USA > Illinois > Jersey County > History of Jersey County, Illinois > Part 50
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In 1913 Mr. Decker was married to Eleanor J. Wheaton, born in Jersey County, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Antone J. Wheaton, well- known residents of the West Side, Jerseyville. Mr. and Mrs. Decker have the following children : L. A., who was born April 26, 1914, and Cornelia J., who was born March 20, 1915. Mr. Decker is a Demo- crat, and cast his first vote for William J. Bryan. The Catholic Church holds his membership.
DECKER, William, owns and operates 200 acres of magnificent farm land in English Township, where he is regarded as one of Jer- sey County's most desirable citizens. He was born at Plainfield, N. J., in June, 1861, a son of Cornelius and Ellen (Vanderway) Decker, natives of Holland who came to New Jersey in 1840, and lived there until 1867, when they migrated to Jersey County, Ill., settling in English Township, where they became landowners, and there they died. Children as follows were born to them: Fred, Richard, and Hattie, all of whom are deceased; Philip, who lives in Canada; Hiram, who lives in Oklahoma; Agnes, a twin of Hiram, died in childhood; William; and John, who lives in Canada.
William Decker attended the Franklin district school, and when he was eleven years old went to live with Ezekial Chance, on a farm,
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120 acres of which later became his by purchase. Still later, he bought eighty acres additional, and he is now the possessor of one of the finest farms in the township. In 1882 Mr. Decker was married to Ellen Chance, born in English Township, a daughter of Henry and Emeline (Cope) Chance, both born in English Township. Mr. and Mrs. Decker have two children, namely: Stella, who is Mrs. George Kessler of English Township; and Lilly Pearl, who is Mrs. William Felter of English Township. The Presbyterian Church holds Mr. Decker's membership. He is a Republican and has been a school director, highway commissioner and supervisor. Fraternally he is a Mason and Elk, and in every way he measures up to the best standards of American citizenship.
DOBBS, Joshua Elias, a retired farmer and justice of the peace, is one of the representative men of Grafton. He was born at Grafton, March 15, 1841, a son of Jesse and Matilda (Marsh) Dobbs. Jesse Dobbs was born in Barren County, Ky., December 22, 1818, and he was a farmer and carpenter who came to Jersey County when he was eighteen years old, locating first in South Otter Creek. There his parents died and he then came to Grafton, where he was married, his wife being a native of the village. Their children were as follows : Mary J. Houston; Joshua Elias; Amanda McDaniel, who is deceased ; Ilenry C., who lives at Coffeyville, Kas .: Sarah E. Chappie, who is deceased; Charles W., who is deceased; Edward; and George W., who is deceased.
As he was the eldest son, Joshua Elias Dobbs was forced to early lend a hand at supporting the family, and so was only sent to school for three months. When his country had need of him during the Civil War, he enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth United States In- fantry, and saw service at Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Steeles- ville, Haynes' Bluff, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge, Siege of Vicksburg, Siege of Jackson, (Miss.), Collinsville, Tenn., battle of Chickamauga, Siege of Nashville, and was wounded at Vicksburg, May 19, 1863. He would have been killed had it not been that he had secured a towel from one of the old colored women and had placed it, folded four thicknesses, in his breast pocket over his heart. The bullet struck this towel, the impact being so strong as to fell him, but the towel saved his life. On July 31, 1865, Mr. Dobbs was mustered out of the service at St. Louis, Mo., and returned to Jersey County, where he engaged in farming.
On March 24, 1865, Mr. Dobbs was married to Elizabeth Worthy, who was born in Tennessee, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children: Sarah E., who is deceased; Jason E., who is de- ccased ; Rosa E. Wedding : Louis E., who is deceased ; Emma ; Bertram ; Pearl Spencer; A. J .; and Cora Spangle. In politics Mr. Dobbs is a Republican, and he has served as road commissioner and school trustee and is now a justice of the peace. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Jerseyville. Jerseyville Post, G. A. R. holds
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his membership, and he enjoys meeting his old comrades by whom he is held in high esteem as he is by all who know him.
DODGE, William K., one of the leading men of Fidelity, who is closely identified with the banking and commercial interests of Jer- sey County, was born in Fidelity Township, April 16, 1868, a son of Edson A and Margaret (Miner) Dodge, natives of Vermont. Luther Dodge, the paternal grandfather, came to Jersey County at an early day, and the maternal grandfather, William K. Miner, located on the present site of Fidelity, acquiring many acres of land which he entered from the government. Both these grandfathers became lead- ing men of this part of the state.
