History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 60

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704

USA > Illinois > Clay County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 60
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 60

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field. Since the expiration of his term as Deputy Sheriff he has held the office of Con- stable. He was married in Walker County, Ga., March 10, 1859, to Mary Phillips, daughter of John and Martha Phillips. She was born February 12, 1836, in Geor- gia. They have seven children, viz .: Thomas B., Sarah Jane who is deceased, Mary Ann, John D., L. T. Dickey, Martha E., Ida C., William R. N. and Harry Edward Dickey. J. T. FLEMMING, merchant, Fairfield. The family from whom the gentlemen whose name heads this sketch is descended origi nally came from Scotland to this country about 1683, and settled in Delaware, and there they made their stand for upward of a hundred years. In 1789, a part of the fam- ily moved to West Virginia and settled in what is now Marion County, along the banks of the Schuylkill River; and most of the land then entered is owned by their descendants until this day. There Matthew and Mary Flemming, the great-grandparents of subject, grew to mature life, and to them were born eight children. Of that number, Alexander was the third child, and was born January 5, 1775. In due course of time he reached manhood's estate, and on March 27, 1793, he was married to Mary Hays. That union re- sulted in twelve children, of whom Zadock, the father of our subject, was the ninth. The grandfather died in Virginia on October 11, 1847, aged seventy-seven years nine months and six days. The father lived in Virginia until about 1828, and then came to Zanesville, Ohio. On March 11, 1830, he married Ellen Powell, and to them were born ten children-Mary, Joseph T. (our subject), Charles, Melissa, Hannah, William Sanford, Oscar, Augusta, Lucinda and Mary Emma. Of this number four only are now living- Joseph, Melissa, Lucinda and Mary E. The father, who was a shoe-maker by trade, re-

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sided in Ohio until 1834, and then moved back to Middletown, W. Va. (now Fairmont). While a resident of that State, his first wife died on August 18, 1854, and on March 2. 1856, he was married to Sarah A. Stadden. In 1857, he removed to Newark, Ohio, and lived there until 1861, then came to Fair- field, Ill., and resided here until his death on September 21, 1974. Subject was born on May 13, 1833; his education was received in the olden times subscription schools, and at the early age of thirteen he commenced to learn his father's trade, that of a shoe-maker. When sixteen years of age he commenced his chosen profession-that of the mercantile business -- as a clerk in a dry goods store in Fairmont, Va .; and he has been engaged in that business most of the time since, For a number of years, he clerked and also operated a store for himself in Maryland and West Virginia, and in February, 1857, he came West and first settled in Warsaw, Ill. His first venture in that village was in following the trade of an ambrotyper, but soon com- meneed elerking again. In the spring of 1860, he crossed the plains and mined for one season in Colorado. When he returned to the States, he came to Fairfield, and has since been a resident of this place, with the exception of the year 1875, when he traveled for Bond Bros., of Cincinnati. During bis sojourn in this city, he has followed the mer- cantile life, with the exception of about three years -- from 1875 to 1878, when he acted as agent for the O. & M. R. R., and also oper- ated in grain some in his business; he has been associated at different times with the substantial business men of this city. First with a Mr. Adams, next Dr. S. W. Vertrice, and also with J. C. Alexander. He after- ward sold ont entirely and clerked subse- quently for Patterson & Barkley, and also for Martin Somers & Co. In February, 1881,

he again embarked in the mercantile business for himself, with Edward Bonham, under the title of Bonham & Flemming. This firm is still in business in this city. Mr. Flemming was married, in Fairmont, W. Va., on May 29, 1854, to Miss Cordelia Dudley, a daugh- ter of Elias and Hannah (Jones) Dudley; her parents are also natives of that State. She was born on November 7, 1832, in Mari- on County, Va., and is the mother of nine children, of whom four are now living -- Lew L., born March 13, 1862; Frank D., born January 5, 1868; J. T., Jr., born August 15, 1871, and Eldon P., August 3, 1873. Of the deceased children, Fred R. was born July 2, 1859; Harry D. was born July 11, 1864, and died January 4, 1865 ; Mary, born August 3, 1863, died May 13, 1874, and two infants still born. Mr. and Mrs. Flemming are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of Fairfield Lodge, No. 206, A. F. & A. M., Fairfield Chapter, No. 179, and Gorin Commandery, K. T., No. 14, of Olney. In politics, he is a Republican. Mr. F. was one of the projectors, incorporators and di- rectors of the Springfield Division of the O. . & M. Railroad. His mother was a lineal de- scendant of Sir Francis Drake, the celebrated English explorer.

