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 64

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 64

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manhood in the practical duties required of him. When these great works were completed, he engaged in literary pur- suits, and was employed in gathering the material and data for compiling the New Jersey Historical Gazeteer, and Map of the State, spending several years in this work until it was completed, when he settled on a farm in Monroe county, N. Y. He was early known for his public spirit, giving aid to the building up of churches and educational institutions. He connected himself with the M. E. church, and with others es- tablished the Perrrington church in his neighborhood, and erected Perring- ton chapel, which bore the impress of his architectural direction, and was an ornament to the surrounding neighbor- hood-a model for other church build- ings to copy from. He was one of the stewards of that church until his re- moval from the state. He was active in the military organization of New York, and was commissioned by Governor Marcy, Aug. 1, 1836, as one of the offi- cial staff of the 52d N. Y. Inf., Colonel E. Sutherland, commanding, with rank from June 18, 1836, holding the office until July 17, 1841, when he resigned, and was honorably mustered out by Brigadier-General Lathrop. He re- sided in New York until the spring of 1844, when he came to Jerseyville, Ill., where, in connection with his brother Samuel, he engaged in farming, each taking charge of parts of the busi- ness that their peculiar genius best fitted them, and for years their farm- ing investments were very successfully managed. He early identified himself with the reformatory and educational interests of his new location, and par-

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ticularly in promoting the temperance work, becoming identified with the Sons of Temperance, and one of its most active members. He was also op- posed to the institution of slavery while in New York, and was president of an anti-slavery society. He believed it was wrong and opposed it with might and power, and at an early day was instrumental in organizing an anti- slavery society in this county, when it required nerve, firmness and pluck to dare to advocate their principles. He was frequently threatened, and even life endangered, because of his out- spoken principles. In June, 1846, he was married to Caroline Sunderland, daughter of John Sunderland, of Tren- ton, N. J., and sister of his brother Samuel's wife. The union was a happy one, all through the years of his useful life. In Oct., 1849, Joseph Crabb, a justice of the peace, committed three young men, all nearly as white as him- self, to the county jail, under the au- thority of the black laws of Illinois. Mr. Snedeker had them taken out on a writ of habeas corpus, and taken before the circuit court, and they were dis- charged. It is claimed that this was the first time that the black laws, under the new constitution of 1848, had been tested, and the first time a negro had been released from a common jail, by a writ of habeas corpus, in Illinois. Mr. Snedeker's first vote was cast for Henry Clay, and he voted twice for Abraham Lincoln, a warm personal friendship existing between them. At the open- ing, and during the civil war of 1861, there was a strong disloyal element in this county, and it required pluck and courage to stand true to principle. Mr.

Snedeker dared to come out boldly and advocate the cause of the Union, and in him the soldier boys had a true and firm friend. He was one of the chief promot- ers of the objects of the Illinois State Horticultural Society, a regular attend- ant on its sessions, and in connection with O. B. Galusha, Dr. E. S. Hull, Jonathan Huggins, A. Hilliand, W. H. Mann, Hon. A. M. Brown, D. Wier, Dr. A. G. Humphrey, H. G. Minkler, M. M. Hooton, Dr. J. Long, M. L. Dunlap, and Hon. John M. Pearson, was instru- mental in promoting the cultivation of fruit in all parts of the State. He never failed to attend the annual meeting of the society and take an active part in their deliberations, impressing his prac- tical knowledge and embodying it in their reports. His labors in this con- nection were not confined to this State but he attended the Missouri State Hor- ticultural Society meetings, and took part in its deliberations. He was emi- nently a social man. Blessed with abundance, he never was so happy as when dispensing hospitality to his friends. In his family relations he was most happy. Isaac Snedeker departed this life July 4, 1877, at his home, after a sickness of nearly one year, termin- ating in cancer of the stomach. He contained within himself all the good qualities of head and heart that enno- bles a man, and should be emulated. Of him it can truly be said, "being dead, he yet speaketh," for he will live in the remembrance of a large circle of friends for many years. Mrs. Caroline Snedeker resides with her son Orville, in Jerseyville.

