USA > Illinois > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 33
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Mr. Harris is a Democrat, but not a politician, preferring the peaceful and profitable life of an agriculturist, to that of the stormy and oftentimes unsat- isfactory one of a public man.
THOMAS W. JENKINS
Is a native of Jackson County, Illinois, and the only child of Herod Marshall Jenkins and Eliza E. (Whitson) Jenkins-was born July 21st, 1835, at Grand Tower. His father was also a native of Illinois-the Jenkins family, however, originally coming from South Carolina. The grandfather of the subject of our sketch, " Thomas Jenkins," participated in the battle of New Orleans under Jackson, and suffered all the privations that the troops of that early day, in a comparative wilderness, were called upon to endure. He received his reward, however, in witnessing the triumph of Ameri- can arms, the death of the English Commander, General Packenham, and burial, forever, of English domination over American liberty. He subse -. quently moved to Illinois, where he lived to the rare old age of 93 years. Herod Jenkins and Eliza Whitson were married in this County. Mr. Jenkins was a man of considerable enterprise, and was engaged in merchandizing, farming, and also kept a wood-yard, from which he supplied those (what have been correctly called,) floating palaces which navigated the great Father of waters. He served a considerable time as Justice of the Peace and Post- master. In politics he was a whig. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Baptist denomination. He died on the 28th of January, A. D., 1847. His wife subsequently married James Evans, who died a number of years since. Mrs. Evans is still living, consoled in some degree by the knowledge of having lived a well-spent and useful life, and giving to her country an honest and honorable son. Thomas W. Jenkins received his
early education in the common schools of Grand Tower. He was diligent, improved his time, and acquired an education sufficient for all practical and business purposes. His first attempt at engaging in business on his own re- sponsibility, was in farming, at which he met with reasonable success. He was also for a time engaged in merchandizing, and is now engaged in farm- ing and milling. He was married on the 26th of July, 1855, to Miss Eliza J., daughter of Thomas and Sarah Robinson, of Perry County, Missouri. As the fruits of that union they have had a family of nine children, four of whom are dead, five yet residing with their parents. Mr. Jenkins has en- deavored to give his children the benefit of such an education as can be ob- tained in the County. In politios he is not identified as a partisan, but rather as a conservative, supporting men whom he deems the most capable of filling office acceptably to the people. He was a member of the first Common Coun- cil of the city, and as a historical reminiscence, we might mention the fact, that he laid out and sold the first town lot in Grand Tower, which was sur- veyed by Judge Swortzcope. In religious opinions he tends towards Univer- salism. Mr. Jenkins finds his highest enjoyment with his family, and in the entertainment of his friends; he is regarded as a man of sterling worth by his fellow-citizens, and the Jenkins name deserves promiment mention in the early trials and triumphs of the pioneers of Jackson County. The surviving children, in the order of their ages, are Herod M., Sarah S., James Albert, Elizabeth M., and Octavia, the youngest.
JOHN DILLINGER, EsQ.
Is a native of Jackson County, Illinois, and was born February 8th, 1835. He is the youngest child of a family of six children of Henry and Margaret Dillinger, both of whom were natives of the south,-Mr. Dil- linger of North Carolina, and his wife of South Carolina. They emigrated to Jackson County in 1815, where they continued to reside until their death. Mrs. Dillinger died in 1841. Her husband survived her a number of years, and died in 1857. John Dillinger passed his childhood, and received his early culture in this County. Attending the common schools, and employ- ing his time profitably, he acquired a fair English education. His infancy and youth were passed on a farm, where he continued to reside contentedly tilling the soil, until the breaking out of the rebellion. Sept. 4th, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, 31st Regiment Illinois volunteers, of which company he was elected corporal. The regiment was under command of John A. Logan. He was mustered in at Cairo and immediately sent to the front, and was engaged in the battle of Belmont, Missouri, and shortly after that at Fort Henry, which after a severe engagement was captured by the Union forces. Fort Donaldson was also besieged and captured. From there his command went to Corinth, then countermarched to Jackson, Tennessee. From here they made a raid through Oxford, Mississippi, thence back to Memphis, Tennessee, shortly after going to Milliken's Bend, from there to Grand Gulf, where they crossed the river and fought the enemy at Thompson's Hill, and two days later were in another engagement, after which they met the enemy at Raymond, and participated in the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, thence back to Champion Hill, where they routed the enemy, and marched to Vicksburg, where they lay three days. On May 22d, 1863, Mr. Dillinger was severely wounded in a bayonet charge, from the effects of which he lost his left arm. The wound was caused by the explosion of a shell that killed and wounded thirteen. He received his discharge at St. Louis, Aug. 12th, 1863. He married, June, 1866, Mrs. Martha Aun Brewster, by which union they have had one son. Mr. D. was engaged in merchandizing at Carbondale, but in 1869, removed to Grand Tower. In Oct., 1875, he was commissioned Postmaster, a position he still retains. In early life Mr. Dillinger was a Democrat, but latterly is a Republican, of which party he is an active and influential member.
