USA > Illinois > Jersey County > History of Jersey County, Illinois > Part 61
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
SNYDER, Christopher R., a prosperous general contractor and prominent man of Jerseyville, was born in Somerset County, N. J.,
633
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY
March 15, 1854, a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Randolph) Snyder, natives of Germany who died in New Jersey. Christopher R. Snyder attended the common schools until he was sixteen years old, and then began working in a furniture factory where he remained for two years and on leaving the factory he began learning the carpenter trade. In 1878 he came to Jerseyville, and was engaged in farming for two years, but then resumed work at his trade, prospering to such an extent that in 1892 he branched out as a general contractor, and has so continued ever since. He has erected the principal buildings at Jerseyville, and his contracts are faithfully executed.
On February 20, 1879, Mr. Snyder was married to Mattie E. IIarvel, born in Jersey County, Ill., September 15, 1868, a daughter of Perry and Ann (Grimes) IIarvel, natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had the following children: Walter and Herbert, who are of Jerseyville ; Clara, who is Mrs. Ruford Johnson, lives at Jerseyville ; and Dorothy, who is Mrs. John Howe, of Ashland, Ill. Mr. Snyder is a Republican and served two terms as alderman of the First Ward. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1875; the Modern Woodmen of America and the Elks, and Mrs. Snyder be- longs to the Rebekahs.
SPRINGMAN, Leo, now living retired, for many years was one of the leading agriculturalists of Piasa Township, where he is still re- siding. He was born in Baden, Germany, November 2, 1849, a son of George and Helen C. (Baker) Springman. In the fall of 1855 George Springman started on a sailing vessel for the United States, and after being on the ocean for fifty-six days, landed at New Orleans, from whence he came up the Mississippi River to Alton, Ill., and lived in Madison County for some time. At first he worked at coal mining, and later engaged in farming, coming finally to Piasa Township, where he bought eighty acres of land, half of which was cleared and the balance was in timber. He cleared off the timber and added another eighty acres to the farm, improving all of the land, and here he died January 7, 1897. His wife died October 18, 1895. Their children were as fol- lows: Leo; George, who lives at Alton, Ill .; Wilhelmina, who is Mrs. Sigmon Whitman, of Alton, Ill .: Sophia, who is Mrs. James Kerns, of Alton, Ill .; Edward, who lives in Texas; and Lawrence, who lives at St. Louis, Mo.
When he was twenty-two years old Lco Springman began working for neighboring farmers, and spent three months in this way which represents the only time he was away from the homestead on which his father had built a large brick house that is still standing. On June 9, 1872, Mr. Springman was married to Francesco Whitman, born in Baden, Germany, whose parents died in that country. She came to Jersey County when she was nineteen years old. After his marriage Mr. Springman lived with his parents for three months, and then rented land in the vicinity. When his father died he took possession of the homestead of 160 acres which he has since conducted, although
634
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY
since 1907, he has played but a passive part, his son taking the active labor off his hands. Mr. and Mrs. Springman have had the following children born to them: Emma, who is Mrs. John Burns, of Piasa Township : Louisa, who is Mrs. Alvin Oertle, of Fidelity; Edward, who lives in Piasa Township; Anna, who is Mrs. Thomas Garmley, of Alton, Ill .; Minnie, who is Mrs. Thomas Maloney, of Piasa Township ; Theodore, who lives in Madison County, Ill .; Leo, who lives in Alton, 111. : Frank, who is operating the homestead ; and Philomina, who lives at St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Springman belongs to the Catholic Church of Brighton, IH. lIc is a Democrat and has served on the school board.
SQUIRE, Ludlow P., now deceased, was formerly one of the enter- prising citizens of Jerseyville, whose death removed a man of worth. He was born at Plainfield, N. J., October 5, 1839, a son of Israel and Martha (Kirkpatrick) Squire, the latter being the daughter of a Presbyterian minister. About 1846 Israel Squire and his wife came to Illinois. driving overland, and on the trip he was unfortunate enough to acci- dentally break his leg. Mrs. Squire must have been a courageous and capable woman, for she successfully set the broken member, and as far as possible took his place. They encountered many other difficulties before they finally reached Jerseyville. After their arrival, they located on a farm south of Jerseyville, and there Ludlow P. Squire was rearcd.
