USA > Illinois > Morgan County > History of Morgan county, Illinois : its past and present, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; a biographical directory of its volunteers in the late rebellion; portraits of its early settlers and prominent men [etc., etc.] > Part 76
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M ASTERS ROBERT L. farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 6, P.O. Murray- ville. The descent of the Masters family dates back many centuries, and its origin is Anglo-Saxon. The grandsires came from the mother country during the early settle- ment of Virginia, and afterward settled in Tennessee, from which State the father of Mr. Masters removed at an early day, set- tling in the south part of Illinois; came here in 1830, when the smoke from the lone
log cabin was a godsend to 'the hardy emi- grant whose life was inured to the terrible and harassing dangers to be met with at the time of which we write; the trip was made in a covered wagon, and overland. Having entered on some government land, their first residence was a rough hewn log house, and in this Robert L. often amused himself, as a frame building soon supplanted the primitive architecture of the long ago. Mr. Masters' capital was very small, and would not foot up $100, but was blessed with an energy to "win gold and wear it. Robert L. was born March 20, 1854 ; in youth had a great desire to enrich his mind with the study of books, and many a time " Bob " would become so engrossed in the study of ancient Greek history that the midnight hour would find him reading by the dim light of a flickering taper. He attended Illinois College during the years 1870 and 1871, and was just about to don the worthy "freshman's " cap when business at home interposed her objection, hence did not secure the coveted parchment. Was married to Miss Mary H. Beadles, daughter of Thomas G. and Ellen P. Beadles, at Mexico, Mo., Aug. 13, 1874, by the Rev. Thomas G. Gouch, of the M. E. Church. Continued their wedding tour, visiting the "Gem City," thence to their present home. One little cherub blesses their wedded life, William Thomas, born June 26, 1877. Mr. Masters owns a fine estate of about 300 acres, with all the improvements that good taste could devise ; does a large business in the cattle trade, and is a prince of a good fellow
MARTIN WILLIAM H. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Murrayville. The father and mother of the gentleman at the head of this sketch was born in Ten- nessee, and removed to Illinois more than fifty years ago; the trip was made by the overland route, and in a covered wagon; settling in Greene County, soon a log cabin was constructed out of rough-hewn logs ; as the country filled up, the settlers, as a mark of esteem, called the settlement after 'Squire Martin, hence, " Martin's Prairie." Our subject was born October 9, 1851, in Greene County, studied Webster and the other simple rudiments common to the dis- trict school, until his majority ; was united
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in wedlock to Miss Mary Neal, daughter of John T. Neal, on July 25, 1872, by the Rev. Mr. Stubblefield, of the M.E. Church ; after their marriage moved, and purchased a good improved farm in Sec. 24, where he now resides; they have had three children to bless their union : Bertha, born May 16, 1873, died October, 1874, Norse, born May 13, 1875, and Pearly, born September, 1876, died February, 1877. Mr. Martin's father and mother are now the only surviving old settlers of North Greene County, and often relate the incidents of the log rollings of half a century ago, and of living on " John- nie cake."
McClung Willis, justice of the peace, Mur- rayville
McNeal David, Murrayville
MELLOR WILLIAM, farmer, Sec. 14, P.O. Murrayville, son of George Mel- lor, native of Lancashire, England ; in 1855, the father of the subject of this no- tice, with his wife and one boy, William, emigrated from the land of " Merrie Eng- land," landing, after a perilous voyage on a sailing vessel, at New York City, thence by railroad to Greene County, where the · little family changed their life from factory operatives to a more independent life, that of farming. Mr. George Mellor's occupa- tion in Lancashire, was that of an "over- looker" in a cotton factory. After a resi- dence in Greene County of one year, moved, and identified their interests with the peo- ple of Morgan County, settling in Sec. 14, purchased land, and at once turned their attention to its improvement. The gentle- man whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in Lancashire, England ; during the early years of his life was a cot- ton weaver ; he accompanied his parents to this great republic, and became one of her citizens; was married July 19th, 1860, to Miss Adeline Thompson, daughter of Hon. John Thompson, by Rev. Allen Murray ; the fruits of this union were nine children : George, born June 8, 1861, Louisa Anne, born March 25, 1863, died August 3, 1864; John, born October 5, 1865, Robert, born November 25, 1867, Alice Melinda, born December 2, 1868, died September 30, · 1869; Elizabeth, born March 27th, 1871, Emma, born April 3, 1873, William, born April 5, 1875, and Mary, born August 3,
