USA > Illinois > White County > History of White County Illinois > Part 52
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Christopher Fields, born in Enfield Township, Sept. 15, 1830, is a son of Thomas Fields, a native of Tennessee, who came to this county in 1814 or 1815, and was one of the company that followed the Indians when they murdered Mr. Morgan, in 1815. He was the one that found the place on Morgan's head where he was scalped. He died in 1842. Christopher was educated in the early log-cabin school of this township. He was married in 1850 to Nancy J. Hobson. To them have been born ten children, nine living-James T., William L., Sarah, Ellen, Mary, Rilda, Meoma, Rady and Hale. Mr. Fields is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and also of the Black Hawk war.
William M. Fields, son of Jeremiah Fields, a native of Ten- nessee and an early settler of this county, was born in Enfield Township, Jan. 2, 1828, where he was reared and educated. He has always been a farmer and owns 175 acres of good land, on sec- tion 28. He was married in January, 1847, to Eliza J., daughter of William Groves. Of their eleven children but five are living -Jeremiah, Newton, Robert, Martha J. and Hattie. Mrs. Fields died and he married IIattie J. Orr. They have four children- Luella, Sallie May, Joanna and John. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Hiram S. Floyd, born in Kentucky, Nov. 30, 1830, is a son of Isaac Floyd, a native of North Carolina, who brought his family to this county in 1845, where Hiram S. has since lived. He was married April 30, 1857, to Rebecca J. Deboard. To them have been born six children, four of whom are living-Susan L., Will- iam F., Minnie M. and Rola L. Mr. Floyd owns 220 acres of good land, 120 of which is in Hamilton County, the county line passing through his farm, and is engaged in farming and stock-
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raising. He resides on section 31, Enfield Township. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Haven Chapel.
Archie G. Foster, born in Butler County, O., June 2, 1839, is a son of Archie Foster, a native of Virginia, who moved to Ohio in an early day. Archie G. was educated in the common schools of Decatur County, Ind., where his parents moved in 1848. He came to this county in 1863 and located in Enfield Township, and was engaged in farming till 1878, when he moved into Enfield, where he has since sold farm machinery and has a livery stable. He was married in 1860 to Louisa Talkington. They are the pa- rents of nine children, only six living-Andrew J., Joseph, John, Frank, Chauncy and Anna. He was Coroner of White County two years, Constable of Enfield Township eight years, and Deputy Sheriff four years.
Captain Samuel J. Foster, section 15, Enfield Township, was born in Butler County, O., March 8, 1833, and is a son of Archie Foster (deceased), a native of Virginia, He was reared and edu- cated in Decatur County, Ind. He taught school several years when a young man. He came to this township in 1860. He en- listed in the late war, in Company I, First Illinois Cavalry, and served fifteen months, and was then appointed Captain of Com- pany G, Eighty-seventh Illinois Cavalry, and served nearly three years. He was in the battles of Belmont, Island No. 10, New Madrid, Vicksburg, Pleasant Hill, and others. He was married in 1865 to Julia A. Boyer. They are the parents of seven chil- dren, six living-Minnie M., Rosa E., John C., Julia A., Mary and Margaret. Captain Foster has been Associate Judge of White County four years, and Supervisor of Enfield Township two terms. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity in good standing.
John M. Garrett was born in Limestone County, Ala., Sept. 20, 1882. His father, John Garrett, moved with the family to Ten- nessee when they were small, and two years later to Kentucky. In 1844 they moved to Pope County, Ill. When John M. was sixteen years old he went to work on the Ohio River, and remained there till 1854, when he married Shaba Johnson, and went to farming near Paducah, Ky. They had three children, only one living -- James M. Mrs. Garrett died in April, 1861. In September, 1861. Mr. Garrett enlisted in Company A, Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry; was discharged in April, 1862, and the following December enlisted in Company A, Sixth Illinois Cavalry. He was on Greerson's raid when he rode 1,700 miles in sixteen days and nighte, and had to
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swim all the streams ; was in the siege of Fort Hudson forty-eight days and nights. Dec. 4, 1863, he was taken prisoner, and held till the close of the war ; was at Catawba prison four months, and then taken to Andersonville. While there he was vaccinated and poisoned by it, and the maggots got into his side by large quan- tities. He was so nearly starved that he had to crawl to the cars when leaving, as he could not walk. September, 1864, he was re- moved to Charleston, S. C. In September, 1865, he came to this county, and in April, 1866, he married Mrs. Janc Moreland, daugh- ter of Abel Burger. They are the parents of four children, two living-Edwin and Perry. In 1879 he established a grocery in Enfield; also keeps tin, glass and queen's ware. He is a member of the Baptist church, and a radical temperance man. He is a mem- ber of the Andersonville Survivors' Association.