After marriage, the parents of William K. Dodge, settled at Fidel- ity, where the father operated a grist mill, and he was also interested in mercantile pursuits, but during his later years he was a farmer. After retiring he moved to Jerseyville, and served as secretary of the Jersey County Fair Association for some years, and he was also secretary of the Trotting Association for a long period. A man of consequence, he held township and county offices, and died in 1894, respected by all who knew him. The mother survives, and makes her home at Jerseyville.
William K. Dodge resided with his parents until 1892, and then located on the McCollister farm, and worked it on shares. In 1901 Mrs. Dodge inherited eighty acres of land, and in 1909 Mr. Dodge bought the remaining eighty acres of their present farm, on which he raises Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China hogs and draft horses. In 1908 he moved to Cabado, Tex., where he conducted a rice elevator and managed two stores, dealing in feed, and he remained there for two years, and then returned to his old home. On November 24, 1913, Mr. Dodge organized the Bank of Fidelity, with a capital stock of $11,000, of which John Ewin is president; C. E. Lewis is vice presi- dent ; and William K. Dodge, John Ewin, C. E. Lewis, William Birkenmayer, A. D. Ewin, James Ryan and J. T. Darnielle are directors.
On February 24, 1892, Mr. Dodge was married to Miss Ida S. McCollister, of Fidelity Township, a daughter of Isaac and Sylvia N. (North) McCollister, natives of New York and Illinois, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge have the following children: Sylvia N., Marcus F. and Harold, all of whom are at home. Mr. Dodge is a Republican, and has served terms as assessor and collector of his township. Since 1895, he has been a member of Fidelity Camp, M. W. A., and Mrs. Dodge belongs to the Royal Neighbors and the Ladies Aid Society. A man of unusual ability, Mr. Dodge has known how to make his work count for something, and his influence is a strong one in his com- munity, and it is always exerted in the right direction.
DOUGHERTY, James, now deceased, during his life was one of the prosperous farmers of Jersey County, and his widow, Mrs. Mary
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Dougherty, is one of the highly esteemed residents of Grafton. James Dougherty was born in Ireland, March 8, 1833, a son of James Dough- erty, also a native of Ireland. The elder James Dougherty brought his family to the United States in 1843, locating at St. Louis, Mo., and there his wife died during the great cholera epidemic in that city.
James Dougherty, the younger, attended the schools of St. Louis, and after completing his educational training, went to Calhoun County, Ill., where he commenced farming, continuing in this line of endeavor after he moved to Jersey County. He conducted the 100-acre farm he bought in Jersey Township, until his death, when his widow assumed the management of it, but later she rented it. Mr. Dougherty was a member of the Catholic Church. Politically he was a Democrat.
After moving to Calhoun County, James Dougherty was married to Mary Angeline Lamarsh, born at St. Charles, Mo., coming of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty had the following children born to them : Mrs. Catherine Frieman, Mrs. Julia Dempsey, Mrs. Rose Mc- Clintock, Mrs. Lula McClintock and Mrs. Sarah Ranson, who are living, and four who are deceased. Mrs. Dougherty is also a member of the Catholic Church, and takes an interest in its charitable and patriotic work. She is very well known at Grafton and in the surrounding country, where she has many warm friends.
DOWN, William R., a general farmer and stockraiser residing on section 21, Piasa Township, is one of the substantial men of Jersey County, and one widely known and generally respected. He was born in Piasa Township, in April, 1851, a son of Bartholomew and Isabella (Pringle) Down, he born in Devonshire, England, and she in Scot- land. They came to the United States in their youth, he in 1835 and she in 1836, and he bought forty acres of land in Piasa Township, Jersey County, from the government. Later he went to Bunker Hill, Ill .. and was married in 1846. Returning to Piasa Township, he was engaged in farming until his death. At one time he owned 2,000 acres of land in Jersey County. He and his wife had the following children : Isabella, who is the widow of Christian Bauer, lives in Piasa Town- ship ; William R .; Ann, who lives on the homestead; and Mary, Alice and John, who are deceased; and Michael, who is also living on the homestead.
