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 36
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JAMES DOWNEN
WAS born in Posey County, Ind., October 20th, 1812. He is the son of Timothy and Jane Downeu, both of whom were natives of South Carolina. Timothy Downen was a soldier of 1812, and fought at the battle of Tippe- canoe. under General Harrison, where he was severely wounded. James Downen, the subject of our sketch, was the fourth of ten childreu, nearly all of whom are dead. He was married in 1833 to Lucreca Cully. She died the same year. In 1835 he was married to Jane Cully, a sister of his former wife. Six childreu were born to them by this union, viz .: Rachel, Rebecca, L nisa, Cornelius, George T., and Jane, all of whom are still living near the oll homestead.
Mrs Jane Downen died in 1849, leaving her husband again alone. He remained single about a year, when he again married. This time he was united to Mrs. Lavina H. Dunlap. They had born to them six children, five of whom are still living-Emma, Mary, Ann, John, and William.
Mr. Downen came to Illinois from Indiana in 1835, and settled in Jackson County ; bought a farm, and commenced to work it at once, encountering all the trials and hardships of a pioneer in a new country, with that energy and zeal for which he has ever been noted, and which afterwards made him one of Jackson County's best farmers. In politics Mr. Downen is a staunch Republican ; and believing, as he does, the principles of that party to be right, he Lever splits his ticket.
Ilis son, George T. Downen, was born in Jackson County, Illinois, Dec. 5th, 1842. He was married Dec. 19, 1867, to Virginia C. White, she bear- ing him one child, Albert J. She died Nov. 1, 1871. He was again married, Aug. 29, 1872, to Miss Emily L. Steele. Of three children born to them, they have but one left, J. Madison, a bright little fellow.
Mr. Downen comincuced life with nothing but health and energy. Soon after getting married he settled on the farm, in Bradley township. Politi- cally he votes with the Democratic party.
WILLIAM MOHLENBROCK
Is a native of Bremen, Germany, and was born June 13, 1834. He is the third of four children of Ludwig and Dortha Mohlenbrock. Herman Mohlenbrock, the grandfather of William, was a native of Amsterdam, Holland, but spent most of his life at sea, as a captain, in the East Indies. Ludwig Mohlenbrock was a soldier in the Spanish war. William had rather a good opportunity for gaining an education. At the age of fourteen he became an apprentice to learn the dry goods business. When eighteen he volunteered as a sol lier, and served three years in regular service, and was then sent to Bremen Haven, garrisoned at Fort William, where he remained six months, when he emigrated to America, landing at New York city, and the following winter went to St. Louis. From there he moved to Red Bud, Randolph County, and became salesman in a store, where he remained until 1861, when the rebellion broke out, and at President Lincoln's call for seventy five thousand men he raised a company, and was elected Captain, which position he declined, and went, according to his own language, " as a
high private in the rear rank," to the city of Cairo, where he drilled the company.
Afterwards he re-enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Mounted Infantry, and was promoted to second sergeant.
He participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. At Fort Donaldson he received two flesh wounds, and a short time after was taken prisoner at Athens; but by sharp manœuvring he and a comrade effected an escape, reaching the Union line iu about ten days. During this time he was commissioned to the rank of Second Licutenant, which position he retained until he was discharged in 1864 at Springfield.
He was married October 28, 1864, to Miss Miuna Kromer, of Raudolph County, Illinois, by which union they have had seven children, one of whom is dead, and four boys and two girls yet living.
Mr. Mohlenbrock spent one winter at Red Bud in the brewery business. In April, 1865, he came to Jackson County, locating in the northern part of Bradley township, where he opened a general store.
In March, 1874, he laid out a town, and gave it the name of Campbell Hill. He built a mill here in 1875, and is now eugaged in the milling and grain busiucss.
He is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Mohlenbrock has always been a member of the Republican party. He is considered among the first and most energetic business men of Jackson County.
DANIEL G. WILL.
