USA > Illinois > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Illinois > Part 64
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JAMES WILLIAM LINDSEY, engineer, Opdyke. This gentleman is a native of Ross County, Ohio, where he was born December 29, 1831, son of Abraham Lindsey, a native of Ohio. The mother of our subject, Nancy Ban- non Lindsey, was a native of Delaware, and the mother of one son, our subject, who was educated in Ohio, where he also learned the engineering with his uncle. Sims Davenport. He was joined in matrimony in Columbus, Ohio, December 23, 1854 to Miss Catharine Freck, born November 8, 1833, in Wurtemberg, Germany, daughter of Tilman and Fannie (Harmon) Freck, both natives of Germany. This union was blessed with the following children: Mary I., wife of William Snider; Alice P., wife of Jeptha Jones; Emma L., wife of Owen MI. Smith; Charles F., born May 1, 1863; Nancy E., born May 20. 1866; Catharine IT , born June 26, 1868; Frank B., born January 14, 1871; Albert R., January 8, 1875; John W., January 17, 1877. Mr. Lindsey came to this county in the fall of 1877. He owns 196 acres of land, but at times follows his trade as engineer. In poli- tics, he is a Republican.
S. T. PACE, farmer, P. O. Mount Vernon, was born August 4, 1833, son of Joseph Pace.
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The subject of this brief sketch is one of Jeffer- son County's most unassuming but worthy citi- zens. He has made farming his chief ocenpa- tion and now owns 600 aeres of land near Mount Vernon. In the fall of 1861, he enlisted in the Sixtieth Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, Company I. He served three years, par- ticipating in many thrilling scenes and famous battles, among others those of Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek, losing his right arm at Jonesboro, near Atlanta. After the war, he returned home and again turned his attention to farming. In politics, he has been identified with the Republican party.
CORNELIUS PEERY, farmer, P. O. Mount Vernon, was born June 9, 1808, in Tazewell County, Va. His father, James M. Peery, was a native of Virginia, and also a farmer ; he died in Perry County, Ill. His father, John Peery, came from Ireland. The mother of our subject, Phœbe Pickens, was a native of Vir- ginia, and the mother of eleven children ; her parents. Thomas and Sarah (Brown) Pickens, were also natives of Virginia. Our subject was educated in Kentucky. He came to Washing- ton County, Ill., in 1833 ; he commenced farm- ing there, and in 1867 he came to this county. He was married more than once. His first wife, Rhoda B. Ayers, was born in St. Clair County ; she died in Washington County, Ill. His second wife, Mrs. Polly Gore, is a daughter of Richard Hull. She is the mother of seven children, viz., James M. Gore, Escalana Gore, George M. (deceased, aged one year and six- teen days), Jonathan A., Richard A. (a law stu- dent in Belleville, Ill.), Mary M. (deceased) and Martha N. Gibson. Our subject began life with nothing to speak of, and is to-day classed among our well-to-do men in this county. In politics, he has been identified with the Demo- cratic party.
SILAS ROGERS, farmer, P. O. Mount Ver- non, was born November 8, 1845, in this coun- ty. His father, William A. Rogers, was a
native of Tennessee ; he came here in an early day, and died January 1, 1874, his father, Abraham Rogers, being also a native of Ten- nessee. The mother of our subject, Amanda A. Pace, a native of Kentucky, was a daughter of John M. Pace, and is the mother of ten chil- dren. Our subject was educated here. He was joined in matrimony, January 11, 1883, in Brighton, Macoupin Co., Ill., to Miss Mollie McKenny, born January 25, 1860, in Union County, Ky., daughter of John B. and Mary (Church) MeKenny, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Rogers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Rogers is a Democrat.
JOHN TIPTON, farmer, P. O. Opdyke, was born January 9, 1838, in Knox County, East Tennessee, son of Isaac Tipton, a native of East Tennessee, where he yet resides. The mother of our subject, Dama Tipton, was a na- tive of East Tennessee, where she died. Our subject has been a farmer all his life. He came to this county in 1860, and the next year he joined the Union army, Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteers, Company I, serving till the close of the war. He participated in many thrilling seenes and battles, among others that of Pea Ridge, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Strawberry Plains, Nashville, Atlanta, and many minor engagements. He was only about one week away from his command dur- ing his entire term of service. After the war, he came back to Jefferson County, where he married Anna Bates, who died after giving birth to four children, viz., Eva (deceased), Em- ma, Lucinda, Lotta (deceased)." His second wife, Mary Ann Presly, was born in North Carolina. She is the mother of two children now living, viz., James and Mima. Mr. Tipton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has a farm of 240 acres of land. In poli- ties, he is a Republican. Mr. Tipton is a self- made man in every respect. His great-grand- father, Billy Tipton, was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, being shot through the body,
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and his son, Jacob Tipton, was a soldier in the Mexican war.