FRANK A. BROADER
WAS born near Frankfort on the Main, February 18th, 1834. He is the fourth child of a family of children of Nicholas and Elizabeth Broader. He received his early training and rudimentary education in the schools of his native city, and is a good German scholar. When fifteen years of age, he became an apprentice to the carpenter's trade, and attwenty bid farewell to home and kindred, and embarked for the land that has proven itself a very El Dorado to thousands of liberty-loving and liberty-
97
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
seeking men and women. He landed in New York in 1854, and left imme- diately for Detroit, Michigan, where he resumed his business as carpenter and where he resided until 1859, in which year he came to Murphysboro', Illinois, still continuing his trade. September 3d, 1861, he enlisted in Company G. 2d Illinois cavalry, was mustered into service at Carbondale, and soon after went with his regiment to Paducah, Kentucky. During the winter of that year, he was actively engaged in the battles of Holly Springs, Mississippi and Red River, Arkansas, and besides a number of skirmishes in the march from Red River to New Orleans, and from thence to Baton Rouge, where, in Sept. 1864, he received an honorable discharge, after having faith- fully served his country without intermission, for three years. In October of the same year, he returned to this County. In Oct. 1864, he married Miss Theresa Butz, daughter of Martin Butz, one of the early residents of the County. By this union they have had nine children, five of whom are still living. In the fall of 1864 Mr. Broader became engaged in farming, and in 1866, purchased and moved to the place where he now resides. He subse- quently added quite largely to his original purchase, until his farm at present comprises 240 acres, with a good prospect of still greater increase in acreage, if the same energy characterizes his future life, that has his past. Mr. Broader is a living example of the good results attending a strict observance of the principles of industry, perseverance and economy, and has now the satisfaction of being able to lead a life of ease and comfort, and ranking as one of the foremost agriculturists of Jackson County. Mr. and Mrs. Broader are both communicants of the Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. B. early became identified with the Republican party, and has always been an earnest supporter of its principles and policy. Although never an aspirant for political distinction, preferring rather, to rank as one of the first in his profession.
Mr. Broader can hardly be considered as one of the early settlers of this County, but by his honorable and straight-forward conduct, has gained the confidence and respect of the entire community.
BERRY B. WHITSON.
IT sounds very like the marvellous when hearing old settlers relating their experiences, and telling us what a wilderness this populous State was only fifty or sixty years ago. There are two reasons why this is so. One is, that history furnishes no parallel in which an almost limitless territory has been reclaimed from a race of savages, and populated in such an incredibly short space of time by a race that have verily made
" The desert to blossom as the rose."
The second reason is, the extreme rarity of finding persons now living who resided here at that time and who have personally witnessed the great changes wrought in so short a time. Among the few who have witnessed these changes, and assisted in making them, is Berry B. Whitson. Mr. Whit- son was born in Jackson County, Illinois, at a place within two miles from where he now resides, February 4th, 1816. He is the third child of a family of eleven children of Thomas and Sophia Whitson, who were both natives of Berk County, North Carolina, where they were married and emigrated from, after the birth of their first child, to the territory of Illinois, arriving there iu 1811, settling at a place now called Crab Orchard, near the present site of Murphysboro'.
