History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 80

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 80
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 80

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).

JAMES M. TANNER, Louisville, was born in Warrick County, Ind., June 8, 1839, and is a brother of Hon. John R. Tanner, of Louisville. He spent most of his life on the farm, and attended the common schools in the Hoosier State. He came to Clay County in September, 1866, which has since been his home. In 1881, he quit the farm and engaged in the saw mill business, and is well he did, for in thus doing he gave em- ployment to many whose erops entirely failed that year, and thus kept them above want. He does a very extensive business, and is prospering finely. Mr. Tanner was married, December 25, 1860, to Mary J. Tanner, a daughter of John B. Tanner (of the same

name but no relation). They had five chil- dren, but one of whom is living-Viola. Mrs. Tanner died in September, 1869, and he married Mrs. Matilda J. Missenhimmer, a daughter of Matthias Sappingfield (deceased), and the widow of David Missenhimmer; she had three children by Mr. Missenhimmer, but one of whom is living-Hiram K. Mr. and Mrs. Tanner have had five children; but two of these are living-Loretta M. and Lil. lie U. Mr. Tanner was a soldier in the late war in Company I, Thirteenth Regiment Illi- nois Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Helena, siege and taking of Vicksburg, and others. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and also of the Christian Church.

HON. JOHN R. TANNER, State Senator from this district, was born in Warrick County, Ind., April 4, 1844, and is a son of John Tanner (deceased), who was born on June 6, 1814. In 1862, our subject came to Clay County, locating at Flora. His edu. cation was acquired in the common schools of his native State, his experiences with the Hoosier schoolmaster having been more lim- ited, however, than he desired. Mr. Tanner followed the noble example of his father in selecting his occupation, and is an esteemed and popular farmer. His farm consists of about 400 acres of valuable land. In 1863, he enlisted as a private in the Ninety-eighth Regiment Illinois Volunteers; served until June, 1865, when he was transferred to the Sixty-first Illinois, being mustered out of service at Springfield in September of the same year. He is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics, he is a firm, promi- nent and active Republican. In 1870, he was elected to the office of Sheriff of Clay County, and at the expiration of his term of office was chosen Circuit Clerk. In 1876,

157

LOUISVILLE TOWNSHIP.

he was appointed Master in Chancery, and in an early settler of this county. Our subject 1880 elected to the State Senate over Dr. Shirley, of Xenia, whom he defeated by a majority of nearly 400 votes, in a very close district. He was appointed a member of the State Central Committee of the Republican party in 1874, and has been retained in that capacity ever since. Mr. Tanner was mar- ried. December 25. 1866, to Miss Lauretta, daughter of Barton B. Ingraham, of this county. Two children are the fruits of this union-Lucinda J. and James M.

ODELL TOLBERT. farmer, P. O. Louis- ville. was born in Orange County, Ind., June 15. 1843, and is a son of Thomas Tol- bert (deceased), a native of Orange County, also. Mr. Tolbert was brought up on the farm, and, being obliged to work almost con- stantly, enjoyed but meager educational ad- vantages. He went barefoot, winter and summer, until he was twelve years old. He served in the lato war in Company F, Sev- enteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infan- try, and participated in the battles of Green River Bridge (where he was captured, but exchanged), Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Atlanta. Jonesboro, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, Nashville, Columbus Ga., Selma, Ala., Macon, Ga., and othors. Mr. Tolbert came to this county in 1866, where he has since resided. He was married in 1867 to Saralı A., daughter of Isaac Cor- der (deceased). They have had six children, four living-Thomas, Otto, John and George. Our subject owns eighty acres of land, and is engaged in general farming. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Christian Church.

ELIAS D. VICKREY, the genial liveryman (stables located just back of John Erwin's hardware store), Louisville, was born in Bible Grove Township, this county, June 17, 1847. His father, Nelson Vickrey ((loceased), was

spent his boyhood days on the farm, and at- tended the common schools and the Xenia schools in this county. He then traveled ten years in the marble business, when, in 1878, he was elected Sheriff of Clay County, and was re-elected in 1880, the only Sheriff that ever succeeded himself in that office in Clay County. He engaged in the livery business, in Louisville, in partnership with J. J. Phil- lips, in 1881, and bought the latter's interest in March, 1883, and is doing a good business. His honest and upright dealings are meeting with the hearty approval of the people, and he is securing a large patronage. Mr. Vick. rey also sells buggies, wagons and farm ma- chinery. He was married, in January, 1881, to Mrs. Kate Brown, widow of the late P. P. Brown, by whom she has one child- Cora Brown. Our subject is a Mason, boing a member of the Louisville Blue Lodge, and of the Gorin Commandery, No. 14, at Olney.

