History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 66

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 66
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 66

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).

BARNHILL TOWNSHIP.

sion. in which we yet hope to see him rise and prosper and be able to enroll his name among the leading lawyers of the State. He is a member of the Fairfield Lodge. A., F. & A. M., No. 206, also R. A. M., No. 179, and Fairfield Council, Royal and Select Masters. In political matters, he has been identified with the Democratic party.

R. S. RENFROW. teacher and farmer, P. O. Mill Shoals, was born September 17. 1843, in Jackson, Miss. His father, Redin Renfrow, was a native of Kentucky, and a farmer by occupation. He died during the great epidemie in 1848, in New Orleans. The grandfather of our subject was Joseph Renfrow, a native of North Carolina. He was also a farmer. The mother of our sub- ject was Nancy (Smith) Renfrow, born in August, 1811. She is yet living, and is the mother of seven children, of whom four are now living, viz., Sarah J. Staley, Josephine, Thomas J. and Robert S., our subject, who was educated in this county and at McLeans- boro. Ill. In the spring of 1862, he, in company with Thomas Graut and family, went West to Pike's Peak. Colo., where he farmed one year, and then to what was then called Idaho, but is now a part of Montana. Here he mined with varied success for sev- eral years, and then teamed for some time, after which he returned to the home of his childhood, via the Missouri River from the head of navigation to St. John's, Iowa. A part of the distance was full of adventures, having one of their number killed by Inrking Indians. The distance from St. John's to his home was accomplished mostly by rail- road. He was welcomed back by his friends after an absence of five and one-half years. Since then, he has taught school a great deal of the time, teaching the last thirteen years, but mostly in the winter in this and Clark Counties, while he cultivates his farm of

fifty acres in the summer. He was married. February 23, 1873, near Fairfield, to Miss Sallie Todd, born April 22, 1855, in Ken tucky. She is a daughter of Dr. C. T. Todd and Susan (Reynolds) Todd. Four children now living have blessed this happy union, viz., Benjamin L., born October 9, 1874; Maggie Myrtle, born January 28, 1877; Frank Mc., born May 4, 1879, and Lulu Bell, born September 13, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Renfrow are members of the Christian Church, of which he is an Elder. He is also an A., F. & A. M., Burnt Prairie Lodge. No. 668. He has held the offices of Town Clerk and Police Magistrate in White Conn- ty, and at present is Township School Treas urer. In politics, he is a Republican.

J. B. SHAEFFER, farmer, P. O. Fair- field, was born December 29, 1846, in Waynesburg. Stark Co., Ohio, son of Henry Shaeffer, born in Waynesburg. Ohio. He was a carpenter by occupation, and came to this county about 1856, and died 1863, in Memphis, in the hospital, from sickness con- tracted while in the United States Army. His father was Daniel Shaeffer. The mother of our subject, Mary Elizabeth (Zimmer) Shaeffer, was born in Germany. She is yet living. Her parents are John and Mary E. (Goettle) Zimmer. Our subject went to school in Ohio, and Wayne County, Ill. He devoted his time to stock-raising and farm- ing, and for a number of years bought grain in Farina, Fayette Co., Ill., and Fairfield. Ill. He has at present a farm of 379 acres of good land, with good improvements and well stocked. Mr. Shaeffer also served as a soldier in our late war. He enlisted March 4, 1865, in the Fifteenth Illinois Regiment of Infantry Volunteers, Company G. He served till the close of the war, and was mus- tered out in July, but not discharged till Sep- tember. 1865, arriving home in October, 1865,