JAMES T. WOLF. coppersmith, Mount Vernon, was born January 23, 1853, in St. Louis, Mo. His father. Abraham D. Wolf, is a native of Pennsylvania. His career in life has been a checkered but a very honora- ble one. He came West long before Horace Greeley gave his advice on the subject, and has been one of the pioneer boatmen of the Western waters. He started as a ship carpenter, but, through his own exertion and perseverance, he worked his way up to mate, pilot and Captain, acting in the latter capacities almost thirty-five
years. He is yet living on his farm of 320 acres. The mother of our subject, Virginia Sexton Wolf, is a native of Virginia. Her par- ents, John and Phœbe Sexton, were also na- tives of Virginia. Mrs. Virginia Wolf is the mother of nine children, of whom four are now living, viz., James, George R., Fannie W. (Mc- Knight), and Phœbe S. Our subject was edu- cated in St. Louis, Mo., where he also learned and followed the coppersmith trade. In No- vember, 1876, he came to this county with his parents and here he has followed his trade part of the time. In politics, he is identified with the Democratic party.
BLISSVILLE TOWNSHIP.
JESSE A. DEES, farmer, P. O. Laur. A life of nearly fourscore years; launched upon its tempestuous sea in circumstances poor and lonely; hardships, trials, temptations on every hand; peace and rest unknown; but he struggles, the tide turns gradually in his favor, he slips, falls back, only to strive again; time and perse- verance are not to be baffled; obstacles the most formidable are grappled with at every step, but to his matchless energy they succumb, and are consigned to the rear ; onward he strides, the land of peace and plenty is in sight; he is there, the goal of his highest ambition is at last reached, and as he turns and glances back- ward o'er the rugged pathway he has trod, can it be other than with commingled feelings of just pride and honor. Such is a circumstantial outline of the lives of many of our great and noble men, and it is strikingly applicable to that of the worthy subject of this sketch, the necessary brevity of which compels us to do him but meager justice. Jesse A. Dees was born June 11, 1808, Abbeyville District, South Carolina, being the place of his birth. His father was Robert Gillam, and his mother Na-
omi Dees, whose name our subject retained. He lived with her until becoming of age, she having in the meantime married Lewis Green, by whom she had one child. His advantages of au early education being extremely deficient, and his mother's circumstances poor, our youth was compelled to rely wholly upon his own re- sources to obtain the four-and-a-half months schooling, which was all that he ever received. This he paid for by setting bait for bee-trees, and finding two of the latter, he disposed of the honey secured to a Catholic seminary, at $1 per gallon, and was thus enabled to proudly defray the expenses which his limited course of study had incurred. This was in Perry County, Mo., whence his step-father had removed, after living awhile in Arkansas and still previously in Jefferson County, Ill., having first come here during the close of the year 1824. Our subject was hired out by his step-father, and afterward worked out on his own account. He went to St. Louis in his twenty-first year, and was there variously engaged for about six months. He carried a hod to the fourth story of the court house, then in course of construction, dug cel-
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lars, labored on the wharves, and worked at anything his eager hands could find to do. He returned to this county, and with his hard- earned savings built a little house, opened a little farm, and last, though not least, married a good little wife, and thus he commenced the journey of life, with fair winds and a clear head. His happy affianced was Naomi Booth, born March 4, 1809. She is still living, and the venerable couple have long since celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedded life. Hav- ing no children of their own, they have raised several during their life, most of whom have grown up and started out for themselves. Mr. Dees has farm property to the extent of 1,400 acres of selected land, all in this county, four or five hundred of which constitute the home place, on which be had moved in the spring of 1837. In 1871, he erected a handsome and commodious residence, the finest, perhaps, in the surrounding country. During his life, he has engaged in farming in its various, branches, and has given particular attention to stock, having at times large herds of cattle and mules, and at present has a herd of sixty of the latter. Mr. Dees is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Clay Lodge, No. 152, being also a Royal Arch Mason. He has filled most of the offices of his township, and for many years has served as President of the County Agricultural Society, and is a present stockholder therein. Politically, he is a Demo- crat of the Jacksonian school, but his votes have repeatedly shown that he strives to secure the services of an honest man, be his political faith what it may. We have now given the record dates in the life of Mr. Dees, and as these mark the different periods therein, they but feebly portray the many vicissitudes through which he has passed. Being born to a poor mother, whose humble circumstances permitted her to do but little for her child, he was thus thrown upon his own resources, and the in- genuity and energy which he displayed in his endeavors to secure means to pay for an early
schooling . and to obtain a start in life, devel- oped traits in his character upon which a solid foundation could rest. He was virtually his own educator, his own genins was his teacher, and he was likewise the architect of his own fortune, for he never inherited a dollar. His life was at first varied. He was a great lover of the chase, and many bear, and hundreds of deer have succumbed to his unerring aim. Still hale and hearty, Mr. Dees and his noble wife have, apparently, years yet to live, and as they go down in the evening of life, the blessings and well-wishes accompany them of the com- munity in whose midst they have lived and toiled for so many years.
