (Harris) MeDow. She was born in the year 1860. One child has been born to this union- Jessie E., born on the 29th day of Oct., in the year 1883. He is now living on J. K. Cadwallader's farm on section 17, in this township. Mr. Spangle is quite a young farmer, but is energetic and persevering, and is well liked by all who have the pleasure of his acquaint- ance.

C. H. Vorhees, a prominent stock- dealer in this township, was born in Jersey county, Ill., on the 11th day of Oct., in the year 1839. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Gaston, daugh- ter of Joseph and Catherine Gaston, born on the 23d day of Oct., in the year 1844. He is a member of the K. of H. He owns 120 acres of land on section 5, Mississippi township. The farm is known by the name of Pleasant Hill. He has a good frame dwelling, and barns, cribs and other outbuildings, all in good repair. Most of his time is spent in trading in stock, especially horses and cattle. He is the owner of Bell Brown, the trotting mare of Jersey county; of Zero P., a trotting stallion by old Ben Patchen (the sire of Francis Alexander, record 2:19), and of a two- year-old stallion by Corbin's Bashaw of Quincy, record 2:26, dam Belle Brown, record 2:30. Bell Brown has a colt by llarry Golddust, record 2:30 . Mr. Vorhees has quite a number of horses, carriage teams and colts for sale. Hle also feeds, raises and sells cattle.

Horatio N. Ford was born in Dela-

ware county, Penn., Jan. 17, 1845. His parents were Horatio N. and Martha L. Ford, both natives of Pennsylvania. He came to Illinois with his parents in 1846, they locating in Maeoupin county, and he remained there until 1872. He went from there to Godfrey, Madison county, and staid there until March, 1877, when he came to Delhi, Jersey county, stay- ing there until Oct., 1884. He removed from there to Mccluskey, Jersey county, where he has lived up to the present writing. On the 9th of Oct., in the year 1867, he was married to Frances E. Wyncoop, born Jan. 23, 1842. Her parents were John and Rolando Wyn- coop, he of Virginia, and she of Illinois. Mrs. Ford died Jan. 17, 1877, at God- frey, and was buried at Brighton. Two children were born to them-Harvey L., born Aug. 21, 1868; Geo. N., born Jan. 1, 1877, died March 16, 1877. On Nov. 4, 1880, Mr. Ford was again married, to Jennie E. Scott, born Oct. 21, 1852. Her parents were Charles W. and Cath- arine J. (Kendall) Scott. Her father was from Virginia, her mother from St. Charles county, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Ford are members of the M. E. church. He belongs to the Knights of Honor, No. 1129, of Delhi. He is postmaster, notary public and merchant at McClus- key, and is doing a good business.

John J. Lamb (deceased) was born in Adams county, Miss., March 1, 1830. He removed to Illinois with his parents in 1835. Dec. 25, 1855, he was united in marriage with Ann F. McDow, dauglı ter of John and Maria (Wagoner) Mc- Dow. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are living- Laura E., born Nov. 11, 1858; Albert C., born March 5, 1861, and Walter E.,

449

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

born Jan. 29, 1873; Eva M., was born April 12, 1857, and died Oct. 18, 1858, and one son died in infancy. John J. Lamb died Oct. 11, 1876, and was buried in the Union church cemetery, which is located on section 17, Mississippi town- ship. Mrs. Lamb owns a good farm, · comprising 187 acres upon section 17, where she resides, and 47 acres on the northeast quarter of section 16. Her commodious residence was erected in 1879, at a cost of $3,000. Her barn and other buildings are substantial and convenient. Mrs. Lamb is a member of the Baptist church. Her deceased hus- band was also connected with that de- nomination. He was a man of intelli- gence and enterprise, and on account of his many sterling qualities was esteemed and honored throughout the community.

Addison Greene settled at Jersey Landing, Jersey county, Ill., about the year 1847. Five years later he removed to Mississippi township, where he has ever since resided. He was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., June 21, 1819. In 1834 he went to Missouri, where he remained three years, then returned east to Ohio, his parents having remor- ed to that state. Eighteen months later he came to Ilinois, locating in Madison county. He resided there about 15 months, then went to Missouri, and five months later to Quincy, Ill., re- maining there from Feb., 1839, till Nov., 1844. At the latter date he returned to Madison county, where he lived three years, coming then to this county. April 15, 1839, he was married in Scott county, Ill., to Amanda Iloit, daughter of Benjamin and Dorothy (Walker) Hoit. Mr. Greene's marriage license was the first one issued in that county.

