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 56
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of township clerk, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, of Kemper, also of the Masonic fraternity.
C. A. Dannels, son of John C. and Mary Dannels, was born July 5, 1855, near the village of Kemper, Jersey county. His early life was spent here, and his education obtained in the com- mon schools. Oct. 26, 1879, he left the home of his parents, and was united in marriage with Paulina A. Kemper, a daughter of W. H. H. and Elmira Kemper. By this union there are three children-Lelia F., born July 31, 1880; Pauline E., born Jan. 26, 1882, and John C., born Jan. 25, 1885. Mr. Dan- nels owns a farm of 80 acres, located on section 11, where he now resides. He is a member of the Kemper lodge of 1. O. O. F., and formerly belonged to the K. of II.
W. T. Whitfield is a native of Mont- gomery county, Ohio, born near Dayton on the 15th of Sept., 1821. He lived in his native county until 16 years of age. Hle then went to Preble county, Ohio, where he remained until 1857, at which date he came to Jersey county, and lo- cated at Fidelity. He engaged there in the manufacture of carriages and wag- ons. In 1879 he moved to Kemper, and has since devoted his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, raising grain and stock. He was first married, Nov. 6, 1842. His wife died Aug. 30, 1858, leaving five children - Sarah, married; Charles; William L., deceased; Emma Jane, who was married to C. W. Tiet- sort, and died Feb. 24, 1865; and Julia, wife of J. H. Dupy. Mr. Whitfield was married, on Sept. 25, 1862, to Mrs. Jane Smith, daughter of Roland Hooper. By this union there are six
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
children-Mary Elizabeth, James Al- bert, Theodore Wilson, Rachel Jane, Joseph U. and Francis Edgar.
James H. Stotler, a farmer of Ruyle township, was born in what is now the state of West Virginia, June 27, 1844. In 1862, he removed with his father's family, to Greene county, Ill., and set- tled six miles east of Carrollton, where they resided about one year. They then moved to Macoupin county. In 1875, the subject of this sketch was married in Macoupin county, to Peoria Peak, daughter of Richard and Mary Peak. After his marriage he lived two miles north of Medora, in Macoupin county, for a period of two years, then moved to Jersey county, and located upon the Sanders' place, upon which he remained eight years, removing from thence to his present residence. He now lives upon the farm owned by Milo Stowe, and cultivates 400 acres. He carries on general farming, raising grain and stock.
Richardson Ryan was born in Zanes- ville, O., May 13, 1818. He is the eld- est son of John and Jane (Wilcox) Ryan. He was one year old when his father came to Illinois, in the fall of 1819. In the spring following, Mrs. Ryan and her two children, Richardson and Sarah, came out and joined Mr. Ryan at Frenchtown (East St. Louis). Richardson followed the fortunes of his parents and is now living on the same tract of land where his father died 20 years ago. Ile was married in what is now Jersey county, Nov. 13, 1842, to Angeline Ritchie, who was born near Golconda, Polk county, Dec. 31, 1820, and a daughter of James and Julia Ann Ritchie. She died Jan. 5, 1881. They
were the parents of three children, all of whom are living-Alice, living with her father; Leonard, married to Alice, daughter of John I. and Ann (Chorn) Thomas, and grand-daughter of the pioneer, Samuel Thomas; and Richard- son, who lives in this township. Mr. Ryan recollects the time when St. Louis was nothing but a French village, and has driven hogs to market when there were but a few scattered houses west of the court house in that city. Ilis life has been one of industry and energy, and he has accumulated 566 acres of land, the greater part of which lies on Sec. 35, T. 9, R. 10, the remainder, timber land on sections 17 and IS, lying across Macoupin creek. In 1849 Mr. Ryan and his brother Charles went to the Pacific coast, and engaged there in the mines, two years, after which they returned to Illinois.
Harvey Gilworth is a son of John Gilworth, and was born on section 29, Ruyle township, Aug. 4, 1843. He is the youngest of nine children, and re- mained with his parents until the time of his marriage, which took place March 29, 1866, to Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob H. Pickett. Mr. and Mrs. Gilworth are the parents of seven chil- dren, six of whom are living-Edward, Ida May, Delia Jane, Lottie Bell, Nel- lie B. and Elmer Claude. John Henry was born June 4, 1867, and died Aug. 20, 1868. John Gilworth, father of the subject of this sketch, was one of the earliest settlers of Jersey county. Har- vey Gilworth owns a fine farm of 200 acres, located on section 29, Ruyle township, and is engaged in general farming.
