History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 72

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 72
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 72

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BETSEY CREIGHTON, daughter of Rev. James and Elizabeth (Owen) Crews, was born in Massillon Township, September 23, 1829, and married to Daniel J. Creighton March 4, 1849, Squire William Crews officiat. ing. James, the son of Andrew, was born, April 23, 1798, in Coeke County, Tenn .; re- mnoved with his parents to Kentucky, and finally settled in what is now Massillon Town- ship, Wayne Co., III., in 1818. His chil- dren were Nathan, born September 23, 1825; Mary A., July 28, 1827; our subject as above; Martha. September 21, 1831; Ritter, August 9, 1833; Nancy, December 3, 1835; Andrew, December, 1837; Thurmutis, March, 1840. Elizabeth, daughter of Walter and Elizabeth (Martin) Owen, was born April 27, 1809, in Halifax County, Va., and

BIOGRAPHICAL.

her maternal uncle, Joseph Martin, built the first mill in Wayne County. Daniel was born in White County, IHl., April 11, 1820, and settled on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 26. Jasper Township, in 1856. He was the son of Thomas and Mary (Jajers) Creighton, son of John, who was born in Ireland. Mary was of Irish descent. Her brothers were James, Daniel and others. Daniel was a man of good English education, of more than ordi- nary intelligence; firm in his convictions of right; faithful in all the relations of life; a steadfast friend, an affectionate husband and father; his place is hard to fill in the com- munity. In religion, he was a stanch Meth- odist, serving as Class Leader for nearly thirty years. His death, which occurred, April 16, 1872, was regretted as an irrepara- ble loss to his neighborhood. To Daniel and our subject were born Emma J., February 25, 1850 (deceased); Elizabeth O., January 3, 1857; Thomas, November 29, 1865. Subject has successfully carried on the farm since the death of her husband, having eighty acres of valuable land in a good state of cul- tivation, on which, by industry, she has been able to secure a competency for herself and children, giving them every advantage of education within her reach.

ALEX. CREWS, son of Matthew and Nancy (Blair) Crews, was born in Barren County, Ky., November 8, 1824, and removed with his parents to Wayne County, III., in 1829. Matthew, the first son of Andrew, was born in Halifax County, Va., January 13, 1794. Our subject's educational advan- tages were such as the early subscription schools afforded, attending in winter for a few weeks, and laboring on the farm in sum- mer time, and until the crops were housed; but he has greatly improved his opportuni- ties. never ceasing to learn in his more

mature years, keeping posted in the current literature of the day, not believing that a man's education is completed when he ceases to attend school. He is a farmer by profes- sion, raising such stock and produce as are profitable, being the owner of 270 acres of land, 200 of which are in a high state of cultivation, and has his home located in the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 25. Subject takes a lively interest in the public schools, always insisting on first- class teachers as educators of the rising gen- eration. He has held the offices of Treas- urer. Trustee and Director for many years, and was the first Township Collector in Jas- per. Subject was married, March 19, 1850, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Leven Lane, and to them were born Mary E. (Brown). April 3, 1853 (deceased); Elizabeth J., No - vember 18, 1854; Sarah J. (Gregory), Janu- ary 28, 1857: Arabella, February 18, 1859; Wilbur C., January 2, 1961; Margaret C., June 13. 1863; Matthew H., June 6, 1865; Rachel T .. April 28, 1867; Florence A., August 7, 1871; Richard H., April 26, 1874. Margaret, wife of our subject, was born in Illinois December 22, 1829, and is an aunt of Gov. Henry C. Warmonth, of Louis- jana. Subject is a Methodist. a Republi- can and a Prohibitionist.

