History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 81

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 81
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 81

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).

Lebanon, Ill., to mill, a distance of about sixty-five miles, etc. He attended the first Circuit Court held in the county, at Mays- ville, when it took all to form the jury, etc. He was first married in 1838 to Miss Eliza- beth Holtsclaw, of Jefferson County, Ill. Soon after this, he settled on bis present farm, which now contains about 200 acres of land. By this marriage he had eleven eliil- dren, eight of whom are now living, viz., Martha A., Margaret E., Maria D., Rhoda S., Malinda C., Mary A., John J. and Henry J. Mrs. Onstott died December 29, 1873, and he was married, November 18, 1875, to Miss Martha King, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of William II. and Susan King. They had moved to this county in 1852, when Mrs. Onstott was but two years old. They are now residents of Oskaloosa Town. ship, Clay County. By this marriage, Mr. Onstott has two children. viz., William H and Susan. In politics, he is Democratie.

J. D. ONSTOTT, farmer, P. O. Xenia, was born in Clay County, Ill., July 28, 1859. and is the son of Maj. John Onstott by his third wife. Our subject was reared in this township, and has always lived at his present home, except for about thirty months, when living in Xenia, where he was attending school, and in the store of J. W. Westeott. When starting in life for himself, it was as a farmer. on the old homestead, which he now owns, having a body of land containing 400 acres, 300 of which are in cultivation. February 10, ISSO, he was married in Clay County, to Miss Celestial Morris, born in Middle Tennessee Angust 12, 1858, and a daughter of William H. Morris. This mar- riage has been blessed with two children, viz., Clara (born March 23, 1881) and Oscar R. (born May 17, 1883.) In polities, Mr. Onstott is a firm Democrat.

SAMUEL E. PAINE, Postmaster, Xenia,

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was born in Brookfield, Orange Co., Vt., Oe- tober 1, 1824, to Elijah and Cynthia (Ester- brook) Paine. The father was born in Orange County, Vt., and died there. The mother is a native of the same county, and is now a resident of Parsons, Kan., at the age of sev- enty-seven years. Our subject's early life was spent on the farm, and he was educated in the common schools. At the age of seven- teen years, he went to New Bedford, Mass., where for four years he clerked in a store, but then engaged in the mercantile business for himself. In November, 1849, he was married. in New Bedford, to Miss Mercy C. Kirby, a native of Dartmouth, Mass., and a daughter of Capt. Nicholas Kirby, a sailor. She is the mother of six children, five of whom are now living, viz .: Louisa B., wife of A. L. Evans, of Fla. ; Fannie M., wife of Joseph E. Tully, of Xenia; Carrie K., wife of Clyde Alexander, of Terryville, Dak. Ter .; Albert B., an artist, and also a paid contribu- tor for several Eastern papers-Waverly, New York Weekly. Saturday Night, etc .- which papers publish his poems; Frank L., at home, and Albert B., deceased. In 1854, Mr. Paine removed to Benton's Port, Iowa, and engaged in the mercantile business. He raised Com- pany I. Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in as Captain August 6, 1862. At the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., he received a gunshot wound in the thigh, which disabled him for service, and on ac- count of this disability he was discharged in April, 1863. In 1865, he sold out his busi- ness in Iowa, and came to Xenia, Ill., and for about six years was engaged in farming, but again entered the mercantile life in Xenia, in which he continued for about three years, when he sold out and again gave his attention to farming. His farm, which is near town, contains 130 acres of land in cnl- tivation. August, 1882, he was appointed

to take charge of the post office at Xenia, which office he still holds. He is a member of the Xenia Lodges, A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. In politics, he was a Whig, till the Republican party was organ- ized, and since has been Republican. He has held various offices in the village and township, and was the first Republican on the County Board of Supervisors elected from this township, which is strongly Democratic.

JOHN PEIRCE, retired, Xenia. In 1696, one Thomas Peirce came from England and settled in Portsmouth, N. H., where his de- scendants continued to reside for 140 years without straying away from the native State. The old mansion built by Thomas Peirce soon after his arrival yet remains and in an ex- cellant state of preservation, and had re- mained in the family till 1863, when it passed into the hands of John R. Holbrook, a gen- tleman who was reared in the family. The Peirce family, from as far back as their his- tory is known to the present date, has had a John and a Thomas in the family, and Thomas Peirce, the father of our subject, was born in Portsmouth, N. H., April 19, 1777, and was married, in 1802, to Abigail Moulton, born in Portsmouth January 29, 1773, and was a descendant of Joseph Moul- ton. The Moulton history in New Hampshire dates back to 1680. This union was blessed with the following children: Sarah, Nathan- iel, Thomas, John and Abigail. Only the two youngest now survive, viz .: Our subject and his maiden sister Abigail, she being a resident of Portsmouth, N. H. Thomas Peirce died October 24, 1838, and his wife July 13, 1826. Our subject was born De- cember 4, 1811, and in 1835 came West and settled in Iowa, and was clerk of the first election ever held in the Territory after it was struck off from Wisconsin. By trade, our subject is a printer, and had followed