James H. Gowdy (formerly spelled Goudy) was born in this township Sept. 11, 1830. His father, William F. Gowdy, came here from Tennessee about 1820. James H. was reared on a farm and his educational advantages were limited. His father died when he was small, and he had very little schooling. He was obliged to work hard, and did most of his studying at home. He was mar- ried June 8, 1860, to Parthena Henson. Of their two children but one is living-Allie May. Mr. Gowdy has been Township School Treasurer most of the time for the past twenty years, and is the present incumbent. He was elected County Assessor and Treas- urer in November, 1857, and held the office two years. He has been Justice of the Peace since 1869, and a Notary Public for sev- eral years. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He has been Trustee and acting Secretary of Southern Illinois Academy, at Enfield, ever since its organization in 1873.
John H. Gowdy was born in Tennessee, June 18, 1803, and was a son of John C. He was reared and educated in his native State. He married, Sept. 9, 1827, Louisa, daughter of James Miller. They had nine children, seven still living -- Mary A., Sarah A., William M., John M., James E., George G., and Isaline. Their daughter Caroline died at the age of twenty-six. Mr. J. H. Gowdy died Nov. 18, 1869. Mrs. Gowdy still resides in Enfield.
William M. Gowdy, born near the old union camp-ground of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, this township, Sept. 3, 1833, is a son of John H. Gowdy, a native of Tennessee, who came to this country as early as 1818, and while the Indians were yet here died. William M. was educated in the early subscription schools. When
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he was nineteen he learned the saddler and harness maker's trade, and in the spring of 1855 he went to work for himself where Enfield now stande, only one family living here then (J. B. Holmes's). When he began he had three saddles, a few scraps of leather, some tools, and fifty cents in money. The first time he bought leather he went with a neighbor to Shawneetown in an ox wagon, and bonght one side of leather, from which he made three saddles, and sold them all on credit: one to Mark A. Willis, one to Win. Fields, and the other to John A. Nation. He now has a large business, and carries a full stock of everything usually kept in a first-class har- ness-shop. He was married Nov. 6, 1856, to Adeline Hunsinger. Of their six children but four are living -- Leora E., George C., J. Frank and Carrie A. One son, Charles N., died at the age of eight years, and another, Wm. Oscar, died Oct. 5, 1881, aged seventeen. He was a fine scholar and musician, and penman. He was loved by all, and his death was a sad bereavement. Mr. Gowdy has been an Odd Fellow for twenty years, and has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church thirty years.
Joseph R. Grant, born in Posey County, Ind., Dec. 25, 1825, is a son of Rowlet Grant, who died when his son was nine years old. Joseph R. was reared on a farm, and received a very limited edu- cation in the early subscription schools. He came to this county in 1834, and settled in the same house where he now resides, on section 12, Enfield Township. He was married in 1850 to Sarah Noles. His wife died, leaving one child-Betsey A. He married a second time, Frances Ramsey. They have had seven children. tive of whom are living-Martha J., Cynthia S., Rachel, Joseph R. and James R. He is a member of the general Baptist church.
James Hawthorn, born in Enfield Township, Jan. 3, 1826, is a son of Robert Hawthorn, a native of the South, who came to this county in 1815. His grandfather and granduncle, Robert and Jo- seph Hawthorn, were both soldiers in the Revolutionary war, and were among the pioneers of this county, where they died. His father was in the war of 1812; was in the battle of New Orleans. He died in 1852. James was educated at hard work in the woods and field. He was married Feb. 24, 1848, to Mary A., daughter of Thomas Fields. They are the parents of eight children, six liv- ing-William, Mollie, Madaline, Jasper N., Celestia and Edward F. One son, John W., died in April, 1882, aged twenty-eight years. Mr. Hawthorn owns 220 acres of tine land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He is a life-long farmer. He is a
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member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
William D. Hunsinger was born in Burnt Prairie Township, White County, April 20, 1830. His father, Adam Hunsinger, was a native of North Carolina, but was brought by his parents when a small boy to Kentucky, on horse-back behind his mother In 1819 he came to this county. William D. was educated in the early schools of this county. He was married in November, 1859. to Jane Ward, a native of Ohio. They are the parents of six children, only three living-Mary, Josie and Fannie. Mrs. Hun- singer died May 4, 1873. Mr. Hunsinger spent the seasons of 1873 and 1874 in Colorado for his health. In 1875 he came to Enfield, and in 1876 built a fine residence adjoining the college grounds, and is educating his children. He s a member of the Missionary Baptist church.
