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 58

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 58

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Charles Wharton is a son of William and Ann (Richards) Wharton, both natives of Pennsylvania. He was born in that state, Jan. 21, 1824. His child- hood and carly youth were spent in his native state. In 1842 he came to Illi- nois, locating in Jersey county, where for about three years he worked out by the month. In 1845 he was married to Mary Ann Boulter, daughter of William and Barbara Boulter, natives of England. By this union, 10 children were born, five of whom are now living-Barbara A., wife of George Woolsey, of Jersey county: Mary E., Charles H., Patience L., and Lydia, wife of George M. Chap- pell, of Macoupin county. Mr. Whar- ton's farm comprises 100 acres, located

on section 7, Jersey township, and 40 acres adjoining in Greene county, which was first settled on, in 1839, by his wife's parents. When he came to this county it was very thinly settled, and he may be properly classed among the early settlers. He is a republican po- litically, and a much respected citizen. Mrs. Wharton is a member of the Bap- tist church.

Freeman J. Mains, a prominent citi- zen and wealthy farmer of this township, was born in Greene county, Ill., Feb. 7, 1836, being a son of James and Abi- gail (Parker) Mains, natives of Illinois. James Mains was born in Greene county, where he resided the greater portion of his life. Freeman J. Mains was brought up on a farm, and resided with his parents until he was 24 years of age. He then bought 20 acres of land on section 23, Jersey township, on which he erected a small house. Two years later he purchased 40 aeres more, to which he removed, and upon which he has ever since resided. Here, in 1881, he built a new and substantial dwelling. His other improvements are of a good description. He now owns 920 acres of land and carries on general farming. Nov. 24, 1859, Mr. Mains was united in marriage with Elizabeth Stevens, daughter of Isaiah and Sarah (Scroggins) Stevens. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mains, of whom six are now living-Lucy, wife of Thomas Wylder; William Warren, Tina, James and Tossie. Those de- ceased are-Orie, Bobbie, and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Mains died June 10, 1883. Mr. Mains was elected a men- ber of the board of supervisors in 1885, in which capacity he is now serving.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Joseph W. Fitzgerald is a son of one of the earliest settlers of this county, Jesse Fitzgerald, a native of Kentucky, who came to this county at an early date. He was accompanied by his wife, Elizabeth (Curry) Fitzgerald, also a native of Kentucky. On his arrival in Jersey county, Mr. Fitzgerald bought of his cousin, who had entered it, 400 acres of land. They moved from Ken- tucky with ox teams, and first stopped in St. Louis county, from whence they came to Jersey. Jesse Fitzgerald was a cabinet-maker by trade, at which occu- pation he worked previous to his com- ing to this county, when he engaged in farming in the wilderness of this new country. He died April 9, 1855, and his wife, April 28, 1883. Joseph W. was born March 8, 1842, and reared upon the farm, living with his parents till he arrived at the age of 19. He was mar- ried Feb. 21, 1861, to Susan Woolsey, daughter of Amos and Eunice Woolsey. In Aug., 1862, Mr. Fitzgerald enlisted in Co. C, of the 122d Ill. Inf., and served until the close of the war, tak- ing part in a number of noted engage- ments. He now owns 60 acres on sec- tions 3 and 34. He is a republican po- litically, and has held the office of school director about nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald have four children ---- Otis, Della, Addie and Cora.

John Cray was born in Somerset county, N. J., on the 16th of Feb., 1826. He is a son of Benjamin and Ellen (Weaver) Cray, natives of the same state. In 1854 he came to Jersey county, Ill., and for about two years worked out by the month. He then rented a farm, on which he lived some six or eight years, after which he moved to Mont-

gomery county, and purchased a farm of 53 acres, near Litchfield. Two years later he sold his property in that county, and returned to Jersey county, and at first bought 40 acres of land. This he soon after sold, and purchased 120 acres on section 1, Jersey township, where he has since resided. Mr. Cray was mar- ried, April 5, 1856, to Minerva Davis, daughter of Samuel and Polly Davis. Six children have been born to them, four of whom are now living-Mary, Augustus, Lela and Herbert. Mrs. Cray and her daughter Mary are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Cray has held the office of school director 12 years, and is a useful and much respected citi- zen.

