USA > Illinois > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Illinois > Part 67
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HENRY BREEZE, farmer, P. O. Irving- ton, was born in Orange County, Ind., No- vember 23, 1823, to Robert and Margaret (Copple) Breeze, both of whom were natives of North Carolina -he of Orange County, she of Rowan County. He in early life had been apprenticed to a hatter in his native State, but at the age of seventeen ran off and came to Crab Orchard, Ky .. and for some
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years followed the river, but in 1810 was married in Clark County, Ind., to the mother of our subject, and after that, made farining his occupation, being quite success- ful. He was in the Indian war uuder Gen. Harrison, and was at the battle of Tippeca- noe. In 1827, he moved with his family to this county, and, with the exception of three years he resided in Washington County, made this his home till the time of his death. December 8, 1862, at the age of eighty- four years. She died in 1875. also eighty- four years of age. In politics, he was a Whig and then a strong Union man, and when the war broke out. although over eighty years of age and feeble, he wanted to do his part, so wrote to Col. S. G. Hicks, of the Fortieth, asking if there was not something he could give him to do. While still in In- diana, he and wife joined the Christian Church and were active members of the church till the time of their deaths. At his honse, probably the first Christian Church was organized in the county, by Rev. David R. Chance and Rev. William Chaffen, of Marion County. He afterward deeded the land to the church where Little Grove Chris- tian Church now stands. The following are the names of his children: Richard, Jacob (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), wife of Crittenden Anderson; John (deceased), Owen, Hannah (deceased). wife of Rev. John A. Williams; Robert, Henry, James (de- ceased), Jonathan, Margaret (deceased), wife of Alexander Bundy; Catherine, wife of George Fouts; Mary, widow of Jacob San- ders; Nancy (deceased), wife of Samuel Bundy (deceased). Our subject remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, and then came to his present farm and be- gan its improvement. His farm now con- tains 180 acres in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Breeze has always taken an active part
in political matters, and has been honored with various township and county offices. He was one of the committee who attended to the building of the present county court house. Since March 19, 1851,he has served as Justice of the Peace. In 1876, he was nominated by the Greenback party to repre- sent his district in the State Legislature, and carried his own county by a large ma- jority, but was defeated in the district by a few votes. For thirty-two years, Mr. Breeze has been a member of the I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the A., F. & A. M. Irving- ton Lodge. He is a member of the Christian Church. October 28, 1847, he was married to Catherine Casey, daughter of Samnel Casey, Sr. She died December 3, 1861, and was the mother of eight children, five of whom are still living, viz., Ellen, wife of Jacob Deal; Robert M .; Harriet; Ida, wife of William Jolliff; and Mary. December 11, 1866, he was married to Mrs. Martha J. (Taylor) Wayman, widow of M. Wayman and daughter of James W. Taylor, who was a native of Georgia, but came to Marion County, Ill., in 1818. By her first husband, Mrs. Breeze had four children, viz., Willis, Jasper, Wiley, and Margaret I., wife of Lewis Breeze. By her present husband, she has two children, viz., Samuel H. and Jacob S.
SAMUEL COPPLE, farmer, P. O. Wal- nut Hill, was born in Jefferson County, Ill., July 16. 1837, a son of William and Abbie (Hanley) Copple. Both were born in In- diana and came to this State at an early date. He died in Walnut Hill Prairie, Oc- tober, 1875; she is still living on the old homestead. To them eleven children were born, five of whom still survive -Mary, wife of John Due, of Missouri; Levi; Susan, wife of Charles Simmons; Harvey and Samuel. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in this county, and has made it his 11
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home all his life. His occupation has been that of farmer and fruit raiser. August 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Capt. George C. Mckee, Col. W. H. L. Wallace. He served for three years and was mustered out at Vicksburg. August, 1864. He took part in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg. and for nine months before his discharge had been doing detail work at ordnance de- partment, Vicksburg. In September, 1882, he came to his present fruit farm of forty-three and one half acres, besides forty in timber and ten in orchards. He was married, in 1857, to Sarah A. Bradford, daughter of Avery Bradford. She died in July, 1869, leaving two children -- Marion and Minnie. He was married, November, 1869, to Luan' a Mooro, daughter of Thomas B. Moore, and to them were born three children-Charity E., Wily D. and Ella A Mr. Copple and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Republican.