They remained only a short time, and left for Louisiana Territory, locating near Mine L. Motte, in what is now St. Francois County, Missouri. In 1815 they returned to Crab Orchard, in this State, and located finally at Bighill, where they resided until their deaths. Thomas Whitson partici- pated in the War of 1812, and was at the surrender and treaty with the Fox Indians, at Portage de Sioux. His son Berry had in early life no oppor-' tuuities for gaining an education, but by dint of application and hard study, acquired the rudiments of an English education. When a boy he was ex- cessively foud of field-sports, and in those days, when game of all sorts was quite plenty, and having all the opportunities, became quite a Nimrod. In 1836 he married Miss Eulila Gaston, daughter of William Gaston. They have had a family of nine children, four only of whom are living. Those liv- ing, in the order of their ages, are Joseph D. Whitson, who is married and settled ou a part of the old homestead ; Laurena, widow of Daniel Worthen, who resides at Sand Ridge; Amanda C., wife of Samuel Moore, living Lear Murphysboro'; and Simon, who is still single, and lives in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Whitson both became members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Whit-
son died March 26th, 1853, at their residence. On the 7th of May, 1863, Mr. Whiston married Mrs. Eliza Smith. He was originally a Whig and strenuous opponent of slavery. After the dissolution of the Whig party he became a Republican.
The first vote he cast was for General Harrison. He also voted twice for Mr. Lincoln, and twice for General Graut. At the breaking out aud dur- ing the rebellion he was an uncompromising Union man. Joseph D., his eldest son, enlisted in company H, 27th Illinois Infantry, and participated in several battles, in one of whichi he lost a hand and forearm. He received an honorable discharge, July 14th, 1864. Mr. Whitson has never been an aspirant for political honors, but has devoted his entire time and attention to agriculture, in which he has been successful. He is an honorable, high- minded gentleman, one whose (to use the language of his neighbors) word is as good as his bond.
JOHN JEFFERSON EAST, (DECEASED,)
WAS born in Jackson County, Illinois, Aug. 26th, 1824. He was a son of Thomas and Delilah East. Thomas East was a native of France, emigrated to America when very young. Having gone on board a ship, and being an orphan without any home, he was brought to America, not so much from his desire to visit the new world, but from the fact of his being on board the ship. He was not found until the ship had been under way for several days, therefore was not landed until they reached New Orleaus, landing iu that city in the year 1801. He was born in the year 1799, afterwards made his way up the Mississippi to the territory of Illinois. He located about two and one half miles below where Grand Tower now stands. Married and founded this branch of the East family in America. He resided iu that locality until his death. John J. East, when he grew to manliood was married January 27th, 1844, to Miss Patsey Henson, daugliter of George Washington Greene Henson, and Polly his wife. Mr. Henson was born Jan. 19th, 1782, in Rockland County, North Carolina, and when a small boy moved witlı his parents to Tennessee. After he grew up he married Polly Garner, Oct. 6th, 1807, and shortly after emigrated to the territory of Illinois, reaching here in 1808. Polly Garner was born in Rowan County, Tennessee, April 19th, 1791. After living for a time at a place known as Potter's Creek, near the Big Hill, they subsequently settled on what is now known as Birk's Island, stayed there two or three years, then moved to the main land, and settled a few hundred yards south of what is now known as the Old East place. His father, Allen Henson, served in the Revolutionary War, and was severely wounded by the Indians, while trying to milk some cows near a fort to save some children from starving,-where he was doing garrison duty, during one of the Indian Wars, that so long desolated the fair fields of Tennessee and Kentucky-the Indians shot him in the head, and scalped him. In a few moments a sally was made from the fort and he was rescued, and strange to relate he recovered from his wounds, and lived many years afterwards. Mrs. Patsey Henson was born in Jackson County, Sept. 17th, 1827. Mr. East aud wife had six children born to them, only two boys of whom are now living ; those living are Thomas Jefferson, and Jolin Henry East. Mr. East was always a farmer. His death took place at his residence Jan. 24th, 1870. As a man and a citizen he was well respected.
JAMES P. EAST
WAS born at the Big Hill, Jackson County, in the year 1829, Jan. 15tlı. He was the son of Thomas and Deliaha East. Thomas East was a native of France, emigrating to this County when a small boy. He settled iu what is now Jackson County in about 1818. Mr. East's facilities for receiving an education were very limited, being raised in this country at that early date, when schools were hardly thought of, and in Mr. East's own words boys had something else to do. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Nar- cissa S. Whitson, Nov. 9th, 1853. To this union they have had boru to them nine children, of which there are six living, three boys and three girls, viz. : James Singleton, John Jefferson and George Henry ; the girls are Amanda Caroline, Adora Ann and Delilah. Mr. East has lived the life of a farmer in the same neighborhood in which he first saw the light of day; He was formerly a Republican, but in the last presidential election his convictions were that he was on the wrong side, and he cast his first vote for the Demo- cratic cause, voting for Samuel J. Tilden. He has raised and owned a great many fine horses, some of which he has sold at fancy prices. The celebrated trick horse " Grand Tower," now owned by the renowed showman, Dan Rice, was raised by Mr. East.