BIOGRAPHICAL:

and after that he has made farming his occu ' Ireland. He is a railroad man, and with his pation. Mr. Shaeffer was married here to family, lives in Farina. Fayette Co., Ill. Two children are the result of this happy union-Henry, born September 10, 1877, and Ella, born May 10, 1881. Mr. Shaeffer is one of our most wide-awake and enterprising young farmers. He is an A. F. & A. M . and in politics, he is a Democrat. Mary J. Johnson, born October 8, 1849, in Wayne County, Ill. She is a daughter of Andrew and Susan (Shaw) Johnson. The former a native of Ohio, and the latter from Tennessee. This union was blessed with six children, now living-Clara R., born Feb- rnary 13, 1871; Nora H., born January 23, 1873; Alverette, born June 27, 1875; Walter H., born November 17, 1877; Luella, born September 15, 1879, and Maggie, born Feb- ruary 17, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Shaeffer are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is an A. O. U. W. He has been Supervisor two terms, also been School Director. In politics, he is Democrat.

W. C. SHAEFFER, farmer and stockman, P. O. Fairfield, was born March 28, 1854, in this county, two miles south of Fairfield, son of William Shaeffer, a resident of this county, whose sketch appears in this work. The mother of our subject, Maria (Alexander) Shaeffer, is yet living, a fine old lady. Our subject was educated in this county, and in early life clerked in his father's store, in Fa- rina, Fayette Co., Ill., for eight years, and after staying in his father's mill three years he returned to Wayue County, Ill .; this was in the spring of 1879, when he settled on a farm of 295 acres of land, with SO acres al- most adjoining the home farm, which is a gift from his father. He has fine buildings on his place. He turns most of his attention to stock-raising, mainly mules, of which he has sixty head now. He also keeps a fine grade of Cotswold sheep. Our subject was joined in matrimony, December 14, 1876, in Farina, Fayette Co., Ill., to Miss Mary Ann Collins, born August 25, 1856, in Can- ada, near Niagara Falls. She is a daughter of John and Bridget (Mulvihill) Collins, both of whom are natives of County Clare,

GEORGE W. SHAW, farmer and stock- raiser. P. O. Fairfield, was born March 13. 1831, in Davis County, Tenn. His father, William W. Shaw, was born in 1799, in Ten- nessee. . He was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation, and died in this county, to which he came in 1834. His memory is cherished by our older citizens who knew him well. The mother of our subject was Margaret (Campbell) Shaw, a native of Tennessee. She died in this county. Her father, George Campbell, was a native of South Carolina, and a tailor by occupation. Eleven children looked up to her and called her mother; sev- en of them are now living, viz .: Susan A Johnson, Martha A. Dorris, Nancy N. Bland, Kiziah George, Sarah Meritt, George W., our subject, and William J. Mr. Shaw used to attend the old-fashioned subscription schools in Barnhill Township. In early life. he learned the blacksmith trade of his father. and followed it for many years, but since 1853 he has devoted his attention mainly to farming, owning now a farm of 100 acres. He was joined in matrimony here in October, 1853, to Mrs. Mary McCullough, born 1830, in Illinois. She is a daughter of William W. George, deceased, who was a most worthy and highly respected citizen of this county. His sketch appears in another part of this work. Mrs. Shaw is the mother of eleven children, of whom seven are now living, viz .: Valaria G., born August 28, 1854. wife of Joseph Farinsworth; Paria P., born January 22, 1859, wife of Samuel Brown, George D.,

BARNHILL TOWNSHIP.

born April 22, 1861; Thomas L., born March 9. 1863; Phalitia A., born December 4, 1865; Elviria I., born February 20, 1869, and Aza- lia K., born April 26, 1873. Mr. and Mrs Shaw aro active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a strict Democrat. It is said that he is one of the hardest workers in the county. From 1873 to 1877 he spent in Texas.