After growing up on the farm and attending the schools of his dis- trict, William R. Down was married in April, 1866, to Mary Harris, born in Piasa Township, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Taley) Harris, born in Tennessee. Mr. Harris came to this vicinity in 1830, and she in 1831, and after their marriage, they located in Piasa Town- ship. Until March, 1900, Mr. and Mrs. Down continued to live with his father, and then he bought eighty acres of land in Piasa Township, to which he later added forty acres. Subsequently he bought another eighty-acre farm, and on it all he carries on general farming and stockraising and has been very successful. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Down are as follows: Harry, who lives at Galveston, Tex .;
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Nellie, who is Mrs. Silas Williams, of Piasa Township; Lela, who is at home; Myrtle, who is Mrs. John Jones, of Piasa Township; and Elmer and Lydia who are at home. Mr. Down is a Presbyterian. In pol- itics he is a Democrat, but has never had the time or inclination to enter public life.
DOYLE, John, agent for the Pierce Oil Company at Grafton, is one of the inen held in high esteem all over Jersey County. He was born at Grafton, Ill., June 7, 1877, a son of Philip and Rose (Donohuc) Doyle. Philip Doyle was born in Ireland and came to the United States in boyhood, locating at St. Louis, Mo., where he was employed by a moving-van company. Coming to Grafton, Ill., he was engaged in stone quarrying, and he died in 1915. His widow survives. Their children were as follows: Mary, Lizzie, Allie, Rose, Tess, Nellie, John, Philip, Frank, Willie.
John Doyle attended the Grafton schools until he was sixteen years old. He then went to Springfield, and learned the boiler-making trade, at which he worked for ten years, at both St. Louis and Dan- ville. Ile then came to Grafton and operated a transfer line until 1915, when he engaged with his present company, which has connec- tions all over this and surrounding counties.
Mr. Doyle was married (first) to Miss May Serry, born at St. Louis, Mo., who at her death left one child, Rose, who lives at Grafton. Mr. Doyle was married (second) to Catherine Bowman, a school teacher and a former chum of the first Mrs. Doyle and was her brides- maid. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle have a son, Russell, who is at home. In politics he is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. The Catholic Church holds his membership. With each change, Mr. Doyle has bettered his condition, and his ability and up- rightness have always commended him to his employers and those with whom he is brought into contact.
DUNHAM, Stephen A. Douglas, one of the prosperous general farm- ers of Jersey County, owns and operates a fine property of eighty acres in Jersey Township. He was born in Richwoods Township, June 11, 1858, a son of Benjamin and Anna Eliza (Reddish) Dunham, natives of Ohio and Jersey County, respectively. In company with others, Benjamin Dunham drove cattle over the prairies, through to Montgom- cry County, Ill., traveling in a covered wagon. In this company were some who came on with him to Richwoods Township, Jersey County. The paternal grandparents were Stephen and Charlotte Reddish, who were born in New Jersey, but came to Jersey County, Ill., at a very early day. After their marriage, Benjamin Dunham and his wife located on a farm in Richwoods Township, where they died, having had a family of three daughters and ten sons.
Stephen A. Douglas Dunham was reared in his native township, and attended the district schools. In August, 1898, he was married to Rachel Proffer, born in Stafford County, Mo., a daughter of James and Mis-
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souri (Harris) Proffer, natives of Missouri. After marrying Mr. Dunham bought a farm in Richwoods Township, but in 1911 he sold it and bought his present eighty-acre farm, where he has since carried on general farming and is meeting with a gratifying success. He and his wife have the following children : Bertha Ann Eliza, Gertrude C., Lottie Bell, Myrtle May and Elmer Stephen. In religious faith Mr. Dunham is a Baptist. He is a Democrat, and has served as a school director. Thrifty and hard-working, he has made all his efforts count for something, and stands very high in his community.
EAGLETON, Benjamin P., one of the extensive stockraisers of Jer- sey County, and a man widely known and universally respected, oper- ates a magnificent farm in Richwoods Township. He was born in Illinois, March 21, 1895, a son of L. and Minnie Eagleton. His father, who is one of the prominent practicing attorneys of Peoria, Ill., is senior member of the well known firm of Eagleton, Stone & Isley, and at one time served as judge of the Probate court of Peoria, and has been con- nected with some very important jurisprudence in this part of the state.