98
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
AARON EASTERLY, (DEC'D).
THE record of this gentleman is in many particulars not unlike that of the great portion of the well-to-do farmers of Jackson County to-day, who- were, from the force of circumstances, compelled to be the Architects of their own fortunes.
The great empire of the west is the theatre upon which the vast body of America's self-made men have played their part. Many of the latter, like the subject of this sketch, came here at a period so early, that when the smoke from their rude cabins curled above the hills, there was scarcely an evidence of similar habitation between it and the Wabash settlements, far to the eastward. To these gallant and venturesome spirits, the West is indebted for the laying of that foundation upon which she built up and developed a greatness which has outrun the imagination of the poet, who tells us that
" A thousand years scarce serve to form a State."
But in our time, States are born of the wild wood, in a day, " With rights that Romans never knew," and clothed with more than the thunders of Olympian Jove. But to our subject.
Aaron Easterly was born in Greene County, East Tennessee, where his boyhood days werc spent on a farm, and on reaching the years of manhood, he was married to a lady of the above County and State. They raised a large family of childreu, and continued to live in Tennessee until after their second child was born. They moved to Jackson County, Illinois, about the year 1833, and settled on a tract of land in what is now known as Ridge Township, where they lived until the year 1854, then moved to the bottom farm, at Big Hill ; since better known as the "Old Easterly Homestead." A view of the home-place, and a portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Easterly, can be seen on another page of this work.
He held for several years the office of Public Administrator for the County ; his death occurred in the fall of 1870. In politics he was a Republican.
Mrs. Easterly died at the Homestead, April 17th, 1876. Those of their children living in the order of their ages, may be mentioned as follows :
Clarissa, the wife of James P. Bellamy, of Carbondale ; John R., Mary E., the wife of Wm. R. Woten, a farmer, near Carbondale.
(Margaret J., Charlotte E., Philip S. and Thomas B. are deceased).
George A., Joseph B. B. and Edward E., the three latter residing at, and carrying on the Homestead Farm.
JOHN R. EASTERLY
HAS a farm which was originally a part of the home place, where he has made substantial improvements, and by carrying out an intelligent and sci- entific idea of farming, he has brought his place up to a high state of culti- vation, and he takes rank among the leading and successful agriculturists of his township. In politics, he is a staunch Republican, and a man of influ- ence in the councils of his party in his neighborhood. He has officiated as school director in his district, and is always ready to lend his aid to any good cause that will promote good morals or religious instruction. He is married and comfortably settled in life, and surrounded by an interesting family. He is one of those genial, clever gentlemen, noted for his hospitality.
GEORGE A. EASTERLY,
THE seventh child of Aaron and Sarah Easterly, was born in this County, October 10th, 1853. He has three brothers and two sisters yet living. His father died when he was seventeen years of age, and George, assisted by his brother John R., continued to carry on the home place, and to educate their younger brothers and themselves. His early opportunities were such as the common schools afforded, but being desirous of obtaining more culture, he attended for a time, the University at Carbondale. On the 9th of April, 1876, he was married to Miss Annie E. Adams, the daughter of Eli and Margaret J. Adams, who were natives of Kentucky. They settled in Pope County, Illinois ; she afterwards came to Jackson County with her parents. Mr. Easterly and wife have had born to them one son, Aaron Leslie Easterly, born July 17th, 1877. Mr. E. is a member of the M. E. Church, and a Republican in politics.
MAKANDA TOWNSHIP.
BY W. F. HOPKINS.
GEOLOGY.
