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 57

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 57

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).

section 25, Jersey township. Here James Ritchey died in 1860. His widow survived until 1869. The subject of this sketch was born in Greene county, Ill., Nov. 13, 1830. He was reared up- on a farm, and resided with his parents until their death. In 1857 he went to Kansas, with the intention of purchas- ing land, but not being pleased with the outlook, returned home without doing SO. Later he visited Nebraska, but made no investment there. He was married, Jan. 22, 1863, to Sarahı T. Briggs, daughter of John and Mary Briggs. They are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living- James, married to Nellie Pruitt, and living in Jersey county; Emma, Morde- cai, Julius A., John, Cordelia and Van. Mr. Ritchey is the owner of a fine farm of 541 acres, and has a handsome resi- dence, erected in 1881, at a cost of $3,000, also other improvements of a substantial description. He is a demo- crat politically, and has been supervisor for three years. He is a man of intelli- gence and enterprise, and as a citizen ranks high in the esteem of all.

W. H. Fulkerson came to Jersey county in 1866, locating then, one mile and a half north of Jerseyville, where he has since resided. He is one of the largest land owners in the county, and one of the most extensive breeders of short horn cattle in the state of Illinois. His residence, one of the finest in Jer- sey county, is a two-story brick struc- ture, and a model of comfort and con- venience. His barns, of which he has several, located on different portions of his large estate, are substantial, and well adapted to the use for which they were intended. He has also other im-

476

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

provements of a good description. Mr. Fulkerson was born in Claiborne county, Tenn., Sept. 9, 1834. He was colonel of the 63d Tennessee, C. S. A., during the Rebellion. He has served as county judge of Jersey county, one term. Dur- ing the construction of the St. L. & J. branch of the W., St. L., & P. R. R., Mr. Fulkerson acted as general man- ager for the company. Ile is one of the leading stock-breeders of this portion of the state, and a prominent and hon- ored citizen of Jersey county.

Alexander A. McReynolds was born in Sumner county, Tenn., Sept. 28, 1819. His parents, Joseph and Margaret (Anderson) MeReynolds, came to Illinois in 1835, settling within the present limits of Jersey county, on what s now section 15, Jersey township. The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, remaining with his parents until 27 years old. He then improved a farm for himself on section 15, where he has since lived. He was married April 21, 1847, to Helen M. Spencer, daughter of John L. and Elizabeth Spencer. Mr. and Mrs. McReynolds had six children, two of whom are now living-Eugene S., mar- ried to Mary Cockrell, and living in Jerseyville; and Sallie T.

Mrs. MeReynolds died March 15, 1861, and Mr. MeReynolds was married Nov. 15, 1865, to Alanora VanlIorn, daughter of David and Ann VanHorn, natives of New York. By this marriage five chil- dren were born, four of whom are liv- ing-Helen, wife of Herbert Force, of Nebraska; David, George and Maggie. Mr. MeReynolds owns 220 acres of land, which is highly cultivated and improv- ed. He is a member of the Presby-

terian church, in which he is an elder. He served as road supervisor two years before the township organization. He is one of the earliest settlers of the county, and justly deserving of the high esteem in which he is held in the community where he resides. His sec- ond wife died May 1, 1875.

Lloyd W. Sunderland first came to this county in 1838, being then 21 years old. He remained here a short time, engaged as clerk in the only store in Jerseyville, but soon returned to his home in New Jersey, where he was born, May 15, 1817. His parents were John P. and Elizabeth Sunderland, natives of New Jersey. At the age of 16, he went to Philadelphia, and there learned the brick mason's trade. On his return to New Jersey, he remained nine years, engaged the greater part of his time, as deputy sheriff and con- stable. In 1847 he again returned to Jersey county, and settled on section 8, of Jersey township, where he has since resided. He owns 280 acres of land, and is one of the leading farmers of the township. He was married Dec. 23, 1839, to Saralı A. Steinburg, daugh- ter of William and Nancy Steinburg. They have 10 children-Harriet, James, Joseph, John, William, Justice, Annie, Carrie, Ella, and Lloyd. Of these three are unmarried. Mr. Sunderland is a democrat, politically.