Hon. Orville A. Snedeker, lawyer and real estate dealer, was born June

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12, 1848, at Jerseyville. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Jersey- ville, and entered Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, and graduated, after which he spent two years in Chicago in mercantile life and reading law, and graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College; then he returned to Jerseyville and spent a year in the law office of Judge R. A. King, after which he was admitted to practice law in the supreme court, and has ever since been in practice here, being licensed to practice in all the courts. He also deals extensively in real estate, which business occupies much of his time. He was married in 1873 to Emma L. Dalzell, of Philadelphia. They are the parents of two children-Isaac and Samuel Frank.

Sam'l J. Snedeker, the other son of Isaac Snedeker, was born in this county Aug. 7, 1851. He is the youngest of the children, and was brought up on the farm, remaining with his parents until 21 years old. He then rented land in Jerseyville township, which he cultivated until 1877, when he pur- chased 80 acres on section 22. He is still living on the old homestead, and now owns 226 acres of good land. He was married Oct. 12, 1875, to Anna E. Dalzell, in Philadelphia, a daughter of David and Marietta Dalzell, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Philadelphia. They are the parents of four children-Harriet M., David, Orville G. and Olanas O. Mr. Snedeker is a member of the I. O. O. F., lodge No. 53, and of the K. of P. No. 20, and with his wife is a member of the Baptist church. He is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, and has the

respect of the people of the community in which he lives, to a marked degree.

The Edgar family, from which Col. William H. Edgar is descended, emi- grated from Scotland more than 200 years ago, and settled on the Rahway river, in New Jersey, on a homestead which is still in the family name. Wil- liam S., a native of Philadelphia, Penn., was born on the 22d of Dec., 1816; son of Alexander A. Edgar and Sarah Eliz- abeth, nce Crowell, both of whom were natives of Essex county, N. J., and consistent members of the Society of Friends. In 1833, removing to the west, they settled in St. Clair county, Ill. The son had enjoyed good educa- tional privileges in his native place, and upon his removal to the west with his family, was sent to Marion College, Missouri, an institution noted for its strong anti-slavery principles. After two years of close application, his health becoming impaired, he closed his studies, and, for a time, engaged in teaching. His early tastes had led him to choose the medical profession, and at the close of his engagement he began the study of medicine in the office of Drs. White & Tiffin, at St. Louis. After one year spent in blistering, bleeding, cupping and leeching, as was then the custom, he returned to Marion College, with improved health, intending to complete the full course of study. Be- fore he graduated, however, the slavery agitation became so strong, and popular opinion so opposed the school, that it was obliged to close up. One incident will serve to illustrate the state of the publie mind, on one occasion. When Rev. Dr. Nelson, president of the col- lege, was officiating at a camp meeting,

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

a Mr. Muldron handed him, to read, a notice of an anti-slavery meeting. A noted pro-slavery man, Dr. Bosley, of Palmyra, had threatened to kill the first man who should read another notice of that character, and, true to his word, rushed upon Dr. Nelson, with an up- lifted sword-cane. Muldron, who ob- served the movement, sprang in front of him, and received the blow intended for Nelson, drawing and exposing the glittering blade; at the same time draw- ing a jack-knife he stabbed Bosley in the chest, inflicting a wound from which he recovered only after a long period of intense suffering. Muldron was tried and acquitted. After leaving this institution Mr. Edgar entered the medical department of Kemper College, now Missouri Medical College, and graduated from the same in the spring of 1842. After pursuing his profession in Collinsville, Ill., for a few years, he went to St. Louis and remained till 1853, and at that time removed to Jack- sonville, Ill., in order to give his fam- ily the advantage of its superior eduea- tional facilities. At the opening of the war, 1861, his sympathies were at once enlisted in the Union cause, and after several months of efficient service in mustering troops for the service, and awakening a spirit of patriotismn, he was on the 1st of Sept., 1861, commis- sioned surgeon of the 32d INI. Inf. His first service was at Fort Donelson, con- nected with which are some most inter- ing incidents. On leaving the transport at Fort Henry he observed a family group, consisting of the father (colonel of an Ill. Reg.), his wife and two small children, After some earnest words with his wife, the colonel, with quick,