1877; after his marriage moved near the home of his wife, in Greene County, lived there until 1878, when he purchased a neat little farm, where he now resides, and is an economical, industrious citizen. The fath- er of Mrs. Mellor, during his honored life, occupied every office of trust in the gift of Greene County, died May 8, 1866, aged 72 years, was one of the first who settled in Greene County more than half a century ago
MORLAND JAMES A. farmer and minister of the Gospel, Sec. 30, P.O. Youngblood. According to authentic rec- ords, the genealogy of the Morlands is of Scotch-Irish descent, and the grandsire of Mr. Morland was a native of Pennsylva- nia; he moved, at a remote period of our history, to the State of Ohio, and there repose his mortal remains in the silent grave. The father of the gentleman whose history we write, was born in Pennsylvania, and moved, with his parents, to Ohio, shar- ing the hardships incident to the early set- tlement of the Northwestern States; he died in Columbiana County, Ohio, aged 42 years. The good wife and mother sur- vived her husband a good many years, and at her death, was 77 years old ; her maiden name was Emily Armstrong, daughter of James Armstrong, of Quaker antecedents. Our subject was born in Columbiana Coun- ty, Ohio, August 28, 1817 ; in his early youth went to the rude log school house, and for a limited period applied his facul- ties to the study of the "United States" spelling-book; arriving at his majority, was wedded to Miss Nancy Vanmeter, daughter of Jesse Vanmeter, J. P., on Sep- tember 5, 1838, by the bride's father ; they have had two children: Mary Anne, and and an infant daughter died in infancy ; Mary Anne married Samuel McCurley. In 1839, in company with James McNeely, packed their little goods in a covered wag- on, and moved to the rich prairies of Illi- nois ; settling in Wayne County, lived there seven years ; during his residence in Wayne County, his cherished wife died; her de- mise occurred in 1840; during her life she was a kind wife and mother, and a zealous Christian woman, being long a member of the Christian Church ; was married again November 7, 1840, to Mrs. Mary Anne
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Green, daughter of Robert M. Petty, by Rev. Isaac Whittaker. The father of Mrs. Morland, Mr. Robert M. Petty, through- out the years of his life, was an honored Schoolmaster. Mr. Morland's health fail- ing, was ordered by his physician to return to his native State, which he did in 1847, and in 1848 was elected constable of Co- lumbiana County, Ohio ; was re-elected four times ; having regained his health, in 1853, moved back to the Prairie State, set- tling in Hart's Prairie ; lived there a short time, when he moved, and rented a farm on Apple Creek, of Dr. John Caldwell ; cul- tivated that farm two years, at the end of that time bought a tract of 80 acres of land in Sec. 30, where he now resides ; their first house on this land was a rough log cabin, with a clapboard roof and puncheon floor ; as his means became better, he bought small tracts of land, until now his worldly domain embraces a fine farm of 477 acres of land, with all the neat improvements of our modern times. Mr. Morland, feeling the need of education, applied his faculties to the study of both modern and ancient history, and has, in the years of his life, made a successful digest of the books of the Bible ; was ordained a minister of the United Baptist Church in "Youngblood " December 22, 1860 ; was elected to the office of magistrate in 1873, by an over- whelming majority, and served in that ca- pacity until 1877, when he resigned and rented his farm, and moved to Scottville, Macoupin County, and there bought some good town property. "Uncle Jimmy " being well respected in his new home, was elected to the office of magistrate, but hav- ing exchanged his town property for a farm of 120 acres in Morgan County, did not qualify ; returned to the old homestead in the Spring of 1878, and commenced anew the life of a farmer; served as su- pervisor of roads one year, and as school director six years. Mr. and Mrs. Morland are philanthropists on broad principles, and respected by all who know them. Morris P. M. farmer, Murrayville
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NEAL JOHN TERRY, farmer ·. and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Mur- rayville. His parents were natives of Ken- tucky; in the Spring of 1829, packed their