Oliver S. Randolph was born in Shi- loh, Cumberland county, N. J., Nov. 15, 1847, being a son of Isaac S. and Jane E. (Ayers) Randolph, also natives of New Jersey. Isaac Randolph was an architect by profession. He died in 1851, and his wife in 1883. Oliver S. Randolph was reared on a farm, and

477

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

resided with his grandparents until 18 years of age. In the fall of 1865 he came to Jersey county and lived with his unele, Oliver Randolph, until the death of the latter, after which he went back to New Jersey and remained about one year. In 1869 he returned to Jer- sey county and located in Jersey town- ship. He settled upon his present farm in 1871. It is situated on section 18, and contains 120 aeres. He was married March 22, 1870, to Julia E. Tichenor, daughter of Stephen and Jane Tichenor. Her mother married Oliver Randolph, his unele, in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph are the parents of five children-Charles, Alice, Jennie, Oliver P. and Carleton. Mrs. Randolph is a member of the Baptist church.

Charles Brooks, a prosperous farmer of Jersey county, was born in Lanca- shire, Eng., May 4, 1831, being a son of William and Mary A. (Wagstaff) Brooks, also natives of England. When Charles was 11 yearsold, his parents immigrated to the United States, and located in New Jersey, where they remained a short time, then went to Rhode Island, settling at Manville, on the Blackstone river. Here all the children of the family who were of suitable age, worked in the cotton mills. In the fall of 1844, William Brooks took a trip to Illinois, in search of a location, and purchased SO acres of land near the southeast cor- ner of Greene county, to which, in Aug., 1845, he removed his family. Charles lived with his parents till 20 years of age. He then began farmi- ing for himself. In 1851 he came to Jersey county and rented a farm of 80 aeres. Feb. 11, 1852, he was mar- ried to Sarah J. Short, daughter of

Glover and Rachel Short, of Jersey county. They had five children, four of whom are living-Laura J .. wife of John W. Voorhees, of La Plata, Mo .; Charles E., married to Olivia Darling- ton, and living in Jersey county; Martha E., wife of Oliver P. Colean, of Denver, Col .; and Olive E., wife of George W. Adams, of Jersey county. Mrs. Brooks died Aug. 31, 1879, and Mr. Brooks was married again Dec. 1, 1880, to Nannie J. Akard, daughter of Benjamin Akard. By this union there is one child- Arthur L. Mr. Brooks now owns 232 aeres of land on sections 4 and 16, Jer- . sey township, where he has a de- lightful residence, all the surroundings of which indicate thrift and comfort. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks are members of the M. E. church. lle is a democrat in polities.

Charles Perrine is a son of one of the early settlers of Jersey county, Thomas Perrine, a native of New Jersey, who eame here in an early day. On his ar- rival here he went to work for Abijah Davis, and afterward purchased 160 acres of land, upon which he built one of the first frame houses in Jersey county. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was Helen K. (Vandenburg) Perrine. Thomas Per- rine died March 5, 1875, and was buried in the Jerseyville cemetery. Charles Perrine was born in this county, April 4, 1859, and here reared, upon a farm, remaining with his parents until their death. He received his education in the schools of this township, and attend- ed one term at the high school in Jer- seyville. In 1880 he was married, on the 18th of Oct., to Hattie Brooks, daughter of James E. and Anna Brooks.

478

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

They have one child-Charlie. Mr. Perrine owns 160 acres of land, and is engaged in general farming.