nervous steps, left the boat, mounted his horse and galloped away. As the wife saw him vanish from sight, she . uttered in a suppressed voice, "The last of my husband!" sank into a chair, and buried her face in her hands. Ob- serving her mental agony, Dr. Edgar ventured a word of consolation, to which the lady replied, "You don't know my husband," and again buried her face. At the elose of the first day at Fort Donelson, as the wounded were being gathered in, who can imagine the doctor's emotion, upon entering a cabin, used as a temporary hospital, to find the dead body of the same Illinois colonel, shot through the forehead. Then did he comprehend the signifi- cance of the words, "You don't know my husband!" Among the wounded under his charge here were Cols. John A. Logan and William R. Mor- rison. Logan's wound seemed only sufficient to irritate and arouse him; he vowed that he would take the command over the rebel works next day. 1le consolingly assured Morrison that he would recover; that his wounds were just sufficient to send him to congress, and that his political fortune was made. Next day both were sore enough to keep quiet. On the morning after the severe fighting, the doctor went to Gen. Grant to ascertain some facts respeet- ing the wounded under his care. The general was at breakfast, and, seeing the doctor, said, "Go tell those wounded men the rebels have hung up the white Hag in the fort. Go, doctor, and tell those poor fellows at once." Hasten- ing baek he delivered his message, and at once there went up a shout for the old flag that made the woods resound.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

The news doubtless saved many a life, the object which the general had in view when he communicated it. After the battle of Shiloh, George Johnson, the rebel governor of Kentucky, was brought upon the boat a wounded pris- oner. He was shot through the blad- der, and when told by the doctor that the wound was fatal, he said, "We have fought for constitutional liberty, and all is lost." He died during the night. From the west, Dr. Edgar accompanied General Sherman's army on the Atlanta expedition to Atlanta. By the early date of his commission, he ranked the surgeons of his division, and during most of the war acted as surgeon-in- chief of the 4th Div., 17th A. C. After the fall of Atlanta, he was ordered by the army medical director to the hos- pital at Cairo, III., where he served till the close of the war, and was mustered out after four years' active service, hav- ing made for himself a most worthy record. Returning to his home in Jack- sonville, he resumed his practice, but soon found that the country practice was more than his impaired health could endure, and accordingly, in 1869, removed to St. Louis, and there en- gaged in his profession. In 1872 he became editor of the St. Louis Medical and Surgical Journal, and in 1873 was duly elected vice-president of the Medical Editors' Association of the United States, and in the following year, president of the same. In his religious communion, Dr. Edgar was formerly connected with the Presbyter- ian church, but in later years embraced Unitarian views. He was married, Nov. 1, 1839, in Burlington, Ia., to La- vania Phelps James, daughter of Judge

William James, of Livingston county, N. Y., and by her has four sons and one daughter. His eldest son, William Henry, graduated from Jacksonville college, in 1861, and served, with rank of lieutenant, in the 32d IHl. Another son, Charles, enlisted in the same regi- ment, and was afterward made an as- sistant surgeon. Edward, a third son, accompanied his tather, and assisted him in the care of the sick and wounded in the Atlanta campaign. At this time he is employed as clerk in the Conti- nental Bank, St. Louis. His youngest son, Frank, is of the firm of Edgar, Whitehead & Vandervort, dry goods mer- chants of Jerseyville, Ill.

Robert T. Brock, son of Tarlton F. Brock, was born Dec. 31, 1827, in the present limits of Greene county, and removed with his parents to Otter Creek Prairie, now in Jersey county, in 1829. He attended school in the neigh- borhood, and also the "Stone school house," and a course through Jones' Commercial College, of St. Louis, Mo., in the year 1850, which finished his school education. He was married to Mary Jane, daughter of the late Dr. Isaac N. Piggott, in the year 1855. He was a merchant at Grafton during 1856, 1857 and 1858, and removed to St. Louis in 1859. He was secretary of the war relief committee, of St. Louis, Mo., during the late war, and was elected to the general assembly of Missouri, from the city of St. Louis, for the years 1867 and 1868. He was collector of water rates for the city of St. Louis for four year. He was a clerk in the registered letter and money order department of the St. Louis postoffice for two years. Heremoved back to Jersey county in

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

1874, and to Jerseyville in 1875, where he is now engaged in the real estate and conveyancing business, and is a notary public and abstracter of land titles.