ELI FAIRCHILD, farmer, P. O. Laur, is a native of Wabash County, Ind., born Decem- ber 11, 1829, to Erastus and Elizabeth (Gid-, dings) Fairchild, he of New York and she of England. The father was a farmer. He moved to Ohio, then to Indiana, where Eli was born, and afterward back again to Ohio. He came to Jefferson County in 1839, and located in Blissville Township, but removed again to Bond County, Ill., where he died. lle was married a second time to Edith Shelton. By his first wife he had eleven children, of whom three are living-Eli, Melissa. and Ann M. Our subjeet obtained but a limited education, and he has always given his attention to farm- ing pursuits; he has 320 acres of land, and in 1871 he erected a fine frame residence. IIc was first married to Maranda L. Haines, who bore him one child-Maranda L. His second marriage was with Sarah 1. Place, by whom he had nine children-Rhoda, George W., Emily, Luna, Daniel S., Eli W., Dora M., Minnie F. and Eunice. Mr. Fairchild was married a third time, to Susan E. Boswell, who has also depart- ed this life, the mother of one child-Mary E. Politically, Mr. Fairchild is a Republican.
CYRUS GILBERT, farmer, P. O. Laur, was born in Washington County, Ohio," January 26, 1823, a son of Eli and Susanna (Gale) Gil-
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bert, natives of New Hampshire. The father was a cloth dresser by trade, and worked at it for several years in Ohio; he also ran a water mill, and in after years gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was a very enter- prising man, and after coming to Jefferson County in 1839, built the house where our sub- ject now resides, out of lumber brought from Ohio. The old folks had a family of seventeen children, of whom there are living Ira, Tru- man, Josiah, Philo, Cyrus, Malissa, Menzis R., Waldo, Lois and Alvin. Our subject received a little schooling in his native State, and after coming to this county with his parents, attend- ed the old schools here. In 1842, he contract- ed a scrofulous disease, which was cured under the skillful treatment of an Indian doctor, who resided in this State. Mr. Gilbert studied with him a year, and he has since been called upon himself to attend to many cases of this nature, and his knowledge of the various herbs which seem to possess remarkable medicinal qualities has rendered his services of value to the afflicted. Mr. Gilbert has several hundred acres of land, and he engages mostly in farm- ing. He married Eliza J. MeClendon, and has a family of four children-Mary E., Stephen U., Mary F. and Annie. Mr. Gilbert has five children deceased. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., Mt. Vernon Lodge, and with his wife of the Universalist Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
MENZIS R. GILBERT, farmer, P. O. Laur, was born February 23, 1831, in Washington County, Ohio, a son of Eli Gilbert. (See sketch of Cyrus Gilbert elsewhere.) Subject came with his parents to Jefferson County in 1839, and here continued his attendance at school, although his eyes, which had been seriously af- fected from his birth, prevented him from doing much studying. He was brought up on a farm, and has during his life, given his attention to no other employment. IIis present farm of 400 acres is under a good state of cultivation,
and he engages in mixed farming. He was married, January 19, 1858, to Elizabeth Ford, born January 22, 1841, a daughter of Solomon Ford, of this county. Five children have blessed this union, of whom three survive- Waldo E., born September 30, 1861; Luna O., June 12, 1863, and Tilman I., August 15, 1868. Mr. Gilbert has a good residence, which he built in 1859, and made some substantial addi- tions in 1875. Having a farm especially adapted to the raising of stock, he intends to devote some time to this branch of farming hereafter. He is a Republican in politics, and, with his wife, a member of the Universalist Church.