John W. Davis, a prominent and lead- ing farmer of Jersey township, was born in North Carolina, Sept. 19, 1819. His parents, James and Elizabeth (Morrow) Davis, were also natives of North Caro- lina. In 1835 the family came to Jersey county, locating in this township, where James died in 1840, and his wife, in 1851. John W. lived with his parents until their death, and has always re- mained upon the homestead farm, of which he took charge on the death of his father. He was married Dec. 8, 1847, to Eliza A. Fitzgerald, daughter or Jesse and Elizabeth Fitzgerald. By this union eight children were born- Elam, married to Alice Bullard and liv- ing in Sangamon county, Ill .; Helen, wife of Newton Lowe, also in Sangamon county; Charles A., married to Eliza Felter, and living in Jersey county; Georgiana, wife of David Hunt, of New Jersey; Douglas; Edward L .; Eva, wife of Edward Acom, of Nebraska; and Eliza, wife of Lloyd Sunderland, of this

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

county. Mr. Davis owns a fine farm on section 2, comprising 540 acres, also 320 aeres of land in Sangamon county, and 640 acres in Nebraska, making, alto- gether, 1,500 acres. Mrs. Davis died in 1873, and in Feb., 1876, Mr. Davis was married to Emma Cray. Mr. Davis visits Nebraska onee or twice annually, to look after his interests in that new and rapidly growing state. He is one of the substantial and influential citizens of Jersey county, and stands high in the esteem of all who know him.

Silas W. Tolman, deceased, was born in Greene county, April 2, 1826, being a son of Cyrus and Polly (Eldred) Tol- man, the former a native of Massachu- setts and the latter of New York. Cyrus Tolman was one of the pioneers of Greene county, Ill., having come to this state in 1818. He was a member of the first jury ever empanelled in that county. The subject of this sketch located in Jersey county in 1840, set- tling on section 6, Jersey township, where he resided until his death, which occurred May 2, 1874. He was buried in the Jerseyville cemetery. He was twice married, first to Jane Gregory, who died in 1860. They had one child, who died, and was buried in the coffin with its mother. He was married the second time to Clara Wheeler, daughter of Daniel and Electa Wheeler. By this union there were three children-Thos. P., now married to Ella Smith, and liv- ing in Missouri; George O. and Louis E. Mrs. Tolman owns 270 acres of land in Jersey township, where she re- sides, also 160 acres in Sangamon county, Ill. She carries on farming, assisted by her children, and is success- ful in her undertakings.

Richard I. Lowe, of Jersey township, was born in Somerset county, N. J., May 6, 1802, and is a son of Isaac and Theodosia (Gray) Lowe, also natives of New Jersey. In 1842, Richard I. Lowe removed from New Jersey to the city of Philadelphia, there remaining a few years, engaged first in the grocery busi- ness, and later dealt in real estate. In 1847 he came to Illinois and settled on section 12, Jersey township, Jersey county, Ill., where he had previously purchased 700 acres of land, and here engaged in farming. He still resides on section 12, where he now owns 480 acres of land. In 1866 he erected an elegant two-story brick residence upon his farm, at a cost of $20,000. It is pleasantly situated, and the surround- ings are correspondingly handsome. Mr. Lowe deals to a considerable extent in stock, principally horses and short horn cattle, and has been a very energetic and enterprising farmer. He was mar- ried first to Mary Disbrow, daughter of Daniel H. Disbrow. He had by this union, one child-Theodosia, now mar- ried to Richard Nutt, of this county. Mrs. Lowe afterwards died, and he was married, in the fall of 1837, to Sarah D. Williamson, a daughter of Abraham T. Williamson. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living -Abraham, married to Flora Evans, and living in Jerseyville; Isaae N., married to Helen Davis, and living at Auburn, Ill .; Mary, wife of James Davidson, of Jersey county; John W., married to Alvias Darby, living in Jer- seyville; Frank J., who is now a widower, and Augustus T. Mrs. Lowe died April 7, 1884. Mr. Lowe is a demo- crat politieally.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Nicholas Grosjean was born in France, on the 6th of Dec., 1829, and is a son of Joseph and Elsie (Salsy) Gros- jean, both also natives of France. In 1857 Nicholas bade farewell to his na- tive land, and taking passage on board a sailing vessel at Havre, came to the United States, landing in due time in the city of New Orleans, La. He came from there directly to Jersey- ville, where he opened a barber shop, and carried on the same until 1861. He then enlisted in Co. F., of the 14th Ill. Inf., and served about one year, after which he returned to Jerseyville, and resumed his former business. He continued to run a barber shop about three years, then, on account of poor health, was obliged to give up business entirely, and for several years was unable to do any work. In 1880 he purchased 40 acres of land on section 16, Jersey township, on which he has since resided. In Aug., 1859, Mr. Gros- jean was married to Christiana Scheese, daughter of Fred Scheese. They are the parents of seven children, four of whom are living-Frederick, Julia, Nicholas and Henry. Mr. Grosjean is a democrat in politics, an industrious farmer and a man of intelligence and enterprise.