They had a family of 12 children- Henrietta, born July 3, 1840, married to James Chaplin, and died in Feb , 1871; John P., born Aug. 23, 1841, and died in June, 1845; Amanda, born in 1843, and died in 1845; Rufus A., born in March, 1845, and died in Oct. of the same year; Rhoda A., born in Dec., 1846, married to John Sanders, and died in Oct., 1871; Albert, born March 23, 1848, and died in May, 1872; Addi- son, born in Dec., 1850, and died in 1874; Ella, born in 1852, and died in 1856; Joan, born April 20, 1854, now the wife of B. A. McCauly, of Kansas; Nathaniel, born Jan. 22, 1857, living in Mississippi township; Nancy Z., born May 20, 1861, now the wife of John W. Morrill, of Kansas; and Frederick F., born in 1863, and died in infancy. Mr. Greene has a farm of 300 acres, all of which is on section 31, except 80 acres on section 30. He has made substantial and comfortable improvements, and is an enterprising farmer. Mr. Greene was elected supervisor of Mississippi township at its organization, and served two years. He is politically a demo- crat.

Nathaniel Greene, son of Addison Greene, resides upon section 31, Mis- sissippi township. He was born on the same section, Jan. 20, 1857, and here grew to manhood. His childhood was spent in working on the farm and at- tending the district school. In 1872 he entered Monticello Seminary, in Lewis county, Mo., and remained a student at that institution nine months, after which he attended four months at Blackburn University, in Macoupin county, Ill. In 1876, he took a trip to Pennsylvania, visiting the Centennial exposition, at

450

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Philadelphia, and also the oil regions. On his return home he worked on the farm with his father, until 1878, when he again visited Pennsylvania, where he was married, in Dec., of that year, to Belle Kilgore, who was a native of Min- eral township, Venango Co., Penn., who was born March 3d, 1857. She is the daughter of James and Nancy (Ken- near) Kilgore. He returned home in Feb., 1879. and during the next four years followed farming upon his fathers' place, and also canvassed Jersey and Calhoun counties for the sale of agricul- tural implements, being employed by Drury & Weed, of Alton. In Nov., 1882, he went to Elsah, and opened a store of groceries, provisions and hard- ware. He continued in this business until August, 1883. In the fall of that year he went south with a party of sur- veyors, and remained two months, sur- veying on the Mississippi river from Vicksburg to Natches. He then re- turned home. In Aug., 1884, he went to Cloud county, Kansas, and there en- gaged in the manufacture of the Norris patent fence, which he continued three months, then returned to the farm, where he has since remained. IIe has held the office of school director two terms, and is at the present time pres- ident of the board of school trustees of Mississippi township. He is a member of the Grafton lodge, No. 341, of the A. F. & A. M., also a charter member of Black Cross lodge, No. 106, of the K. of P., of Elsah. He is politically a democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Greene have two children-Ruth, born Feb. 12, 1881, and Addison, born June 5, 1884.

James M. Harris, who resides on see- tion 30, of Mississippi township, was

born in Robertson county, Tenn., Dec. 12, 1850. When he was eight years old he removed with his parents to Missis- sippi township, Jersey county, III. At the age of 18 years he left home and went to work for N. M. Lurton, with whom he remained three years. Dec. 14, 1872, he was married to Dora Jane Marshaw, a native of Otterville, Jersey county, born Dec. 31, 1851. She is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah A. (Me- Dow) Marshaw, the former of French descent, and the latter a native of Illi- nois. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have three children-Charles W., born July 16, 1873; Flora, born April 6, 1878, and Thomas, born Sept. 15, 1882. Mr. Harris' parents were natives of Ten- nessee, and are both now deceased. Mr. Harris is politically a republican.

George F. Scribner, a farmer of Mis- sissippi township, was born in Wyo- ming, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1840. He grew to manhood in his native state, and Aug. 12, 1862, enlisted in Co. D, of the 130th N. Y. Inf., under command of Captain Knapp, and served until Oct. 5, 1865, when he was mustered out at Albany, N. Y. He participated in many engage- ments and skirmishes, serving a por- tion of the time in the Ist N. Y. Dra- goons. commanded by Colonel Gibbs. He was a gallant soldier, and always at his post. He was married Nov. 15, 1868, to Adelia A. Washburn, daughter of Madison and Ursula ( Barrows) Wash- burn. She was born Jan. 16, 1842. Mr. and Mrs Scribner have had five children, four of whom are living- Clarence M., born Feb. 3, 1873; Ella M., born July 10, 1875; Lula V., born Sept. 6, 1877, died Dec. 10, of the same year; George F., born July 21, 1880; and Tru-

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

man A., born Oct. 28, 1882. Mr. Scrib- ner owns a farm of 120 acres on section 9, Mississippi township, where he re- sides; also 20 acres on the northwest quarter of section 16, 40 acres on section 17, and 160 acres in Johnson county, Neb. His residence is a commodious and comfortable structure, erected at a cost of $2,700, and his barn and other farm buildings of equally good descrip- tion. He is a member of Jerseyville lodge, No. 53, I.O. O. F., and politically is a republican.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first child born in Mississippi township was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel Gillham.

The first ground plowed was by John D. Gillham, in 1819. He also raised the first wheat and corn.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 53

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