Frederick S. Davenport, a native of Nottingham, England, was born Feb. 17, 1825, being the eldest of the six children of Edwin C. and Elizabeth (Palmer) Davenport. Edwin C. Daven- port, was educated for the ministry, but afterwards engaged in the manufacture of lace. When the subject of this sketch was six years old, his parents removed to France, and he resided two years at Calais, three years at Caen, and nine years at Rouen, remaining in that country till 20 years of age, there re- ceiving his education. When he was about 14 years old, an English com- pany commenced the construction of a railroad between Paris and Rouen. For this company, Frederick acted as interpreter between the English and French, and being naturally apt, and possessed of much mechanical inge- nuity, he became interested in engineer- ing, of which he made a study. At the age of 20 years, he returned to England, locating in London, where he served a wealthy ship-building firm, as machin- ist and draughtsman, till 1857. At that date he immigrated to America and came, soon after, to Jerseyville, where his brother, Lancelot, had previously set- tled. Here he found work in his line, somewhat scarce, but he put up engines and machinery in various mills, suc- eeeding thus, by the exercise of striet economy, in making a living. In the year 1864, David Beaty, a prominent farmer of this county, brought to him, for repairs, a gang plow, a rudely con- structed affair, which was manufactured

in Kentucky. Mr. Davenport imme- diately set to work to make improve- ments upon the same, and in the aut- umn of the same year, took out his first patent for a riding gang-plow. The next patent granted him was on a de- vice for indicating low water in steam boilers. He has since patented a Dia- mond mill-stone dresser, and also a wind power, for operating farm pumps, a number of other useful and ingen- ious contrivances; having been granted altogether, thirteen patents, several of which are upon plows. Ile has real- ized some money upon each of his in- ventions, but his greatest success has been his latest patent, the "F. S. Dav- enport New Model Plow," which he sold to the Jerseyville manufacturing company, for $8,000. He has, during the last 17 years, connected with his other pursuits, that of solicitor of pat- ents, and so conducts all of his own cases, as well as many for other parties. He has for many years, been decply in- terested in astronomy and made a study of optical instruments, and has construc- ted three telescopes, the last of which was completed in 1876. It is a six foot instrument, with a four inch object glass. He has in his possession, a fine turning lathe, which he made while in London, doing all of the work upon it after eight p. m. He has also a large collection of electrical, chemical and philosophical apparatus, the work of his own hands, and unique in structure, which has occupied, for its production and elaboration, nearly all the spare time of many of the best years of his life. He has quite an extensive cabinet of geological and entomological speci- mens, also a fine scientific and general

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

library. He is a deep thinker and pro- found reasoner as well as a mechanical genius. He was married July 15, 1847, in London, England, to Mary Lockley. They had two children, one of whom died in infancy, and one, Ada, is living. Mr. Davenport has never connected himself with any church or society. Hle is a man who takes much pride in having a pleasant home and is always ready to spend money freely for any- thing to add to home comfort, but never lives beyond his income, and rejoices in the consciousness that whatever he has achieved or acquired, is the fruit of an industrious and frugal life.

Prentiss D. Cheney was born in Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., Aug. 2, 1836, and was but six weeks old when the family started for Jersey county. On their ar- rival here he was three months old, the journey having occupied six weeks. He was brought up in this county, receiv- ing his education under the tuition of Penuel Corbett. In 1851 he entered the recorder's office of Jersey county, where he was employed in writing two years. He then clerked for a time in the general store of Alex. B. Morean. In 1854, when A. M. Blackburn estab- lished a bank, Mr. Cheney entered his employ. Three years later he went to Carlinville, where for two years he had charge of a bank for Chesnut & Black- burn. In 1859 he was married to Cath- arine M. D'Arcy, daughter of Dr. Ed- ward A. D'Arcy, and returned to Jer- seyville, where in partnership with Dr. D'Arcy he established the banking house of D'Arcy & Cheney, which contin- ued till 1866. IIe then went to New York city and engaged in banking at No. 27 Wall street, being a member of

the firm of Murray & Cheney. Hle con- tinued in business there nearly three years, after which he returned to Jer- seyville, where he has since dealt in real estate. Mrs. Cheney died in 1877, leav- ing two children, one of whom died within thirty days after the death of its mother. One son, Alexander, is now living. Mr. Cheney is a Knight Tem- plar. He is now president of the Jer- sey county fair.