AMONG the old residents of Jackson County may be meutioncd the name of Daniel G. Will, who was born March 27, 1822, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He is the fifth child of Peter and Mary Will, who were both natives of Schuylkill County, Pa., and were both of German parentage. In the spring of 1836 Peter Will moved with his family to Sangamon Couuty, Illinois, and in the autumn of the same year settled on a tract of land which he purchased, in what is now known as Somerset towuship, in Jackson County. His farm was located about three miles north of Murphysboro'. He resided there until his death, August, 1860. In politics he was a Whig. Mr. Will and wife were both members of the Lutheran Church. During his residence in Pennsylvania he represented his district in the Legislature, and took a prominent part in assisting to pass the bill which created the free school system in his native State. His widow survived his death until July 20,1877.
Daniel G., when a boy, was principally educated in the district schools of Somerset County, Pa. He was between 14 and 15 years of age when his parents moved to Illinois. On the 21st April, 1844, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Kimnel, of Elkville, Jackson County. They have had born to them seven children, two of whom arc deceased. Their son, William A., is married and settled on a farm near Ava, in Levan township. The balance of their children reside at home. Soon after his marriage Mr. Will purchased a farm in De Soto township, and resided there until the spring of 1848, when he bought and moved on the farm, where he now resides, in (7-5) Bradley township.
In early life Mr. Will and wife were members of the Lutheran Church, and there being no denomination of that kind in their neighborhood they joined in 1870 the Presbyterian Church at Shiloh Hill. In politics he was first a Whig; but on the formation of the Republican party he became iden- tifisd with its principies. Mr. Will is a man whose reputation is unsullied by any dishonorable act. He ranks among the leading and well-to-do farmers of his township.
JESSE H. WARD, EsQ.,
Or Bradley Township, is a native of Alabama ; born Jan. 15th, 1824, and was the fifth of nine children of George and Elizabeth Ward, who were both na- tives of the above State. Mr. Ward was descended from German and Eng- lish ancestry, his wife of English and Irish extraction. In the year 1830, Mr. Ward started with his family on an overland trip, by wagon, for Illinois, and located in that portion of Franklin County since comprised in a part of Williamson County, where he engaged in farming, and lived there until his death, which occurred five years afterwards. In 1837 Mrs. Ward moved with her family to Jackson County, and settled in Levan Township, at a place near old Brownsville. She subsequently married Adam Youngman. She is still living (now making her home with her son Jesse) and enjoying reasonable health, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
THE FARM RESIDENCE OF J. C. THOMPSON SEC. 24 & 25 TP. 7 R. 5 JACKSON COUNTY ILLINOIS
HE FARM
RESIDENCE OF ROBI A. BEASLEY SEC.25 T. 8. R.2 (SOMERSET TP) JACKSON CO. ILL.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Jesse Ward, when a boy, had limited opportunities for gaining an educa- tion, but at the writing of this, we find him to be a man considerably versed in the current events of the day. When about the age of eighteen years, he set out to do for himself, being always industrious and economical. On the 21st day of January, 1842, he married Miss Nancy Murden, daughter of David Murden, one of the old settlers of Jackson County. She was born in Kentucky, and eame to Illinois with her parents when quite young. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ward, two of whom are deceased. Of those living may be mentioned, Francis Marion, married, and resides in Bradley Township; David Ward is also married, and settled a short dis- tance from the old homestead ; Emeline, the wife of George M. Davis, also residents of this Township ; Jane is the wife of Henry Payne, and living in Texas; Cyrene is the wife of Jefferson Wheatley, their home being at Cut- ler, Perry County, Illinois ; Jesse E. and Nancy Elizabeth, the two latter living at home with their parents. After his marriage, Mr. Ward still con- tinued farming, and in the fall of 1855 he purchased and moved on the farm where he now resides, situated two and a half miles south of Campbell Hill. His is among the best improved farms of the Township. He and his excel- lent wife have both been members of the Baptist Church for about ten years.
Mr. Ward is a man who stands high with his neighbors, as a man of fair dealing and scrupulously honest in the every-day transactions of his life ; and among other things which will attest the confidence reposed in him, we may mention the fact that he has, by re-election, been contiuucd in thie re- sponsible office of Justice of the Peace, and is now Police Magistrate of the Town of Campbell Hill. Iu politics lie has always been a staunch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and always makes it a point to support the nominees of his party, thereby securing, if possible, its success. His first vote for President was cast for James K. Polk, and he has never missed voting at a presidential election since. He can certainly be regarded as among the influential men of his party in his County. His eldest son, Francis M., served for a time as a soldier during the late war.