WILLIAM R. WHITMAN, Deputy Cir- cuit Clerk of Clay County, Louisville. The subject of this sketch was born in Fulton County, Ill., February 18, 1844, and is a son of John T. Whitman (deceased), a native of Harrison County, Ind., who emigrated to Fulton County, Ill., in 1842, and to Clay County, 1852, where he died April 12, 1883. Mr. Whitman was brought up on the farm, and attended the common schools of Songer Township. He farmed until 1879, when he was appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk, which position he still occupies. He held the of. fices of Justice of the Peace and Tax Col- lector while in Songer Township. On the 16th day of January, 1870, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of James Songer (de- ceased). They have had tive chileren, three living-Maud, Clyde and Jessie. Mr. Whit- man holds the office or S. W. in the Louis. ville Lodge, No. 196. A. F. & A. M.

158

BIOGRAPHICAL:

JAMES WILDERS, merchant, Louis- ville, was born in Center County, Penn., February 27, 1820. His father, Jeremiah Wilders (deceased), was a foundryman in a blast furnace, and our subject worked at the business about ten years. He located in Clay County in 1856. He farmed several years, then followed the blacksmith trade, and after- ward engaged in the mercantile business, es- tablishing the first grocery store kept in Louisville. From 1871 to 1873. he ran a warehouse at the depot, then returned to the grocery business. He keeps a full line of groceries, provisions, etc., and is doing a good business. Mr. Wilders was married in the winter of 1843-44 to Miss Elizabeth Bratton. She died, and in 1846 he married Miss Elizabeth Seaburn. Mr. Wilders was Tax Collector for twelve years, and for the past twelve years has held the office of School Treasurer for Louisville Township. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity.

DR. WILSON C. WINANS, druggist, Louisville, is a native of Greene County, Ohio, and was born April 9, 1822. His father, Matthias Winans, was a physician and a preacher, and was born near Maysville, Ky. Our subject attended the com- mon school in Jamestown, in his native county. When yet a boy, he read medicine under his father and his brother-in-law. Dr. Jobn Dawson, afterward Professor of Anat- omy in Starling Medical College of Colum- bus, Ohio. Mr. Winans afterward attended the Medical Department of the University of Louisville, Ky. He practiced a short time in Marysville, Ohio, after which he purchased a drug store in Cincinnati, remaining in the drug store business there about four years. He then removed to Houston, Ohio, where he practiced and taught school a few years. , which sold for $400.

He afterward went to Hartford, in Allen County. Ohio, where he built up a large practice, remaining there for four years. In 1857, he removed to Valparaiso, Ind. He came to Alma, Ill., in the spring of 1859, and to Louisville in the fall of 1860. He was commissioned Assistant Surgeon in the late war, but had just bought a drug store and did not serve. He still runs a drug, gro- cery and notion store. He was married, in 1847, to Amanda F. Carlin, by whom he has had four children, two living, Mary (Apper- son) and Isa. The Doctor owns fifteen acres in orchard adjoining Louisville, He owns sixty-five acres of land one mile west of Louisville, and five or six houses and lots in Louisville. The Doctor is quite a relig- ious controversialist; he had a newspaper con- troversy with Rev. R. B. Henry, of the Christain order, on the subject of creeds. He held another anonymous controversy with a gentleman in Georgetown; and an- other through the papers with a lady (deist) of Flora. He was then a Methodist. The Doctor has always been a strong Union man, and a supporter of the Government during the war, for which he was frequently threatened with violence. He had three brothers-Hon. James J. (deceased, once a member of Congress, from Greene County, Ohio, and for several years Judge of that county), Dr. Henry C., of Muncie, Ind., and Samuel J. (killed at Mission Ridge in the war). He also has four sisters -- Adelia (widow of Dr. John Dawson, late of Columbus, Ohio). Zerelda (widow of Dr. D. K. Green, late of Salem, Ill.), Clarissa (wife of Dr. W. H. Har- per, of Lima, Ohio), and Fannie (widow of Asa Syfers). The Doctor's orchard spoken of above is a young orchard, and just be- ginning to bear. In 1882, it yielded a crop

159

XENIA TOWNSHIP.

GEORGE BAITY, deceased, was born in Rowan County, N. C., October 7, 1797. His occupation was that of a farmer. He was married in North Carolina to Rebecca Allgood. She was born May 3. 1789, in Mecklinburg County, Va., but was mostly reared in North Carolina. November 5, 1830, they started from North Carolina to Clay County, Ill., in a one-horse wagon, with all their worldly goods and a family of ton children. Most of the children walked behind, and pushed when it was necessary to cross a bad place or go up a steep hill. The winter of 1830-31 they were in Indiana, but in 1831 settled in Clay County, where they died-he December 1. 1847, she December 26, 1881. Of the family of ten children, four sons and one daughter yet survive, viz. : James, Isaac, Giles, Alexander and Mrs. Susan Holeman.