Elias Jordan, born in Pope County, Ill., June 15, 1812, is a son of William Jordan, a native of Tennessee, who settled in Pope County in an early day. and in the spring of 1813 came to this county, and located near Union City with his father-in-law, Walter McCoy. They were the first settlers in Indian Creek Township. His father was one of the rangers for protection against the Indians. During the time General Harrison had his headquarters at Equality, Gallatin County, his mother would cover the fire at night and take him (then two or three years old) and sleep in the woods by a log. She was alone with him and an infant when Brown was killed by an Indian at Enfield in 1815 His father cleared a farm, he was always a hard worker. He was also a good hunter and made considerable money by hunting. They lived in a three-cornered round-log cabin, shed roof, one side of the lower part open and warmed by a fire on the outside, in front of the opening. Elias was reared in the woods and only went to school a short time. and that of the most primitive sort. He was married March 29, 1832, to Lucinda C., daughter of James Miller (deceased). They celebrated their golden wedding March 29, 1882, on the same ground where they were married. Three generations of their children were represented, one child and one grandchild being the only ones absent. They are the parents of ten children, eight living-R. Wesley, Mark T., William A., James N., Narcis S., Esther, John M. and Eliza E. Thomas M. and Samantha J. are deceased. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church fifty-one years.
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Mark T. Jordan, commonly called Doc. Jordan, was born in Enfield Township March 1, 1835, and is a son of Elias Jordan. He was reared on a farm and educated in the log-cabin school house. He has always been a farmer till the last three years. He was married March 23, 1853, to Lucinda M., daughter of Pe- tillo Anderson. They have seven children-Mary M., Nancy F., Adda J., James C .. Lora May, Lizzie and Dilla. Mr. Jordan was Constable five years. In 1879 he moved into Enfield and engaged in the livery business. He is a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church.
R. W. Jordan was born in Enfield Township, White County, March 1, 1833. His parents were Elias and Lucinda (Miller) Jor- dan, old settlers of White County and residents in Enfield. They are both members of the church, he a Methodist and she a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. They had a family of six sons and three daughters. R. W. was the oldest. He re- mained on the farm with his parents until his marriage to Mary Hunsinger, March 20, 1856. She was born in Burnt Prairie Town- ship, July 12, 1832, and was a daughter of Adam and Mary (Vaught) Hunsinger. After Mr. and Mrs. Jordan were married they settled on a farm in Enfield Township, where they remained until 1869, when they purchased a farm of 240 acres, 100 lying in Hamilton County, and 140 in Enfield Township, White County. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. They have had a family of nine children, seven now liv- ing-William M., born March 4, 1857, married Madaline Haw- thorn (they reside on their farm in Enfield Township); Martha, born Dec. 3, 1859, married Edward Fields, and resides in Bell City, Hamilton Co., Ill., where he owns a mill; Edward F., born Nov. 2, 1861; Alexander, born Nov. 8, 1863; Lizzie, born Nov. 14, 1865; Esther, born March 6, 1870; and Ezekiel, born Oct. 20, 1873. One son, Martin W., died in 1874, aged sixteen years. In politics Mr. Jordan is a supporter of the Greenback party.