EDMUND COPPLE, farmer, P. O. Ir- vington, was born in Clark County, Ind., Oc- tober 12, 1828, to David and Lovina (Huck- leberry) Copple. He was a native of North Carolina, but came to Indiana when young. She was born in Indiana. Both died in Marion County, Ill., where they had settled in about 1832. They were the par- ents of twelve children, eleven of whom lived to be grown. He served in the Indian war nnder Gen. Harrison. Our subject was reared in Marion County, Ill., receiving his education in the common schools. His oc- cupation has been that of a farmer. Iu 1852, he came to his present farm, which contains 258 acres and is well improved. He was mar- ried in Marion County, Ill., in 1853, to Miss Nancy Bareman. She was born in Indiana, daughter of Isaac and Christina (Huckle- berry) Barcman, who were the parents of
nine children, eight of whom still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Copple are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Greenbacker. Mr. and Mrs. Copple have the following-named children: Lucy L. (deceased), wife of Albert Copple; Mary A., wife of Adolphus Allcorn; Effie J., wife of Alexander West; John W .; Tenie D., wife of Charles Copple, and Isaac W. (twins); Edmund D .. Harriet N. and Orrie.
WILLIAM L. FISHER, farmer, P. O. Irvington, was born in Clark County, Ind., September 7, 1830, a son of John and Eliz- abeth (Fouts) Fisher. She was born in In- diana, a sister of David Fouts, whose sketch appears in this work. John Fisher was a native of North Carolina, bnt came to In- diana when small. His occupation was that of farming. Both he and his wife died on the old homestead in Clark County, he at eighty years of age, she at fifty eight. He was a Democrat in politics and took an ac- tive part in local affairs. They were mem- bers of the Universalist Church. They were the parents of eight children, viz .: William L .; Sarah J., wife of Alexander Work; James L. (deceased), Isabelle (deceased), Jacob H., John A., Andrew M. and Mollie. Our sub. ject was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of Clark County. He came to this county in 1857, and in 1859 settled on his present farm of 200 acres, which was then unimproved, and has since been engaged in grain and stock raising. He was married, in September, 1859, to Jane Boles, daughter of Hugh Boles. She died in April, 1861, leaving one child-Jennie. He was again married, in 1863, to Margaret Baird, a native of Madison County, Ill., and daughter of Samuel Baird. Seven children are the result of this union-Erman, Cyn- thia, Ollie, Carrie, Laura, Wilbur and Har. land. Mr. Fisher is a member of A., F. &
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A. M., Irvington Lodge, No. 650. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and has held varions township offices.
Republican. He is not a member of any church, but has always lived a moral, up- right life.
DAVID FOUTS, farmer, P. O. Irvington, DAVID P. FOUTS, farmer, P. O. Ir- vington, was born in Clark County, Ind., Feb- ruary 28, 1845. He is a son of Lemon and Evaline V. (Reid) Fouts, both natives of In- diana. They came to this county in 1846, set- tling on the farm now occupied by our sub- - ject, where his mother died when he was quite small. His father now resides in Ir- vington, where for years he was Postmaster and in mercantile business, from which he has now retired. In politics, he is Repub- lican, but has never taken part in political life. He organized Company H of the Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was elected Captain, but through exposure at Central City, was taken si k and never went to the field. His family by his first wife consisted of six children, five of whom are still living-Mary D. (wife of Joseph Por- ter), David P., John H., Evaline V. (wife of John M. Breeze), and Cynthia H. (wife of Joseph D. Baldridge). Our subject was reared on the farm and has made it his home all his life, except one season. He was mar- ried in this county, September 9, 1869, to Rebecca E. Baldridge, daughter of Alexan- der Baldridge and Evaline (West) Bald- ridge, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fouts have six children living-Lemon A., David A., Cora E., Lula A. and Lela E. (twins), and Daisie I. and one son deceased. Farm- ing and stock dealing has been his occupa- tion. Mr. Fouts is a member of the Chris- tian Church, his wife of the Methodist Epis- copal. In politics, he votes the Republican ticket, but takes little part, in political life. was born in Clark County, Ind., November 3, 1820, son of Jacob and Mary (Dougan) Fonts, both natives of North Carolina, she being a daughter of Thomas Dougan, a Col- onel in the Revolutionary army under Mar- ion. She was born in 1788, and died at Irvington, Ill., 1868. He was born to Quaker parents in 1782, and died in 1860 in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Fouts were married in North Carolina in 1807, and in 1808 landed in the present State of Indiana and settled within one mile of Indian camps. They were the parents of six sons and three daughters, all of whom reached maturity, and six still survive. Our subject was reared on the farm in Clark County, and obtained such an education as the schools then af- forded. Till he was twenty-seven years of age, he remained on the farm, but from 1847 till 1855, he was engaged in the mer- cantile business at New Washington, Ind., but on account of failing health closed out business and came to this county to his pres- ent farm of 400 acres. He remained