The success of Mr. Ward in the business affairs of life has been gradually, step by step, upwards, and his record as a man of sound judgment in business matters, has always been excellent. He commenced life with hardly any money, and his aecumulations have been the result of persistent and indefa- tigable exertions, united with honesty and integrity. Besides carrying on a large farm, he is engaged iu buying grain and selling agricultural implements. In taking a review of his life, he ean justly be called a self-made man.
SOMERSET TOWNSHIP.
OMERSET TOWNSHIP, in Jackson County, Illinois, was so named from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, the reason being that nearly all the older settlers of this township were originally from this County, and consequently the older people are of the class commonly called "Pennsylvania Dutch." With the usual thrift of such people they have cleared out many fine farms, and now this Township holds the palm in agricultural products, more especially the cereals. The surface of the country is generally comparatively level, although there is enough diversity to give it a healthful drainage. Originally this Township was covered with vast forests of valuable timber, consisting of poplar, oak, walnut, and maple in grcat abundance as lumber produeing, and the hickory, ash, gum, etc., of less importance, as lumber producers. At an early day mills were brought into this Township, and have since been at work sawing up the lumber trees, until at the present writing there are very few trees of any considerable size growing in the Township. The greater part of the Township is now under cultivation, and produces more wheat and corn in proportion to the area, than any other Township in the County.
Somerset Township, like almost all the eastern part of the County, is un- derlaid with coal at no great depth from the surface. The quality of the coal is unsurpassed, and the vein is from 7 to 9 feet in thickness. A few years back moneyed men came into this Township and purchased or leased great areas of coal lands. In some cases they purchased top and bottom, in others purchased the coal, and in still other cases they only leased the coal, agree- ing to pay a certain per cent. on the amount of coal, and agreeing to take out
a certain amount per week. The Gartside Coal Company have opened four shafts all equipped with the proper engines and hoisting apparatus. The Lewis Coal Company have leased the land of Mr. Samuel Bouseher, and opened thereon a shaft and furnished it with proper machinery. They have also leased and purchased mauy acres of land from other parties. Coke ovens have been opened up on the farm of Mr. Bouscher, and large amounts of money are put in circulation through this influence.
As before stated, the early settlers of Somerset were mostly from Pennsyl- vania. In January of 1314, Jefferson Holliday reached the bank of Big Muddy River, three miles east of the site of Murphysboro'. He hewed out a clearing, and his sons followed, making now one of the finest farms. His son Stephen is now an old man living in Murphysboro', respeeted and trusted by all. Mr. and Mrs. Holliday were natives of Virginia. With Mr. Holliday were James Hall, William Gill, William Doty, Benjamin Henderson, George and Edward Schwartz, and David Holliday. In 1817 came the parents of the Will family, which is one of great numbers, respect, and influence in Somerset Township, and their combined farm products probably exceed those of any other family in the County. They have their farms stocked with all the modern improvements in farm machinery. Later came thic Kimmels and the Griffiths, who have worked with great success, and their descendants are yet influential inhabitants of Somerset. Whipkey is also a name of some importance, and indicates thrift. The Bouschers are a numer- ous and wealthy people, and own farm land in great importance.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
GEORGE B. COREY
WAS the son of Levi and Sarah Corey. Levi Corey was a native of Massa- chusetts, and his aucestors were also natives of that State. The subject of this sketch, was born in Worcester County, Massachusetts, August 10th, 1831. His father was a merchant, and he was brought up in the village of Ashburn- ham. He had very good advantages for receiving an education. At the age of sixteen, he went into a drug store to learn the drug business ; he remained two years, and at the age of eighteeu, he commenced work in a chair manufactory. After two years' work at that business, he returned to the drug business, which he followed for three years. After the expiration of that time, lie started west; being in the spring of 1857, he traveled about during the spring and summer, and in the fall, he located in De Soto. He was in the employ of J. M. Hansou & Son, about two years. He was Deputy County Clerk, under Thomas Hall one year. February 28th, 1861, he was united iu marriage to Miss Rebecca Friedliue. They have a family of three children, Addie F., Kate B. aud Sarah L.