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printing till coming West, when he began farming. June 21, 1837, he was married to Miss Jane C. Davenport, a descendant of the Davenports of Virginin. She was the mother of the three following-named children: Thomas O., born July 8, 1838; John A., born March 12, 1843; and Laura, born December 26, 1846, died October 23, 1875. These two sons and Mrs. Lewis G. Davis, of Portsmouth, N. H., a daughter of Nathaniel Pierce, are the only grandchildren of Thomas and Abi- gail (MonIton) Peirce now living. In 1837, Mr. Pierce moved to Clay County, Ill., and has continued to reside here since, and from December, 1846. to the present time, has lived on his present place. October 22, 1855, his wife died, at the age of thirty-seven years seven months nine days. January 1, 1857. he was united in marriage to Mrs. Bar- bara (Shelley) Bond, a native of Pennsylva nia, and widow of Nichodemus Bond, of Clinton County, Ill. Mr. Peirce is a mem- ber of the Orphan's Hope Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 213, at Xenia. He and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is Republican. He is one of the oldest settlers in Xenia Township, and has done much to advance the interests of the township and village. The depot at Xenia was laid out on his land, and for about two and a half years he was station agent. He has an heirloom which has been handed down for several generations. It is a Bible which was printed in 160S. and brought to America in 1696 by Thomas Peirce.

T. O. PEIRCE, merchant, Xenia, was born in Clay County, Ill., July 8, 1838, and is a son of John Peirce. Our subject was reared on a farm, and educated in the schools of the county, first attending, in 1845, in an old log schoolhouse in the old part of Xenia. In 1860, he engaged in the furniture and lumber business in Xenia, in partnership

with George Kenower. In 1862, he turned the business over to his partner, and enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, August 9, 1862, under command of Col. Martin. Heenlisted as a private, but was elected the first Captain of his company. The history of the Que Hundred and Eleventh Illinois is well known, from the time it marched from camp at Salem in November, 1862; its marches in Ken- incky, and up the Tennessee River, the gar- rison duty at Paducah, Ky., etc., the joining of Gen. Logan's command March 15, 1864. It also participated in the Atlanta campaign, the chase of Hood afterward, and then the march to the sea, and the capture of Fort McAllister, etc. Up to this time, Capt. Peirce had remained with his company, but December IS, 1864, was appointed Acting Assistant Inspector General, in the place made vacant through the fall of Capt. J. H. Groce at the charge on Fort McAllister. Capt. Peirce served in this office till June 1, 1865, when he was relieved from duty, with the personal thanks of his General. He then returned to his company, and was mus- tered out June 23, 1865. July 13. 1865, he was married at Shullsburgh, Wis., to Miss Maria C. Songer. She was the daughter of John Songer, an early settler of Clay County, and her mother was a daughter of Dr. John Davenport. Mrs. Peirce died February, 1867. Mr. Peirce was afterward married to Miss Eliza Cos, of Wayne County, III. She was left an orphan in early life, and was reared by Mr. H. IL. Brecher, now of Springfield, Ill. This union has been blest with four children, only two of whom are now living, viz. : Nathaniel T. and Laurena. In the fall of 1865, he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, first in groceries, but gradually changed into the hardware business, but also keeps a general stock of goods, including almost

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everything except ready-made clothing. Capt. Peirce has been very successful in busi- ness. Starting with only about $1.500. he has steadily increased, till now he carries a stock of about $5.000, besides dealing in grain and agricultural implements, and has a farm near Xenia of 243 acres, large brick business house, residence, etc. He is a mem- ber of Xenia Lodge. I. O. O. F., and has served in all the chairs of the lodge, and has represented it in the Grand Lodge of the State. He is a stanch Republican.