on that farm till 1866, when he moved to Ir- vington and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, continuing till 1873, when he again came to the farm and has since remained on it. January 3, 1850, he was married in In- diana to Elizabeth J. Gudgel. She is a na- . tive of the same county as her husband, and is the daughter of Allen and Rebecca (Rob- ertson) Gudgel. He died when Mrs. Fonts was only about one year of age. Her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Fouts have two children living and two dead, viz .: WILLIAM M. GALBRAITH, fruit-grow- er, P. O. Walnut Hill, was born in Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, Ill., December 23, Jacob O. and Belle R., living; Mary F. (de- ceased), wife of Charles K. Smith; and Emma J. (deceased). In politics, he is a 1826, son of John S. Galbraith, a native of
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Tennessee, but came to this county in 1825, | daughter of Rev. Abraham T. Casey and Vy- and died here in 1868. He was married in Tennessee to the mother of our subject and by her had two sons, viz., James M., of Villa Ridge, Ill., and William M. Mrs. Galbraith died in this county during the in - fancy of William M. Mr. Galbraith was again married -- 1833 -- and had a family of
1 four sons and one daughter. His occupa. tion was that of farmer and horticulturist. He had one of the first budded fruit orchards in Southern Illinois, and to his industry and success as a fruit grower can now be attributed much of the success which this county has attained in fruit growing. He was a stanch Republican, and was one of the stockholders of the first Republican paper in Mount Vernon. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a thorough temperance man. Our subject was reared in this county, receiving such an education as the common schools afforded. When twenty- two years of age, he went to Wayne County, and for some years was engaged in the mer- cantile business at Johnsonville. When the civil war broke out, he responded to his coun- try's call. enlisting in Company I, Forty- eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in as Quartermaster Sergeant and was promoted successively to the Second and First Lieutenancy, and then to Quartermas- ter of the regiment. He remained in the service till August, 1865, when they were mustered out at Little Rock. After return - ing from the service, he again entered the mercantile business at Johnsonville, contin- ning in the same for two years. Then for one year was in Cairo, and in 1868 came to his present farm of 136 acres, and began its improvement, it being all growing in brush, etc. He has since been engaged in raising small fruits, apples, etc. July 16, 1865, he was mar- ried in this county to Miss Elizabeth M. Casey,
linda (Maxey) Casey. This union has been blest with the following children: John and Charles. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years. In politics, he is Independent, not voting for the party but for the man. Rev. Abraham T. Casey was born in Barren County, Ky., July 29, 1798, and in infancy came with his parents to Illinois, and in 1817 to Jefferson County, Ill. He was converted when only twelve years of age. August 28, 1824, he was licensed as a local minister, and in 1833 was ordained Elder. In 1819, he was mar- ried to Vylinda Maxey, daughter of William Maxey. She was born December 31, 1803. They were the parents of one son- Lafay- ette- - and six daughters-Harriet (deceased), Bell and Catherine (twins), Sarah (deceased), Elizabeth, and Martha (deceased). Mr. Casey carried the first temperance pledge in this county. He died September 14, 1834. Mrs. Casey remained a widow till the time of her death, March 26, 1883.
JOHN W. HAILS, farmer, P. O. Rich- view, was born in Sumner County, Tenn., March 19, 1823. His parents were Thomas and Sarah (Justice) .Hails, his father a na- tive of North Carolina and his mother of Virginia. Previous to their marriage, they had moved to Tennessee, and in 1827 came to Illinois, settling in Jefferson County, near Mount Vernon, where they lived until their death. His occupation was that of farming, making his home on the wild prairie, with Indians camping near. They were the par- ents of eleven children, six of whom are still living. He was in the war of 1812, and fought with Gen. Jackson at New Orleans. Both were members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church and had been since early life. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and educated in the log schoolhouses of
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the day. When he reached his majority, he began life as a farmer, and has followed the same occupation to the present time, being engaged in stock-raising in connection with his farm. When he left the old home, he came to his present farm and began to improve it. He has now a well-cultivated farm of 330 acres, and besides this has deeded to bis children 360 acres. In politics, he still holds to the opinions of his fathers. He has held varions township offices, and is now filling the posi- tion of Highway Commissioner. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South). He was married, Angust 8, 1848, to Annis M. Casey, daughter of F. S. and grand-daughter of Abram Casey. Mr. and Mrs. Hails have one child, dead, and eleven living-Narcissus C. (deceased), Thomas F., Alfred M., Zadok C., Sarah, Harriet J., Ellen, Ida P., Mary, Charles, John and Samnel T .- all living in the im- mediate neighborhood.