Benjamin P. Eagleton attended the grammar and a high school in his native county, and the University of Illinois. In the summer of 1915 he came to his present farm of 1,000 acres which is owned by his father. Of this land, 500 acres are in pasturage and 500 acres are in a high state of cultivation. On this farm Mr. Eagleton raises Duroc- Jersey hogs and sheep and registered Hereford cattle and is a large feeder of cattle. The latest and most scientific methods are used in all of his farm work, and he is making a name for himself among the lead- ing agriculturists of the county. Mr. Eagleton is not married. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
EAST, George, who is engaged in farming in the vicinity of Jersey- ville, belongs to an old and honored family of Jersey County. He was born in the county, July 6, 1866, a son of Elijah East, born in Missouri, who came to Jersey County about 1850. For many years he carried the mail between Hardin, Calhoun County, and Jerseyville. Elijah East married Janc Weeks, born in Ohio, and they had the following chil- dren : Amy, who lives in Texas; Mary Carrie, who lives in Jersey County ; John and Charlie, who are deceased ; and George.
George East remained with his parents, and after the death of his father, he took care of his mother during the fifteen years she survived him. When he first began farming on his own account, he rented land but later bought and has been successful as a farmer. He married Miss Lilly Gier, who was born in Greene County, Ill., but her parents were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. East became the parents of the following children : George Leonard, Parker Lafayette, Marion Clinton, and Fred, all of whom are at home ; Dennis; and Henry Clay.
A Democrat, he has served as highway commissioner. The Baptist
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Church holds his membership. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
EASTHAM, Charles H., junior member of the general contracting firm of U. K. Eastham & Son, of Jerseyville, is one of the successful young business men of Jersey County. He was born at Fidelity, Jersey County, Ill., June 5, 1881, son of Urban K. and Emma (Rodell) East- ham, he born near Medora, Macoupin County, Ill., and she at Fidelity, Ill. The grandparents were George W. Eastham, born in West Vir- ginia and one of the pioneers of Macoupin County, Ill., and Adolph and Caroline (Sellars) Rodell, natives of Switzerland. Adolph Rodell was a very early settler of Jersey County, and a blacksmith by trade.
After their marriage, Urban K. Eastham and his wife settled at Fidelity, where he carried on a carpenter and contracting business until 1904, when he moved to Jerseyville, at which time he and his son, Charles H. Eastham, formed the firm of U. K. Eastham & Son. Since then they have developed a substantial general contracting business, and have erected some of the finest buildings, not only at Jerseyville, but also within a radius of one hundred miles from the county seat.
Charles H. Eastham attended the public schools of his native place and took a correspondence course in architecture with the International Correspondence School. When he was twelve years old he began work- ing at the carpenter trade with his father, and continued with him until 1900, when he went to St. Louis and worked as a journeyman there until 1903. He then came to Jerseyville, and began as a gen- eral contractor, continuing alone a year, and then taking his father into partnership.
On December 25, 19.02, Mr. Eastham was married to Florence A. Corzine, born in Fidelity Township, Jersey County, a daughter of J. F. and Ann (Bacon) Corzine, natives of North Carolina and Phila- delphia, Pa., respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Eastham have three children, namely : Hollis Vincent, Kermet Eugene, and Imogene Juanita. In politics Mr. Eastham is a Democrat and he served as alderman of the Second Ward for two terms. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, Odd Fellows and Encampment, and the Elks. His religious affiliation is with the First Baptist Church of Jerseyville.
ECKHARD, Rev. Ernest J., pastor of the Church of the Holy Ghost, at Jerseyville, Ill., was born at Alton, Ill., November 9, 1880, a son of Charles and Josephine (Vatterott) Eckhard, natives of Nicderorschel Eichsfeld, Germany. They were married in the state of New York, and there they lived until 1870. In that year the family moved to Alton, Ill., where the father worked in a lime kiln for nineteen years, and then became a merchant. His death occurred in 1900, and the mother died in 1894. Their children were as follows: Teresa, Chris- topher, Frances, Henry, August, Ernest J., Charles, Joseph, John, Bertha, who is Mrs. James Dooley, and Mary.
Ernest J. Eckhard attended St. Mary's Catholic school, at Alton.
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Ill., and Josephinum College, at Columbus, Ohio, and was ordained priest on June 9, 1906. For one year he was professor of church music at Josephinum College, and was assistant chaplain at St. John's Hos- pital, Springfield, Ill., for five years. On October 12, 1918, he became . pastor of the Church of the Holy Ghost at Jerseyville, and of St. Mary's Church, Westwoods, English Township.