goods in a covered wagon, and made the trip overland, and after a journey of nearly three weeks, having suffered many hard- ships on the route, landed and settled on a small tract of land, two miles east of Man- chester (then Morgan County), Scott County. Sold out the little claim, and moved back to "Old Kentucky;" having lived there one year, returned and entered a new tract of land; a substantial log cabin soon loomed up on the western confines of civi- lization, attesting the enterprise of the new emigrants; by steady toil and judicious economy, a bright and pleasant home crowned his labors; having lived to see the white man displace the red man, died Nov. 9, 1873, aged 80 years; three children sur- vive him: James, Squire C., and John Terry. The mother died in February, 1843, aged 38 years. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was born Jan. I, 1828, and worked on his father's farm until he was eighteen years old, then hired for one year to Mr. Lemmons, at the then good wages of $120 per annum; this was his starting point in life, which after- ward ripened into success in life; was mar- ried to Miss Caroline Lemmons, July 4,- 1850; they have been blessed with a very interesting family of nine children: Mary E., born Dec. 17, 1852; Sarah J., Aug. 2, 1856; George Milton, July 23, 1859; Martha E., Oct. 13, 1862; Emma H., Sept. 23, 1865; Anna Lula, July 5, 1868; Rose E., Jan. 2, 1870; Belle, Dec. 15, 1873; Edith C., Oct. 21, 1877; Mary E., married William H. Martin, whose biography ap- pears elsewhere in this work. In 1873 Mr. Neal severed his interests with the good people of Scott County, moved, and located in Morgan County, on Sec. 24; Mr. and Mrs. Neal are devoted Christians, and fear God rather than man, and are well esteemed by all
PAGE JOSEPH P. farmer, Sec. 25, P.O. Manchester, Scott County. Son of Robert Page, native of Virginia; the father of our subject moved during a very early period to old Kentucky; was there united in wedlock to Miss Mary Park, the children to this union were: Frances, Ruth D., Joseph P., William J .. Aeneas T .: the wife and mother of these children, died
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about the year 1843; was married to sec- ond wife, Miss Rebecca Dean; they have had three children: John W., Henry Clay, and Robert C .; in 1847 conceived the idea of emigrating to a new field of labor; packed his goods in a four-horse wagon, and started for Illinois; being destined to suffer mishaps, whilst crossing the river at Shawneetown, the tire of his wagon was lost in the muddy stream, got the neces- sary repairs made, and continued the jour- ney; at length settled in Scott County, rented a farm from Robert Marshall, moved thence to Lynnville, Morgan County, journeyed here two years, again tried farm life, for two years east of Lynnville; then bought a farm of 80 acres in Scott County, 40 acres from Alfred Thompson, and 40 acres from W. Batty, lived there two years, sold out, and returned to the life of a renter; thence in 1859, moved to Camden County, Missouri, and rented a tract of 80 acres of land, improved it, but being a solid Republican,and the war being inaugurated, his life was in jeopardy, hence, moved himself and family back to Scott County again, followed renting until 1865, when he purchased a small farm in Greene County and died April 9, 1877; he was born July 4, 1804; his wife still survives him. The gentleman at the head of this biography, was born Jan. 1, 1831, in Munroe County, Kentucky, followed the changes of life, and shared the hardships of his father, as to'd in the preceding lines; was married Jan. 2, 1851, to Miss Martha L. Pogue, in Scott County; they have had six children: William R., John T., George H., James A. Joseph P. and Ennis C .; Mrs. Page pas- sed away to glory, Jan. 27, 1862; was married again, Aug. 5, 1872, have had one child, Mary Jane; in the dark days of our country's history, when rebels assailed our flag, Mr. Page volunteered his life on the altar of his birthright, enlisted Aug. 1872, in Co. F, 10Ist Regiment, Illinois Volun- teers, and followed the fortunes of his regiment in camp and field, as will be seen elsewhere in this work, and finally, had the proud satisfaction to see the nation saved, and his flag wave triumphantly over a nation freed from the trammels of slavery; Mr. and Mrs. Page are good members of the United Baptist Church, and well respected
S EAVERS RICHARD,
Sheahan Michael, renter, Sec. 23, P.O. Murrayville
Smith John C. merchant, Murrayville Sorrells Harvey, Murrayville
SUMMERS JAMES W. renter, P.O. Murrayville. The father and mother of the gentleman whose biography we write, were natives of Shelby County, Kentucky, occupation-a sturdy farmer; his father died Dec. 20, 1874, aged 64 years; his mother died May 17, 1871, aged 52 years. The subject of these lines, was born Sept. 12, 1840, in Shelby County, Kentucky; his education was prosecuted in the public schools, by spells, until he was in his four- teenth year, when the work on his father's farm called for his undivided attention; in 1859 removed with his parents, to north of Jacksonville, on the farm of Levi Conover; the trip from Kentucky was made over- land, and in a covered wagon, and occu- pied 27 days. When one section of the United States fired on the flag at Fort Summter, and courageous hearts were needed to keep the Union trom going to wreck, the subject of our sketch enlisted September, 1861, in Co. H, 58th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three years, or during the war, and rendezvoused with his regiment at Camp Douglas, Chicago, receiving their necessary outfit; proceeded to the field of Mars; was engaged in the battles and engagements of Fort Donald- son, Fort Henry, Pittsburg Landing, Siege of Corinth, Battle of Corinth; the losses of the regiment in the above battles, reduced the regiment's strength to a skeleton, hence it was ordered to Springfield, Illi- nois, to recruit; on joining their comrades at the front, participated with Sherman, in his campaign to Meriden, Mississippi, thence joined the fortunes of Banks' army, at the mouth of Red River, participating in the fights at Pleasant Hill, Goldwater, Yellow Bayou, routing Forrest at Tupolo, thence against General Joe Shelby, at Old Town, and in turn meeting General Price's hordes at Independence, Missouri; in 1864 was transfered to the army under Gen- eral Thomas, at Nashville, Tennessee, and followed its fortunes through the terrible carnage of battle at Franklin, and finally to Chickasaw,where Hood and the Confed-