Frederick Kirk was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., June 19, 1831. His father, Samuel Kirk, came to this county with his family in 1848, where he resided till his death in 1882. Frederick was mostly self-educated, his only school advantages being the early schools of this county. He has served as Tax Collector one year, Constable ten or twelve years, and Deputy Sheriff two terms. He was married in January, 1852, to Sarah J., daughter of Henry P. Anderson, deceased. They are the parents of five children, four
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living-William M., Susan A., James H. and Sarah J. Mr. Kirk owns ninety-six acres of good land on section 8, Enfield Township, and is engaged in farming. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Perry C. Ruykendall, son of Jacob Kuykendall (deceased), was born in Knox County, Ind., Nov. 15, 1840. He was educated in the common schools of Edwards County, Ill., where the family moved in 1848. He enlisted in the late war, in the Second Kansas Artillery, and served three years and four months. He was in the battles of Prairie Grove, Cane Hill, Honey Spring and others. He was Bugler one year and Sergeant one year. In 1866 he had a grocery store in Clay City, Ill., and in 1867 had a drug store, which he carried on three years. The next three years he dealt in fruit trees. In the spring of 1873 he came to Enfield and opened a grocery, at which he is still engaged. He keeps a full line of gro- ceries, also boots and shoes, tin and wooden ware, etc. In 1882 he built a brick block 80 x 22 and two stories high, at a cost af $3,500; the first and only brick business block in Enfield. He was married Jan. 28, 1866, to Livonia Brock. She died in December, 1866. They had one child-Charles D. (deceased). In the fall of 1868 he married Nancy A. Traverse. They had one child-Perry B. Mrs. Kuykendall died Dec. 28, 1874. In 1876 he married Miranda Hall. They have had two children-Susie, and Clinton (deceased). Mr. Kuykendall is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. IIe belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
Samuel C. Latham, M. D., born in Johnson County, Ill., Sept. 21, 1833, is a son of Carter Latham (deceased), of Tennessee, who emi- grated to Illinois in 1815. He was educated in Vienna, Ill., and read medicine in Williamson County for two years, under Dr. S. H. Bundy, of Marion. In 1859 he located in El Dorado, and practiced till 1863; then attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, one term. He practiced three years longer in El Dorado, and then moved to Gallatin County and practiced till the fall of 1869, when he returned to the college in Keokuk, and graduated with high honors in the spring of 1870. He continued practicing in Gallatin County till the fall of 1874 and then came to Enfield, where he has built up a good practice. He was married Jan. 21, 1855, to Augusta J., danghter of E. J. Cash, of Williamson County. His second wife was Parthena Tarpley, daughter of Sampson M. Cowan, of Williamson County, to whom he was married Ang. 27, 1857. He married his third wife, Malinda, daughter of Bennet
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Hammons, of Saline County, Dec. 29, 1864, and Sept. 18, 1873, he married his fourth wife, Mrs. Amanda Thomas, of Chicago, daugh- ter of Wylie Hammers. He is the father of nine children, only five living-Angusta E. J., Lorenzo D., Malinda R. A., Ella B. and Dora May. One son, Samuel C., died Jan. 24, 1875, aged fifteen years. He was the eldest son, and a very promising and intelligent boy, and bade fair to make a wise and useful man. The others died in infancy. Dr. Latham is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to the I. O. O. F.
William P. Males was born in Gibson County, Ind., Nov. 25, 1835. His father, Solomon Males, was born in Knox County in 1792. William P. received a common-school education, and when twenty-five years of age learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked twelve years. He enlisted in the late war in Company F, Eightieth Indiana Infantry; was in the battles of Nashville, Frank- lin, Tenn., and others. He came to Enfield in 1870, and worked at his trade till September, 1879, when he went into the furniture and undertaking business with S. F. Tyner. They are doing a good business, and carry a full assortment in their line. He was married in 1860 to Louisa Whiting. Of their two children but one is living-Jesse. Mrs. Males died Oct. 14, 1864, and in 1867 he married Cecelia Davis. They are the parents of seven children, only four are living-Nancy, Laura, Martha and Mary. Mr. Males is serving his fifth year as Village Trustee. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
George W. Miller was born in Enfield Township, Aug. 13, 1819. His father was a pioneer of White County, and settled here when the Indians were still here. George W. was educated in the prim- itive log-cabin schools. He has always lived here with the excep- tion of five years spent in Hamilton County, Ill. He was married March 2, 1854, to Mary Sterling. Of their three children but one is living-Sarah A. Mrs. Miller died April 17, 1859, and Nov. 20, 1861, he married Sophronia Byram. They have had six children, four living-Margery B., Harriet, Olive and Bessie. Mr. Miller owns 253 acres of fine land, and is engaged in farming and tock-raising on section 33, Enfield Township.
Rev. John M. Miller was born in Enfield Township, Feb. 16, 1818; was a son of James Miller, a pioncer of this county. He was reared on a farm and educated in the Hillsboro (Ill.) Academy. He joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church in Enfield, Sept. 24, 1842 ; was licensed to preach March 29, 1844, and ordained March
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28, 1846, and was pastor of the Enfield church till his death Feb. 28, 1881, aged sixty-three years and eleven days. He was a very useful and energetic man, and the church prospered greatly under his administration. He was a very enthusiastic temperance worker. He was beloved by all, not only of his own church denomination, but by others, and also those outside of any church. He was mar- ried April 15, 1846, to Ellen, daughter of Adam and Mary Hun- singer, born in Kentucky in 1821, but brought here by her parents the same year. Of their six children but four are living-John H., resides in McLeansboro, Ill .; Ella, now Mrs. Watkins, resides in Enfield; Adda, now Mrs. Wilcox, resides in Huron, D. T .; and Anna M., resides with her mother. One son, Charles, died at the age of six years. All the family are members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church.