Charles Milton was born in Rome, Oneida county, N. Y., Jan. 6, 1826, be- ing a son of Palmer and Ruby (Tibbetts) Milton, the former a native of Rhode Island, and the latter of New York. In 1832 the family moved to Canada, where the parents resided until their death. Palmer Milton was a cooper by trade, also a contractor and builder. Charles learned the cooper's trade with his father, while living in Canada, and fol- lowed the same until he left home. At the age of 14 years he went on the lakes as sailor, following that life two years, after which he engaged in milling and engineering, until he came to this county, in the spring of 1849. Here he worked out by the month for three years, then went into a saw and grist mill and worked at engineering about two years. He was married March 16, 1853, to Mrs, Frances (Benson) Fitzger- ald, daughter of Henderson and Eliza- beth (Welch) Benson, and soon after located on a farm on section 3, Jersey township. In 1872 he erected a handsome and commodious residence, at a cost of $2,800, in which he now resides. He owns 235 acres of land, and carries on general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Mil- ton have had six children, three of whom are living-Charles W., married to Isa- bel Hicks, and living in Caldwell, Kan .; Liphus A., married to Jennie Tucker, and living at the same place, and Laura E .. Those deceased are, Frank S., Sa- rah A. and Lillian. Mrs. Milton is a member of the M. E. church. Mr. Milton is a republican in politics, and a worthy and esteemed citizen.

Frank I. Lowe, son of Richard and Sarah D. (Williamson) Lowe, was born in Jersey county, Ill., Jan. 29, 1855. His early life was spent upon the farm, where he remained with his parents un- til 23 years of age. He was then mar- ried, Dec. 25, 1877, to Fannie E. Bridges, daughter of Hiram and Eliza Bridges. Mr. and Mrs. Lowe had two children- Nellie V. had Mabel E. Mrs. Lowe died Feb. 6, 1883, and was buried in Oak Grove cemetery, at Jerseyville. Mr. Lowe cultivates 160 acres of land, located on sections 11 and 12. He is a democrat, politically, and an industrious and enterprising young farmer.

John Vahle, deceased, was born in Germany, July 25, 1817. He came to America when quite young, and settled in Maryland, where he remained a num- ber of years, coming from thence to Jersey county, Ill. He located in Eng- lish township, where he purchased 80 acres of land, to which he afterwards added 40 acres. He was married in April, 1852, to Mary M. IFarris, daugh- ter of Asa and Sarah Harris. They had eight children-Henry, now married to Dora Hooper, and living in English township; Louis, married to Lena Gætten, also living in English town- ship; Anthony; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Dower; Caroline, Frank, and William. Mr. Vahle died March 18, 1873, and was buried in the Armstrong cemetery, in English township. Mrs. Vahle now owns 280 acres of land, with 200 acres in English township, and the remainder on section 10, Jersey township, where she now resides. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Vahle has carried on the farm successfully, adding to it 160 acres, and making many improvements.

479

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

The family are members of the Catho- lic church of Jerseyville.

John J. Ballard, a resident of Jersey ville township, is a native of Tennessee, having been born in Campbell county, Oct. 14, 1829, his parents being Winston and Isabel (James) Ballard, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of North Carolina. His parents came to Ilinois in 1842, and located in Greene county, for three or four years, then moved to Alton, where they staid one year. From there they moved to Missouri, and then returned to Illinois. His father died in Macoupin county in 1851, and his 1

mother in Greene county, in 1882. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, remaining with his parents until he was 15 years old. He then re- turned to Tennessee, and there followed farming and blacksmithing for 10 years. In 1857 he moved back to Greene county, and settled near Rockbridge. Two years later he moved to Jersey county, loeat- ing on Hawkins' prairie, where he re- sided 10 years. In 1867 he came to Jer- seyville, serving as constable from that date until 1873, after which he acted as deputy sheriff two years. He located on section 8, Jersey township, where he has been farming on Col. W. H. Fulkerson's farm for the past 14 years. Mr. Ballard was married in Union county, E. Tenn., on the 18th of March, 1851, to Lavand Graves, daughter of Henry Graves. She died May II, 1883, and was buried in Greene county. They had eight chil- dren, six of whom are living-Louis H., married to Nancy S. Whitlock, and living in Greene county, William, Mary J., Francis M., James D. B. and Catherine.