The Holy Ghost parish was organized Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1883, with Rev. F. A. Marks as the first pastor, and Henry Scheffer and Charles Schneider as the first lay trustees. The second pastor was Rev. William Pietsch, who assumed charge in September, 1910, and remained until succeeded by Father Eckhard. The first church build- ing was purchased from the Presbyterians, and in it services were held until September 20, 1884, when the building was destroyed by fire. The parish immediately erected a brick church edifice, Lucas Pfeifen- berger of Alton, Ill., being the architect, and Howell Brothers, the con- tractors. The contract price was $6,108.75. Later on a frame building was purchased from the Lutherans, and has been used for school pur- poscs. The first teacher of the school was H. Hoheisel, but it is now in charge of the Catholic Sisters. Father Eckhard is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Western Catholic Union.
EDSALL, Edwin P., supervisor of his township, president of the school board and one of the most public-spirited and patriotic citizens of Jersey County is conducting a profitable insurance business at Grafton. In these days when a man's worth to his country is proven by his actions Mr. Edsall measures up to the highest standards, and sets an example for others to follow. He was born near Grafton, May 31, 1866, a son of William II. and Rachel (McCrory) Edsall. William H. Edsall was born in what was then Greene County, but is now a portion of Jersey County, Ill. During the Civil War, he served for four years in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded while on a Mississippi River boat by a shot that penetrated the cabin of the boat and hit him. In spite of his injury he survived and is now living on his eighty-acre farm in this county. The mother died when Edwin P. Edsall was eight years old, and the father was married (second) to Mrs. Emma Compton, whose parents were of southern birth. By his first mar- riage, the father had in addition to Edwin P., the following children : Allen ; Charles, who is deceased; and Leslie L. By his second mar- riage, he had two sons, namely: William A., and Thomas J. The father belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Republican, having served as a school director, and school trustee and assessor of Otter Creek Township. He belongs to the Salurian Lodge No. 449, I. O. O. F., of Grafton, Ill.
Until he was twenty-one years old Edwin P. Edsall attended school, first in the home neighborhood, and then at the Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal school, and in 1887, he located at Grafton. Associated in various enterprises he is now building up a fine patronage of insurance
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and represents the Northwestern Mutual of Milwaukee, Wis., the National Fire Insurance Company, the Security Insurance Company, and the American Insurance Company, maintaining his offiees in the Ruebel Hotel building.
On December 21, 1892, Mr. Edsall was married to Miss Callie Whitfield, who was born in Jersey County. They have no children. Always very much interested in the good roads movement and the betterment of the publie sehools, he has given much of his time and attention to these subjects and a good deal of the progress made along both lines is due to his intelligent work. In 1914 Mr. Edsall attended the deepwater convention at Stillwater, Minn., and has otherwise rendered valuable assistance to this movement. A stalwart Repub- lican, he cast his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison in 1888, and has continued ever since to support the candidates of the Repub- lican party. At present he is county central committeeman of his party, and has held that office for several years. For a long period he was township clerk, and in 1917 he was elected township supervisor. He is now president of the Grafton board of education, and is con- stantly doing something to add to the comfort and pleasure of the children, of whom he is very fond. Mr. Edsall has served Grafton as alderman, and from March 15, 1902, until July 5, 1907, he served as assistant postmaster, and from July 5, 1907, to June 19, 1915, served as postmaster. Both he and Mrs. Edsall are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he belongs to Salurian Lodge No. 449, I. O. O. F .; Ernest Lodge No. 459, K. P .; Riverside Camp No. 1067, M. W. A .; Goldenrod Camp No. 995, Royal Neighbors, and he has passed all the chairs in the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. In 1917 he was sent by his lodge as delegate to the state convention at Springfield of the Odd Fellows, and in the past has served in the same capacity, and will attend the convention in 1918. With the increased demands made by the war, Mr. Edsall continues to prove himself efficient and is serving on the Registration board, is Township Food Administrator and associate member of the Legal Advisory board. His public spirit has prompted him to assume additional work in behalf of the Y. M. C. A. and the Red Cross. It is his belief, which is shared by all of the worth-while men of the country, that now is the time for party lines to be forgotten, and for all to work together as Americans. With him, his country comes first, and then his county and city, and in their behalf Mr. Edsall will always be found working to bring about the best results, regardless of the cost to himself or the labor involved.
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