History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 61

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 61
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, 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).

ago. The wife died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. B. A. Johnson, in Fairfield, in 1874. They had a family of seven children, of whom five are now living. Barbara A. Koontz, daughter of John and Elizabeth Koontz, was born in Stark County, Ohio, August 1, 1824, and came to Fairfield, III., with her parents in 1839. She was first married to Joseph D. Shaeffer, January 26, 1843. He was a native of Somerset Coun- ty, Penn., and was born Angust 17, 1813, and died in Fairfield, Ill., October 30, 1848. Of this family there were three children- Loretta Shaeffer, born June 4, 1844, and died in infancy; John F., was born October 5, 1846, and died in Jefferson City, Mo., July 20, 1868; and Joseph D. Shaeffer. (See sketch.) Elizabeth (Koontz) Shaeffer and Ethan A. Johnson were married in Fanfel June 3, 1855. Mr. E. A. Johnson died in Fairfield, Ill., May 7, 1865, leaving four children-Charles Johuson, who was born June 8, 1856 (he is married to Miss Etta Baker); Libbie, deceased wife of Ulla Staley, was born March 25, 1858, and died April 22. 1881, leaving an infant daughter, Libbie, born April 10, 1SSI, and named in memory of her deceased mother: Harry K. Johnson was born April 29, 1860; and Clara O .. the youngest of the family, was born June 2, 1863. She was married. March 10, 1882, to Frank Yelch, now residents of Olney, Ill.

BASCOM E. JOHNSON. Fairfield, was born August 21, 1831, in Meigs County, Ind. He is a son of Abraham Johnson, who was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1793. Abraham¿Johnson emigrated with his parents to Ohio about 1811, and in 1813 settled in Meigs County. There Abrahim married Clarinda Eddy, and began life in Bedford Township, being the second settler within its limits. He remained there on the same farm

BIOGRAPHICAL:

until 1854, rearing a large family of chil- dren, all of whom grew to maturity. They removed to Wayne County, Ill., in 1854, and settled in Lamard Township, on a farm now occupied by a daughter, Mrs. Woodworth. Here he lived until his death, which occurred in September, 1863. He was a zealous Chris tian man, sustaining the relation of local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than forty years. Clarinda Eddy was of English ancestry, who were repre- sented on board the Mayflower in 1620. She was born in 1795 in Rutland County, Vt., and when three years old was taken by her parents to Ohio, who settled near Marietta. While she was yet a child, her father died. and she and her widowed mother experienced very much of the hardship incident to pio- neer life. She was married to Abraham Johnson in 1817, and died on the old home- stead in Wayne County in 1872. B. E. Johnson came to this county in 1854 with his parents, and, after seeing them comfort- ably located, returned to Ohio, and there married Maggie A. Bing, a daughter of An- drew C. Bing and Eliza Amsden, of Ohio. They removed to Illinois, and to Jasper Township of this county in 1861. Her father was born in Gallia County, Ohio, in 1804, and died in this county September 1, 1868. Eliza Amsden was born April 5, 1805, in Erie County, Penn., from where her parents came to Ohio about 1809, thence to Wayne County in 1863. Mrs. Bing was noted for her piety, and for a meek, lovable nature, which endeared her to all who knew her. She died in Wayne County, July 16, 1864. Mag gie A. Bing was born in Gallia County, Ohio, in 1834, married to B. E. Johnson in June, 1858. Two years later, they removed to this county, where Mr. Johnson followed the pur- suit of farming until 1878, when they came to Fairfield. They are both honored mem-

bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have a family consisting of Lycurgus E. Johnson, born April 25, 1860; Madora M., April 25, 1865: and Milo D. Johnson, July 15, 1867. Mr. Johnson is a Republican, and has served two terms as a member of Town Council.

JOHN KEEN, JR., County Judge, Fair- field, is a native of Wayne County, III., and was born October 29, 1837. His parents, James and Harriet Keen, are still living in the county, well and favorably known, and among the oldest settlers now in the county. Judge John Keen is the oldest of a family of ten children, and grew to manhood under the influences of pioneer life, enjoying such edu- cational advantages as the county then af- forded, which were limited to a short sub- scription term each year, which was held in the historical old log schoolhouse, supplied with the puncheon floor and slab seats. How- ever, by making the best of his opportunities. he developed an ability for public position, which was recognized by the people of his town by electing him to the offices of Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace. He was afterward elected to the office of County Treasurer, and filled this position of public trust with acceptance for ten years. In 1882, he was elected to the office of County Judge, which position he now occupies. He was admitted to practice in 1877, having ac- complished the required reading under G. J. George. He was married in Wayne County on the 7th of April, 1859, to Miss Martha J. Atteberry, daughter of Stout and Fannie L(Cras Atteberry. She was born December 29, 1832, in Kentucky. The record of their family is as follows: Isaac N. Keen, born January 18, 1860; Asa F., December 7, 1863; Martha J., born June 15, 1868, and died September 17, 1872; Emma R., born October 25, 1869, and died September 18, 1872; Harriet L. Keen,

CITY OF FAIRFIELD.

born May 12, 1875. Mr. Keen is a member of the Masonie order and of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife is a member of the Bap- tist Church. Residence, corner of Water and Factory streets.