August 1st, 1862, he enlisted in the late war. He was a member of Com- pany K. 73d Illinois. He was hospital steward the whole time, with the exception of six months. He was discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, July 9th, 1865, at the close of the war. Mr. Corey owns a fine farm of 280 acres, in the north-east part of Somerset township. He also, owns a one-third in- terest in the Murphysboro' City Mills. He is superintendent at the Mills.
Politically he was a Democrat ; before our great national struggle in 1862, he abandoned the party, aud since has become an active worker in the Re- publican ranks. He has energy, industry and pluck ; looks upon the bright side, and is determined to make life a success.
SAMUEL BOUSCHER
WAS the son of Henry and Elizabeth Bonscher. His paternal and mater- Dał ancestry were of Germau origin. He was born iu Somerset County, Pennsylvania, February 28th, 1814; lived at home during his minority, working on the farm, attending the district school a few winter terms. He was married October 15th, 1837, to Miss Cathariue Enos, a worthy and agrecable companion, a native of the same County, and also German descent. They have a family of eight children, five girls and three boys, viz : Mary Aun, now the wife of D. Kimmel. Arsana, Rebecca, now the wife of George G. Will, Albina, now the wife of Joseph Imhoff, Emma Florence, Dalthula Alfreta, now living at home. William H. married Miss Mary Henson and now lives in Murphysboro'. Jonathau E. married Miss Harriet Caststeel, now farming in Levan township. Albert Madison, now living at home.
In 1838, Mr. Bouscher emigrated from Pennsylvania, and settled in Jack- son County, near old Brownsville; after residing at that place two years, he moved on the north-east quarter of section 29, iu what is now Somerset town - ship, where he has since resided. He entered his land in 1838. After enter- ing his land, he was left without any means to improve it, and with one horse he went to work to make a home ; built a cabin, and by his own hands he cleared the most of the quarter. He had a neighbor that had one horse only, and by turns they would work the team. His first taxes paid to the County Collector, amounted to ten cents. He paid it and took a receipt for the salue. He now owns a fine farm, besides several other tracts of land in the Couuty. Mr. Bouscher may be termed a lucky man in making his selec- tion in settling where he did : although he made a good choice iu land for farm purposes, there was, underlying the whole tract of land, a solid coal bed of seven foot in thickness, which has since been developed. A shaft was sunk on his place by Mr. Lewis, in the year 1873. Mr. Lewis pays Mr. Bouscher a royalty of twelve and a-half cents per ton for the coal alone that lay hidden in the depths of the earth. The miner's rule for measuring coal,
is that in a square mile equal to one section of coal one foot thick : there are one million tons of coal. Mr. Bouscher owns a quarter section ; therefore, to estimate the number of tons of coal under the quarter section, we take one- quarter of a million, which is two hundred and fifty thousand ; multiplying this number by seven, the thickness of the coal bed, the product will be the number of tons under the land, which is one million seven hundred and fifty thousand tous, at twelve and a-half cents per ton royalty, amounts to two hundred and eighteen thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars. Suppose by waste, there is but one-half of the coal taken out, he will have the snug little sum of one hundred and four thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars for the coal that underlies his land ; a nice little fortune to find by chance. All this coal is of easy access by rail to the very doors of the fur- naces of the East St. Louis manufactories.
Politically, he is a Republican. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He is exact in his financial transactions, and not prodigal with his means. With his social qualities and his natural and acquired abilities, he is destined to make life a success.