G. J. GEORGE, lawyer, Fairfield. Prominent among those who have figured in the history of Wayne County, and whose memory is cherished as almost sacred, is that of Francis George, or " Unele F'rank," as he was more familiarly known, and father to G. J. George, whose name heads this sketch. Francis George was of South Carolina stock, of the old Whig type, a man of great ener- gy, firm in his convictions of right, and a born Abolitionist, believing in the absolute right of every man to equality before the law-a man of strong ruind and independence

BIOGRAPHICAL:

of thought, who dared to act and think for himself, and he often predicted the downfall of slavery, and lived to see it eliminated from our national government, though effect- ed at the sacrifice of the blood of his sons. Of his many worthy characteristics, none linger in the memory more vividly than his fidelity to the Christian religion. For more than an average lifetime, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for forty years was constantly found at his post as leader of his class. Few men in the coun- ty's history have exerted such a potent in- fluence for good, and, though his remains now rest in the Fairfield Cemetery, the infin- ence of his molding hand and the example of his godly life are still seen and felt in the community in which he lived so long and well. He died June 11, 1882, at the age of seventy years. His wife, whose name was Luraney Gillison, is still living, at the age of seventy years, and retains much of her youthful vigor. She is a sister of the late Hull Gillison, so well known in Wayne County. Francis and Luraney George had a family of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters. The oldest son, Capt. Ezekiel George, fell on the field of Shiloh April 6, 1862, and is buried beside his father, as is also Gillison, the fourth son, whose wounds and exposure of the war brought him to a premature grave. " Zeke," as the Cap- tain was better known, was a young man of noble parts, universally loved at home and very popular in the ranks, and is a man des- tined to have risen to distinction as a soldier and citizen, had not his life been taken as a part of the great price of national freedom, and in the infinite galaxy of heaven there phines no brighter gem than that which decks the brow of such brave men. Nine of the children still live to honor the memory of their deceased father, and to bestow their hearts'

affections upon their mother in her declin- ing years. G. J. George, commonly known as James George, was born in White County, near Liberty, on March 17, 1837. But few men are allowed to linger in the flesh so long after their decease as has James George. While we write, we have before us copies of the Fairfield papers of July, 1864, in which is published his obituary, as well as a number of resolutions of respect by his many friends. On the 27th of June, 1864, he had fallen in the charge on Kenesaw Mountain, and, as all thought, mortally wounded; but was picked up by the enemy and carried within their lines, while the killed were left unburied on the field. Three days later, the Federal dead were buried by their comrades. One of these lay where James fell, and was thought to be he, though the three days' heat of a Southern sun rendered them un- recognizable. They, as well as the Chap- lain, wrote to his parents, telling of his valor, trying to comfort them with the report of how nobly he had fallen, etc., etc., and hence the resolutions of respect. James says some of those friends now think the resolu- tions somewhat overdrawn, but they thought he was dead; and that now, when he reads those resolutions signed by Jeff Barnhill. Bill Robinson and others, and sees in what esteem he was held, he is admonished to guard carefully his acts. lest when he has been called upon to " shuffle off this mortal, etc.," he find himself under the necessity of re-publishing the old, rather than risk the formation of new resolutions. Suffice it to say, that, though Mr. George lay for ninety- six days in a rebel prison, he survived, re- turned to his loving parents and cherished friends, and still lives, an honor to society and the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he, like his father, is a faithful class leader. Iu conversation, he said to the

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writer: "All that time I knew that the peo- ple thoughit me dead, and no one knows how much food it was for even my emaciated body to live in anticipation of being released and in coming in person to my resurrection;" adding that " in the jail at Charleston, S. C., I took a sip of poodle-dog soup and a bit of the flesh, but give it as my opinion that there is absolutely no condition in which man can be placed that a sirloin steak from a fat- ted calf would not bo preferred." After a total imprisonment of six months, he re- turned to his home, bringing the clothes worn when wounded, and says: "To hold them up and look at them now-for I have them yet -you cannot imagine how a man could have been in those breeches when those balls passed through, and not have been riddled." But Mr. George is now a hearty man, not much lame, a splendid lawyer, a good farmer and trader, and has accumulated a handsome fortune. He is a liberal man, and especially in the support of the erection of churches. He was married, October 11, 1866, to' Emily Wilcox, daughter of J. C. and Mary (Beccher) Wilcox. She was born in November, 1843, in Licking County, Ohio. They have four children -Mary. Chloe, Rena and Lewis George.