ALVIN GILBERT, farmer, P. O. Laur, was born in Washington County, Ohio, March 3, 1839 (for parents see sketch of Cyrus Gilbert), coming to this county with his parents in Octo- ber of the same year. Our subject obtained what little education the common schools of this vicinity afforded. He has given his con- stant attention to farming pursuits, with the exception of two years, 1858-60, during which period he ran a general store in Ashley, Ill., in partnership with his father. His present farm property consists of 440 acres of land, located mostly in Blissville Township. He was united in marriage, June 4, 1858, to Annie M. Wat- kins, a daughter of Jacob R. and Aun E. (An- derson) Watkins. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are the parents of six children-Walter J., Thomas E. Orloff, Linnie, Maggie M. and Maude. Polit- ically, Mr. Gilbert is a Republican.
EDWIN GREEN, farmer, P. O. Laur, was born December 30, 1823, in this county, to Reuben and Drusilla (Dees) Green, both of whom were natives of Georgia. Reuben Green was one of the first settlers in Jefferson County. He was a farmer by occupation, and he served in the Black Hawk war. The parents were blessed with a large family, eight of whom are living. Our subject obtained but a few months' schooling in his early life, and he started in
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life as a tiller of the soil, and has always been thus engaged, with the exception of a short pe- riod during which he was engaged in business in Ashley, Ill. His first marriage was with Nancy Landrum, a daughter of Henry Landrum. She died December 30, 1870, the mother of eight children, of whom five survive-Sarah, E. F., Mary C., Charles L. and Thomas J. Mr. Green's second marriage was with Jane Out- house, a daughter of Meredith Outhouse. This union has given five children-William M., Lu- lu M., Claude E., Harry E. and Andrew F. In February, 1865, Mr. Green joined the One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. Stevenson. He was mustered out at Memphis, and came home the first of September of the same year. He has filled many offices in the county, including those of Constable, Assessor, Justice of the Peace, and is at present an officer iu the latter capacity. He is a Democrat in politics. He has a farm of 240 acres, which is given to farming in its gen- eral branches. Mr. Green and his brothers are among the oldest citizens that were born in Jefferson County.
BARNETT GREEN, farmer, P. O. Laur, is a native of this county, born September 23. 1827, a son of Reuben Green. (See sketch of Edwin Green.) Our subject received but a limited education in his younger years. and farming has always been his occupation. His present farm consists of 160 acres. which is given to mixed farming. Ile was united in marriage to Martha J. Page, a daughter of William and Margaret (Taylor) Page, and the union has been blessed with eleven children, nine of whom are living-Margaret, Harvey, Mary E, Sarah, Delilah, Marshall, Albert, George and Charlie. Politically, Mr. Green is a Democrat.
WILLIAM HICKS. farmer, P. O. Laur, was born in this county September 16, 1828, to Isaae and Rebecca (Casey) Hicks, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father was a
substantial farmer; he moved from Kentucky to this county at an carly day, and one of his sons, Thomas, was the first white male child born in this county. The parents had six children, only two of whom are now living- James and our subject. The latter obtained but about three months' schooling, in the old subscription schools, and, giving his attention to farming in early life, has been thns engaged most of his life. He has at present a farm of 120 acres, which is given to general farming. He was married, in December, 1848, to Martha M. Ames, and nine children have blessed the union, of whom six are living - Thomas, Mary, George W., Millie, Charlie and Eliza. In 1861, Mr. Hicks enlisted in the Forty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Col. Noblesdorf. The first time out he served as Lieutenant. He re- signed on account of ill health, came home and in the spring of 1864 volunteered again and rejoined the same regiment, and served until the fall of 1865, being mustered out at Spring- field; he fought at Pea Ridge and other battles in Missouri, and was with Sherman thoughout his campaign. Mr. Hieks served also in the Mex- ican war-a year in the Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was at Cerro Gordo, and other severe engagements. Politically, Mr. Hicks is a Re- publican.