JOHN A. PEIRCE, machinist, Xeuia. was born in Clay County. Ill .. March 12. 1543. and is the son of John Peirce, whose sketch appears. His early life was spent on the farm, and as soon as the civil war broke out he entered the service. first of the State, in May. 1561. but June 13, 1861, was mus- tered into the United States service. Com- pany G, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, Col. U. S. Grant. This was the first regiment to march from the State, and Octo- ber 21, 1861. they were in their first engage- ment at Fredericktown, Mo. When Mlr. Peirce first applied to be admitted into the State service, the enrolling officer refused him because he was so short; but he made known his grievance to Col. S. S. Good. and the Colonel told him that he would soon grow up, and for him to take his place in the rear rank, and when his name was called in the muster-roll to answer up. This advice he followed, and so got into the service. In Oc- tober, 1561, Mr. Peirce was taken into the Adjutant's office, as Orderly at head-quarters. He served in this capacity till March 12, 1565. when he was promoted to the office of Ser- geant Mayor. and September 6, 1865, was mustered in by special order as Extra Lieu- tenant and Adjutant, which office he contin- ued to hold till close of service. December 16, 1865, they were discharged at San Anto-

nio. Tex. He had all the experience of the soldier in his marches and counter-marches. in tent life and on the field of battle. They were in the siege of Corinth. at Perryville, Ky .. Stone River, on the Chickamauga cam- paign, etc .; and when the first three years of enlistment were out, he re-enlisted at Oolte- wah, Tenn., for another three years. and then took a veteran's furlough for thirty days, after which he returned to the regiment at Big Shanty, and was on the Atlanta cam- paign, and in the fights at Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. After returning from the service, his occupation has been various, be ing engineer at the woolen mills for some time, then painting, and afterward into the tin business: but in 1578 he started into his present business of machinist, and is now prepared to do all kinds of work in repairing of all kinds of machinery. etc. Jannary 12. 1868. he was married in Xenia to Miss Fidella Westmoreland, a native of this State, and daughter of John Westmoreland, now a resident of Texas. Mrs. Peirce is the mother of five daughters, three of whom are living. viz .: Nellie, Araminta J. and Mary. He is a member of Xenia Lodge. I. O. O.F. He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In politics. he is Republican.

GILBERT PRITCHETT, farmer. P. O. Xenia, was born in Montgomery County. Ky .. October 9. 1519, and is the son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Grooms) Pritchett, natives of Virginia. When our subject was but a small boy. his parents moved to Illinois and first settled in St. Clair County, where his mother died. In later years, the father removed to Marion County and remained till death. Mr. Pritchett is one of a family of thirteen chil- dren, only five of whom reached maturity, and four of that number are all that now survive-Mrs. Anna Tate, Gilbert, John, and Mrs. Elizabeth Patten, of Chicago. Both

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the sisters are widow ladies. Before our subject had reached his majority, he had worked at $9 per month. and made money with which he entered eighty acres of Gov. ernment land in Marion County. In the spring of 1843. Mr. P. came to Clay County and settled in this township, and has since made this his home. Soon after coming here, he sold his land in Marion County and invested the money in land here. His occu- pation has always been that of farming, and has met with success in his chosen occupa- tion. He now owns abont 300 aeres of land. all of which is near the village of Xenia. In connection with his farming, he also ran a carding machine for seven years at this place. January 11. 1844, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria W. Davenport, daughter of Dr. John Davenport, one of the earliest set- tlers of this county. The following children now living have blessed this union-Emily (wife of Willis Friend), John L., Nellie B. and Charles. In politics, Mr. Pritchett is associated with the Democratic party, but takes no active part in political life. Mr. Pritchett came to this township when it was but thinly settled, when one could for miles ride through the prairie grass and see no sign of human habitation. but he has lived to see the county's development.

DR. W. H. SHIRLEY, physician. Xenia. was born in Union County, Ky .. to S. P. and Clarissa (Sigler) Shirley. The father was a native of Caldwell County. Ky .. born about 1826. For years he was a member of the firm of Blackwell & Shir- ley, who carried on a large tobacco house in Louisville. Kentneky. During the civil war, it was all destroyed by fire. In 1875, Mr. Shirley went to Texas, where he is now engaged in farming and stock-raising. The mother died in Webster County, Ky., in 1864, and soon after her death onr subject

came to Xenia, and was reared by his uncle. Dr. E. S. Shirley, whose sketch appears. His early life was spent in attending school and assisting in his uncle's drug store. He continued in the store, and in the study of medicine under the instruction of his uncle till 1977. when he went to the St. Louis Medical College, and for two years attended lectures, graduating in March, 1879, when he went into partnership with his uncle in the practice of medicine, this partnership lasting for three years, when, in September, 1882, he went to Texas, where he practiced his profession for eight months at Mineral Springs, Palo Pinto County. and Henrietta, Texas. On the last day of March, 1883. he returned to Xenia, Ill., and has had a suc- cessful practice since. Miay 14, 1853. he was married in this county to Miss Honora Finty. She was born in Ireland, but came with her parents to America in 1868. She is the daughter of John Finty, a merchant of Xenia. In politics, Dr. Shirley is an active working Democrat ..