W. C. SIMPSON, teacher, Fairfield, was born April 23, 1853, in this county, and is a son 'of J. W. and Sallie (Murphy) Simpson. The grandfather of subject, William Simpson, was one of the pioneers of this county, and was a soldier in both the Black Hawk and Mexican wars. The father is also a native of Wayne County, and was born here in 1824. He was a farmer by occupation, and his death occurred in 1880. The mother is a native of Kentucky, and was a daughter of Jeremiah and Ann (Harl) Murphy. She is still living, and is the mother of eight children, of whom six are now living, viz .: Elizabeth A. (de- ceased), Henry S., Jeremiah B., William C. (our subject). Oliver P., John V., Joseph H. and George P. Subject was educated in the schools of this county, and at the age of twenty he commenced to teach, and since then has taught mainly in the winter. In the summer. he devotes his attention to tilling the soil, having a farm of 115 acres. Mr. Simpson has been married twice. His first wife, Martha Johnson, died in 1880, and on September 24. 1883, he was married to Flor- ence Seal, a daughter of Francis Seal, and was born in 1863. Mrs. Simpson is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Simpson has given his support to the Democratic party. He has served his town- ship as Assessor.

McK. SUNDERLAND, farmer and trader, P. O. Fairfield, was born May 15, 1844, in Belmont County, Ohio, son of Richard P.

Sunderland, a native of Maryland. He was a farmer, and came to Wayne County in 1863, and died here. His father was Cosmo Sun- derland. The mother of our subject was Elizabeth (Hance) Sunderland, a native of Maryland. She was the mother of nine chiil- dren. of whom five are now living, viz., Mc- Kenzie, our subject, Ellen Curtis, George B., Jacob M. and Martha Elliot. Our subject went to school in Athens County, Ohio. He came to this county in 1865, and was mar- ried here, October 4, 1866, to Mary J. Hay, born February 12, 1849. She is a daughter of L. P. Hay, and is the mother of five chil- dren, viz., Lowery, born September 21, 1867; Eddie L .. born February 23, 1871 (he was a bright boy and died December 3, 1882). Dennie, was born February 19, 1873; Henry, was born August 24. 1875; and Lawrence F., May 22, 1882. Mrs. Sunderland is a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Sunderland has a fine farm of 240 acres. He devotes a great deal of his time to trad- iug, and may be considered almost an expert in that line. On February 15, 1864, he and his two brothers, Cosmo and James, enlisted in the Fifty-third Ohio Regiment Infantry Volunteers, Company B, Second Battalion, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. He served till the close of the war, participating in many engagements, as the battles of Jonesboro and Atlanta, ; and also was with Gen. Sherman's "march to the sea," and finally returned home. His two brothers never reached home. Cosmo was shot at the battle of Dallas, Ga., and died soon after- ward in the hospital. James died in the hospital at Chattanooga, with the measles, in 1864.

JOHN W. TRIBE, farmer, P. O. Fair- field, was born December 25, 1831, in Edgar County, Ill. His father, John Tribe, was born May 12, 1795, in England, which he

BIOGRAPHICAL:

left in 1819, landing in New Orleans; from there he ascended the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers till he reached the English settle- ments on the Wabash. He followed the car- penter's trade in Edwards County, Ill., for three or four years, and then engaged in the milling and wool-carding business for over fifty years, ten of which were only devoted to milling, the other forty to wool-carding. He was a man of considerable intelligence. lead- ing a life worthy of imitation. He died Au- gust 24, 1880, surrounded by his loving wife and all his children, nine in number, viz., James, Mary A., William B., John W. (our subject). Alfred S., Jane, Emily, Thomas H. and George. The mother of our subject was Jane (Staley) Tribe, born March 1S03, in England. She came across the ocean in the same vessel, the "Columbia," that John Tribe did, whom she married in 1822. She is yet living, loved by all who know her, on the old homestead in Albion, Ill. Our sub- ject worked in his father's woolen mill in early life, and then went into the livery bus- iness, which he followed about six years, and then was married in and came to Wayne County, Ill., where he now owns a good farm of 120 acres. Mr. Tribe was married, April 30, 1862. to Miss Kate A. Funkhouser, born July 21, 1833, in White County, Ill. She was a daughter of Robert R. and Rachel (Cross) Funkhouser, natives of Kentucky. He was a farmer in early life, and;afterward merchandized in Shawneetown, and finally became interested in the Saline Salt Works, where Equality now stands. He died in White County, Ill., and was without a doubt one of the best known men in his day in Southern Illinois. His wife was a grand- niece of the famous hunter, Daniel Boone. The grandfather of Mrs. Kate A. Tribe was Christopher Funkhouser, a native of Ger- many. She is the mother of five children,

viz., Mary G., born March 23, 1863; Edith MI .. born June 8, 1864; George T., born Au- gust 13, 1866; Annabel, February 7, 1867; and Harry H., born July 3, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Tribe are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Re- publican.