EDWARD C. KRAMER. lawyer. Fair- field, a native of Wabash County, Ill., and son of Henry and Martha Kramer, now' of Mount Erie, Wayne County, was born Feb- ruary 1. 1857. He was reared on the farm, and received his primary education in the publie schools, and qualified himself for the profession of teaching, which he began in Edwards County in 1877. He attended the Central Indiana Normal School at Ladoga, and at Danville after the school had been re- moved to the latter place. He graduated in the teachers' course in 1879, after which he took two terms' work in the department of language in the same institution. In the early part of 1880, he entered the law office of Hanna & Adams as a student, with whom he performed the usual preparatory reading; was admitted to practice in February, 1882, sinee which time he has been practicing at Fairfield. He was married in Grayville, Ill., in September, 1880, to Miss Laura J. Ellis, daughter of John and Mary Ellis. of Grayville. She was born in Grayville April 8, 1858. Both are honored members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Fairfield. Mr. Kramer is a member of the Masonic or- der and A. O. U. W. James H. Kramer, of the firm of Kramer Bros., Fairfield, was born October 4, 1855, in Wabash County, and is the oldest of the family of twelve children of Henry and Martha Kramer. He is a praeti- eal teacher of several years' experience, and was educated at Danville, Ind .. graduating in the teachers' course in 1880. He is also engaged in the implement trade, and asso- ciated with E. C. Kramer in the real estate business. Member of the Fairfield Methodist Episcopal Church.

C. C. KURZDORFER. 'Taking front rank among the business men of Fairfield is the man whose name heads this sketch; and we know of no one among the many enter- prising business men more aptly adapted to his line than he. The Fairfield Marble and Granite Works, of which Kurzdorfer is pro- prietor, has developed from a small remnant of stock, which he purchased in 1882, to its present proportions. Frequent attempts have been previously made to establish this line of industry in Fairfield, and failure has been the common result. Mr. Kurzdorfer has proven himself the right man in the right place, and in a very brief period has made for himself a trade which, though large, is still inereasing. He has recently erected a new and commodious building adjoining the bank, where, with his large stoek and exten- sive force of workmen, he is prepared to meet the demands of the public for anything in his line. We prediet for Mr. Kurzdorfer the future suecess which his energy merits, He was born in the city of St. Louis, Mo., March 21, 1860, and is the second of a fam- ily of eight children born to George and Otilla Kurzdorfer, both of whom are natives of Germany. They were married in St. Louis, and in 1869 removed to Belleville. Ill., where they now reside. Charles C. was educated in the publie schools of St. Louis and Belleville, and in 1878 became book- keeper for Mr. F. J. Seholz, a marble dealer of Evansville, Ind., remaining with him un- til August. 1882, when he came to Fairfield, as above stated. He was married in Nor- borne. Mo., September 5, 1882, to Mattie Scholz, daughter of Rev. F. W. and Chris- tina Scholz. She was born September 5, 1862. and died in Fairfield September 19, 1883.

ROBERT E. MABRY, Circuit Clerk, Fairfield, Ill .; is the fifth of a family of nine children born to Seth W. and Martha Mabry,

BIOGRAPHICAL:

well and favorably known in Wayne County, Robert E. was born in November, 1848, in Mississippi, and came to this county with his parents in 1853, and has been in the county continuously since that time. By earnest application to books, supplemented by the common schools of the county, he has suc- ceeded in obtaining a practical common school education, and for eight years accept- ably filled the position of teacher in Wayne County. The interests of the farm, however, claimed much of his attention until he was elected to the office of Circuit Clerk in 1876. His ability as a proficient and worthy official warranted the people in his re-election to the same office in 1880, which term he is now serving with unusual acceptance. In poli- tics he is a Republican. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and a Royal Arch Mason. Mr. Mabry was married in Wayne County. December 12, 1872, to Miss Sarah"A. Borah, daughter of Jacob B. and Emma Borah. She was born in Wayne County January 9, 1848, and is a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Mabry are living, and residents of Jasper Township. Millard F. Mabry, Dep- uty Circuit Clerk since 1876, and brother of R. E., was born in Wayne County January 30, 1857. He was educated in the common schools, and was married, December 25, 1881, to Miss Sadie E. Borah. She was born Feb. ruary 12, 1858, and is a daughter of William N and Eliza Borah, of Jasper Township. and residents of Wayne County since 1819.