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acy went to pieces. The term of this old veteran regiment having expired, Mr. Sum- mers was mustered out at Chicago, Illinois, Feb. 27, 1865; this noble "boy in blue " received a non commissioned officer's parch- ment soon after his enlistment, and served through the grades of corporal, sergeant, and orderly sergeant, and was mustered out of the service with the rank of second lieutenant, he having been recommended for that position by the officers of the regi- ment for meritorious conduct; was married Feb. 7, 1871, to Miss Hattie, daughter of J. B. Shearer, by the Rev. William Garri- son; have had three children: Ive Eugene, Cynthia Anne, Luzella and Oreasus Theo- dore; Mr. Summers is as good a citizen as he was a soldier, and esteemed by his old comrades
Steele. James, Murrayville
Steele John, farmer, Murrayville
THOMPSON. PRESTON B.
farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 2, P.O, Murrayville. This gentleman's father, John Thompson, was a native of the "Old Dominion." By consulting some historical dates of the early settlement of America, we are pleased to be able to say that the Thompsons immigrated from the mother country about the year 1700, and settled in Virginia. The ancestry were Scotch-Irish, a line of blood relation that gave to the father of our subject the keen sagacity of the Scotchman, and the impulsive, hospita- ble, courageous character of the Irishman. Mr. Thompson was born in 1792; when he was twenty-one years old, he married Miss Mary Bandy, and soon after, in com- pany with his cousin, John Thompson, packed their goods in a one-horse, two- wheel cart, and left the home of his father in Kentucky, moving overland toward the setting sun. After a weary travel of several weeks, settled in Greene County, this State; this was in 1813. The country was but sparsely settled, the houses were distant from four to ten miles, wolves and deer ran to and fro through the open forest, the enemy of the white settler, the hostile In- dian, had their wigwams spread all over the State. Mr. Thompson has often re- lated to his family and neighbors that his
whole capital, when he planted his stake in Greene County, was his "old woman," an ax, and fifty cents ! entered some gov- ernment land, built a log cabin and moulded the first brick that was ever used in Greene County. The Indians becoming war-like, young Thompson collected the neighboring settlements together, and swooped down on their wigwams, clearing them from the county and the adjoining counties ; was commissioned a Captain in the Black Hawk war, and followed the for- tunes of that pioneer warto its close ; his whole life was mixed up with triumphs and dangers ; he held the office of Justice of the Peace for more than thirty years, and served honestly and judiciously as County Commissioner for seventeen years, a proof of his sterling character, and when death summoned his spirit from its tabernacle of clay, left property, unincumbered, to the amount of $20,000 ; for nearly forty years, never bought anything on credit ; died in 1865, aged 73 years. His wife survived him but a few years and died at the home of her son Peter, in Vernon County, Mo. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this history, was born in Greene County, this State, March 3 1833; during the years of his youth worked on his father's farm until the breaking out of the rebellion in the South, when he enlisted in Co. I, 6Ist Regt. Ill. Infantry ; served through the several grades of Sergeant of his Company, participated in the battles of Corinth, Shiloh, and Britton's Lane ; this last battle was against Forrest; after the battle pursued the rebel forces to near Iuka, Miss .; gave up the chase and marched to Bolivar, Tenn., where Mr. Thompson was discharged witn the rank of Orderly Sergeant ; was married in March, 1865, to Mrs. Sarah Whewell, daughter of James Seddon, by Rev. H. L. Johnson. They have had five children, Peter Edwin, John Warren, Laura Belle, Sarah S., and Mary Ellen. Mrs. Thompson's children by her former husband were : Robert H., Richard H., and Thomas A. Mr. Thom- son is a devoted Democrat and his counsel is much sought for by his party
V ERTRUS C. M. physician, Murrayville