WILLIAM JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Centralia, was born in Clark County, Ind., December 4, 1822. He is a son of John and Millie (Bower) Johnson; he was a native of New Jersey, she of North Carolina. They came to Indiana about 1808, where they died, he in 1836, she in May, 1839. They had nine children, eight sons and one daugh ter, seven of whom are still living. Our sub- ject was reared in Clark County, Ind., and in the fall of 1850 came to this county. In 1847, he enlisted in the Mexican war, Com- pany B. Fifth Indiana Regiment, under Col. James Lane, and served nine months, when the war 'closed. September 28, 1854, he was married in Indiana to Sarah B. Rog- ers. She was born in Clark County. Ind., a daughter of Archibald A. Rogers, a native of North Carolina. Mrs. Johnson died April 22, 1858; she was the mother of two chil- dren, one of whom is still living, viz., John
A., of Nebraska. Mr. Johnson was again married, in 1859, to Susan A. Beadles. She was born in Clark County, Ind., but came to this State when six years of age. She is a daughter of Richard F. Beadles. There is one son- William R .-- by this marriage. In the fall of 1854, Mr. Johnson moved to his present farm of 200 acres. He has a splendid rock quarry on his farm, and furnishes stone for different localities. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics. he is a Republican.
CHARLES D. KELL, farmer, P. O. Wal- nut Hill, was born on his present farm, April 24, 1859, son of James and Margaret (Baldridge) Kell, he born in North Carolina and the son of Thomas Kell. one of the early settlers of this county; she a sister of James C. Baldridge, whose sketch appears in this work. They settled the farm now owned by our subject, but both died at Walnut Hill. Marion County, he in 1873, she in 1875. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom still survive, viz., D. D. Kell, of Walnut Hill; Margaret M. (wife of James L. Patton), and Charles D. Kell. For some years his occupation was that of farmer; he then removed to Walnut Hill and engaged in the milling and mercantile business, and in his business was a successful man. In pol- itics, he was a Republican. Onr subject was reared in this and Marion Counties, received his education in the common schools of Wal- nnt Hill and in Irvington College. Since embarking in life for himself, he has fol- lowed different employments. One year he rented and ran the mill at Walnut Hill; then for two years was in mercantile business, but in 1882 came to this farin, which contains 280 acres of land. In connection with his farming, Mr. Kell also gives some attention to the growing of fruits, and in 1883, from one acre of strawberries, cleared $430. Jan
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uary 13. 1881, he was married to Sarah E. Foust, daughter of Reuben Foust, a success- ful fruit grower of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Kell have one child-Clara. In poli- tics. he is a Republican.
CHARLES MILLER, farmer, P. O. Ir- vington, was born in Prussia September 28, 1821. He is the son of Henry Miller, who came to the United States in 1835, settling first in St. Clair County, then in Washington County, where he died in 1856. His first wife died in Germany, and of her children, two daughters and one son, our subject, still survive. Before leaving Germany, Mr. Mil. ler was again married. The subject of our sketch was reared on his father's farm, re- ceiving his education in the schools of his native land, except the English language, which he taught himself. His occupation has always been that of farming, first in Washington County, where he remained un- til 1867, when he bought his present, farm of 300 acres of Owen Breeze, paying $12,000, this being one of the largest sales ever made in the county up to that time. He was mar- ried, December 19, 1843, to Hannah Mc- Bride, who was born February 23, 1819, a daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth (Rule) Mc- Bride. He was a native of Pennsylvania. his wife of Virginia: they were married in Tennessee and came to Washington Coun- ty, Ill., in the fall of 1837. They were the parents of seven children. Mrs. Miller being the youngest and the only one now living. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have four children liv- ing and one dead, viz., Francis M., John Q. M. (died, November 26, 1868), Charles M., William A. and Emeline. F. M. is a farmer in the county; Charles M. is a doctor at Brimfield; William A. is a farmer in Marion County. In politics' he is a Republican.