THOMAS A. MARTIN, merchant, Fair- field. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in this county on Feb- ruary 19, 1841, and is a son of James D. and Jane (White) Martin. The grandfather of our subject came to this county from Vir- ginia in 1816, and died here in an early day. The father was born here in 1818, and was

married in 1840. He followed farming for a number of years, but was finally stricken blind and remained so until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1872 at Clay City. The mother of our subject was born in Ken- tucky on August 3, 1816, and died in Clay County in 1868. Our subject remained in this county with his parents until 1861, and here he received his education. In that year, he went to Clay County with his parents, and resided there a number of years, but subse- quently returned to Wayne County. He has been associated in business for a number of years with Mr. Summers in both the grocery business and also in the pork packing estab- lishment. Mr. Martin was married in Clay City, in 1864, to Anna Golliher, a daughter of Henry Golliher, of Lamard Township. She was a native of Ohio, being born there in 18-, and to her were born two children- America, wife of A. H. Wood, of Nebraska, and Edwin A. This lady died in this county in 1870. In 1871, our subject was married to Nancy McCollum, who was born in this county in 1853 and is a daughter of Samuel McCollum. The result of this union has been four children, three of whom are now living, viz., Henry T., Grace and Frank C .; Mary is the name of the deceased one. Our subject is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and also of Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A., F. & A. M.

HON. JAMES MCCARTNEY, Spring- field, was born in Perry County, Penn., Feb- ruary 14, 1835, of Scotch ancestry, but his parents were born in Ireland. His father moved to Lawrence County, Penn., when James was but six years of age, where he re- sided for a period of about five years, after- ward moving to Trumbull County, Ohio, where be, together with his father, engaged in farming. During the winter months, he went to school, and advanced rapidly in his

CITY OF FAIRFIELD

studies; at the age of sixteen, he attended the high school, and for a brief period in the fall pursued his studies with energy and dil- igence, and during the winter obtained a position as teacher, which he filled for some time, after which he became a student at the Western Reserve Seminary, at Farmington, Ohio, and during his college life here he often visited the school at Hiram, Ohio. which was then presided over by Hon. James A. Garfield. In 1856. he entered the law office of Hon. Matthew Birchard, at Warren, Ohio, and commenced the study of law. where he remained for about one year, and in Oc- tober, 1857, went to Monmouth, Ill., and went into the office of Harding & Reed, where he finished reading and was admitted to the bar in 1858, and immediately entered into partnership with Mr. Reed. In 1859, he re- moved to Galva, Henry Co., Ill., and suc cessfully practiced law until the war broke out. On the 19th of April. 1861, he enlisted in a company raised at Galva, and was elected First Lieutenant. The company was mus- tered into the service as Company D, Sev- enteenth Illinois Infantry. After serving faithfully until after the battle of Fort Don- elaon, his health failing from exposure, he was compelled to resign his commission. He visited Lake Superior, and after recovering his health returned and again entered the service as First Lieutenant in Company G. One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry, Col. Thomas J. Henderson commanding. He was soon after promoted to a Captaincy, and served through the war, and mustered out with the regiment at Camp Douglas in July, 1865. While in the service, he was engaged in doing special duty as Judge Advocate of Court Martials, and for nearly a year as A. A. A. G. of the Third Brigade, Third Divi- sion Cavalry Corps, Army of the Ohio. After being mustered out of the service in 1865,

he immediately went to Fairfield, Ill., and re- commenced the practice of law, which has occupied his attention ever sinco. In May, he was nominated Attorney General by the State Convention, to which office he was elected. He is a gentleman of high legal abilities, and competent in every respect to till that exalted position. Personally he is a most agreeable gentleman, and extremely popular with all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