ELIJAH S. SHIRLEY, M. D., physician and surgeon. Xenia, was born in Cald- well County, Ky., February 10, 1828, and is the son of Samuel and Phoebe (Cook) Shirley. The father was a native of Virginia. He served an apprenticeship at Harper's Ferry in the United States Armory. and then was Inspector and Trier of Arins in the United States Army. He con- tinned in this business for a number of years, and made quite an amount of money. He then emigrated to Tennessee with Dr. Hugh Barton, his brother-in-law. He was married at Blountsville, Tenn., to the mother of our subject. She was a native of New York, but had removed to Tennessee with her parents. After marriage, they removed to Kentucky, going down the Tennessee River in a keel- boat to Caldwell County. Kv .. where they

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settled and died. Our subject's grandfa- thers were both born in the old country. his grandfather Shirley in Edinburgh, Scotland, and grandfather Cook in the city of Dublin. At about the age of fourteen years, our sub- ject was left an orphan. He then went to Northern Alabama, and was placed in school at Cherokee, Ala., by his cousin, Armstead Barton. He remained at school at Cherokee for about five years, and then began the study of his profession under Dr. J. C. P. Bond, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Phil- adelphia, Penn. He remained with Dr. Bond for about fifteen months, and then went to Caseyville, Ky., into the office of Dr. Enoch R. Ashbey. After remaining there for some months, he went to Louis- ville, Ky., and attended medical lectures, after which he practiced with Dr. Ashbey for two years, and had made a good start, but in 1851 tried speculating, and lost all that he had made, so began over. In 1853, he came to Wayne County, Ill., and for two years did a large practice at Johnson- ville. Health then failed, and he lay sick at Xenia for six months; and since that time has been in the practice of his profession here and has been very successful. The Doctor is also engaged in farming, having a farm of 120 acres near town, which is in a high state of cultivation. In 1857, he was married in Jefferson County, Ill., to Miss Martha Casey, youngest daughter of Abram Casey, an early settler of that county. She died in 1858, and in 1859 the Doctor was married to Miss Mary Graves. She was born in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a town which her father had helped to lay out, also lay- ing out Graves' Addition to Xenia. Dr. Shirley is a member of the Centennial Med- ical Society of Southern Illinois. Also a member of the Alumni Association of St. Louis Medical College, from which college

he is a graduate. He is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to the Richland Chapter, No. 38, and is a member of the Council Lodge, No. 55, at Olney. In politics, he has always been a faithful worker in the Democratic party. In 1880, he was the Democratic nominee for the State Senate from the Forty - fourth Senatorial District, but on account of the pertidy of some fellow-Democrats, he was defeated, although carrying four town- ships, where he is best known, by the largest majority ever received by any candidate.

ABRAM SONGER, retired farmer. P. O. Xenia, was born in Virginia December 25, 1806, to Abram and Catherine (Sawyers) Songer. The father was a native of Penn- sylvania, but had moved with his parents to Virginia when small. The mother was born in Maryland, but was also reared in Virgin- ia. They were married in Virginia, and in about 1817 moved to Indiana, where he died. In about 1830, she and her family moved to this, Clay, county, where some years later she died. She was the mother of nine chil- dren, of whom our subject is the only sur- viving one. Our subject came to Clay County in 1828, and has made Xenia Town- ship his home ever since. He is one of the few remaining soldiers of the Black Hawk war of 1832. In 1834, he was married, in this county, to Miss Mary McGrew, who was born in Kentucky, but reared in Indiana, and a daughter of James McGrew. After mar- riage they settled on their present farm, which contains 210 acres of land, all of which Mr. Songer entered from the Govern- ment. Besides being a farmer, Mr. Songer is also a mechanic, and has done considera- ble blacksmith and carpenter work. During the civil war, while the settlers were raising cotton in Illinois, he made a cotton-gin and ran it with profit. Mr. and Mrs. Songer have been connected with the Methodist

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Episcopal Church for about fifty years. Their connection, however, for some years has been with the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He has always voted the Democratic ticket. For some time Mrs. Songer has been seriously afflicted with blind- ness. She is the mother of nine children, six of whom lived to be grown, viz. : Cynthia A., Rebecca J., Abigail, Moses, Aaron and Mary. Cynthia died without having a fami- ly. Abigail and Mary both left families at their death. Of the living, Aaron is a resi- dent of Kansas; Moses is a farmer in this township; Rebecca J. and her husband, William Bradley, are living on the old home- stead, and lightening Mr. and Mrs. Songer's burden in their declining years.