After attending the district schools, Ludlow P. Squire entered Shurtleff College, at Alton, Ill. In 1878 he located at Kane, Ill., later going to Carrollton, Ill., and at the latter place he conducted a fced . business. He moved his feed business to Jerseyville, and conducted it until 1880, in the meanwhile buying a farm of 152 acres, two and one- half miles east of Jerseyville, which he rented. In 1880 he bought a tract of land on the edge of Jerseyville, and subdivided it into town lots, giving the addition his name. Always interested in the advance- ment of Jerseyville, he advocated public improvements, and demon- strated strong civic pridc. Ilis death occurred August 6, 1914; and since then his widow and her brother live in the old home on West Pearl Street.
On March 8, 1878, Mr. Squire was married to Elizabeth Mershon, born at Trenton, N. J., a daughter of Theodore and Adelia (Sunder- land) Mershon, natives of Trenton, N. J., who, in the spring of 1863, came to Jersey County, and bought a farm two and one-half miles east of Jerseyville. Mr. Mershon died in 1887, and Mrs. Mershon passed away in 1899. Mrs. Squire attended a private school and a woman's college at Trenton, N. J. Mr. Squire was a member of the Baptist Church. A Democrat, at times he served as a member of the Jerseyville city council. He was a Mason.
STANLEY, Edward Buchanan, a prominent and representative farmer of Jersey Township, was born on section 25 of this township, November 22. 1856, a son of Matthew Cook and Elizabeth . (Arm-
635
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY
strong) Stanley, he born in Cheshire, England, and she in Pennsyl- vania. In 1840 Matthew C. Stanley came to Jersey County, and the following year he was married and bought a farm on section 25, Jer- sey Township. The maternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary Arm- strong, were natives of England and New Jersey, respectively. In 1839 they drove overland to Jersey County, and rented land in Jer- sey Township. Matthew C. Stanley died in July, 1912, his wife having passed away in 1901. Their children were as follows: Carrie, who was married to Charles D. Warren of Jerseyville; Robert and Mary E., who are deceased; Edward B. and his twin brother Charles B., of Jerseyville ; and Stephen Douglas, Isabel, Nettie, all of whom live at Jerseyville, and George V., who is deceased.
Edward B. Stanley attended the White district school and assisted his father during his boyhood. In 1884 he went to Blue Springs, Gage County, Neb., and was engaged there in farming for one year with his brother Robert Stanley and also conducted a livery stable, remain- ing there until in February, 1887, when he returned to Jersey County. For some time he resided with his parents and brother Stephen D. and then he bought 120 acres of land on section 36, Jersey Township, in partnership with this brother. In February, 1898, he bought his brother's interest, and moved on the farm, which he lias since oper- ated, devoting considerable attention to raising stock.
On February 14, 1893, Edward B. Stanley was married to Sarah M. Kirby, born in Jersey Township, November 4, 1854, a daughter of William and Experience (Perring) Kirby, natives of New Jersey and Lawrence, Vt., respectively, who were married in 1844, in Jersey County, Ill., and located on a farm. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirby were as follows: Huldah A., who is deceased; Nathaniel ; Elizabeth : James, who is deceased; Sarah M .; William H .; Robert H .; Mary E., and Johanna. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Stan- ley, Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Gaston) Kirby were born in Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey, respectively. He died in New Jersey and fol- lowing his demise, the grandmother came all the way in a covered wagon to Jersey County, Ill., in 1838, which was quite an undertaking. The maternal grandparents were James and Huldah (Landon) Per- ring, he born in England and she in Vermont, and they drove over- land to Jersey County, Ill., in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley have had two children, both of whom are at home, namely: Florence Lucile, who was born November 13, 1895; and Loran E., who was born May 12, 1897. Mrs. Stanley attended school held in the little red brick schoolhouse of the Clayton district. Mr. Stanley is a Presbyterian. In politics he is a Democrat, and served for fifteen years as a school trustee.
STEINMAN, Robert Olean, D. D. S., one of the reliable dental sur- geons of Jerseyville, is a native son of the county, having been born at Grafton. June 17, 1882, a son of Frederick Steinman, who was born in Switzerland in 1845. With his parents Frederick Steinman
-
636
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY
came to the United States in 1857, at which time the family located on the present site of Forest Park, St. Louis, Mo., where the grand- parents of Dr. Steinman operated a dairy until their death, which occurred not very long after their arrival in their new home. Thrown upon his own resources by the death of his parents, Frederick Steinman began learning the trade of a wheelwright, and later became a coffin- maker. His children were as follows: William, who is deceased ; Louise, who was born September 11, 1877, was married to Frank Sancamper, and they reside in Jersey County; Agnes, who was born October 10, 1879, is Mrs. August Patterson, and resides at Godfrey, Ill., where Mr. Patterson is engaged in a creamery business; John, who is deceased; Robert O .; and Frederick, who is deceased.