Vilas L. Dodge, a well known farmer
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
of the township of Ruyle, is a native of Addison county, Vt., born Oct. 28, 1846. In 1852 he removed with his parents to Whiteside county, Ill., and two years later to Jersey county, locating then on section 14, Ruyle township. They re- sided on that section until 1860, when they removed to section 12, where Mr. Dodge now lives. Vilas L. remained with his parents until 1871. On Feb. 21 of that year, he was united in mar- riage with Laura R., oldest daughter of John C. and Mary Dannels. They have had five children born to them, four of whom are living- Mary, born March 27, 1874; George, born July 24, 1876; Lotta, born June 30, 1878, and Fred Le- roy, born June 24, 1884. Mr. Dodge's farm contains 162 acres of land, with 42 acres on section 12, 100 acres on section 2, and 20 acres on section 1. He car- ries on general farming. He has held the offices of township supervisor and assessor, and is at present road super- visor. He is a member of the Sheffield lodge of the Masonic fraternity, at Rockbridge, Greene county.
John Henry Taylor, oldest son of Isaac and Mahala Taylor, was born near Rockbridge, Greene county, Ill., June 2, 1848. He resided in that county with his parents until 1874. On the 4th of June, that year, he was married to Har- riet Palmer, daughter of Washburn and Sarah Palmer. They have had born to them, six children, only two of whom are now living-Silas Newton, born Feb. 22, 1879, and Lula, born Nov. 22, 1881. Those deceased are-William O., born Feb. 7, 1875, and died Feb. 18, of the same year; Georgie, born Jan. 14, 1877, and died the following day; Lena May, born Nov. 28, 1879, and died
Feb. 9, 1881; and Celia Ann, born Jan. 12, 1884, and died March 9, 1885. Mr. Taylor resides on section 10, where he is engaged in farming.
Joseph B. Carter, of Kemper, is a son of Robert and Jane Carter, and was born near Chesterfield, in Macoupin county, Feb. 26, 1843. He lived at home with his parents until his marriage to Lucy Kemper, Dee. 27, 1867. She is a daughter of W. H. H. and Ahnira Kem- per. After marriage, Mr. Carter settled four miles northeast of the village of Medora, Macoupin ccounty, and re- mained there four years, after which he removed to Greenfield, in Greene county, and engaged in keeping livery stable, which business he continued one and one-half years, then sold out and removed to Kemper, Jersey county, where he has since remained. After coming here he engaged in farming, fol- lowing that occupation until 1884. During that year he was, for a few months, employed in running a meat market at Medora, Macoupin county. Mr. Carter owns and resides in block No. 1, in the village of Kemper, and is not at present in any business. Mr. and Mrs. Carter are the parents of two children-Ethel May and Elden Guy.
William Palmer (deceased), one of the earliest pioneers of this section of the country, was born in Sudbury, Rut- land county, Vt., June 20, 1799. He was a son of William and Abigail Pal- mer, formerly of Dutchess county, N. Y. His grandfather, Elias Palmer, was of English descent. William and Abi- gail Palmer had a family of seven chil- dren-three sons and four daughters- all of whom are deceased. The subject of this sketch was the youngest. He
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
received his education in his native state, and was married Jan. 13, 1823, to Mary Barton, a native of Addison county, Vt. Six children were born to them-William George, residing in Ma- coupin county; Mary A., wife of John C. Dannels; Franklin, who died in in- fancy; Henry R .; Ilarriet S., wife of Milo Stowe, and Martha J. Mr. Palmer in 1830 immigrated to Illinois with his family, which at that time consisted of his wife and three children, making an overland journey of over two months. . He located west of White Hall, where he remained two years, then removed to the southeast quarter of Sec. 14, T. 9, R. 10, making one of the first per- manent settlements in the township in which he lived for more than 40 years. Ile was one of the commissioners ap-
pointed by the court of Jersey county to establish the boundary line between Greene and Jersey counties, which duty he performed satisfactorily to all. He was for three years, one of the county commissioners, and was appointed post- master under VanBuren's administra- tion, being one of the first postmasters in the county. About the year 1845, Mr. Palmer, by a premature discharge of powder, while blasting rock, lost his eyesight, and although in darkness for for the last 29 years of his life, he was constantly cheered, and his pathway brightened by the love and kindness of his numerous relatives and friends. Ile was one of the substantial citizens of the community in which he so long resided, and highly esteemed and honored by all. His death occured April 20, 1874.
CHAPTER XXVII.
JERSEY TOWNSHIP.