JAMES BAFFY, farmer, P. O. Xenia, was born in Rowan County, N. C., October 6, 1816. He is the son of Georgo Baity (de- ceased), whoso sketch appears. His early life was such as is incident to the early set- tler. August 20, 1837, he was married to Rachael Holeman, who was born in Indiana, and a danghter of William Holeman, a na- tive of Kentucky.

She died October 13, 1860, and was the mother of the following children: William G., John, Sarah, Enos, Henry (deceased), Alexander, Giles, Matilda, Rebecca (deceased), Malinda. Susan (de- ceased) and Jackson. March 6, 1861, Mr. Baity was married to Mrs. Barbara J. (Smith) Akes, a daughter of Joseph Smith, and widow of Daniel Akes, by whom she had one child. This latter marriage has been blest with the following-named children:

Joseph F., Margaret, Albert, Adam (de- ceased), James (deceased), Effie J. (deceased), Lillie May, Simon, Annie, Noah and Aman. da. When Mr. Baity was first married, he settled on his present farm, which now con- tains 120 acres, but he has given his chil- dron assistance in starting. His occupation has always been that of farming. In poli- tics, he is a firm Democrat.

ISAAC BAITY, farmer. P. O. Xenia, was born in Rowan County, N. C., November 5, 1819, and is the son of George Baity, de- ceased (see sketch). Our subject has lived in this county since 1831, when he first came with his parents. He remained at home till his marriage, April 9, 1846. His wife, Lydia Margaret Martin, was born in Kon- tucky May 24, 1820, a danghter of William and Mary (Jones) Martin, both natives of Kentucky, but both died in this county. Mrs. Baity died April 21, 1882, and was the mother of the following living children: Mary Ann, Helena, America E., Rachael A. and Vienna. Two sons died in infancy. Mr. Baity's occupation has been that of a farmer. He now owns about 400 acres of land, 200 of which are in cultivation. In politics, he is a Democrat. For over thirty years he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and has been Township Treasurer of Schools since 1849.

G. W. CAMPBELL, undertaker. Xenia, was born in West Virginia August 18, 1847, and is the son of George and Letitia (Wil- cox) Campbell. Our subject's opportunities for an education in early life were very lim. ited. It is since he reached manhood that he has obtained a good business education by

160

BIOGRAPHIICAL:

being his own teacher. His has been a life which but few experience. In 1861, he left home, and tried to join the Federal army, but on account of his youth was not accepted till in 1862, when he was sworn into the service of his country to fight against father and nearest relatives, who had followed the fortunes of their old State, Virginia, and were officers in its army. Our subject served till the close of the war, and was mustered out with his company, Company F, First Virginia United States Volunteer Infantry. During his service, he was in thirty-three battles, and received two shots and a saber cut, and was also prisoner at Belle Island for three months. He belonged to Dick Blacer's body of scouts, till all but twelve out of 110 men had been killed, when they re- turned to their regiment. The last year of the service, he was in the command of Gen. Phil Sheridan. During his service, he was at the capture of his father, and was allowed to of- fer him his freedom, only requiring the oath of allegiance, which his father refused to take, so was sent to Rock Island, Ill., and died there. In 1866, or early in 1867, our subject came to Xenia, and began learning the carpenter's trade, which occupation he followed in the capacity of contractor and builder till 1881, when he gave up the build ing, and has since given his attention to the undertaking business. He carries a complete stock of everything required in his line- coffins, caskets, robes, etc. His business house is 22x36 feet, two stories high. Be- sides this, he also has a neat residence, and a farm of 120 acres near Xenia. September 6, 1874, he was married in Xenia to Miss Addie Morris, daughter of R. S. and Jane (Smith) Morris. He by trade, is a carpenter, and is engaged on the building of the O. & M. de- pot at Springfield, III. Mr. and Mrs. Camp- bell have one son, Willie Walter, born Sep-

tember 26, 1875. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Lodges A., F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. of Xenia, Ill. In politics, he is Demo- cratic, but takes no part in political life.