MATTHEW H. CREWS, son of William and Matilda (Shaw) Crews, was burn March S, 1838, on the southeast quarter of the north- west quarter of Section 35, in Jasper Town- ship. He attended the early schools of the neighborhood in winter, farming in the sum- mer time, until he arrived at man's estate. Subject was married, January 28, 1856, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of David P. and Agnes (Wilson) McLin, and to them were born ten children, six of whom are living- Matilda C. (Boralı), October 2, 1857; David L. December. 1860; Geneva, 1868; Matthew

JASPER TOWNSHIP'

H. Jr., 1870; Florence A., 1872, and Esther, 1975. William, the son of Andrew. was born in Tennessee about 1809; came with his parents to Wayne County, and settled in Bear Prairie in 1817, and removed to Mas sillon Township in IS18. He served as a Justice of the Peace for many years, and died in December. 1876. His children are Mary E. (Linthicum), Delila J. (McMacken), Sarah B. (Linthicum). Lonisa (Warmouth), sub. ject, Caleb W., Miriam F. (Gray), Matilda C. "(Mills), Alice, Alma and William, Jr. Matilda Shaw was born in Kentucky, and died in Wayne County in 1851. Subject served as Orderly Sergeant in Company D, Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and was in all the engagements of that justly celebrated regiment, remaining in the army till July 3. 1865, when he was honorably discharged. Since returning home, subject has been en gaged in farming, threshing grain, and the manufacture of hard lumber. Twice elected Supervisor of the County Court; he has also been Assessor, Collector, School Director, and an active officer in whatever position he has been called to serve. Subject is the owner of 130 acres of good farming land, of which sixty are in cultivation. His polit- ical affiliations are with the Democratic party, and in religious belief he is inclined toward the Cumberland Presbyterians.

CALEB CREWS. Few men are more orderly or quiet in all their bearing and relation to society than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. The son of Matthew and Elizabeth (Owen) Crews, he was born near where he now resides Novem- ber 19, 1939. He was married, November 4 1866. to Miss Mary A., daughter of William V. and Eliza (West) Borah, and to them were born six children, four of whom are at pres- ent living, viz., William, born June 28, 1867; Susana, August 25, 1873: Frederick T.,

February 25, 1876; and Mary S., August 2, 1881. Matthew, the son of Andrew, was born in Halifax County, Va., January 13, 1794, died September 2, 1861, and was buried in the cemetery on his own place in Massillon Township. Subject, in his avoca- tion, is a farmer, owning 160 acres of very productive land, of which 125 acres are im- proved and in a good state of cultivation. yielding as well as the best, and is unsur- passed by any other in the community. When the war cry was raised, and his coun- try's flag was assailed by traitor hands, our subject was early to offer his services, and entered Company D. Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, where he remained till the last foe was driven from the field. After his dis- charge from the army, he returned home, re- suming the quiet walks of life, and is still pursuing his usnal unassuming course. He has been called upon to fill various positions, such as Highway Commissioner. School Trustee and Director, and has always discharged his duties faithfully. That the rising generations might enjoy better ed- ncational advantages than those of the meager past, he has always taken a lively in- terest in the common district schools of the neighborhood. Our subject, in his religious relations and belief, is a Methodist, and in politics a Republican and Prohibitionist.

CALEB W. CREWS. It is often the ease that a worthy son perpetuates the char- acteristics of a worthy father, and especially is this the case with the subject before 118. Caleb W., the son of William and Catherine (Shaw) Crews. was born in Jasper Town- ship February 20, 1841. where he grew up to manhood, and from which he entered Com- pany D, Eighty-seventh Regiment Illinois Infantry, in which he served till the end of the war, participating all the battles and hard- ships in which his comrades were engaged.