This civil sub-division of Jersey county, embraces congressional township 8 north, range 11 west, the southeast quarter of township 9 north, range 11 west, and the lower half of sections 13, 14 and 15, of the northeast quarter of the same congressional township. This is claimed by many to be the finest of any section of Jersey county. The handiwork of the better class of inhab- itants is seen in the many shady and beautiful artificial groves that dot its enchanting prairies; in the well tilled and well kept farms; and in the
! neat and ofttimes spacious and elegant residences, and commodious, well painted barns. The buildings, as a rule, are in excellent repair, and every- thing manifests the work and care be- stowed upon them by their thrifty, in- telligent owners. Indeed, there are some as fine farm residences in this township as can be found in any part of the state. The main body of the town- ship is composed of level, or gently rolling, prairie, while that part which lies in congressional township 9 north, known as the "Panhandle," is prinei-
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
pally timber land, rugged and broken, but containing occasionally a fine piece of farın land.
Jersey township has not so many, nor so large, running streams as some of its neighbors, but it is abundantly supplied with water for stock and agricultural purposes. Phill's creek comes into the township from Mississippi, near the center of the south line of Sec. 34, T. 8, R. 11, and flowing in an irregular course through the township, joins its waters with those of the the Macoupin in the southeast quarter of Sec. 15, T. 9, R. 11. Dorsey's branch of Phill's creek has its origin on Sec. 30,T. 8, R. 11, and flows with a general northeastward trend till it enters the waters of Phill's creek, on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 27. The city of Jerseyville is in this township, lying principally in the southwest quarter of T. 8, R. 11.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
It is more than likely that the first attempt at settlement within the limits of Jersey county was made in Jersey township. Authentic evidence is given that in the fall of 1815, six men, Daniel Allen and his sons, Daniel, Jr., James and John, and James and Paul Harri- ford came to this locality. They were looking for homes, and on coming to the Macoupin creek, opposite, or nearly so, to the mouth of Taylor's branch, set- tled upon Sec. 13, T. 9, R. 11, or in what is now known as the "panhandle." Here they put up cabins, and clearing some land, in the summer of 1816, raised a crop of corn. In the fall of that year, however, the Allens removed a short distance west, thus carrying them into Greene county, where their
subsequent career may be followed. The Harriford's, brothers of Mrs. John Huitt, returned to Chariton, Mo., in time to witness her marriage in 1818.
The next to appear in this locality was John Ballard, who first came to the county in 1822. He settled on the south- east quarter of Sec. 30, T. S, R. 11, in what is now Jersey township. In 1823 he sold out to John Falkner, and then removed to the present site of Jersey- ville.
John Falkner bought the improve- ment of John Ballard, on the southeast quarter of Sec. 30, 8-11, in 1823, and settled on it. He was frozen to death in 1825, while coming from mill. His brother James afterward removed to the present site of Jerseyville, and built the old "Red House," the second in the place.
In.1824, John Nelson English came to Jersey county, and has been a resident ever since. He was the first sheriff of this county, and has filled a prominent place in the general assembly of the state. A sketch of him occurrs in con- nection with the members of the legis- lature, in the chapter entitled National, State and County Representation.
Robert Latham settled in what is now Jersey county, in 1825. In 1829 he entered a piece of land in Jersey town- ship, and settled thereon. . He was born in Rowan county, N. C., in 1793, and came to Illinois in 1820.