DR. J. R. CHATHAM, physician and sur- geon, Xenia, was born in Maury County, Tenn., October 13, 1842, and is the son of Robert and Mahala (Hood) Chatham, now residents of Union County, Ill., and who are the parents of four children, two of whom are now living, viz., Dr. J. R., and Jennie. wife of Luther Robinson, of Union County, Ill. When about seven years of age, our subject was brought from Tennessee by his parents to Fayette County. Ill., and there he was reared on a farm and received his common school education. Ha afterward attended Shurtleff College at Alton, Ill. When be- ginning the study of medicine, it was under the instruction of Dr. Sumner Clark, of Ram- say, Ill., but now of Effingham. Our subject then attended the St. Louis Medical College, graduating from the same in the spring of 1873. For one year he then practiced at Ramsay, in partnership with Dr. Clark, but in 1874 located at Xenia, and has since prac- ticed successfully here, with a steadily in- creasing business. The Doctor has one of the best medical libraries in the county. He makes a special study of surgery, and conse- quently gets most of the practice in that line of his profession. April 29, 1877, he was married in Xenia to Miss Ophelia Thomas, a daughter of Benjamin Thomas, who was the chief engineer on the O. & M. R. R. when it was located. He resided at Xenia, and died in May, 1880. His wife, Mrs. Chatham's mother, was a member of the Talliafero fam- ily, one of the earliest families to settle in Clay County. Mrs. Thomas died when her daughter was small. Dr. and Mrs. Chatham have three children, viz., Charles F., Benja- min R. and Dora May. He is a member of

161

XENIA TOWNSHIP.

Xenia Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is associated with the Republican party in political belief. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

JOSEPH D. COPE, farmer, P. O. Xenia, was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 30, 1835, to Samuel and Hannah D. (Chamberlain) Cope. The father was born in Ohio March 10. 1810. His occupation was varions. While living in Ohio, he was engaged in the mercantile and tavern business. After mov- ing from Ohio to Wayne County, Ill., in 1853, his business was that of farmer and in saw mill. He died in 1859 in Washington, D. C., while on business there. The mother was born near Wilmington, Del., February 25, 1810, and is still living, and with her son in Clay County. She is the mother of three children, viz., Eliza J. (deceased), and, dying in 1854, was twenty-four years of age ; Joseph D., our subject, and Louisa L., who died while small. Our subject was reared and educated in Ohio, and began learning the blacksmith trade before moving to Wayne County, Ill., in 1853. Since coming to Illi- nois, his principal occupation has been farm- ing. In the fall of 1864, he came to his present farm in Clay County, which contains 160 acres of land. about ninety being in cul- tivation. September 12, 1859, he was mar- ried in Wayne County, Ill., to Miss Maria J. Wickersham. She was born in Ohio, a daugh ter of Sampson and Antha (Whitaker) Wick- ersham, who came to Wayne County at an early date. Mrs. Cope died February 6, ISSO, and was the mother of nine children, sis of whom are now living-Samuel, Lorena. Joseph H., William L., Franklin E. and Carson. (Charles D., Effie J. and Antha, deceased.) Mr. Cope is a member of John D. Moody Lodge, No. 510, A., F. & A. M., of Iuka. He is a member of the Greenback party in politics.

ISAAC ELLIOTT. A sketch of this old pioneer will be found in the history of Xenia Township.

A. R. JONES, merchant, Xenia. was born in Salem. Marion Co. Ill., December 16, 1851, and is the son of D. G. and Rebecca (Farris) Jones. She was born in Indiana, but came to Clay County. Ill., with her par- ents, when she was small. He was born in Tennessee, and was brought to Marion County, Ill., by his parents, when about eight years of age, and has resided in that county ever since, except about seven years spent in Clay County. His occupation is that of a farmer. They are the parents of eleven children, all of whom are living, ex- cept the youngest. Our subject is the old- est of the family, and his early life was spent assisting on the farm and in attending the schools of the county. When twenty years of age, he began teaching school, and continued teaching in the winter, and farm- ing at home in the summer till he was twenty- four years of age. He continued teaching till in the summer of 1880, when he went into the store of J. W. Westcott, at Xenia in the summer of 1880, where he remained for two years. In the winter of 1882-83, he again was engaged in teaching. In spring of ISS3, he engaged in business for himself in the firm of A. R. Jones & Co. The firm carries a complete general stock of goods, averaging about $3,500, and with a good trade. December 26, 1882, he was married to Miss Ada M. McNeil. She was born in Jersey County, Ill., and is the daughter of Lewis C. McNeil, deceased. Mr. Jones is a member of the Xenia Lodges, I. O O. F. and K. of H. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church Ho is an active D "no- crat in politics.