W. H. DAVIS
WAS the son of Amos and Ruth Davis. Amos Davis's father was a native of Wales, aud a sea captain. Mr. Davis's maternal ancestry were of Scotch Irish origin. The subject of this sketch was born in Floyd County, In- diana. He was the fourth child of a family of seven children. He was raised on a farm, and at the age of sixteen his father bound him as an ap- prentice to learn the blacksmith trade under Jacob Shects, of his native County. After serviug three years, lie acted as foreman of the shop onc year. He then went to Louisville, Kentucky, aud took charge of a shop in that city. After about four months the shop was destroyed by fire. He was then out of employment and he thought he would try his fortunes farther west. He took a boat from Louisville, for St. Joseph, Missouri, near Cairo. The ice became so troublesome the boat was obliged to lay up. He then started overland for St. Louis on foot. Arriving at Jonesboro' he ironed four wagons-in order to recuperate his " exchequer "-he then started on his journey, determined to gain St. Louis. On arriving at Brownsville, he met with Pheuies C. Hall, a farmer of this County. As his funds were low, he engaged to work for Mr. Hall at his trade on his farm-this being in the year 1839-after a year's work, he gained by his industry, frugality and in- tegrity the confidence of his employer, and what was better, the love and af- fection of his daughter, Miss Elvira. They were united in marriage, and had a family of three children born to them, viz. : Ainos H., John L., and Elvira Elizabeth. The latter only lived to the age of thirteen. John L., is married, and lives on part of the old homestead. Amos H., lives at home. Mr. Davis's partner in life, died Nov. 11th, 1848. He was agaiu uuited in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Crow, April, 1873. After Mr. Davis's first mar- riage he continued to work at his trade. He also bought land, and improved a farm, and he now owns two fiue farms, one of 640 and the other of 320 acres, in Somerset Township. He also owns several other tracts of land in this and Randolph Counties. During the years 1855 and 1856, he kept a gen- eral store in De Soto, this County. His aunual sales amounted to $16,000- he also packed pork oue year for Pool, of Shawneetown-he sold. his store to J. M. Campbell, of Carbondale. Mr. Davis has been one of the most enterprising farmers in the County. He owned the first pair of mulcs that was ever worked in the County, and was the first to introduce the reaper, and wheat drill into Jackson County. Opposite his name in every enterprise, social, moral or financial, may be written the unfailing word-success. Mr. Davis stands six feet three inches in figure. Hc is tall and naturally erect, but yields under the severe pressure of the labor of ycars. He is adapted to
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RtBeasley
AMONG the representative self-made men of Somerset township, nonc stand forth more conspicuously than does Robert A. Beasley. Although not one of the first settlers in the township, yet by great industry, coupled with sound practical economy and excellent judgment, he has rightfully assumed a place with the largest farmers and most substan- tial business men of the County. As exhibiting an example worthy the cmnulation of all, particularly the young, we herewith present a brief sketch of Mr. Beasley's life and character, feeling as though the history of Somerset township would be incomplete without a notice of that gentleman.
Robt. A. Beasley was born in Davies's Prairie, Franklin County, that portion which has since been formed into Williamson County, Illinois, October Ist, 1832, being the eldest child of the late venerable Joseph Beasley, and Janc Teel his wife. Mr. Beasley was one of the early pioneers of Southern Illinois, born near Murfreesboro, 'Tennessee. He continued to reside under the paternal roof until he grew to the years of manhood, when he married, and the next day set out with his young bride for Illinois, which was destined to be his future home and his place of burial. The trip was accomplished after the usual discomforts, and toils of such a long journey through the then wilderness, where the ax of the woodman had not yet marred the sombre shades of the forest. The mode of conveyance was a one-horse Conestoga wagon, about the only vehicle there in use in those early days in thic then western wilds. Hc was a life-long Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church. After living for a time in Franklin county, he moved to and settled on a farm in De Soto township, Jackson County, where his death occurred in the year 1873. His widow yet survives, residing at the old homestead. It is here fitting that we should make some mention of the father of Joseph, and the grand- father of Robert A. Beasley. Ephraim Beasley and wife were both born in the state of South Carolina. He took an active part in the war of the Revolution, and did what he could to assist in founding the then cradle of liberty. A country, which has since grown in magnitude to be the first nation in the civilized world, in all that combines and con- stitutes the elements of true greatness, slie stands pre-eminent ; furnishing an asylum for the oppressed of every clime. He carried the honored scars of that sacred conflict to his grave. His deatlı occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. How his noble old heart must have palpitated with honest pride, when near death's door, he turned aud looked back through the dim vista of years gone by, and belield the progress, the development, and the power of the great nation, he so willingly shed his blood to help inaugurate, that his children, and his grand-children, and great-grand-children, of all succeeding generations might enjoy. (Space will not permit) yet our pen never tires in eulogizing those noble patriots, who so valiantly fought
in the ever memorable confliet of 1776. His beloved and esteemed wife lived to be one hundred and four years of age. He descended from a hardy branch of the Anglo-Saxou raee, and his wife was of Teutonic origin.
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