JACOB HALL, retired. Fairfield. The gen- tleman whose name heads this sketch, and who is one of the oldest pioneers of this county, was born in Warren County, Ohio, June 17, 1812. He is son of Richard and Eleanor (Foster) Hall, and was the second of six children, viz. : Hezekiah S .. Jacob, Ann, Mary, John W. and Druzilla. In 1816, the parents left Ohio and came to this county, settling in Thom's Prairie. There the father died in 1836, and the mother subsequently married Alexander Ramsey, and died finally in Mount Erie. Both of the parents were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Our sub-

ject remained in Ohio with his grandfather and did not come to Illinois until 1824. He remained at home on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age. He began his commercial career at Thom's Prairie, but only remained at that point two years, and then in 1839 he came to Fairfield and opened a general store, which he carried on until 1879. He then retired from active business, and has since given his attention to his farm - ing interests and valuable city improvements. Mr. Hall was married in this county in 1837, to Miss Catherine Maclin. This lady was born in Kentucky on February 27, 1816, and was a daughter of Rev. David W. and Nancy Maclin, who came to this State with their daughter about 1828. The result of this union was two children, viz. : Mary D., born December 18, 1840, died December 4, 1869; Sarah C., born December 28, 1843, and united in marriage in October, 1863, to George L. Slocumb. The twain are now living in Cal- ifornia. Mrs. Hall died February 25, 1846. Mr. Hall is a man of strong physique and great mental energy. His whole career in the city of Fairfield has brought him nothing but friends, and as his well-lived life is elos. ing none speak but in praise of the old pi- oneer. Since 1838, he has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

JOHN L. HANDLEY, physician, Fairfield, was born Feb. 9, 1835, in Sheffield, Eng., and is a son of James and Martha (Ennis) Handley, both of whom were natives of Yorkshire, Eng. The father died in the old country in 1845, and three years later John L., then thirteen years old, in company with his mother, came to the United States, landing at New York. They located at Evansville, Ind., in 1850. and after a residence of about four years came to Carmi, White Co., Ill., in which couuty the mother died in 1869. After re- inoving to Carmi, Ill., John L. decided to

BIOGRAPHICAL.

adopt the profession of physician and sur- geon, and accordingly entered the office of Dr. E. L. Stewart, under whom he did the usual preparatory reading. Early in the progress of the rebellion, he entered the Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry as Hospital Steward, and was afterward made the Acting Assistant Surgeon, which position he credit- ably filled until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865. In August following, he located at Mount Erie, Wayne Co., Ill., where he practiced until the fall of 1868. He was then made the choice of the people of Wayne County for Circuit Clerk, to which office he was elected on the Democratic ticket. At the end of four years, he was re-elected to the same office by a large majority, and served with acceptance until 1876. In 1870, he was ap- pointed as Master in Chancery, serving until 1876, re-appointed in 1SS0, and is the pres- ent incumbent. He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention of 1876, which nominated Tilden and Hendricks. He was placed in nomination by and received the full Democratic vote of the State Senate as Clerk of the Senate, in 1878. He has al- ways acted with the Democratic party from a sense of principle and right. He was mar- ried, September 27, 1865, to Miss Clarinda Hoffman, of Carmi, White Co., III. She died in March, 1873, leaving one child- Bessie S. Handley. He was married to his present wife, Miss Sallie McCall, on the 29th of April, 1874. Dr. Handley was made a Mason in 1858, in Carmi Lodge, No. 272, and is now the Secretary of Fairfield Lodge, No. 206, A. F. & A. M., and Most Excellent High Priest of Fairfield Chapter, No. 179, and the Thrice Illustrious Master of Fair- field Council, U. D .; also a member of Gorin Commandery, No. 14, Knights Templar, at Olney, III. He has been an important mem-

ber of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield, and is now its clerk; was a candidate for the position in the Appellate Court for the Third Grand Division of Illinois before the Demo- cratic Convention of 1879, at Centralia, and though receiving a flattering support was de- feated by a few votes.