CHARLES W. SONGER, farmer, P. O. Xenia, was born in Clay County, Ill., July 24, 1830, and is the son of Frederick and Jane (Helm) Songer. They were both na- tives of Virginia, but were married in Indiana, and in the fall of 1828, came to Clay County, Ill. He was born August, 1797, and died in 1873. She was born December, 1805, and is still living at Kinmundy, Ill. He gave most of his attention to farming, but about 1838 built a mill in Marion County on Skillet Fork; this was one of the first mills built in this part of the State. At his death, he left a farm of 275 acres, part of which lies in Clay and part in Marion County. They were the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters. One of the sons and two of the daughters are now dead. Of the sons now living, two, Giles and Abram, are the proprietors of the Songer Bros. Mills of Kinmundy. Samuel T. is a practicing physican in Fairfield, Ill. William F. Songer, of Oregon, was a member of the Oregon State Legislation about 1856. Our subject, Charles W., after he was six years of age, was reared in Marion County,

Ill., and it was there he was educated, and most of his life has been devoted to farming; yet previous to 1873, he had studied medicine, and for some time practiced it very success- fully. At that date, however, on account of ill-health of his family, he removed to this county, where he has given his attention again to farming. Two years in his early life he spent in Minnesota and in Macon County, Ill., going to Minnesota in 1856. His present farm contains 127 acres of land. March 20, 1851, he was married to Miss Samantha E. Lewis. She was born in Marion County, Ill., to Sterling and Polly (Hamilton) Lewis, deceased. This union has been blest with the following children: Isaac, Frederick, Wayne, Samuel, Walter, Jane, Cora, Rosela and Nora, living; William, Harriet and Andrew, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Songer are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Iu politics, he votes the Greenback ticket.

HIRAM SONGER, farmer, P. O. Xenia, was born in Clay County, Ill., August 21, 1837, and is the son of Jacob and Rebecca Songer. The father was a native of Virgin- ia, born January 11, 1802. The mother was born in Kentucky February 29, 1811, but in early life was taken to Indiana by her par- ents. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Songer came to Clay County, Ill., in 1830, and died in this State-she in Clay County November 27, 1875, and he at the residence of his son in Wayne County August 7, 1881. They were the parents of the following-named children: James, Mary C., Abram, Elizabeth, Hiram, Angeline. Eliza J., Marion, Nancy and Abi- gail. Of these, Mary C., Abram and Ange- line are dead. Our subject was reared and educated in Clay County, and has made this county his home, except a few years he lived in Wayne County. His occupation has al- ways been that of farmer, and he now owns 140 acres of land, 100 being in cultivation.

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November 6, 1862, he was nnited in mar- riage to Miss Priscilla Lovelace, a native of Washington County, Ind., born July 16, 1841, a daughter of Caleb and Polly (Carr) Lovelace. The mother was born in Indiana and the father probably in Kentucky. Both are now residents of Clay County, III., com- ing here in 1843. They are the parents of four children, three of whom are living, viz .: Louisa, Priscilla and Sarah. Soon after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Songer settled on their present farm, where they have since re- sided. They have one son, Leo B., born Angust 31, 1863. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church South. He votes the Democratic ticket.

D. F. STRAIN, merchant, Xenia, was born in Xenia, Ohio, March 22. 1845, to William and Jane (Jolly) Strain, deceased. They were natives of Highland County, Ohio. He was born in 1816, died in 1870. She was born in the same year as her hus- band, and died in 1880 in Xenia, Ill. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom yet survive. His occupation in life was that of a carpenter. Our subject was educated in the schools of Xenia, Ohio. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, Fifth Battalion Cavalry of Ohio, commanded by Maj. Ijams. He served in that regiment for six months, and was discharged ou ac- count of expiration of term of enlistment. In July, 1864, he re-enlisted in Company I, Ninth Indiana Infantry, and served until close of war, being discharged near San An- tonio, Tex., in October, 1865. During his service in the cavalry, he was mostly on scout- ing duty, but while in the infantry was en- gaged in the battles at Columbia, Franklin, and Nashville, Tenn., etc. Since coming from the service, he has been principally en- gaged in the mercantile and grain business and farming, all of which he now carries on.

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 81

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