Joseph B. Woolsey, deceased, was

born in Delaware county, N. Y., on the 10th day of Aug., 1809, his pa- rents being Amos and Phoebe (Briggs) Woolsey. When Joseph had reached his 14th year, his parents removed to a point near Syracuse, where he was reared to manhood and finished his ed- ucation. lle was there united in mar- riage with Priscilla Ann Barber, a native of Onondaga Valley, N. Y., on the 4th day of May, 1831. She was a daughter of Joel and Permelia (Adams) Barber. In 1833, Mr. and Mrs. Wool- sey started for Illinois, and located in what was then a wilderness. but in what is now the prosperous farming country of Jersey township, Jersey county. Mr. Woolsey had come out the year be- fore and bought 160 acres of land. On his arrival in this state, in 1833, he en- gaged at his trade, that of a carpenter, which he continued to follow for four years, at Kane, Greene county. At the expiration of that time, he removed to his farm in Jersey township, this county, where he resided until the time of his death, Dee. 30, 1881. He was an enter- prising citizen, and accumulated some 600 acres of land, 160 of which is re- tained by his wife, the remainder hav- ing been sold. and the proceeds divided among the children. Mr. and Mrs. Woolsey were members of the Presby- terian church, having brought their church letters from their native state. He was an upright and honorable man, kind and courteons, and all his acquaint- ances were his friends. Mr. and Mrs. Woolsey were the parents of eight chil- dren, six of whom were reared to man- hood, and five of whom are yet living- Edward P., deceased, who married Mary L. Waddle; Joel B., married Martha

480

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Fitzgerald, and now resides near Au- burn, Sangamon county; James D., married Mary Baugh, and now resides in Kansas; George Il., married Barbara A. Wharton, and resides in Jersey county; Simeon, married Keturah Snell, and resides in Sangamon county; Amos H., married Mary Ritchey, and lives in Greene county. Their two daughters died -Caroline M., July 14, 1837; and Ann, Aug. 30, 1850.

Augustus Recker is a native of Ger- many, born in 1853, and is a son of Henry and Agnes (Osa) Recker. In 1869 he left his native land and immigrated to America. On his ar- rival he spent two years in looking for a location, stopping at different points, and finally decided to settle in Greene county, Ill., where he remained some eight years, engaged in farming. In 1883 he removed to Jersey county and located two and a half miles north of Grafton. They are now liv- ing one and one-half miles north of Jerseyville. Mr. Recker was married, in 1875, to Ellen Miller, a native of Greene county, Ill. Four children have been born to them, three of whom are living -Henry, Charlie and Daisy Agnes. Hattie, the first child, died in infancy. Mr. Recker's father, Henry Recker, died in Germany in 1880. His mother is still living.

Matthew C. Stanley, a native of Cheshire, Eng., was born Feb. 26, 1819, and is a son of Thomas and Alice (Cook) Stanley. In 1827 Thomas Stan- ley removed with his family to America, settling in Newark, N. J., where they remained till 1836. They then moved to Camptown, in the same state, from whence Matthew, in 1843, came to Jer-

sey county, Ill., and located on section 25, Jersey township, where he yet resides. He owns a valuable farm of 280 aeres with excellent improvements. Ile has served four years as a justice of the peace, and is a much esteemed citi- zen. Mr. Stanley was married, in 1848, to Elizabeth Armstrong, and by this union has eight children-Caroline H., wife of Charles W. Warren, of this township; Robert T., now living in Blue Springs, Gage county, Neb., where he is engaged in the livery busi- ness; Edward B., also in Gage county, Neb., engaged in farming; Charles B., Mary E., Douglas, Belle and Nettie, living with their parents. Mrs. Stanley is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Stanley belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the P. of H. His father, Thomas Stanley, died with the cholera in this township, in 1851. His mother died at the same place, in 1861. Both are buried in the old cemetery at Jersey- ville.