Patrick B. Burns is a native of county Meath, Ireland, born Aug. 15, 1825, be- ing a son of Patrick and Anna (Murray) Burns, also natives of Ireland. They immigrated to America and settled in New Brunswick, N. J., where the re- sided until their death. The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, lived with his parents till 23 years of age. In the spring of 1862 he came to Illinois and located in Jersey county.

For three years following he worked out by the month in Jersey township, and during the time saved enough of his earnings to purchase 80 acres of land on sections 3 and 4, where, in 1864, he permanently settled, and has since resided. He now owns 100 acres, and is in prosperous circumstances. He was married in the winter of 1855, to Mary Allen, daughter of Richard and Margaret Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Burns have had born to them eight children, seven of whom are living-Patrick W., now married to Mary Mahara, and living in this township; Frank, Hugh, John, Richard, Anna and Mary. The family are members of the Catholic church.

Caleb A. Post is a son of James T. and Ardelia (Whitford) Post, natives of Vermont, and pioneers of Jersey county, having located here in 1833, settling two and one-half miles west of Jerseyville, where they purchased 160 acres of land. They resided on the same place 40 years, then moved to Jerseyville, where James T. Post died. The subject of this sketch was born in Jersey county, Nov. 24, 1834, and was reared on the farm, where he remained until 21 years old. He then went to Macoupin county, and purchased 180 acres of land, upon which he lived four years. At the expiration of that time, he exchanged farms with his brother, and removed to this township, which has since been his home. IIe now owns 650 acres of land in Nebraska, and 280 in this county. In 1882 he built on his farm in this county, a fine and commodious residence, costing $4,000. He has been three times married. His first wife was Malissa Post, who died about six weeks after their. marriage.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

He was married the second time Jan. 3, 1856, to Mary T. Norris, daughter of John Norris, and by this union had eight children, five of whom are now living- Elmer E., married to Fannie Burkenmayer and now living in Ne- braska; lda M., Della M., Grace and Walter. Mrs. Post died Feb. 24, 1873, and in April, 1874, Mr. Post was mar- ried a third time to Mrs. Maggie (Mur- ray ) Murphy, by whom he has had four children, of whom three are now living -Mabel G., Ollie M., and Charles A. Maude is deceased. Mr. Post is a mem- ber of the Baptist church, and his wife of the Catholic church. He is also a member of the Masonic lodge of Jersey- ville. He is independent in politics.

Rev. Thomas Potter is a native of Menard county, 111., born April 12, 1830. He is a son of Edward and Eliz- abeth (Armstrong) Potter, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Tennessee. They settled in Illinois about 1820. The subject of this sketch was the sixth of a family of 15 children, and was brought up on a farm, where he remained until he attained his ma- jority. In 1852 he began preparing himself for the ministry of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church. He at- tended Bethel College, in Tennessee, three years, and spent, altogether, seven years in fitting himself for the high calling which he had chosen. A por- tion of this time he taught school, studying at the same time. In 1859, he came to Jersey county, and for several subsequent years, preached here and in Greene county. He moved to Jersey- ville in 1863, and remained two years. He then bought a residence and 17 acres of land on section 5, Jersey town-

ship, which has since been his home. In the meantime, he has preached upon different circuits. Heis well educated, a man of much ability, and, as a preacher, is well liked. Mr. Potter was married Aug. 28, 1865, to Catherine Updike, daughter of Theodore and Ellen Updike. By this union there are three children-Theodore E., Jennie A., and Ettie E.