162

BIOGRAPHICAL:

B. M. MAXEY, merchant, Xenia, was born in Johnsonville, Wayne Co., 111., No. vember 25, 1856, and is a son of Joshua C. and Elvira A. (Galbraith) Maxey. The father was born in Jefferson County, Ill., where the Maxey family was one of the earliest to settle. His occupation was that of a farm- er. At the breaking-out of the civil war, he was one of the first to answer to his country's call, and enlisted in Company I, Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years. March 11, 1864, after he had re-enlisted and was on his return to his regiment, he was killed at Louisville, Ky., through the mistake of a guard. His widow, our subject's mother, was born in Marion County, Ill., and is now a resident of Xenia, Ill. She is the mother of three children living, viz., Belle, wife of W. T. Sanders, of DuQuoin, Ill .; B. M and Mattie C. Our subject's life, till he reached the age of seventeen years, was spent at Johnsonville, Ill. He then removed to Xenia with his mother. He attended the common schools of the country, and then the normal and business college at Valpa- raiso, Ind., completing the teachers' course in 1878. During his life, he has been en- gaged in teaching for seven years; but in the spring of 1881 he engaged in the drug business in Xenia, and has since added gen- eral merchandise, and now carries a stock of goods averaging about $3,500, with annual sales of about $15,000. September 7, 1879, he was married in Xenia, Ill., to Miss Rose Tully, daughter of John and Sarah (Elston) Tully. The father is of an old and promi- nent family of Marion County, Ill., and the mother is the daughter of Thomas Elston, an Englishman by birth, but who was an early and prominent settler in Albion, Ill., and also a resident in later years of Salem and Xenia. Mr. and Mrs. Maxey are mem-

bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. | He is a member of the Xenia Lodge of I. O O. F. In politics, he is an active Republican, and has held different offices of trust in the township and village.

J. M. MAYFIELD, merchant, Xenia, was born in Abbeville, S. C., in 1837, to George and Maria (James) Mayfield, who were na- tives of Virginia Our subject was reared on a farm and educated at Greenville College, Greenville, S. C. In 1856, he emigrated to Georgia, and the year following, in 1875, was married to Amanda E. Kemp, a native of Georgia and a daughter of Wiley and Parthenia (Tippen) Kemp. Mr. and Mrs. Mayfield have four children-George, Nellie, Hattie and Maud. After going to Georgia, Mr. Mayfield learned the trade of millwright, and followed his trade as a business for some time, and at intervals ever since. In 1864, he was running a furnace in Georgia, but his place of business lay in the line of Sher- man's march, and was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Mayfield lost all. The same year, 1864, he came to St. Louis and started anew, work- ing for some time at his trade of millwright. In the latter part of 1864, he came to Xenia, Ill., and has made this his home since. In 1866, he commenced selling lumber at this point, and has continued in the same since, but has gradually added to his business, first the hardware, etc., till now he carries a com- plete general stock, including ready-made clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, etc., etc., having a stock invoicing about $8,000. In politics, he is connected with the Democratic party. Although he has been an active and successful business man, yet Mr. Mayfield has still found time to read and study many subjects, and has included law in his studies also.

MAJOR JOHN ONSTOTT (deceased). Among the early settlers of Xenia Township

163

XENIA TOWNSHIP.

who took an active part in developing the county, and who were widely known, was the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in North Carolina July 20, 1792. For many years in his youth he fol- lowed teaming in his native State, and in Kentucky, Indiana and even Illinois. Ho took an active part in the war of 1812, and during the Black Hawk war was a Major in the army. He was married three times, first to Miss Elizabeth White, who was the moth- er of three children who lived to maturity, only two of whom now survive-Mrs. Sophia Edwards, of Carlyle, Ill., and Levi Onstott, whose sketch appears. His second wife was Miss Elizabeth Patton, who died childless. His last marriage was in 1857, in Sedalia, JIo., to Miss Cecelia Fergeson By this marriage there were two sons, only one of whom now survives, J. D. Maj. Onstott moved to this county in 1828, and lived here most of the time till his death, which oc- curred May 16, 1876. His occupation while living in this county was mostly that of farming and stock-dealing, and he was very successful. At his death, he left a landed property of about 760 acres, 450 lying in Clay and 280 in Marion County.

LEVI ONSTOTT, farmer. P. O. Xenia, was born in Washington County, Ind., June 4, 1817, and is the son of Maj. John Onstott by his first wife. Our subject was brought to this county in 1828, and has since resided here. When first coming, the In- dians were camped on his present farm, and he often played with the Indian boys, and they would stay all night with him at his father's, but he was afraid to return the visits in like manner. His was the experi- ener of a frontier boy, going alone to Saline, Ill., for salt, when there was only a trail to follow, and when the wolves would howl around him, and when they had to go to

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 80

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