William Embley, architect, is a na- tive of Mercer county, N. J., born Dec. 25, 1826. His father, Joseph Embley, was also born in New Jersey, and was by trade, a contractor and builder, but in later years, settled on a farm. His mother, Naney (Mount) Embley, was born in the same state. William Emb- ley, in early life, became familiar with the carpenter trade, and soon applied himself to the study of architecture, becoming well versed in that science. In 1848 he was united in marriage with Mary E. Prime. Six years later, he re- moved to Illinois and settled at Jer- seyville, several of his friends having previously located here. Mr. Embley engaged here, in contracting and build- ing, and the study of architecture. The latter business gradually increased un- til in 1865, he abandoned contracting and devoted his attention entirely to architecture. Specimens of his work may be seen from the Atlantic coast, westward to Denver, Col. Nearly all of the best buildings in Jersey and adjoin- ing counties, were planned by him, and testify to his skill and good taste. He has the plan for the new Jersey county court house, now complete. Mr. and Mrs. Embley have had six children, of whom the eldest three died with scar-

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

let fever, soon after they removed to Jerseyville. The three now living are -William Franklin, Augustus Newell, and Alta Leaha. Mr. Embley has al- ways acted with the democratic party, and although he has no time to devote to politics, he has frequently been chosen by his fellow-citizens to serve them in local office. He is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity.

James H. Wedding, deceased, a pio- neer of 1834, was born in the District of Columbia in 1783. His parents were of English stock, but American born. He received a good education, being partic- ularly well versed in navigation and surveying. He was united in marriage with Nancy Masters, also a native of the District of Columbia. He was one of minute men during the war of 1812, and was called out at the battle when the British took Washington. In 1814 he moved to Scioto county, O., where he

followed farming, and from whence he removed to Jersey county in 1834. He first stopped at Grafton, then resided two seasons upon a farm near Jersey- ville. In the meantime his son Thomas Wedding came to Jersey county in 1835, and entered land on the Illinois river bottom, in what is now Rosedale town- ship, and Mr. Wedding went there to live with him. His death occurred in 1837 and that of Mrs. Wedding in 1841. They had a family of eight children, of whom Thomas, the oldest, and Benja- min, the youngest, are the only ones now in the land of the living. Mrs. Wed- ding was a devoted christian woman and a consistent member of the M. E. church.

Capt. Oliver Marston, deceased, came to Jersey county in 1842, and settled on

a farm in Piasa township, where he en- gaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1856. Capt. Marston was born in the town of Marston Mills, Cape Cod, Mass., in 1804. At an early age he became a sailor, and for 27 years fol- lowed a seafaring life. He was for a number of years captain of a vessel. He was married in Philadelphia, Penn., to Elizabeth Powers, July 22, 1826, who survived him in life, her death occurring in 1879. They reared eight children, two of whom, are now living. Two died in infancy in Philadelphia. Four lived to maturity, and died in Jersey county; and two, Joseph G. and Samuel T., are now living in this county. Capt. Marston was made an Odd Fellow in 1832, joining Washington lodge No. 2, of Philadelphia. He continued a mem- ber of that organization during the re- mainder of his life. Politically he was a supporter of the whig party. He was a Universalist in religion, his wife being of Quaker faith.

Ambrose S. Wyckoff was the first of this name, who settled within the pres- ent limits of Jersey county, locating in 1832, in what is now Mississippi town- ship. The following year he was joined here by his wife and children, and continued to reside here until his death, which occurred in 1872. His first wife was formerly Elizabeth Ham- ner, of New York. She died in 1837, leaving two children, one of whom is still living-John J., who now resides at Virden, Macoupin county, Ill. Mr. Wyckoff was afterward married to Sarah Gilder, and by this union, had six children-William, Sherburne, Spencer, Ambrose B., Charles and Eliz- abeth. Mrs. Wyckoff is still living,

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

and now resides with her son, Ambrose B., in Philadelphia. The latter is a lieutenant in the United States navy. Mr. Wyckoff was a successful farmer, and at his death owned 400 acres of land. The father of Ambrose S. Wyc- koff was a native of New Jersey, was born Sept. 1767, and came here in 1835. He was by oceupation a farmer, married in his native state to Jennie Barkley, and there remained until com- ing here. He died in this county in 1842, and Mrs. Wyckoff in 1857. They had a family of six children-John, Polly B., wife of Elijah Van Horne; Nathan, Catherine S., wife of Dr. A. R. Knapp; Ambrose S. and Samuel B.

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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 64

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