Thomas J. MeReynolds canie to Jer- sey county in March, 1835, accompany- ing his parents, Joseph and Margaret (Anderson) McReynolds. Joseph Me- Reynolds and his wife were both natives of North Carolina, but at the time of the birth of the subject of this sketch, March 6, 1832, they resided in Sumner county, Tenn. They soon after re- moved to Posey county, Ind., where they remained till the spring of 1835. On their arrival in Jersey county, they settled on section 15, Jersey township, purchasing 160 acres of land. Joseph MeReynolds died here July 3, 1860. His widow survived him until Jan. 26, 1873. Thomas J. has always resided upon the homestead, settled by his father in 1835, and has now one of the best farms in the township. His resi- dence, barn and other improvements are well and substantially built, and every- thing about the place is indicative of the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. McReynolds was married Nov. 2, 1854, to Rosa A. Keller, daughter of William and Dorothy Keller. They have had eight children, seven of whom are living-James G., married to Carrie S. Sunderland, and living in Jersey- ville; William J., married to Elizabeth Martin, also in Jerseyville; Charles L., Lela M., Maggie A., Gussie R. and

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Frances M. Mr. and Mrs. McReynolds are members of the M. E. church. He is politically a democrat. His farm now comprises 190 acres of land, on sections 15, 16 and 4.

Guy C. Richards, a native of Broome county, N. Y., was born Nov. 2, 1819, being a son of Daniel and Ruth (Tich- nor) Richards, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of New Ilampshire. In 1823, Daniel Richards moved, with his family, to Illinois, set- tling near Jacksonville, in Morgan county, where they remained about 14 years. In 1836 they moved to Greene county, locating on the south line ad- joining Jersey. Guy resided with his parents until 24 years old. He was mar- ried in 1843 to Hannah Pope, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Geddes) Pope. They have a family of six children- Mary, married to Thomas Erwin, of English township; Erastus P., who is now a widower; Christopher G., married to Hattie Green, and living in English township; Jacob and Hannah, (twins,) and George M. Mr. Richards owns 270 aeres of land, situated partly in Greene and partly in Jersey county. He is a man of intelligence and enterprise. IIe is politically a republican.

Nathaniel Miner, an old and mueh- respected citizen of Jersey county, was born in New York, Jan. 1, 1801. When he was one year old his parents moved to Bridgeport, Vt., where he made his home until he arrived at the age of 33 years. He then came to Illinois and settled on section 19, Jersey county, en- tering a quarter section of government land, which he improved. He was married Aug. 3, 1834, to Louisa Jack- son, a native of Vermont. They were

the parents of seven sons-Edward, now deputy clerk of Greene county, re- siding at Carrollton; Charles E., of this township; Aaron J., a farmer of Calhoun county; Lorenzo J., who died while serving his country during the late war, at Murfreesboro, Tenn .; he was first lieutenant of Co. C, of the 61st Ill, Inf .; Darwin C., a resident of Jerseyville, and George W., of this township. Mrs. Miner died Aug. 22, 1869, and was bur- ied in Jerseyville. In 1872, Mr. Miner was marriotl to Mary J. Ingles, a native of New Hampshire. He has followed farming since coming to this county. He is a strict temperance man, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all.

Charles Catt, son of John and Sarah (Bradford) Catt, was born in Sussex' county, England. His parents, both natives of England, are now deceased; the former died in 1838, and the latter, in 1846. Charles came to Ameriea in 1837 and settled in Warren county, O., where he lived two years. He then went to Quincy, Ill., stopped a short time and returned to Ohio. Two years later he came again to this state, locat- ing in this county. Here he worked on a farm for several years. In 1854 he purchased land on seetion 20, Jersey township, where he has since resided. He now has a farm of 120 acres, with good improvements. He owns, also, two houses in the city of Jerseyville. Mr. Catt was married, in 1851, to Mary Riggs, a native of New Jersey, who died April 14, 1872. In the fall of 1873, Mr. Catt was married to Catherine Welch, a native of Ireland. By this union, there are six children-Charles, John, Harriet, Henry, Frank, and James. Mr. Catt came to this county

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

in very limited circumstances, and by industry and energy, has succeeded in accumulating a comfortable property.

Peter Power, deceased, was a native Ireland. He came to America in 1851, and settled then in Jersey township, Jersey county, Ill., where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1878. His remains were buried in the Catholic cemetery, of Jerseyville. His widow, Ellen Power, survived him until 1884. He owned, at the time of his death, 80 acres of land. Both Mr. Power and his wife were Catholics in their religion. They had six children-Patrick, who now lives upon the homestead farm; Mary, now married and living in this township; Philip, of this county; Thos., also of this county; John, in Chicago, and Maurice, of Jersey township. Pat- rick Power, son of Peter Power, was born in Ireland, in 1847, and came with his parents to this county in 1851. He has been a resident of Jersey township since that date, and has always followed farming. He owns a valuable farm of 80 acres, all improved. He is a mem- ber of the Catholic church.