BIOGRAPHICAL:

William, the son of Andrew, was born about 1809, and died in Jasper Township in 1876. Our subject attended the district schools of the county, and finally was a student in Sa- lem College, where he greatly improved his educational advantages. He was first mar- ried in 1861, to Miss Mary C. Porter, who lived with him eight years and died without children. Our subject was again married, December 26, 1871, to Miss Emma, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Thatcher) Owen. and to them were born Nora F., born Decem- ber 28, 1872; Della, September 10, 1874; and Joseph A. David Owen lost his life in defense of his country in the war of the great rebellion. By profession, our subject is a farmer, possessing eighty acres of good land, and has his home on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 27. He has been three times elected Justice of the Peace, once Assessor, and ten years School Direc- tor. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

D. H. HOLMAN, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Given), was born in Butler County, Ky., September 4, 1857, and re- moved to Jasper Township, Wayne Co., Ill., in 1868. Joseph, the son of Griffin and Cynthia (Carrol) Holman, was born in Wil- son County, Tenn., about 1832; was married to Rebecca J. Given in 1856. and died in Kentucky in 1859. Rebecca was again married to Edward W. Bobitt, in 1861, and to them were born Nancy A., Thomas M., Martha H., Finley G., Frederick A .. Claudie G. and Luther R. Subject attended punctu- ally the district schools of the neighborhood, where he lived until twenty years of age, when he became a student in the High School. in Albion, Edwards County, and qualified himself for the profession of teach ing school, which he follows at the present

time. He also attends the Normal Schools in Fairfield. Subject is Supervisor of Jas- per Township, probably the youngest mem- ber ever elected to the county court. In pol- ities, he is a Republican, and in religious belief a Cumberland Presbyterian.

ANSLEY JOHNSON, son of Rev. Abra- ham and Clarinda (Eddie) Johnson, was born in Meigs County, Ohio, April 9. 1826. and immigrated with his parents to Wayne County, Ill., in 1554, where he has remained to the present time. Abraham. son of Will- jam and Sarah (Harmon), was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1793. and died at Fairfield, Ill., September 18, 1863. Clarinda was born in Vermont in 1795, and to her and Abraham were born Lavina (Woodworth), Amanda (Wolf). Ansley, our subject, Sarah L. (Bonham), Bascomb E .. Harriet MI. (Black), William E., died a sol- dier. Eighty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, and M. Dustin, also died in Thirty-fourth Illi- nois Volunteers. William was born in Mary- land. and, with his parents. settled west of Alleghany Mountains in early childhood. To them were born Abraham, Jane (Bing), Thomas, Rebecca (Pilcher). Snsan (Cable). Mary (Miles), Nancy (Smart), Sarah (Wolf), Adeline (Ellis) and William. Jr Our sub- ject was married in 1866 to Miss Martha E. Bing. who died June 15. 1869, and he again married. August 2. 1871, Miss Serena. daughter of David and Nancy (Crews) Mun- roe, and to them have been born Mary L., August 27. 1873: Emma C., November 25, 1877: and Nellie A .. November 18. 1880. Our subject is a farmer by profession, pos- sessing 200 acres of very fertile land. 130 of which are in a high state of cultivation. pro- ducing in abundance all the cereals, grasses and fruits common to Southern Illinois. and on southwest quarter of northwest quarter of Section 25 has one of the very best farm

JASPER TOWNSHIP.

dwellings in the county: also a barn of great convenience and capacity. Great care and attention are devoted by subject to the cul- tivation and improvement of this farm, and its soil responds with a hearty good will to the labor bestowed. Subject is a man of decided opinions, thinking for himself; keeps posted on current events. reads good books and the literature of the day; a friend of education, an advocate of law and mor- ality, and is a useful and active citizen. In politics, he is a Republican, and a Prohibitionist.

JAMES MONROE, son of David and Nancy (Crews) Monroe, was born in Jasper Township March 10, 1837, where he has had his home to the present time. Septem- ber 25. 1859. he was married to Miss Rachel L .. daughter of Tilghman and Martha (Mc- Kee) (trice, to whom was born, November 27. 1860, Rachel L. (Brock), whose mother died December 12. 1860. Subject was again mar- ried, October 8, 1873, to Miss Ellen Read. who died November 9. 1879. David, Sr., son of Johnson, was born June 15, 1795, in Sonth Carolina. and died in Wayne County, Ill .. May 4, 1875. He was a worthy citizen, hav. ing the respect of all who knew him. Nancy, daughter of Andrew Crews, was born March 15. 1802, and died October 27. 1878. To David and Nancy were born Amelia R. (Gil- lison), Maria (Fetters), Andrew J., our sub- ject. and Serena (Johnson). Subject entered Company D, Eighty-seventh Regiment Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry in 1862, and re- mained a soldier in the same until the sup- pression of the rebellion in 1865. Subject has always followed the business of farming (except the time he was in the army), owning 160 acres of very valuable land, 120 of which are improved and in a high state of cultiva- tion. his residence, the old family home stead, being situated on southwest quarter of | Democrat and Prohibitionist.