T. J. TURNEY, farmer and stockman, P. O. Barnhill. was born May 7. 1830, on the old homestead in Barnhill Township. He is a son of Anthony B. Turney. born August 16, 1787. in Virginia. When three years old. he moved to Kentucky with his parents, Michael and Ellen (Methaney) Turney, and lived there till about. 1815, when he, in company with his wife and brother-in-law, went to Natchez, Miss .. in a flat-boat, and in the fall of the following year returned on horseback to Kentucky. While traveling in the Indian nation, he stopped with a Choc- taw chief the same night on which an earthquake occurred. The astonished and bewildered Indian asked many questions as to the cause of the earthquake. None of the party could give information except Anthony B. Turney, who explained to the chief the nature and cause of the earthquake. Boundless hospitality and presents were the result of the explanation. After reaching home. the father of our subject, in 1816. made an extended tour through the Illinois territory, and located on what was afterward called Turney's Prairie, to which place he and his father came in the spring of 1818, and after raising a corn crop they returned to Kentucky and moved their families that fall to their new homes. He afterward moved to the place where the subject of this sketch now lives, while the grandfather of our subject moved two miles southeast of Fairfield, where he died. His descendants have become numerous and noted, filling of- fices of trust in this county. Anthony B.

BARNHILL TOWNSHIP.

Turney died August 25, 1875. The mother of our subject was Frances (Mobley) Turney, born January 20, 1792, in South Carolina. She died in this county April 12, 1867. Her father married a Miss Coleman. She was the mother of eleven children, of whom six are now living. Our subject is mainly self- educated. He devotes his attention to farm- ing and stock-raising, owning a farm of 256 acres. He was married, February 12, 1857, in this county, to Miss Canzada Whitson, born January 12, 1832, in Indiana, daughter of Jonathan and Parthena (Brown) Whitson. This union was blessed with ten children, of whom seven are now living, viz., Cloyd C .. deceased; Paul R., born March 4, 1859; Hume A., born October 4, 1S60; Maggie B., born February 15, 1862; Noble, deceased; Ella, born September 30, 1865; Clara B., born September 16, 1867; Emma, born Jan- uary 17, 1870; Greeley, deceased, and Min- nie C., born January 9, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Turney are members of the Church of Christ. In politics, Mr. Turney has been identified with the Democratic party. The Turney family is mentioned in other parts of this work.

WILLIAM P. WHITING, farmer, P. O. Fairfield, was born May 5, 1837, in Fayette County, Ky. His father, William Whiting, was born in Virginia, but died in Wabash County, Ill., in 1876. Ile lived many years in White County, where he farmed. While living in Kentucky with his uncle, he en- listed in the United States Army, fighting in the war of 1812. He was not of age when he went, and on asking his mother's consent, she told him, with the spirit of a Spartan mother, "Go, my son, only be not shot in the back." The mother of our subject was Margaret (Robison) White; was a native of Kentucky. She was the mother of eleven children, of whom six are now living, viz.,