SAMUEL JOHNSON. farmer, P. O. Ashley. came from Washington County, Penn., where he was born October 28, 1822, a son of John and Lydia ( Updegraff , Johnson, both natives of the same State. The father, who was a son of John Johnson, came from England, learned the shoe-maker's trade and worked at it many years, but gave his attention to farming pur- suits in after life. The parents had thirteen children, of whom five are supposed to be liv- ing-Samuel, Henry, Harmon, William and possibly Timothy. Our subject obtained a lit- tle schooling in early life, and at the age of ten removed to Ohio, where he remained until coming to this county, in 1865. having the year G
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before purchased 140 acres of land here; he is turned in December, 1851, by way of Central at present engaged in general farming He was married to Hester Johnson, a daughter of Thomas J. and Julia ( Bruce) Johnson, and the union has given twelve children. seven of whom survive-Jennette, Dennis J., Sarah, John W.,
Samuel A., George W. and David P. Mr. Johnson has three grandchildren living with him-Allen T., Hester and Elizabeth-children of his daughter Julia, who was the wife of Richard J. Brunson. She died October 17, 1879. Mr. Johnson is an A., F. & A. M., Clay Lodge; he has filled the office of Supervisor, and is at present School Treasurer and J. P., having discharged the duties of the latter office for a period of fifteen years. He is a Demo- crat in politics.
JOSEPH LAUR, farmer, P. O. Laur, was born in Lower Canada, in the town of Wolf River, March 14, 1814, a son of Charles and Lucy (Deuame) Laur, he of Vermont and she of Canada, of French descent. The parents had six children, our subject being the only one living from all that is known. The father had been twice married before marrying our subject's mother, and by his former wives had seventeen children. Our subject received but a limited education ; he could only speak French until he became eighteen years of age. In 1833, he emigrated to Lincoln, Mass., and after farming a few years, served an apprentice- ship to the shoe maker's trade, but only worked at it a few years. In 1839, he went to boating on the river, selling general merchandise be- tween Pittsburgh and New Orleans. He came to Jefferson County in 1840, but returned to the river, and three years later came back and settled on his farm, which he had previously come into possession of. He was married in the spring of 1844 to Mary E. Philp, and the union has been blessed with seven children- Charles T., Benjamin M., Laura, Harriett, James W., Mary E. and Elizabeth. In 1850, Mr. Laur went to California overland, and re-
America. October 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. Morrison. He was shortly after- ward elected Captain of his company, and served as sneh through the war. He took part in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, was in the Red River expedition, and at Vicks- burg, etc. His present farm consists of 240 acres. The post office at Williamsburg was named in his honor. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
THOMAS H. MANNEN, farmer, P. O. Laur, is a native of Bracken County, Ky., born June 24, 1839, eldest child of Sidney S. and Eliza A. (Walton) Mannen, natives of the same State. The father was a tanner by trade, and was thus engaged in his native State and also in Illinois, removing in 1841 ; he dealt also largely in stock, and in early days followed the river, dealing in horses, etc .; he also farmed in late years, and he died on election day, 1871. His wife is still living in this county. The parents had nine children, one of whom is deceased ; those living are T. H., Josiah H., John J., Leslie C., Robert W., Sidney S., Anuie E. and Jerome. Mr. Mannen obtained but a limited education in early years. He started ont as a farmer, but after some time thins engaged, he went into the mercantile business, and ran a general store in Williamsburg for several years, since which he has given his attention to farm- ing pursuits. He has about 400 aeres of land, and raises and deals in cattle and stock large- ly. He was first married to Isabel Norris, who died in 1870 ; she bore him five children, four living-Olive M., Annie E., Martha E. and Thomas E. Mr. Mannen's present wife was Margaret (Dodds) Norris, widow of A. J. Norris, and daughter of John Dodds. This union has given one child-Sunie O. In poli- ties, Mr. Mannen is a Democrat.
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GEORGE NEWELL, farmer, P. O. Laur, was born in this county about one-half mile from where he at present resides, April 15, 1841, the eldest child of Asa B. and Eleanor (Shuttlesworth) Newell, he a native of Ver- mont, and she of Ohio. The parents had five children-George, Levi, Lucy, Oscar and Icha- bod. The mother died when our subject was about twelve years old, and the father married Margaret Hayes, who is still living. Of this marriage, there were three children, two of whom are living. Philip and Stephen D. Our subject obtained but a meager schooling, and he started out as a farmer. His present farm consists of 120 acres. He was married to Sa- rah C. Gilbert, a daughter of Stephen Gilbert. This union has been blessed with seven chil- dren, of whom six are living-Asa, Laura, Mina, Rufus N., Orla and Minnie. August 2, 1861 Mr. Newell enlisted in the Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served out his time of enlistment and was discharged at Atlanta, Ga., in October, 1864. He lay siek for several months in the hospital, and fought afterward at Chattanooga, Chickamauga and Atlanta, and other severe engagements. Politically. he is a Republican.
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