George W. Embley was born in Mer- cer county, N. J., May 15, 1837, being a son of Joseph and Ann (Mount) Emb- ley, also natives of New Jersey. George was raised upon a farm, and remained with his parents until 21 years old. He then followed farming for three or four years, after which he learned the car- penter's trade, at which he worked about 12 years. In March, 1877, he came to Jersey county, and settled on section 8, Jersey township, where he has ever since resided. He has an excellent farm, containing 103+ acres, and carries on general farming. He was married Feb. 10, 1858, to Susan Schuy- ler, daughter of Aaron Schuyler. Twelve children have been born to them, five

481

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

of whom are now living-Susie S., wife of Holmes W. Smock; Georgiana, Irene E., Ada and Alvin V. Mr. Embley is, politically, a supporter of the demo- cratie party, and a worthy and respected citizen.

Thos. K. Donnalley, son of James and Margaret ( Kelso) Donnalley, was born in Bucks county, Penn., July 2, 1808. James Donnalley was a weaver by trade, but followed that occupation only a short time. He removed to the city of Phil- adelphia, where he resided many years, engaged in painting. He died in 1851, aged 78 years. His wife, Margaret, died in 1834, at the age of 65 years. Thomas, in his youth, learned the shoe- maker's trade in Philadelphia, and there followed the same for 28 years. He then bought a small farm and eh- gaged in farming, which he continued eight years, in Pennsylvania. Then, in the spring of 1856, he sold his farm and came to Jersey county, Il., where he purchased 160 acres on section 1, Jersey township, on which he has since resided. Ile now has a well-im- proved farm and a comfortable and de- sirable home. He was married May 20, 1830, to Susan Felty, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Felty. Mr. and Mrs. Donnalley have had nine children, six of whom are living-Elizabeth, widow of William Gaston, who died in 1864; Cordelia, wife of Edwin Barnes, of Montgomery county, l'enn .; Lydia; Margaret, wife of Cornelius Whitehead, of Jersey county; Susan; and Caroline, wife of Joel Williams, of Gage county, Neb. Those deceased are-Mary A., who died in 1862; Clan, who died in 1859, and Sarah, who died in infancy, in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Donnalley and

family are members of the Presbyterian church. He has held the office of school director for several years, and as a citizen is much esteemed. .

B. A. Riggs, deceased, was born in New Jersey, Oct. 11, 1811. He came to this county May 28, 1836, and located near Jerseyville, where he continued to live, until the time of his death, on a farm which consisted of 347 acres, and was located on section 17, of Jersey township. He was married to Cynthia Leigh, daughter of Thomas and Martha Leigh, S pt. 29, 1852. They are the parents of four children-Thomas, who was married to Emeline Moore, and now resides in Brighton, Col .; Samuel, who wa- married to Betty Bell, now living in Morrisonville, Christian county; Cele A., now the wife of George Weller, and Abraham L. Mrs. Riggs now owns 110 acres of land, and manages the farm with the assistance of one son. Mr. Riggs died Nov. 13, 1879. His life was that of a conscientious and upright citi- zen; as a husband and father, he was solicitions, tender and affectionate; as a neighbor, he was accommodating and kind; as a friend and citizen, he was straight forward and truc.