the northwest quarter of Section 35. He isa friend of education, desiring the employment of none but well-qualified teachers in the pub. lic schools. Subject, politically, is a Re- publican, a Prohibitionist, and a member of Methodist Episcopal Church.

DAVID C. MONROE was born January 1. 1839, on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 35, where he has had his residence all his life. He was mar- ried, March 22. 1861, to Margaret Duke, of Ohio, and to them have been born James H., born September 5, 1864, William M., Octo- ber 30, 1866; Jane A., December 28, 1868; Vida L., July 2, 1872; Maggie M., February 26. 1875: Minnie M., September 27. 1878; David A., August 3, 1881. Subject's parents were Rev. Johnson and Jane A. (McLenahan) Monroe; Johnson was born in Virginia in 1790, lived in Kentucky, where he established the first Methodist society at the Mammoth Cave. He was a cousin of President Mon- roe. Jano A. MeL. was born in Virginia. Our subject has one brother, James, of Ar- rington Township, and sisters Martha (Owen), Elizabeth (Baker), Emily (Cisne) and Sarah (Farmer). Subject was left an orphan in infancy to struggle with the world, but has im- proved his educational advantages to the best of his ability, securing a good business educa- tion, and has become somewhat prominent in the community where he lives. He has been Supervisor of his township, .Trustee and School Director for many years. He served his country as a soldier in Company B. Fifty- third Illinois Infantry, in the war of the great rebellion. Subject is a successful farmer, having 130 acres of choice land, ninety of which are improved and well culti. vated, producing every variety of crops raised in this section of the State. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. a

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REV. WILLIAM M. OWEN, farmer and local minister, P. O. Fairfield. The subject of this sketch is one of our most whole- souled and best citizens. He was born No- vember 22, 1827, in Barren County, Ky., near the Mammoth Cave. His father, James Owen, was a farmer, and a native of Vir- ginia. He lived many years. in Kentucky; 1837, he emigrated to Wayne County, Ill., where he farmed, and died in 1877. His father, John Owen (the grandfather of our subject), was also a farmer, and a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Our subject's grandfather was David Owen. The Owen family originated in Scotland; from there they moved to England, and finally came to America. The mother of our subject was Susannah (Monroe) Owen, a native of South Carolina. She died here, aged eighty-one years. She was the mother of ten children, viz. : Johnson M., John, Elizabeth, James L., Jefferson, David, Amelia, Nancy, Will- iam M. (our subject) and Obediah H. All the children, except the subject of this sketch, are now dead. His four brothers died while fighting in the army for the defense of this grand republic, and it is no wonder that William M. Owen is such a warm supporter of the Republican party. The names of the fallen heroes are Johnson M., James L., Obediah H. and David. The latter was burned on the "General Lyon" while on his way home, after serving three years. Mr. Owen was mostly educated in Wayne County, to which he came when ten years old with his parents. He farmed in early life, but after he was married he studied for the ministry, and was ordained as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was connected with the conference about twelve years, and is now a local minister. He has 280 acres of land in Jasper Township. Our subject was married. July 23, 1850, in this

county, to Miss Nancy C. Owen, born Janu- ary 22, 1832, in Wayne County, Ill., daugh- ter of E. C. Owen, a native of Halifax Coun- ty, Va., and Charity (White) Owen, a native of Kentucky. Six children have blessed this union, viz .: Abigail Schell, Edwin M. (de- ceased), Loretta V., William L., Charles F. and Nancy M. Mr. and Mrs. Owen and all their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he supports liber- ally. Mr. Owen has been Township Assessor for two terms; he has also filled school offices. His life is worthy of imitation.