Jonathan E. Cooper came to the county of Jersey in Nov., 1829. The greater part of his time for the first year was spent in Carrollton, but in 1832, he entered the farm, whereon he now lives, in Jersey township, and has been identi- fied with this county ever since.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
Captain Jonathan E. Cooper is a na- tive of Henry county, Ky., born Jan. 5, 1807. His father, Jonathan Cooper, was a native of Maryland, and one of the early settlers of the "dark and bloody ground." He was among the pioneer settlers with Daniel Boone, with whom he frequently hunted Indians, and he was also a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. He married his first wife, Eleanor Jones, in Pennsylvania, and reared six children. His second mar- riage occurred in Shelby county, Ky., to Eleanor English, and by this union 12 children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest son, and second child. In 1835 he removed to Illinois, and settled on a farmi four miles southwest of Jerseyville, where he died, in Aug., 1845. Mrs. Cooper survived his death 11 years. Jonathan E. Cooper received his education in the schools of his native state, and spent most of his time at home on the farm until reaching the age of 23 years, and. in Nov., 1829, after a horse-back trip of 13 days, landed within the present limits of Jersey county, Ill. He spent nearly the first winter clerking in the store of his uncle, L. N. English, of Carrollton. The next year he worked on a farm. On the breaking out of the Black Hawk war, he enlisted in Captain Carlin's (afterward Governor Carlin) company, was elected as its orderly sergeant, and served one year under Carlin. The next year, 1832, he served in Captain Patterson's company, and a portion of the year was detailed as quartermaster; participated in the battles of the Wis- eonsin and Mississippi, and after peace was declared, received an honorable discharge. In Oct., 1832, Captain
Cooper entered the land on which he now resides, two and a half miles south- west of Jerseyville. In 1832 he was commissioned captain of militia by Gov. Reynolds. When he came to Illi- nois, his wealth consisted of a horse and three dollars in money. After entering his land, he soon set about improve- ment, and commenced making a home. Being one of the pioneers, he had many hardships and inconveniences to encounter. May 19, 1836, he was mar- ried to Miriam F. Turner, nee French, daughter of Nicholas and Anna French. She was born in Roekingham county, N. H. The captain and his bride moved into their cabin on the Ist of Ang., 1836, and Captain Cooper still resides on the identical spot. Mrs. Cooper died in June, 1873. They reared two adopted ehil- dren-Marshall M. Cooper, now a Pres- byterian minister, and, at the present writing, located at Deep River, Iowa, and Mary, the wife N. I. Massy, resides in Colorado. On Dec. 3, 1879, Captain Cooper was married to Sarah C. John- son, nee Gillham, a native of Illinois, having been born in Madison county. Politically, Captain Cooper is a demo- crat, he having become a member of that party in early life, his first vote having been cast for General Jackson, but has never desired to hold public office. Religiously, he united with the Baptist church, at Kane, Greene county, in 1839, and he and his wife were among the original members of the Baptist so- ciety at Jerseyville. The first year of the organization of this society, he was elected to the responsible position of deacon, which he has since retained. Deacon Cooper is among that elass of noble-hearted citizens whom all love
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
and respect. Strict integrity and honesty of purpose mark all his dealings. He is a close observer of passing events, and to him is due the credit of preserv- ing much of the early history of Jersey county.
William Moore settled about six miles south of Jerseyville in 1829, where he remained until 1831, when he made a permanent settlement in Jersey town- ship, on section 20. This he made his residence until the winter of 1835-6, when he was frozen to death returning from mill, being on foot, having sent his team on ahead with his son.
Amos Pruitt settled in this township in 1829, on section 19, but in 1832 dis- posed of his farm to Milo Bennett, and removed to a place northwest of the present town of Fidelity. He was a member of the first county commission- ers court of Jersey county, elected in 1839. He died from the result of injuries caused by a horse in 1869. He was an active man, and was quite successful.
Ward Eldred was, also, a settler of the year 1831, locating on Sec. 35, T. 9, R. 11, or the Panhandle, as it is familiarly called.
Robert B. Robbins, settled on Sec. 30, T. 8, R. 11, in I831. He was a native of New York, and came here from Jeffer- son county, that state. He began the work of improving his farm as soon as he had made the entry. He had, on his place, a shop for repairing wagons and farm implements, and in bad or inclement weather he was always ready to perform jobs of that kind. He was a shrewd man, and capable of doing most any kind of work; a good natured, kind neighbor, and had many friends. He died here in 1846.
John Childers and Alexander Moore made settlements on See. 36, in T. 8, R. 11, in 1831, and James A. Carlisle, on section 1 of the same township.
Richmond Henderson, one of the pi- oneers of Jersey county, died of con- gestion of the lungs, at his residence, two miles southwest of Jerseyville, at 2 o'clock P. M., Nov. 29, 1870. He was a son of Richmond and Elizabeth Hen- derson, and was born at Rochester, Strafford county, N H., Dec. 26, 1801, where he remained during the early part of his life. He came to Illinois, in 1832, and purchased the land on which he ever afterward resided. On the 21st of March, 1833, he was married to Mary Ann Douglass, a resident of what was then known as Otter Creek prairie. Mr. Henderson was then known by all the early settlers of Jerrsey county as a man of strictly honorable principles, of liberal views, with firmness of charac- ter sufficient to bear him out in what- ever he deemed just and right. As a neighbor, he was neighborly; as a friend, reliable; and as a husband and father, ever anxious for the comfort and happi- ness of those who looked to him for protection and support; as a farmer, he was successful, leaving his family in comfortable circumstances.