John Wood, son of John and Mary (Hawkins) Wood, pioneers of Jersey county, was born here April 23, 1831. His parents were natives of Kentucky, who came here at an early day, and en- tered 160 acres of land on section 25, Jersey township, where John Wood, Sr., died when the subject of this sketch was about two years old. He continued to reside with his mother until her death, in Oct., 1875. Mr. Wood was married, Sept. 28, 1865, to Anna Bethel, daughter of Alanson and Nancy (Rhodes)

482

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Bethel. Four children have been born to them, three of whom are now living -Thomas O., George and Nettie. Mollie died in 1874. Mr. Wood has a desirable farm, comprising 140 acres. Mrs. Wood is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Wood is a democrat in politics, and a worthy and respected citizen. In 1884 they visited southeastern Kansas, and spent some time in visiting and viewing the country.

Jarrett T. Grimes, son of Philip and Polly Grimes, is, probably, the oldest man now living that was born in the limits of Jersey county, the date of his birth being the second week in Jan., of the year 1820. Philip Grimes was a na- tive of Virginia, and his wife, of Ten- nessee. They emigrated to Illinois in 1816, settling near Upper Alton, in Mad- ison county. Two years later they re- moved to a place five and one-half miles northwest of the present city of Jersey- ville, where Jarrett T. was born. He was reared upon a farm, and obtained his education in the pioneer schools of the county. In 1838 he was united in marriage with Charity Brown, a na- tive of St. Charles county, Mo. They had born to them, 10 children, six of whom are living-Philip, now a farmer, of Gage county, Neb .; Edward, who is at present engaged in farming in Montomery county, Ill .; James R., upon the homestead farm; Mary E., wife of Uriah Hardwick, of Montgomery county; Isabella, at home with her parents; and Florence, also at home. Those deceased are-Joseph, who died Sept. 28, 1861, aged nine years; Garrett T., who died Feb. 3, 1853, at the age of 18 days; and Robert, who died Jan. 12, 1866, at the age of eight years

and three months. Mrs. Grimes died July 21, 1876, aged 56 years, 2 months and S days. Mr. Grimes owns 710 acres of land and carries on farming. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the Anti-Horse Thief Society. Having lived in Jersey county for more than 60 years, Mr. Grimes has been a witness of the vast changes which have taken place within that long period, and has con- tributed fully his share toward the growth and development of this section. He ranks among the best and most prominent citizens.

Glover Short, an early settler, and an old and highly respected citizen of Jer- sey county, was born in Pittsylvania, Va., Oct. 19, 1800. His parents, Josiah and Isabel (Craw) Short, removed in 1804, to Washington county, of the same state, there residing until 1818, when they moved west to Boone county, Mo. In the spring of 1826 Glover Short came to Illinois, locating near White Hall, in Greene county, where he pur- chased 600 acres of land, and remained till the spring of 1842. At that date he came to Jersey county, and rented a farm near Jerseyville. Three years later he settled on section 3, Jersey township, and commenced improving the farm where he now resides. In the spring of 1857 he purchased property in the town of Jerseyville, and removed thither, remaining there eight years, renting his farm in the meantime. At the end of that period he returned to his farm, which has since been his home. Mr. Short now owns 160 acres of land. He was married April 4, 1826, to Rachel Hodges, daughter of Daniel Hodges. Eight children were born to them, all of whom are now deceased.

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY. 485

Mrs. Short died April 11, 1865. Mr. Short is a member of the M. E. church, and justly merits the esteem with which he is regarded by all.

Edmund H. Short, deceased, was a son of Glover and Rachel Short, and was born in Jersey county, Aug. 3, 1843. Ile was raised upon a farm, re- ceiving a good education in the schools of Jersey county and at Lebanon Col- lege. Oct. 23, 1868, he was married to Ilattie D. Waddle, who died in 1870. Nov. 23, 1873, he was married to Mollie E. Ashford, daughter of George and Margaret Ashford. By this union there were two children-Glover W. and Della M. Mr. Short followed farming on section 3, Jersey township, where he owned 80 acres. His death occurred Nov. 30, 1884. He was a kind and lov- ing husband, and an indulgent father, and his loss was keenly felt by his he- reaved widow and children. Mrs. Short now runs the farm, with the aid of hired help.

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 57

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