10000 HE formation presented to view in this Township is the carbonife- rous formation. We have here vast beds of fine sandstone (sand- stone ore of all geological ages, from the Lower Silurian to the most recent period) along the Illinois Central Rail Road, extend- ing north and south nearly through the Township
When the sandstone is very hard or harsh, and contains pebbles, it is called a grit rock, or millstone grit, or pudding stone. Many of these make good millstones, and can be found in the hill on the north side of Stone Fort ho !- low. These stones have been used for millstones for forty or fifty years in Ohio and elsewhere. I have no doubt but that if more care was taken to provide strong and durable materials for public edifices, that these rocks would find their way into every fine edifice in this and adjoining States.
Modern architecture in the United States is very humiliating to those who boast so loudly of social advancements ; for there is scarcely a public build- ing of recent date that will be in existence five hundred years hence. Many splendid structures are monuments of folly in this respect. Stone intended for a durable edifice ought to be tested as to its durability, by immersion in a saturated solution of sulphate of soda (glauber salts) and exposed to the air for some days; the crystallization within the stone will cause the same dis- integration that would result in time from frost. There is also found inter- stratified in some places through this formation, seams of coal. These, no doubt, lie above the true coal measures, and in order to find marketable coal, exploration would have to be done at greater depths than has been done in the Township. I entertain no doubt but that coal or salt, or both, could be obtained at a moderate outlay of capital. There is no doubt whatever but strong salt-water could be obtained by a few hundred dollars expended in boring. The salt belongs to this measure as well as many minerals, in- cluding gold. Also, most of the fine clays are found and used from this measure. There are several beds of steatite along the banks of Indian and Sycamore Creeks. A fine bed of talc makes its appearance in Sec. 29, east of Col. B. L. Wiley's residence, a little north of the ford of the creek on the road leading from Makanda to Pomona Indurated talc is found in large quantities in the banks of Drurie north of the town of Makanda. These clays are fine enough to make good ware. There is also a bed of moulding sand on Indian Creek. This is the same as that used in casting. It is a fine, siliceous sand, containing a little clay-enough to retain the forms into which it may be moulded.
In the north-east part of the Township, along the bank of the Sycamore, there is a long bed of Iron Stone. It is exposed to view for some three or four hundred yards in length, and from ten to thirty feet in height. This is a valuable ore, and could be profitably worked when there is a demand for Iron.
The ore of Pilot Knob and Iron Mountain, Mo., is the specular Iron. By. mixing this ore with the specular a much stronger iron would be obtained. This is the principal ore used in England. It is an argillaceous carbonate of iron often called clay iron-stone. It is found in nodules and layers in the scists and shales of the coal measure. It is very abundant at this place, and deserves some attention in an economical point of view. The next of any importance in a geological and mineralogical point of view is the wide extent of gold deposit in this and the Township west, north and east; extend- ing east into Saline County, and most likely through Kentucky, connecting with the gold fields of Eastern Tennessee, Georgia, North and South Caro-
lina and Virginia. These mines extend from Alabama into Canada, and belong, as this deposit, to the carboniferous measures. The gold is obtained from the drift deposit and the talcose-state formation. This formation is the same, and belongs to the drift period. The alluvium is generally most pro- ductive where the loose material is most ferruginous, and the gold is obtained by washing the gravel.
The mines of Russia, before the discoveries of California and Australia, ranked first in productiveness. They are alluvial washiings, and seldom yield more than 65 grains to two tons of dirt ; never more than 120 grains. The drift deposit in this township extends no farther south than the top of Spring- er Hill, one and a half miles north of the town of Makanda. From this point it extends east and west for many miles. It did not extend south of this divide, for there are no traces of it to be seen in the countics of Union, Jolinson, Pope, or Hardin. During the drift period, this elevation of land was raised above the waters on the north side. There can be no doubt but this was after the tertiary period, and will be found limited to basins and troughs, although of hundreds of miles in extent.
The seas of this period extend north of this divide, for it is evident that this was dry land when the region in question was beneath the seas of that period. This is evident from the fossils found in it. We find remains of Cala- mites, Depidodendra, Cyclas, Revoluta, Sigillania, Stigmaria, Ulodendro, Annularia, also Palyparia or Corals. The remains of these and many others can be found imbedded in the gravel and clays, through the whole extent of this deposit. In sinking a well at William Thedford's (in the north-east corner of this township) at a depth of some 25 or 30 feet, the trunk of a large-sized tree was found. They also found large pieces of wood, evidently limbs of a tree. There can be no doubt but that it floated and sank at the place it was found, and afterwards was buried beneath the drift which passed over this section of country.
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