John M. Miller was born March 27, 1823, in Hamilton County, Ill., and is a son of Robert Miller (deceased), a native of Georgia, who moved to Henderson County, Ky., when a boy, and to this county in 1816, having lived in Gallatin County one year near the fort. John M. was brought to this county when only two weeks old, and has always resided here. He was reared on a farm and educated in the early subscription schools. He was married Feb. 23, 1848, to Tabitha, daughter of Morgan Wallace (deceased). They are the parents of eleven children, only five of whom are living- Melissa, now Mrs. Rice ; Mary, now Mrs. Jordan ; Robert C., Olive and Emma. Alvin M. died June 2, 1877, aged twenty- eight years; Charles W. died Sept. 14, 1874, in his twenty-first year; Alfred W. died Dec. 25, 1874, and John N., Dec. 26, 1874. Mr. Miller owns 280 acres of fine land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He resides on section 16, Enfield Township. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
Mark A. Miller, born in Enfield Township, Feb. 21, 1820, is a son of James Miller, a native of Georgia, who came to this county in 1813 and settled among the Indians in the woods with his brother Peter and brother-in-law, James Mayes, on section 15, where he made a good farm. He worked very hard for a number of years. He married, Oct. 7, 1807, Jane Rutledge. Mark A. is the sixth of their eight children, but three of whom are living, he and two sisters, Mrs. Eliza A. Gowdy and Mrs. Lucinda C. Jor- dan, all are residents of Enfield. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan celebrated their golden wedding March 29, 1882. The eldest son, Robert O. Miller, was drowned Jan. 15, 1837, in the Little Wabash River, at
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Leech's old mill, when attempting to cross on the ice. The sec- ond son, J. M. Miller, was a preacher in the Cumberland Presby - terian church of Enfield thirty-eight years. It was the first church of that denomination in Illinois, and he joined when a boy. He died Feb. 27, 1881. The youngest son died in 1850, aged twenty- four years. The father died Feb. 18, 1849, and the mother, March 10, 1846. Mark A. was married Dec. 27, 1838, to Harriet L., daughter of Joel Rice (deceased), and a native of Murray County, Tenn., born Oct. 2, 1822. She came with her parents to this county in the spring of 1827 or 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the pa- rents of ten children, seven living-Mary E. (Mrs. Gowdy), Will- iam R., Elias N .. Julia A. (Mrs. Pearce), Lucy C. (Mrs. Calley), Maria A. (Mrs. Lilliman), Harriet P. (Mrs. Newman). One son, Joseph A., was killed in the late war, in the battle of Vicksburg, while defending his country. Mr. Miller has been an Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church over forty years. He is a Republican in his political views, but although his township is largely Democratic, he is always elected when he runs for office. He has been Supervisor of Enfield Township seven years.
Petilla W. Miller, born in this township April 30, 1834, is a son of Robert M. and a brother of John M. Miller. He was educated in the old Hickory school-house of this township on section 21. JIe was married in the spring of 1855 to Susie J. Land. They are the parents of ten children, eight living -- M. Anna B., Samuel M., Rutha E., Martin, Mary A., Edgar, Daniel, and Ida J. Mr. Miller owns 160 acres of fine land and resides on section 20, Enfield Township, where he is engaged in farming. He has been Town- ship Trustee for the past six years. He is a member of the Pres- byterian church.
Samuel B. Miller, son of Samuel D. Miller, was born in Indian Creek Township, this county, Oct. 24, 1843. He was educated in the common schools. He owns 120 acres on section 35, Enfield Township, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has worked at the mason and plasterer's trade for the past ten years, farming during the summer. He was married March 7, 1872, to Matilda, daughter of Robert B. Orr. They are the parents of five children, four living-Annie, Thomas B., Mary and Edward San- key. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Sharon.
Samuel B. F. Miller, born in this township Jan. 30, 1826, is a son of Robert Miller (deceased), a native of Georgia, who came to this county when a boy, in 1813, before Illinois was admitted
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