ZADOC C. ROBERTS, son of Dr. Na- than E. and Mary (Bovee) Roberts, was born August 13, 1832, in Jasper Township, and has been a resident of Wayne County all his life. Nathan E., son of Archibald, was born in Kentucky in 1808, and removed with his parents to Shawneetown, Ill., about 1810; then to the southern part of Wayne County in 1817, and married Miss Mary, daughter of John and Phebe (Gardner) Bovee, March 1, 1827, to whom were born Hester A. (Gould), March 3, 1829; Phebe J. (Harper), November 16, 1830; our subject, as above; John W., June 25, 1834; Archi- bald H., June 29, 1836; Sarah, May 30, I838; Dr. Ebenezer B., June 6, 1840; Mary E., July 31, 1846; Nathan E., April 26, 1819; Daniel F., August 12, 1851. Mary was born October 4, 1809, in Hanover, Chau- tauqua Co., N. Y. John Bovee, her father, a soldier in the war of 1812, was the son of Nicholas, and he, the son of Jacob, whose ancestors were Hollanders. John's brothers were Nicholas, Michael and Matthias. Mary's brothers, John, Aaron, Wesley and Nelson. Her sisters, Sally (McMackin), Hannah (Gaston), Phebe (Burch and Ellis). Archibald, the son of Cornelius (who was killed by the Indians), was born in Virginia, became a very talented local Methodist

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preacher, and is supposed to have been the first minister to preach a sermon in Wayne County. His sons were Dr. Nathan E., a soldier in the Black Hawk war; William, Archibald R. and Charles. Daughters, Laurana (Douglas). (Andrews), (Eperson): Elizabeth (Kaniepp), Martha (Huey). Our subject was married, November 22, 1853, to Miss Nancy E., danghter of William and Temperance (Owen) White, and to them were born Harriett N. (Wilson), September 4, 1854; Mary E. (Lane), February 1, 1857; Temperance E. (Brown), August 8, 1859; Charity J., January 6, 1862; Clara C., June 7, 1864; Edith E., September 17, 1866; Sarah E., April 17, 1869; Edwin E., Decem- ber 24, 1871; Zadoc C., May 19, 1875, de- ceased; Archy W., September 28, 1877; Ma- ble E., January 19, 1880. Subject's wife, Nancy E., was born in Jasper Township September 13, 1836. William, son of John and Catherine (Simons) White, was born in Todd County, Ky., October 14, 1812, and came with his parents to Wayne County in an early day: served in the Black Hawk war, and was also a soldier in the Fifty-sixth Illi - nois, in the late war. John, his father, was born in 1785, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject. a volunteer in Company D, Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, was at the battles of Vicksburg, Pleasant Hill, Wil- son's Hill, Sabine Cross Roads, and numer- ous skirmishes. He is a farmer by profes- sion, owning 240 acres of valuable land, 140 of which are in a good state of cultiva- tion, having his residence in northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Sec- tion 27. Subject has been a Justice of the Peace, Township Collector, and School Director, attending promptly to all duties imposed upon him. In religion, a Methodist, in politics, a Republican; a Prohibitionist as to the liquor traffic, and makes no apologies

for the part he took in the war of the great rebellion. The mother of subject died sud- denly the day after the above facts were ob- tained.