Robert Olean Steinman attended the Grafton schools and the Jer- seyville High school, being graduated from the latter in 1902. Ile then attended the College of Dentistry, Washington University, at St. Louis, Mo., from which he was graduated with the degree of D. D. S., in 1905. Immediately thereafter he began the practice of his profes- sion at Morton, Ill., but after remaining there for about two and one- half years, he came back to Grafton, where he remained until Septem- ber 15, 1917, when he removed to Jerseyville, where he has already built up a very large practice. Ile specializes in bridge and crown work, and is recognized as an expert in these lines. As a relaxation from professional cares, Dr. Steinman is cultivating a fine forty-acre orchard of apple trees of the following well known varieties: Grimes Golden, Jonathan, Wine Sap, Ben Davis, Favorite, Gentleman, Rome Beauty, Black Twig, King David, Champion, Senator, Delicious, York Imperial, Ark Black, Dutchess and Maiden Blush. He has 113 trecs which produced 650 pounds of fruit during 1917.
On September 16, 1911, Dr. Steinman was married to Miss Gladys M. Fuller, born near Grafton, Ill., December 1, 1889. Her parents were also natives of Jersey County. Mrs. Fuller is deceased, and Mr. Fuller makes his home with Dr. and Mrs. Steinman. Two children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Steinman; Gladys Roberta, who was born October 20, 1912; and John Olean, who was born March 22, 1917. Dr. Steinman is a Republican.
ST. PETERS, John Benjamin, now deceased, was for many years successfully engaged in farming in Jersey County. He was born in Elsah Township, March 17, 1854, a son of Oliver and Mary St. Peters of Canada. The parents came to Jersey County in 1852, and settled on a farm near Elsah where John Benjamin was born, reared and sent to school.
On October 26, 1876, John Benjamin St. Peters was married to Sarah A. Tonkinson, born in Elsah Township, a daughter of David T. and Susan M. (Davis) Tonkinson, natives of Iowa and Greene County, Ill., respectively. After his marriage with his schoolmate, Mr. St. Peters bought a farm of ninety-five acres near his father's home- stead, and on it he lived for eleven years. He bought other land, and
637
IHISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY
also rented some. His death occurred July 16, 1913. In the fol- lowing September, Mrs. St. Peters rented the farm to her son-in-law, and moved to Jerseyville, where she bought a very comfortable home, and has since resided.
Mr. and Mrs. St. Peters had the following children: Walter, who lives in Jersey County, Ill .; Ethel, who is Mrs. Joseph Bunting, of St. Louis, Mo .; Grace, who is Mrs. Henry Rhodes, lives on the home- stcad; Oliver HI., who is a leading contractor of Jerseyville ; Mamie. who is Mrs. Thomas Jenkins of Elsah Township; Louis, who lives in Jerseyville; Ruth, who is Mrs. Nathaniel McColla of Alton, Ill .; and Cora A., who is Mrs. Arthur Greeling of Alton, Ill. In politics Mr. St. Peters was a Democrat and he served for twenty years as a school director. He belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America. The family is a very highly respected one of Jersey County, and the chil- dren have easily formed very desirable social and business acquaint- ances in their new homes.
TERRY, Charles H., who owns and operates 210 acres of his old family homestead in Otter Creek Township, is one of the practical agriculturalists of Jersey County, and is supervisor of his township. He was born in Otter Creek Township, October 28, 1873, a son of Henry C. and Mary A. (Cadwalader) Terry, he born in Otter Creek Town- ship, and she born in Fulton County, Ill. The paternal grandparents were Jasper M. and Mary (Waggoner) Terry, who were born in Kentucky, and they became early settlers in Otter Creek Township, where they entered land from the government. The maternal grand- parents, John and Mary (Branson) Cadwalader, were born in Jersey County and Ohio, respectively.
After his marriage, Henry C. Terry carried on a milling business at Otterville for two years, and then traded it for a farm in Christian County, Ill. Later he sold that property and bought eighty acres in Otter Creek Township, which he conducted until his death, which occurred February 12, 1907. His widow survives and makes her home at Jerseyville. Their children were as follows: Ada M., who lives at . Jerseyville ; Charles H .; Lora F., who is Mrs. F. M. Edwards, of Jer- seyville : and Jesse, who lives in Fidelity Township.