Among others who settled during the same year, 1832, was James A. Potts, J. Nathaniel Miner, Milo Bennett, George W. Lowder, John Rogers, Hugh McGill, Joel Hinson, James Whitehead, John Coventry and James Lunsdon.
James A. Potts was a native of Ten- nessee ; he was a man possessed of a good education, and engaged some times in surveying. He had no desire to ac- cumulate wealth, but was an excellent
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
citizen. He was one of the elders of the Presbyterian church up to the time of his death, in the month of April, 1857.
J. Nathaniel Miner was born near Old Crown Point, New York, during 1801. He came to Jersey county the year above. He assisted in raising the first frame building in Jerseyville, and was the first constable of the precinct after the organization of the county in 1839.
Milo Bennett, a Vermonter, settled on section 18, on 160 acres of land, half of which he had purchased of Amos Pruitt, and half of which he entered himself. He removed to Fowa in 1840 or '41, and during the gold excitement went to California.
Solomon Calhoun and family settled near the present site of Jerseyville in 1833. He died there, in 1869. Mr. Calhoun was a prominent man during the early days of the county's organi- zation, having served on the first board of county commissioners, and held various other offices.
Samuel Day was a native of Addison counry, Vt., where he grew to manhood. He was united in marriage with Maria Spencer, who died, leaving three chil- dren, one of whom became the wife of Harley E. Hayes. He was then united in marriage with Emoretta Hayes, and in 1833 came to Jersey county, and set- tled about four miles south of the county seat, on a farm, where he resided until about 1841, when he died, leaving four children by the second marriage.
The growth and progress of Jersey township has been so closely identified with that of the city of Jerseyville, that it would be difficult, and in many cases improper, to separate them. The reader
is therefore referred to the history of the city for the remainder of the histor- ical items of the township.
OTHER PROMINENT CITIZENS.
Among other residents of this town- ship, who came at a later date, but who have been largely identified with the growth and development of the same, are the following named gentlemen. To them the county of Jersey is greatly in- debted for their enterprise and intelli- gence:
Cornelius B. Fisher, an early settler of this county, and an old and highly respected citizen, was born in New Jer - sey, June 14, 1809. His parents, Hen- drick and Kesiah (Fulkerson) Fisher, was born, lived and died in New Jer- sey, where Cornelius remained until 29 years of age. June 1, 1838, he came to Jersey county, and located in Jersey township, where he purchased 160 aeres of land on section 17. Here he erected a small frame house, and resided eight years. In 1846 he bought the National Hotel, at Jerseyville, and run the same four years. He owned, also, about half the block where the hotel stands. He abandoned hotel keeping in 1850, and moved back to his farm. Two years later he returned to Jerseyville, and built the house now occupied by Dr. Miles, having previously sold his farm to Mr. Birkenmayer. Hle resided in Jerseyville eight years, engaged most of the time in speculating. In 1859, Mr. Fisher went back to New Jersey, and purchased 200 aeres of land on the Raritan river, one of the most beautiful locations in the state, to which he soon after removed his family. After spend- ing one year there he sold his farm for '
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
$20,000 and then came back to Jersey county, Ill. He then purchased what is known as the Potts farm, containing 120 acres, on which he resided about four years, then sold a portion of it, and in 1867, bought 160 acres on section 17, Jersey township, where he has since remained. His residence is one of the finest in the county, being built of brick, two stories in height, and contain- ing 14 rooms. It was erected at a cost of $14,000, and with its beautiful and perfectly kept surroundings, forms one of the lovliest suburban homes in this portion of the state. Mr. Fisher was married Sept. 25, 1828, to Hannah Mitchell, daughter of George Mitchell. They had five children, four of whom are living-Cornelia, wife of Joseph Bell, of Kansas City; Caroline, wife of William Hawley, of Jerseyville; Henry, married to Louisa Rappela, and living in Jerseyville, and George, married to Eva Beardsley, and living in Toledo, O. One daughter, Maria, is deceased. She was the wife of Albert Sickle, who is also deceased. Mr. Fisher has been twice married, his second wife being, formerly, Susan A. Chamberlain. Mr. Fisher owns, in addition to his farm of 182 acres, some town property in the city of Jerseyville. Mrs. Fisher is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Jerseyville.
Mordecai J. Ritchey is a son of James and Julia (Robinet) Ritchey, the former a native of South Carolina, and the lat- ter of Kentucky. They came to Illinois in 1815, settling in Pope county, where they remained until 1828, at which time they removed to Greene county, and two and a half years later, came to what is now Jersey county, and located on
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