Henry C., Sarah E. Hughes, Matilda J. Johnson, William P. (our subject), John Thomas and Lydia Ann Crowder. Mrs. Margaret Whiting died Septembr 7, 1876, in White County, Ill. Our subject went to school in Cynthiana, Ind., to which place his father had moved from Kentucky; he also went to school in Phillipstown, White Co., Ill. He has been a farmer all his life, with the exception of about three years which he spent in the United States Army during our late war. He enlisted Angust 15, 1862, in Phillipstown, III., in Company K, of the Eighty-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After one year's service, he was transferred to Company E of the Fifteenth Veteran Reserve Corps. This was after he came out of the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. At the close of the war, he returned to White County, where he farmed, and was married, October 24, 1865, to Miss Ellen Baught, born August 31, 1840, in White County, Ill., daughter of William and Margaret (George) Baught, he a native of Kentucky and she of South Carolina. Our subject has 100 acres of land in Wayne County, where he now resides, and to which he came in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Whiting are members of the United Baptist Church. In politics, he is an Independent Democrat.

SILAS WILSON, farmer, P. O. Barnhill, was born November 3, 1821, in Grayson County, Ky., son of Samuel Wilson, born in Virginia. He was a farmer and cooper by occupation. He died in this county, to which he came about 1836. His father, Joseph Wilson, was a native of England. Tbe mother of our subject was Eliza Esqueridge, born in Kentucky. She died here in 1879. She was the mother of eighteen children, of whom eight are now living. Her parents were George and Elizabeth (Robison) Es- queridge. Our subject did not receive an

BIOGRAPHICAL:

education like most people, but by dint of perseverance and hard work has managed to lay np for a rainy day, owning also a farm of 140 acres. He is in the acquisition of prop- erty a self-made man in every respect. Mr. Wilson was married three times. His first wife, Nancy J. Atteberry, died, leaving eight children, of whom the following are now liv- ing, viz .: Samuel E., Reuben J., Charles S. and Eliza Renfrow. His second wife, Me- linda Dorris, died, leaving four children, viz. : Nancy J. Gifford. Martha E. Simpson, Mary E. and Fannie A. Black. His present wife, Malinda J. Atteberry, is the mother of four children now living, viz .; Sarah E., John E., Asa C. aud Silas L. Mr. and Mrs. Wil- son are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Wilson is identi- fied with the Republican party.

CHARLES W. WRIGHT, farmer, P. O. Fairfield. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a native of this county, and was born here on May 23, 1831, and is a son of David and Elizabeth Wright, early pio neers of this county. Our subject's educa- tion was in the subscription schools of this county. His home, except for a brief time, has always been on the old Wright home- stead, where he has given his attention to farming, and at present owns 420 acres Mr. Wright was married in Liberty. White Coun- ty, on February 17, 1857, to Miss Mary D. Reeves, a daughter of Jebiel H. and Mary (Pickering) Reeves. The father was a native of New Jersey. being born there on April 18, 1799, and came to White County in 1820. There he resided most of his life, but died at the residence of his daughter, in this town- ship, on February 17, 1880. He was mar- ried to the mother of our subject, on October 27, 1821, in Turner's Prairie, Wayne Coun- ty. This lady was the mother of thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Wright is the ninth.

Her birth occurred in Pennsylvania, on Janu- ary 31, 1804, and her death in White County on September 27, 1860. Mrs. Wright is the mother of six children, five of whom are now living, viz. : Mary E., born January 8, 1858. and now the wife of Thomas W. Hooper; Luella, born March 5, 1862, and now the wife of Jedediah Bean; Anetta C., born De- vember 8, 1864; Carrie V., born April 17, 1866; Charles H., born November 29, 1869. The deceased child, August M., was born on December 22, 1859, and died May 22, 1862. Mrs. Wright and her daughter, Mrs. Hoop- er, are members of the Cumberland Presby- terian. Church. Mr. Wright is a member of the Fairfield Masonic fraternity.