Charles H. Terry attended the grade and high schools, and one term at Brown's Business College, Jacksonville, Ill. Until he was twenty-five years old he was associated with his father in the con- duct of the homestead, then with his brother-in-law, F. M. Edwards, bought the business of M. V. Hamilton, general merchant. They conducted this store for three years, and then Mr. Terry sold his inter- est and returned home. Later he bought out the other heirs to the homestead, and now owns 210 acres of the land which were originally entered by his grandfather from the government. Mr. Terry is proud of the fact that his father served during the last eighteen months of the Civil War, as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Terry have no chil-
638
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY
dren of their own, but have an adopted son, J. Donald, born Sep- tember 6, 1915, to whom they will give parental care and affection. Mr. Terry is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A strong Republican, he has served as assessor of his township for three years, and as collector for the same period. In 1912 he was elected supervisor of the township, and still holds the office. A Mason in good stand- ing, he belongs to Grafton Lodge No. 341, A. F. & A. M .; Jerseyville Chapter, and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Delhi Camp.
THRELKELD, Hayden F., M. D., one of the successful young phy- sicians of Jerseyville, is an example of the best class of medical men of Jersey County. He was born at Salem, Ky., November 24, 1882, a son of Dr. John D. and Ella (La Rue) Threlkeld. Dr. John D. Threlkeld was a practicing physician at Salem, Ky., for thirty-five years, but has now retired and lives at Marion, Ky.
Hayden F. Threlkeld attended the grammar schools of Salem, and the high school of Marion, Ky., and was graduated from the latter in- stitution in 1901. He then entered the Normal school at Bowling Green, Ky., but left within two months of his graduation, to enter the medical department of the Louisville (Ky.) University, from which he was graduated. For the subsequent three years he was in partner- ship with his father, and for one year he practiced at Daniel Boone, Ky. Dr. Threlkeld then spent fifteen months in the Chicago hospitals, for experience and research, following which he went to Arkansas for two years. He then returned to Chicago and did post-graduate work for eight months in the College of Physicians and Surgeons. On Fcb- ruary 22, 1915, he came to Jerseyville, where he has since remained.
Dr. Threlkeld married Miss Mabel Banters, of Peoria, Ill. He belongs to the Masonic order and the Elks. The Christian Church holds his membership. In politics he is a Democrat. A close student and skilled physician and surgeon, Dr. Threlkeld stands deservedly high in his profession, and is numbered among the best citizens of the county.
TROTTER, David Quinn, now living retired at Jerseyville, was at one time a heavy landowner and successful agriculturalist, and is a man of high principles and right living. He was born at Middletown. Butler County, Ohio, September 14, 1842, a son of John Woolsey and Sarah (Crane) Trotter, natives of Somerset County, N. J., and Butler County, Ohio, respectively. The paternal grandfather was William R. Trotter, of New Jersey, where his wife, Martha (Simpson) Trotter, was also born. During the War of 1812 they migrated to Butler County, Ohio, and in 1831 went further west to Cass County, Mich. In 1856 they came to Jersey County, Ill. The maternal grandparents, Richard V. V. and Mary (Stuart) Crane, were also of New Jersey, being of Holland descent. In 1856 they located in Jersey County.
John W. Trotter and Sarah Crane were married in Michigan, re-
639
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY
turning some time later to Butler County, Ohio, but in 1844 went back to Michigan. From there they came to Jersey County in 1856, and the father of David Q. Trotter bought 360 acres of land on seetion 26, Fidelity Township, which was partly improved, but he further de- veloped it. He died July 3, 1900, aged eighty-eight years. The mother died on March 31, 1895, aged seventy-seven years. Their children were as follows: Squire B., who died April 21, 1900; David Q .; and Mary J., who is Mrs. Charles Brown, of Barton County, Mo.
David Quinn Trotter attended the schools of his district and learned farming on the family homestead, residing at home until his marriage which oeeurred October 27, 1868, when he was united with Caroline Simmons, born in Fidelity Township, a daughter of Samuel C. and Martha (Miles) Simmons, he born in Maryland and she in Kentucky, who, in 1830 eame to Fidelity Township. After his marriage Mr. Trotter took charge of the home farm, which he eondueted until 1903. and then retired, renting his land. In 1910 he sold 200 aeres of farm land and turned the balance over to his sons. Subsequently he bought 240 aeres of land in Otter Creek Township, which he rents. Mr. and Mrs. Trotter became the parents of the following children: Charles WV., who lives in Fidelity Township; Martha, who is a trained nurse ; Mary B., who is Mrs. Otis Adams, of Jerseyville; and Thomas Quinn, who lives in Fidelity Township. Mrs. Trotter died January 23, 1905. On August 20, 1907, Mr. Trotter was married seeond, to Lucy Miles. born at Upper Alton, Ill., July 10, 1855, a daughter of Jaeob and Martha (Rice) Miles, he born in North Carolina and she in Kentucky. When he was seventeen years old Mr. Trotter joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been assistant steward and aetive in its good works. Sinee 1874 he has been a member of the Illinois State Grange and is now serving his twenty-second year as treasurer, and has attended forty consecutive sessions of the Grange. For twenty years he was township treasurer of Fidelity Township, and he has served as a school director for many years. The Prohibition party has long had his enthusiastie support. A Mason, he belongs to Fidelity Lodge No. 152, A. F. & A. M., and he has served it for six terms as master.