MOCLUNG FAMILY. Hugh and Mary McClung came from Beaver County, Penn., about the year 1840, and settled in Wayne County, near Fairfield, where, after four years, Hugh died, his wife surviving him until 1858, when she, too, died at the same place. They had a family of six children when they came to Illinois, one having died in the East, and one was drowned in Skillet Fork soon after coming to the county. Three are still living-Catherine; Mary, widow of John Ewing, of Wayne County; and Mrs. Lydia Martin, widow of John A. Martin, and a res- ident of Flora, Clay County. Ephraim McClung. the youngest of this family. was married to Miss Ann Beauchamp, daughter of William and Mary Beauchamp, who died while she was a child. She was reared by Lewis Organ. To them were born five chil- dren, one of whom is deceased, and four are residents of Wayne County-Edward Mc- Clung, editor of the Wayne County Record, Alice, wife of Joseph Gaston, Carrie M., and Thomas McClung. The father removed to Fairfield about 1860, engaged in merchan- dising and milling, and died in 1867. Ann, his wife, died August 8, 1881. It may be truthfully said, that they filled an important position in the society in which they moved, and still live in the memory and hearts of their many friends.

THOMAS MOMACKIN, furniture dealer,

BIOGRAPHICAL:

Fairfield, son of George C. and Sallie (Bo. vee) McMackin, was born in Jasper Town- ship, Wayne County, III., May 8, 1848, and is the ninth of a large family. He was reared on a farm, but when fifteen years old began the carpenter trade, which he has fol- lowed continuously ever since. He was mar- ried in Wayne County, December 22, 1872, to Clara McCollum, daughter of Samuel Mc- Cullom. She was born in Wayne County March 15, 1851. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have a fam- ily of two children-Nellie McMackin, born in Fairfield, April 15, 1877, and Freddie Mc- Mackin, born March 4, 1882. They removed to Fairfield in 1871. and in January, 1883, Mr. McMackin associated with S. O. Wick- lin. engaged in the furniture trade, of which they keep a very complete stock. Both are expert mechanics. and are always found at their bench, when not otherwise engaged, making articles of furniture on order. John McMackin, grandfather of Thomas, moved with his family from Butler County, Ky., and in 1822 settled near a crab-apple thicket called Fairfield, or at least the little grove of shrubby trees contained all there was of the now pleasant and prosperous town. He re- mained here until 1825, moving thence to what is now Jasper Township, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a pions and useful man, and his house was ever open to be used as a place of worship, or as a home for the pioneer preachers. His son, George C. McMackin, the father of Thomas, was born in Butler County, Ky., May 15, 1807, and came to Wayne County with his parents in 1822. He became one of the leading members of the Methodist Church in Jasper Township, and was noted for his zeal in Christian work. He married Sallie Bovee on the 28th of December, 1828. She was born une 9, 1811. Both are deceased.

JOHN A. MOFFITT, Fairfield. Among the first marriages on the records of Wayne County is that of John Moffitt and Sarah M. Campbell, which took place in September of 1820. Mr. Moffitt probably came to this connty in 1818, soon after the coming of his father-in-law, Alexander Campbell. both of whom came from Kentucky, where his wife, Sarah W., was born in 1802. Mr. Moffitt was by trade a hatter, and followed it for a short time after coming to this county, but soon abandoned it altogether for other pursuits, which was chiefly farming, in connection with which, for a time, he taught in the pioneer schools, being a man of more than ordinary education for those days. He was reared by Quaker parents, commonly styled "Friends," which rarely fails to insure good citizens, to which rule Mr. John Moffitt was no exception. He was a successful farmer, reared a family of eleven children, and died in this county in May, 1857, his wife surviving him nearly twenty-six years. She died January, 1883. John A. Moffitt is the eighth member of this family, and was born November 11, 1836. He obtained a liberal common school educa. tion, and on arriving at manhood began teach- ing. which he followed for eleven years, dur- ing which time he established the reputation of an efficient teacher. He served several years as a township official, and in 1869 was elected to the office of County Treasurer, the duties of which he discharged with accept- ance. He is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic fraternity. Married in Fairfield, February 15, 1871, to Eliza B. Dorman, widow of Dr. Dorman, and daughter of Will- iam and Elizabeth H. She was born in this county in 1836. Of the eleven children of John and Sarah Moffitt, five are residents of Wayne County, three are deceased, one a resident of Effingham County, one of Sanga- mon County, and one in Colorado.

CITY OF FAIRFIELD.