HON. ROBERT P. HANNA, Fairfield. Of the different professions,, none afford greater opportunities for the development of native ability than the law; for here one is led into the investigation of subjects more vital to the interests of his fellows, and may, if he will, become familiar with the ques- tions of moment which affect his country and State. Foremost in the rank and file of those who have taken advantage of these oppor- tunities, is he whose name heads this sketch. Robert P. Hanna was born in Salem, Col- umbiana Co., Ohio, December 10, 1834. His father, John Hanna, was a native of Ire- land, and a descendant of a family well known in the early history of the Presbyte- rian Church, many of whom were ministers of some note in that society. His father, how- ever, was a Catholic, and emigrated to the United States, settling in Ohio, about the year 1818, where he engaged in a general mercantile business. He married Miss Sarah Conn, a native of Philadelphia. Her ances- tors in this country date back to the Revolu- tionary period, and are of the Society of " Friends," sometimes termed Quakers. In early life, Mr. Hanna performed the usual routine of preparatory study in the common schools, and when fifteen years old entered the printing office of Aaron Hinchman, at Salem, Ohio, where he remained for about two years. He then became a student in the Athens University, taking the course of that institution. He came to Fairfield, Ill., in 1855, and soon after entered the law office of Judge Edward Beecher, under whom he per-

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formed the usual reading, and in 1857 was admitted to practice. Since his admission, he has practiced in Wayne and adjoining counties, when not engaged with matters of a public character. In 1862. Mr. Hanna was elected to a membership in the State Constitutional Convention, and though its youngest member he took an active part in the important business of that body. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1866, where he won the reputation of an efficient member, procuring, through his influence, the charter for the Springfield, Illinois &. Southeastern Railroad, which has since be- come a branch of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. He was a Director and Attorney for the road until that change took place, and is now Local Attorney for the Ohio & Mississippi Company. In 1870, Mr. Hanna was again the choice of the people of his district to represent them in the construction of the new constitution of Illinois, and there introduced the measure regulating the minor- ity representation. He was elected, in 1876, to a seat in the State Senate on the Demo- cratic ticket, although representing a Repub- lican district, and while a member of that body was a very important factor in many of the more important committees. As a con- scientious politician, Mr. Hanna has proven himself possessed of no mean ability, the ad- vantages of which have always been enjoyed by the Democratic party. He has been a delegate, and reported at "roll call " at every Democratic State Convention since he became of age, besides acting in Presidential conventions. As a spoaker, he is forcible and concise, and in his various campaigns has made many important political speeches, always willing to become the champion of what he deemed the common right, regard- less of personal prejudices. His first im- portant canvass of the State was in 1959, in

the contest between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln for the position in the United States Senate. He was married, in 1859, to Miss Clara Smith. She is a daugh- ter of Moses Smith, a well-known merchant of Albion, Ill., who emigrated from England and became one of the pioneer settlers of that place. Mr. Hanna's family consists of two sons and two daughters. His eldest son. Francis B. Hanna, is a practicing law- yer and member of the Fairfield bar.

ROBERT HAYWARD, farmer, P.O. Fair- field, a native of England, was born December 23, 1826. His parents, whose names were Isaac Hayward and Ann Shepherd, emigrated to the United States and located in Bucks County, Penn., in 1831. After a residence of two years in Pennsylvania, they removed to Ohio, and settled in Marion County, where they remained until 1848. engaged in farm ing. In 1548, the parents again moved, and this time to LaGrange County, Ind., where they resided until their death. The mother died in 1858 in her sixty fourth year, and the father died in March, 1832. at a very ad- vanced age. They had a family of thirteen children, eleven of whom arrived at maturity. But four of them, however, are now living. Robert was raised on the farm which has been his life pursuit. He was married in Marion County, Ohio, on January 10. 1850, to Miss Maria Davis. She was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 9, 1825. She was a daughter of William H. and Mary (Johnson) Davis. Mr. Hayward was a member of the Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Infantry, and was with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea, and attended the " grand review " at Washington. He came to Wayne County, Ill., in 1830, and purchased an extensive farming interest near the city of Fairfield. They are both honored members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

BIOGRAPHICAL:

ROBERT N. JESSOP, insurance agent, Fairfield, was born June 18, 1842, in Kings County, Ireland. His parents, Robert Jessop and Anna Sturgeon, were natives of Ireland, where they grew to maturity, and married. They had a family of nine children, but three of whom are now alive. The names of the children were Samuel S., Mary, Alex- ander S., Robert N., Anna, Carrie and John G. Jessop. Those living are Samuel S., Alexander S. and Robert N. Their father, who was a Methodist minister, came to the United States in the year 1848, and was first located in New York City, where he preached four years, from where be was sent to Dan- bury, Conn., remaining there two years. His next field of labor was Sag Harbor, from whence he came to Fairfield, Ill., in 1856, having been transferred to the Southern Illinois Conference. He was here engaged as the traveling agent for the McKendree College of Lebanon, Ill. He died in Wayne County in 1867, and his wife died in same county two years later. Robert N. Jessop had good educational advantages in New York and at Danbury, Conn .. and in 1862 he enlisted in the Fifth Illinois Cavalry, his brothers Samuel and Alexander having gone into the army the previous year. He was mustered in as a private, but was raised to the rank of First Lieutenant, which com- inission he held at the time of his resignation in Angust, 1864. He was married in Wayne County, in October, 1867, to Miss Joseph- anna Hand, a native of Wayne County, and daughter of Isaac and Angeline (Wilson) Hand. She was born in February, 1849. They have four children living-Robbie, Caroline, Anna and Katie Jessop. Two have lied, named Etta and Katie Jessop. Mr. Jessop is a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R., also of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Select Knights.

G. W. JOHNS, junior member of the law firm of Robinson, Boggs & Johns, Fair- field, Ill., was born March 7, 1849, in Ed- wards County, Ill. He is a son of George J. Johns and grandson of Robert Johns, both of whom were of English birth, his father, G. J. Johns, being a native of Cornwall, where he was born April 6, 1820. He came, when twelve years of age, to the United States, and located in Albion, Edwards Co., Ill., where he grew to manhood, and where he spent the remainder of his life. He was married, February 18, 1848, to Harriet Smith, a native of Albion, Ill., and daughter of Moses Smith, one of the old citizens and leading merchants of that place. In the early part of 1862, he recruited a company of men for the service, which company was attached to the Sixty-third Regiment Illinois Infantry, and known as Company B, of which he was elected Captain. He was after- ward tendered a commission as Lieutenant Colonel by Gov. Yates, which honor he was compelled to decline, loss of health disabling him for active service and necessitating his resignation, which was effected in November, 1862. George W. Johns, though but fifteen years old at the time, obtained admission into the ranks as a private in Company H, of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illi- nois Volunteers, in which he served about six months. His early education was obtained while a student in the public schools of Al- bion, Ill. He afterward entered the State Normal School of Bloomington. Ind., where he graduated with the degree of B. S. in 1869, and in the following year graduated in the law department of the same institution. He was admitted to the bar in 1870. and en- tered on the practice of his profession in Carmi, Ill. There he remained for two years, comning thence to Fairfield, Ill., and in 1872 formed his present partnership, which is one

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of the ablest law firms in Southern Illinois. " until the death of John Koontz many years He was Journal Clerk of the House of Rep- resentatives in the Twenty eighth General Assembly; was appointed Colonel and Aid. de-camp on Gov. Cullom's Staff in 1878, which position he held until the election of Gov. Cullom to the United States Senate in January, 1883, when he resigned, but was re appointed to the same rank by Gov. Ham- ilton. G. W. Johns was married, November 17, 1875, to Mary E. Barnhill, of Fairfield, Ill. Three children have blessed this union -Katie, born September 25, 1576, deceased; Mary, born January 19, 1881, and Anna Johns, born January 14, 1883.

ETHAN A. JOHNSON, Fairfield, was born in Connectient July 16, 1817, and when yet a child came with his parents to South- ern Illinois, where his father soon after died. He was next deprived of his mother by death; then was cared for by an older sister who was married, and resided in Terre Haute, Ind. Entirely thrown upon his own resources, he early acquired habits of industry, which char- actorized the whole of his after-life. He was married three times, all in Wayne Coun- ty, first to Julia Gash in 1842. She was born in Wayne County in 1819, and died in 1845, leaving two children - William H. John- son, now of California. and Julia A., deceased wife of Eugene Forest. His second marriage occurred in 1846. to Eliza M. Linton. She was born in White County in 1820, and died in 1854, leaving three children-Olive, deceased wife of Benjamin Organ; Ethan A., died at the age of nine years: and Leo Johnson, now of California. John and Elizabeth Koontz, née Knapp, were both born, reared and mar. ried in Pennsylvania, and after their mar- riage removed to Stark County, Ohio, where they remained several years, and until com- ing to Wayne County, Ill., in 1839. Here they lived, pursuing the interest of the farm

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 60

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 704

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704