UPDIKE, Clarence D., who is engaged in a general merchandising business at Dow, is one of the reliable men of Jersey County. He was born in Jersey County, Ill., August 14, 1882, a son of Charles H. and Addie A. (Darlington) Updike, the former of whom was born in New Jersey, and the latter in Jersey County. Charles H. Updike was brought to Jersey County from New Jersey by his parents when he was three years old, and has lived here ever since.
Clarence D. Updike attended the sehools of his district until he was fifteen years old, and then took the high school course at Jerseyville, following it with a commercial course in bookkeeping in the Inter- national School of Correspondence. In order to prepare himself for intelligent cultivation of the soil, he took a three months' course in
640
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY
agriculture at Columbia, Mo. Returning then to Jersey County, he began making practical use of this knowledge. Still later, he went to Delhi, Ill., and embarked in a general merchandise business, but had the misfortune to lose his stock by fire on February 17, 1910. Once more he began farming, and was so engaged for two years, when he went to Dow and established his present business, which he has built up to gratifying proportions.
On June 14, 1906, Mr. Updike was married to Miss Edith M. White. born in Jersey County, November 4, 1884, her parents also being natives of Jersey County. Mr. and Mrs. Updike have the following children: Verna L., who was born March 26, 1907; Alice Leah, who was born November 15, 1910; and Clarence Eugene, who was born October 13, 1917. Mr. Updike belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and Mrs. Updike belongs to the East- ern Star.
VALLENTINE, John P., owner of one of the most beautiful farm- ing properties of Jersey County, owns and operates 1691/2 acres of land in Jersey and English townships. He was born at Rockbridge, Greene County, Ill .. August 1, 1870, a son of Edward Simon and Malinda (Witt) Vallentine, of Greene County, Ill. The paternal grandparents. James and Martha (Brown) Vallentine, were natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively; while the maternal grandparents were Wil- liam and Rebecca (Perry) Witt. All became very early settlers of Greene County, Ill. After their marriage, Edward Simon Vallentine and his wife resided on a farm in Greene County until 1874, when they sold their property and moved to Christian County, Ill., and buying a farm lived on it for eight years. Once more they sold, and moved to Pana, Ill., where he went into a foundry business, and there he died in 1883. The widow and two children moved to Kane, Ill., where she still resides. In 1885 she was married (second) to Freeman J. Mains, who died in 1908. By her first marriage she had two children, namely : James W. Roy, of Kane, Ill. ; and John P.
For two years John P. Vallentine attended the public schools of Pana, and when he was thirteen years old he began working in the flour mill at Kane, Ill., for $4 per week. After sixteen weeks, he left the mill to work in a grocery, where he received $15 per month. After his mother's second marriage he moved on the farm of his step-father and remained at home until his own marriage, which took place August 3, 1892, when he was united with Maude L. Dowdall, born near Rock- bridge, Greene County, Ill., a daughter of James and Mary (Stevens) Dowdall, natives of Indiana and Greene County. Following his mar-
riage, Mr. Vallentine lived on the farm of J. R. M. Wylder until May. 1893, working by the month, and then he moved to Kane, Ill., where he clerked in Felter's grocery until September, 1893, and then spent a year in the rural regions. Once more he returned to Kane. and farmed a 10-acre tract for seven years and also worked in various ways. He then bought a residence in Kane and lived in it for nine years, although
641
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY
he was engaged in farming during all that period. In the spring of 1910 he bought his present farm, on which he erected a modern resi- dence and barns, and has so improved his property that it is now one of the show places of the county. Here he carries on general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Vallentine became the parents of the following children : Roy E., who lives in Thomas County, Neb., was married to Beulah Spencer, and they have two children, Spencer and Courtney ; Rupert J., who lives at Kirksville, Mo., was married to Versa Smith of Mis- souri ; Ernest J., who died at the age of nine years; and Christy E., who is at home. Mr. Vallentine is a Baptist. In politics he is a Demo- crat, while fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.