W. A. WRIGHT, farmer and stock- 1 man, P. O. Fairfield, was born February 14, 1849, in this county, son of A. C. Wright, also a native of Wayne County, Ill. He is a farmer by occupation and is yet living, being the second oldest son of six children. His father, A. C. Wright. was the grandfather of our subject; he was a native of New York, and one of the pioneers of Wayne County, where he died. Thus one by one the land- marks, with those who set thein, pass away, yet their memory will be treasured in the history of Wayne County. The mother of our subject was Judith (Carter) Wright, de- ceased, a native of Wayne County, Ill., a daughter of W. C. Carter. She was the mother of five children now living, viz. : Sallie Ann Emmons. William A., our sub- ject, Josephine Simpson, Mary Morgan, and Frank C., who married Martha Atteberry. Our subject was educated in this county; here he also married, in December, 1870, to Miss Sarah C. Johnson, born July 9, 1852, in Wayne County, Ill. Her parents were Andrew and Susan (Shaw) Johnson. He was a native of Ohio This happy union ' was blessed with three children, now living,

MOUNT ERIE TOWNSHIP.

viz .: Carrie May, born August 8, 1872; Cora Bell, born September 13, 1874; Mattie R., born July 4. 1881. He is a wide awake farm-

er, and a member of the A., F. & A. M. fraternity. He has a farm of 140 acres of land, and in politics is a Republican.

MOUNT ERIE TOWNSHIP.

DR. E. BLACKFORD, physician. Mount Erie, was born in White County, Ill., on No- vember 20, 1825, and is a son of Maj. Na. thaniel and Mary (Bradberry) Blackford. The father was a native of Kentucky, being born in Warren County on March 16. 1794, and was of English descent. The mother was a native of North Carolina. Our subject was the fourth of nine children, of whom five are now living- Naney J. Hunsinger (of White County, III.), Dr. E. Blackford (our subject), Francis M. Blackford (of Woodruff County, Ark.), and An- drew J. and Martin V. (of Lono, Ark.). Our subject's education was received in the snb- scription schools of his county. He assisted his father on the home farm until eighteen and then commenced life by farming for himself in the summer and teaching school in the winter. The father moved to Wayne County in 1860, and our subject came with him. The father died on May 24, 1862, and the mother on Sep- tember 23, 1969; both now lie buried in Mount Erie Cemetery. Our subject followed farming and teaching until 1864, and then commenced studying medicine with Dr. Samuel Mundy. of Mount Erie. He remained with the latter two years, and then commenced practicing for him- self, and has followed it very successfully ever since in Mount Erie and adjoining townships. now having a full share of the practice of that part of Wayne County. Dr. Blackford was married in White County. Ill., on September 2, 1842, to Mary Ann Lawler, a daughter of Jehu T. and Patsey (Walker) Lawler, probably natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Blackford was born

in Northern Alabama on May 17. 1823. and is the mother of ten children, four of whom are now living, viz., Mary J. (born July 27. 1849. and now the wife of J. K. Price, of Mount Erie Township), Edith S. (born January 15, 1852, and now wife of J. Siddell), Frances H. (born August 13. 1856, and now running a millinery store in Mount Erie) and Esther E. (born on April 30, 1864, and now the wife of Charles Cox, of Mount Erie Township). The following are the deceased children, viz .: John B., born August 5. 1843. died September 10, 1875; Henry, born April 17, 1845, died Angust 14, 1846; Sarah M., born December 8, 1853. died September 6, 1854; Ephraim J., born Septem- ber 20, 1858, died September 27, 1862; Mary E .. born July 15, 1867, died October 9, 1580; and an infant, birth not recorded. Mr. and Mrs. Blackford are both members of the Bap- tist Church. Mr. Blackford has served as Po- lice Magistrate of Mount Erie for eight years; is now acting as Notary Public; has also served as Town Clerk three terms and member of the Village Board three terms; has also been School Trustee and Director; is identified in politics with the Democratic party.

ANDREW BLEAKLEY, farmer, P. O. Mount Erie, was born in County Tyrone, Ire- land, an April 28, 1835, and is a son of Mat- thew and Jane (Job) Bleakley. Our subject was the third of five children, of whom two- John and Andrew (our subject)-are now liv- ing. When the latter was ten years of age, his parents emigrated to this country. They carne directly to Wayne County, III., and settled

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 66

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