JONAH MORLAN. contractor, Fairfield, is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, where he was born May 16. 1827. His father, whose name was Jonah Morlan, was of Scotch ancestry, and was born in Virginia. He was married, in Ohio, to Emily Armstrong, who was of Welsh ori- gin, and who was born in Wilmington, Del. They were both reared under the influences of Quaker parents, and were, perhaps, the first of their families to break over the rites and customs of that sect. They had nine children, Jonah Morlan, Jr., being the young- est of the family. The father died in Co- lumbiana County, Ohio, about 1830, and the mother in same county in 1863. Three broth- ers and one sister of the family came to Wayne County, Ill., in 1843. The sister, Deborah MeNeely, and James A. Morlan re- moved from here to Morgan County, Ill., many years ago, and the latter is now a Baptist minister in Jacksonville, Ill. Jonah Morlan was married, April 18, 1850, to Naomi S. Johnson, of White County. She was born May 16, 1829. In 1861, Mr. Morlan was mustered into the United States Military serv. ice as Second Lieutenant of Company G, Fortieth Regiment. He took a prominent part in the battle of Shiloh, in which exactly two-thirds of his company were either killed or wounded. In consideration of meritori- ous condnet in that battle, he was promoted to the position of First Lieutenant, and soon after to the Captaincy of the company. He was on board the " Robert Campbell," which burned near Milliken's Bend, above Vicks- burg, and there saved his life and the life of his wounded Colonel. Hicks, by swimming a distance of 150 yards, to the shore. In Feb)- ruary, 1864, he was appointed by Lincoln to the office of Assistant Quartermaster with the rank of Captain, in which capacity lie served until the close of the war. After returning

from the ranks, he engaged in merchandising in White County, Ill., and removed to Wayne County in 1881, and is now a resident of Fairfield. They have a family of four chil- dren-Isore, wife of Charles V. Rice, of Mc- Leansboro; Louisa A., wife of J. B. Odell, of Enfield, Ill .; John H. and Arthur J. Mor- lan, of Fairfield. Mr. and Mrs. Morlan and daughters are members of the Christian Church.

JOHN MORRIS, of Fairfield, Ill., was born September 14, 1836, in Monroe County, Ohio. The family was first represented in America during the colonial days, and be- longed to the Society of Friends, or Quakers, settling in New Jersey, where Elihu Morris, father of John, was born in 1798. While Elihn was yet a lad, his parents removed to the State of Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood, and where he was first married, to a Miss Davis, soon after which they removed to Monroe County, Ohio, where his wife died, leaving several children. He was next mar- ried to Mary Hartley, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and a daughter of James Hartley, of English ancestry. She was born in 1802, and was married to Elihn Morris about 1833. This union resulted in the birth of five chil- dren-Richard S., now of Clay County, John, Harriet, Job and Elihu, the three latter being deceased. The family removed to Clay Coun- ty, Ill., and settled in Xenia in 1859. Here the parents both died. John Morris returned to Ohio in 1860, and was there married to Miss Lucinda E. Lentz, daughter of Israel and Catharine Lentz, both of whom were born in Germany, and are now dead. She was born in Monroe County, Ohio, February 18, 1840. In Angust, 1862, Mr. Morris enlisted in Company C, of the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Infantry. and was elected to the position of First Sergeant; in August, 1863, was pro- moted to Second Lieutenant, and soon after

BIOGRAPHICAL:

to First Lieutenant. He was in command of his company on the Atlanta campaign. He was in all the active engagements incident to that campaign, closing at Jonesboro, after which he resigned. on account of the death of his parents. From 1866 until 1873, Mr. Morris was engaged in farming principally, and in the last-named year was elected Conn- ty Clerk of Wayne County, serving four years: was then elected to the office of Coun- ty Treasurer, in which capacity he served one term. He is a member of the order of Ma- sons, and Deputy Grand Master Workman in the A. O. U. W .; has a family of seven chil- dren-Harry E., born May 13, 1864; Ralph H .. born February 25, 1866; Kate, born March 10, 1868; Cloyd, born February 7, 1870; Fred, born March 21, 1872; Bessie Morris, born December 28, 1877; besides an infant, unnamed, born June 28, 1883.

WILLIAM M. MURPHEY, Fairfield, a na- tive of Meade County, Ky., was born October 26, 1830. His father, Davis Murphey, was born in Kentucky in 1809, and in 1829 married Lucinda Conn. She was born in Kentucky in 1810. They came to Wayne County in 1831, landing here on the day William M. was one year old. They settled in the south ern portion of Barnhill Township, where they pursued the interest of the farm until their death. They reared ten children, Will- iam being the oldest, all of whom lived to grow to maturity. Two are now deceased, and six are living within the limits of Wayne and White Counties. Davis Murphey died June 21, 1866, and Lucinda Murphey died in May, 1873. William M. remained on the farm until 1860, when he removed to Fair- field, where he has since been engaged in running a livery and sale stable. He was married, in Wayne County, in March, 1851, to Darthula Boyce. She is a daughter of Moses and Mahala Boyce, and was born in

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.

History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 61

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