William H. Hunter, Sr., deceased, was born in county Antrim, Ireland, on the 13th of June, 1831, his parents be- ing John and Catherine Hunter. He left his native country and came to America in the year 1850, locating first in Hudson county, N. J., where he en- gaged in farming. In the year 1853, he came westward to Illinois, and took up a location in what is now Jersey town- ship, Jersey county, in which township his family still resides. They moved to their present location, on section 3, in Jersey township, in the year 1867, where they have 90 acres of land. Mr.

Hunter was married on the 18th of July, 1849, to Sarah Kenley, daughter of George Kenley, and by this union there were 13 children, nine of whom are yet living-William H., the present clerk of the Kane Baptist church, lives at home, and manages the farm ; Belle, wife of James Eldred, lives in Macoupin county; Jane, living at home; Mary, wife of George Parker, lives in Macoupin county; Ella, Sarah, Ida, Charles and Nora. The deceased are-John, Sarah Fannie, and an infant. On the 22d day of March, in the year 1883, Mr. Hun- ter died, and was buried in Kane ceme- tery. He was a good, industrious man, an affectionate father, and a kind hus- band, and his loss was deeply felt by all. The family are members of the Baptist church at Kane.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first grist mill in the county was erected in Jersey township, in 1828, by Gershom Patterson. It stood right east of what is now known as the John Brown place. It was operated by a tread-mill, run by eattle. The capacity was not extensive, and after running a number of years, the mill was allowed to go to decay. "Major" Patterson, as he was called, also had a distillery on his place, erected in 1828 or 1829, by means of which he manufactured peach brandy in considerable quantities. This also went to decay, the most valuable part of the plant being sold. This was also over the line in English township.

First school in Jersey township was in 1828, in the dooryard of Thomas English. It was taught by a man named John Sloan, who was stopping at Mr. E's house.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

The first burial in Jersey township occurred in 1821. A man by the name of Helmbold, attempting to enter a well on the farm of Gershom Patterson, in English township, which was full of mephitic air, and was suffocated. He was buried near the line between the two townships.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school house in district No. 2 was erected at an early day. It was a frame structure, 16x24, and cost $234.17. Mrs. Corey was the first teacher. She had about 40 pupils. In 1848, the old building, having outlived its usefulness, was removed, and another erected in its stead. John Cowan was the contractor. The first teacher in this building was David Peabody. J. T. Grimes deeded the school lot to the district on condition that the school building should remain there. The edifice at present used was erected in 1876. It is 24x36 feet in di- mensions, and cost, with the furniture, $900. The cost of maintaining the school is $250 per year. Eight months' school is held each year. The average attendance is 15.

The Spencer school house, in district No. 10, was erected in 1865, at a cost of 81,400. It is 22x28 feet in dimensions.

JERSEYVILLE.

The city of Jerseyville, the most beautiful and enterprising town in this section of the state of Illinois, origin- ated 51 years ago, when the beautiful country that surrounds it was beginning to attract the attention of those in search of homes. Much of its surroundings were then in a wild state-as free and wild as in the time when the stars of

the morning sang anthems of joy at nature's dawn. It has been one con- tinual change, at first slow, then more rapidly, from the moment that John Ballard built his humble log cabin upon its site, until the Jerseyville of to-day stands forth, one of the bright jewels in the diadem of a noble state. While there may have been nothing really re- markable in the development of the past, nothing peculiarly striking in the present, still there is much that cannot fail to be of interest to those who have been closely connected with, and iden- tified with the city in all the various changes that have occurred from year to year. To those who have watched its growth and progress from its infancy, when Jersey county was but a compara- tive wilderness, until the present time, the accomplishment of by-gone days would seem now almost the work of en- chantment, but they are the sure and legitimate results of an advanced state of civilization. Endowed with many splendid natural advantages, aided by the strong arm of industrious and enter- prising husbandry, Jersey county has assumed a place among the better and wealthier of her sister counties through- out the state, and Jerseyville, as the first town, in prominence, within the boundaries, has kept pace with the general improvement and advancement.

Jerseyville is situated, principally, upon section 21, Jersey township, or T. 8, R. 11. The line of the St. L. & J. branch of the C., A. & St. L. R. R., and the St. L., J. & S. division of the W. R. R. pass through it, connecting it with the markets of the world. The several manufacturing establishments which have sprung up within its limits, and

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

the rich and productive agricultural and stock-raising country that surrounds it, are an excellent guarantee of a perma- nent and solid growth in the future. Jerseyville has a population, according to the U. S. census of 1880, of 2,894, but has now about 3,500.

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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 58

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