WILLIAM R. STANER, Jasper, son of Jacob and Rachel (Foster) Staner, was born in Williams County, Ohio, February 16, 1848, and removed with his parents to Steu- ben County, Ind., when three years old; then to Marshall County in the same State, where he remained until he came to Wayne County, Ill., in 1877. Jacob was born in Switzerland about 1798, and came to the United States in 1800 with his parents, and settled in York County, Penn., where be grew to manhood, when he entered the army as a soldier during the war of 1812, and died in 1870. Rachel Foster, the daughter of a sea captain, was born in New Jersey. To Jacob and her were born John, Mary, Sarah (Wolfgang), Harvey, Jackson, William (deceased), Susan (Boggs), Crawford, Thomas, William R. and Joshua. Subject attended the common schools in In- diana, where he obtained a good business education, and is a constant reader of books and the newspapers of the day. In his avo- cation as a farmer he is very successful. and is the owner of 120 acres of very fertile land. of which seventy-five acres are rendered highly productive, demonstrating beyond question that pluck, perseverance and indus- try will work wonders, when judiciously ap- plied to the soil of his adopted county and State. Subject. in his political affiliations, has ever been identified with the Democratic party, and in his religious belief inclines toward the Methodists.

WILLIAM WHITE, Jasper, son of John and Catherine (Simons) White, was born in Logan County, Ky., October 12, 1812, and removed with his parents, in 1824, to Wayne County, III., where he has resided to the present time. John was born in Virginia in

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1785, was a ranger in the war of 1812 died in 1860, and was buried at the Buckeye Come tery. He was the son of Capt. John White, of the Revolutionary war. Three of Cath- erine's brothers were in the battle of Now Orleans, with Gen. Andrew Jackson, two of whom received honorable wounds. Subject was first married, December 13, 1834, to Temperance, daughter of Richard and Nan- cy (Martin) Owen, and to them were born Nancy E. (Roberts), Epaphroditus (an hon- ored Captain in the Fifty-sixth Illinois In. fantry, who died at Vicksburg), William D. (of the Eighty-seventh Illinois Regiment in the late war). Subject was again married, February 26, 1859, to Mrs. J. Maria Russell, to whom was born Julius E., January 31, 1860. Mrs. White is also the mother of N. H. Russell, of Colorado. She is the daugh- ter of Julius C. and Catherine (Carrol) Hart; was born near Canton, Ohio, March 9, 1827, and came to Illinois in 1855, where she has

taught school many years (having taught thirty-six years in all), being one of the most thorough and efficient teachers, as very many can attest, that the county has ever known. At a time when all passing from the States to the army in the field was prohibited, by her indomitable courage and perseverance she passed through the lines, arriving at Vicksburg in time to nurse her sick husband and step-son into life again. IIer father, an old teacher, was born in Palmyra, N. Y., in 1779, died July 29, 1855, and was buried in Buckeye Cemetery. Silas, his father, was born in Connecticut. Catherine Carrol's father, a soldier of the war of 1812, was from Pennsylvania, and died at Sandusky, Ohio. Our subject served his country first in the Black Hawk war in 1832, and was also a member of the Fifty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the late war. He is a farmer, a Methodist, a Republican and Pro- hibitionist.

INDIAN PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.

N. N. BLAKE, farmer, P. O. Johnsonville, ' "minuteman" in the war of 1812, and was was born in Vermont January 27, 1832, to at the battle of Lake Champlain. In 1834, Samuel Blake and family moved from Ver- mont to Licking County. Ohio, and it was there he and wife died. They were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom yet survive. Our subject was reared and edu- cated in Ohio, first in the common schools, then he attended Denison University, at Gran- ville, Ohio, also Oberlin College, of Oberlin, Ohio; but, on account of ill health, did not complete the full course. For a number of years, he made teaching his profession- teaching in Ohio, Iowa and Illinois. April 5, 1860, he was married, in Ohio, to Miss Samuel and Maria (Wood) Blake, natives of Vermont. The Blake family from which our subject sprang came from England in 1756, and settled in Salem, Mass. One branch of the family moved to New Hampshire, and Sam- uel Blake, our subject's grandfather, moved to Vermont from New Hampshire. Jasper Blake, the original in the country, was a Colonel in the army during the Revolution- ary war. Our subject's ancestry on his mother's side were of Scotch descent. Set- tling first in Massachusetts, but afterward in Vermont, and his grandfather Wood was a

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 72

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