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WADE ISAAC R. farmer, Sec. 14, P.O. Murrayville. The parents of our subject were Isaac Wade and Miss Hannah Goucher, natives of Milledgeville, Ga .; father born in 1776, and married in 1812 at their native town; during and after their marriage three children were born in Geor- gia, Sallie, Aiken B., and Stephen. In 1818 he started in a covered wagon with his family, crossing Waldron's Ridge and settled in the Seguatchie Valley, Tenn .; There were born there Arty, Dollie and Isaac. The valley abounded with plenty of game, hence for a time the family were contented and happy. After a residence of five years, fearing for the safety of his little family, folded his tent in a wagon and silently stole away, crossing the Cumber- land Mountains, settling in Overton County, same State; here he engaged in a new line of business, bought a distillery, and iron forge; there were born here two children: Abraham and Ascisca; he had long thought of making his future home on the prairies of Illinois, hence he packed up his worldly treasure in a covered wagon; by the aid of one horse and two oxen, the little band of pioneers reached Illinois, and camped on "Big Sandy," south of Jacksonville, April 12, 1829, renting a farm from old John Whitlock; while living here the entire fam- ily were prostrated with sickness; it was in that cabin that one more child was born, Polly; moved to Jacksonville, and there Hannah was born, which was the seventh birth in the western hamlet; while a resi- dent of the little town, drove a dray for five years; the cholera made it necessary for Mr. Wade to move his family to a more congenial place of habitation; moved to the Jacob Redding farm; in the Fall of 1836, received a fracture of the skull, by being thrown from his horse, this mishap impaired his mind, and afterwards caused his death, which occurred in 1858, aged 82 years: had none of the responsibilities of the family to rest upon him; the mother died Feb. 14, 1838; Mr. Isaac R. Wade was born in Tennessee, Jan, 27, 1823, and during his early life, shared the hardships and vicissitudes incident to a boy's life, born at a time when each home was a se- questered hermitage; his first labor on his " own hook" was for Montgomery Pitner,
receiving for one year's work $120; worked for Mr. Pitner until he was married, Jan. 23, 1842, to Miss Susan Waddell, daughter of Armstead Waddell, by Rev. Johnnie Green; she was a native of Virginia, visit- ing in Morgan County, her parents were then residents of Pike County, Illinois; the children to this union were: James, Abra- ham, Jennie, Dollie, and John - twins, Frederick A. and Anne Onella-twins; the wife and mother died March 17, 1855; he was married the second time, Aug. 23, 1855, to Mrs. Sarah M. Crumpler, by Rev. W. Evans; by this marriage have had two children: Alice, and Mary Susan; after a wedded life of 17 years, Mr. Wade was again visited by death, taking from him his second companion, which took place July 15, 1871; following the precepts of the Bible, that it is not good for man to be alone, married again, April 9, 1874, to Mrs. Elizabeth Kingsley, daughter of William Sharp, one of the oldest Metho- dist preachers in the Northwest, who was sent in 1840, by the Ohio Conference as a missionary minister, to Illinois; was a co- temporary minister with " old Peter Cart- wright;" after a long life as a minister of the gospel, died Sept. 28, 1868. Mr. Wade, although not required to render any service to his country, having passed the age of fifty, volunteered Aug. 21, 1862, to serve in Co. I, IOIst Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, and before muster in was transferred to Co F, same regiment, and followed the hardships of that command, as will be related in another part of this work, to the taking of Atlanta, Georgia; here he met with a dislocation of the hip; was sent to Nashville, Tennessee, for treatment, re- ceived a furlough to his home, in 1865, and was discharged at Springfield, Illinois, June 27, 1865; Mr. Wade is a near relative of the late deceased Ben Wade, of Ohio, of free soil notoriety; is a good Republican, and loves his country first, last, and all the time
Ward Martin, farmer, Sec. 14, P.O. Murray- ville
Wells William, farmer, Murrayville
Wheeler Joseph, miller, Murrayville
WILD SAMUEL, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 14, P.O. Murrayville. The family of which our subject is a member,
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were of a noble family of Britons, and were for many generations natives of Lan- cashire, England; the gentleman at the head of this sketch, is the son of John Wild; the father died in Lancashire, when Mr. Wild was very young, hence he had to strike out on his "own hook," and make the acquaintance of a cold world, by work- ing in a cotton factory; followed this occu- pation for many years, and at the time of his leaving old England, was an over- looker; after a very stormy voyage, landed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Jan 26, 1848, moved thence to Chester, Pennsylvania, and there found employment as boss in a cotton factory, stayed there seven years, then struck for the prairies of Illinois, landed at Jacksonville, in April, 1855, and for fifteen years was a good citizen of the "young Athens," worked at various em- ployments, such as house-moving, sinking
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