ESSEX PAYNE, farmer, P. O. Richview. Among the most thrifty farmers in Grand
Prairie Township, who have made for them- selves pleasant homes in the heretofore wilder- ness, we find the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born near Mount Ver- non January 31, 1840, to Joseph and Har- riet (Stanford) Payne. They were natives of Smith County, Tenn., and came to Jefferson County, Ill., about 1835, and died in the county, he at the age of seventy-two years, and she at seventy-four. His occupation was that of farming. They reared to maturity a family of seven children, three of whom still survive, viz., J. H., Essex and J. T. They were both members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. In politics, he was Democratic. Our subject's early life was spent on the farm and in attending the common schools of the county. In 1862, he came to his present farm, which then had none of the splendid improvements it now has. His farm contains 240 acres, and on this he does general farming and stock-raising. August 10, 1861, he was married to Miss Margaret E. Casey, daughter of Maj. F. S. Casey (de- ceased). This union has been blest with five children, viz., Martha, Mary, Horatio, Cora I. and Joseph F. In politics, Mr. Payne is Democratic. He and wife are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
J. W. PORTER, farmer, P. O. Centralia. The subject of this sketch was born in Jeffer- son County, Ill., March 16, 1838, to James and Sarah (Baldridge) Porter; she is a sister of James C. Baldridge (see sketch). He was a native of North Carolina, but came to this county when small, and died here in 1850. She is still living and is the wife of George Baltzell, of Centralia. Our subject is one of a family of six children, viz., William C., Joseph W., Martha, James M. and Julia. Only the two eldest now survive. James was lost during the battle of Perryville. Mr. Por. ter's life, with the exception of two years,
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has been spent in this county. He was edu- cated in the common schools and has always been engaged in farming, except for two years he was in the mercantile business in Walnut Hill, Ill. November 28, 1860, he was mar- ried to Mary D. Fouts. She was born in Clark County, Ind., but came to this county when small. Her father, Lemon Fouts, is now a resident of Irvington. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have three children living and one dead, viz., Sherman S., James E., Walter P., and Sarah E. (deceased). Mr. Porter has been on his present farm of 300 acres since marriage, and has always had to depend upon his own energy to make a success. He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In politics, he is a Repub- lican.
THOMAS L. RATTS, farmer, P. O. Ir- vington, was born in Clark County, Ind., November 27, 1830, to Jacob and Cynthia (Fouts) Ratts. He was born in North Caro- lina in 1806; she in Indiana in 1810, Jacob being only fifteen years of age when his father went to Indiana. Jacob and wife were married December 25, 1828, and are the parents of seven children, six of whom still survive, viz., Thomas L., David F., Malinda E. (deceased), Mary E., Sarah J., Henry H., Margaret and Evaline. Since going to Indiana, his occupation has been that of farming, but in early life he learned
1
the hatter's trade. In politics, he is a strong Republican. For many years he was a Dea. con in the Christian Church, but when about sixty-five years of age changed to the belief of the Universalist Church. Our subject was reared on the farm and received his educa- tion in the common schools of the county. He remained at home till his marriage, March 30, 1854, to Miss Sarah E. Grisamore. She was born November 27, 1832, in Clark County, Ind., to John and Rebecca (Henley; Grisamore. He was a native of Pennsyl- vania, she of North Carolina. Both were born in 1806, and were early settlers in Clark County, Ind., and for some years have been residents of Irvington, Ill. Mr. and Mrs, Ratts are the parents of eight children, seven of whom still survive -- Mary E. (deceased), Ida E. (wife of William F. Copple), John H., J. Oscar, David G., Rebecca J., Cynthia E. and Thomas L. In 1854, Mr. Ratts came to this county and settled on his present farm, which now contains 482 acres, 400 of which are in good state of ,cultivation. He is engaged in farming, stock-dealing and fruit-growing. He is a member of A., F. & A. M., Irvington Lodge, No. 650. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episco pal Church, and have been since before mar- riage. In politics, he votes with the Repub- lican party. He has held the various town- ship offices, Supervisor, etc.
FIELD TOWNSHIP.
HARDIN BARKER, farmer, P. O. Di- vide, is a native of St. Clair County, Ill., and was born August 15, 1847. His father, Nel- son Barker, was a native of Maine, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1820, when but a child. Our subject attended the common
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